Directed By: Phyllida Lloyd

Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper

Rated: PG-13 for some sex-related comments

Runtime: 108 mins

Studio: Universal Pictures

Not long ago, I was invited to hang out with some adult female friends. We had such a good time acting really silly. We had make-up contests, wore fake jewelry, told jokes, danced, sang, ate and played those games that asked questions like, “If you were on a stuck on a desert island and you could on have a guy, or your dog” which would you choose?”; told stories and acted generally like we were little girls. It was the best time, pure, clean fun, I have had in long time.

As I watched Meryl Streep dance and sing her heart out as Donna in the new film Mamma Mia! I was cast back to that evening of fun. Mama Mia! the movie version of the Broadway musical featuring the songs of the popular 70’s and 80’s Swedish group ABBA, is a tuneful, good time. It is however, the kind of good time you aren’t expecting to have.

Normally, watching people “try” to sing, especially the men in the film, is not fun. But the energy, atmosphere, and spirit of Mamma Mia! will either have you cheering “007” (Brosnan) for trying to croon or feeling a tad sorry for the poor chap and his pals.

Worry not. Mamma Mia! is full of enchanting visions of the Greek Isles, big dance numbers and love light. Based on a long-running musical of the same name, written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, the plot for the musical Mamma Mia! was adapted from the 1968 film Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell.

Sophie (Seyfried) is about to get married at the tender age of 20 and has invited two of her best girlfriends and three former beaus of her mother, one of whom just might be her father. Donna (Streep), Sophie’s Mom invited her dear friends and former back-up singers (Baranski and Walters.) Confusion ensues, as the bride-to- be tries to keep the men from her mother and fiance. “Who My Baby Daddy?” might be better title if you want the film to appeal to the Hip Hop generation, Mamma Mia! is a feel good film. A couple of the songs featuring (Seyfried) are very bubblegum, but the rest of the numbers have their own charm. A favorite number is watching Baranski dance and playfully thwart the advances of a hot, young man (Philip Michael) while singing “Does Your Mother Know?” Couple that with the Greek traditions, décor and villagers, a real bunch of plain folk who sing chorus and dance in most of the numbers are a pleasure to watch.

Women young and old will connect with this musical, as will single moms, and fellas who can appreciate fluffy tunes. It’s Greece! The boats, the beach, the waves, the white villas. It is all so beautiful, and teary in parts. Particularly, when Donna (Streep) sings “The Winner Takes It All” to Sam Carmichael (Brosnan), those who have loved and lost just might have to carry tissues. Another tear jerking scene is the Donna and Sophie duet “Slipping Through My Fingers”, which was sung as the single mother assists her bride daughter in getting ready for the ceremony.

Before the films end you’ll be bouncing in your seat and singing along. The audience I saw the film with was completely interactive, and even clapped at some of the numbers and cheered at the end. That hasn’t happened since I sat in several Dreamgirls screenings a couple of years ago.

Every musical note is not on key, and every actor does not have singing as a forte, but the spirit of Mamma Mia prevails, and is a complete recipe for a good time.

Are you an ABBA fan? If so, don’t jump out of your seat and run out of the theatre when you “think” the film is over, wait until the actual end of the film, in full flowy sequins costumes and the men in loud Elvis type suits, Streep and company dial into full concert mode and the cast rocks out on a few ABBA numbers with joy and glee. Too fun! Really!

Jamise Liddell

Runtime: 92 minutes

  Iron Man

IM-14077R                                 Photo Credit: Zade Rosenthal

Irony Man:  Imperfect Downey Jr.  Is the Perfect  Superhero

By Jamise Liddell

Second, third, fourth and fifth chances,  Robert Downey Jr.  has had a host of opportunities to get back into the game.   The superior actor turned ex-con, turned barely working actor, was cast in the virtual Powerball  lottery of comic book characters as Iron Man.  The first of the Summer blockbusters, Downey’s film will not only restore his wealth  (it made $200 million in its opening weekend and continues to blow up the box office), Iron Man  will also provide the talented  actor with yet another opportunity to prove himself reliable.

Cool yet ironic isn’t it? The infamous Downey Jr.  has been cast as America’s main crime fighter.  Laugh or feel justified concern when Robert Downey Jr. comfortably depicts Iron Man’s human half, Tony Stark, an irresponsible, womanizing, functional alcoholic, corporate executive for a major military arms company that his father founded.  Stark’s claim to fame is selling weapons to the highest bidder, whom ever that may be.   Eventually, the greed associated with that endeavor turns friends into enemies, and forces those without conscience to muster some.

In the midst of all the comic book bravado is a message about war, and how the manufacturer’s of war  weaponry, complicate the industry war  by ensuring missiles and bombs land in the clutches of the anyone who can pay the price.

The beauty of Iron Man is Downey Jr.’s performance.  He is not too over the top, nor does he portray his character too straight,  Stark and Iron Man are played in the perfect key.  But no one questioned Downey’s  mastery of his craft,  he is in many ways an everyman’s superhero if you just focused on his brilliant acting abilities.  

Gywneth Paltrow, was pitch perfect as  Stark’s loyal, red-headed,  meek and sexy assistant slash sidekick slash sequel love interest Pepper Potts .   But the award for “big surprise” in this film goes Jeff Bridges, whom isn’t immediately recognizable with his “Mr. Clean” bald head.  Bridges is Obadiah Stane,  Stark’s business partner and eventual nemesis.    Terrence Howard is Jim Rhodes, Stark’s best friend, who meanders through the film like his character shouldn’t have died in the first 20 minutes.

Casting was just one powerful  Iron Man element, costumes were another.  The audience was so hyped when the sexy red and titanium Iron Man superhero ensemble  was unveiled, they went wild; clapping and cheering, and that was before  the suit  saw any action. 

During  the big Iron Man fight scene against Iron Monger,  the essence of several other robot movies was apparent, if not forged.  Transformer  de’ja’ vu crept all over my visual psyche, and Robocop nostalgia came to mind  as I watched the 2008 hunk s of metal  clank and fight.

As for the film Iron Man? The hype is real.  Director Joh Favreau’s version of the Iron Man’s adventures are funny, exciting, explosive and ultimately satisfying.  Iron Man is entertainment, true entertainment.  Leaving the theatre fulfilled, yet wanting more is a rare feeling indeed in this age of movie mediocrity.    For the first time in a long time you’ll feel like you got the cinematic adventure you paid for, and then some.  In fairness, most of the superhero films do well, but I think Iron Man will give them all a run for their money.  Take a deep breath in.  Can you smell  all of the sequels?  Chances galore for Downey Jr,  and Iron Man.

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

Flitty, fun, flighty and fanciful, it is 1939, and Guinevere Pettigrew (McDormand) is a dowdy London nanny who can't seem to stay employed.  When Pettigrew nabs an employment opportunity meant for another, she falls into a surreal situation as a right hand woman to Delysia Lafosse (Adams), an American actress and singer, and in the process, becomes an unintentional queen for a day.

Miss Pettigrew is Delysia Lafosse's new social secretary and serves as a miracle worker who helps to keep the men revolving in and out of the right doors. Lafosse juggles male suitors like a pro; one for love, one for money, and one for professional growth opportunities and money.  "With Nick I get this magnificent flat, and with Phil I get a chance to be a star and Michael wants to marry me," Lafosse explains in this delighted, matter of fact voice, to her new employee.

Not wanting to "run around town with Oliver Twist's mom", Lafosse insists on a 1939 –style make-over for Miss Pettigrew, complete with a facial and new clothes. Of course, the results are smashing, and Lafosse's dear friend and rival, resident gold digger Edythe Dubarry (played brilliantly in a taut and impious manner by actress Shirley Henderson of whom many will remember as Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)  insists that Miss Pettigrew work some miracles in her love life.

 Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is a cheery film filled with the essence of great works; chock-full of wordplay like the kind found in Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors; and bursting with silly confusion similar to the popular Abbott and Costello routine "Who's On First?"

In her portrayal of Delysia Lafosse, Adams maintains a bit of the airiness from her Enchanted character, but adds lots of sex appeal and a partial nude scene or two.  "There is something so sensual about fur next to the skin, don't cha think?" Lafosse coos to her bemused new social secretary. Miss Pettigrew in its own way is an ode to innuendo, in other words, this is no Disney flick, but it is still free of hard core R rated behavior.

Academy Award winning actress Frances McDormand, and Enchanted's Amy Adams make a funny mom and pup, mentor and mentee duo.  The costumes are period perfect, and the actor's are a hoot.  Love is in the air and everyone in Ms. Pettigrew's new circle is affected by the aroma.                     33108

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

Movie Reviewed:  Funny Games

Written and Directed By:  Michael Haneke

Starring:  Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt, Brady Corbet and Devon Gearhart

Rated:  Rated R for terror, violence and some language

Runtime:  107 minutes

Studio: Celluloid Dreams

 

Funny Games Riveting, and Terribly Wicked

By Jamise Liddell

Deeply disturbing and thoroughly unsettling, Funny Games follows a family Ann (Watts), George (Roth) and son Georgie (Gearhart) headed on a beautiful and sunny day to their lakeside vacation home, where unbeknownst to them lies a fate worse than simple death.  It begins when a young man, and his friend who has been introduced as a guest by their next door neighbor, comes over to borrow eggs. But the only thing these two want to scramble is the lives of the family they have selected to hold captive.

Soon the young man and a friend, both of whom are dressed mostly in white and look like Ambercrombie & Fitch models about to shoot a clothing ad for Polo by Ralph Lauren.  Take the family hostage, and began to engage in sick games with them.  At no point do we actually garner any identifying facts about these suburban terrorists, who refer to themselves as Peter (Corbett) and Paul (Pitt), among other names, but these cruel killers don't have a past that matters.  No empathy could possibly exist for boys so void of respect for humanity.  In the name of  "fun and entertainment" Peter and Paul are beastly hunters of human prey.  And the only reason to watch this dynamic duo, is to be warned, to be cautious, and possibly a tad afraid.

In a mixture between films like In Cold Blood, and Saw, Funny Games possesses all of the elements of a  fantastic horror film, but the monsters are young men who are seemingly well bred and well mannered.   All of the elements of great film making are present, sets, lighting, creative attire, moving music, perfect cast, strong script, superb acting, and engaging cinematography.

Funny Games brought to mind the evening news coverage of a tragedy, the news camera pans the crowds of onlookers by the crime scene,  as a reporter interviews someone in the vicinity.

 "I can't believe something like that could happen around here.  Not in this part of town, or this neighborhood," says a visibly stunned community member to the TV news reporter.  That sort of quote has always been cause for concern because it denotes a false and unrealistic sense of security on the part of the community member.  The very false sense of safety Ann and George felt in their gated property in their gated community.  At one point in the film Ann escapes, but she is locked in by the gates on her property.  It is a telling moment indeed.

In a perfect world, it would be wrong, actually a sin, for me to suggest you watch Funny Games.  Gaze unceasingly as an entire family is humiliated and tortured, not in that glitzy Hollywood  fashion that is so easy to dismiss  as "entertainment", but in a very, terrifying and emotionally charged "what would I do if  this happen to my family" way. 

The film has a few small, but obvious plot issues, and runs about 20 minutes too long (or maybe that was my discomfort getting the best of me),  but the film should be seen, no matter how uncomfortable it might make the audience members.

Funny Games writer is Austrian director Michael Haneke, who remade his 1997 version of the film of the same name, and it is by all accounts essentially the same film in 2007 with different actor's and yet the movie's timeliness is so appropriate.

 In a world where youth shoot up schools and colleges,  kill their parents because they cut them off of the internet and general senseless murders are on the rise, if Funny Games offers nothing else, it offers a reason to proceed in life's comfort zones with extreme vigilance.

 

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

Legends Are not All They Are Cracked Up To Be

By Jamise Liddell

Some folks hate it, others think it is too scary, or too slow, and those who love it, really love I Am Legend .  Still a winner at the box office grossing 195 million by the last week   of December 2007, the  thriller I Am Legend is based on a novel by author Richard Matheson and has seen its share of  remakes:  The Last Man On Earth (1964), The Omega Man (1971) starring  Charlton Heston.  In this latest version,  mega movie action hero Will Smith is scientist Robert Neville , the last man in New York, and the eventual savior of the human race.  

The premise is that it is the year 2012 and most of New York has been wiped out from a virus which was at first thought to cure cancer, but then something went terribly wrong and those treated with "the cure" begin to display symptoms which are similar those of a  rabid animal.  The ghoulish looking, ex-humans lose all of their hair and skin and look similar to the vampires from the film 30 Days of Night, pasty white, bald, and in great need of a pigment, a sandwich, and a hug.   The rabid people cannot stand the sunlight and only roam at night killing, eating and wreaking havoc on the immune.   Neville vowed to stay in New York until he finds a cure for the infected.  

Smith's performance is strong, as he spends a majority of the film talking to himself, or his German shepherd, Sam.   Photos and flashback scenes fill us in on what life was once like for Neville, his family and the citizens of New York.    Now, Neville hunts for deer in the desolate streets of New York, proves that a dog really is man's best friend, and hits on a well dressed mannequin all in an effort to keep his sanity.   The film is an intense, thoughtful, ride, until the storyline turns sour with ridiculousness.

Contrived danger, and plot holes the size of the Grand Canyon,  just get bigger when suddenly,  the rabid people show some signs of intelligence and cunning   while attempting  to trap  Neville.   When a beautiful woman (Brazilian born actress Alice Braga) and her son appear out of nowhere to literally save Neville's life and help wrap "the legend" up in a nice neat package my intelligence is insulted.  

In all, I Am Legend is both magnificent and a disappointment.  The performance by Will Smith was absolutely Oscar worthy, the film set of a completely uninhabited New York truly awesome, striking and creepy.   However, the absurd plot twists really counteract all of the great acting that Smith contributes. 

 And when the script began to crumble about three quarters through the film, it was then that I renamed the movie I Am Bored. 

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

Director: Eric Valette

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

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'Mist' of Terror

By Jamise Liddell

Remember the Phoenix Lights incident?   On March 13, 1997 a series of lights appeared over Phoenix, and hovered in the sky, thousands of citizens reported seeing the lights and many took photographs.   While watching the on screen rendition of  author Stephen King's tale The Mist, I thought of   the "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast, The Phoenix Lights and how our world responds when they are threatened by the unknown.  We heard the usually cry of  "We are not alone!"  And then the explanations came, the government saying they were flares and the eyewitnesses saying they were not.

King a master of pulling the heartstrings of fear when facing life's unimaginable events, or the unknown, focuses on the lack of humanity exhibited by folks in crisis during The Mist. A story about a group of small town friends and neighbors trapped in a grocery store by a strange mist.  Lurking in The Mist are deadly creatures from another place and time.

As movies go, The Mist will have you on the edge of your seat, breathless with suspense one minute, and flat grossed out the next.    Interestingly, the film's hold is about people in tough places, dealing with things they just don't understand and all the while looking for someone or something to blame.   Though there are beasts, and other creepy crawling terrors, the true nightmares are the people, their varied personalities, and their   inability to put differences aside and pull together to survive. If for no other reason The Mist is worth watching to see a brilliant performance by Marcia Gay Harden, as Mrs. Carmody, a religious fanatic who condemns the unsaved.

Kudos to the special effects team, the creepy crawly critters that emerge from The Mist are truly mesmerizing.  The Mist is a film that   will generate great conversation, after you recover from the surprise ending.

Director   Frank Daranbont, who wrote the screenplay for The Mist and the last Stephen King film he directed, The Green Mile , is a master. Daranbont understands the rhythm of films like The Mist and the final product doesn't skip a beat.

Warrior Woes 

Entertainment 
Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

He’s six foot six inches of power and punches, and one of the most interesting heroes to grace the screen.  Beowulf has arrived to save King Hrothgar’s (Hopkins) kingdom  from the treacherous monster Grendel, a sadistic looking and acting beast who tortured and devoured  everyone and everything in sight.  If you enjoy, eating, drinking and generally being merry, that offends Grendel; happy people are the first to die. For removal of the monster, Beowulf receives great riches, notoriety and a few things for which he hadn’t bargained.

Part of an all star cast, Jolie plays the sexy, vengeful, mom of  Grendel the monster.  As a temptress, one particularly amusing scene finds the bewitching beauty emerging  from a pool of water wearing high heels.  Vikings have never had it so good!

Beowulf was released in 2D and 3D picture formats and IMAX 3D is opening soon.  After watching Beowulf in 3D, I can’t imagine any other way to see it.  When the film meets the IMAX screens  the lines will most likely be endless.  Created using  ‘Performance Capture’, a style of animation that allows for every nuance of the actor’s  true features and expressions to be shown.   The film The Polar Express used the same method to great acclaim.  Beowulf redefines graphic, families with little ones should heed the rating.  Grendel, the  creepy drooling creature, is so hideous, he’d give adults nightmares.

Directed By: Menno Meyjes

Starring: John Cusack, Joan Cusack, Oliver Platt, Amanda Peet, Sophie Oknonedo

New Line Cinema

Run Time: 108 minutes

Opens: 11/2/07

by Jamise Liddell

I watched Martian Child with an open heart and a new packet of hankies, prepared for what the previews promised -- an emotional family movie. Just because a headliner in this movie is a child does not necessarily mean this is a film for kids. Young people most likely will be bored and by the movie’s end, when the young lad, stood in peril, my eyes were bone dry.

Martian Child features brother sister talents John and Joan Cusack who portray film siblings David and Liz. David Gordon, newly widowed, decides to continue with adoption plans despite Liz’s warnings. A science fiction novelist, Gordon is encouraged by dear friend Sophie (Oknonedo, Hotel Rwanda) to consider Dennis, a six year old who says he is from Mars. It is enjoyable to watch David work so lovingly to gain Dennis’ trust, while questioning his own ability to be a single parent to a special needs kid.

Thematically, Martian Child had wonderful intentions, but fell woefully flat in all of the wrong places. There is a cheesy, fake and patronizing performance by Oliver Platt as David’s book agent and Jessica Huston as the book publisher. In all, Martian’s cast was lost because there was just no depth to many of the characters. For example, Amanda Peet, is Harlee, David’s friend slash love interest, but for some reason the two have intimacy issues? But why? And how are they friends? Why did David’s wife die? Why aren’t I warming up to this strange little kid that looks like he could be the spawn of Michael Jackson?

It is rarely comfortable for anyone to feel different, or estranged, because this subject is explored Martian Child will tug at some heart strings and send others down memory lane as they connect or recall someone who was the odd or unpopular person, or the awkward lonely one. Maybe it was you.

Celebrating or tolerating difference can be a challenge in today’s society. Movies which explore alienation, adoption, or parenting have their place. Martian Child, no matter how many holes are in the storyline, advocates parental love and attentiveness to children--especially, the strange, weird or different child. For that alone it is worth a gander.

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

HAIRSPRAY

Directed: Leon Ichaso

By Jamise Liddell

Hector Lavoe was a Latin legend and a talent on the grandest of scales who started and brought the Salsa movement to the United States from Puerta Rico in the 60’s. In El Cantante, which is Spanish for “the singer”, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony deserve kudos for telling Lavoe’s story. It is how they tell this tale which poses a partial problem for the film.

At times Lopez and Anthony do Lavoe’s memory more harm than good because the pop star thespians appear to read lines from a script that is stamped “no acting required.” El Cantante is initially, painfully slow, with the Salsa King portrayed by Anthony and Lopez as Lavoe’s beautiful, fiery, cantankerous, wife Puchi. The pop star thespians frequently force dialogue or walk, too comfortably, through their lines.

From La Bamba, another story about a famous Latino singer who meets a tragic end, we know that Lopez can act. When, however, she not properly directed, memories of her worst film, Gigli (filmed with former flame Ben Affleck) surface.

Lavoe’s story is the usual musician’s tale of woe. Neighborhood boy makes good with his natural talent, aptitude takes melodious star to fame and fortune, and all that money propels the superstar toward chemical substances and alcohol to help him cope and in turn inevitably ruins his life.

Tis true, the camera really enjoys the physical beauty of both actors, who share with Lavoe a Puerta Rican heritage and New York roots. Lopez looks especially glamorous and ravishing for much of the story. Unfortunately, this film isn’t solely about pretty faces and if you can make it through the first 45 min of this film it eventually takes life.

Anthony seems to become more comfortable with the LaVoe character once he becomes famous. When the singer is portrays Lavoe as a young man, Anthony’s play at his character’s “innocence” morphs into super nerd and makes his pairing with a young Puchi (Lopez in peasant clothes) seem awkward at best. Once Lavoe is a superstar a formerly nonexistent chemistry pops onto the screen between Lopez and Anthony.

Another challenge with El Cantante is the editing of the music scenes. Salsa has a life of its own and everyone loves watching the band. The Salsa musicians didn’t need any accompaniment by writer director Leon Ichaso who used a spastic, frenetic, MTV style shots during many of the musical numbers which just made for headaches all around.

In yet another attempt to be creative, instead of using the classic bottom of the screen subtitles, when Anthony sings in Spanish the words to the songs pop out in English on different parts of the screen, a touch which actually adds to the excitement of the music.

Despite the many insincere moments in this film, Hector Lavoe’s tragic story carries the film and makes it worth viewing on the big screen. He is a man who was supremely talented, and personally detached from his father, his son, and his life. For all his ability, Lavoe loses most everything to drugs, including his health and sometimes his mind. Fans of Hector Lavoe and his legacy will certainly enjoy walking down this lane of troubling memories, which highlight the major contributions of a Latino legend.

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

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Sandler and Cheadle Reign In New Film

  By Jamise Liddell

When considering all of the September 11^th  themed films that have come, gone, and are still coming, none has handled the aftermath quite like Reign Over Me.  Director Mike Binder (The Upside of Anger) who also wrote the story and acted in the film, takes a personal look at how the infamous day in September affected one family while capturing the challenging nuances in the lives of two friends.

Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler) loses his entire family and thus much of his mind on 9/11. Formerly a successful dentist, Fineman is reduced to a video game playing, highly temperamental vagabond. Five years after the tragedy, Alan Johnson portrayed by Don Cheadle (Crash, Hotel Rwanda) spots Fineman, his old college roommate, on the streets of Manhattan and is surprised at Fineman’s deteriorated condition.  Overwhelm is a circumstance that Johnson can somewhat appreciate, between work and family Johnson, owner of a successful dental practice, is stressed and in need of a change in his life. The reunion seems to be a stroke of luck.for both men, who forge the type of friendship usually depicted in “chick flicks.”

Reign’s all star cast includes solid supporting performances by Jada Pinkett (Collateral, Ali, Madagascar) Smith, Paula Newsome (Little Miss Sunshine) as Melanie, Johnson’s a no nonsense dental office manager, an “all grown up” Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) as psychiatrist Angela Oakhurst, Saffron Burrows as dental patient and stalker Donna Remar, and Donald Sutherland as a feisty judge. But the key to this film is the sweet chemistry between Sandler and Cheadle, two characters that could easily be over or under –acted  but thankfully are not .

 A few of Reign’s failings include the lack of use of  Pinkett-Smith’s considerable  talent.  As Janeane Johnson, Pinkett-Smith is a stereotypical Hollywood wife prototype:   a beautiful woman, caring mother and nagging spouse .  Had Reign first been a book, the audience could have gained more from Pinkett’s character.  The next flaw, and this is major, is whiney child-like Sandler trademark voice.  If you can dismiss the annoying Sandler baby talk tone, this is one of the best performances ever to come from the crude comedian.

The  key to this film is the sweet chemistry between Sandler and Cheadle, what could be over or under –acted is just right in it’s delivery. With a bittersweet angle, Reign Over Me, captures the struggles of healing, the necessity of friendship and preciousness of life.

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

After the Sunset is Paradise “light”

By Jamise Liddell

After the Sunset offers the great escape to weary filmgoers.  Yes folks, for the ever-increasing movie admission price you too can roam white sandy beaches, gaze upon crystal clear waters, a bevy of scantily clad Hollywood beautiful people and predictability abound. It is crazy!  How can a movie miss with heavy hitter stars of fantabulous films like the James Bond 007 series, and  Frida.  Trailers for the film After the Sunset left me hopeful and convinced that this was going to be a super film.

After the Sunset will most likely satisfy the masses with its luxury beach side love nests, open bamboo hut bars with dancing disco beats and lots of “do nothing” time.

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

Law’s Alfie  Pickpockets, Pounds and Pulverizes Young Hearts

By Jamise Liddell

With friends like Alfie, who needs enemies?

Alfie, which stars actor Jude Law is a tribute to the scoundrels of this world. Unfortunately people like Law’s portrayal of the title character, roam the earth freely making merry, breaking hearts and causing other havoc as the usual order of the day. Surely, at least once in your life you’ve dined or brushed with an innocent Alfie type. And so the routine goes you order a $4.29 side salad and they order steak and lobster, two  bottles of chateau wonderful from 1990, coffee and dessert for a total of  $150.00 and then  suggest, with a straight face or the smile of a Cheshire cat, that you two split the bill.

Alfie is the tale of a lady’s man, party boy and rogue, who has, to his detriment, selected not to grow up? Eye candy actor Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley) adds panache, style and magnetism to the  role.  A remake of a 1966 film starring Michael Caine,  Law takes Alfie 2004 to new heights as well as new levels of low. But Law makes the character and the film his own.

 With light hearted beginnings, the film, which Law’s character look into the camera and narrates as if the audience were his closest friends.   Alfie’s best friend onscreen is  Marlon, played sincerely and with conviction by Omar Epps (Love and Basketball, The Mod Squad) and the fetching actress Nia Long  (a.k.a. Sasha Monroe on television’s Third Watch, Boiler Room) are the only people Alfie can call friends.  Long plays an outstanding supporting role as girlfriend  to Marlon. Actor Gedde Watanabe (That Thing You Do, Boys On The Side) steals all of his scenes as Mr. Wing Alfie and Marlon’s selfish, verbally obnoxious boss and owner of a New York cab company.

Alfie is full of familiar veteran actress faces. One of Alfies many conquests is Alley McBeals’ Jane Krakowski as Dorie.  An unfulfilled married woman, Dorie seeks attention in Alfie’s arms. Meanwhile, Alfie’s girlfriend Julie (Marissa Tomei) waits patiently and faithfully for Alfie to come home to her. Alfie receives some of his own medicine from the perfectly cast Susan Sarandon as love interest Liz.

Seasoned Writer Director  Charles Shyer (Alfie (2004), Father of the Bride (1991) and Father of the Bride Part II (1995),I Love Trouble (1994), Irreconcilable Differences (1984) ,"The Odd Couple" (1970) TV Series ) casts this film well and  successfully captured the look with great costumes and settings like New York (though the film was shot in England). The entire cinematic effort would have been better served if someone had had given Shyer a watch and keys to the editing room. Alfie  repeatedly drags, in fact during the screening I spied several people glancing frequently at their watches.

With that in mind, Alfie is would stills receives a viewing recommendation for mature men and women because Jude’s performance is so sound and at times the film is really, interesting, entertaining yet pathetically disturbing.

The next time you seek to explain a difficult encounter with a handsome, charming, self-centered, lying, scab, who needs redemption; instead say only one word…Alfie? 

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

Greatest Game is “Flittering” with Family Film

By Jamise Liddell

With a summer full of movies so awful that the average man should be irritated that his precious being was exposed to such poor offerings from Hollywood’s cinematic wasteland.  The Greatest Game Ever Played is a warm hearted and welcome spotlight on the dark and dastardly film offerings of late.  Leave it to Disney to bring us fun family fare, no matter how formulaic.

To be clear, you have seen The Greatest before, it is the usual Walt Disney sport film storyline. You know the films, “The Rookie”, “Remember the Titans” and “Miracle”.and the list is limitless.  The Greatest is the cliché, feel good, feel bad, feel really super great, yea we won sports film featuring the underdog who has a dream, pursues the dream despite every obstacle and in the end rides on the victory pony.

The Greatest Game Ever Played ,is a true story set in the early 1900’s about Francis Quimet a working class boy, perfectly cast and portrayed by popular teen Disney Star Shia La Beouf  (Even Stevens, Holes, I, Robot), who busted privileged barricades to become the Norma Rae of golf.  His journey propels him to the 1913 U.S. Open where Quimet finds himself in direct competition with his long time idol Harry Vardon, a U.S. Open winner and six time British Open champion. Without question, this is a most intriguing historical tale.  And it is entertaining to watch the challengers swing their way to the next level.

Midway through the film, however, The Greatest takes on an new energy and light with the exuberant entrance of actor Josh Flitter member of the reality television show Situation Comedy. Flitter, who plays quippy, grade school skipping, golf loving, 10-year old caddie Eddie Lowery, serves as a caddie for Quimet during the U.S. Open.

Flitter, is the scene, no make that film stealer of the season and the number one reason why everyone should see The Greatest Game Ever Played.  Without a doubt Flitter was cast for his cuteness, and probably to steal a scene or two, but it turns out he is literally breathes life of this film.

Fortunately you don’t have to be a golf or sports lover to enjoy this film full of wonderful period costumes and luscious panoramic views of various golf courses, not to mention the stoic British versus American, the wealthy versus the working class thematic tensions.

Former actor turned director Bill Paxton has a keen eye for suspense and humor and that aids the overall energy of the film. The film and screen play were written by Mark Frost are  based the book, The Greatest Game Ever Played, also penned by Frost.

The Greatest, has it’s detractors, the women folk just fret, frown, beg men to behave better and look pretty, and I’m sorry folks but even a sports enthusiast will want to cut out some of the repetitive golf swing scenes and audience reaction shots down by half.  Yet in still, the story is the good one and in the end, you’ll probably be heard across town cheering for young Quimet to make that final shot.

The Greatest Game Ever Played opens September 30, and is rated PG for some brief mild language.

Entertainment Section Writer,  Jamise Liddell

Hide notion to See this film

By Jamise Liddell

Director John Polson started out well enough with the film Hide and Seek. He had decent story concept, an A-list cast, and he had Swimfan a pretty successful film in this genre.

In Hide and Seek, Dr. David Callaway (Robert De Niro) and his daughter Emily (Dakota Fanning, Man On Fire, Uptown Girls) attempt to put their lives life back together after the suicide of his wife Emily (Amy Irving).  After purchasing a house in a small town, a home that is turned over to him by a creepy realtor and an over involved Sheriff, Callaway settles into his new life.  But his daughter finds a new imaginary friend, it seems, to cope with her mother’s loss. Elizabeth Shue (Tuck Everlasting, Leaving Las Vegas) is Elizabeth a new friend, and potential babysitter, that the Callaways meet in town.

Following a brief introduction to other characters including the strange but friendly next door neighbors, and supportive family friend Katherine (Famke Janssen, X2, X-Men).  Katherine and David are both doctors.  Within this motley crew there is suspense, and then suddenly about 40 minutes into the film I had an urge to walk out, and it wasn’t from fear.  But I sat there, hoping things would get better because their were 60minutes left.

In Hide and Seek suspense turns to torment as you wait and wait and wait for something, anything, to make sense because nothing does. The waiting for answers became so drawn out that I stopped caring about what was going on, and starting counting the number of feet I’d have to step over to leave early.   And then the entire Secret Window type plot is hurriedly tied together. 

In this I really don’t like for Hollywood to waste my time.  They do it often

Sometimes you wonder what they are thinking!  The whole lot of them!  Producers, director’s, editor’s, what the heck are they thinking? To create and produce ridiculousness like Hide and Seek is truly a sham.  May I never know the budget!

Especially galling is a gathering of such great talent like Amy Irving, Elisabeth Shue, Dakota Fanning, and Robert DeNiro, and then to have them put to little use.

  Forget underestimating the intelligence of the audience, this was made for lobotomy victims.

Akeelah and the Bee spells F U N

By Jamise Liddell

Eleven years in