The Internship 

2013

Directed by: Shawn Levy

Written by: Vince Vaugn

                  Jared Stern

Starring: Vince Vaughn

              Owen Wilson

              Rose Byrne

              Aasif Mandvi

              Max Minghella

The film the “The Internship” is funny and very entertaining, it is good. I first heard of the film a couple of years ago when it was being shown in theaters. Who does not know Vince Vaughn or Owen Wilson, right? I did not really pay any attention to it. What the heck, it’s just one of those goofy comedy films.
I briefly went online and read some reviews. All of the reviews that I saw were saying horrible things about the film. Let’s give it a try I said, not unless you’re Pauline Kael or A. O. Scott, then I won’t believe your review and will watch the film and see it for myself.

Earlier tonight, while having dinner, I was checking out what to watch on television. It’s still pretty early in the evening, so maybe I can still watch a movie instead of an hour long rerun of “Law and Order: SVU” or “American Greed”. Then I saw that “The Internship” was just about to start. Ok, let see. I’ll give it a try. If I don’t like the first hour or even the first 30 minutes of it, then it’s fine. I can always find another show to watch if I don’t like it. 

The film is about two friends who are in their mid-30s, who just lost their jobs working as salesmen for a watch company. The company closed down. Billy, portrayed by Mr. Vaughn found out that his house is being foreclosed and his wife is leaving him. His friend, Nick, portrayed by Mr. Wilson eventually finds a job selling beds. They eventually try their luck and eventually land a job at Google, as interns.

It’s is very entertaining and worth watching. Don’t look for some subliminal or some psychosis shit and character complexities. The film has none! It is just plain, simple, funny and enjoyable. I like it, there is  a scene were Lyle (Josh Brenner) says, “Diversity is on our DNA, right? I thought the goal here was to find people with a different kind way of thinking”. They have more sales experience than the age of most of our interns, not to mention our final judgement is always based on a layover test, right?  

 The lines in the film are some of the lines that really hit each and every one of us. It doesn’t matter if you are some math or science nerd or a salesman. I am definitely not a math nor a science nerd. It is just something that we can all relate to.

What I like in the film is first and foremost the setting. It is set in Northern California. The setting takes place at the Google headquarters which is in Mountain View. How can you not like Northern California? There were also some scenes that take place in San Francisco. The Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, California St., The Transamerica, come on? How can you not like it?

Lastly, if there is one thing that I like in the film it’s that it has an appeal to all of us. We can all relate and identify. I can. I did. Especially when Mr. Vaughn says, “I’m a good salesman, I can sell a prosciutto to a Rabbi” or when he says, “Let’s go get drunk”.

If you are looking to just sit, enjoy and relax and want to have some laughs, then go watch “The Internship”.

When all else fails, just hope for the best

Get Him to the Greek
(2010)

Directed by:
Nicholas Stoller

Writted by:
Nicholas Stoller
Jason Segel

Starring:
Jonah Hill
Russel Brand
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs
Rose Byrne

One hot summer afternoon, while walking the streets of New York City, as I was trying to kill time, I passed by a theater on the East Village and told myself that it would probably be nice to see a movie. The film "Get Him to the Greek" was playing and I told myself that it would probably be nice to see the said film. After all, the people behind the films "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Superbad", films I both liked and enjoyed, are the same people behind the film "Get Him to the Greek", I told myself that there is no way I can go wrong. I did not know what to expect and told myself to just sit and relax and hopefully enjoy the what I was about to see.

The film is about a washed out rock star named Aldous Snow (Russel Brand), who hasn't had any hit in recent years and whose last album was a total disaster and a young music executive Aaron Green (Jonah Hill), who suddenly gets a job assignment of his life. Aaron Green was given the task to organize a huge come back concert for Aldous Snow. His mission, to fly to London and bring Aldous Snow to the States to attend TV appearances and promote his upcoming concert to be held at Los Angeles' Greek Theater and most importantly to be at the Greek Theater for his big comeback concert. Oh, there is also one caveat to that, Aldous Snow is not the easiest person to deal with.

I must say that there was never a dull moment in the film. I was actually sleepy and on the verge of falling asleep while waiting for the film to begin and I must say that during the entire length of the film, never did I fall asleep. The film is truly worth watching. It is totally fun and outrageously crazy, in a good way. Let's just say that it was flat out funny and entertaining! Due credit must be given to the two main leads of the film, Mr. Hill, as always, gave a fine comedic performance. He portrayed his character perfectly that I couldn't even imagine any other actor portraying the role of Aaron Green. Mr. Brand on the other hand, acted his role so well that you get to hate him and like him at the same time. Mr. Brand was a total natural. Like any other film, the actors in the supporting role are very vital to the film's success. Indeed, the supporting actors in the film portrayed their roles perfectly and lived up to everybody's expectations. Sean "P. Diddy" Combs was very effective in playing the role of music mogul Sergio Roma. Another character that was very important in the movie and in the dynamics it played not just with the character of Aaron Green but also with Aldous Snow is the role of Daphne Binks. Elizabeth Moss played her role so subdued that it was very effective and credible.

What made the film great was the fact that it was able to show the different emotions and feelings a real person goes through in life. Problems that come along our everyday lives. In a way, it was like art imitating life. The film showed how the character of Aaron Green was at a crossroad in terms of his career and his love for his girlfriend. It also showed the complexity of one man's journey with regard to unresolved issues with his father, as seen in the character of Aldous Snow and Jonathan Snow. After watching the film "Get Him to the Greek", I've pretty much realized that sometimes in life there are things that are way beyond our control and that there will come a time that when all else fails there is nothing we can do but to just hope for the best.

The film "Get Him to the Greek" is playing in select cities nationwide.

Love, not on the first sight

The Proposal
(2009)

Directed by: Anne Fletcher

Written by: Peter Chiarelli

Starring:
Sandra Bullock
Ryan Reynolds
Betty White
Mary Steenburgen
Craig T. Nelson

Quirky, clumsy and a tough boss, pretty much that’s who Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is, in the film “The Proposal”. Margaret, who works as a book editor for a New York publishing company is on the verge of being deported to Canada for disobeying the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services). To make her stay in the United States legal and avoid deportation, she then plans to marry her hard working and loyal assistant Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), much to his surprise! Margaret blackmails Andrew into marrying her or else threatens him that she will ruin his career and his dreams of making it in the field of publishing. He then fires back and demands that he be promoted as an editor in exchange for their so-called “wedding”.

The film “The Proposal” is a light hearted comedy-drama starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. It’s a film for people of all ages which I’m pretty sure will make the people feeling pretty darn good after leaving the theaters. The film shows the Sandra Bullock we’ve all seen before, bubbly, funny and charming, nothing new. But you know what? She is great at it and the audiences love her for that. What makes the film credible is the chemistry between Ms. Bullock and Mr. Reynolds. The two just hit it off from beginning to end. They just click together on screen. It’s nice to see both of them fighting and bickering like children, to being awkward and tense with each other to falling in love. What makes Ms. Bullock effective in the film “The Proposal”, like most of her previous films is that she has no inhibitions with what her role demands. She will do anything and everything just to deliver what her role requires, not just emotionally but physically as well. Sometimes even to the point of looking awkward and goofy, to being naked in the film, well almost naked.

The supporting cast also played a huge role in the film. It is impossible not to notice Betty White’s performance in the film, who plays Grandma Annie. Her one-liners are just hilarious. Her comedic timing is just perfect and right to the punch. This is what makes a great comic, a great comic! Then you have Ramone (Oscar Nuñez) who is really funny, annoying and obnoxious, all rolled into one. Watching the film was a truly enjoyable moment for me. I did not get bored nor did I feel that things were just happening to quickly and I’m sure that the audience would enjoy it like I did.

The film "The Proposal" is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD.

When does someone become family

Gran Torino

(2008)

Directed by:

Clint Eastwood

Written by:

Nick Schenk (Screenplay)

Dave Johannson (Story)

Nick Schenk (Story)

Starring:

Clint Eastwood

Bee Vang

Ahney Her

Christopher Carley

You feel heavy deep inside, and yet feel good. That was how I felt after leaving the theaters from watching “Gran Torino”. Once again Clint Eastwood comes up with a film so great you keep on thinking, what he would do next? The film takes place in the state of Michigan in an Asian community composed of Hmongs. Walt Kowalski played by Mr. Eastwood, recently lost his wife. Three words, grumpy old man that is who Walt Kowalski is. Mr. Eastwood’s performance in the film is so brilliant, you would even think that though Hollywood is obsessed with youth, with the right material, a 78 year old man can get the job done with flying colors, not to mention that he is also the film’s director.

One interesting aspect in the film that is something worthwhile is how the different relationships between the characters in the film develops and just totally disappears or was never existent at all to begin with. The first interesting relationship in the film is between Walt and Fr. Janovich. They did not have any relationship at all, not until the death of Walt’s wife, basically Walt only goes to church because of his wife. Here comes Fr. Janovich reaching out to Walt, first to fulfill his promise to Walt’s wife to make him to go to confession and second, as his parish priest, to make sure that he is doing fine. The second interesting relationship in the film is the relationship between Walt and his family, something that is not good. Through out the film you see that Walt does not have any relationship with his family at all. I felt sad while watching the film but then again, we do not really know what kind of relationship Walt had towards his family, his two children in particular. Was he a loving father? Was he there for his children? Maybe there is a reason while his two sons are not close to him at all. Lastly, and which I think the most important relationship in the film is the relationship Walt has with Thao and Sue. It is very interesting how Walt, develops a great relationship with Thao and Sue. Generations and cultures apart, the three seem to have pretty much got it going. Though Thao and Walt start off on a bad note, they pretty much settle everything and as they say the rest is history. I remember a scene in the film when a gentleman said that there should be a male figure in the home of Thao and Sue. Lo and behold here comes next door neighbor Walt, not in the home of Thao and Sue but more importantly in their lives.

During the first part of the film, I though that the film might be a little racist and prejudiced specially after seeing the trailers. Yes, there are some racial slurs but one thing is clearly seen after seeing “Gran Torino”, race does not matter in order for people to be a part of you life.

"Gran Torino" is now showing nationwide.

The teachings of life

The Visitor
(2008)

Directed by: Thomas McCarthy

Written by: Thomas McCarthy

Cast:
Richard Jenkins
Haaz Sleiman
Danai Gurira
Hiam Abbas







Would you rather have a moment of bliss, only to find out that it will be taken away from you later on? This is what the film “The Visitor” is all about. Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) is a middle-aged college professor, living a monotonous life. A professor of economics at Connecticut College, Walter co-authored a paper, he eventually has to present in New York at NYU. From his home in Connecticut, he goes to New York and stays at his apartment, only to find out that somebody is actually there. His apartment has been rented to Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira) without his knowledge or permission. The two eventually decide to leave but out of kindness, Walter asks them to spend the night. They eventually stayed, and not just for the night. Walter and Tarek immediately develop a friendship based on music. He teaches Walter to play the drums. On the other hand, Zainab is more aloof and cold towards Walter. Tarek is from Syria and plays the drums with a band at a nightclub while Zainab is from Senegal who makes and sells jewelry, both are in the United States illegally.

Things start to get more interesting when Walter and Tarek ride the subway. Tarek gets arrested on the subway and is brought to a holding center in Queens. Mouna (Hiam Abbas) plays Tarek’s mother in the film. Tarek and Mouna have a very close relationship and usually talk to one another almost everyday. Mouna starts to get worried when she has not heard anything from her son. She eventually decides to leave Michigan and go to New York to see Tarek. Eventually, Walter meets Mouna and tells her about her son’s plight. Walter helps out in every way he can just to save Tarek from getting deported.

The film “The Visitor” is a unique kind of film because after seeing it, it gives you a heavy feeling yet it also has that sense of being high in spirits. It shows us the importance of the present and realize how we take things for granted and realize its value when it is totally gone. What makes the film very interesting are the four characters in the film, namely, Walter, Tarek, Zainab and Mouna. Each character is so different yet they seem to find a commonality in all of them and in how they interact with one another. I was really more interested in the relationship between Walter and Mouna, here you are with a middle-aged guy who is probably suffering from a mid-life crisis and a very conservative and submissive woman having probably one of the best times of their lives. Anybody who has seen the film can attest that the performances given by Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Abbas are so subdued that they actually give life to the characters of Walter and Mouna. Both, Walter and Mouna, in a way were responsible for each others’ self-awareness and self-actualization that though life might have its ups and downs, one can feel great, even for a short period of time.

“The Visitor” is released on DVD today

E-mail me at: acinephilespointofview@gmail.com

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A prodigal son's journey

The Grocer’s Son
(Le fils de l’épicier)
(2008)

Directed by: Eric Guirado

Written by: Eric Guirado and Gilles Sacuto

Cast:
Nicolas Cazalé
Clotilde Hesme
Daniel Duval
Jeanne Goupil
Stephan Guerin Tillie





When I was asked by a colleague of mine if I would be interested in reviewing a French film, I immediately said, absolutely! Why not, I have always been fascinated with the French, from the food, to the country (though I have never been there, but one day I will), to the artists and most importantly the movies. That’s why I was very much excited in seeing the film “The Grocer’s Son” (Le fils de l’épicier). I did not really know what to expect. I read the synopsis and pretty much got the idea of what the film is all about, but not quite. I guess it’s not the same as watching the film itself.


The film is about Antoine (Nicolas Cazalé), a thirty year old guy who leaves his family and the town of Provence 10 years ago. All of sudden Antoine is at a crossroads when he finds out that his father is in the hospital and is very ill. Antoine’s parents have a mom-and-pop shop. His mother runs the store, which happens to be at their house, while his father drives the van full of groceries selling them to the residents nearby. Now that his father is sick, Antoine is asked by his mother if he can fill in and do his father’s job. Antoine is reluctant at first, he does not really want anything to do with his family, but as you would say it, everything fell into place, not quite in the beginning but it did, eventually.


What makes the film very interesting and worth watching is the way the characters develop throughout the movie from beginning to end. It’s funny because Antoine is at opposing ends with his father, one of the reasons he moved out 10 years ago. Yet when you see the movie, you’ll see a similarity between Antoine and his father (Daniel Duval). I guess its true when they say like poles repel and opposites attract. Antoine’s character starts off in the film as being a recluse man, does not have a lot of friends and most often than not, does not have a permanent job. Someone who doesn’t see the beauty in life. Someone who is sad, lonely and bitter. Yet when he moves back to be with his family, all of this changes. It’s as if his return has a deeper reason than just helping out his family temporarily but putting a closure to something that was unsettled, discovering the beauty of life and what it has to offer. The movie was able to convey to its audience the dynamics (or lack of it) of a family. From his brother Francoise (Stéphan Guérin-Tillié) whom the parents adored and thought of as being the successful one, yet in reality, deep inside he is living a lie. To a mother who is torn between the love she has for her children and the love she has for her husband. Lastly, one of the most important characters in the film is the character of Claire. Her role in the film is very crucial to the story mainly because of the role that she plays in Antoine’s life. She was basically the catalyst that broke Antoine out of his shell for him to realize that, indeed, life is good.


The Grocer’s Son opens on September 5, 2008 at the Embarcadero Center Cinema in San Francisco, CA, Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley, CA and Lark Theater in Larkspur, CA.




E-mail me at: acinephilespointofview@gmail.com

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