Drama

The Town

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Town
  • IMDB: link

“Charlestown, a blue collar Boston neighborhood, produces more bank robbers and armored car thieves than any square mile in the world.”

This isn’t the first time Ben Affleck has adapted a novel for the big screen. The Town shares much in common with Gone Baby Gone including plenty of local Boston color, an Affleck in the starring role (though it’s Ben this time, not Casey), and, once again, a good build-up which leads to a somewhat unsatisfying ending.

Doug MacRay (Affleck) is the brains behind a Charlestown armed robbery crew that includes local boys Gloansy (Slaine) and Dez (Owen Burke), and his unstable best friend Jem (Jeremy Renner). Doug went into the family business working for the local crime boss (Pete Postlethwaite), just as his father (Chris Cooper) did before earning a life-sentence in prison.

On the latest job, Doug falls for the assistant bank manager (Rebecca Hall), who the crew take hostage. (Did I mention he’s the smart one?) Finding an excuse to meet her under other circumstances, the pair begin an unlikely romance that hinges on her never discovering his involvement in the crime. (Gee, I wonder if she’ll figure it out?)

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Going the Distance

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Going the Distance
  • IMDB: link

Romantic comedies are far from my favorite genre. The cream of the crop are passable at best, and for the rest, well, just take a look at Kate Hudson’s filmography sometime. Perhaps it’s because the bar is set so low that Going the Distance finds a way to be a halfway decent, and at times even funny, entry into the genre.

The story focuses on the burgeoning relationship between low-level record company exec Garret (Justin Long) and waitress Erin (Drew Barrymore) which is put on indefinite hold when Erin’s internship working for a major metropolitan newspaper ends and she leaves New York for San Fransisco.

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The American (and some very beautiful women)

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The American
  • IMDb: link

Is there anything we won’t forgive George Clooney on-screen? Con man, thief, lawyer, killer – it seems his charm can overcome just about any handicap the script attempts to throw at his character. And that’s why he’s the perfect choice for a role just like this, especially when you surround him with such beautiful women.

In his latest foray into cinema Clooney stars as an assassin chased from the warmth of a beautiful woman (Irina Björklund) and warm fireplace in Sweden. Retreating to the Italian countryside he attempts to lay low while accepting a job creating a custom made rifle for one beautiful woman (Thekla Reuten) as he throws his passions into the arms of another beautiful woman, a local prostitute named Clara (Violante Placido). (Did I mention this film includes beautiful women?)

The American is an art film turned thriller. Some might be put-off by it’s slow pace, including long stretches between action scenes, and unwillingness to force the action (at least early on), but they’d be missing the point.

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Meet The Joneses

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Joneses
  • IMDB: link

The Joneses are not your typical American family. Written and directed by Derrick Borte the film of suburban wealth is a social commentary on consumerism, family, greed, social prestige, and the acquisition of over-priced crap you don’t really need.

The film opens with the Jones’ move into a plush new neighborhood. The family includes Steve (David Duchovny), his wife Kate (Demi Moore), and two children Jenn (Amber Heard) and Mick (Ben Hollingsworth)The Joneses seem to have it all, except for one thing – they aren’t a real family.

Each of the four family members is actually a salesman hired by a private consortium to move into wealthy neighborhoods and attempt to show off various toys, gadgets, car, and even frozen appetizers, in an attempt to subtly entice their new neighbors to spend money on similar items. As sales practices go it’s pretty devious, and almost as lucrative.

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Greenberg isn’t As Good as It Gets

/ / Uncategorized
  • Title: Greenberg
  • IMDB: link

Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) is a prick. Everything central to the character, and to the movie, is contained in that sentence. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach (Margot at the Wedding, The Squid and the Whale), based on a story by Jennifer Jason Leigh (who has a small, and completely forgettable, role in the film), Greenberg is yet another attempt to center a movie around an unlikeable character. Joy.

After being recently released from a mental institution (for an undisclosed mental breakdown which involved the loss of his ability to walk) New Yorker Roger Greengberg travels to Los Angeles to house sit for his brother Phillip (Chris Messina), who has taken his family on six-week vacation to Vietnam.

The fragile Roger is immediately, and awkwardly, attracted to his brother’s assistant Florence (Greta Gerwig) who, in some ways, seems even more fragile and damaged than Greenberg himself. You may be able to guess where this is headed.

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