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December 24, 2012 | 3:45 pm RSS

Review: ‘Les Miserables’

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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I absolutely loved the Broadway production of 'Les Miserables' created by Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boubill and Jean-Marc Natel. I listen to the show's score in my car whenever I need to feel energized. 

So to say I was really, really looking forward to seeing the film, is an understatement.

I couldn't help but wonder...Would I be disappointed? Would the film version match up to the stage production and would the singers sound as great as the orginal London and New York cast?

No...Yes...Almost.

For those of you unfamiliar with the story, 'Les Miserables' is based on Victor Hugo's monumental 1862 novel about a decades-long manhunt, social inequality, injustice, love and redemption.

Here are the clift notes...

Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) has served 19 years of hard labor on a chain gang for stealing a loft of bread for his sister's child, who was dying from hunger. He orginally got 5 years, but 14 years was added on to his unjust sentance for trying to escape.

Upon his release from prison, Valjean through a series of circumstances, jumps parole and becomes a very successful businessman, as well as a mayor of a small town.

Former prison guard, and now a policeman, Javert (Russell Crowe) is obsessed with finding Valjean and bringing him to justice. In fact the dude is so obessed that he spends 17 years of his life mercilessly hounding Valjean and tracking him from city to city. 

Finally the two men meet at the barricades in Paris during the uprising of 1832.

But before that happens, Javier, Valjean adopts a small child, Cosette, the daughter of the dying Fantine (Anne Hathaway)an ex factory worker/prostitute.

As an aside, Anne Hathaway has gotten rave reviews for her performance. Personally, in my humble opinion, I think Miss H. sobs a way bit too much...especially when she sings one of the most beautiful songs in the show...'I Dreamed A Dream'.

Anyway...Valijean must first rescue the girl from an unscrupulous inn keeper and his wife...the very funny, Sascha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter. 

Cosette grows up to become Amanda Seyfried and she winds up falling in love with Marius (Eddie Redmayne) a wealthy young man turned revolutionary.

To say anymore would spoil the fun and the film is fun...It's also exciting, touching, and quite spectacular, especially visually, thanks to Tom Hooper's brilliant direction, as well Danny Cohen's cinematography and Eve Stewart's production design.

'Le Miserables' is sung, the music is gorgeous and the melodies haunting. Yes it is three hours long, but for me the time flew by.

One of the biggest surprises is that Russell Crowe can sing. Of course not as good as Broadway musical star Hugh Jackman, but he doesn't embarass himself. 

The supporting cast including Samantha Barks as Eponine, the innkeepers daughter, who secretly loves Maris, is excellent.

I gave 'Le Miserables' which opens on Christmas Day, 2012...4 1/2 bagels out of 5.

 

 

 

 

Check out our video to find our John's score and hear our SINGING review.

 

 

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Thanks everyone and please let us know what you think about 'Les Miz'

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December 23, 2012 | 3:37 pm

Review: ‘Django Unchained’

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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Quentin Tarantino has done it again with this spaghetti style western.  'Django Unchained' is set in the South, two years before the Civil War.

Not only has Tarantino created an over the top funny, graphic, violent film, but he also manages to show the horror of slavery in a way, I can't ever remember seeing in a Hollywood film.

 

 

But then again, Mr. T. doesn't do Hollywood films.  He does Quentin Tarrantino films and this one, in my humble opinion is...a masterpiece.

Jamie Fox is 'Django' (the D is silent)...a slave who's been brutalized by his former owner (Bruce Dern)

One day, Gerrman born, retired dentist/bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (the outstanding Christopher Walz) comes across Django chained to other slaves.  Schultz buys him and agrees to give Django his freedom...if Django agrees to help him find the murderous Brittle Brothers.

Only Django knows what they look like and he agrees to help.  In exchange, Schultz teaches him everything he knows about tracking, hunting and shooting.

It doesn't take long for Django to become Schultz's star pupil.  To say the former slave is extremely motivated would be an understatement. Django is determined to find and rescue the his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) whom he lost to a slave trader years ago.

Through a series of flashbacks, we see the sick, cruel, inhumane treatment that Django, his wife, and other slaves endured.

Django and Schultz's search ultimately leads them to a plantation called 'Candyland' owned by the monstrous Calvin Candie (Leonardo Di Caprio in a tour de force performance)

They get into Calvin's plantation under false pretenses...pretending they are interested in buying a slave for fighting. (think 'Mandingo' )

It's here they meet Calvin's trusted house slave, Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson).  Mr. Jackson has never been better as the manipulative, self hating, Uncle Tom.  He's so good in the part, he made my skin crawl.  This is a man that would sell out his own mother just to stay in favor with his master.

Too say anymore, would spoil this brilliant, must see film.

The supporting cast including, Don Johnson, James Remar, James Russo, Dennis Christopher, Tom Wopat, Franco Nero, Robert Carradine and Tarrantino are all excellent.

I gave 'Django Unchained' which opens in theatres, Tuesday, December 25, 2012...5 bagels out of 5. Check out our video to find out John's score and for more of our silly banter.

 

 

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Thanks so much everyone and please let us know what you think of 'Django Unchained.'    .

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December 20, 2012 | 10:17 pm

Review: ‘Jack Reacher’

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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Okay, so here's the thing. I absolutely love the character of Jack Reacher. He was created by British author Lee Childs who has written 18 books, all featuring Reacher.

Reacher is one of my favorite fictional characters. The guy is huge ... 6'5, 250 lbs, blond hair, big hands, big feet, big body ... big everything. The dude is like a house ... a huge house.

He's also gruff and not at all slick. He lives off the grid ... Buys his clothes and underwear wear from thrift stores ... Wears them for a few days, then throws them away and repeats the process ... Reacher says ... 'It's easier and cheaper than washing them.'

Reacher has no driver's license, gets a pension from his days as an MP, which gets deposited in some bank. Jack doesn't own a car, but he sure can drive. If fact, Reacher doesn't own anything. He travels by bus or hitches a ride, as he wanders aimlessly through the United States.

Of course, in his travels, Reacher always encounters some person in need of his help...Even though they don't know it at the time. If there's an injustice taking place, he make it a point, to right the wrong. He can't help himself. It's basically what Reacher lives for.

Jack Reacher is what I call 'an anti hero' ... a bigger than life ... 'anti hero.'

Did I mention, he never loses a fight.

Speaking of fighting ... taking on five or six or seven guys at a time, is a piece of cake for him. Rarely does our guy get a scratch...An ocassional broken nose, but that's about it.

Needless to say, when I heard that, 5 foot 7, Tom Cruise, had optioned Lee's book 'One Shot' and was going to play Jack Reacher, I was appalled. Because...Cruise is no Jack Reacher.

It's more than just Cruise's size ... It's everything.

                    



And for that reason, walking into the theatre to see 'Jack Reacher'' directed and written by Christopher McQuarrie ('The Usual Suspects') I was expecting to hate this film.

Thanks to McQuarrie's script and the brilliant performance of Werner Herzog (yes, the director Werner Herzog) I didn't hate the film. 

The opening shot is riverting...and because of recent events...disturbing. A sniper takes out five people who happen to be walking around on a beautiful sunny day....and we see it all through the sniper's rifle scope.

From here, the wrong man, James Barr (Joseph Sikora) gets arrested for the crime and when he's interviewed by Det. Emerson (David Oyelowo) and D. A. (Richard Jenkins) he writes down 4 words...Get Me Jack Reacher.

Jack Reacher shows up out of the blue, by bus of course...Meets with Barr's lawyer, Helen (Rosamund Pike) and informs her that Barr (who's now in a coma) is 100 percent guilty. 

Through a series of FLASHBACKS we see Barr commit a horrible crime. Which makes us agree with Reacher's assessment.

Despite, Helen's plea for him to stay and help, Reacher declines and hops on a bus heading...wherever.

But before Helen could put her car in first gear, Reacher reappears and sets to prove to her, that Barr is definitely guilty, but to Jack's surprise, he finds out...just the opposite.

'Jack Reacher', which opens in theatres, Friday December 21, 2012, has action, car chases, hand to hand combat, gun battles...Everything you would expect in this kind of genre.

I'm sure if you've never read Child's books, you'll probably have a better time with the film, than John and I did.

I gave 'Jack Reacher' 3 bagels out of 5 and this time, John's bagel score was pretty close to mine.

Check out our video for more of our thoughts.

 

 



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Also we'd love to know what you think about 'Jack Reacher' and if you're a fan of the books or not.

 

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December 20, 2012 | 12:13 am

Review: ‘This Is 40’

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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'This is 40' or as Debbie (Leslie Mann) likes to say...38...Yep, she lies about her age...even to her gynecologist.

Debbie and Pete (Paul Rudd) her husband are turning 40, but Deb just won't admit it...Can't admit it...

                                      

 

Judd Apatow's new film 'This Is 40' is a followup to 'Knocked Up'.  If you've been wondering what happened to those two main characters in that film, here's your chance to find out.

Debbie and Pete are happily maried with two girls, Sadie (Maude Apatow) and Iris (Charlotte Apatow) The family lives in a beautiful, lavish house that they can barely afford.

Pete's indie label isn't doing very well and his next big launch of Graham Parker And The Rumor's comeback record, doesn't look too promising.

Plus someone has stolen $13,000 from Leslie's Lula Lemon type store.  It's either her top salesperson, Desi (Megan Fox) or her pet employee, Jodi (Charlene Yi).

On top of all this, Pete's father, (the wonderful smarmy, narcissitic, Albert Brooks) is constantly borrowing money him...money Pete doesn't have, but he just can't say 'no' to his daddy.

Oh did I mention that Debbie, also has a father (John Litgow) but he couldn't care less about her?  All his affections are for his younger, picture perfect NEW family.

'This Is 40' is an emotionally insightful, hysterically funny film.  It touches on issues everyone can relate to...sex, family, marriage, parents, kids, growing old, and life in general and it does it with Apatow's brilliant, spot on dialogue.

'This Is 40' opens in theatres, Friday, December 21, 2012...a perfect film for the holidays.

Check out our video on our Youtube to find out our bagel score, see Mango do absolutely nothing and of course, for more of our banter.

 

 

Please SUBSCRIBE to us on Youtube and LIKE us on our Two Jews On Film facebook page.

Thanks everyone and let us know what you think about this film.

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December 17, 2012 | 8:24 pm

Review: ‘The Impossible’

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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'The Impossible'  starts out on an airplane. A lovely British family, Maria Bennet (Naomi Watts), her husband, Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three young sons are off to Thailand for an idyllic Christmas vacation. What could be better?

 



When they arrive at their resort, they are even given an upgrade. The family now has a beautiful, luxurious beachfront villa to while away the hours and days. 

After presents are exchanged, everyone heads down to the pool where they join their fellow happy holiday tourists.

The scene is serene...absolutely perfect...That is...until there's a distant rumble. Before anyone can give the noise a second thought...

A TSUNAMI HITS...and Maria and her eldest son, Lucas (the wonderful Tom Holland) are swept away into the rushing water and separated from Henry and the two other boys, Simon (Oaklee Pendergast) and Thomas (Samuel Joslin)..

First I must say the CGI effects are absolutely brilliant. The cinematographer (Oscar Faura) and the director, Juan Antonio Bayona (The Orphanage) decided to shoot this from the tourists POV. 

We see the wave THROUGH their eyes...a dark, brown mass coming toward them, knocking down thick palm trees, hurling cars, lifting buildings and people into the air. . The wave sweeps over everyone and everything.

And then there's Maria...She's knocked through a glass wall, then emerges in the middle of swirling debris. 

Maria frantically searches for her son...screaming his name over and over again...and finally...miraculously...she sees him in the distance. Somehow they manage to reach each other and from here on out...

We watch, as the two of them, not knowing if the rest of their family is dead or alive, struggle to survive. And believe me, at the end of the movie, you feel as if you've been put through the ringer.

Naomi is pitch perfect as a mother who will do anything to make sure her son lives and be reunited with her family.

Ewan McGregor is equally as fine as the father desperately searching for the rest of his family.

The fact that this film, written by Sergio C. Sanchez, is based on a true story, made it that much more intense.

'The Impossible', which opens in theatres, Friday, December 21, 2012, isn't what you'd call 'entertaining', but it's definitely worth seeing and for that reason, both John and myself gave it 3 1/2 bagels out of 5.

Check out our video to see what happens when John forgets the bagels.

 

 

Please SUBSCRIBE to our youtube channel and LIKE us on our Two Jews On Film facebook page. Thanks everyone and let us know what you think about this movie.

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December 15, 2012 | 5:33 pm

Review: ‘Zero Dark Thirty

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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'Zero Dark Thirty' directed by the brilliant Kathryn Bigelow and written by her partner, Mark Boals ('The Hurt Locker') opens with the horrific voices of people trapped in the towers and those on the ground on 9/11

 


 
We then cut to an U.S. facility in Pakistan. The year is 2003. We meet Maya (Jessica Chastain) a recently hired CIA operative. She is being given a lesson on the necessity of water boarding by her mentor, Dan (the excellent,Jason Clark)

 

When the torture victim begs May for help, she replies...'You can help yourself by being truthful'.

From here on, Maya and her small group of CIA operatives go on a ten year pursuit of Osama bin Laden. The film gives us an in-depth study on all the major events that led up to his capture...Including...

The London bombings, Obama's campaign, the various extremely dangerous Navy Seals missions in tracking and capturing one terrorist after another.

Many of the images are disturbing...There are a lot of torture scenes...Of course there is a great deal of violence, but believe me, you will never turn away from the screen.

Personally, I forgot I was watching a film. I was so caught up in the painstakingly detail with which Maya pursued Bin Laden. It's really interesting that even to this day, she's never got public credit for capturing the number 1 terrorist in the world. Says a lot for the CIA'S good old boy network.

Kathryn Bigelow has assembled an excellent supporting cast, including James Gandolfini as the head of the CIA, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Ehle, Mark Strong and Kyle Chandler.

Everything about this film screams Oscar. It has already won many awards and I can see why.

I gave 'Zero Dark Thirty' which opens in theatres Wednesday, December 19th, 41/2 bagels out of 5.

Check out our video to see John's score and hear more of our banter.

 

 

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Thanks everyone and do not miss this film.

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December 13, 2012 | 9:35 am

Review: ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

They're back ... the orcs, goblins, fairies, dwarfs, dragons, wizards, Mr. Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and a cameo by Hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood). Shot in 48 FPS, instead of the usual 24, as well as 3D, Peter Jackson has once again created a visually stunning, exciting and magical film that takes us on a journey through Middle Earth.

The film opens with an aged Frodo (Ian Holm) telling a story. We are instantly transported to the dwarf's kingdom known as Erebor. It's here the little guys are living happily ever after with their gold and gem stones -- hat is until they get a visit from a fire breathing dragon known as Smaug. This is one nasty monster.

He not only destroys the dwarfs home, but Smaug steals the Arkenstone, a beautiful jewel that holds great power. Okay, so after this visually stunning opener, we are then transported to the home of a young Bilbo (Martin Freeman) The little hobbit is living a peaceful, orderly house in Bag End. But his tranquil existence is about to come to an abrupt end.

Out of the blue, Bilbo gets a visit from Gandalf The Grey (Ian McKellan) followed by 13 dwarfs and their leader, the very sexy and very legendary warrior, Thorin (Richard Armitage). Gandalf uses every trick in his arsenal to convince the super relunctant Bilbo to accompany the dwarfs on a trek to find their stolen treasure and reclaim their homeland.

Little did Bilbo realize that this journey would be an adventure of a lifetime ... One that takes him and the dwarfs into the Dark Mountain where they encounter treacherous lands swarming with goblins, orcs, deadly Wargs, giant spiders, sorcerers ... and of course ... A creature known as Gollum (Andy Serkis) and his Precious.

It's here, inside an underground lake, after finding a ring, Bilbo must discover the depth of his courage, as the fate of Middle Earth hangs in the balance.

For those of you who can't get enough of 'The Hobbit' don't worry, this is the first in a trilogy. Did I love this film as much as I did 'Lord Of The Rings'? ... No ... At times the comedy was a bit too much and bordered on corny.

As for the 48 FPS, I didn't mind it. But I do know many people who absolutely hated it.

Also I would have liked to see more of Cate Blanchett (Galadriel), Hugo Weaving (Elrod) and Christopher Lee (Saruman), but I'm sure their parts will be expanded in future films.

'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' opens in theatres Fri., Dec. 14 and I do urge everyone to see it, whether you're a fan or not. It's a sensational piece of filmmaking by Mr. Jackson. Not perfect, but really, really good.

Check out our video to find out our bagel scores.  Hint:  Mine is considerably higher than John's.

 

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Thanks everyone and please share your thoughts with us.

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December 4, 2012 | 9:16 pm

Review: ‘Hyde Park On The Hudson’

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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'Hyde Park On The Hudson' is the story of a love affaire between FDR (Bill Murray) and his distant cousin, Margaret Stuckley (Laura Linney) centered around the weekend in 1939 when King George V1 aka Bertie (Samuel West) and his wife, Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Coleman) came to visit. George is in the United States to ask Roosevelt for financial help with Britain's impending war with Germany.

 

 

By the way, this is the same King George that took center stage in 'The King's Speech. That's right...the King who stuttered.

The film was directed by Roger Michell ('Notting Hill') and written by Richard Nelson. It's a very interesting study about a man who was laid back, funny, shrewed and a total player.

This guy loved women and apparently, even though he was confined to a wheel chair from contacting polio as a child, he never let his handicap stop him from getting it on with many, many ladies, including his long time secretary Missy (Elizabeth Marvel)

Unfortunately, Eleanor (Olivia Williams) knew all about his affairs, but like all good and loyal 'first ladies' she stayed by her husband's side and made the best of it. Of course, she accomplished incredible things in her own right, but that's another movie.

The film opens with Roosevelt summoning Margaret to his vacation home in Hyde Park on the Hudson.. She's quite surprised by the invite since she hasn't seen the President in years.

The Commander In Chief starts his seduction by showing Margaret his stamp collection, followed by long drives in the country, and finally, FDR, ever so delicately takes Margaret's hand and places it on his...Well you can use your imagination to figure out the rest.

The main reason to see this film of course, is Bill Murray's excellent performance as Roosevelt. Quite a stretch from the guy we first met on Saturday Night Live.

This is also a film for anyone who loves history, which I do and for that reason, I gave 'Hyde Park On The Hudson' which opens in theatres, Friday December 7th...31/2 bagels out of 5.

Check out our video for John's bagel score and for more of our thoughts.

 

 

Please SUBSCRIBE to us on our youtube channel and LIKE us on our FACEBOOK page. Let us know what you think of this film. Thanks everyone.

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