In Review: "Woman in Gold"

A movie about the power of art and its connection to the past.

The Story

It's the true story about a woman who wants to get back a painting of her aunt that was stolen from her. The painting is one of Gustav Klimt's most famous paintings-- "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I" otherwise known as "Woman in Gold", Oh, and the people who stole it from her-- the Nazis. Years later, when she is an old woman, she wants to get it back but by then, the painting has become the prized possession of Austria, nearly impossible for her to retrieve. But with the help from a out-of-luck lawyer, she travels back to Austria and back to the shadows of her past to get back what is rightfully hers.

The Stars

Helen Mirren plays the main character Maria Altman, a woman of unpredictable gumption and spunk. As expected, Mirren is comical and lovable while being the sassy grandma you wish you had. Ryan Reynolds has a complicated character to play. Randoul Schoenberg, great-grandson of the famous composer Arnold Schoenberg, is kind of a pathetic character who seems to be way over his head with this case. From the beginning, the only thing the audience sees is his failures and the fact that he is related to this semi-famous person. We can't possibly understand why this old lady asked this inexperienced kid to help her win this lifelong case. But then we see him grow, just a glimpse. It's not a full blown character transformation, but we get a glimpse of why this case means so much to him. And it's enough to tolerate his character and crack a smile at him every once and a while.

The Message

Art is a living breathing piece of the past that stretches across generations, across centuries to remind us to move forward. Art was all the freedom these people had. They could not speak up but they could sing. They could not hold protests but they could hold a cello in their arms and play. They could not look upon their loved ones anymore but they had the objects they left behind. She had the painting. Now I pray that there will never come a day when a single man can seize the world in a crippling fear. But the only way to do that is to remember that it did happen and millions paid for the fear and hatred of others with their lives. And to this day, there are still wrongs to be righted, possessions that have not been returned and scars that have never healed. But for this woman this painting this canvas of color and shine healed a piece of her broken heart by reminding her that our home is not where we live or where we were born. But the people we share our lives with. They mean everything.

Overall

This case is not what you watch CSI for, or SVU or even the West Wing. There are no dead bodies. No murder weapons. No scandals. It's a paper case driven by hard facts and started by people who are already buried in the ground. You shouldn't watch this movie for the thrill of the case. And most people won't understand this woman's connection to a piece of art, and why, when she is so old, does she still need to get it back.

The people who should watch this movie is someone who is fascinated by art. Not just thinks walking through an art museum is a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon. But someone who really gets it. Really feels for the artist who slaved over the a canvas for months, sometimes years, to create something out of nothing. Doesn't have to be someone who is artistically gifted. Just someone who understands why artists paint, draw, sing, play, dance, write and whatever else they feel like doing. Someone who is appalled by the injustice of art being destroyed, outlawed, art programs in schools being ended, and art being hidden from sight. That's what this movie is about. It's about a terrible injustice that was done many years ago-- their art, their lives, their souls were stolen from them.

3 out of 4 Paintings

(This is the real life Maria Altman with the famous painting of her aunt)

If this is a subject you are passionate about, here are more movies and documentaries about the art of WWII:
"Monuments Men" (2014)
"The Rape of Europa" (2006)
"Adele's Wish" (2008)
"Stealing Klimt" (2007)
"The Train" (1964)

In Review: "The Hundred-foot Journey"

In Review: "The Hundred-Foot Journey"

Only after seeing this movie did I realize this summer has been a really bad movie summer. Like really not good. Sure, my geeky side loved "Guardians of the Galaxy" and have know added Chris Pratt to my list of superhero crushes (including Andrew Garfield, Chris Hemsworth, and Henry Cavill), but I haven't seen many really good, review-worthy movies that I dart home to my computer to scribble down something. Not until this one.

"The Hundred-Foot Journey" is a member of the food film genre, a rich genre that does tend to get forgotten and put into the independent film category that no one ever remembers, except for film buffs like me. But this film just summed up why food films need to be brought to the center of attention - food is about life.

The Story

The Kadam family owns a small but thriving family restaurant in India until an attack forces them to move to France in search of food with soul and a place to rebuild their lives. They are lead to a small French town and a broken down old restaurant across the street from a very famous classic French cuisine restaurant run by Helen Mirren. The Kadam family, with food protege and youngest son Hassan as the head chef of the family's kitchen, must learn how to fight back against Mirren's tactics to bring the family and their restaurant down.

Along the way, Hassan learns more about the range of his talent, meets Marguerite, a sous-chef at Mirren's restaurant, and finds the meaning of why food is so powerful in the right hands. It brings us home.

The Stars

Helen Mirren is Helen Mirren. I'm just gonna assume all of you know how spectacular this woman is. Manish Dayal, who plays Hassan, is a newcomer to the world of the silver screen, only having been in a couple small roles. Dayal brings beautiful passion to this film. As the hero of the film, we are constantly rooting for Hassan and trying to figure out what is going on in that head of his. Dayal is able to flawlessly show his vulnerability which makes us feel for Hassan in real way. Om Puri, who places the father of the Kadam family, perfectly portrays the hotheaded guardian who only wants to protect and fight for his family. His character has great transformation in this film and it flows naturally for Puri.

The Message

There is a very simple and complex term in food films called the Madeleine. The Madeleine is different for every person and many people have more than one. It is a food that is connected to a memory, and the memory is so strong that the intense the food touches your tongue, you are transported to this time and place of your memory.

"Ratatouille" has a fantastic example of how this actually works.

Have you ever had that? Hassan has one too in this film after he tastes a traditional Indian dish.

Madeleines just show how powerful food is. It can introduce us to new cultures, new places, new people. It can bring us back to a time and place that we used to know. There is tons of research on why it is so critical that families share at least one meal together at a table every day. That is because sharing food with someone changes you. Together you are having the same wonderful experiences and you are able to share them.

This film also stresses the importance of never forgetting where you come from. Even if you are exiled because you are the only one on the block who speaks a different language, listens to different music, has different clothing, and eats different foods, you should never be ashamed of who you are and the place and people who raised you. You are always welcome to go out and explore the expansive world and try all new things, but never forget to come back and remind those people who raised you how much they mean to you.

Overall

I know exactly why I love this movie so much. The director, Lasse Hallstrom, also directed "Chocolat" (2000) and (1993), "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" (2009). Only two of the most heartfelt films I have ever seen, and one is also a food film. No wonder this one was so good.

Like I said, it has been my favorite movie this summer. I recommend it to anyone who loves food. You don't have to be a chef or know anything about French and Indian culture. Because just like good food, this movie will leave you feeling completely satisfied.

Other Food Films (now that I have you thinking about good food films):
-Babette's Feast (1987)
-Chocolat (2000)
-Mostly Martha (2001) or No Reservations (2007) (same movie but one is in German and one is in English)
-Big Night (1996)
-Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)
-Julie and Julia (2006)
-Tortilla Soup (2001)
-Waitress (2007)
-Fried Green Tomatoes (2007)
-Pieces of April (2003)
-Soul Food (1997)

In Review: "Monsters University"

In Review: "Monsters University"

The classic pitfall for any movie franchise is the sequel/prequel. Nothing can every out do what was originally done. Please, if you know of any sequel/prequel that outshines its original, tell me. I really can't think of one.

"Monsters University" does what I think a prequel should do. It pays homage to the original without outshining it and giving us more of what we loved from the original. "Monsters Inc." (2001) had spectacular characters, as Disney has become known for. The idea was creative and innovative, yet something that everyone could relate to. We all thought we had monsters in our closets at some point in our lives, but what do those monsters do when they're not scaring us?

The Plot

James P. Sullivan aka Sulley (John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) were the best scarers at Monster Inc. in our last movie. Now we are going back to the greatest four years of their lives, college. Mike and Sulley had to learn how to become scarers.

Before Mike ever knew Sulley, Mike wanted to be the best scarer ever. One day when he was little, he went to Monsters Inc. on a field trip. One of the scarers told him Monsters University was the best scaring school. That day getting into MU became Mike's dream. When he did, he never expected Sulley, the lazy, famous-father-having bully to come along. The two did not get along at first. But we all know they end up becoming the best of friends.

This movie includes the normal crazy college happenings, in a G rated way. No drunken parties to worry about exposing the kids to.

The Cast

(This is Dean Hardscrabble)

Our original furry friend and one-eyed buddy are back with the same great duo. But mostly, that's all the returning talent. There are tons of new characters though, including Helen Mirren as Dean Hardscrabble. There were moments I was so convinced it wasn't her. Helen Mirren could never be a scary monster. But she is... Charlie Day, Sean Hayes, and a returning Disney-goer Dave Foley also lend their voices to the film. Foley played Flik in "A Bug's Life" (1998).

The Message

College is a time to discover yourself. Discover your passion, your true friends, and who you really are. This heartfelt movie is about being yourself no matter what anyone else tells you. It's a great message for anyone- no matter if you are entering the wonderful world of college, saying goodbye to it, or hanging on in the real world. 

In this world, we have forgotten to dream with our whole hearts. This movie gives us a little reminder that no matter how rough things get and no matter how many times someone says you can't do something, you just gotta keep trying and dream big.

Overall

This movie was very cute. It did a good job referencing the original material and making something new. But it could not outshine the original. I liked the film, but wasn't in love with it. There was a lack of a real villain which always causes plot problems. Although this film was creative, I don't think it was able to bring anything significantly new to the Monsters Inc. world. It was only referencing the old stuff.

2.5 Out of 4 Screams

(These are scream canisters. They hold children's screams that power all of Monstropolis)