“10 Years” – As Long as The Movie Feels

We all struggle to grow up. Sometimes, it is nice to know that you are not alone. In the latest high school reunion comedy, “10 Years,” writer and director Jamie Linden (“Dear John” and “We Are Marshall”) follows a group of friends who put their lives on hold for a night and travel from opposite ends of the country to celebrate 10 years since high school. Some change and others stay the same. Temptations are tested, hearts are yearned and truths are (eventually) told.

This unpretentious flick is loaded with a charming cast dealing with believable problems. We would find these characters more relatable if they were further developed, however. Handheld camera work and actual camcorder footage during the reunion capture the authenticity. Although unoriginal with melancholy reflections, “10 Years” is a feel good film that reminds us that growing up isn’t exactly a walk in the park. There is an unforced, low-key feeling throughout that perhaps goes a little too far. The lack of compelling drama makes it seem slow. 

In a story about twenty somethings, Jake (Channing Tatum) is on the verge of proposing to his girlfriend, Jess (Jenna Dewan-Tatum). Jake brings Jess to his high school reunion where he runs into his high school sweetheart Mary (Rosario Dawson) among many other personalities, a word I will use loosely. Married couple Cully (Chris Pratt) and Sam (Ari Graynor), who are living life in suburbia with kids, have been an item since high school. Cully was a bully to just about everyone back in the day and cannot wait to apologize to those he hurt. After a few too many vodkas and a drop of coke, Cully has apologized to just about everyone in the room, more than once. A couple of whisky shots later and this hot mess is on stage at the local bar ‘singing’ “Lady in Red” and back to shouting insults. Meanwhile, Marty (Justin Long) and A.J. (Max Minghella) are trying to impress Anna (Lynn Collins), the most popular girl at Lake Howell High, but find that their competitive personalities get in the way. The now famous musician Reeves (Oscar Isaac) is still too shy to talk to his high school crush, Elise (Kate Mara), but eventually finds an unconventional means of communicating with her.

Asa Butterfield plays Hugo Cabret in HUGO, from Paramount Pictures and GK Films. (c) 2011 GK Films, LLC. Photo credit: Jaap Buitendijk. All Rights Reserved.

A Visual Masterpiece

The foyer in my home is adorned with a painting of a bustling Paris street scene. The picture draws me in, making me want to be a part of that scene. “Hugo” has the same effect. The visual nuances of the movie are reminiscent of a beautifully crafted storybook, which is fitting since it’s based on the 2008 Caldecott Medal winning book, “The Invention of Hugo Cabret.” Author Brian Selznick’s novel, about 500 pages long, is told with black and white illustrations as much as with text, providing a built-in storyboard for filmmakers.

Academy Award™ winning director Martin Scorsese (“The Departed” 2007), with the help of his excellent team, has done a marvelous job of transforming a highly lauded children’s book into an equally impressive family movie. You know those awards given out for technical stuff that you either don’t understand or don’t care about? “Hugo” should be a contender for all of those: cinematography, editing, set direction, art direction, costume design and musical score. It’s all exquisitely orchestrated, resulting in a fantasy/adventure that can be enjoyed by young and old alike.

While it’s a movie to be enjoyed by all, aficionados of films and literature will especially love it. Why? The plot involves one character’s passion for books, one’s passions for watching movies, and one’s passion for filmmaking, along with an abbreviated history of how filmmaking got its start. The history, which picks up in the last act, is both educational and charming. Scorsese incorporates actual footage of old films, and also reenacts the filming of the movies.

THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY, starring Dennis Farina, is distributed by Tribeca Film

Written and directed by Joe Maggio, “The Last Rites of Joe May” is a deeply emotional, high quality movie − one that reminds us that special effects and fast paced action aren’t needed when the script, acting and direction are all solid. In fact, an over-abundance of chase scenes, explosions and other such distractions are, quite often, a direct correlation to the true quality of the script. That’s not to say that all action packed movies are bad, or that all low concept movies are good, but in the case of “The Last Rites of Joe May,” the theory holds true. Although at times predictable, Maggio has written a moving script. Joe May is a character not easily forgotten.

In this gritty, character driven movie, veteran actor Dennis Farina (“Bottle Shock” 2008) plays the title character, a short-money hustler whose best days (if there ever were any) are behind him. Farina executes a first-rate performance, the portrayal of a once resilient man, always waiting for his big break, whose hardships are finally beginning to wear him down.

Filmed in Chicago, the film opens with Joe being released from the hospital after seven weeks of battling pneumonia. Before leaving, Joe takes care to scrutinize his appearance, primping like a schoolgirl preparing for her first date. Joe lives by the ‘never let them see you sweat’ philosophy; appearance is of the utmost importance.

Ruby (Zoe Kazan) and Calvin (Paul Dano) have a unique relationship in RUBY SPARKS. Photo Credit: Fox Searchlight

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Directors’ Second Film Collaboration is Mostly Sunny, Partly Cloudy

Right out of the gate, the directing team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris proved successful. “Little Miss Sunshine,” their motion picture debut, was praised and appreciated by critics and audiences alike. Six years later, their sophomore film, although packing a little less punch, proves to be as endearing as the first.

Screenwriter Zoe Kazan, who also portrays the title character, has written a profound analysis of human relationships and desires, disguised as a uniquely creative, humorous story. What’s more, despite a bit of unexplained ‘magic,’ the script still has a believability factor. Although it goes just a smidgen overboard in the last act, the movie is bound to leave you with a smile. Top it off with a dog and a typewriter that have supporting roles as important as the actors – it all adds up to a winning script.

“Ruby Sparks” is a sweet, romantic comedy with a twist of bitter. Paul Dano reunites with Dayton and Faris, playing the lead role as Calvin Weir-Fields. Calvin is a writer who found early success with a novel he wrote as a teenager. In fact, he is often referred to as a genius − a description he’d like to shake. Ten years later, his book is still making waves, but he has little else to offer the literary world.