Sony Pictures Classics
Tribeca Film Festival ‘09

Two rivalry brothers, Beto “Rudo” (Luna) and Tato “Cursi” (Garcia Bernal) are living in a very small town in Mexico, working hard to earn an living and keep their families afloat. Soon, a weasel-y looking (but honest) scout plucks them from a home town football match and gives them the hopes and dreams they have always wished for. Soon they end up in Mexico City playing football for two opposing teams, and are thrust into the instant trials and tribulations of fame. As we all know (at least from movies and magazines), with fame comes the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and these brothers get lost in the mix. They seem to find their way back to each other but with very unexpected events. From the brilliant minds of “Y tu Mamá También” producers and writers, this film has elements that remind us of the 2001 masterpiece which was so well-loved. Again, the combination of this team, including Luna and Bernal, makes us realize chemistry on set is key to creating a family dynamic and these guys nail it. Writer/Director, Carlos Cuarón makes his feature film directing debut with “Rudo y Cursi.” With such a magical team, this film truly works and has recently become the 3rd highest grossing film of all time in Mexico. The question is whether Cuarón will stray and step out of his comfort zone to become a renowned director and live up to his brother’s (Alfonso Cuarón, “Children of Men”) long list of successes. I say yes!

Sony Pictures Classics
Tribeca Film Festival ‘09

Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) has been living on the moon for three years. He has been isolated on a base called Selene, and is looking forward to the end of his contract in three week’s time. His only contact for the past three years has been GERTY, a machine that is equipped to provide him with anything he might need if something were to go wrong. Sam has been on the Moon mining Helium 3 to try and fix the Earth’s energy crisis, and now he awaits his replacement so he can return home to his wife and child and mend the relationship he left. On a routine repair, Sam has a small accident and suddenly wakes up to a different experience than he had expected. He is starting to hallucinate and suddenly his hopes for going home seem to be as distant as the Moon itself. Rockwell does an amazing job of keeping our attention through this film. Not many times do we sit and watch one actor for 90 minutes without walking out of the cinema. This film proves that a single performer can be enough if the content is there.

But whatevs, all four seasons plus HOURS of bonus features will keep us busy until Labor Day.

Warner Bros.
In cinemas nationwide on 10 April

Well I did Observe and am very pleased to Report an unexpected, hilarious comedy by Jody Hill. I went into this film knowing it was going to be filled with raunchy humor, but the writing and execution of it beat all my expectations. Ronnie Barnhardt, a “rent a cop”, has a daily job at the local cookie-cutter mall with big dreams to one day join the force. Ronnie (played by Seth Rogen) finally has a chance to step up and show the woman he has had a crush on, Brandi (Anna Farris) that he is truly a defender for the people when a flasher begins surprising women in the parking lot. Brandi has become the most recent victim of a full-frontal assault and needs to be protected. Who is perfect for the job? Ronnie Barnhardt, or so he thinks. When the local police force gets involved, led by Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) they’ve had just about had enough of this Rent-a-Cop and things get messy. Harrison then takes action and shows Ronnie what a real cop does. With the advice of his always intoxicated mom (Celia Weston), Ronnie is now going to make the “actual” police force and win the woman of his dreams. Needless to say things aren’t always what they seem. “Observe and Report” was well-cast (good ole Shelia Jaffe of ‘Entourage’ fame) and well-acted. It hit a home-run, and when you thought it was going to fit into the mold of every other Mall Cop comedy (or Cop Comedy for that matter) it takes a very unexpected turn. Jody Hill is someone I have a feeling we are going to see quite a bit of whether it be directing or writing. He might not be up to the Apatow phenomenon yet but he clearly gets the picture.

“The Wrestler” is a beautifully haunting story of a retired, once larger-than-life wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson played by Mickey Rourke and the life he leads after the fame has disappeared. This perfectly constructed film, in the sense of the team that put it together, leads us to a true insight about these people who are held in high regard and then pushed out after there bodies finally fail them. Randy “The Ram” Robinson is part of an underground wrestling world that is only devoted to the loyalest fans and the meager means by which they scrape by. “Ram” is a haunted character, formerly a world Wrestler whose body – now battered, has realized that this life will not last him much longer. After being told not to go back into the ring he starts reflecting on the loneliness. He then, in turn, finds comfort in Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) a local stripper and a single mother. She advises him to try and repair a relationship with his daughter, Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) but the damage seems to be done and this alienated world he has created for himself could also be his demise. These three actors together on screen not only give life and humor to these characters but also make you reflect on decisions you have made in your own life. Darren Aronofsky’s style this time around is much more intimate and personable. He has put a team together that, to me, create a perfect film. Robert Siegel, who was once editor of The Onion did not leave out the humor which this world so drastically needed…or the touching moments are well thought and beautifully written. It’s cinematographer, who has wonderful films like “Taxi to the Darkside” and “Enron: the Smartest Guy in the Room” under his belt, adds a documentary feel which boosts the emotional connection with the audience. You sometimes forget this is fiction. Aronofsky strays away from his slick stylistic narratives to really put the emotion and simplicity into this film which make it that much more believable. Never once did you think that Rourke was an actor and not a true wrestler. When a community of wrestlers start thanking this story for being told, you know there is a gem out there that needs to be praised. Come Oscar season we will be seeing much more of Mickey, Darren, Marissa and Robert and hopefully relish what a good film is made of.

“Battle in Seattle” is an off-the-radar film that deserves to be seen. Stuart Townsend’s directorial debut is about the WTO (World Trade Organization) conference in Seattle that non-violent protesters were plotting to shut down. When other protesters join and it gets ugly, not only did chaos break loose but spirits were broken as well. A full-bodied cast that makes this film includes Michelle Rodriguez, Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson, Andre Benjamin, Connie Neilsen, Ray Liotta and Martin Henderson. As you can imagine, this cast make the film impeccable to watch and what’s more, Townsend mixes footage from the actual event with his well-directed, stylistic approach. It really takes you back to the place and the time and the commitment people have to these issues. This event may not stand out in some people memories and therefore this is a great storytelling mechanism for these few days in Seattle that should be recognized.

Need a good laugh? Run down by work? Are not happy with your siblings? Then I suggest you check out STEPBROTHERS. The amazing team of John C Reilly (Dale Doback) and Will Ferrell (Brennan Huff) and the producing Apatow team brings us this hilarious comedy just in time for the summer lull.
Two old-enough-to-be-your-father moochers are brought together by their single parents falling in love. The two then set off to ruin each other until Brennan’s brother Derek (played by Adam Scott) comes into the picture. Derek is the anti-Brennan and Dale and makes him the new target. They both team up and figure out a few things about each other that makes them new best friends. They become equally as lazy and end up driving there newlywed parents apart. The first 20 minutes of this film are worth every penny at the theatre and then purchasing the DVD when it is released. It had the audience belly laughing throughout. It was a relief when it was over but a good workout.

The lights of Broadway were shining bright on Friday night.  Going to the theatre had become quite a drag to me.  Nothing has sparked my interest of late and if I did go I would want to leave midway through to spare myself the pain.  After hearing not-so-nice things about “Cry-Baby,” I saddled up for a disappointing show.  The 1990 film, “Cry Baby” was one of those absurd guilty pleasures that you can watch over and over again.  I was hoping that some of the same elements that are inhereint in John Waters films like “Hairspray,” “Serial Mom,” and, of course, “Cry Baby” were going to find their way onto the stage.  Cry Baby Walker is a rebellious teen that carries a rockin’ guitar and loves the ladies. Allison Vernon-Williams is the innocent beauty with a songbird’s voice that has been brought up to stay clean and do good.  Well as we know that is a set-up for disaster.  Right when they hook eyes both of them melt and you know that the two sides of the track are going to cross.  The Drapes and The Squares will do everything in their power to keep the two apart and then the battles begin.  At the beginning of the show even the songs that were so strategically placed to tell you to turn off your cellphones, sit down, and unwrap your candy had that fifities pop feeling and people giggling. There was hope yet.  Right when the show started our faced lit up in the dark as a memory sparked of the familiar.  The cast shined and had unbelievable energy as it was the opening night.  James Snyder (Cry Baby), Elizabeth Stanley (Allison Vernon-Williams) and Harriet Harris (Ms. Vernon-Williams) stood out with spunk and talent.  Its also amazing when supporting roles stand out above the rest, and this is how I felt about Alli Mauzey (Lenora).  By the end,  everytime anyone would see her about to come on stage, the giggles began straightaway.  I walked out of this show with energy and hope.  During the standing ovation you could see people smiling and clapping. A revitalization and enjoyment of good theatre: that’s what it is all about.  “Cry-Baby” brings smiles.

Director David Gordon Green’s new film SNOW ANGELS gives a haunting insight into a small town and intertwining lives that all come to an astonishing halt. Green (ALL THE REAL GIRLS, UNDERTOW) has brought out some of the best performances of these wellknown actors that I have been priveleged enough to see. Annie (Kate Beckinsale) is a woman trying to get by while raising a daughter and also trying to separate herself from her troubled ex husband and high school sweetheart, Glenn (Sam Rockwell). The story also involves a young man, Arthur (Micahel Angarano) whom she use to babysit and currently works with, and her best friend, Barb (Amy Sedaris) at the local Chinese restaurant. Arthur and Annie have a very interesting relationship we, in the audience, are not sure if it’s just a friendship or the intimacy you get from growing together and young puppy love. Arthur has finally met a young girl Lila (Olivia Thirlby), an eccentric classmate who is shy and nervous just like him. During an intimate moment between the two Arthur relveals his crush and admiration for Annie. A dramatic turn takes place when Annie and Glenn’s little girl Tara goes missing and the town comes together to try and find her. The small performances in this piece give it so much depth and humility. Sedaris especially adds that small humor and then brings in the tears when you thought you were in the clear. This film has all elements of an independent hit: deception, sex, abuse, and death. It makes you think twice about how bad it can get. With these beautiful performances and the cast and direction makes it a true film lovers’ wet dream. David Gordon Green has risen, and here is a viewers warning: this film sticks with you.

This PBS documentary about Prince IIbrahima Abdul Rahaman was definitely of historical importance and one I think that could be used for educational purposes in the classrooms of the world.  It follows one story of a man who is captured and put into slavery as he fights to overcome his situation against all odds.  This reenactment, along with key historians who can speak to the time period , tell the story of a man we call “Prince” and his journey to America, captured as a slave.  Unwillingly leaving his family in Africa, he is brought to the states and sold to a family that prospers from cotton.  Only from the guidance of Prince and his leadership skills does Thomas Foster’s fortune grow year by year.  For 40 years Prince worked for the Fosters and made a new family of his own, trying to forget the wife and child he left behind.  Once freed from slavery after many attempts of John Cox, a man he had saved in Timbuktu,  Prince is a man who had made a voice for himself amongst a people without a leader, is going home.  Not only did his next cause become getting his entire family released and sent home, but he had the attention of President Adams and the main players at the time for him to succeed.  Unfortunately after his death, only two of his children had been released from slavery, but his legend will never be forgotten.  I say, let the kids watch this one, as there are not many entertaining (and important) films out there that have historical value following one man with such a strong voice.