On Docket: 'Blue Is the Warmest Color,' and 'The Counselor'

ONE regret of Yours Truly dating to The 51st New York Film Festival is that I did not see tender, lovely and controversial “Blue is the Warmest Color” in its New York premiere.

Of course, one had opportunities, but was being a bit of a brat, whining about not wishing to see a nearly three-hour film. And not any long film, but one that made history at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in winning the Palme d’Or for both director Abdellatif Kechiche and its two lead actresses, Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux.

It also contains explicit sex scenes, hinted at in its rating. And it has been banned from some theaters. (See trailer at top).

Regarding the ecstasy and agony of young lesbian love over the course of several years, “Blue” garnered universal raves. It doesn’t have any marquee names, which is in part why it is opening in only four U.S. theaters today.

“Blue” will eventually open wider but certainly nothing on the scale of the 3,000-plus theaters in which the “The Counselor” is enjoying its opening today. (“Blue” is also opening in India, Japan and Spain today, while “The Counselor” also opens in the United Kingdom).

Few moviegoers will see “Blue,” a very deserving, if disturbing, film. On the otherhand, massive numbers (at least have the opportunity to do so) will see “The Counselor.” What a pedigree, has this latter film! The director is Ridley Scott. Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and octogenarian Cormac McCarthy (“No Country for Old Men.”) makes his screenwriting debut.

“The Counselor” boasts a dreamlike cast: Michael Fassbender (who seems lately to do no wrong, cinematically speaking), Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, as well as spouses Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz. (See trailer below).

Set on the Texas-Mexican border, “The Counselor” commences a bit awkwardly with some sexy bedroom banter between Counselor, MF’s only moniker in the movie, with his betrothed, Laura (PC). He loves Laura to death, a good, godly and naive woman for whom he is prepared to do anything.

Indeed, Counselor’s love knows no legal bounds, leading him down a slippery slope into the underworld of cocaine – not a place for a decent man such as he. Too late, especially by the time his paths cross two lowlifes, Westray (BP) and Reiner (“No Country for Old Men alum JB.)

The film is beautifully shot. The performances are universally good; vixenish CD, for instance, further hones her facility for playing sexy with a bit of humor. What a pity then, that the film fails to make a good case for itself.

Place the blame squarely on the high-falutin’ palaver CM insists on that doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. Muddled, muddled is this puzzle. Too many minced words; too many soliloquies about greed not being good. A surfeit of this type of verbiage wrapped awkwardly around killings, beatings, decapitations, big cats and drug deals gone bad. And to what end?

In the final analysis, “The Counselor” – with every advantage – fails the client. That is, the moviegoing public.

"Blue is the Warmest Color" is rated NC-17 for explicit sexual content. Visit http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/blue-is-the-warmest-color to learn more about the film. "The Counselor" is Rated R for graphic violence, some grisly images, strong sexual content and language. Visit http://www.thecounselormovie.com/us/ to learn more about the film.

On a Fool's Errand in 'Pirates ... On Stranger Tides'

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) in the middle of nowhere in search of fool's gold in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

“THE Foundation of Youth. What does it require,” Captain Jack Sparrow inquires.

“A mermaid, Jack,” his seductive former lover/current nemesis, Angelica answers.

Ands so it goes in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” the fourth installment of the Johnny Depp (Sparrow)/Jerry Buckheimer/Disney Pictures franchise. The film opens nationwide today.

Captain Jack and his is old frenemy, Capt. Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), (sometimes) team up on the high seas and dry land of locales, including London, against Angelica (Penelope Cruz), Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and, of course, the British navy in the search for the elusive “spout” that will make those who drink from it young, beautiful, virile and vital – FOREVER. See trailers and photos at: http://www.jbfilms.com/#/film/pirates-4/media

Angelica (Penelope Cruz), Captain Jack (Johnny Depp) and Blackbeard (Ian McShane) have a meeting of the minds in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

Like television’s “Law & Order” franchise, “Pirates” may become famous as well for frequently changing casts. PC and IM are newbies, as well as two of the most prominent supporting players. Last time out “At World’s End set a course with Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards onboard. Of course by now it is widely known that JD based Captain Jack’s various and sundry ticks on the old rocker. He played Jack’s father, Captain Teague, and is again part of the crew in “On Stranger Tides.”

On this voyage into the treacherous and unknown, Governor Weatherby Swann (Jonathan Pryce), his daughter, Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) remained ashore. Gone, too, is the director of the three previous "Pirates," Gore Verbinski. In the director's chair for the bleaker "On Stranger Tides" is Rob Marshall.

Disney has plans for at least two more of the films based on its theme park ride, Pirates of the Caribbean. It will be interesting to learn who will sign up for the subsequent voyages. Will JD have grown weary of the swashbuckling Jack and turn down obscene amounts of money to slink and slur as no other can? Will he be considered a little long in the tooth in the coming years, only to be replaced by a younger body a la the James Bond character in filmdom’s most enduring franchise? When the time comes, without doubt, tongues will be awagging with a treasure trove of speculation, conjecture, outright lies and gross exaggeration.

"Queen Anne’s Revenge" is Blackbeard's (Ian McShane) favorite mode of transportation in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

As with most film franchises – and "Pirates" is no exception – it is pointless to review them. They are so familiar; the characters are like family. One looks forward to seeing them every other year or so, regardless of their behavior. Should the reunion not be a happy one … oh, well … one thanks his lucky stars that it is short-lived.

If nothing else, as the JB Web site asserts, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” will have “fun, adventure and humor.” Frankly, fans expect no more or no less. They will turn up to see JD&Co. do their thing and will be mesmerized and “amazed” by the special effects and all of that sound coming from the surround system. An added bonus is that for the first time a “Pirates” film will be shown in Disney’s Digital 3D, which is capable of delivering images and depth-perception that are nothing short of eye-popping …

Captains Barbossa and Sparrow are ... er ... tied down at the moment in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

The most lucrative film in the “Pirates” fanchise was the last, “At World’s End.” So far, the 2007 vehicle has grossed more than $2.5 billion with a “B” worldwide.

It rather goes without saying then, does it not, that “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” too, will rake in booty aplenty at several thousand domestic theaters this weekend and beyond on various other platforms here and abroad?

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence, some frightening images, sensuality and innuendo.