The Rolling Stones: Havana Moon (2016)

Genre: Musical

Directed by: Paul Dugdale

Cast: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ron Wood

Running time: 116 minutes

Following the US government’s decision to lift the embargo sanctions against Cuba, efforts were made to bring the longest reigning active rock band in the world, The Rolling Stones, on this island of the Caribbean as part of their tour of Latin America. The result of these efforts was a massive free outdoor concert attended by over half a million people.  

On The Rolling Stones: Havana Moon, we see a rock and blues band in great form performing 13 of their timeless classics on stage to the delight of the spectators. Many a smile could be seen on stage and in the crowd, and many Cubans gathered there were visibly emotional to be able to witness such a momentous occasion.

In most circles, we take music for granted, but when access to art is limited, it has to feel truly liberating to have it thrown at you in such grandiose fashion. As we can hear Keith Richards himself say before the show starts: “You ban something, you’re making a little more tasty”.

This concert, which lasts close to 2 hours, is prefaced by a short sit-down interview with the four members of The Rolling Stones, who discuss the process that brought them to Cuba and their experience there. Also, towards the end, we can hear each of them talk about what makes each of their colleagues so special.

The Stones put a lot of younger bands to shame. They manage to put ageing and egos aside and put on a great show. After over 50 years together, they still look like they are having fun. It is true that, in the old days, things were built to last.

Rating: «««««

Jimmy P. (2013)

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Arnaud Desplechin

Cast: Benicio del Toro, Mathieu Amalric, Elya Baskin

Running time: 100 minutes

Based on true events, this film tells the story of Jimmy Picard, a Blackfoot Native American dealing with debilitating health issues after serving in World War II. He goes to the hospital, in Topeka, Kansas, but tests reveal no sign of physical issues with the ailing vet. French doctor George Devereux is called in for his knowledge in ethnology and psychoanalysis. Over the course of many one-on-one discussions, the doctor will try to uncover the roots of the problem.

This film is based on the book written by George Devereux about his work at the veteran hospital in Topeka, Kansas.

Benicio del Toro is solid in the lead role. He is great at portraying his character’s vulnerability. It is no surprise, really, as the actor has accustomed us to great performances. Mathieu Amalric is also very good in the role of George Devereaux.

Jimmy P. is a very beautiful film that deals with racism, with the fragility of the human mind and with sympathy. I highly recommend this one.

Rating: ««««

Righteous Kill (2008)

Genre: Thriller

Directed by: Jon Avnet

Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Curtis Jackson

Running time: 100 minutes

Turk and Rooster are two police detectives on the trail of the Poetry Boy killer, a man going around town killing criminals and leaving a small poem behind as a signature. Soon enough, Turk is suspected by some of his colleagues to be the person behind these killings.

This cop thriller was absolutely trashed by critics. I think that people expected so much out of it, since it was only the second film in history where De Niro and Pacino shared the screen, after Heat, that most left disappointed.

As for me, I though the film was decent. The acting was pretty good and the story was compelling. I particularly liked how we were swerved at the end.

Considering the parties involved, it could have been great, but, at least, it was good.

Rating: «««

The Opera Singer (2016)

Genre: Short / Drama

Directed by: Steve Kahn

Cast: Shannon Elizabeth, Rena DuShea, Sarah DuShey

Running time: 3 minutes

As the end of her life is approaching, an old woman is reflecting with regrets upon her past and her unfulfilled dreams to be an international opera singer.

This short film, which was directed and written by Steve Kahn, packs up a lot of emotions into its three minutes duration. It is a beautiful short movie about life, about dreams and about regrets. I must admit that I was a bit surprised with the choice of Shannon Elizabeth, of American Pie fame, to narrate this one, but she does a good job with it.

While The Opera Singer was a bit sad and melodramatic, I found it to be a very touching and inspirational film. Life is too short to risk ending up filled with regrets; we must live fully while we can.

Rating: ««««

Les 3 P'tits Cochons (2007)

Genre: Franco / Comedy

Réalisateur: Patrick Huard

Distribution: Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge, Claude Legault, Paul Doucet

Durée: 124 minutes

Christian, Mathieu et Rémi sont trois frères qui se retrouvent au chevet de leur mère, dans le coma à l’hôpital. Au fil des jours qui passent, les trois adultes discutent de la vie, de leur couple respectif et de fidélité. Christian et Mathieu, les deux plus jeunes, ont une vision bien différente de Rémi sur le sujet, et cette divergence nourrit les discussions entre eux à mesure que les choses changent dans leur vie.

Les dialogues dans cette comédie de 2007, réalisée par l’acteur et humoriste Patrick Huard, sont souvent savoureux. J’ai beaucoup ri en regardant ce film. Le sujet des relations de couple ne se démode pas et il est traité de façon très actuelle dans Les 3 P’tits Cochons.

Le jeu des acteurs principaux et de la majorité des acteurs secondaires est assez solide. En fait, il n’y a que Mahée Paiement qui détone ici pour moi. À mes yeux, elle était un peu trop et un peu fausse.

Somme toute, Les 3 P’tits Cochons est une bonne comédie, fort drôle, quoique un peu trop longue. Huard aurait facilement pu couper dans le gras un peu et offrir un produit plus serré et solide.

Rating: ««««

Can't Buy Me Love (1987)

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Steve Rash

Cast: Patrick Dempsey, Amanda Peterson, Seth Green

Running time: 94 minutes

Ronald Miller is a high school nerd who pays off the most popular girl in school, head cheerleader Cynthia Mancini, to pretend to date him for a month, so that he will be seen as a cool kid by the others. The plan works like a charm, but Ronald’s newfound popularity in school goes to his head, and, like it usually does in these cases, the scheme backfires.

Since we are talking about a teen comedy from the 80’s, cheesiness is to be expected. For the most part, this is a cute film. The acting is decent and the storyline is compelling enough. As we have seen through the years, teenagers are easy to influence. Once they think you are cool, you can get almost anything over, even a weird dance.

Unfortunately, my appreciation for this movie crumbled towards the end. I was willing to give it a lot of leeway, as a product of its time and genre, but that speech in the cafeteria by Ronald close to the end of the film totally ruined it for me. It came off so cheesy, preachy and lame that it was laughable. Disappointing.

Rating: ««

Waitress (2007)

Genre: Comedy / Drama

Directed by: Adrienne Shelly

Cast: Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Cheryl Hines, Adrienne Shelly

Running time: 104 minutes

Jenna works as a waitress in a diner, where she is also known for creating various delicious pies. She has been living for years with her deadbeat husband, who she does not love anymore, and she is afraid to leave him. After discovering that she is pregnant with her husband’s baby, Jenna’s life is turned upside down. Her dreams of escaping her present situation seem to be melting away. There is also Jenna’s new doctor, young Jim Pomatter, who is bringing a very different male presence in her life.

This is a much better movie than I first expected it to be. It is a very compelling tale about love, courage and dreams. It is also a nice way to show how motherhood will change a woman's priorities sometimes. While a little clichéd, the characters are interesting and easy to get emotionally invested in. You want to see how it will all end. The ending is a bit cheesy, but it is nonetheless pleasing to see.

Keri Russell does a very good job in the lead role. It is also a treat to see Andy Griffith is a small but important role.

There is a tragic side to this film. Adrienne Shelly, who wrote and directed this film (she also played a small role in it), was killed shortly before its release. For her last work as a filmmaker, she did a solid job of telling a sweet story about compelling characters.

Rating: «« « «