The Guard

Remember "In Bruges" ? Well here's the incorrigable Brendan Gleeson again. This time he plays "Sgt. Gerry Boyle," small town very Irish cop, paired with Don Cheadle, playing an FBI agent. This unlikely "team" is dealing with 1/2 billion dollars worth of drugs being loaded onto a ship, a missing, presumed dead young policeman, three evil drug traffickers, police corruption, charming prostitues, and Boyle's surprisingly sweet relationship with his dying mother in the mix.  In the sold-out theater I was in today, the audience laughed almost non-stop and I did my share (when I could understand the Irish accents).  As the FBI agent remarks to Boyle, "You're either very stupid, or very smart."  John Michael McDonagh both wrote and directed this quirky, fun, fast moving film.

Zookeeper

Kevin James loves the animals in his care, and when they break their "code of silence" in order to help him win the girl he wants to marry, you get wonderful actors voicing the lions, the bears, the giraffe, etc. etc.  I don't know what's the matter with the critics who mostly gave "The Zookeeper" very low marks, whereas I found it entertaining and quite enjoyable.  OK, it's not a great, Oscar contender, but other than a few lame lapses, overall, it was fun and the dialogue was quite clever.  I especially loved the Orangatang  ("Big Gorilla" would have been easier to spell) who has been mistreated by another zookeeper, but is finally won over by Kevin James and they become "best friends." If you are unsophisticated enough to simply appreciate talking animals, and the power of kindness, this is worth seeing. Directed by Frank Coraci.

Captaiin America

Based on the Marvel Comic Book hero, "Captain America," the movie does a good job of capturing the appropriate look and presentation for those who are comic book fans. Depending upon your age and gender, you may find it great fun and enjoyable, or not. The story takes place during World War II, when patriotic flag waving themes were all the rage. If you're old enough to recall the Charles Atlas ads on the back page of many comic books promising that a 95 pound weakling (the kid who gets sand kicked in his face at the beach, and gets beaten up regularly by every bully in the neighborhood) can become a "muscle man," then you'll appreciate how our hero in this film, through a break-through scientific experiment, turns into the symbol of American's fighting spirit, and finally a "real" Army hero.  Chorus lines of beautiful dancing  girls in skimpy red-white and blue outfits  surround the costumed "Captain America."  But his real ambition is to get into the war, and fight for his country. And so he does.  The good guys are really good, and the bad guys are really evil, think Nazis. (Please rate it yourself. Here's why:  I've realized that my ratings are affected by the state of my digestion, level of fatique, and whether I see a film alone, or with other people, or for a second time.)

Second Viewing

Seeing "Another Earth" for the second time (went with friends who hadn't seen it yet), gave me a much less enthusiastic opinion from my previous review!  I realized that despite some clever places, most of the suspense was created by almost continuous eerie background music, and weird, off kilter camera angles.  Yes, the acting was great, but all in all, I felt I'd been bamboozled (fooled or cheated) the first time I saw it.  So,  this time, I'm giving it just TWO STARS.

The Trip

(FYI:  Though I'm posting two reviews today, I did not see both films the same day! - just haven't had time till now.)    Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are well known British comedians.  This film is a compilation of BBC Miniseries (Directed by Michael Winterbottom)  of their hilarious (at least I thought so!) attempts to out-do each other with impersonations - notably Michael Caine and Sean Connery (and 007's enemies.)  The two marvelous masters of improv set off together, in this story, to gather material that Steve needs to write an article for the Obsever describing the culinary arts of obscure, but really fancy, expensive restaurants in Northern England.  The story says that because Steve's girlfriend couldn't join him, he asked Rob to go on "The Trip."  And it is, indeed, a trip and a half!   I laughed a lot.
 If you like this "Dinner With Andre" (on acid) type of "conversation," you will too!FOUR STARS

Another Earth

Brit Marling, the star, shares writing and producing credits with the director, Mike Cahill (with five other producers involved), all to create a marvelous suspenseful, unexpected story. Brit and William Mapother, who plays "John Burroughs," a composer,  are both excellent.  Best to see this film without any expectations, and enjoy the surprises that it offers!  FOUR STARS 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

All the great things you've heard about this film are true!  I wish I had read the books more recently, but nevertheless, I enjoyed the movie a  lot.  I don't understand why they needed to show it in 3D -- fortunately I saw it in the regular 2D format, and it was definitely exciting enough! All the young actors who have been with the series since the beginning have matured and honed their acting skills beautifully.  Of course, Daniel Craig has already gone on to further his career -on stage as well.  Sorry this will be the last of the inspired stories of wizardry and the Hogwarts (is it s or z?) school that we poor deprived muggles will be able to see.  Thank you, J.D. Rowlings, for a great ride!  FOUR STARS