Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'Green Hornet' and 'Another Year'
(KCBS) - KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews the film starring Seth Rogan, Jay Chou, and Cameron Diaz. Plus 'Another Year' with Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen.
Another Year (PG-13)
Between Somewhere and Blue Valentine, mind numbing depressing films seem to be everywhere. It is far easier to show the downbeat and sad rather than creatively meeting life's challenges with illumination or uplift. This movie takes place over one year in the lift of a happily married working class British couple, played by Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen. Like so many British films, these are people we can identify with and relate to because they look, act and feel like actual people and not vixen/victim or man-boy Hollywood stars. We meet their very desperate younger, unmarried friend, played beautifully by Lesley Manville. This is an Oscar-worthy performance, filled with nervous regret and smiling despair. This film is worth seeing for the acting as well as the solid, sad storytelling, which will play fine on DVD.
The Green Hornet (PG-13)
Here's another example of mainstream Hollywood making movies for twelve year old boys..and not bright ones. They buy the merchandise, come that all important first weekend in groups, come over and over again and sell big overseas with fast action and non cerebral comedy. This is as non-cerebral as it gets, and a true business deal rather than a movie. Rather than create new life into the superhero, such as The Dark Knight or The Incredibles, we get a rich boy slacker, played by usually good Seth Rogan, who can never get it right except when aided by Cato, well played by Jay Chou. Though good actors like Tom Wilkinson and Christoph Waltz show up, there's not enough plot or dialogue here to give the action any context or interest. Cool stuff goes fast, blows up, makes noise. Cameron Diaz is tacked on like females usually are in these movies, reminding boys tht girls don't matter much when it's a chance to engage in slapstick and fight.
Jan recommends these films to see now: The King's Speech, Made In Dagenham, Inside Job
Jan recommends these films to rent now: The Social Network, Howl
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