Aziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening

Aziz's best bits kill, but on the whole this filmed set is uneven. It is refreshing to encounter a comic from a "non-traditional" ethnic background. Ansari lampoons his Indian-American ethnicity frequently. Probably the funniest bits involve anecdotes about his naive cousin. One wonders how well some of these jokes will age. Ansari's repeated references to Facebook and "emoticons" probably won't translate in 10 years' time. We'll probably be on to other technology-based diversions by then.


Written 8/3/10

A Serious Man

Once again, the Coen brothers have created a world. In "A Serious Man" that world is a mid-1960's midwestern town populated by neurotic Jewish people. I loved every minute of this film. It's an imaginative spin on the Bible's book of Job. More understated and less populist than other films in the Coen's oeuvre. Certainly not everyone, but I was engaged the entire way.


Written 7/13/10

Black Dynamite

A brilliant sendup of 1970's blaxploitation films. Michael Jai White is hilarious as "Black Dynamite" - a ripped, kung-fu loving street enforcer who does whatever he pleases. White never once drops character - he plays B.D. as cool and straight as can be. This movie only barely misses "classic" status for me; the supporting cast has several weak players, which is to the detriment of the film. No doubt it is difficult to match the level of quality brought by White.


Written 3/31/10

In the Loop

The barbs arrive fast and furious in this one. "In the Loop" is an excellent political satire - it updates the classic "Dr. Strangelove" for the present generation. The film's cast doesn't feature any marquee names, but this is no matter (except if you're fickle). This cast of lesser lights delivers a hilarious romp worthy of plaudits.


Written 3/11/10

Bruno

This is so crass and self-serving. Unfortunate lows are stooped to. Awkward moments abound and the humor is scarce. "Bruno" is mean-spirited filmmaking.


Written 1/6/10

Away We Go

Why is this film so awful? Everything they splatter onscreen in "Away We Go" is pretentious beyond belief. I felt like every character was trying to lecture me. I don't need your malfunctioning instruction manuals!! Uggh - go back to screenwriting school. This film is horrendous. Who gave this the green light?


Written 11/10/09

Paper Moon

Peter Bogdanovich had a vision for this film, and he executed it expertly. The casting is superb. The story veers into dark corners at times, but a winning human spirit triumphs. Fun to see a real life father-daughter act in parallel roles onscreen.


Written 11/10/09

The Baxter

Understated and subtle. Michael Showalter is a winning dweeb in the lead role. The humor doesn't bang you over the head, but guffaws will abound with perceptive viewers. The story hangs well together and - save a few ineffective scenes - is an affecting portrait of The Search for Love.


Written 11/10/09

What's Up, Doc?

A classic caper comedy that is guaranteed to lift your spirits. By the time the film ramps up to its sequence of ceaseless sight gags and, eventually, a brilliant car chase through the streets of San Francisco, you will be hooked. Ryan O'Neal is outstanding as a needy nerd, and Streisand is sweetly mischievous. The supporting cast provide laughs all around. Don't sleep on this one!


Written 8/7/09

The Apartment

Outstanding in all respects. The subject matter features some surprisingly dark themes that are still risqué today. But the warmth in the performances of the two leads - Lemmon & MacLaine - preserves the film from falling into mire. The script is sharp, and brilliant character actors abound. See this movie!


Written 7/25/09

Mon Oncle

"Mon Oncle" is a series of set pieces and gags, most of which are effective, but many do fall flat. Despite this film's accolades, one can't help but feel that shaving 15 minutes off the total running time would greatly enhance the work. Nonetheless, Jacques Tati's careful, charming diatribes against modern technology and the dominant oppression it enforces upon its human "owners" continues to ring true in present day. We humans have not shaken our love of gadgets and sleek design! In "Mon Uncle", Tati argues in favor of a simpler kind of life.


Written 7/2/09

Role Models

This would merit a better rating if the language wasn't so crass, but I guess some people just like to hang out in the sewer. Men: when do we begin to reject this content? This redundant "men-will-be-boys" schlock ushered in by Judd Apatow and co. and now seemingly unavoidable at the local cinemaplex. The writers of "Role Models" decided to resort to including the "cute kid with a filthy mouth" character, so you're presented with every generation of the cast writhing in debased verbiage. The dénouement wraps everything up in a pretty bow for viewers, despite our inevitable disbelief at the loss of realism.


Written 4/16/09

Happy-Go-Lucky

I was disappointed by this film, considering the many critical raves I had read and heard. The female lead, Polly, is certainly a unique character. Unfortunately, she grates. She never gained my sympathy. Though some of the humor is effective, often the style of dialogue is too frenetic to deliver useful comedy. Much of the banter Polly shares with her flat-mate is performed as sped-up, hyper infantilism; it didn't much appeal to me. And then some dark elements creep into the storytelling. These twists are quite unsettling and awkward for the viewer to square with the bulk of the content.


Written 4/9/09

Son of Rambow

I'm sure it looked good on paper, but the execution reeks of trying too hard. Question: what do you get when you mix Amelie with Rushmore with Billy Elliot? Answer: this pale imitation. Just because it features cute children doesn't give the film a "pass" for its lack of originality. Disappointing to say the least.


Written 3/12/09

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

The fact that the lead actor Jason Segel - an unknown - crafted this screenplay himself provides intrigue. But his moping, loser character soon grates. Russell Brand plays a charming rapscallion that is basically identical to his true life celebrity persona. He is mildly amusing. The female leads aren't given much to work with; honestly, their characters are vapid. It's not all a road to miserable viewership, though -- there are some worthy gags along the way. But it's hard to root for characters who both possess little distinction and are poorly drawn.


Written 10/13/08

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

The drugs don't work. The drugs don't work. The drugs don't work. The drugs don't work. The drugs don't work. The drugs don't work.


Written 10/6/08

The Band's Visit

Ponderous and sterile. It is distressing to learn that the director spent nine years of his life crafting this screenplay. It is paper-thin.


Written 8/24/08