Woody Allen is back, following up Midnight in Paris with a film that feels very similar.
Synopsis: “The film is comprised of four separate vignettes and tells the story of a number of people in Italy—some American, some Italian, some residents, some visitors—and the romances and adventures and predicaments they get into.”
To Rome with Love has a cavalcade of stars including Jesse Eisenberg, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Page and Woody Allen himself. Penelope Cruz and Robert Benigni also are featured, with smaller roles coming from Greta Gerwig, and Alison Pill.
I’m not pleased with the trailer, it’s very lovey-dovey, and comes off a cliche and stupid. The tone feels off, and it’s like we’re getting a slightly younger, more dumbed-down version of the Owen Wilson led Paris.
To Rome with Love hits theaters on June 22nd, 2012.
When I first heard about “Super” I thought, this is going to be a more “grown-up” version of “Kick-Ass,” another film about ordinary folks becoming “super heroes.”
In a sense I was right, but in the large scheme of things, “Super” stands alone.
Dark, gritty, quirky and at times laugh out loud funny, “Super” is one of those odd ball flicks that doesn’t follow the normal path someone may have in mind for a film like this.
Rainn Wilson stars in the film along with Ellen Page, Liv Tyler and Kevin Bacon.
“Super” is about Frank (Wilson), a down on his luck, depressed diner cook whose wife (Tyler) leaves for another man (Bacon), a rich drug dealer.
Looking to somehow change his luck and get his wife back, he turns in a way to god. He gets a vision to become a crime fighter so he does just that, he becomes the Crimson Bolt.
Using a wrench and donning a home made costume he enlists the help of his sidekick, Boltie (Page) and together they will fight crime.
Wilson, who plays Frank boasts many similarities to the role he is most known for, Dwight Schrute on NBC’s “The Office,” he is lonely and odd, but at the same time funny without being obvious.
The stand out of the film is most certainly the work done by Ellen Page. Page who sports a yellow and green costume as Boltie is hilariously profane, sexy, and demented all at the same time. Once again showing why she is one of the best young talents in Tinsel Town.
A couple of negatives have to be the odd start to the film, it’s rather slow and is misleading, the viewer may be a bit distracted and confused until things slowly come together. There is some religious satire that seems oddly placed because of how contradictory it is to the film.
The tone of the film while at the core being a dark action comedy, shifts from one to the other quickly and frequently. It’s certainly not a major issue but the feel for the film doesn’t exactly scream consistency.
Like I mentioned, there are some serious gut busting, hilarious scenes, Page dishes out profanity laced tirades, while Wilson’s antics as a “super hero” leave you puzzled but entertained.
This is not you run of the mill super hero film, nor is it a joke about being a super hero, it’s just a different type of film.
The action and violence that does take place is a bit serious, once again shifting tones of the film, so it’s safe to say that “Super” at times is all over the place.
It’s a shame this film wasn’t in many theaters and those that it was in, it wasn’t there for a long period of time.
That being said, I really enjoyed the film, Wilson and Page together are a great combo, and it’s nice to see a favorable story told without the Hollywood cliches.
With March half-way over, and it’s best movies coming out tomorrow, I figured I’d start getting everyone ready for April’s shower of movies. (see what I did there, April Showers…)
– Source Code, comes out April 1st, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga.
Plot – An experimental government program sends soldier Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal) back in time, where he wakes up in the body of a commuter who witnesses a train bombing. Presented with just 8 minutes to figure out who is responsible, his mission is further complicated by his feelings for a fellow passenger (Monaghan).
Reason to Watch – Besides getting great early reviews, it’s got an interesting story and solid core cast, little bit of Sy-Fi mixed with drama and a thriller.
– Super, comes out April 1st, starring Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page and Kevin Bacon.
Plot – An everyday guy (Wilson) transforms himself into wannabe superhero after his wife leaves him for Jacques (Bacon), a suave drug-dealer. Joined by teen-sidekick Libby (Page), the duo engage in war against crime and look to take down Jacques and his empire.
Reason to Watch – I previewed this movie earlier in the week, with the first look at the trailer. It’s a more grown up “Kick-Ass” with a funny lead. The trailer sold me!
– Your Highness, comes out April 8th, starring Danny McBride, James Franco and Natalie Portman.
Plot – A fantasy-comedy about an arrogant, lazy prince (McBride) who must complete a quest in order to save his father’s kingdom.
Reason to Watch – I am not anticipating this stupid looking movie, but the cast is tremendous and it could be a cult classic comedy. I know many people will buy into this cast and go see it.
– Scream 4, comes out April 15th, starring Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette.
Plot – Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott (Campbell), who has put herself back together thanks in part to the self-help book she authored, returns to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. Reconnecting with her family and friends, her appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface.
Reason to Watch – Old cast, nostalgia and some new Hollywood faces like Emma Roberts, Rory Culkin, Allison Brie and Hayden Panetierre.
– The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, comes out April 22nd, starring Morgan Spurlock.
Plot – Morgan Spurlock examines the process of product placement in entertainment — in a documentary completely financed and made possible by brands, advertising, and product placement.
Reason to Watch – It’s Morgan Spurlock, one of the best documentary film makers, if you don’t know his work go watch “Super Size Me.”
Honorable Mentions: Hanna, Apollo 18, Water for Elephants.
A more grown-up and potentially funnier version of “Kick Ass” meets “Defendor,” interesting.
Rainn Wilson (The Office) plays a man who is losing his wife. In order to fight the bad guy and try to get his wife back he decides to “make his own super hero.” With the help of Ellen Page (Juno) they battle foes in their special way, and tell crime to shut up.
Theater of The Mind 