"I WIsh I Was Here"

To be taken in so completely by a film that over an hour passes, and all you want is more of the story. All that you want is for the magic to continue. All that you want is just one more moment with these important characters. This is just such a film.

The brain child of Zach Braff and his brother, Adam, this story is a beautiful poem to life, and to death, and to dreams, and to purpose. Interwoven amidst it all is a delicate balance of humor. 

This movie was a KICK STARTER project. It not only had the backing of generous donors, it had the addition of generous star power. Kate Hudson plays Zach Braff's wife, Mandy Patinkin plays his father, who is dying of cancer, Josh Gad is Braff's younger brother, and I swear that guy can make me cry faster than almost any actor I know. Rounding out the wonderful cast are the children who play Braff's children, Joey King as Grace, and Pierce Gagnon as Tucker. 

The richest cameo in the bunch is Jim Parson's. I smile just looking at that man. 

Give yourself a delightful present, and wrap this one up with a cup of tea for the night. 

Also, Kassandra Berger, it makes a great case for home-schooling. 

"Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

I didn't see the first one of these movies, but it was literally my job to go see this one, so I did.

 It was a really difficult job--NOT! I actually had a lot of fun. The action was as thrilling as I'm sure it was meant to be. The writing wasn't Shakespeare, but there was humor and sweetness.
Robert Redford, as Alexander Pierce, just made me sad. He was supposed to be the bad guy, and I didn't believe him. I don't think he believed himself either.
Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier was the best actor of the bunch. I believed his pain and confusion. Samuel L. Jackson was, well, Samuel L. Jackson. He is just the coolest fucker on this planet.
Chris Pine as the lead character, was as adequate as someone who looks like they are sculpted out of granite can be. He plays the hero well.
So go--have your exciting escape! A guy who flies on a shield will be there to scoop you up and carry you away!

"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"

This movie changed my life.
It really did.
It has been a very long time since I've felt an actual psychic shift while watching a film.
This film is about a man named Walter Mitty (duh), and about his highly active imagination. It is also about how Walter, played incredibly by Ben Stiller, makes his dreams a reality.
The cinematography on this film was so vivid and alive. The richness of the color made me want to crawl inside and live there.
Ben Stiller also directed, and he lined himself up with a stellar supporting cast. His mother was played by Shirley MacLaine, his sister was played by the always hilarious Kathryn Hahn.  Sean Penn shows up as an eccentric photographer, and I had to admit to a twinge of sadness, because I could still see Spicoli under his weathered facade.
The lesser supports were Kristin Wigg as Walter's love interest, and Adam Scott as Walter's nemesis; he was just plain annoying.

This movie will move your soul to new, more insightful heights.
It will rock.Your. World.

"A Late Quartet"

This 2012 film, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener, and the lesser known Mark Ivanir was worth the search for it on the shelf at the video store.

I spent almost the entire film trying to suspend my disbelief that Hoffman is actually gone. His was such a distinct, profound talent. With that said, in this movie his perfection was well-matched, especially by Walken. I swear, that man can say more with his face in two minutes of silence than was said with all the words in the entire script. Catherine Keener was her irrepressible self. It is a true joy to watch her work.
Mark Ivanir, best known for his role in "Schlindler's List", was believable as an obsessive musician with with little room for the passion of  actual relationships. Imogen Poots, as the daughter of Hoffman and Keener, was just irritating and awful, but she doesn't take much screen time.

The soundtrack is wonderful, and the depiction of the devotion its takes to make a living as a professional musician is almost as painful as it is beautiful to watch.
The dedication the four main actors had to have to make themselves believable as world-class musicians was truly impressive. All of this work brought home the fact that we all make sacrifices to dedicate ourselves to doing what we love.

"Short Term 12"

This film, written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, was so moving and real I want to see it again and again and share it with all o the Addiction Counselors I know.
The lead actress, Brie Larson was completely engaged in bringing her character of grace to life, and John Gallagher, Jr., who played her fiancé and fellow Counselor, did an amazing job as well.
This is one of those "small" films that ends up being HUGE!
The supporting cast reminded me of many wounded souls I've known. They had big hearts, and irrepressible courage. Kaitlin Dever, as Jayden, was especially noteworthy, and Keith Stanfield, as Marcus, does a rap that Macklemore WISHES he could do.

This movie is about people who work with adolescents who have been damaged by society and by their families of origin. It is about how one  group of extraordinary people rescues another group of extraordinary people, and about how they end up rescuing each other.

"Nebraska"

If you sit down to watch this movie, be prepared to be patient. Your patience will be rewarded, but if you are expecting a fast-paced thrill ride, you have chosen the wrong film.
Bruce Dern plays the main character--a confused older man whose old age is complicated by alcoholism and unresolved trauma.
Will Forte plays Derns' younger son, David, and he is brilliant at it. In the beginning I kept expecting Forte to be funny, because I am accustomed to seeing him in that light, but it did not take long for me to believe him in the role of loving, yet frustrated, Son.
Rounding out the cast nicely are June Squibb as Dern's wife, Bob Odenkrk as the older, more "perfect" son, and Stacy Keach as one of Derns' oldest acquaintances. There is also a supporting cast who show up to provide comic relief and attitude adjustments throughout the story.
This movie brought up a lot of feelings for me in the end. It made me miss my parents, and my brother, but it really made me miss my Uncle Craig, and my extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins.
It made me realize what a rich tapestry our families provide in our lives. It made me think that whether familial relationships are difficult or ideal, we carry all of these people with us. Even if we don't have regular contact, or if they are no longer with us,.We carry them with us every day.
Watch this movie for the story. You will surely find your own family here.

Lee Daniels' : The Butler

I would gladly watch Forest Whitaker, who played the main character,Cecil Gaines in this film, carry a tray of water back and forth for two and a half hours. If you watch this film, you will see him do a LOT more than that.
This movie was nothing short of inspiring.
The cast backing up Mr. Whitaker was stellar. Oprah Winfrey, who played Cecil's wife Gloria was incredible, and everyone who arrives on the screen does true justice to this important story.
I couldn't help but think: "This wasn't that long ago...", along with: "We still have so far to go".
It also goes to show that, while we all have an important story, we don't all make history. I am sorry this story took so long to come to us, but I am so grateful that it finally has.

The 5th Estate

Benedict Cumberbatch has weird lips.
It was so hard for me to concentrate on this movie because the aforementioned thought kept running through my head. Mr. Weird Lips played Julian Assange, the infamous creator of Wikileaks. I admit to knowing few details about the wistleblower website, and I can't say that I know any actual facts now that I have seen this film.
The movie was, by turns, artsy, action, and pain-in-the-ass. I very nearly lost my husband from boredom halfway through.
If I were pressured to give a one word review (and I have struggled to come up with more than that), I'd have to leave it at "okay".

"Dallas Buyers Club"

This is the best film I have seen in months, and I have seen some great films lately.
I went into the watching of this story already knowing the basic story-line. Awards season has begun, so I was also aware that the acting was impeccable.
What I was wholly unprepared for was the amount of insight the characters showed for the life issues they were facing.
The main characters began this film playing one character, and ended the film as completely different people. The catharsis was incredible. What happened in the process of watching, for me, is that I began watching with one view, and ended with a new, brighter view.
I am immersed in classes on cultural humility now, but I am in awe every day when I see resiliency show up in the lives of  people I know, and in the lives of people I don't know. This movie brought that awareness deeper.
I watched this film with my older son. As we discussed it later, I told him that watching this movie reminded me of when he and I went to see "Brokeback Mountain" together when he was 17 years old. He agreed, and then said: "That movie changed my life". We both agreed that this offering has indeed done the same.
What a gift.

"Last Vegas"

After the last movie we watched, I was up for some sweetness and light. This movie did not disappoint.
The cast consisted mainly of Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline, with a bit of Mary Steenburgen thrown in for good measure. I feel safe with these actors. I have been watching them all my life, and I felt like I was coming home.
The premise of the film is that the four men have been best friends since childhood, and even though they have all moved to different physical locations, they are all still very enmeshed. They all meet in Las Vegas to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of Michael Douglas' character, and throw a bachelor party.
There are major issues to be worked through, both as individuals, in interpersonal relationships, and as a collective.
As I expected, it was all tied up in a pretty little bow at the end, but it felt right.
A nice little surprise in the film was a character played by Jerry Ferrara, of  HBO's "The Entourage" fame. He played Turtle in that tv show, and it was nice to see him reach a bit for this film.
If you are planning to watch this piece to see stellar acting by Chris Brown, well, that is just not ever going to happen.

"The Counselor"

So, if Ridley Scott and Cormic McCarthy got together and had a baby, apparently that baby would be very bad, and very ugly.
I am a drug abuse counselor, and I heard the word "Counselor" more last night than I've heard in my entire career, and all of my schooling.
Richard Roper gave this a good review, and all I can say about that is: ARE YOU FRIGGIN' KIDDING ME!?!
That. Is. All.

"Blue Jasmine"

The acting in this film was impeccable. So was the writing. But... this film promises to make you so uncomfortable you will want to get therapy after watching it--and these aren't even your issues!
Perhaps if you are in the frame of mind to watch a person with severe mental health problems who is not willing to look at their part, or to seek treatment, then by all means, dive right in. Otherwise, save your time and emotional energy for more worthwhile pursuits. Might I suggest....well--anything else!

"Rush"

We watched this film after the Super Bowl last night. I'd have to say there is more excitement in the first three minutes of this movie than there was in that entire football game.
I realize the real draw of this movie was probably Chris Helmsworth (who play James Hunt), but the real story is that of Niki Lauda, (played by Daniel Bruhl), and his relationship to Hunt. This story makes one realize how insular one's world becomes when one's profession is so stressful. Only someone else in the world of 1970's Formula One racing could truly relate to what a toll putting your life on the line every time you race, takes on your psyche.
This movie was by turns sad, thought provoking, and sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat exciting. Ron Howard does not disappoint with this directorial effort. He provides an exemplary snapshot of the intensity of the racing world and of the characters that inhabited that world in the 1970's. Mr. Howard's cinematography is so beautiful and emotion-provoking.
The most touching part of this narrative is that it is a true story of one man's experience. Niki Lauda loved and despised James Hunt, and no one knew them better than each other. All these years later Niki Lauda still holds James Hunt in high esteem.
Drive --- FAST---to rent a copy of this adrenaline rush!

"Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues"

Such utter silliness. Will Ferrell was in fine form, but he should be thanking what ever God's gave him the power to select amazing co-stars. 

Once again, Steve Carell, as Brick Tamland, carries this comedy beast on his back. In this sequel, he shares the laughs with a love interest in the person of Kristen Wigg. They are delightful. 

Rounding out the cast were Paul Rudd, David Koechner, and Christina Applegate, and other familiar faces. I don't want to piss in the porridge, but the Newscaster battle at the end is nothing short of epic! 

Also: Could I have the name of the stage mother who gave us Judah Nelson as Ron Burgundy and Veronica Cornerstone's son? The kid is pure gold, and I'd like to kiss her whole face BEFORE he turns into a nightmare former child star. 

It would be great if you could have the same guy sitting behind you who sat behind us. Some sound guy in Hollywood needs to record him on a laugh track. His laugh was infectious. Hopefully you will laugh just as much without him.