Johnny Depp stars Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

Johnny Depp stars Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

Film’s Potential Overshadowed By Dull Script and Lackluster Acting

If ever a film lacked focus and uniformity, “Dark Shadows” fits the bill. It also may be the one film students study as a lesson on what not to do when making a movie. ‘Shadows’ is a major mess, as it doesn’t know what kind of a film it’s supposed to be. Viewers are left in the ‘dark’ (pun intended) and subjected to an odd mix of comedy, through campy horror, and gothic melodrama. As a Depp fan, I was frustratingly disappointed, not only in the film, but also his performance and the lack-luster direction by Tim Burton. And, to add fuel to the fire, what about the twisting of the original source material and those millions of devoted television fans of the series?

The “Dark Shadows” series (soap opera), which ran from 1966 to 1971, racking up 1,225 episodes, has become a cult and camp classic in its own right. Although the acting was horrendous and overdone, the series was not comedic; it was very dramatic with intense, eerie music and supernatural themes. The victims were characteristically young woman. One would think that Depp, who adored the show and had a poster of his idol Barnabas Collins, the two-hundred year old vampire, on his own childhood bedroom wall, would have relished in giving his idol an eminent and true persona. Instead, Depp plays him slow as molasses, thus causing the entire movie to slow down. When paired with the songs of Donovan and Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin,” it’s a miracle more people weren’t falling asleep during the first hour. Truth be told, the film never does get going until about 90 minutes in, and by then we’ve had enough already.

Fox Searchlight Pictures Photo Credit

Check In to Marigold, You’ll Want an Extended Stay

Some say, “Life is a series of collisions with the future; it is not the sum of what we have been, but what we yearn to be.” Without a doubt, the elderly English travelers arriving at the Marigold Hotel in Jaipur, India are open to living out the rest of their lives in search of finding purpose and harmony. What they didn’t expect was to have such a delightful time doing so. As viewers we too are brought along on this enchanting journey sharing in the mystery and discoveries of a new land. ‘Marigold’ succeeds on many levels, bringing us breathtaking landscapes, outstanding performances and captivating discoveries. By far, one of the best films this year.

Dames, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, share screen time with Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie and Ronald Pickup. Each having an agenda; some secretive and some downright in your face, all looking for validation and peace in a foreign land. Deliberately slow in pace, the film meanders while we soak up the vibrant colors and sounds of the heavily populated region. Yes, we are fully immersed! Director John Madden, (“Shakespeare in Love”) purposely lingers on wide-angle shots allowing the mind to contemplate. At times, the cinematography is so mesmerizing you can almost smell the fragrant flowers and taste fresh, colorful fruits at the markets.

Madden’s characters are very well developed. We care for them, in this poignant film centering on growing old, life lessons and adapting to changes. Oliver Parker pens the screenplay based on the novel “These Foolish Things” by Deborah Moggach. Yes, I definitely can say that you should check in to the Marigold Hotel as you’ll be filled with lingering memories that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

The story begins with the characters learning about the Marigold Hotel through the enticement of a sleek web advertisement, billed as a retirement option with pristine accommodations. Much to everyone’s surprise, when they finally arrive, they find a run down place that is in the middle of restoration. They are met by an exuberant, starry eyed young manager, Dev Patal from the Academy Award winning film, “Slumdog Millionaire,” who tells them with a beaming smile, “Don’t worry everything will work out,”after he shakes the dust off of the covered furniture.

Both Dench and Smith play single women who are looking for validation. Tom Wilkinson, also single, is a respected judge who’s looking for a long last friend. Bill Nighy and Penelope Wilton, play a married couple who are always disagreeing. Celia Imrie and Ronald Pickup are both single, hopeless romantics and looking for love.

After the guests have adapted to their somewhat substandard dwellings, they each venture off and find their way in the hustling and bustling city of Jaipur. Dench manages to find a job in an outsourcing tech call center, which sheds further light into the culture. All in all, each find their way and we are along for the ride.

Bottom-line: Here’s a gem of a film that is slowly paced and a treat for the senses. Top-notch acting and directing!

Sarah Knight Adamson © May 13, 2012

"Marvel's The Avengers" Photo Credit: Paramount Studios, Disney and Marvel Comics

Comic Book Heroes are Marvelous!

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is a comic book lover’s ultimate fantasy: witnessing several favorite superheroes together, fighting evil and of course, all while saving mankind from destruction. Yes, it’s a superhero ‘all-star’ meet up, of sorts, starring Robert Downy Jr. as Iron Man, Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye. All, thankfully, sharing equal screen time in a first rate, comical, non-stop action packed film with a bit of ‘Transformers’ scattered throughout.

The former film franchises of four heroes provided their introduction to cinema fans who may not have been familiar with the comic books, thus delivering an extra punch – familiarity with their personas. Many know the Hulk from the 1978 TV series and other major films starring Eric Bana and Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk. I’m pleased to reveal that ‘Avengers’ take on the Hulk is my favorite so far; he’s the biggest Hulk yet, and overshadows all in size, scope and strength. Even though Black Widow and Hawkeye are less known, director and co/writer Joss Whedon (a self professed comic book fan) does a fine job of developing each. Whedon’s writing credits are impressive, “Toy Story,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Cabin in the Woods,” to name a few. His direction here is pitch perfect, as each superhero’s personality is developed not only through actions but also smart dialogue, something generally lacking in action films. The glib comedic tone is consistent throughout, never appearing silly or contrived. We believe all that is happening – these super heroes are essentially part of the world’s landscape. Even though we know they aren’t real, in this film they emphatically are, as so much care and detail have gone into their credibility.

A grandiose storyline is deep-seated in humanity that’s ‘super cool’ and ‘super fun’ for action fans and the archetypal comic book fan. ‘Avengers’ covers both and, unquestionably, delivers. The balancing act of the characters and their distinctive personas is certainly a dubious feat here, requiring much perception and forethought to pull off.

If music and arts festival Bonnaroo and “Spinal Tap” (1984) had a documentary lovechild I’m quite confident it would be “Takeover!”

The film follows Full Service, a perpetually shirtless, hacky sack playing rock band of brothers & co., on their quest to takeover the venue parking lots of a concert tour featuring 311 and Snoop Dogg.  Hoping to gain new fans and, ultimately, perform on the main stage, they launch their loosely planned journey in a van known as The Whale.

While their level of fandom for 311 and Snoop Dogg isn’t necessarily clear, we still enjoy the spirit of the mission.  The film is decently made and edited but has a low-fi, homemade vibe that comes from hand-drawn animations, randomly interspersed effects like the “Wayne’s World” flashback, plenty of good old fashioned bickering about where to set up and, let’s not forget, the peanut butter sandwiches.

Pirates! Band of Misfits Photo Credit: Aardman and Sondy Pictures Annimation

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Not Much to “Rave” About in “The Raven”

It is 1849 in Baltimore, Maryland. The fog lingers above the dark, empty cobblestone streets. A mother and her 12-year old daughter are found viciously murdered. This is the first of the torture filled murder spree embarking on Baltimore. The mysterious serial killer uses Edgar Allan Poe’s tales as his instruction manual in James McTeigue's (“V for Vendetta”) period thriller, “The Raven.”

Whether it be someone buried alive (A Cask of Amontillado), killed in an empty room with no means of escape (Murders in the Rue Morgue) or death by a swinging blade (The Pit and the Pendulum), nothing is left to the imagination in these slayings.

Unfortunately, what is left to the imagination is the plot. While the atmospheric direction, makeup and costume design are spot on in this nineteenth century murder mystery, the writing falls flat. Written by Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare, the film lacks depth, overall. Aside from Poe (John Cusack), there is little character development and the film becomes sluggish in the middle. The film follows Poe during the last few days of his life. One thing is certain, viewing “The Raven” wouldn’t be high on my ‘to do’ list in my final days.

Jason Segel and Emily Blunt star in Universal Pictures "The Five Year Engagement"

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Stalling to the Altar

Remember the popular 90s film “Four Weddings and a Funeral?” In the “Five Year Engagement,” we are presented with four funerals and a wedding − maybe. These events plus a five year time-lapsed engagement are at the center of a very long, drawn out Judd Apatow produced film, an all too familiar annoyance that has occurred with other Apatow films, in particular, “Funny People, 2009.” Simply stated, considerably more of his films’ footage should have ended up on the cutting room floor.

Nicholas Stoller directs, pairing again with Jason Segel, as they co-wrote “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” an even paced, hysterically funny Apatow produced film, repeating a similar character profile – that of a rejected, self-doubting, meek guy.

Segel (Tom) and Emily Blunt (Violet), a San Franciscan couple, meet, become engaged and relocate to Michigan, due to Violet’s acceptance into the University of Michigan’s doctoral psychology program, all within the first fifteen minutes of the film. We feel Tom’s pain as he deals with drastic climate changes and his downgraded job (sous chef to deli sandwich maker), while Emily, enamored by her intriguing professor (Rhys Ifans), continually asks, “Are you doing ok with this?” Tom’s typical reply is, “Oh yes.” Truth be told, Tom is not doing ok.

Photo Credit: Raintree Studios

This One’s a No-Brainer, It Screams Date Night

Finally, a romantic comedy with a large, talented, star-studded cast that not only delivers laughs from start to finish, but one in which we actually care about the characters. Based on Steve Harvey’s best selling book, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” that is geared toward women − refreshingly, the film is geared toward couples. I’d even go, as far to say, this is just about the perfect date movie due to the extensive relationship topics that are covered, all while entertaining viewers.

Directed by Tim Story who brought us “Barbershop” and “Fantastic Four,” the film centers on six male friends who play basketball together and routinely frequent the same bar afterwards to discuss the trials and tribulations with their ladies. The guys include: fast-talking, soon to be divorced Cedric (Kevin Hart), sincere dreamer Dominic (Michael Ealy), token eye-candy ‘player’ Zeke (Romany Malco), happily married Bennett (Gary Owen), man-child Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) and mamma’s boy Michael (Terrence J). All but Bennett struggle with relationship issues and these outings provide the sounding board for advice. Little do the men know, the ladies have a secret weapon, a book penned by the self-help guru Steve Harvey (who appears in the film) for guidance on a myriad of problems.

Armed with Harvey’s book, (each have one in their possession) the ladies do have an edge − and they diligently follow his advice. When attractive Mya (Meagan Good) begins dating yet another player, Zeke, she takes action into her own hands by installing the 90 day rule until she’s willing to have more than just a casual kiss and coffee after dinner. When single mom (Regina Hall) meets up with mama’s boy, she forces him to choose exactly which lady is number one in his life. Lastly, the man-child who refuses to commit or, as Beyoncé would say, “Put a Ring on It,” is forced to grow up when his girlfriend of 9 years, Kristen (Gabrielle Union), tries new strategies.