Your Entertainment Ticket.net

THE LUCY ONES

Starring: Tim Robbins, Rachel McAdams and Michael Pena

Directed By: Neil Burger 

R for language and some sexual content

By John Delia

There have been many films over the past two years that get very preachy about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan but actually do more to disturb than to relate.  This is not the case of The Lucky Ones a poignant yet humorous film that took me on a road trip to reason and realism created by an interesting story that was nicely directed and written for the screen.  

The movie centers on three very different US soldiers who meet by chance in a New York airport while returning from Iraq after a long time tour of duty.  The area around the airport has experienced a blackout and it strands the returning military for a possible two days.  TK Pool (Pena), on a one-month leave after being wounded, is anxious to get to his destination as are Cheaver (Robbins) and Colee (McAdams).  Since Pittsburgh has the closest operating airport Cheaver, Pool and Colee decide to share a rental car. What begins as a short trip unexpectedly turns into a cross-country marathon. Along the way the three share their experiences involving broken dreams and a country divided over the war.

The film has some very humorous scenes, as you would expect in most road movies, and in this one, some of them are down right hilarious.  I especially enjoyed the rest stop where Colee and Cheaver try to get TK involved with two professional sex therapists to rekindle his manhood.   But entwined within the comical trip are some very serious overtones surrounding the war, family and relationships that make the film heartbreaking as well.

The cast does a stellar job in bringing the captivating characters to life.  Pena provides the pathos, McAdams the pity and Robbins the grief, while all three share the chore of making the film fun loving as well.  But, I especially liked McAdams in the role of the insecure Colee who journeys to the parents she has never met of her fellow soldier and lover who has been killed in the war.  Having no family of her own, her plan is to take the place of their lost son. 

Writer/director Burger provides and outstanding story, tactfully presenting the humors drama in an unconditional way as to let the audience decide on how they should feel about war and it’s effect on our soldiers.  I especially liked the way he handled the meeting between the three at the airport and setting up a bond as they worked their way across country. 

The film contains some scenes of sex and language, so be cautioned when making decisions on attending the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  The Lucy Ones should not be missed if you like road movies that are not only humorous but have meaning as well.  (4 of 5 stars)  


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

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.