Copyright 2012 Warner Brothers France"The Artist"
The Weinstein Company/Warner Brothers Pictures (France)
Rated PG 13 (For Disturbing Scene and Obscene Gesture)
Running Time : 1 Hour 40 Minutes
"The Artist" is about Silent Film Superstar George Valentin (played tremendously by Jean Dujardin) who is on top of the world in 1927. He meets rising star Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) in a chance encounter outside his latest movie premiere. The two have an instant connection, but George is loyal to his wife and does not act on his impulses.
Meanwhile, Al Zimmer (John Goodman) the Head of the Studio is telling George that there is new technology that creates sound for motion pictures called "Talkies". George quickly dismisses it, saying it is a phase that will soon die out. George is given a stern warning that this is the future and if he wants to be in it, he must adapt.
A few months go by and George's once Superstar status is quickly downgraded. The studio ends all silent film production and exclusively does "Talkie" films. George realizes he is now out of a job due to his refusal to embrace the new technology. Angry and wanting to prove the studio wrong, George invests a lot of money into creating his own silent film. The film is a bust and shortly after the stock market crash of 1929 he is flat broke and his wife leaves him. He then spirals out of control into madness.
Meanwhile, Peppy Miller's star rises and she becomes the Superstar of "Talkie" films. She looks out for George and still thinks they can be together some day. But George's stubborn pride gets in the way.
Bottom Line: A great film that I believe is the one to beat for Best Picture. Very authentic in its film making. Jean Jujardin deserves the Oscar for Best Actor for his difficult and flawless performance. A truly superb movie worth seeing. (**** Stars)
The Muppets
The Muppets
Walt Disney Pictures
Rated PG
Running Time: 1 Hour 43 Minutes
Growing up, I remember all of the zany Muppet movies and even the Muppet Babies cartoon show. It was harmless fun that would teach you lessons along the way. It had been almost 12 years since any significant Muppet movie had been in movie theatres. Well, I think it is safe to say the Muppets are making a comeback.
With the help of multi-talented Jason Segal (Gary), "The Muppets" is about three fans (Gary, Mary and Muppet Gary) helping them reunite for a telethon to raise $10 million dollars to save their historic, old theater from a greedy oil tycoon, Tex Richman (Chris Cooper).
Growing up, I remember all of the zany Muppet movies and even the Muppet Babies cartoon show. It was harmless fun that would teach you lessons along the way. It had been almost 12 years since any significant Muppet movie had been in movie theatres. Well, I think it is safe to say the Muppets are making a comeback.
With the help of multi-talented Jason Segal (Gary), "The Muppets" is about three fans (Gary, Mary and Muppet Gary) helping them reunite for a telethon to raise $10 million dollars to save their historic, old theater from a greedy oil tycoon, Tex Richman (Chris Cooper).
A very simple storyline like most Muppet movies, but this movie has some renewed energy to it. Fozzie Bear being in Reno is hilarious, along with 1980s robot who drives the Muppets around to locate them. The cameo performances are great (Dave Groehl in Fozzie Bear's band The Moopets, Jack Black as the kidnapped host of the telethon to name a few).
BOTTOM LINE: "The Muppets" is a fun film that the entire family can enjoy. Even kids and adults that have no history with the Muppets will quickly catch up on their historic past throughout the film. The only problem I had with it was the ending. It seemed rushed and not a fitting ending in my opinion. (*** Stars)
