‘Ultima’ reveals; ‘Snitch’ tells all – Stan Robinson
‘Playroom’ is placid, ‘Snitch’ is suspenseful – Joseph J. Airdo
The following are reactions from each of AZ Weekly Entertainment Magazine's film columnists, Stan Robinson, Randy Montgomery, and Joseph J. Airdo, in an effort to generate a well-rounded overview of this weekend's new releases.
The movies for Friday 22 February 2013 include ‘Bless Me, Ultima’, ‘The Playroom’, and ‘Snitch’
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‘Bless Me, Ultima’
Luke Ganalon plays a boy whose life is forever changed by the sudden arrival of a woman (Miriam Colon) with supernatural healing powers, who has come to his family on a mission of kindness. The woman then inspires the boy to question authority and see the world from a new perspective. (PG-13 - 102 minutes)
Stan: From ‘Shamans’, medicine men/women, to healers throughout various cultures of the history of mankind, the guilt edged sword of the origination of healing powers as good or evil with the outcome of death to many who practiced and deemed evil.
Writer/director Carl Franklin presents a look, through Rudolfo Anaya’s award winning novel set in rural New Mexico of the 1940’s, with a poignant beautifully photographed view of a young Mexican boy’s (Luke Ganalon) coming-of-age through the innocence of children as he’s mentored by the older ‘curandera’ Ultima (Miriam Colon) who cures physical and spiritual illnesses. As the story unfolds and sides are clearly defined in the village, our own beliefs rise to the surface for reaffirmation as the young boy discovers those of his future path. (Grade: B)
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‘The Playroom’
Olivia Harris plays one of four siblings in 1970s suburbia who spend the night telling each other stories in the attic while their parents (John Hawkes and Molly Parker) entertain guests downstairs over the course of a gin-soaked evening during which truths are unearthed and betrayals come to light. Playing exclusively at FilmBar. (NR - 83 minutes)
Joseph: If “The Playroom” would have been a little less interested in imitating 1997’s “The Ice Storm” and much more motivated by weaving its own unique tale of familial dysfunction set in 1970s suburbia, it may have actually been a provocative motion picture. Instead, the new drama must settle for being mildly intriguing. It is also ultimately unsatisfying as it handles the down and dirty details with melodramatic metaphors. However, some may still find it worth watching if only for the profound performances from stars John Hawkes and Molly Parker, the latter of whom played a similar character on CBS’s short-lived series “Swingtown.” (Grade: D)
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‘Snitch’
Dwayne Johnson plays a father whose teenage son is wrongly accused of a drug distribution crime and is looking at a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years. Desperate and determined to rescue his son at all costs, he makes a deal with the U.S. attorney to work as an undercover informant and infiltrate a drug cartel on a dangerous mission. (PG-13 - 112 minutes)
Stan: Under the sure hand of co-writer/director Ric Roman Waugh, retired football player, wrestler, and actor, Dwayne Johnson’s performance as the parent who will do whatever it takes to help his son, delivers a performance that is low on ‘brawn’ and high on inner fortitude while presenting a character that any of us who are parents, relates to with our hearts. With the first two-thirds of the film steadily laying the groundwork and the basic premise of the story, ‘Snitch’ escalates into an emotional roller coaster ride as the ‘against all odds’ scenario plays out to its predictable, yet satisfying conclusion. (Grade: B+)
Joseph: “Snitch” is successful in its efforts to both provoke the thoughts of its viewers and get them so riled up that they are almost guaranteed to dig their fingernails deep into their armrests for the entire duration of the new dramatic thriller. And holding on tight may be the best tactic, too, as writer/director Ric Roman Waugh exhilarates audiences not with action but with cleverly calculated suspense. Warning: You will not emerge with your nerves un-frayed from this tension, your spirit unbroken by this social injustice or your heart unaffected by this father’s defiant dedication to his son. (Grade: A)
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About the Film Columnists
Stan Robinson, 66, is a retired first assistant director with more than 22 years of experience in film and media production. Read his full features and reviews exclusively online at ScreenScene.org
Randy Montgomery, 34, works in media and marketing and holds a master's degree in counseling and education. Read his full features and reviews exclusively online at AZWeeklyMagazine.com
Joseph J. Airdo, 29, is a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism graduate with a bachelor's degree in media analysis and criticism. Read his full features and reviews exclusively online at Examiner.com/Phoenix
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