Category Archives: Susan Sarandon

2009 Films, Brian Koppleman, Comedy, Danny DeVito, David Levien, Independent, Independent Comedy, Jesse Eisenberg, Mary-Louise Parker, Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon

Solitary Man-2009

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Solitary Man-2009

Director Brian Koppelman, David Levien

Starring Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon

Scott’s Review #508

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Reviewed November 3, 2016

Grade: B-

Solitary Man (2009) is an indie drama that has good points and bad.

Michael Douglas stars as a one-time successful, but womanizing, car dealership owner who hits rough times and loses everything.

Michael Douglas’s performance is very good and believable as a cad who hits a difficult stretch in his life. As an actor, Douglas still possesses his good looks and charm despite being an older leading man by this time- he plays 60 very well.

The film centers around him and wisely so- despite the film containing other notable actors. His character of Ben Kalman has swagger and is narcissistic, but yet lovable at the same time and this is unmistakably due to Douglas’s talents.

Annoyingly, the supporting characters played by Susan Sarandon, Danny Devito, and Jesse Eisenberg are quite one-note and not interesting, which is a shame in light of their immense talents.

The story is okay, but nothing fantastic.

I felt as though I had seen films like this many times before- the quirky edge and the attempted dark humor with laughs and some melodrama mixed in was forgettable.

However, as a character study, the movie succeeds.

Solitary Man (2009) is recommended for Michael Douglas’s performance only.

2012 Films, Brit Marling, Crime Drama, Drama, Independent, Independent Drama, Nicholas Jarecki, Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth

Arbitrage-2012

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Arbitrage-2012

Director Nicholas Jarecki

Starring Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon

Scott’s Review #437

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Reviewed July 1, 2016

Grade: B+

Arbitrage (2012) is an exciting, interesting, little indie thriller starring Richard Gere as a successful, but troubled, CEO, whose life begins to unravel around him through a series of circumstances.

He is a billionaire but at risk of losing everything due to shady dealings and fraudulent activity.

The film is the type that keeps the audience guessing and is never predictable. The plot slowly unravels into something of a pot-boiler. It is tense.

Richard Gere is the standout as he gives a wonderful, believable performance. Once known as little more than a hunky Hollywood star, Gere has blossomed in recent years, taking on more compelling and complex roles.

Arbitrage (2012) contains some Hitchcock elements throughout in its complexities, though Gere’s character is an anti-hero whereas Hitchcock’s were frequently good guys in bad circumstances.

The car crash scene is brilliantly done.

I wish this movie had received more attention than it has as it is a fun, thrill ride.

2012 Films, Adam Sandler, Alan Thicke, Andy Samberg, Colin Quinn, Comedy, Dan Patrick, Dark Comedy, Dennis Dugan, Ian Ziering, James Caan, Lowest Rated Films, Rex Ryan, Sean Anders, Susan Sarandon, Todd Bridges, Vanilla Ice, Will Forte

That’s My Boy-2012

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That’s My Boy-2012

Director Sean Anders

Starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg

Scott’s Review #423

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Reviewed June 19, 2016

Grade: D

That’s My Boy (2012) is such an incredibly bad film yet there is something that strangely kept my attention.

With oodles of stereotypes and either sexist, homophobic, or racist jokes throughout the film, it should have made me angry, but somehow it did not.

This movie was so completely over the top that it could not possibly be taken too seriously.

One laughable aspect that I did enjoy was the, albeit odd, cameos by Vanilla Ice and Todd Bridges who seem to have no problem degrading themselves, and the references to the 1980s.

Otherwise, That’s My Boy is pretty rock bottom for filmmaking.

This is not a knock on the dumb comedy genre as other recent similar types of films are well written (like This is 40-2011).

But, alas, That’s My Boy (2012) is not one of those films and will not go down in history as such.

True to form, the ending was predictable and uninteresting.

2012 Films, Comedy, Drama, Frank Langella, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama, Jake Schreier, James Marsden, Jeremy Sisto, Liv Tyler, Peter Sarsgaard, Science Fiction, Susan Sarandon

Robot & Frank-2012

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Robot & Frank-2012

Director Jake Schreier

Starring Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon

Scott’s Review #414

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Reviewed June 18, 2016

Grade: C

Robot & Frank (2012) is one of those films where I am left with a “meh” reaction after having viewed it.

It’s not that it’s a bad movie, but there’s nothing particularly special either- it is quite ordinary and rather forgettable after the credits have rolled.

The premise, on paper,  seems novel: a future with robots that grow attached to humans. Unfortunately, the movie did not live up to the idea.

I was hoping for an interesting 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) type robot idea (HAL) but received nothing of the kind.

I’m a big fan of Frank Langella and I felt he was the main attraction in this movie.

On a side note, why is Susan Sarandon suddenly playing every meaningless supporting role these days? Another wasted role. She deserves better.

Several plot points had no follow-through and the ending, while not exactly predictable, was nothing spectacular.

Meh.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best First Screenplay

2011 Films, Comedy, Drama, Ed Helms, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama, Jason Reitman, Jason Segel, Jay Duplass, Judy Greer, Mark Duplass, Susan Sarandon

Jeff, Who Lives at Home-2011

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Jeff, Who Lives at Home-2011

Director Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass

Starring Jason Segel, Susan Sarandon

Scott’s Review #107

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Reviewed July 12, 2014

Grade: B

I confess to not being a huge fan of Jason Segel.

Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011) tells the story of a slacker who lives with his mother and lives in the shadows of his successful brother, played by Ed Helms.

He regularly smokes pot and looks for meaning in random occurrences.

One day he begins an adventure when he believes he sees meaning in a phone call and it sets up a series of mishaps involving his brother and estranged wife, played by Judy Greer.

The secondary story involves the mother (Susan Sarandon), who leads a dull life working a mundane job. She suddenly develops a secret admirer at her job.

The film was much better than expected. As the movie unfolds it turns into a day in the life of a dysfunctional, yet loving family.

I expected a silly, dumb comedy given the star and the premise, but the film was much better than that. It is a nicely layered, touching movie with a message and some spirituality mixed in.

I loved the ending and was impressed by the heartfelt nature of this small little slice-of-life film.