The Monuments Men

Director: George Clooney

Cast: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman

Genre: Action/Drama/War/Biography 2014

Running time: 110 mins.

Rating:★★

Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, the film is an action drama focusing on an unlikely World War II platoon, tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. It would be an impossible mission: with the art trapped behind enemy lines, and with the German army under orders to destroy everything as the Reich fell, how could these guys - seven museum directors, curators, and art historians, all more familiar with Michelangelo than the M-1 - possibly hope to succeed? But as the Monuments Men, as they were called, found themselves in a race against time to avoid the destruction of 1000 years of culture, they would risk their lives to protect and defend mankind's greatest achievements.

Religious paintings are being taken down in a cathedral, a priest is going in hiding with new clothes, and taken away in a truck. But why? Only unnecessary suspense music to make known to the audience that the Nazis are the ones stealing Renaissance artwork. Then you get an overly patriotic cock-a-bullshit art history lesson from George Clooney's character and how it's their duty to make sure the statue of David is still standing. The way of how the beginning series of events are about to prevail before the actual mission is very reminiscent of 1940's films and Sixties' James Bond films, especially in cinematography and dialogue. Which is sort of appropriate for the time period that it's portraying, but it's a little like reinventing the wheel. Cate Blanchett's and John Goodman's porformances seems to be the only thing making the film worth while seeing. Matt Damon and George Clooney's performances are annoying and campy, I rather go through jury duty selection again instead. Prior to going to the theater, I for one second or rather hoped that for once Bill Murray would actual be in a non-comedy role, but naive me was mislead. The film tries to make the horrors of WWII joyful, comical, and the American duty to save the day like Captain America. 

On a positive note, the composition of the countryside, train station, and architecture over in Europe is beautiful as well as reflects the decay of war upon them. The costume design in its muted browns, grays, blues, and crimson wonderfully reflects the hardship that war brings, psychologically and psychically. Finally, the Dirty Dozen rip-off makes the film a bore because again the film seems try to reinvent the wheel. Though, as an artist, this true story is kind of awesome!

Anything Else

Director: Woody Allen

Cast: Woody Allen, Jason Briggs, Stockhard Channing, Danny DeVito, Jimmy Fallon, Christina Ricci

Genre: Romance/ Comedy 2003

Running time: 108 mins.

Rating:★★★★

Jerry Falk (Jason Biggs) is an aspiring writer living in New York City, who falls in love at first sight with Amanda (Christina Ricci) and begins having an affair. He eventually tells his girlfriend about it so that she will dump him, because Falk cannot end relationships. Seeking advice, Jerry turns to an aging struggling artist (Woody Allen) who acts as his oracle — and that includes trying to help sort out Jerry’s romantic life.

It wouldn't be a Woody Allen film, if there wasn't some  jazz, New York City, and  highly intelligent neurotic characters. What more could you ask for. Most of his films begin with a seemingly unrelated verbal story and a short monologue with the audience on how the main character got into his current situation. If you're still not convinced then Allen's role as one of the characters, how the dialogue is written, or the format of the opening, then I can't help ya. It's simply magnificent, because is done too often anymore, when some words of wisdom written on the screen before each new segment of the plot that not only gives a hint of what is about to unfold (similar to a chapter title in a novel), but also reminisces the silent pictures' era.

In this film, the couple, on their anniversary, recall how they first met. Of course, but not always, in true Woody Allen fashion, the two "lovebirds" are already in another relationship, have similar philosophical ideas and interests. Yet, they are still total opposites of one another. Jerry can't not be in a relationship and Amanda can't commit. They begin an affair nonetheless, filled with dark comedic ups and downs. The last lines wrap up the film perfectly, "How strange life is. How full of inexplicable mystery(Falk).....Well, you know. That's like anything else. (Cab driver)."

Overnight Delivery

Director: Jason Bloom

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Christine Taylor, Sarah Silverman, Larry Drake

Genre: Romance/Comedy 1998

Running time: 87 mins.

Rating:★★

Naive college student, Wyatt Trips (Paul Rudd) has it all, a perfect girlfriend, Kim(Christine Taylor), who he is going to spend the rest of his life. That is until he suspects her of cheating on him with a guy named "the Raditch". In the mist of his sorrows, Trips meets Ivy (Reese Witherspoon), a rebellious student at his school. With Ivy's help, Trips writes a letter to end it with his girlfriend before she has a chance to, but quickly finds out that he's wrong! Now he has 24 hours to stop the package, prevent disaster, and save his relationship with his potential wife. The major obstacle is that the delivery man won't stop until the package is delivered.

First of all, it's quite clear that Kim isn't perfect right at the start of the film. She just loves the ego boost that Trips gives her as he acts like an excited little, willing to do anything to keep and win her affection. So, she puts on a facade, that he clearly can't see through because otherwise there wouldn't be a reason for a plot, of being a good girl who wants to wait for the right moment before being allowing guy to deflower her. It is also quite clear that she hasn't broken up with him yet because when she does get her heart stomped on by other men, she can always have Trips run to her side and make her feel like a goddess again. Poor naive and sexually frustrated Trips goes back to his college, that "just so happens" to be miles and miles away from Kim, thinking this girl is the only girl for him. Then, of course, "shit hits the fan" and he meets Ivy, who cuts right through the bullshit, helps him in writing/stopping the letter, and helps him in finally shaking off his attentive puppy-dog mentality. In some ways, Ivy is just as naive as he is, which makes them more of a perfect match.

It's a cute film with all the usual ups and downs that a Romantic-Comedy should. An extreme nineties flick that falls short in charms when compared to other films of the same decade: Never Been Kissed, Empire Records, 10 Things I Hate About You....

I hate Valentine's Day

 Director: Nia Vardalos

Cast: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Stephen Guarino, Amir Arison, Zoe Kazan, Gary Wilmes, Mike Starr, Rachel Dratch

Genre: Comedy/Romance 2009

Running time: 98 mins.

Rating:★★

A charismatic florist, Genevieve (Nia Vardalos), who loves to be in love, quick at giving good advice, and LOVES Valentine's Day. She also has 5-dates-limit to enjoy the romance at its finest and  doesn't have to worry about it fizzling out. This usually keeps her happy until she meets a new restaurateur, Greg, who has no problem with commitment, but always seems to get his heart broken. In an attempt to follow Genevieve's rule and "date" her, they may end up wanting more from each other.

A film that seems that it would be better suited for television than a major motion production. At times, it appears the actors are just reading their lines than embodying the characters that they are suppose to portray. This could be due to the

script or the directing, which is a bit odd coming from the same woman, who gave us My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Nonetheless, this film seems attempt in pulling on the audience's sappy "oh this what romance is", which may be the point as a method for us to easily slip into Genievieve's shoes. The screen, she puts up to hide the psychological issue that explains the 5-dates-limit. However, you don't care or more not interested because of its predictability and lack of really delving into the backstory (giving the explanation of "just take our word for it). All end well, eventually. It is, however, a light-hearted film for those who want; a- something romantic to watch with your significant other or b- a chick-flick that allows your brain to unwind and be happy.