Quick & Dirty Reviews

Top Five (4 out of 5)

Chris Rocks most honest and revealing film is a career highlight and one of the best comedies of the year. Top Five sees Chris Rock playing, Andre Allen, a nearly identical version of himself with some extra modern day entertainment star qualities to allow for a dissection of the current state of entertainers, and boy does Rock have things to say. It's important to note Rock, directed, wrote and stars in this film and from the second the film starts you can tell this is the most Chris Rock has ever enjoyed himself making a film, it feels honest, it's filled with his friends, it's brimming with heart and most importantly it's hilarious. Top Five at it's most basic can be described as a critique on celebrities and reality stars, with some not so subtle remarks towards the talentless hacks who flood our TV sets. But Chris Rock isn't shy to tear himself apart either, openly mocking his poor creative endeavors and current feelings about being a celebrity. Top Five soars when it acts as Rock's most authentic voice yet and falter when the cliched telegraphed plot rears its head.

Begin Again (3 out of 5)

Begin Again succeeds almost entirely on the performances and chemistry of its two leads. Mark Ruffalo plays a record label executive who hasn't landed a hit in years who finds a young singer/songwriter with tons of potential played by Keira Knightly. Begin Again can be sappy at times but there is a genuine love for music on display and the endearing performances of the two leads keep the film from crumbling under the weight of all of its cliches. Ruffalo isn't playing against type but this is a role he plays so well it's impossible to begrudge him and Knightly has come back in a big way in the past few years and continues to deliver great performances that are slightly out of her comfort zone. One aspect of the film I wanted to point out simply because of how refreshing it was to see, was the romantic relationships that form the basis of these two characters current predicaments are complicated and messy. And the obvious chemistry between Ruffalo and Knightly thankfully doesn't turn into, two wounded souls find each other in the aftermath of difficult relationships. The film isn't going to blow anyone away but it's a well performed film, both spoken and sung, that it's hard to resist. 

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