Now Playing

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

Hope Springs

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Meryl Streep, and Steve Carell
Synopsis: This is an interesting romantic comedy of sorts. Meryl Streep is the greatest American actress of all time. I know that's a bold statement, but it's undeniable that she has been the longest tenured, most versatile actress in this country for decades. Last year she earned an Academy Award for channelling Margaret Thatcher. In this film, she goes through a range of emotions with a beautifully subtle performance as a wife that wants more out of her marriage. Tommy Lee Jones is equal to the task as well in this beautiful, moving, charming, funny, and emotionally fulfilling film. This is a movie that looks at what happens when you allow routine to settle into a marriage and block the path of romance. After 31 years, it's easy to see how that can happen. This film looks at the fact that it happens subtly over time, and it can take a great deal of work to right the ship. This is a film that upholds the idea that marriage is for life, it isn't always easy, it takes work, and that work is well worth it. It is the kind of beautiful love story that really doesn't happen much in American cinema any more. There are moments in the film that are tough to watch and awkward, but that's what helps it feel real. That is a testament to the writer Vanessa Taylor, director David Frankel, and this cast. This isn't the kind of movie that typically dominates at the Box Office, especially in the summer, but it's a beautiful movie for adults. It's a perfect kind of date movie as it upholds the value of love and a life-long commitment, and provides and honest look at what that might be like. And it's got great heart and humor as well. This is a totally different kind of performance for Carell, yet he does very well in a more sedate role. He's not an obvious choice for this role, but he handles it well. This is a beautiful film, and a refreshing break from the non-stop action movies we've gotten since May.
Rating: PG-13 for  mature thematic content involving sexuality.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Total Recall
Starring: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, and Bill Nighy
Synopsis: In Hollywood it seems that everything old is new again. This has been an era and season of re-makes, re-boots, and endless sequels. So, it comes as no surprise that a movie like “Total Recall” would get the green light for a second go-around. Also fitting is that this early August release features Colin Farrell in the lead role. Farrell is no stranger to re-makes of cult classic films, having starred in the re-make of “Fright Night” in early August 2011. Gone is Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, and all the trappings of the early 1990s from the first film. This time around the special effects are better but the story and characters are too bland. As directed by Len Wiseman (“Live Free of Die Hard,” “Underworld”) this is a straightforward action film, more or less. Sure, there’s some of the larger issues in the narrative that you typically find in adaptations of Philip K. Dick’s work, but it’s pretty much an action film. And it’s not a very compelling one at that. This film depicts a dystopian future, like so many other films based on Dick’s work. But the characters, world, and story aren’t compelling here. And, chasing quickly on the heels of “The Dark Knight Rises,” this film doesn’t have the story, acting, or take on the disparity between the wealthy and impoverished to really make a mark. It’s a film that seems to exist to occupy a summer weekend and provide endless shoot-outs and chase sequences. Farrell is decent in the lead role, and Beckinsale and Biel do fine work too. All three are veterans of this type of film, and they acquit themselves well. But there is no depth to the characters, story, or production here. There are nods to the original film — including the three-breasted woman — but the story is much different. And this is a fairly humorless production. The plot seems to serve merely as the glue between large action sequences, which rely too much on special effects to be truly compelling. There is no real sense of urgency to the story, so the film drags. Additionally, it seems as though the film — from screenwriters Kurt Wimmer and Mark Bomback — intends to keep viewers guessing about whether or not the action is real or a figment of Hauser’s imagination. That could have been interesting, but it’s so poorly executed in this film that it doesn’t really materialize as a real mystery. And, more importantly, the film is so dry you can’t really bring yourself to care. Re-making this film might have seemed like a good idea on paper, and there was potential to make an interesting film given the improvement in visual effects since 1990. This film just fails to capture any of that potential, instead turning out a mediocre re-make that lacks any of the pizzazz of the original.
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, some sexual content, brief nudity, and language.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Home Video Review:

Friends With Kids

Starring: Jessica Westfeldt, Adam Scott, Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Maya Rudolph, and Chris O'Dowd

Synopsis: Westfeldt wrote, directed, and stars in this film. This is truly her baby, and it's a pretty good baby to have produced. This is an adult comedy, but it offers an interesting slice of life. It's a unique take on this subject, and shows characters dealing with the same idea in a variety of ways. Westfeldt and Scott carry this wonderful ensemble, and they do a great job. Both are funny, warm, and create interesting characters. So, too, do the ensemble cast. Rudolph and O'Dowd have great on-screen chemistry and were my favorite characters in the film. This was a little film that didn't get seen by a lot of people in the theater, but it's well worth checking out on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Rating: R for sexual content and language.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, August 10: "Bourne Legacy," "The Campaign"

Wednesday, August 15: "The Odd Life of Timothy Green"

Friday, August 17: "Expendables 2," "Paranorman," "Sparkle"

Friday, August 24: "Premium Rush," "The Apparition," "Hit and Run"

Friday, August 31: "Lawless," "The Possession"