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Release Date: January 22, 1999
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Roberta is a fascinating personal odyssey of one man's internal search for significance, enacted by a superb cast and highlighted by very conscious art direction. Gray-toned, minimally constructed sets provide the backdrop for a penetrating central performance by Kevin Corrigan, intricately portraying the character's obsession to find meaning in a seemingly complete life. Jonathan Fishman (Corrigan), a young professional, seems to have everything one needs to be happy: a good job, money in the bank, and a caring girlfriend. Yet he still longs for more. While on a job in an industrial district, he encounters a streetwalker, Roberta (Daisy Rojas). To the dismay of his friends, his business partner, and his lover, he decides to help Roberta off the streets by moving her into his apartment and teaching her the skills necessary to find a job in his professional world. As he selfishly enlists his friends in his quest, his altruism soon reveals itself as something more, and his life slowly and dangerously unravels. A finely envisioned work that is cold in the best sense, Roberta is more than a standard search for meaning. Within this central construct lie fleshed-out characters. Roberta is far more than the manifestation of Jonathan's desperate attempt to find salvation; she is a complex character who is struggling with her own choices as well. It is writer/director Eric Mandelbaum's ability to humanize these potentially two-dimensional symbols through precise performances that makes Roberta a stunning and notable directing debut that should not be missed.
Starring:
Kevin Corrigan, Daisy Rojas, Amy Ryan, Bill Sage, Brian Taratino
Directed by:
Eric Mandelbaum
Rating: No Rating
Runtime: 85 min
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The Twilight Saga: New Moon
You have to be living in a cave or a monastery to at least not know a little bit about this phenomenon. Here’s the second movie in the vampire saga, and this time the werewolves play more prominently in the plot – especially the constantly shirtless Taylor Lautner! Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart continue to excel in their performances as Edward and Bella.
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March 16th, 2010
The Princess and the Frog
Disney’s “return” to traditional, 2-D (two dimensional), hand drawn animation may not be a complete triumph – but is still pretty darn good. Story and song-wise, this one’s perhaps a little weak, but the animation is sumptuous! Not to mention, finally - an African-American princess for Disney!
Astro Boy
This computer animated cartoon feature is based on the 1960s cartoon TV series from Japan. A scientist loses his small son, and to help him deal with his grief he makes an exact replica of the boy as a robot. Thus is born “Astro Boy,” complete with the son’s personality. When you look at the theme of the story, it’s a sort of creepy take on the Pinocchio narrative – but hey, the kid-robot has machine guns that come out of his butt! How cool is that!? Watch this one with…say…any eight year old kid if you can. Freddie Highmore and Nicolas Cage, among others, provide the voices.
Did You Hear About the Morgans?
Clunker comedy starring Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, cast as east coast urbanites that, after witnessing a murder, are whisked into the witness protection program and sent out to the country in Wyoming. A standard “fish-out-of-water” plot ensues, but sadly, the laughs do not.
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© 2010
