By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

For all of the marketing hype surrounding The Hunger Games, it is hard to believe that this young adult novel by Suzanne Collins was published less than four years ago.

This book has definitely struck a nerve with popular culture that is multi-generational. At the screening I attended, the theater was filled with senior citizens seemingly enthralled with the film.

Set in the not-too-distant future, the film takes place in the United States of America, which has fallen and been rebuilt into the 12 Districts of Panem. To recall the rebel uprising that caused the fall of the U.S.A., the totalitarian government selects 24 teenagers (two from each district) to be sacrificed in the nationally television sports/reality television show The Hunger Games. These young people (called Tributes) are chosen by lottery to forge for food and outlast their 23 competitors.

Meet Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), who has had experience hunting for food with a bow-and-arrow since her father died in a mining accident. She becomes a 12 District Tribute with her neighbor Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), the son of a baker who had a long, unrequited crush on Katniss. The pair enter the Hunger Games as rivals and allies.

Part one of a trilogy, The Hunger Games is science fiction myth more in common with Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 and George Orwell’s 1984 than Star Wars and John Carter.  The message is important, but a satirical sense of humor keeps the story from being mundane. Other than two poorly-edited fight scenes, the film lives up to the hype of the novel.

Stanley Tucci and Toby Jones portray two foppish commentators who narrate The Hunger Games. Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson also  portray broad characters, though with far more depth than the characters played by Tucci and Jones.

As the leading lady, Lawrence deserves kudos. Given her persona in Winter Bone and X-Men First Class, Lawrence enhances her image as the central character. Hutcherson offers strong support without upstaging. Silent scenes between these two are just as interesting as brutal action sequences.

• For those seeking live entertainment and a show, Cinema Paradiso will be presenting Invisible Bands, a documentary about South Florida’s punk rock scene circa 1979 – 1985.  If you recognize bands like The Eat, The Reactions, The Front, The Cichlids and Charlie Pickett & The Eggs, you may want to check out Cinema Paradiso Saturday night! www.fliff.com.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

This week’s column will review three distinctly different motion pictures. Each one of these films will satisfy their respective ticket buyer.

The box office has not been too kind to John Carter and some mainstream critics have denounced the film as clichéd. What these critics overlook  is that author Edgar Rice Burroughs is the father of all science fiction cliché novels that spawned  films like Star  Wars, Star Trek and Indiana Jones.

From beginning to end, John Carter provides two hours of visual candy featuring water, air, fire and a showdown between  the armies of good and bad guys.

Once this film leaves the Museum of Discovery IMAX Theater to make room for Wrath of the Titans, expect John Carter to crash land at the Box Office.

What it lacks in special effects, Musical Chairs makes up for with pure drama. E.J. Bonila portrays Armando, the son of a Spanish restaurant owner in New York City. Armando is a good provincial son, but he longs to dance (ballroom) in a competitive field.

He meets the beautiful Mia (Leah Pipes) who is in training for a big competition. After Mia and Armando have a quick dance in the studio, she steps out into the street and becomes a paraplegic.

From this tragedy, Armando displays true courage and compassion as he helps Mia overcome her handicaps, some physical but mostly with self esteem. Directed by Susan Seidelman, Musical Chairs is full of warmth and humor.

Last, but not least, is The Matchmaker, an Israeli film with English subtitles about a teen and his unforgettable mentor. In 2006, Arik learns that he is the beneficiary of Yankele Bride, the local “matchmaker” from Arik’s teen years.

This film is a memory piece, especially for people older than 40. We remember a world in which new music could be found listening to a friend’s reel-to-reel tape recorder. The posters on the wall did not celebrate marijuana, but John Wayne. The Matchmaker is the best new movie opening this weekend.

Join director Susan Seidel-man (Desperately Seeking Susan) for Q&As after screenings of her new movie Musical Chairs this weekend on Sunday, March 25, 1:30 p.m., Regal Delray 18, and 5:10 p.m. at Boynton Cinema.

By Dave Montalbano

Between the loud openings of The Lorax, John Carter and The Hunger Games  will be a quiet little French film starring Audrey Tautou titled Delicacy. Compared to the cinematic high-volume energy drinks aforementioned, this classy film is a sip of fine wine.

Best known for her work on Amelie and The DaVinci Code, Tautou portrays Nathalie, a newlywed with a successful job. For three years, Nathalie and her husband keep their puppy love alive. One day, the husband goes for his morning jog and gets run over by a car.

Grieving, Nathalie buries her emotions in her work. On her first date in romantic  Paris, she rejects the sexual advances of her boss. During  a routine office visit by  the shrubby Markus Lundl (Francois Damiens), the absent-minded Nathalie rises from her desk and kisses him.

The kiss proves to be the tipping point for Markus and Nathalie, as office politics and individual desires are mashed together. The tone becomes broader with many American cultural influences inserted into the narrative. Delicacy is such a sweet movie that one can expect an American remake in the not too distant future.

Yet, an American producer will unlikely be able to cast another Audrey Tautou. The film is in French with English subtitles, but Tautou’s performance translates beyond language. Whether depressed from grief or born again in love, Tautou reveals so much with a subtle glance.

As the goofy Swede Lundl, Damiens is given an international spotlight. At first, Damiens’ character is used for broad comic situations. It is in the final moments of Delicacy that he reveals a hidden strength that lets the audience know that Nathalie will be all right.

Don’t get me wrong, I am looking forward to seeing John Carter, The Hunger Games and The Three Stooges, but Delicacy is something special for a mature audience who enjoys romance.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

When Rango was announced as best animated feature at the Oscars, I came to a revelation. This was the first year I did not review any nominated animated motion pictures.

With the $70.5 million box office take over the weekend, I knew Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax would be the film for me to review this week.

Published 41 years ago, this 72-page easy reader was considered a serious children’s book that became required reading for Earth Day.

The Lorax told the story of a hermit named Once–ler, who was responsible for destroying all the trees in this particular neighborhood of Dr. Seuss.

After causing the departure of the Lorax, the guardian of the trees, the Once-ler tells his tale of woe to a child. With trademark Dr. Seuss wit and rhyme, The Lorax is a poignant fable about man-caused disasters.

If only the producers of Dr.Seuss’ The Lorax had the courage to be understated.

Instead, the audience is given a romantic subplot between characters voiced by Zac Efron and Taylor Swift, whose grandmother (Betty White) makes non sequitur statements that ultimately become profound pearls of wisdom.

As The Lorax, Danny De Vito sounds miscast as a nature god. We are given two chase sequences that are used to sell 3-D. The musical numbers are toe-tappers, but the tunes are not memorable.

Despite these flaws, there is no denying the entertainment value of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax for young children.

In particular, the early sequences in which young Once-ler moves into the forest and encounters singing bears and goldfish. With less frenetic actions, these are sweet moments.

Children will not forget the sad eyes of the animals when they are forced to leave the forest. It is a subtle moment that best presents the theme of conservation.

In a world where people don’t drink water from the tap, but purchase it in plastic bottles, Dr, Seuss’ The Lorax provides pointed criticism to consumer behavior.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Despite a critical pummeling, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island has been resilient at the box office.

Currently, the IMAX treat at the IMAX Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Discovery until March 9 (when John Carter opens), this film is a fun adventure movie for the whole family.

A loose sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth:
3-D, Josh Hutchenson returns as Sean, a teenage rebel with some intelligence. He has received a secret ham radio code from his long lost grandfather, Alexander (Michael Caine), a character who could be Kungaloosh, a member of the dearly-departed Adventurers Club. Despite protests from his Mom (Kristin Davis) and Stepfather (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), Sean embarks on a quest to find his grandfather.

This film is a trademark of producer Charlotte Huggins, whose previous MODS IMAX credits include Encounter in the Third Dimension,  Alien Adventure and the first Journey.

Oscar events

Four years ago, while promoting his original Journey, Hutchenson was honored by the Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF).

This Sunday, PBIFF will  host an Oscar party at Mizner Park. Officially sanctioned by Oscar, the event will feature a LIVE broadcast in the Count de Hoernle Amphitheater. Admission is FREE. Dress like your favorite actor. Bring a towel and sit on the grass. Silent auction will feature the second Cinema Dave Adventure Pack. Enclosed in a large painter’s box, this pack will feature movie memorabilia, social science artifacts and my book The Adventures of Cinema Dave in the Florida Motion Picture World. www.pbifilmfest.org.

Meanwhile, The Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) will host their Oscar party at Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale starting at 6 p.m.

Meals will be named after this year’s Oscar contenders, including Moneyball Miso Soup, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Thai Curry Coconut Shrimp Soup, Hugo Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Midnight in Paris Stir Fried Veggie Rice, The Artist Steamed Dumplings, War Horse Teri-yaki Meatballs, Tandoori Chicken and for dessert … The Tree of Life Ginger & lemon cake, refreshing The Descendants Sorbet Bar and The Help Rice Pudding with a complimentary glass of Sake. (www.fliff.com)

Regardless of whether you Journey 2 the Oscar parties in Cinema Paradiso or Mizner Park, Billy Crystal will be host at both events. Stay tuned past the Oscars and you might see my old classmate “Jake Byrd” from the red carpet on The Jimmy Kimmel Show.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

If you enjoyed the cold temperatures from this past weekend or received a cold-hearted Valentines, then Thin Ice is the movie for you. Greg Kinnear portrays Mickey, an insurance salesman in Minnesota. While attending a convention in the tropics, Mickey meets a blond femme fatale. When he returns home to his broken marriage with Jo Ann (Lea Thompson), Mickey realizes that he might have the potential expense of alimony.

To score quick cash, Mickey finds a cash cow in Gorvy (Alan Arkin), a seemingly senile man with a valuable violin. Taking advantage of Gorvy’s mental condition, Mickey tries to steal the artifact, but runs into the crosshairs of a prissy salesman (Bob Balaban) and a greedy handyman (Billy Crudup).

This is a dark comedy with a definite payoff. Kinnear is adept at playing sleazy roles like Mickey, yet he manages to find a way for the audience to sympathize with him. Arkin’s Gorvy is the most
sympathetic character and Crudup’s brutal handyman is funny with a touch of Moe Howard.

On a far more serious note, the French Film La Rafle opens this weekend. An award-winning film from American film festivals, including the best audience award from the Miami Jewish Film Festival, this film stars Jean Reno and Mélanie Laurent. La Rafle (translation – The Round Up) explains lost French innocence under Nazi Germany.

On a far less serious note, MegaCon in Orlando commences this weekend. Held in the cradle between Universal and Disney World, this annual convention features the best, and worst, synergy between the comic book and motion picture universes.

While this summer’s corporate blockbusters feature a showdown between the Marvel Comics Universe (The Avengers) and D.C. Comics (The Dark Knight Rises), look for small business to rake in some profits.

My buddy for over 33 years, CJ of CJ’s Comics, is taking two van loads of Superhero supplies. CJ expects to return with one empty van. www.megaconvention.com.

Paragon’s Mike Whalen with Lt. Commander Leo Gray and Mayor Peggy Noland.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

The Paragon Theater in Deerfield Beach deserves honors for screening Red Tails last Friday evening with a featured appearance by Tuskegee Air Core pilot, Lt. Commander Leo Gray, (ret.) USAF.

More than 14 World War II veterans were acknowledged with prolonged applause in the sold-out auditorium.

In the past, I have written how certain movies from my childhood provided inspiration. These older films contain outdated production values today, yet a film like The Alamo still influences my life. I wonder how young people will respond to a movie like Red Tails (Many were in attendance, wearing cadet uniforms).

Red Tails tells a traditional story with a clear beginning, middle and end. With the backdrop of the World War II European campaign, Red Tails celebrates the Negro pilots from the Tuskegee Air Core training program.

The characters are archetypes. The flight commander secretly drinks alcohol to cope with the stress of command and the second-in-command has a rebellious streak because he is an excellent daredevil pilot. Then, there is “the innocent,” a young pilot who is yet to be tested in battle. Each character fulfills his character arc with little emotional connection with the audience.

Fifty-two years after release, The Alamo retains classic status due to the well-directed action sequences. The same can be said of Red Tails, which features five aeronautical action sequences that even impressed Lt. Commander Gray.

Avoiding attention deficit disorder editing techniques, Director Anthony Heming-way provides clear and concise attention to detail without sacrificing human empathy.

Red Tails has not been a critical darling of the elitist critics circle, yet the sold-out audience at Paragon applauded the film at its conclusion. This crowd behavior is a harbinger for Red Tails durability for the next five decades.

Lt. Commander Gray best sums up my feelings of Red Tails with this quote: “This is a Hollywood version and enjoy it as such. Don’t let it bother you that a little bit of history was overlooked. It is still a good movie and the aeronautical sequences are going to blow your mind.”

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Robin Williams took on his first serious role in The World According to Garp, though his costars Glenn Close and John Lithgow earned Best Supporting Oscar nominations. Lithgow portrayed Roberta Muldoon, an ex-NFL football player who became a transsexual. Thirty years later, Close has been nominated for best actress for Albert Nobbs, which explores the issues of sexual identity.

As the title character, Close portrays a woman who is identified as a skinny but reliable butler in 19th Century Ireland. Since it is not safe to be a single woman in that land, Nobbs blends into the scenery of an upper class household.

When handyman Hubert Page (Janet McTeer) takes on a job, Albert is forced to take in a roommate. This chance encounter forces the repressed Albert to think about other possibilities in living an authentic life.

With an attention to detail and a steady pace, Albert Nobbs is a thought-provoking movie in line with James Joyce’s short story, The Dead. A passion project produced by Close (who also co-wrote the theme song), this film captures the thin line between Irish tragedy and comedy.

With a strong ensemble cast, it shines with reliable performances. Upon first stereotypical appearances, both Close and Janet McTeer manage to invest audience empathy through nuanced performances. Both actresses have earned their actor’s kudos on the awards circuit.

Floating around at local art house cinemas is The House of Pleasures, writer/director Bertrand Bonello’s ode to the last brothel in Paris. A French film with English subtitles, House of Pleasures examines the business of lust. Like an employee primer, one is given a textbook procedure on how to seduce a person for cash.

Many characters cross the fine line between fantasy and reality in this film. One Madam scars her face into a permanent smile in a quest for eternal happiness. Both Albert Nobbs and House of Pleasures explore this fine line between fantasy and reality with stunning results.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

War Horse is a modest motion picture; it raised $67 million since it’s Christmas Day release. It got shut out of last weekend’s Golden Globe Awards, but earned Best Picture Award through the National Board of Review and the AFI Movie of the Year Award.

Given these under-publicized honors, War Horse is destined to become a literary cinema classic for years to come.

Based on Michael Morpur-go’s award-winning juvenile fiction novel, War Horse tells the story of Joey, a horse raised on a farm in Ireland. Joey and Albert (Jeremy Irvine) develop a symbiotic relationship that saves the farm from a greedy landlord (David Thewlis) for one more year. When World War I raises its ugly head, Ted’s father sells Joey to the military effort.

Being the last war involving a Calvary charge, Joey is put in the front line against the German Army. Through war’s inferno, Joey ends becoming a German War Horse, but not before encountering such interesting characters as two war deserters, a farmer and his frail granddaughter.

Director Steven Spielberg is the perfect director for this type of motion picture, with echoes of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and Schindler’s List. The most powerful violence occurs off-screen, but the consequences of war are presented without blinking.

Being a student of film master John Ford, Spielberg’s visual homages are apparent.

The human actors are perfectly cast. If young Albert Narracott keeps his nose clean, War Horse will be a launching pad to a long career as a leading man.  Emily Watson and David Thewlis provide reliable support. While Joey is portrayed by 17 horses, the fictional character becomes real in War Horse.

Besides being technically proficient about the horrors of war, War Horse is a heartwarming movie about peace. Without special effects, explosions and computer animation, the thematic climax involves scared enemies in the trenches, barb wire and Joey trapped in the neutral zone. Resolution of this subtle scene is real.

For stoic people who shield their emotions, animals serve as a conduit. For me, the loss of Bill Elliott, who graduated with me from Deerfield Beach High School, became real when I saw his dog, Dinghy, standing guard over the dearly departed master during the memorial.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Grief is a confusing emotion. One reacts differently under each situation.

Last December, I lost my Uncle Paul and my buddy (“Scary”) Gerry Carter within three days of each other. The only emotional release I found was Matt “Guitar” Murphy’s Blues performance at Satchmo Blues Bar in Ft. Lauderdale a few nights later (see picture pg. 1).

A member of the original Blues Brothers Band who performed with Howlin’ Wolf and Etta James, Murphy was backed-up by Albert Castiglia.

Castiglia will be performing at the Florida Blues Film Festival at Satchmo on Martin Luther King weekend. Presented by BlueAtHeart Productions, this festival features three documentaries that have been honored in the past year, Full Moon Lightnin’, Hard Times and M is for Mississippi. While the Blues acknowledges pain and suffering in the world, it’s often also the first step toward redemption. (www.bluesfilmfest.com).

For many, The Mill and the Cross could be considered a transformative motion picture. Featuring Rutger Hauer, Charlotte Rampling and Michael York, this Art House motion picture details Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s masterpiece The Way to Calvary, circa 1564.

The film is an entertaining art history lesson that looks at many phases of putting oil on canvas. It opens with models being positioned, while Bruegel (Hauer) provides commentary about character placement.

While the suffering of the Christ is the focal point, Bruegel explains why he hides Jesus in the painting while characters vie for the spotlight. A hit at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, The Mill and the Cross is the next best thing to going to an art museum this weekend.

For more traditional movie-going fare, The Adventures of Tintin is a fun diversion. The first of a planned trilogy, Tintin was produced by Peter Jackson, directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the much-loved European comic book character created by Brussels-born artist Herge.

From the opening notes of John Williams post-modernist score, the viewer is plunged into the animated world of Tintin (Jamie Bell) and his loyal companion Snowy, a dog. After purchasing a model ship at a street fair, Tintin learns about a valuable secret inside the vessel.

Unfortunately for Tintin and Snowy, the evil Sakharine (Daniel Craig) wishes to obtain the same secret.

With the exception of the visuals, this adventure may not contain an Oscar-winning narrative, but is 107 minutes of pure cinematic escapism.