Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'We Need to Talk About Kevin'

You can hear KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl's movie reviews on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM Fridays at 8:53am & 4:53pm.

(KCBS) – Jan Wahl reviews " We Need to Talk About Kevin," starring Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly and Ezra Miller.

Listen To Jan Wahl's Movie Review

WE NEED TO TALK TO KEVIN (R)

After the cinematic storytelling and uplifting effect of "Midnight in Paris," "The Artist," "Hugo," "The Help," and "My Week with Marilyn," among others, it's time to remember many bad films are made and packaged to sell. "We Need to Talk About Kevin" (R) is a true disappointment. It is about a subject tragically in the news, an example of movies being relevant and timely. We meet a mother who is sure her son is evil, though he puts on a normal mask for everyone else. That story could have been revealing, interesting or illuminating. Here it is stretched into a long, confusing look at her breakdown, a great opportunity for star Tilda Swinton to suffer and star in repetitive montages. John C. Reilley is her ineffectual husband, but we never see them talk about Kevin because nothing beyond a horrific long scream happens in this movie. A waste of talent and important subject. No hats.

CRAZY HORSE (NOT RATED)

In "Crazy Horse," (not rated), Frederick Wiseman is world famous as a documentary filmmaker, giving us unforgettable looks into mental asylums, boxing, ballet, politics and domestic violence. There is usually style and substance to a Wiseman documentary, but this time it is all style and no back-story. This will not matter to those who want an experience in eroticism with no back-story. We are apparently behind the scenes at a famed Parisian nightclub. This could have been fascinating. But, it's voyeuristic, superficial and, 134 minutes - too long. In the world of sexual empowerment and liberation, subjects that deserve to be highlighted in this environment or at least the sweat and personalities behind the gloss - any of this would have made this film better. As it is, it's another exploitation of nude women as objects and nothing more. No hats.

See Right Now: "The Iron Lady" and "My Week With Marilyn," "Hugo," and "Albert Nobbs."

Watch On Video/DVD:
"Midnight in Paris," "50/50," and "The Way," "Moneyball," "The Big Year," "Puss In Boots," "Tower Heist,"  and "J.Edgar."

See Now:

"The Iron Lady" and "My Week With Marilyn," "Hugo," and "Albert Nobbs," "A Separation," "The Artist," and "The Descendants."

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