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Page 2 of 4 The Golden Door (Nuovomondo)Miramax
directed by Emanuele Crialese
starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vincenzo Amato, Francesco Casisa, Filippo Pucillo
The opening sequences of Emanuele Crialese’s drama about early 20th century immigrants leaving for America are stunning; once we leave Italy and board the ship to their new life, the movie forsakes realism for expressionism, and the breathtaking visuals dominate characters who are little more than glorified stereotypes. Crialese does have a painterly eye and his magical cinematographer Agnes Godard never ceases creating astounding shots. Antonio Castrignano’s musical score fluctuates between subtle underscoring and overkill, which also describes Crialese’s ultimately frustrating film.
Extras: Martin Scorsese intro; making-of featurette. The Heartbreak KidUniversal
directed by Bobby and Peter Farrelly
starring Ben Stiller, Malin Åkerman, Michelle Monaghan, Jerry Stiller
By now, everyone knows what they get from the Farrelly Brothers: sick-humored, politically incorrect comedy, with Ben Stiller usually in the lead role. I’ve never been a fan, but I must admit that “The Heartbreak Kid” has moments of gut-busting comedy, especially when Stiller’s character discovers that his beautiful bride is a closet psycho. Malin Akerman does wonders playing that misogynistic caricature, and Michelle Monaghan is also a plus as Stiller’s post-wedding love interest. Too bad Stiller himself is such a zero as leading man; Charles Grodin, in the superior 1972 original, was far more appealing.
Extras: deleted scenes; gag reel; Farrellys commentary; interviews; making-of featurettes.
InterviewSony
directed by Steve Buscemi
starring Steve Buscemi, Sienna Miller
This remake of late Dutch director Theo van Gogh’s incendiary drama about a volatile interview between a frivolous actress and a serious journalist has been curiously muted by director/star Steve Buscemi. Van Gogh’s original had at least some of his righteous anger at everyone and everything, but Buscemi avoids confrontation. As the actress, the underrated Sienna Miller gives another superlative portrayal; Buscemi, on the other hand, fits the part of a conscience-less journalist to a “T.” Yet the couple has no chemistry, which is fatal.
Extras: interviews; Buscemi commentary; van Gogh featurette. The Last LegionLionsGate
directed by Doug Lefler
starring Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Aishwarya Rai, Peter Mullan
Doug Lefler’s swords-and-sandals epic clocks in at 100 minutes, its leanness both a positive and a negative: the movie’s momentum never wavers, so there’s little down time; that there’s no fleshing out of characters militates against weighty dramatic impact. Luckily, a superior cast (Colin Firth, Peter Mullan, Ben Kingsley, Aishwarya Rai) makes this story about the fall of Rome and forging the sword Excalibur watchable throughout.
Extras: deleted scenes; director commentary; behind-the-scenes featurettes.
MolièreSony
directed by Laurent Tirard
starring Romain Duris, Laura Morante, Fabrice Luchini, Ludivine Sagnier
This fictionalized telling of episodes from the great French playwright’s early career is a painless time-waster masquerading as a gorgeously-detailed costume drama. Several excellent actors (Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini, Ludivine Sagnier and the delectable Laura Morante) play this romp to the hilt and make something funny and real out of what could have been merely amusing. At least the filmmakers of this forgettable but diverting comedy–including four screenwriters–had the sense to steal chunks from Moliere’s plays for plot and dialogue.
Extras: director commentary; making-of featurette.
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