Tag: Alan Arkin

Sweet, innocent Dumbo.

DUMBO (2019)

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

First of all, this is an animal rights film.

There are some complaints that the little baby elephant, Dumbo, was being abused, when it is actually Dumbo’s mother, who was abused.

A cruel handler was using meat hooks to move the mother elephant after she had just given birth.

There were no children in the audience when I attended, who had a problem with how Dumbo was treated.

This is not like E.T., where children were experiencing severe separation anxiety, when E.T. had to go home.

At the beginning of this film, I have to admit that I was squirming in my seat.

I was sorry that this sweet, innocent baby elephant was going to have to live in the sleazy atmosphere of the circus. I believe this atmosphere was created deliberately.

But, I was relieved by the end of this film that the mother and her baby, Dumbo, would get to live in freedom together.

Dumbo (2019) divides people up into two groups, adults who are caring, and adults, who are cruel.

As we get to know the circus that Max Medici (Danny DeVito) leads, we learn that most of the members are a family of caring individuals.

In contrast, V. A. Vandevere’s (Michael Keaton) Dreamland is plugged into personal gain and exploitation, in a very desperate way.

An aspect that I liked, was the film’s call for the acceptance of physical differences.

When Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) arrives on the scene, back from WWI, he tells his two children, “Hey, It’s still me,” when his two children appear to be taken back by his one-armed appearance.

And, there is the issue of Dumbo’s over-sized ears, which also turn out to be a blessing.

Farrell’s character proves that if you have courage and heart, having only one arm does not matter.

By the end of this film, the audience was routing for Holt’s heroism and courage, and the same can be said for Dumbo.

I feel that the director, Tim Burton, approached the theme in a very masterful way.

Colette Marchant (Eva Green) is the romantic interest, who at first looks like she might be listed on the cruel list, but proves that she really belongs on the caring list of characters.

The beautiful Colette sees Holt’s kindness and courage, and finds that those qualities are more important than his having only one arm.

Green’s Colette is a sympathetic character, full of grace, bravery and wisdom.

Do not miss this film, and bring your children to see this film.

(l to r) Colin Farrell as Holt Farrier, Dumbo, Nico Parker as Milly Farrier and Finley Hobbins as Joe Farrier.

Michael Keaton:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Keaton

Danny DeVito:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_DeVito

Colin Farrell:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Farrell

Eva Green:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Green

Alan Arkin:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Arkin

Director Tim Burton:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Burton

Wiki of Dumbo (2019):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbo_(2019_film)

Eva Green as Colette Marchant, a French trapeze artist, and Dumbo.

3/31/2019 # Dumbo (2019)

(L to R) Alan Arkin as Albert Garner, Morgan Freeman as Willie Davis and Michael Caine as Joe Harding, all discover that they are getting no more pension.

GOING IN STYLE

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

Times have changed a lot since 1979, when the first version of “Going in Style” was released. Growing old is still just as boring, but now seniors have something to get angry about.

Instead of George Burns, Art Carney, Lee Strasberg, the new version has Michael Caine as Joe Harding, Alan Arkin as Albert Garner and Morgan Freeman as Willie Davis, as three friends, who all worked for the same company, which is now defaulting on their pensions.

Even Ann-Margaret, who used to be in Elvis films, is in this film, as Alan Arkin’s love interest.

The plight of getting old with limited resources seems to be timeless.

These friends, however, are upset because, after putting in many years of work, their company was just sold to a foreign interest, which will no longer honor their work pensions.

Michael Caine, who is housing his single-mom daughter and granddaughter, will default on his mortgage, Morgan Freeman discovers that he needs a kidney transplant, and the Alan Arkin character will not have any money to pay the rent.

What stays in my mind is the image of these three friends dishing up watered-down spaghetti sauce on very unappetizing spaghetti at the senior center together.

More than anything else, this says “nobody cares about you, and there is nothing that you can do about it.”

As a last ditch effort, with nothing to lose, they decide to rob the very bank that was restructuring their pension deal.

We do not have to think too far back to remember the 2009 housing collapse, the current rent gouging by landlords, or the recent fake bank account schemes.

“Going in Style” 2017 is recommended for anyone who is old, who still has a grandparent, or who is headed toward old age. Basically, this film is for everyone.

Ann-Margaret as Annie Santori, still has the sizzle.

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5/9/2017 # Going In Style