Movie Review: Gangster Squad

A friend of mine wanted to see a movie and knowing I like to go to movies, off we went to see Gangster Squad. This is an incredibly well acted movie, depicting the 1940's in Los Angeles and how there was a special squad created in order to stop the mob - in particular Sean Penn as the Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen. Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and four others band together to stop them. This squad is created by Nick Nolte playing the Police Chief. These four cops basically go undercover, perhaps the beginning of undercover policemen - who knows. In the end the leader of the group, John O'Mara played by Josh Brolin unfortunately, although alive, has to leave the police force while the others remain. But the fact remains they did their job, while losing two of their team.
How accurate this film is I don't know, but it certainly holds your attention. I found myself not looking at parts, I found myself blanching at other scenes and at times wondering why I came to see this. Yet I enjoyed it, I find that I'm much more sensitive to human pain, like punching, because I can imagine how that feels on the ribs, face etc. these days (Perhaps because I spent so long with pain).  But the interplay between them all was great. Emma Stone, as Mickey's Moll (remember that's what Mobsters gals were called, but in love with Ryan Gosling's character did her usual great job. Emma and Ryan had been together before and their chemistry together does work.
I can recommend this movie for those that don't mind the get down and dirty. There are some gruesome scenes in this, but by and large it is 'doable' for the faint of heart don't go. It does tell a story of those days, what went on and as they say at the end of the movie, to this day, the Mob does not exist in Los Angeles, or so they say.
3 1/2 out of 5.

Movie Review Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away

If you want to experience color, action wonderful feats then you must see this movie. My friend Trish (my frequent movie goer friend) and I drove 1 1/2 hours to see this movie. To ensure we saw it. And it was worth it. Trish drove through a snow storm, so yes we really wanted to see it and we were not disappointed. I was mesmerized by some of the acts presented during this movie. Worth the drive, worth the dollars at the door (very reasonable considering how much one pays to see them in real life).  It was in 3D and that did make it wonderfully real.
This is a movie hard to explain, as although there is a thread, there is no talking, except one word, the rest is in expression and music behind the different acts. So well put together you can follow the thread and the beauty and the wonder of all these beautiful wonderful scenes one after another.
Of course I loved the Beatles music in particular and the arts that went with them. Watching the credits we noticed that many parts were taken from shows which are taking place around the world. Yes, this was a platial plate of color, music, and technique like you would not believe.  If you have an opportunity to see go do so.
4 1/2 out of 5.

Movie Review Les Miserables

Another long movie in which the audience (including me) sat spellbound as the story unfolded in front of them. From the advertising before hand we knew the singing in Les Miserables, except for the original scene was done as it was shot. No studio singing. And yes, it made a difference, it was like watching a stage production, but with the most magnificent sets.  I originally saw Les Miserables on stage in New York and although I don't remember much of it, as it was a long time ago, I did purchase the CD set of the songs, as I had been moved by the music. I also watched the movie made with Liam Neesom and Geoffrey Rush again a few nights before going to see this production and therefore I was aware of  the story line. Although some of the information from the other movie filled in some blanks for me, this one was more, much more in that it had a lot more scenes at the ending, plus some characters which were not in the other one, and as I have not read Victor Hugo's novel, it does not matter, which story was accurate, as the story laid out here is so compelling.
The actors singing was great, even surprising, as who would think Russel Crowe could sing well enough to pull off the part of the never relenting police officer Javert - but he did. Wonderfully well. Hugh Jackman I knew could sing, but the acting and singing together definitely makes his part Oscar material. Simply put, he was great.  Anne Hathaway, another one, I did not know could sing, but does great in the role as the fragile, sad Fantine and then Amanda Seyfried, from Mama Mia so we knew she could sing, plus look innocently beautiful.
My friend Marion who was with me turned to me at the end of the movie, as I handed her a Kleenex said, "Now I know why this has been nominated for so many awards". 
The director Tom Hooper, who directed Kings Speech, did an amazing job, and I'm sure will also be recognized. Yes, many awards including Oscar nominations will come from this movie.  It is a must see.
If you don't know the story, Hugh Jackman's role, Jean Valjean is imprisoned for 19 years after stealing a loaf of bread, we come onto the scene as he is being released. He is on parole for life, and after stealing some silver from a church, the priest lets him go requesting he leave an honorable life. He changes his name, makes a new life until is old nemesis,  Police Officer Javert, Russell Crowe recognizes him, and then the story unfolds. Jean Valjean is reacquainted with Fantine, Anne Hathaway, as she is dying and advises of her daughter Cosette.
Valjean gets Cosette and they go to Paris, where she is raised in a convent, when they come out of the convent (oh yes, Jean Valjean works as the gardener there until Cosette wants to see the world). What she discovers is Marius, and they fall in love while the battle for the republic begins. Valjean saves Marius, so they can be together.  All done with wonderful singing and understanding.
I do have to mention the light side of two characters played by Helen Bonham Carter and Sasha Baron Cohen. They provided the levity, that the story sometimes needed, and were in their great acting style.
Whether you like musicals or not, this movie is definitely a must. A must to see on the big screen because of the environment, the feeling, plus the singing.  Go!!
5 out of 5.

Movie Review Parental Guidance

When one has nothing to do on Christmas Day, one drives through the snow to go see Parental Guidance and is not disappointed. I laughed and laughed in this movie. I'm sure some of the looks, the jokes, the situations, only a parent would enjoy. But the theatre (oh yes many others were there with me) was filled with laughter from the adults. This is a movie adults understand and will laugh at.
Billy Crystal, Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei at their best. Billy Crystal is at the hub of it all as the Father/Grandfather, who has his own mind how things 'should' be, and while Bette Midler tries to have him see otherwise, he doesn't listen - for the first half of the movie. This sets everything up for the second half, when they three grandkids, played well by the young actors begins to take on a different turn.
I'm not going to say much more, because this is a movie you need to go see for yourself. Go laugh, and forget the problems of the world.
4 out of 5 (for laughs and good acting).

Movie Review Jack Reacher

I am a fan of Lee Child's Jack Reacher books. I think I've read every one of them, or close to it. Having discovered them on one of my trips to New Zealand (where they are very popular and well known) I went through them one by one. Now was my opportunity to see what Tom Cruise could do with this interesting, unusual character, Jack Reacher.
I thought he did an admirable job for a 5'7" playing a 6'7". He managed to convey his contained aggressiveness effectively. He managed to look like he could handle 5 people coming at him, and I enjoyed how they incorporated information of Jack Reacher into the movie for people who were not great fans. They did not make a great statement, which some movies do, instead they dropped the tidbits of information slowly so the character of Jack Reacher was understood.  (You can tell by the bold Jack Reacher - I'm a fan).
Bloody, not as much as some of the books, fights, car chase (I think that's Tom Cruise, as I don't remember too many car chases in the books). Sex, not much -- usually Jack Reacher has his way with they main woman before the end of the book - not here.
As far as I'm concerned Jack Reacher was presented accurately enough, that I'll go see the next one. Hopefully it will do well enough dollar wise for Tom Cruise to consider the next one.
I give it 3 1/2 out of 5.  Worth seeing if you like to car chase, fighting, shooting etc. movie. 

Movie Review - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Recently I was in Vancouver visiting my family for my daughters birthday and have a pre-Christmas dinner with all the family.  While there Bridget and I went and saw The Hobbit.  It was hard to believe it was three hours long. I did not move from beginning to end. Even Bridget who gets super uncomfortable in movies, said "hard to believe it was three hours, Mum". 
The Hobbit, if you have seen Lord of the Rings, has many similar characters, for me like a revisit, and I missed a few of the old ones, but got to enjoy some of the Dwarfs which are featured. Some scenes like the Brown driving his sled drawn by 'rabbits' who look like 'hares'. Talk about laugh and enjoy.  I loved seeing the opening scenes of Hobbiton, as I was visiting it live in February - (note to self must get my photos on facebook). The New Zealand scenery was spectacular.
I feel like I'm impantient for movie Number 2 to come out, the hint of the dragon arising - well, how will it turn. How will Bilbo Baggins do with the ring in his pocket, while Golem always lurks? Will the dwarfs win out? You can tell I have not read the book  (I tried many years ago, and just could not get into it).
Somehow the computer generated scenes fit in easily and although our minds tell us they are computer, they look real and when a large, snarling dog/wolf/whatever comes you react. I especially loved the large eagles which come at the end. 
The question always is - is this movie worth seeing - YES it is.  4 out of 5.

Movie Review - Lincoln

My friend Trish and I made the one hour trip north to see Lincoln, as it was not on at our local theatre and we were not sure when it would be, and we both wanted to see it.  Plus it was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the drive, with the lake sparkling and the sky blue and the land covered with snow.
We were not disappointed that we had made the trip. How could it be anything less than good with Daniel Day-Lewis playing Lincoln (another Oscar nod I'm sure) and Steven Spielberg directing.
This movie is informative about the last months of Lincoln's life. How he was balancing the ending of the war with his desire to see the constitution changed to end slavery. All the players, especially noted Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens, who puts aside his own agenda to ensure the legislation goes through. It was done brilliantly and we all breathed a sigh of relief when he contained himself. I especially enjoyed James Spader as the wild W.N. Bilbo, one of the beginning lobbyists. It really looked like the beginning, but a reference was made to something occurring previously so I can't say for sure the first lobbyists, but you begin to see where they have played a part in American Political History.
Politics is often viewed by the non political as being sly, sometimes less than honest, and feeling there is a second agenda. This movie, in its subtly, certainly does not dispel this illusion.
I have to mention Sally Field (25 lbs heavier) as Mary Todd Lincoln. She plays it well, but mostly as a woman, I loved the dresses she wore. Often I was more caught up with her dress than her words (acted wonderfully I might add). I found myself thinking afterwards, how on earth did those women visit the lady's room. Probably didn't, so here is this great movie of historical importance, acted and directed wonderfully well and I'm thinking, dresses, washrooms and cold....the heating of those places in those days was by fireplace and they don't really warm the room well at all (I know I grew up with that).
If you like history. If you want to see how Lincoln must have appeared to others, if you want to see some beautiful dresses, and most of all great acting, then go see Lincoln. I learned quite a bit about what was happening during that time and feel sad, as many do, that Lincoln did not stay alive for the reconstruction of the south. We all know what happened there without him at the helm.
This movie is definitely worth seeing, 4 out of 5.