Jim Jefferies: Bare (2014)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Shannon Hartman

Starring: Jim Jefferies

Running time: 75 minutes

This 2014 Netflix original is a stand-up comedy special with Australian-born comic Jim Jefferies, who performs on stage in front of a Boston crowd. Over the course of 75 minutes, he discusses such topics as women’s rights, sex, kids, family and gun control. The material is raunchy; it would likely offend many people. As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Notwithstanding his more balanced and careful approach to the controversial subject of gun control, Jefferies’ humor is unapologetic. I really dug his delivery, where lines come out slowly and often take a sharp turn at the end.

This one is not for the sensitive ears, but the fans of blue comedy will enjoy themselves. I am now looking for an April 18 t-shirt to be part of the brotherhood; it’s so close to my own birthday too.

Rating: «««««

Donnie Brasco (1997)

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Mike Newell

Starring: Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen

Running time: 126 minutes

This 1997 American crime drama is based on the true story of Joseph Pistone, an FBI undercover agent who infiltrated a New York City mafia clan under the name of Donnie Brasco. In the film, he befriends Lefty Ruggiero, an aging hit-man, who takes him under his wing and vouches for him. As the sting goes on, lines get blurred and Pistone starts to care and fear for Lefty’s fate within the group if it is found out that he unknowingly vouched for a federal agent.

Al Pacino and Johnny Depp are both absolutely brilliant here in their respective roles. Considering the performances we are accustomed to with them, it should be no surprise. They are both believable, and the material they were given was solid too. The combination of those two elements made for a very good film.

Michael Madsen and Anne Heche have both also offered some good performances in Donnie Brasco.

Overall, Donnie Brasco is an excellent film with a compelling story and some solid acting. A film to see.

Rating: «««««

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

Genre: Comedy / Drama

Directed by: John Madden

Starring: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Richard Gere

Running time: 122 minutes

In this sequel to the original film made in 2012, the owner of Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Sonny Kapoor, is trying to secure some help from an American company to open a second hotel in India. He is also about to get married to his fiancée. Unfortunately for Sonny, an old friend of his is back in town and their rivalry picks up where it left off, complicating things for the young man filled with big dreams.

Unlike the first film, the sequel focuses more on Sonny than on the residents of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and there lied most of the problem for me. In small doses, the Sonny character was bearable. As the main focus, I wanted to punch him 15 minutes in. Thankfully, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith were back again, and their presence managed to give this film a little shot of charm in the arm; it needed much more to make it good.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is mish-mash of boring nonsense that drags on and on. I would pass on it, if the choice had to be made again.

Rating: ««

The Hateful Eight (2015)

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Genre: Western

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh

Running time: 167 minutes

Sometime after the Civil War, Bounty hunter John Ruth is bringing fugitive Daisy Domergue to Red Rock by stagecoach so she can hang. Along the way, they cross the path of another bounty hunter, Major Marquis Warren, who is dragging three dead outlaws he is looking to collect on. Warren is accepted on board, and they travel along. Further down the road, they pick up Chris Mannix, a former military man who claims to be traveling to Red Rock to become the town’s new sheriff. He manages to join the clan, who is soon forced to stop at Minnie’s Haberdashery to take refuge from a blizzard that is hitting the area. Other men are there; who are they really and what are their motives?

Quentin Tarantino, who wrote and directed this film, is known for movies filled with violence, comedy, twisted situations and incredible dialogues, and he delivered more of the same with The Hateful Eight. That being said, while the main ingredients are the same, it remains fresh. The famed director has a true knack for creating interesting characters and finding the right actors and actresses to carry the ball to the finish line.

Once again, the combination of Tarantino’s words and Samuel L. Jackson’s acting chops makes for great cinema. So many great lines delivered with pure brilliance; it truly has to be seen to be understood. These two make a great team. Jennifer Jason Leigh was also great as female outlaw Daisy Domergue. She gives us a foul-mouthed, rough-around-the-edges-and-down-to-the-core, ruthless and conniving criminal who can take a pounding and keep on coming. Her transformation is great here.

Tarantino always manages to pull off a few nice surprises, and the presence of Bruce Dern and Channing Tatum were two really good ones in The Hateful Hate. The veteran actor and the young sex symbol both did a solid job in their respective roles. It was also nice to see Michael Madsen back in a Tarantino film. Now, I feel like seeing Reservoir Dogs again.

Many people will probably scoff at the abundant use of the n-word in this movie. Racist characters will use racist language. Same goes for the violence against the female character. Tarantino movies are parallel universes where anything goes, sensibilities need to be checked at the door. Otherwise, it is better to stay out. Buyers beware, he has now made eight films, and he has stuck to his guns, so it should be no surprise to anyone. Making omelets leads to broken eggs, 

I love the feel of The Hateful Eight. It has the looks of an old western film, with many modern elements. Once again, Tarantino uses his many influences as a cinephile to tell an original story and deliver a film that has his distinct signature. The movie starts slow and pulls you in a bit a time. By the end, I was fully engrossed by the characters and their fate. I want more.

Rating: «««««

History of the Eagles (2013)

Genre: Documentary

Directed by: Alison Ellwood

Starring: Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Don Felder, Joe Walsh

Running time: 187 minutes

This two-part documentary tells the story of the American rock band The Eagles. The first part covers the beginnings, the success that came to these young men and then the band’s breakup in 1980. The second part deals with the 1994 reunion and then the last tour, which shares its name with this documentary.

It was kind of weird that, a few days after I watched this particular documentary on Netflix, Glenn Frey, a founding member of The Eagles, passed away. It gave me a bigger understanding of the loss that represents for the world and for music, as I am now more familiar than ever before with the work he did with that band and as a solo artist.

The documentary itself is very comprehensive and informative. I really appreciated the fact that these are not outsiders sharing their thoughts on The Eagles. Every member of the band, past of present, is heard from, and no punches are pulled. Even people not on good terms with Henley and Frey, the co-leaders of the band, got their chance to share their thoughts, and they say what is on their mind. That is very refreshing.

History of the Eagles is an excellent documentary that has to be seen by any rock music fan out there that has an appreciation for this band. Their impact is undeniable and their music will stay with us forever. They can check out anytime they like, but they can never leave.

Rating: «««««

Prisoners (2013)

Genre: Thriller

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard

Running time: 153 minutes

The Dover family is having Thanksgiving dinner at the home of their neighbors and friends, Franklin and Nancy Birch, when the young daughters of each family disappear while going unsupervised from one house to the other. They are believed to have been abducted, and Detective Loki goes on the case, intent on finding the little girls. Considering that playing by the rules is not getting the job done fast enough, one of the fathers decides to get involved, gravely complicating matters.

With this film, Quebecker Denis Villeneuve truly showed his talent for directing. With a brilliant cast of actors under him, he managed to tell a riveting story that keeps the viewer hooked from beginning to end. The pace is just right and keeps us wanting more.

The cinematography is excellent here, with darkness and minimal lighting playing a huge role. The use of the rainy weather and somber colors for the exterior shots were also a nice touch and fitted nicely with the mood of the characters.

Hugh Jackman was absolutely amazing as Heller Dover, a recovering alcoholic and survivalist having a hard time waiting patiently as the police is looking for his daughter. The intensity Jackman displayed in that role was such that he came right off the screen in every scene. Absolute dedication on his part; kudos. Jake Gyllenhal was also very good. The other actors were also convincing, in their smaller roles.  

Originally, I was really turned off by the ending of this film. Watching it again, I got it a little better, though it still felt a little too artsy and cute for my taste. All things considered, Prisoners is a solid thriller that has to be seen, if only to witness Hugh Jackman’s great acting performance.

Rating: ««««

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

Genre: Comedy / Drama

Directed by: John Madden

Starring: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson

Running time: 124 minutes

A group of British pensioners decide, for various reasons, to leave their lives behind in the UK and move to a retirement hotel in India. They all expect this place to be luxurious, but it is a rundown hotel run by a dedicated young Indian man full of dreams and ideas. These seniors will learn many things about each other, but mostly about themselves, as they get acclimated to their new surroundings.

Based on a 2004 novel, this film offers a very compelling story delivered on screen by an ensemble cast of talented people. Such names as Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson, to name a few, bring a lot of credibility to a movie, and none of them are below what is expected of them acting-wise.

I felt that The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel dragged on a bit at times, but, nonetheless, it is a very sweet little story filled with important life lessons that are not spread out too thick. More importantly, this story is told with the help of a very talented group of actors.

Rating: ««««

Captain Phillips (2013)

Genre: Thriller / Biographical

Directed by: Paul Greengrass

Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Catherine Keener

Running time: 134 minutes

An American container ship is overtaken by a group of Somalian pirates while traveling around the Horn of Africa. During an exchange aimed at sending the pirates off the boat with a small amount of money, the ship’s commander Captain Richard Phillips is taken hostage for ransom by the criminals and taken away on a lifeboat.

This film is based on the true story that happened to the real Richard Phillips in 2009. The filmmakers did an awesome job here bringing these events to the screen. As the movie starts, the background of the two main characters is set. It is quickly done, but it is done well enough to make you understand these characters and care for their fate. Then, the action begins, and what a thrilling ride it is. This is a flick that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It all feels so real; you cannot help feeling emotionally involved.

The role of Captain Phillips was another great opportunity to showcase Tom Hanks’ superior acting skills. The man is a brilliant actor, and he showed it once again in this film. Hanks makes you feel Richard Phillips’ plight. You see the ship captain’s fortitude and character through the actor.

Barkhad Abdi was a great discovery for me in the role of pirate leader Abduwali Muse. Some very solid acting on his part.

Overall, this is a great film that I will not mind seeing again and again through the years. Some great cinematic work by all parties involved.

Rating: «««««

What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)

Genre: Documentary / Biographical

Directed by: Liz Garbus

Starring: Nina Simone, Lisa Simone Kelly

Running time: 101 minutes

This Netflix original documentary tells the story of singer Nina Simone, from her humble beginnings in North Carolina to international stardom in a wide range of musical genres, including blues, jazz, gospel and classical.

This incredible film chronicles the ups and downs of this talented artist who created quite a stir at a certain point in her life due to her active involvements in the fight for civil rights. In all that she did, Nina Simone would never go just half way; it was all or nothing.

I really loved the fact that we could hear Nina Simone sing and talk all the way through, thanks to archive video and audio footage. It was also good to hear from her only daughter and from her former husband.

Nina Simone was an artist that I knew too little about, so this documentary was a great opportunity for me to gain some knowledge on an artist that left behind her a large imprint that will never be go away.

Rating: «««««

Grudge Match (2013)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Peter Segal

Starring: Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin

Running time: 113 minutes

Henry “Razor” Sharp and Billy “The Kid” McDonnen are two retired boxers from Pittsburgh who had a major rivalry while in their prime. They fought each other twice, each winning a fight. Before there could be that last grudge match to settle the score, Sharp announced his retirement. Years later, Razor, who is working in a factory and is low on cash, is convinced by the son of the former promoter of his fights to come into the recording studio to contribute to an upcoming video game in which he and McDonnen will be characters. The two enemies meet again, and sparks start flying. The stage is set for that final grudge match.

Believe me, Raging Bull or Rocky this is not. How can anyone have a cast composed of giants such as De Niro and Stallone and make such a bad movie I will never know. The acting here felt so uninspired; it is a sad sight to behold. Even Alan Arkin, who has accustomed us to solid performances, came off so flat.

The material given to the actors was not very good. With a script filled with clichés, bad writing and unfunny humor, even the most talented of casts cannot pull off a miracle. There were a few glimpses of funny moments, especially with the character played by Kevin Hart. But, even then, those moments were few and far between. The Chael Sonnen, Mike Tyson and Evander Hollyfield cameos were nice touches.

All things considered, this particular film should be skipped, unless you’re a big fan of some of the people involved and you decide to dive in with low expectations.

Rating: ««

Sisters (2015)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Jason Moore

Starring: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler

Running time: 118 minutes

Maura and Kate, the Ellis sisters, travel back to their parents’ home in Orlando to find out that it has been sold and that their folks have moved into a condo. Before the sale goes through, they have to clean out their childhood bedroom, which has remained untouched. After spending a night together in this home where they grew up, the women decide to throw one last party and to invite everyone from their younger days.

It is plain to see that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are very good friends. Every time they are on screen together, their chemistry is so very clear. They work so well off each other that you can believe they are actually sisters, though they look nothing alike. They are as solid as it gets in the comedy genre, as they have fine-tuned their game over the years. They have also found a good supporting cast to assist them here.

Sisters is an extremely funny comedy filled with a multitude of moments that made me laugh out loud. Crazy situations upon crazy situations, catfights with spankings, physical humor, many SNL alumns; all the ingredients are there to entertain. The film also carries a nice little message about the true meaning of home. The dosage of comedy and seriousness is just right, never going overboard on either side. Overall, this is a film that I would recommend to anybody who seeks entertainment in the comedy genre.

Rating: «««««

Lemmy (2010)

Genre: Documentary

Directed by: Greg Olliver and Wes Orshoski

Starring: Lemmy, Dave Grohl, Metallica

Running time: 116 minutes

This 2010 rock documentary profiles the life and career of British musician and lead singer of Motörhead, Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister. Known around the world as one of the baddest motherfuckers in the history of rock n’ roll, Lemmy lived his life his way and did so for over 70 years; he died a few weeks ago.

Lemmy, the film, chronicles the musician’s career through various bands, like Hawkwind, with which he had a good measure of success. Then came, in 1975, the creation of Motörhead, and Kilmister was the only original member still involved. Motörhead was known as the loudest live band out there, a source of pride for Lemmy and his two cohorts.

We also catch a glimpse of the more human side of Lemmy in this documentary. We meet his son, Paul, a guitarist. We also see the heavy metal legend’s war memorabilia collection. We hear from the man himself, and a plethora of fellow musicians and friends share their thoughts on the man’s music and on its impact on them and others.

Lemmy is one of my favorite rock documentaries, and it was a different experience watching it now that the man has passed. Lemmy lived his life without ever giving a single care for what people thought of him. He went forward, never compromising on his way of doing things. If I was still a drinker, I’d raise a Jack and Coke to his memory. Instead, I’ll just smile and say: Thank you Lemmy, may you rest in peace.

Rating: «««««

Elvis: Destination Vegas (2007)

Genre: Documentary

Starring: Elvis Presley

Running time: 80 minutes

I have had this particular title in my collection for a few months now, but I had never watched it. My dad, an avid Elvis Presley fan, had given it to me. I thought he had bought it twice or something like that, but I now think he just wanted to unload it on someone else. I finally did watch it last weekend, something I regret really much now.

Billed as a documentary looking at The King’s residence in Vegas as a performer in the 1970’s, with rare pictures and footage, is nothing more than a bashing session of Elvis Presley. Some criticism can be warranted with this particular controversial artist, but the tone taken here is so condescending and nasty, it would leave a bad taste in the mouth of a casual fan such as me. I can only imagine the impact it can have on a die-hard fan.

Here is a very negatively biased look at a talented man’s career. There is not much footage of the Vegas days, more stuff from the 50’s era. The only thing they have from the 70’s is some pictures and a few recorded rants from some live concerts. The makers of this documentary try to portray those rants of Elvis as something totally awful, but they are quite tame and many artists have done much worse since.

This unauthorized documentary was a clear attempt to cash in on the big Elvis business with nothing tangible to offer but a distorted view of the impact of man’s music on society. They tried to soften the blow in the end by waxing poetic on us at the end, but it was too late to correct the tone used in the 75 minutes that preceded that point. Avoid this one at all costs.

Rating: «

Trouble with the Curve (2012)

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Robert Lorenz

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman

Running time: 111 minutes

Gus Lobel is an aging scout for the Atlanta Braves baseball team. Less and less trusted by his boss, he is sent on a last scouting mission to prove his worth. Problem is, he is slowly going blind. Worried for Gus, his colleague and friend Pete calls upon the old man’s daughter, a lawyer on the rise, to accompany her father on this trip. In spite of their strained relationship, she accepts.

For many years now, Clint Eastwood has been giving us variations on the same character with his movie roles: The disgruntled and broken aging man who has to rely on his instincts to compensate his diminishing physical abilities. The thing is, Clint does it so well, I don’t really mind. Once again, in Trouble with the Curve, he gave the viewers a character we could root for, a man we could identify with on a certain level.

Amy Adams was also very good as the talented daughter who has to come to terms with her past and fix her relationship with her father, the only parent she has left. As for Justin Timberlake, as much as I dislike him as a singer, he is solid as an actor and comedian. It is always a treat also to see the great John Goodman at work, no matter the role.

Trouble with the Curve, while a tad predictable, still offers a very good lesson about the power of experience. The story is compelling and is carried along by a very talented cast. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Rating: ««««

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

Genre: Action / Thriller

Directed by: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Kenneth Branagh, Keira Knightley

Running time: 105 minutes

Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Jack Ryan leaves his studies in economics to become a US Marine and fight in Afghanistan. His helicopter gets shot down, leaving him badly injured. As he recuperates, he meets the love of his life, Cathy, a medical student, and he is then recruited to work covertly for the CIA on Wall Street. His job then brings him to Moscow to investigate a Russian organization that is planning a major coup that could be devastating to the USA.

This is an original story based on characters created by author Tom Clancy. Chris Pine is the fourth actor to play Jack Ryan on the big screen. I cannot say that I was a big fan of his performance. His acting felt stiff and wooden here. It got better as the pace of the action got faster, but it was very uneven overall. The same could be said for Keira Knightley, which is unfortunate, as she has done much better jobs in other films. Kevin Costner and Kenneth Branagh were better in their respective roles.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit started a little slowly for me, but, once the action picked up, it was a thrilling ride through the life of a character that has to adapt quickly to his surroundings. It is unfortunate that the unevenness of the acting brought it down a notch for me. Still, this movie is an entertaining thriller.

Rating: «««

A Very Murray Christmas (2015)

Genre: Comedy / Christmas / Musical

Directed by: Sofia Coppola

Starring: Bill Murray, George Clooney, Paul Shaffer

Running time: 56 minutes

In this made-for-Netflix Christmas special, actor Bill Murray plays himself. He is set to host a TV special, but none of the guests can come due to a major blizzard in New York City. Stuck in the Carlyle Hotel, he struggles to find a way to keep the show going.

Maybe I was expecting too much because I have been a fan of Bill Murray for a long time, but I was disappointed by this offering. Murray played his usual character filled with self-doubt, with good success. Maya Rudolph was a nice surprise for her singing voice. I was also pleasantly surprised by Miley Cyrus. When she’s not singing her own crap, she is actually a decent singer. Some of the songs were fun and cheerful, but, in the end, the whole thing felt kind of flat. And, it was very short too. It is still enjoyable for the music and for the Bill Murray we have come to know and appreciate.

Rating: «««

La guerre des tuques (1984)

Genre: Franco / Comedy / Drama

Réalisateur: André Melançon

Distribution: Cédric Jourde, Marie-Pierre A D’amour, Julien Elie

Running time: 92 minutes

Durant le congé scolaire des Fêtes, des enfants décident de former deux clans qui se feront la guerre pour le contrôle d’un fort construit dans la neige. Malheureusement, même si la guerre n’est pas une raison de se faire mal, c’est bien souvent ce qui arrive.

Après avoir récemment vu la version animée, j’ai décidé de revisiter ce classique des Contes pour tous réalisé par André Melançon. Ce film a marqué ma jeunesse dans les années 80. En le regardant aujourd’hui avec mes yeux d’adulte au bord de la quarantaine, je me rends compte à quel point le jeu des acteurs et actrices pouvait être mauvais dans certains cas. Beaucoup d’entre eux sonnaient très faux, ce qui toujours un risque lorsqu’on travaille avec de jeunes enfants qui ont peu d’expérience à l’écran.

Néanmoins, malgré le jeu approximatif des acteurs, les nombreuses phrases célèbres du film m’ont fait sourire encore. Il s’agit d’une œuvre cinématographique marquante pour une génération en raison de son charme qui perdure. Il faut savoir la prendre pour ce qu’elle est, c’est tout.

Note: «««

Borrowed Hearts (1997)

Genre: Romantic Comedy / Christmas / TV

Directed by: Ted Kotcheff

Starring: Roma Downey, Eric McCormack, Sarah Rosen Fruitman

Running time: 91 minutes

Sam is a rich businessman and factory-owner living the playboy lifestyle in his big house where young women don’t get to spend much more than one night. A potential buyer for the business comes to town to close a deal and he thinks that Sam is a family man. So, to preserve appearances, Sam hires one of his employees and her little girl to pose as his wife and kid.

This made-for-TV movie is about as formulaic and predictable as it gets. Two people forced by circumstances to live together start to appreciate each other more and more and fall in love. This kind of story has been told a thousand times, often with more success. Borrowed Hearts is not without charm, with a cute little girl you would want to adopt yourself and fine acting on everyone’s part, but it is nothing to write home about. I smiled and chuckled a few times. This movie is a big dose of schmaltzy entertainment, where you know the ending over an hour before it comes. Some will probably like it; it simply is not my thing.  

Rating: ««

Elf (2003)

Genre: Comedy / Christmas

Directed by: Jon Favreau

Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel

Running time: 95 minutes

Buddy ended up at the North Pole as a baby after climbing in Santa’s bag when old Saint-Nick was visiting the orphanage where he was. Having been raised by Santa’s elves, Buddy grows up believing he is one of them, though he doesn’t have much aptitude for making toys. When he finds out that he is in fact human and that his biological father is alive and well, Buddy decides to travel to New York City to meet his dad.

Elf is a film full of cheer and good spirit that has become a tradition for the wife and I over the years every time Christmas rolls around. Sure it is predictable and a bit cheesy, but it is so much fun: Pure family entertainment.

Will Ferrell was the perfect choice to play Buddy. The sight of that big guy living among elves and trying to fit in is a funny image in itself. The former SNL cast member gives an enormous amount of innocence and overwhelming joie de vivre to the Buddy character, making him loveable. Zooey Deschanel was very sweet also as Buddy’s love interest, Jovie.

I must admit, it was weird for me at first to see James Caan in this movie. For me, he will forever remain Sonny Corleone and the writer in Misery. Nonetheless, he is very good here as the father who thinks solely of his work.

Elf is a movie that can be seen every once in a while and be enjoyed again and again. It is a film that does not take itself seriously, and that can be so charming.

Rating: ««««

I Am Sam (2001)

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Jessie Nelson

Starring: Sean Penn, Dakota Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer

Running time: 134 minutes

Sam Dawson is a man with a developmental disability who becomes a father after getting a homeless woman pregnant. After giving birth, the mother runs out on them, leaving Sam to take care of the child, with a little help from his friends. As his daughter Lucy grows older, her father’s limitations start posing a problem, and social services get involved. Trying to gain back his parental rights, Sam hires a high-powered lawyer to help him fight in court.

While his performance might have made some people uncomfortable, Sean Penn needs to be recognized for his dedication to the role of Sam Dawson. What a transformation! A man widely known as a temperamental badass in Hollywood turns into a fragile developmentally disabled man and he makes you believe it in the process. Michelle Pfeiffer and Dakota Fanning also offered some solid performances in this 2001 drama.

The film itself is a tad preachy and sentimental, trying to portray people looking for a better situation for a young girl as bad people. But, this movie tugs on your heartstrings and you want Sam to get his daughter back, though it is clear he will need a lot of help to raise her.

Along with the performance by the main actor, a strong point of I Am Sam is the soundtrack. Composed of Beatles songs covered by various talented artists, it is a true work of art.

In spite of its obvious flaws, you cannot help feeling good by the end of I Am Sam. I wish I did not like this film so much, but I cannot help it.

Rating: ««««

Happy Christmas (2014)

Genre: Comedy / Drama

Directed by: Joe Swanberg

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Joe Swanberg

Running time: 88 minutes

Jenny is a girl in her twenties whose personal life is a mess. She decides to move to Chicago to live with her older brother Jeff, a filmmaker living a calm existence with his writer wife and his infant son. The ever-partying younger sibling will stir things up and her brother’s family life will never be quite the same again.

As it is usually the case with Joe Swanberg films, the dialogue in this one is completely improvised. Anna Kendrick is really good as Jenny; she makes for a convincing immature party girl. It was also a nice touch to see Melanie Lynskey again. I really dug her as Rose in Two and a Half Men, and I don’t see enough of her on the small and big screen.

Overall, this film was somewhat of a letdown for me. The premise was interesting, the acting was good; it just all seemed to fall flat in the end. Maybe some of the impact was lost in the improvisational nature of the dialogue, but I was left with a feeling of a lot of promise that led to a dead end.

Rating: «««