The Wall 3/4 stars

 Seen in theater,  released 2013.

Directed by Julian Pölsler 

Written by:Marlen Haushofer (novel), Julian Pölsler (adaptation)

With Wolfgang M. Bauer, Ulrike Beimpold, Martina Gedeck

This is a very beautiful film with lots of ideas floating around.  In it,  a woman (basically a one woman show) on holiday in the Austrian Alps finds her self walled in by an invisible barrier.  So this is the story of how she and her animals survive (or not).  The invisible barrier is not explained.  It just is.  But she is trapped for the few humans in her area are frozen (dead) standing in their places so the audience knows that she is alone.

The visual beauty comes from her surroundings as she is caged in a valley of the Alps.   Of course, one could argue that there is beauty in the prose her character and some of the ideas that she expounds upon. 

Some of the themes that are discussed are that of survival, responsibility to nature, loneliness, and the transcendence of natural beauty. 

I would CAUTIOUSLY recommend this film.  It is very beautiful and poetic.  It is also a bit slow going.  I seem to say this often, but I would recommend this film only to people who are capable of being patient and can appreciate the films relaxed, lingering pace. 

The Way, Way Back **1/2 out of 4

Seen in Theaters.
Released 2013.

Directed by: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

Written by: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

With Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney,

AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Liam James, Rob Corddry, Amanda Peet

I would recommended this movie.  But "wait!" You might say.  "You only gave it 2 and 1/2 stars. Why would you recommend this film?"  First , 2 and a half stars means its a very good movie (# is great and 2 is good).  So basically, that means I am stingy with stars.  Second, While as entertaining and fun as the film is, it is not exactly earth shattering.  And you wouldn't expect "earth shattering" from the4 makers of The Descendants.  two and a half stars is about where I start recommending films.

I also had a problem with the believability and the predictability of the film.  It's a coming of age film where geeky 14 year old kid learns to grow up a little.  You can guess where this is going.  Sensitive young hottie who lives next door and actually gives him a chance, A wild and crazy adult takes him under his wings and shows him how not to be awkward.  A snooty step sister who is repulsed by him and a step father who is a bit of a bully and self-centered. Have you seen this before?

And here's the part about the believability of the film.  Can a kid really be that geeky?  Can a cute young hottie really go for such a geek.  Can a kid so geeky, really change his personality around so much, (or learn to live with it so easily).  Would an adult really take the time to take this kid under his wings. (even if he is practically an adolescent himself).  Probably not, but suspend belief and you will be okay.  If you can suspend disbelief for a zombie movie, you can do it for this one too. So go! Enjoy yourself.. There's even some food for thought, though its pretty subtle and not even worth going into here.  You'll be glad that you went.

The Trailer;