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THE DUCHESS

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THE DUCHESS

Starring: Kira Knightly, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell, and Charlotte Rampling

Directed By: Saul Dibb

PG-13 for sexual content, brief nudity and thematic material

By John Delia

Kira Knightly plays nobility with aplomb and a fiery dignity in The Duchess, a brilliant period piece with an uncompromising tale of love, deception and dishonesty. For all you lovers who like their movies well acted, beautifully photographed and totally immersing that this film is for you.
The true story takes place in England at the end of the 18th Century where we find The Duke of Devonshire William Cavendish (Fiennes) making a contract with Lady Spencer (Rampling) for her daughter Georgiana’s (Knightly) hand in marriage. Since Lady Spencer’s bloodline has birthed a long line of boys, The Duke has found Georgiana not only lovely but also his chance to have an heir to his dukedom. After siring three girls with some male miscarriages in between, The Duke has become disillusioned with Georgiana that leads to an affair with Bess Foster (Atwell), an outcast Lady with three boys who has befriended Georgiana. When things become uneasy in the household with Georgiana’s new best friend, she retaliates by taking interest in Lord Charles Grey (Cooper).
The movie gets a lot of help from the excellent acting of Knightly and Fiennes. The two veteran actors play out their roles with style bringing the 18th Century characters to life. In a pivotal scene where The Duke and Georgiana are at odds with each other over his affair with Foster, Knightly delivers a standout performance with her decisive retort. Later when the Duke finds out about Georgiana’s discretions, Fiennes shows the dark side of The Duke in his confrontation and punishment.
Direction by Dibb is very good with smooth transitions and strong detail to the period. His ability to make the cast perform to the peak of their ability gives the film the necessary assurance to make an 18th century period piece enjoyable to watch. Of the films that come to mind that are equally good would include; Howard’s End, A Room with a View, and The Remains of the Day. Cinematography in this film goes beyond great from the vibrant beauty of Bath, to the dismal fields where Georgiana has to give up her child, to the opulent castle halls. It made me fell as if I were there.
The film contains a brief shot of the back of a nude woman, implicit sex and a scene of implied rape.

FINAL ANALYSIS: The Duchess is a wonderful film for those who want a fervent tale of 18th Century British reality. 3.5 of 5 stars

TOWELHEAD review part two

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TOWELHEAD review part one

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The Lucky Ones

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Nights in Rodanthe Revisión en Español

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EAGLE EYE (Running Time: 116 min; Rated: PG-13)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

“EAGLE EYE”, GUARANTEED TO CAPTIVATE

Somewhat reminiscent of “2001: Space Odyssey”, EAGLE EYE examines how technology can harm or protect the master it serves. Fast-paced and action-packed “Big Brother”-themed EAGLE EYE may have been science fiction in conception, but, due to the accelerated rapid growth of technology, had become a terrifyingly, convincing reality film by its completion.

We’re either personally holding close, or are surrounded by, cell phones, GPS devices global positioning systems, ATMs, computers, home security units, close-circuit TVs, traffic cams, magnetic strips on credit cards, buyers’ clubs, IDs and licenses. This ubiquitous technology can skillfully track our location and gather our information every minute of our lives.

But, like the story’s characters, there’s little time to contemplate the impact of these invasive devices, as we enter into such intense situations that barely allows one to catch their breath.

A young, obstinate underachiever, Jerry Shaw (SHIA LABEOUF) and overwrought, single mom, Rachel Holloman (MICHELLE MONAGHAN) are taken out of their everyday lives and forcibly manipulated into a series of dangerous and illegal actions dictated through computer-generated cell phone calls and other forms of electronic messaging. As they are guided to fulfill a mystifying mission related to national security, Jerry and Rachel must outrun an assortment of governmental law agencies that lead to spectacular car chases, crashes and other death-defying maneuvers.

Executive producer Steven Spielberg originally conceived the idea for “Eagle Eye”, and had planned to direct. Instead, after seeing the rough cut of D.J. Caruso’s film DISTURBIA (also starring LaBeouf), Spielberg brought the script to Caruso, and encouraged the filmmaker to make the film his own.

Starring, along with Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, are Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Anthony Mackie and Billy Bob Thornton.

Directed by D.J. Caruso. Story by Dan McDermott. Screenplay by John Glenn and Travis Adam Wright and Hillary Seitz and Dan McDermott. Produced by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Patrick Crowley. Executive producers are Steven Spielberg and Edward L. McDonnell. Cinematography by Dariusz Wolski, ASC. Production design by Tom Sanders. Edited by Jim Page. Visual Effects supervised by Jim Rygiel. Distributed by DreamWorks Pictures.

Miracle At St. Anna - Revision en Espanol

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Miracle At St. Anna

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Nights in Rodanthe

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THE DUCHESS

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Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

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TELL NO ONE



TELL NO ONE (Ne Le Dis A Personne)
(Language: French, with English subtitles; Running Time: 125 min; Not Rated)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

TELL NO ONE artfully weaves a romantic love story with a complex suspense thriller. With characters and clues thrown like fast balls, it’s a challenge to keep up with the plot, but well worth the effort.

Actor-turned-director Guillaume Canet was drawn to the strong, offbeat characters of Harlan Coben’s bestselling novel, TELL NO ONE. In adapting this intricate story for film with his writing partner, Philippe Lefebvre, Canet masterfully controls the darkness of this thriller from overshadowing its romantic tone.

Happily-married childhood sweethearts, Margot and Alex, are assaulted as they celebrate their anniversary at the lake, where they summered as children.

Now eight years later, widowed Alex is still grieving for his wife. Although a serial killer was convicted for his wife’s death, the discovery of two buried bodies on the lakeside property, prompt the police to re-investigate her murder. Once again, the police look at Alex, her husband, as the natural suspect. Alex decides to do his own investigating after he receives a mysterious e-mail with an attached live video feed showing his wife alive and well.

Representing two generations, this remarkable cast delivers exceptional performances. What more proof that there are indeed more than three top actors in France worth watching by foreign film-going audiences. Francois Cluzet (Alex) skillfully conveys the restrained hero’s emotions with just a glance from his expressive eyes. Cluzet is supported by Marie-Josee Croze, Andre Dussollier, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Francois Berleand and Marina Hands.

The Godfather-DVD Collection

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THE GODFATHER: The Coppola Restoration Edition DVD

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, James Caan, Lee Strassberg, Talia Shire, and Andy Garcia

Directed By Francis Ford Coppola

Rated R for violence and language

By John Delia

It has been years since The Godfather has been up on the big screen where it shines the most, and after it was released on DVD I purchased the set. Now the film has been fully restored to its original brilliant cinematography and in addition to the trilogy being available on ordinary DVD, is for the first time on Blu-ray Disc. The package has over 4-hours of supplemental material along with the three complete films. And, in conjunction with the release of the DVD, The Godfather I has been digitally remastered and will be playing at some of the local theatres around the country starting Friday, October 3. If you live in South Florida, the theatre showings will be at the Muvico Palace in Boca Raton, Florida.
Most everyone knows the saga of The Godfather as told in three separate movies, but to refresh your memory the following is a brief as possible description of all three episodes. The film centers on three phases of the lives of a New York Mafia family including Don Vito Corleone (Brando) the patriarch, Michael Corleone (Pacino) the son who becomes his heir to the ‘throne’ and the weakening of the New York criminal families.
In The Godfather Part I we are scooted ahead to a time where Don Vito Corleone is living in his guarded enclave and we get a glimpse of the family’s personal lives and their business. Here we become aware of each of the main characters including the Don’s three sons Sonny, Michael and Fredo who become the loyal soldiers under the godfather’s big business crime. During this period a lot of action takes place that keeps the central plot hot and interesting.
The Godfather Part II gives us flashbacks as we are treated to young Vito Corleone (DeNiro) who is eking out a living on the streets of New York in the heavy populated Italian section. During this period we see the rise of Vito to Don status and the power he gains over the community. This is where we obtain the pieces of writer Mario Puzo’s puzzle that magnifies the present day family as depicted in The Godfather Part I. This episode also show’s Michael’s rise in the family.
In The Godfather Part III all the loose ends of the two pervious films are tied together and Michael shows his power over rival New York crime lords. It may be the weakest of the three, but totally necessary to the overall story.
I love this story, the characters and the actors who portrayed them. It is probably the basis for all the future mafia related films that followed. Having this set provides hours of entertainment that cannot be found on this genre anywhere. If you are a collector of the best films ever, this trio should be in your library to replay whenever you want to enjoy a great crime drama. The Oscar winner for Best Picture for The Godfather Part I and Part II, if you have never seen this Trilogy, it’s a chance to see it in all its glory.
The bonus features that were on the previous trilogy release are included in this one, they feature commentary by Director Francis Ford Coppola, making of The Godfather, additional scenes, filming locations, the Corleone family tree (a must see after you seen I), the music of The Godfather (this is the thread that keeps you in focus during the trilogy), The Godfather historical timeline (a must after you have seen parts I and II), profiles of the characters (watch this after The Godfather I), photo galleries and storyboards (not that interesting and probably used for fill).
The new bonus features on the DVD with this release include; “Godfather World,” “the Masterpiece that Almost Wasn’t,” “When the Shooting Stopped,” “Emulsional Rescue Revealing The Godfather,” “The Godfather on the Red Carpet,” “Four Short Films on The Godfather,” “The Godfather vs. The Godfather Part II,” Cannoli, Riffing on the Riffing, and Clemenza.
Please note that the Blu-ray edition does contain a additional selection of Bonus features in HD including, a crime organizational chart, Connie and Carlo’s wedding album, behind the scenes, on location, Francis Coppola’s notebook, Coppola and Puzo on screenwriting, Gordon Willis on cinematography, and others.
The films do contain some strong violence, language and a scene of gory animal cruelty so please be cognizant when youngsters are present.

FINAL ANALYSIS: The Godfather is a brilliant trilogy that translates very nicely to DVD. (5 of 5 stars)

TELL NO ONE

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Ghost Town

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GHOST TOWN

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, and Tea Leoni

Directed By: David Koepp

Rated PG-13 for some strong language, sexual humor and drug references

By John Delia

Although Ghost Town does tend to be a bit over the top, I found the fun little film enjoyable to watch. If you like you humor with a British flare, then this film will be perfect for you. The film’s strong side comes with solid comical interaction between Gervais and everyone he runs into.
This romantic comedy centers on Bertram Pincus (Gervais), a dentist that after having a colonoscopy, finds out he died on the operating table and was brought back to life. What has transpired however is that Pincus has gained the power of conferring with the dead. No not spiritually, but in person with dead people who have unfinished business on Earth before they can be taken to the beyond. Totally bemused by his new power, Pincus tries to go on living like he has done in the past. However there is one ghost, Frank, who keeps bothering Pincus because he knows that he’s the only one who can make things right with his widow, Gwen (Leoni). When he finally agrees to help Frank, Pincus runs into more than he had bargained.
The amusement in this film comes from the great comedy of Gervais who makes every scene he’s in funny. His British accent and offhanded delivery of the witty dialogue had me laughing during each of the many situations he found himself. I especially like the scene where he is talking to the admitting nurse. His answers to her questions are priceless. Gervais can also deliver a warmer side of himself, especially when he has to make a decision that could change his life forever.
The writing is top notch with Keopp (Spider-man I, The Panic Room, The Lost World: Jurassic Park) keeping the plot interesting and not overly ridiculous. At first I thought that this was just another Ghost, but Keopp stays away from the main thrust of that tearjerker and instead provides a funnier side of death. I especially liked the scene where Pincus has to deal with the non-stop talking woman in his dentist chair, the conversation with the doctors who tell him he died and the meeting with Gwen at the museum.
Although the film is rated PG-13 it’s mostly for the strong language and sexual innuendos.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Ghost Town is a romantic story that will make you laugh.
2.5 out of 5 stars

IGOR




IGOR

Starring voices of: John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Sean Hayes, Eddie Izzard, Jay Leno, James Lipton, Molly Shannon and Christian Slater. 

Directed By: Tony Leondis

Rated PG for some thematic elements, scary images, action and mild language 

By John Delia

If you are an adult and are a fan of the tongue in cheek comedy of Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein, then you will love the animated adventure of Igor. Oh, and the kids will love all the funny characters and inventions while you laugh during their complete silence in most of the scenes. If you children like the cynical cartoons that are sometimes shown on Cartoon Network, then they will be very amused by this one.
The cute, yet dark, little films plot centers around Igor (Not just any Igor, because in this weird world everyone who has a hunchback has the name of Igor). So our special Igor happens to be the switch puller for the most prestigious mad scientist in the dark world in which they live. When his evil master kicks the bucket during an experiment he was making for the annual Evil Scientist Fare, Igor a novice inventor wants to show how he can be the best ever. So with the use of his cruel masters lab and the help of two of his friends that he invented, Brain in a jar and Scamper a looney toon bunny, who becomes reanimated every time he gets squished, Igor develops the most evil monster ever. When things go wrong in the wicked brainwashing lab however, things take a turn for the worse.
All the characters in the film are new and fresh to animation. I specially liked the characters of Brain and Scamper who brought a lot of laughter to the children. They misspelled Brain’s name on the jar transposing two letters to form Brian. Scamper constantly digs on Brain by calling him Brian every time Brain does something good. But the show stealer is the huge monster invented by Igor called Eva. Born like Frankenstein with a personality and a love for the arts, Eva represents the complete opposite of what Igor had intended and puts him in jeopardy when it comes to the monster competition. Her hilarious antics keep the film humorous, for at least the adults in the audience.
The film is rated PG for some scary monsters, but most children over the age of 5 should be able to handle it, especially if they are always glued to the cartoon channel. But the film is definitely for adults and especially if you bring your tongue-in-cheek sense of humor along.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Igor is a film for the whole family, especially if you like weird humor. 3 of 5 stars.

GHOST TOWN

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IGOR

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I Served The King Of England

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I Served The King Of England

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I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND
Language: Czech and German, with English subtitles; Running Time: 118 min; Rated: R
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

ENJOY THE ROYAL TREATMENT

This enchanting surreal comedy from the Czech Republic, I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND, recounts a man’s optimistic quest for wealth as a youth. Using rich visuals and absurd humor, clownish Jan Dite’s fantastic mission as revealed through flashbacks during significant historical and political times of the 1930’s and until after the end of WWII.

Oscar winning director, Jiri Menzel (Best Foreign Language film, “Closely Watched Trains”), was nominated at the 2007 Berlin International Film for the Golden Bear, and won their FIPRESCI Prize for the lengthy titled film. Charlie Chaplin and Jean Renoir may be Menzel’s cinematic influences, but Bohumil Hrabal, Czechoslovakia’s most prominent writer, is his storytelling inspiration. It’s worth noting that most of the late Hrabal’s writings have been made in to films.

The screenplay focuses on two parallel stories. The first follows the youthful and ambitious exploits of the childlike Jan Dite, occurring before the War and during the German occupation. He steady works his way up to becoming a millionaire in the luxury hotel industry with apprenticeships in upscale establishments for wealthy pleasure-seekers. An apolitical Jan, (IVAN BARNEV) falls hopelessly for a fanatical German Nationalist, Liza (JULIA JENTSCH), just as Czechoslovakia comes under German occupation. After their marriage, Liza is sent to serve on the Polish front, and Jan finds himself on the side of the occupying power and working at in a Nazi SS Research Hospital producing master race specimens from German girls and full-blooded Aryan warriors. Liza returns with a bag of valuable stamps left behind by “deported” Jews, and the couple look forward to building a hotel when the war is over.

In the second part, with the end of the war, Jan has been released from prison after being jailed for nearly 15 years for his millionaire status. The matured Jan (now played by Oldrich Kaiser) etches out a peaceful existence in abandoned German village with fellow exiled inhabitants. A young Bohemian woman revives his lust and his memories of his past romantic adventures.

Fine supportive performances by Marian Labuda as the enterprising businessman “Walden”, and Martin Huba as the regal “Maitre d' Skrivanek”.

Directed by Jiří Menzel, screenplay, based on the novel by Bohumil Hrabal, by Jiří Menzel. Cinematography directed by Jaromír Šofr, AČK, edited by Jiří Brožek. Production design by Milan Býček, costume design by Milan Čorba, and music by Aleš Březina. Produced by Rudolf Biermann, Executive producers are Robert Schaffer and Andrea Metcalfe (AQS). A co-production from Barrandov Studio and TV Nova. Released by Sony Pictures Classics.



BURN AFTER READING

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BURN AFTER READING (Running Time: 96 min; Rated: R)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón
Mix one part screwball comedy and one part sex farce, and out pours this hilarious lightweight film. The Coen Brothers’ politically-themed comedy BURN AFTER READING exposes the antics of a group middle-aged Washingtonians as they undergo a variety of personal crises.

CIA analyst Osborne Cox (John Malkovich) has been ousted by the Agency. Incensed, he returns to his Georgetown home to work on his memoirs and his drinking. His uptight wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) responds frostily to his breakdown. In fact, it gives her cause to leave Cox for Harry (George Clooney), a married federal marshall and sex fanatic, with who she’s having an affair.

Linda (Frances McDormand), a lonely fitness center employee, is obsessed with cosmetic surgery and internet dating. Meanwhile, the gym’s manager Ted (Richard Jenkins) secretly pines for her. When a computer disc, containing the CIA analyst’s “secret stuff”, accidentally falls into Linda’s hands, she enlists co-worker and confidante, Chad (Brad Pitt) to join her in a lamebrain scheme to exploit their find. Unknowingly, the two knuckleheads set off a series of hilarious encounters. All the while, ominous forces at work propel events to spin further out of control.

Starring George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins.

Written, Produced and Directed by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen. Cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, A.M.C. Edited by Roderick Jaynes. Executive Producers Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Robert Graf. Distribution by Focus Features.

Righteous Kill

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RIGHTEOUS KILL

Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, 50 Cent, Donnie Wahlberg and Carla Gugino

Directed By: Jon Avnet

R for violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and brief drug use.

By John Delia

As far as crime drama’s go, Righteous Kill is humdrum and ordinary. This film should have been made in the 80’s while the two main actors, De Niro and Pacino were in their prime. The film does nothing to showcase their talent. However, for those who just can’t get enough of the two actors, this film would be a good choice.
The plot involves partner detectives Turk (De Niro) and Rooster (Pacino) on the New York City police force who realize that a killing they are investigating may be the work of a serial killer who leaves poetry with their victims. The two above reproach detectives have been working together for 30 years and have seen many such crimes, but this one seems to point to a member of their precinct. The oddity with this case is that each of the killings tends to be at the hands of a vigilante who has singled out victims that have come in contact with Turk and Rooster. When Perez and Riley, two fellow detectives get the impression that Turk may be their killer, they put all their efforts into bringing him down.
The film has some good things going for it including the stunning performance by Gugino (Spy Kids, Sin City, American Gangster) as the over the top tough as nails detective Corelli who gets her kicks out of masochistic love play. The ferocity she lends her character steals the show from the De Niro and Pacino.
As far as De Niro and Pacino go, I believe that it is a little to late to be pairing up and with the trivial script it made it even worse. If they had done something more their age in the fashion of The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, it would have been more enjoyable to see the two going at it on the screen. Most audiences today are craving strong performances from their “A” list stars, and individually (De Niro in Meet the Fockers in 2004 and Pacino in Any Given Sunday in 1999) you would have to go back several years in order to find their peak. They are icons in the film industry, but are sorely miscast for Righteous Kill.
But you can’t blame acting for the failure of the film, it mostly stems from the predictable plot. With so much pending on it’s revealing finish, the writer failed to realize that his prospective audience is educated adults who should be able to figure it out midway through the hour and forty minute film.
The film contains some drug use, sex and brutality so be cautioned when allowing your under 17s to attend the showing.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Unless you really want to see De Niro and Pacino together in a film, there’s not much here to challenge your mind.


I Served The King Of England

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I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND

Starring: Oldrich Kaiser, Ivan Barniv, Julia Jentsch, Jeri Labus, Josef Abrham and Milan Lasica

Directed By: Jiri Menzel

R for sexual content and nudity

In Czech with English Subtitles

By John Delia

I Served the King of England is a charming adult film that sets itself in motion and moves along at a steady pace delivering an amazing storyline that should delight most film lovers. Whether you are a film buff or just want an afternoon or evening of distraction, this film should fill the need.
The story of Czech born Jan Dite starts with his release from a Czechoslovakian prison where he has been officially pardoned following 15 years of incarceration. Being that the Czech’s wrongly imprisoned him after the fall of WWII German domination, Jan is awarded a backwoods shanty as compensation. We then are treated in flashbacks to his remarkable past from a provincial waiter in a pub to employment in a luxury brothel and finally an elegant restaurant in a fashionable hotel in Prague. His desire to become a millionaire in the face of amazing odds against him is at the center of the storyline. Jan meets and marries Laza (Jentsch), a Sudeten German living in Czechoslovakia during the Nazi takeover, which keeps himself out of harms way. But when Laza decides that she must fight for the Nazi’s and goes to the warfront, things start to take a downward turn. When the Germans take over the hotel in which he works and turn it into a birthing place for Aryans, Jan’s fate becomes in doubt.
The acting directing and cinematography in the film are magnificent, but the storyline does tend to be quite whimsical. Following Dite’s lengthy odyssey does tend to make the movie a bit involving, but it was overshadowed for me by the unusual journey in life Dite had to make in order to find his ultimate goal. Add to this some amazing cinematography of the hotels, restaurants, villages, hillsides and even the celebration of the birthing rights by a luxurious pool.
Topping the talent is a pair of actors who play Dite, Kaiser and Barniv. Both do a teriffic job in bringing Dite to life as the short in hight but high in ambition main character. I give a tip of the hat to Menzel for drawing out great performances from both.
The film contains a lot of nudity, sex and some visions of gore and should be viewed only by mature adults. I Served the King of England is presented in the Czech language with English subtitles. I found the titles easy to read and visually acceptable.

FINAL ANALYSIS: If you like your foreign films unusual and engrossing than I Served the King of England is your cup of tea.


BURN AFTER READING

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BURN AFTER READING
Starring: George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton and Richard Jenkins

Directed By: Joel and Ethan Coen

R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence

By John Delia
Burn After Reading tops the charts as one of the Coen Brother’s most quirky films they ever made. It’s a mix of comedy like their O’ Brother Where Art Thou and the wackiness as in Fargo. If you like the Coen type of humor and storylines, then this film should be at the top of your list to see.
The film is a situation comedy where we find elderly CIA analyst Osborne Cox (Malkovich) quitting after being demoted. His wife Katie (Swinton) prods him on what he’s going to do to make up the loss of income, as she certainly doesn’t want to carry him the rest of his life. So Osborne decides to write his memoirs. In the meantime, Katie decides to file for divorce because her affair with federal marshal Harry Pfarrer (Clooney) has escalated and she subsequently has been advised by her lawyer to get her hands on all of Osborne’s financials before she serves the papers. When a computer disk with some unusual information involving CIA financial records belonging to Osborne turn up in the locker room of a Washington DC fitness club, employees Chad Feldheimer (Pitt) and Linda Litzke (McDormand) find personal reasons why they should blackmail Osborne for a huge sum of money. This sets off a cornucopia of comical situations of which some however end in disaster.
Malcovich and Pitt are hysterical as two men at odds with each other over what Pitt’s character thinks are secret CIA documents. Their confrontation in Osborne’s car had me rolling with laughter. Clooney does his best acting when it comes to the Coen’s characters. His portrayal of the cheating husband who finds himself in the middle of a blackmail scheme is a scream. Swinton and McDormand take on the pivotal roles of two very dysfunctional characters that make Coen’s film work. As Osborne’s disenchanted wife, Swinton rants and snarls until she achieves what she wants, even if it takes some devious means to accomplish it. Playing an out of control fitness associate McDormand finds herself conflicted when she can’t raise enough money to pay for some plastic surgery she is obsessed over. Her vanity continuously gets in the way when she teams with Chad in their blackmail scheme. I especially liked her on line dating scenes, which are hilarious.
The Coen Brothers are at the top of their game with Burn After Reading. The nonsense that’s created in most of their films shows very prevalent in this one. Taking simple characters and putting them in their signature no-win situations brings about laughter even when some of their subjects are shockingly murdered.
Burn After Reading contains pervasive language, sexual content and violence so the film may have a negative affect on immature children.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Burn After Reading is a hilarious romp that should please all Coen fans. 4 of 5 stars

The Women

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THE WOMEN


Starring: Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debra Messing, Bette Midler, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher and Cloris Leachman

 

Directed by: Diane English


PG-13 for sex-related material, language, some drug use and brief smoking


By John Delia


The Women is a film about women, for women and contains only one male in the whole film, so how good can that be?  I guess if you were female it would be great, considering the acting is superb, the direction fair and the content yummy (delightful to the extremely well to do).  Oh, did I say chick flick?

Since I am of the opposite gender and not wanting to be biased about the film, here is how the studio describes The Women. “What happens when you combine a brilliant, all-female, all-star cast, headed by Meg Ryan and Annette Bening; celebrated comedy writer/director/producer Diane English (“Murphy Brown”); and a classic story about a circle of New York friends?  The answer is The Women, a smart, sparkling comedy about contemporary womanhood and the power of female relationships.  Based on George Cukor’s 1939 film and Clare Boothe Luce’s 1936 stage play, The Women whisks us into a busy pocket of Manhattan society, where the publishing, fashion and finance industries play.  At the center of the tale is Ryan’s character, Mary Haines, a thoroughly modern woman suddenly confronted with an age-old dilemma: a cheating husband.  The ladies in her life swiftly rally to Mary’s side, led by her best friend, Sylvie Fowler, a dynamic magazine editor played by Bening.  But when Sylvie betrays Mary in a Faustian bargain, the entire group is shaken to the core – and two women face the most painful breakup of all - their friendship.

If the story sounds familiar then you probably saw the recent Sex and the City or you watch TV’s Lipstick Jungle, both with similar themes and a lot of upscale accessories and clothing.   As far as acting goes, there are some very meaty roles that are ably performed by Annette Bening as the friend who turns coat when she finds her job is in jeopardy.  Bening shows her great talent for worming her way out of some impossible situations.  As for the femme fatale of the ensemble, Eva Mendez is a hoot as the ‘other woman.’  Most women should love the scene in the dressing room at Saks, I should have covered my eyes and blocked my ears.

As far as the men are concerned, the film is like looking into a fishbowl filled with women who are catty, crafty and sometimes very disturbing.  And, you may not want to make this a date movie for you and your significant other, especially if she is your mistress.  You are probably better off letting her see the film with some of her gal friends who will probably either get a kick out of the film or hate it.  


FINAL ANALYSIS:  The Women is the chick flick of all chick flicks, so males beware. 

The Women

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Righteous Kill

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The Women

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THE WOMEN  (Running Time: 114 min; Rated: PG-13) 

Reviewed by Denise Castillón 


THE WOMEN disappoints as both as a film celebrating female friendship and as a remake of the 1939 classic film of the same title. It might seem unreasonable to expect this women’s film to be as fun and clever as this summer’s earlier release of SEX IN THE CITY, if not for the fact this modernized version was written and directed by Diane English, the creator of the award-winning TV sit-com series, “Murphy Brown”.


From implausible portrayals of women’s friendships and unconvincing performances, despite its talented all-female cast, makes this re-invention of THE WOMEN insignificant. 


The sole highlight in THE WOMEN is the fashion show scene, where beautiful couture designs, courtesy of American fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez, grace the runway. 


As in the original film, none of the story’s male characters appear in this entirely female ensemble, starring Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debra Messing, Bette Midler, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher and Cloris Leachman.


Mary (MEG RYAN) becomes the object of concern by her tight-knit group of New City friends, when they discover that Mary’s husband has been cheating on her. Even more heartbreaking for Mary is the betrayal by her best friend, Sylvie (ANNETTE BENING), bringing an end to their long-time relationship.


Based upon the play by Clare Boothe Luce and the 1939 motion picture “The Women” screenplay by Anita Loos and Jane Murfin. Written for the screen and directed by Diane English. Produced by Victoria Pearman, Mick Jagger, Bill Johnson and Diane English. 


Released by Picturehouse, in Association with Inferno and Double Edge Entertainment, 

a Jagged Films and Inferno Production with Shukovsky English Entertainment