The film Disconnect Opens in Austin Theaters April 26th

I had the opportunity to view the drama, Disconnect, directed by Henry Alex Rubin, based on the screenplay by Andrew Stern and it is a powerful story conveyed through the lives of several families or individuals who are impacted by the way we live our lives today surrounded by all the technology available to us. All too often we have heard how we humans have lost true connections with each other and Stern does not shy away from telling his story with the positive and the negative side of this technology on our world.

I did not initially consider it, but there comes a time in the film that reminds me of Crash when the lives of the families intersect. I do not necessarily view this as a carbon copy, just that there was a similarity that came to mind. It really works for this film considering the topic of being behind the technology instead of face to face. The story with the young teens from the same school is very good, but by the time the damage is done around the school, I was able to predict that the worse was yet to come to one of them. Bateman is very impressive in this drama and makes up for some of the not so good comedic films he has participated in.

All of the actors varying in age and experience with film acting give excellent performances. Another impressive scene is with between Alexander Skarsgård’s character, Derek Hull and Michael Nyqvist’s  character, Stephen Schumacher. I will try not to spoil it, but I was not sure which character was going to win out in the face to face meeting.

Jason Bateman is Rich Boyd, a busy attorney, married to Lydia (Hope Davis) and they have two teens, Ben (Jonah Bobo) and Abby (Haley Ramm). Mike Dixon (Frank Grillo) is a former law enforcement officer, rather recently widowed and cares for his son Jason (Colin Ford), who has too much time on his hands to spend with his buddy, Frye (Aviad Bernstein) and devise ways to entertain themselves at someone else’s expense.

The film also stars Paula Patton, Andrea Riseborough, Max Thieriot, among others.

Disconnect will be opening in Austin on April 26th at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, Arbor Cinemas at Great Hills, and Tinseltown 17. It is a great drama, so don’t miss it!

Liz Lopez

Rating B+

Source: LD Entertainment

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Identity Thief in Nationwide Theaters Today

Liz Lopez

Rating B

When I first read that Identity Thief is directed by Seth Gordon, who also directed Horrible Bosses that Jason Bateman also starred in, I was apprehensive about viewing this new feature film since I really disliked Horrible Bosses. I relaxed about the film Identity Thief after I read the material from Universal Studios that the writers are completely different from Gordon’s prior work. I then had a more open mind for this comedy as I approached viewing the film. The story is by Craig Mazin and he co-wrote the screenplay with Jerry Eeten. I must admit that I am pleasantly surprised that the story turned out to have more depth to it than what I expected after seeing the trailers over and over prior to the screening. Melissa McCarthy became a favorite comedic actress of mine after her performance in Bridesmaids, and she is the primary reason for my anticipation of viewing Identity Thief. She does not disappoint in any of the scenes, comedic or more subdued when the story calls for it, and this is one comedy I think is not to be missed this year.

McCarthy and Bateman paired together make a good comedic duo and watching them together on the road trip from Florida to Colorado is funny, hilarious and sometimes may have people in stitches. It varies in humor, according to each viewer’s taste, but I do not recall any of the humor falling flat. Jon Favreau has a small scene in the film as account representative Sandy’s (Bateman’s character) first boss, Harold Cornish, and in that brief time, he says enough to make you think he is one of the characters from Horrible Bosses. Just horrible! John Cho is Sandy’s co-worker turned new boss, Daniel Casey, and Amanda Peet is Trish, the sweet pregnant wife to Sandy, who dotes on the two daughters they have. It is good to see her on the big screen once again, even if more brief than in other films, as I have enjoyed her performances in the past.

The comedy co-stars Tip “T.I.” Harris and Genesis Rodriguez, as Julian and Marisol, the pair of thugs out to catch up with Diana (McCarthy) for her deeds gone wrong with people one should not mess with. Robert Patrick is excellent as Skiptracer; quite a menacing character in his customized van ready to carry cargo that has a tendency to run away.  Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) is hilarious as Big Chuck, Diana’s “love interest” along the road trip as she and Bateman travel cross country. Morris Chestnut rounds out the cast as the Colorado detective in charge of the thief wrecking Sandy Patterson’s life.

Sandy has a week to get his name and life back. Go check out this film to find out the details – especially the road trip – as to what he endures with Diana. What would you do? Identity Thief opens nationwide today, Friday, February 8th.

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