Aloha

— This is a gorgeous film with gorgeous people, gorgeous scenery, and gorgeous photography, but it really isn’t very focused. It’s not a bad film, but it is poorly paced and a little preachy. It’s too bad these actors didn’t end up in a more coherent film. This is certainly among Cameron Crowe’s less successful efforts, but it’s still far from a complete stinker.

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[2015. 105 min. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe, Starring Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams, Emma Stone, John Krasinski, Alec Baldwin, and Bill Murray.]
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-aloha-review-20150529-story.html

The End of the Tour

— This is an interesting film although a little tedious. Jason Segel is excellent as acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace being interviewed by less-acclaimed novelist and Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) during the last stop of Wallace’s book tour. I expected the focus to be of Wallace, which it was, but less a look at him than at the shifting views we all have toward things like fame, loneliness, jealousy, acceptance, love, and insecurity. I was particularly fond of what was referred to more than once as “the American story” we all live as we work toward goals, achieve them, and question their value. This is a slow-moving, well-written, dialogue-driven film that spends most of its time in the realm of ideas, philosophies, and fears. This kind of introspective work needs to be well done to succeed and I think this fits the bill. I liked it.

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[2015. 106 min. Directed by James Ponsoldt. Starring Jason Segel, Jesse Eisenberg, Mamie Gummer, Anna Chlumsky, and Joan Cusak.]
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-end-of-the-tour-20150729

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

— The first one was so much fun, why wouldn’t more of the same be just as much fun? Well, almost. With this cast, more of the same really is a good idea. (DVD.)    

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[2015. 122 min. Directed by John Madden. Starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton, Ronald Pickup, David Strathairn, and Richard Gere.]
http://www.theguardian.com/film/the-second-best-exotic-marigold-hotel

Insurgent

— There’s something troublesome about the current trend toward serial movies over series and “Insurgent” is a good example of that trouble. These serial films can be satisfying and reach some kind of conclusion at the end of an installment, but sometimes you feel like you’re just being fed the stuff you’ll need to understand the next installment, even if it’s a year or two away. That’s the problem with this film. Luckily, the cast is decent—Shailene Woodley is very good and Kate Winslet does more than most could with a somewhat two-dimensional role. I’ll still watch the next installment, but it might be better to hold off watching “Insurgent” (DVD) until “Allegiant”, the next film in the “Divergent” series, is released and you can see them nearly back-to-back.

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[2015. 119 min. Directed by Robert Schwentke. Starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, and Kate Winslet.]
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/insurgent/review/778586

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

— The best thing I can say about this mess is that the titles were pleasant. It went downhill from there which is too bad since bringing Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin back held lots of hope for a sleek, slick, and clever film with lots of action. Sadly, Henry Cavill is way too bulked up to be comfortable in a suit, much less refined and his acting skills don't appear to be up to the challenge of a speaking role. Armie Hammer demonstrates no talent other than perseverance for being able to vaguely tolerate Cavill. Worse, the action sequences are some of the more boring I’ve seen in a long time. What should have been stylish and smart is just the opposite and, aside from a bit of humor from Hugh Grant, the characters rely on double entendres for cleverness. This film was disappointing on almost every level.

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[2015. 116 min. Directed by Guy Ritchie. Starring Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, and Alicia Vikander.]
http://www.theverge.com/2015/8/14/9152039/man-from-uncle-movie-review-guy-ritchie

Ricki and the Flash

— I wasn’t sure about this film but Meryl Streep pulls it off, playing a less than successful, aging rocker with a seasoned band, the Flash, and a nearly permanent gig at a Tarzana bar. It reminds us that we may question our life decisions but, in the end, there’s not much point in looking back. It also reminds us how complicated every relationship is and what promise each holds, as well as that we’re better being ourselves instead what we others would like us to be. This is a film with more emotion than depth, and at one point I was ready to think it wasn’t going anywhere but, by the end, I was happy with it. Streep and Kevin Kline are great, of course, but it’s probably better suited for baby boomers than Generation X, Y, or Zers. I’m pretty sure if you don’t remember Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs or Canned Heat, you may be too young to fully enjoy this film.

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[2015. 101 min. Directed by Jonathan Demme. Starring Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, and Rick Springfield.]
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/aug/04/ricki-and-the-flash-review-meryl-streep-mamie-gummer-kevin-kline

Irrational Man

— Mildly clever romp with signature Woody Allen wit, offbeat humor, and unfolding of storyline. The film gets better as it goes along, and Joaquin Phoenix is an interesting lead, almost speaking against the natural cadence of Woody’s writing and getting away with it, and working well with a delightful Emma Stone. It rambles a bit and the root of the main character’s existential crisis is never very clear, but the moral elasticity that brings him out of it and takes him from ethical dilemma to questionable ethics is interesting enough. Although I enjoyed the film—it was far better than last year’s dreadful “Magic in the Moonlight”—it wasn’t as enjoyable as some of Woody’s other films in the past decade, I liked “Midnight in Paris,” “Blue Jasmine”, “To Rome with Love”, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, or “Match Point” more.

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[2015, 96 min. Written and directed by Woody Allen. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Parker Posey, and Joe Stapleton.]
http://www.fandango.com/irrationalman_183883/movieoverview

McFarland, USA

— A pretty good, uplifting, true story that isn’t too schmaltzy, thanks to Kevin Costner’s on-screen charm and Caro’s somewhat subtle direction. The seven guys on the showcased cross-country team each hold their own and, even though we’re pretty sure things will end well, it’s a pleasant ride with an occasional, expected tug at our heartstrings. Better than many films with similar stories about an underdog team joining forces with a down-and-out coach and both being the better for it. (DVD)

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[2015, 129 min. Directed by Niki Caro, Starring Kevin Costner, Ramiro Rodriguez, Carlos Pratts, and Johnny Ortiz.]
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mcfarland-usa-2015

Testament of Youth

— Vera Brittain’s intense and intimate story of love and the nightmare of war, of valor and honor and loss, is an excellent period piece, unfolding from the British countryside to the frontlines in France and Italy. The foolishness of youth and the loss of innocence are carefully told. It’s a fine film and almost poetic in spite of the devastating scenes of war and the disillusionment that follows. It’s powerful in the feminist and anti-war statements it makes.

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[2015. 129 min. Directed by James Kent. Starring Alicia Vikander, Taron Egerton, Colin Morgan, Dominic West, Emily Watson, and Kit Harington.]
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-testament-of-youth-review-20150605-column.html

Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation

— This is what mid-summer movies are supposed to be—lots of action, lots of gunfire, car chases, a love interest, and international espionage. There are nice bits of humor sprinkled throughout thanks to Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg, and Tom Cruise hasn’t lost his star power. The film pretty much goes full speed for more than two hours, but that’s just what I wanted.

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[2015. 131 min. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie. Starring Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames.]
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mission-impossible---rogue-nation-2015