Spanglish - 7 stars out of 10

Spanglish - 7 stars out of 10

“Spanglish” is an unexpected drama from funnyman Adam Sandler.  On the surface, it might look like a multicultural chick flick but the film has more layers than you might expect.  The key is the well-written script that manages several interwoven conflicts without feeling cumbersome.  The main conflicts require a lot of depth from Sandler, who proves to be excellent in his serious acting, but his quirkiness occasionally takes us out of the moment.  A script this heavy requires comic relief (with great examples from Cloris Leachman throughout the film) but the “Happy Gilmore” passive aggressive dialogue delivery doesn't fit the character.  The real winner in this film is the bond between mother and daughter.  It is interesting because the trailers focus on the love story but the opening narration sets the expectation for the mother-daughter relationship to be the most important plot point.  Paz Vega is a true treat to watch.  Her feistiness is reminiscent of Penelope Cruz while maintaining her own unique identity.  I wish that she had made a larger splash in the American film market.  Téa Leoni plays the erratic, materialistic mother very well.  I think that her performance is overlooked because we don’t like her character, but that is because she plays this bratty character so perfectly that we forget that she is acting.  My final takeaway is that “Spanglish” predicted the foodie trend in film and television that would appear a few years later.  When I first saw this in theaters, the food aspect didn’t leave any sort of impression; however, now that I watch it in the context of foodie culture, I can really appreciate each scene that involves gourmet cuisine.  “Spanglish” is far from a comedy but too quirky to be a serious drama.  As long as you are prepared for something in the middle, this movie will provide you with plenty of great ups and downs.

[Pictured: Amidst the chaos of the story, the best takeaway is a strong sense of familial love]

Days of Thunder - 6 stars out of 10

Days of Thunder - 6 stars out of 10

“Days of Thunder” is an attempt to retheme “Top Gun” into a movie about car racing.  The young hothead that doesn’t follow the rules, the mentor that tries to get him in line, the female authority figure that becomes a love interest, the rival that becomes a friend - it’s all there.  Unfortunately, none of these plot points are done as well as they are in “Top Gun.”  The movie’s full-throttle race sequences are entertaining because of imaginative cinematography and clever editing, but the story is all over the place.  Between a crew chief seeking redemption, a driver learning to race, and a weak love story that feels out of place, it is difficult to identify the film’s identity.  “Top Gun’s” love story is iconic and relevant to the story but “Days of Thunder” would have been better if the love story was completely omitted.  It is used more as a comic device than as a key factor in the transformation of the main character.  On top of that, there is way too much unnecessary swearing for an action movie about NASCAR.  If you removed the 90% of profanity that has no bearing on the plot and a suggestive love scene, this film could carry a PG-rating, making it ideal for families (these cars are so cool for young boys) but edgy enough to satisfy adults and critics.  The acting is a bit of an anomaly.  The performances of Robert Duvall, Michael Rooker, and Tom Cruise (in his racecar driver capacity) are all well done.  But once Cruise’s character dons his romantic side and pairs up with Nicole Kidman, both actors suddenly lose their charm.  The love story is so inconsequential that it makes the characters unlikable.  The real story is between the driver and his mentor.  “Days of Thunder” is not the most original film nor is it the most interesting.  If you watch this film, be prepared for stereotypes alternated with breathtaking race sequences.

[Pictured: Tom Cruise makes a great racecar driver but the love story is weak]

Kevin Nealon: Whelmed, But Not Overly - 7 stars out of 10

Kevin Nealon: Whelmed, But Not Overly - 7 stars out of 10

“Kevin Nealon: Whelmed, But Not Overly” is an hour-long stand-up routine by comedian Kevin Nealon.  Much like a Jerry Seinfeld routine, he reflects on normal, everyday life things to which we can all relate.  Nothing about the content is particularly shocking or funny but his comedic delivery keeps you laughing.  The content is not overly crude but this is not a movie that you will want to watch as a family.  The highlight of the documentary is the segment on “crop dusting,” a term that I had never heard before but now I want to hear more stories!  Honestly, the only reason that I watched this movie is because of the extremely clever title.  “Whelmed, But Not Overly” won’t change your life but it will definitely give you a good laugh if you are looking to pass the time.

[Pictured: Nealon’s words are simple but his delivery is hilarious]

The Bridge on the River Kwai - 8 stars out of 10

The Bridge on the River Kwai - 8 stars out of 10

“The Bridge on the River Kwai” is not what generally comes to mind when you think of a WWII epic.  Instead of tanks, air raids and gun battles, this film focuses on the Prisoner of War camps where soldiers were forced into labor and unjust punishment.  I loved the content of the film but 2 hours and 40 minutes was way too long to tell this story.  Everything develops so slowly that it becomes difficult to stay focused.  It is celebrated as one of the greatest films of all time but I can’t find any reason that this film should have beat “Twelve Angry Men” for the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars.  I don’t even think that it is as good as “Witness for the Prosecution,” another Best Picture nominee from 1957.  Still, Alec Guinness puts on an Oscar-winning performance and several of the film’s iconic scenes have etched their imprint onto cinema history.  I feel nostalgic during the “Colonel Bogey March” sequence, the hot box scene is very raw, and the “What have I done?” concluding scene is excellent.  Even though this movie came out 20 years before “Star Wars,” it is hard to watch Guinness without thinking about Obi-Wan Kenobi the entire time.  Ironically, I believe his Oscar-nominated “Star Wars” performance to be better than his performance in this film.  I would even go as far to say that Charles Laughton, Henry Fonda, and Lee J. Cobb were all more deserving of the 1957 Oscar.  The acting in this film is good but the scenery, cinematography, and screenplay are what you will remember.  “The Bridge on the River Kwai” is a significant part of cinema history but its legacy is tainted by several other films of its era that contain superior acting and dialogue.

[Pictured: The film is long, but its worth watching the entire thing for this surprising conclusion]