Newlyweds (2011)

A newly married couple deals with the drama sparked by a visit from the husbands' flighty sister.

If you're a fan of Ed Burns, check this one out. The writer/director of The Brothers McMullen, and She's The One offers up this intimate film about, well... intimacy. Buzzy and Katie live in NY. Buzzy loves his new marriage because he works days and she works nights, thus making his new marriage the man's futile dream--one big, no-drama newlywed vacation.

Until, that is, his butterfly of a sister arrives unexpectedly from L.A. to light up the drama. Throw in Katie's bitter older sister and her rocky marriage, Katie's starving artist ex, and you've got the makings of a nice Ed Burns Irish Stew (not too Irish this time...)

Kerry Biche is adorable in this film-- I mention this for when you watch it, smile, and say, "who is this girl?"

This is an obvious love-note to NY and Woody Allen--no problem there. Rumor has it that this film was made for only $9,000 in 12 days. Lots of handheld shots, some of it in semi-documentary style, some of the locations look like someone's apartment...who cares--it works. Burns' script is true, human, and funny and that's all you need.

Quickie Synopsis
Deal
With
Family


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Cedar Rapids (2011)

This is the adventure of a naïve small-town insurance salesman attending a big out-of-town convention. Who better than Ed Helms to play the idealistic, childlike Tim Lippe. He hooks up with a wonderful trio of cronies, Isiah Whitlock Jr, John C. Reilly, and Ann Heche.

This could’ve been an easily forgettable romp--there’s plenty of sex, drugs and debauchery to go around. But it’s not. There’s a real solidness to it; a sweetness to the story. A man’s (albeit a goofy man’s) coming of age, and the value of friends, honesty, and ethics.

It’s a well-woven blend of really hysterical moments and also some very tender ones. It can go slightly over the top at times, but hey, it all works. Not preachy or overly sugared with sentiment. But you feel it. Ed Helms has a big part in that, his genius is making you feel sorry for him while you’re laughing at him. Wonderful stuff.

And he can rock the lame sweaters as well as Pacino can rock the shades.

John C. Reilly really nails the obnoxious jerk/goodguy combo role, and thank you lord, Ann Heche in a part that I could actually tolerate her in. Sigourney Weaver, Kurtwood Smith (the bad guy in RoboCop), and freckled Alia Shawkat are 3 very nice treats as well.

This is a fine popcorn or date movie. Very gentle with good laughs and a feel-good vibe. And it ended perfectly by the way.

Quickie Synopsis

Manchild
Comes
Of Age


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The Paper Chase (1973)

The struggles of a Harvard Law School student. Timothy Bottoms is solid and thoughtful as James Hart, a first-year law student. He is completely awed and terrified to the point of puking by the dreaded Professor Kingsfield. John Houseman won an Oscar for playing this sarcastic, intelligent and caustic giant. If you want essential John Houseman, this is the movie to see.

Lindsay Wagner plays Hart's love interest and daughter of the feared professor. Some very fun characters show up in the likes of Graham Beckel, Edward Herrmann, and Craig Richard Nelson as Hart's study group partners.

Love that early 70's feel-- kind of a laid-back outer coating revealing a ball of stress nestled on the inside. Even if you are not a law student, this is a very smart movie with some characters you will not forget, trust me. An overused word these days, but Kingsfield is EPIC.

Quickie Synopsis

I
Train
Your Minds



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Smoke Signals (1998)

Victor, a young troubled Coeur D'Alene Native American, travels off the reservation on a personal quest for some kind of truth about his estranged dad.  Tagging along is his cousin, Thomas, a chatty, bespectacled Indian storyteller.

Ultimately this is a story about love, regret, and redemption.   All wrapped up in a tongue-in-cheek, yet reverent  look at modern Native American life on a reservation.  Victor is  bitter and angry--annoyed to no end at Thomas’ chatting and storytelling, his nerdy look and medicine-man-wannabe persona;  yet something in Thomas is pure and wise, containing ancient wisdom.

One of the beautiful things about this film is the ability to focus on something that would initially seem trivial, especially when larger issues are at stake.  Of course this would be frybread.  Frybread is a simple dough of flour and yeast, fried in oil, and is a Native American staple.  Victors mother, Arlene,  is proud of her frybread.  Thomas tells grandiose, epic stories about Arlene’s frybread.  Suddenly it’s not so trivial anymore.

Evan Adams, who plays Thomas, gives one of those performance that might seem caricatured and over the top (you will be mimicking him after the movie, I promise you), yet is formidable and captures the truth at the same time.  Hard to do, and he nailed it.

This is a sweet and lovely film that is haunted with ghosts of the past and the future.  As a father, the ending got me pretty good.   Not one to be missed .

PS, after watching this again, I actually tried making frybread, and it was AWESOME.

Quickie Synopsis

Fry
Bread
Power

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Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

A man heads deep into the hills to become a mountain-man and tangles with nature and hostile Crow Indians.
Wow.  Magnificently filmed, with a great story, and directed by Sydney Pollack, so there is no way yer going wrong with this one. 

Robert Redford makes the handsomest mountain man you'll ever see.  Will Geer and Stefan Gierash are 2 very memorable fur-clad pals.  These are men that have chosen the life of hunting, bushcraft, and trapping in solitude; in one of the most glorious and dangerous places on the planet.

It's not about sitting cross-legged around a fire and singing Kumbaya.  Johnson must deal smartly with various tribes of local Indians, the US Government, dangerous animals, the harshness of nature, and people he meets along the way. You get the very real sense of constant urgency, danger, and beauty.  From the seemingly small act of making a fire, to making life and death decisions--it's constant.  He's surviving.

Forget garbage like Bear Gryllis climbing a rock wall behind a McDonalds in Aspen.  This movie puts you right up in the Rockie mountains close up, and it's fantastic all the way around.

Quickie Synopsis
Day
To
Day

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The Kings Speech (2010)

Wow what a beautiful film about King George VI and his speech therapist helping him with an awful stammer. The added weight of impending war with Germany gives the needed urgency. I liked this facet of it, and it worked flawlessly, much as it did in Remains of the Day.

Now I am a boorish American, I'll admit that. But I love British films that deal with the throne, great wealth, aristocracy, butlers, fox hunting, and "you may have some more port if you desire, but do not come into the drawing room"-type stuff (maybe cause my name is Earl, maybe cause its SOOO different than my experience.

Great emotional impact in this film thanks to Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. This is a solid, quiet story about self worth and redemption done up without all the Hollywood hoopla, rising cheesy music, overdone reaction shots, etc. If anything could be called "lovely", this movie would be it.

I could watch Firth stutter all day, have Rush benignly stare at me for months, and hell, I'd even curtsy and gush repeatedly for Helena Bonham Carter.

Quickie Synopsis

I Have
A
Voice

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Strange Days (1995)

A charismatic hustler and intense limo driver attempt to solve nasty murders against the backdrop of a chaotic, riot-filled city as an apocalyptic New Year of 2000 approaches.

Ex-cop Lenny Nero is a purveyor of black-market tapes that you can play directly into your cerebral cortex and fully experience moments recorded from other peoples lives--Lenny deals in these tapes--having sex, skiing in the alps, robbing a bank, whatever you desire he can get it for you. But when Lenny comes across a tape with some hardcore nastiness on it, all hell breaks loose and he's in the middle of it.

Holy cow, what a great cast. Ralph Fiennes is Lenny; fast-talking, charismatic--offering up fake Rolexes whenever cornered. Angela Basset, intense and beautiful and cutting some serious muscles yum yum yum. Delicious heavies; Michael Wincott with that gravelly voice of death, Vincent D, Onofrio, and William Fichtner as the evil partner cops (duh, of course!). Nice selection of groovy punk thugs as well. Juliette Lewis shines as the ultimate steamy rock n' roll slut and misplaced object of Lenny's affections.

Tom Sizemore- the only thing to say is, what's not to like? He's cool as a greased cucumber in this movie. (did I just type that?) If you're one of the poor bastards who doesn't know who Tom Sizemore is, watch this movie--then you'll get it. I think Sizemore should be a new verb.

Set in the near future beneath a backdrop of deteriorating cities, martial law, rioting in the streets, hookers mugging Santa Clause right out in the street :( , and the apocalyptic New Years Eve of 2000 ominously approaching, this plays out something like a Humphrey Bogart movie on acid. The good solid characters keep it on track though.

I know it's 16 years old, but I just saw it last night, and I swear to god, every time I watch this movie, it gets better. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by James Cameron....they must have been schtupping during the production of this movie, cause it's so damn GOOD!

Quickie Synopsis
Are you
jacked
In?

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Jackie Brown (1997)

An aging down-on-her-luck stewardess, gun dealer, and bail bondsman aim to bring a load of money into the country under the nose of the cops.  One of Tarantino's least Tarantino-ish films, and one of his best. The casting is simply brilliant with Pam Grier as the beautiful aging stewardess (nom-nom-nom!), and Robert Forster as Max Cherry, the lucid bail bondsman.  You want to punch Bridget Fonda as the snotty, lazy surfer girl.  DeNiro gives an understated and precision performance as Lou, a dopey ex-con.

Of course, stealing the show in this one is Samuel L. Jackson as hyper-cool gun runner Ordell Robbie.  If you liked him in Pulp Fiction, you'll love him in this.   Also, a very cute chemistry between Forster and Grier.  Grier is so damn good in this movie, poised, smart, tough, vulnerable and sexy as hell.

Quickie Synopsis
The Good
The Bad and
The Greedy

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Mary and Max (2009)

Claymation feature-length story of a pen-pal relationship between Mary, a lonely 8-year old Australian girl, and Max, an overweight, middle-aged, troubled recluse in New York.

This film features the most original and skilled claymation you will see. However, beware, Wallace and Gromit, it is not. Some serious issues going on here, including alcoholism, depression, mental illness, sexuality, suicide, death, and violence. And for your pleasure, presented in the most charming and often hysterical way.

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette offer up their voices for the main characters. PSH absolutely nails it with a spot-on Jewish New York accent and perfect sensibility for the troubled Max. The mighty Barry Humphries (Dame Edna) narrates.
Max suffers from Asperger syndrome, which is an autistic-like disorder that plagues him with a crippling disconnect from other people, coupled with obsessive behavior. He's smart and fully aware of his problems, like so many people are in the world today.


Wow. Painful and beautiful, and often funny-as-hell.

Quickie Synopsis
Shy
and
Troubled

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Gun (2010)

An ex-con joins up with an ambitious inner-city gun runner.  Written by and starring the charismatic 50 Cent and co-starring a pudgy and intense Val Kilmer.  2 good reasons to watch this.  Another is the great inner-city visuals and intimate nature of this flick.  Yet another is James Remar as the flustered detective, and of course, AnnaLynne McCord; smoking hot in this one. In a couple of scenes, she actually out-CharlizeTheron's Charlize Theron! (watch it, you'll get my drift).   Simple plot, nothing too crazy here. But a warning: the movie does idolize guns, especially with 50 Cent toting the mighty .500 Smith and Wesson Magnum, the most powerful handgun on earth, used mainly by Alaskan bush pilots to kill giant grizzlies. Every gangbanger in North America will be drooling and camping out in line for one of these babies once they've seen the movie. (hey man, it is what it is....).  Very capable attempt by 50 Cent, and fun to watch.

Quickie Synopsis
Slick
Bang
Boomhttp://earlsmoviepicks.blogspot.com/

Slap Shot (1977)

A failing minor-league hockey team resorts to violence and shenanigans to increase their popularity.  Wild bloody fun on the ice-- great hockey characters like ice-maniac Ogie Ogilthorpe and Clarence 'Screaming Buffalo' Swamptown.  Many of the actors in this film were professional hockey players, so this is considered by many to be kind of an inside-joke of the hockey world.  Hugely entertaining.  The childlike and ultra-violent Hanson Brothers are not to be missed. 

Quickie Synopsis
Can't skate
Then
Fight

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Komome Diner (2006)

A Japanese woman opens a diner in Finland specializing in rice balls.  Ok, sounds like a Kanye tweet, but in fact, this is a gentle little movie focusing on our hero Sachie, her wish to make her eatery successful, and relationships along the way.  Not so much a foodie movie, although there is some of that; more like a nice little place to hang out for a while.  Perfect movie for your nonviolent mother-in-law.  Don't expect Bruce Willis jumping away from explosions in slow motion--ain't gonna happen here.   If I was bouncing around Finland and saw this place I would totally bop in for a cup of joe.  So enjoy.

Quickie Synopsis
Riceballs
Win Over
Fins?

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The Fifth Element (1997)

Ex-military cab driver Corben Dallas must save the world by teaming up with sexy redhead "supreme being".  Luc Besson went deliciously overboard on characters, aliens, special effects on this one.  Pure fun from start to finish.  I could watch Milla Jovovich speaking alien gibberish all day.  Chris Tucker steals it downright as Ruby Rhod, a zany futuristic DJ.  Fantastic casting, with Ian Holm as wry Father Cornelius the priest, and Gary Oldman as the evil ZORG.  When folks get real nervous in the future, chocolate syrup drips from their heads.  How can that be wrong? 

Quickie Synopsis
Big
Bada
Boom


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District B13 (Banlieue 13) 2004

A cop and ex-thug try to find and diffuse a neutron bomb in a futuristic Paris ghetto.  High-action flick, made very special by the 2 leading stars Cyril Raffaelli, and David Belle.  Both men are highly trained, master stuntmen, very skilled martial artists and specialize in "parkour", which is the insanely groovy art of leaping off walls, balconies, staircases, over cars, and through small bathroom windows.  Which of course makes for fantastic fight and chase scenes.  Expertly filmed with grit, precision timing and pacing. Want real deal action instead of tired, aging Hollywood stars and CGI?  See this one then.

Quickie Synopsis
French
Buddy
Gymnasts

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Ali G Indahouse (2002)

Ok, there are 2 schools of thought on this movie.  1 that it's completely stupid and sophomoric.  2, that it's piss-in-your pants funny. I agree with both.  This rompy flick features the outrageous shenanigans of Sacha Baron Cohen's character Ali G, as he attempts to save his local community center. (btw, he's not ripping on civilians ala Borat or Bruno.  This movie has an actual plot, if you can call it that)   In case you don't know, Ali G is a white suburban-born rapper who thinks he's black.  The gags keep a-coming, and Sacha serves up plenty of laughs.  Don't expect intelligence.  Just enjoy.  Hairy muff?

Quickie Synopsis
White
Rapper
Spazzes

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Alien Nation (1988)

Human detective reluctantly teams up with his assimilated space alien partner to solve a homicide.  A feisty salt and pepper cop drama with James Caan and Mandy Patinkin working off each other so well.  Caan is perfect as the rowdy cantankerous human cop (sporting a Dallas Cowboys t-shirt, of course), and Patinkin awesome as ever, as the earnest  "newcomer" who eats raw beaver and gets drunk on spoiled milk.  The interaction between these two makes the movie, which is done up very tasty and precise.  Watch for heavy alien villian Terence Stamp.  Great stuff and a whole lotta fun.

Quickie Synopsis
Human
Alien
Partners


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The Goodbye Girl (1977)

A single-mom dancer and nutty actor are forced to share an apartment in NYC.  Very funny and crisply written by master playwright Neil Simon.  Richard Dreyfuss' best role by far as the quick-witted, yappy actor, Elliot trying to make a name for himself in the theater.  Marsha Mason overplays it a bit, but it works for some insane reason.  Quinn Cummings is mega-cute as precocious young Lucy.  Forget much of the modern crap that passes as romantic comedy; this is the real deal.  Dreyfuss' comic-bitchy monologues are priceless. 

Quickie Synopsis
Two
Peas
In a Pod

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Sherrybaby (2006)

A woman returns from jail and tries to reunite with her young daughter.  No Hollywood happy endings or cheesy lessons from this one.  It's an all-too-true portrait of Sherry, an idealized addict who is clueless as a bag of hammers as to her own behavior.  Maggie Gyllenhaal is absolutely outstanding.  She is cut and dried as a troubled addict, yet elicits compassion as well.  Brad William Henke and Bridget Barkan are well balanced as her her brother and sister in-law, who have been caring for Sherry's child and have their doubts as Sherry desperately comes back into their lives.  Very well told by writer/director Laurie Collyer.  If you werent  a fan of Maggie Gyllenhaal, you will be after this one.  A real treat is Danny Trejo's appearance playing a pretty nice guy.  Gritty, true and good.

Quickie Synopsis
Ex-con
Wants
Her Baby



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School of Rock (2003)

A failed musician scams a gig as a schoolteacher and teaches a group of 10-year olds to rock out.   This is perfect vehicle for Jack Black, who is majorly nutty and hysterical.  His insane passion for music shines and actually infects the viewer as much as the kids.  Excellent tale of redemption with thorough laughs throughout and great for the family.  His original songs are pee-in-your pants funny.  Cute appearance by young actress Miranda Cosgrove (aka iCarly) The ultimate Jack Black.

Quickie Synopsis
Teacher
Rocks
Out


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Master of the Flying Guillotine (1975)

A one-armed kung fu instructor is hunted down by a blind "flying guillotine' master.
Ok, ok.  Yes, cheesy.  Also magnificent.  Fu Sing Wu Chi (say that fast) expertly wields what looks like a fiercely weirded-out hat on a chain.  But alas, if it lands on your melon, you're in trouble!  Forget plot and all that.  This is pure Kraft Velveeta Kung Fu.  Fantastic fight scenes with an oddball assortment of kung fu masters, running up walls, extending their arms to 10 feet long, and of course, the deadly Flying Guillotine.  Make sure to see the 1975 original, as there are a few in this franchise.  Most likely an inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's deadly schoolgirl Gogo Yubari  in Kill Bill.

Quickie Synopsis
Beheading
From A
Distance

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