Ed's Review Dot Com

Bull Market Entertainment, EKZ Productions, Lainie Productions,

Kaley Cuoco, Chris Klein, Dennis Farina, Jonathan Bennett, Dylan Walsh, Teri Polo, Tricia Helfer, Jonathan Banks

A group of wanna-be writers have a club where they meet to help each other. It’s all for one as they read some of their writings and offer suggestions. When they invite newcomer Hannah Rinaldi (Kaley Cuoco) to the group, she fits in quickly. But her sudden success in finding an agent, getting published, and her career taking off sets in motion lots of feelings of jealousy and envy as everyone tries to complete with her success. But thing deteriorate quickly with lots of other issues coming to the surface.

I did enjoy this film, although it wasn’t wildly fascinating, it wasn’t boring. The story is a lot like A Star is Born, and many other copycats of that basic story of a young newcomer finding easy success and the jealousy it sets off in those not so lucky. But there are also many other facets in this story that really help to keep it going strong. With great performances from the likes of Chris Klein, Dennis Farina, and Teri Polo, plus the others, this is really a ensemble movie. Kaley doesn’t have to carry the film on her own, which, as good a group actor as she is, I’m not sure she could really pull off. Fortunately with such a cast, no one has to carry the film, and the depth of the characters really helps the story along. It’s not too long, though major events happen, the overall feel is light and enjoyable. It’s a quirky story, and one that I would never have thought of. I found it unusual, but fun to watch, and if you’re so inclined, I’d suggest giving it a shot. It’s surely not a movie you’ve heard of, and those kind of surprises are sometimes a lot of fun.

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Untouchable Films, Velvet Morning,

Stanley Tucci, Alice Eve

One morning Velvet (Alice Eve) answers the door to find an older ex-lover, Fred (Stanley Tucci) standing in the doorway with his suitcases in hand. He announces that he has left his wife and has come back to her and is ready to rekindle their romance. But Velvet is not so sure, and has moved on. As Fred continues to push himself back into her life, it appears that she is dashing his hopes at every turn. What follows is a real battle of wills.

This movie, based on a play, is truly a one set, two person interaction from start to end. The whole story takes place in Velvet’s apartment. We feel like we’re a fly on the wall watching this battle between the two of them as each takes great pride in putting the other down in the harshest way possible. This is a very unusual piece, and it’s obviously like a bit of experimental theater more than anything. It has a feel of improvisation, where two actors are saying whatever comes into their mind. But there’s many layers to this story, and as it unravels piece by piece, it’s like reverse engineering a complicated quilt or solving one of those iron tavern puzzles. It’s very complex, and nothing is as it seems. It will leave you wondering, and as the harsh violent ending comes upon us, we’re not quite ready for the shock that’s about to hit us right between the eyes. This is a really, really unusual movie, and one that many people would absolutely hate. It’s a very artsy piece, and you have to be ready for what you’re going to get. I can’t give too much of the story away, but be prepared for a cerebral story, with two people in one small apartment and a lot of drama. Not for the squeamish, nor for those who want a lot of activity in their films. This one is mostly words for 90% of the film.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Tommy 2.0 LLC, Codeblack Entertainment, Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions,

Forest Whitaker, Anthony Mackie, Mike Epps, Sanaa Lathan, Nicole Ari Parker, Ariana Neal

Tommy Carter is a life coach/spiritual adviser as well as a popular author, but he is harboring some deep secrets that are eating away at him. When he takes on a new client, Angel Sanchez (Forest Whitaker) who is very troubled seeing his recently deceased mother all over the place. Tommy is not a careful as he ought to be, and when he decides not to see Angel anymore, things go way off the rails and it might cost him and those he loves their lives.

A lot of people did not like this movie. I thought it was really good. I enjoyed Whitaker’s skills as an actor to portray the guy who is slowly (or not so slowly maybe) losing it. But Mackie had the best part, as a somewhat self righteous guy who wants to be successful regardless of the secret he is harboring. His brother Ben is brilliantly played by Mike Epps who really shows some powerful emotions. When these people all get together, it’s magic. This is certainly a dark movie, and it’s frightening, and I mean Saw frightening. It’s not for sissies, that’s for sure. If you remember some of the scenes in “Misery” that made you turn away and not look, well, there’s many of those moments here as well. It’s suspenseful and terrifying, but it’s also thought provoking. There’s a lot going on here, and though we never really know about Angel and how cognizant he was of what actions he took, in the end, it doesn’t really matter. The point is that you will think about this movie long after it’s over and the choices the main characters made and the consequences of those actions. I think it’s a really decent script, and the level of acting is very good. It’s not over the top, no one is over-acting here, but it’s powerful stuff. This comes to you as a highly recommended suspense film which could almost be classified as horror, with a warning that if you don’t like graphic violence, stay away. Otherwise if you like to be challenged and frightened, this is one that will do it.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Why Not Productions, Worldview Entertainment, Orange Studio,

Benicio Del Toro, Mathieu Amalric, Gina McKee, Larry Pine, Joseph Cross, Gary Farmer, Michelle Thrush, Misty Upham

Jimmy Picard is a Native American former soldier who received a severe battle injury which fractured his skull. He is now suffering from numerous problems including terrible headaches, forgetfulness and a lack of focus and concentration. The V.A. is trying to find a cause, but cannot determine any physical problem, so the only thing they can figure out is that it must be a mental problem. In an unconventional move, they pull in Dr. Georges Devereux (Mathieu Amalric) who is a psychoanalist, not a doctor nor licensed, because of his knowledge of Native American culture as a therapist for Jimmy. As time passes the bond between these two unlikely friends grows as they work through to find out Jimmy’s problem and perhaps set the groundwork for future Post Traumatic Shock cases for which a definition did not exist yet at the time.

This is an independent film, so is sometimes plodding with lots of character development, but it’s a uniquely wonderful story. Benicio Del Toro, who is Puerto Rican, is perhaps a rather strange choice to play a Blackfoot character, but he does his best. The accent is somewhat off it seems, but who am I to know. The story is really beautifully told and is really gripping. Jimmy has many dreams, most of the recurring, and this is a study of dream analysis as well. It’s based on a book by Georges, this is based on a true story. Though not the primary focus, there is look at whether Jimmy’s experiences and treatment were affected by his heritage and the general treatment of Native Americans, but it doesn’t take away from the story of Jimmy and how his experiences affect him and his entire family. A very good character study and a deeply moving story. The friendship between the two is very touching, and as strange as the situation, it proves a lot that people are basically the same no matter where they come from. I really enjoyed this film, and found it well worth watching and I recommend this one as something quite out of the mainstream. It’s definitely not ordinary in any way.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Movie Rentals Releasing Tuesday July 8, 2014

• 10 Rules for Sleeping Around
• Bad Words
• Don Peyote
• Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5
• Jodorowsky’s Dune
• Le Week-End
• The Raid 2
• Stage Fright