All  Things
 Video 

by Carol Lane Patterson 
  

EMPEROR’S CLUB 
METAPHYSICAL OVERVIEW Choices are quite likely the only unique contribution we make to the Universe. In our consistency of choices, a map of ourselves results. Erosion of our personal outer layers by the extant forces in our lives is always difficult, thusly revealing true character. We go for choices that allow ethics and ‘right’ living. Towards the other end of our lives, introspection allows hindsight. Then, one choice, compounded, in the name of rightness, can unseat convictions, leaving us in a quandary, our self-inspection unpalatable, the cumulative results haunting us the rest of our lives.

Emperor’s Club is a quick hike through one life and its impact on other’s lives. Kevin Kline is his best when doing his quiet, unassuming gentleman roles. His films are not redundant, and yet the roles all have a certain quality of gentleness, with wisdom won the hard way by personal sacrifice, dedication to the truth and a general willingness to view oneself honestly, not with the rose-tinted lenses through which most prefer to see themselves.

The student contingent of Neil Tolkin’s screenplay adapting Ethan Canin’s ‘The Palace Thief’ offer the young people more than ensemble casting… Emile Hirsch, Paul Franklin Dano, Rishi Mehta, and Jesse Eisenberg are excellent up-and-coming actors. Universal distributed this Beacon, Fine Line, Horsepower, Live planet, Longfellow, Sydney Kimmel collaboration.

ABOUT SCHMIDT 
METAPHYSICAL OVERVIEW To claim our true selves—given the choices that come along—requires bravery and commitment to truth. Sometimes, when young and careless, we don’t take the time to properly define our values. Then the consequences are not one of best intentions gone astray, but rather of a lackluster life being insufficient to seize the few moments left.

In contrast to ‘Emperor’s…’ examination of small choices that shake the ethical foundations of the psyche. About Schmidt shares a conclusion about life where the choices were all small, uninspired and simply those of achieving the American Dream (good job, good home, good kids, good vacations, etc.) The screenplay by Alexander Payne, adapted Louis Begley’s novel which suggests nothing extraordinary ever happens in a life lived with only those options satisfied. About Schmidt is a stark look at forced retirement and the aging process. The film portrays a type of person that—bereft of emotion—does not interact well with others, or in fact, really doesn’t even know how to live. This person has bounced along the channels of life’s Pinball table, cluelessly banging up ‘points’ with every feckless experience. As Nicholson’s character begins to really ‘feel’ the lives loosely connected to his own, the whole Pinball method of accumulating points goes on tilt.

The entire movie plays out at a very slow pace and the harsh realism in which the protagonist is portrayed can make the viewer uncomfortable. Unlike Kline’s trenchant for affability, Jack Nicholson goes for the rougher types—untidier, and usually raunchy. In About Schmidt, his fans are not disappointed, as he reprises that character in its now aging version. New Line Cinema distributed this New Line / Avery Pix movie.

CURRENT RELEASES 
Warner Brothers packaged another flawless rendition of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series in the new release Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Take care with the age group—a method for deciding whether a child should view this movie might be if the youngster is reading the books, they are ready for the intensity and concepts presented. This is a depiction of heroic persons defying and defeating evil—and with today’s special effects, adults jump during certain scenes—younger children tearfully ask to leave.

In contrast, Santa Clause II is a warm, humorous movie that thoroughly entertains, and in fact, is a bit better than the original.