Now Playing

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

The Five Year Engagement
Starring: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Alison Brie, and Chris Pratt
Synopsis: Most romantic comedies are all a build up from the moment the characters meet until the moment they fall in love. The film ends with a sweeping romantic gesture, and you’re led to believe, or at least hope, that those two crazy kids will have the perfect, worry-free romance we’d all like. That’s what makes “The Five Year Engagement” so interesting. This is a film that starts at that big, sweeping romantic gesture, then explores what happens after the typical romantic comedy ends. The film is tense at times, tough to watch at times, and the lives of the characters get messy. But that’s what gives it a sense of realism that you frequently don’t get in these types of films. There is a line in the film that sort of sums up the take on relationships offered in this film. Violet tells Tom she doesn’t think they can work out all their issues before the wedding, and she’s sure they will have issues at some point after they’re married, but the question is whether they love each other enough to put in the work. I won’t spoil the plot by talking about how that question is answered in the film, but I will say it provides a perspective that isn’t often addressed in these types of films. That is one of the things that works well with “The Five Year Engagement.” Segel and Nicholas Stoller co-wrote the screenplay and Stoller directed the film. Previously the pair teamed on the R-rated comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and again on the PG-rated “Muppet Movie.” They work well together, and have developed a rhythm. That helps with this film. The film mines some different territory, and that helps it have a different kind of impact. Though it still follows some of the predictable trappings of the genre, it looks at things in a different way. The film is aided by some wonderful performances. Segel and Blunt are good in the lead roles, playing off each other well. They are equally at home in the dramatic moments and the wacky comedic moments. The supporting cast also does well. Brie and Pratt are hilarious in supporting roles, offering many of the wacky comedy scenes, while Rhys Ifans is great in the role as Violet’s supervisor. There are a number of other actors, including Kevin Hart, Mindy Kaling, Chris Parnell, Randall Park, and Brian Posehn, that provide laughs and good supporting performances as well. This is a movie that works as a comedy and as an interesting exploration of relationships. That being said, it’s far from perfect. There are parts of the story that seem to drag, and at a little over two hours the film is overly long. It’s easy to see that the same sentiment and message could have been delivered in a slimmer package without losing the heart and story. Still, this is a fun movie. The performances are solid, it’s an interesting take on the genre, and there are plenty of laughs. “The Five Year Engagement” isn’t a perfect film, but it’s an enjoyable film.
Rating: R for sexual content, and language throughout. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

The Raven

Starring: John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve, Brendan Gleeson

Synopsis: Edgar Allan Poe is a mysterious literary figure. His stories were dark, and likely a reflection of some great pain in his life. "The Raven" is a film that follows Poe near the end of his days, and focuses on some of the darker aspects of his stories, but doesn't seem interested in the darker nature of the man. This film blends fact and fiction. It uses Poe's work as the basis for a murder mystery, and uses accurate aspects surrounding his death, while creating a fictional story to give them context. The film creates an elaborate narrative, turning Poe into a literary detective of sorts. It implies he was in the midst of a great love affair — something that seems far-fetched given accounts of his life following the death of his wife. As played by Cusack, Poe is a gregarious figure. He's smarter than everyone, haunted by demons, and somewhat selfless. That seems to stand in stark contrast to historical records, but this is a film that asks you to suspend your disbelief. Cusack does a nice job of being charming and engaging in the lead role, which is one of the few things that saves this film. Evans, who looks like a poor man's Orlando Bloom, has little to no personality. That doesn't help. The crimes are grisly and the whole production is a tad humorless. That being said, the mystery is mildly engaging. Cusack is good enough in the lead role to keep your interest, and the film has some interesting twists. The ending is banal, it's a bit too long, and most of the characters feel two-dimensional. The film is OK, but perhaps it's greatest crime is the fact that it pales in comparison to the genius and originality of the stories of the author it is meant to be celebrating.

Rating: R for bloody violence and grisly images. Enter with caution.

Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, May 4 — "The Avengers"

Friday, May 11 — "Dark Shadows," "Girl in Progress"

Wednesday, May 16 — "The Dictator"

Friday, May 18 — "Battleship," "What to Expect When You're Expecting," "Hysteria"

Friday, May 25 — "Men In Black III," "Chernobyl Diaries," "Moonrise Kingdom"