Seven Pounds

Really, really good movie! I will NOT give it away. Will Smith is tormented even as he falls for Rosario Dawson. The beginning of the movie is a little confusing and disjointed as it slips back and forth through different phases of Will Smith’s life and at first they don’t even make it clear which phase is current. But stay with it, even as you slowly figure it out all is explained in the end. Even the title makes sense after it ends. Bring tissues, it will make you cry. This movie is so good; just go see it, that’s all I can say.

Frost/Nixon

Excellent movie, but a bit dry at times. Frank Langella magnificently portrays Nixon, though I wish they gave him a few facial prosthetics to make him resemble the disgraced president a bit more. Michael Sheen (whom I admired as Tony Blair in The Queen) plays the interviewer David Frost. I did not see the original interviews so I can’t compare, but the film version conveyed the stress Frost was under to get the sponsors needed to pay for the project, which wouldn’t have been included in the original. I like the movie the best in the beginning before the interviews began, but it was very interesting throughout, though just a bit dry when Nixon went off on another of his long stories.

The Day The Earth Stood Still

Good movie where Keanu Reeves plays an alien in human form sent here to “save the earth” from humans. Jennifer Connelly plays the scientist trying to help him and Will Smith’s son Jaden plays her stepson. I did not see the original so I cannot compare. The concept isn’t exactly original, but then again, maybe the original movie was the first with this concept? I appreciated that it wasn’t a super action packed movie; it is just a slow suspense. It can wait for cable, but it is a decent film, not terrible.

Nothing Like The Holidays

Cute family drama. As I said, it is a family drama that takes place during Christmastime, but it is not a really a “Christmas movie”. Debra Messing and John Leguizamo go home to the proud Puerto Rican neighborhood of Humboldt Park, Chicago to be with his family (Alfred Molina, Elizabeth Peña) for the holidays. One brother (Freddy Rodriguez) is returning home from Iraq, Mom announces she wants to divorce Dad, and other family members each have their own dramas. It is a good movie, but not a Christmas movie like I was hoping for (after such a dire disappointment from Four Christmases). It can wait for DVD or TV.

Cadillac Records

Good movie and great music about the inception of the Chess recording studio with Adrian Brody as the owner, Leonard Chess and the start of some of the greatest blues/R&B musicians: Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Little Walter, Howling Wolf, Chuck Berry and Etta James. The previews lead you to believe it is all about Beyonce as Etta, but she doesn’t appear until the latter half of the movie. Beyonce has a beautiful voice –probably the best singing performance by her I’ve ever seen - but I’m afraid nobody can match Etta’s wonderfully gritty pipes. Good movie; but if you have a good sound system at home it can wait until it’s out on DVD or TV.

Slumdog Millionaire

Excellent movie. Accused of cheating on India’s version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, a young contestant must recount to police the tragic and horrific events of his life that explain how he knew the answers to each of the show’s questions. Some scenes are violent and hard to watch and it is definitely not a flattering view of India, but it is an excellent portrayal of perseverance and undying love.

Australia

Good movie, but not the epic it was hoping to be. Someday I will learn to go to a movie without expectations, but I haven’t learned that lesson yet; I’m a late bloomer. Kidman and Jackman try to beat a competitor by herding cattle to the troops during WWII. Australia begins as sort of a corny comedy, where prissy Nicole Kidman and tough guy Hugh Jackman behave just like Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in African Queen. Then the movie switches back and forth from corny, to serious drama, to overly dramatic, even stealing a bit of the plot from South Pacific. Overall, I liked the movie but not as much as I would have had I not watched the constant previews that led you to believe it would be the next Gone With The Wind. Good movie, but very long – don’t drink too much of your soda or you won’t be able to hold it!

Milk

Excellent adaptation of the true story of Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay man to be elected to a major office. Sean Penn is awesome as usual, and it’s kinda funny to him smile in a role for a change. There are quite a few kissing scenes and loving glances that I found a little uncomfortable to watch, despite the fact that I am definitely pro-gay rights. Excellent movie.

Four Christmases

Disappointing and even cornier than I expected it to be. Too bad, because I actually found Vaughn’s effort last year, Fred Claus, amusing. Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon must visit each of their divorced parents on Christmas Day and endure their dysfunctional families. Really, really dumb.