Archive for June 22, 2010
RAW: Grown Ups – Film – Out Thursday
Jun 22nd
When their high school basketball coach dies, his old and only successful team reunites after 30 years to mourn and celebrate the July 4th weekend. Lenny (Adam Sandler) is now a successful Hollywood agent and his wife, Roxanne (Salma Hayek) is big in fashion. Rob (Rob Schneider) is into natural medicines and therapies while Marcus (David Spade) is still a rampaging single. Together they join with teammates Eric (Kevin James) and Kurt (Chris Rock), their wives and children in a lakeside cabin, the boys’ old hunting ground. From there some predictable mayhem ensues.
Directed by Dennis Dugan and co-written by Sandler this is no classic but ideal school holiday fare. The humour is a combination of sight gags and potty jokes but they keep on coming and the film never lets up the fun even in its more sombre moments. As such parents will enjoy as much as the children and the poignancy of how the generations of children have moved on as wealth and status needs have escalated are well handled and will resonate with the older generation. All the icons of holiday season in the US are there – the lakeside retreat, water fun parks, July 4 fireworks and the total mix of characters ensures chaos reigns supreme.
A light, fun and agreeable school holiday flick with Sandler, Spade and Schneider in great form.
Kryztoff Rating 3.5K
RAW: I Am LOve – Film – From Thursday 24th June
Jun 22nd
When an industrial baron leaves the Recchi business to both his son, Tancredi (Pippo Delbono) and grandson, Edoardo (Flavio Parenti) tensions appear in this Milanese family. Edoardo is young, highly principled but somewhat naive and when he introduces his former athletic competitor, Antonio, into the house as chef, his mother, Emma (Tilda Swinton) seeks solace with him in place of Tancredi, her cold but devoted husband.
Written and directed by Luca Guadagnino, I Am Love is superbly shot with lavish sets and scenes that invoke all the wonders of enormous wealth and northern Italy. Swinton dominates the film and does a supreme job, in Italian. Her role is sure to win many prizes. Parenti is also excellent and his expose of the wealthy son wishing the best in the world and for his family is convincing. The clash between what is meant to happen in such a family and the reality is magnificently conveyed. The musical score also adds mightily, making nuanced emotions turning points and bringing together the enormity of the film’s conclusion.
The trouble is Swinton overly dominates the picture and at times the pace drags almost to a halt when more time spent on the motivations and experiences of the very many bit characters may have been more useful (or don’t have them at all.) Her husband, a key player, is hardly known at all by the end.
A visual and emotional treat, especially for Swinton fans.
Kryztoff Rating 3.5K