Benaroya Pictures, Miscellaneous Entertainment, PalmStar Entertainment,

Josh Hartnett, Rosario Dawson, Teresa Palmer, Alexis Bledel, Penn Badgley, Frank Langella, Gena Rowlands, Conor Leslie

The apocalypse is coming, and this is the story of how three couples deal with it. This film tells the story of how individuals deal with the uncertainty of the future. Each of them deal with it in their own way, and as the time is coming when everyone will be gone, do you surrender to your fate, or do you fight the slightest chance you might be able to beat the odds.

It is hard to review this film. They start out with a good premise, but this movie is not about the disaster that is wiping out humanity. There’s no scientific explanation for why or how this is happening, (although if you pay attention, I thought it is pretty clear and I’m confused as to why so many people have missed the point altogether), but this is about the people. Instead of looking at the masses of people who are affected, we peek in on the last days of the three couples. We’re not going to get all the answers, and we’re not supposed to. We’re supposed to feel the emotions of these people in the last days of Earth, and feel what they feel. That means we have to be subjected to a lot of background information and character building so that we can understand where these people are coming from. That makes a disaster movie with lots of slow dialog, lots of dragged out scenes that are necessary to accomplish the goal of letting us see where they are at, and how they are dealing with it. As a result, a LOT of people hated this movie. If you go in expecting a disaster thriller like the many stories out there, that’s not at all what this film is about. This is a character film, and a people movie. The background of the end of man is in your mind, but we’re not going to really get to see the coming disaster. But this movie made me think a lot, and I found myself interested in the story all the way through. I can see how many people would rate this boring to the max, but I really didn’t mind watching it. It’s not a great film, but it’s one of those that I was glad I saw. Give it a shot if you’re into character studies. Not a feel good movie at all, but it is an interesting look into the lives of the characters.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

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Atlantic Pictures (II), Laundry Films, Northern Lights Films,

Juno Temple, Michael Angarano, Alexis Bledel, Alia Shawkat, Bobby Moynihan, Billy Magnussen

John (Michael Angarano) and Alice (Juno Temple) are a couple in a bit of trouble. They work hard, but there just isn’t enough money to go around. Their marriage is nearly on the rocks, when Alice brings home an old brass teapot she picked up. Through a strange coincidence she finds out how it works. There is no genie who pops out to grant wishes, but rather the teapot will give you money anytime one of the owners gets hurt, either physically or emotionally. They start out small, with a slap in the face or a punch in the stomach, but in order to get the money they need they have to get more and more violent with each other to keep up. The set a goal, and begin hurting each other and themselves until they are able to reach the amount. But in the meantime a number of characters find out that they have the teapot and either want to get it from them, or to warn them of how dangerous this thing is. In the end, it’s John and Alice who have to figure out how far they ware willing to go, and how much is really enough.

This is a really strange film. But it’s based on a comic book series, and there was a short subject made in 2007 based on the same story. This is the feature version, and so a lot of stuff is added. There’s a lot of crossed stories going on, and this is a film with a funny concept, with lots of chuckles and pratfalls, but with many lessons and morals to show us. It’s not preachy, but it does show us the evils of greed in a big way. It’s a little movie that didn’t get any attention when it came out, but it’s an interesting study in human nature with a bunch of good laughs thrown in. It does get a bit like the Three Stooges of old with the poke in the eye type stuff, but there’s a lot of other levels and some really interesting odd characters to watch at well, so you probably won’t be bored. It’s not a movie at all, but if you like this kind of off the wall humor, it could be a nice rental. I kind of enjoyed it, actually.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

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American Film Company, The, Wildwood Enterprises

James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, Alexis Bledel, Justin Long, Danny Huston, Norman Reedus, Kevin Kline, Tom Wilkinson



Abraham Lincoln was shot, attempts were made on the Vice President and the Secretary of State. John Wilkes Booth was identified as the shooter, and he was captured and killed, but the public knew there was more than one person involved and wanted a trial. Booth and a number of other conspirators met at the boarding house of Mary Surratt (Robin Wright Penn) and her son in Washington. Mary’s son was nowhere to be found, but Mary was arrested under the suspicion that she was a participant in the plan. It was a military trial with no jury and the accused was not allowed to speak on her own behalf. The story is of young lawyer Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) as he defends Mary Surratt.

Directed by Robert Redford, the American Film Company is bringing this, as the first, in a series of factual movies based on America History. This story is one that will haunt you. The story is told in unflinching truth, and from what I can tell is pretty historically accurate. It is a 2 hour labor of love to tell the story of this interesting gentleman and what happens to him when he is called upon to represent a damn rebel murderer. He comes to think that maybe she is innocent, but recognizes that she is not able to get a fair trial and he goes to elaborate lengths to try to convince the military tribunal that what they are doing is wrong. Through his efforts it was decided by the supreme court that american civilians must be tried in a public court and not in military tribunals.

Excellent cinematography and beautiful period Washington D.C. in the 1860’s. The film is rich and vibrant, but also very touching and very, very interesting from start to end. I am really glad I got to see this film, and we all enjoyed watching it very much. I highly recommend this film for all ages, except maybe very small children.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

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