Film Gate Reviews: February 2014

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Drugs, sex and alcohol disguises the brilliant character work of the wolf.

“The Wolf of Wall Street” is Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio). He’s given that name during a rather clever point in the film when a reporter interviews him about his new-found business success. In the same article he’s described as a twisted version of Robin Hood who steals from the rich and gives to himself and his merry band of shady salesmen. At the time, he’s not too thrilled with the description, but that changes.		2013 Directed by: Martin Scorsese Screenplay by: Terence Winter Based on the book by Jordan Belfort Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio

Drama, comedy, a marriage, a death and brilliance all around.

“Best Man Down” is an independent film about a couple who gets married in Arizona but flies back to Minnesota for a funeral. It’s a comedy! No, scratch that. The funeral is for the best man who died at the wedding. It’s a dark comedy? Perhaps, or a drama. It’s also about the newlywed couple navigating their current relationship. It’s a relationship drama. And it’s also a light mystery as the real life of the best man is uncovered.		2012 Directed by: Ted Koland Screenplay by: Ted Koland Starring: Justin Long, Jess Weixler, Tyler Labine and Addison Timlin

A thriller that becomes nothing with worthless characters.

Welcome to Malibu, California where the scenery is beautiful (but suspiciously serene), and the people are devoid of intelligence, perception, acumen, and really any and all interesting characteristics. Chloe (Gia Mantegna) is a teen who lives her life solely on the art of seduction. She finds (or planted) an injured seagull on the beach, and convinces two guys to help her take care of it.		2014 Directed by: Marco Weber Screenplay by: Marco Weber Starring: Gia Mantegna, Spencer Daniels and Devon Werkheiser

Four ladies too many but one great every-man gives a comedic touch to predictable lessons on love.

Astor (Fran Kranz) is a naïve, idealistic romantic who has just been dumped essentially because he’s not cool enough. He doesn’t have game, charisma or any clue how to talk to women. He enlists the help of Cali, his ex’s former best friend, to teach him the ways of love. “Lust for Love” is a comedy, or romantic comedy, about Astor’s attempts to learn how to pick up women, and learn how to pick a woman for him.		2014 Directed by: Anton King Screenplay by: Anton King Starring: Fran Kranz, Dichen Lachman

A romantic drama that survives on the empathy for the main characters.

Younger brother, Rusty (Nat Wolff), is an aspiring writer; older sister, Samantha (Lily Collins), is an up-and-coming writer; and father, Bill Borgens (Greg Kinnear), is an accomplished writer. And, as you can guess from the title, they are all “Stuck in Love”. Rusty’s in love with a girl from his class who doesn’t know him, Sam refuses to fall in love, and dad Bill is still waiting for his ex-wife to come back to him.		2013 Directed by: Josh Boone Screenplay by: Josh Boone Starring: Nat Wolff, Lily Collins and Greg Kinnear

Telling an historical story comedically and missing a level of entertainment.

“The Monuments Men” is a group of men (in real life around 350, and in this film 7) who are tasked with saving the historically and culturally significant monuments, fine arts and archives during World War II. They have to find and return that which the French hid and the Germans were finding and stealing and then hiding. And the film decided to tell this story comically. An odd choice which would have worked if the movie was entertaining.		2014 Directed by: George Clooney Screenplay by: George Clooney and Grant Heslov Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon and Bill Murray

A meandering romantic drama about losing love and finding yourself.

“Brightest Star” is an indie romantic drama about the journey of winning back the love of your life versus finding yourself. The Boy (Chris Lowell) loved Charlotte (Rose McIver) and lost Charlotte, and now he’s lost himself and will do whatever it takes to get her back. That’s right, our lead character doesn’t have a name but every other main character does. If you haven’t figured it out yet, he doesn’t know himself very well.		2013 Directed by: Maggie Kiley Screenplay by: Maggie Kiley and Matthew Mullen Starring: Chris Lowell and Rose McIver