En cuanto a thriller políticos se trata, la nueva cinta de George Clooney ‘The Ides of March’, el cual él dirige, escribe y co-protagoniza, es una de las mejores películas del genero que he visto desde ‘Valkyrie’ de Tom Cruise. Este filme te entrega las supuestas verdades del sistema político estadounidense disfrazado en la ficción del séptimo arte. Las actuaciones del reparto son magnificas, en particular, las de Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti y Marisa Tomei. La dirección de Clooney es genial y el dialogo que provee él, Grant Heslov y Beau Willimon es sagaz, hábil y eficiente. Tres giros inesperados te mantendrán absorbido hasta su irresoluto final.

El argumento, basado en la obra de Broadway de Beau Willimon titulado ‘Farragut North’, se centra en un joven idealista (Ryan Gosling) que comienza a trabajar como director de comunicación para un prometedor candidato a la presidencia (George Clooney) que se presenta a las elecciones primarias del Partido Demócrata. Durante la campaña comprobará hasta dónde se puede...]]> http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/349 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/347 There are several things wrong with “Contagion,” the latest from helmer Steven Soderbergh.  The most egregious is Warner Bros.’ US marketing campaign which uses taglines including “The world goes viral September 9,” “Don’t talk to anyone,” “Don’t touch anyone,” and the heroic “Nothing spreads like fear.” Oh, please!

This is nothing more than a cynical attempt to hypo a less-than-average big-budget picture featuring a big-name cast who could have been used far better in another vehicle — almost any other vehicle.

Plot revolves around a pandemic, worse than SARS, worse than H1N1, and probably worse than AIDS, although none of the creators has the fortitude to say so in as many words.

Structure takes its cue from some successful pics, such as “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World,” “Crash” (2004), and “Babel,” wherein several storylines are intercut...]]> http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/347 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/346 Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is certainly the master of suspense our generation. He now co-produces and co-writes (notice how he doesn't direct) his latest project of fear 'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark' which is a light stain in his magnificent career.

The plot revolves around Sally Hurst (Bailee Madison) a lonely, withdrawn child who just came to Rhode Island to live with her father Alex (Guy Pearce) and his new girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes) in a nineteenth century mansion that is being restored. While exploring the neglected property, the girl discovers a cellar, abandoned since the strange disappearance of the builder of the mansion, a hundred years ago. Soon the young girl discovers that living under the stairs are strange and sinister creatures willing to kill for their freedom.

'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark', a remake of the 1973 television series of the same name, is a haunted house movie, whose poor debutant director, Troy Nixey, does what he can to try to salvage the unsalvageable. The big problem here are the small dwarf monsters that produce...]]> http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/346 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/345 Just being in Paris at midnight is a memorable experience that true romantics will appreciate, and most likely, never forget. In the case of Woody Allen, he decided to make a movie about it. Its title is self explanatory - ‘Midnight in Paris,’ and it is without question, his best work since ‘Matchpoint’, a powerful drama that echoes the writings of Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It is also, through May, one of my top 10 films of 2011.

‘Midnight in Paris’ is a simple romantic comedy set in Paris that bursts with engrossment. As the story begins, Gil (played by Owen Wilson) and his fiancée Inez (Rachel McAdams) are tagging along on a trip to Paris with her father, John (Kurt Fuller), and mother, Helen (Mimi Kennedy). These two young people, who are engaged to be married in the fall, have Woody-Allen-like experiences there that change their lives forever.

In true Allen fashion, our New York legend need not be on screen to be felt. His words and direction are immediately recognizable from the onset as we hear the protagonist’s dialogue...]]> http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/345 Tue, 6 Dec 2011 http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/343 Helmer Jon Favreau seems to have found his métier as a director of sci-fi flicks.  That may be good for his bank account, but not so good for auds.  Favreau is a very talented guy who has done just about everything that one can do in film and largely done it well.  A few box office hits in the sci-fi genre with bankable stars in the cast (Iron Man and Iron Man 2) have shown him the light.  It’s not exactly the headlight of an oncoming train at the end of the tunnel, but he could do better.

Cowboys & Aliens, which opens Friday, July 29, is a silly movie.  That is not to say that it isn’t fun to watch.  Even the 1936 propaganda film, “Reefer Madness” (a.k.a. Tell Your Children) offers a degree of amusement.  But watching “Cowboys & Aliens” is akin to ordering from a Chinese buffet menu — One from column A, two from column B.  Pic is a blend of clichés from high-tech sci-fi pix (think “Aliens,” “Priest,” and “Super 8”), a morality tale, and a western, topped off by a sucker-punch to auds delivered by a hummingbird.

It also stars Daniel Craig as bandito Jake Lonnergan who has...]]> http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/343 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/341  

It is sometimes amazing to see a well-worn Hollywood formula repackaged for the umpteenth time and still work.  Such is the case of “Friends with Benefits,” a star vehicle for Justin Timberlake (art director Dylan) and Mila Kunis (headhunter Jamie).  Before the opening titles there are two breakups:  Dylan’s girl in LA dumps him and Jamie’s boyfriend in New York dumps her -- just as both are dragging their tardy guys to their favorite chick flicks.  Via a cute bit of editing (kudos to Tia Nolan) auds are led to believe briefly that it is one breakup -- Dylan and Jamie -- until the bi-coastal synchronicity sets in.  Both battle scarred veterans retire from the field.  No more romance for them.
 
Jamie lures Dylan to New York for a job interview to be the new art director of GQ Magazine.  He aces the interview.  The pair become fast friends -- as in we like each other but there’s no sex.  That changes when Jamie utters, “God!  I want sex.”  Can two great friends have a sexual relationship that is “no relationship, no emotions, just sex, whatever happens?”  Auds will quickly figure out...]]> http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/341 Tue, 13 Sep 2011 http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/338 'Thor,' the first Marvel superhero film of the year, debuts this weekend to high expectations from cinephiles to film executives. This film adaptation is faithful to the mythology of the comic book hero, has a well blend of humor and drama, is visually stunning, but stumbles through the end, and although it recovers, it does not manage to have a place in the pantheon of superhero classics such as ‘Superman II’ and ‘The Dark Knight.’ However, the film, mostly, is great popcorn fun and is worth spending the money to see, especially in IMAX 3D.

For those who have not had the pleasure of reading the comics of the blond Norse god, it centers around the mythical Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions against an old icy foe reignite an ancient war. He is then banished to Earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and forced to live amongst the human race. But it is here where he faces the wrath of his evil brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) who sends a nearly indestructible robot of Asgard to Earth. Thor must regain the strength of his thunderous...]]> http://www.showbizcafe.com/en/dvds/338