CHEF

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Jon Favreau: Chef Carl Casper

Scarlett Johansson: hostess at Gualoises, an upscale LA restaurant

Emjay Anthony: Carl’s 10-year-old son Percy

Dustin Hoffman: Ravi the restaurant owner

John Leguizam: Martin, line cook

Bobby Cannavale: Tony, sous chef

Sofia Vergara: Carl’s ex-wife Inez

Oliver Platt: food critic Ramsey Michel

Russel Peters: a Miami cop

REVIEW

There is something to be said about taking a hard look at what is important to you and follow through. That is but one aspect of this humorous tale combined with some realistic father and son bonding. Add in a road trip across America and there’s lots to like. And did I mention food: close-ups of the preparation might prompt you to order in, even before the final credits.

The acting for the most part is uniformly good, the dialogue snappy and often funny but the one thing there is too much of is the swearing: there is no need to include the f-word in every second utterance. That simply detracts from the story line making it less plausible. And losing a star as a result.

CLASSIFICATION

 for language including some suggestive references.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY

• The wall clock shows it to be 2:32 and remains unchanged during a spirited discussion between the Chef and Ravi which took at least 5 minutes.
• While having a shooter in a bar and without touching it, Martin’s beer bottle rotates from one scene to the next showing the brand label.

P.S.

Subtitles would have been useful for those not fluent in Spanish to get the implication when Martin asks the workers if they will help lift the heavy equipment “or I can call immigration.”

THE GRAND SEDUCTION

F.Y.I.

Since the 16th century European fishermen have been fishing for cod in the waters off Newfoundland along with the locals in the area known as the Grand Banks. Approximately 8 million tons of cod were caught in the 100 years from 1647 to 1750. With the introduction of factory fishing in the early 1950’s that amount of cod was caught in just 15 years.

The Atlantic coast fishing industry collapsed entirely in 1992 owing to this overfishing coupled with a lack of oversight and poor fishery administration. The Canadian government declared a moratorium but even after 20 years the cod population has not returned. The effect on the local economy has been disastrous since fishing represented their livelihood. Most now live on Government welfare cheques.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Brendan Gleeson: Murray French

Gordon Pinsent: his buddy Simon

Mark Critch: bank teller Joe

Liane Balaban: Kathleen, the postmistress

Cathy Jones: Murray’s wife

Taylor Kitsch: Dr. Paul Lewis

Mary Walsh: telephone operator

REVIEW

This is something of a rarity: a feel-good movie with no violence, no swear words, heart-warming and wholesome with only mildly suggestive situations done in good taste.

I was smiling the whole time while the laughs just kept coming. The acting is uniformly good and the cinemaphotography beautifully show-casing the rugged beauty of the area.

CLASSIFICATION

 for some suggestive material and drug references.

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Comedy, adventure

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Tom Wilkinson: a well known author

Jude Law: the author as a younger man

F. Murray Abraham: Mr. Moustafa, the hotel owner

Ralph Fiennes: Monsieur Gustave, the hotel concierge

Tony Revolori: Zero, the hotel lobby boy

Saoirse Ronan: pastry chef Agatha

Tilda Swinton: the very wealthy Madame D

Adrien Brody: her son Dmitri

Edward Norton: Inspector Henckels

Willem Dafoe:  Dmitri’s pal J. G. Jopling

Harvey Keitel: prisoner Ludwig

Bill Murray: Monsieur Ivan

Owen Wilson: Monsieur Chuck

REVIEW

Once more Ralph’s Rule of Redundancy applies:

“Any film where one person takes on more than two key positions has a major shortcoming: the absence of independent critical judgement that results in something less than it might have been.” In this case Wes Anderson is Writer, Director and Producer and the film suffers from it.

Depending upon what you find funny, this story of a concierge and a lobby boy could be hilarious (as was the case with two ladies in the audience who laughed at almost everything) to one provoking the odd smile. For me, it was the latter.

But it is not a easy story to follow as there are all kinds of twists and turns. The effort to keep things sorted out was just too much for me.

CLASSIFICATION

 for language, some sexual content and violence.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY

• Modern CPR methods for non-medical personnel came out in the 1960’s, some 30 years after these events took place.
• When viewed from the front, the strap of Zero’s bag is diagonally across his chest but seen from the side it hangs down vertically.

P.S.

The painting substituted for the Boy with Apple is in really poor taste and has no business in a comedy of this sort. Having to rely on a crotch-grabbing image to get a laugh is a sign of desperation.

THE INTERNSHIP

Comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Vince Vaughn: mid-40’s watch salesman Billy McMahon

Owen Wilson: his partner Nick Campbell

Josh Brener: 23 year-old Google team manager Lyle

Assif Mandvi: Mr. Chetty, head of Google’s internship program

Tobit Raphael: overachiever Yo-Yo

Dylan O’Brien: brainy Stuart

Tiya Sircar: Neha, the token girl on the team

Rose Byrne: Google executive Dana

REVIEW

After a very long protracted start, the plot soon becomes utterly predictable with only the setting at the Google complex providing anything new that has not already been seen/used hundreds of times. Essentially a rehash of the underdogs (Billy and Nick) confronting overwhelming odds (getting a job at Google) and somehow doing better than expected.

Instead of clever writing the humour relies upon recycling worn-out overused juvenile sex jokes and a couple of new ones that need not be repeated as they are an affront to the elderly or to those with a weight problem.

Speaking of repeating: that technique is employed more than once just in case we don’t get the joke the first time resulting in an overlong two hours running time.

CLASSIFICATION

 for sexuality, some crude humour, partying and language.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY

• During a business dinner meeting, Billy’s glass of red wine moves further away from him although he never once touches it.
• Poorly done ADR results in  the movement of the lips being out of sync with what is being said by Nick’s sister.
• While Mr. Chetty is addressing the candidates Billy’s beanie disappears from time to time.
• When play resumes after the half-time break, the scoreboard incorrectly shows it to still be period 1.
• One of the interns has his headphones around his neck with the large pads showing but in the final shot even though he didn’t touch they have flipped over with the red exterior now showing.

TO ROME WITH LOVE

 Comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Alison Pill: Hayley, an American tourist

Flavio Parenti: Michelangelo, an architect

Lynn Swanson: his mother Ellen

Fabio Armiliato: his father Giancarlo

Woody Allen: retired music producer Jerry
Judy Davis: his wife Phyllis

Alessandro Tiberi: newly married Antonio

Alessandra Mastronardi: his school teacher wife Milly

Penélope Cruz: Anna, a prostitute

Roberto Benigni: Leopoldo, an office clerk

Alec Baldwin: John, a retired architect

Carol Alt: his wife Carol

Jesse Eisenberg: Jack, an architectural student

Greta Gerwig: his girlfriend Sally

Ellen Page: her friend Monica

REVIEW

What a disappointment: after his wonderful Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen comes out with a stinker. Supposedly a comedy, the first inkling of hilarity is Jerry’s reaction to shaking the hand of a mortician, and that after a half hour has transpired. The next hilarious bit is Jerry’s mispronunciation of Michelangelo’s name, not just once but three times. It doesn’t get any better than that so set your laugh expectations low, real low.

But unfortunately that’s not the worst of it: the story is about four couples who have no connection with each other and these interlaced vignettes are supposed to be of some interest. Well they aren’t, in large measure because the dialogue is infantile. For example Leopoldo is interviewed on television and asked what he had for breakfast that morning to which said “toast and coffee” then this is followed up with “and what did you put on your toast?” to which he replied “jam”.

No longer able to contain myself from laughing so much (and not wanting to waste any more time) I walked out.

CLASSIFICATION

 for sexual content and profanity.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY

Anna slips off her shoes and tosses them on the bed, each one landing on a different pillow. When she retrieves them they are both together conveniently on the side of the bed so she doesn’t have to reach for them.

Leopoldo tries several times to hurriedly unlock the front door but in his haste never gets the key in the lock yet the door magically opens when he pushes on it.

P.S.

Once more Ralph’s Rule of Redundancy applies:

“Any film where one person takes on more than 2 key positions (Woody Allen is Writer, Director and Star) has a major shortcoming: the absence of independent critical judgement that results in something less than it might have been.”

WE BOUGHT A ZOO

Drama

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Matt Damon: Benjamin Mee
Colin Ford: his 14-year-old son Dylan
Maggie Jones: Dylan’s 7-year-old sister Rosie
Scarlett Johansson: head zookeeper Kelly Foster
Elle Fanning: Kelly`s 13-year-old cousin Lily Miska
Thomas Church: Benjamin’s older brother Duncan

REVIEW
Based on a true story the title pretty much says it all. This charming tale is very much an outing for the entire family with lots to like: a variety of animals, simple straight-forward plot, the sullen teenager, his cute sister, a love interest, arguments and reconciliations. It has it all.

You won’t be disappointed as long as you don’t set your expectations too high as there are no real surprises and everything works out according to plan, well almost everything.

However it is too long, running well in excess of two hours and there is no reason to do so. There are ample opportunities to edit out some of the slower bits and at the same time rethink the way in which Benjamin gets out of a jam. That’s a key element and shouldn’t be left to chance because there are any number of ways of handling that situation better.

CLASSIFICATION

for language and some thematic elements.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
• While having breakfast with his brother, Benjamin's sunny side up eggs change position on the plate from one shot to another.
• His brother has a little silver container that comes and goes from one cut to another.
• Dylan speaks to Lily while it is raining and looks pathetic with his hair plastered to his forehead. After a brief cut to Lily and back to him, his forehead is no longer wet until one more cut to Lily and back to Dylan and once again his hair is plastered down.
• On more than one occasion reference is made to the zoo’s opening going to be on Saturday July 7, 2010. In actual fact July 7, 2010 was a Wednesday.

A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR

Comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
John Cho: businessman Harold Lee
Tom Lennon: Todd, one of his associates
Kal Penn: Harold’s old buddy Kumar
Patton Oswalt: Kal’s supplier Larry
Paula Garcés: Lee’s wife Maria
Amir Blumenfeld: Kal’s buddy Adrian
Danny Trejo: Maria’s father

REVIEW
Anyone who saw the first in this series would know what they’re getting into. I did not so it was a bit of a shocker to find out it’s about potheads and the humour is the raunchy type laced with vulgarities while relying on crude slapstick to garner more laughs at someone’s expense.

I left at this point as this is not my sort of movie.

CLASSIFICATION

for strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, pervasive language, drug use and some violence.

GET HIM TO THE GREEK

Comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Russell Brand: rock star Aldous Snow
Rose Byrne: his girlfriend Jackie Q
Jonah Hill: Aaron Green, employee of a record company
Elisabeth Moss: Aaron’s live-in girlfriend medical intern Daphne Binks
Sean “Diddy” Combs: Sergio Roma, executive with Pinnacle Records
and others no doubt

REVIEW
Raunchy comedy is not for everyone: characterised by its sex-oriented theme and reliance upon the frequent use of the f-word instead of intelligent dialogue it is replete with lots of partying, drinking and doing drugs.

The “humour” includes explicit reference to certain body parts, projectile vomiting, lots of carnage and mayhem, various sex acts, speeding cars and fast women. In a word, anything that might provoke some mirth from the target audience.

I could not wait to walk out.

CLASSIFICATION
for strong sexual content and drug use throughout, and pervasive language.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
While laying in bed Daphne’s ID card changes position between shots despite the fact she remains on her back with her arms at her side. It does the same thing when she and Aaron are having a coffee in the hospital’s cafeteria.

THE TROTSKY

Comedy

F.Y.I.
Leon Trotsky was born Leiba Davidovich Bronstein in November 1879. He was the fifth and favourite child of a well-to-do farmer David and his wife Anna. Trotsky became involved in revolutionary activities in 1896 writing and distributing pamphlets promoting socialist ideas among industrial workers and revolutionary students. In 1917 he was one of the leaders along with Vladimir Lenin of the Russian October Revolution.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Jay Baruchel: 17-year-old high school student Leon Bronstein
Tommie Amber Pirie: his sister Sarah
Saul Rubinek: their father David
Anne-Marie Cadieux: their stepmother Anna
Domini Blythe: School Administrator Mrs. Danvers
Tiio Horn: Student Council members Caroline
Ricky Mabe: and Tony
Colm Feore: School Principal Berkhoff
Emily Hampshire: 27-year-old graduate student Alexandra Leith
Michael Murphy: Professor and civil liberties lawyer Frank McGovern
Geneviève Bujold: School Commissioner Denise Archambault

REVIEW
This mildly amusing political satire about a teenage revolution is carried off beautifully by Baruchel. His performance is worth the price of admission alone. The supporting cast are up to the task apart from the less than stellar acting by the policemen.

Very much like a sitcom it is entertaining enough but with a run time of two hours it’s a tad too long.

CLASSIFICATION
for brief language and smoking.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
• This is one of my classic nitpicks: when Alexandra hangs up Leon hears a dial tone. In reality the dial tone is only heard after picking up the phone before dialing. That’s why it’s called a dial tone.
• At 11:30 am the students begin leaving by the front door but the clock in the hallway behind them shows it to be 10:10 am.

PLEASE GIVE

Comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Rebecca Hall: radiology technician Rebecca
Amanda Peet: her sister Mary, a cosmetologist
Ann Guilbert: their 90-something-year-old grandmother Andra
Catherine Keener: Kate, proprietor of an antique furniture store
Oliver Platt: her business partner and husband Alex
Sarah Steele: their 15-year-old daughter Abby
Thomas Ian Nicholas: 20-something Eugene

REVIEW
Promoted as a comedy there are no “laugh-out-loud” situations. Instead there are some moderately amusing moments, much like a TV sit-com.

The problem is the issues they confront are not of themselves funny: being homeless or taking advantage of people or being old and cantankerous is nothing to laugh at. To this add the fact that some of the situations seem forced and less than believable.

For the most part the acting is first-rate but that of itself is not reason enough to spend and hour and a half watching this one.

CLASSIFICATION
for language, some sexual content and nudity.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

Children's drama, comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Zachary Gordon: 11-year-old Greg Heffley
Steve Zahn: his father Frank
Rachael Harris: his mother Susan
Devon Bostick: his older brother Rodrick
Robert Capron: Greg’s best buddy Rowley
Grayson Russell: Fregley, the geeky class shrimp
Laine MacNeil: Greg’s longtime rival Patty
Chloe Moretz: Angie, editor of the school paper
Karan Brar: Chirag Gupta

REVIEW
The movie title says it all: an episodic tale about a pre-teen boy having to cope with life. As would be expected of any movie with a target audience of this age group there is the requisite potty humour along with some slapstick and stupid gags. Most of it is amusing and entertaining enough. The underlining message, be yourself, is there but in a subtle manner.

For the most part the acting is pretty good particularly Gordon who really nails it. We’ll see more of this young fellow in years to come. Remember, you read it here first.

CLASSIFICATION
for some rude humor and language.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS II

Children’s

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Justin Long: voice of Alvin
Matthew Gray Gubler: voice of Simon
Jesse McCartney: voice of Theodore
Zachary Levi: the chipmunk’s guardian Toby
Wendie Malick: School principal Dr. Rubin
Christina Applegate: voice of Brittany
Amy Poehler: voice of Eleanor
Anna Faris: voice of Jeanette
David Cross: music producer Ian Hawk

REVIEW
Clearly the target audience (kids under the age of 7 or so) will enjoy this sequel immensely as evident by the frequent squeals and laughter much in evidence during the presentation I attended. So if you’re with a kid (or are one) this will definitely be a pleasant outing. However for the rest of us it is a bit of a chore having to sit through it.

CLASSIFICATION
for a little bit of rude humor.

THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS

Comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Ewan McGregor: newspaper reporter Bob Wilton
Stephen Root: psychic Gus Lacey
George Clooney: ex-Special Ops officer Lyn Cassady
Jeff Bridges: Vietnam veteran Bill Django
Kevin Spacey: new recruit Larry Hooper
Stephen Lang: Gen. Dean Hopgood

REVIEW
When a film is promoted as a comedy it should be funny no? Well this one isn’t. The odd smirk maybe, perhaps a couple of amusing moments but nothing of the laugh-out-loud variety of humour. Given that the cast are mostly A-List actors and the title gives every indication that this is a bit of an oddball movie, well expectations are high.
Making use of flashbacks we learn of a program designed to develop the psychic powers of select recruits who will form a military unit of “mind warriors”. This potentially could lead to some wild and crazy stuff but it never does. Everyone is trying real hard to be funny, but it all falls flat. The story ambles along from one episode to another but these are of little interest and go nowhere. Maybe at some point you begin to wonder “why am I spending so much time sitting through this?”. I did.

CLASSIFICATION
for language, some drug content and brief nudity.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
• The stripes, bars or stars worn on the shoulders of a military uniform denote the person's rank and are called "insignia." The insignia for a Brigadier General is one star but Hopgood, who we’re told is a Brigadier General, has incorrectly been given two stars.
• In 2003 desktop computers did not come with flat-panel LCD monitors as shown in the war room.
• Finding an oasis both Bob and Lyn drink lustily from their cupped hands. When they look up to see what the noise is, both their faces are completely dry.

1981

Comedy
Original title: Mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-un
In French with English subtitles

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Jean-Carl Boucher: 11-year old Ricardo Trogi
Claudio Colangelo: his father Benito
Sandrine Bisson: his mother Claudette
Marjolaine Lemieux: his schoolteacher Aline
Élizabeth Adam: another student, Anne Tremblay
Narration by Ricardo Trogi

REVIEW
An amusing autobiographical film focusing on Ricardo’s adaptation to his new environment when his parents move to St.-Foy, Quebec. Played out pretty much in low key it has a certain nostalgia about it for anyone who was ever been in a similar situation.

Although there is one extended scene when they become more serious, for the most part it bounces along from one episode to another.

CLASSIFICATION
for brief sexuality.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
• While talking finance with Ricardo, Benito says that the mortgage rate has jumped to 5%. These events took place during the titular year when mortgage rates were in the mid-teens reaching a high of 18%.
• Claudette tells Ricardo as punishment he is not allowed to watch the television program The Bionic Woman. Some threat as the last episode on tv was 3 years earlier when NBC discontinued broadcasting the series.
• Ricardo says he needs 10 cents for a soda. That was the price in 1968 but by 1981 a can of pop cost 35 cents.
• Nadia, Ricardo’s sister, in response to a question says in French ““he always ignores me” but the translation in the subtitle is way off with “he’s always mean like that”.
• On the back door is a decal of a security alarm company that was not even in business back then.

IN THE LOOP

Comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Tom Hollander: Simon Foster, British Minister of International Development
Peter Capaldi: his boss Malcolm Tucker, British Director of Communications
Chris Addison: Foster’s assistant Toby Wright
Mimi Kennedy: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Karen Clark
Anna Chlumsky: her aide Liza
and others no doubt

REVIEW
Promoted as a satirical look at the power struggle among nations, the one essential requirement of satire is that the audience be familiar enough with the real thing to see the irony of it. Unfortunately I am not that well acquainted with the British top echelon to appreciate the sarcasm, the insults, the nasty comments and crass behaviour. In other words “I’m not in the loop”.

As a consequence it comes across as a stilted refection of reality instead of being funny. Not making it any easier is having to listen to the foul-mouthed Tucker and his pervasive use of the f-word and other expletives.

I left after half an hour.

CLASSIFICATION
for language.

P.S.
When I entered the theatre it was completely empty and except for me, stayed that way: never a good sign.

TAKING WOODSTOCK

Comedy

F.Y.I.
The Woodstock Music and Art Fair (better known simply as Woodstock) was a music festival held from August 15 – 18, 1969 near the small hamlet of White Lake, about 40 miles southwest from the town of Woodstock, New York.

Thirty-two acts including Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Santana, Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, Joe Cocker, Blood Sweat and Tears, Crosbie Stills and Nash and Jimi Hendrix performed over the course of the four days.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Imelda Staunton: Sonia, owner/operator of a motel in the Catskills Mountains
Demetri Martin: her son Elliot, president of the Bethel Chamber of Commerce
Henry Goodman: Sonia’s husband Jake Teichberg
Jonathan Groff: Michael Lang, an associate with Woodstock Ventures
Eugene Levy: dairy farmer Max Yasgur
Dan Fogler: Devon, leader of a theater troupe
Emile Hirsch: Billy, a Vietnam vet
Liev Schreiber: Vilma an ex-Marine turned bodyguard

REVIEW
Woodstock is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most pivotal moments in popular music. So the very mention of the word Woodstock brings to mind music. But the film fails miserably in this regard.

From the end credits I could pick out only 2 songs out of hundreds that were performed during the festival. I’m not suggesting the producers had to have re-enactments of the festival itself but the music could have been heard on a radio playing in the background or just included as part of the musical score. Failing to do so is a great disappointment. It’s like going to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and there is no Snow White.

However the film does offer something of the chaotic behind-the-scenes developments that resulted in this historical event. Although not an entirely accurate reflection of reality we get a good sense of what things were like back then: the free-love movement, protests (war, bras) and the use of drugs by most everyone.

Some of the acting stands above the rest, in particular both of Elliot’s parents and Vilma. There are frequent funny moments, the costuming and sets are top notch. But that is not enough to compensate for leaving out a huge part of what has become one of the 50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock and Roll according to the magazine Rolling Stone.

CLASSIFICATION
for graphic nudity, some sexual content, drug use and language.

BRÜNO

Zero stars out of 5

Comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Sacha Baron Cohen: Brüno
Gustaf Hammarsten: his assistant Lutz
and others who appeared after I left the theatre

REVIEW
If I had to describe the principal character in six words or less I’d say “He is a megalomaniacal dissolute individual.” That is not the kind of person I want to associate with, not even if it’s in a movie theatre.

As for the movie itself it is gross, vulgar, tasteless and obscene with no redeeming value. In a word: a total waste of time and money.

At the risk of being too offensive for some, let me give you a couple of examples of the drivel presented as comedy:
• full frontal shots of talking male genitalia
• an explicit, prolonged, graphic demonstration of gay sex with an imaginary partner
• undergoing “anal bleaching” while making a phone call

CLASSIFICATION
for pervasive strong and crude sexual content, graphic nudity and language.

P.S.
Of the 600+ movies I’ve reviewed, this is only the second one that has warranted such a low rating.

P.S.S.
Once more Ralph’s One-Man Show Rating Rule holds true: the maximum number of stars is inversely proportional to the number of key positions any one person is credited with. In this instance Sacha Baron Cohen is the Producer, wrote the Screenplay, authored the Original Story and is the main Character. On this basis alone the maximum stars would be one.