Love Is Strange - B

Rated R, 94 minutes
Wes's Grade: B

John Lithgow and Alfred Molina

Well-acted, low-key "Love Is Strange" shows that love can manifest in various ways

The satisfying new drama "Love Is Strange" is a story of love that may look different than most of us. The rich story and lovely performances will draw you into the unassuming and simple film that I hope will be remembered come Oscar time. Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina), a same-sex couple from Manhattan, get married after 39 years together. George is a Catholic school music teacher, and when word of the marriage reaches the archdiocese, he is fired. Without his salary, the couple can no longer afford their New York apartment and are forced to ask their friends and family for shelter, resulting in their separation. Directed and written by Ira Sachs, the tender and warm "Love Is Strange" is about a gay couple but could really be about any of us who have encountered adversity in a relationship. The movie draws its real strength from the superb performances from Lithgow and Molina, who shine as the couple facing some challenges in their relationships, not to mention a strong supporting cast that includes Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei (very well-used here). Sachs uses NYC wisely as a supporting character too; the familiar sights and sounds of the city are integral to the story and essentially represent the many challenges that Ben and George face. I always knew from his previous work that Lithgow is an excellent actor, and he perfectly captures Ben's emotions, which makes it a mild surprise that Molina, best known as one of the "Spider-Man" villains, is so vivid in his portrait of a man who longs for so much more. The simple yet complex, well-drawn characters and emotions and the excellent performances make the bittersweet "Love Is Strange" a worthwhile experience. If you really enjoy independent films, put this one on your list to see, and I hope it's not forgotten come awards season.

The Pirates - B

Unrated, 130 minutes
Wes's Grade: B
In Korean with English subtitles

Familiar yet enjoyable South Korean film "The Pirates" channels other movies

A pirate's life isn't for everyone. That's the overwhelming theme of the entertaining, fun new South Korean action film, "The Pirates," and while the plot is very familiar, it proves you can be an enjoyable pirate film without the likes of Johnny Depp. On the eve of the founding of the Joseon Dynasty, a whale swallows the Emperor's Seal of State being brought to Joseon by envoys from China. With a big reward on whoever brings back the royal seal, mountain bandits led by Jang Sa-jung (Kim Nam-gil) go out to sea to hunt down the whale. But he soon clashes with Yeo-wol (Son Ye-jin), a female captain of pirates, an unexpected adventure unfolds. Directed by Lee Seok-hoon, "The Pirates" is a high-spirited, amusing adventure that is making its way to the States after a highly successful run in South Korea. It will definitely remind you of "The Pirates of the Caribbean" series, just without Depp and company, but just as fun and elaborate, with detailed sets, costumes, energetic score and lush photography that are all memorable in the fast-paced film. Those familiar with South Korean films will also note how busy and colorfully over-the-top "The Pirates" sometimes is, but still enjoyable nonetheless, and refreshing that it doesn't take itself too seriously. The action-packed "The Pirates" is an amusing diversion, even if you've seen it before from many other Hollywood efforts.

Dolphin Tale 2 - B-

Rated PG, 107 minutes
Wes's Grade: B

Heartwarming "Dolphin Tale 2" is nothing new, but still swims pleasantly along

The most previous summer saw a dearth of decent family films, and the new based-on-a-story dramedy "Dolphin Tale 2," the sequel to the clever 2011 family hit "Dolphin Tale," should fill in the gap just nicely. It's hardly anything new, but heartwarming tale will charm as much as the first one did. The team of people (including Nathan Gamble, Harry Connick Jr., Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Kris Kristofferson, Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman) who saved Winter's life reassemble in the wake of her surrogate mother's passing in order to find her a companion so she can remain at the Clearwater Marine Hospital. When a baby female dolphin named Hope is rescued by Clearwater, fingers are crossed in hopes Winter and Hope can get along. Written and directed by Charles Martin Smith, who helmed the first "Dolphin Tale" and who also appears here briefly (he's also an actor still most recognizable for his iconic role as Terry "The Toad" from "American Graffiti"), "Dolphin Tale 2" is less original and tends to ride the coattails of its cute predecessor, but it's an enjoyable, uplifting family film that becomes too irresistible especially in its later chapters, to really dislike. This outing is thinner and more episodic as it strives to search for a companion for Winter, who charmed us so much in the first film, and just when you think the film might belly flop under a meandering plot, in comes the baby dolphin Hope (who, like Winter, plays herself here), who steals the movie and provides the film's most tender moments. Add in another cute dolphin named Mandy, a big sea turtle named Mavis and a pelican named Rufus for comedic appeal, not to mention a cameo from "Soul Surfer" herself, Bethany Hamilton, and you have something for nearly everyone in the family. Remarkably, if you stay over through the end credits you'll see that all of the animals (including Winter, Hope, Mandy, Rufus and Mavis), are real characters, which only adds to the charm of the film. Admittedly, from the first frames of the film you have a sinking feeling of how this will all turn out, and on that note "Dolphin Tale 2" offers few surprises, but that doesn't mean you won't leave with a smile on your face. Predictable, pleasant fun.

Out of the Clear Blue Sky - B+

Unrated, 108 minutes
Wes's Grade: B+

With the 13th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaching, the documentary "Out of the Clear Blue Sky," made by a 9/11 family member and filmmaker, should be required viewing: it's a compelling, often heartbreaking portrait of how 9/11 affected one investment company. After a very limited release in 2013, the documentary is just out on DVD and is definitely worth viewing. A documentary that explores the devastating effects of 9/11 on the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, whose offices on the upper floors of the North Tower of the World Trade Center were destroyed in the attacks, killing 658 out of their 960 employees. Directed by Danielle Gardner, whose brother worked for Cantor and was killed in the attacks, "Out of the Clear Blue Sky" is a fascinating, poignant look at the lives lost and the company that had to literally rebuild from the ground up. The company's CEO then and now, Howard Lutnick, became well-known in the days following the attacks for his emotional breakdowns as he spoke of his company, and then became disliked when he stopped the paychecks of his deceased employees, an act he said was needed to keep the company alive (which was true). Lutnick instead vowed to commit 25% of the company's profits for 5 years and pay for insurance to the victim's families for 10 years, promises he kept as Cantor came back stronger and more profitable than ever. Lutnick, known for his cutthroat, autocratic leadership style on Wall Street, should be commended for those promises, as well as starting the Cantor Relief Fund (run by Lutnick's sister Edie), the organization still in existence that at first exclusively helped the 9/11 victims then expanded to helping victims of other disasters too. "Out of the Clear Blue Sky" is bittersweet, often riveting and in the later chapters, quite emotional (be prepared to have some tissues handy) listening to the victims families and watching some of the Cantor memorial services, though for some, especially those who feel they have been deluged with 9/11 over the years, may find it redundant (and since much has evolved since the early days of 9/11 some may feel distant from it all). "Out of the Clear Blue Sky" is a heartbreaking reminder to not to forget 9/11, and is a great companion piece to Edie Lutnick's 2011 book, "An Unbroken Bond" (a very insightful, poignant read), which provides more detail into what happened with Cantor after 9/11. Both come highly recommended.

Life After Beth - C+

Rated R, 91 minutes
Wes's Grade: C+
 
Thin, amusing zombie comedy "Life After Beth" lacks bite

The charming, quirky new zombie comedy "Life After Beth" is well-acted with a few laughs, but overall it lacks real bite and is only a serviceable entry in the zombie genre (and its sub genre, the zombie rom com). As a "Saturday Night Life" sketch it would perfect, it starts out well but it meanders too much in the last act. After his girlfriend Beth (Aubrey Plaza) unexpectedly dies, Zach (Dane DeHaan) is devastated. However, he gets a second chance at love after she suddenly rises from the dead. Directed and written by Jeff Baena in his feature film debut, the enjoyable, quirky dark comedy "Life After Beth" has a great cast, including a game, engaging Plaza from the TV show "Parks and Recreation," not to mention a bevy of funny actors as the parents: John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines and Paul Reiser, and the initial sections of the film, when the weird things start happening around town, are the most amusing, but ultimately it has nowhere to go and little to do. Plaza's (who is one of my favorite young comedic actresses) committed performance as the zombie girl holds the film together, and she and DeHaan make for a great pairing, but it doesn't deliver enough satisfaction, including fleshed out characters, a decent ending and coherent plotting than last year's "Warm Bodies," which did the zombie rom com thing much better. I would love to see the talented Plaza really break out to better roles, but she needs smarter, sharper material than the likable but slack "Life After Beth."

The Identical - C-

Rated PG, 107 minutes

Wes's Grade: C-

Bland, cliched pleasantly scattered “The Identical” channels Elvis

The energetic, low-budget new drama “The Identical” is a fictionalized story of a young singer who grows up, unbeknownst to him, with an identical twin brother who is a famous rock singer, but the story is clearly and obviously patterned after Elvis Presley.  Most musically-based films (including the recent James Brown biopic “Get On Up”) feature onstage musical sequences that highlight the film; “The Identical” is the opposite of that, with more compelling moments offstage than the awkwardly handled, badly lip-synched musical numbers. Twin brothers (both played by newcomer and indie singer Blake Rayne) are unknowingly separated at birth; one of them becomes an iconic rock 'n' roll star, while the other struggles to balance his love for music and pleasing his Mom (Ashley Judd) and stern preacher father (Ray Liotta). Directed by Dustin Marcellino in his feature film debut as director, the bland “The Identical”  channels the Elvis story, not to mention many rags-to-riches clichés. Some of it is charming, particularly its Southern sayings (such as “PK” for “Preachers Kid” and ‘Daddy and Mama’) but “The Identical” feels as well-worn and predictable as those blue-suede shoes and you have a sense of the path that it will take before it gets there. The cheesy musical numbers don’t help either, and it would’ve benefited considerably from more believable lip-synching and performing. Judd and the hammy Liotta, in a more sensitive performance than usual, add to the pleasantries, while newcomer Rayne, also in his feature debut, is serviceable as the twins (and it’s no surprise that Rayne, who bears a striking resemblance to Presley, is a real-life Elvis impersonator), though the producers should've only used Rayne in the adult sequences, he's much too old to be playing a teen. Oddly, the focus of “The Identical” is really on one twin’s journey (and the Elvis-like twin seems far more interesting too), but that comes as no surprise given the film’s low-budget would’ve made the split screen much more expensive. The climax is a little mauldlin and even cheesy, but “The Identical” is pleasantly (and yes, fictionalized, as far as we know it) yet scattered, occasionally compelling portrait of two different paths to success.

Summer Movies Review

The summer, at least in terms of movie-going, has now ended. It was an unusually off summer in terms of quality and box-office receipts (the lowest since 2007), but there were a handful of good movies, mostly independent ones, that made their way to theaters this summer.  My overall grade for the summer: C. There were many more misses than hits, though some still managed to make a profit.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Boyhood - Richard Linklater independent drama filmed over 12 years to chronicle one boy's actual growth. The best movie of the summer, and one of the best of the year so far.

Life Itself - The documentary about film critic Roger Ebert was one of the most affecting seen this year. Take plenty of tissues.

Belle - The independent, fact-based film showed the strength and power of one woman, who happened to be black. Featuring a breakout performance from British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

Guardians of the Galaxy - The biggest movie of the summer, and now of the year, was also one of the most enjoyable, proving that superheroes can be fun and well-drawn.

Chef - The highest-grossing independent film of the year from Jon Favreau was a crowd-pleasing, none too surprising given that it involved food.

Also - Frank, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, X-Men: Days of Future Past, 22 Jump Street, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The One I Love, Begin Again and Snowpiercer were also memorable in a summer that really wasn't.

The Worst

Michael Bay or Adam Sandler. Transformers: Age of Extinction and the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were exceedingly annoying and headache-inducing (though made a lot of money for Bay and company), while Sandler's Blended was an outright flops.

Sex Tape - Another flop, this was a career-worst for Diaz (which is saying something) and especially for the normally funny Jason Segel.

Tammy - it was another hit for Melissa McCarthy, but she needs to try something different.

Hercules - a big flop (though it could recoup overseas) for The Rock, this was a money-making weakling.
 
Into the Storm, Think Like a Man Too, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Step Up: All In, A Million Ways to Die in the West, The Giver, November Man, If I Stay and The Purge: Anarchy all were unmemorable.