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Milwaukee's Daily Magazine for Monday, May 21, 2012

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In Movies & TV Commentary

Ewan McGregor romances Mélanie Laurent in "Beginners."

OnMedia: "Transformers" is big, but "Beginners" is a fine little film


Rain's not supposed to be a problem, but the heat may drive you indoors into an air-conditioned movie theater over the 4th of July holiday, and it's a blockbuster weekend with the release of "Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon."

Obviously, that's going to be a draw around these parts, thanks to scenes shot at our signature Milwaukee Art Museum. Don't expect too much Milwaukee, but the Santiago Calatrava-designed museum will be a bit of a draw.

It also put a few Milwaukee faces on the big screen. The Milwaukee extras are gathering at 6 p.m. today for a screening at Marcus Menomonee Falls Cinema, with their family and friends.

Here's the trailer:

Personally, I'm happier to see "Beginners" finally open today at the Downer. I caught it at last fall's Toronto Film Festival, and amid all the summer blockbusters, a charming little film like this is a nice break from the explosions and special effects.

Ewan McGregor plays a man dealing with the recent death of his father, played by Christopher Plummer, who had come out of the closet after the death of his wife of 44 years. McGregor meets at unconventional woman -- played by the wonderful Mélanie Laurent (from "Inglourious Basterds") and begins a romance that helps him understand his father's dramatic life shift.

It's funny and touching and filled with great performances.

Here's the trailer for "Beginners":

Another little summer film: I have to admit that Woody Allen lost me a number of movies ago. So I was pleasantly surprised when I saw his latest, "Midnight in Paris" a couple weeks back.

It's the story of a writer (Owen Wilson plays what would have been Allen's role a few years go) who's in Paris with his fiancee, the lovely Rachel McAdams playing against type as a less-than-lovable young woman. Wilson's character dreams of the glories of 1920s Paris and ultimately learn that the romance of the past isn't necessarily what it seems.

It's funny and charming and deals with the issue some of us have pondered – what would it be like to live in a specific period of the past.

Here's a look at "Paris at Midnight":

Another Milwaukee connection: And before we finish up the weekend movie line up, there one other flick with a Milwaukee link. Car dealer (and veteran race car driver) David Hobbs is one of the voices (David Hobbscap) in "Cars 2."

Here's a glimpse of that one:

Talkbacks

devidia | July 1, 2011 at 12:36 p.m. (report)

Thanks for the clips, Tim. But I guess my somewhat rhetorical if pointed bigger question (other than exactly why alien robots would come to Earth and disguise themselves as Earth vehicles) would be why Steven Spielberg would sully his hands with this tripe. The whole thing seems kinda beneath him. I haven't seen any of the TF movies yet and I think I'll pass on this one, too.

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