Movie Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN
Release: August 9, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Simon Curtis
Screenplay by: Mark Bomback
Based on the novel by Garth Stein
Producers: Neal H. Moritz, Patrick Dempsey, Tania Landau
Cast: Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried, Gary Cole, Kathy Baker, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Martin Donovan and the voice of Kevin Costner

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN Official Channels
OFFICIAL SITE: TheArtOfRacingInTheRainMovie.com
FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/ArtofRacingMovie
TWITTER: Twitter.com/TheArtOfRacing
INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/ArtofRacingMovie
HASHTAG: #ArtOfRacing

Based on the best-selling novel by Garth Stein, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is a heartfelt tale narrated by a witty and philosophical dog named Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner). Through his bond with his owner, Denny Swift (Milo Ventimiglia), an aspiring Formula One race car driver, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition and understands that the techniques needed on the racetrack can also be used to successfully navigate the journey of life. The film follows Denny and the loves of his life - his wife, Eve (Amanda Seyfried), their young daughter Zoe (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), and ultimately, his true best friend, Enzo.

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The Art of Racing in the Rain is the latest dog movie to hit theaters.  It is unabashedly a pet lover’s film. Any pet will do; dog, cat, chinchilla.  Racing invites those audiences who read the best-selling book by the same title, as well as everyone who has ever seen any incarnation of a pet movie (Marely & Me, Hachi, etc.) and adds to that anyone who enjoys films about human compassion.  Racing is for everyone.   

You don’t have to have a personal investment in pet to appreciate the adorable Enzo’s (the dog) philosophies about personal interactions. Even as a puppy, Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner) provides an insightful, almost sage, view of the world around him. Enzo’s perceptions of the world, brilliantly told in Costner’s voice, drives the movie like a one of Denny Swift’s (played by Milo Ventimiglia) cars.

The plot points weren’t groundbreaking.  There were complications and obstacles that have been done, especially in dog movies, but just when one started to piece together the predictable plot on one’s own, there was an extended close-up shot of Enzo’s furry face to make people stop caring that they knew how the rest of the story was going to go.  It went in cycles; complication, predictability, and cute dog close-up... awwwww.

Still, it is worth the price of admission. The cast sold the story. They appeared to actually enjoy their story and that made the audience want to like it, too. Every bit of Racing felt genuine and sincere.  It’s lighter fare, a PG movie in a rated R world. It was a pleasant escape. 

The Art of Racing in the Rain is playing everywhere now. Give it a look... and bring tissues. 

#Miami Win Passes to #MammaMia2 @ AMC Aventura 7/17

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Director: Ol Parker
Writer: Ol Parker, Richard Curtis
Starring: Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep
Social Handles: Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | IMDb
#MammaMia2

In this sequel to Mamma Mia!, Sophie learns about her mother's past while pregnant herself.

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Enter below to win passes to MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN at AMC Aventura on 7/17/2018 at 7:30pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

These tickets are on a first-come, first-served not guaranteed basis. Arrive early to secure your seats.

Movie Review: Gringo - #GringoMovie

GRINGO
Release Date: March 9, 2018
Director/Producer: Nash Edgerton
Writers: Story by Matthew Stone / Screenplay by Anthony Tambakis and Matthew Stone
Producers: Rebecca Yeldham, Charlize Theron, Beth Kono, A.J.DIX, Anthony Tambakis
Cast: David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, Amanda Seyfried, Thandie Newton and Sharlto Copley

An exhilarating mix of dark comedy, white-knuckle action and dramatic intrigue, Gringo joyrides into Mexico, where mild-mannered businessman Harold Soyinka (David Oyelowo) finds himself at the mercy of back-stabbing business colleagues back home, local drug lords and a morally conflicted black-ops mercenary. Crossing the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal, Harold battles to survive his increasingly dangerous situation in ways that raise the question: Is he out of his depth — or two steps ahead?

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All movies can’t be cinematic masterpieces which alter time and space as we know it. Some of the movies are enjoyable, exclusively, for the laughs.  And that’s a good thing.  This week’s Gringo is exactly that good thing.  

Gringo has a “fish out of water” theme.  A bunch of Americans, all with different intentions, find themselves in Mexico. While fish out of water has been done before, the all-star cast sets Gringo apart. David Oyelowo (as Harold) is great as the good-guy in the ensemble. Usually appearing in more dramatic roles, Oyelowo exhibits nice comedic chops and timing.  Oyelowo was completely believable and relatable as the good guy who is fed-up with coming in last.

Pit Oyelowo’s good guy against Charlize Theron’s (as Elaine) “all bad, all the time” girl, and the audience will not help laughing. The shock value of Theron’s character was awesome.  Elaine was one of those characters who says what other people think, but refuse to say, in public.  Loved how unabashed Theron was in her portrayal.  She went “there,” literally.  (That’s a little joke you will understand when you watch Gringo.)

From the Beatles-loving cartel boss (played by Carlos Corona) to the “used to be fat” wife (played by Thandie Newton) all of the characters were outrageous and enjoyable.  At one point, there are even two Lucha Libre mask-wearing  kidnappers who enter the mix of characters.  The plot was crazy.  It really was. But, the audience won’t care. Everyone will be too busy laughing.  The end of the movie was incredibly satisfying.

Now, a bit of a warning.  Gringo makes fun of everyone and everything.  It pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable behavior, and then it goes just past those. Gringo is not for people who are easily offended.  

That’s not to say that Gringo is perfect.  Joel Edgerton (as Richard) brings down the energy of the film and slows some of its momentum.  That was an issue, because the film is a little draggy in bits.  There is also a subplot with Amanda Seyfried (as Sunny) which is almost completely unnecessary. 

Still, Gringo was a perfect distraction, a funny break with reality.  There are few worthwhile films out in March.  Gringo is worth the time and energy.  Go see it. Take your friends.  Try not to blow your movie beverage out of your nose from the laughter. Gringo is playing everywhere now.

Movie Review: A24's While We're Young

While We're Young

Release Date: April 10th 2015

Director: Noah Baumbach

Writer: Noah Baumbach

Main Cast: Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Adam Driver, Amanda Seyfried, Charles Grodin, Adam Horovitz

Genres: Comedy | Drama

MPAA Rating: Rated R for language

Studio: A24

Official Sites: Web | Facebook | IMDb

Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts are Josh and Cornelia Srebnick, happily married middle-aged members of New York's creative class. They tried to start a family and were unable to — and have decided they’re okay with that. But as Josh labors over the umpteenth edit of his cerebral new film, it’s plain that he has hit a dry patch and that something is still missing.

Enter Jamie (Adam Driver) and Darby (Amanda Seyfried), a free-spirited young couple, who are spontaneous and untethered, ready to drop everything in pursuit of their next passion — retro board games one day, acquiring a pet chicken the next. For Josh, it’s as if a door has opened back to his youth — or a youth he wishes he once had. It’s not long before the restless forty-somethings, Josh and Cornelia, throw aside friends their own age — including Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz in a sly supporting role — to trail after these young hipsters who seem so plugged in, so uninhibited, so Brooklyn cool. “Before we met,” Josh admits to Jamie, “the only two feelings I had left were wistful and disdainful.” But is this new inspiration enough to sustain collaboration and friendship with a couple twenty years their junior?

While We’re Young is an openly funny cross-generational comedy of manners about aging, ambition and success, as well as a moving portrait of a marriage tested by the invading forces of youth. No film has better captured the weird, upended logic of urban sophisticates: the older ones embracing their iPads and Netflix, the young ones craving vinyl records and vintage VHS tapes.

Powered by Stiller and Driver's note-perfect lead performances and loose, comic turns by Watts and Seyfried, While We’re Young is a complete pleasure to watch.

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While We’re Young is the new Noah Baumbach dramedy about what happens to people who grow up only to realize that they are less than enamored with their lives. It’s important that you know this is a Baumbach film because Baumbach wrote, produced and directed the film. It’s a particular style of dry, biting comedy. It isn’t a “ha ha” funny, it’s more of a “ha snicker, snicker” funny. This kind of comedy is not for everyone, but I think that everyone can find some enjoyable parts in this coming of age. By age, I mean later age. Think mid-life crisis coming of age.

While We’re Young follows Josh (Ben Stiller) and Cornelia (Naomi Watts) at a cross-roads in their life. They are, in general terms, a successful, happily married forty-something couple. And, yet, something seems to be missing. Josh has hit roadblock on the production of his pet project. Cornelia may or may not lament that her and Josh remain childless. In come Jamie (Adam Driver) and Jamie (Amanda Seyfried) as the overly friendly, seem to have everything Josh and Cornelia want, new friends.

The film plays on the generational gaps. We see how the members of each of the generations view each other and for what each generation is longing. There is even an older generation represented by Leslie (Charles Grodin), the father-in-law of Josh. The young generation is shown to be longing the success enjoyed by the middle generation. The middle generation wants the freedom enjoyed by the young generation. And Leslie wants to stay true and relevant. I appreciated that the audience can see themselves in a little bit of all of the generations. I enjoyed how the old “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence” is displayed at some point by all of the characters. Everyone thinks that everyone else has it better. So, I chuckled. I chuckled at the film, and at myself for occasionally falling victim to the grass is always greener concept.

The first half of the film was superb. There was a clear plot. I loved the script and the humor. I could relate to the characters. Really enjoyable. The second half of the film left me wanting more. The plot seemed to fall apart a little. Things got a little crazy. People started taking hallucinogens. Josh starts acting weird, and not because of the drugs, but because of some voyage of self-discovery. Suddenly, the voyage ends and I wasn’t sure if Josh had entirely discovered himself. The film left some issues unresolved.

Still, it’s a good film. If you enjoy Baumbach’s work, you will enjoy this. I enjoyed the cast. Ben Stiller is great in a lot of movies and it was good to see Charles Grodin on film. I can’t remember the last time he was in anything. He still has it. Also, look for Ryan Serhant! He’s a native Texan and fellow Houstonian. If you follow reality TV, he’s on one of the real-estate shows. He has a bit part as a hedge fund manager, and he did a great job. Don’t take my word on this film, go check out While We’re Young when it opens this Friday.

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