Change Your Image
claire-cec
Reviews
The Oh in Ohio (2006)
Great performances!
This cast of actors and their performances really makes this film wonderful. Parker Posey is always great, but she puts a lot of oomph in to this character, and it really pays off. Heather Graham, Danny DeVito and Miranda Bailey all work their magic to create dynamic comedic scenes. And Paul Rudd of course is hilarious and witty as usual. The characters and their interactions keep you laughing and wondering about their lives that all seem a little too casual with all the chaos. This film definitely goes where no other film I have seen goes, and it deserves praise for that.
Although the plot takes some unexpected twists, and there are some things I didn't really understand, I still spent most of the film laughing and enjoying the performances.
Spinning Plates (2012)
Fun for Film Buffs and Foodies alike!
This film takes a fascinating look into three very different types of restaurants in the United States, and the people that make them possible. Like most well done documentaries, you are sucked in to the lives of the people who run these restaurants. The film strikes an emotional cord in the way that you are elated when things go well for these people and their restaurants, and you are torn to pieces when things go wrong.
The documentary flows nicely from the story of the modernist, top tier restaurant Alinea run by Grant Achatz in Chicago, to the comfortable, family run, historic Breitbach's in Balltown, Iowa, lastly to the struggling, authentic Mexican restaurant La Cocina de Gabby run by a sweet family in Arizona. Each story presents different aspects of the restaurant business at different levels of success. Each story shows the hardships, struggles, joys and pleasures of running a restaurant. And each story captivates your emotions and keeps you hopeful for their futures.
Although the restaurants are different, all three strive to be the place people want to come. This film brings to light the fact that it isn't the food that makes a restaurant, it's the people behind it who put their blood, sweat, and tears into the work. As a lover of food and film, I would recommend Spinning Plates to anyone who shares either passion. Overall, it is a heartfelt, interesting and entertaining documentary.
The Squid and the Whale (2005)
A Family Divided
My parents have been together since they were freshmen in high school, so it is always interesting for me to witness the dynamic of a split family. Sure my family isn't perfect, in fact my father was away working for most of my childhood, but it has never been quite as dysfunctional as the family Noah Baumbach so lovingly portrays in this film.
The film has a stellar storyline with its dark dialogue and its spurts of comedic relief, and just its total reality. But the actors are what really make this film. Laura Linney is one of the best, under-appreciated actresses in holiday, and Jeff Daniels has this amazing way of playing a totally likable A**hole. And let's not forget Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline's amazing performance as messed up kids. All of the actors/characters really suck you in, and make you feel like you are experiencing their pain first hand. It is awesome.
Funny, dark, depressing and so accurate, this movie takes you inside the war zone that is a divided family, and magically, you come out unscathed. Watch. Learn. Enjoy.
Answers to Nothing (2011)
Dark and Twisty, but worth the watch!
I absolutely love films with intertwining stories that eventually connect in some way. I enjoy watching films and playing a sort of "Where's Waldo" game while I try and spot the ties and connections between the characters. It reminds me of life that way how we are all connected by the most minute interactions or coincidences, and we are completely unaware. This film did not disappoint me with its intertwining stories. It was touching, and even had a few little twists at the end.
The characters in this film are mainly connected by the disappearance of a young girl in Los Angeles, then, the plots and subplots sort of branch off from this main story. The characters are all dealing with real issues, raw issues that are somewhat deep and dark, but still relatable. They are dealing with loss, GUILT, despair, and heartache, along with many other negative and unique emotions. Although the film plays out pretty wonderfully, it is kind of a downer. Don't look for any warm fuzzies coming from this flick.
Although the film starts off a little slow, the individual tales of each character quickly propels the story onward and eventually wraps up with a killer ending.
The Other Dream Team (2012)
A Beautiful Tale of Historical Underdogs
I had heard what this film was about, but really wasn't prepared for the history lesson I was about to receive. It was great! Since I am sort of a history buff, it was wonderful to hear true accounts from people who grew up in Lithuanian during this fight for Independence. To be honest, I didn't know much about Lithuanian history (or at least from this perspective), and I love to be shocked by documentaries. And shock me, it did.
Along with the historical aspect in this film, you have an underdog (well, not athletically speaking – they were all very talented) sports story. These insanely tall, insanely talented Lithuanians were more than just a basketball team. They were revolutionaries fighting for their country. They weren't just playing basketball to play basketball; they were playing to prove a point. They felt they had to prove themselves not only to their adversaries, but also to their supporters that they were worthy and strong enough to be independent. And they used Olympic basketball to do that.
This film is a brave story of freedom. It has a lovely combination of comedy, drama and suspense (even if you already know what happens), and you won't leave any screening of this documentary disappointed.