Ed's Review Dot Com

Sony Pictures Classics, RatPac Entertainment, Echo Lake Entertainment,

Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford, Topher Grace, Elisabeth Moss, Dennis Quaid, Bruce Greenwood, Stacy Keach

Cate Blanchett stars as Mary Mapes, head of the CBS News Department and Robert Redford (Robert Redford?????) as Dan Rather, seasoned reporter for CBS in this docudrama version of the story of how the pair decided to air on 60 Minutes, just before the 2004 Presidential election, a story about how George Bush avoided serving in Viet Nam using his father’s political clout, and even worse, how he went AWOL and never showed at the camp where he supposedly was trained as a National Guard pilot. Though they were convinced their source was valid, it was not very well corroborated and came under fire right away as a hoax, ending up with both Mary and Dan losing their jobs over the rush to get it on the air before the election without proof.

I was very anxious for this film to come out, as I followed the story very closely when it happened and wasn’t really sure what the whole story was. I happily tore into the envelope when this one arrived in my mailbox, and I was sorely disappointed. This is a one sided propaganda piece that set out to bring people to tears at what happened to the poor victims of this vicious attack when they were pure and innocent as drifted snow. I guess had I known that Sir Robert of Redford was going to play Dan Rather, I would probably have been forewarned and skipped it. Certainly he was much more like the Sundance Kid than Dan Rather, though I give him some credit for at least trying to mimic the way Rather talks. I can understand a little how Rather was a victim of sorts in this, and it was a shame that he threw away his career in order to try to overcome the “Swift Boat Scandal” and help get George W Bush defeated. For those who don’t remember, the members of the crew went public with a story condemning what John Kerry has claimed as his war hero record claiming he wasn’t there and it was all a fantasy. Kerry was in trouble in the election and the media was desperate to find any sort of slime to sling at Bush to slow him down. Of course this backfired in a big way, and George W. breezed into a second term. But that’s not the point. There are two big problems I have with CBS, Dan, and Mary. First, it’s a shame that newscasting has resorted to news readers. News programs that used to be part of the public service to the networks, and a big loss to their revenue stream suddenly because very profitable, and the Sixty Minutes was one of the things that first proved that Entertainment News could make huge profits. But the loss is like reality TV, that “reality” is too boring by itself, so you need to spice it up a bit by choosing a story, and then setting out to prove it at all costs. Dan Rather was around when reporters went out in the field and found out first hand what the story is. Today it’s mostly check TMZ.com and report on whatever they say. Many news stories today come straight from TMZ. And when the networks are wrong, TMZ is actually usually right. But instant news on the internet and in your hand on your smart phone has forced them to try to bring something “BIG” to you first for ratings, hence profits. There is a duty to report on a story fairly and factually, but unfortunately entertainment news has made that disappear. The second big problem is the infamous agenda that the networks have today. Whether it’s conservative or liberal, FOX or MSNBC, they set out with a premise and make it happen. Nothing Obama says will be accepted as right by Fox, and even as early as 2003, CBS and especially Mary Mapes wanted ANYTHING they could get against Bush and would have run just about anything if they had anyway at all to justify it. That’s just not right, but that seems to be what we want. So I don’t think this movie is very accurate, and like the news they presented, they started out with one side of the story and then set out to prove it. But even that’s not so bad as the horrible ending on this thing where they build up to this sad tearjerking climax, and the end it with a 10 minute “funeral” for these two. I felt like I was watching the ending of Old Yeller or Marley and Me when the dog dies (oops spoiler). This was not a terrible tragedy. This was the consequence of poor choices and bad judgement and though perhaps sad, certainly not worthy of the somber treatment they gave this at the end. I would have kept a little bit of respect if it wasn’t for that ridiculous ending that really ruins it. I blame that on the agenda of the filmmakers probably more than the editor, but if the film editor screwed up, perhaps he ought to go out to pasture with Mary and Dan. I was very angry at the end of this one.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Voltage Pictures, Wonderland Sound and Vision,

Chris Evans, Michelle Monaghan, Topher Grace, Ioan Gruffudd, Aubrey Plaza, Martin Starr, Philip Baker Hall, Luke Wilson, Anthony Mackie

Our narrator (Chris Evans) begins to tell his story of how he tried to write a romantic comedy screenplay. He’s an action writer and love stories with fast chases and big explosions, but his employer tells him he MUST finish this ROM/COM before he can move on to the next action film. His problem is that he is a one night stand kinda guy, who does not believe in the concept of falling in love, so he’s completely out of touch with where to even begin. But when he meets a lovely girl (Michelle Monaghan) he finds himself really attracted to her, but both of them are not looking for romance. As he starts writing his feelings to try to craft a story, things get rather complicated in this new romantic comedy about a guy writing a romantic comedy.

I was not blown away by this story, but it did have some interesting points. First of all we have a guy named “Me” telling us the story. He doesn’t identify either of the two people until the very end, so she is just known as “Her”. The interaction between the two is really rather interesting. Both of them do a decent job with their roles, so the interest level is rather good. There are some fresh approaches to this classic ROM/COM. The problem is that the story goes exactly along the formula and there aren’t any surprises. I think that’s kind of inevitable in this kind of film, however, so I don’t hold that against it. I was just not much invested in the story all in all. I watched it, and I made it through it. I didn’t dislike it, and I am not recommending this as a great work of cinema. But it is a harmless romantic comedy, so if you’re a fan of those or of the actors in the film, by all means give it a shot. It’s up to you.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Stage 6 Films, Manis Film, Breaking Ball Films,

Susan Sarandon, Gil Bellows, Ellen Burstyn, Topher Grace, Donald Sutherland, Christopher Heyerdahl

Hazel Micallef (Susan Sarandon) is a small town detective in Canada. Things are not too exciting there and she hasn’t had much to do lately, but when a killer starts leaving gruesome scenes all around the countryside, Hazel is convinced there is more to it than just random killings. With some help, she sets out to solve the crimes and search for the person behind all the horror.

This is a familiar story. It has Fargo written all over it, in fact. Same setting, same female detective trying to stop the killings, same quiet backwoods country town. Yes, this definitely has Fargo written all over it. But on the other hand, also has Susan Sarandon in it. She is really very good, as always, in this role. It is a simple little serial killer flick and “The Calling” has a very specific special meaning here, which you will learn as you watch it. All in all, it’s quite suspenseful, loads of fun to watch Ms. Sarandon nail this character, and though it’s quite suspenseful, it’s all in good humor and a pleasure to watch. Certainly points get knocked off for the obvious stolen material, but the setting is beautiful, the acting is top notch, and it’s an enjoyable film. I enjoyed it, and found it was quite enjoyable, and I can recommend this movie for a great evening watching a crime drama on the couch.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Two Ton Films, Millennium Films,

Robert De Niro, Katherine Heigl, Diane Keaton, Amanda Seyfried, Topher Grace, Ben Barnes, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams

Don (Robert De Niro) and Ellie (Diane Keaton) have been divorced for a long time. They have two children and an adopted son from Columbia, Alejandro (Ben Barnes). Alejandro is getting married, and he informs his parents that he never told his mother, who is coming from Columbia to the wedding, that his parents are divorced. This is a big sin for a conservative religious woman. So he asks Don and Ellie to pretend they are married for the week. Of course this sets of the typical hijinks of a dysfunctional marriage in the comedy featuring a lot of stars!

This is a typical dysfunctional family comedy, but the vast array of superstars in this film make it a pleasure to watch. Susan Sarandon and Diane Keaton together is a real treat. Robin Williams has a small role as the priest, but he’s pretty funny too. All in all, it’s a well designed wedding disaster movie that matches many others of this genre. It’s not a blockbuster hit by any means, but it’s a really funny comedy that is perfect for DVD rentals. Everyone does their part to come together in a comedy of errors that makes this a lot of fun to watch. I really enjoyed it, and I felt like the cast must have had a blast filming this. It’s a party from start to finish and a very clever story that made me stay interested all the way through.

One bit of warning though. This is rated R because it is definitely a little raunchy in spots. For those of you in the PG crowd who don’t like the somewhat explicit humor, stay away. This is more Meet the Parents than Father of the Bride.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Hyde Park Entertainment, Agent Two, Brandt/Haas Productions,

Richard Gere, Topher Grace, Martin Sheen, Tamer Hassan, Stephen Moyer, Odette Yustman, Stana Katic, Yuri Sardarov

Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere) is a retired CIA Agent. When a Senator is assassinated, Paul is brought back in as it appears the crime was done by a Russian agent who was long thought to be dead, killed by Paul. Paul is partnered with a young FBI agent , Ben Geary (Topher Grace) who Paul wishes would just let go and stop pursuing the case. But as time goes on the two of them get deeper and deeper into the mystery and more danger minute by minute.

This is an action/spy thriller. Richard Gere is really good here, and plays the cold CIA agent guy to the T. Topher Grace is the Robin to his Batman, and is very devoted. There is lots of action, and lots of twists and turns. Paul is trying his best to keep Ben and his family off the case. We don’t know for sure if he’s got ulterior motives, or if he’s just trying to protect him. Ben is having none of that. He’s in it to win it, and to solve the mystery once and for all.

It’s not the perfect film, but it’s certainly enjoyable. It’s not extremely cerebral. Instead this film depends on the action and adventure part to fill the time. But it’s a good story, and the actors are very good in this film. I enjoyed it. It’s not one of those memorable Hollywood blockbusters, but it’s a really decent action spy thriller that’s well worth a few hours of your time.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog