Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'The Angels' Share' & 'Room 237'

(KCBS) – KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews "The Angels' Share", a Scottish film about a man trying to straighten out his troubled life after being inspired in a whiskey distillery. Jan also reviews "Room 237"

KCBS Entertainment Reporter Jan Wahl:

 
THE ANGELS SHARE (R)

Winner of the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, director Ken Loach gives us the tale of a young Scottish man (Paul Brannigan) who is has a criminal mind and associates with a violent crowd. All that changes when he finds himself a as a new father and he becomes determined to give his son a good life.

Once the thugs and fights end—about half way into the film—a story about whiskey makes the movie fun, touching and gets us rooting for a band of misfits. The title refers to the 2 percent of whiskey distilleries lose to evaporation. It fits this eventually charming Scottish film that thankfully has subtitles.

Two & 1/2 hats.

 
ROOM 237 (NOT RATED)

This eccentric, subjective documentary reminds us that filmgoers can turn obsessive, spending time, money and their dreams decoding what a movie means and what the director was hiding. This one is about Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' (1980). Director Rodney Asher finds devout fans that have developed the meaning behind symbols and messages buried deeply within the film.

If you love Kubrick or 'The Shining,' the cinematic obsession, dissecting symbols and mysteries will mean something to you. Otherwise this is too long and many of the interviewees not well chosen. Wait until DVD.

 
Movies To See Right Now: 42, The Sapphires, The Company You Keep, Jurassic Park 3-D, Quartet

Home Viewing/DVD: Lincoln, Searching For Sugerman & Zero Dark Thirty

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.

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