GRAVITY

 Space drama

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Sandra Bullock: Mission Specialist Dr. Ryan Stone

George Clooney: Mission Commander Lieutenant Matt Kowalski

REVIEW

This one warrants seeing it in 3D to truly experience the sensation of being out in space. The images are nothing short of spectacular. But that is not the only thing going for it: the acting by Sandra Bullock is probably the best she has ever done. She is on screen probably 95% of the time and does a really superb job.

So it is more than just a run-of-the-mill story about the dangers that can be encountered when in Earth’s orbit and the struggle to stay alive. You feel like you are there, watching things unfold.

This movie is sure to win awards if for nothing else than being able to create the weightlessness of space.

CLASSIFICATION

for intense perilous sequences, some disturbing images and brief strong language.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY

The on-screen title makes reference to the conditions in space 600 kilometres in altitude but the Hubble Space Telescope they are working on is just 559 km above the earth’s surface.

ENOUGH SAID

 Romantic comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Julia Louis-Dreyfus: self employed massage therapist Eva

Catherine Keener: Marianne, one of Eva’s clients

James Gandolfini: Albert, employee of a museum of tv broadcasting

Tracey Fairaway: Eva’s daughter Ellen

Tavi Gevinson: Ellen’s friend Chole

Eve Hewson: Albert’s daughter Tess

Toni Collette: Eva’s best friend Sarah

REVIEW

By sticking to the conventional formula of these things the film does not break any new ground nor is it particularly funny, just mildly amusing. What does make it different from the others is the low-key performance by Gandolfini. He steals the screen just about every time he appears and it’s refreshing to see someone who comes across as real in this situation. That is reason enough to go see the movie but you’ll not hear about it when the awards are handed out for best picture of the year.

CLASSIFICATION

for crude and sexual content, comic violence, language and partial nudity.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY

Eva has a glass of wine at the party that changes level although she never gets it topped up. Same thing happens with Albert’s glass of water when they’re having dinner together.

P.S.

The closing credits include “For Jim” as James Gandolfini passed away in June 2013 from an unexpected heart attack while vacationing in Italy.

CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2

Animated action\adventure

PRINCIPAL VOICE MEMBERS

Bill Hader: lifelong inventor Flint Lockwood
Neil Patrick Harris: Flint’s “assistant” Steve, a monkey

Will Forte: world-famous inventor Chester V, head of the Live Corp.

James Caan: his father Tim, owner of a bait and tackle shop

Anna Faris: Samantha “Sam” Sparks, the weather network intern
Benjamin Bratt: Manny, the tv cameraman

Terry Crews: Earl Devereaux, the town policeman

REVIEW

Definitely geared to children, anyone who is not should not be too harsh in judging its excesses. Adults will see it as a pleasant diversion with lots of clever lines providing more than a few comic moments (and some outright laughs) even when things get a little bit gross.

The technical aspect is beyond reproach: the CGI rendering is stunning, the detail quite amazing, the colours brilliant. And the imaginative transformation of vegetables into something resembling people is clever.

CLASSIFICATION

for mild rude humour.

RUSH

 Sports drama

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Chris Hemsworth: British racing driver James Hunt

Danile Brühl: Austrian racing driver Niki Lauda

Pierfrancesco Favino: BRM Formula One team driver Clay Regazzoni

Christian McKay: financier Lord Alexander Hesketh

Olivia Wilde: supermodel Suzy Miller

Alexandra Maria Lara: socialite Marlene Knaus

REVIEW

This is the true story of two of Formula One’s best-ever drivers and the rivalry between them that made the 1976 season one of the best. Between exciting racing sequences time is given for in-depth character studies of the two men.

Strong performances by the entire cast and great attention to detail make this a must-see for every racing fan. But even those who do not follow the sport will find it an entertaining two hours as the focus is not entirely on the sport itself. The wonderful orchestral soundtrack by Hans Zimmer is an added bonus.

CLASSIFICATION

for sexual content, nudity, language, some disturbing images and brief drug use.

GABRIELLE

 

Drama

In French with English sub-titles

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Gabrielle Marion-Rivard: 22-year-old Gabrielle

Alexandre Landry: 25-year-old Martin

Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin: Gabrielle’s sister Sophie

Isabelle Vincent: Gabrielle’s mother

Marie Gignac: Martin’s mother

REVIEW

This simple love story is different in the sense the couple are mentally challenged and so that adds another layer of difficulty to their relationship. Music is the other thing they have in common and so a lot of screen time is devoted to their singing in a choir between interludes of struggling for love and independence.

CLASSIFICATION

for for sexual content, brief nudity.        

P.S.

Marion-Rivard has Williams syndrome, a rare neurodevelopment disorder which is characterized by a distinctive “elfin” facial appearance often with widely spaced teeth, an unusually cheerful demeanour, ease with strangers and developmental delay.

BLUE JASMINE

Drama

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Cate Blanchett: socialite Jasmine Francis

Sally Hawkins: her sister Ginger

Andrew Dice Clay: Ginger’s husband Augie

Alec Baldwin: Jasmine's financier husband Harold “Hal” 

Alden Ehrenreich: Hal’s son and Jasmine’s step-son Danny

Bobby Cannavale: Ginger’s friend Chili

Louis C.K.: sound engineer Al

Michael Stuhlbarg: Dr. Flicker

Peter Sarsgaard: wealthy aspiring politician Dwight Westlake

REVIEW

Not an easy film to watch because of the disturbing, dark-edged character portrayed by Cate Blanchett in what has got to be her finest performance to date.

However she is not alone in terms of good acting: Sally Hawkins practically steals every scene she’s in and several supporting actors do an excellent job as well.

Using the parallel storyline construct we get to see both sides of Jasmine’s life; not all of it is pretty but there is a ring of truth to it. Perhaps that is why it leaves such an impact on the viewer? 

CLASSIFICATION

for mature thematic material, language and sexual content.

JOBS

 Biographical drama

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Ashton Kutcher: Steve Jobs

Lukas Haas: Steve’s friend Daniel Kottke

John Getz: Steve’s adoptive father Paul

Lesley Ann Warren: his adoptive mother Clara

Josh Gad: Steve’s childhood friend Steve Wozniak

Brad Henke: store owner Paul Terrell

Dermot Mulroney: venture capitalist Mike Markkula

Ahna O’Reilly: Steve’s high school girlfriend Chris-Ann Brennan

Matthew Modine: newly appointed CEO John Sculley

J.K. Simmons: Arthur Rock, major shareholder of Apple Computer Inc.

Kevin Dunn: Gil Amelio, Sculley’s replacement as CEO

REVIEW

Billed as the story of Steve Jobs from 1974 while a student to 2001 with the introduction of the iPod it really skips over huge chunks of time including the last 15 years of his life. With the emphasis on the business side of the man, short shrift is given to his personal life: some people simply disappear and are no longer mentioned whereas others pop-up unexpectedly without explanation.

In mannerism, physique and voice Kutcher truly portrays the man with what is probably his best performance to date.

A tad too long at two hours and seven minutes there is ample opportunity to whittle it down by eliminating the swirling about in the tall grass or the entire jaunt to India that do not add anything to the storyline.

CLASSIFICATION

for some drug content and brief strong language.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY

Pong, the first computer video game, was developed by Allan Alcom not by Wozniak.

The Apple II was introduced at the West Coast Computer Faire, spelled with an e not Fair as shown in the movie.

A half empty bottle of beer on the table in front of Jobs is out of place: throughout his life he was a teetotaller and would not have touched the stuff.