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04 Jan

Atonement

Grade: A-

I haven’t seen all of the movies of 2007 yet, but I have to say that Atonement is one of my favorites so far. It is a romantic tragedy, the story envelops you, haunts you. We start at a British estate, 1935. Two sisters prepare for company. The housekeeper’s son acts as a groundskeeper, and it is evident that he has feelings for the older sister, with whom he grew up. The younger sister is clearly smitten, but much too young for the young man. Keira Knightley plays the older sister, she is absolutely beautiful, with much going on behind those eyes and that smile. James McAvoy is amazing as her suitor, Robbie. As company arrives for the dinner party, there is much going on, and the younger sister misinterprets some of the shenanigans and falsely accuses Robbie of attacking a young girl. He is sent off to prison, and the story picks up 4 years later when he gets out, and is in the army. The sisters are both nurses. The two young lovers are trying to find each other. The younger sister, Briony, is having a crisis of conscience and trying to undo the events she set into motion.

The music is mesmerizing, the score so perfect for the action. And the costumes are breathtaking. Atonement has award-winner written all over it. A must-see. Some grizzly war scenes, so be warned.  My only criticism is that I would have liked a little more joy, a little more happy, before the two were thrown into such tragic circumstances.
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04 Jan

Argo

Grade: A

Argo is a dramatization of the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to extract six fugitive American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran. “Argo” is the name of a fictitious movie that is being fake-produced as a cover for this operation. Ben Affleck both stars and directs – and he does an amazing job at both!  As a director, he builds the tension – I found myself holding my breath in parts – even when I knew what was going to happen.  This is a compelling movie – and quite a story – truth is always more interesting than fiction!  This will be one of the hot contenders this awards season.
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04 Jan

An Inconvenient Truth

Grade: A
This should be required viewing in schools. Al Gore has made it his mission to inform the world about the problems we face today with global warming. It’s something we can’t ignore. This movie clearly shows the damage that has already been done to our planet, and the direction that we’re headed if we keep doing what we’ve been doing. The good news is that we can change, and we can heal. It doesn’t take a multi-billion dollar budget to do it, it just takes individual effort. That’s why this movie is so important. We need to be aware of the impact that we have on the earth, and do what we can to help rather than hurt. Lots more info online at: http://www.climatecrisis.net
MOVIE REVIEW ARCHIVES
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04 Jan

American Hustle

Grade: B

Christian Bale carries American Hustle as toupee wearing con man Irving Rosenfeld.  When Irving meets Sydney (Amy Adams) it’s a match made in grifter heaven as they manage to bilk money out of people who desperately need loans that they then never deliver.

Enter Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), FBI agent who attempts to use these two as accomplices to bring down the bigger bad guys.

Lots of chemistry in this cast – and lots of unpredictability in the script.  Good combo! Another movie set in the ’70’s that’s got a fun vibe behind a serious story.
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04 Jan

American Gangster

Grade: B+

American Gangster is a powerful movie based on a true story.  Set in the 1960’s, the time of the Vietnam War, the drug culture was starting to explode, and one man, Frank Lucas, played by Denzel Washington, knew how to profit from it. Lucas was a charming con man, a brilliant entrepreneur, and the most dangerous person in all of New York.  In a time when most policemen were “on the take” getting their share from all of this extra busines on the streets, one good cop, Richie Roberts, played by Russell Crowe, sets off to get Lucas and his multi-million dollar operation.

Much of the movie plays off these two men separately, moving in two different worlds.  When they finally come together the scenes are electrifying.  Two Oscar winners, and you can see why.

The movie clocks in at about 2 1/2 hours, but the pace is quick so it doesn’t seem that long.  Very intense, lots of violence.
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04 Jan

American Dreamz

Grade: B+

It’s a comedy, it’s a satire, it’s a political commentary.  American Dreamz is a little all over the place, but that’s what makes it so doggone refreshing!  Lots of inside jokes for fans of American Idol.  Plenty of material skewering our current president.  A funny take on the state of cultural relations in this country, and also on the trend towards instant celebrity.  There are a lot of parallels which are brought out in amusing ways.  It’s really very clever.  Mandy Moore is the star wanna-be, Hugh Grant plays the Simon Cowell type, Dennis Quaid is the commander in chief, and Marsha Gay Harden wears a convincing Laura Bush do to portray the first lady.  Willem Dafoe is almost unrecognizable with his Cheneyesque head as the president’s chief of staff.  A nice comic turn for each of these actors.
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04 Jan

Amazing Grace

Grade: A

Based on the true story of William Wilberforce’s fight to abolish the slave trade in England, Amazing Grace is a remarkable movie – the first “must see” of 2007.  The title comes from the song, written by a sea captain on a slave ship who was devastated by what he saw on board and gave the rest of his life to religion.   As a monk, he mentored Wilberforce, and his teachings had an impact on the young man.

At one point, Wilberforce, a young and charismatic politician, comes to a crossroads.  He has discovered God, and is tempted to give up his successful career to join the clergy.  His good friend, with political aspirations to be Prime Minister, invites an eclectic group of people to plead their case to Wilberforce.  They are each dedicated to ending the slave trade in England, and they need his help to do it.  As one woman put it: “We understand that you must decide between serving God, and serving the people.  We suggest a way that you can do both.”  He makes this his life’s work, and almost gives his life for it when he becomes deathly ill.  But then, he meets a woman, who inspires him, and gives him that second wind he needed to keep going.

There are so many things to love about this movie.  It is empowering, inspiring, and beautifully done.
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04 Jan

Alice in Wonderland

Grade: A

A real treat!  Tim Burton directs this magical, mystical 3D extravaganza!  This Alice in Wonderland is a kind of mash-up of the two books, and takes a peek at both Alice’s past and future.  She’s definitely a hero in this movie – go girl power!  Johnny Depp stars as the Mad Hatter.  Helena Bonham Carter is the villainess in the film, the Red Queen.  Anne Hathaway is the ethereally good White Queen.  The art direction is spectacular!  So much to see that it’s the kind of movie you’ll want to see twice to make sure you didn’t miss anything.  I went with a 16 year old girl who was seeing it for her third time, and she is likely to go back again!  Music by the incomparable Danny Elfman sets everything off beautifully.  My first favorite of 2010.
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04 Jan

Alfie

Grade: C+

Alfie is billed as a romantic comedy, and while it does have its romantic, and funny, moments, overall it’s just kind of a sad portrait of a contemporary man who can’t seem to get his life together.

Jude Law is Alfie – a confident, self-assured Manhattanite who wants more out of life but doesn’t know how to get it. Like many in his situation, he keeps repeating his behaviors and is disappointed when circumstances don’t change. Jude Law is charming in the role, especially when he addresses the camera, and we quickly feel like we know him. And maybe we do, we each probably have an Alfie somewhere in our lives.

Marisa Tomei as one of Alfie’s lady loves is luminescent. I love this actress, always have. Her scenes are the most real, the most heartfelt in the film. Susan Sarandon looks amazing – sexy as ever. She eats up this role and it’s clear she’s having a good time with it. Perfect casting!

This is a remake of the earlier film, and has been updated for current times. But how much do things really change? There are likely many “Alfie’s” out there, which makes this a poignant commentary on single life in the big city today.
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04 Jan

Alexander

Grade: D

Sorry, but this much-anticipated epic movie is a big flop. The sets are spectacular, the costumes and make-up are absolutely gorgeous, the cinematography is amazing. But it’s all frosting and no cake. Gotta give Oliver Stone props for attempting such an ambitious project, you can clearly see all the money spent on the screen. And the little kid they found to play Alexander as a child looks SO much like Colin Farrell as a kid – it was really remarkable. I think that kid was the best actor in the bunch.

Colin Farrell, just couldn’t buy him as Alexander the Great. Especially in scenes where he has to emote – painful to watch. And Angelina Jolie, whom I usually adore, comes off like some kind of Morticia Adams with a gypsy accent. Did Alexander’s mom really collect and play with pet snakes? It was just so gimmicky it was hard to swallow.

I was hoping this would bring some light to history. My son Brian has been studying this whole era. But after reading his text books and sitting through this 3-hour movie, I’m still perplexed. Anthony Hopkins comes in every once in awhile as one of Alexander’s old buddies to give some exposition, but instead of clarifying things, it just slows down the pace. I was looking at my watch every twenty minutes. Not a good sign.
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