Salt and Fire (2016)

 

 

A scientist blames the head of a large company for an ecological disaster in South America. But when a volcano begins to show signs of erupting, they must unite to avoid a disaster. 

 

Despite an interesting cast (including physicist Lawrence Krauss!) and admittedly great landscape cinematography this Werner Herzog adventure disappoints with lame performances and a pretentious, uninspired plot with a failed message. 

A Little Bit of Heaven (2011)

An irreverent young woman who uses her humor to prevent matters from getting serious has a life-changing visit with her doctor. 

Mildly entertaining drama tries a bit too hard to take a slight and uplifting view on death - at times on the verge of silliness. 

Maltin*1/2: "Well-meaning but meandering story...Improbable subplot involving a budding romance with her doctor (played unconvincingly by Bernal) would sink this film if that hadn't already been accomplished by some embarrassing heavenly scenes with Whoopi Goldberg as a God-like character who dispenses advice to Hudson!" 

 

Mammoth (2009)

While on a trip to Thailand, a successful American businessman tries to radically change his life. Back in New York, his wife and daughter find their relationship with their live-in Filipino maid changing around them. At the same time, in the Philippines, the maid's family struggles to deal with her absence.

Ambitious, beautifully made and well cast, but not quite successful attempt to say something about globalization and what it means for individual human beings.

Maltin**1/2: "Complex, ambitious, but flawed account...Overlong, meandering film still offers astute commentary on how all children are not created equal."