Thursday, April 30, 2015

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

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

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

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

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

Saturday, April 25, 2015

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

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

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