The Big Lebowski - 2 stars out of 10

The Big Lebowski - 2 stars out of 10

I tried to see the charm in “The Big Lebowski” but just couldn’t find it.  This movie is just way too bizarre.  I understand that the Coen Brothers are “The Coen Brothers” because of their unique style, but the mindless rambling of this script feels like a waste of time when compared with the Oscar-winning script of “Fargo” a year earlier.  It is unfortunate to see a quality cast that includes Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, and Philip Seymour Hoffman used to create such a mediocre result.  They also introduce great characters like John Turturro’s Jesus and Sam Elliot’s “The Stranger,” only to disappear with less than 5 minutes of screentime.  There isn’t anything wrong with the acting; rather, this is a script issue.  There is nothing wrong with a screenwriter using to profanity to create realism in a scene but this is a prime example of swearing for the sake of swearing, to the point that we become desensitized to the meaning of the words.  Several segments in this film have no purpose other than the glorification of crudeness.  If they eliminated all of the unnecessary dialogue, the constant flow of profanity, and the random departures from the plot, this film would be 8 minutes long.  I actually found the story to be pretty interesting, ridiculous as it may be, but its presentation was too bizarre to make any connection to these characters.  It is a shame because the rambling of the script distracted from a genuinely inspired performance by Bridges.  You might enjoy this film if you adore the work of the Cohen brothers; otherwise, “The Big Lebowski” will leave you disappointed, confused, and annoyed.

[Pictured: This sums up where I believe that this movie belongs]

Nova: Ground Zero Supertower - 6 stars out of 10

Nova: Ground Zero Supertower - 6 stars out of 10

Nova digs into the darkest chapter in American history to show and amazing story of perseverance.  “Ground Zero Supertower” chronicles the 9/11 Tragedy, the argument about what should be done with the land, and the engineering challenges facing the crew that built the tallest building in the United States.  From the bathtub-like foundation to the Subway restaurant suspended a thousand feet in the air, the construction of this building is far from conventional.  The greatest part of this documentary is the homage paid to the victims of the terrorist attack through the segment on the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.  The thing that elevates this documentary is the emotions on the faces of the curators who put together this museum.  “Ground Zero Supertower” is a good reminder of our country’s past tragedies but, more importantly, the ability to persevere and grow stronger.

[Pictured: A fitting memorial for our powerful nation]

The Search for General Tso - 6 stars out of 10

The Search for General Tso - 6 stars out of 10

Who knew that there was so much history behind General Tso’s Chicken!  Whether you like Chinese food or not, you can’t help but be interested by the many misconceptions of who General Tso was and, more importantly, our Americanized misconception of what General Tso’s Chicken actually is.  The most interesting section of this film examines Chinese immigrations by tracing the roots of the Chinese restaurant in America and its spread throughout the United States.  It also explains why “Chinese food” doesn’t actually taste like Chinese food.  “The Search for General Tso” won’t completely blow your mind but it is definitely informative, clever, and brings a greater knowledge base to something that we have all encountered in our lives.

[Pictured: He found General Tso!  Well, not exactly.]

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit - 7 stars out of 10

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit - 7 stars out of 10

“Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” is a new take on the classic character from Tom Clancy’s novels.  Unlike previous movies that feature the Jack Ryan character like “Patriot Games” and “The Sum of All Fears,” this story was not adapted from a novel.  Ryan is brought into modern times and portrayed at a younger age compared to when Harrison Ford played the role.  Chris Pine does a fine job as Ryan with charisma and intrigue, but the real highlight of this film is Kenneth Branagh.  Not only did he direct the film, but he also turns in the best performance as the film’s villain.  From an Oscar-nominated role as Henry V 25+ years ago to a Russian villain, Branagh reminds us of his ability to adapt to any role (while directing!)  Keira Knightley also turns in a nice performance, showing the refinement that has developed in her acting since the days of “Pirates of the Caribbean.”  My favorite scene of the entire movie is her rouse that allows Ryan enough time to hack the system.  My main issue with this film is that the complexity of the story isn’t tempered with an easily understood explanation.  Even when Kevin Costner asks him to explain it like he’s an idiot, I still had to rewind it to make sure that I understood the plot correctly!  It has its slow moments and implausible moments but still created a nice blend of action and psychological excitement.  Probably the biggest surprise was the lack of a surprise.  I expect a big perspective-changing twist from films like this but there was none.  There is nothing wrong with a straightforward action film, but once you add this level of intrigue you expect some sort of twist.  “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” isn’t my favorite of the Jack Ryan films, but it does justice to the character and takes you on a wild ride, even if there isn’t a twist.

[Pictured: Pine and Branagh are a perfect match]

No No: A Dockumentary - 9 stars out of 10

No No: A Dockumentary - 9 stars out of 10

“No No: A Dockumentary” is a story of rebellion, shocking actions, but most importantly, perseverance.  Dock Ellis was no stranger to controversy.  Whether he was showing up to practice with curlers in his hair or infamously pitching a no-hitter while high on LSD, he was the bad boy of the Pittsburgh Pirates and then several other teams.  The title of the documentary refers to the no-hitter, but there is a lot more to Dock’s story.  Through Dock, we get to see the hidden secrets of a totally different era of baseball.  It is pretty surprising to hear of the big name players who used drugs and the wild parties that would’ve gone viral if social media was around.  But Dock’s drug and alcohol usage went beyond that, spilling into practices and a very ugly domestic life.  This film has a very logical progression, beginning with his pitching abilities and then following a chronological telling of his career.  The most important section of this film is the last.  This is the story of Dock’s retribution.  After the endless controversies and self-destructive nature, he put down the bottle for the final time and entered rehab for his drug addiction.  From that point on, Dock devoted his life to helping prison inmates and ballplayers with a career as a drug counselor.  The heartfelt testimonies of those whose lives he transformed are poignant and emotionally stirring.  Dock may not have been the best role model, but “No No: A Dockumentary” is a lasting image of a man who hit rock bottom and then found retribution by sharing his story with others.

[Pictured: Dock was always at the center of controversy]

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio - 8 stars out of 10

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio - 8 stars out of 10

"The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" has one of the clunkiest names but one of the most fascinating true stories.  If the story of Evelyn Ryan was fictional, it would seem a bit mundane.  But as soon as the words "based on a true story" appear, this becomes a heroic tale of an anything-but-mundane housewife.  I expected to half-watch this film as I did work but I was immediately taken by its unique style.  It feels so 50's, from the video slideshow flashback to the jingle singers mingling with the real world.  The style is complimented by excellent performances by Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson.  Moore's layered performance expresses her disappointment with her husband while maintaining a stiff upper lip to hold her family together.  Her face does not always reflect her feelings, and yet we know.  Woody does the opposite with dynamic acting that brings a true sense of intimidation to his character while still breaking to show his insecurity.  The most wild thing is the unconditional love of Evelyn.  In most movies, she would have left her husband or had him arrested, but in real life she was able to immediately forgive his abusive and irresponsible actions because of the hardships that he faced. She redefines the word "selfless."  The expertly written script builds the tension between the two of them, first starting with an almost comical scene and then slowly revealing the seriousness as the film progresses.  I was also very impressed with Ellary Porterfield as Tuff but wanted to see more of Laura Dern.  Since this script is based on the memoir of Tuff Ryan, I'm sure that the characters of Kelly and Ray the Milkman are negatively exaggerated, but that is part of what makes this story so fascinating.  We get to see it from the perspective of an adult reflecting on her childhood.  "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" is the complete package with a family that you can root for, a constant source of conflict, and an amazing story of perseverance that is enhanced by a revealing of the successes of this family's lineage.

[Pictured: The shopping spree scene is one of my favorites]