'Iron Man' a surefire hit

By: Keith Cohen, The Movie Guy

IRON MAN

3 and a half stars Rated PG-13

Another superhero created by Stan Lee at Marvel Comics comes to the big screen. This unique and popular character (inspired by the personality of icon Howard Hughes) is the only self-made crime fighter whose superhuman strength and abilities come from a powered titanium alloy suit of armor.

The man inside is billionaire industrialist and genius inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). His carefree, playboy lifestyle is forever changed when he nearly dies from shrapnel wounds following a weapons test in Afghanistan. He manages to escape after being held hostage by a band of insurgents.

This blockbuster action adventure lives up to the high expectations of its built-in fan base. It has everything you would wish for in a summer popcorn movie. The list includes amazing visual effects from Industrial Light & Magic, larger-than-life set pieces, “Transformer”-style battles, humorous trial-and-error scenes, attractive personalities and an evil villain to root against.

You don’t have to be a reader of the comic books to enjoy this movie. The engrossing origination story takes up the first half. The setup for the ultimate confrontation takes you the rest of the way once the two sides are clearly defined by the well-written script.

Romantic sparks exist between Stark and his trustworthy, red-headed executive assistant Pepper Potts (the classy Gwyneth Paltrow). Acting laurels belong to Jeff Bridges who shaved his head and grew a beard to play Obadiah Stane, a shrewd and calculating top executive at Stark Industries. Terrence Howard is under-utilized in his role as Rhodey Rhodes, an Air Force military adviser and Stark’s close personal friend.

The movie looks great with crystal-clear cinematography. The gold and hot rod red suit of armor is the coolest piece of hardware ever assembled before your eyes and worth the price of admission. The story has been modernized to correspond to today’s sophisticated level of technology.

You will want to get in on the ground floor of this suspenseful, opening salvo of a surefire hit franchise. This destination cinematic event is a great way to kick off a summer of promising titles.

MADE OF HONOR

 3 stars Rated PG-13

Patrick Dempsey (Dr. McDreamy of “Grey’s Anatomy”) is the leading man in a movie that touches every romantic bone in your body. Tom (Dempsey) is a successful playboy with his own rigid set of dating rules. He never has back-to-back dates with the same girl. No women are allowed at his place. He is a confirmed bachelor whose vocabulary doesn’t include the words “I love you,” commitment or marriage.

The one constant in his life for the past 10 years, after an embarrassing dorm room encounter during his senior year at Cornell, is best friend and confidante Hannah (the lovely Michelle Monaghan). When she leaves for six weeks on a museum acquisitions trip in Scotland, he realizes that he has strong feelings for her. The wise adage “absence makes the heart grow fonder” comes into play as he can’t stop thinking about Hannah.

Upon her return, he decides to make his amorous intentions clear and profess his undeniable love. She surprises him by introducing her fiancé, Colin (Kevin McKidd from “Rome”). Colin is a handsome hunk who is the heir to the largest whiskey distillery in Scotland. Their whirlwind one-month courtship arose from a case of love at first sight.

Hannah asks Tom to be her maid of honor. He accepts this emasculating role as a way to be around her every step of the way leading to the altar. His goal is to do whatever it takes to win her back.

Although you know where this is going, the fun ride is worth taking to see how the pieces fall into place. This light and breezy escapist fare is told from a male perspective. There are many humorous situations including Dempsey wearing a short kilt.

The exceptional soundtrack of popular music perfectly matches the mood and tone.  The cinematography benefits from mouth-watering backgrounds on Scotland’s Isle of Skye and familiar New York City landmarks.

Dempsey and Monaghan have a sweet and charming onscreen chemistry. Their likable personalities have you rooting for them to become a permanent couple. The passionate lip-locking they share may be the best kiss of 2008. It expresses more than words the essence of love and romance.

Movies about impending weddings have an intangible sense of unbridled optimism. This welcome addition to the nuptials theme inspires a hearty toast. Hooray for happy endings!

THE VISITOR

 2 and a half stars Rated PG-13

A disillusioned Connecticut economics professor (Richard Jenkins from “Six Feet Under”) has a chance encounter with a homeless Syrian man and his Senegalese girlfriend who have taken up residence in his Manhattan apartment. Instead of kicking the squatters out, he befriends them and gets involved in their day-to-day lives.

This heartfelt, humanistic drama explores our melting pot society through multicultural characters. Immigration issues in the post-9/11 climate are put under the microscope. Solid acting performances from a cast of talented unknowns are the major reason to buy a ticket. Jenkins is the cement that holds everything together.

This character drama straddles the fence on the political ramifications of illegal aliens. The steps required to obtain work visas and apply for citizenship are never fully explained.

It is hard to stay focused as the story meanders tediously and eventually goes nowhere. The unlikely set of coincidences requires a suspension of belief. The abrupt ending leaves you dissatisfied with many unresolved loose ends.

The cinematography is enhanced by great outdoor shots of New York City. A stirring musical score features the sounds of the African drum and gives the film a distinct flavor. Now playing exclusively at the Tivoli.