Ed's Review Dot Com

Mockingbird Pictures,

Annette Bening, Ed Harris, Robin Williams, Amy Brenneman, Jess Weixler

Nikki (Annette Bening) is a widow. He husband, Garrett (Ed Harris) was suddenly killed while on a beach vacation, and she is still suffering from the loss. But when she accidentally bumps into a man who looks exactly like her husband, she fakes an interest in art (Tom ((Ed Harris)) is an art teacher) him to be close to him. Soon she feels for him, much to the chagrin of her long torch carrying neighbor Roger (Robin Williams).

This was one of the last looks at Robin Williams, and though it’s a small part, it’s very difficult to watch now that we know how Robin ended up as it is a darkly depressing role for him. But all in all this was a very disturbing film for me. It looks like a romance/comedy type of film, and that’s more of what I expected. But the actors in this film are so excellent in their roles, and the script allows them to really develop their characters a great deal. We really dig into Nikki’s psyche, looking at the deep anger she buried at Garrett when he dies foolishly and leaves her all alone. She hasn’t really dealt with it, although she’s convinced she has put it behind her. And Tom’s role as her new love, is really unaware of the dangerous mindset Nikki is in as he has no idea of her history. All in all it was fascinating to watch, very deep and thought provoking, but all together quite unsettling. I cannot figure out who I felt sorry for most in this movie! Nikki and her daughter, Tom, and neighbor Roger are all in a sad place and they all really need a hug. If you like slow moving films with lots of dialog and great character development you’re probably going to enjoy this. I once heard of a guy who had a flap of skin on his stomach where his doctor could see inside to view the effect of things (like drinking alcohol) on his internal organs. That’s just how I felt watching this, which is why I think it unsettled me so much. If it sounds like an interesting topic to you, I’d say give it a try. It’s a well made film.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Marvel Studios, Marvel Enterprises, Moving Picture Company (MPC),

Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro

Out in space, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) learns that he is being chased after he finds an orb wanted by Ronin the Accuser. Peter is in a heap of trouble, but he puts together an unlikely group of heroes and before long they learn that they are all that stands between Ronin and the destruction of the Galaxy.

This is a very long awaited movie based on the Marvel comic books. This movie did not disappoint. Not only was it killing at the box office, which is good for the film business, but it capped off a rather bland summer movie season. This one has a lot of humor, is really good for both kids and adults. It has a PG-13 rating, but after reviewing it, we took my 6 year old grandson with us who really liked it. There is some violence and evil, but it’s an adventure movie at that and nothing you’d really suspect. But you need to make your own decision about kids 12 and under and how well they will accept it. The characters are perfect. Well I did have a little trouble with Chris Pratt as Peter Quill because I have a terrible time separating him from his character on Parks and Recreation. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t let that go. But that’s my fault, not his. Damn typecasting. Of course the giant walking tree, Shroot (Vin Diesel), and the raccoon are CGI, but very pleasant CGI that doesn’t interfere with the story. CGI can be touchy in a big film like this, and if it’s not done right, it’s very distracting. Here these characters are just as alive as the human characters and it’s done very well. Finally to top it off, I had the opportunity of watching this in 3D IMAX, and not the new IMAX where they throw a sheet over their regular screen and call it BIG SCREEN. I mean the original huge screen 7 stories tall and the huge theater with a true IMAX sound system. That part was AWESOME. I wouldn’t want to plunk down the extra fees for IMAX if it wasn’t a real IMAX projection system with the true IMAX screen. That made the whole experience extra special. This was definitely a big enough movie to see on the BIG SCREEN in 3D. The technical aspects were stunning, and the story was really good. This is probably the only MUST-SEE from this summer, and though school is back in and Labor Day is long gone, there is still a chance to see this film in the theater where you really ought to see it. I was highly impressed with the quality of this feature in every way.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Movie Rentals Releasing Tuesday September 2, 2014

• Citizen Koch
• Draft Day
• For No Good Reason
• From the Rough
• Mom’s Night Out
• Night Moves
• They Came Together