"Winter's Tale"

 

Colin Farrell (Peter Lake) and Jessica Brown Findlay (Beverly Penn) sell a fated tale of star-crossed lovers in the 19^thcentury. A dying heiress falling in love with a thief trying to rob her family's mansion and on the run from his master. After her death, the story leaps to 2014 where amnesiac Peter runs into a sick child and her mom (Jennifer Connelly) and bonds with them. But the most sentimental moment happens when someone from his past appears and validates his existence.

Directed by Akiva Goldsman, "Winter's Tale" is marketed as a fantasy romance that endures through a century, touching themes like miracle, fate, destiny mixed with mythical white  light, time-travel and reincarnation, against the backdrop of a wondrous wintry wonderland.

If you're drawn to the film based on the romantic trailer and A-listers (Farrell, Connelly, Russell Crowe, Eva Marie Saint), know that the movie is something else. Sure, the love story is there, but it's not the core of the story. It's good versus evil – with a flying guardian horse, satan and demon in tow – and fulfilling one's life purpose.

While it's a noble theme, the demon (Crowe) becomes a central character (not to mention unnecessary appearance of an unintentionally laughable Lucifer) and the connections between Peter and present-day characters are not adequately established for us to care. The film would have been much better off sticking with an eternal love story or having the protagonist fulfill his future destiny that is connected to his past.

“Winter's Tale” feels distant and disconnected. It should have been magical. 

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/movie-reviews-winters-tale-and-the-monuments-men/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/kzedalc
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/kzedalc

"The Monuments Men"

 

It should have been momentous.

Based on true events, directed by George Clooney (“The Descendants,” “Ides of March,” “Up in the Air”) and starred by A-list cast (Clooney, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin), “The Monuments Men” is a World War II drama shot from a unique angle; art scholars in search for priceless artifacts, historical and cultural treasures stolen and hidden by the Nazis.

However, instead of letting the audience invested in their journey, we don't know any of these characters. They're not recognized by their specialties, we don't know why they're picked, why they're paired off, split up or reunite in their sojourn.

It could have been a dramatic story where the stakes are high and the team is racing against the clock to locate and protect these masterpieces. And lives lost in an effort to preserve our cultural heritage, which represent human existence and society's way of life, and thus worth saving for future generations.

Instead, the film plods from one scene to another without any real direction, underlined by a jovial tone. The comedic snippets are entertaining enough, but that's not what the film should be remembered for.

“The Monuments Men” feels like a monumentally wasted opportunity.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/movie-reviews-winters-tale-and-the-monuments-men/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/kfwh5lu
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/mt7gkdy

Upcoming Movies: March 2014

 

[Originally posted on 2/23/14

March 7
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" (http://www.grandbudapesthotel.com/) - The adventures of a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars and the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend.

"300: Rise of an Empire" (http://www.300themovie.com/) - Greek general Themistokles leads the charge against invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy.

March 14
"Need for Speed" - Fresh from prison, a street racer who was framed by a wealthy business associate joins a cross country race with revenge in mind. His ex-partner, learning of the plan, places a massive bounty on his head as the race begins.

"Enemy" - A man seeks out his exact look-alike after spotting him in a movie.

March 21
"Muppets Most Wanted" (http://muppets.disney.com/muppets-most-wanted) - While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick.

"Divergent" (http://divergentthemovie.com/) - Set in a futuristic dystopia, a teenager seeks to break free from her homogeneous society that divides people based on human traits. She leaves her faction and joins a rival group, where she falls for an older man.

March 28
"Noah" (http://www.noahmovie.com/) - The Biblical Noah suffers visions of an apocalyptic deluge and takes measures to protect his family from the coming flood.

"Sabotage" - Members of an elite DEA task force find themselves being taken down one by one after they rob a drug cartel safe house.