A film for all ages, Dunston Checks In has a light-hearted and predictable story line. This quirky and sometimes funny film was directed by Ken Kwapis. This was a nice break from all of the Disney animated movies that our kids love to watch.
Robert Grant (Jason Alexander) works for a posh New York hotel and is trying to impress his boss Mrs. Dubrow (Fayne Dunaway). The boss has let Grant know that a hotel inspector will be staying with them and reviewing the quality of the establishment. If all goes as planned the hotel will receive a six-star rating, which only a handful in the industry can obtain. Of course, along with the six-star rating, Grant is assured a huge bonus, which will hopefully allow him to take a much needed and promised vacation with his two boys Kyle and Brian. The boys always seem to be getting into mischief around the hotel in an apparent attempt to get their father’s attention (or maybe it’s just for fun).
All is going well until Lord Rutledge (Rupert Everett) and his larcenous orangutan, Dunston, check in to the hotel. Rutledge has Dunston break into a guest’s room and pilfer some valuable items. When Dunston returns to his master, he is treated egregiously and decides to flee his life of crime and his hostile owner. As fate may have it, Dunston and Kyle bump into each other and become fast friends. For the remainder of the movie, Kyle and his brother Brian attempt to keep Dunston away from Lord Rutledge and make their father believe that they are not just monkeying around.
In the end, it turns out just as you would expect. There are no surprises with this movie and everything you think will happen does exactly that. The acting is not great. In fact, I believe Dunaway may have been nominated for a Razzie for her role. However, with that said, my kids went ape over Dunston Checks In. The comedy was slapstick at times, but this film had it’s moments. Overall, I would give this movie 2.5 stars. It’s a great show for family movie night or if you just want something that will make you laugh a bit. I believe this will be a family favorite for a while even if it’s not one of the best pictures of all time.
I really love quirky films and have always been a fan of Wes Anderson.I was especially anxious to see this movie because it has two of my favorite actors, Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody.The Darjeeling Limited is not Anderson’s best film, but it is very interesting.
The movie begins with three brothers meeting on a train (The Darjeeling Limited).They are embarking on a spiritual journey in the wake of their father’s death.The brothers have grown apart and reunite as virtual strangers.The vibe on the train is decided offbeat which is a staple of Anderson’s work.
From the beginning of the trip you get a feel for the personalities of the brothers.Francis needs to be in charge; Jack is running from commitment; Peter is a bit befuddled and intimidated by his brothers.Watching this movie you realize that siblings may grow up, but the rivalries never die.It’s fun to watch grown men revert to children.
Francis surprises his brothers when he announces they will be visiting their mother.She left the family to live in India and didn’t bother to return for their father’s funeral.Jack and Peter are reluctant to see her; she is reluctant to see her sons.This family is a study in dysfunction but their trials are entertaining because you see they truly love each other.It’s just difficult for any of them to express it.
As the trip progresses, the brothers mix and mingle with the locals and viewers get a taste of the Indian culture.The setting lifts the film from the ordinary to the mystical.This movie just wouldn’t work if the brothers were traveling through Kansas.
I give the movie four stars.The acting is good, the writing is crisp and the cinematography is incredible.The Darjeeling Limited doesn’t provide easy answers, but this movie is definitely worth watching.
This film is not for everyone. I truly believe that is all that needs to be said. However, I feel an obligation to bring some commentary to this, well, let’s just say interesting picture that was written and directed by Wes Anderson. As a side note, I really have not had the opportunity to watch many of Anderson’s previous films, so this was a bit of a “journey” for me.
Honestly, I really do not know how I feel about this movie. At first glance, it seems ridiculous and shallow, but as I continue to reflect on different aspects of the film I find myself curiously wondering about the metaphors and underlying story line that seemed translucent at the time. If you have not figured it out, even I am perplexed by what Anderson has produced in “The Darjeeling Limited”.
Ok, with that being said, this movie takes off with three brothers reuniting after about a year of separation. The reason for the get-together is because of the untimely death of their father. Frances (Owen Wilson) tries to get the three brothers together to reconnect and reestablish their familial bond. He is overtly controlling, which later is revealed to be a personality flaw he inherits from his mother. Wilson invites his two other brothers, Jack (Jason Schwartzman) and Peter (Adrien Brody), to take a train ride across India in search of spiritual enlightenment. As quickly becomes apparent, all three individuals have deep seeded issues with regard to the love they did or did not receive from their parents. There seems to be some type of strange fascination with which one of the boys garnered their father’s love.
What about mom you say? Well, mother has gone off to the Himalayas to become a Nun. Wait, what? I had to do a little research to see if that was even possible. I am not certain that the marriage ended in divorce or not, but it appears that was the case. Now, based upon some super-sleuthing on my part, it does appear that there is a remote chance that a divorced mother could become a Nun. I know, you are happy I shared that with you. What is the point? Well, mother abandoned her three boys to fulfill her spiritual calling. I feel the filmmaker took this liberty to point out the hypocrisy that is often viewed with religion. Several times throughout the movie, the director references spiritual ideas with comedy. The mocking of religion seems to be prevalent at every turn until the moment when true spiritual conviction hits.
The show moves away from the intermittently disbursed comedy when our trio discover three children in a life threatening situation. The brothers run to the rescue only to save two of the three children. Interestingly enough, this is the most amazing part of the movie for me. If someone is moving through a spiritual journey and they cross death’s path, one would surmise it to be a life altering experience. However, later in the movie they indicate that their “spiritual journey” is not going very well. Yet again, I believe the director is pointing out how we can overlook the very thing we seek.
As the brothers continue their journey, they continue to pick up pieces of their father’s possessions most notably his suitcases. These suitcases follow them as they travel across the country and represents years of baggage. They also track down their mother to find out why she didn’t attend their father’s funeral. Her response was simple, “…because I didn’t want too.” After her lack luster reunion with her children, dear old mom abandons them one last time as she disappears before the boys awake the next morning. Seeming unfazed by this the three boys head back to the train station. As they reach the station, the train is pulling out and the three run to catch their ride home. Each one of them are carrying several pieces of the “luggage” and realize quickly they will be unable to reach the train if they don’t drop their baggage. If nothing else, it’s symbolic of all the things they each have been holding on to during their lives.
Nutshell, the movie was ok to watch. What I found more amazing was how much I thought about it after I watched it. The acting was good, scenery was outstanding, and the music was strange. I give this movie a three out of five stars. I liked the fact that it made me think after the movie, but in the same instance, I wish it would have captivated my attention more during the actual flick. I think the director only scratched the surface with this film. I wanted more and it just didn’t quite deliver for me. It wasn’t a complete train wreck.
When I popped this DVD into the player I almost groaned; subtitles.I have to be in a very adventurous mood, or the movie has to be excellent, for me to embrace subtitles.My mood was not good, but I was rewarded with a movie so excellent, I soon forgot all about the subtitles.
The movie chronicles the journey of a red violin created by a master luthier from Italy.The luthier realizes his violin is special, his masterpiece, and has saved it for his unborn child.Unfortunately, mother and child die in childbirth, and the luthier relinquishes his prize to a common peddler.
The journey is anchored by flashbacks of the pregnant luthier’s wife having her tarot cards read before her untimely death.Each of the five cards symbolizes a leg of the violin’s journey.All legs of the journey ultimately end in sadness, which is befitting an instrument conceived in love, but cast away in the throes of grief.
The violin weaves its way through Italy, Austria, England, China and Canada, spanning centuries.Each person who owns the violin seems to understand its perfection.Unfortunately, those who played the violin failed to be worthy of it.It hardly matters as each vignette completely casts a spell.
I give this movie five stars and I can’t say enough good things about it.The Oscar-winning score is transcendent, the cinematography is sumptuous, the acting superb.Taking yourself out of your comfort zone to read the subtitles (some sections are in English) will be worth it.The Red Violin is a new favorite of mine.
This Oscar-winning foreign film, for best musical score, was written and directed by Francois Girard. A foreign film aficionado I am not; however, the beauty of this movie reaches across international boundaries literally and figuratively. Filmed in six different countries, this movie provides a little something for everyone. With that being said, when the sub-titles first appeared, I was apprehensive about whether I would be able to maintain my focus and truly enjoy the show. My worries were quickly dismissed as the language barrier did not inhibit the delivery of the story.
The monks quickly realize the potential of the young student and call upon George Poussin (Jean-Luc Bideau) to help teach and refine Weiss’ talents. Up to the challenge, Poussin agrees to take the boy and violin back to Austria to begin his instruction. Poussin believes so strongly in the young lad that he begins to sell his possessions just to continue Kasper’s training. I am sure it did not hurt that he would be renowned for finding this diamond in the rough. As fate may have it, tragedy strikes yet again and young Weiss suffers a fatal heart attack just before he is able to realize fame in a public setting. As a fitting tribute, the boy and his violin are buried together only to be unearthed by grave-robbers who abscond with the instrument.
The violin moves from Austria to England, England to China, and finally China to Canada where it is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Charles Morritz (Samuel L. Jackson) is an expert of fine musical instruments and has been digging up the details of this once hidden treasure. He is not certain of it’s authenticity, but runs many tests to verify that indeed it is the prized Red Violin. Morritz, in his research, discovers the reason for the odd color of the instrument. Doubtfully, it will not be difficult for the viewer to figure it out, but a mystery it will remain until after you see this amazing film.
I have intentionally left out several characters that come to posses the violin, but they also meet with some type of appalling fate or luck as well. The underlying message in this film, I believe, is that culture is not always ready or prepared to accept change or the human imagination that brings it about. Now, I know this may seem a stretch, but once you have watched the movie, I feel you will be able to pick these issues out even in the most obscure situations.
Finally, my hat goes off to Girard for flirting with a masterpiece. Although I did enjoy this movie, it did seem to be flat in parts, which was the exception and not the rule. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and gave it 4 stars. The acting was good, the costumes masterful, the music divine. For a director to make a film about an instrument that was shot, nearly burned, buried, resurrected and stolen, I would say he plays his audience like a fiddle.
I hope you enjoy this movie as much as I did and have an epiphany before the end! I have not researched it yet, but I would be interested to know how many of these people actually were able to play the violin (including the little boy).
This week’s movie was a request from one of our readers.I hadn’t seen Crash since it came out in 2005.I remembered the general premise and that I really loved the movie, but watching it a second time only gave me a deeper appreciation for the movie.
In Crash there is a large cast of characters played by some of a my favorite actors (Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle, Thandie Newton, Terrance Howard, Christopher Bridges, William Fichtnerand many, many more) who all cross paths with each other over the course of several days in Los Angeles.
These characters are compromised of various socio-economic and racial groups and as they encounter other groups the dialog is laced with some of the most cringe-worthy stereotypes.It is through these stereotypes that we explore the different characters.Most shockingly is the ease with which the characters voice the stereotypes.The willingness to spew such hatred in the face of another feels a bit false to me, but it is necessary to move the story forward.
Additionally, some of the encounters seem a bit contrived but it really doesn’t take anything away from the message of the movie; and it’s the message I love.There are no good guys in Crash.There are no bad guys.Each character is a combination of good and bad choices.This allows us to see the foolishness of stereotyping any group of people.Life would certainly be easier and cleaner if we all wore our true selves in public, but for every “bad” person you see, you should realize there is good within; every “good” person is one regretful choice away from being “bad.”
I give Crash five stars.It is truly deserving of the Best Picture Oscar it was awarded in 2006.The acting is natural and moving, the writing is superb and it is visually stunning.Even if you have watched it before, I recommend you watching Crash.You will certainly learn something from the experience.
Spectacular! That’s really all you need to know about this Oscar-winning Paul Higgis film. Whatever I may say about this picture will only take away from the absolute brilliance that it brings to the screen. A star studded cast adds to its precision with such names as: Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle, Brendan Fraser, Thandie Newton, and Terrence Howard.
Crash is focused around the post 9/11 era and brings the viewer into the L.A. world of racism and preconceived notions of who we are and are not. Rarely, if ever, have I been so riveted and moved by a movie. The message that is conveyed is so profound that words alone can not describe its sheer perfection.
The interaction and interlacing of these characters is so multifaceted and intricate that to try and describe it would involve a short thesis on human behavior. The major theme behind each and every connection is based upon how the individuals view the world and how they allow those views to paint their image of others (not at all like real life, right?). This film addresses the complexities of people and that life is not black or white, but a world full of gray. Is it possible for each one of us to be indignant about something; however, harbor feelings of resentment or unintentional discrimination?
Crash brings to the forefront how people can be viewed as “bad” and unloving, but have qualities and characteristics that are pure and redeeming. Each individual grapples with this concept at one point or another during the film. As they “Crash” into each other; roles, attitudes and views change depending on the circumstance. No one gets to be the perfect person, they all reveal their inner flaws and biases. In truth, we all have a great deal to learn from this film. Those we may view as unsalvageable or not worthy may in-fact be valuable to someone else. Let’s face it, all of us are a wreck at some point in our lives.
This is a solid five star movie. I recommend it for adults; however, it’s probably not appropriate for younger children (language is raw at times). I highly suggest you watch this movie if you haven’t done so in the past. It’s gripping, shocking, heartbreaking, inspiring, and on-the-edge of your seat fabulous! If you miss this one, it would be a crime.
As my friends know, I am a very passionate animal lover.When I heard about the topic of this documentary, I was anxious to see it, but knew I would probably find it upsetting.I will admit I shed quite a few tears (from both sorrow and joy) while watching Mine, but feel it was a worthwhile experience.
When Katrina hit New Orleans, people were forced to flee their homes.Because of the existing law (it has since been changed), pets were not accepted in any of the emergency shelters.This law forced people to leave their companion animals behind.Some residents were irresponsible and left their animals to starve and/or drown in the wake of the storm, while others tried to provide for their animals.
After the storm, people came from all over the country to rescue the animals.It was too late to save many of the abandoned pets, but thousands were pulled from the ruins of New Orleans.Since these animals were overwhelming local shelter systems, animals were sent to shelters across the country. Unfortunately, Rita came on the heels of Katrina and left many people homeless, and unable to retrieve their pets.Some people uncaringly walked away and never looked back.When animals were not claimed in a timely manner, shelters began to place the pets rescued from Katrina into new homes.Mine focuses on several people who try to reunite with their pets.
The documentary is very moving because you can see both sides of the argument.You feel for the people who lost everything in Katrina, but you can also understand being asked to give up a dog you have adopted and brought into your family.There are no easy answers to the questions raised by this documentary, but it is certainly a subject we need to examine.
I gave the film five stars.It was very thought provoking and the cases the filmmaker chose to highlight gave you a good cross section of people.The film is shot beautifully, and poignantly illustrates the devastation (both physical and emotional) of the storm.Anyone who loves animals will be moved by Mine.
As many of you are aware, I am not one to dote over our family pet. In such, this film was a bit difficult for me to relate to in a manner befitting a critical eye. Be that as it may, this captivating documentary, directed by Geralyn Pezanoski, kept me actively engaged the entire time.
The basis for this documentary surrounds the separation of a beloved pet from its master(owner) following a natural disaster (Hurricane Katrina). Pezanoski captures the emotion and pain of a “family member” lost in the storm. What wasn’t expected, by me, was the socioeconomic and racial aspect to some of these stories. Need I say wow! Perhaps this blogger lives in a bubble, but I had no idea that I would watch a documentary about “how can I get my dog back” and find a story line about how segregated and racially divided we still find ourselves.
One story in particular caught my attention as uplifting and inspiring. People working together for the common good (unfortunately, not the case in every situation throughout this piece). An elderly lady is airlifted out of her home and is not given the opportunity to take her pet, Murphy Brown, with her. The search for Murphy is extraordinary in and of itself, but the ability of a new owner to return their recently acquired best friend is just a little more than heartwarming. I’m not spoiling anything by telling you that the elderly woman passes away in 2008 and in her will she leaves Murphy to the family who had returned her. Poetic justice in a film focused on the divisiveness of class and status.
I believe this is a must see for all pet owners, if not all people. This was better than just good it was great on so many levels. However, it fell short for me in one critical area. The director didn’t really explore the other side of the coin and talk to people who actually did take their pets. I would have been interested to see why some people in the same situation, economic and social strata chose to take their animals to safety and not leave them behind. Pezanoski only gives us one side of the story and tends to lead us down the path that there was no other option than to leave the animal behind. Obviously, this wasn’t the situation for everyone, so I felt as though the director didn’t provide a completed documentary.
Overall, this was a must watch whether you agree with some viewpoints shared within the documentary or not. I give it two paws up (four stars)!
Now for the controversial part of my review. There was a comment made within the documentary by an attorney along the lines of “…why would you leave a dog in the attic, you wouldn’t leave a child in an attic with just food and water.” I apologize to all pet owners for what I’m about to say, but I believe it needs to be said. If we place the life of a human and animal on the same level, we as a culture seem to be missing something. I’m all for proper treatment of animals, but I don’t believe they should be elevated to the status of a person. If I was faced with a fire in my home and I had to choose between saving my dog or my child, my child would win every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I understand the love for a family pet, but making a comparison between an animal and a child seems to be ridiculous, specifically with the events that these people had to endure.
