Entertainment - southflorida.com

Review: 'Epic' looks like its title but doesn't feel that way

By Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times Film Critic — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:33:00 EDT

The forest-set, 3-D animated fairy tale has the right elements (including the voices of Amanda Seyfried, Jason Sudeikis, Beyonce) but can't pull them together.

"Epic," a fairy tale about a tiny universe of creatures who protect the forest, has many virtues.

Review: 'We Steal Secrets' a thriller about WikiLeaks

By Mark Olsen — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:30:00 EDT

In Alex Gibney's documentary, website founder Julian Assange is profiled, as is Bradley Manning, the Army intelligence analyst who provided Assange with a cache of documents.

"We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks" may be a documentary, but director Alex Gibney gives the film the feel of a propulsive espionage techno-thriller played out in the real world.

Review: 'Before Midnight' finds its couple in a dark place

By Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times Film Critic — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy and Richard Linklater continue the story of Jesse and Celine from 'Before Sunrise' and 'Before Sunset' in risky, rewarding fashion.

It was a risk for director Richard Linklater to go so dark in "Before Midnight," the latest round of the romantic musings he began with his stars, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, nearly 20 years ago. The illusions of a more pristine love in "Before Sunrise" have been shelved so that the tipping point in a relationship can be laid bare. A devastating fight is the centerpiece now, the teasing flirtations a distant memory.

Movie review: 'The Painting' a broad brushstroke on prejudice, romance

By Amy Nicholson — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:50:00 EDT

Consider "The Painting," the fourth feature by slow-moving 74-year-old French director Jean-François Laguionie, a twee "Wreck-It Ralph." Inside a primitive portrait, the subjects are divided into three canvas castes: Sketchies, wraith-like creatures made of pencil lines; Halfies, who were left half-painted; and their snobbish overlords, the Alldunns, who sneer at the incompletes from their castle in the upper left corner of the frame.

Movie review: 'Vampire's' serial-killer story a draining experience

By Robert Abele — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:50:00 EDT

A morose young woman, a soft-spoken blood-drinker and plenty of rainy skies — no, it's not "Twilight," but a languid, micro-budgeted serial killer drama called "Vampire," the first English-language film from Japanese writer-director Shunji Iwai ("All About Lily Chou-Chou").

Movie review: 'A Green Story' a sudsy tale of man's American dream

By Gary Goldstein — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:50:00 EDT

Though it's not that gracefully told and sometimes seems to exist just to plug eco-friendly cleaning supplies, "A Green Story" holds interest as a gentle, old-fashioned look at achieving the American dream. Credit veteran character actor Ed O'Ross ("Full Metal Jacket," "Six Feet Under"), who plays Greek immigrant and Earth Friendly Products founder Van Vlahakis with such avuncular warmth and decency for holding together this bumpy biopic.

Review: 'Becoming Traviata' strikes a vibrant chord

By Sheri Linden — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:45:00 EDT

You don't need to be an opera buff to appreciate Philippe Béziat's exquisitely observed look at performance and the creative process.

Zeroing in on the art of rehearsal, "Becoming Traviata" is an exquisitely observed look at performance and the creative process. You don't need to be an opera buff to appreciate Philippe Béziat's documentary, which makes the essentials of Verdi's romantic drama "La Traviata" clear while building its own stirring narrative around a French festival production's director and star.

Review: Transfixing 'Fill the Void' looks at love by arrangement

By Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times Film Critic — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

The film centered on marriage in an ultra-Orthodox community won seven Ophirs, Israel's Academy Awards. Hadas Yaron is a teen torn between her heart and her family.

A mother and daughter anxiously scan the aisles of an Israeli supermarket. They're not looking for fresh produce but rather a clandestine glimpse of a young man a matchmaker has proposed as a potential husband for the daughter. The mother's eye is practiced as he comes into view — "You're going to do a lot of laundry" — but the daughter is delighted. At least for now.

Review: 'Fast & Furious 6' is one sweet ride

By Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times Film Critic — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 EDT

Buildings topple, bridges crumble and speed limits are shamelessly broken as Vin Diesel and crew roar through the streets of London. Buckle up.

As Socrates so sagely suggested when he stopped by the set of "Fast & Furious 6" — "Yo, know thyself..."

Review: 'Hangover Part III' is just one long headache

By Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times Film Critic — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:20:00 EDT

The Wolfpack and Mr. Chow are back for a third time, too bad the genuine hilarity and fun from Todd Phillips' first 'Hangover' aren't.

Who let the dogs out?