Goodbye Solo
Directed by Ramin Bahrani, this is an extraordinary movie set in a rural American city, which looks at a friendship forged by two unlikely men. Solo is a Senegalese taxi driver trying to provide a better life for his family, and William is a tough old Southerner with a lifetime of regrets. One man’s American Dream is just beginning, while the other’s is closing down. Through this unlikely friendship the rapidly changing face of America is explored. The film is insightful and intelligent. It is brilliantly directed, and superbly acted by Souleymane Sy Savane as Solo, and Red West as William.
Vincere
This is also a pretty extraordinary movie coming from Italy, and it is directed by Marco Bellocchio. The movie tells some little known facts, up until now, about the life of the Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini. It seems that when Mussolini was still the editor of the newspaper Il Popolo D’ Italia, he had a secret wife and child. But, when his political career really started to take off, he decided they were an encumbrance, and had to be hidden away. Mussolini goes to some incredible lengths to get them out of his life. The film is very dark and somber, however, in typical Italian style, a lot of the harsh realities of the story are sugar coated with lush photography and sumptuous sets and costumes. Filippo Timi and Giovanna Mezzogiorno star.
Telstar
The life story of the legendary record producer and maverick musical genius Joe Meek is depicted in this fascinating English movie, directed by Nick Moran. Meek created a string of No. 1 hits in the early 1960s, including the famous guitar throbbing ‘Telstar’, which became the biggest record of its time, and the first British single to ever top the US charts. Meek made weird and wonderful recordings that now have iconic status in the world of British Pop, but, unfortunately, living on a diet of caffeine and amphetamines, his life was to veer dangerousl out-of-control. Con O’Neill expertly captures the mad frenzy of Meek’s personality, while Kevin Spacey makes a surprise, and surprisingly good, appearance as Meek’s rambunctious business partner.
The Thaw
A renowned environmental advocate, played by Val Kilmer, discovers the carcass of a Woolly Mammoth in a melting glacier deep within the Arctic Circle. But, little does Val know, that he is about to unleash a revived prehistoric parasite which is going to search for new warm-blooded hosts. Into this scenario wander four pretty dumb ecology research students, who are going to find themselves in a rather dicey situation. The movie has its fair share of nasty thrills and chills. It also contains a low-key, yet realistic message about the possible environmental consequences of global warming.
The Proposal
This is the kind of movie for which Sandra Bullock is famous. She is, after all, the Queen of the Romantic Comedy. In this, her latest offering, Sandra is a high-powered book executive working in New York, but threatened with deportation back to her native Canada. Sandra quickly forces her long suffering male personal assistant to enter into a fake engagement, to fool the immigration department, and, before you know it, they are off to Alaska to meet his parents. No guessing what happens next! Okay, the movie is not as bad as it sounds. It does have some good moments of situation comedy, and, to be fair, Sandra is really a rather generous actress. She allows her co-star, Ryan Reynolds, to sparkle as much as she does. They make a nice couple.
Sorry If I Love You
Alessandro is a 32 year old advertising executive, and his long-term girlfriend has just left him. Niki is a 17 year old student, preparing for her high school exams. One day Alessandro accidently knocks Niki off her motor scooter with his car, and, yes, it is love at first sight. But, are their age differences going to be an impediment to true romance? Will friends and families disapprove? This is a breezy and entertaining romantic comedy from Italy, directed by Federico Moccia and starring Raoul Bova and Michela Quattrociocche. And, once again, in typical Italian style, nothing much really happens, while lots of time is spent in fabulous restaurants, and fabulous nightclubs, with fabulous people, wearing fabulous clothes! Ciao!
Wedding Bros
Written and directed by Michael Canzoniero, this is a bizarre American-Italian movie set on Long Island. Dan Fogler and Brendan Sexton III play two brothers who are bored to tears working in their father’s wholesale carpet store. Through some very bizarre circumstances they start a new life as Wedding Videographers. The genuine comedy and interest of the movie is to be found in the extremely bizarre weddings the boys have to attend.
Fighting
A small town boy, played by rising new star Channing Tatum, comes to New York with nothing. Barely earning a living selling counterfeit goods on the streets, his luck changes when a scam artist sees that he has a natural talent for street-fighting. Almost overnight, Channing becomes a star brawler in a series of staggering intense bouts fought out in the illegal and corrupt bare-knuckle circuit. However, Channing has some tough decisions to make, if he wants to eventually escape this hard life in which he is now entrapped. Think Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Rocky’ series, with street credibility.
Imagine That
Eddie Murphy’s latest comedy is absolutely terrible and trite. Enough said!
