Lost Highway

Movie Name: Lost Highway

Year of Release: 1997

Director: David Lynch

Stars: Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, Balthazar Getty, Robert Blake, Robert Loggia, Gary Busey, Lucy Butler, Michael Massee, Richard Pryor, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Jack Nance, Scott Coffey, Giovanni Ribisi, Henry Rollins

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

In the early 90s David Lynch was at the peak of his popularity, with a successful show by the name of "Twin Peaks", a Palm D'Or winning film by the name of "Wild at Heart". This wave of accolades quickly subsided, with the quick fade of the tv show and the subsequent "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" - a remarkable feature that sadly not many people saw. "Lost Highway" was his next feature, which saw the light of day in 1997. The film, co-written with Barry Gifford (whom had written the novel "Wild at Heart", adapted by David Lynch in 1990), has an enigmatic tone: we're introduced to Fred Madison, a successful saxophone player, married to the beautiful Renee. This couple starts receiving disturbing videotapes at their front door, upon which they contact the police to help them out. Much to Fred's horror, one of the videotapes shows him killing Renee, and the police uses it to arrest and convict him. While on death row, the prison guards are shocked to find that the man in Fred's cell is no longer him: it's in fact Pete Dayton, a young auto mechanic. Since he has not committed a crime, he's released to the custody of his parents, and resumes his every day life. Pete is soon being followed by the same police detectives, and he also comes across a beautiful woman, a doppelganger for Renee, by the name of Alice, who turns out to be the mistress of a crime boss. Things quickly spiral out of control.
As usual in David Lynch's films, the director is more interested in the journey and path of the characters, he also focuses in creating a universe that borderlines the surreal, as a metaphor to underline the horrible events of every day life. "Lost Highway" features many of his usual trademarks, from the duality of personalities (something also featured on "Mulholland Drive"), to the extreme violence, sensuality, odd sense of humor and abstract concepts of time and space where characters seem to exist as a catalyst for a specific event. The cast is as usual eclectic and talented, with Bill Pullman and Patricia Arquette creating indelible characters. The cinematography from Peter Deming is fantastic as is the phenomenal soundtrack. A unique film from one of the most distinct voices in American film.

A Life Less Ordinary

Movie Name: A Life Less Ordinary

Year of Release: 1997

Director: Danny Boyle

Stars: Ewan McGregor, Cameron Diaz, Holly Hunter, Delroy Lindo, Ian Holm, Stanley Tucci, Dan Hedaya, Tony Shalhoub, Maury Chaykin, Ian McNeice, Timothy Olyphant, Judith Ivey

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
Watch it on Amazon.

Synopsis:

Following the very well received diptych that was "Shallow Grave" and "Trainspotting", director Danny Boyle released "A Life Less Ordinary" in 1997, his first co-production with American studios (Fox), featuring a cast of well known American actors. The film focuses on the story of Robert Lewis, a young janitor, filled with dreams and ambitions, who gets fired one day and replaced by a robot. Out of sheer frustration, Robert kidnaps the daughter of his boss, Celine, a spoiled heiress who also happens to have a deranged dentist as a fiancee. Celine suggests that Robert asks for a ransom to return her to her father. This sets off a series of events, that also includes a duo of angels intent on making sure that Robert and Celine end up together, but who end up wreaking havoc everywhere.
Danny Boyle's unique flair and vision continued to gain momentum and further relevance with "A Life Less Ordinary", which again featured his typical anti-hero: an every day man who has to overcome obstacles (some truly surreal ones) in order to attain his dreams and ambitions. Robert is a character who progressively comes into his own, as he deals with all the obstacles that are thrown his way, and these hurdles only serve to reinforce what he truly wants and needs. Danny Boyle is a director who always imbues his films with a momentum and rhythm: his stylistic approach also adds an extra layer of interest to the narrative (always featuring a dynamic editing style). In this particular case, he revisits the screwball comedy genre, and twists it around, featuring edgy and hyperbolic violence and sense of humor that also served him so well in "Trainspotting". The cast in this film is uniformly fantastic, with Ewan McGregor, Cameron Diaz, Holly Hunter, Ian Holm and Stanley Tucci also creating unforgettable characters. The cinematography from Brian Tufano and the soundtrack from David Arnold were also top notch. A very good film from a very talented director.

L.A. Confidential

Movie Name: L.A. Confidential

Year of Release: 1997

Director: Curtis Hanson

Stars: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito, David Strathairn, Ron Rifkin, Matt McCoy, Paul Guilfoyle, Graham Beckel, Simon Baker, Bob Clendenin, Tomas Arana, Michael Chieffo, Jim Metzler, Brenda Bakke, Jack Conley, Symba

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

"L.A. Confidential" is one of the most celebrated films from 1997, hailing many of its accolades from the remarkable origin of the story, specifically the book by renowned writer James Elroy. Curtis Hanson was mostly known at the time as the director of suspenseful and middle of the road films such as "The Hand that rocks the Cradle" and "The River Wild". "L.A. Confidential" changed his visibility and went on to win awards for both him and screenwriter Brian Helgeland alongside actress Kim Basinger. The film focuses on the police department of LA in the 1950s, specifically three very different police officers: Jack Vincennes, a man who has made a career under the glamour of consulting for TV shows in Hollywood (and who craves the limelight), Bud White, a tough, belligerent and deeply honest man and finally Ed Exley, a detective who is ambitious above all, yet with a good heart. The lives of these three men get mixed with a deep and dirty scandal that runs through all the police department, the mayor's office and also involves Hollywood wannabes (and the gossip publications who live from it).
"L.A. Confidential" is a successful film in the way it transposes the engrossing and detailed novel from James Elroy to the screen, and brings to life the dynamics of the relationships between the three central characters. The main focus of the narrative is both Bud White and Ed Exley, two different sides of the police world, and yet, the way Curtis Hanson presents and develops the story, it allows for these two characters to be more than just simple cliches. There is depth, insight, and genuine investment from the director in flushing different threads to the story, allowing for different sides of this intricate scenario to be represented, and also managing to bring it all together for a climax that is both intelligent and rewarding. This is an example of how a truly great team can make a solid film come together, from the actors (with Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce leading the way), through the cinematography from Dante Spinotti and the score from the late Jerry Goldsmith. It's not a film that has a particular point of view (or style for that matter), but it's one that transposes its story in an engaging way (very much like a solid mini-series). Entertaining and well done.

American Ultra

Movie Name: American Ultra

Year of Release: 2015

Director: Nima Nourizadeh

Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace, Connie Britton, Walton Goggins, John Leguizamo, Bill Pullman, Tony Hale, Stuart Greer, Michael Papajohn, Monique Ganderton

Genre: Action, Comedy

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:

"American Ultra" is the new film from Nima Nourizadeh, following his feature debut "Project X" and a string of music videos for artists such as Bat for Lashes and Hot Chip. The film follows the story of Mike Howell and Phoebe Larson, a young couple living in a small town in Virginia. Mike runs the local Cash and Carry, and has been involved in petty crimes most of time he's lived there, whereas Phoebe is the more grounded one of the couple. Unbeknownst to Mike however, he's actually a secret agent from the C.I.A., and he has become the target for a young and ambitious agent who wants to clean up the project from which Mike came from - and that includes killing Mike. When a task force goes out to take Mike down, they end up finding out just how lethal type of an agent he actually is.
"American Ultra" is an interesting film that lives from the dichotomy of finding a stoner type character as a lethal weapon type of secret agent. On top of this apparent dichotomy there's also the perfect casting of Jesse Eisenberg as Mike - he deftly embodies and brings to life the shy and awkward Mike, who's unaware of his own skills, and who progressively comes into his own. Both he and Kristen Stewart manage to bring a level of dynamics and complicity between their characters, that livens the film. The supporting cast is unbalanced, with Topher Grace basically repeating the same character he has played in every single film he's been, something that Connie Britton, John Leguizamo and Walton Goggins alleviate with their colorful and far more nuanced performances. The film is engaging, while the director is creating the set up for the characters, but once the splatter starts, some of that dynamic edge starts losing some of the momentum. Still it's a film that manages to captivate and entertain.

Jackie Brown

Movie Name: Jackie Brown

Year of Release: 1997

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Stars: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Robert De Niro, Michael Bowen, Chris Tucker, LisaGay Hamilton, Hattie Winston, Sid Haig, Aimee Graham

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

Following the watershed moment that was "Pulp Fiction", Quentin Tarantino found himself dispersed in several different projects, such as "Four Rooms" and "From Dusk till Dawn", all met with different levels of critical (and commercial) success. His first big film after "Pulp Fiction" was the fantastic "Jackie Brown", an adaptation of Elmore Leonard's "Rum Punch". The film focuses on a plethora of characters, but the main thread is Jackie Brown, a middle aged street smart stewardess, who smuggles money from Mexico to LA for arms dealer Ordell Robbie. When she gets caught, she gets offered a deal to help the police catch Ordell, in exchange for her freedom. Ordell plans to eliminate her, but unbeknownst to him, Jackie has already devised a plan to get herself off the situation, with enough money to start her life elsewhere.
Quentin Tarantino is an extremely intelligent film maker, one who references a multitude of influences, but who always manages to reshuffle these and come up with something that is unique, and most of the times indelible. "Jackie Brown" is one of his best features, combining his love for dialogue that is ripe with pop culture references and analysis (and of course, his taste for B films), and also a crackling plot that is smartly devised to keep everyone guessing how the game is going to be played out. The joy in his films is not only the end destination, but the path that he creates in making his characters (and audiences) getting there. This smartly assembled cocktail features, as usual, a phenomenal cast, with Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton and Robert De Niro, all shining in the roles they inhabit. The cinematography from Guillermo Navarro is fantastic (he traditionally works with Guillermo Del Toro) and the score is eclectic as usual, this time around featuring plenty of hits from the 70s. A superb film!

In and Out

Movie Name: In & Out

Year of Release: 1997

Director: Frank Oz

Stars: Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Tom Selleck, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds, Wilford Brimley, Bob Newhart, Gregory Jbara, Shalom Harlow, Shawn Hatosy, Lauren Ambrose, Zak Orth, Alexandra Olden, Deborah Rush

Genre: Comedy

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Director Frank Oz has had its fair share of successes, "In & Out" being one of them (the others being for instance "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", "Housesitter" and "Little Shop of Horrors"). "In & Out" based on an original script by Paul Rudnick (who also wrote "Jeffrey" and "Adams Family Values"), follows the story of Howard Brackett, a small town high school English teacher, who suddenly finds himself in the middle of unwanted attention, when one of his former pupils, a now famous actor, outs him during his acceptance speech upon receiving his Oscar. Howard, who's been engaged for quite sometime to his long suffering bride Emily, tries to deny it at first, until things start to quickly unravel. When a gossip reporter by the name of Peter Malloy comes to town to unmask the situation, Howard has to come to terms with who he is.
"In & Out" is an extremely funny comedy that anchors its laughs in exposing the ridicule that bellies the prejudices and cliches that people in general associate with gay individuals and culture. The film doesn't fall prey to making a mockery of difference, instead it celebrates the diversity of individuals, and ultimately is successful in making the characters feel human (and not just the usual cliches). It's a film that lacks the biting satire from Billy Wilder, but makes its point across with clever plays on cliches that everyone associates with the gay culture (Barbra Streisand albums, dancing, and quite a few more). The cast is uniformly excellent, particularly the always fantastic Joan Cusack who once again steals the film in a role perfectly tailored for her. A very good comedy with a good heart, always worth revisiting.

The Ice Storm

Movie Name: The Ice Storm

Year of Release: 1997

Director: Ang Lee

Stars: Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Christina Ricci, Elijah Wood, Tobey Maguire, Adam Hann-Byrd, David Krumholtz, Jamey Sheridan, Henry Czerny, Kate Burton, Katie Holmes

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Following the success of "Sense and Sensibility", Ang Lee returned with another critical success, adapting Rick Moody's novel "The Ice Storm" (which won the best screenplay award at the Cannes film festival). The film takes place in Connecticut in the 1970s, focusing on two groups of people, the Hood and Carver families. The adults are going through the motions of life, also experimenting with drugs, drinking too much, and involved in adultery. The kids are coming into their own personalities, going through adolescence, trying to find their own path. The relationships between these two families comes to a halt during a particular severe ice storm.
Ang Lee has created a successful career as a director which primes for its eclectic choice of material (he's also directed "Hulk" and also "Wedding Banquet", to name but a few). He successfully creates and depicts universes where families and their relationship dynamics are the main focus of attention, with these families existing in different contexts (New York in the 90s for "The Wedding Banquet", the English countryside of the 19th century for "Sense and Sensibility" and Woodstock in the 60s for "Taking Woodstock", to name but a few). These relationships and the quality of performances the director always manage to bring from his actors, makes his films indelible experiences. That is particular the case for "The Ice Storm", which captures the suburbia of middle class America in the 70s. The couples were all wanting to explore beyond their routines, the sexual revolution was the topic of discussion, and trying drugs was just a novelty at their parties. The film goes beyond this and explores the part of growing up, and how the kids from these somewhat disjointed families are coming into their own. Ang Lee also captures perfectly the sadness and melancholy bellying some of these characters, particularly Janey Carver's who comes across as someone profoundly unhappy in her life. The film features a great cast, with fantastic performances from Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Christina Ricci and Tobey Maguire. The cinematography from Frederick Elmes (who also shot the classic David Lynch film "Blue Velvet") and the score from Mychael Danna are equally fantastic. A great film from a fantastic director.

Happy Together

Movie Name: Happy Together

Year of Release: 1997

Director: Wong Kar Wai

Stars: Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung, Chen Chang, Gregory Dayton

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Director Wong Kar Wai continued his critically acclaimed streak of the 90s, with "Happy Together" which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to great acclaim (and won the director the award for best director of the year). The film focuses on the story of Ho Po-wing and Lai Yiu-fai, a couple who arrives in Argentina for vacations (from Hong Kong) and who slowly drifts away. As both become disenchanted with each other, Yiu-fai starts working at a tango bar in order to get money to fly back home, whereas Po-wing drifts continuously into a destructive mode. The couple tries to get together, but ultimately their differences drive them apart.
Wong Kar Wai is one of the most singular voices in cinema, mixing a highly stylized view of the world, with a romanticism that makes his features feel simultaneously retro and very conceptual (which reached fantastic heights with "In the Mood for Love"). "Happy Together" follows the central couple through a patchy relationship, in a foreign soil, allowing for the director to create indelible set pieces, where these lovers in a strange land are desperately trying to call each other home. The central performances from Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung are fantastic, bringing to life these two different men, who can't escape each other, until there's nothing holding them together. The cinematography from Christopher Doyle is stunning, as is the music from Danny Chung (which features songs from Caetano Veloso). A great film from a very talented director.

Good Will Hunting

Movie Name: Good Will Hunting

Year of Release: 1997

Director: Gus Van Sant

Stars: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Minnie Driver, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgard, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser, George Plimpton, Alison Foland, John Mighton

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Following the very well received "To Die For", director Gus Van Sant tackled what remains to this day, his biggest commercial success. Based on an original screenplay from two of his cast members, namely Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the film focuses on the story of Will Hunting, a young man who's been abused growing up, and who works as a janitor at the M.I.T. Will is actually a wunderkind, and once that is apparent to one of the teachers at the college, he tries to assist him and focus his efforts in order to find a good position in the marketplace. Sadly the abuse suffered throughout the years, has left scars (both physical and otherwise), and in order to overcome it, Will starts getting counseling from a somewhat retired therapist by the name of Sean Maguire. The encounter of these two personalities functions as a cathartic moment for both, as they revisit moments of their lives that led them to where they are.
The universe of the very talented Gus Van Sant found an interesting match in the screenplay of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Van Sant's work traditionally focuses on stories of young heroes who are trying to find their path in the world, and who are sometimes at odds with that world. His universe and storytelling match perfectly with the story of Will Hunting, the bruised young genius, who keeps people at bay for fear of being hurt or let down. The film could have easily been maudlin or overly dramatic, however the director keeps it grounded in reality, with enough humor and edge which allows the characters to be seen as more than just archetypes. The cast is uniformly excellent, in particular Robin Williams (who won the Academy Award), Matt Damon and Minnie Driver. The cinematography from Jean-Yves Escoffier and the score from Danny Elfman (with songs from Elliott Smith) are also fantastic. A good film always worth revisiting.

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

Movie Name: Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

Year of Release: 2015

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Stars: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Alec Baldwin, Sean Harris, Simon McBurney, Tom Hollander, Jens Hulten, Jingchu Zhang,

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Writer/Director Christopher McQuarrie is back, following his latest directorial effort, the mildly entertaining "Jack Reacher", which also featured his usual collaborator, actor Tom Cruise (McQuarrie also wrote the underrated "Edge of Tomorrow" for director Doug Liman). The latest installment of the Mission:Impossible franchise, picks up after the events of Brad Bird's "Ghost Protocol". This time around Ethan Hunt and his team at the IMF are being targeted by both the CIA and a shady organization named the Syndicate. The first wants to dismantle the IMF due to all the insubordinate and raucous behavior they display, while the Syndicate aims to basically plot chaos and mayhem around the globe, and the IMF is an obvious obstacle in their path. With little help and means, Ethan, Benji, Brandt, Luther and the help of a lethal and enigmatic agent, Ilsa, the team has to go on progressively riskier assignments to infiltrate and get ahead of the plans devised by the Syndicate, and specifically its ruthless leader, Solomon Lane.
Christopher McQuarrie has begun to create a directorial career for himself anchored in a hybrid mix of a polished B-movie style and a character angle that is reminiscent of some of the work from Don Siegel. His films feature emasculated characters, and devious plot lines, but the integrity and morals of his lead characters are never in question. The "Mission:Impossible" formula is one that though riveting for the exotic locations and elaborate stunts, reaches a point where it feels dangerously repetitive (much like James Bond), however Brad Bird, and now Christopher McQuarrie have infused the franchise with some interesting energy, primarily because their films feel like polished and effective B-movies, with enough thrills and humor to keep the audience satisfied. This particular chapter from the franchise can be accused of lacking a distinct point of view from the director, but it's still nonetheless a very entertaining and well done action film. The actors are uniformly solid in their familiar roles, but Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg remain as engaging as ever. Recommended!

The Game

Movie Name: The Game

Year of Release: 1997

Director: David Fincher

Stars: Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, Deborah Kara Unger, James Rebhorn, Peter Donat, Carroll Baker, Anna Katarina, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Elizabeth Dennehy

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

After the success of "Seven", director David Fincher tackled a script from John Brancato and Michael Ferris, who had achieved success in 1995 with Irwin Winkler's "The Net". The film follows the story of Nicholas Van Orton, a very successful businessman, who is about to have a birthday. His family life has had some very dark moments, and his younger brother Conrad, surprises Nicholas with a very unusual gift. The gift is an experience, a game, where Nicholas is put through a series of progressively more difficult challenges, and where nothing and no one is who they seem to be.
Following the dark and yet very successful "Seven", David Fincher had the opportunity to tackle a different type of script, and though today considered one of his lesser films, "The Game" is still an exquisitely fabricated feature, where the intelligence of the film maker is clearly visible. The subject matter adds consistency to what has become David Fincher's core leading character traits: characters that are flawed, usually scarred from a traumatic past experience, and who are involved in a situation that tests them yet again beyond their comfort zone, bringing out the survivor in them. That's the exemplary case of Michael Douglas' Nicholas Van Horton: a polished business man, who has lost contact with his inner emotional self, and who has alienated friends, family and who suddenly is pushed to the brink of fighting for his survival. The film smartly sequences and ties the events towards a crescendo that is in fact indelible and ingenious. The overall cast is fantastic, with special highlights going to the underrated Michael Douglas, but also the awesome Sean Penn, and the always enigmatic Deborah Kara Unger (then fresh off the critical acclaim of David Cronenberg's "Crash"). The cinematography from the late Harris Savides is stunning, as is the score from the great Howard Shore. A great gem from the tremendously talented David Fincher.

The Fifth Element

Movie Name: The Fifth Element
Year of Release: 1997

Director: Luc Besson

Stars: Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Milla Jovovich, Ian Holm, Chris Tucker, Brion James, Tommy Lister, Chris Evans, Charlie Creed Miles, Tricky, Luke Perry, John Neville, John Bluthal, Mathieu Kassovitz
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 4

Synopsis:
Following the success of "Leon, The Professional", prolific writer/producer/director Luc Besson, tackled his most ambitious and international film yet: "The Fifth Element", a visually stupendous and comic book influenced sci-fi spectacle. The film follows the story of Korben Dallas, a retired military, currently working as a taxi driver, in a large metropolis in the 23rd century. Korben comes across a young woman, by the name of Leeloo, who literally crashes into his cab. Initially unable to understand her, Korben comes to realize she's the fifth element that can save the Earth from being annihilated by some alien force.

Luc Besson has always been an interesting film maker, capable of combining a pop culture saturated vision of the world, with multiple other references, in this case the influences of graphic novel artists such as Enki Bilal and Moebius. "The Fifth Element" is an interesting case where the creation of the universe where this narrative takes place, is actually more interesting than the main characters themselves. The screenplay for this film is its biggest setback: the characters have little to no motivation, the main villain is something vague and with no dimension, and even the comic reliefs are unimportant and mostly forced and grating. Luc Besson is a director who always creates an interesting backdrop to his main focus, but somehow his lead characters lack dimension and depth (there are notable exceptions, for instance Anne Parillaud's Nikita): Korben Dallas is basically the stoic hero, with a hardened core who suddenly and for no apparent reason, falls in love with the gorgeously awkward woman, who turns out to be the savior of the universe. Chris Tucker as the comic sidekick is also another case of an underwritten part, where most of what he does is screaming and be flamboyant, whereas Gary Oldman suffers the most with an underwritten part, where he gets a different accent, with a wig to boot and not much else to do. The film is visually stupendous, and that's it's main ace: but at the core it lacks everything else, making it a lackluster filmic experience.

Trainwreck

Movie Name: Trainwreck
Year of Release: 2015

Director: Judd Apatow

Stars: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, Tilda Swinton, John Cena, Vanessa Bayer, Randall Park, Ezra Miller, Dave Attell, Jon Glaser, Evan Brinkman, Mike Birbiglia, Daniel Radcliffe, Marisa Tomei, Lebron James, Nikki Glaser, Kevin Kane, Rachel Feinstein, Tim Meadows, Kyle Dunnigan, Kim Caramele, Marina Franklin, Keith Robinson, Devin Fabry, Carla Oudin, Josh Segarra

Genre: Comedy

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
Director Judd Apatow is back, following a three year hiatus, since his latest "This is 40" was met with a less than stellar response from audiences and critics. "Trainwreck" marks the first feature he has directed, where he hasn't been responsible for the screenplay, which this time around, comes from the film's leading lady, comedienne Amy Schumer. The film follows the story of Amy, a young woman in her 30s, who lives in New York, working for a women's magazine (she's a senior writer), and who chooses not to have actual deep relationships with men: she engages in casual hook ups and moves on. A lot of this behavior has been induced by her father, now in a nursing home due to prolonged illness. Amy's sister however, has a decidedly opposite life: she is married, has a stepson, and a baby on the way. Amy's life is thrown for a disarray when she meets Aaron, a doctor who specializes in sports injuries, and whom she has to write about for a magazine article. 

Judd Apatow has been a unique voice in the comedy world: he's always been able to understand the cliches of the traditional comedy features, but he infuses them with a humanity and slices of (painful) authenticity, which makes his films decidedly fresh, funny and very real. The hilarious Amy Schumer is a perfect combination with his universe, since her humor is indeed a blend of self depreciation, mixed with a biting view of archetypes that live in any modern city. Both Apatow and Schumer understand the cliches of the romantic comedy, but they mine it with a lot more depth, swagger, crudeness and finally tenderness, which is what good comedies manage to convey. The overall cast is fantastic, with Amy Schumer and Bill Hader as the great romantic partners, with Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, Vanessa Bayer and the always fantastic Tilda Swinton coming in to offer fantastic and funny support (even John Cena manages to poke fun at his own persona). A really funny and touching comedy worth watching.

Ant-Man

Movie Name: Ant-Man

Year of Release: 2015

Director: Peyton Reed

Stars: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Michael Pena, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Anthony Mackie, Martin Donovan, John Slattery, Hayley Atwell, Abby Ryder Fortson, David Dastmalchian, Wood Harris

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 4

Synopsis:
Marvel Studios' second release of this year, following the giant success of the "Avengers" sequel, is a focus on a decidedly lesser known comic book character, "Ant-Man". The film was in the works for years, with the talented Edgar Wright at the helm, but disputes between him and the studio emerged, and Peyton Reed was hired as a replacement. The film follows the story of Hank Pym, a brilliant scientist who in the 80s devises a formula that allows him to shrink to the size of an ant, but gain concentrated strength, making him an almost invisible and powerful infiltration agent. Upon the loss of his wife on a perilous mission, Hank decides to remove himself from action, and from his company. That situation changes in the present, when his company now under the tutelage of his former protege, Darren Cross, is at the brink of selling the technology he devised, to some unsavory organizations. He recruits the help of Scott Lang, a petty criminal, to help thwart Cross' plans, alongside the help of his daughter Hope.
Peyton Reed's latest feature before "Ant Man" was the Jim Carrey vehicle, "Yes Man", a film that was met with tepid notices. Most of the director's career has been carved in television. Ironically one of his most interesting films was "Down with Love", a decidedly retro approach to the screwball comedy genre, which is coincidentally where "Ant-Man" ends up having some differentiation between all the other super hero films now being released: the sense of humor allows for the film to be somewhat tolerable and hold some interest. The screenplay is a standard introductory story to the beginnings of a super hero, where the underdog central character has to gain the respect and love of his child by battling an instantly forgettable villain. The film touches on all cliches already devised and explored in better films. It's an all too familiar formula, that has become generic and standard with all Marvel Studios releases: generic story, good cast, stunning special effects (stir and serve). Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas try to bring some charisma and humor to the film, but they both seem out of place, with the first one trying a role that is clearly not as funny as he can be, while the second is trying to give the role a depth and intensity that the flimsy film can't carry. It's yet another formulaic film, instantly forgettable from a genre that is reaching high saturation levels.

Donnie Brasco

Movie Name: Donnie Brasco

Year of Release: 1997

Director: Mike Newell

Stars: Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby, James Russo, Anne Heche, Zeljko Ivanek, Gerry Becker, Robert Miano, Brian Tarantina, Rocco Sisto, Zach Grenier

Genre: Drama, Crime

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
Idiosyncratic director Mike Newell's "Donnie Brasco" was one of his best and most successful films from the 90s, following his smaller British based and funded films "Enchanted April" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral". "Donnie Brasco" is based on the true story of FBI agent Joe Pistone, as he goes through the process of going undercover, in order to infiltrate the mafia of New York. Going by the name of Donnie Brasco, the agent is taken under the protection of Lefty Ruggiero. His immersion in the mafia family becomes overwhelming in his life, leading to the dissolution of his marriage. He also realizes that upon the reveal of the mafia business intricacies, Lefty will be the one to take all the blame for the exposure. 

Mike Newell started his career in the 60s, directing assorted tv shows for the British television. His eclectic directorial career allowed him to continue developing assorted projects, until his features started gaining more attention in the 80s, starting with "Dance with a Stranger" and "The Good Father". The success of "Four Weddings and Funeral" allowed him to tackle more visible projects, such as "Donnie Brasco". The film successfully depicts the mafia life during the 70s, and the hardship it caused on the life of the FBI agent tasked with infiltrating it. Mike Newell manages to give the film a simultaneous focus on the crime angle and also the more familiar section of the agent's life. It's a film that focuses on the work of the talented cast and the well oiled production (including the cinematography of Peter Sovia and the screenplay of Paul Attanasio), and though ultimately not as memorable and iconic as Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas", it still manages to be a solid endeavor, featuring fantastic performances from Al Pacino, Johnny Depp and also Anne Heche. A good film worth revisiting.