The Town

Ben Affleck is developing a nice second career as a director. "The Town" doesn't have quite the character development of "Gone Baby Gone" but it's a taut crime drama with well done action sequences and some original moments.

Mr. Affleck directs himself and he is actually quite good as the bank robber with a conscience. Jeremy Renner, plays his childhood friend and partner in crime, "Gem" with a psychotic attitude and realistic menace. The film also stars Jon Hamm, as the FBI agent tracking them but it's hard to think of Mr. Hamm other than Don Draper from "Mad Men". He tries too hard to shed his signature character. Rebecca Hall and Blake Lively co-star as the women in Mr. Affleck's life and it's always good to see Pete Postlehwaite on screen, even if it's a minor role.

There are some exciting chase sequences through the streets of Boston and Fenway Park features prominently in the finale. The cinematography is crisp and for the most part, the editing is sharp. A definite recommendation.

Resident Evil: Afterlife 3-D

If you are a fan of this seemingly endless series, then you will make it your business to go. If not, stay as far from this worthless piece of celluloid as you can. Milla Jovovich returns as "Alice", the physically enhanced zombie fighter along with Allie Larter, as her zombie killing partner.

The film is a tired retread of all it's previous incarnations, ripping off "The Matrix" along the way. The gimmick, this time, to sell tickets is that it's in 3D. Unfortunately, this is the worst 3D film since "Clash of The Titans". The film is dark, the effects are cheesy and the medium is wasted.

Just remember, I see these films so you don't have to...

Who is Harry Nilsson (and why is everyone talking about him)?

Many people know the songs (Without You, Everybody's Talking, Coconut, One, Me And My Arrow, etc...) but not everyone knows the name. Writer/Director John Scheinfeld remedies that with this new documentary.

Using rare, never seen before film clips as well as home movies and personal photos, Mr. Scheinfeld weaves an intimate portrait of the artist and the man. There are also dozens of interviews with friends, family and celebrities including Yoko Ono, Robin Williams, Brian Wilson, Eric Idle, Randy Newman, Jimmy Webb, the Smothers Brothers and many others.

The film starts with his early years growing up in Brooklyn, New York and moves through his career path showing us the highs and lows along the way. Mr. Nilsson reached his greatest success with "Nilsson Schmilsson", his most widely recognized album, produced by Richard Perry. There is some wonderful film footage of them in the studio as well as recollections by Mr. Perry of their years together. The Beatles had called Nilsson, their "favorite group" and the film has some great moments documenting his close relationship with both John Lennon and Ringo Starr.

After the success of "Nilsson Schmilsson", Mr. Nilsson's life began a terrible downward spiral and the film takes a honest look at the gifted artist on the road to self destruction. Mr. Scheinfeld balances the destructive "bad boy" with the loving family man and really answers the title question. It's a labor of love filled with great music and visuals that even a casual fan will enjoy.

Machete

Based on his fake trailer, writer/director Robert Rodriguez crafts a film filled with mayhem, violence, girls with guns, nudity, explosions, lots of fake blood and Robert DeNiro. Sometimes a film like "Machete" is just what the doctor ordered. Designed like a '70's exploitation film, "Machete" is the type of film best enjoyed in a drive-in as a double feature with "Piranha 3-D".

This mindless "popcorn" movie is actually a lot of fun when you go in knowing what to expect and get exactly what you pay for. It's great to see character actor Danny Trejo finally get star billing and his hard, weather beaten look is just perfect for the title character. The supporting cast is really amazing. When will you ever see a film again with Robert DeNiro (as a sleazy, racist, senator), Steven Segal (as a Latin crime lord), Don Johnson (as a racist vigilante), and Lindsey Lohan (shooting up people dressed in a nun's habit)? The movie also stars Jeff Fahey, Jessica Alba, Michele Rodriguez and Cheech Marin as one character more outrageous than the next.

Lost in the mayhem is a point about immigration laws and illegal immigrants (mostly from Mexico) but "Machete" makes too much fun of itself to be taken seriously. This film is so over the top, it's halfway down the other side.

Mesrine: Public Enemy #1 (Part Two)

The French crime epic "Mesrine" has been split into two separate films here in the U.S. but I'm not sure how it played in France. Having now seen the entire story, it could have been edited into one three hour film that probably would have worked even better. Part two, "Public Enemy" picks up moments after the start of the first film and like the first, dissolves into flashbacks to bring the story full circle.

Vincent Cassel continues an electrifying performance as the title character. As part two takes place in the '70's, we now find Mesrine older, heavier and a complete attention seeking egomaniac. Having made a daring escape from a courtroom (a terrific sequence), Mesrine's infamy continues to grow and he feeds off the fame with even more daring robberies and escapes.

Along for the ride this time is Mathieu Amalric as Mesrine's partner in crime, until even he is fed up with the antics of the publicity seeking criminal. Again, there is a daring prison break and also a great car chase through the streets of Paris. However, here is where part two begins to falter. While the first film moved at a kinetic pace, the second takes a different approach and slows down the story with much longer sequences. It begins to get repetitive and has more tedious moments in between the action. This is where more editing could have consolidated both films into one.

Having said that, it's still important to see both films and experience the full story. Mr. Cassel brings Mesrine to life and even through the slow spots is still mesmerizing to watch.

Mesrine: Killer Instinct (Part One)

Part one of a two part epic, this crime drama plays like a French "Scarface" as it charts the rise of Jacques Mesrine, a notorious French gangster in the '60's and '70's. Loosely based on real events, "Killer Instinct" introduces us to Mesrine as he returns to France from the war in Algiers. He begins his rise through the French underworld under the guidance of an older mobster, Guido, played by Gerard Depardieu.

Mesrine himself, is played by Vincent Cassel and he is electric in his best role yet, understandably winning the French equivalent of an Oscar for his role. Mr. Cassel lights up the screen with a multi-layered performance that captivates the audience. He turns Jacques Mesrine into such a charming rogue that you root for him to succeed in his criminal ways.

The film is directed by Jean-Francois Richet, who also won the French award for best director. The film moves very quickly with Mr. Richet keeping each scene short and concise, leaving the viewer to fill in the gaps between the editing. While this may turn off some viewers, it keeps the action going and ratchets up the suspense. There are some wonderful set pieces including an jailbreak in broad daylight and memorable bank robberies. The screenplay is based on Mesrine's autobiography which, while very colorful, is probably filled with much exaggeration but all of it, true or not is captured in the film.

Most of "Killer Instinct" takes place in the '60's and the costumes, sets, music and cinematography all work in concert to evoke the times. There are some scenes of brutal violence and the film is in French with English subtitles.

Animal Kingdom

Writer/director David Michod's first feature film is a nasty piece of business imported from Australia. Guy Pearce is the only "name" actor American audiences will recognize but you will not soon forget the rest of this cast.

This contemporary crime drama centers around the Cody family. The film's narrator is 17 year old grandson, J Cody, who comes to live with his grandmother and three uncles after a shocking opening scene. J is played by James Frecheville who, in his film debut, leaves quite an impact. Jackie Weaver plays grandmother Janine, the matriarch of this criminal brood. She resides over her family like the lioness analogy of the film's title. Her scenes late in the film are especially chilling.

All of Janine's sons are also well cast and make a very scary lot, especially "Pope", the oldest, played by Ben Mendlesohn. Mr. Pearce plays the lead detective trying to bring the whole family to justice. He knows J is minimally involved in their dirty deeds and tries to turn him against his family.

Mr. Michod shows confidence behind the camera and builds his suspense well. Violence is hovering on the edge of almost every scene but credit Mr. Michod for creating the mood and keeping the actual violence to a minimum (graphic though when it does happen). I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.

Middlemen

Luke Wilson shines in an otherwise annoying film about the introduction of "porn for pay" on the Internet.
The story is "Inspired by real events" but inevitably creative license runs amok. The film is all over the place, at once comedic and then deadly serious. It's filled with stock characters like Russian mobsters, middle eastern terrorists, shady lawyers, porn stars and kindly FBI agents. At the center of it all is "Jack Harris", the problem solving business man with the brains to sort out everyone's problems and get rich quick.

Mr. Wilson does a great job as the family man, Harris, who succumbs to the lure of big money, sex and power only to find it's what what he really wants. Hmmm, haven't we seen this plot before...in about a gazillion movies? While his acting is terrific, the story is annoying and grating on the nerves. The action constantly moves back in forth in time confusing the viewer and the constant narration by Mr. Wilson really gets under your skin (no pun intended). A good script wouldn't need the voiceover to explain everything happening on screen.

The film also stars Giovanni Ribisi and Gabriel Macht as the two drug fueled friends that start the Internet porn business and James Caan as the aforementioned shady lawyer. While all the acting is good, it's not enough to sustain your interest in all these unlikeable characters.

At it's root, this little known history lesson is a cautionary warning of excess. Let this review be a cautionary warning as well.

The Disappearance of Alice Creed

What easily might be misinterpreted as another "torture porn" film in the vein of "Saw" or "Hostel" is actually nothing like that. Instead, the British import, "Alice Creed" takes a well prepared kidnapping and turns it south but not before many twists and turns in the road. There are scenes of violence as well as sexual situations and language but it is far from over the top and used sparingly without being exploitive.

This film reminded me a bit of an earlier British crime thriller, "Shallow Grave". All may not be what it seems and to say anything more would be unforgivable. The plot twists keep coming and I enjoyed every turn. The three character cast does a good job of keeping you guessing right up to the end.

Gemma Arterton stars as "Alice", the kidnap victim and while she plays most of the film tied to a bed with a gag in her mouth, she still manages to convey a wide range throughout the story. The only other characters are the kidnappers, Vic and Danny, played respectively by Eddie Marsan, (so good in "Happy Go Lucky") and Martin Compston ("The Damn United" and "Red Road").

There is some clever camera work particularly in the opening sequence and a great scene involving a bullet casing (which makes an interesting reappearance later on). Writer/Director J Blakeson takes a familiar plot and makes it fresh with the help of his talented cast.

Get Low

Not a lot happens in this backwoods tale of an old hermit who decides to throw himself a funeral before he dies but it's still worth the price of admission. The reason is simple...Robert Duvall plays the hermit, Felix Bush and Bill Murray plays the funeral director, Frank Quinn. It's a pleasure to watch these actors work.

Mr. Duvall is at the top of his game as the old man who decides it's time to "get low", a southern term for time to die, but not before he can confess a 40 year old secret. His "Felix Bush" comes off as a crazy old coot but he's a man with a twinkle in his eye, who knows exactly what he's doing at all times. His monologue at his funeral party is a class in acting all by itself. Mr. Murray's "Frank Quinn" is a perfect foil to Mr. Duvall. Quinn is a desperate man as business has been slow and he really needs this last shot to stay afloat. He's oily and conniving but Mr. Murray holds back what could have been over the top and balances his personal needs with his belief in his client.

Co-starring is Sissy Spacek, who is so comfortable in her scenes with Mr. Duvall, you'd think they've worked together for years (when in fact, it's their first film together). In addition to Ms. Spacek, Lucas Black plays Mr. Quinn's assistant, Buddy and the great Bill Cobbs plays Rev. Charlie Jackson, the only other person who knows Bush's secret. Everyone in this film is perfectly cast and the acting is just wonderful to watch.

The script is a simple one but filled with some great dialog and on-liners. The cinematography is breathtaking with beautiful shots in the Georgia woods. Like Mr. Duvall's character, the film itself is quiet and reserved but it sneaks up on you and will have a lasting impression.

Salt

It's been hard to escape the advertising for this film. Everywhere you go, you see these huge billboards asking the question, "Who Is Salt?". Salt is actually Evelyn Salt, play in full action hero mode by Angelina Jolie. Ms. Salt is a CIA agent who is identified as a Russian "sleeper" agent and suddenly everyone is after her, including her best friend and fellow agent, played by Liv Schreiber.

While the action comes fast and often, much of it is just hard to believe, especially Ms. Jolie's hand to hand fights with various agents and police. One punch or kick brings down every assailant. That criticism aside, it's still fun to watch her outsmart everyone and the script has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing which side she's really on.

This is a crowd-pleasing summer "popcorn" flick. You can check your brain at the door and just have fun with it. The ending leaves "Salt" wide open for a sequel although they do say, too much salt is not good for you.

Restrepo

This award winning documentary from Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington is a harrowing journey that puts you smack into a year in the lives and deaths of a platoon of soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. The soldiers are real, the bullets are real and the emotions run high.

Credit Mr. Junger and Mr. Hetherington for capturing every moment, whether it be boredom or the middle of a firefight, with unflinching camera work and editing. The film was shot over the course of a year from 2007-2008 in the Korengal Valley, know as "hell on earth" to the soldiers deployed there.

The filmmakers avoid any political or outside commentary and concentrate solely on the 15-20 men that make up the unit, that comes to be know as OP Restrepo. (You'll understand the name when you see the film) The film intersperses headshot interviews of the various men in between footage of them going about the daily routine of war.

This is a "no holds barred" look at modern warfare in a war that will seemingly never end.

The Kids Are Alright

It's entertaining to watch five good actors playing a very dysfunctional family but the novelty of this nuclear family having gay parents who's sperm donor suddenly enters their life wears thin. Not that the excellent cast doesn't try hard but the plot turns melodramatic and predictable.

Annette Bening and Julianne Moore play the parents of Mia Wasikowaska and Josh Hutcherson. Ms. Bening's character is written to be the annoying overbearing parent and she overplays the part annoying the audience as well as her screen family. Ms. Moore's character is more of a free spirit and it's hard to imagine they've been together at least 20 years, let alone raising two children who seem so well adjusted.

Into their lives comes Mark Ruffalo, when Mr. Hutcherson convinces his sister to contact their biological father. His presence soon turns the family dynamic upside down. Mr. Ruffalo's character is just too good to be true. He's sexy and single, owns an organic restaurant, drives a motorcycle and just so happens to be in need of Ms. Moore's gardening skills.

Everyone plays their part very well. It's a treat to watch the acting and there are some well written scenes but overall, it's just...alright.

Inception

Writer/Director Christopher Nolan is back in full brain twisting mode after giving us the thrill of "The Dark Knight". He confounded us with the trippy "Memento" which played with the concepts of the space/time continuum and now he enters our dreams to steal our thoughts and asks, "can the dream be the reality?"

This is a brilliant film filled with solid acting and wonderful effects. It demands your attention or, like many of the characters themselves, you will be lost in its dreams. Mr. Nolan constructs a multi-layered dream within a dream landscape and takes us on a wild journey that followed carefully will captivate and stimulate your own mind. Your pilot for this flight of fancy is Leonardo DeCaprio and he is excellent as the self tortured "dream extractor". Ellen Page is your co-pilot as "The dream architect" who's main purpose is appears to be the audience's avatar and ask the questions that help explain the logic of the film. This is Ms. Page's first foray into an "adult" role and she handles herself admirably against heavyweights like Mr. DeCaprio and Michael Caine (In a little more than a cameo as Mr. DeCaprio's father).

The film also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Cillian Murphy. Mr. Levitt has a wonderful sequence without gravity that is remarkable to watch and even more so as I believe it was done without any CGI effects. Mr. Murphy plays the "mark" who mind is invaded by Mr. DeCaprio and his team. Also co-starring Ken Watanabe, Tom Berenger, and Marion Cotillard. The entire cast is just perfect without any false notes to shatter the concept.

If you have trouble following the plot, I recommend you just let yourself go and enjoy the ride. There will be plenty of time for analysis and debate once the credits roll. And trust me, you will analyze and debate. "Inception" is the first truly original movie of the summer and one of the year's best.

The Girl Who Played With Fire

All of the "Millennium" trilogy has already been filmed in Sweden and now Part Two arrives here with sub-titles for fans who can't wait for the American version. If you haven't read the books, you may still enjoy the film but also find it confusing and not really appreciate the nuance of the characters. The film is very much the middle of the story and will only be fully appreciated after viewing the final chapter.

To trim the story for film, excess parts have been exorcised and that's both good and bad. The entire first 150 or so pages of the book exist for mere minutes during the opening credits which is a good thing as that sub-plot was silly to begin with. What has been trimmed and very much missed, is the investigation from the police point of view. Detectives that figure so prominently in the book are reduced to minor roles as the film focus remains on Salander and Bloomqvist. A major plot point left out of the first film removes the explanation of why Lisbeth has stopped talking to Bloomqvist as the second film begins. There other other minor changes to hasten the film along but they can be forgiven.

The good news is that Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyqvist have returned as said characters and it's fun to watch them, once again, bring these people to life. I can't imagine anyone else as Lisbeth Salander at this point as Ms. Rapace loses herself in the role of a very complicated woman. Thankfully, they will continue to play the roles in the third and final film, " The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest".

While the first film, "Dragon Tattoo" introduced the characters in a great stand alone mystery, this time the story gets personal and much more convoluted. Reveals and sequences stretch the boundaries of credibility but still make for an exciting story. Like the book, this film ends on a cliffhanger so don't expect closure. For that you'll have to wait for "Hornet's Nest".

Knight and Day

After a recent round of Indie films, I decided to jump back into the Hollywood pool with "Knight & Day". Now I know why I prefer Indies. Before we get to the film itself, let's chastise the studio marketing department for the worst title and marketing campaign to come along in years. The title has absolutely nothing but a sliver of a connection to the film and has no appeal whatsoever. Therein lies the problem. 20th Century Fox figured they have Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz...heck we can call the movie "paper" and people will come. Guess what, they won't... according to the recent box office.

This film is a perfect example of the Hollywood machine gone awry. Take two superstars, add exotic global locations (including Brooklyn NY?), mix in a formula villain you can spot immediately and drag it out for maximum stunts, explosions and comedic interplay between the leads and what do you have? A film you have seen countless times before and probably done better. The script really insults the audience's intelligence.

You never forget for a moment that you are watching Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. They don't even bother trying to create characters. They try hard to just get by on their looks and charm. Credit Ms. Diaz especially in the charm department. She actually outshines Mr. Cruise in the fun to watch category. She is obviously having fun with her role and lets the audience in on the gag.

To be fair, the stunt work is good and many sequences are exciting (with the exception of some sub-par CGI) but just when you've have your fill of explosions, globe hopping and gunplay, you get more. For a film that runs under 2 hours, it seems like an eternity. A better title would have been "A Long Day's Journey Into Knight".

Micmacs

From the fertile mind of writer/director Jean-Pierre Jeunet comes this wonderful new film. Mr. Jenuet has brought us "Delicatessen", "City of Lost Children", "A Very Long Engagement" and most notably, "Amelie". His visual style is like no other and his whimsical approach to storytelling brings us films you never want to end. "Micmacs" happily falls into the same category.

This is a most original tale of a man plagued by arms dealers (don't try to understand, it's clear when you see it) who, with help from a ragtag band of misfits living under a junkyard, plots his revenge in a most outlandish and amazing way. It is delightful from start to finish. The actors are wonderful and the cinematography is incredible. The artistic, visual storytelling is done with a minimum of dialog propelled by a wonderful score (including vintage Max Steiner material).

Dany Boon stars as Bazil, the loner seeking revenge and he is a combination of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Marcel Marceau. The film also stars Andre Dussollier, a popular French actor known more for drama than comedy and Julie Ferrier, a charming and most nimble contortionist. Rounding out the cast are a number of Mr. Jeunet's usual stalwarts from his earlier films.

In New York, "Micmacs" is still playing at The Angelika in Manhattan and Cobble Hill Cinema in Brooklyn. If you miss it, add it to the top of your Netflix list. It is easily one of my favorite films of the year.

The Killer Inside Me

Casey Affleck leaves his older brother Ben in the dust as the star of this new drama from director Michael Winterbottom. Mr. Affleck is mesmerizing as Lou Ford, a deputy sheriff in a small Texas town in the '50's. Beneath his quiet and polite exterior lies a total sociopath who leaves a trail of broken bodies in his wake as he goes about his daily business.

Mr. Winterbottom directs from the source novel by Jim Thompson, the very definition of pulp fiction. This slice of film noir has it all. Sex, violence, blackmail and murder all boil to the surface in a mix of "Blood Simple", "Body Heat" and "Blue Velvet". Be warned, the violence is graphic and difficult to watch.

Co-starring with Mr. Affleck are Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Ned Beatty, Simon Baker and Elias Koteas. For Ms. Hudson, it's a brave departure from her usual roles and she is quite good. Any film with Mr. Koteas is always a bit left of center and yet for him, it's one of his more subtle roles. Ms. Alba is physically revealing but also taps an inner strength she has only hinted at in other films. And of course it's always good to see Ned Beatty back on screen (he's been busy of late. He also does the voice of Lotso Huggins Bear in "Toy Story 3"). Mr. Baker is a bit of a disappointment bringing nothing new to his character, the town D.A. and the only person who suspects the truth. He might as well be playing his role from "The Mentalist" minus the humor.

I can't say enough about Mr. Affleck, who puts you inside the mind of Lou Ford and it's a chilling place to be. It's a performance that should be recognized but probably won't be due to the graphic nature of the role.

I Am Love

Tilda Swinton stars in this new Italian drama. She plays the matriarch of the rich and powerful Recchi family. A family that begins to show cracks in their perfect world as the film progresses. The story develops slowly as the camera lingers over every detail. Every frame of the film is like walking through an art museum. The direction and cinematography are exquisite. Ms. Swinton is excellent as always and one of the finest actors of her generation.

Metaphors abound in food, architecture, clothes and relationships. Food preparation becomes as sensual as new lovers in their seduction. Layers are slowly peeled away and new truths are revealed. This is very much an adult drama in a sea of animation and explosions typical of summer fare. Like a good meal, it is to be savored slowly. In many ways, it feels like a '50's melodrama and no doubt was inspired by films of that period.

The film is in Italian with subtitles. It's pace and low key style may not be for everyone but it does sneak up on you and lingers long after the credits roll.

Winter's Bone

Director Debra Granik made her debut with the excellent Indie film "Down To The Bone". That film also introduced Vera Farmiga, who has gone on to more well know Hollywood fare. Ms. Granik follows "Down To The Bone" with "Winter's Bone" and again launches the career of a wonderful actress.

"Winter's Bone", like it's predecessor, is set in bleak surroundings focusing on people living on or below the poverty line and features a strong female lead. Jennifer Lawrence plays Ree, a 17 year old taking care of her ill mother and younger brother and sister in the Ozark mountains of Missouri.
When her missing father skips a bail bond, Ree must find him or lose their home (which was put up against the bond).

Ms. Lawrence is wonderful as Ree. She's both tough and tender, beautifully balancing a complicated character. Co-starring as her uncle "Teardrop", is veteran actor John Hawkes, who was a regular on the excellent HBO series Deadwood. Mr. Hawkes brings multiple layers to a character who easily could have been a one note role. They are both terrific.

The script has elements of a Hollywood formula but it frequently veers off that path. The film has a documentary quality as we follow Ree's hunt for her criminal father. Ms. Granik has a knack for capturing the resolve of her characters living in a bleak and raw environment. She can make you feel the chill of an Ozark winter and find humanity buried beneath rough and sometimes scary exteriors. Her camera transports you to Ree's world and if you are unfamiliar with this way of life, this film will certainly raise your social awareness.