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Archives for : Susan Kamyab

Special Events: Dallas Film Society Honors Toni Collette

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : September 9, 2014
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Category: Breaking News, Special Events

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THE ART OF FILM CELEBRATES ITS 5TH YEAR AS DALLAS FILM SOCIETY HONORS EMMY® AND GOLDEN GLOBE® AWARD-WINNER TONI COLLETTE

 The Art of Film set for Friday, November 21, 2014 with Event and Honorary Chairs Established

DALLAS, TX, September 5, 2014 — The Dallas Film Society is thrilled to honor Emmy® and Golden Globe® award-winning actress Toni Collette at The Art of Film in its 5th year on Friday, November 21, 2014. Geared toward celebrating talent within the film community, the premiere Dallas fundraiser has honored some of the biggest names in film including Robert Duvall, Lee Daniels, John Lithgow and Val Kilmer. Proceeds from the evening are directed to the year-round programming of the Dallas Film Society, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, and more specifically the 2015 Dallas International Film Festival, presented by AutoNation and the 2015 DFS Summer Film Camp, presented by SMU – Division of Film & Media Arts.

The Art of Film offers an opportunity for 300 film lovers to gather for an elegant dinner and to enjoy a moderated conversation with and honor the very talented Toni Collette who has a vast array of credits from film, television and Broadway. Collette made an indelible impression on Hollywood with her beautiful portrayal as the hopeless and desperate ‘Muriel Heslop’ in P.J. Hogan’s 1994 film, MURIEL’S WEDDING and has since starred in a variety of intriguingly diverse roles throughout the last two decades. Ms. Collette’s credits include THE WAY, WAY BACK, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, DINNER WITH FRIENDS, THE MAGIC PUDDING, HOTEL SPLENDIDE, THE JAMES GANG, THE CLOCKWATCHERS, THE PALLBEARER, LILIAN’S STORY, ABOUT A BOY, THE HOURS, and THE SIXTH SENSE.

Born and raised in Australia, Collette was a student at Australia’s prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). In addition to her undeniable talent on-screen, Collette has had the opportunity to demonstrate her talents on Broadway’s stage. In 2000, she starred in the highly anticipated revival of THE WILD PARTY alongside Mandy Patinkin and Eartha Kitt. In the role of ‘Queenie,’ Collette displayed her extraordinary range as both actress and singer. Additional stage credits include performances for the Velvoir Street Theater and the Sydney Theater Company.

Elvis Mitchell, former NY Times and Fort Worth Star-Telegram Film Critic and newly appointed Artistic Director of the L.A. Film Festival, will serve as guest moderator for the evening that will certainly be filled with wonderful dialogue between Mitchell and Ms. Collette. James Faust, Artistic Director of the Dallas Film Society, exclaims, “Toni Collette has built one of the most versatile acting careers in all of Hollywood. Instantly recognizable and always stellar, Ms. Collette will do the Dallas Film Society a great honor when she accepts the Dallas Star Award.”

The Art of Film, set to take place at Dallas’ remarkable Perot Museum of Nature & Science, is supported by Pam and Mark Denesuk, on board as Event Chairs and Barbara and Steve Durham as Honorary Chairs. “The Dallas Film Society is an instrumental part of the thriving arts scene in Dallas and film festivals have been a passion project of ours for many years,” states Mark Denesuk, Founder and Managing Principal of Commerce House and The Art of Film 2014 Event Chair along with his wife Pam. “We’re eager to play a part in the signature benefit event for the Dallas Film Society that allows filmmakers to be recognized for their great works and empowers the next generation of filmmakers through camps, high school programs, and the Dallas International Film Festival.”

“I look forward to The Art of Film each year and 2014 is going to be stellar with the assistance in planning and leadership from the Denesuk’s and Durham’s,” said Dallas Film Society CEO and President Lee Papert. “These couples not only possess the skills to ensure another great year for The Art of Film, but their commitment to community involvement and philanthropy speaks volumes as dedicated corporate citizens.”

Individual tickets from $500 are available for purchase, and underwriting opportunities are available from $5,000-$40,000. The Art of Film begins with red carpet arrivals and reception at 6:30PM, the conversation at 7:30PM and the seated dinner at 8:30PM. Additional information regarding The Art of Film can be found on the Dallas Film Society’s website, www.dallasfilm.org. Contact Jennifer Dworkin at jdworkin@dallasfilm.org or call 214.720.0555 for more information.

Concert Review: ‘Jason Mraz’ Mesmerizes At The Winspear Opera House

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : September 3, 2014
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Category: Movie Reviews, Special Features

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Jason Mraz continues to let his voice do all the work.  Not relying on flashy lights, crazy props, or even choreography to distract from his hauntingly gifted vocals.


Have you had a bad day?  Or maybe you just think life sucks in general?  If that’s the case, it might be time to alter your negative perspective and start looking on the bright side of things.  Jason Mraz performed his latest uplifting album, YES!, in a packed opera house filled with audiences who were entranced by every word spoken and every lyric sung.  Mraz is probably one of the most genuinely grateful and happy artist out there, and he makes sure to spread that positive aura.

This is my third Jason Mraz concert. And I will tell you that, besides the incredible music, the best thing about his live performances is his banter in-between songs.  He is quick-witted, funny, and a smart story teller.  He understands how to be philosophical without being preachy.

Mraz introduced his opening band, thanked his audience for their support and choosing to spend a night with him instead of in their beds.

Mraz’s opening act/partners, Raining Jane, were the perfect addition to his special, stripped down, instrumental show.  After Raining Jane sang three of their own songs, Mraz joined them on stage for a magical collaboration.  These girls were no background singers.  In fact, they stood by Mraz’s side during the entire show.  Raining Jane gave Mraz the unique flair he was hoping for in order to keep each concert tour fresh.  The band only heightened the Grammy winner’s voice, by actually letting us clearly hear all his beautiful lyrics.

Though the show primarily featured songs from YES!, including the hit single, “Love Someone,” Mraz also played many old favorites, including “Remedy” and “I’m Yours.”

I love going to concerts, and seeing a singer that can get me dancing up out of my seat is of course great.  But, watching an artist truly hold an audience for nearly 2 ½ hours solely on their voice is the reason I love listening to live music.  Jason Mraz never disappoints, and this latest performance at Dallas’ Winspear Opera House is hands down Mraz’s best concert tour yet.

Back to School! Top 5 Teachers from Film

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : August 22, 2014
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Category: Movie Reviews, Special Features

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School starts back up this Monday, and I’m sure a lot teachers and students are dreading the early mornings and the long hours of class.  So in hopes of making people a little less upset that summer break is over,  I thought I’d pick my top 5 favorite teachers from film, and remind ourselves how much EVERY teacher can impact our lives.

5. Dewey Finn- School of Rock

“I have been touched by your kids… and I’m pretty sure that I’ve touched them.”

Low on cash; Dewey Finn poses as his brother so that he may substitute teach at a very posh school.  He ends up teaching his students about classic rock and roll, and turning them into his own miniature rock band.  If there is one thing I love, it’s someone who’s excited about what they do.  Dewey isn’t the best academic teacher.  But when it comes to teaching these students about music, he instills a passion in them that they never knew they had.

4. Sharon Norbury- Mean Girls

“You all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it ok for guys to call you sluts and whores.”

Tina Fey played the sympathetic math teacher in the popular teen comedy, Mean Girls. Not only is Ms. Norbury unintentionally hilarious, but she also tries to help pull Cady (Lindsay Lohan) away from the vicious Plastics and gear her into the Mathletes.  And of course, who could forget how she led all the female students in a giant confession and apology to one another, pleading with them to quit hating on each other.

3. Jaime Escalante- Stand and Deliver

“It’s not that they’re stupid, it’s just they don’t know anything.”

Based on a true story, Stand and Deliver portrays a rebellious math teacher who transforms his seemingly hopeless, uninterested students into the top-scorers in the state. Their achievement is so astonishing that the school board accused the Latino students of cheating. Proof, that if you have enough faith in your students and don’t give up on them, they can accomplish anything.

2. Miss Honey- Matilda

“I can’t abandon my children. And if I couldn’t teach, I’d have nothing at all.”

She’s the unbelievably sweet teacher we wish we had as a kid.  Miss Honey bonds with Matilda (Mara Wilson) over their troubled childhoods and eventually adopts Matilda as her own.  As if Matilda wasn’t lucky enough already with her magical powers and finally escaping from her grotesque family, she gets to split a piece of what I can only imagine taste like heaven, chocolates with Miss Honey every night.

1. John Keating- Dead Poets Society

“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”

In a school of young men who have their lives laid out for them, one teacher dares to define the system with his unorthodox methods of teaching.  The late, great Robin Williams gave an incredibly touching performance as a teacher who inspires the lives of his prep school students.  His lessons are active, they’re lively, and he motivates his students to explore their true callings.  He taught his kids that there is more out there than just the jobs their parents have on hold for them.  They can become writers, actors, or whatever their creativity guides them to do.  If there were ever a film that made me want to teach, it was and still is Dead Poets Society.

 

Movie Review/Interview: “If I Stay”- An Adolescent Romantic Tear-Jerker

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : August 21, 2014
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Category: Interviews, Movie Reviews

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It’s no surprise that big studio production companies are quickly grabbing hold of the rights to as many young adult novels as they can.  The fan base is already there.  Give them a “best-seller” and a good looking lead, and you may just have the next Twilight or The Fault in Our Stars.

Tweens are thirsting for romance that they can live vicariously through, and Chloe Grace Moretz’s latest drama will quench every young girl’s desire.

If I Stay is an adaptation of Gayle Forman’s 2009 best-seller.  The film centers on Mia Hall (Moretz), a straight-lace, gifted cellist who lives in Oregon with her ultra-hip parents, Kat (Mireille Enos) and Denny (Joshua Leonard), and her little brother, Teddy (Jakob Davies).  One day while Mia is practicing in school, Adam (Jamie Blackley), an up-and-coming rock star, passes by and it’s love at first listen.  Be warned now, if you’re in theater with any teenage girls, Adam will cause swooning and sighing.  The two go through a jagged relationship, proving that classical and rock doesn’t make for a smooth mix.

Priorities shift for Mia when she is invited to audition for Julliard but, her music and Adam become the least of her worries after a horrific car accident has caused her to fall into a coma. Anxious to know the fate of the rest of her family, Mia has an out of body experience. Her spirit roams the hospital halls and she eavesdrops on her loved ones as they try to cope and pray for her to make it through surgery.  As her future begins to be uncertain, Mia is faced with a choice.  She must decide if the life she’s waking up to is one worth living.

Call me a cheesy romantic, but I enjoyed this film.  I am fully aware the one liners, “I see you,” and “why me?” will have plenty of people rolling their eyes.  But there are certain qualities in a teenybopper romance that can always salvage the movie.  The key element is your lead.  Chloe Grace Moretz is a thriving young talent, and since I first saw her in 500 Days of Summer, she has only flourished in her career.  Whether it’s a success like Kick-Ass or a flop like Carrie, Moretz masterfully performs in all of her projects.

Of course, what’s love without believability?  Moretz and Blackley’s chemistry is hardly that of comparison to Hazel and Gus (The Fault in Our Stars), but it translates well here.  Mia and Adam’s relationship isn’t forced, we get to watch them grow as a couple and care for their story, a missing quality from many recent love stories.

There is more to If I Stay than just the romance.  The film also touches on how some people in your life don’t necessarily need to be blood related to be your family.  If I Stay may pull at your heartstrings and shed some tears, but think of this film as more of a “doesn’t-hurt-to-see” versus a “must-see.”

Rating: 3/5

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Interview: Director Thomas Carter discusses new film, “When the Game Stands Tall”

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : August 20, 2014
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Category: Interviews, Movie Reviews

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When the Game Stands Tall is inspired by the true story of celebrated football coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel), and the personal trials he endured while leading the De La Salle High School Spartans on a remarkable 151-game winning streak.  But, this film isn’t about a high school football team wanting to win.   It’s about being able to accept their losses and learning that there is much more to life.

I got a chance to sit down with director Thomas Carter (Coach Carter) talk about his new movie, his fears, and the other films that have given him inspiration.

There’s a great part when the Spartans play Poly and the quarterback, Chris Ryan, gets injured.  And he tells his team mate, “The only way I’m leaving this game is on a stretcher.”  What’s something for you that you would have to be practically dying for you to miss out on it?

“(Laughs) You know that’s a big if, I mean I love film making and just being involved in filmmaking is just something I care about that much.  You know I would never want to not have been able to do what I get to do in my life.  I made a choice to be in film, first to be an actor and then to be a director. And I’ve been able to that, so I’ve been very lucky.”

There’s a great message in the film, “it’s about the man next to you.”  Can you kind of discuss the meaning behind that quote?

“Well this is a team that won 151 games straight.  A 151 winning streak over 12 years, never lost a game, you know, how do you do that?  The truth is, in high school, when you have different teams coming through, you have different students coming through, and you’re not doing that just because you’re teaching X’s and O’s on the field.  You’re doing it because you’re instilling in those kids what you know is a life lesson that is something that lasts forever, that’s permanent, and that’s what Bob does, you know.  What he teaches is not football, but who are you to your fellow player? A sense of brotherhood, a sense of love, a sense of responsibility that you have that he wants you take not just on to the field but off the field as well.”

The film is also about facing your fears, the Spartans certainly do that when they play Poly.  What is a fear of yours that you maybe have already faced or hope to face someday?

“(Laughs) Well I’ll tell you, my biggest recent fear in the last year was that I would make this movie and Bob Ladoucer would not be happy with it.  That was the biggest challenge for me, that was the most important thing for me, and luckily he’s blessed the movie and given it his stamp of approval.  And I think that’s something that’s just really gratifying to me more than any other kind of approval that I have gotten, so I’m glad that happened.  It’s a movie, it’s really good I hope, and I’ve seen people respond, so I know it’s emotional, I know it’s inspiring to people.  I’ve seen them react to the football action, so I know people are responding, but you know we only really tipped the iceberg of what they really do at De La Salle.  The kind of training, the kind of love, the kind of commitment that the coaches show to these kids and the kids show to each other, so I wanted the audience to just have a taste of that, so hopefully we’ve given them a good taste of it.”

Yeah for sure, this is one of those movies that while you’re watching, it’s both uplifting and inspiring.  So, do you have another movie that also gets you in that inspiring mood?

“I have movies that I really like because I’m inspired by the artistry of the film, not necessarily that it’s an inspiring story.  You know watching The Godfather, one and two, is inspiring to me as a filmmaker.  So my inspiration as an artist, I think, comes from watching people work at a really, really high level.  But, I am a fan of other sports movies.  I’m a fan of Remember the Titans and I cried three times every time I watched that movie, I think so many things are really effective in the way that movie is done.”

Quick Review: “The Giver”

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : August 14, 2014
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Category: Movie Reviews

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Rated PG-13

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Brenton Thwaites, and Katie Holmes

Directed By: Phillip Noyce

Written By: Michael Mitnick & Robert B. Weide

Rating: 2.5/5

The haunting story of “The Giver” centers on Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), a young man who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Yet as he begins to spend time with The Giver (Jeff Bridges), who is the sole keeper of all the community’s memories, Jonas quickly begins to discover the dark and deadly truths of his community’s secret past. With this newfound power of knowledge, he realizes that the stakes are higher than imagined — a matter of life and death for himself and those he loves most. At extreme odds, Jonas knows that he must escape their world to protect them all — a challenge that no one has ever succeeded at before.

Lowis Lowry’s best-selling novel is one that most of us read back in school at some point.  I say “most of us” because I can admit, I read the Spark Notes on this one.   On paper, this tale is a classic and truly unique for it’s time, but on screen The Giver isn’t really worth receiving.  Though the film is decent enough, there isn’t much oomph to the story.  The acting is solid, but as a whole The Giver is an insipid movie that will soon be forgotten as its competitors’ (Hunger Games, Divergent) sequels began to surface.

The Giver hits theaters August 15.

“The Giver” Official Trailer HD

Movie Review: “What If…”- A Conventional Rom-Com with Irresistibly Charming Characters

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : August 7, 2014
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Category: Movie Reviews

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In Daniel Radcliffe’s latest film, he swaps sorcery for romance and faces his toughest challenge yet- burying his true feelings for the girl that could be “the one.”

What’s being deemed as this year’s 500 Days of Summer is the story of Wallace (Radcliffe), a med school dropout who’s given up on love after a string of failed relationships and Chantry (Zoe Kazan), the potential girl of his dreams.  The two meet at a party and have an immediate connection.  Their spark is quickly extinguished, however, when Chantry mentions her boyfriend.  Regardless of the circumstances, Wallace would rather have Chantry in his life as friend than not all.  It’s an awkward challenge for both of them as they are faced with the age-old question: Can a guy and girl just be friends?

I have to say, right off the bat, that What If… is incomparable to 500 Days of Summer.  I can see how the characters may correlate from the two films.  But as a love story, writer Michael H. Weber (500 Days of Summer, The Spectacular Now) continues to be in a league of his own.  What If… does not provide any sort of originality in its narrative; in fact it’s about as formulaic as they come.  But thanks to the film’s charismatic cast, the movie is surprisingly pleasurable the whole way through.

Zoe Kazan is rapidly becoming the queen of the indie flick world, with films like her offbeat romance, Ruby Sparks and her dark comedy, The Pretty One.  She brings a refreshing flair to every character she plays.  And who knew Harry Potter could slide into the quick-witted male lead with such ease.  What comes as no surprise is the scene-stealing Adam Driver, who plays Allen, Wallace’s best friend who also happens to be Chantry’s cousin.  Allen is the uproarious link that caused their initial interaction. Frankly, I would have rather watched Allen’s romance with Nicole (MacKenzie Davis), an outspoken, sexually driven wild-child that actually meets Allen at the same party where Chantry and Wallace first met.  Nicole and Allen handle their immediate connection through a more spontaneous route, skipping all the usual steps of a regular relationship.

What If…easily outweighs in comparison to the other cliché Katherine Heigl disasters we’ve endured.  But given its subject matter and the potential this story had, I can’t help but be slightly disappointed with the entirety of the film.  So many movies try to tackle the “just friends” premise, but only rarely do they pull off the complexity and authentic emotion behind a friendship that has more than platonic feelings.  If you’re looking for that kind of story, I suggest you watch Drinking Buddies; it’s one of the few that flawlessly explored a true test of whether or not men and women can just be friends.

The great message here, and what is really the central focus of this film, is how when you’re lucky enough to find that instant connection with someone, is it best to wait it out and see where it goes, or do you jump on your feelings and take a risk before you miss an opportunity?

What If…is an undoubtedly cute, quirky, romantic comedy that most audiences will enjoy.

Rating: 3/5

“What If…” Official Trailer HD

Movie Review: “Get On Up”- Chadwick Boseman Fires Up the Screen as James Brown

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : August 1, 2014
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Category: Movie Reviews

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Get On Up may confuse with it’s non-linear timeline, but there is no misunderstanding the brilliance of Chadwick Boseman.

In last year’s 42, Boseman played baseball legend Jackie Robinson as a man suppressing his pride and bottling up his anger.  It was a strong breakout performance by an actor we knew we’d be seeing again very soon.  He then made a small appearance in the underrated Draft Day, as hopeful pick for the NFL draft.  In Get On Up, Boseman gets the chance to let loose in a firehouse of passion, funk, and intense ferocity.

The story itself may not have audiences captivated, as the constant back and forth jump from one year to the next tends to scramble the brain.  I understand not wanting to follow they typical bio-pic formula but in an attempt to be different, they might have lost track of what is more effective to moviegoers.  Getting emotionally wrapped up in one scene only to be abruptly pulled away to a moment that occurs 5 years later is not only frustrating, but it is distracting.  You don’t want to to forget what you just saw because you know they will be coming back at some point to finish the scenes they just started (confusing, I know).   So instead of concentrating on the current sequence, you are bookmarking everything you watch.  Luckily, this film isn’t about the story, it’s about the performances.

Chadwick Boseman’s phenomenal portrayal as James Brown and his A-list supporting cast is all you need to remember about this movie.   The Help alums: Octavia Spencer, who plays Brown’s brothel-owning aunt, and Viola Davis, who plays Brown’s neglectful mother, slides in for the film’s most emotional scene.  But it is Nelsan Ellis, who plays Bobby Bryd-Brown’s loyal best friend, that proves once again, he is more than the flamboyant comic relief as seen on True Blood every week.  Boseman and Ellis share great chemistry on screen and complement each other extremely well.

In comparison to the recent bio-pic/musical, Jersey Boys, Get On Up wins by a landslide.  The acting, the story, and most importantly the ability to have us care for the characters.  Had the story just been slightly more chronological I would have given the film a much higher rating, but none of the faults in Get On Up deteriorates from the sensation that is Chadwick Boseman.

Rating: 3.5/5

“Get On Up” Official Trailer HD

20th Century FOX presents an All-Star Panel at Comic-Con 2014!

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : July 30, 2014
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Category: Special Features

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The line-up for the Twentieth Century FOX films at Comic-Con brought out some of the biggest stars in Hollywood this past weekend.  And I must say, all five films discussed at this year’s conference are soon-to-be box office hits that you won’t want to miss!

The Maze Runner

Director Wes Ball, Writer James Dashner, Stars- Will Poulter, Kaya Scodelario, Dylan O’ Brien

When Thomas wakes up trapped in a massive maze with a group of other boys, he has no memory of the outside world other than strange dreams about a mysterious organization known as W.C.K.D.  Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his true purpose and a way to escape.  Based upon the best-selling novel by James Dashner.

Release: September 19, 2014

Book of Life

Christina Applegate, Writer/Director Jorge Gutierrez, Producer Guillermo del Toro, Ron Perlman, Channing Tatum

THE BOOK OF LIFE, a vibrant fantasy-adventure, tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village.

Release: October 17, 2014

Hitman: Agent 47

Stars Hannah Ware & Zachary Quinto

Based on the top-selling, award-winning videogame franchise, “Agent 47” is an all-new motion picture about an elite and genetically engineered assassin, known only by the last two digits – 47 – of a barcode tattooed on the back of his neck.  His latest target is a young woman on the run from powerful and clandestine forces.  The mission brings startling revelations about the lethal agent and his prey, hurtling them on a collision course with their pasts.  And this time, his number may be up.

Release: February 27, 2015

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Stars Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Taron Egerton, Sophie Cookson, Sofia Boutella, and Co-Creators Dave Gibbons & Mark Miller

Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X-Men First Class), Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

Release: October 24, 2014

Let’s Be Cops

Stars Keegan Michael-Key, Nina Dobrev, Damon Wayans Jr., Rob Riggle

It’s the ultimate buddy cop movie except for one thing: they’re not cops.  When two struggling pals dress as police officers for a costume party, they become neighborhood sensations.  But when these newly-minted “heroes” get tangled in a real life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line.

Release: August 13, 2014

 

Movie Review: “And So It Goes” is a Generic Feel-Good Family Film

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : July 24, 2014
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Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton team up for the first time in a comedy that will warm your heart, but most likely escape your mind once you leave the theater.

Oren Little ( Douglas ) is a successful, self-centered realtor living in a somewhat secluded, peaceful home.  But, his life is quickly turned upside down when his estranged adult son shows up out of the blue and drops a bomb on him.  He is about go to jail for nine-months and needs his dad to look after his almost 10 year-old daughter, Sarah (Sterling Jerins).   At first Oren is adamant that he won’t be looking after the granddaughter he never knew existed.   Luckily, Leah (Diane Keaton), the kind, self-less next door neighbor steps in assuring Oren’s son that she will be in good hands.  And so, begins a story you can probably already predict.

Love is not just felt for young Sarah; it is also spreading its way to an unlikely couple.  Leah and Oren share a sweet romance, but not an exciting one.  Michael Douglas definitely still has “it.”  Charm, wit, class, he exudes all of it when he is on screen.   Diane Keaton on the other hand offers some shrilling and quite annoying cries throughout the film.  The cries aren’t as bad as they were in Something’s Gotta Give, but my gosh.  Whoever thought the constant whiney sobs of woman are hilarious is seriously mistaken.  Keaton plays a very likeable character and caring one at that, but somehow her moments of comedy failed to produce any real laughs.  Douglas and Keaton have great chemistry as friends, but as lovers their relationship felt forced.

Though the romantic aspect of And So It Goes was weak, the family story-line was surprisingly enjoyable.  Seeing Oren with his granddaughter or even his limited moments with his son can’t help but make you smile.

And So It Goes hardly stands out among the films currently in theaters, and I can’t even say it should be in your top choices to see this summer.  However, if you are in the mood for a light, uplifting, and simple comedy, then I do recommend you sit back and enjoy this endearing story.

Rating: 2.5/5

And So It Goes hits theaters July 25.

And So It Goes Official Trailer HD