This Means War
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director McG and 20th Century Fox comes a Valentines that is a little different because “This Means War”.
This film tells the story of Lauren (Reese Witherspoon), a young successful woman who seems to have it all – except love. Complaining to her bff Trish (Chelsea Handler), it doesn’t take long before Lauren is talked into trying online dating.
This also the story of two long time friends FDR Foster (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy), two CIA operatives who are trying to capture the most wanted criminal Henrich (Til Schweiger). In their spare time FDR finds that Tuck is also trying online dating to find that special someone.
Tuck and Lauren meet first and have a great connection. So much so that FDR leaves Tuck on his own to go scout women at the local video store. Later that night he also meets Lauren but has no idea who she is.
When the two men discover they are both dating Lauren a deal is struck and each man does his best to win the heart of the girl!
FINAL WORD: Witherspoon is sweet enough as Lauren. She always has been good at playing the good girl looking for love – and doing it opposite some Hollywood hotties. There isn’t any stretch here for her acting wise but it’s a fun role for sure.
Pine is devious as the playboy FDR. Its interesting to watch his character want what he can’t have and want it even more now that his best bud has got it! Gals will relate and guys will say ‘that’s just not true’! Okay guys, okay. Pine is good and fun at the same time.
Hardy is so sweet and yes, his accent gives him a few extra points. There is such a longing in his character to just find someone to love. Of course it doesn’t hurt that he’s pretty good with a dart gun and will do anything to find the person that is perfect for him. Yea, he got me. The camaraderie between Pine and Hardy is just solid and it would be easy to believe they had fun working together.
Handler is the loose cannon here but I love it! She tells it like it is on her late night show on E! Chelsea Lately so I didn’t find it at all surprising she does so in her role as Trish. That being said there was a moment where she was describing her husband and the love she has for him – women side a side of Handler that just won them big!
Other cast include: John Paul Ruttan as Joe, Abigail Spencer as Katie, Angela Bassett as Collins, Rosemary Harris as Nana Foster, and Warren Cristie as Steve.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “This Means Wear” three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. This is exactly the kind of film that reaches both the gals and the guys. For the gals there are two, count them TWO good-looking guys trying to win one girl’s heart! For the guys, there are cool gadgets, smash ‘em up car chases, funny encounters and one good-looking girl!
This is just a fun film filled with silly stuff and lots of the chemistry that brings about true love – nothing wrong with going to the theatre to see a movie where there is no argument about what to see or why. Just go, have fun, snuggle a little and laugh a lot.
In the end – its spy against spy!
The Secret World of Arrietty
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director Hiromasa Yonebayashi and Disney comes the tale that has captivated readers for years and now comes to film with the animated “The Secret World of Arrietty”.
This film tells the story of the Clock family; they are four inches tall and live a quiet life under the floorboards of the house. Also known as Borrowers, they only go into homes to get the things they need to survive.
That is until Arrietty (Bridgit Mendler) takes her first night out. Along with her father Pod (Wil Arnett), they go to look for sugar and tissue for her mother Homily (Amy Poehler). It doesn’t take long before Arrietty is seen by the boy Shawn (David Henrie).
Shawn is a sick young man and is excited that the little people his mother told him about are real! But the housekeeper Hara (Carol Burnett) decides it is up to her to rid the house of the little people. But Shawn likes his new friend and would do anything to help Arrietty and her family!
FINAL WORD: Mendler is adorable as Arrietty. She is such a lighthearted little girl who wants to see the world and everything in it. Knowing she shouldn’t be around the bigger people, there is a relationship with Shawn that is quite lovely.
Henrie as Shawn really reaches out to Arrietty for friendship in a situation where there is no one else for him. Her friendship means too much to him that he is willing to not only try to make their life better, but do anything to keep anyone from hurting them.
Arnett and Poehler as the parents was an interesting choice. Arnett was the quiet parent, the father who will do what is necessary to take care of his family’s needs. Poehler is the slightly crazy mother who sees the sky as falling constantly and does so in a funny way.
Burnett as Hara is an interesting choice. It is clear to anyone who knows who Burnett is that it’s her voice but after a while all the viewer hears is the character of Hara. Not easy to pull off but Burnett does easily.
This is the directorial debut of director and animator Hiromasa Yonebayashi. He is a 36-year-old director and the youngest to ever make a film with Studio Ghibli in Japan. Also, the story takes place in the Western Tokyo neighborhood of Koganei, which is where Studio Ghibli can be found.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “The Secret World of Arrietty” three tubs of popcorn out of five. The children absolutely loved the story and the characters. Parents who are fond of Japanese animation will thoroughly enjoy the show.
It is a story of genuine friendship filled with color and a tale that teaches children to stand up for what they know is right. This very charming and delightful Japanese film is absolutely a family film.
In the end – do not be seen by humans, that’s been the law of the people under the floor!
Safe House
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director Daniel Espinosa and Relativity Media comes a film about not being safe, not even in a “Safe House”.
This film tells the story of Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds), a C.I.A. agent working in South Africa. Living a double life he tells his girlfriend Ana that he has a regular 9 to 5 job. In actuality he guards a safe house waiting for any potential need.
That need comes alone with the notorious C.I.A. rogue Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) turns himself in. Being a high priority Frost is taken immediately into the safe house under the protection of agents and Weston.
Within minutes the safe house is compromised and it is up to Weston too not only keep Frost in his sites but also to keep him alive. There is a leak in the C.I.A. as agents Catherine Linklater (Vera Farmiga) and David Barlow (Brendan Gleeson) throw accusations at each other.
But it is Frost who is in control as Weston starts to suspect those he should be trusting!
FINAL WORD: Washington is amazing as Frost. He is totally in control and nothing fazes him, which is why his character has been alive for so long. I thoroughly enjoyed watching his character unfold with an ending that was not expected!
Reynolds has no problem keeping up with Washington. It turns into a battle of wills and the tension is thick! Reynolds as Weston is a strong role and a good one for him. His character goes from wanting more to getting his wish – and handles it well.
Farmiga and Gleeson are the sub-duo, which was a nice underlying story. Both these actors are good at keeping a straight face and it works! Sheppard’s performance is in the background – until it isn’t and its good to see him back in action.
Other cast include: Sam Shepard as Harlan Whitford, Ruben Blades as Carlos Villar, Nora Arenezender as Ana Moreau, and Robert Patrick as Daniel Kiefer.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Safe House” three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. This is a really fun ride filled with chases, suspicion and thrills. Washington and Reynolds play off of each other very well and go fight for fight.
The cinematography is gritty and there are scenes that grainy but that lends itself to the films storyline. There are intermingling stories that keep the audience busy and, at the same time, yelling “whoa!” on several occasions.
In the end – no one is safe.
The Vow
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres on Friday from director Michael Sucsy and Spyglass Entertainment comes a relationship filled with love and “The Vow”.
This film tells the story of Leo (Channing Tatum), a record producer who meets and falls madly for Paige (Rachel McAdams). There relationship is filled with love, friendships, marriage and the thoughts of a family.
But life can change in a second, which Leo finds out when they are in a car accident. Paige is sent into an induced coma as he waits patiently for his wife to wake up. When she finally does – Paige has no recollection of the past five years she has spent with Leo.
What Paige does remember is her father Bill (Sam Neill) and mother Rita (Jessica Lange) as they try to pull their daughter back into their home. When Leo objects, Paige agrees to give living with her husband a try. Eventually there is nothing keeping her from returning home and to a life she does remember.
Leo tries everything to win back the woman he loves, but sometimes you have to let go before it has a chance to come back!
FINAL WORD: Tatum carries the film entirely. From the moment he is on screen to the last he is compassionate beyond measure. His character wants to give Paige every opportunity to remember a life she loved, even at the cost of his own happiness. From scene to scene Tatum give every woman in the audience hope that a love like that does exist.
McAdams, on the other hand, as Paige starts out beautifully and goes down hill fast. Although I have been told by others that “oh, you can’t blame her for not remembering” I say sure you can! If this is suppose to be a romantic love story I find the character of Paige – post memory – cold, disassociated, blind and hard hearted. Sorry, that’s how I felt and the good news is I’m not the only one.
Lange as Rita is a good woman in so many ways. When it becomes clear about her relationship with Paige – I never before have heard love explained in such terms by a woman who might otherwise have good reason not to forgive. She does a beautiful job.
O’Neill as Sam is almost like McAdams character. He has no ability to be gracious, he’s cold hearted and doesn’t listen to anyone around him. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree I suppose.
Other cast include: Messica McNamee as Gwen, Wendy Crewson as Dr. Fishman, Tatiana Maslany as Lily, Lucas Bryant as Kyle, Scott Speedman as Jeremy and Joey Klein as Josh.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “The Vow” three tubs of popcorn out of five. The story is supposedly inspired by true events but if that is so I feel sorry for Leo. I wanted this to be so much more than it was. I have no doubt it will do well for the hopeful at heart and the gals who need a Tatum fix. Yes ladies, he is as sweet in person as he is in the film.
I enjoy McAdams as an actress, that being said I found the role of Paige just to far away from anything I would consider romantic or a story for Valentines Day. Maybe I’m just becoming jaded!
In the end – he will do anything to win her heart – again!
The Woman in Black
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director James Watkins and CBS Films comes a chilly time in the marsh with “The Woman in Black”.
This film tells the story of Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a young lawyer who is grieving the passing of his young wife leaving behind their son to raise. His superior sends Arthur to take care of the final disposition of the Drablow house and its possessions.
When Arthur arrives at the small town he finds a cold reception, not only by the villagers but by the house in the marsh. The only person who seems to talk with him is Mr. Daily (Ciaran Hinds), whose wife Mrs. Daily (Janet McTeer) has the answers to secrets.
At the house, Arthur begins to see and feel the presence of the woman in black. Since no one will tell him why she takes the lives of children in the village, he takes it upon himself to discover the clues.
Arthur knows what he must do to save what he loves the most.
FINAL WORD: Radcliff as Kipps did a fantastic job in this role. He has the ability to show so much emotion on his face and in his eyes. That is a big reason I enjoyed watching him in this film. The feeling of sorrow matched with his ability to carry a scene where there is only intensity and nothing else is well done.
It cannot be easy to break away from being Harry Potter but this is his beginning. Playing the role of a father with a young son leaves no doubt that Radcliffe is no longer the young wizard but a grown man.
Hinds as Daily is a secondary role that he does well, as always. It was good to have another person who, although not believing in ghosts, did the right thing by Arthur’s character. I must admit, the dog was a nice touch as well.
McTeer as Mrs. Daily gives us an eerie look at the secrets to the woman in black and the connection with the children of the villagers. After her wonderful role in “Albert Nobbs”, it is good to see McTeer again.
Other cast include: Roger Allam as Mr. Bentley, Shaun Dooley as Fisher, Mary Stockley as Mrs. Fisher, Alexia Osbourne as Victory Hardy, Alfie Field as Tom Hardy, Tim McMullan as Mr. Jerome, and Liz White as Jenet.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “The Woman in Black” three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. I truly did enjoy the fact that this reminded me of the spooky classic films I grew up with. There isn’t huge amounts of blood, gore, and slashing, instead, there is a mystery, a story and things that go bump in the night.
The setting was perfect for the tale with the gray and rain just adding to it. It is a haunted house tale that will give the audience the Victorian chills they seek and the gothic jumps they want.
In the end – what do they see?
CHRONICLE
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director Josh Trank and 20th Century Fox comes a story of friendship in “Chronicle”.
This film tells the story of Andrew Detmer (Dan DeHaan), a high schooler living an abused life through his new camera. Andrew’s father Richard (Michael Kelly) is an alcoholic and his mother Karen (Bo Peterson) is terminally ill and with Andrew’s shyness it is hard for him.
He does have his cousin Matt Garetty (Alex Russell), a popular high school teen who has taken his cousin in. Matt tries to get Andrew out of his shell. One night at a party, Andrew, Matt and friend Steve Montgomery (Michael B. Jordan) discover an opening in the ground.
What is in that opening changes their lives as the boys soon discover they have powers only hear about with comic book heroes! It all starts out small and harmless and fun, until Andrew begins to learn what it means that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” and friendships are brought to the limits.
FINAL WORD: DeHaan is very good as Andrew. He plays the role of the abused reclusive boy very well – just as he plays the destructive boy equally as well. There are some surprises, which will have audiences loving it.
Russell as the popular good-looking boy has the hearts of the teen girls going pitter pat. Being the good cousin is sweet and his ultimate decision difficult and heartbreaking. Jordan as Steve is fun, silly and sad. He brings all of that on hard and fast!
Other cast include: Ashley Hinshaw as Casey Letter, Anna Wood as Monica, Rudi Malcom as Wayne, and Luke Tyler as Sean.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Chronicle” three tubs of popcorn out of five. This is an interesting look at the dynamics of three guys who start out having fun, until the reality sets in.
In the 83 minute running time the film has a lot of story and the film tells it quickly. It is full of action that will keep the audience following along. The film is done with everyone having a camera, which has a message within itself that the world sees everything.
In the end – what are you capable of?
BIG MIRACLE
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director Ken Kwapis and Universal Pictures comes a story that captured the worlds attention in 1988 and again in 2011 because of the “Big Miracle”.
This film tells the story of Adam Carlson (John Krasinski), a local journalist trying to make a name for himself. Sitting in Borrow, Alaska he tries to find his niche that will get him noticed. Hanging out with Nathan (Ahmaogak Sweeney), the local youngster takes Adam on the ice.
That’s where they discover three California grey whales who are surfacing through a hole in the ice to breathe. The two larger whales, Fred and Wilma, are staying with their youngster BamBam who is ill. The five-mile trek to the open waters has been sealed off by the bitter winter cold and thick ice.
Adam does a local story on the whales and it doesn’t take long before the whole world knows. Especially Rachel Kramer (Drew Barrymore), a Green Peace advocate who also happens to be Adam’s one time girlfriend.
As the Native Alaskans decide what to do, tribal leader Malik (John Pingayak) must decide what is best for his people, best for the whales and his grandson Nathan. As the world descends on this small village so does another reporter looking for a great story Jill Jerard (Kristen Bell). Oil executive J.W. McGraw (Ted Danson) is also trying to turn his reputation around and calls in Col Scott Boyer (Dermot Mulroney) to do what they can.
It is the late 80’s, the world is watching and help comes from the most unexpected places.
FINAL WORD: Krasinski is wonderful as Adam. It is easy to believe his situation because he does have that caring persona about him. Sweeny as Nathan is also adorable as he wants to experience the world but finds himself drawn to his tribal culture.
Danson gets to play the bad guy but in such a way that he recovers quickly and Mulroney gets to play a tough guy till he isn’t. Bell is funny to watch but her character is pretty predictable.
Barrymore’s role is a tad standoffish and although obvious her character cares for the whales, there is just something missing. Her appearance seemed a little haggard and her speech a tad self righteous, especially toward the culture of the natives of Borrow, Alaska.
Other cast include: John Chase as Roy, Vinessa Shaw as Kelly Meyers, Tim Blake Nelson as Pat Layfette, Andrew Daly as Don Davis, Stephen Root as Governor Haskell, and Kathy Baker as Ruth McGraw.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Big Miracle” three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. This is a perfect film for parents to show their children that the environmental problems are not something new and that whales have always captured our imaginations. Also, that help can come from places you least expect.
It is fun, funny, heartwarming and has won the Heartland Award for being a truly moving picture.
In the end – it took whales to teach humanity to be humane!
The Grey
Jeri Jacquin
Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director Joe Carnahan and Open Road Films comes a film that has audiences reeling from “The Grey”.
This film tells the story of Ottway (Liam Neeson), a man filled with deep emotion about the loss of his marriage. In the bitter cold of Alaska, a oil drilling company has hired him to watch the men as they work. What he is looking for is wolves to keep them from attacking the men.
On a trip home, the plane full of men crashes into the middle of no where in an ice storm. Ottway quickly realizes it is not just the elements that he must come to terms with but the wolves that are stalking the survivors. Knowing they can not stay with the wreckage, they band together to try to find a way out.
With every step they take each man must come to terms with their life, the elements and their survival.
FINAL WORD: Neeson as Ottway is absolutely and totally believable as Ottway. There is a depth to this actor that makes his characters amazing to watch. His body of work shows not only is he versatile, but willing to take risks. Here, Ottway is quiet until he isn’t, talks when he needs to and is accepting when things don’t go according to plan. There is something very calming in his voice with the narration as well.
Grillo as Diaz is the absolute bad boy. He is arrogant with a little man complex (especially standing next to Neeson) but in his river scene it is a marvel to watch.
When speaking with Frank Grillo who plays Diaz I had to ask about working with Neeson. His reply, “He is awesome! It was a dream as I’ve always been a huge fan. THE GREY is Liam Neeson at his best with lots of action and thrills.”
About his training for the role, “I boxed for three months every day to get in shape for the role. I needed to be in great cardio shape. We filmed in British Columbia and it was a blast minus 25 degrees! But we are tough guys.”
Roberts as Hendrick is daring, sympathetic and full of hope. Mulroney is another who sees the situation as it is and is trying to stay one step ahead of the wolves. He has such a lovely memory that holds him together.
This is a film about man vs. nature, filled with moments of humor, moments of raw emotion and an invitation inside the lives of the survivors. I gripped my seat waiting, and became emotional at times. While watching the film blinking is a luxury the viewer can not afford!
Other cast include: Nonso Anozie as Burke, Joe Anderson as Flannery, Ben Bray as Hernandez, James Dale as Lewenden, Jacob Blair as Cimoski and Anne Openshaw as Ottway’s wife.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “The Grey” four and a half tubs of popcorn. There is so much about this film that I liked I could write a small book. For over a year now one of my major complaints has been the detachment of characters in film. The cut away shots in scenes that don’t allow viewers a chance to really feel and care for characters. This film absolutely does that.
It is magnificently filmed (by Masanobu Takayanagi), the story is brilliant, the cast not only worked their characters but worked them extremely well. There actually are moments were the anticipation and angst rubs off on the audience and, it is very welcome. Director Joe Carnahan has given audiences something that’s been missing in a film for quiet some time – everything!
There are some scenes of violence with the wolves but the wolves put out a little violence of their own but be aware of scenes that might bother younger children.
In the end – live or die on this day.
