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Internet Movie Database
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05 Jan

The Hoax

Grade: B

Based on true events, probably exaggerated for dramatic effect, The Hoax tells the story of how small-time author Clifford Irving created a big-time stir when he got a publishing deal for the “biography” he said he was co-authoring with Howard Hughes.  Richard Gere plays the ballsy writer with just enough arrogance to think he’s going to get away with it.  This is a complex character, and to make him more believably sleazy, Gere dyed his silver locks a mousy brown and put in a bad perm.  Marcia Gay Harden plays his put-upon wife.  Love her!  Great cast, interesting story, more so because it’s something that actually happened.
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05 Jan

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Grade: D

I didn’t read the book. I think there’s a small group of fans who read the book and were really looking forward to the movie. Interesting premise: the world ends, and a man is rescued just in time by his friend who happens to be an alien. They tour the galaxy and get in the middle of some kind of alien conflict. There’s a love interest, and a nice little message about being adventurous in life. Other than that, it was all a little too silly for me. Probably best enjoyed by the young teenage male audience.
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05 Jan

The Green Zone

Grade: B-

The Green Zone is set in present day Iraq, in the middle of the war.  Matt Damon is the soldier who is in it for all the right reasons, and figures out that some of the people running the war are presenting a different picture than what is actually happening on the field.  There are a lot of politics involved, naturally, and the media is eager for any story, even when it might not necessarily be the truth.  Greg Kinnear also stars.  Some war scenes, violence, gun fights, bombs – that’s what you get in a war movie.  Also some political intrigue.
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05 Jan

The Greatest Game Ever Played

Grade: A

Finally, a movie I really love! The Greatest Game Ever Played is a true story, and one that had the audience applauding over the credits. No big names, just a great story – well acted, well told. This is the kind of movie the whole family can enjoy – but don’t think you have to bring the kids! Greg and I went on our own and came home to tell Brian that it is a “must see.” Shia LaBeouf plays Francis Ouimet, a downtown kid aspiring to play an uptown game called golf. He’s a caddy with a real talent for the game, but because of he’s not a “gentleman” he is discouraged at every turn. He is inspired by golfer Harry Vardon, whose background is similar to his own. This is one of those stand up and cheer scenarios, where you’re rooting for the kid with the big dreams. Go see it!
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05 Jan

The Great Gatsby

Grade: B

A great movie requires a great story – and it doesn’t get much better than F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.  How that story is translated to the big screen is another story.

I thought this new version of The Great Gatsby was wonderful – I loved the costumes, the cinematography, the jewelry, the sets, even the melodrama of it all.  But there seemed to be something lacking… and I think that was mainly the chemistry between Daisy (Carey Mulligan) and Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio).  Both were fantastic separately – but together they kind of lacked that heat to make the whole premise 100% believable.  We’re left with kind of that empty, shallowness that Daisy embodied.  More style than substance.

Maybe it was having Leo in the lead, he seemed a little more crazy than just crazy in love.  We’ve seen Leo in these crazy guy parts before, like Howard Hughes, so it’s easy for him to fall into that mold.  I remember Robert Redford in the same part as more grounded, less desperate.

I saw the Robert Redford/Mia Farrow version of The Great Gatsby way back when, and I’d like to revisit that one now to compare the two.

 

Worth seeing.  I think it will get nominations in hair, make-up, costumes, art direction and the like.
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05 Jan

The Great Debaters

Grade: A

Based on a true story, set in 1935 Marshall, Texas, “The Great Debaters” stars Denzel Washington as the debate coach at an all Black college.  Three amazingly talented newcomers play his team.  Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions produced.  This is one of those movies that has you really caring about all of the characters, and rooting for them the whole way.  1935 was a volatile time in our history.  Racism was rampant, especially in the south.  The debate team had a lot to overcome, and did so with strength and dignity.  This is a wonderful movie, rich with history and positive messages.  A must-see, especially for teens.
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05 Jan

The Great Buck Howard

Grade: A-

The Great Buck Howard is based on the life of The Amazing Kreskin.  This man was quite talented, and quite a character, one of the original mentalists.  John Malkovich plays Howard, who at this point in his life has long passed the peak of his career.  He used to be a guest on Johnny Carson’s show, and now he’s playing to audiences in half-filled small town theatres.

Colin Hanks (yes, Tom’s son!) plays a law school drop-out who is trying to find his passion.  He takes a job as  Howard’s assistant, and learns more about the world of show business, and himself, than he expected.  Emily Blunt is a publicist who comes in as a love interest.  And Tom Hanks has a nice couple of scenes as the concerned dad.

Great cast, great story, really worth seeing.
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05 Jan

The Great and Powerful Oz

Grade: B

No movie is ever going to live up to The Wizard of Oz – so don’t even think about comparing the two.  The Great and Powerful Oz is a kind of prequel – the story about how the Wizard of Oz got his job.  James Franco plays the title character, and we first meet him while he’s working in a kind of traveling circus.  He’s a kind of smooth salesman, a charming con artist.  But there’s something likable about him as well.  He gets swept up in a hot air balloon during a storm and lands in a mysterious and unfamiliar land.

As the story unfolds, this “wizard” learns he must pass a test in order to be official in this place – and three sisters, or witches, put him through his paces.  Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz are wonderful in their roles.

The art direction is especially notable – this is a beautiful movie to watch on the large screen – and there’s even a 3D option, so see that if you can.  The colors are AMAZING, and the costumes and make-up are wonderful.  Music by Danny Elfman is terrific as well.

A few scary parts, so be careful with young children – but all in all it’s a great movie, fun for the whole family.
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05 Jan

The Grandmaster

Grade: B

The Grandmaster is a powerful film that chronicles the life of Ip Man (played by Tony Leung),  the revered martial artist who trained Bruce Lee.  It takes place in Foshan in the 1930s and during Man’s flight to Hong Kong after the Second Sino-Japanese War.

This was a time of much struggle and hardship. This is a true story, and we get a lot of history.

The movie is beautifully shot and directed – and the story is well written.  Even if you’re not a fan of Kung Fu, there is a lot to appreciate.  Ziyi Zang plays Ip Man’s love interest, and rival, Gong Er. She’s strong and beautiful and absolutely determined.

Definitely worth seeing.

English subtitles.
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05 Jan

The Good Shepherd

Grade: B+

Robert DeNiro directs and has a cameo role in The Good Shepherd, based on a true story.  Matt Damon stars as Edward Wilson, one of the founders of the CIA.  Matt Damon has played the strong, intelligent, quiet type before, but never quite this intensely.  His character arc takes him from a fresh-faced fraternity boy to a cool, cunning international operative.  Somewhere in between he gets swept up and married off to his buddy’s sister, Clover, the seductive Angelina Jolie.  They have a child, Edward Jr., who grows up with a long distance dad.

Lots of drama, great performances, solid story.
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