Being a fan of Jason Bateman (primarily because of his hit show “Arrested Development”), I saw “This Is Where I Leave You” and had mixed emotions as I walked out of the theatre. The film is advertised as a comedy, and with complete honesty its not a comedy. It has some laughing moments but is a dark comedy. Which means it has funny portions but then later towards the climax there is no happy resolution. To be honest that works for me because it is nice to see Bateman and the other big name celebrity Tina Fey do a film that is actually serious instead of the goal being to make people laugh.

The movie has many evidence of why the family is dysfunctional. There are four grown siblings and they are Judd Altman (Bateman), Wendy Altman (Fey), Philip Altman (Adam Driver), and Paul Altman (Corey Stoll). All of them have their own issues in their adult life and all of a sudden their father dies. For a week, they need to live under the same roof together in honor of their father. They are forced to by their quirky mother Hilary Altman (Jane Fonda).

As said earlier, all of the siblings have their own issues. These siblings all together for a week leads to tons of other confrontational matters that just shows how life goes with family sometimes. The confrontations will make you want to keep your attention on the movie and not want to turn back.

What I did actually enjoy about this movie is that it is heartfelt. We all face our challenges with our families. Regardless of out of control matters can get in our lives, The Altman’s are probably the most disoriented family you will watch. You will laugh at some of their encounters and cry with some of their encounters.

Finally, the film has decent acting. I like how all of the characters did not break character and kept the tone of the film to be serious. There are numerous times when you think that something good is going to happen, but then later it is generally something negative. That is what keeps your attention to the fullest.

Overall, it is basically a drama with a mix of problems but funny moments rolled up into one. If you want a film that is serious, “This Is Where I Leave You” is worth a viewing. I did not love it. I enjoyed it, but I am up and down about watching it again.

Two and a half stars.

Now this is an independent comedy that is worthy of positive press. You may be surprised by how the film is satirical, but “Frank” is as heartfelt as it can be with the quirky characters that are in this comedy by Magnolia Pictures. Michael Fassbender (as “Frank”) remains, serious, outspoken, and demanding as he was in “Shame” (2011). For Fassbender, this is a comedy that fits him, because he can incorporate his serious sense of humor and make it funny at moments that are so unexpected.

If filmmakers care about making comedies in the future, “Frank” is a good example of how comedies should be. The director Leonard Abrahamson (“What Richard Did,” “Adam and Paul”), one of the newest directors from Dublin, Ireland made this comedy based off the British comedian Frank Sievey and Sievey’s character “Frank Sidebottom” (1955-2010). “Frank” is an adaptation off someone who was well-known for being funny and shows the struggles of what it takes to be popular in the entertainment industry of music. 

We meet Jon (Domnhall Gleeson),a young wanna-be musician who wants to be in the music industry. All of a sudden, he realizes there is more in life that has to offer for him once he becomes part of an eccentric pop band. The funny thing about this pop-band is everyone has something that bothers them. Three of the band members have something against Jon. These rude members are Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Nana (Carla Azar), and Baraque (Francois Civil). The only two members cool with Jon and like that he is aboard the band is the masked-leader “Frank” and Don (Scott McNairy).

“Frank” sees Jon as someone who is a talented keyboard player and songwriter, so he wants Jon to be in the band because he is familiar with what it takes for a band to receive popularity. Now I am sure we all have an idea of the face of Fassbender. What is an issue though, is that “Frank” always denies removing his mask. This agitation of “Frank” leaves Jon in frustration numerous times since he is never aware of the facial expressions or how “Frank” actually feels about him as a band member. “Frank” feels explaining his facial expressions helps but that is where people get annoyed (and that is what is hysterical about this movie).

The movie has the funniest moments at the weirdest moments but gets serious later on. “Frank” feels that with no one getting along with the band is making them not do as well and “Frank” is such a perfectionist. He wants every little element to be crystal clear perfect. My only question is how can it be perfect without an idea of how “Frank” feels? We cannot tell if he has the overrated face-mask on the whole time.

This movie is not amazing, but it stands as one of the best comedies I have seen. I liked its sense of seriousness because the slapstick comedies are getting kind of old. It has moments of dragging, but those moments tend to get better as the film progresses. Generally it is dragging, something is about to happen, and bam…something humorous just took place. It is a comedy with the funny moments that will make you laugh at very unexpected times.

Two and a half stars.

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” is a movie that is on the subject of cooking, but with a hint of culture. The two competing cultures are the French and the Indian. Both have some great knowledge of how to be top-quality when it comes to being a chef, but there are some disagreements along the way. If you want to see for yourself which food you in any particular group, go to a French restaurant and an Indian restaurant and see what fits for you. Follow Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) in her restaurant or follow Hassan (Manish Dayal) in his restaurant and think to yourself what food seems captivating. “The Hundred-Foot Journey” is exquisite in food-quality, and vague with restrictions among the restaurant business.

Note: I am going to keep this review short.

The Plot: An Indian Family which is the Kadam family falls with Madame Mallory, proprietress of a well-known French restaurant. The Kadam family opens their own nearby restaurant, which results in undeniable chemistry and this influences Madame to take Hassan under her wing to work with him to become a professional chef.

Hassan, which serves as a talented chef, has actually got guts and would do what it takes become recognized by his cooking abilities. The only thing that is in his way is his strict and self-centered father Papa (Om Puri).

The movie drags a bit in the beginning but gets somewhat better. Hassan realizes that Madam helped him become a pro with cooking to work in higher-up businesses but there is a conflict with this. Does he want to cook for his family in the culture where he feels he belongs? Or does he just want to be at the top of his game all the time in a culture that is not his whatsoever?

Overall, this is a decent movie, but does it seem to be repeating the concept of the recent film “Chef” a little bit? I think it may be in small amounts. It is the subject matter that is creative but is the new trend in grabbing viewers attention when it comes to the subject of food.

I enjoyed this movie on a small chunk of it. The beginning was interesting, the middle tended to drag, but the ending (I am not going to give it away) the right ending but just was not revolutionary that much.

Therefore, three stars.