Our capsule reviews for ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, ‘Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos’, ‘Haywire’, and ‘Red Tails’ ~
The following quotes were pulled from reviews written by AZ Weekly Entertainment Magazine in Phoenix, AZ's Film Section contributors to present readers with a wider perspective about this weekend's new releases.
At 27 years old, Joseph J. Airdo is a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism graduate with a degree in media analysis and criticism. Randy Montgomery, 34, works in media and marketing and holds a Master's Degree in Counseling and Education. And, at 65 years old, Stan Robinson is a retired First Assistant Director with more than 22 years of experience in film and media production.
Read their full reviews of these and other movies exclusively online at Examiner.com, AZWeeklyMagazine.com and ScreenScene.org, respectively.
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'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close'
Convinced that his late father (Tom Hanks) left a final message for him somewhere in New York City, a boy (Thomas Horn) scours the five boroughs for clues relating to a mysterious key. Also starring Sandra Bullock. (PG-13 – 129 minutes)
Stan: “With a slow start of the ‘idyllic family’ enjoying the fantasy lifestyle we all yearn for, the film steadily shifts to the core of the story of a young child (and an exceptional performance by Thomas Horn) dealing with the death of his father (Tom Hanks) and his mother (Sandra Bullock) while grieving her husband’s loss, has the fortitude to give her son the space he needs to accomplish his odyssey which she knows is his form of closure, as she secretly and carefully watches over him along the way.”Grade: B+
Randy: “A 9/11 film without the politics is always welcomed. This is a heartwarming story that also provides a bit of mystery and intrigue. Sandra Bullock is likable as always, but the real star of the show is young newcomer Thomas Horn. The Phoenix Film Critics Society recognized horn in numerous categories. Hopefully, the Hollywood Foreign Press and the Academy will do the same. Tom Hanks and an impressive supporting cast make ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close’ a true winner.”Grade: B+
Joseph: “There is quirky and then there is actor Thomas Horn's character in 'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,' a pretentious young man who constantly shakes a tambourine everywhere he goes. And he goes an awful lot of places. I desperately desired to grab his tambourine and throw it as far away from him as possible (which, by the way, is the politically correct version of my actual aspirations). The only thing worse than Horn's character is the movie itself, a trivial exercise in emotional manipulation.”Grade: D
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'Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos'
A fugitive alchemist with mysterious abilities leads the Elric brothers to a distant valley of slums inhabited by the Milos, a proud people struggling against bureaucratic exploitation. In Japanese with English subtitles. Playing exclusively at Harkins Valley Art. (NR – 110 minutes)
Stan: “Not familiar with the characters of the franchise but always up for new discovery and aware of the popularity of the anime animation style, I found myself taken with the theme of the downtrodden in their struggle for social justice. I’m reminded of the ‘Kung Fu Panda’ films’ animation videogame like style, and yes I had work to learn the characters, keep up with the plot, but all in all, looking forward to the next adventure.”Grade: B
Joseph: “'Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos' is a fans-only affair. That is to say that if you are not already familiar with the franchise, it is best to steer clear of this anime effort as it will not only fail to sufficiently entertain you but also leave your head spinning in complete confusion. Granted, the action sequences are mildly amusing but the motion picture's plot is so incredibly convoluted that newcomers – like myself – could not comprehend this chronicle even if the fate of their entire existence hung in the balance.”Grade: D
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'Haywire'
After a successful mission to free a Chinese hostage, a highly trained operative (Gina Carano) is betrayed and left for dead by someone in her own agency. Also starring Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Bill Paxton, Channing Tatum, Antonio Banderas and Michael Douglas. (R – 92 minutes)
Stan:“Mixed martial arts star Gina Carano with the filmmaking expertise of director Steven Soderbergh (‘Traffic’ 2000, and the ‘Ocean’ movies) for her first movie presents a character who’s mental and physical expertise is intriguing to watch as she puts together the elusive clues on who to trust in this operative vs. operatives caper. To the males of the species, if your choice of women is the strong independent type, (as this reviewer) you’ll cheer her on every step of the way. Antonio Banderas gives the perfect line when the realization of ‘he’s next’ as the screen fades to black. Grade: B
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'Red Tails'
Having faced segregation while kept mostly on the ground during World War II, a crew of African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program is called into duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard (Terrence Howard). Also starring Cuba Gooding Jr. (PG-13 – 100 minutes)
Stan:“Executive Producer George Lucas presents in dramatic form, the fabled story of the Tuskegee Airmen of the U.S. Army Air Corps and the impact of their participation in the European air battles during World War II as the pilots carve out a defining niche in the annals of history, making a legend of the aircraft with the painted red tails, while delivering an exciting film of aerial dog-fights while keeping the theme of the story grunded without ‘preaching to the choir’ and avoiding becoming manipulative.” Grade: B
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