We Are The Best!

   A new Indie film from Swedish director Lukas Moodysson, captures youthful rebellion in all it's joy and heartbreak. Taking place in Stockholm circa 1982, this is the story of Klara and Bobo, two 13 year old non-conformist girls who decide to start a punk rock band even though they have no idea how to play music.

    Considered outsiders and weird at their school, they find happiness at a local youth center thrashing around a set of drums and a bass guitar. When they actually write a song, they decide to become serious about the music and enlist the aid of Hedvig, a 14 year old loner who can actually play guitar. They form an all girl punk trio, still without much talent but plenty of spirit.

The three leads, Mira Barkhammar (Bobo), Mira Grosin (Klara) and Liv LeMoyne (Hedvig) are just terrific and perfectly cast. Ms. Barkhammar and Ms. Grosin, in particular, have great chemistry and talent to spare.

     Part coming of age drama, part musical, the film celebrates teen spirit with humor and grit. Boys threaten to break them apart and parents don't understand them but the girls determination lead them on. I would have liked even more musical performances but it's still a joy to watch. 

22 Jump Street

     Jonah Hill & Channing Tatum return in this predictable yet fresh sequel to "21 Jump Street". Predictable since they basically do the same film again although now they are undercover in college rather than High School. Fresh because they are self deprecating and constantly making fun of the fact they are doing a sequel.

     The twist this time is that the "bromance" may be over but the chemistry between the two actors still holds the film together. The jokes remain crude but the tongue in cheek gags are very funny even if they sometimes get lost in the toilet humor. The story itself is too long and the film feels like two movies stitched together but it's worth it just to get to the credits for a look at the imagined sequels to come.

      Ice Cube returns as the foul mouthed police captain in charge of Jump Street division. This time out he is given more to do and is obviously enjoying spoofing himself. There are a few surprise cameos but the film belongs to Mr. Tatum and Mr. Hill who are funny throughout.

      If you enjoyed the first film, you won't be disappointed. And if you don't catch it in the theater, they are already advertising the DVD...coming out any minute.

Edge of Tomorrow

     Director Doug Liman really knows how to hold your interest. This new action adventure is a science fiction "Groundhog's Day" and it easily could have become repetitive and silly. In Mr. Liman's capable hands however, he manages to keep things fresh and moving despite the repetitive nature of the story. 

      The most important element to it's success however is it's star. Tom Cruise is just terrific in one of his best roles in years. Here he plays against type to start and grows into the hero role guided by his equally terrific co-star, Emily Blunt. Mr. Cruise is at his most charming and yet conveys a genuine vulnerability we usually don't see in his action films. Ms. Blunt has come a long way from "The Devil Wears Prada" becoming an action hero in her own right. 

      The film co-stars Bill Paxton as a tough talking sergeant stuck in Mr. Cruise's repetitive loop as well as Brendon Gleeson as the General who sets things in motion. Noah Taylor plays the requisite scientist who knows the truth and how to defeat the enemy. There is also a ragtag group of soldiers all played by fresh faced actors that support Mr. Cruise.

    

 The special effects are quite good and the film is fast paced and very exciting. The premise is a bit far fetched by this is a summer blockbuster so just go with it. You will be very entertained.

A Million Ways to Die in The West

   If you are expecting this generation's Blazing Saddles, you will be disappointed. Although there is one scene that completely out grosses the famous campfire scene in that classic. Writer/ director Seth McFarlane straddles the line between a sweet comedic story and outright crude silliness never really committing to either one. 

     

   There are some good laughs, especially due to surprise cameos but Mr.McFarlane would have been better served letting someone else direct his material. He overplays too many jokes and they lose their effectiveness. He is also obsessed with western vistas as scene after scene of endless wide angle background shots go on forever. I get the satire of a few shots but they just keep coming with no discernible end. 

     

     It's a fun cast that seem to be enjoying themselves as well as serving the audience. Some of the scenes between Charlize Theron and Mr.McFarlane appear improvised and they crack each other up quite a bit. Liam Neeson makes a good villain and Sarah Silverman is perfectly cast as a foul mouthed prostitute...with good Christian morals (you will understand when you see it). Neil Patrick Harris steals every scene he is in besides stealing the heart of Amanda Seyfried.

     

     I could have done without the few racist jokes (although one in very poor taste is redeemed during the credits). Fans of Seth McFarlane will find the film critic proof and probably hysterically funny. I thought it could have been funnier.

The Immigrant

"The Immigrant"

     Writer/director James Grey's latest film is a period piece set in New York City circa 1921. It stars Marion Cotillard as Ewa, a Polish immigrant fresh off the boat with her sister Magda. When they arrive at Ellis island, Magda is taken to the hospital to be treated for lung disease and Ewa is threatened with deportation. She is rescued by Bruno, played by Joaquin Phoenix, and thus begins a complicated relationship when Bruno doesn't turn out to be the savior he appears to be.

       Mr. Grey shoots the film in a sepia tone to help give the illusion of 1921 and with authentic sets and some CGI, viewing the film appears to be a genuine return to the past. The hardships of life on the lower east side of New York are many and  life does not go easy for Ewa as she struggles to earn money to help her sister. As the story unfolds, she meets Orlando the Magician, played by Jeremy Renner, who has a history with Bruno and offers Ewa a possibility of a better life.

        The three leads are the only "name" actors in the film and they are all excellent, especially Ms. Cotillard. She is perfectly cast as Ewa with her beautiful features and sad eyes, it's easy to feel her pain and anguish at the situation forced upon her. It's also easy to see how both Mr. Phoenix and Mr. Renner can fall in love with her.

         The story is a bit thin and moves slowly but it's Ms. Cotillard that drives the film and there are small pleasures in many scenes. The closing shot, in particular, is beautifully framed and leaves it's image well beyond the credits.

Chef

 
     Jon Favreau juggles producer, writer, director and star duties in the charming indie film that takes him back to his roots before "Ironman" and "Cowboys and Aliens". Mr. Favreau plays Carl Casper, a very talented chef who is in a creative rut. When he clashes over the menu with restaurant owner Riva, played by Dustin Hoffman, he ends up with a terrible review by food critic, Ramsey Michel, played by Oliver Platt.
 
     The consequences of that review start him down a path of change that restore his creativity and make him a better man. His journey involves a food truck and the help of John Leguizamo, Sofia Vergara, Emjay Anthony and in a one scene cameo, Robert Downy Jr. Also on the menu is Bobby Cannavale and Scarlet Johnansson as his co-workers at Riva's restaurant.
 
      It's a great cast in a light and breezy film structured as a feel good movie and it succeeds on all levels. The music is terrific as is all the prepared food and I guarantee you will leave hungry. Make a night of it...see "Chef" and then head out to your favorite Cuban restaurant.

X-Men: Days of a Future Past

 
     If you are a fan of the series, you will be pleasantly rewarded with this well crafted next chapter in X-Men mythology. If you aren't familiar with the series, skip this film as you won't have any idea what's going on. The plot concerns time travel and that can always be confusing but director Bryan Singer does an admirable job keeping the story together.
 
     The film is full of X-Men cast members from all the films so fans will be happy to see all their favorite characters, both past and present. However, the story is so complicated that many characters are sacrificed to one or two scenes and dont get their fair share of the action (poor Halle Berry).  Hugh Jackman stars again as Wolverine and he has the largest role since he is sent back in time to convince the younger versions of Professor X and Magneto to work together to stop an event that will change the course of history for the worst. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart reprise their roles as the older Magneto and Professor X and Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy, once again play the younger versions. Jenniefer Lawrence gets a lot of screen time as Raven/Mystique since it is her actions in the past that need to be altered. New faces this time out are Evan Peters as Quicksilver, a cameo role but he gets the best scene in the film and Peter Dinklage as a mutant hating scientist ( also crucial to the plot).
 
       The CGI is first rate and the action sequences are terrific. Much of the humor in the film is provided at Wolverine's expense but it helps keep things from getting too dour. The climatic scenes switch back and forth between the future and the past and everything tends to mash together but it all makes sense in a comicbook universe sort of way. There are some surprise cameos as well that will keep the fans happy and as always, stay through the credits for a quick glance of things to come.
 
         So far, the X-Men win the battle of the summer blockbusters but I will withold final judgement until after "The Guardians of the Galaxy".
 
     

Godzilla

 
   What do Bryan Cranston, Julliette Binoche, David Strathairn, Ken Wantanabe, Sally Hawkins and Elizabeth Olsen all have in common?  Yes, they are all actors with serious acting credibilty and yes, they have all taken the money and ran for appearing in the newest remake of "Godzilla". Bryan Cranston plays a scientist who disappears from the movie before Godzilla even makes an appearance and Julliette Binoche plays his wife in a blink and she's gone moment. Ken Wantanabe and Sally Hawkins are scientists following the trail of the monsters but dont really do anything. Mr. Strathairn has the most screen time as an admiral commanding his fleet to shadow Godzilla as he swims from Toyko to San Francisco. And Ms. Olsen has the unfortunate sterotyped role of the worried wife and mother.
 
     The producers brought in these big guns to lure the public into thinking this was a serious monster movie. Well that's an oxymoron. What it really is, unfortunately, is a snorefest (except in Imax 3D, where the sound alone will keep you awake). The director, Gareth Edwards uses the "Spielberg" card by not revealing Godzilla to the audience until at least an hour into the film. Instead we get two strange looking monsters who eat radiation and are trying to find each other to mate.
 
     Godzilla has sprang from the ocean depths to prevent the other monsters from mating and then he leaves. That about sums up the plot. Much of Toyko and San Francisco get destroyed in the process (nice change from New York getting battered again).  Oh and I forgot to mention Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Mr. Cranston's son, Ford, who gets to globe hop at will chasing Godzilla too. 

      The CGI work is credible but Godzilla looks like he's put on a few pounds waiting for his remake. The 3D is wasted and while the fight scenes are fun in IMAX, there really isn't enough story here to keep you interested. Spoiler alert- I did enjoy how Godzilla kills the second monster.

   Yes, it was a man in a rubber suit but stick to the original.

The Amazing Spiderman 2

       The summer movie season kicks off early with the continuing story of The Amazing Spiderman "Andrew Garfield" Edition. Bigger and louder than the first reboot (especially in IMAX 3D), this one featuring once again, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy and Sally Field as Aunt May. The villains this time around are portrayed by Paul Giamatti, Dane DeHaan, and Jamie Foxx. 

         Mr. Garfield has a boyish charm that suits him well as Spiderman and he continues to have great chemistry with Ms. Stone. Jamie Foxx as "Electro" is asked to play him as a tragic figure but once he transforms, is little more than a one note villain. His two pivotal battles with Spiderman account for most of the action.  Paul Giamatti plays a Russian gangster transformed into "The Rhino" but has very little screen time. Dane DeHaan takes over the role of Harry Osborn and while he plays evil well, he doesn't have the exaggerated presence to embody "The Green Goblin" and frankly there is too much Osborn and not enough "Goblin".

           The sub-plot of Peter Parker's past is explored in too much depth and stretches the film past the two hour mark. Further lapses between action sequences also contribute to the feeling that the film goes on far too long.

            The action scenes are impressive (especially in 3D) as Spiderman swings through the concrete canyons of Manhattan and squares off against "Electro" in Times Square. You may want to bring earplugs if you see it in IMAX. Director Marc Webb (no pun there) alternates between lulling you to sleep and waking you up with deafening fight scenes.

            Spiderman purists may take issue with deviations on Electro's origin, "The Rhino's upgraded body armor, Gwen Stacy's fate, and a lack of J.Jonah Jameson but the entertainment value is still there. It's just not quite "amazing".

Nymphomaniac Volume II

            It is more obvious now that writer/director Lars van Trier originally made a single four hour film cut up for U.S. distribution. Vol. 2 picks up immediately where Vol. 1 ends and continues the story of Joe, the woman found beaten in an alley and tended to by Seligman.

             Vol. 1 centered on Joe as a young woman discovering her sexuality. As we begin the second half, the adult Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) has lost all sexual stimulation and begins a descent into extreme kinds of sex in order to experience orgasm. She continues to relate her story to Seligman (Stellen Skarsgard) who passes no judgement and finds ways to wax philosophical about her increasingly strange life.  Mr. van Trier has a odd sense of humor and while there are a few disturbing yet somehow humorous scenes, most of Vol. 2 takes a more serious and darker tone.

              Shia LeBeouf returns as Jerome and as in Vol.1 is still embarrassing to watch. Jamie Bell co-stars now as "K",  a sadistic young man who invites women to knowingly and willingly be tied up and beaten. It's a brave but brutal role and I give Mr. Bell credit for taking on the challenge. Willem Defoe also has a small part as a shadowy figure who gives Joe a job as an unusual debt collector.

               As with all his films, Mr. van Trier is daring and provocative but after four hours of emotionless sex and various shots of both male and female genitalia sprinkled in between ridiculous dialog, you will find yourself bored rather than aroused. It all "climaxes" in an ending I found utterly repulsive and unnecessary.

The Raid 2

         Gareth Evans does it all...screenwriter, director, choreography and producer but it's star Iko Uwais that you will never forget in this "sequel" to "The Raid: Redemption". In the first film, Rama, a cop played by Uwais storms his way into an apartment complex overrun by bad guys and fights his way to the top in what was billed as one of the greatest action films ever (and was). "The Raid 2" picks up moments later as Rama, with barely time to breathe,  is recruited to go undercover and infiltrate a gang of very, very bad criminals.

           In this new film, Mr. Evans actually makes an attempt at a real plot but borrows heavily from "Infernal Affairs" (later done as "The Departed" by Martin Scorsese) as his undercover cop Rama, finds himself in the middle of a mob war. The dialog is silly, in sub-titles and barely necessary since you bought your ticket for the action but endure the story and you will be rewarded by amazing sequences. Mr Uwais is a living version of the cartoon Tasmanian Devil and has moves Bruce Lee could only dream of. The fight scenes are breathtaking in a beautiful ballet of violence and mayhem. No CGI here, you feel every punch and Mr. Evans has a particular style that leaves you surprised with every battle.

          You may quickly forget the plot but you will remember the fight in the prison yard, the fight in the kitchen, the fight in a moving car, and the fight in the hallway just to highlight the best of the action sequences. The fight choreography is incredibly real and so inventive that if you are a martial arts aficionado or just an action junkie, you will be blown away.

Draft Day

    Kevin Costner and sports films always make a great combination and "Draft Day" scores a touchdown, especially if you are a football fan. There have been comparisons to "Moneyball" which is understandable since they are both about the business side of sports but "Draft Day" has the advantage of a fictional story to add much more suspense to the plot.

         The film takes place over the course of the 12 hours leading up to the NFL draft, the time when teams announce which college players they are selecting in a pre-arranged numerical order. General Managers can wheel and deal up to the last second deciding on players and trading "picks" with other teams. For a team's general manager, coach and staff, it's their Superbowl with the future of their organization hanging in the balance.

          Mr. Costner plays Sonny Weaver, the GM of the Cleveland Browns. His "Cap" analyst/girlfriend is played by Jennifer Garner and other co-stars are Frank Langella as the owner of the team, Dennis Leary as the team coach and Chadwick Boseman (so good in "42") as one of Sonny's potential target players. Sean Combs is well cast in a supporting role as a sports agent representing another player Sonny covets. There are also many real life football players in various roles. 

            The film is fun and gets more exciting as the clock ticks down towards Cleveland's allotted pick time. What will Sonny do? That sums up the plot pretty succinctly. The film misses the "extra point" with too many melodramatic sub-plots thrown at Sonny to complicate his day and director Ivan Reitman relies way too much on split screen effects to tell the story. It's a very deliberate choice but ends up making the audience dizzy.

            Most of the action is not on the field but rather behind closed doors but it's still a fascinating look behind the scenes. To this football fan, it seems pretty accurate and probably close to what really happens on draft day.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

     Credit screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely for a terrific script that turns a superhero movie into a political spy thriller. Grounded in reality, albeit a Marvel reality, the film works on all levels and is extremely entertaining.

      Chris Evans returns as Captain America along with Scarlett  Johansson as the Black Widow (Natasha Romanov) and Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury. All three have become very comfortable in their roles and are well suited to their comic book characters. Another Marvel superhero makes it to the big screen as Anthony Mackie co-stars as The Falcon (Sam Wilson) with upgraded wings. Sebastian Stan plays the title character, The Winter Soldier and he is a formidable opponent for "Cap". A big surprise is the addition of Robert Redford, playing against type as Alexander Pierce. Mr. Redford is the last person you would expect to see in a Marvel film but he seems to be enjoying himself immensely.

        There are secrets, plots and double agents galore when S.H.I.E.L.D is compromised and of course it's up to Captain America to save the day. Co-directors Anthony and Joe Russo balance the intrigue with many exciting action sequences culminating in an explosive finale. There are in-jokes for the devoted comic fans and of course, stay through the credits for a double surprise.

NOAH

     Writer/ director Darren Aronofsky bring us his own personal vision of the biblical story of Noah and the ark. It is a polarizing film that will certainly stir controversy but in the end, Mr. Aronofsky is not interpreting religion but rather making art. 

       The film is all over the place. At times totally weird and ridiculous and yet, also dramatic and believable. I had a hard time getting past one of the weirder, yet vital elements of the story but I leave it to you the viewer, to decide for yourself. Mr. Aronofsky attempts to ground the story in more human than religious terms (God is referred to only as "the creator") but that one odd decision (and you will know it when you see it) makes it too hard to take seriously.

        Star Russell Crowe, as Noah, does take everything very seriously but his character goes so far over the top in his virtue and righteousness, that after rooting for him, you eventually want to throw him off the side of the ark. This is probably why he discovers wine and becomes the planet's first drunk. His wife is played by Jennifer Connelly and she has very little to do here but worry about her husband's sanity. Ray Winstone co-stars as a fictitious character representing the evils of man. Anthony Hopkins also co-stars as Yoda, err, I mean Methuselah, the oldest man on the planet and Noah's grandfather. He only has a few scenes but sets major plot points in motion with sage advice and a touch of magic.

        The cinematography and special effects are well done. All the creatures entering the ark and the flood itself are impressive but I left the film with more questions than answers. For starters, why are all the animals rendered unconscious but the humans are unaffected by Ms. Connolly's aromatic sleeping potion? And why does Mr. Aronofsky depict a sequence of evolution only to change gears and then have "the creator" create man? You can't have it both ways. The script also tells us we are all born of original sin, hence the creator's decision for a "do over" but in the end, love conquers all and the sin of incest is never an issue. After all, who's left to repopulate the earth except Noah's immediate family?

         As for better entertainment value, rent "A Beautiful Mind" for a wonderful Crowe/Connelly pairing and listen to Bill Cosby's classic bit, "Noah".

Nymphomaniac Volume I

        The latest self indulgent therapy from writer/director Lars van trier.  It's a unique one of a kind film that can only come from the mind of Mr. van trier. Since it is Volume 1 of a two part story, it's not really fair to review it as a stand alone film. I'm sure  Mr. van trier's original vision was a single four hour film but for whatever the reason, Vol. 2 will be released in two weeks.

         What I can say it that there is plenty of sex and nudity (body doubles were used), odd moments of humor and a terrific cameo by Uma Thurman. The film stars Charlotte Gainsbourg  as "Joe" and Stellen Skarsgard as "Seligman". When Joe is found beaten and bruised in an ally by Seligman, he brings her to his apartment to recuperate after she refuses an ambulance. It is there that she begins to tell him of her life filled with one sexual encounter after another. Mr. Skarsgard takes everything quite seriously but still finds a way to project the intended (I hope) humor of the script. In Volume 1, Ms. Gainsbourg has little to do except to narrate her story.

           In flashbacks, Joe is played by Stacy Martin, a fearless young actress who is terrific in a difficult part. She loses her virginity to a terribly miscast Shia LaBeouf, who returns later in the film to only embarrass himself further with a bad accent and even worse acting. Another miscast actor is Christian Slater, who plays Joe's father. In an effort to play a serious "art" role, he literally leaves himself exposed in the worst way.

           Whatever Mr. van trier is thinking, I have to hold judgement until after seeing Volume 2 but equating sex to fly fishing in Volume 1 certainly maintains his standing as an original and visionary filmmaker. Love him or hate him, his work is always controversial but fascinating.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

   Written and directed by Wes Anderson, this is probably his most fully realized and mainstream film. It has his usual whimsical charm , a wonderful plot, and inspired dialog.

        The majority of the film takes place in 1932 inside the grand hotel. The film stars Ralph Fiennes as M. Gustave, the manager of the hotel and he is simply wonderful. Tony Revolori is his protege, Zero the Lobby Boy. They make a lunatic pair who cannot stay out of trouble. The film is also filled with a bevy of terrific actors, most of whom have worked with Mr. Anderson in the past. Look for Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Jason Schwartzman, Harvey Keitel, Adrien Brody, Jude Law, F. Murray Abraham, Edward Norton and Tilda Swinton just to name a few. 

         Unfortunately with the exception of Mr. Fiennes, Mr. Revolori, and possibly Saoirse Ronan, every other role is little more than a cameo.This leaves little room for character development but the film moves at breakneck speed and it's such fun to see these actors pop in and out, you don't mind their short screen time.

  

         Besides an entertaining and very funny script, Mr. Anderson also rewards his audience with visual treats. Eye popping sets, wonderful miniatures, and colorful use of animation all blend together to tell the tale. 

        "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is grand indeed. You'll be glad you checked in.

300: Rise of an Empire

        Billed as a sequel to "300", the film actually takes place at the same time and just after the outcome of that story. Loosely based and for the most part historically accurate, "Rise of An Empire" chronicles the "other" battle between the Persians and the Greeks during the Persian invasion. While the Spartan army of 300 tried in vain to hold off The Persian army, The Athenian general Themistocles battled the Persian navy at The Straits of Artimisium.

          General Themistocles is played by Sullivan Stapleton and while he knows his way around a sword, he lacks the charisma of Gerald Butler. His Persian rival is Eva Green, who plays Artimisia, leader of the Persian navy ( and named for the straits where the naval battle actually happened) . I doubt her character really existed but she does manage to steal the film anyway, especially during a rough sex scene with Mr. Stapleton. Returning from the first film is Lena Headey, who now leads the Spartans since the death of her husband Leonidas and Rodrigo Santoro as Zerxes, the Persian God-King.

         Filmed again in a highly stylized form, the visuals are further enhanced by 3-D and the action is pretty much continuous with buckets of blood and body parts seemingly flying off the screen into the audience. Fans of the first film will not be disappointed but if you are not interested in Greek history or intense, hyper-violent sword play, this is not the film for you.

Non-Stop

        Liam Neeson has become the action hero of February. Since "Taken", he has become the go to actor to save the February movie blues. At this point, it doesn't matter how ridiculous the plot or dialog, Mr. Neeson will save the day.

         "Non-Stop" is pretty ridiculous but Mr. Neeson takes the film very seriously and finds a way to rise above the poor material and sell this story of a mid-air crisis. The film is silly but it does have one thread of suspense going for it, trying to figure out who is behind the plot to kill a passenger every 20 minutes. There are plenty of suspects on the crowded airliner.

           Julianne Moore co-stars probably because she needed to make a car payment or was behind in her mortgage. She is too good an actress to waste her time in this "blink and it's gone to cable" movie. And if co-starring wasn't bad enough, her character disappears for most of the final act. Another waste of talent is the recent Academy Award winner, Lupita Nyong'o. She plays a flight attendant with almost nothing to do or say. 

            To make the most of this story, skip the film and re-watch the trailer. All the action and suspense are right there to enjoy for three minutes and it's free.

Omar

     This is the new foreign thriller from director Hany Abu-Assad ( Paradise Now ). Omar is a  Palestinian baker who becomes an informant for the Israeli military, jeopardizing his relationships with his two oldest friends, and his romance with the woman he plans to marry.  

      The story is more complicated than it sounds as the film balances a delicate love story with a political thriller taking place in contemporary Palestine.

      Adam Bakri  plays Omar and he is full of screen magnetism. He is an exciting actor to watch whether it's his tender scenes with his love, Nadia or scaling walls and jumping across rooftops being chased by the police. There are twists and red herrings and plenty of harrowing moments. The entire cast is very good in a topical inflammatory situation that has no easy answers. 

       Be warned there are a few violent sequences including a torture scene but they reflect the everyday potential for violence living in the West Bank. Despite the violent moments, the film is smart and exciting and worth your time. 

  

      "Omar" is nominated for Best Foreign Language film at this year's Oscars. It's a well deserved nomination.

The Monuments Men

   Co-written for the screen, directed by and starring George Clooney, this is a really interesting true story of World War II unfortunately made into a bland, boring movie. Mr. Clooney's script is episodic at best and lackluster throughout. As for his acting, he basically plays himself narrating a History Channel special.

     To his credit, he assembles a first rate cast including Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Bob Balaban, Bill Murray and Jean Dujardin. The actors all play art specialists of one sort or another assembled to help retrieve stolen art by the Nazi's towards the end of the war. Cate Blanchett plays a French patriot who has the key to finding much of the lost art. Mr. Clooney's direction of this terrific cast, however is the real crime here. I can't remember such top rate talent boring me beyond words. 

      The war torn European scenery looks authentic, the story is really fascinating but the cast plod through a poorly edited patchwork of a film. It does an injustice to all the real men and women who risked their lives saving thousands of works of art. I'm sure Mr. Clooney had the best intentions for telling the story but he got lost in the material and the film probably would have been better served with a different director.

      The only suspense comes very late in the film when the Americans race to get to some of the lost works before the Russian army does. For real suspense rent the 1964 film, "The Train" starring Burt Lancaster. It narrows the same story down to a single Nazi train of stolen art leaving Paris, headed to Germany that must be stopped without damaging it's precious cargo. A terrific film and one of Mr. Lancaster's best.