The sentimental life of Ben Stiller

Mitty is a shy photo editor for Life magazine who is given to “zoning out” – daydreams in which he detaches from reality and imagines he’s performing heroic deeds and winning the heart of a female co-worker (Kristen Wiig).

But he’s off on an adventure for real when he sets out to track down a missing negative by the magazine’s intrepid star photojournalist (Sean Penn). It’s a journey that takes him to Greenland, where he catches a helicopter, which then drops him in the middle of the ocean. He eventually makes his way to Iceland, only to have to race against an erupting volcano.

The pressure is on because it’s the final issue of the magazine. Adam Scott also stars as a pointy bearded corporate functionary overseeing the death of Life.

Though anticipation was high for this passion project by the “Zoolander” and “Tropic Thunder” funnyman, critical reception has been mixed.

 

Also opening

_ “Captain Phillips” – Tom Hanks stars in this gripping high-seas adventure that’s based on an actual piracy incident. Read all about at left.

 

_ “Free Birds” – Owen Wilson, recently in Thailand filming a Hollywood drama called “The Coup”, stars in this animated talking-turkey comedy. He’s a Thanksgiving turkey who has been pardoned by the president and is living it up at Camp David. But then he’s abducted by a militant activist turkey (Woody Harrelson). They then travel back in time to the first Thanksgiving in a bid to change an American tradition. Critical reception is mostly negative, meaning this movie really is a turkey.

 

Also showing

_ Alliance Française – The New Year brings a month of family comedies, starting next Wednesday with 2010’s “Les Petits Ruisseaux” (“Wandering Streams”), in which a retiree (Daniel Prevost) is left rootless by the death of his best friend and sets out on a road trip. The show starts at 7 at the Alliance Française de Bangkok, now located on Wireless Road opposite Lumpini Park in the former location of the Suan Lum Night Bazaar. For details, check www.afthailande.org.

 

_ The Friese-Greene Club – Following a short holiday break, the private cinema club reopens tomorrow, starting the year with 1974’s “Dark Star”, part of a monthlong look back at the classic films of cult-favourite director John Carpenter. Sundays are devoted to David Lean, with 1945’s “Brief Encounter” as this week’s offering. Thursday’s spotlight this month will be Woody Allen’s favourite films, starting with Federico Fellini’s “8½”. And Peter O’Toole, the last of the great “hellraiser” actors, will be remembered on Fridays, starting next week with 1982’s “My Favourite Year”, with O’Toole fittingly portraying a flamboyant and alcoholic film actor. Reservations are a must. Check FGC.in.th for details.