Family, Comedy
2.5 stars
Corny but cute. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays an arrogant, cocky hockey player who is sentenced to two weeks of tooth fairy service after he told a little girl there is no such thing. Ashley Judd plays his girlfriend, Julie Andrews co-stars as the head of the tooth fairy world, and Billy Crystal has a small role as the gadget guy (like “Q” in the Bond films). I love “The Rock” and was looking forward to seeing him play the tough guy in a tutu. But his character was not likable, and the tutu was a temporary mishap; they found male fairy clothes for him. I did like the goofy Stephen Merchant (from the British version of “The Office”) as Johnson’s case worker. The kiddies should wait for cable, and adults should skip it.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Broken Embraces (Los Abrazos Rotos)
Foreign, Drama
3.5 stars
Interesting story. A blind film director learns of the recent death of a businessman he dealt with 14 years ago. This spurs him to recount the story to his assistant’s son about how they knew each other and the woman they both loved, Penelope Cruz. This was definitely a complicated and interesting movie. The beginning of the film seems confusing as there are a lot of characters and it switches back and forth from the past to the present, but it eventually smoothes out and starts to make sense. Spanish with subtitles and includes a few sex scenes. Good movie, though I’m not sure I agree that it’s worthy of a Best Foreign Film nomination.
3.5 stars
Interesting story. A blind film director learns of the recent death of a businessman he dealt with 14 years ago. This spurs him to recount the story to his assistant’s son about how they knew each other and the woman they both loved, Penelope Cruz. This was definitely a complicated and interesting movie. The beginning of the film seems confusing as there are a lot of characters and it switches back and forth from the past to the present, but it eventually smoothes out and starts to make sense. Spanish with subtitles and includes a few sex scenes. Good movie, though I’m not sure I agree that it’s worthy of a Best Foreign Film nomination.
Legion
Drama, Action
2.5 stars
Disappointing. Paul Bettany stars as the archangel Michael who falls to earth to disobey God’s orders to annihilate mankind. That what he says, but really the angels are all bent on killing an unborn child who is supposed to save humanity. Well, if this child is man’s savior, why would God want it destroyed? I’d have been more interested in seeing lots of winged angels descending on this small diner in the desert, but instead, they possess humans (“angelic possession”, anyone?) and it feels more like a typical zombie movie where the people barricade themselves inside while the evil ones lurk about. Also, clearly two of the characters serve as a symbolic Mary and Joseph - though they are named Charlie and Jeep – but Charlie is no virgin so we are not sure why her child is so special? Jim was disappointed in this movie as well, hoping for more action and special effects. Wait for it to come out on cable
2.5 stars
Disappointing. Paul Bettany stars as the archangel Michael who falls to earth to disobey God’s orders to annihilate mankind. That what he says, but really the angels are all bent on killing an unborn child who is supposed to save humanity. Well, if this child is man’s savior, why would God want it destroyed? I’d have been more interested in seeing lots of winged angels descending on this small diner in the desert, but instead, they possess humans (“angelic possession”, anyone?) and it feels more like a typical zombie movie where the people barricade themselves inside while the evil ones lurk about. Also, clearly two of the characters serve as a symbolic Mary and Joseph - though they are named Charlie and Jeep – but Charlie is no virgin so we are not sure why her child is so special? Jim was disappointed in this movie as well, hoping for more action and special effects. Wait for it to come out on cable
White Ribbon
Foreign, Drama
2 stars
Long, slow, and strange. This movie won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film, but I’m not sure why, and my fellow movie goers were equally perplexed. The setting is a small German village in the year before WWI broke out, where most of the townsfolk are employed by the local Baron and Baroness. Terrible “accidents” start to occur, and a couple of small children are found tied up and beaten. A note is left with one child that sinners will be punished with the punishment doled out on their children. Nothing is explained in the end either, you just have to decide certain occurrences were revenge, others were doled out by all the creepy children in the village. And nobody knows what happened to certain missing townsfolk. German with English subtitles; filmed in black and white. Skip it.
2 stars
Long, slow, and strange. This movie won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film, but I’m not sure why, and my fellow movie goers were equally perplexed. The setting is a small German village in the year before WWI broke out, where most of the townsfolk are employed by the local Baron and Baroness. Terrible “accidents” start to occur, and a couple of small children are found tied up and beaten. A note is left with one child that sinners will be punished with the punishment doled out on their children. Nothing is explained in the end either, you just have to decide certain occurrences were revenge, others were doled out by all the creepy children in the village. And nobody knows what happened to certain missing townsfolk. German with English subtitles; filmed in black and white. Skip it.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Youth in Revolt
Comedy, Dry
3.5 stars
Surprisingly funny. Michael Cera (Superbad, Juno) goes to great lengths to stay in touch with the girl of his dreams (Portia Doubleday), including creating a secondary persona and getting into a lot of trouble. The protagonists seem to have above average intelligence, but lack common sense. I thought Justin Long was hilarious as Doubleday’s stoner brother. Also co-starring are Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta and Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover). I hadn’t planned on seeing this film, but I wound up liking it. If you liked Juno, then you may like this one too as the dialogue and humor are very similar.
3.5 stars
Surprisingly funny. Michael Cera (Superbad, Juno) goes to great lengths to stay in touch with the girl of his dreams (Portia Doubleday), including creating a secondary persona and getting into a lot of trouble. The protagonists seem to have above average intelligence, but lack common sense. I thought Justin Long was hilarious as Doubleday’s stoner brother. Also co-starring are Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta and Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover). I hadn’t planned on seeing this film, but I wound up liking it. If you liked Juno, then you may like this one too as the dialogue and humor are very similar.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Lovely Bones
Drama
4 stars
I cried through the whole thing! Sorry, I’ve never gotten around to reading the book, so I have no basis for comparison. I thought this was a well told story narrated by the deceased young girl (Saoirse Ronan; Atonement) as she describes the time leading up to her murder and her family’s struggles in its wake. Ronan narrates from the “in-between” ghostly world that probably could have been portrayed better, but I was too busy sniffling and wiping away tears to really care. Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz co-star as her parents and Stanley Tucci is chilling (and nearly unrecognizable) as the creepy neighbor. I loved Susan Sarandon as the fabulous eccentric grandmother who enjoys her “medicine” a little too much. The kissing scene stolen from the movie Ghost was a little too much, but on the whole I thought it was a good movie for a good cry.
**** I have since read the book and can see that fans of the book will be disappointed to learn that the 11 or 12 year span of the book has been condensed to about 3, and a LOT has been cut out – including evidence that is either not included in the movie, or too much emphasis is placed on evidence that was dismissed in the book.
4 stars
I cried through the whole thing! Sorry, I’ve never gotten around to reading the book, so I have no basis for comparison. I thought this was a well told story narrated by the deceased young girl (Saoirse Ronan; Atonement) as she describes the time leading up to her murder and her family’s struggles in its wake. Ronan narrates from the “in-between” ghostly world that probably could have been portrayed better, but I was too busy sniffling and wiping away tears to really care. Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz co-star as her parents and Stanley Tucci is chilling (and nearly unrecognizable) as the creepy neighbor. I loved Susan Sarandon as the fabulous eccentric grandmother who enjoys her “medicine” a little too much. The kissing scene stolen from the movie Ghost was a little too much, but on the whole I thought it was a good movie for a good cry.
**** I have since read the book and can see that fans of the book will be disappointed to learn that the 11 or 12 year span of the book has been condensed to about 3, and a LOT has been cut out – including evidence that is either not included in the movie, or too much emphasis is placed on evidence that was dismissed in the book.
A Single Man (2009)
Indie – Drama
4.5 stars
Beautifully done. Colin Firth stars as a gay man in 1963 LA privately mourning the tragic loss of his longtime life partner (Matthew Goode – Match Point, Leap Year). Julianne Moore co-stars as his longtime friend and neighbor. Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy) plays one of Firth’s more insightful students. This movie is artfully filmed, with long, lingering extreme close-ups of eyes, lips, and the occasional male torsos as seen through Firth’s eyes. Filmed with much sensitivity and also a good eclectic soundtrack, I think this film is deserving of several award nominations.
4.5 stars
Beautifully done. Colin Firth stars as a gay man in 1963 LA privately mourning the tragic loss of his longtime life partner (Matthew Goode – Match Point, Leap Year). Julianne Moore co-stars as his longtime friend and neighbor. Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy) plays one of Firth’s more insightful students. This movie is artfully filmed, with long, lingering extreme close-ups of eyes, lips, and the occasional male torsos as seen through Firth’s eyes. Filmed with much sensitivity and also a good eclectic soundtrack, I think this film is deserving of several award nominations.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
2.5 stars
Fantasy
This film felt like a long, strange drug trip. Christopher Plummer runs a mobile ramshackle carnival act where all your strangest fantasies come true. Mix in a deal with the devil (Tom Waits), a beautiful jail-bait daughter (Lily Cole), and a stranger along for the ride (Heath Ledger) and you have one odd story. The fantasy trips through the Imaginarium were kinda cool. Out in the “real” world, the carnival act often stayed in the dingiest of areas which were a little depressing. This movie is only for those who enjoy strange, trippy movies.
Fantasy
This film felt like a long, strange drug trip. Christopher Plummer runs a mobile ramshackle carnival act where all your strangest fantasies come true. Mix in a deal with the devil (Tom Waits), a beautiful jail-bait daughter (Lily Cole), and a stranger along for the ride (Heath Ledger) and you have one odd story. The fantasy trips through the Imaginarium were kinda cool. Out in the “real” world, the carnival act often stayed in the dingiest of areas which were a little depressing. This movie is only for those who enjoy strange, trippy movies.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Leap Year
Chick Flick
3 stars
Cute movie, predictable – but then, most chick flicks are and that’s why we like them. Amy Adams treks to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend (Adam Scott; Stepbrothers) who is there for a conference. Alas, she keeps getting sidelined on her way to Dublin and meets the prickly but lovable Matthew Goode (Match Point, A Single Man) who helps her on her journey. You know the rest… Of course I loved the scenery of the Emerald Isle along with the quaint villages and colorful people (and also the Cliffs of Moher, which appeared to be a short walk from Dingle, not to mention the boat ride from Wales – just pretend not to know any geography with this film). Thankfully, there were still some more enjoyable scenes not already given away by the previews. I liked it, though a few scenes were overdone: notably a wedding scene and another kissing scene over dinner. On the whole, a cute frivolous movie.
3 stars
Cute movie, predictable – but then, most chick flicks are and that’s why we like them. Amy Adams treks to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend (Adam Scott; Stepbrothers) who is there for a conference. Alas, she keeps getting sidelined on her way to Dublin and meets the prickly but lovable Matthew Goode (Match Point, A Single Man) who helps her on her journey. You know the rest… Of course I loved the scenery of the Emerald Isle along with the quaint villages and colorful people (and also the Cliffs of Moher, which appeared to be a short walk from Dingle, not to mention the boat ride from Wales – just pretend not to know any geography with this film). Thankfully, there were still some more enjoyable scenes not already given away by the previews. I liked it, though a few scenes were overdone: notably a wedding scene and another kissing scene over dinner. On the whole, a cute frivolous movie.
Did You Hear About The Morgans?
Comedy
2.5 stars
Cute film, but the previews gave away all the best parts. Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant play city clickers sent to a ranch in Wyoming for the Witness Protection Plan. We’ve all seen this sort of fish-out-of-water type of film where the protagonists begin to like the place they thought they’d hate. Hugh Grant’s British wit is the best part of the movie, plus Sam Elliott and Mary Steenburgen as the hardy gun-toting country folk who host the city couple. I also liked the way the bad guy got foiled. If only Parker didn’t talk so much, it would have been more enjoyable… I agree with other critics that there was a lack of chemistry between Parker and Grant. Cute move, but wait for it to come out on TV.
2.5 stars
Cute film, but the previews gave away all the best parts. Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant play city clickers sent to a ranch in Wyoming for the Witness Protection Plan. We’ve all seen this sort of fish-out-of-water type of film where the protagonists begin to like the place they thought they’d hate. Hugh Grant’s British wit is the best part of the movie, plus Sam Elliott and Mary Steenburgen as the hardy gun-toting country folk who host the city couple. I also liked the way the bad guy got foiled. If only Parker didn’t talk so much, it would have been more enjoyable… I agree with other critics that there was a lack of chemistry between Parker and Grant. Cute move, but wait for it to come out on TV.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Crazy Heart
Drama
4 stars
Great acting, but difficult to watch. Jeff Bridges stars as a washed up, has-been country star who is a hygiene deficient drunk. He meets the ever talented Maggie Gyllenhaal who inspires him, somewhat, to start writing music again. What she sees in this slob of a man is beyond me. This is one of those movies that gets great raves for superb acting, but is absolutely no fun to watch. If you want to watch a man stumble and stagger his way through life with his pants undone and intermittent vomiting, then hey, go for it. If you’d prefer another serious movie with great acting that is not nearly as depressing (but a little scary), I highly recommend Brothers with Tobey Maguire.
4 stars
Great acting, but difficult to watch. Jeff Bridges stars as a washed up, has-been country star who is a hygiene deficient drunk. He meets the ever talented Maggie Gyllenhaal who inspires him, somewhat, to start writing music again. What she sees in this slob of a man is beyond me. This is one of those movies that gets great raves for superb acting, but is absolutely no fun to watch. If you want to watch a man stumble and stagger his way through life with his pants undone and intermittent vomiting, then hey, go for it. If you’d prefer another serious movie with great acting that is not nearly as depressing (but a little scary), I highly recommend Brothers with Tobey Maguire.
Sherlock Holmes
Action, Comedy
4 stars
Fun movie. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law star as Holmes and Dr. Watson in this updated version of a classic as they try to solve a mystery behind an evil villain (Mark Strong of Body of Lies) who uses to dark magic to rise from the dead, among other things. Plenty of fight scenes (I wish they weren’t in fast motion), action and astute observations. Rachel McAdams co-stars, but while she’s normally a talented actress, this isn’t her strongest showing. While I miss the old intellectual Holmes from the old TV series, Downey’s slacker version is sheer fun.
4 stars
Fun movie. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law star as Holmes and Dr. Watson in this updated version of a classic as they try to solve a mystery behind an evil villain (Mark Strong of Body of Lies) who uses to dark magic to rise from the dead, among other things. Plenty of fight scenes (I wish they weren’t in fast motion), action and astute observations. Rachel McAdams co-stars, but while she’s normally a talented actress, this isn’t her strongest showing. While I miss the old intellectual Holmes from the old TV series, Downey’s slacker version is sheer fun.
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