Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Little White Lies

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Little White Lies – Opening August 24, 2012

It’s not always the case that great foreign films make it over to the United States, and sometimes it does take a while, as is the case with this particular film, which opened in France nearly two years ago. This 154-minute dramedy comes from actor-director Guillaume Canet, who recently appeared in “Last Night” with Keira Knightley and directed the incredible “Tell No One” several years ago. His star from that film, François Cluzet, appears in this production as well, along with the two French performers who are likely most recognizable to American audiences right now, namely because of their recent Oscar wins: Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose,” “Inception”) and Jean Dujardin (“The Artist”). The ensemble includes a number of other prominent French actors and actresses less well known stateside, and features a tale of good friends and their actions and reactions following an unfortunate accident in the middle of a group vacation. It looks plenty interesting, and 154 minutes is more than enough time to dig deep into all of these characters and the dynamics that connect them. The film only received two César (French Oscar) nominations, both for acting, but that doesn’t necessarily mean much – its ability to make it overseas suggests that it’s likely worth watching, and I’d go see it for the cast alone.

Monday Movie Moments: E.T.

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. There are great movies, and then there are great scenes. Ideally, the two come as a package deal, but sometimes there’s just a scene that’s memorable all by itself. Each week, I’ll be taking a look at a formative movie moment that may be notable for its style, content, technique, or something else altogether. Minor spoilers will be alluded to in each edition of the series, so please stop reading if you’ve somehow avoided seeing the movie in question.

This movie moment is split into two equally memorable scenes. In Steven Spielberg’s classic E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, little Elliott is riding his bike with E.T. when he experiences the unparalleled joy and excitement of flying in the air. The scene is helped enormously by the music of John Williams, and his passage by the moon has become an iconic image that also serves as the logo for Steven Spielberg’s production company, Amblin Entertainment. While that scene is moving, the one that really makes the movie is when all of the kids are fleeing on their bikes from the police and escape thanks to E.T.’s powers and fly off into the sky. The visual effects aren’t nearly as impressive now as they were then, but it’s still hard not to feel the thrill of flying as showcased in these two unforgettable scenes.

Sunday Similar Subjects

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. After spending a number of weeks looking at actors who tend to play the same characters, it’s time to spotlight two films with eerily similar plots that came out at roughly the same time. There are surprisingly more examples than might be obvious, and this series will examine the similarities and differences between the two, and how their simultaneous releases affected each other.

No Strings Attached / Friends with Benefits

Release dates: January 21, 2011 / July 22, 2011

The similarities: Interestingly, both films starred an actress from the 2010 Best Picture nominee “Black Swan.” Oscar winner Natalie Portman was in the former, while Golden Globe-nominated supporting star Mila Kunis took the lead in the latter. Portman was also paired with Kunis’ former “That 70s Show” costar Ashton Kutcher. Both films followed best friends whose label-less sexual relationships predictably cause problems after emotions develop. Both films earned an R rating for a fair amount of profanity.

The differences: The relationships weren’t actually the same, mainly because Emma (Portman) and Adam (Kutcher) weren’t even friends before they started their friends-with-benefits romance. As a result, that film never quite took off, while Jamie (Kunis) and Dylan (Justin) took time to become best buds before getting into bed together. On the acting side, Portman and Kunis were both flirtatious and fun, but their leading men had different capabilities. Kutcher’s performance was highly unimpressive, while Timberlake, who made a smooth transition from music to film, was far funnier and more enthusiastic. The overarching story in the latter film was also far superior to that of the former.

The releases: Reviews for “No Strings Attached” weren’t overwhelmingly positive, and as a result, people were still excited by the time “Friends with Benefits” came around. Interestingly, the former film did much better domestically than the latter, but the foreign gross for the latter ultimately gave it the edge and allowed it to make about $2 million more.

Which one is more likely to be remembered? Definitely the latter, mainly because both Portman and Kutcher already have established film careers, while this represents the first leading role for both Kunis and Timberlake, whose cinematic careers are still on the rise. Both are decent films, but “Friends with Benefits” is definitely much better.

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. I'm going to be providing a handy guide to a few choice movies currently playing in NYC as well as several films newly released on DVD. I’ll also aim to comment on those films I have not yet had the chance to see, and I invite you to add in your thoughts on any films I haven’t seen in the comments below. Understandably, some weeks will have considerably fewer releases to address than others.

Now Playing in NYC

Nothing of note this week!

New to DVD

Footnote (highly recommended): The Israeli Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film is a delightful and endearing story about a father and a son, both professors, with a complicated relationship made even more complicated by an unexpected turn of events. It’s a wonderful film that works well both as a comedy and a drama.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (highly recommended): This heartwarming documentary played at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival and finally arrives in theatres today. It’s impossible not to like, and may even make you hungry!

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

The Future (mixed bag): Miranda July’s oddball follow-up to “Me and You and Everyone We Know,” which became available on Netflix last week, is more of a narrative, less of an ensemble, and ultimately an unsatisfying second film from this creative filmmaker.

The Messenger (recommended): This affecting, intimate 2009 Oscar nominee features excellent performances from Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, and Samantha Morton and features a stark and moving look at war and death notifications.

Friday Familiar Faces: Chris Messina

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe! There are plenty of actors out there who people recognize by face but can’t identify because they just don’t tend to get the leading roles. There is a fantastic book (and website) dedicated to this phenomenon, appropriately titled “Hey! It’s That Guy” and touting the fantastic J.T. Walsh as the ultimate recognizable everyman.

This series will spotlight an actor or actress who has recently turned in a notable or scene-stealing performance and showcase some of their best cinematic appearances. More than other any feature, this series will merge the worlds of television and film as needed to highlight a performer’s best and most recognizable work.

Chris Messina

Where you’ve seen him most recently: As Calvin’s brother Harry in this past Wednesday’s “Ruby Sparks,” and in recurring roles as chief executive Reese on HBO’s “The Newsroom” and as military man Chris Sanchez on FX’s “Damages”

Where you might have first seen him: In the final season of “Six Feet Under” as Claire’s unexpected boyfriend, Ted

Other notable appearances: As Julie’s supportive husband Eric in “Julie and Julia,” Vicky’s ignored boyfriend Doug in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” happy husband Tom in “Away We Go,” Subject #19 in “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men,” and getting his first big lead role as the title character in April’s “The Giant Mechanical Man”

What you might expect from him: A kind-hearted, genuine guy who often gets the short straw after going out on a limb for a female friend or partner; an affable conversationalist with deeper thoughts about life and society

Thursday Theoretical Oscar Category

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In my love for everything Oscar, it’s always fun to speculate on who or what might have been included given different circumstances. Though there are twenty-four fields recognized on Oscar night, that still neglects a handful of key players. As a result, I’d like to take a look each week at imagined categories, and who or what might have benefited from their existence.

The category: Worst Movie

Why it should exist: The Oscars recognize the best of cinema each year, so why not honor the worst? Smaller critics’ organizations have such categories, mostly designed for a bit of comic relief in an otherwise high-minded ceremony. It would also allow Oscar voters to have some fun recognizing the failed Oscar contenders and taking down actors phoning it in for a paycheck.

Why it doesn’t exist: It wouldn’t behoove the Oscars to stoop to the level of bad movies, and those films nominated would likely already be a step up from the truly awful films avoided entirely by Oscar voters. A group already exists to trumpet the worst in film each year – the Razzie Awards – and they’ve become all about sequels and films that would really give Oscar a bad name.

Who might have been nominated the past five years:
2011: Jack and Jill, New Year’s Eve, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Sucker Punch, Transformers: Dark of the Moon
2010: Alice in Wonderland, The Expendables, The Last Airbender, The Tourist, The Wolfman
2009: All About Steve, Amelia, The Lovely Bones, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
2008: Australia, The Happening, Smart People, W, The Women
2007: Hannibal Rising, Lions for Lambs, Next, Norbit, 300

Who do you think might have been nominated?

Movie with Abe: Ruby Sparks

Ruby Sparks
Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Released July 25, 2012

Writer and star Zoe Kazan discusses the film

The directors of “Little Miss Sunshine” are back with an equally charming story full of colorful characters. In this endearing film that directing duo and married couple Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris termed a “funny genre-bender” rather than a romantic comedy, young author Calvin (Paul Dano) brings to life the main character of his new novel, Ruby (Zoe Kazan). While it may sound like 2006’s “Stranger Than Fiction,” this film focuses more on the writer-character relationship and how they grow to accept the peculiar situation in which they find themselves. It’s a wonderful, highly engaging journey that manages to dip deep into these characters and come out the other side with something meaningful.

Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris discuss the film

Dayton and Faris aren’t the only couple involved in this film. Dano and Kazan are also real-life boyfriend and girlfriend who have worked together previously with positive results. Kazan wrote the script for “Ruby Sparks,” and, according to both partners, Dano became involved when he read the script and assumed that she was writing it for the two of them. Dayton and Faris described working with a couple in front of the camera as advantageous because they were both so committed to the material and so trusting with each other, and also shared an amusing anecdote about having to cut out pet names used by Dano and Kazan for each other that had found their way into the script so that Calvin and Ruby could be their own characters.

Star Paul Dano discusses the film

Dano, who had a memorable part in “Little Miss Sunshine,” portrays Calvin as a loner who doesn’t welcome the attention that writing a popular novel at a young age has garnered him, whose only friend is his brother Harry (Chris Messina) and would gladly spend all day inside with his newfound girlfriend. In many ways, it’s the most normal performance Dano has given thus far in his career. Kazan, who had the lead role in the small independent film “The Exploding Girl” several years ago, is simply marvelous as the alluring and sweet invention of Calvin’s imagination. Messina, Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas, Alia Shawkat, and Elliott Gould complete a fantastic ensemble, and it seems like they’re all having a blast. The writing is astute and clever, and it’s clear that Kazan has invested a lot in this character that she has created. Like “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Ruby Sparks” is a pleasant and affecting comedy that incorporates its more dramatic moments with grace and respect.

B+

Tuesday Top Trailer: Goats

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Goats – Opening August 10, 2012

This comedy sure looks odd, but there’s such terrific talent involved that it could be a whole lot of fun. Much of that talent is best known from television, starting with the two leads. Graham Phillips has spent three seasons causing trouble with his romantic escapades as Alicia’s daughter Zack on “The Good Wife,” and here he gets the opportunity to play a social outcast with a peculiar father figure and a clingy mother headed off to boarding school for a considerable change of pace. David Duchovny, who used to believe in aliens on “The X-Files” and then decided to have sex all the time on “Californication,” takes on a role somewhere in between as Goat Man, a zany guy with one hell of a beard. Vera Farmiga, an Oscar nominee for “Up in the Air,” is his mother, and she seems just about as possessive as a mother can be. Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”), Keri Russell (“Felicity”), Justin Kirk (“Weeds”), and Alan Ruck (“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”) are also on hand to complete a great ensemble. This likely won’t be a great film, but it looks like it’ll be pleasant enough summer fun.

Monday Sequel Spotlight: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In this series, I’ll be taking a look at some famous (and infamous) sequels to see how they compare to the original. I'll do my best to alternate between the greats and the best forgotten. Leave your thoughts or a suggestion for a spotlight in the comments!

Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
Directed by George Lucas
Released May 16, 2002

For the first time in this series, I’m returning to a franchise I’ve already featured. I think this will also be my most controversial choice thus far, since most will tell you that the prequels are useless pieces of garbage, with the possible exception of the third, which offers a semi-satisfying conclusion to the saga. I’d posit that the third film is hardly as competent as the first and the second. Many despised “The Phantom Menace” because it didn’t spend much time in space, featured Jar Jar Binks, and was too hokey an update of the original films. Putting that film aside, since it’s one that I greatly enjoyed when I first saw it in theaters at age eleven, the second film is a different beast. What the first film lacked in continuous action, it made up for in spectacular fashion with a handful of memorable fight scenes, most notably the circle of Jedi Council members all brandishing their lightsabers and the epic fight between Yoda and Count Dooku. There’s no excusing Hayden Christensen’s miserable performance as Anakin Skywalker, but Star Wars was never about acting, Oscar nominee Alec Guinness aside. It may not boast terrific dialogue either, but it’s hard to argue with the magnificent visuals and the impressive effects. The introduction of Jango Fett and the charting of Palpatine’s rise to power make for compelling story arcs, and this action-packed sci-fi adventure doesn’t reserve the bad rap it gets.

Movie with Abe: The Well-Digger’s Daughter (Capsule Review)

The Well-Digger’s Daughter
Directed by Daniel Auteil
Released July 20, 2012

There’s nothing like a good period drama. This French film, from actor Daniel Auteil, probably best known in the United States for starring in Michael Haneke’s unsettling 2005 film “Caché,” chronicles the life of a hard-working well-digger and his daughter in France on the eve of World War II. Auteil plays the part of the Pascal, the well-meaning well-digger whose sense of right and wrong comes into question when his daughter’s life takes an unexpected turn. Auteil is terrific, as is Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, who was a siren in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” as the titular character. Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Sabine Azéma, Nicolas Duvauchelle, and especially the delightful Kad Merad contribute to a stellar ensemble that help elevate this film from simple love story to an enchanting and moving dramatization of France in the 1940s. The costumes are beautiful and the scenery is mesmerizing, and though those that don’t like subtitles or traveling back to the past may not be amused, others are such to be taken in by its strong storytelling and filmmaking.

B+

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. I'm going to be providing a handy guide to a few choice movies currently playing in NYC as well as several films newly released on DVD. I’ll also aim to comment on those films I have not yet had the chance to see, and I invite you to add in your thoughts on any films I haven’t seen in the comments below. Understandably, some weeks will have considerably fewer releases to address than others.

Now Playing in NYC

30 Beats (mixed bag): This sex-filled drama jumps from character to character in its two-person scenes, following a chain of people through a heat wave in New York City. It’s a cool concept that boasts plenty of intrigue but not nearly as much actual depth. Now playing at the Village East Cinema and Clearview’s 62nd. Read my capsule review from yesterday.

The Well-Digger’s Daughter (recommended): This French period drama tackles a love story, family relationships, and class dynamics with grace, featuring excellent performances by director Daniel Auteil and the rest of his cast. It’s a simple but worthwhile and rewarding film. Now playing at the Quad Cinema. My capsule review will be up tomorrow.

I did not end up getting to see The Dark Knight as I had originally planned, and I’m not sure when I will get the chance, but I’m extremely horrified and saddened to hear about the brutal shooting in Colorado.

New to DVD

Nothing new to rent this week!

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Life During Wartime (recommended): This quirky and peculiar film from director Todd Solondz boasts some truly intriguing and mesmerizing dialogue and scenes, and some interesting content related to pedophiles, even if there’s something missing in the unification of the storylines.

Me and You and Everyone We Know (highly recommended): This delightful offbeat film from writer-director Miranda July is truly unique, weaving together a number of complex, extraordinarily interesting stories and eliciting stellar performances from John Hawkes and July herself. Not for everyone, but a treat for those to whom it appeals.

Paranoid Park (anti-recommended): This depressing Gus Van Sant feature is most reminiscent of his 2003 film “Elephant,” and that’s the best frame of reference to use for recommendation. Like that film, its slow, repetitive nature ends up being grating and unproductive rather than meaningful.

Movie with Abe: 30 Beats (Capsule Review)

30 Beats
Directed by Alexis Lloyd
Released July 20, 2012

This steamy summer drama comes just in time as the heat wave finally breaks. “30 Beats” is a narrative of separate interactions, following the newer of two characters from one segment to the next. Each scene includes some sort of sexual encounter, all untraditional in their own way. It’s easy to get attached to the way the story works but not to its characters, since they’re gone almost as soon as they appear. The connections between each of the personalities are of varying degrees of interest, and a slew of well-known actors populate the cast, including Justin Kirk, Jennifer Tilly, Paz de la Huerta, and Lee Pace. The standout is Lithuanian actress Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė as a kindly prostitute with obstacles blocking her path to her dream job of running her own gallery. The film is intense, intimate, and often uncomfortable throughout its runtime, but its impact isn’t lasting. Perhaps that’s the film’s main message: passion doesn’t linger, and it’s best to capture the heat of the moment.

B-

Thursday Theoretical Oscar Category

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In my love for everything Oscar, it’s always fun to speculate on who or what might have been included given different circumstances. Though there are twenty-four fields recognized on Oscar night, that still neglects a handful of key players. As a result, I’d like to take a look each week at imagined categories, and who or what might have benefited from their existence.

The category: Best Breakthrough Performance

Why it should exist: Every year, there are a number of actors or actresses who break out, either from “Hey! It’s That Guy!” status or from true obscurity with their debut film role. It’s worth recognizing such an achievement, and it’s a great way to recognize younger actors who might otherwise not have a shot in the process. Highlighting a great start in the business would be a fantastic way of recognizing rising stars.

Why it doesn’t exist: There are too many complications to eligibility, since someone might come close to a nomination one year and then be even closer the following year (Michael Cera comes to mind below), even though they’ve theoretically already broken through. I’ve compiled the imagined nominees to include only actors that weren’t nominated in other categories, but that’s another issue. As was true with Best Multiple Performances, having more than the four core acting categories just isn’t Oscar’s style.

Who might have been nominated the past five years:
2011: Thomas Horn (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close), Ezra Miller (We Need To Talk About Kevin), Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Harmony Santana (Gun Hill Road), Shailene Woodley (The Descendants)
2010: Elle Fanning (Somewhere), Katie Jarvis (Fish Tank), Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Emma Stone (Easy A), Mia Wasikowska (The Kids Are All Right)
2009: Abbie Cornish (Bright Star), Zooey Deschanel (500 Days of Summer), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Tom Hardy (Bronson), Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds)
2008: Michael Cera (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist), Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky), Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire), Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), Anton Yelchin (Charlie Bartlett)
2007: Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray), Glen Hansard (Once), Marketa Irglova (Once), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad), Ed Sanders (Sweeney Todd)

Who do you think might have been nominated?

Movie with Abe: The Runway (Capsule Review)

The Runway
Directed by Ian Power
Released on VOD July 18, 2012

Newly minted Oscar nominee Demian Bichir (“A Better Life,” “Weeds”) stars in this pleasant Irish film based on the true story of a South American pilot who landed his small plane in Ireland in the 1980s. His quick friendship with a young boy lends the film a sense of youthfulness and hopefulness, and the language barrier leads to plenty of entertaining interactions. There’s not much sense of the greater world present in the film, as all that exists for Paco, the fatherless boy who speaks just enough Spanish to communicate with Ernesto, are his town and the mystery man in a plane. This is a perfect role for Bichir, who gets to be a friendly father figure for Paco and a suave suitor for his mother, played by the lovely Kerry Condon from “Luck” and “The Last Station.” Ernesto’s journey towards his departure unites the town and brings together a fun ensemble of eccentric characters with an array of individual expertise that prove crucial to assembling the runway that will enable him to get back to his old life. It’s a sentimental, inspiring journey that delivers exactly what’s expected of it, an endearing if not incredibly enduring little movie.

B

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Hello I Must Be Going

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Hello I Must Be Going – Opening September 7, 2012

This romantic dramedy looks like a serene, sedated pleasure, featuring a handful of actors who have become well-known playing characters on TV. There’s something inherently strange about Melanie Lynskey, and she’s probably most recognizable to a wider audience as stalker-neighbor Rose on “Two and a Half Men.” Yet she’s definitely capable of more serious work, and this seems like a perfect part for her. She demonstrates her competence best in the final scene of the trailer, in which a friend of her young boyfriend announces that “Someone’s mom is here,” to which she cringes and runs away in response. Christopher Abbott has proven himself enormously capable of playing a loving and devoted boyfriend after his arc in the first season of “Girls,” and it’s great to see a fresh face like him getting roles like him. Jimmi Simpson, Blythe Danner, Dan Futterman, and a handful of others are also in the supporting cast, which should make this an endearing indie hit. The storyline isn’t fresh in a groundbreaking way, but that’s not a problem, since it looks like a well-told and beautifully-shot story with sweet, sincere performances.

Top Ten Movies of 2012 (So Far)

We’ve already passed the halfway point of the year, and Movies with Abe has screened forty films, which means it’s time for a tentative ten list. To help you keep track, here’s an official list of the top ten movies of 2012 so far. Click on titles to read reviews and related articles about each of the films, and share your thoughts in the comments if any of your favorite films from this year aren’t on the list. Expect this list to be plenty transformed by the end of the year.

1. Footnote
2. Headhunters
3. Prometheus
4. Ruby Sparks (to be released July 25)
5. Your Sister's Sister
6. Detachment
7. People Like Us
8. The Well-Digger's Daughter (to be released July 20)
9. The Giant Mechanical Man
10. Safety Not Guaranteed

Movie with Abe: The Imposter

The Imposter
Directed by Bart Layton
Released July 13, 2012

Documentaries can have a number of aims and can serve a number of purposes. Sometimes it’s to expose truth, to probe or investigate, or simply to tell a story. In the third case, there has to be an underlying reason and thesis behind the film’s narrative to make it compelling. Shocking events and recorded testimony can’t tell a story alone, at least not an interesting one. “The Imposter,” a dramatization of a French con artist’s efforts to convince a Texas family that he is their missing 16-year-old son, presents an intriguing premise but fails to deliver any satisfying opinions or conclusions.

Described as a “factual thriller,” this documentary includes narration and interviews done by actors portraying real-life people. Ideally, this would help lend both a sense of urgency and a cinematic quality to the story, turning its protagonist’s scam into a mystery, with twists and turns along the way. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to stage reenactments of events as they occurred rather than rely simply on interviews with the family members and the con artist himself. Instead, interviews are restated verbatim (presumably) and the few staged events are without dialogue and overcast by shadows. As a result, a device that could have been instrumental is completely ignored.

Another token aspect of a good documentary is its story arc. If there’s a mystery to be unveiled, it should be unfolded gradually throughout the film, presented as a question mark at the beginning and then revealed slowly as more facts emerge, just as in real life. Though his ultimately inconsequential identity is only mentioned at the tail end of the film, the imposter explains right off the bat his plan to deceive this family. There’s no allure since the facts are being read off in such a straightforward manner, and the true questions that should be answered aren’t, even by the end of the film.

A viewer that was unaware that actors and not the actual people were speaking in the film likely wouldn’t be able to deduce that particular fact, which doesn’t speak positively about the impact of the actors’ performances. Adam O’Brian is less than charismatic or convincing as the con artist, and the rest of the cast, particularly Anna Ruben as the 16-year-old’s sister and Cathy Dresbach as FBI Agent Nancy Fisher, turns in overdone impressions that decrease the film’s credibility. The idea behind this film, and its facts, are inherently interesting, but this film does a miserable job of bringing them to life.

D

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. I'm going to be providing a handy guide to a few choice movies currently playing in NYC as well as several films newly released on DVD. I’ll also aim to comment on those films I have not yet had the chance to see, and I invite you to add in your thoughts on any films I haven’t seen in the comments below. Understandably, some weeks will have considerably fewer releases to address than others.

Now Playing in NYC

Grassroots (recommended): Jason Biggs and Joel David Moore star in director Stephen Gyllenhaal’s entertaining adaptation of a true story about a eccentric Seattle politician. It’s a light-hearted and affecting political story that elicits great serious performances from its comic actors. Now playing at the Village East Cinema. Read my review from yesterday.

The Imposter (anti-recommended): This documentary uses actors and staged interviews to tell the true story of a con artist posing as a 16-year-old missing Texas boy in the 1990s. Unfortunately, its devices serve to make an intriguing story completely uninteresting, and leave multiple questions unanswered. Now playing at the Landmark Sunshine. My review will be up tomorrow.

New to DVD

All In: The Poker Movie (highly recommended): This documentary is a winning and informative depiction of the evolution of poker and the culture it has created. As a recent regular poker player, I heavily enjoyed it, but it think it will entertain a diversity of audiences. Highly recommended for all.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (recommended): The final film from director Sidney Lumet, then 82, is a chilling and fantastic crime thriller featuring strong performances from Marisa Tomei, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Ethan Hawke.

Far From Heaven (recommended): This 2002 period piece from Todd Haynes is beautifully shot and decorated, featuring wonderful performances from Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid, and an affecting and moving story.

Into the Woods (highly recommended): This isn’t exactly a film, but it’s recorded on video and now available in your home! This recording of the 1991 play featuring Bernadette Peters is a real blast, and a definite must-see for any fan of musicals.

Memento (highly recommended): Christopher Nolan may be on top now for “The Dark Night Rises,” but his second feature film is probably his best. The carefully-plotted, out-of-order tale of a man whose memory is falling apart is absolutely exceptional, and while its content is not for the faint of heart, it’s among the best-edited thrillers ever made.

Movie with Abe: Grassroots

Grassroots
Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal
Released July 13, 2012

Movies about politics are bound to be infused, at least to some degree, with the politics of those behind the film. With a director like Stephen Gyllenhaal, father of two actors more widely known than him, who becomes passionate in the midst of a calm discussion about the film, citing his father’s declaration that he wouldn’t die until Nixon was impeached, that’s doubly true. Yet “Grassroots” is a largely apolitical film with a truly memorable and wild central political character, a brazen and outspoken music critic with a fervent desire to see change instilled in his city of Seattle.

Biggs and Moore star in the film

“Grassroots” is based on the true story of journalist Phil Campbell, who loses his job and works to get his eccentric friend Grant Cogswell elected to the City Council. Gyllenhaal, who has been directing independent films and television episodes for the past several decades, usually makes serious films, and knew that this would be a comedy, albeit a dramatic one at that. He explains that he needed comedic actors in his film to appropriately approach the material, and as a result, Jason Biggs stars as Phil, delivering what the actor summarizes as a “subtler, quieter performance than he’s used to giving,” and Cedric the Entertainer has a pivotal supporting role that’s entirely serious in nature.

Biggs discusses the film

Based on a book by the real-life Campbell about his experiences, “Grassroots” is a film about the underdog that resonates today, over a decade after the passage of its events. Biggs describes it as a “cool little quirky story that’s local in nature but really universal.” Its Seattle setting defines it, and Cogswell’s passion for the extension of the Monorail is his most memorable trait. The film, however, is being showcased in a more relatable way across the country with local grassroots candidates getting the opportunity to speak after screenings.

Gyllenhaal discusses the film

“Grassroots” presents an affirming story of an oddball candidate and his hard-working campaign manager, and also includes a diverse and talented ensemble. Biggs is affable and believable as Campbell, while Joel David Moore turns in a fiery, eclectic performance as Cogswell. Lauren Ambrose, Cobie Smulders, Christopher McDonald, Tom Arnold, Emily Bergl, and Cedric the Entertainer complete a smart and capable cast. The film is respectful when it needs to be, such as when its characters watch the Twin Towers collapse live on television, and light-hearted at the right times as well. Unlike its brash protagonist, it’s an unassuming, harmless experience, and a very worthwhile commentary on politics and what it means to be the underdog.

B+

Movie with Abe: To Rome with Love

To Rome with Love
Directed by Woody Allen
Released June 22, 2012

Woody Allen is back with his annual summer release, continuing his world tour by visiting the city of Rome this year. “To Rome with Love” is most clearly a love letter to an endearing city, featuring a handful of memorable characters living unconnected lives. Without the magic of nostalgic time travel in Paris, it’s a typical Allen film probing relationships full of infidelity, generally uneven with some plotlines resonating more than others, ultimately just as fleeting as it is funny. Even a forgettable Allen movie, however, isn’t bad, and this one has a lot of great moments that may not necessarily resonate after the film is finished.

As he has done recently, Allen has searched the world of up-and-coming young actors and found several to spotlight in his film. He’s even gone international, bringing the lovely Italian actress Alessandra Mastronardi in as a naïve young woman enchanted by the opportunity to meet famous Italian actors. Jesse Eisenberg and Ellen Page are obvious choices after their initial breakout roles and subsequent successes, and Allen also features independent film stars Greta Gerwig and Alison Pill, two lesser-known but equally talented actresses. Proven thespians Roberto Benigni, Penelope Cruz, and Alec Baldwin round out the cast, and Allen even throws in a bit of nostalgia by casting himself and Judy Davis as members of the older generation.

“To Rome with Love” suffers from a severe lack of focus, employing a large ensemble with unconnected threads that aren’t ever meant to be sewn up. Two particularly amusing plotlines, one which finds Baldwin giving advice to Eisenberg, clearly meant to be his younger self, and the other, which showcases Benigni as a newfound celebrity famous for being ordinary, are not tethered to reality but seemingly meant to be taken as literally as the rest of the film’s events. Allen’s attempt to get his future son-in-law’s father to sing opera and Mastronardi’s cinematic escapades are wild but far more logical, especially considering Allen’s filmography and the types of characters he has tended to write.

Fortunately, Allen continues to be endearing at age 76, and he’s found a positive place for himself in front of the camera as an older version of his token characters, so neurotic and obsessed with his own ideas that he can barely hear anyone else. His characters, however unconnected and unmemorable, are delightful, or distasteful, depending on what purpose they’re meant to serve, while they appear on screen. Benigni is particularly charming, and Eisenberg, Page, Gerwig, and Pill all spew Allen’s signature analytical dialogue with profound expertise. With non-diegetic narration and affairs aplenty, “To Rome with Love” is explicitly recognizable as an Allen venture, and though it’s hardly his best, it’s still a blast while it lasts.

B

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2010

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.


The Surprise Inclusion of 2010:

The Coen Brothers (True Grit) for Best Director

Why it wasn’t going to happen: It’s not as if this nomination comes as a complete shock, but rather, it wasn’t expected for a number of reasons. In 2007, this duo won first directorial prize for “No Country for Old Men” after taking home a screenplay trophy back in 1996 for “Fargo.” In 2009, they managed their third Best Picture nod for “A Serious Man,” and seemed on track for another one for “True Grit” despite the Golden Globe shut-out for the film. When DGA nominations rolled around, they were the exact same as the Golden Globe list, leaving the Coen Brothers destined for recognition in other categories.

How it happened: Two reasons: the first is as a result of The Big Snub discussed two weeks ago, and the second is because sometimes being popular means getting recognized frequently rather than winning once and then being forgotten. Those unimpressed with the confusing sci-fi nature of “Inception” swapped out Christopher Nolan for this duo, and their film managed a record haul for a Coen Brothers film: ten nominations.

Was it deserved? In this reviewer’s opinion, no. The film wasn’t nearly as strong as the previously mentioned three films they made earlier in their careers. Nolan didn’t deserve to be ousted for them. As it turns out, the film didn’t manage to win any of its ten bids, putting it right in line with another (albeit much better) film from an oft-nominated director, “Gangs of New York.”

Come back next week for a look at the Deadlocked Duel of 2011. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments.

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Compliance

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Compliance – Opening August 17, 2012

This dark thriller seems most intriguing for the realistic nature of its characters, employees at a fast food establishment excited too much by the feeling of power given to them by the voice of a supposed police officer over the phone. Any viewer immediately realizes that this couldn’t possibly be a cop telling a manager that she has the right to strip-search her employee, yet the characters seem woefully unaware that they are being manipulated. It’s the kind of film that those likely to have nightmares should stay far away from, but it might prove to be an interesting, not to mention extremely disturbing, character study. The most recognizable face in the trailer is that of Dreama Walker, who broke out this past season as the bubbly and easily taken advantage-of June on ABC’s new comedy “Apartment 23,” and here she’s considerably more serious and horrified as the victim of the anonymous caller’s game. The chilling declaration that this is based on true events makes the story even more horrifying, and hopefully the acting will be on the same level as the story and this will be more than an eerie and forgettable dramatization of actual events.

Monday Sequel Spotlight: The Matrix Reloaded

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In this series, I’ll be taking a look at some famous (and infamous) sequels to see how they compare to the original. I'll do my best to alternate between the greats and the best forgotten. Leave your thoughts or a suggestion for a spotlight in the comments!

The Matrix Reloaded
Directed by the Wachowski Brothers
Released May 15, 2003

Expectations were insanely high for the follow-up to the gravity-defying, world-bending, visually mesmerizing “The Matrix.” Four years later, the Wachowski Brothers delivered not one but two films, released in May and November of 2003. The second film didn’t go over so well since it lacked the originality of the first film’s action, and instead went full-on into extravagant fight scenes that made even less sense than the first film’s. Keanu Reeves’ Neo was much more aware of his powers and now traveled around garbed in all black with Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus and Carrie-Anne Moss’ Trinity, rather than be led around with pills and phone calls, unaware of the ride for which he was in. That said, the fight scenes were pretty terrific, and some (this reviewer included) were still wowed. Ending the second film on an explicit cliffhanger was an intriguing strategy not done often at that time (now, Marvel films almost require a game-changing post-end credits scene) that probably frustrated more than it engaged. The third film looked completely different, and felt very much like a last-ditch effort to save humanity, with all characters going for broke in their attempts to die heroically and go down fighting. The Agent Smith scenes and attacks on Zion are most memorable from both films, but I think that the majority of fans of the first film would prefer to think of it as a one-shot story without any sequels.

Sunday Similar Standards: Robert Downey, Jr.

Welcome to a semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Robert Downey, Jr.

After getting clean following drug problems in the early 2000s, Downey has returned with a massive career resurgence and a stunning ability to deliver exceptional performances as fast-talking, brilliant, irresponsible, and more than occasionally impolite egomaniacs. It’s earned him one Oscar nomination this decade and the chance to play the exact same part on a number of occasions.

The Singing Detective (2003): Downey played a sickly novelist with delusions of grandeur who imagined he was a great detective who frequently burst into song in this adaptation of a British series.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): Downey oozed charisma and fake charm as a criminal pretending to be an actor to better get away with his crimes.

Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006): Downey was eccentric in a different way as a man whose whole body was covered in hair and had an interesting influence on the artist played by Nicole Kidman.

Zodiac (2007): Though he was merely a supporting player, Downey still stole scenes as a fast-talking reporter with a penchant for pushing the envelope in pursuit of the truth.

Charlie Bartlett (2007): Downey was just as wild as the film’s title character as the alcoholic principal exuding bad influence in this high school drug-dealing comedy.

Iron Man (2008): Downey made Tony Stark a hilariously self-centered and immensely watchable character, and he’s now had the opportunity to reprise the role three times, and he’ll do so again in the upcoming “Iron Man” and “Avengers” sequels.

Tropic Thunder (2008): Downey had fun playing a method actor so into his role that he played an African-American man, and was commended with an Oscar nomination for his individualistic nutty efforts.

The Soloist (2009): For once, Downey was the less showy character, though he still made an impression as a down-spiraling reporter who discovers a homeless musician in this relatively forgettable drama.

Sherlock Holmes (2009): Downey took home a Golden Globe for his energetic and entertaining portrayal of the classic detective, and his onscreen banter with Jude Law and Rachel McAdams was magnificent. The sequel was a hit too, and a third film is unsurprisingly on the way.

Due Date (2010): Downey paired up with Zach Galifianakis to roll his eyes and shout wildly at his partner’s stupidity in this wacky road trip film in which he had plenty of opportunity to insult and demean his new friend.

Anything different?

Well before the 2000s, Downey earned an Oscar nomination for playing Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 biopic.

What’s next?

Literally, more of the same, with three separate sequels on the way.

The verdict?

Downey is extremely hot right now, and the fact that he can get away with being so outrageous and relatively rude in his parts is a testament to just how popular he is. There’s a reason that his films keep commanding sequels, and he’s likely to have a long and prolific career if he stays clean and keeps making entertaining movies.

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. I'm going to be providing a handy guide to a few choice movies currently playing in NYC as well as several films newly released on DVD. I’ll also aim to comment on those films I have not yet had the chance to see, and I invite you to add in your thoughts on any films I haven’t seen in the comments below. Understandably, some weeks will have considerably fewer releases to address than others.

Now Playing in NYC

The Amazing Spider-Man (recommended): This franchise reboot is nothing astonishingly original, but it’s an expectedly entertaining take on the series, superior to the previous three films, with Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Denis Leary leading a fun cast in this relatively action-packed superhero flick. Now playing in wide release. Read my review from Tuesday.

New to DVD

Nothing of note this week!

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Boyz n the Hood (recommended): This 1991 drama earned Oscar nominations for writing and directing for 23-year-old director John Singleton. The moving story features Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Morris Chestnut growing up in a bad part of town while trying hard to stay on the straight path.

In the Mood for Love (recommended): This 2001 Wong Kar-Wai film, one of the first movies shown to this reviewer as a cinema studies student, is a highly distinctive film for a select audience, featuring an unconventional narrative, and, as has come to be expected from the auteur of later films like “My Blueberry Nights,” eye-popping colors and a marvelous take on romance.

K-19: The Widowmaker (recommended): This underrated 2002 drama from eventual Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker”) features heavily accented performances from “Star Wars” juggernauts Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson as they experience a whole lot of exciting drama aboard a submarine. It’s a smart and engaging thriller.

Once Upon a Time in the West (highly recommended): This classic 1969 Western from director Sergio Leone is just as good as the films in his Dollars trilogy, with a legendary opening sequence and some fantastic characters, including Henry Fonda’s bad guy and Charles Bronson’s Harmonica. A must-see for any Western devotee or really any film fan.

Syriana (recommended): This 2005 drama features a large cast of characters and is best remembered for its Oscar-winning performance from George Clooney. There’s much more to it, including a complex Middle Eastern plot and excellent performances from Matt Damon and Alexander Siddig, and it’s a clear sign that screenwriter Stephen Gaghan should be directing more movies.

12 Monkeys (highly recommended): This 1995 time-traveling drama from the mind of Terry Gilliam and based on the silent montage film “La Jetée” is immensely intriguing, and features an astonishing Oscar-nominated performance from Brad Pitt and a fairly decent lead turn by Bruce Willis. It’s a genre piece, but an exceptionally interesting one to be sure.

Friday For Your Consideration: Michael Fassbender

Welcome to a special edition of a seasonal weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Friday For Your Consideration. As every year nears to a close, there are a number of actors nominated for Golden Globes, Oscars, and countless other awards. There are so many spots and there are so many deserving contenders, yet some inevitably get left out. In the absence of a film to review, I’d like to spotlight someone from a film already released this year who is sure to be forgotten by the end of 2012.

Michael Fassbender (Prometheus)

Where you’ve seen him before: For the past three years, he’s been all over the place in British and American cinema, with crucial supporting roles in “Inglourious Basterds,” “Fish Tank,” and “Jane Eyre,” and no fewer than three lead parts in prominent films last years: as Carl Jung in “A Dangerous Method,” Magneto in “X-Men: First Class,” and a sex addict in “Shame.”

Why he deserves it: He should have already been a nominee last year for “Shame,” and now he turns in another magnificent performance, in a science fiction film no less! Humanoid robot David is far from emotionless, and Fassbender captures the inappropriate enthusiasm perfectly, wearing his delight and curiosity on his face, making David an immensely intriguing and watchable member of this mission.

Standout scene: On the way to their faraway destination, all of the humans aboard Prometheus sleep in cryostasis for two years. David, however, spends the entire time awake and active, and we get to see a brief snapshot of his daily routine, which involves showing off his sporting abilities and watching “Lawrence of Arabia,” eager to learn about and fit in with the humans.

Why he won’t get it: It's extremely rare that science fiction gets recognized by Oscar voters, especially in the acting categories. When Alec Guinness did it for “Star Wars” back in 1977, it was his fourth nomination and he had already won twenty years earlier. Fassbender doesn’t have that reputation just yet, and unless it’s a weak year, this film won’t be remembered quite so positively by the end of the year for its non-technical elements.

Thursday Theoretical Oscar Category

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In my love for everything Oscar, it’s always fun to speculate on who or what might have been included given different circumstances. Though there are twenty-four fields recognized on Oscar night, that still neglects a handful of key players. As a result, I’d like to take a look each week at imagined categories, and who or what might have benefited from their existence.

The category: Best Scene

Why it should exist: Individual scenes are often the most memorable parts of lesser movies, and it’s worthwhile to recognize a film’s ability to capture undivided attention for a few minutes due to the action on screen. The MTV Movie Awards hand out trophies for Best Fight and Best Kiss, and this represents a more overarching award for the best single segment in a film.

Why it doesn’t exist: It’s hard to pick just five scenes from an entire year’s lot, and, somewhat like the Best Foreign Film race, there might have to be a rule that each film only gets to submit one choice scene to be recognized. That could result, however, in just awarding the top five films and their individual segments, but let’s hope that voters could be more open-minded and creative than that. The way I do it is by ranking the best scenes (more than five), but Oscar categories don't tend to work that way.

Who might have been nominated the past five years:
2011: The Artist, Drive, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, Moneyball
2010: Black Swan, Inception, The King’s Speech, 127 Hours, The Social Network
2009: Avatar, 500 Days of Summer, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Up
2008: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, Milk, Slumdog Millionaire, The Wrestler
2007: The Assassination of Jesse James, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, No Country for Old Men, Once, There Will Be Blood

Who do you think might have been nominated?

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2011

Welcome back to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.



The Surprise Inclusion of 2011:

”Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” for Best Picture

Why it wasn’t going to happen: Precursors don’t mean everything, but they’re awfully helpful. When a film picks up just two Best Picture bids in the run-up to Oscar nominations day, from the BFCA and the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association, a bid in the top category doesn’t seem likely. Even fellow surprise nominee “The Tree of Life” achieved more than that. There certainly were other films, like “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” in line ahead of it for the up to ten spots.

How it happened: Stephen Daldry has a way with Oscar voters. His first three films netted him nominations for Best Director, and the latter two scored Best Picture bids. His fourth film peaked late but still managed to get nominated for Best Picture and for Best Supporting Actor Max Von Sydow. Having Oscar mainstay Tom Hanks and new Oscar darling Sandra Bullock in the cast probably helped, and a deftly-handled sensitive subject matter must have torn at voters’ heartstrings.

Was it deserved? Based on the fact that it was announced out of alphabetical order as a sort of tack-on to the rest of the list, most people will tell you no. I’d argue, however, that it was a strongly-constructed, immensely moving film that got painted as something more artificial and released too late for enough people to be able to see it to say otherwise. I think it’s a worthwhile inclusion for a film that was ignored far too much.

Come back next week for a look at the Surprise Inclusion of 2010. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments.

Movie with Abe: The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man
Directed by Marc Webb
Released July 3, 2012

Superheroes will never go out of style. In fact, they’re so popular that a number of franchises, especially those involving Marvel characters, are being rebooted within a decade of the original franchise being begun. It happened last year with X-Men, and now Peter Parker is back for another round with British actor Andrew Garfield in the lead role, and Mary Jane Watson, J.J. Jameson, and the Green Goblin swapped out for the Lizard and Gwen Stacy. It’s as fitting an entry as any, and while it doesn’t present much in the way of a startlingly new perspective, a fresh look doesn’t hurt.

This film falls neatly into the category of family-friendly Marvel films that aren’t laden with suggestive remarks and innuendos, portraying its heroes as all-American and flawed but ultimately good. Spider-Man has always been a classic character, and here he plays an active part in his own origin story, embracing his newfound abilities in ways that seem immediately beneficial to him but also help to better society. Though Parker rips off his mask on numerous occasions and even walks around without it on for extended periods of time, he still has the same persona: a masked avenger helping to keep the city safe.

Garfield, who broke out in British films “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” and “Red Riding: 1974,” and has made just “Never Let Me Go” and “The Social Network” since, makes another smart and selective role choice with Parker. Comparison to Tobey Maguire is inevitable since he played the part so recently, and Garfield is subtler and more unsuspecting than Maguire, capable of blending into the shadows but also of reveling in his ability to finally take charge of his life and be in control for once. He has excellent and amusing chemistry with the multi-talented Emma Stone, who portrays Stacy as charming, intelligent, and kind.

The supporting cast is well-stacked as well, most notably Denis Leary in a fun role as the hard-headed Captain Stacy who butts heads with his daughter’s boyfriend on more than one occasion. Martin Sheen and Sally Field are appropriately endearing figures to play Uncle Ben and Aunt May, and Rhys Ifans make for a compellingly three-dimensional Dr. Curt Connors, better known as the Lizard. This story weaves together aspects of the original comic book plot to create a new, slightly altered universe that differs substantially from that of the three films that precede this one. It’s appropriately light in tone, but tells a generally serious and invigorating story. Though no one is clamoring for a sequel, this new setup works well and is perfectly suited to become a franchise.

B+

Movie with Abe: Safety Not Guaranteed (Capsule Review)

Safety Not Guaranteed
Directed by Colin Trevorrow
Released June 8, 2012

This little gem of a movie is exactly what was promised by its trailer, which I spotlighted two weeks ago. A bevy of TV stars – Aubrey Plaza (“Parks & Recreation”), Mark Duplass (“The League”), Jake Johnson (“New Girl”), Karan Soni (“Touch”), Mary Lynn Rajskub (“24”), Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Kristen Bell (“House of Lies”) – band together for a tiny story of a Washington State-based journalistic team scoping out a peculiar man who was advertised for a time travel companion. Plaza’s demeanor, nearly identical to that of her “Parks & Recreation” character April, is perfect for the role, and Duplass captures the excitable energy of a man who lives in his own world well. Most of the characters in the film aren’t terribly likeable, but the film still manages to tell a pleasant, simple, and endearing story with a truly terrific ending.

B+

Sunday Similar Standards: Keira Knightley

Welcome to a semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Keira Knightley

This beautiful British actress is just twenty-seven years old, yet she’s been acting in popular American and British films for the past decade. She’s best known for portraying spirited women trapped in their own skin for some reason or another, yearning to break free of the confines of their status or time. Her characters are also likely to be both witty and charming.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999): This one is more of a joke since Knightley actually played a decoy for lookalike actress Natalie Portman’s character Queen Amidala.

Bend It Like Beckham (2003): In a more youthful role, Knightley was an energetic football (soccer) player determined not to let her gender keep her from her passion.

Pirates of the Caribbean (2003): In this period action comedy and its sequels, Knightley played a governor’s daughter not content to let her stature as a lady keep her from fighting pirates and defending herself and her honor when necessary.

Love Actually (2003): A small role in a large ensemble found Knightley caught between two best friends vying for her affection in a cute and endearing role.

King Arthur (2004): In this retelling of a classic story, Knightley had the role of Guinevere, a female warrior not afraid to fight alongside men.

The Jacket (2005): Knightley was a glimmer of hope for Adrien Brody’s time-traveling distressed veteran, a young girl who represented the actualization of his actions.

Pride & Prejudice (2005): Knightley scored an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of the free-spirited Elizabeth Bennet in this adaptation of Jane Austen’s famous novel.

Atonement (2007): Knightley was the melancholy female figure of this story of a doomed forbidden romance, yearning for the love she was bound to be denied.

The Duchess (2008): Knightley got regal as the strong-willed Georgiana, the duchess of Devonshire, in this lavishly-decorated period piece.

Never Let Me Go (2010): Knightley was curious and energetic as a young woman engineered specifically for the purposes of saving someone else’s life.

Last Night (2011): Knightley portrayed a woman in an unhappy marriage contemplating an affair in this dark and moody drama.

London Boulevard (2011): Knightley retreated from society to play an eccentric actress with a distaste for interaction with people.

A Dangerous Method (2011): Knightley put on an accent to play a troubled patient of Carl Jung’s with a passion of her own for psychoanalysis.

Anything different?

Not so much.

What’s next?

The title role in another period drama, “Anna Karenina.”

The verdict?

She plays troubled young women with strong passions because she’s good at it, and at this point, she’s still hot in both her native country and here in the United States, so she’s sure to have many great roles into her 30s and beyond.