November’s Overlooked Film: The Brothers Bloom

Chosen by: John C

The Brothers Bloom

Release Date May 15th, 2009

Rated PG-13 for violence, some sensuality and brief strong language

Running Time: 97 min

Rian Johnson (dir.)

Rian Johnson (writer)

Nathan Johnson (music)

Rachel Weisz as Penelope Stamp

Adrien Brody as Bloom

Mark Ruffalo as Stephen

Rinko Kikuchi as Bang Bang

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Overlooked Film: The Brothers Bloom

By John C.

For this month’s overlooked film, I am shining the spotlight back on Rian Johnson’s masterpiece The Brothers Bloom. We had reviewed this film when it opened in theatres on May 15th, and when it came to DVD on October 6th. We all absolutely loved it, all awarding it 4 (out of 4) stars.

The film was criminally underrated in some circles, and it’s too bad it hasn’t been remembered with the awards recognition it deserves. Seek it out if you can, and please don’t hesitate to buy the DVD.

Is there a film that you think is overlooked? Send the name of the movie to onemoviefiveviews@hotmail.com, or leave us a comment below.

October’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

One Week

Release Date March 6th, 2009

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Running Time: 97 min

Michael McGowan (dir.)

Michael McGowan (writer)

Andrew Lockington (music)

Joshua Jackson as Ben Tyler

Liane Balaban as Samantha Pierce

Campbell Scott as Narrator

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Overlooked Film: One Week

By John C.

For this month’s overlooked film, I am shining the spotlight back on the Canadian masterpiece One Week. We had reviewed this film when it opened in theatres on March 6th, and when it came on DVD June 16th.

This is one film that deserves all the publicity it can get. It’s my favourite Canadian film I’ve seen this year, and will hopefully pick up numerous Genie awards. If you haven’t already seen it, please do so as soon as possible.

Is there a film that you think is overlooked? Send the name of the movie to onemoviefiveviews@hotmail.com, or leave us a comment below.

September’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium

Release Date November 16th, 2007

Rated G

Running Time: 93 min

Zach Helm (dir.)

Zach Helm (screenplay)

Alexandre Desplat (music)

Aaron Zigman (music)

Dustin Hoffman as Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer

Natalie Portman as Molly Mahoney, the Composer

Zach Mills as Eric Applebaum, the Hat Collector

Jason Bateman as Henry Weston, the Mutant

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Overlooked Film: Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium

By John C.

Zach Helm wrote the screenplay for Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium when he was in college, a few years before he wrote the brilliant screenplay for Stranger Than Fiction. Mr. Magorium is the story of the owner of an old toy store who wants to hand over his business to a young colleague. The film has a whimsical tone, but also deals with darker and more mature issues like death and moving on, but it does it in a way that people of all ages can understand and relate to. Dustin Hoffman gives a very good performance, never dumbing down just because he’s in a family film. One climatic dialogue-driven scene in particular, between Hoffman and co-star Natalie Portman, is just perfect. It’s touching and very moving. There are a few scenes that could have been tweaked a bit, but this is still an incredibly underrated and very good film.

Is there a film that you think is overlooked? Send the name of the movie to onemoviefiveviews@hotmail.com, or leave us a comment below.

Overlooked Film: Special Announcement

I will not be doing an overlooked film in July or August, but the monthly feature will return on September 26th, and will be appearing the last Saturday of every month. Look back over all the Overlooked Films here, and try to watch anyone's that you may have missed.

-John C.

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

Thank You For Smoking

Release Date April 14th, 2006

Rated 14A for coarse language and sexual content

Running Time: 92 min

Jason Reitman (dir.)

Jason Reitman (screenplay)

Christopher Buckley (novel)

Rolfe Kent (music)

Aaron Eckhart as Nick Naylor

J.K. Simmons as BR

Cameron Bright as Joey Naylor

Kim Dickens as Jill Naylor

William H. Macy as Senator Ortolan Finistirre

Robert Duvall as Captain

Katie Holmes as Heather Holloway

Adam Brody as Jack

Sam Elliott as Lorne Lutch

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Thank You For Smoking

Review By John C.

Before Juno, Ivan Reitman’s son, Jason Reitman, made his feature-length debut with the brilliant and hilarious satire, Thank You For Smoking. Aaron Eckhart leads an all-star cast, as Nick Naylor, a man who spends his life defending the cigarette companys. As anti-smoking as the film is, it doesn’t really take sides. It asks questions, but doesn’t necessarily give us an answer. It’s thought-provoking entertainment, but most importantly it’s just very, very funny. Jason Reitman is currently finishing work on his third film, Up in the Air, so that it can hopefully premiere at TIFF in September.

Is there a film that you think is overlooked? Send the name of the movie to onemoviefiveviews@hotmail.com, or leave us a comment below.

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

The Astronaut Farmer

Release Date Febuary 23 2007

Rated PG for thematic material, peril and language

Running Time: 104 min.

Michael Polish (dir.)

Mark Polish (writter)

Michael Polish (writter)

Stuart Matthewman (music)

Billy Bob Thornton as Charles Farmer

Virginia Madsen as Audrey 'Audie' Farmer

Max Thieriot as Shepard Farmer

Jasper Polish as Stanley Farmer

Logan Polish as Sunshine Farmer

Bruce Dern as Hal

Mark Polish as FBI Agent Mathis

Jon Gries as FBI Agent Killbourne

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The Astronaut Farmer

Review By James P.

The Polish Brothers' fourth film, after Twin Falls Idaho, Jackpot and one of my personal favorites, Northfork, The Astronaut Farmer is their first film that could reach a more mainstream audience. It’s the story of Charles Farmer, a dreamer who’s building a rocket ship in his shed. His dream is to have a trip in space. But, government agents stand in his way when they get suspicious of the large amounts of rocket fuel he has been purchasing. This is also a family film for older kids and adults, another Polish Brothers' first. This is a great little film with the perfect mix of fantasy, humor and most importantly, heart. Go out and watch it if you haven’t already, I highly recommend it.

Is there a film that you think is overlooked? Send the name of the movie to onemoviefiveviews@hotmail.com, or leave us a comment below.

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

Release Date January 19 2007

Rated G

Running Time: 93 min.

Chriss Nonnan (dir.)

Renée Zellweger as Beatrix Potter

Ewan McGregor as Norman Warne

Emily Watson as Millie Warne

Barbara Flynn as Helen Potter

Bill Paterson as Rupert Potter

Matyelok Gibbs as Miss Wiggin

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Miss Potter

Review By John C.

Often forgotten amidst the many other biopics, Miss Potter is a worthy adaptation of the life of children’s author Beatrix Potter. With solid acting and an entertaining way of telling the story, Miss Potter is sweet, but saved from falling into the realm of unbearably sappy. The film shares some similarities with Finding Neverland (the Best Picture nominated biopic about J.M. Barrie), but Miss Potter is never as emotional as that film. Around this time when we see all kinds of stuff with Peter Rabbit, I recommend you check this out so you can see his origins. This is pretty innocent, so it would be the perfect film for families to watch around Easter.

Is there a film that you think is overlooked? Send the name of the movie to onemoviefiveviews@hotmail.com, or leave us a comment below.

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

Saint Ralph

Release Date April 8 2005

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and partial nudity

Running Time: 98 min.

Michael McGowan (dir.)

Adam Butcher as Ralph Walker

Campbell Scott as Father George Hibbert

Gordon Pinsent as Father Fitzpatrick

Jennifer Tilly as Nurse Alice

Shauna MacDonald as Emma Walker

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Saint Ralph

Review By John C.

Saint Ralph is the story of a kid who dreams big. Ralph Walker is a 15 year-old boy growing up in Hamilton, ON in 1954. He is not an orphan, but his mother has been in a coma for quite some time, and his father has died. He dreams of running and winning the Boston marathon, because it would be a miracle if he wins, and a miracle is what his mother would need to wake up. The acting by the mostly Canadian cast is excellent, and it is interesting to hear the music of composer Andrew Lockington before he became more known for scoring films like Journey to the Center of the Earth and City of Ember.

It would be worth checking out this great little film before you go see One Week, director Michael McGowan’s latest film, which opened last Friday.

Is there a film that you think is overlooked? Drop us a comment below, or send us the name of the movie to onemoviefiveviews@hotmail.com

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

Overlooked films will no longer be rated out of stars.

The Visitor

Release Date April 18 2008

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Running Time: 104 min.

Thomas McCarthy (dir.)

Richard Jenkins as Professor Robert Vale

Haaz Sleiman as Tarek Khalil

Danai Jekesai Guria as Zainab

Hiam Abbass as Mouna Khalil

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The Visitor

Review By John C.

When Professor Robert Vale, (Richard Jenkins), returns to his apartment in New York City he finds a young couple living there. It turns out that they are illegal immigrants, trying to avoid deportation. The story plays out as a human drama, about how people's lives can be changed by those around them. The acting is excellent, and has earned Richard Jenkins an Oscar nomination for his work in the film. The film is at times heartbreaking, being grounded in reality rather than sentimentality. The last few scenes are simple, yet still emotional, moving and beautiful. The Visitor is a wonderful movie, and a film that everyone should see.

Is there a film that you think is overlooked? Send the name of the movie to onemoviefiveviews@hotmail.com

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

Stranger Than Fiction

Release Date November 10 2006

Rated PG-13 (for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity)

Running Time: 113 min.

Marc Forster (dir.)

Will Ferrell as Harold Crick

Dustin Hoffman as Prof. Hilbert

Emma Thompson as Kay Eiffel

Maggie Gyllenhaal as Ana Pascal

Queen Latifah as Penny Escher

Linda Hunt as Dr. Mittag-Leffler

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Stranger Than Fiction review by John C.

**** (out of 4)

Will Ferrell proved with Stranger Than Fiction that he has no trouble acting in a more serious role. It could by definition be called a comedy, but not really one where you laugh out loud at what's going on, but are more amused by the absurdity of it all. Even with great leading work by Ferrell, excellent supporting work by Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson and Maggie Gyllenhaal, and one of the greatest movie endings I have ever seen, Stranger Than Fiction was sadly forgotten for any awards, even though it would have been worthy of at least a nomination for Best Picture. Stranger Than Fiction is an overlooked and underrated masterpiece, that could easily have been called the best film of 2006, or of any other year. I love this movie.

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

Lars and the Real Girl

Release Date November 2nd 2007 (Limited)

Rated PG-13 for some sex related content

Running Time: 106 min.

Craig Gillespie (dir.)

Ryan Gosling as Lars

Paul Schneider as Gus

Emily Mortimer as Karin

Nancy Beatty as Mrs. Gruner

Patricia Clarkson as Dagmar

Lauren Ash as Holly

Kelli Garner as Margo

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Lars and the Real Girl Review By John C.

**** (out of four)

The premise of Lars and the Real Girl, sounds anything but appealing, it actually sounds kind of creepy. But, the results are anything but creepy, it’s actually a sweet and moving picture, that is brilliant in it’s innocent portrayal of the lead character's relationship with a life sized doll which he buys over the internet. The audience and those around him know of the doll's true purpose, but to Lars she is Bianca, his girlfriend. As those around him try and help, they are told that the only way they can, is by going along with his delusion, it will only stop when he is ready to let it go. The beginning of the film is filled with great humour, but by the end, it becomes emotional, sad and extremely moving. Lars and the Real Girl is a perfect film, brilliantly mixing humour and heart. Everyone should see it.

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

Millions

Release Date March 18th 2005 (Limited)

Rated PG for thematic elements, language, some peril and mild sensuality

Danny Boyle (dir.)

Alex Etel as Damian Cunningham

Lewis McGibbon as Anthony Cunningham

James Nesbitt as Ronnie Cunningham

Daisy Donovan as Dorothy

Jane Hogarth as Mum

Enzo Cilenti as St. Francis

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Millions Review By John C.

**** (out of four)

When you finish watching Danny Boyle’s Millions, you know you have just seen something special. From the opening scene where a house is literally built before our eyes, you will be mesmerized right through to the end. Part of what makes the movie so special is the acting. The two young actors are amazing, and fit well with the adults around them. Alex Etel plays Damian Cunningham, who can name off any saint and tell you their date of birth and death and what they were patron saint of. So naturally, when a bag of money falls from the sky, he thinks it’s a gift from God, and wants to give it to the poor. His brother, Anthony (Lewis McGibbon), thinks they should spend it, and wants to use it to gain popularity at his school. The story is told through the eyes of Damian, as he has visions of various saints, and gets taken on a journey of having to decide what is right. If I had to make a list of my favorite films, Millions would have to be there. Partly because I love it, and partly because it wouldn’t feel right if it wasn’t there.

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

The Iron Giant

Release Date August 6th, 1999

Rated PG For Fantasy Action And Mild Language

Brad Bird (dir.)

Hogarth Hughes as Eli Marienthal (voice)

Annie Hughes as Jennifer Aniston (voice)

Dean McCoppin as Harry Connick Jr. (voice)

Iron Giant as Vin Diesel (voice)

Kent Mansley as Christopher McDonald (voice)

John Mahoney Gen. as Rogard(voice)

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The Iron Giant Review By John C.

**** (out of four)

The Iron Giant is probably one of the most special animated movies ever made. When it was released in 1999, it met with rave reviews, but nobody went to see it. If it had come out now, after Director Brad Bird has become famous for his equally brilliant Pixar films The Incredibles and Ratatouille, It probably would have been a smash hit. The story focuses on the young Hogarth Hughes growing up with his single mother in the late 1950’s. One night he finds a giant iron robot who he tries to keep under the radar of the government, who like most of society was worried about the threat of a cold war. The visuals are stunning and the story feels authentic to the time. By the end you will probably have tears in your eyes. A great movie that stands out in the world of animation.

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

Northfork

Release Date July 11th 2003 (Limited)

Rated PG for brief sexuality

Michael Polish (dir.)

James Woods as Walter O'Brien

Mark Polish as Willis O'Brien

Nick Nolte as Father Harlan

Duel Farnes as Irwin

Daryl Hannah as Flower Hercules

Anthony Edwards as Happy

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Northfork Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

It has been said that to actually understand the Polish brothers Northfork, you would have to read a book about it. Well, I have. It’s called The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking, and is not as much a how-to guide, as it is their diary of writing and filming their third movie Northfork. It is both visually stunning and wonderfully shot, the landscapes of Montana are simply beautiful, and almost seem as if they are right off a postcard. The story of a town that will soon be flooded by a hydro-electric dam is haunting, and brings in a deeper message about life and ultimately, death. It has proven to be hard to track down, but is worth the trouble.

New Feature To Be Launched This Friday

Starting this Friday One Movie, Five Views will be profiling an overlooked or underrated film once a month. These will be short profiles and reviews of films that were either overlooked by reviewers or the public, but are definitely worth seeing.

Your goal is to try to see this film before the next months special feature is listed.

Keep an eye on the website for the first installment tomorrow.