Gil Mansergh’s Cinema Toast
New Releases for 4/05/13
Jurassic Park 3D (PG-13)
Starring: Sam Neil, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Samuel L. Jackson
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
The 20-year-old movie about reverse engineering dinosaur DNA and cloning the creatures to live free on a Pacific island, has been re-engineered to be a 3D extravaganza. No matter that the “kids in peril” (Ariana Richards, Joseph Mazzello) on the screen are now old enough to have kids that same age, or that the Spielburgian plot points are very, very obvious, this breakthrough film still manages to scare us down to the depths of our “we once lived in caves” heritage. This time, pay attention to the brilliant characterizations by Jeff Goldblum as the chaos-theory scientist, Wayne Knight as the money-mad thief, and Bob Peck as the hunter/gamekeeper soon to become lunch.
3 pieces of I’m not sure if it’s worth the extra bucks for 3D toast
Evil Dead (R)
Starring: Jane Levy, Jessica Lucas, Shiloh Fernandez, Lee Taylor Pucci
Directed By: Fede Alvarez
The press notes say this is an homage to Sami Rami’s The Evil Dead, but what they neglected to mention is that it lacks any wit or intelligence or empathy with the multiple victims.
Gil doesn’t screen slasher films
The Place Beyond the Pines (R)
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, Bradley Cooper, Ray LiottaRose Byrne, Bruce Greenwood, Ben Mendelson
Directed By: Derek Cienfrance
Well-acted, but still overly melodramatic with an unbelievable string of coincidences to hold things together, this tells the tale of a motorcycle stunt-driver who begins to rob banks when he discovers he has an infant son who needs his financial support. The filmmakers have unwisely crammed in a couple other stories involving political and police corruption, and sons trying to impress their daddies, then spiced it up with motorcycle stunts speeded up to look more dangerous.
2 pieces of you need to suspend your disbelief big time for this one toast
The Revolutionary Optimists (NR)
Starring: Amian Gangguly, Kajahal Kahar, Priyanka Mandal, Salim Sheikh, Sika Patro
Directed By: Maren R. Monson, Nicole Newham
A story about a young girl forced to work long hours in a brick factory who repeatedly counts her meager savings hoping it has grown to be enough to let her learn to become a tailor, sounds like a fairy tale set in the distant past. But, it is today in the slums of modern India, where an attorney empowers children to become agents of change for themselves, their families, their community and their country. In a cynical age, this optimistic tale of hope is very rewarding.
3 and 1/2 pieces of documentary as optimism toast
The Playroom (NR)
Starring: John Hawkes, Molly Parker, Olivia Harris, Ian Vateto
Directed By: Julia Dyer
The teens who live in the suburban house in 1975, routinely empty the ashtrays and pick up the emptied glasses left by the parents the night before. When a neighborhood couple drop by for an adult Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?-style evening, the kids head to the attic playroom to share their fantasies of escaping their dysfunctional parents.
2 pieces of feels like a stage play toast
Island President (PG)
Directed By: Jon Shenk
The incredible tale of President Mohamed Nasheed and his struggle to save his beloved Maldeves Islands from disappearing as the sea levels inexorably rise. This special Thursday Night at 7:00 event is a co-presentation of the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival and Rialto Cinemas, and is followed by a discussion led by SSU professor Shepard Bliss and the deputy director of the Climate Protection Project, Barry Vessar.
3 and 1/2 pieces of the world is changing toast
NEW DVD RELEASES
The Kid With a Bike (PG-13)
Starring: Thomas Doret, Cecile de France, Jeremie Renier, Fabrizo Rongione
Directed by: Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne
An abandoned youngster named Cyril breaks out of the orphanage and sneaks back to his father’s apartment house to retrieve his bicycle. When the authorities arrive, he clings to a woman neighbor named Samantha, and refuses to leave until he can see his old (and now empty) apartment. Samantha finds the bike and returns it to the boy, and Cyril asks to visit her on the weekend. The mercurial Cyril is a handful—running, jumping, racing, fighting, yelling, and constantly demanding attention. In contrast. Samantha is a free-spirited individualist who sees life as a glass half-full. The two work well together, especially when confronted with the stark reality of Cyril’s unloving and unrepentant father.
3 and 1/2 pieces of beautifully identifiable French toast