Upcoming June reviews

June 6 -

The Fault in Our Stars -Shailene Woodley.  Just read this book and it is great.  What appears to be a boy meets girl with cancer story is much more nuanced.  A little Shakespeare, with a lot of thought as to the meaning/length of life. Don't want to give much away but I'll be there the first weekend.

Edge of Tomorrow - Tom Cruise - it's the end of the world ... again - will the world finally end?  Or will we need to see the sequel to find out?  Directed by Doug Liman.

June 13 - 22 Jump Street - The boys go undercover to college this time.  Starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill.

June 20 - Jersey Boys - directed by Clint Eastwood. This should be a slam dunk with a proven Broadway story and a gold record, gold plated soundtrack.

The Graduate

And now for a new take on an acknowledged classic. 

Surprisingly the Graduate is still fresh even from 1967.  The At-Loose-Ends quality of Ben's life, the longing for Mrs. Robinson as well as the longing for Elaine, and the suburban boredom that wires it all together (like it or not) leaves you with a still uncomfortable feeling.

Impressive cinematography of the underwater scenes, the suburban threat and the Hitchcockian camera movements.  And of course the classic Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack.

When asked about its long-time popularity, star Katherine Ross told Vanity Fair "The Dude Abides".  As the Narrator in the Big Lebowski said in the beginning, "Sometimes there's a man who is just right for his time".  Ben (Dustin Hoffman) was just that as in 1967/1968 the Fifties gave way to the Sixties, Vietnam was about to pop along with the Anti-Draft Movement.  But none of that had reached this world which was still in the 50s Go to a Hotel, Fix Me a Drink, Silent Suffering state.

The Dude is simply a stoner version of Ben, grown old but not grown up.  He asks for little and receives little.  Life happens to him, and not the other way around.  Both are billed as comedies but have their tragic moments.  I can't say I'd like to change places with either.

One of most famous endings in film, as Hoffman rushes to the church.  However, I had forgotten the Midnight Cowboy-like ending.  Worth a second look.

* * * * of 4

Neighbors

If there were a sequel to Knocked Up after the baby came and Ben and Alison got married and bought a house, this might be it.  It's an I Don't Want to Grow Up type of movie.  As a friend loves to say of himself, "I'll grow old but I'll never grow up".

Ben and Alison become Mac (Seth Rogen)and Kelly (Rose Byrne) as the new parents whose lives are thrown for a slight curve when the Delta Psi fraternity moves next door.  Part of them want to be responsible parents (Keep It Down) and the other half wants to party with the kids, out drink, out dance, out smoke and out hustle them.  But there was a bit more to it:  Efron's take on the brotherhood is more thoughtful, at least for a college senior.

Teddy (Zac Efron) and Pete (Dave Franco) are the alpha dogs who will have none of that.  Game On.  A War of the Roses ensues with increasing consequences.  Who will be left standing?

Great debt owed here to the Granddaddy (literally - 36 years ago!) of college party moves, National Lampoon's Animal House:  The Dean, The Probation, the Inner Sanctum, the Toga, even the poking fun of black culture [Hootie Hoo!]

Not a bad movie but it has entered Adam Sandler territory with the schlub with the beautiful wife who doesn't want to grow up.    Apatow's fingerprints are all over this one - even thought uncredited.
For a college movie, a Gentleman's C is the grade here.

* * 1/2

Top Gun (1986)

May 13 was Top Gun Day, the day that Top Gun was released in 1986, a Tuesday.  Truly an iconic 80s movie.    Just perfect timing for that Second Term Reagan, Morning In America, 80s swagger.

It appeared on the scene with Tom Cruise peaking in popularity and did a good job of selling the sizzle:  The fighter jets, the volleyball, the Bromance with Goose, the steamy sexy scenes [you know the one!], the motorcycling, and that great fashion statement of the leather jacket, the t shirt and the aviator shades, plus the spiky hair.  Generations still strive for that look of coolness.

And while a touchstone, it was alas and remains on review, not a very good movie.  [* * 1/2 of 4] Hotshot jet pilot tries to live up to his late father (never seen), recklessly gets his tail gunner buddy killed, and spend the rest of the movie redeeming himself in the eyes of his lovely instructor Kelly McGillis.

But just remember the good times:  Maverick and Goose, Need for Speed, She's Lost that Loving Feeling, a fine soundtrack (Danger Zone, Take My Breath Away, Top Gun Anthem - Harold Faltermeyer], Heaven in Your Eyes), Buzzing the Tower, Ice and good old fashioned Soviet Butt-Kicking.

God Bless America!