2013-05-24T21:32:12-04:00 Leslie Sisman http://www.news.moviefone.com/author/index.php?author=leslie-sisman Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Leslie Sisman Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3256509 2013-05-10T21:30:40-04:00 2013-05-10T21:30:44-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: The Iceman (2012)
Cast includes: Michael Shannon (Mud), Winona Ryder (Girl, Interrupted), Chris Evans (The Avengers), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas), David Schwimmer (Friends)
Director: Ariel Vromen (Danika)
Genre: Drama | Crime | Thriller (106 minutes)

"Mr. Kuklinski, Do you have any regrets for the things you've done?" Richard Kuklinski is obviously a broken man, but his face is still impassive. Based on a true story, the film takes us back to New Jersey 1964. "It's not very polite. If you invite me to dinner, you should have something to say," says Deborah. "You're a pretty version of..." Richie looses his nerve. "Most people I meet don't have nothing to say," he tells her. "Natalie Wood... pretty version of Natalie Wood." Deborah is starting to like the awkward but persistent man across the table. She's glad he wants to call again. At the pool hall, Richie sets a punk straight about Deborah... "She's my future wife." "Good luck getting your dick in her," the punk sneers. Richie's face is unreadable, but when he takes a knife and slits the punk's throat, actions speak louder than words. Richie walks away as if nothing happened.

The day his daughter is born is the happiest day of his life. But Richie's still working at the porn film lab, and a run-in with Roy Demeo nearly brings his life to an untimely end. Richie doesn't beg for mercy... he calmly suggests that working through the night will let him finish Demeo's order. Roy decides to let him live. When Richie gets home, he sees that Deborah's been looking at apartment ads in the paper... but she'd be happy anywhere as long as they're together. "You like to be taken care of... nothing wrong with that." Richie would do anything for his wife and baby. When the rest of the porn film has been delivered, Roy wants to see Richie. (It's not a request.) Once again Richie finds himself looking into the barrel of a gun. "Fucking guy's cold as ice," says Roy. Actually, Roy's got a job for Richie, once he passes another test. That bum on the corner... "Put him out of his misery." "Wow, those are big hands. You a lumberjack?" the bum asks. When they share a cigarette... that's when the big man fires three shots. Test passed.

Kuklinski's hit man career is off and running... and he's really good at his job... until 1975, when he leaves a witness. "Hey Polack, clean it up." "I don't kill women and children." But the issue isn't settled. "I'm gonna have to decommission you," says Roy. Kuklinski suddenly finds himself without a job, and that's when things get messy. Michael Shannon as Kuklinski is positively chilling. In fact, this is likely to be the coldest mob killer movie you'll ever see. The film took liberties with some of the actual events, but it creates a fully believable character. There was only one thing Kuklinski ever cared about... his family. Deborah and the girls truly loved him, despite his awkwardness. They never knew what he did for a living until his arrest in 1986. He was the most notorious contract killer in New Jersey history, with over 100 murders. The film paints a picture of a sadistic killer as well as a loving father and husband. But don't expect to learn what made him tick... Kuklinski is an iceman right to the end. When a former colleague pleads for mercy... "Please, God no..." Kuklinski tells him, "Pray harder. I'm not feeling anything."

3 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
The story of New Jersey's most notorious contract killer

Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (Language, violence, crime, drugs)
Audience: Young adults
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Sober
Tempo: Zips right along
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment & Informative



Read more Popcorn Previews at www.popcorndiary.com]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3256507 2013-05-10T21:25:22-04:00 2013-05-10T21:25:26-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: The Attack (L'attentat) (2012)
Cast includes: Ali Suliman (Body of Lies), Reymond Amsalem (Rendition), Dvir Benedek (A Matter of Size), Uri Gavriel (The Dark Knight Rises), Karim Saleh (Iron Man 2)
Writer/Director: Ziad Doueiri (Lila Says, West Beirut), based on the novel by Yasmina Khadra
Genre: Drama | Mystery (120 minutes) Arabic and Hebrew with subtitles

"Why are you crying?" he asks. "I feel like every time you leave, a piece of me dies," says Siham Jaafari. Her husband, Amin Jaafari, isn't going far... the center of Tel Aviv for the Bar Eliezer event, where he's to receive this year's award... not only for his work as a surgeon but also as a humanitarian. But that's not the most noteworthy part... Dr. Jaafari is the first Arab to receive this honor. The 8-second phone call is Siham... she calls just when they ask Jaafari to come on stage. "I can't talk just now." When he accepts the award, he acknowledges the tensions between Jews and Arabs... but goes on to talk about putting negative feelings aside when a patient's on his operating table. "I believe every Jew is part Arab and every Arab is part Jew." A colleague later comments on Dr. Jaafari's way with words... it isn't meant entirely as a compliment. Israeli Arabs may have full rights and citizenship, but old mistrusts remain.

When they hear the explosion, the doctors know the ambulances will soon arrive. Dr. Jaafari holds nothing back when it comes to saving lives. It's chaotic, triaging the injured... no time to worry about the bodies and body parts coming in. It's a long day, made even longer by the tight security on the road home. Nothing new. When Jaafari gets home, Siham is apparently still in Nazareth with her grandfather. He leaves a message on her cell phone. With the curfew, it's surprising that his nephew Abel shows up. Apparently, the last time Abel stayed over, he left something in the guest room and needs to pick it up. Jaafari thinks Abel should stay over, but he's determined to get going. Jaafari's exhausted physically and emotionally... "17 dead, 11 of them kids." When the phone rings, he hopes it's Siham, but it's Raveed calling from the hospital. "We need you to come back." Jaafari is sure there are other doctors to cover. "It's not about that," says Raveed. He adds, "Don't drive too fast."

When Jaafari gets back, they have a body that needs identification. Actually, it's just a body part... the upper part. No amount of training and experience can prepare you for the shock of finding your wife's head and torso under the sheet. "Tell me I'm dreaming," Jaafari says when he comes to. But he's not dreaming, and the nightmare only gets worse when Captain Moshe begins his interrogation. Jaafari has spent his entire career trying to see the good in people, but Moshe is used to seeing the worst. His accusations seem completely unfounded. Even though Jaafari is cleared of any involvement, there are still a lot of questions to be answered. The police have their investigation, but Jaafari has an investigation of his own. He not only wants to find out what happened... he needs to make sense of it. But at every turn things get even more complex. There's a lot in this film to think about. Shot on location, we see the stark contrast between Jaafari's Tel Aviv life and the lives of other family members. Some accuse him of being "a man who doesn't know his roots. But when he tries to understand, he's told, "We could debate this for years, and we'd never come to the same conclusion." Perhaps not.

3 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
In the aftermath of a suicide bombing, a prominent Arab surgeon in Tel Aviv discovers his wife's connection to the events

Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (Violence, Gore)
Audience: Grown-ups
Distribution: Art house
Mood: Sober
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Timely topic & Thought provoking



Read more Popcorn Previews at www.popcorndiary.com]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3256506 2013-05-10T21:21:18-04:00 2013-05-10T21:21:23-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: What Maisie Knew (2012)
Cast includes: Julianne Moore (Crazy, Stupid, Love.), Steve Coogan (24 Hour Party People), Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood), Joanna Vanderham (Young James Herriot), Onata Aprile (Yellow, The History of Future Folk)
Director: Scott McGehee & David Siegel (The Deep End, Uncertainty)
Genre: Drama (99 minutes)

"Wanna sleep with Mommy tonight?" Mommy's rendition of Rock-a-bye Baby is quite good. We soon learn that Mommy is a middle-aged rock singer, trying to keep a career going. "The pizza man's here," Maisie shouts, but her parents don't hear her. They're busy arguing. There are cutting remarks about mid-life crisis and Susanna's less-than-stellar career. Maisie and Margo, her nanny, eat pizza together and play tic-tac-toe. When Maisie gets home from kindergarten, she finds her mom is changing the locks but we don't know why until that night. "Is that Daddy?" "Open the damn door... You're a fucking head case." "Fuck you," screams Susanna. The conflict spills over to Maisie's school, but Susanna snatches Maisie away as Daddy's walking out the door with her. Maisie's friend Zoe is spending the night, and before her mom leaves, she makes Zoe promise to behave... whatever that means... dress up, eat whatever, stay up late... the girls even spend some time watching Susanna and her friends party... not a scene Zoe is used to. "Don't cry Zoe," Maisie tries to comfort her. But eventually, Zoe's mom has to come get her.

"Her mom's a total Nazi, anyway," says Susanna. She probably can't ask Zoe's mom to be a character witness at the divorce hearings. Before they question Maisie, Susanna tries to coach her on what to say about her dad, but Susanne can't be there when Maisie's questioned. Whatever Maisie does say, it doesn't win sole custody for Susanna. By this time, we're pretty sure the court did the right thing. But when Daddy takes Maisie, we soon see that his business phone calls take most of his attention. Thankfully, Margo's at Dad's apartment and she's done an excellent job of fixing up Maisie's room. There's some talk about the three of them going on an excursion to Italy. Naturally, Susanna hires a new nanny... "not some tramp with a Daddy fixation." When Daddy and Margo get married, Maisie gets to be flower girl, but she's no longer included on the Italy trip. "Are you sure your mother knows she's supposed to pick you up?" Maisie waits patiently on the bench after school. When Lincoln shows up to get her, the school won't release her to a stranger. "I'm married to Susanna," he tells them. "I'm sort of like... Maisie's stepfather." He says to Maisie, "Remember me?" (He was at one of Susanne's parties.)

Witnessing parental malpractice is upsetting, to say the least. Much of the psychological tension in this film is likely to seem familiar, but we're used to seeing it from an adult perspective. What Maisie Knew gives us the perspective of a 6-year-old, played amazingly by Onita Aprile. It's a modern-day retelling of an 1890 Henry James novel by the same name. With selfish, spiteful adults using her as a pawn, Maisie is too young to stand up for herself. She's too young to see this behavior as anything but normal. We're on edge through most of the film because we're aware how precarious her situation is. Although Susanna says she married Lincoln for Maisie's sake, Susanna feels threatened when anyone else seems to be connecting with her. "You don't get a bonus for making her fall in love with you."

3 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
A young girl is a pawn in her parents' nasty custody battle

Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (Language, drugs)
Audience: Grown-ups
Distribution: Art house
Mood: Sober
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: Nicely varnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Thought provoking



Read more Popcorn Previews at www.popcorndiary.com]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3180977 2013-04-29T17:47:06-04:00 2013-04-29T17:47:09-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: Mud (2012)
Cast includes: Matthew McConaughey (The Lincoln Lawyer), Tye Sheridan (The Tree of Life), Jacob Lofland, Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line), Sarah Paulson (Game Change), Ray McKinnon (The Blind Side), Sam Shepard (Black Hawk Down), Michael Shannon (Take Shelter), Joe Don Baker (Cape Fear)
Writer/Director: Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter)
Genre: Mystery | Suspense | Thriller | Drama (130 minutes)

Ellis isn't sure what's going on, but he overhears his parents, at it again as he sneaks off the houseboat before dawn to meet his friend, Neckbone. The island's farther than they thought, and Ellis's "Dad'll kill us if he knows we went way out here." They leave the motorboat on the shore and head into the woods. "Galen thinks the last flood did it." It's a big boat stuck about 20 feet up in a tree. "Who else knows about this?" "Just me and Galen." "Good, cus this boat's ours," says Ellis. Inside the boat, they explore every nook and cranny. The discovery of a pile of Penthouse magazines is a real treasure trove for a couple of teenaged boys with freshly raging hormones. But the discovery of a loaf of bread changes things. "Someone's living on our boat." No time to investigate... they've gotta get back. Whose prints are those by the boat? They've got crosses in the heel. "Nails in the shape of crosses to ward off the evil spirits," says the leathery stranger. Ellis and Neckbone aren't sure what to make of him, but he says, "I like you two boys." As it turns out, the stranger wants to make a deal... help out for a few days in exchange for the boat when he leaves.

Ellis is late getting home, and Dad's already loaded the fish in the truck. Life's hard for folks scratching out a livelihood on this Arkansas section of the Mississippi River. "This river brings a lot of trash down it. You gotta know what's worth keeping and what's worth letting go." Even people's homes are made of stuff others throw out. When the boys meet up later, Ellis says he wants to help the stranger by bringing food. "You never said your name," says Ellis. "Mud. You can call me Mud." They learn that Mud's waiting on his girlfriend... "blond hair, long legs and birds tattooed right here on her hand... good-luck birds" Neckbone thinks they can make a better deal, so he bargains for that pistol Mud carrys in his waistband. Ellis wants to help because he knows Mud really loves the girl with the bird tattoo. The police have a roadblock... they're asking everyone if they've "seen this man." It's a photo of Mud. "What'd he do?" No answer. Back in town, the long-legged, blond stranger does indeed have a bird tattoo on her hand. There are also some men around town, driving big fancy cars.

Mud says he's not dangerous. "Sounds like a shit load of state troopers think different." Mud is a coming-of-age story, wrapped in a suspense thriller, intertwined with a family drama... with shades of Stand by Me and Beast of the Southern Wild. Writer/director Jeff Nichols is an Arkansas native, and he totally transports us to to a world that's off the grid, where you have to be self-reliant to survive. And that's the way folks like it. "I ain't no townie," Ellis says when he learns he might have to live with Mom in town. Ellis is learning some hard lessons about love right now. Maybe that's why he's drawn to Mud... until he suspects Mud has let him down, too. His dad says, "You can't trust love." Mud's got a different way of thinking. "It's a hell of a thing, ain't it!"

4 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
Teenaged boys are excited to lay claim to a boat stuck up in a tree, until they learn it's inhabited by a fugitive named Mud

Popcorn Profile
Rated: PG-13 (Violence)
Audience: Young adults
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Sober
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment



Read more Popcorn Previews at www.popcorndiary.com

You may want to read about other recent films with Matthew McConaughey:

Bernie
www.popcorndiary.com/PagesRecentDVD/dvd_bernie.htm

Magic Mike
www.popcorndiary.com/PagesRecent/rec_magic_mike.htm

Killer Joe
www.popcorndiary.com/PagesRecentDVD/dvd_killer_joe.htm

The Paperboy
www.popcorndiary.com/PagesRecent/rec_paperboy_pics.htm

The Lincoln Lawyer
www.popcorndiary.com/PagesRecentDVD/dvd_lincoln_lawyer.htm]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3169978 2013-04-27T11:39:56-04:00 2013-04-27T11:40:00-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012)
Cast includes: Riz Ahmed (Four Lions), Live Schreiber (Defiance), Kate Hudson (Almost Famous), Kiefer Sutherland (Phone Booth)
Director: Mira Nair (The Namesake)
Genre: Drama | Thriller (130 minutes) Mostly English with parts in Urdu with subtitles

Lahore, 2011... The pulsing rhythm of "Kangna" is nothing short of divine, but some in the audience have a different agenda. Outside, Dr. Rainier is violently abducted. An envelope delivered to the US Embassy the next day has a photo of the bloodied Rainier held by terrorists. It gets pinned to the board... along with newspaper clippings and photos of suspects like Fazil and Changez. It's surprising that Changez has finally agreed to an interview, but "the time is right, Bobby." The atmosphere is edgy at Pak Tea House, but then the whole city's edgy. "The police become very agitated when it's an American kidnapped," says Changez. "Do you think he's still alive?" Bobby asks. He gets no response. Bobby is eager to get answers, but Changez insists... "Please listen to the whole story, not just bits and pieces. Looks can be deceiving... I'm a lover of America."

Ten years earlier, Changez graduated from Princeton. He loved everything about America... most of all its "level playing field." He had been a scholarship student. Although his father was a famous poet... "His laser sharp words and inadequate salary were well known throughout the Punjab." After graduation, Changez got a job at the prestigious firm of Underwood Samson. His abilities to focus on fundamentals and analyze a company's potential made him a rising star. "I was a soldier in your financial army," he tells Bobby. Bobby seems distracted. "You look quite solid for a journalist... like someone who could move fast in an emergency." Changez suspects that Bobby isn't an ordinary journalist. Anyway, in September of 2001, Changez was in Manila improving his company's bottom line and securing a nice promotion. Changez was truly living the American dream... the job, the impressive income and an American girlfriend he hoped would be the mother of his children. From his hotel room, the attack on the World Trade Center unfolded on TV. "For a split second, I was in awe... David had struck Goliath"... a totally normal reaction, he believes... "You've got to appreciate the simplicity of it." But that feeling was totally separate from his love of America. Not even the rude welcome at the airport could change that. Unfortunately, that was only the beginning. "You picked a side after 9/11. I didn't have to. It was picked for me." Now with the police and the CIA getting increasingly jumpy, Bobby finds himself in the middle of a dangerous confrontation... but he hasn't yet figured out how to size up the players.

Adapted from a critically acclaimed novel, this is an outstanding movie that grabs us right from the opening scenes... the script, acting, cinematography and amazing soundtrack are all top notch. There are certainly those who won't appreciate the Pakistani viewpoint, but it's not intended to be anti-American. Instead it asks us to consider identity vs perception. In an ideal world, we could give others the benefit of the doubt. But when lives are at stake, we're inclined to fall back on perceptions and prejudices. The Reluctant Fundamentalist isn't trying to show us fundamental truths. In fact, it challenges the concept of fundamentalism. It gives us a view of Pakistan we rarely see and a detailed story about one individual and his specific journey... with astute observations on human nature... all wrapped in a heart-thumping political thriller. "Yes, I'm Pakistani. Yes, I'm Muslim. But that's not all I am."

4 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
A Princeton educated Pakistani man lives the American dream until 9/11 redefines his identity

Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (Violence)
Audience: Grown-ups
Distribution: Mainstream limited release
Mood: Sober
Tempo: Zips right along
Visual Style: Nicely varnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Thought provoking



Read more Popcorn Previews at www.popcorndiary.com

Listen to the complete opening song]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3169971 2013-04-27T11:35:05-04:00 2013-04-27T11:35:07-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: In the House (2012) ["Dans la maison"]
Cast includes: Francois Ozon (Swimming Pool)
Director: Fabrice Luchini (The Woman on the 6th Floor), Ernst Umhauer (The Monk), Kristin Scott Thomas (Gosford Park), Emmanuelle Seigner (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Denis Ménochet (Inglourious Basterds)
Genre: Mystery | Suspense (105 minutes) French with subtitles

The new school year begins, and yes... Germain got the memo. The bold new policies, such as school uniforms, don't impress him at all. But after all these years, maybe Germain's gotten cynical. His literature class is "the worst ever." Jeanne thinks her husband is exaggerating, so he reads some of their latest homework out loud. He asked them to write about their weekend, and they wrote about pizza, cell phones and TV. One is worse than the next, until... "been looking at the perfect house from the outside... been wanting to see inside... so offered to help Rapha (a classmate) with his math homework, as a way of getting inside..." Claude's paper is definitely not like the others... "Eventually I became aware of the singular scent of a middle-class woman... followed the odor... it lead to Rapha's mother." Germain wonders if Claude realizes how hurtful and embarrassing his composition could be if he read it in class. "It's not written to be read by anyone but you," says Claude. Germain cautions Claude to be more aware of the potential harm he could do with his writing. But Claude's already written the next installment.

When Germain reads it to Jeanne, she feels Claude might be dangerous. Germain thinks he's just a rebel. At the school office, he looks at Claude's file... shy, an only child, living with his dad, moved a lot... nothing alarming. Maybe a bit of extra attention is warranted. "I brought you some books from my library." Claude's brought the next installment... "Rapha's dad... green sweat pants... sweaty... obsessed with basketball... pizza... chicken wings... under the thumb of his boss and a demanding client." Germain finds it mocking, judgmental... even a bit snarky. "So why are you helping me?" Claude asks. "You write well and deserve encouragement," Germain has to admit. "You haven't shown these to anyone else, have you?" asks Claude. "Of course not." Actually, Germain and Jeanne have started looking forward to their evening readings of each new installment. As Claude insinuates himself in Rapha's home, Rapha's mother is starting to find him creepy. Claude overhears her telling her husband that she finds him "strange." She thinks they should get Rapha a math tutor so Claude won't be in their home all the time. "To be continued..."

As the plot thickens, the line between writing and real life becomes rather blurred. The line between voyeurs and subjects becomes blurred. Eventually, Germain, and even Jeanne, find themselves playing roles in the strange drama. Each time Germain gives Claude a purely literary critique, Claude takes the story in a more ominous direction. At some point, it becomes difficult to figure out if the events are actually happening... or if Claude is adding a bit of fiction. There's definitely something creepy about Claude. But on the other hand, he's a talented writer... wouldn't any teacher offer encouragement? "You've gone to far," warns Germain. "To be continued..." says Claude.

2 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
A gifted but strange student finds a way to insinuate himself into the home of a classmate and write about it

Popcorn Profile
Rated: R
Audience: Grown-ups
Distribution: Art house
Mood: Sober
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment



Read more Popcorn Previews at www.popcorndiary.com]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3094814 2013-04-16T16:29:06-04:00 2013-04-16T16:29:09-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: 42 (2013)
Cast includes: Chadwick Boseman (The Kill Hole), Harrison Ford (Clear and Present Danger), Nicole Beharie (American Violet), Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)
Writer/Director: Brian Helgeland (Mystic River, The Order)
Genre: Drama | Biography | Sports (128 minutes)

"In 1945, America's greatest generation comes home from the war.... Baseball is proof positive that democracy reigns." With 16 major league teams, there are 400 players... [correction]... 400 white players. Negros have their own league. "I have a plan," says Brooklyn Dodgers' owner, Branch Rickey. "Everyone in baseball is going to be against me, but I'm going to bring in a Negro player." "Have you lost your mind?!" But Mr. Rickey isn't backing down. "New York is full of Negro baseball fans. Business isn't black and white... every dollar is green." So the search begins. Mr. Rickey rules out some of the better-known players, and zeroes in on a young player who went to UCLA... "He's used to playing with whites." He was court marshaled for not sitting in the back of the bus, but that might be a good sign. Besides... "He's a Methodist. I'm a Methodist. And God is a Methodist."

Jack Roosevelt Robinson gets an interview. What Mr. Rickey wants to know is whether Jack can control his temper, so he taunts him. "You want a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back?" asks Jack. "No," Mr. Rickey says. "I want a player who has the guts not to fight back." The salary turns out to be acceptable. "You give me a number on my back and I'll give you the guts." This means Jack can finally ask Rachel to marry him. "I'll follow you anywhere," she says. But the California girl isn't used to White Only restrooms and getting bumped from flights because of the color of her skin. Greyhound bus turns out to be the only way to get to spring training in Daytona. That's when the Robinsons meet Wendell Smith, a sports reporter for the Pittsburgh Courier. Mr. Rickey has hired the ambitious Negro journalist to be Robinson's "advance man." Wendell also has a car. The Florida weather may be warm, but that's the only thing warm about Jackie's welcome. "Is this about politics?" a team member demands to know. "It's about getting paid," says Robinson. It doesn't take long for Jackie to demonstrate his abilities... if pitchers won't give him anything to hit, he'll get points by stealing them. A young fan puts his finger on it... "He's discombobulated them." Indeed he has.

It's still a long road from Daytona to the slightest glimmer of acceptance in the big league. But as Robinson points out, "God built me to last." Decades before Martin Luther King lead a movement, Jackie Robinson stood alone as the sole focus of America's racial hatred. While 42 doesn't show the full gritty reality, it's a wonderful tribute to Robinson and those who worked behind the scenes to make baseball a more democratic institution. Just like western movies, baseball movies have an honored tradition. They illustrate the virtue of fairness and leave us feeling good about the values we cherish, even if getting there has been painful. Except for a bit of unfortunate over-acting by Harrison Ford, 42 gives us everything we want in a baseball movie. It has an excellent script with many quotable lines. The lead, played by Chadwick Boseman, has the low-key charisma we remember in Robinson. (He even looks a lot like him.) At one point the teammates get up a petition to get rid of the Negro player. After a harsh rebuke, the manager leaves them with a final thought... "And think about this... he's only the first."

3 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
When Jackie Robinson became the first Negro player in the big league, it wasn't at all certain that he'd make it

Popcorn Profile
Rated: PG-13
Audience: Teens to Grown-ups
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Upbeat
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: High-end production
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Informative & Thought provoking



Read more Popcorn Previews at www.popcorndiary.com]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3094786 2013-04-16T16:22:31-04:00 2013-04-16T16:22:33-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: Disconnect (2012)
Cast includes: Jason Bateman (Up in the Air), Hope Davis (The Weather Man), Frank Grillo (The Grey), Michael Nyqvist (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Paula Patton (Precious), Andrea Riseborough (Made in Dagenham), Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood), Max Thieriot (House at the End of the Street), Colin Ford (We Bought a Zoo), Jonah Bobo (Crazy, Stupid, Love)
Director: Henry Alex Rubin (Girl, Interrupted)
Genre: Drama | Crime | Thriller (115 minutes)

"I went to the post office. I'm just bringing your stuff," says Kyle as he drops packages off with half-naked housemates. Next we see Kyle on Nina's laptop screen. "Are you even 18?" she asks. "Yes, I'm 18... Can we go private?" Nina just wants to chat. "You don't want to watch me jack off or play with toys. You just want to chat?" In the next sequence, we're following Jason and Frye, a couple of teens who clearly love practical jokes. After a while, they need to move beyond pranks like peeing into people's water bottles. That's when they notice Ben Boyd, the weird kid from school. They soon get the idea of creating an online identity of "Jessica" and starting a cyber conversation with Ben. Meanwhile, Derek's got a flight to catch and doesn't have time for the conversation Cindy wants to have. One look at the empty crib and we put two and two together... they recently lost a child and still have grief to work through. Maybe that's why Cindy resorts to online chat with "Fear & Loathing." F&L recently lost his wife, so he understands what Cindy's going through.

It doesn't take long for Jason and Frey (aka Jessica) to get a chat stream going with Ben... he even sends her one of his songs. "I was afraid you'd think it was weird." "Weird is sexy," says Jessica. Kyle and Nina's sessions aren't going quite like Kyle's normal sessions go. "Do you ever think about what you're going to do when you can't do this any more?" she asks. Honestly... that's not something Kyle spends time worrying about. When Derek tries to use his Master Card, he discovers it's maxed out. "I'm sure it's a mistake," Cindy says. It's damn inconvenient to be on a business trip without a usable credit card... but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Someone has stolen their identities and cleaned out everything. When the police turn out to be useless, Derek and Cindy call a private detective who specializes in cyber crime. That's when they find out that their computers have been hacked and the clues point to Fear & Loathing. In the meantime, Ben is in for an unfortunate surprise with Jessica, and Nina turns out to be a journalist in search of a news story. Despite how it starts out, things really can get out of hand.

It turns out there's a real disconnect between the ease of cyber crime and cyber mischief versus the messiness of real-world consequences. But you probably already know that. Like a ripple effect, more individuals become involved and it all gets very complicated. Disconnect isn't one of those crime thrillers where everything gets neatly resolved in the end... we soon realize that it isn't going to be possible. But it's still fascinating, seeing where this story is going to go. At the heart of the narrative are individuals who are searching for human connections. When they don't find those connections in the real world, they assume it won't do any harm to search in the cyber world. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

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Cyber crime and cyber mischief seems so easy, but the real-world consequences are complicated and messy

Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (Language, nudity, violence, sexual content, crime, drugs)
Audience: Grown-ups
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Neutral
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: Nicely varnished realism
Character Development: Not that kind of film
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment & Thought provoking



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Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: Down the Shore (2011)
Cast includes: James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Famke Janssen (X-Men), Edoardo Costa (Live Free or Die Hard), Joseph Pope (Tinsel Town)
Director: Harold Guskin (directorial debut), Writer: Sandra Jennings (debut feature film)
Genre: Drama (93 minutes)

Jacques's hand-cranked marry-go-round is one of only 10 left in Europe. At least, that's what it says in Susan's guidebook of Paris. Susan and Jacques strike up a conversation, and over coffee, she tells him she needs a guide... "I'll pay you." Three months later, Jacques finds Bailey at the Jersey shore... looking a bit down on his luck. "Are you the brother of Susan?" "Excuse me? You know where she is?" Bailey asks. "She's died," Jacques says. "I promised to bring her back home and give you a letter she wrote." Bailey's confused. "She was my wife," says Jacques. By the time Bailey stumbles out on beach with Susan's ashes, he's fall-down drunk. He buries the urn in the sand and cries himself into unconsciousness. He doesn't wake up until his best friends, Wiley and Mary, find him. "Susan's dead," Bailey says. "This French guy showed up.... My sister came back in a fucking urn.... She had cancer and didn't want to tell nobody."

The next day when Bailey looks out the upstairs of his little bungalow, he sees Wiley's wife Mary in the window next door. "I feel like I'm dreaming... like I'm 17 again." From the conversation, we gather that Mary and Bailey used to be sweethearts. (That's a long story.) The spell is broken by a knock at the door. It's Jacques. It's a good thing because Bailey has some questions. "My sister left with a shitload of money. (Another long story.) Know where it is?" That's when Jacques tells Bailey Susan left him her half of the house. "My house?" "Our house." "What do you want... money?" asks Bailey. "Work," Jacques tells him. "Susan said we'd be a good team." As it turns out, Bailey has a group of kiddie rides, including a cantankerous marry-go-round in the shadow of the big roller coaster. He struggles to keep his landlord paid. (That would be Wiley... another long story.) So while Bailey's not at all that happy about having Jacques around, the Frenchman does come in handy. "He's conning us," Bailey tells Wiley. On the other hand, "What if he's telling the truth."

It doesn't take long to figure out that complex backstories are as important as what happens next, and the narrative has to skillfully weave them together. James Gandolfini is the only big-name actor in the film, but certainly not the only one to give an excellent performance. This is the debut feature film for both the writer and director. And despite having James Gandolfini on board, it definitely has the texture of an independent film. Some of the themes are familiar from mainstream movies, but the independent tone of Down the Shore allows some of the melodramatic moments to feel less predictable. As Bailey's mood alternates between grumpy and severely grumpy, Jacques is suspiciously optimistic. What does he know, anyway? The problems among these friends aren't so easy to sort out. "We all gotta pay for our sins," Bailey and Wiley agree.

3 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
Bailey's life is going nowhere, and now a Frenchman arrives expecting to be part of it

Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (Language, crime, drugs)
Audience: Grown-ups
Distribution: Art house
Mood: Sober
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Thought provoking



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Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: The Company You Keep (2012)
Cast includes: Robert Redford (Spy Game), Shia LaBeouf (Transformers), Julie Christie (Finding Neverland), Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking), Nick Nolte (Cape Fear), Chris Cooper (The Bourne Identity), Terrence Howard (Iron Man), Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada), Richard Jenkins (Six Feet Under), Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air), Brendan Gleeson (Gangs of New York), Sam Elliot (The Big Lebowski), Brit Marlin (Arbitrage)
Director: Robert Redford (The Conspirator, Quiz Show)
Genre: Drama | Thriller (125 minutes)

A montage of news footage takes us back to 1969... the anti-war protests, the violence and finally a bank robbery where the guard is killed. Thirty years later, the headlines are about the surrender and arrest of Sharon Solarz, a Weather Underground member who participated in the robbery. But it wasn't the Albany Sun Times that broke the story. "A national story right in our own back yard..." What does Ray have to do to get a reporter to do his jobs? Doesn't Ben Shepard have a friend in the FBI field office? "You think just because we hooked up in college, I'm gonna give you access to FBI wiretaps?" says Diana. "Wiretaps?" Damn! Before he's back on the street, Ben's latched on to other clues, as well. He's like a dog after a bone. And he's got a bone to pick with Jim Grant... he knows Grant's hiding something. Grant's the most likely lawyer to handle Solarz's defense, but he claims he doesn't have time... wife recently died... 12-year-old daughter, Isabel.

"You look weird, Daddy." Isabel can tell when her dad's lying. Ben's sniffed out a lead... a license plate number, some well-placed cash, one clue leads to another... and Ben figures out that Jim Grant didn't exist before 1979. On the other hand, Nick Sloan did exist... he was one of the bank robbers, and he totally disappeared. But he does have an uncanny resemblance to Jim Grant. When the story breaks in the Albany Sun Times, Grant goes to the back of the closet and pulls out an old leather jacket with a new identity and enough money for a new start. The FBI is not happy about getting scooped, but they agree to let Ben interview Solarz. "Why did you want to turn yourself in after all this time? Conscience? Remorse?" "Nice to see the world so cleanly," she says. "Didn't you? Back then?" Solarz thinks she recognizes a revolutionary spirit in Ben... it's just that times are different. "What would you be willing to take a risk for?" she asks. Ben can't answer that question just yet.

While the FBI is hot on the trail of Sloan, Ben realizes that Sloan isn't behaving like a man trying to escape. Sloan is on a hunt of his own. What or whom is Sloan searching for? Ben's on the trail of clues... where ever they may lead. As it turns out, the film takes us from New York to California and back again. Robert Redford as director and lead actor hasn't lost the knack for great storytelling. The cast may read like a who's who of senior-citizen A-list actors, but this well-developed thriller keeps us engaged right up to the end... even though it has no high-intensity car chases, explosions or computer effects. It does pit a relentless investigative journalist against the full resources of the FBI. "We're bringing these people down," says Agent Cornelius. "I hope I don't find you in my way."

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When a young newspaper reporter uncovers the identity of a Weather Underground activist, it triggers a nationwide manhunt

Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (Violence, crime)
Audience: Grown-ups
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Neutral
Tempo: Zips right along
Visual Style: Nicely varnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment & Thought provoking



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Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: Stories We Tell (2012)
Writer/Director: Sarah Polley (Take This Waltz)
Genre: Documentary (108 minutes)

"When you're in the middle of a story, it isn't a story at all." --Margaret Atwood
"I hope you'll explain what you're trying to do," one of them asks. "It's an interrogation process," says Sarah. "I'm sweating," her sister says. Sarah's dad, Michael, is the only one who gets the full recording studio treatment. He's written his version out and he's now recording it for Sarah's movie. Sarah wants everyone to start from the beginning and tell it as they remember it... starting with their memories of Diane, Sarah's mother. "Infectious... fun... warm... energetic... laughed loud... loved to sing (wasn't a good singer)... great sense of joy..." Michael tells us that Diane came to see a play he was appearing in and fell in love with his character. One thing led to another... they got married, Michael bought a Super 8 movie camera, and they had two children, among other things. Michael fears he never could be the person Diane fell in love with. Unlike Diane, he was always calm and self-contained. When the children came along, he gave up acting and writing to become a better provider... Diane always thought he gave up too quickly. He wonders if she needed someone he'd never be.

1n 1978, Diane was offered a part in a play in Montreal. Michael was delighted. "I knew we had gone stale." But somehow, the weeks apart ignited a new spark, and a short time later, Diane discovered she was pregnant again. That's when Sarah came on the scene... and it turned out to be a new beginning. But Sarah never had a chance to really know her mom because Diane died a few years later. Over the years, it seemed an inescapable observation that Sarah didn't look like the other children. It became a bit of dinner table humor speculating about Sarah's pedigree. "Diane had such a large personality that you never looked for secrets," says a friends. "As it turned out, her secrets were just artfully hidden." Sarah's sister told her about the time their mom spent in Montreal, and Sarah eventually started searching for the truth. When she found it, she wasn't planning to share it with her dad. But "truths beget other truths." It turned out she had no choice. His reaction wasn't at all what she would have expected. For starters, it inspired him to start writing again.

One of the truths we soon discover is that Diane was right about Michael's talents. While the story is told from many viewpoints, it's Michael's written story that becomes the spine of the narrative. It's wonderfully observed and written. As events unfold, we see that everyone remembers things slightly differently. One is tempted to say the truth lies somewhere in between, but Sarah seems to be telling us that many truths exist simultaneously, and there's no single truth. She uses her dad's old 8mm film as a starting point. In places she has filled in with new film, but it's so artfully done that it's almost seamless. In trying to give each person space to tell his or her own story, she possibly lets the film go on a bit too long. On the other hand, by letting people talk too long, they sometimes go in unexpected directions. Don't be surprised if the movie gets you thinking about events in your own family that never quite made total sense. "Truths beget other truths."

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Filmmaker Sarah Polley explores some of her own family history... asking relatives and friends to tell it as they remember it

Popcorn Profile
Rated: PG-13
Audience: Grown-ups
Distribution: Art house
Mood: Neutral
Tempo: In no hurry
Visual Style: Amateur video
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Thought provoking



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You may want to read about another Sarah Polley film:

Take This Waltz]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2988216 2013-03-31T08:48:20-04:00 2013-03-31T08:48:22-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: House of Cards (2013)
Cast includes: Kevin Spacey (Se7ev), Robin Wright (Moneyball), Michael Kelly (The Adjustment Bureau), Michael Gill (Ideal), Corey Stoll (The Bourne Legacy), Kate Mara (127 Hours), Sakina Jaffrey (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead), Kristen Connolly (Revolutionary Road)
Writer/Creator: Beau Willimon (The Ides of March)
Genre: Drama | Noir (Season 1: 13 60-minute episodes)

If your neighbor's dog is hit by a car and needs to be put out of its misery, Francis Underwood is your man. As he strangles the helpless pooch with his bare hands, he looks us in the eye and tells us, "There are two kinds of pain... the sort of pain that makes you strong... or useless pain. I have no patience for useless things." Frank is always willing to do the necessary thing... even if he's getting ready for a New Year's Eve gala. Frank and Claire are the ultimate Washington DC power couple. It's 2013, and Garrett Walker has just been elected President. Does Frank like him? No. But after 22 years in Congress, he can smell which way the wind is blowing. He also points out Chief of Staff, Linda Vasquez... Frank got her hired, so she owes him. Frank is the House Majority Whip, but he's got bigger plans, and things are finally falling in place. This is going to be a big year for the Underwoods.

Young reporter Zoe Barnes is sick of crap assignments, and she's lobbying for juicier assignments. Then there's Pennsylvania's Representative Peter Russo, whose fancy footwork barely keeps him ahead of his self-inflicted troubles. Whether they know it or not, Frank will skillfully make use of all of them. On the day of the big announcement, Frank learns from Linda that he's not going to be nominated for Secretary of State. Garrett needs Frank to stay in Congress. Education is the top priority. Linda wants to know if Frank will get on board. [After a momentary reboot...] Of course he will! Frank is always the good soldier. Meanwhile, Claire's doing a bit of reorganization in her environmental organization, and Frank's nomination for Secretary of State will help fundraising efforts. Why doesn't he return her calls? "Nine hours, Francis... you don't not call me for nine hours," she declares. "We do things together... when you don't call me, we're in free fall.... What happened?" Frank (stupidly) trusted them. "You don't usually underestimate people, Francis." Frank and Claire are going to have a lot of late nights "making plans... very little sleep." That's fine with Claire. Frank's always thinking of the bigger picture... he lets us know adversaries rarely know that they're on Frank's "platter until he's carved them up and served them to the dogs."

House of Cards is a smart, stylish series, inspired by the 1993 British series of a similar name. As in the British version, Frank regularly turns to the camera and shares keen observations along with his deepest, darkest thoughts. As in the British series, Frank passes as a loyal YES man, while he plays everyone for his needs. Like a typical noir drama, we find ourselves rooting for the bad guy. But unlike a typical noir drama, Frank seems to have some good motives... we're not quite sure. Frank plans his moves far in advance, and our opinion of him changes as events unfold... and sometimes unravel. Even if you're familiar with the British version, House of Cards is addictive. This series had its debut on Netflix streaming video. It was released all at once for binge viewing. But don't expect to feel totally satisfied by the end... Episode 13 definitely leaves us hungry for Season 2.

4 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
House Majority Whip, Francis Underwood, is DC's most skilled operator... he chews up adversaries and spits them out before they even know they're on his platter

Popcorn Profile
Audience: Grown-ups
Distribution: TV & direct to video
Mood: Neutral
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: Nicely varnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment



Read more Popcorn Previews at www.popcorndiary.com]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2957034 2013-03-26T13:46:24-04:00 2013-03-26T13:46:26-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: Beyond the Hills (2012)
Cast includes: Cosmina Stratin, Cristina Flutur, Valeriu Andriuta
Writer/Director: Cristian Mungiu (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days)
Genre: Drama (150 minutes) Romanian with subtitles

"Calm down. Calm down." It's a tearful reunion at the train station between Voichita and her life-long friend Alina. After they meet, they walk all the way through the town, up the long hill and beyond... until they reach the shabby medieval-looking monastery at the top. Apparently Voichita has not yet spoken to the priest about Alina... she thinks it would be better to wait. Alina's gift of an electric candle may look nice, but it won't be very useful... they don't have electricity. Nor do they have running water. It's Voichita's job to bring water in from the well. After Alina settles in, Voichita will speak with Papa. "Papa?" The priest prefers the nuns call him Papa. Alina has a bad feeling... as feared, Papa's not pleased about Voichita's continued friendship with Alina. "Does she go to confession?" he asks. Voichita reminds Papa that she and Alina were best friends at the orphanage and that Alina really needs her help now, as she tires to make a new life for herself in Germany. Voichita promises to return to New Hill Monastery as soon as she can. "I thought you'd decided your path, Voichita. You know that continuity cannot be broken." At the very least, Alina will need a place to stay for a while because she has nowhere else to go. "Have her come to confession tomorrow."

Papa's "all for tolerance... but within reason." Back in Voichita's cell, Alina learns more about Papa's rules... "things have to be different now." Alina does go to confession, but Papa's still not satisfied. He doesn't believe she told him everything. Alina feels Papa's hold over her best friend is unnatural... possibly sinister. She reminds Voichita of the friendship they pledged to each other. Voichita finds herself in the middle between her best friend and Papa, who will not hesitate to use God as a weapon to get his way. Little by little, tension escalates and events become more complex.

Wear a sweater if you see this one because New Hill Monastery is both bleak and cold. Even indoors, characters can often see their breath. A notable aspect of the film is that it gives us an intimate view of the forces that could culminate in events, such as the ones that made front-page news in Romania in 2005. Life in the region is austere. Suicides are not uncommon... leaving children to fend for themselves in dismal orphanages. Life may be no better for those who age out... getting into a desolate monastery could be an 18-year-old's best option. Based on a "non-fiction novel" by Tatiana Niculescu Bran, the film shows a practice that was finally prohibited by the Orthodox Church in 2012... but is said to continue even today. Director Cristian Mungiu was determined not to create a melodramatic exploitation of the 2005 events. As fascinating as this movie is, however, 2.5 hours is very long for American audiences. And you'll need to allow time afterward for a warm bowl of soup and a discussion. Among other things, you'll want to talk about the motivations of the characters. Much is suggested, but nothing is exploited. Mungiu's approach is intentionally non-judgmental. Despite the conclusions other reviewers have reached, Mungiu did not intend for us to come away with simple answers. So keep an open mind and discuss it afterward.

3 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
When a young woman need help from her best friend, a nun in an Orthodox monastery... it puts her on a collision course with the monastery's unyielding priest

Popcorn Profile
Audience: Grown-ups
Distribution: Art house
Mood: Sober
Tempo: In no hurry
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Intense
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Thought provoking



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Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: The Sapphires (2012)
Cast includes: Chris O'Dowd (Bridesmaids), Deborah Mailman (Rabbit-Proof Fence), Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell
Director: Wayne Blair (Redfern Now)
Genre: Comedy | Light Drama | Music (103 minutes)

We first see Gail, Cynthia, Kay and Julie in 1958 when they're on a makeshift stage singing at a birthday party. They called themselves the Cummeragunja Songbirds because they live on the Cummeragunja Reservation in the Australian outback. By 1968, three of the Songbirds are still singing and hoping for some recognition... there's the talent contest in town... except Julie's only 17. "Julie, you ain't going, and that's the end of it." One act is worse than the next. Dave Lovelace, the MC can hardly stand it... except that he's burned a lot of bridges and probably has nowhere else to go. Julie does make it at the last minute and the Songbirds, singing "Today I Started Loving You Again," are clearly the best act in the contest. "Well, that wasn't terrible," says Dave. But Dave and the Aborigines girls are practically run out of the lily-white town. Meanwhile, Julie's seen an ad, seeking singers and dancers to go to Vietnam and entertain the troops... and they could use a piano playing manager. Dave thinks their chances of getting accepted are pretty slim... not because they're black, but because they're not black enough. "You're black and you're singing country and western music. It's just wrong." "Well what do you think we should sing?" asks Julie. "If you wanna perform for the brothers in Vietnam, you've gotta give um soul."

"What would this dopy white fella know about soul music?" scoffs Gail. "Sister, my blood runs negro," declares Dave. When Julie's mom says she can't go, they decide they need their cousin, Kay. "Kay's the one who was stolen." Back in 58, the authorities thought Kay was light skinned enough to pass for white, so they stole her. Ten years later, Kay is still conflicted about her black roots. Meanwhile, Dave struggles to inspire the gals to sing soul... and "sing blacker." Country and western and soul are both about loss, he explains. The difference is that with soul, you want it back... "So every note that passes through your lips should have the tone of a woman who's grasping and fighting and desperate to retrieve what's been taken from her." The foursome is good enough to get to Saigon, but they're going to need a name people can pronounce. "The Sapphires" it is.

Inspired by a true story, the true-life son of one of the girls collaborated on the story. The practice of abducting light-skinned Aboriginal children continued into the 1970s. While racism in Australia was different than in America, it was certainly just as ugly. The film addresses many issues head on, but it never feels heavy. (If you're seeking serious social commentary, you should see Rabbit-Proof Fence.) Naturally, a lot of the story development is predictable... the racial issues, the personality tensions, the rough start, the dangers of the war zone... but with a wonderful soundtrack, it's a joy ride from beginning to end. The look and feel of the movie is a trip down memory lane for many. This is an Australian film with mostly Australian filmmakers and actors... the notable exception is Chris O'Dowd, who plays an endearing Dave Lovelace. News footage is sprinkled throughout. Muhammad Ali, for example, commenting on Vietnam... "I'm fighting to free here, and my mama ain't free in Louisville."

3 popped kernels (Scale: 0-4)
Four Aboriginal women enlist a white piano player/manager to help them sing soul and get a job entertaining troops in Vietnam

Popcorn Profile
Rated: PG-13 (Language)
Audience: Young adults & Grown-ups
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Upbeat
Tempo: Zips right along
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment & Thought provoking



Read more Popcorn Previews at www.popcorndiary.com

You may want to read about a similar movie:

The Commitments
http://www.popcorndiary.com/PagesClassics/cla_the_commitments.htm]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2908927 2013-03-19T13:57:53-04:00 2013-05-19T05:12:01-04:00

Leslie Sisman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-sisman/ Film: The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
Cast includes: Ryan Gosling (The Ides of March), Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook), Eva Mendes (Hitch), Rose Byrne (Get Him to the Greek), Ben Mendelsohn (Animal Kingdom), Mahershala Ali (House of Cards)
Writer/Director: Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine)
Genre: Drama | Crime (140 minutes)

In the noisy, dangerous world of stunt motorcycle riding, Luke is a superstar. As fans clamor for autographs, there's a woman who's standing back. "Do you remember my name?" she asks. "I used to call you Ro." He offers her a ride home and she accepts. But when they reach her house, she says, "I've got someone now... I just wanted to see you again before you leave town tomorrow for another year." Thinking about Romina, Luke shows up at her house the next day. Her mother answers the door holding a small baby. "He's yours. Do you want to hold him? His name's Jason." At the diner where Romina works, Luke confronts her... "Anything you think I might wanna know before I leave here and never come back?" "It was just a fling... wasn't it?" On Sunday as the carnival's packing up, Luke decides to quit and stay in Schenectady.

As it turns out, it's also the day of Jason's baptism. And it's Kofi who's standing in as Jason's father, even though the child obviously does not have a black father. Later that day, Luke is taking out his frustration... hard riding on a dirt trail... where Robin also likes to ride. Impressed by Luke's bike-handling skill, Robin strikes up a conversation... and a few hours later has offered Luke a job and a place to stay. Luke appreciates everything, but it's hard to make as much money as he needs. That's when Robin suggests robing banks... not too often... not with a gun, but with a note. At least that's how Robin's done it in the past. But Luke is an adrenaline junkie... his approach is much more aggressive. As it turns out, it's a real high. At first Luke enjoys being able to play a small role in Jason's life... buy him his first ice cream... but he wants more. His friend Robin tries to caution him, but Luke's not likely to heed the warning... "If you ride like lightening, you're gonna crash like thunder."

When the crash comes, the police officer involved is Avery Cross. Just 6 months on the job, he hasn't learned to take things like this in stride. When he learns about Luke's son... the same age as his own son... the coincidence just adds to his stress. At this point, the narrative transitions to Avery. But Luke's story and Avery's will remain intertwined forever... even as the narrative transitions again to the sons' stories. The larger story is about the legacy that's passed from fathers to sons. Even though the stories are blended together, the movie still has 3 distinct stories... some more engaging than others. Audiences are likely find Luke's story the most compelling. Indeed Ryan Gosling gives a stunning performance as the tattoo covered, wildly reckless bad boy who has never learned how to make good use of his better instincts... and he does have them... which is why we care about him. After Luke's high-octane story, it's easy to feel a bit let down as the narrative moves on. When Robin talks about robing banks, he tells Luke, "It'll be the biggest rush of your life." And indeed, it is a big rush. But it's also a really tough act to follow.

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A bank robber's story and a cop's story are intertwined, even into the next generation... and perhaps beyond

Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (Language, Violence, Crime)
Audience: Young adults
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Sober
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment



Read more Popcorn Previews at www.popcorndiary.com]]>