Girl Most Likely - Movie Review

Girl Most Likely (PG-13) 103 minutes C-
Silly

Starring: Kristin Wiig, Annette Bening, Darren Criss and Matt Dillon

Kristin Wiig is always worth watching, but unfortunately Girl Most Likely is light weight and forgettable.  It's a horrible film, but wait for it to arrive on cable and watch it on one of those lazy days with a big bowl of buttery popcorn and a carbonated beverage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonus Rental Review
Hello I Must Be Going (R) 95 minutes B+
Melanie Lynskey, Melanie Lynskey, Melanie Lynskey

Home Release Date: January 2013
Starring:  Melanie Lynskey, Blythe Danner, Christopher Abbott, John Rubinstein, Dan Futterman and Julie White       

So, let me name a few things about this film that I liked other than the film itself: Melanie Lynskey,  Melanie Lynskey, Melanie Lynskey.  Additionally, I've always thought Todd Louiso (the film's director) was a funny guy... and probably a really cool guy in "real life."  Christopher Abbott, best known as "Charlie" from the phenomenal HBO series Girls.  He's does a great job at playing a peculiar 19 year-old.  And lastly, the soundtrack, which is playful and catchy.  

The film itself is smart, funny and intriguing.  A freshly divorced 35 year-old woman becomes intimately involved with a 19 year-old manchild.  What ensues is highly worth watching.  If you've never heard of this film and you like bittersweet rom-coms, seek it out.

There Will Be Blood (Book Review)

Published April 1974

 

Carrie - Stephen King B-

It took me a little while to get into this one, but eventually it hooked me. I've never seen the Carrie film and television adaptations; however, I'm curious to see how they match-up with what I imaged from the book.

Gatsby - Movie & Book Review

Gatsby (2013)  B-
The Great Gatsby (1974)  C
The Great Gatsby (1925)  A

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published in 1925, yet it felt surprisingly applicable to current times. The novel, which has been adapted to the big screen four times, is superior to the 1974 and 2013 films. Both films follow the book rather closely, but neither duplicates the imagery, the intrigue, or the connection I had with narrator Nick Carraway while reading Fitzgerald’s magnum opus. The films are enjoyable and worthwhile; however, depending on your preference (contemporary glam or traditional aesthetics), you would be better served picking one of the two films to watch.

Gatsby (2013)

This redux, directed by Baz Luhrmann is brass, colorful and splashy. I understand the logic behind such an “in your face” approach. It is so similar to the book and the 1974 version, something had to be done to make it stand on its own. However, that something probably could have been dialed down a notch- less digital effects, less hip-hop (it's a decent soundtrack, but there's no need to beat us over the head with it) and less gloss. The film feels extremely over-produced. Luhrmann, and the rest of the creators behind this film are ultimately in a lose-lose situation. They are remaking a classic novel that has already been adapted for the screen three times prior. A few younger moviegoers may think Gatsby is “cool” and be inspired to read Fitzgerald’s novel. But, those of us who do not wear skinny jeans, and do not view film as a vehicle for profit, will likely find this over the top. That being said, Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay Gatsby) and Carey Mulligan (Daisy) are preferable to their 1974 counterparts. DiCaprio evokes more emotion than Robert Redford’s 1974 portrayal of Gatsby, while it is not difficult for the fresh-faced Mulligan to outshine an anemic Mia Farrow who portrays Daisy in the 1974 version.

 The Great Gatsby (1974)

The Great Gatsby circa 1974 felt a little slow and methodical after watching the newest version. Directed by the late Jack Clayton and screenplay adapted by celebrated filmmaker Francis Ford Coppela, this third installment was not well received by critics upon its release in 1974. However, it did go on to win two non-acting Academy Awards (Best Costume Design and Best Music) in 1975, while Coppela won Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for The Godfather II that same year. Not to mention, Coppela was also competing against himself for Best Picture, as the ambitious filmmaker also wrote and directed The Conversation starring Gene Hackman (a fine film if you have not seen it). So, perhaps Coppela was not emotionally invested in the adapting the screenplay for The Great Gatsby; hence, its lack of appeal.

The characters here seemed to run the spectrum. Mia Farrow as Daisy seemed about as believable as a three dollar bill. Redford, a logical choice for Jay Gatsby, seemed stiff and uninspired. On the other hand, I preferred the young Sam Waterston over Tobey Maguire, the latest version of Nick Carraway. Waterston brought anonymity to the role that Maguire could not. From the beginning of the film, Waterston appeared sweaty and slightly awkward, in a way that seemed authentic and not scripted. That was the first sign that I liked this Nick Carraway. I also preferred model-turned actress/former Bond girl, Lois Chiles as Jordan Baker (inspired by Edith Cummings). Jordan Baker’s role was fairly small in both films, but she represented one of the more memorable characters in the novel. Tom Buchanan, of whom who Fitzgerald wrote,“He’s the best character I have ever done,” was the most consistent and equally matched character in both films and the novel.

This Is the End - Movie Review

This Is the End (R) 107 minutes B
Apocalypse Now

Starring James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Danny Robinson, Michael Cera, Emma Watson and Paul Rudd

This Is the End is sort of a "We are the World," slacker, stoner, penis humor extravaganza directed and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.  It's mindless fun that's worth the price of admission.

Camera Obscura - Album & Concert Review

Camera Obscura - Desire Lines B-

I read that the band wanted to shake things up a bit on this record.  Desire Lines features guest appearances by Neko Case and My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James.  But, the album can't escape that Camera Obscura sound of breezy tragedy and cutesy hooks.  I loved everything about 2009's My Maudlin Career, including a rockin concert at the Bluebird in June of that year. The bar was high in anticipation of this latest effort which saw a band member beat cancer, a pregnancy, a new location (recorded in Portland) and a new producer-Tucker Martine.  Desire Lines took awhile to win me over and now I am ready to be heartbroken. Favorite tracks: New Year's Resolution, Desire Lines, Troublemaker

Camera Obscura @ the Gothic Theatre  C+
June 27th

The lovely Tracyanne Campbell and company made a tour stop in the mile high city tonight in support of their fifth album, Desire Lines.  A moderate crowd made it easy to get close to the band, get a drink at the bar, and find a seat with a good view.  The show was slightly underwhelming, but they played all my favorites. It felt good to be out on a week night with my best girl, a cold beer, and listening to live music.

2009 Camera Obscura Show
http://www.heyreverb.com/blog/2009/06/03/live-review-camera-obscura-the-bluebird-theater/5002/

Before Midnight - Movie Review

Before Midnight (R) 109 minutes A-
Still there, Still there, Gone

Starring Ariane Labed, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, Walter Lassally, Xenia Kalogeropoulou

Almost twenty years ago (eighteen to be exact), the talkiest romantic drama trilogy ever made was born, Before Sunrise.  Nine years later came Before Sunset and nine years after that we have Before Midnight... arguably the best of the three.  This time Jesse and Celine are in Greece, married with twins, and struggling with relationship issues not uncommon to most fortysomething couples.  This film is uncomfortably realistic at times, while Delpy (always intoxicating) and Hawke fill the screen with effortless chemistry.  This one is not for everyone, but it should be. Good stuff!   

Sad, But Truly Inspirational (Book Review)

Published in 1996

 

Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt B

Angela's Ashes is an epic memoir of poverty, sadness and determination.

Cook, Eat, Love (Book Review)

Kitchen Confidential - Anthony Bourdain B+

Kitchen Confidential is interesting, educational, and makes me wish I wasn't such a picky eater. 



Published in 2000

 



 

The Internship - Movie Review

The Internship (PG-13) 119 mins C
Crash and Learn

Starring Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne, Max Minghella, Aasif Mandvi, Josh Brener, Dylan O’Brien, Tiya Sircar, Tobit Raphael and Josh Gad

Two recently laid off watch salesmen are forced to embrace technology in The Internship.  This mildly entertaining film turns the Wedding Crashers into "Google Crashers" with less than stellar results.  It solely relies on the charm of Vaughn and Wilson, but that isn't enough to make this underdog story worth the price of admission.  Wait and watch this one at your local discount theatre or Netflix. 

The Pleasure Was All Mine (Book Review)

The Pleasure of My Company - Steve Martin B+ 

Published in 2003

 

I really enjoyed Martin's first novella, Shopgirl. I was a little apprehensive about The Pleasure of My Company because the cover (Martin hugging himself) looked silly. I feared that the cover might be indicative of the story. But, (insert idiom here), The Pleasure of My Company was highly entertaining. Martin's protagonist, Daniel Pecan Cambridge, is one of those quirky yet lovable characters that you can't help but root for. This book is silly in the best possible way.