Woody Allen is famous for bringing together characters each of whom has a set of insecurities and unresolved issues . . . then steps back and let’s the fun, and the fireworks, begin. This is what is at work in Vicky Cristina Barcelona and it’s an entertaining and some what humorous display. You probably have to go back almost ten years (”Sweet And Low”) to find an Allen film that works as well. The standard criticism seems to be that Woody hasn’t done anything good since the ’70s. Forgetting last decades’ “Manhattan Murder Mystery,” “Bullets Over Broadway” and “Everyone Says I Love You.” Vicky Cristina Barcelona is right at home among those films. [ RT ]
RT Synopsis: Two young Americans spend a summer in Spain and meet a flamboyant artist (Javier Bardem) and his beautiful but insane ex-wife (Penelope Cruz). Vicky (Rebecca Hall) is straight-laced and about to be married. Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) is a sexually adventurous free spirit. When they all become amorously entangled, the results are both hilarious and harrowing.
Ah . . . a comedy with some witty writing that doesn’t use a foundation of potty humor to get laughs. Lotsa talent here. Maybe Tom Cruise’s best comedic role of all time. Sure there are some off color stuff. I am no prude but I like some creativity with my humor. Any one can use dirty words and body functions mentions to get laughs (for some folks). Here you get the feeling they actually fine tuned most of the lines. The movie industry gives them plenty with which to work. Tropic Thunder is much fun. [ 
The first challenge is accepting the fact that a woman like Penelope Cruz could go for a guy like Ben Kingsley. The longer, and it took me half the movie, you have deal with that proposition the longer you will be distracted from what is going on here. And what is going on is a old guy who hasn’t grown up yet to deal with a intimate relationship on all levels. It’s not a new premise and the only thing that saves this very long film from being formulaic is the power of the performances. Elegy is slow and deep and well done but not perfect. [ 
Less than a primer on wire walking, which disappointed me, more a revealing of relationships that crashed even if the guy on wire didn’t. Celebrity was achieved but not explored (Sure it was pre-People magazine but No “Johnny Carson” appearances?) But the major distraction in Man on Wire was the cheesy reenactments of some of the key scenes of the caper. And no actual video of the event. So I didn’t like it as much as all the critics did. [ 
I always fall for these English period pieces set in the 1930s. Brideshead Revisited examines the pitfalls of relationships when the parties are of different religions and different economic classes. Brideshead is a huge castle that has headquartered an upper crust family for centuries and crushes those who try to escape it’s place in society. There is really very little in America that compares. But the struggling relationships have universal appeal. [ 
If you like your crime stories with uncountable twists and turns with multiple layers you will love Tell No One. Just when I thought I was getting lost the story made the right reveal to get me back on track. This one I can recommend without hesitation.
Dark as night and nearly as long the new Batman movie rolls out with a relentless tempo. The Dark Knight is a confusing assault on the senses . . . the only relief is provided by Heath Ledger’s unforgettable, almost unbelievable, performance. The Joker is not a bit part — he is on screen almost as much as Batman — and I kept thinking: “this is the same guy who was in ‘Brokeback Mountain?’” The Dark Knight tries to be not just an entertaining comic book film, but a thrilling crime saga. But I challenge you to lay out the premise in three sentences. The narrative fails. [ 
Lots of snow and ice. Some crazy penguins, humans and sealsl Scientific research and discovery of a lot of unknowns. It all takes place Antarctica which seems to draw many bizarre people. As director/narrator Werner Herzog says, “behind every door, there’s someone with a special story to tell.” Fascinating and beautiful is the subject matter. The music soundtrack was annoying. Part of the fascination of the south pole is the silence . . . one resident says it is so quiet you can hear your heart beating . . . well not in this movie. [ 
Another big goofy absurd story. (Geesh . . . I gotta look for some realism somewhere). And directer Peter Berg shoots like Hancock is an indy (a $150 million indy). Lotsa handheld close ups . . . real close up . . you can’t see the whole face the camera is so close. We do find out that Charlize Theron has actual facial pores . . . so maybe she really is human. But that kind of distracts from the story. Oh . . . was that a spoiler? Sorry. I couldn’t wait for this big piece of noisey crap to be over. [ 
Brutal, bloody and loud. Wanted is without subtleties or nuance. And without cleverness or tact. Despite some spectacular car/train crashes and requisite chase scenes the most surprising thing is the one dimensional acting from several talent actors. I didn’t care about the absurd story, And as soon as the ringing in my ears dies down this film will be forgotten. [ 