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“The Interview” (2014 release; 112 min.) brings the story of how an entertainment reporter Dave Skylark (played by James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (played by Seth Rogen) get an opportunity to interview Kim Jong-un. the “Supreme Leader” of North Korea. As the movie opens, we see a young girl (maybe 7 or 8) sing a patriotic song for North Korean officials. The song turns hilariously into an anti-America rant. Soon thereafter, we see Skylark interview Eminem (another hilarious scene). When Skylark and Rapoport find out that Jng-un is a big fan of the show, they manage an invite to North Korea. The CIA then pays a visit and convinces the guys that they need to “take out” Jong-un. At this point we’re barely 20 min. into the movie but to tell you more would spoil your viewing experience.

Couple of comments: at this point as much needs to be said about the events surrounding the limited release of the movie as about the movie itself. Let’s start with the movie itself: first and foremost, I had heard and read mixed things about the movie, so when my (grown) kids and I went to see it on Christmas day, I had pretty low expectations. Turns out the movie is actually not nearly as bad as I had been led the believe. Yes, there is stupid “potty” humor and yes, it’s all very much over the top. But there are zingers left and right that will have you smile if not laugh out loud. One of the many, many examples: when Jong-un and Skylark are taking a tour of Jong-un’s place, at some point they come across a huge tank. Comments Jong-un: “That was a gift to my grandfather by Stalin”. Replies Skylark: “in our country, we pronounce that Stallone”, ha! And on and on. Randall Park as Kim Jong-un is outstanding. Kudos also to Set Rogen, who also co-rwote and co-directed the movie.

As to the limited release, I at first was horrified that Sony gave in to the threats, but felt better when the limited Christmas day release was announced. The movie played on one screen at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and it’s a good thing I had bought tickets on-line beforehand, as the Christmas day matinée screening was sold out (as were all other screenings, apparently). The crowd was really into it, laughing and hollering and whooping it up. When the end titles started rolling, the crowd even gave an applause. In all, this truly was a “movie event”, and all three of us were very happy we were part of it. Not so sure it will feel similarly worthwhile if you see it by yourself on Amazon Instant Video or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray.

by Riggy Wallcard

Let me start out by saying that I liked the first two Hunger Games better, but that I liked this one too. Now many people might think that they had only decided to split the third book in the Hunger Games series into two films so that they could make more money, and that is probably the case, but I believe that if you do a good job on a movie, even if the only purpose for the movie is the money, then you still deserve the money.

Now, I must say that like I stated in the beginning, that this was probably my least favorite Hunger Games so far, but it does have good qualities. First of all, it did have a pretty good action scene in District 8, and it did have a grim but truthful statement in it: The price for freedom. The film shows the costs of freeing your country from tyranny; the cost of thousands of innocent lives, and while watching it I realized that if our country ever ended up so bad (which I don’t see as far away), I would have to ask myself, which costs more, slavery or freedom. But it does show the importance of fighting for what is right, and even my mom, who doesn’t like the second Hunger Games, and won’t even watch the first, did seem to like this one.
Now, like I said, it is the least important, and shortest of the Hunger Games so far, but even though it wasn’t the best, I wasn’t disappointed. With the first half of the book out of the way, they now have the whole next film to get straight to the action for the best half of the book, without having to worry about fitting the content covered in this film in there, and possibly making the next Hunger Games the best one yet.

by Donald M. Bishop

Californian Louis Zamperini was a young hellion who became a champion high school track star, and he ran for his country in the 1936 Olympics. When the Second World War began, he became a bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Forces. After his B-24 went down in the Pacific he endured 47 days on a life raft only to be captured by the Japanese. His treatment in Japanese prison camps was brutal. “Unbroken” brings his story to the big screen. It’s a film that should inspire new generations of Americans.

There’s fine acting by Jack O’Connell as Zamperini, and Japanese rock guitarist Miyavi gives a chilling performance as Zamperini’s tormenter. The sequences in the B-24 well convey the nature of air operations in the Pacific and the coordination of aircrews. You’ll jump in your seat when the sharks attack. And “Unbroken” provides a reminder of the brutality of the Japanese endured by allied POWs during the war. (The recent film “Railway Man” with Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman gave more testimony.)

Many viewers will have come to this film after reading Laura Hillenbrand’s book of the same title. Every screenplay writer and director must condense, and those who know the full story will notice that director Angelina Jolie did some trimming. The movie ends with Zamperini’s return to the U.S. and the embrace of his family. That he could not shake off the demons of his imprisonment is left unshown. It was Billy Graham that turned him away from the alcoholism that was devastating his postwar life. “Unbroken” needs a dramatic sequel to finish its tale of heroism and faith.

That said, the story of Louis Zamperini’s running career and his “unbroken” spirit as a prisoner of war is enough to make this a compelling film.

HOLLYWOOD BLOG-Francesca Hilton, daughter of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor and hotel magnate Conrad Hilton, died after suffering an apparent stroke, her publicist said on Tuesday. She was 67.

Hilton was pronounced dead at a Los Angeles hospital late Monday after her fiance and paramedics were unable to revive her, publicist Edward Lozzi said in a statement.

He said Hilton had been under “extreme pressure” entangled in a legal battle with her stepfather, Frederic Prinz von Anhalt, over the care and finances of her 97-year-old invalid mother.

Hilton was Gabor’s only daughter from her nine marriages, and at one time dated actor Peter Sellers. She also at times worked as a photographer, actress and a publicist to artists, Lozzi said.