'The Midwife'

'The Midwife' Movie Review

'The Midwife'

Posted on August 18, 2017 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

The Midwife (2017)

As the film opens up, we hear someone trying to help a woman give birth, working on when to breathe, when to push. We see Claire (Catherine Frot) helping a woman deliver, offering encouragement and advice. Claire is firm but reassuring as the worried husband looks on from his wife’s side. We see the head of the baby, and then the arms as Claire guides the baby out, telling the young woman that the baby is beautiful. Claire places the baby on the chest of the mother, another successful birth. The husband and wife revel in the joy of the moment as Claire admires the baby’s hands. It’s evident that Claire loves what she does, and that she is very good at her job.

Later, at the nurse’s station, it’s obvious that Claire works the night shift. She and another nurse discuss what course of action Claire should take now that the hospital that they work at is closing. Claire is called to help with a baby in distress; its cord is wrapped around its neck. Claire takes charge, reassuring the mom to be that everything will be OK, and quickly and calmly Claire fixes the problems with skill and grace, delivering a healthy baby once again.

Her shift over she heads out, passing by a sign that says, “Don’t Give Up!” Claire gets on her bike and heads down the dark, quiet street toward her home. She arrives at her apartment as the sun is coming up, having to take the stairs as the elevator is broken. Once inside, Claire checks to see if her son is home (which he isn’t) and starts preparation to go to bed. As she undresses, she checks her answering machine, and sure enough, her son tells her he won’t be home but will call tomorrow. The second message makes her stop in her tracks. It’s a woman from Claire’s past named Beatrice and Claire is about to get reacquainted with someone who broke her family apart.

Writer/director Marin Provost gives us a tale of two women; Beatrice (Catherine Deneuve) who has lived life to the fullest, never settling down for too long and at no time worrying about who she hurts as she leaves people behind, and Claire, who was desperately wounded as a teenager and has lived her life through her work and her son. The Midwife is a film about the mistakes in our past, and if we forgive those transgressions to grow in the present, or our future will still be clouded by the sins of the past. The two women went on very different life paths, but both seem empty in their personal lives. Beatrice is at her last end, having to depend on the kindness of friends, most of which she owns money to. While not leading as glamorous life as Beatrice appears to have lived, Claire doesn’t have the time or the patience to have a personal life. Her devotion to her son (who is about to leave his mom for greener pastures) and to her job gives her little time other than to work in her beloved garden.

Of course, the reason to watch this film is Catherine Frot as the headstrong and cautious Claire and Catherine Deneuve as the flashy Beatrice, a woman who is always looking for someone to help her, especially if it deals with money. Both women play survivors, Deneuve’s character has done it through looks and flare, Flot’s character has done it through determination and focus. Deneuve’s Beatrice seems sometimes wanting to be the best friend of Claire and at other times wants to be Claire’s mom. Frot’s Claire is looking for her mother in Beatrice because she doesn’t get along with her own mother. Frot gives the better of the two performances as more is demanded of her role, dealing with her son, her job that is going away and a demanding woman in Deneuve’s Beatrice. Beatrice is the type of person that will suck you dry if you let them. Deneuve, who gives the role everything she’s got, is a bit limited by the one-trick pony style of Beatrice, someone who is always looking for a fast buck and needing for people to want to help her. Except for Claire’s interaction with her son Simon (Quentin Doimaire) and a wannabe lover in next fellow gardener Paul (Oliver Gourmet), the bulk of the film is the interaction between Claire and Beatrice. Deneuve and Frot have terrific chemistry with each other, making their scenes feel intense and intriguing. To watch both actresses work on the screen is a master class in acting.

Like the children whom Claire helps come into this world, Claire and Beatrice’s relationship starts to grow as they get to understand each other, letting their relationship develop. And, like Claire’s son, eventually Beatrice will leave for the next adventure, but both women will become close and forgive what happened in the past. The Midwife story may be a little weak and its resolution predictable, but Deneuve and Frot give us performances that we will not soon forget.    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

The film is currently playing at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema

"Brigsby Bear'

'Brigsby Bear' Movie Review

'Brigsby Bear'

Posted on August 19, 2017 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Brigsby Bear (2017)

As credits roll, we hear a VCR being loaded with a tape. We see that we are about to watch a rather worn tape of a show called Brigsby Bear Adventures. Once the credits have played, the person that is watching this tape knows it well as they fast forward through some scenes. Brigsby Bear is some sort of super hero and in this episode, using a crystal and the help of twin girls, the Bear is trying to defeat something called the Sun Chaser. The well-worn tape shows us other scenes, including a scene where the Bear teaches calculus. Besides saving the world, Brigsby consistently advises how to live.

The camera pulls out, and we see that a young man, James (Kyle Mooney), who is in his mid-twenties is the one that is watching this program. He knows it so well that he can recite every line, and he does. Looking around the room and by how James watches the program, we can tell that Brigsby Bear is incredibly important to the young man. After watching the program, James excitingly goes over to an ancient computer and does a telecast on the computer, talking about the program he just saw. It’s clear that he thinks this is going out to a ton of fans of the show.

We next see James giving an elaborate presentation, much like a science fair exhibit, to his parents, Ted (Mark Hamill) and April (Jane Adams). They listen intently as he outlines how Brigsby Bear can defeat the Sun Catcher. We see them at the dinner table where Jame’s parents suggest that he should concentrate on his studies, but he is convinced that he can help Brigsby Bear win the ultimate battle.

James is in his room upset over his parents attempt to waylay his plans to help Brigsby. His father comes into the room and suggests that they take a trip up top. From their journey, we can tell that they live in an underground bunker, with lots of sealed doors. They head upwards to a dome, and we can see its night time. They both sit on a bench and look at the scenery, with the father explaining how the animals are living in such a harsh environment. We realize that the animals and bugs he is pointing out are just animatronic puppets; apparently, James doesn’t understand that they aren’t real.

We next see what a day in the life of living in the bunker is like for James, including getting up to an audio alarm system, his mom teaching him something on the computer and having dinner where they all shake hands when they are finished. In bed James is watching Brigsby when the alarm goes off, telling James that it’s time for bed and the generator is shutting down. We next see James get up in the middle of the night, climbing up to a final hatch, where he puts on a gas mask, then opens the door to the outside. James sits on top of the entrance, breathing heavily in the gas mask as he contemplates life. Soon he notices flashing blue lights, which we recognize as police cars. Those police cars, which James knows nothing about are about to change James’ life forever. Can Brigsby Bear save James from this harsh new world?

Director by Dave McCary, a veteran writer/director of Saturday Night Live shorts and co-writer/star Saturday Night Live’s Kyle Mooney, bring us an imaginative, funny and sometimes touching story of a fish out of water. While Brigsby Bear doesn’t always succeed, its ambition and delightful story go a long way to make this an enjoyable, fun film to watch.

The center of this movie is Kyle Mooney, who is in every scene. He plays James as a wide-eyed explorer who is quick to copy the people around him, often stealing phrases that other people say, not always understanding what he is saying, but he seems to know that works, most of the time. It’s a sweet performance that wins you over almost instantly, and James’s devotion to Bigsby is played by Mooney with passion and innocence. Mooney plays James as a young man who is still growing into his skin, slightly awkward and shy until James gets to know someone, and then it’s almost overboard excitement.

Mooney is helped by an outstanding cast; including Mark, Hamil has James’s father, Greg Kinnear, a cop that takes James under his wing, Matt Walsh, and Michaela Watkins as James’ real parents, and smaller parts for stalwarts like Claire Danes, Andy Samberg, and Beck Bennett. Mooney has exceptional chemistry with Jorge Lendeborg Jr, who plays Spencer, who becomes James’ best friend and Ryan Simpkins as his moody sister Aubrey, who James eventually wins over.

It’s rare that you can describe a film as charming, sweet and a little disturbing because it contains a story about child abduction, but that’s what you get from Brigsby Bear. It’s an imaginative and original film that sometimes tries a little too hard, but overall the movie is worth seeing. After watching this film, like James, you just might believe in Brigsby Beartoo.    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

Brigsby Bear Website

'Whose Streets?'

'Whose Streets?' Movie Review

"Whose Streets?'

Posted August 11, 2017 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Whose Streets? (2017)

The killing of 18-year-old Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and its aftermath was covered by the mainstream media, but writer and co-director Sabaah Folayan traveled to the Ferguson area and realized that the media was missing the story. The national press was concentrating on the big picture, the riots, and confrontations with the police. Folayan felt the media wasn’t telling the real story, the story of the scores of people that lived in the area who were affected by the conditions of a very impoverished area before and after the shooting.

Along with co-director Damon Davis, Folayan lays out an exciting format which uses footage from camera phones during the protests and confrontations which gives the film a personal feel and look. Folayan then combines those shots with tweets that went out during that timeline giving you an idea of what people were thinking and feeling at the time. This makes you a part of the action, whether it’s the family and friends reacting to Mike Brown’s body being left on the street where he was shot for hours or in the middle of the protests that were often broken up by police using rubber bullets and tear gas. The film shows how during the protests that life just stopped in Ferguson. Stores boarded up windows up like a hurricane was arriving or people attempting to get back to their car, and the police won’t let them because they have shut down a street. The film gives you the frustration that the citizens of the town felt as they tried to go about living their lives.

The film does an outstanding job of letting us see and get to know some of the people who live in this community and care about it. We visit their homes, seeing how they live and deal with the day to day of running their families, all the while trying to make an impact on their community. It gives you some hope that things might get better with the help of their community work, whether it’s leading a protest, documenting the actions of the police and National Guard, or trying to start dialogues with the city council. Brittany Ferrell, a mother who lovingly feeds her child breakfast while worrying about her future, David Whitt, a father who plays with his kids before going out to document the police and the lesbian couple who are planning their wedding while leading protests in the streets. This gives the film a human touch, and we can better understand the passion of the protests as they fight for their family’s future.

One of the more touching aspects of the film is how the film keeps coming back to the street where Mike Brown was shot. Besides the cell phone footage of the aftermath of the shooting, the film revisits that site when a fire is lit setting the stuffed bears and flowers that are on the side as a memorial on the road that Brown was killed. The residents make sure the fire is put out, is cleaned up and the memorial is reassembled. One of the principles of the cast, David Whitt, who lives in the area, gets into a scuffle with private security when the apartment complex decides to remove the memorial. As soon it is gone, a new one starts up.

Whose Streets? is a gritty and sometimes tough to watch documentary that shows you what it was like as part of the community of Ferguson, what they went through and continue to experience. It’s a fascinating film that gives you what it was like from the right there inside the protests and the community of Ferguson. While the film is very one sided, that’s the point of this film; the director’s felt only one side was being told by the media. It’s a movie that’s going to make you mad, sad and wonder how we got to this point in our society.    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

Whose Streets? Website

'13 Minutes' Movie Review

'13 Minutes' Movie Review

'13 Minutes'

Posted on August 3, 2017 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

'Opening Night'

'Opening Night' Movie Review

'Opening Night'

Posted on August 1, 2017 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

 

Opening Night (2016)

Nick (Topher Grace) is trying to find something in his apartment, but he keeps finding stuff he doesn’t need, including an old playbill and an article about his taking Broadway by storm. He quickly looks at the playbill and throws both items away. He then finds a series of pictures (the kind that you would find in a photo booth) of himself and a young woman; they are apparently dating in the pictures and full of life and happiness. At first, he smiles about the picture, hesitating to save the picture; he finally throws it in the trash. Having found what he is looking for Nick begins to leave, but before he can shut the front door, he rushes back in and saves the picture from the trash, putting it in its hiding place.

It’s New York City, and a Broadway theatre is advertising a musical called ‘One Hit Wonderland’ starring former Mickey Mouse Club and ‘N Sync member J.C. Chasez. We follow Nick down Broadway until he finds the theatre for ‘One Hit Wonderland.’ By the stage door, Malcolm (Taye Diggs) is talking to the young woman, Chloe (Alona Tal) that was in the picture with Nick. They are talking about the sex life that Chloe and Nick had when they were together, just as Nick walks up. Nick learns that Chloe was on a date last night but won’t reveal with whom. Nick tells them they have ten minutes before the show starts and the two began warming up their vocal tracks, much to the protest of Nick. They were singing a song just to torture Nick more, and he stops them, complaining how cheesy it is to just break out in song on stage. Chloe and Malcolm start singing again as Nick walks off.

Nick starts organizing the madhouse that is backstage giving orders left and right. People are putting on costumes, warming up their voices and stretching. Alex (Lauren Lapkus) tells Nick that one of the big set pieces is broken, and Nick quickly comes up with a plan to replace it. As Nick walks through all the departments backstage, a bass player tells Nick that he can’t perform without some weed. One of the featured performers, Brandy (Lesli Margherita) wants Malcolm fired. Brandy won’t tell Nick what Malcolm did but threatens to quit if he isn’t fired. Nick calls her bluff, and she walks off, spouting profanities. It’s going to be a wild opening night, and it’s going to keep all of Nick’s skill and finesse to keep the show going. Nick just might find out that love can come back around if you are willing to take chances.

Opening Night is a musical where the cast sings ‘one hit wonders’ both on stage and backstage. The backstage songs are meant to give us insight into the characters and how they are thinking and feeling. Some of the songs go over better than others, though there is one for just about every musical style. I enjoyed the singing voice of Alona Tal, and she nails her big song when Chloe gets the break of a lifetime. Just for fun, Taye Diggs and Lesli Margherita do a sing-off that is hilarious to watch. The film has a huge cast, and each character gets some time to shine, whether it’s a song, a dance or a comedic bit.

I do want to warn you that this is a rather raunchy musical. There is quite a bit of cussing and lots of discussions of sex, including Diggs and Margherita both making the moves on a new dancer. I would have liked Anne Heche to have a bigger role in this film. She plays an actress who feels her better days are behind her. There is a touching scene between her character Brooke and Chloe, telling the wide eyed Chloe about the reality of the acting game. The weak link of the film is Topher Grace, of all the cast, his singing voice is the least appealing and the final song he sings doesn’t give you the needed emotion that you want from that scene. It doesn’t help that he is portraying one of the weakest characters in the film, someone who is incredibly unhappy and indecisive.

Overall if you are a fan of musical comedy or Broadway, you will enjoy this movie. If you’re not a big fan of the 80s and 90s songs, and you feel, like Nick, that it’s stupid for people to just break out into song, you probably want to stay away. I enjoyed this film and its wacky look at what happens backstage.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee

The film comes out Tuesday, Aug 1st on DVD from Wolfe Video.

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