Tag: B.J. Novak

Film Review: “The Devil Wears Prada 2”

The Devil falls flat in glossy but listless sequel

Andy (Anne Hathaway) receives some fashion help from Nigel (Stanley Tucci).

Did we need a sequel to the 2006 hit The Devil Wears Prada? The original movie was a box office success and garnered a slew of awards, including an Oscar nomination for Meryl Streep, but the cast reportedly was hesitant to star in a follow-up. That a second film, with the rather uninspired title The Devil Wears Prada 2, was green lit, and that its stars agreed to reprise their roles, means they thought the story was worth revisiting. Or maybe everyone involved saw the potential for a built-in audience and an easy cash grab. Unfortunately, with Hollywood’s penchant for recycling old IP, I think the situation here is the latter. 

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Film Review: “Vengeance”

Kutcher excels in Novak’s mixed feature film debut

Music producer Quentin (Ashton Kutcher, l.) talks with journalist Ben (B.J. Novak) about Ben’s recently deceased acquaintance and life in West Texas.

Perhaps best known as Ryan from The Office, B.J. Novak has long been a writer as well as an actor, and now, with his new film Vengeance, he can add feature film director to his resume. With this picture, he pulls off the cinematic trifecta of acting/writing/directing, and, for a first effort, the results aren’t bad. While not stellar by any means, the picture definitely has its moments, and signifies Novak as a filmmaker to watch.

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Film Review: Saving Mr. Banks

Mrs. Travers goes to Los Angeles: It’s Mickey vs. Mary in well crafted, absorbing film

Genial Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) has to deal with the prickly P.T. Travers (Emma Thompson) in Saving Mr. Banks.
P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) is decidedly unamused by Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) and Disneyland.

I have to admit I was a bit skeptical going into Saving Mr. Banks, the new film from Disney Pictures and director John Lee Hancock, the writer and director of 2011’s feel-good The Blind Side. I was afraid this film might be too treacly and sentimental, and be nothing more than a glorification of Walt Disney and the Disney canon, in much the same way The Internship glorified Google. But my fears were allayed when I found myself utterly engrossed and thoroughly entertained by Hancock’s picture, which features a compelling narrative, complex characters, and excellent performances. Continue reading “Film Review: Saving Mr. Banks”