The Giant Mechanical Man - 8 stars out of 10

The Giant Mechanical Man - 8 stars out of 10

"The Giant Mechanical Man" is completely charming.  This slice of real life feels completely natural through its simple language, unique settings, and wonderful acting.  It is the definition of an indie film, using its small cast to bring this heart-felt story to life.  The highlight of the film is Jenna Fischer, who harnesses the character traits of Pam from “The Office” and uses them to create this amiable-but-timid character who can’t find her way.  Chris Messina surpasses his average performance in films like “Argo” and “Devil.”  His character is interesting because he is devoted to something larger than himself and does so with a craft that has rarely been explored on screen, but more importantly, Messina really nails embodies this message through his emotion and non-emotion.  The effectiveness of Fischer and Messina comes from their relatability to just about every audience member, presenting a nice message about finding your place in the world.  Topher Grace is pretty annoying (as his character needs to be for the story to be effective), but it sometimes made me too aware that I was watching an indie film.  The script is great, guaranteeing a few laughs (like the guy poking the monkey) and a few tears (like the meet-cute at the end).  I also appreciate the amount of language that was left out.  It was nice to be reminded of how effective plain, simple language can be.  “The Giant Mechanical Man” easily earns an A and a spot on my list of “must-see underappreciated indie films.”

If a Man Answers - 6 stars out of 10

If a Man Answers - 6 stars out of 10 

“If a Man Answers” is a classic story with witty dialogue and lots of humor… but the story is much better suited for the stage as this movie does not do it justice.  The acting is fine and the script is great, but the addition of fog horn sound effects, narration over unnecessary cartoon depictions, and other annoying elements kill the comedy.  This film screams “overly-cheesy 1960’s comedy” and, in spite of great performances by Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin, it is tough to enjoy the story at times.  The twists (particularly the book and the arrival of Robert Swan) are deliciously clever and, while the story does not go where you expect, it finds the perfect ending.  For a comedy, the characters are rather deep and the situations really strike a chord with relationship conflicts that we have all faced.  I believe that it is easy to enjoy this story because we can all relate to it in one way or another.  I absolutely recommend seeing “If a Man Answers”… on stage rather than on the screen.

The Place Beyond the Pines - 8 stars out of 10

The Place Beyond the Pines - 8 stars out of 10 

"The Place Beyond the Pines" went in every direction but the ones that I expected.  This three-fold story is one of intensity, injustice, and important connections between characters that alter their lives.  The film is truly three movies in one: 1. An intense series of bank robberies, 2. An unjust murder and the guilt//quid pro quo/emotional scars that result, 3. The baggage inherited by the children of these guilty parties and the connections that occur as their paths cross.  All of the acting is top notch and the compartmentalized writing allows us to experience the emotions of Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, and the two teenage boys.  Gosling achieves a sick amount of finesse as this despicable loose cannon, quite a contrast from his roles in "The Notebook" and "Fracture."  His character has the most depth and, even though the other stories create more interest, it is a result of the strong foundation that he sets for the rest of the film.  I love Cooper's segment as he tries to do the right thing while the pressures around him pull him in different directions, and everything is perfectly tied together by the unexpected chance meeting of their children.  This is just an all-around great film whose only disappointments are its excessive language and (in a good way) the intensely depressing subject matter that will surely leave a pit in your stomach, especially during the final few scenes.