Wish I Was Here ****
A
struggling actor (Zach Braff) faces financial woes and emotional turmoil in the
face of the imminent death of his cancer-stricken father (Mandy Patinkin).
Starring Zach Braff, Kate Hudson, Mandy Patinkin, Josh Gad, Joey King, Pierce
Gagnon, Donald Faison, Ashley Greene, Jim Parsons, Michael Weston, Alexander
Chaplin, Allan Rich, Cody Sullivan, Silvia Curiel, Nichole Galicia. Warm tender
wonderful four tissue film. R 113 minutes. Four stars.
Venus in Fur (at
FAU Living Room Theatres and Movies of Delray and Lake Worth) ***1/2
Director Roman Polanski
adapts Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s novel about an actress (Emmanuelle Seigner)
who attempts to convince a director (Mathieu Amalric) how she’s perfect for a
role in his upcoming production. This version moves the action from New York to
Paris. Alone
in a Paris theater after a long day of auditioning actresses for his new play,
writer-director Thomas (Amalric) complains that no actress he's seen has what
it takes to play the lead female character: a woman who enters into an
agreement with her male counterpart to dominate him as her slave. Thomas is
about to leave the theater when actress Vanda (Seigner) bursts in, a whirlwind
of erratic - and, it turns out, erotic - energy. At first she seems to embody
everything Thomas has been lamenting. She is pushy, foul-mouthed, desperate and
ill-prepared - or so it seems. When Thomas finally, reluctantly, agrees to let
her try out for the part, he is stunned and captivated by her transformation.
Not only is Vanda a perfect fit (even sharing the character's name), but she
apparently has researched the role exhaustively, learned her lines by heart and
even bought her own props. The likeness proves to be much more than skin-deep.
As the extended "audition" builds momentum, Thomas moves from
attraction to obsession until, with Vanda taking an ever more dominant role,
the balance of power shifts completely. NR 96 minutes NR 96 minutes. Three and
a half stars.
Gabrielle (at FAU Living Room
Theatres) ***
The musically gifted but developmentally challenged Gabrielle
lives in a group home with four other adults who have similar disabilities.
Like all young women, Gabrielle wants her independence, but of course her
situation is exceptional. When she falls in love with a similarly challenged
young man in her choir, she discovers that both the families and the social
workers are alarmed; can these two handle an adult relationship? Then
Gabrielle’s beloved and supportive sister confesses that she is going to move
to India, and Gabrielle’s world is truly in danger of falling apart. With
stubborn courage and a real zest for life, Gabrielle prevails against all odds
to win her freedom. Tender special needs love story. R 103 minutes. Three
stars.
Planes: Fire & Rescue **
When
Dusty (Dane Cook), the famous racing airplane, learns that his engine is
damaged, he must shift gears and find a new career. He joins an elite corps of
firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park.
When a massive wildfire threatens the park, Dusty -- with the help of his
fearless colleagues Blade Ranger, Dipper (Julie Bowen), Windlifter, Cabbie and
the Smokejumpers -- learns what it takes to become a real hero. Starring Dane
Cook, Julie Bowen. PG 75 minutes. Two stars.
Sex Tape * 1/2
When
Annie (Cameron Diaz) and Jay (Jason Segel) first met, they had an instant and intense
romantic connection. However, 10 years and two children later, the flames of
passion have dimmed to dull embers. To bring the sparks back to their
relationship, Annie and Jay decide to make a video of themselves trying out
every position in "The Joy of Sex." It seemed like a great idea --
until they discover that their private video is just one click away from going
public. Starring Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper,
Rob Lowe, R 90 minutes. One and a half stars.
The Purge: Anarchy *
The New Founders of America invite you to
celebrate your annual right to Purge. The Purge: Anarchy, the sequel to summer
2013's sleeper hit that opened to No. 1 at the box-office, sees the return of
writer/director James DeMonaco to craft the next terrifying chapter of dutiful
citizens preparing for their country's yearly 12 hours of anarchy. Starring
Frank Grillo, Michael K. Williams. R 103 minutes. One star.
Barry Epstein is president of Barry R.
Epstein Associates, (www.publicrelations.nu) a full service public
relations, marketing and political consulting firm based in Boca Raton, Fl. and
the president of the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club (www.golddcoasttigerbayclub), Luxury Chamber (www.luxurychamber.com) the founder and former president of the
West Boca Chamber of Commerce and president of the West Boca Leaders. (www.westbocaleaders.com). He also hosts a weekly internet television
show on www.wrpbitv.com, also seen on www.vimeo.com, www.publicrelations.nu and other sites; and writes a weekly
column/blog on the www.bocatribune.com website and on the front page of
the Sun-Sentinel/Jewish Journal website (http://www.barrys-journal.blogspot.com) For more information, visit www.publicrelations.nu or call 561.852.0000.
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