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Internet Movie Database
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08 Jan

Thor

Grade: B

Thor is a nice surprise.  My husband and I got to see it early with Australians in Film – Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, is an Aussie and he introduced the movie.  Thor is based on the Marvel comic book series of the same name.  Thor is the hero, of course, and based on the Norse Mythology.  Anthony Hopkins plays Odin, Thor’s father, the king.  Rene Russo is the queen.  Natalie Portman is the mortal who ends up stealing his heart.  I guess since I didn’t expect much I was happily  surprised that the movie was so cute.  It’s in 3-D, so it has that going for it, plus some great special effects, and some funny lines.  Not a typical comic book movie!  Kind of fun!
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08 Jan

The Words

Grade: B+

The Words is a powerful, intelligent drama that keeps the audience guessing until the very end.  Bradley Cooper plays a struggling writer who faces a moral dilemma – and his decision has a long-reaching impact on the various characters.  Zoe Saldana plays the wife – elegant, passionate, trusting.  Jeremy Irons is the mysterious Old Man who turns the writer’s life upside down.

This is the kind of movie you end up talking about all the way home.  There are so many “what if”s and unanswered questions that the viewer’s perception of events plays a key role in the overall experience of the film.  Compelling.
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07 Jan

The Upside of Anger

Grade: B+

Look for a “Best Actress” nomination for Joan Allen for her role in this family drama. I have seen “The Upside of Anger” billed as a romantic comedy, but I sure wouldn’t call it that. Yes, there are some sweet and funny moments between Joan Allen and Kevin Costner, her would-be paramour, but the emphasis here is on family dynamics, and how a family functions after a crisis. The four daughters in the story are all very rich, layered characters. This is a wonderful film for women! Definitely thought-provoking.
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07 Jan

3:10 to Yuma

Grade: B+

I’m usually not a Western fan, but 3:10 to Yuma has a really great story.  And some really great actors, too.  Christian Bale is the good guy, down on his luck, desperate for money to save his home from the railroad.  Russell Crowe is the bad guy, freshly flush from a big stagecoach robbery, he slips up and gets caught in town without his gang.  Christian steps up and joins the posse to escort Russell to the 3:10 to Yuma, a train headed straight for prison.  And what a road trip this turns out to be!  Lots of action, edge-of-your-seat, hold-your-breath type of adventure.  Just may bring back the Western.  Teen boys will really like it.
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05 Jan

Zero Dark Thirty

Grade: B+

Zero Dark Thirty is a powerful movie based on the true story  of the events that led up to the ultimate killing of Osama Bin Laden.  Jessica Chastain stars as Maya.  When we first meet Maya she’s a young CIA operative learning the ropes.  Throughout the film she becomes more and more committed to her mission, which becomes her whole life.  We don’t know if there really was a Maya, but the woman portrayed in the film was intelligent, fierce and completely dedicated to her job despite the environmental conditions and politics involved.

Yes, this is a war movie – and there are some graphic torture scenes, and obviously some violence.  So it’s not a movie for the faint of heart.  But the violence is not the basis of the movie – it’s the mystery, the puzzle that Maya works so hard to put together that makes this such a great film.

Jessica Chastain is compelling in this role, and I would expect her to get an award nomination for her performance in the Lead Actress category.
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05 Jan

X-Men: The New Class

Grade: B

The newest X-Men movie is a prequel to what we have seen so far.  You don’t have to know the other movies or characters to understand this one, but it definitely makes it more enjoyable.  Especially with cameos by Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Romijn.

This is a great cast, led by James McAvoy as Professor X.  Rose Byrne is Moira, fresh off her star turn in Bridesmaids.  It’s all in fun, with some nice messages about loyalty and friendship.  Really cool to see the “history” of the X-Men.  Fans will be particularly pleased – but this is a good movie for any fan of action or sci-fi.
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05 Jan

Words and Pictures

Grade: B

Set in a private high school, Words and Pictures looks at the lives of two very different people. The English teacher, Jack, played by Clive Owen, has become jaded and frustrated with his life – his ex-wife has moved on and his son is moving on and Jack feels stuck and turns to alcohol. The art teacher, Dina, played by Juliette Binoche, is struggling to reinvent and redefine herself as rheumatoid arthritis has made creating her art extremely difficult for her.

Jack is intrigued with this new art teacher, and inadvertently starts a “war” as the teachers and students debate which is more powerful, words, or pictures.

Jack and Dina learn about each other, take some changes, learn some lessons, and learn about themselves as well.

Beautifully shot, with some wonderful moment both in words and pictures.

Amy Brenneman comes in as director of the school, and Jack’s former love interest. She’s always brilliant!

Great date night movie.
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05 Jan

Winter’s Bone

Grade: B-

Winter’s Bone is an independent film which might be hard to find in some areas.  It’s a dark story, that highlights the strength and determination of a 17 year old girl, played by Jennifer Lawrence.  This character, Rhee, is truly remarkable.  She is stuck in a small shack in the middle of practically nowhere in the harsh winter, raising her younger brother and sister and taking care of her mentally ill mother.  Life is difficult, but she does it every day, struggling to get food on the table and the kids to school.

One day a sheriff comes to the home and tells Rhee that her father got out of prison on a bond, for which he put the house up as collateral.  The father is now missing, so unless she can find him, she will lose the house.  The movie is about all this girl goes through to figure out what happened to her father so that she can continue to take care of her family.

Jennifer Lawrence is a revelation – there’s lots of awards talk around her performance, it’s amazing.  She carries the whole film.
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05 Jan

Win Win

Grade: A-

Win Win stars Paul Giamatti as full time lawyer struggling to maintain his practice while he coaches the struggling high school wrestling team.  He takes on guardianship of one of his older clients in order to make ends meet – and that’s when his life is shaken up in unexpected and wonderful ways.  Some challenges, and some nice surprises, this movie is heartwarming, funny, and sweet.  Yes, it is rated R – and the only reason is because the “F” word is used more than once.  There’s no violence or sex.  Loved this one!
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05 Jan

Water for Elephants

Grade: B+

Mega-stars Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson star in Water for Elephants, based on the novel.  We start off with Hal Holbrook, who is the older version of Robert’s character, telling his story, so the bulk of the movie is set as a flash-back.  A young veterinarian ends up running off with the circus, where he meets a beautiful young woman who happens to be married to the ringmaster, and owner of the struggling troupe.  The husband, played by Academy Award winner Christoph Walz, is horribly abusive, and the two end up helplessly attracted to one another.  Lots of drama, and a wonderful cast of characters.  Very good!
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