By Susan Granger
Woody Allen has won four Academy Awards, along with the seven bestowed on actors in his films. “An Irrational Man,” his 46th film as a director, is a comedy about a tormented, disillusioned philosophy professor who muses about “morality, choice and the aesthetics of life, randomness and murder.”
When Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) arrives at Rhode Island’s (fictional) Braylin College, his charismatic reputation precedes him – at least rumors about his alcoholism and legendary penchant for young women. Which poses an enticing challenge for frustrated faculty colleague, Rita Richards (Parker Posey), and eager philosophy student, Jill Pollard (Emma Stone).
Addressing his Ethical Strategies class, Abe casually informs them that “much of philosophy is verbal masturbation.” While we think we know right from wrong, circumstances can change things. Later, at an off-campus party, he horrifies onlookers by playing an impromptu game of Russian roulette.
Nihilistic Abe suffers from psychological depression, a condition which is immediately relieved after he and Jill eavesdrop on a cafe conversation in which a distraught mother recounts how she’s about to lose custody of her children because her estranged ex-husband is in cahoots with a corrupt judge.
His existential imagination working overtime, Abe fantasizes about what a better world this would be if this sleazy judge was dead. Taking that one step further, Abe decides to be the one to kill him and begins to plot how to commit the perfect crime.
Still memorable as Allen’s muse in “Magic in the Moonlight,” lithe, lovely Emma Stone is captivating as Abe’s bright, if besotted disciple – in creepy counter-point with paunchy Joaquin Phoenix’s brooding, cold-blooded determination.
Woody Allen’s writing is clever and his direction precise – enhanced by the Ramsey Lewis Trio’s jazz-infused soundtrack, conflicting narratives and Darius Khondji’s titillating visuals. In Allen’s pantheon, this most closely resembles “Crimes and Misdemeanors” and “Match Point.”
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Irrational Man” is an intriguing 8, a mischievous morality tale that’s infused with dark humor.
At the Cannes Film Festival, Harvey Weinstein predicted that Jake Gyllenhaal (“Nightcrawler,” “Prisoners”) would get an Oscar nomination as Billy “The Great” Hope in “Southpaw.”
To play the light-heavyweight champion, Gyllenhaal bulked up and worked out with boxers Victor Ortiz and Miguel Gomez.
As his saga begins, Billy’s idyllically happy with a wonderful wife, Maureen (Rachel McAdams), and precocious young daughter, Leila (Oona Laurence). But his world comes crashing down when Maureen is accidently killed after Billy confronts taunting Miguel Escobar (Gomez) after a charity dinner.
Billy’s anger and despair leads to suspension and substance abuse. His promoter/manager (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) quits and Leila is placed into the care of family services.
Determined to win back custody of his daughter, Billy finds a rundown gym, owned by Titus ‘Tick’ Willis (Forest Whitaker), who trains him for a comeback, teaching him to control his emotional volatility.
“Boxing isn’t about this,” Tick says gruffly, indicating his fist. “It’s about this,” he continues, pointing to his head, “It’s a game of chess.”
Obsessed by masculine aggression and brutal violence, writer Kurt Sutter (TV’s “Sons of Anarchy”) and director Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day,” “The Equalizer”) dwell on physical brutality and intense realism.
And cinematographer Mauro Fiore films the bruising, bloody fight scenes like pay-per-view television, complete with commentaries by Jim Lampley and Roy Jones Jr.
While Gyllenhaal deserves praise for his dedicated work, the part was originally meant for Eminem., who came from the streets, had boxing experience, along with a real-life daughter, and overcame the death of his childhood friend/fellow rapper, Proof, who was shot and killed in 2006.
When Eminem bowed out, so did DreamWorks. So the project was in turnaround until Harvey Weinstein bought in, bringing Fuqua and Gyllenhaal. And that’s how movies get made.
If you like boxing movies, along with “Rocky,” I’d recommend “Raging Bull,” “Million Dollar Baby” and “The Fighter” – all far better than this.
On the Granger Gauge, “Southpaw” is a seriously slick, sweaty, strenuous 6, filled with extreme spiritual and physical suffering on the road to revenge and redemption.
Forget the hype! “Pixels” is just another stupid Adam Sandler man/child movie.
The visually inventive opening introduces 13-year-old Sam Brenner’s defeat by Eddie “The Fire Blaster” Plant at 1982’s Worldwide Video Arcade Championships.
Skip ahead to present-day – with Brenner (Sandler) working as a Geek Squad-type home-video system installer. Suddenly, various historic sites around the world are under siege by giant, weaponized video-games like Pac-Man, Centipede and Donkey Kong.
Apparently, when NASA sent a time capsule into outer space in 1982, it showed Sam and his pals playing video games, which intergalactic aliens interpreted as Earth’s declaration of war. And the president of the United States (Kevin James) needs Sam and his cronies (Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage) to save the world.
Directed with a insouciantly sexist slant by Chris Columbus (“Harry Potter” & “Percy Jackson” franchises), it also features Michelle Monaghan, Brian Cox, Sean Bean and Jane Krakowski – with cameos by Martha Stewart and Serena Williams.
What’s interesting is why Sony cut a scene showing invaders blasting a hole in China’s Great Wall. In confidential Sony e-mails that were hacked and publicly released last year, Beijing’s Film Bureau objected to any depiction of the destruction of their national treasure; Sony self-censored to pacify them. The lesson: never underestimate the allure of the Chinese box office, worth $4.8 billion in 2014.
On the Granger Gauge, “Pixels” is a toxic 3 – a sloppy, sci-fi comedy bust.
( Editor’s Note: Westport resident Susan Granger grew up in Hollywood, studied journalism with Pierre Salinger at Mills College, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in journalism. In addition to writing for newspapers and magazines, she has been on radio/television as an anchorwoman and movie/drama critic for many years. See her reviews at www.susangranger.com.)
