Ed's Review Dot Com

Permut Presentations, Sentinel Pictures, Tilted Windmill Productions,

Patrick Stewart, Carla Gugino, Matthew Lillard

Tobi Powell (Patrick Stewart) is a Julliard dance professor who has had an illustrious dancing career of his own. Now he lives a simple life built around dance. One day he is approached by a couple and the girl, Lisa (Carla Gugino) wants to interview Tobi for a magazine article. Mike Davis (Matthew Lillard) tags along but as the questions turn deeper and more probing, Mike gets more and more agitated. As it becomes clear Mike is dealing with his own issues, Tobi shuts down and becomes very silent. Old secrets are coming to light which isn’t making it comfortable for anyone.

This movie had the feel of play to it, and for good reason. It is a movie version of a play. Basically the entire story is about these 3 people and how they are related to each other and it takes place pretty much all in Tobi’s apartment. There is a great deal of conflict, both intellectual and physical, and a lot of talking. The acting is superb, and all three of these characters are great enough to be able to handle a very difficult piece like this. Patrick’s character is very complex, and he has a lot going on as he must look back at choices he’s made in his life. Matthew’s character is rash and impulsive and carries a great deal of anger inside that is all bottled up until he explodes. Matthew probably has the hardest role, although he is gone for a good portion of the story, when he’s on screen he’s powerful. You won’t like him, but you have to remember he is an actor, and this is the guy who played Shaggy in Scooby-doo Where Are You. He’s not really such an awful guy as he portrays here, and he does a masterful job.

As you may know (God is it almost that time again) Ed’s Review does a special project every Christmas where I watch and review Christmas and Holiday films on TV every year. I always remember Carla Gugino from the great roles she played in a number of those classic Christmas movies and she was always great. But now that Wayward Pines hit the small screen, it’s as if I see Carla everywhere I turn. She’s all over the place. Congratulations to her too, as she’s a fine actress and plays the soothing role in this story between Mike’s seething anger and Tobi’s shame and sadness of what he’s missed. She’s really good in this film, and certainly holds her own, and then some, with the boys. All in all this is a very well told dramatic piece that builds on the character of the performers and their reflection on their lives, past, present, and future. It’s really a filmed play, so keep that in mind and if you don’t like stories that are wordy and spend a lot of time in deep conversation. There’s plenty of drama, but it’s more in the words than the actions. Put three excellent actors in a room and let them go at each other, and this is what you get. I really enjoyed this movie and am glad I watched it. It was very thought provoking and quite entertaining.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Fox 2000 Pictures, Temple Hill Entertainment,

Lolita Davidovich, Britt Robertson, Alan Alda, Jack Huston, Scott Eastwood, Oona Chaplin

Sophia Danko (Britt Robertson) is a bright college student with big plans and goals in the art world. Luke Collins (Scott Eastwood) is a talented rodeo bull rider who was recently badly injured, but is looking for a huge comeback. But his doctors insist he should not be riding anymore. As sparks fly between the very different lovers, they find that opposites attract. But when they come upon an accident and Luke rescues the elderly man Ira Levinson (Alan Alda) from the car, they form a friendship. From this point on the tales intertwine in typical Nicholas Sparks fashion to tell the two stories.

Well, I must admit that I’ve seen a couple films based upon Nicholas Sparks books, and one thing for sure is that they’re all in the same style. So is this one with so many moments that feel like “The Notebook” that it’s remarkable. Still, it’s a good solid story, and two romantic tales for the price of one. Seriously, this is a chick flick. There’s no other way to put it. But I was impressed with the whole story. There was lots of rodeo action which helped keep my interest up. I’ve never really been sure what makes people want to do that. Really, there’s a lot of intense conflict to resolve and bring together to a fitting ending to the story. The performances are really good, and the script is really well done, so all in all it was a pretty interesting film. This is one I can recommend highly.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Movie Rentals Releasing Tuesday August 18, 2015

• 5 to 7
• Lambert and Stamp
• Little Boy
• The Riot Club
• Strangerland

Energy Entertainment, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Vertigo Entertainment,

Joel Kinnaman, Common, Genesis Rodriguez, Liam Neeson, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ed Harris, Boyd Holbrook

Jimmy Conlon (Liam Neeson) was a hard drinking mob enforcer who had built a strong reputation for his ruthlessness. But he’s left those days long behind. But when his son is marked for death it’s his best friend, mob boss Shawn’s (Ed Harris) son who shows up to take out Michael (Joel Kinnaman), Jimmy has no choice but to take out Shawn’s son. This Shawn cannot forgive, and he wants to make both Jimmy and his son pay for taking his son.

This is a really dark film. I wasn’t really blown away from this, but perhaps because I’ve seen so many, many ex-cop, ex-agent, ex-mob guy, who gets out of the life who gets sucked back into it. Usually set in some unique spot like New Orleans, this one takes place in New York City. That’s not too original, is it. The highlight of the film is the play between Liam Neeson and Ed Harris, both really good actors and those who are able to grab our attention, even if the rest of the story is not so hot. This is definitely not a groundbreaking film. Just the same, I did enjoy watching it, and it’s a rather decent cop story, even it is so familiar feeling. I’d say go for it if you’re a fan of the gritty ex-mafia guys gunning each other down, and especially to see Ed Harris and Liam Neeson take each other on, but if that is not up your alley, it’s definitely not a must see film by any means. So-so.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Blueprint Pictures,

Penelope Wilton, David Strathairn, Judi Dench, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Maggie Smith, Dev Patel, Bill Nighy, Richard Gere

Time has passed since “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (2011) and Sonny (Dev Patel) the young entrepreneurial owner and manager of the hotel has big plans. Engaged now, and planning to expand the hotel with a second property he heads out to the U.S. to talk with some hopeful business partners. They are sending a secret inspector to visit the hotel before they make their decision, so Sonny is going crazy trying to figure out who this inspector is and how to impress him. Meanwhile, the residents from before are still there and are partners in running the hotel, although they have many side issues going on, and everyone is very busy. This fitting sequel to the original brings back the familiar characters and adds a few more for good measure.

The original was certain a surprise hidden gem of a movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and though I had never heard of it before, I was really impressed with the characters. Basically the first movie was about senior citizens from Britain who lost everything, and went to India answering an ad about this amazing retirement hotel which wasn’t exactly as promised. A lot of the humor of the first movie brought to our attention the problems with trying to settle in India and the issues that caused. We became very familiar with the characters in the original and got to know their quirks and character. This sequel is very different because now we are already familiar with the characters, so we don’t need to become acquainted with them in this film. Additionally, the issues with the hotel are already known to us, so we get to see how, in the years that followed, they made it better together. This is, however a good sequel with lots of activity going on to keep it interesting. We’re involved in Sonny’s wedding and the problems of trying to grow the enterprise and his problems in trying to do both at the same time. Additionally there are side stories going on with each of the characters that makes it quite worthwhile. There are some of the greatest actors of all times in this film and the quality of their acting abilities also adds to the wonderfulness of this movie. I would definitely recommend you watch the original 2011 film first to get really familiar with the characters, and then watch this right after when you’re still familiar with it. That way it’s a seamless transition and that would be one hell of a double feature. I believe the first film was the better of the two, but that may be mostly because of the newness and uniqueness of the many characters, but this one is darn near as good, and certainly feels a lot more comfortable with the relationship we already have with the characters. I highly recommend both films.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog