Love love 'Crazy Stupid Love'

Crazy Stupid Love could have been another raunchy, sophomoric rom coms. But thank God it isn’t. What it IS is a sensitive, sweet, slightly naughty story of people navigating relationships in today’s world, which often produces hilarious consequences.

Ryan Gosling gives Steve Carell a make-over.

I didn’t really see this coming. Oh, the cast was promising: Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, a luminous Emma Stone, delightful youngster Jonah Bobo and a couple of funny cameo turns. Who knew Gosling was so funny? And so ripped?!

I’ve really liked Carell since The 40-year-old Virgin, which was also sweet, but much raunchier.

Here’s the clue that this movie scores with all ages. My “mature” husband has declared many times he doesn’t like Steve Carell, mostly because he made “Virgin” (which my husband didn’t see). I finally convinced him to see this movie, and when we emerged he announced that he loved it and that he’d go see Carell again, even in “Virgin.” 

An online reviewer summed it up best: "It's romantic, touching, a little risqué and screwball, yet reassuringly down-to-earth.”  
He was so right. Carell goes from a schmuck to a leading man, all with a new haircut, wardrobe and dose of confidence. Gosling goes from a shameless roué to a lovesick puppy. Emma, who is adorable, also gains confidence. And the scene-stealer Bobo, embodies every 13-year-old kid entering puberty. All of the characters ring true and act (mostly) like real people would. The twists and turns – and surprises – may stretch it a bit, but they are within the realm of possibility. 

While not giving anything away, the plot concerns Cal, a married man (Carell) who is gobsmacked by his wife (Moore) when she announces she wants a divorce. In his misery, Cal visits a bar that is the perfect upscale pick-up lounge, where he meets ladykiller Jacob (Gosling), who makes Cal his project. Meanwhile, Cal’s teenaged son is lovestruck, as is babysitter Jessica (Analeigh Tipton). And as we all know, love doesn’t always run smoothly.

Yes, there’s a little crazy and a little stupid in this film, but there’s a lot of love too.

The boys of Crazy Stupid Love

This should appeal to many generations of moviegoers. It’s at least a couple of steps above most romantic comedies, actually displaying both romance and comedy. 

This movie deserves 3 1/2 reels.

Welcome Back, Harry!

Tonight’s the night! Harry Potter returns for the 8th and final movie in this record-shattering series based on the books by J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II hits theaters tonight at 11:59 p.m. Long lines are assured. Will the faithful come away satisfied? I believe they will.

Wizards Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) continue their search for Horcruxes - objects that hold pieces of Lord Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) soul, which they must find and destroy in order to render the dark lord mortal. 
First, know that this final film, part two of the seventh and last book in the series, presumes that by this time you know the characters (even the minor ones), so director David Yates plunges right into the story without undue exposition. The more you remember from the previous movies, the more you’ll understand. But never mind that – you’ll be able to follow most of it even if your memory is shot.
As the youngsters have aged, the  challenges and dangers have escalated. So too has the violence. While this PG-13 film may be a little intense for the young ones, at least there’s nothing else objectionable in it (language, sex, gore, drugs – well, there are spells). I find it refreshing.
But I digress. While I have loved all the previous films – some more than others and most of all the first one – this one may be the most sophisticated of them all. Not only is it vintage Harry Potter, it now deals with some very heavy and adult themes, the most important being life and death.
Fortunately the acting ability of the young cast,  completely intact through all eight films, has grown with each film, leading up to this delicious ending.

So, what can you expect? Many, many of the cast members return, some we haven’t seen for several films. All are a welcome addition. We even get to see Albus Dumbledore again (those who have seen other films can understand the sweetness of this) as well as Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) and Mr. Ollivander (John Hurt). In fact, Dumbledore utters one of the best lines in the movie: "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
Besides the awesome acting of those three kids who have carried the series, especially Daniel Randcliffe who is just amazing, the veterans deliver powerful performances as well. Harry is called upon not only to be the moral and sympathetic center of the film, but in this one, also a buff action hero. He delivers. 
I (and the audience) especially loved Maggie Smith as Prof. Minerva McGonnigal and Julie Walters as Ron’s mum. Matthew Lewis does a terrific job in his role as reluctant hero Neville Longbottom.
If you want creatures, you won’t be disappointed. There are some truly awe-inspiring ones, including a huge dragon. Oh, there’s just so much eye-candy and so much action is this, I can’t possible begin to describe it all.
So let me go about this another way. I love the way they bring things back; it’s so satisfying to know they haven’t lost sight of the many things that charmed and enthralled us from the beginning. I was especially delighted by the music, which brought back wonderful memories of the first film. The special effects are so amazing, created by a large contingent of geniuses. Many of them are merely throw-aways, there just to delight us. The cinematography is beautiful – especially in 3-D. Yes, this is one you will want to see in 3-D. (The glasses are Harry Potter glasses!) In this case, 3-D did what it is supposed to do – enhance the experience. Everything had so much depth.
The climactic battles scenes were a little over the top, but after all, it was a battle of good and evil with the outcome of the human race (I presume) on the line. And magic plays a great role in making those scenes new and fresh.
I can’t tell you the ending (in case you haven’t read the book) but it’s a wonderful, satisfying, if bittersweet denouement to a great story.

For some inexplicable reason, the series has not gotten much love from the Academy (Oscars) or even from the foreign press (Golden Globes). I am hopeful that this final film will not be snubbed, but will be accorded the accolades it deserves.
I am very grateful to J.K. Rowling and all the powers that be who decided to be true to the books when translated to film. As millions of children and adults will attest, it was a magical, wonderful ride that has cemented its place in history. Gotta love it.

This film deserves all 4 reels (out of 4). 

Midnight in Paris

Well, I’ve got to tell you – if you haven’t seen a Woody Allen film in recent years, you are in luck. His latest film is one of his best, certainly in the last 20 years or so. Midnight in Paris tells the story of a young man (Owen Wilson at his subdued and handsome best as Gil) who is visiting Paris with his fianceé (Rachel McAdams) and her parents. It is obvious to the observer that these two share very little in common. He is a successful screen writer who dreams of living in a Paris attic and strolling in the rain. She wants a new house in Malibu.

While the story is rooted in reality, a supernaturally fanciful element provides charming answers to his musings. He is transported back to the the heyday of the Jazz Age in Paris every midnight and meets many of his literary and artistic idols. As is typical in an Allen movie, they are played by a parade of famous actors, all of whom have a great time impersonating the likes of Hemmingway, Cole Porter, F. Scott Fitzgerald … I’ll leave the rest for you to happily discover. Oscar-winner Kathy Bates is marvelous as Gertrude Stein and Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard is luminous as Adriana (a composite of Picasso’s mistresses), the object of Gil’s intense interest.
I could really relate to this aspect of the movie because of a dream I had many years ago. At the time, I was studying French in school, as well as Philosophy and I dreamed that I ran into Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. (1881-1955) and had a long, interesting conversation with him in French (not actually a possibility with my skills!). This movie seemed like a similar experience. 
Be aware that the more familiar you are with the writers and artists of the ’20s, the more references you will understand. It’s a very smart and witty film. It is also a lovely love story.
In the course of his trips back in time, Gil examines his relationship with his fianceé and his creative expectations as well. Where the story ends up will keep you guessing. But for many of us watching, the end comes too soon. This is a visual feast of Paris, then and now. It is a love letter to my favorite city. It even included one of my favorite places there, the flea market at Porte de Clignancourt.
My husband loved this film so much, he wanted to go back and see it again a day later. I convinced him we should wait a week or so. We also determined to buy the DVD when it is released so we can revisit it often.
The romantic city bestows a lingering kiss on us all in this wonderful film. I fell in love all over again.
Rating: 4 reels out of 4. The best of the year so far.

Horrible Bosses

There seems to be a cascade of raunchy movies hitting the screens, each trying to top the other in raunchiness. Hangover II and its predecessor come to mind. (Saw the first and didn’t like it; didn’t see the sequel.) I haven’t seen Bridesmaids yet, but I guess it’s the female equivalent. We just got Bad Teacher (missed that one also), but the trailer seemed to follow suit. And now we have Horrible Bosses, which I decided to see after I saw the previews. I saw it, and while it was certainly raunchy in word and occasionally in deed, it was funny. The premise has three men who hate their horrible bosses and when someone suggests they kill them, their thoughts turn to murder. Unsure how to go about it, they seek out a hitman and end up with Jamie Foxx as a “murder consultant” who counsels them to kill each others bosses, like Hitchcock’s Stranger on a Train.
The three would-be murderers are Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day; their respective bosses are Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston.
What sets this apart is the likability of the three guys (and the truly appalling behavior of the bosses). We root for them, especially seeing that they are supremely inept. They approach their task as most of us would. Reconnaissance that is laughable, and fear that is palpable.
It starts pretty slowly, but the laughs build and some sequences are laugh-out-loud funny. Case in point: their mishandling of a boss’s huge stash of cocaine. Some stuff works, some doesn’t, but if you aren’t easily offended by crude sexual references (Aniston is the polar opposite of her Friends role), then you should enjoy this. I wanted a funny movie that night, and for the most part, I got it.
Rating: 2.5 reels out of 4.

Green Lantern

Many superheroes are making their way to the screen this year. This is one that hoped to begin a new franchise for Warner Bros. and Ryan Reynolds. Alas, it is probably not to be. It’s not that it was so awful … I actually enjoyed much of it. It’s just, well, a bit tired. There is a lot of exposition in the beginning for those of us who have never read a Green Lantern comic book. While the premise was a bit dodgy, I did like the reluctant and funny human-turned-superhero as played by Reynolds. There were some funny moments, as when the slimey Sen. Hammond (Tim Robbins) got his comeuppance. Sinestro (Mark Strong) was sinister, but the really creepy role when to Peter Sarsgaard as Dr. Hector Hammond.
I have no idea how many liberties they took with the original stories, but for this uninitiated viewer, the story was okay; not great, but okay. What I really l liked in this 3-D film (after I had vowed never to don the glasses again) was the 3-D. I thought they made very good use of it (I dodged more than a few flying objects). And I didn’t get a headache (the glasses have improved). I know the vast majority of critics have disliked this, but I thought the effects and the humor made it two hours of fun. But then, what do I know? This wasn’t made for my generation.
I’ll give it 2 reels out of 4.

I’m back ... finally! Let’s go to the movies!

Sorry for the delay; I’m up and running now and hope to stay that way!

Attending summer movies, for those of us over 30 (way over), can be a challenge. As readers of my print column know, I have pretty eclectic tastes, but even so, some summer releases are just not my kind of entertainment. But then, if they were yours, you probably wouldn’t be reading this.
Let’s look at what’s out there now that might be worth your price of admission.

Super 8
Super 8 is still in some theaters and if you haven’t seen it, you should. Yes, it is a Steven Spielberg creation … but it’s directed by J.J. Abrams, the genius behind Lost, so it seemed like a no-brainer to see. It’s vintage Spielberg but not cutting edge and it avoids (SPOIILER ALERT?) an unhappy ending, but it will definitely appeal to fans of ET and many other Spielberg movies for the family. Since this is PG-13 (mostly for a little language), many just the older kids. Super 8 tells the story of a group of middle school kids, who while making a Super 8 movie, witness a horrific train crash that may or may not be literally out of this world.
The best thing about this film is the 1979 setting, in which they got all the little details right. Loved that nostalgia aspect and the spot-on understanding of kids of that age. Casting is very good, with the kids the standouts, especially Joel Courtney who plays the main kid, Joe Lamb. He’s cute and he’s funny. Also good are Elle Fanning as the “older girl” Alice, and Riley Griffiths in his first film, as Charlie. Kyle Chandler is good as Joe’s father, the Deputy Sheriff. This isn’t particularly scary (there are moments) but it is often (intentionally) funny. The chase scene is somewhat atypical, and is scary and funny at the same time. It’ll keep you on your toes throughout, whether the scene is frightening, funny or touching. When you go, be sure to stay through the credits or you’ll miss a real treat.
I’m giving it 3.5 reels out of 4.