Beginners

"Well, let's say that since you were little, you always dreamed of getting a lion. And you wait, and you wait, and you wait, and you wait but the lion doesn't come. And along comes a giraffe. You can be alone, or you can be with the giraffe."
"I'd wait for the lion."
"That's why I worry about you."

Oliver Fields (McGregor) is starting over after the death of his father, Hal (Plummer).  Oliver adopts his father's dog, Arthur, and tries to restart his life.  A few months later, he meets and falls for a free-spirited French actress, Anna (Laurent).

As he learns how to be in a relationship, he remembers his father.  After the death of Oliver's mother, Georgia (Keller), his father announces that he is gay.  At the age of 75, he feels he can finally embrace his true self.  Hal embraces life, joining book clubs and letter writing campaigns, and falls in love with a younger man, Andy (Visnjic).  Then he is disagnosed with cancer.  As father and son come to terms with the prognosis, can they find love, or do they sink into misery.


I didn't expect to like this film.  I thought I had it all figured out... especially after reading many negative reviews.  However, the film is intriguing.  You know how it ends, his father dies (it's not a spoiler, it's something you learn immediately), but the filmmakers wisely chose to tell the story in a different way.  The story is told through Oliver's perspective, with him remembering his childhood with his mother and the end of his father's life.  The story manages to walk the line between funny and heartbreaking, dipping into each emotion.

While the story is intriguing, not all of the characters work.  Christopher Plummer shines as Hal.  You know his ultimate fate, but you can't help but root for the man.  People fell in love with the character and Plummer's performance, nominating him for numerous awards, including an Oscar.  While Plummer is great, the most interesting character is Hal's wife Georgia, played by Mary Page Keller.  I wish her character was involved in more of the film.  The other great character is the dog.  He is adorable and heartbreaking.  Ewan McGregor carries the film well, but is not as interesting as other characters.  I enjoyed Melanie Laurent in Inglorious Basterds... she is o.k. here, but I didn't love her character.

Ultimately this is the kind of film that will divide audiences, but I think everyone can agree that Christopher Plummer deserves his award show buzz.

Beginners (2010) 105 minutes
Rating: R for language and some sexual content.
Director: Mike Mills
Starring: Ewan McGregor as Oliver Fields
Christopher Plummer as Hal Fields
Melanie Laurent as Anna
Goran Visnjic as Andy
Kai Lennox as Elliot
Mary Page Keller as Georgia Fields

Bridesmaids

"Do you want to tell a cop about it? We're just like priests except we would tell everybody afterwards."

Annie Walker (Wiig) is a mess.  Her bakery closed, lost all of her savings, dates horrible men, and has worthless roommates (Rebel Wilson and Matt Lucas).  The one bright spot in her life, is her best friend Lillian (Rudolph).  When Lillian gets engaged to Dougie (Tim Heidecker), she asks Annie to be the maid of honor.  At the engagement party, Annie meets the rest of the bridal party: perfect Helen (Byrne) who is married to to Dougie's boss, Lillian's cynical cousin Rita (McLendon-Covey), Lillian's newly married naive co-worker Becca (Kemper), and Dougie's raunchy sister Megan (McCarthy).

Every wedding event is a power struggle between Annie and Helen, constantly trying to out-do each other.  Amid the chaos, Annie meets and charms police officer Nathan Rhoads (O'Dowd).  Can Annie get her life together enough to support her friend, or will she destroy everything?


Seen as the female answer to The Hangover, this film was the R rated film of the year.  It had everyone talking and proved that women can successfully headline a comedy that is not a rom com.

I was cautiously optimistic about this film... I read positive reviews, but also heard it was very raunchy.  I put it in my Netflix queue, but ultimately planned to rent it from Redbox (the next time I had a free or discounted rental).  Over the last few months, it has received significant awards show buzz, and my friends and roommate sang it's praises.  To get a head start on my "Oscar Watch 2012" I decided to take a chance (right before the 2012 Golden Globes).  I was pleasantly surprised.

It was a funny, without being insulting ... which I attribute to the writing by Groundlings alum Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, of Saturday Night Live fame.  The Academy Awards have honored these women with a nomination for Best Original Screenplay.  The women are funny, without being completely clueless or ditzy, and unapologetic.  The cast is incredible... Featuring Wiig, SNL alum Maya Rudolph (now on Up All Night), Reno 911's Wendi McLendon-Covey, The Office's Ellie Kemper, Mike & Molly's Melissa McCarthy (also known for Gilmore Girls), and Rose Byrne.  The women shine and are willing to embrace physical comedy and raunchy jokes for the good of the film.  The cast is great, but McCarthy steals the show, playing against type.  And now she is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Wiig proves she can carry a film, without crazy over-the-top characters.  While I enjoy her on 30 Rock, I prefer her toned-down roles on TV.  She has proven to be a talented comedian, actress, and writer.  I look forward to seeing more of her writing.

Also, the film earns it's 'R' rating, but doesn't push it to unnecessary / uncomfortable depths.  A truly funny, female-driven comedy that appeals to both men and women.  Check it out!

Bridesmaids (2011) 125 minutes
Rating: R for some strong sexuality, and language throughout.
Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Kristen Wiig as Annie Walker
Maya Rudolph as Lillian
Rose Byrne as Helen
Melissa McCarthy as Megan
Wendi McLendon-Covey as Rita
Ellie Kemper as Becca
Chris O'Dowd as Nathan Rhoads

Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein: 400th Review

FRAY'S 400TH MOVIE REVIEW* 

It took 6 years, but I have finally written 400 movie reviews!

To celebrate, here is a review of a film by a well-known comedy team.  
100 focused on Monty Python ... 200 featured the Marx Brothers ... and 300 highlighted Broken Lizard.
This time I went with a comedy duo, best known for a joke about baseball...

"People pay McDougal cash to come in here and get scared."
"I'm cheatin' him. I'm gettin' scared for nothin'."

Chick Young (Abbott) and Wilbur Grey (Costello) work at the railway baggage claim.  They receive 2 boxes containing the new exhibits for the McDougal House of Horrors: the Frankenstein Monster (Strange) and the coffin containing Dracula's (Lugosi) remains.  They deliver the boxes and Wilbur discovers that Dracula is alive.  Dracula reanimates the Frankenstein Monster and takes him a castle laboratory.  Dracula, with the help of Dr. Sandra Mornay (Aubert), plans to give the Monster a new brain: Wilbur's brain.  Dr. Mornay is dating Wilbur.

Meanwhile, back at McDougal's House of Horror, Mr. McDougal (Ferguson) believes Chick and Wilbur stole his exhibits and has then arrested.  They are baled-out by a beautiful woman, Joan (Randolph), who is the insurance agent processing McDougal's claim.  And a mysterious stranger, Larry Talbot (Chaney Jr.), is trying to stop Dracula and avoid the next full moon.

That evening everyone is going to a masquerade... can Chick and Wilbur save the day, and Wilbur's brain?

*yes, I already celebrated my 400th post, but this is my 400th movie review.

I have written 418 posts.

The comedic duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello never fails to entertain.  They are best known for the comedy routine "Who's On First?" but this is one of their best known films.  Abbott & Costello have great chemistry and seem to have a blast performing together.  Once again Costello is the loveable, dimwitted goof, while Abbott is the bossy, devious straight-man.  As usual, the formula works well.  Costello's Wilbur is easily terrified, which lends to many comic moments, especially because Abbott's Chick doesn't believe any of it.

While the film is a comedy, all of the monsters are treated with dignity and not made into caricatures (like subsequent comedy films that feature these monsters).  However, horror purists don't include this film in the film cannons for each monster.  Also, all three of the men portraying the monsters have portrayed the Frankenstein Monster on film.  Although Bela Lugosi is best known as Dracula, this was only the second time he played the character on film.

The best film in the Abbott & Costello collection... that I have had the pleasure of seeing numerous times.  It gets better with each viewing.  Check it out!

Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) 83 minutes
Director: Charles Barton
Bud Abbott as Chick Young
Lou Costello as Wilbur Grey
Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot / The Wolf Man
Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula
Glenn Strange as The Frankenstein Monster
Lenore Aubert as Dr. Sandra Mornay
Jane Randolph as Joan Raymond
Frank Ferguson as Mr. McDougal
Charles Bradstreet as Professor Stevens

Courageous

Four men, one calling: To serve and protect.

The sheriff's in Albany, GA try to balance work with their personal lives.  The sheriff encourages his deputies to spend more time with their families, based on crime statistics.  Four of the deputies: Adam (Kendrick), Shane (Downes), Nathan (Bevel), and rookie David (Davies), form a tight bond both on and off the job, and spend time together.  Adam employs Javier Martinez (Amaya) to help build a shed, and the two quickly become friends.  Soon the deputies embrace Javier, and his family, into their group.

Adam's 9-year old daughter, Emily (Lauren Etchells), is killed in a car accident.  As his family struggles to process the loss, Adam turns to the Bible for answers.  He realizes he has been lacking in fatherly duties, settling for "good enough," when he could do some much more.


This is the fourth film written and directed by Alex Kendrick (Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof).  Like his other films, the majority of the cast is comprised of volunteers from Sherwood Baptist Church, where he serves as a pastor.  As such, the film is well done... but the acting (and occasionally the camera work) leaves much to be desired.

The filmmakers chose to focus on the spiritual / faith based aspects of the film.  As a Christian, I appreciate a wholesome family that  portrays Christians and Christian families in a positive light, unlike Hollywood.  However, it is made for the people who already agree with it... everyone else sees it as a too-long, preachy film that is behind the times, which is unfortunate.

The focus of the film is on the role of Christian men in their families.  It challenges men to step up and lead their families... As a single woman, I could appreciate the core of the film, but could not relate.  In between the somber moments there are police chases and moments of laughter between friends.

A good movie that men / fathers should see... especially as they evaluate their duties as a father, husband, friend, worker, etc.

Courageous (2011) 129 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some violence and drug content
Director: Alex Kendrick
Starring: Alex Kendrick as Adam Mitchell
Ken Bevel as Nathan Hayes
Ben Davies as David Thomson
Kevin Downes as Shane Fuller
Robert Amaya as Javier Martinez
Angelita Nelson as Carmen Martinez
T.C. Stallings as T.J.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

"Now remember: "Blue is glue!"."
"And red?"
"Dead."

After an important IMF mission goes wrong, they are forced to break Agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise) out of prison in Russia.  Hunt is placed in charge of the team that extracted him: Jane Carter (Patton) and new field agent Benji Dunn (Pegg), with a new mission.  They are to infiltrate the Kremlin and search the archives for the identity of "Cobalt" who killed an IMF agent.

However, before they can find the files someone else uses their radio frequency to alert the authorities.  As the team scatters, a bomb destroys portions of the Kremlin.  The Russians believe the bombing was an act of war by the Americans.  The IMF program is shut down and the blame will be placed with Hunt's team.  They are given the opportunity to clear their names, by taking down Cobalt.  Cobalt is nuclear strategist Kurt Hendricks (Nyqvist), who plans to detonate a nuclear bomb.

The team, joined by analyst William Brandt (Renner), travel to Dubai to stop Hendricks... but with no help from the agency, no backup, and no plan, can they successfully accomplish their mission?


After a four year hiatus, the Mission: Impossible film series returns with a bang!  Typically, by the time a film series reaches the fourth film, it is tired and bears little resemblance to the previous incarnations.  However, the M:I series have mostly escaped that trend, by putting several years between films (M:I in 1996, M:I 2 in 2000, and M:I 3 in 2006) and hiring a new director for each film.  Each film stands alone, while still referencing the rest the of the series, allowing a mass audience to enjoy any film.

This time the film was entrusted to Brad Bird, a man known for his work with Pixar (particularly The Incredibles).  It may seem like an unconventional choice, but it works well here.  Everything about the film works.  The action sequences are intense, especially the scene pictured at Burj Khalifa, and still feel fresh (which is helped by the fact that the actors are mostly doing their own stunts, with minimal to no CGI interference).

The cast is great.  Tom Cruise returns the iconic role of Ethan Hunt, and again performs his own stunts.  He eases into the role, a little older and wearier, but still the best.  Simon Pegg returns to the role of Benji, now a field agent, and provides most of the comic relief.  Jeremy Renner delivers another great performance, as the mysterious Brandt, and Paula Patton holds her own among the boys.  It was nice to see Michael Nyqvist, of the Swedish Girl with a Dragon Tattoo films, in an American film, and was an interesting villain.  I hope to see more of this talented actor.

A fun action film, and an impressive live-action debut for Brad Bird.  Check it out.


After the success of this film, I assume a 5th film will happen ... but based on the history of this series, don't look for it for at least 4 years (Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation).


Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence
Director: Brad Bird
Starring: Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt
Jeremy Renner as William Brandt
Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn
Paula Patton as Jane Carter
Michael Nyqvist as Kurt Hendricks
Vladimir Mashkov as Anatoly Sidorov

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

"Let's talk about how many women you've been with."
"Sexually?"
"Yeah, no. I mean break-dance fighting."

Cal (Carell) is content with his life.  He is married to his soul mate, Emily (Moore), who he has loved since they were teens.  On date night, she drops the bomb: she has been seeing someone else and wants a divorce.  He moves out of the house and drowns his sorrows at the local bar, telling anyone who will listen about his misfortune.

At the bar he attracts the attention of womanizer Jacob (Gosling).  Jacob decides to make Cal his new project, giving him a new wardrobe and confidence so that Cal can win back his wife or get over her.  Jacob is pursuing Hannah (Stone), a law student who is looking for a relationship, not a fling.  Meanwhile, Cal's teenage son Robbie (Bobo) is in love with his babysitter, Jessica (Tipton), who has a crush on Cal.  Can they all find love, or will they end up with broken hearts?


Romantic comedies have received lots of bad buzz over the years.  Hollywood consistently pumps out uninspired rom coms and chick flicks... anything to attract an audience.  Typically the only thing that matters are the stars of the film.  Sometimes a rom com pops up that actually has a plot and is funny, like this film, but they are not the norm.

While the plot is formulaic, the main draw of the film is the chemistry of the cast.  Steve Carell is invaluable as the center of the film, you root for him and his transformation.  Ryan Gosling plays and steals the film... getting the best lines and reactions.  Emma Stone continues to make smart career choices, playing a strong woman who isn't willing to settle.  Julianne Moore starts abrasive, but grows on you over time.  None of the characters are evil or menacing, and in the end everyone is happy.  The only character I didn't like was Marisa Tomei, who felt wasted... based on the trailers, it seemed like she would be a larger part of the story.

The film is fun and funny, and doesn't stoop to crude humor.  Check it out!

Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011) 118 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for coarse humor, sexual content and language.
Director: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa
Starring: Steve Carell as Cal Weaver
Ryan Gosling as Jacob Palmer
Julianne Moore as Emily Weaver
Emma Stone as Hannah
Analeigh Tipton as Jessica Riley
Jonah Bobo as Robbie Weaver
Joey King as Molly Weaver
Marisa Tomei as Kate
Kevin Bacon as David Lindhagen

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

"Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to."

The new Santa Claus at Macy's, Kris Kringe (Gwenn), is a big hit.  People flock to Macy's to tell him what they want for Christmas.  And unlike other store Santa's, he tells parents where to get the best deals, even if they aren't at Macy's.

The woman who hired him, Doris Walker (O'Hara), has misgivings when she learns Kris claims to be the real Santa Claus.  But psychiatrists assure her Kris is harmless.  To keep up with the demands at the store, Kris moves in with Doris' neighbor and would-be suitor, lawyer Fred Gailey (Payne).  Doris gives him rides to work, and he is able to spend the evening with Doris' young daughter Susan (Wood), who doesn't know how to be a child.  Can Kris get Doris and Susan to believe and still make his Christmas Eve deadlines?


A Christmas favorite, that plays on TV every year... but this film is not overplayed to the point that it loses it's charms (like A Christmas Story or It's a Wonderful Life, which are excellent movies but are always on).  Don't settle for any of the 4 remakes... the original (in black and white) is still the best!

Edmund Gwenn is great as Kris, truly making the audience believe he is Santa Claus.  Apparently he was so  convincing, Natalie Wood really thought he was Santa, until she saw him off-set.  Wood gives an excellent performance, taking Susan from a no-nonsense child who doesn't know how to pretend, to a little girl desperate to believe.  Maureen O'Hara is great, as usual.  The film also serves as the debut of actress Thelma Ritter.

This film was so successful and beloved, it has been remade 4 times and turned into a Broadway musical.  In 1955 it was turned into a 1 hour TV special, starring Thomas Mitchell (best known as Uncle Billy in another Christmas perennial: It's a Wonderful Life).  In 1959, the day after Thanksgiving, it was broadcast as a live TV movie, starring Ed Wynn (best known as Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins).  It debuted on Broadway, with a few minor tweaks, in 1963.  In 1973 it was remade for TV, changing a few character names, and starring English actor Sebastian Cabot (best known TV's Family Affairs, and for his voice talents in countless Disney animated films).  And in 1994, it returned to the big screen.  The story was significantly altered and given a serious tone, starring Richard Attenborough (best known as John Hammond in the Jurassic Park films).  Despite the many change-ups, the original proves superior.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) 96 minutes
Director: George Seaton
Starring: Maureen O'Hara as Doris Walker
John Payne as Fred Gailey
Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle
Gene Lockhart as Judge Henry X. Harper
Natalie Wood as Susan Walker
Porter Hall as Granville Sawyer