Toy Story 3

"Toy Story 3"
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickels, Michael Keaton

The magic and allure of Pixar films have never been at a more palpable high. Coming off a best picture nomination with "Up," the studio is widely known to produce the best, most consistent films, that can appeal to every demographic. In quite possibly the worst Summer for popcorn flicks in over 5 years, "Toy Story 3," arrives and manages to produce true escapism, Pixar has saved the day once again.

The last installment of the series was way back in 1999, we last left our characters as they were thrown into the misfortunes of a toy collector and his obsession with Woody. Now, the lifetime owner of the toys, Andy, is grown up and ready for college. As the film opens, Woody and company hatch a last ditch effort to attempt to make themselves not so forgettable in the eyes of Andy. Their best bet and lonely future may reside in the attic, a fitting place for the past remains of a growing boy.

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen reprise their roles as the voices of Woody and Buzz Lightyear, whom fought for most popular toy supremacy in the first installment. Now, along with the rest of the gang, they're shipped off to Sunny Side Daycare Center, which seems like the afterlife for once popular toys. Upon arrival, it seems like not such a bad place after all, in fact, Andy's toys will  always have a place where they're noticed and played with. Of course, Woody has other plans after their first go around with the kids doesn't go so well.

The genius of the film is that it takes its time to remind us why we loved the first two installments. It doesn't dwell on past jokes, but re-introduces us to the dynamic identities and humor of each of Andy's toys. We all know Woody is heroic, Buzz is a half-witted but lovable goof, Rex is eager, Slink is loyal, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head are cynics, Hamm is sarcastic, etc.  The beauty is in the writing and the implementation of new jokes and scenarios for these characters.

Once the toys move to Sunny Side, some new and interesting toys are introduced. The main ones include Lotso, the overstuffed pink bear and patriarch of Sunny Side who has a tortured past. Ken, the lanky dreamboat doll voiced by Michael Keaton, whose character the writers must have had the most pleasure writing, and Big Baby, a large doll who does Lotso's dirty work.  Lotso appears friendly at first glance , but has other plans for the new toys, placing them second in the pecking order of Sunny Side.

The film turns into a prison break thriller, pitting Andy's toys against the tyrant Lotso and his toys. Can Woody get all of his friends home safely before Andy leaves for college? The film is a nicely paced nostalgic journey spanning 15 years and ending on a breathtaking high note. Only Pixar could have done it, the charm and overall success of the film could earn itself a Best Picture nomination in what is already a fairly weak year for film.

Tetro

"Tetro"
Starring: Vincent Gallo, Alden Enrenreich, Maribel Verdu,

Francis Ford Coppola's "Tetro" is a nice return to form for the 71 year old director, whose last film, "Youth Without Youth" was dismissed by most critics. "Tetro" combines melodrama, family secrets, confessions, sibling rivalry, sins of the father, and many other themes into it's 127 run-time. Coppola, has gone back to his UCLA roots to write this original work which indicates more than a personal account for him.

The film centers on two brothers,  Bennie, played by the charismatic and boyish Alden Enrenreich, a near twin to Leonardo Dicaprio, and Tetro played by Vincent Gallo. The film starts as Bennie flees to Buenos Aires to seek out his long lost brother who he hasn't seen in years. Bennie arrives at Tetro's door seeking answers to his brothers present and past. Tetro lives with his wife Miranda (Verdu) whom takes an immediate innocent liking to Bennie; Tetro disapproves of Bennie's visit altogether as Bennie starts asking questions.

"Tetro" is shot in beautiful black and white, which adds to the mystery and puzzle of the film. It's a straightforward narrative, with revealing flashbacks sprinkled throughout to shed light on Tetro's past. The brothers don't have much in common, except they like unnerving each other, especially Bennie, whom turns Tetro's life upside down with his arrival in Buenos Aires. Coppola gets to the bare roots of family betrayal, tragedy, and melodrama, but takes his time telling this familiar yet textured story.

The story of the two brother derives from a fractured lineage, much of which is unknown to the innocent Bennie. Gallo portrays Tetro with tortured eyes and a broken soul, but it's hard for the viewer to sometimes sympathize with his cold nature. But, it's Enrenreich who is the stand out here. His natural looks combined with his acting talent mark him as an actor to look out for. His Bennie would not exist without Tetro, and vise versa. They're two souls marked by past digressions, can they escape and land on higher ground? This is what Coppola asks throughout.

Coppola also enjoys the idea of life imitating art, this is perhaps the underlying theme of "Tetro," which feels like Coppola's most autobiographical work. It's a true return for him, and we're happy to have him back making honest and heartfelt material.

Mad Men 1.4

New Amsterdam

Pete and his wife go apartment shopping, but come across something that they'll need a little help paying for. Pete's father declines, but his in-laws are more than happy to help. Don and Pete come into conflict when Pete tries to lure in a customer at a bar with his own ideas. He ends up fired, but asked back due to the reputation of his family. Betty watches Glen, as he becomes strangled infatuated with her, he asks for a lock of her hair. 

Grade: 8/10

The Road

"The Road"
Starring: Viggo Mortenson, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce, Kodi Smit-McPhee

John Hillcoat's "The Road" is so steeped in dread, yet it's all a little hard to take serious. The film adapted from the successful novel by Cormac McCarthy, tells the post apocalyptic tale of a  father and son's journey across many barren and gray landscapes. The sky is forever dark, not many humans exist, except for the father and son, numerous other survivors, and packs of cannibals that roam the streets on trucks.

Viggo Mortenson plays the father, a loving and protecting man who once had a wife as we're shown through flashbacks. The wife is played by Charlize Theron, whom gets around 10 minutes of screen time. The young boy is played by Kodi Smit-McPhee, he lacks the natural talent of a youngster to elevate his important scenes with Mortenson, but is mostly serviceable.

The production design is fantastic in depicting the harsh and unforgiving terrain that the father and son must get through . We never learn exactly what caused the global  catastrophe, but it's really of no relevance to the plot. Hillcoat's attempts to create a haunting and treacherous journey for the father and son are taken away by moments that simply don't pay off. It's hard to buy most of the material here, perhaps this was a book that contained an unattainable vision on the big screen.

"The Road" suffered from production delays before it's initial release last November, it opened to middling to good reviews, but failed in its attempt to grab the Academy. The film will have no lasting impact and might as well stand alone with other post apocalyptic blunders.

An Education

"An Education"
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson

Carey Mulligan plays Jenny, a smart as a whip 16 year old living with her parents in 60's London. She does well for herself in school, well enough that she aspires to attend Oxford in her near future. One day, she meets a polite man named David who charms her home from school one day during a down pour.

David seems to good to be true, he's a an older fellow played by Peter Sarsgaard. Her parents disapprove at first, but let their guard down once David charms them over as well. It's a familiar story with not much depth or subtlety, the screenplay written by Nick Hornsby is proper, well groomed, but lacks since it virtually has nothing to say.

We follow young Jenny and David along as he shows her Paris, fine dining, nice clothes, cigarettes, etc. We learn more about him and who he is, but we see it coming from a mile away. When the last act comes around, we are stranded wishing for more. 

There are some redeeming qualities, for instance, Mulligan is terrific. She goes for broke and makes Jenny not some forgettable young teen, but we feel as if she is the woman her Jenny aspires to be. Sarsgaard is serviceable, his accent is terrific, but that may be it. Molina's fiery father is good also, as he provides an occasional spark to the film.

The film was nominated for Best Picture and I can see why. There wasn't a lot to pick from and it probably charmed many academy members, just like the David character.