Movie Review: "Secret LIfe of Walter Mitty"

This is a remake of James Thurber’s story of day-dreamer Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) who escapes his mundane life as a negative processor for Time magazine by creating an imaginary fantasy world. Mitty has been sent a set of photographic negatives by a world famous action photographer, one of which is to be used on the cover of the final edition of Time magazine. The negative is lost. Mitty embarks on a worldwide search for the famous photographer and the missing negative. Much like the Wizard of Oz, Mitty discovers that the qualities and adventures he craves has always been an arms length away. The story line is fairly well developed. Ben Stiller and co-stars Kristen Wiig and Sean Penn give better than average performances in their respective roles. There was very little if any profanity. It could have earned a “G” rating in my opinion.

Movie Review: "Nebraska

This black and white drama/comedy centers around a nuclear, but dysfunctional Midwest family. Bruce Dern, who plays Woody, the family’s alcoholic elderly father, is convinced he has won 1 million dollars in a contest by a Lincoln Nebraska magazine clearing house. Despite not having a valid driver’s license, he is determined to get to Nebraska to claim his prize. His younger son, played by Will Forte, volunteers to take him to Lincoln from their home in Billings Montana. On the way, they stop in his tiny hometown of Hawthorne, Nebraska. There he reunites with his extended family and old friends. June Squibb expertly plays Woody’s shrew of a wife. Through a series of domestic conflicts, the family discovers the presence of true affection and mutual self sacrifice. The wonderful black and white cinematography is reminiscent “Everything is Illuminated.” Dern and relative newcomer Squibb’s performances are superb. Story development is slow, but sophisticated. There was a lot of unnecessary profanity and innuendo- otherwise it would not have earned an “R” rating.