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A QUINTET OF QUICK TAKES: Five Film Reviews in Brief
Al Franken: God Spoke -- Franken fans are the intended audience for this light-hearted look at the political landscape during which the left-leaning comedian devotes most of his time annoying familiar right-wing media-darlings, from Bill O'Reilly to Sean Hannity to Ann Coulter to Henry Kissinger. Most of Al's adversaries take his in-your-face confrontations in stride, with the notable exception of the humorless Coulter who remains rabid even when the TV cameras have been turned off.
Very good (3 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 90 minutes
Studi Balcony Releasing
Aurora Borealis -- This generation-skipping drama is about a slacker (Joshua Jackson) mourning the passing of his father who suddenly finds the spark that's been missing from his life when he takes a job as a janitor at his grandparents' retirement home where he unexpectedly finds a love interest in a spunky nurse (Juliette Lewis). Unfortunately, the story drags because the characters aren't compelling, despite decent performances delivered by Donald Sutherland and Louise Fletcher as the aging elders.
Good (2 stars)
Rated R for profanity
Running time: 90 minutes
Studi Regent Releasing
Le Petit Lieutenant -- This unlikely-buddy crime thriller, set in Paris, pairs an enthusiastic rookie cop (Jalil Lespert) fresh out of the Police Academy with a jaded veteran inspector (Nathalie Baye) who's turned to alcohol since the death of her son. This atmospheric mood piece devotes as much time to character development as to cracking the case of the serial killer responsible for the series of brutal attacks along the banks of the Seine River.
Excellent (3.5 stars)
Unrated
In Polish, Russian and French with subtitles.
Running time: 110 minutes
Studi The Cinema Guild
Saint of 9/11 -- Moving bio-pic of Father Mychal Judge chronicles the martyred NYFD Chaplain's life and times through the eyes of not only firemen, but friends, colleagues parishioners and anyone who happened to cross his path. Captivating film makes a convincing case that this Franciscan priest who ministered in sandals to AIDS patients and the homeless deserves serious consideration for canonization. Narrated nicely by Ian McKellen.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 90 minutes
Studi IFC Films
Sherrybaby -- Maggie Gyllenhaal is magnificent in her most demanding role since Secretary (2002). As Sherry, a just-released ex-con trying to read just to the real world while living in a halfway house, she's torn between the urge to use drugs again and the desire to regain custody of her daughter. An incest survivor with boundary issues, Sherry survives by using sex to manipulate men. Bittersweet tale of redemption features additional noteworthy performances by Giancarlo Esposito and Danny Trejo.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 96 minutes
Studi IFC Films
