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SEEN @ SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2009: AN EDUCATION
AN EDUCATION won the Audience Choice award and the Cinematography award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.





AN EDUCATION (Running Time: 95 min; Not Yet Rated)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

Set in the early 60’s during Britain’s post-war/pre-Beatles period, AN EDUCATION is a brilliantly executed account of a young girl’s seduction into adulthood by a charismatic and, seemingly, worldly man.

Intelligent and pretty, Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is relentlessly prepped for admittance into Oxford by her conservative parents, cleverly played by Alfred Molina and Cara Seymour. With a keenness for existentialism and a passion for everything French, Oxford represents Jenny’s opportunity to be finally free from her old-fashioned parents and her eventual move to Paris.

This seems like very much an executable plan. Until the life-altering day, outside her elite girls’ school, Jenny has an enchanting encounter with the debonair David (Peter Sarsgaard), an older man.

After bewitching Jenny, David arrives at her home to mesmerize her parents, who eagerly agree to let him take out their school-aged daughter to a concert, followed by a late dinner at a nightclub. On their date, she is introduced to his beautiful and sophisticated friends, Danny (Dominic Cooper) and Helen (Rosamund Pike). From then on, Jenny exchanges her boring old life for the exciting new world David now offers, and transforms into a gorgeous, young lady -and grownup.

This multi-layered drama does contain plenty of humorous situations, such as when Jenny and David travel alone to Paris to fulfill Jenny’s plan of losing her virginity on her 17th birthday. At the moment when David presents a banana to “get the messy bit over with.”, she protests, “I don’t want to lose my virginity to a piece of fruit.”

Moral issues as well as new ideas of feminism are also explored. For instance, when Jenny questions her headmistress, played by Emma Thompson, “Why are you educating us?!”, as to the ultimate purpose for thrusting young girls so vigorously towards higher education. 2009 Sundance World Dramatic Competition Film


In the end, Jenny learns that she cannot take a shortcut to the life she wants to live, and divulges to her favorite teacher, “I feel old, but not very wise.”

AN EDUCATION’s stellar line-up consists of up-and-comer Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson, Cara Seymour, Matthew Beard and Sally Hawkins.

This UK production was directed by award-winning Danish filmmaker Lone Scherfig (ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS), and was based upon a memoir by British journalist Lynn Barber and adapted by popular English novelist Nick Hornby (HIGH FIDELITY, ABOUT A BOY) for the screen.

Creative team led by director of photography, John de Borman, (LAST CHANCE HARVEY, MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY). Production designed by Andrew McAlpine and costumes designed by Odile Dicks-Mireaux.

Produced by Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey. Executive producers are James D. Stern, Douglas E. Hansen, Wendy Japhet, David M. Thompson, Jamie Laurenson and Nick Hornby. Presented by BBC Films and Endgame Entertainment.

Lone Scherfigs’ AN EDUCATION won the Audience Choice award and its’ director of photography, John de Borman, won the Cinematography award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival’s World Dramatic Film Competition.

Financed by BBC Films for $12 million, Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American and Latin American rights for AN EDUCATION for under $3 million, reportedly after a heated bidding war with Fox Searchlight. Irregardless, the film-loving audience is the ultimate winner here.

The Scene At The “BIG FAN” Premiere Party At Sundance 2009
Reported by Denise Castillón

The “BIG FAN” Sundance Premiere Party was held at Park City’s Sky Lodge and Greenhouse venues on Sunday, January 18th.

BIG FAN stars Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan, Michael Rapaport, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Gino Cafarelli, and Matt Servitto and is written and directed by Robert Siegel (“The Wrestler”)

In BIG FAN, Paul Aufiero (Patton Oswalt), is the self-described "world's biggest New York Giants fan". One night, Paul and his best friend Sal (Kevin Corrigan) spot Giants star linebacker Quantrell Bishop at a gas station in their Staten Island neighborhood. They impulsively follow his limo to Manhattan, and into a strip club. The fallout of this chance encounter brings Paul's world crashing down around him as his family and the team. A consequential tug of war has Paul calling into question everything he believes in.

Following up his first filmed screenplay, "The Wrestler", writer- director Robert Siegel once again demonstrates a unique and potent vision of the human experience, in all of it its harsh truths and hopeful humanity.

The Scene At “THE PEOPLE SPEAK” Premiere Party At Sundance 2009
Reported by Denise Castillón for Your Entertainment Ticket

“THE PEOPLE SPEAK” Sundance Premiere Party was held at Park City’s Greenhouse venue on Thursday, January 22nd, following The People Speak: Voices of A People’s History of the United States, a live reading and musical performance event held at the Sundance’s ASCAP Music Café.

The People Speak: Voices of A People’s History of the United States featured readings by Benjamin Bratt, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Q’Orianka Kilcher and Marisa Tomei.

THE PEOPLE SPEAK is the forthcoming documentary giving voice to women, African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants and other little-known influences from U.S. history.

Photo one: Rich Robinson
Photo Two: Qrianka Kilcher
Photo Three: Melissa Leo
Photo Four: Josh Brolin
Photo five: Erika Alexander & Benjamin Bratt

THE WRESTLER (Running Time: 105 min; Rated: R)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

MICKEY ROURKE MAKES A TRIUMPHANT COMEBACK IN “THE WRESTLER”

In Darren Aronofskys’ gritty and bloody sports-themed drama, THE WRESTLER, Mickey Rourke conquers the role of Randy “The Ram” Robinson, an aging, headlining fighter. Rourke delivers an incredible emotionally raw performance that surpasses his ability to draw from his own eerily similar life story. We are as blessed as Rourke that this film brought back to life a tremendous talent thought lost.

Facing an isolating retirement and loss of identity, “The Ram” attempts to forge an intimate emotional connection. First, with an aging stripper, played plainly and tenderly by Marisa Tomei, then, with his estranged daughter, (Evan Rachel Wood). His failings with both relationships, leads him to the painful conclusion that his only real family are his faithful blue-collar fans.

Director of photography Maryse Alberti’s strong documentary background and use of verité-style filming produces a raw realism on the screen.

Beyond a character study, the film examines the “wide world” of wrestling; its’ athletic showmen and their hard core fans. An unrealized amount of attention is spent on the wrestlers’ personal grooming and maintenance as well as collaborating together to present a finely choreographed performance for their live, rabid audiences.

Recently, and deservedly, awarded a Golden Globe for his performance, Mickey Rourke shares the center-ring spotlight with actresses Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood. With a supportive role as the sarcastic grocery store manager that employs “The Ram” during his downtime, Todd Barry’s deadpan humor adds comedic relief to this heavily-weighted film. Such as when “The Ram” later concedes to work on the weekends, his mocking boss quips, “isn’t that when you sit on guy’s faces?!”

Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Written by Rob Siegel. Produced by Scott Franklin and Darren Aronofsky (Protozoa Pictures). Vincent Maraval, Agnes Mentre and Jennifer Roth are the executive producers. Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Reviewing The Dark Knight.

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2009 –Special Event:
“Bon Appétit Supper Club” Dinner for RUDO Y CURSI
By: Denise Castillon for Your Entertainment Ticket

On Friday, January 16th, the premiere foodie magazine, Bon Appétit, sponsored an honorary dinner for Sundance screening film, Alfonso Cuaróns’ RUDO Y CURSI, at their “Bon Appétit Supper Club” set up in downtown Park City, especially for the Sundance Film Festival. The three-course meal was prepared by Scott Conant, chef-owner of NYC’s Scrapetta, with wine pairings by John Terlato of the Terlato Wine Group. Conant and Terlato also hosted the private event, and welcomed special guests as well as the filmmakers of RUDO Y CURSI and Sony Picture Classics executives.

The “Bon Appétit Supper Club” menu started with Ceci Bean Soup, with sausage and cabbage, and paired with Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio. Followed by the main course of Sirloin of Beef, served with roasted winter vegetables, truffled spinach puree and shaved parmigiano, which was nicely complemented with Terlato Family Vineyards Cabernet Savigon. The finale, a dessert of Amedi Chocolate Cake, was accompanied by burnt orange-caramel gelato and espresso sauce, and finished with Tiramisù liqueur.

The Spanish-language comedy/drama, RUDO Y CURSI, was written and directed by Carlos Cuarón, and stars, together for the first time since their break-out film, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna. The sports-theme film was produced by “Los Tres Amigos”, -Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro González Iñárritu. Recently announced, Sony Picture Classics has picked up the film for US theatrical distribution.

Film Lover’s Guide to the 2009 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

OPENING NIGHT FILM REVIEW:
MARY AND MAX

By Denise Castillón

Mainly held in the ski town of Park City, Utah, the 25th edition of the Sundance Film Festival kicked off on January 15th with MARY AND MAX, a clay-animated narrative feature from Australian animator, Adam Elliot, and will close after the 2009 Awards Ceremony on January 25th. Renown as the premier showcase for U.S. and international independent film, the festival is offshoot of Sundance Institute, a nonprofit cultural organization founded, by actor-director Robert Redford in 1981, to nurture independent filmmaking.


This years’ opening night film, Elliot’s MARY AND MAX, played to film-loving festival attendees and well and members of the film industry and press.

MARY AND MAX
Genre: Clay Animation/Comedy/Drama
Country: Australia
Running Time: 92 min

Narrated by Barry Humphries, “Mary and Max” is a funny, but odd and lengthy dramatic comedy, starring the voices of Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette as two socially-awkward and lonely pen pals, whose long-distance friendship provides mutual moral support for over twenty years.

Eight-year-old Mary Daisy Dinkle (Collette), curious about life in America, randomly chooses to write to Max Jerry Horovitz (Hoffman), a middle-aged New Yorker struggling with Asperger's disease. After enduring some bumpy patches in their friendship, they finally learn to accept their imperfections with themselves, as well as with each other.

Set in the 70’s, the Elliot uses neutral brown tones to define Mary’s dull suburban life in Australia, while a black and white color scheme to illustrate Max’s frenzied New York City.

“Mary and Max” was produced by Melanie Coombs. Executive producers are Mark Gooder, Paul Hardart, Tom Hardart, Bryce Menzies and Jonathan Page.

HOTEL FOR DOGS
Starring: Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Kyla Pratt, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon and don Cheadle
Directed by: Thor Freudenthal
Rated PG for brief mild thematic elements, language and some crude humor
By John Delia
Hotel for Dogs is a movie I did not expect to like after viewing the awful trailer for the film, but after seeing the movie I’m recommending it for parents and children who love dogs. The film hits home with a good storyline, excellent message and exceptional dog handling. If you need a distraction for your children, Hotel For Dogs is a good diversion while reinforcing their love for pets.
Andi (Roberts) and her younger brother Bruce (Austin) are orphans who have been placed by the city’s welfare officer Bernie (Cheadle) in the strictly no-pets foster home of Carl (Dillon) and Lois Scudder (Kudrow). Andi and Bruce’s dog, who has taken refuge on their fire escape, has been swiping food on the street to fill his over active appetite. Sad that their pet does not have a future, the two children are desperate to find a way to keep their dog even if it means trying to get new foster portents.
When Andi and Bruce accidentally stumble on an abandoned hotel that is already home to a couple of resourceful strays, Andi has an idea. She taps Bruce's mechanical genius for turning everyday objects into mechanical marvels, and, with the help of their friends in the neighborhood; attempt to transform the down-and-out hotel into dog haven.
The film is directed at children that have pets and it hits home. Exceptional direction by Freidenthal of the bevy of dogs, child actors and the filmmakers props department make the film very enjoyable to watch. I especially liked all the gizmos and fantastic inventions that Bruce comes up with to feed the dogs, provide a place to poop and some fun exercise. Directing the dogs must have been a nightmare, however as trying to make any animal sit for any period of time while there are others present can be a test of patience.
I won’t give away all the fun, but there is one scene where the dogs get to go on rides in cars with simulated backgrounds and the breeze blowing in their faces that I found to be extremely fun. If you do get to see the trailer, rest assured that the movie is much funnier and more enjoyable. What the trailer does, however is not give away all the enjoyment the film provides like other previews I have seen.
The film contains some brief mild thematic elements, language and some crude humor, so be forewarned.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Hotel for Dogs is a cute and enjoyable film for families and pet lovers. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)

DEFIANCE

Starring: Daniel Craig, Live Schreiber, and Jamie Bell

Directed by: Edward Zwick

Rated R for violence and language

By John Delia

Defiance is like a good book, hard to put down until the very last page is read. With an extraordinary true story, excellent acting, faultless direction, and flawless cinematography this film should not be missed. To honor the film in the same sentence with Schindler’s List shows how much I was moved by the whole experience.
Based on an extraordinary true story, Defiance is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation in World War II. The film opens in the year 1941with Jews of Eastern Europe being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis. Tuvia (Craig), Zus (Schreiber) and Asel (Bell) are the brothers who turn a primitive struggle to survive into something far more consequential – a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones by saving thousands of others.
Craig ups his value as an actor tremendously with this performance as the leader of the community of terrified Jews escaping from the clutches of the Germans while fending off local police that are hunting them for bounty. In support, Schreiber shows his amazing strength as an actor breathing realism into the enraged Zus who wants revenge for the loss of his wife and child. I especially liked the scene between Craig and Schreiber, who are at odds with each other on how they should defend themselves, which ends up in a fistfight. The scene was well choreographed and believable.
Direction by Zwick (Blood Diamond) is top notch and faultless. Shooting the film in the woods for the long duration, coping with the lighting and weather, special effects explosions, large groups of actors and a script that had to be filmed with a delicate hand was accomplished brilliantly. His depiction of the anti-Semitism, degradation of the Jews and their resistance gave me chills.
There is a lot of violence involving war, graphic brutality, language and a brief sexual inference in the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: One of the best films of the year, Defiance should not be missed (5 of 5 Palm Trees)

CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Deepika Padukone, Ranvir Shorey and Gordon Liu

Directed by: Nikhil Advani

Rated PG-13 for violence and martial arts action

By John Delia

In Theatres Friday, January 16

There is a lot to like in Chandni Chowk To China, but with it being around two and a half hours long with subtitles the film becomes a little too tedious. If you like marathon Chop Socky movies with a lot of well choreographed martial arts, interesting characters, a good measure of comedy and exciting new actors, then this film will give you a kick.
Chandni Chowk to China is the story of the epic heroic journey of Sidhu (Kumar), a simple cook from Chandni Chowk who longs to escape his dreary existence and looks for shortcuts with everything from astrologers and tarot readers to a magic potato. He believes in anything and everything except himself. His fate changes when two strangers from China claim him to be a reincarnation of a war hero from the past and enlist him to come back with them to their village in China. His opportunistic translator, Chopstick (Shorey), tells Sidhu of the women, wine and princely existence that await him in foreign lands; what Chopstick doesn't tell him is that he has become the village's best hope to take on the vicious gangster Hojo (Liu), who has been terrorizing them. When he meets Sakhi (Padukone) however, his life starts to change and not necessarily for the good.
The film is filled with an over abundance of story. Director Advani probably could have made two films out of the one, but instead he fills the movie with a lot of plots that you will probably identify. The initial story sounds like Kung Fu Panda, then turns into The Magnificent Seven; he throws in a lot of Jackie Chan, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and includes many bits and pieces of other films along the way. Actually it was fun seeing what film he was going to parody next.
On the bright side, the acting was very good, especially by Liu who plays the Chinese mobster who enlists his beautiful henchwoman to smuggle diamonds into China from India. His sinister smile and his weapon, Goldfinger’s Odd Job’s hat that slices off heads, really sets the tone of the film when Sidhu gets to China.
The cinematography is brilliant, showing the Great Wall of China, an interesting back ally look of India and some great vistas. The fighting sequences are photographed with some great close-ups and multi-angles making the battles exciting.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Chandni Chowak to China is a fun film but bring a pillow and a good pair of reading glasses. (2.5 of 5 Stars)

BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES JANUARY DVD RELEASES

SWING VOTE (Now available)

Swing Vote is now on DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def starring Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Kelsey Brammer, Nathan Lane, Stanley Tucci and George Lopez, is hit comedy by Touchstone Pictures.

The movie centers on Bud Johnson (Koster) who finds himself the attendion of the nation media when his vote is accidently not counted. Just a regular guy, Bud actually never registered to vote, unfortunately for him, his righteous daughter registerd for him. When the final count is made, Bud finds himself the tie-breaker for deciding the President of the United States.

Political operatives swarm his tiny hometown in New Mexico in an all-out battle for his ballot and there are no lengths the Republican incumbent Andrew Boone (Kelsey Grammer) and Democratic candidate Donald Greenleaf (Dennis Hopper) won’t go to in order to curry Bud’s favor. As the underhanded antics of their campaign managers, played by Stanley Tucci and Nathan Lane, create some havoc, Bud realizes that beyond the implications for the nation, this is his shot at winning his daughter’s respect.

The DVD and Blu-ray Bonus Features include:

Inside the Campaign: The Politics of Production – Go behind the scenes for a look at the all-star cast, the real political pundits and the small town location of Belen, New Mexico that all combined to bring this movie to life.

Deleted & Extended Scenes – With optional commentary by director and writer Joshua Michael Stern

Audio Commentary – Feature commentary with writer and director Joshua Michael Stern and writer Jason Richman.

BRIDESHEAD REVISITED (Now available)

Now on DVD from Miramax Films is the provocative story of love, power and betrayal, Brideshead Revisited. The film features a performance by two-time Oscar Winner Emma Thompson. Based on Evelyn Waugh’s much-loved novel of the same name, the film recreates the decadent world of British aristocracy. Director Julian Jarrold transports viewers to patrician England in the 1920’s where an aspiring young artist yearns for a woman and a house he can never attain in stunning locations in England, Morocco and Venice, and featuring period costuming and British countryside settings.

Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode), a young man of modest means but considerable ambition, has just begun his studies at Oxford University, when he encounters flamboyant aristocrat and fellow student Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw). Infatuated with his new friend’s hedonistic lifestlye, Charles eagerly accompanies him to the family’s opulent mansion, Brideshead, where the eccentric clan and the palatial 18th century estate entrance him. But when Charles falls for Sebastian’s beautiful sister Julia (Hayley Atwell), his friend reacts with jealousy and the siblings’ domineering mother, Lady Marchmain (Emma Thompson), rules out the possibility of marriage for reasons of class and religion. As Charles becomes further involved with the Marchmain family, he realizes that at Brideshead, everything comes at a price.

The DVD bonus features include:

The World of Brideshead—Invites viewers to go behind the scenes with the cast and

crew of Brideshead Revisited as they reveal the painstaking attention to detail required

to capture the lavish world of British aristocracy between the wars.

Audio Commentary—Feature commentary with director Julian Jarrold, producer Kevin

Loader and screenwriter Jeremy Brock.

Revealing Deleted Scenes—With optional commentary by director Julian Jarrold,

producer Kevin Loader and screenwriter Jeremy Brock.

MARY POPPINS 45 Anniversary Edition (January 27)

Available at store on January 27 is the Oscar nominated Mary Poppins 2 disc 45th Anniversary Edition with special bonus features and an exclusive behind the scenes look at the Broadway show. Based on the popular children’s story by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins tells the story of a magical nanny who changes the lives to two rowdy, but neglected kids. The film introduced the word Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious to millions of youngsters when it came out in 1963. Some of the memorable songs include Just a Spoonful of Sugar, Step in Time and Jolly Holiday. The film was an innovator in combining live action with animation and Dick Van Dyke’s dance with the penguins started it all. In addition to a lot of bonus features tied in with the Broadway show, a special The Cat That Looked Like a King short is also on the bonus disc.

THE SECRET OF THE MAGIC GOURD (January 27)

Available on January 27 is Walt Disney Pictures’ The Secret of the Magic Gourd. The film tells the story of Raymond, a young daydreamer whose vivid imagination has made him an outcast at school. On a solo fishing trip, Raymond reels in the mysterious magic gourd, who offers to make all his wishes come true. When each of Raymond’s seemingly simple wishes backfires, creating unintentional consequences for the boy, he realizes that "there's no such thing as an unearned reward," but with a little hard work, he can create his own kind of magic and achieve his dreams. The movie features the voice of High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu as the title character.

Bonus features include a multi-level game called Too Many Toys, a featurette on the making of the film, bloopers and a music video.

BABYLON A.D. 

Starring: Vin Desel, Michelle Yeoh, Melanie Thierry, Lambert Wilson and Mark Strong

Directed by: Mathieu Kassovitz

Rated:  This version of the film is Unrated and contains added violence, action, language and sexuality

By John Delia

This is one of those action junkie films that gets you involved in the plot with a lot of explosions, fighting, chases with a lot of shooting, fantasy guns, rockets, oh and did I say explosions.  Actually the science fiction plot is rather good and if you like stories that take place in the future and involve the salvation of mankind, than this movie is for you.

The plot is very intriguing.  It is the not-too-distant future. Thousands of satellites scan, observe and monitor our every move. Much of the planet is a war zone; the rest, a collection of wretched way stations, teeming megalopolises, and vast wastelands punctuated by areas left radioactive from nuclear meltdowns. It is a world made for hardened warriors, one of whom, a mercenary known only as Toorop (Diesel), lives by a simple survivor's code: kill...or be killed. His latest assignment has him smuggling a young woman named Aurora (Thierry) along with her guardian Sister Rebeka (Yeoh) from a convent in Kazakhstan to New York City.  When Toorop finally finds out the value of the person he is transporting, he has to make a decision that may cost him his life.

It was great seeing Diesel and Yeoh team up in a film.  The two are consummate warriors and they show a lot of their stuff in this film.  I loved the scene where Diesel has to fight a veritable giant in a cage.  The combat between the two is sometimes comical due to their size.  As for Yeoh her age has not deterred from her ability to make the movies that made her famous in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.  She still has the talent and ability to knock her adversary into tomorrow.

The cinematography, especially the snowmobile shoot-out is amazingly beautiful and well choreographed.  CGI works it’s magic here, but it’s the cameras capturing the fast moving ski-carts as they blaze across the snow covered mountain side trying to outrun two jets armed with rockets and machine guns, that do all the work.  Whether it is a dark interior or a submarine cracking though the ice or a car chase with Hummers, the cameras are shooting with wide-open lenses capturing all the action.

In addition to bringing the film to you Unrated and Extended, the special bonus features are heavy and include two-discs, one of which allows you to make a digital copy of the film to save in the event the original gets damaged.  But the winners here are the science fiction featurette tell alls; Babylon Babies, Artic Escape, Hummers in Flight and Fit for the Screen.  If you like seeing how it was done then scope out this section of disc number one.  

Topping the special bonuses however is a special digital graphic novel that is the prequel to Babylon A.D.  Unique in that it sets up the why of the story, but a spoiler, I would not view this until you have seen the film.  

The film contains a lot of violence, some sexuality, and strong language and should be viewed by responsible adults.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  Babylon A.D. is an action junkie’s best friend. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)

DEATH RACE

Starring: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Ian McShane, Tyrese Gibson and Natalie Martinez

Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson

R for strong violence and language

By John Delia

The DVD of Death Race has appeared on retailer’s store shelves, but this video shouldn’t be on the shelf for long. Packed with high-octane bonus features and an unrated version of the film, Death Race packs a wallop.
The film itself shows like a video game, it runs like a video game and it feels like a video game, but Death Race is a bone-crunching movie. Hard punching, heart throbbing action with a heated storyline, it slams into your television or computer screen with all the power of some of Paul W.S. Anderson’s previous big screen winners; Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil and Alien vs. Predator.
The film follows the story of Jensen Ames (Statham), a former champion racecar driver who gets framed for the murder of his wife and is sent to Terminal Island, a New York prison set in 2020. Only the most vicious of prisoners are housed on the Island and Warden Hennessey (Allen) uses her scheming creative juices to get a lot of cash from their notoriety. Creating a race where top drivers chosen from the inmate’s race to a finish creating death and mayhem along the way, and it’s computer televised. The brutal ‘sport’ has a favorite called Frankenstein and when the hideous driver gets pulverized one race day in a burst of fire, the warden must find a way to replace the icon without loosing the ratings. When Ames arrives at the prison, the warden cooks up a scheme that includes him and Frankenstein.
The special effects team deliver the gunfire and spectacular explosions. Bullets pelting the back of cars, missiles slamming into walls, spikes ripping tires and total chaos are the best ways to describe the action in the film.
As for the acting, there isn’t much need for any. Much like The Terminator and Die Hard, a few good phrases, some dialogue for plot and it’s a wrap. Statham does his best Transporter, Crank, and War impression and that’s all he really needs. But there’s one actor that needs to be mentioned and that’s Joan Allen. Her interpretation of the evil warden is right on the money. She totally does a convincing job showing that power can be truly diabolical.
Anderson continues to keep the flames burning with super powered characters doing his bidding. Resident Evil and Alien vs. Predator have to be two of the most high-energy flicks ever made. With Death Race, it’s just another day at the office. Throwing anything explosive he can into the film, not overdoing the dialogue or bothering to present a complicated plot, Anderson gives the ultimate in mindless chaos. Just what the action lover needs to escape a day at the office or a week of pounding the books.
The bonuses on this disc include some extremely entertaining features. While I liked the making of called Start Your Engines: Making A Death Race with explanation by director Anderson, I enjoyed the second feature about the stunts even better. The feature is called Behind the Wheel: Dissecting the Stunts and it blew me away. The amazing thing about it is the number of cars they needed to make the film, with no CGI being used, stunt drivers driving the cars, the special ramps, wires, battering rams, and special rigs to throw cars through the air. When you see cars flipping through the air and slamming into a barrier, it is all for real. Even Statham and several other actors drive their cars and do some of stunts in the film.
Please note that the film is rated R for ultra violence, language and brutality, so please do not let the youngsters play the DVD.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Death Race is a high-octane film for explosive action lovers that plays excitingly well on the small screen. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)

BRIDE WARS

Starring: Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, Kristen Johnson and Candice Bergan

Directed by: Gary Winick

Rated PG for suggestive content, language and some rude behavior

By John Delia

I did not care very much for Bride Wars, but since it was targeted to women, that may be one of the reasons. Much like Sex and the City, Muriel’s Wedding or The Devil Wears Prada just to name a few, Bride Wars was too girly for me. I did like some of the humor, but for most men, even those on a date, there isn’t enough laughs to hold off the 90-minute wave of exploding female hormones. But you know what, your date will probably find the film funny and be able to relate, so hang in there for the after fun if you play your cards right.
WARNING: Do not see the advance trailer to this movie; there are way too many spoilers that take a lot of fun out of it.
The film finds long time friends Liv (Hudson) and Emma (Hathaway) getting engaged after some creative coaxing. The men in their life are just pawns to their fantasies of being married in the month of June at The Plaza Hotel in New York. Being well endowed with the cash factor, the two go to the most well known wedding planners in the city (Bergan) so their day will be the envy of all their mutual friends. The two are in luck as there are three dates in June available at The Plaza, two on the 6th and one on the 27th. Liv chooses the 6th because that was her deceased parent’s anniversary, while Emma is very comfortable with the later date in June. When the booking secretary makes a mistake and locks in both on the same day, the bride wars begin.
While it is inconceivable that this could happen with any wedding planner, and especially the best in the city, we must realize that this is a movie and it’s all in fun so get over that point early. However, there are other problems that taint the otherwise intriguing premise that include the chemistry between the two main actors, Hudson’s weak performance, and a repetitious confined predictable plot that just doesn’t seem to please. I blame it on two factors; there were too many fingers in the wedding cake and the direction of the film should have been much tighter and controlled.
The screenplay was written by Greg Depaul (originator of the theme plot), June Diane Raphael (wrote mainly for theatre) and Casey Wilson (known more as an actress). Therein is a recipe for disaster with stage like sets, curtain closing scenes and insignificant support characters that never seem to mean anything to the storyline. As far as direction goes, Hudson’s character was not very strong in the face of the war between the two as Hathaway’s character was totally domineering from start to finish. It wasn’t a war at all, just a squabble that never seem to end.
As for any good the film has; the bride costuming magnificent, the make-up significant (especially the tanning scene and the blue hair) and the choreography of the banter between the two, well done.
The film is rated PG due to some suggestive content, language and rude behavior so other than letting your kids watch two bratty rich kids go at it, there’s not much to keep anyone away.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Bride Wars is just a skirmish between two bratty friends. (2 Palm Trees of 5)

NOT EASILY BROKEN

Starring: Morris Chestnut, Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Hart, Jennifer Lewis, Maeve Quinlan and Eddie Cibrian

Directed by: Bill Duke

Rated PG-13 for sexual references and thematic elements

By John Delia

Although Not Easily Broken is a little preachy and somewhat predictable, I liked the film for the delivery of the challenging storyline with it’s myriad of everyday problems. Well acted out by Chestnut, Henson and Lewis it made me feel like one should not marry until you lived with in the person’s shoes for a long while. The uplifting film plays best to adults that are in relationships or about to be. But, be cautioned that this is a feature film from a novel and not a documentary on life’s marital trials and tribulations.
The film centers on Dave (Chestnut) and Clarice (Henson) a young couple that get married after believing that they have made the best choice. At their wedding ceremony, the bishop drapes a cord made of three strands over the happy couple stating that two of the strands represent the man and woman, while the third represents God. He tells them that if they keep God strong in their life their bond of marriage will not easily be broken.
So starts their new life, but some baggage comes with their newfound happiness. Dave’s dream of being a major league baseball player ended when he busted up his leg in a game and now ten years later he has a small construction firm with his closest friends while his wife has become one of the top real estate salespersons in the area. Clarice’s head has become inflated with her success and has lost site of what Dave feels is their dream, bringing a child into their lives. At odds over this, Dave fills his afternoons with being a little league coach while Clarice starts questioning his absence in her life due to his commitment. When a shattering event happens, it throws the couple into a downward spin. That’s when Clarice’s meddling mother Mary (Lewis) enters the picture determined to solve their marriage problems.
There is a lot going on in this film with the many side stories involving Dave’s co-workers and buddies, Clarice’s inflated ego taking over her rational judgment, a wacky mother interfering in the marriage, a too close relationship with a physical therapist, team problems involving one of the fathers and more. But, director Duke handles all these elements with a strong hand resolving the issues with satisfying result. His movie, although somewhat predictable, flows well providing very good entertainment and some comic relief within the heavy storyline.
The movie Not Easily Broken is based on a book by Bishop T.D. Jakes, writer of the best selling inspirational books Maximize the Moment, The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord, The Great Investment: Faith, Family and Finance, God’s Leading Lady, Cover Girls, Follow the Star, He-Motions: Even Strong Men Struggle, The Ten Commandments of Working in a Hostile Environment, Mama Made the Difference: Life Lessons My Mother Taught Me, Woman Thou Art Loosed.
If I had to give a best performance for this film it would go to Jennifer Lewis as the meddling mother who puts her nose into everything. Her delivery of the dialogue as the overly protective mother-in-law is so over-the-top at times that is made me wonder if one should probably live with their intended spouse’s mother for a good period of time before getting married.
The film contains sexual references and thematic elements so be cautioned when deciding to bring the very young.

FINAL ANALYSIS: If you like films that involve a lot of challenging life situations, then Not Easily Broken should be high on your list. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)