Beautiful Creatures (2013)

When it’s over, not beautiful.  I did not like the book (first in a series of four), nor the film. I tried to give this film a chance and the opportunity to stand on its own. With a cast led by veteran actors to include Jeremy Irons and Emma Thompson, I had hoped the film would redeem the flaws in the book, but sadly, the film was sloppy and a big disappointment. Ethan and Lena (Alden Ehrenreich & Alice Englert) are forbidden lovers, who uncover dark family secrets that ultimately will change their lives. This was the premise of the story, but the film doesn't get from beginning to end smoothly. The film zips through the romance and events like bullets on an outline. Forbidden love stories work on chemistry, and Ehrenreich and Englert don’t have any. It was painful trying to believe these two characters were falling in love. The best performances came from Irons and Thompson - no surprise there – but they couldn't save the film. The ending was unsatisfying, unclear, and unfinished, hanging at the presumption that a sequel will follow. Even if the story was part of a series, it should still feel like an ending. Star Wars, Hunger Games, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings are great examples of series that finish with solid endings, while leaving the door ajar for the next film.

My rating: 2 out of 5

Parental Guidance (2012)

When it’s over, old school meets new school. Artie and Diane Decker (Billy Crystal and Bette Midler) agree to babysit their three grandchildren, while the parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) are out of town. Things get out of control when old-fashioned childrearing collide with "no sugar, no gluten, and gadgetized" lifestyles. Veteran entertainers, Crystal and Midler have great chemistry and are wonderfully paired. This is their first film together after more than 30 years of friendship (a long overdue collaboration). My favourite scene is when the couple does their rendition of the Monotones' 1958 doo-wop classic, The Book of Love. The music dance number is a nice surprise, even though it is unrelated to the story, it adds to the likability of the characters. I did not find the story engaging, and I think it is mainly because I am not a grandparent. Crystal developed this story based on his experiences with his grandchild, and the grandparent’s voice rings true and clear. Unfortunately, I cannot relate to those feelings, not yet. (However, I may feel differently in 20 years) Crystal is still a multi-talented improv comedian, but I see him missing some beats in this film. Although he offers some good laughs, there is an unnecessary pause right after the jokes or punchline, like the end of a dance number on Broadway. The pause is distracting and breaks the flow of the scenes. Overall, Parental Guidance is a decent family film with enough silly scenarios to keep the viewer from nodding off. It has all the ingredients that make it watchable for all ages, plus a few extras, including issues on raising a “holistic” child, helicopter parenting, and bridging the generational gap.

My rating: 3 out of 5

Man of Steel (2013)

(Spoiler Alert)

When it's over, I have to go against popular opinion and say that Man of Steel is a disappointment. The story begins on the planet Krypton at the birth of Kal-El, the baby destined to become Superman. The next two hours follows the adult Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman (Henry Cavill), as he discovers his origins and attempts to defeat General Zod (Michael Shannon) from destroying Earth. Helping Superman is his long deceased father, Jor-El (Russell Crowe). Relationships and family are a big part of the film as Director Zack Snyder explores Kent’s devotion to his Earth parents (Kevin Costner and Diane Lane) and Lois Lane (Amy Adams). I like the time spent on developing the Kent’s story. Previous films only include it, but do not explore the impact Clark’s human family has on his development into Superman. The relationship between Clark and Lois did not feel romantic or believable. Their kissing at the end is awkward and out of place, because there is no leading up to it. I did not feel that emotional pull, that generally comes with superhero love stories. I did not care for Lois, whether she is in danger or if she dies. Actually, Adams is poorly cast as the iconic reporter. The pace is rushed and everything happens too quickly without proper emotional support to make the scenes believable. For example, Clark goes from Kansas boy to Superman within less than ten minutes, without the build-up of emotional shock and acceptance. All superhero stories have one thing in common - emotional conflict, where they have to accept their powers and their duty to exercise them for the benefit of humanity. Man of Steel lacks this core element. I would have liked to see Clark’s journey in finding his origins, finding his love for Lois, finding his purpose on Earth. Instead - Voila! Everything falls into place – the suit, the girl, the superhero status. I appreciate Snyder's reinvention of Superman, making him a darker, more conflicted being, a hero that must wrestle with his human counterpart, the emotions of anger, hate, and vengeance, as demonstrated in the end when Superman snaps the villain's neck. I think this act of violence, in particular, goes against the “Superman” code. I think this type of violence would work better if Man of Steel is an R rated film, giving Snyder the freedom to really explore the dark side of being a superhero and its ramifications. But, this is a PG or PG-13 rated film in North America, so some restraint is necessary, especially since one third of the audience is under 10 years old. 

My rating: 3 out of 5

42 (2013)

Jackie Robinson: You want a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back?

Branch Rickey: No. I want a player who's got the guts “not” to fight back.

Jackie Robinson: You give me a uniform, you give me a number on my back, I'll give you the guts.

When it’s over, this is not solely a baseball film or a biopic about Jackie Robinson. Expertly directed by veteran screenwriter turned director, Brian Helgeland, this is a film about prejudice, segregation, and the will to overcome great adversity. Set in 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), president and general manager for the New York Brooklyn Dodgers, makes a history-making decision when he integrates major league baseball by signing an African American named Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) onto his team. The casting is right on with each actor portraying their characters with the up most credibility. This is the best work Ford has done in recent years. He is funny, serious, and captures the spirit of a tough no-frills businessman who sets aside color for the advancement of the sport. Boseman is incredibly honest in his portrayal of the sports hero. He captures the intensity of each scene with the use of action, rather than words. I can gage the anger and frustration Robinson is feeling by Boseman’s facial expressions and body language. A perfect example of this is in a scene when the opposing team’s manager throws racial slurs (to include the repeated “N” word) at Jackie while he is at bat. With great restraint, Jackie turns the other cheek, but when he returns to the dugout, he slams his bat against the concrete wall, splintering it. I think this is one of the best scenes in the film, because it is definitive of what Jackie feels and what he is up against and shows what he would like to do, but can’t.  Beautiful. Inspirational. Triumphant.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Safe Haven (2013)

When it’s over, I was craving for a romance, and Safe Haven delivers. Katie (Julianne Hough) is on the run from her husband, Tierney (David Lyons), and finds refuge in a small town, where she falls in love with Alex (Josh Duhamel) a widower, and his two children. There were many similarities in plot and structure between this film and Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) with Julia Roberts. But, I don’t plan to compare the two. The characters may share similar situations, but their development and resolutions were different. The biggest difference was the twist at the end. I read the book by Nicholas Sparks over two years ago, and had forgotten the twist at the end, so I was pleasantly surprised by the ease and flow the film moved at leading up to the unexpected. I liked the idea of a haven, and how the characters found safety with each other, and ultimately were able to save each other. The film sets up the love story quickly in order to meet the First Act margin, and goes on to develop the relationships and conflicts with good pacing. The location was also a bonus in the film. Set in seaside Southport, North Carolina, the film felt romantic and lazy in a charming sort of way, and it was hard not to be swept away by the characters' rippling emotions. My one main concern was the lack of character depth. Learning more about the characters' pasts would have made the love story more meaningful. I, especially, wanted to understand Tierney's story, because he is the story's trigger, the force that sets in motion Katie and Alex's actions. At first glance, Duhamel and Hough were not the lovers I imagined from the book, but slowly, they became Alex and Katie; and although their love story would be unlikely to happen in the real world, their relationship represented the beauty of second chances, which is something we can all relate to, either by desiring it or experiencing it first hand.

My rating: 4 out of 5