"Sleeping for Other People" Movie Review

My review of "Sleeping with Other People" starring Jason Sudeikis, Alison Brie, Jordan Carlos.

"Sleeping with Other People"

Posted on Sept. 25, 2015 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Photo courtesy of IFC Films

“Sleeping with Other People” (2015)

We first meet Lainey (Alison Brie) in a college dorm, drunk. She is very loudly and unsuccessfully trying to get into the room of a fellow student that she has a crush on. Apparently, either the guy is ignoring her, or he’s just not there. Lainey is making so much noise that the Dorm Monitor is about to kick her out. Jake (Jason Sudeikis) lives down the hall and immediately sizes up the situation, seeing that this pretty girl needs rescuing. He takes her back to his room, and they instantly hit it off, falling into a flow of kidding each other about their lack of dates on a Saturday night. After a bit of bantering and bad advice from Jake, they decide to head up to the roof to smoke a joint. They soon discover that they both are late bloomers, virgins. Very quickly they decide to change that, right there on the roof.

We cut to present day, and an older but not wiser Jake is chasing down his girlfriend of a few months in the streets of New York. She has just caught him having sex with her best friend. Jake tries to play it off that they did not commit to each other. Jake tries to sweet talk his girlfriend, who eventually tires of Jake’s excuses and pushes him into an oncoming cab. Later, Jake goes to a “Sex Addicts Anonymous” meeting and runs into Lainey, who is also attending the meeting. They decide to stay in touch and after one date, they decide that their friendship is too important to mess up, they will not sleep with each other. Can this friendship between two messed up people really work or is it doomed like all their other relationships?

Photo courtesy of IFC Films

This is the start of writer/director Leslye Headland’s very charming and funny film about two unlikely friends. “Sleeping with Other People” is an unconventional “rom-com” that breaks some of the traditional rules of the genre. Both lead characters not exactly likable. Jake is a womanizer who can’t commit to any relationship, choosing to break up with his partners by sleeping with other women. Lainey obsesses about one man, who not only won’t commit to her, he won’t acknowledge her existence in public. Both characters are selfish and use humor to escape from really talking about their feelings. Headland has an ear for dialogue and for creating fully fleshed-out characters. The banter between Lainey and Jake is hilarious as they cover a number of topics, like the proper way for a woman to masturbate and how the best breakup should be quick, the faster, the better.

Photo courtesy of IFC Films

The two leads of Sudeikis and Brie are brilliant together. They play off each other like a stand-up comedy team. This is the best performance that I have seen Sudeikis do in years. He is quick to the draw with a quip and makes you root for a guy whom you should loathe. He gives a character a lovable vibe that just comes off in waves on the screen. The chemistry between him and Brie is outstanding, and there seems to be a real connection between the two. Brie gives a masterful, comedic performance of a girl who is obsessed with a man who will never truly fulfill her. She makes Lainey relatable even though we don’t understand why her character is so messed up. The supporting cast is strong, with Amanda Peet playing Jake’s boss, a woman that he is constantly trying to seduce, without much effect. Peet makes her hard-driven, but we sense that there might just be a nice person inside that hard exterior. I liked the chemistry between Jordan Carlos and Margarita Levieva, who play a married couple that are good friends with Jake. Their constant ribbing between the two is fun and very funny. Filling out the cast, Adam Scott makes an excellent bad guy.

Photo courtesy of IFC Films

I loved this film and especially enjoyed the unconventional ending. This is a “rom-com” for today’s app dating, “swipe right” world. “Sleeping with Other People”  is funny and touching, filled with characters you might not want to date, but would like to spend some time getting to know them over a beer or two.   My Rating: Full Price

My movie rating system from Best to Worst:  1). I Would Pay to See it Again  2). Full Price  3). Bargain Matinee  4). Cable  5). You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again

“Sleeping with Other People” Website

"A Brilliant Young Mind" Movie Review

My review of "A Brilliant Young Mind" starring Asa Butterfield, Rafe Spall, Sally Hawkins.

"A Brilliant Young Mind"

Posted on Sept. 25, 2015 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

 

Photo courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

“A Brilliant Young Mind”

Nathan (Asa Butterfield) is an unusual boy. He has the knack for mathematics, finding solace in math. In fact; he sees math in just about everything he looks at; buildings, highway overpasses and hallways are turned in his mind into mathematical equations. Nathan has been diagnosed with Autism, and Nathan’s parents (Sally Hawkins, Martin McCann) are dealing with Nathan as best they can. Sometimes the only way to get him to come out of his shell is just to act silly with their son. It’s something that Nathan’s father has an affinity for, and they share a special bond over it. It’s a family that is struggling to find its ground, but they seem to be managing. It all changes when Nathan’s dad dies in a car accident and Nathan soon retreats further and further into himself. Now Nathan’s mom is at her wit’s end, sad over the loss of her husband and the withdrawal of her son.

That’s when Professor Martin Humphrey (Rafe Spall) enters the picture. He is a math teacher, who at one time showed some potential but that all stopped when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He has just about given up on living as his day to day struggles seem overwhelming. Martin sees that Nathan has a special talent and fully believes that Nathan could qualify for the British Math Olympic team. Nathan’s mom sees some hope in this quest, all the while worrying that her son might fail and never recover. The big question is; could Nathan’s weak social skills keep him from succeeding or is his talent for math just too much to keep him off the team?

This is a marvelous film that overcomes a slightly schmaltzy script with terrific performances by Butterfield, Hawkins and Spall. The story starts to move when Martin and Nathan began bonding over each other’s love of math. Nathan finds a father figure/mentor in his teacher, and Martin now has a reason to get up in the morning. It’s a story about overcoming the odds and finding that the world isn’t quite as scary and difficult when you are willing to reach out to people who like and care about you. To the credit of director Morgan Matthews and writer James Graham, they treat the character of Nathan with a warmth and understanding, making the audience care for this special boy and hope that he succeeds.

Asa Butterfield is the reason to see this film. He does a marvelous job in a part where his character rarely talks. He uses his physical skills to create the wonder and emotion as his character starts opening up to the outside world. We see the delight in his eyes when he solves a problem. He has great screen presence, and he works well with Sally Hawkins, and especially Rafe Spall. Hawkins gives a touching and stunning performance as the put-upon mom that hopes that she has done everything she can for her boy to succeed. I loved Rafe Spall in the role of the weary teacher who’s just tired of dealing what life has given him. There is a wonderful scene near the end of the film that Butterfield and Spall share on the screen together. The scene plays out perfectly, and both actors show their love and respect for each other in their performance.

“A Brilliant Young Mind” is a moving film about finding your place in the world. It might be a little scary and overwhelming at times, but life deserves the effort. It’s a winning film that uses the strong performances of its leads to make a film that is well worth seeing.   My Rating: Full Price 

My movie rating system from Best to Worst:  1). I Would Pay to See it Again  2). Full Price  3). Bargain Matinee  4). Cable  5). You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again

“A Brilliant Young Mind” Website

“A Brilliant Young Mind” is playing in Atlanta exclusively at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema

"Pawn Sacrifice" Movie Review

My review of "Pawn Sacrifice" starring Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, Peter Sarsgaard.

"Pawn Sacrifice"

Posted on Sept. 18, 2015  on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Photo courtesy of Bleeker Street

"Pawn Sacrifice'  (2015)

In 1972, at of the height of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, the world was captivated by a chess match between the American champion Bobby Fisher (Tobey Maguire) and World Chess Champion from the USSR, Boris Spassky (Liev Schreiber). The childhood of Fisher, the back and forth gamesmanship that went on just to set up the match and then the drama of the matches themselves makes “Pawn Sacrifice” a fascinating movie. It also helps that the movie is filled with two incredible performances by the leads of the film.

Photo courtesy of Bleeker Street

Fisher was a brilliant man, probably the best chess player ever, but he was also a troubled man. He was a paranoid bigot who disavowed his Jewish heritage and feared that the American government would exploit his talent for their own agenda and means. The film opens with Fischer in his hotel room, tearing the room apart looking for listening devices. As his paranoia gets hold of him, he bitterly collapses into a ball as he imagines the whole world has set out against him and his talent. We see the origins of Fisher’s paranoia in his childhood. His mother (Robin Weight) holds seemingly endless communist party meetings as Bobby keeps an eye out the window for FBI agents (both real and imagined). Bobby’s only escape from his mother’s ideologies, and her many boyfriends is chess, something that he seems to play nonstop. His mother takes him to a local chess club, hoping that her son will finally lose a match and give up what she considers a worthless game. Instead, he beats the chess master in a matter of just a few moves, and mom soon realizes that little Bobby might have a talent after all.

Fischer as an adult had become the greatest player in America and wanted to prove that he was the best player in the world. A match has been set up in Iceland, with the help of a lawyer (Michael Stuhlbarg) who always seems to put his countries wishes above the wishes of Fisher, and a chess-playing priest (Peter Sarsgaard). The two combine to be Fisher’s handlers and mentors, something that Fisher seems to want and detest at the same time. Fisher is going to play a man who he has been studying for years, Boris Spassky, an arrogant but talented Russian chess player who has dominated the world chess scene for years. The question is; can they get Fischer to not only agree to the match but get him to Iceland and keep him together long enough to play? The match will fascinate the world and will haunt both men for the rest of their lives.

Photo courtesy of Bleeker Street

Director Edward Zwick and screenwriter Steven Knight create a film that is part political thriller with all the intrigue of a spy film and part character study. It’s the story of a man whose mind is slowly losing its grip, just as he needs it the most. The film perfectly captures the time of the early seventies. Americans were still feeling effects of the nuclear tensions between the Soviets and the Americans, in a country being run by a President (Nixon) who would do just about anything to stay in power. By allowing us to see Fisher’s early life, we get a foundation that lets us understand what is going on with Fisher in his adulthood.

Zwick and Knight have created a protagonist that isn’t likable, and it’s to Maguire’s credit that we continue to root for Fisher to win in spite of his personality and his beliefs. Maguire never softens his portrayal of Fisher, who seemingly had two sides, the ultra-paranoid person who doubted everything and the strong-willed chess player who was confident in his abilities to defeat anyone. Maguire lets us get inside the mind of Fisher and experience the extreme highs and lows, as his character slowly slips into madness right before our eyes. It’s a powerful performance that lets us see the many layers of Fisher’s paranoia. Maguire gives us a brilliant performance that dominates the film.'

Liev Schreiber is up to the challenge of playing Spassky, the foil of Fisher. Schreiber plays a man who is confident in his ability, honestly believes he can defeat Fischer and is willing to endure Fisher’s strange demands to get the game played.  Liev Schreiber is perfect in the part of Spassky, a man who he portrays as the exact opposite of Fisher. Spassky seems to be always in control of his actions, and his emotions and Schreiber plays him with a cool, calculated calm. Peter Sarsgaard is outstanding as the priest who becomes the one person who seems to have Bobby’s best interest at heart. Sarsgaard portrays a man who is trying to say and do the right things to keep another man from coming apart at the seams.

“Pawn Sacrifice” is a fascinating movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, even if you know the eventual outcome. The tension of the film builds throughout the movie as we wonder if Bobby Fisher will overcome his demons to win or even play a game that is one of the most mentally tough to win.    My Rating: Full Price  

My movie rating system from Best to Worst:  1). I Would Pay to See it Again  2). Full Price  3). Bargain Matinee  4). Cable  5). You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again

“Pawn Sacrifice” Website

For more of Mike’s reviews and interviews click here

"A Walk in the Woods" Movie Review

My review of "A Walk in the Woods" starring Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson.

"A Walk in the Woods"

Posted on Sept. 3, 2015  on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Photo courtesy of Broad Green Pictures 

“A Walk in the Woods”  (2015)

“A Walk in the Woods” starts out with Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) being interviewed on a morning TV show. The host delights in grilling Bryson about why he isn’t writing anymore and why he has never written about the United States. Bryson, an award-winning best-selling travel humorist, beings to pondering on the idea that after spending so much time abroad that he has lost touch with America. Bill and his wife come back from attending a funeral of a friend, something he has to do more and more and decides to take a walk. On his walk, he stumbles across The Appalachian Trail, the legendary hiking trail that is 2,200 miles long, stretching from Georgia to Maine. It gives him the idea that he should walk the whole trail.

Bill is the only one in his family that thinks he can do it. His son thinks he’s nuts and his wife, Catherine (Emma Thompson), thinks it’s a suicide mission. She is convinced it’s madness to even think about making the trip and starts leaving Bill printed out articles dealing with people who have died on the trail. The only way that Catherine agrees to the trip is if Bill can find someone to walk the trail with him.

Photo courtesy of Broad Green Pictures

Bill starts calling just about everyone he knows, and all react with the same refrain; that Bill is nuts to attempt such a feat at his age. Bill thinks all is lost when out of the blue; he gets a phone call from someone he hasn’t talked to in 20-plus years, an old traveling buddy named Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte). Katz has gotten word that Bill has been calling around and wants to reunite for one last adventure. Bill reluctantly agrees, knowing that Katz is his only hope of going. Now the question is; will this mismatched pair not only survive one of the toughest hikes a person can take, but will they survive each other’s company?

Photo courtesy of Broad Green Pictures

Robert Redford has been trying to make this film based on Bryson’s book of the same name since the late 90s. He initially wanted to star with Paul Newman in the Katz role. While that would have been fun to watch, the pairing of Redford and Nolte in a movie based on a beloved and hilarious book should have been a hit out of the park. Unfortunately, I think the script has been rewritten so many times that the final product, by screenwriters Bill Holderman and Rick Kerb, feels very flat and stale. The film never really gives Redford and Nolte much to work with. Their two characters are supposed to be out of touch with each other’s lifestyle, thereby creating tension on the screen. Instead, we get the idea that both men, especially Nolte’s character, are just tired and cranky.

Photo courtesy of Broad Green Pictures

The film has an outstanding supporting cast, but very few are asked to do more than just being plot devices. The film wastes the talents of Nick Offerman, who plays an REI employee who gleefully sells Bill his equipment for the trip. You keep waiting for Offerman to be funny, but the scene never really develops into anything other than a way to show Redford’s character being surly and flippant. Emma Thompson’s character does nothing more than reacting to her husband’s attempts at jokes. Mary Steenburgen, who plays the owner of a motel along the trail, seems to have been put in the movie just to show that women still find Redford charming and attractive. The only actor who is given anything substantial to do is Kristen Schael, who plays a fellow hiker who has a non-stop opinion on everything and isn’t afraid to tell you exactly what she thinks. She is brilliant in the scenes and completely outshines the Redford and Nolte, bringing a brief breath of comedic timing to the film. Unfortunately, Schael is only with Nolte and Redford on the screen for a couple of scenes, and how they get rid of her character in the storyline is a poorly handled attempt at humor.

Photo courtesy of Broad Green Pictures

I know that Robert Redford can handle comedy. His past efforts in such classic films as “Barefoot in the Park,” or the little-seen “The Hot Rock” show that he has the touch for it. Redford in this movie seems to never know quite how to deliver his line, almost as he doesn’t know which lines are dramatic and, which are comedic. Nolte tries his best to rescue this film, but while he is a blast to watch, I never felt that he was working too hard in the part. It was more Nick Nolte playing a version of Nolte up there on the screen than the part of Katz.

This film will be compared to recent hiking films such as “Wild,” “Tracks,” and “The Way” but this movie pales in comparison to those films. Unlike those films, this movie has no heart; its script’s pacing is slow, much like the two main characters hiking, and its attempt at humor never quite hits the mark. While the +50 age crowd may have an enjoyable time watching the two old master actors stumble about on the screen, I think the rest of us and especially fans of the book will not want to go on this trip.   My Rating: Cable

My movie rating system from Best to Worst:  1). I Would Pay to See it Again  2). Full Price  3). Bargain Matinee  4). Cable  5). You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again

“A Walk in the Woods” Website