Last Night

Movie: Last Night

Genre: drama

Synopsis: Joanna (Keira Knightley) is married to Michael (Sam Worthington).  She is suspicious that Michael is attracted to his co-worker, Laura (Eva Mendes).  Joanna is less than happy when Michael goes on a business trip with Laura where we learn that she definitely is attracted to him.  On Michael’s first day away, an old flame of Joanna’s drops in on her – Alex (Guillaume Canet).  It seems that both Laura and Alex still have pretty strong feelings for each other.  The movie flips back and forth between the two pairs to follow them as they progress through the night on the road to bed . . . the question being whether end up alone or with someone other than their spouse.

My two cents: I really enjoyed this movie.  I loved the technique the director used of closely following Joanna and Alex as the re-kindle a flame that had never really died down – and then changes the scene to watch Michael and Laura explore their attraction.  It was almost like having a split screen as we watch Joanna and Michael each struggle with their feelings and morals in deciding how far they are willing to go .  If you like character-driven movies that are not heavy on action, you might enjoy this movie.

[96]

Skateland

Movie: Skateland

Genre: Drama

Synopsis: This movie is set in a small Texas town in the early 80’s.  Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez) and Michelle Burkham are recent high school grads.  Ritchie is content to be the assistant manager of the local roller rink.  His sort-of-girlfriend has bigger plans for her life and would like Ritchie to figure out what he wants to do.  When the roller rink goes out of business, Ritchie is forced to rethink his life.  The movie follows Ritchie and his friends as he tries to figure out what it is that he wants out of life.

My two cents: Some great nostalgic stuff here: MTV back when they actually showed music videos, instamatic cameras, vinyl records, cassettes. It was interesting to watch Ritchie struggle to understand what Michelle wanted from him . . . but the way the movie resolved this and their relationship just  did not make a lot of sense to me.  Color me disappointed.

[95]

Midnight in Paris

Movie: Midnight in Paris

Genre: romantic comedy / fantasy

Synopsis: Gil (Owen Wilson) is a successful movie screenplay writer who is trying to become a novelist.  He is engaged to Inez (Rachel McAdams).  They are visiting Paris with Inez’ parents.  Gil is absolutely infatuated with Paris.  He would like more than anything to have been able to live in the “Golden Age” of Paris – which he thinks was in the 1920’s.  One night when he is out walking, he finds himself in Paris is the 1920’s, talking to F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Of course, his wife thinks he is nuts.  He starts making nightly trips back to the 20’s abd meeting the renowned artists and novelists who made Paris such a hot spot in the 20’s.

My two cents: A really great movie.  Director Woody Allen nailed another good one.  It was nice to see Owen Wilson playing a character that you did not expect to hear call anyone “dude”.  It was the best romantic comedy I have seen in some time.  It was great fun to see Gil meet dead celebrity after dead celebrity.  I would like to have seen more of Rachel McAdams, but you can’t have everything.

[94]

The Hangover Part II

Movie: The Hangover Part II

Genre: comedy

Synopsis: If you saw the first Hangover, you know the basic plot.  A group of friends are partying the night before one of them gets married.  His time they are in Thailand  The next morning, all but one of them wake up in a hotel room recovering from a drunken binge, with no memory of what happened, and missing one their group.  The balance of the movie follows them around as they try to reconstruct what happened and find/rescue the missing friend (this time around, this is the 16-year-old brother of the bride).

My two cents: I went into this movie with low expectations.  I loved the first one, but did not see how they could do a sequel and keep it fresh.  I am happy to say – they did it.  I might even like this one better than the first.  Once again, Zach Galifianakis stole every scene he was in (at least among the humans).  Every time he opens his mouth, you want to gasp at the wildly inappropriate things he says.  Replacing the tiger this time around is . . . well, it is another animal . . . and it is hilarious.

Bottom line: if you liked the first Hangover, you should not be disappointed by this sequel.

[93]

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Genre: adventure / fantasy

Synopsis: Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is back, along with Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and Gibbs (Kevin McNally).  This time around, there is no Keira Knightley and no Orlando Bloom.  The two new characters (Angelica Malon) (Penélope Cruz) and Blackbeard (Ian McShane).  The English, Spanish, Blackbeard and Angelica are all trying to find the Ponce Deleon’s Fountain of Youth.  Jack is just trying to stay alive and out of prison  . . . and maybe find his old ship, the Black Pearl.

My two cents: I liked this better than the 3^rd installment in the series . . . but that was a pretty low bar.  Penélope Cruz was a nice addition, but I think they should have used her more.  Ian McShane also played a pretty good Blackbeard.  Other than those two, I found much of the movie to be boring.  As with the other movies in this series, be sure to wait for that final scene that comes at the end of the credits.

[92]