City Island

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: The father (Andy Garcia) of a dysfunctional family discovers the son he never told anyone he had (Steven Strait) in the jail he works at. So he decides to bring him home, and that's what causes all of the family's secrets to suddenly crash into their lies.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Steven Strait, Ezra Miller, Dominik Garcia-Lorido, Alan Arkin, Emily Mortimer, Carrie Baker Reynolds, Hope Glendon-Ross

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Cute, cute, cute! This indy comedy is surprisingly complex underneath its simple exterior.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Ezra Miller, who will undoubtedly remind you of a cuter and younger Justin Long, has most of the good lines.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It's moving, but more in the way that makes you smile. That said, you may actually laugh at the thing that makes Andy Garcia throw up.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Julianna Margulies would be an obvious choice for next year's Spirit Awards, if only because she plays a convincing working class New York matriarch, but between now and a year from now, I'd be surprised if anyone remembered to nominate her. On the bright side, the film did win the Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: You wanna learn about acting? Watch the audition scene in this movie. It's cringe inducing, then bad, and that's when we get to see how good Andy Garcia really is. And by the way, Ezra Miller, who I already mentioned above, is going to be a huge star.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: This is the kind of independent comedy that most first time filmmakers only wish they could have made. Of course, Raymond De Felitta has directed at least five films already, so perhaps that's not a very nice comparison. For anyone involved.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The most impressive thing is the way they argue. Right when they say they can't tell somebody something, they let it all out, in your face, here's the whole f-ing truth, now you deal with it!

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/city-island/37115/trailers

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Crazy Heart

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Another story about a washed up singer who turns to alcoholism. This time it’s Country.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, James Keane, Jack Nation, Ryan Bingham

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Stop! You’ve seen this movie already. The only reason to go to this would be for the music, so if you like blues-influenced country music, you should save your money for the soundtrack.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The singer has an agent, and agents in movies are usually as funny as agents in real life are upsetting.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Maggie Gyllenhaal cries in almost every scene she has. Often for reasons that don’t make much sense, like that Jeff Bridges is lying in her bed writing a pretty song.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Since most of the songs were written by T. Bone Burnett, I imagine at least one of them will get nominated for something. He’s really hot right now. And according to the marketing campaign for this very movie, Jeff Bridges has practically already won his first Academy Award for this performance.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Jeff Bridges is totally believable as a country singer, from his southern accent to his gravitas. Next to him, Colin Farrell’s complete lack of on screen charisma becomes ever more apparent.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The Southwest locations are pretty. The motel rooms and bars are ugly. And the concerts rip off shots from Walk the Line have already been spoofed in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story… so they end up seeming funny, instead of cool.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Movies about has-been alcoholics who used to be famous are depressing. Nobody cares!... Unless that alcoholism leads to something spectacular, like the invention of a usable jet pack, please don't subject me to this played out storyline anymore.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/crazy-heart/1441169/trailers

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A Single Man

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A man (Colin Firth) tries to cope with the sudden death of his lover, who-- it might interest some people to know-- was also a man (Matthew Goode).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Colin Firth, Matthew Goode, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Ginnifer Goodwin, Ryan Simpkins, Paulette Lamori, Lee Pace

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. This is what people call a "beautiful film", meaning that it has a dramatic score and meditatively seems to be addressing something grand and important. You know in your heart, simply from reading that last sentence, if that's the type of thing you respond to.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Apparently, some people in my theater think suicide is funny.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you have recently experienced a loss, you will find the emotions here unbearable, and shouldn't go. If you haven't recently experienced a loss, you probably won't cry. So, either way, it's a no.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's got buzz. Having seen it, I'm not exactly sure around what...

Q: How is the Acting?

A: What I love about gay films by fashion designers is that the men are hot, tan, and dressed impeccably (when they're dressed). Over all, there's more eye candy than acting. And speaking of eyes, what exactly is the symbolism behind all those eye close-ups supposed to be?

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Tom Ford, Gucci's savior, debuts his visual style on the big screen, and while the lighting choices seemed a thoughtful way to differentiate the cold dead present from the warm lively past, I later read that this was supposed to all take place on the first day after Colin Firth finds out about the death of his lover (not counting the flashbacks to when his lover was alive). Well, it was specifically those lighting choices that confused me as to the time line, because they were not consistent, and sometimes the present shifted from a cold and grey, sepia color scheme to a happier looking warm yellow. Also, there are some scenes that drag on, while not advancing anything.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: To me this is one of those scripts that tries so hard to be subtle and meaningful without spoon feeding anything, that it ends up feeling self important. And in its efforts not to talk down to the audience, it ends up slapping them in the face with an uppity pretension.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eafJ4jvf-sY

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The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A woman (Robin Wright Penn) struggles with her identity when her older-man husband is forced to move into a retirement community... and also when she thinks back on how different she is from the person she has forced herself to be.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin, Maria Bello, Blake Lively, Mike Binder, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Ryan McDonald, Monica Bellucci, Zoe Kazan, Julianne Moore, Shirley Knight, Robin Weigert, Tim Guinee

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! It's an interesting examination one's ability to reinvent oneself-- at least on the outside.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: There aren't that many laughs, but of the ones that are there, at least two will be forever etched in my mind as moments I can mentally call upon whenever I need a good laugh about a private joke.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: There's a lot worth crying over, but it most likely won't move you to tears, because you'll be too busy gloating over the fact that all that bad stuff is happening to them, and not you.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I would definitely consider this for some nominations. In particular I think it's got a chance in the acting and directing departments. But realistically, only in the Independent Spirit Awards.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Amazing. First of all, Robin Wright Penn and Maria Bello are two of the best actresses working today, despite the fact that many people still don't know who either of them are, or that they should be first on everyone's casting lists. Robin Wright Penn's pseudo-anonymity is because during her years married to Sean, she only did one movie a year, so as to spend the rest of the time with the kids. Either her kids have grown or the divorce has freed up her schedule, but she seems to be available for a lot more parts lately, which I think we can all be thankful for. As for Maria Bello the only reason I can think of that she's not more well known is that she molds herself so deeply into each role that she plays, that you forget she was in the film by the time you leave, because you're only thinking of the character she played. Also worth mentioning are Blake Lively, who busts free of her Gossip Girl persona, to prove that she's an actress of much greater depth than most of her fans might realize, and Winona Ryder, who put me in the mood for a major comeback. You go, girls!

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Rebecca Miller's earlier film, Personal Velocity, made me wonder why this woman was getting a break at all, which led me to do some research on her background, which led to the discovery that she's Daniel Day-Lewis's wife and Arthur Miller's daughter, which led me to understand why she got a break. Now, I've got nothing against nepotism when the receiver can prove that there is a gift beneath the bloodline that's worthy of receiving a chance. And in this film, Miller-Day-Lewis finally proves that she deserves the chances she's gotten, and has at last honed a craft in her own right that's worthy of paying attention to.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's structured unlike any movie you've seen before, and deals with original themes and settings, so even if it's not the feel good movie of the year, it will give you something to think about that can't be easily tied up in a bow, but will likely relate in some way to your own life, or the people in it.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-private-lives-of-pippa-lee/31793/trailers

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An Education

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A English school girl (Carey Mulligan), studying to go to Oxford, gets swept off her feet by an older man (Peter Sarsgaard), and starts to question which education is more valuable, the scholarly one or the one she's getting from her new boyfriend about living life.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Cara Seymour, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson, Sally Hawkins

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! If for nothing else, to feel the energy of newcomer, Carey Mulligan's captivating performance.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: More so if you're highly educated and speak British.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but you do end up feeling sorry for just about everybody in it.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It will certainly spend money on a campaign. I've already seen the propaganda machine start to spin... Oh, and it won the Dramatic Audience Award for World Cinema at Sundance.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Carey Mulligan embodies the character completely, laughing nervously when she's happy, excited, and nervous.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The Cinematography, which also won an award at Sundance, is beautiful. And that always makes a director look good.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's a somewhat original story, but still, there are several moments that may have you scratching your head. Like, first of all, why is everyone in the film so laissez-faire about that fact that a 16-year-old girl is dating a guy in his 30s? Her parents, her teachers, her friends, not one of them points out that it's a little weird. In fact, her parents, who don't seem to like anyone, love this guy, and I suppose I could have used a by numbers explanation of why.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/an-education/33272/trailers

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The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A master car salesman (Jeremy Piven) is called into a struggling car dealership to save them from bankruptcy, and there, he is forced to face his own difficult past.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, James Brolin, David Koechner, Kathryn Hahn, Ed Helms, Jordana Spiro, Tony Hale, Ken Jeong, Rob Riggle, Alan Thicke, Charles Napier, Jonathan Sadowski, Noureen DeWulf, Craig Robinson, Wendie Malick, Will Ferrell (uncredited)

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If you can get past how incredibly stupid and ridiculous this movie is, it actually kind of grows on you.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you can get past how incredibly stupid and ridiculous the humor is, it actually kind of grows on you.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you can get past how incredibly stupid and ridiculous the emotions are, they actually kind of grow on you.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I see some Golden Popcorn in this movie's future. Mostly because they have a category called Best WTF Moment.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: This movie has the greatest smattering of B-level character actors to ever grace the screen at one time, in the complete absence of any A-listers... Or at least not any that are credited.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: They say casting is 90% of the director's path to success, and in this case the director got the cast 110% right. If my math is correct, 110% of 90% is 99%, which leaves only 1% of room for failure. Director, Neal Brennan takes full advantage of his margin for failure, as he uses it toward being off on the timing for some of the jokes.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: This story has got a lot more story than most of the stuff that Will Ferrell and Adam McKay have put out recently. Not only are there A stories, but there are even B stories and C stories. Nothing too deep, but all of it supported by specific backstories! I'm sure even they were surprised to find out that despite all that yucky story structure, sometimes jokes can still be funny.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-goods-live-hard-sell-hard/34811/trailers

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State of Play

(Guest Review by Jack)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After the brutal murder of the assistant/mistress of a junior U.S. Congressman (Ben Affleck), who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defense spending– an obvious Blackwater stand in--, buried secrets come tumbling out, inciting a reporter (Russell Crowe) and a political blogger (Rachel McAdams) to begin their quest for the truth.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Viola Davis, Michael Weston, Harry Lennix

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! This is a movie genre that they just aren’t making enough of anymore – adult thrillers. Psychological thrillers are hard to sell in a trailer, because they can't instantly knock your socks off without giving everything away, but ultimately, this is two hours of solid entertainment.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Ben Affleck's attempt at acting might. But that's not special, since the same could be said for any Ben Affleck movie.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only when you think about what this movie could have been with a real actor instead of Ben Affleck.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Two words as to why it won't: Ben Affleck.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Have I mentioned Ben Affleck? Oh, I have? Then let's move on... Russell Crowe is always good and this is no exception. Rachel McAdams starts out well as the doe-eyed starter reporter, but kind of drops the ball in the one emotional scene she has.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Outside of some casting issues (I know I said we'd move on, but you have to admit, Ben Affleck is in the movie), Kevin MacDonald does a good job at keeping what could have been a tirelessly meandering plot within the confines of a tightly knit thriller.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Based on a UK miniseries, it wants to be today’s All the President’s Men. But because it is not a true story, it starts out at a disadvantage. The entire movie takes place over maybe three days, not the multiple-months of Watergate, so the investigation is not quite as buried at ATPM, but there are a few twists and turns that should keep you guessing ‘til the end. And the basic “Blackwater” conspiracy is eerily plausible. Also keep an eye out for a great scene in a parking garage.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: An interesting thru-line concerns the state of newspapers in this country. The digital age has not been kind to them, but you have to admit that there is something about seeing a newspaper headline that makes an event more real than seeing a computer browser headline. Maybe that is my age talking (and the fact that I am one of the dwindling numbers of daily newspaper readers), but I think that the makers of State of Play are as curious as I am to see what investigative journalism looks like in 10 years. I do not think it will be the same if it is exclusively online…

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/state-of-play/27010/video/state-of-play-trailer-no-1/2372618

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Personal Effects

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A young man (Ashton Kutcher) and an older woman (Michelle Pfeiffer) meet at grievers' support group, and form their own personal little support system outside of the meetings.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathy Bates, Spencer Hudson, Aleks Paunovic, Mary Black

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It's a drama, through and through, by which I mean, it doesn't even try to make you feel good. But it's not boring, it is intimate, and the two leads are serious eye-candy.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: This movie is so quiet, chewing popcorn sounds out of place-- so anything to do with actually using your vocal chords you're gonna wanna leave at the door.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: For people who've had someone close to them pass recently, I don't see how it could be avoided. But maybe it's worth it? It could be therapeutic.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: How is it that at the age of 50, Michelle Pfeiffer still gets my vote for Most Beautiful Woman in the World? If there are any youth and beauty potions that actually work, she's holding.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Ashton Kutcher is solid enough, and he even manages to shed a tear during a prolonged shot without cutaways... But then he spoils it a little, when we see him sort of smile with pride-- probably at his own ability to cry on cue. Kathy Bates, in a teeny-tiny role, is a genius. She doesn't have much screen time, but in one scene she laughs so hard that no sound comes out, and before you know it, you realize she's crying. Just seeing her name up on the screen makes you think, "Wow, what a great cast!" Who else is in it becomes almost irrelevant.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The color and lighting make the film appear flat and cold, simulating the feeling of emptiness that follows a loved one's death. On the downside, there are stylistic choices sporadically sprinkled throughout that are inconsistent with the rest of the visuals in the film, and stand out as choices made in the editing room, in places that weren't working.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Rarely in real life have two people run into each other at random, as many times, and in as many places, as the leads in this film do at the beginning of this story. I tried to justify it in my mind by imagining that it was supposed to take place in a small town. But at the Q & A, the writer admitted that it was Pittsburgh. He should've lied.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: The beginning is confusing, because Ashton Kutcher is clearly doing the voiceover for the deaf character.  I imagine there's a poetic reason for this-- like to show how much they have in common, making them like one being-- but it comes off confusing, and it definitely helps to know that even though it sounds like Ashton Kutcher, the sentiments are supposed to be those of the deaf teenager.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://video.google.com/videosearch?client=safari&rls=en&q=personal+effects+trailer&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=f8KwSdW5PJauNdvFjfEE&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#

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Bigger, Faster, Stronger*

*The side effects of being an American

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A documentary examining the safety and morality of steroid use, from the point of view of a director, whose brothers are both on steroids.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Chris Bell, Mark "Smelly" Bell, Mike "Mad Dog" Bell, Rosemary Bell, Sheldon Bell, and every known steroid user of the past three decades, including Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Jose Canseco, Sylvester Stallone, Hulk Hogan, Carl Lewis, and of course... Governor Schwarzenegger.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Find out why steroids are the American way.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: It's got the humorous tone of a Michael Moore doc, without nearly as much shoving of opinions down your throat.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: All I can say is, man, is our country messed up...

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I don't see why not.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Raging... Actually, one of the surprising things about this film is that there are no instances of roid-rage, besides those that take place in a Ben Affleck movie of the week.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Wow. They used 800 clips of archival footage and all of it is placed perfectly. How did they find all this stuff?

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Focusing on the Bell family makes the story relatable and touching, while whipping off to the many different sports scandals and political scandals makes it big and important.

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