Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

 Genre: Romantic Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Lorene Scafaria
Cast: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Adam Brody
Running Time:101 minutes

 

A giant asteroid is coming towards the earth, spelling doom for all of humanity within three weeks. In this apocalyptic setting, Dodge Petersen and Penny Lockhart are two strangers who meet in New York City and end up helping each other find closure before the end comes.

This is a very charming film greatly helped by the solid performance offered by the two leads. Carell and Knightley make their characters believable and share a great chemistry on screen. The story gets a little messy and sidetracked at one point, but, overall, I was entertained and touched.

Rating: ««««

Sparkle (1976)

Genre: Musical / Drama
Directed by: Sam O’Steen
Cast: Irene Cara, Philip M. Thomas, Lonette McKee 

Running Time: 98 minutes

 

Inspired by the story of The Supremes, Sparkle tells the tale of three sisters from Harlem, New York, who form a musical group in the last 50’s and early 60’s, only to break up with various difference get in the way.

This film is fine for what it was. The music was good, and the acting by the two leads, was solid. The supporting cast, on the other hand, was weaker. The story itself felt a little clichéd and silly at times, but it also had its moments when it shined.

Rating: «««

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

Genre: Comedy / Horror
Directed by: Rob Zombie
Cast: Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon
Running Time: 89 minutes

 

A group of four young adults are on a road trip to do research for a book on roadside attractions. After a stop at Captain Spaulding’s Museum of Monsters and Madmen, they head out to look for the tree from which Dr. Satan was hanged. They pick up a hitchhiker, a young woman named Baby, who will lead them to her family’s house for more horrors than they ever asked for.

 This is a very cool throwback to such classics as Texas Chainsaw Massacre, with a touch of dark comedy to it. It is a lot of fun, very entertaining. The storytelling gets a little messy in execution at times, but, overall, I very much enjoyed.

Rating: ««««

Count Me In (2021)

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Mark Lo
Cast: Cindy Blackman, Jess Bowen, Chad Smith
Running Time: 81 minutes

 

A group of rock drummers from various bands discuss their love for the beat and for drumming. They talk about how they started in that field, about their inspirations and about what keeps them going as the backbone of the band. Some of them then get together to jam.

I love so much to listen to passionate people talk about their craft and their inspirations, especially when the topics interest me. As a massive rock music fan, I was all ears and all eyes here and enjoyed every second of it.

Rating: «««««

Spotlight (2015)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Tom McCarthy
Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams
Running Time: 129 minutes

 

This film covers how the Spotlight investigation team of the Boston Globe looked deep into the issue of systemic child sex abuse by the Roman Catholic Church in the Boston area and produced a series of article on the serious matter.

This is such a good film. The acting is solid, the story is compelling and the storytelling is masterful. I was hooked from the start up until the end, and the movie is still on my mind days later. I highly recommend this. It stirs emotions, that is for certain.

Rating: «««««

Hysteria (2011)

Genre: Biographical / Romantic Comedy
Directed by: Tanya Wexler
Cast: Hugh Dancy, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jonathan Pryce
Running Time: 95 minutes

 

In the London of the 1880’s, Dr. Mortimer Granville starts working for Dr. Robert Dalrymple, an old doctor that specializes in the treatment of women’s hysteria. Granville’s work leads him to the creation, with a friend of his, of the first vibrator.

These Victorian period films are usually not my cup of tea, but, between the solid acting offered by all involved here and the cheekiness of the tone, I thoroughly enjoyed this. As usual, Maggie Gyllenhaal is a breath of fresh air, and the rest of the cast do a good job also.

Rating: ««««

The Rolling Stones: Sweet Summer Sun - Hyde Park Live (2013)

 Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Paul Dugdale
Cast: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Charlie Watts
Running Time: 121 minutes

 

In 1969, The Rolling Stones played in Hyde Park, in London. It was a pivotal moment for the band. Brian Jones had just died and it was Mick Taylor’s debut on stage with them. In 2013, to end the tour celebrating their 50 years anniversary, The Stones played the same venue. For two hours, they rocked a large crowd. Mick Taylor even joined them on stage.

 You can hardly go wrong with a Rolling Stones concert. On top of the list of great songs performed, it was cool to see Taylor perform with the band again. And it was nice to hear in voice-over, from the band members, about the significance of Hyde Park for the band. Loved it.

Rating: «««««