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MUD
Review by Alyn Darnay
Written and Directed by: Jeff Nichols
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland, Sam Shepard, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Shannon, and Joe Don Baker
It starts with a boat in a tree, on an island in a lake, inhabited temporarily by a mysterious stranger, who will forever change the lives of two young boys out on an adventure. It’s a story of obsessive love, of first love, of women who are unworthy of love, of divorce, of men and boys caught up in the throws of it all, and most certainly a “coming of age at every age” parable. It’s a sweet southern fairytale; a “Gumbo” if you will, that has all the earmarks of being an adapted classic novel, yet it’s an original story. The movie wants to take its background from Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, but it feels more like “Winter’s Bone”. It is a complex tale told in a sly quiet way that forces itself into your mind, because you’re compelled to find out what the characters are really all about below the surface.
Yes, the movie is that good. I’m not going to tell you anymore about the plot, I’ve already said too much. You need to experience MUD for yourself, let it charm you just as it did the audiences at Sundance, South By Southwest, and Cannes.
I will however, talk about the acting, because it’s so outstanding that no one person’s presence towers over the others. It is the perfect ensemble. The acting is consummate throughout. McConaughey, grubby and adrift in his life as MUD, turns in one of his greatest performances to date. Tye Sheridan (remember his name) as young Ellis is a special find as is his buddy NeckBone played by Jacob Lofiand. Sam Shepard, who appears to be born for this role, is above his usual high standard, and Reese Witherspoon is excellent playing against type in a pivotal cameo. Everyone in this film seems so real you’ll forget they are actors playing a part in a movie.
Indie Director Jeff Nichols, on his third outing here (Take Shelter, Shotgun Stories) has written a fable that is ageless while still being current with the times, quite a feat. And as a director he was able to bring all the elements together in a style uniquely his own, wrapped up in some of the most beautiful cinematography of rural Arkansas you’re ever likely to see, because it’s fast vanishing.

I had to think about MUD for a day or two before I could write this, I wanted to be sure of my feeling about the movie. It’s different. I mean the themes are familiar; they are just dealt with differently, excellently. So here’s my take; there are a lot of films worth seeing in the theaters right now and I know a small film like this gets overlooked easily, however, if you’re looking for a great drama with tremendous soul, don’t overlook this one!
Rating: 4-1/2 Stars (out of 5) “MUD” is rated PG-13 2hr.10min.

‘The Company You Keep’: Redford brings an interesting twist to the 60’s movement

Review by John Delia, Jr.

During the 60’s a group of students decided to fight back against the US Government’s reaction to the protesting against the Vietnam War. The shootings that took place at Kent State and Jackson State made these protest groups aggressive against the government, especially the one called “The Weather Men”. After some bombing attempts on government buildings, four of the protestors from “The Weather Men” group rob a bank that results in the killing of a bank guard. Read more…

Review by Alyn Darnay

Written and Directed by: Jeff Nichols
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland, Sam Shepard, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Shannon, and Joe Don Baker
It starts with a boat in a tree, on an island in a lake, inhabited temporarily by a mysterious stranger, who will forever change the lives of two young boys out on an adventure. It’s a story of obsessive love, of first love, of women who are unworthy of love, of divorce, of men and boys caught up in the throws of it all, and most certainly a “coming of age at every age” parable. It’s a sweet southern fairytale; a “Gumbo” if you will, that has all the earmarks of being an adapted classic novel, yet it’s an original story. The movie wants to take its background from Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn“, but it feels more like “Winter’s Bone”. It is a complex tale told in a sly quiet way that forces itself into your mind, because you’re compelled to find out what the characters are really all about below the surface. Read more…

Review by John Delia

Continuing to make exciting films Michael Bay releases Pain & Gain a movie that’s reminiscent of his storytelling with the wild and enthusiastic Bad Boys, but far from his explosive films like Transformers and Armageddon. Here he takes you on a roller coaster ride with a true crime story, a dark comedy that gets so absurd I found myself questioning whether the three main characters saw too many movies and thought that even the fictional ones were reality. It’s totally unbelievable, but in today’s world I guess most anything can happen. Read more…

Review by John Delia

It’s time for Matthew McConaughey to step up and do what he does best and in Mud he nails the role.  The cool little Indie has all the trappings of a good film including, a taught plot, good direction and a couple of kids that can act to boot. If you like movies that ease into the plot and hook you before you know it, rush out to see Mud. Read more…

Review By John Delia

We will probably never know all the stories connected to the WWII Holocaust, but this one shatters the heart and awakens the mind to the danger and heroism that came about during the Nazi regime. It’s called No Place On Earth a documentary with dramatic interpretation of what took place in 1942 when 38 Ukrainian Jews were forced to live in a dark cavern for 511 days to escape death.  Taught, terrifying and unconscionable the well directed movie plays to all faiths and ethnic groups as are reminder that something like this should never happen again. Read more…

Review by John Delia

The opening sequence in the movie Oblivion is spectacular showing Earth as a devastated planet and the moon busting apart following an attack by an alien invasion. Well acted by a handful of cast members, the action movie mesmerizes as it spools out its grand design.  Both the cinematography and computer graphics are the stars of the film with the quality of the 2009 Star Trek. If you are a rabid fan of science fiction then you should get in line for your ticket now. Read more…

Lotus Eaters: Movie Review

By Yevette Renee Nelson

Bottom Line
Sex, drugs, wealth and one endless party

Director
Alexandra McGuinness

Screenwriters
Alexandra McGuinness, Brendan Grant

Cast
Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Benn Northover, Alex Wyndham

Writer-director Alexandra McGuinnes’ (the daughter of Paul McGuinness, U2′s manager) first feature is a modern day version of the Greek mythological Lotus Eaters. Following a clique of young, fabulously wealthy twenty something Londoners whose lives are filled with incessant boredom, sex and drugs.

Taking place in spectacularly expensive residences and a massive countryside estate. Alice (Antonia Campbell-Hughes), a former model, shadows her group of mega rich friends from one endless party to the next. Having recently split from her boyfriend, Charlie (Johnny Flynn) a heroin addict, Alice makes an effort to be productive and seeks to start a new career as an actress.

Hanging on the fringe, it hard to see what Alice has in common with them. She is the only character that shows any level of grief or ambition, which is ever so subtle and conveyed with yearning in her eyes and limited discussion. Compared to the others, these differences are magnified.

Continuing her quest to start anew, she gravitates to Alex (Benn Northover), an indulgent heir, as well as chlamydia-infested Marlon (Alex Wyndham).  Twist and turns develop with dangerous consequences.

Co-writers McGuinness and Brendan Grant provides the quintessence lifestyle of the rich and famous, taking a journey with a jet set crowd to the most lavish locations to shoot the film. Void of any reflection, compassion and with out the responsibility of doing anything meaningful, it is a challenge trying to connect with the persons depicted. You are able to see the conflicts that can arise when you surround yourself with people who are unlike you in significant ways while trying to be true to yourself.

Shot on black-and-white by photographer Gareth Munden, the film has a light and airy feel, giving the impression of being shot with a handheld camera.

The sound track of British rock songs really set the tone for the sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle. It has some great live performances. Most notably, the wonderful musical performance by real life folk musician Johnny Flynn (Charlie) adds charm and a poignant moment to the film. 7

Drama

Release date:  April 5, 2013

Production companies: McGuinnessLee, Fastnet Films

Cast: Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Benn Northover, Alex Wyndham, Marsha Hunt, Cynthia Fortune Ryan, Daisy Lewis, Gina Bramhill, Johnny Flynn

Director: Alexandra McGuinness

Screenwriters: Alexandra McGuinness, Brendan Grant

Producers: Mark Lee, Morgan Bushe, Kyle Blanshard

Director of photography: Gareth Munden

Production designer: Richard Hudson

Music: Birger Clausen

Costume designer: Ruth Higginbotham

Editor: Bert Hunger, Emer Reynolds

No rating,

Run time: 76 minutes

By Yevette Renee Nelson

Bottom Line
Espionage and family

Director
Phillip Stölzl

Screenwriters
Arash Amel

Cast
Aaron Eckhart, Liana Liberator, Olga Kurylenko

Intertwined with gripping action, suspense and a heart felt and emotional relationship, ERASED is sure to keep you engaged.

Directed by Phillip Stölzl, ERASED trails ex-CIA agent Ben Logan (Aaron Eckhart) as he navigates the street of Belgium with his teenage daughter, Amy, (Liana Liberator); unwavering in his pursuit of the truth after returning to his new job, to find the company has vanished. And his assistant has marked Logan and Amy for elimination.

Moving to Europe, Logan’s priority is to establish a relationship with his daughter. A daughter he hardly knows after leaving his family believing it would keep them safe.

Arash Amel’s screenwriting is spot-on portraying the dilemmas of a working parent when Ben promises Amy he will attend her school event, only to have his boss give him an assignment he must complete before morning. As you would imagine, missing her event adds to his challenge of building trust amidst their already delicate relationship.

A parent coping with a typical teenager can be a monumental challenge. Add having to come clean about your dark past, all the while you are both being hunted and evading bullets. You have a poignant thriller.

The film would have been better served if Amy’s old cliché scene of a damsel in distress falling trying to evade capture were eliminated.

That old familiar adage, you can’t judge a book by its cover, holds true when it is discovered that Anna Bright (Olga Kurylenko), Ben’s former lover and fellow CIA agent may some how be involved with the international conspiracy. Logan and Anna’s past relationship adds another layer of emotional drama and intrigue.

Phillip Stölzl close-up scenes create a strong and intense film. As one who does enjoy special effects, it is pleasing to watch Ben’s expertise as a former kill squad assassin put to use in realistic action and hand to hand combat.

Over all, a good blend of drama and sentiment. Check it out. 7.5

Rated R Violence
Release Date: VOD on April 5th and in theaters May 10th
Distributor: RADiUS-TWC
Producer: Karl Richards, Jonathan Vanger and Claude Leger
Executive Producer: Judy Cairo, Michael A. Simpson, Howard Meltzerm Eric Brenner and Harry Winer
Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Liana Liberator, Olga Kurylenko
Director: Phillip Stölzl
Screen Writers: Arash Amel
Cinematographer: Kolja Brandt
Production Designer: Jean-Francois Campeu
Editor: Dominique Fortin
Costume Designer: Pascalina Chavanne
Composer: Jeff Danna
Run time: 104 minutes

Review by John Delia

Tantalizingly brilliant Blancanieves, a sinister telling of the Grimm Brother’s classic tale of “Snow White” comes to theaters this weekend.  The black and white presentation, with music and subtitle boards takes you back to the silent film era where  your ears, eyes and mind feast on acting that comes from the soul of the performers in gesture and facial expressions.   Read more…