Broadway to Hollywood
(The Sun) HAMBURG —
Saturday January 18, 2014
August: Osage County by Tony Baksa
Tracy Letts is an actor/playwright. He is a very good actor and a superb pl...aywright. His Tony Award winning play has been turned into a rather riveting movie starring the equally riveting Meryl Streep. Costarring is a bunch of heavy hitters – all turning in top performances. Julia Roberts leads the pack along with Chris Cooper, Dermot Mulroney, Ewan McGregor, Sam Shepherd and Juliette Lewis.
What Letts has penned is an episode in the life of a family in Oklahoma, the Westons, suffering from extreme dysfunction. The old saying comes to mind; “Everything but the kitchen sink”. I would modify this pertaining to the film - “Everything plus the kitchen sink”. I mean, name it and this family has it. Yet, despite this excess of dysfunction or perhaps because of it, “August: Osage County” is a moving and very entertaining opus.
Front and center is Violet Weston (Streep) - a ball of nerves, weakness, strength and a pulsating mean streak a mile long. Strong-willed matriarch Violet has three grown daughters and a poet husband (Sam Shepherd). The daughters are as different as rock, scissors, and paper. Karen (Juliette Lewis) who lives in Florida flits from one man to another desperately searching for stability. Barbara (Julia Roberts) lives in Colorado with her 14 year old daughter. She seems the most grounded of the sisters although she displays traits dangerously close to her demeaning volatile mother. Ivy (Julianne Nicholson) is the only daughter who has remained home in Oklahoma – unmarried, shy, secretive and shimmering with an aura of sadness.
The family gathers from all parts including spouses and children after the family patriarch goes missing, then is found dead – drowned near his fishing boat. There is some hint that it may have been suicide. This is the dramatic jumping off point of the film so please rest assured that I am not giving anything away. This device of a family gathering after the death of a father is a familiar theatrical cliché - but what a powerful spring board to rich drama and comedy.
The movie is a verbal symphony of rage, sarcasm, humor and eloquence. Streep delivers an emotionally charged monologue near the end of the film about a Christmas present she received as a child that left me breathless. We see why Violet has become such an emotionally broken person - where the seed was planted. It is fortunate that playwright Letts adapted his play for the screen. His writing is not unlike Eugene O’Neill with touches of Edward Albee here and there. There is another monologue delivered by Chris Cooper as Violet’s brother-in-law that is equally powerful and, for me, uncovers the buried soul of this hurting family.
Dark secrets and surprising revelations abound. Mother and daughters lash out verbally and physically - shockingly so. There are plenty of laughs – but another saying comes to mind “It only hurts when I laugh” Despite the comedic quips that are sprinkled throughout – mostly by Streep – this is not a comedy. It is a serious portrait of a family afflicted with a legacy of meanness. These are good people behaving badly. They are all in conflict with their sordid history.
Let me reiterate, despite the serious subject matter, “August: Osage County” is very entertaining. Meryl Streep gives arguably the bravest performance of her illustrious career playing a woman that one would be hard pressed to like. She pulls it off brilliantly straight through to her final devastating moments.
August: Osage County is currently in theaters everywhere.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Saving Mr. Banks
Saving Mr. Banks by Tony Baksa - 12/15/2013
“Saving Mr. Banks” is a movie about
the making of that classic Disney film “Mary Poppins”. It centers on the battle
of wits and artistic control between “Poppins” author P.L.Travers and Walt
Disney. That’s the set-up. In all the promotional material - video and print,
“Saving Mr. Banks” seemed to promise a delicious comedy starring the
irrepressible stars, Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. It is that – to a degree and
it is more than that – much more. To my surprise, this is a rather serious
movie about P.L.Travers’ Australian childhood and how she is deeply haunted by
it. I should say traumatized.
Like many artists, Travers’ emotional
scars are what drove her to create “Mary Poppins” and people it with her family
members as the characters - totally reinventing them – rehabilitating them –
saving them – especially her father. Portrayed sympathetically by Collin
Farrell, Travers’ father was an alcoholic who had difficulty holding down a
decent job. He is a loving man and a startling good father nevertheless. Her mother
(Ruth Wilson) is a fragile and depressed woman with suicidal tendencies. As a child, P.L. Travers was very protective
of them- most especially her father. As an adult writer of fiction, she
continues to protect them by fixing them – making them characters in her books
without the “problems”.
What we get in “Saving Mr. Banks” is
Travers as a fiftyish writer who is living well but going broke. She is being
wooed by Walt Disney for her permission to turn “Mary Poppins” into a movie
musical. Travers would rather eat nails than have her precious Mary Poppins
sing, God forbid. But she does need the money to maintain her comfortable
lifestyle. This comedic battle is juxtaposed with dramatic and very sad
flashbacks of Travers’ unfortunate childhood. It is a jarring back and forth
procedure that shouldn’t work due to the extremes of style from past to present
– yet, it works beautifully. In doing so we have a funny and moving – dare I
say warm and yes, ultimately feel good movie.
The final show down between Disney and
Travers in her London home is so lovely and emotional. Tom Hanks as Walt Disney
is perfect. Very few actresses can play acerbic, bossy and intolerant
characters and yet garner such affection from the audience. Emma Thompson can
and she is - in a word – brilliant. Mention should be made of Paul Giamatti in
a supporting role as P.L. Travers’ assigned driver while in Los Angeles. He is
like a warm and fuzzy Disney cartoon character - enormously likable. Director
John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) delivers another strong statement on the
better side of humanity. This may not be an all-around family film. There are disturbingly
strong and sad images of family dysfunction and death not suitable for children
under 12 years of age – in my opinion. I only bring this issue up because the
TV promos and theater coming attractions stress the comedic side of the movie
and, of course, there is the Disney factor. Unfortunately, the promos do not
fully represent what “Saving Mr. Banks” is all about.
“Saving Mr. Banks” is currently in
limited release. It will open wide December 20th
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
Movie Review: ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ fails to ignite
Wednesday December 11, 2013 | By:Tony Baksa |
So, with eager anticipation, I looked forward to the second installment of the Hunger Games trilogy: “Catching Fire.” Well, dear moviegoers, my expectations were fooled, once again, but not happily so.
“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” seemed endless. The first half of the movie just may be the longest adventure setup ever. The second half was the adventure: the games. I must confess, I was confused and ultimately bored with the games. I began questioning the reasons, motivations and sense of it all.
In the first “Hunger Games,” I accepted all that was put before me. It was so well done that I just went with it, as implausible as it was. Good science fiction and fantasy creates its own logic and convinces you of its possibilities. “Catching Fire” fails on all counts.
Once again, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is chosen, along with her designated mate Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), to participate in the death games. The issue is the same as in the first movie: how to survive. The rules of the games dictate that there can be only one survivor. As validated victors from former games, rule-breakers Katniss and Peeta were promised to live out their lives in peace and prosperity, as national heroes.
Tyrannical President Snow (Donald Sutherland), sensing rebellion and a possible uprising fueled by Katniss’ defiant attitude, changes the rules and puts our heroes back in the ring. It is unfair, of course, but in this unbelievably oppressive society, citizens have no voice and are at the mercy and whim of their evil leaders.
The games should be thrilling, as in the first movie. Instead, they are lumbering, lacking any excitement or momentum. Characters are thrown at us during the games, without explanation about who they are and why we should care. It was all so muddled.
For excitement and intrigue, may I recommend an episode of television’s “Survivor,” which the “Hunger Games” bring to mind. At least on “Survivor,” the characters and their motivations are clear. Plus, episodes run for only an hour – less, if you fast-forward through the commercials.
“Catching Fire” was long – almost three hours. The absolute worst part of this experience is the way in which the movie ends. Well, actually, it doesn’t end; it just stops.
Evidently, an additional two movies will complete the story. You may be left with the feeling like the one you get when you discover the last page of the suspense novel you have been reading is torn out. You are outraged. You promise yourself you will never buy another book at a garage sale. But that book was probably a quarter. “Catching Fire” costs considerably more than that.
What compounds the heavy going is the dismal look of the film. It lacks the flashes of color and light that are necessary for this kind of movie. Simon Beaufoy’s and Michael Arndt’s screenplay also lacks wit and humor.
The one-note performances are disappointing, considering the cast. Lawrence’s returning as the celebrated Katniss may force her to turn in her Academy Award®. Here, she huffs and puffs and stares a lot. Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks are absurd in lesser roles.
The other characters’ performances are so one-dimensional, especially the usually fine Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Sutherland, that, in comparison, Sponge Bob Square Pants may stand out as our finest American actor.
“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is currently in theaters.
12 Years a Slave
Movie review: ‘12 Years a Slave’
Monday November 18, 2013 | By Tony Baksa |
Movies such as “The Grapes of Wrath,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “To Kill a Mockingbird, “Philadelphia” and “Schindler’s List,” to name just a few, are deemed important for what they say and, more importantly, how they say it.
Add “12 Years a Slave” to that list. I cannot say that this movie is entertaining. How can I attach such a description to a film that depicts human sin and suffering with such brutal honesty? There were times when I found this movie very difficult to watch.
The movie “12 Years a Slave” is the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man in pre-Civil War America, who is abducted from his town in upstate New York and sold into slavery. Leaving behind a wife and children, he is brought down to Louisiana, where he suffers incredible and hard-to-watch indignities.
Solomon is a cultured man and a virtuoso violinist who must conceal his education to survive. An intelligent black man in the antebellum South would be considered a threat to his less intelligent master.
The man’s harrowing odyssey is painful to watch. There are images throughout this movie that I would wager have never been seen, on the silver screen. They are shocking and, sadly, feel authentic.
Directed by Steve McQueen, a director of serious repute (“Shame,” “Hunger”), “12 Years a Slave” is a masterpiece. Despite its depiction of the ugly side of human nature, there is beauty to be seen – beauty in the Louisiana vistas, lakes and forests shot spectacularly to seemingly counterpoint the viciousness and deprivation the viewer is witnessing.
McQueen’s brilliance and originality are evidenced in camera placement, composition and pacing. He takes his time, yet the film is not slow-moving. In fact, I would say this movie, at almost 2 1/2 hours, is so riveting that time is of little concern to the viewer.
The screenplay by John Ridley is superb – classic and literate in style. Acted by a cast of non-stars, with the exception of Brad Pitt in a small but pivotal role, McQueen draws out exceptional performances, from the entire cast. There is not a false moment. Special mentions must go to Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon and Michael Fassbender as evil slave owner Edwin Epps. Their performances are towering.
“12 Years a Slave” is simply a work of art. It is not an easy film. It is a brave film that shows the shame of a nation. It does not romanticize the antebellum South, as so many books and movies do. We are seeing the truth, as much as a movie is capable of doing so, for the very first time. “Roots” had a try at it and made some headway. “12 Years a Slave” lays it out – blood, sweat and tears – for all to see.
“12 Years a Slave” is currently in theaters.
Tony Baksa is a Hamburg resident who has spent the majority of his life working in show business. He is the founder and artistic director of Hamburg Theatre Under The Stars. His blog “The Kitchen Sink,” a blog about everything, was named one of the top 10 best new international blogs by Google.
Gravity
The Sun movie review: Alfonso Cuarón’s ‘Gravity’
Sunday October 20, 2013 | By:Tony Baksa |
Tony Baksa – Critic-at-large
HAMBURG — Wow! Or, as they say these days, OMG! What else can one say about a movie that made me jump, gasp and choke up several times, throughout this crisp, thrilling outer space adventure?“Gravity,” The Warner Brothers’ astronaut adventure directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, is the oddest epic I have ever seen.
Aside from its texturally beautiful visuals, all the more radiant in 3D, “Gravity” is, in some ways, formulaic; in this case, that is not a bad thing. It is a good formula spiced up with original details, exciting situations and an Oscar-caliber performance by Bullock. Directed to perfection by Alfonso Cuaron (of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Children of Men” and “Y Tu Mamá También” fame), “Gravity” will leave you breathless.
Bullock, as brilliant medical engineer specialist Dr. Ryan Stone, is brought into the infinity of space to solve a particular problem only she apparently can tackle. This marks her first trip into space.
Her commander is the ever charming Clooney who, in this movie is, of course, ever charming. But he is so likeable and trustworthy as veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski that you are certain he will save the day. Wrong!
That is what is so wonderful about “Gravity.” Within its tried and true formula are plenty of original sidesteps to involve you sensorially, as well as emotionally.
Bullock owns the film. Clooney supports brilliantly, but it is Bullock with whom you will identify.
“Gravity” is an emotional roller coaster and we, the audience, feel every bump, every twist and turn – just like the two leads who are completely alone, tethered to each other and spiraling into the infinite blackness of outer space.
That can especially be attributed to the very smart use of 3D. This is 3D at its best. Just like “Life of Pi” and “Hugo,” “Gravity” respects the technology and delivers an artful visual feast. It isn’t just about objects’ flying in your face. It is about placing you right there in outer space, alongside Stone.
I promise that you will feel as if you are personally experiencing this scary and beautiful adventure. You will feel the sensation of floating, whirling and spinning in outer space, high above the planets.
Three major moments will make you gasp, cry and fill with wonder. Not to give anything away, let me describe a fabulous 3D moment in the film that, for me, was unforgettable. Stone breaks down, as she experiences hopelessness. Her tears fly toward you, filling the screen. One remarkable tear slowly floats forward. As it seems to hover before you – right in your face – you can see the doctor reflected in the tear. It is a stunning moment.
“Gravity” is a compilation of stunning moments. It is a movie about survival. It is a movie about redemption. Its title holds a multitude of meanings: literal, metaphorical and spiritual.
“Gravity” is a must see. It will land on many a top 10 list at the end of the year. It just may be the movie of the year! This movie is currently playing around town.
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