Accidental Love: Movie Review (AKA Nailed)

A trip of nonsense and comedy.

Nailed is the film that spent 7 years in production hell, directed by David O. Russell. Accidental Love is the title it finally gets released with, with David O. Russell no longer involved and his name being replaced with a pseudonym. That type of turmoil is sure to spell doom, especially for a film that would be a hard sell in the first place. It's a satirical commentary on the American health care system (before ObamaCare came into existence) disguised as a surreal-ish, un-idealistic romantic comedy.		2015 Directed by: Stephen Greene Screenplay by: Kristin Gore, Matthew Silverstein, and Dave Jesser Starring: Jessica Biel, Jake Gyllenhaal

True Story: Movie Review

Stretching out an interesting story and losing the connection to the characters.

True Story is based on the true story of murderer Christian Longo (James Franco) and journalist Michael Finkel (Jonah Hill). Fresh from being fired from The New York Times for making up facts in a story, Finkel learns that FBI Most Wanted man Christian Longo was using his name when captured by authorities. Longo's in jail and Finkel decides to meet with him. Like a cat-and-mouse game set entirely in a prison visitation room, but missing the suspense that is usually supposed to come with a crime thriller.		2015 Directed by: Rupert Goold Screenplay by: Rupert Goold, David Kajganich Based on memoir by Michael Finkel Starring: Jonah Hill, James Franco

3 Nights in the Desert: Movie Review

A slow, mysterious piece of reflection in the desert.

Anna (Amber Tamblyn), Travis (Wes Bentley) and Barry (Vincent Piazza) are three thirty-something former friends, former band-mates and 10 years removed from when their band was up-and-coming and on the road to success. Now, Anna is still a singer, Barry is a lawyer and married, and, as the title suggests, are spending three nights in the desert at the urging of Travis who has not moved on as well as the others.		2014 Directed by: Gabriel Cowan Screenplay by: Adam Chanzit Starring: Amber Tamblyn, Wes Bentley and Vincent Piazza

While We're Young: Movie Review

A somewhat funny but uninteresting examination of modern life.

While We're Young is Noah Baumbach's most recent film, re-teaming him with star Ben Stiller. It's a good match since Baumbach allows Stiller to be funny but grounds him into a more mature, substantial character. Here, unfortunately, Stiller's Josh was very subdued and lacked interest and intrigue and the other characters weren't any better. Josh is married to Cornelia (Naomi Watts) whose inability to have kids is the only interesting thing about her.		2014 Directed by: Noah Baumbach Screenplay by: Noah Baumbach Starring: Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts

Danny Collins: Movie Review

Family drama that charms with some comedy.

The movie opens with “The following is kind of based on a true story a little bit.” The true story is that British folk singer Steve Tilston received a letter from John Lennon 34 years after he sent it, and didn't know of its existence until the twilight of his career. This movie is not about Tilston's story. This movie takes the premise of Tilston's story and applies it to the fictional Danny Collins.		2015 Directed by: Dan Fogelman Screenplay by: Dan Fogelman Starring: Al Pacino