MRS. BROWN'S BOYS D'MOVIE (2014)

Though nothing original and with some jokes that do fall pretty flat, fans of the series "Mrs. Brown's Boys" should be pretty happy with this feature-length version, in which the outspoken, take-no-prisoners Agnes Brown takes on greedy politicians, shady business developers, and the Russian mob when all of these forces try to close down her food stall in the Moore Street marketplace - a Dublin neighborhood institution slowly shutting down due to corporate greed.  The usual low-brow humor is in place, complete with politically-incorrect pokes that include Brendan O'Carroll (who plays Mrs. Brown) playing Asian, a barrister with Tourettes Syndrome, and one actually damned funny gag that references Parkinson's.  And where else will you find a school for blind ninjas?  Strictly for fans of the series, but thankfully - overall - that's both the level it's geared toward ... and works on. (not rated)  B

MRS. BROWN'S BOYS D'MOVIE trailer

BLACK BUTLER (2014)

Based on the hugely successful Japanese manga and anime, Black Butler the film has been blasted by many fans over the filmmakers' decision to change the gender and age of the main character alone.  Having not read the manga and only seeing episode one of the animated series (which I enjoyed), Black Butler really struck me as a film, so much so I continue to think about it for days afterward, and even ordered season one of the anime.  The plot: a young, orphaned teen aristocrat, in order to avenge the murder of her parents, sells her soul to a demon in order to enlist his help to get revenge, the demon taking the form of a butler who watches over and protects her until she fulfills her task and dies, so he can eat her soul.  Their investigation leads to a conspiracy that includes a terrorist plot to kill some of the world's top dignitaries, and the visuals and action sequences in the film were, to me, worth watching alone.  A quirky, unique film that's wormed its way into my brain and won't let go ... and I'm cool with that. (not rated)  A-

BLACK BUTLER trailer

LIFE AFTER BETH (2014)

A deliciously dark comedy not for everyone, Life After Beth opens with an innocent enough hike, taken by high school girl Beth Slocum (the wonderful Aubrey Plaza), that ends in tragedy when she's bitten by a snake and dies.  Beth's boyfriend Zach (Dane DeHaan), weeks later, is still deeply mourning the girl's loss, so much so he's taken to visiting her parents - even playing chess with Mr. Slocum - but when he suddenly finds himself being avoided by the Slocums Zach is determined to learn why.  What he discovers is that Beth has come back to life, come back home, the Slocums trying to keep her resurrection as secret even as Zach starts to realize that this new Beth is starting to develop some odd quirks the old Beth never had - such as penchants for violence and slaughter.  A funny, weird, off-the-wall romantic zombie horror comedy made fresh by the performances of DeHaan and especially Plaza, Life After Beth injects some new life into what's normally a tired, shuffling-on-its-feet (pun intended) genre. (rated R)  B

LIFE AFTER BETH trailer

THE LUNCHBOX (2013)

In India, the Dabbawalas is an extensive lunch service that delivers thousands of hot lunches to workers every day, fresh and homemade and served in containers that are then returned every night to those who cook the meals.  The service is known for its flawless inability to make mistakes ... which is where the plot of The Lunchbox comes in, when an unhappily-married woman in Mumbai, named Ila (Nimrat Kaur), has a lunch intended for her husband accidentally delivered to the soon-to-be-retired Saajan (Life of Pi's Irrfan Khan), who in turns sends back a note with his opinion on the meal.  Thus begins a correspondence, via notes and Ila's lunches, between two lonely hearts that will change both and potentially lead to more, as the two open up to each other in ways that probably wouldn't have happened in person.  The Lunchbox is sweet, funny, dramatic, and a modern-day love story that should be seen far outside its native India.  A beautiful film. (rated PG)  A

THE LUNCHBOX trailer

THIRD PERSON (2013)

Three couples, three cities: Michael (Liam Neeson) is trying to finish his latest novel in Paris while juggling an ex-wife (Kim Basinger) and younger girlfriend (Olivia Wilde); Scott (Adrien Brody), a small-time con artist and thief in Rome, finds himself helping/falling for an Italian woman named Monika (Moran Atias) - who may or may not be what she seems - reunite with her daughter; and Julia (Mila Kunis), a soap opera actress, is trying to come to terms with losing custody of her son to her vindictive ex (James Franco) in New York City.  All three stories eventually connect - if a bit disjointedly, as this is one of those films you really have to watch in order to "get" what's going on.  And while you sort of get what writer/director Paul Haggis (Crash) was going for, ultimately things just feel a bit too convoluted or undeveloped (including the performances) - even uninspired - enough for viewers to care very much.  That said, Brody and Kunis are stand outs here, earning the "+" on the rating alone. (rated R)  C+

THIRD PERSON trailer

THE PRINCE (2014)

When blue collar mechanic Paul (Jason Patric) learns that his college-age daughter has disappeared from both her life and her college in New Orleans, Paul follows the trail to the Crescent City where he pals up with his kid's roommate to find out the girl has been abducted.  In fact, little is at it seems as it is slowly revealed that not only is Paul an ex-assassin, retired from the profession, who is no longer welcomed in New Orleans ... but that his daughter is now in the hands of his biggest nemesis, Omar (Bruce Willis) - whose own wife and child were accidentally killed by Paul many years ago, which led to Paul's leaving the business.  You'd think with this plot (and also with Korean actor/pop star Rain as Omar's second-in-command) the film would be a tense thriller ... but instead poor direction, a rushed ending, and a few so-so performances weaken what otherwise might have been a good, suspenseful film. (rated R)  C-

THE PRINCE trailer

FADING GIGOLO (2013)

Brooklyn best friends Fioravante (John Turturro, who also wrote and directed) and Murray (Woody Allen) are facing hard times financially when Murray learns that his married dermatologist (Sharon Stone) has a secret sexual fantasy of having a three way with her best female friend (Sofia Vergara) and another guy ... and would pay handsomely for the opportunity.  Thus begins Fioravante's second career as a middle-aged gigolo who knows how to both seduce and really get into the minds of a woman - Murray acting as, essentially, his pimp in a film that in many ways may remind viewers of Allen's own work in his heyday.  The touches of humor and drama are both engaging and endearing, and though well-written and well-made the film also suffers from a bit of sterility that somehow never allows you to fully engage with its story or characters.  Not for everyone, but worth a go for those who like Woody Allen's work, especially. (rated R)  B-

FADING GIGOLO trailer  

THE GIVER (2014)

With all the dystopian-themed films out there, The Giver manages to be unique as it doesn't revolve around violence, chase scenes, or extended battles/action sequences.  Instead, this low-key drama - based on the novel by Lois Lowry - tells the story of a perfect world without violence or anger, where people are happy without real emotions, and content without really feeling.  Where each individual has their place ... including young Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), who is tasked with being the new Receiver of Memories, which he will glean from The Giver (Jeff Bridges), only to learn that everything in his world is sanitized and watered down, because with no pain or war or sickness or loss mankind has also lost it's ability to feel.  And to love.  The sham of his world, and of all the memories of the "real" world long list lost, drive him to find a way to break the spell and free mankind from a fate of emotional extinction, in a film that's not perfect but still resonates days after viewing it. (rated PG-13)  B

THE GIVER trailer