FilmNation Entertainment, Gravier Productions, Perdido Productions,

Jeannie Berlin, Steve Carell, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Parker Posey, Kristen Stewart, Corey Stoll, Ken Stott

It’s the 1930’s and Bobby (Jesse Eisenberg) is a a naive Jewish boy living with his Mom and Pop in New York City who dreams of going to Hollywood to experience a new life. Bobby’s Uncle, Phil Stern (Steve Carell) is a power agent working the biggest stars in Hollywood and is a very busy guy, so Bobby’s Mom calls in a favor and asks Phil to watch over him. When Bobby arrives, he fits into the glitz and glamor of 1930’s Hollywood very quickly, but it thrown for a loop when he meets Vonnie (Kristen Stewart) and he falls very hard. But things are complicated because Vonnie is dating a married man and things get complicated very quickly. This is a Woody Allen film.

When Woody Allen makes a film, there is certainly a specific feel and mood to the story. This is very classic Woody, a homage to old Hollywood which I feel Allen must find very appealing. And as such, with all Woody films, it could be hit or miss. This one wasn’t too bad at all. I think this movie out La La Lands “La La Land” [Click Here for Ed’s Review] . Ever since “The Artist” [Click Here for Ed’s Review] came out in 2011 and grabbed Best Picture at the Oscars, old time Hollywood has been in, and this is a very good period picture. Steve Carell does an excellent job as the power agent of the stars and he didn’t overplay it. He showed multiple facets to his character without missing the effects that being such a big shot would have on his personality. Jesse Eisenberg is also very well cast as the young Jewish boy longing for the bright lights and glamor of Hollywood either. What really surprised me was Kristen Stewart who I am usually unimpressed by. With all the wooden performances in the Twilight series, and the underwhelming disaster that was Snow White and the Huntsman, I had soft of given up on her, but she did a really good job in this movie, and I don’t know if it was Woody’s talent in pulling this performance out of her, or if she is really getting it, but I think she may have some really good performances in there waiting to come out. Great job. With the other characters too there are are some really good performances there. All in all, it was a nice simple film that took us way back to a much easier time and was a refreshing change of pace. I actually enjoyed this film, and unless you’re one of those who simply hate Woody Allen for his personal life choices, you may want to give this a try. It was an interesting story and felt like a trip back in time.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

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Stone Angels, YRF Entertainment, Umedia,

Nicole Kidman, Tim Roth, Frank Langella, Parker Posey, Milo Ventimiglia, Paz Vega, Geraldine Somerville, Nicholas Farrell, Derek Jacobi, Robert Lindsay

Grace Kelly (Nicole Kidman) was a beautiful Hollywood actress who was swept away and married the Prince of Monaco. This film really begins a half dozen years after she had become princess when she was facing a crisis about her life. Offered a role back in Hollywood at the same time a struggle and potential war with DeGaulle and France, Grace has to decide what her role will be. This biopic tells an interesting story of these years in Grace’s life.

Grace Kelly was a really beautiful young lady. Nicole Kidman took on a huge challenge taking on this role, and she probably did the very best she could. She got the look and feel down really well, but of course Grace was much younger than Nicole (who looks remarkable anyway), but though many critics are simply haters on Nicole, I think she did a good job. It was an interesting choice to cover this brief period in her life, rather than trying to do the entire “This is your life” thing. I think it was a good choice. Looking in depth at this period gave us a much better understanding of the person than trying to do the whole thing. It was an interesting period in the history of Monaco as it was in her life. She was struggling with what her role would be and which way her life should go. The script is well done, and the acting is as good as it could have been. I enjoyed this opportunity of learning more about this person, as I was very young when she got married and never really understood how the fairy tale life came to be. I have no unkind words for the actors, as I think they did a pretty good job. I recommend this film if you’re into biographical stories as I think it’s quite well done.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

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