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04 Jan

Juno

Grade: A-

I really like this movie.  Juno the character is a sixteen year old girl who finds out she is pregnant.  She’s not your typical movie teen who freaks out, she handles the news rather pragmatically.  She may not have been savvy enough to prevent the pregnancy in the first place, but she’s smart and mature enough to deal with the consequences and make some bold decisions all on her own.  Ellen Page plays Juno and she is brilliant in the role.  Michael Cera plays the baby’s father, naive and smitten, and clueless as to how to handle this situation so he follows Juno’s lead.  Alison Janney plays Juno’s stepmother, and she is hilarious – so funny and with the best of intentions, a real character with genuine emotion.  Juno meets a childless couple who wants to adopt, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman.  They look like the requisite yuppy twosome, but there are issues beneath the surface that Juno witnesses.

The writing is top-notch.  The characters well drawn and relatable.  This is a terrific movie, that is sure to generate discussion among parents and teens.
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04 Jan

Jumper

Grade: C+

Great movie for anyone with Attention Deficit Disorder, Jumper is non-stop action, moving not only from one scene to the next but one location to the next super quickly!  Hayden Christensen is a “Jumper” meaning that he can teleport himself to just about anywhere he wants anytime he wants.  After a rough childhood, he discovers his power and ends up living a pretty cushy life in New York.  Until he is found out, that is.  Samuel L. Jackson heads an agency who is out to kill the Jumpers and he means serious business.  The chase is on.  Hayden heads for his home town to win the heart of the girl of his dreams, The OC’s Rachel Bilson.  He teams up with another Jumper, played by Jamie Bell and the two go at it like twin brothers fighting over a Happy Meal.  Diane Lane comes in as Hayden’s long lost mother – turns out she’s working with the bad guys!  Tons of holes, tons of questions, all left very open-ended as they’re sure to have at least one sequel planned.  Loved the locations!  Rome, China, Egypt – wow!
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04 Jan

Jindabyne

Grade: B+

As members of Australians in Film my husband (the Aussie in the family) were lucky enough to see Jindabyne at a special pre-release screening. This is a very interesting, thought-provoking, conversation-stimulating movie.  Australian made, and set in the small Australian town of Jindabyne in South-East New South Wales, Jindabyne looks at how a lurking evil infests a community, and the affect that it has on the people and their relationships.

Gabriel Byrne has the lead role, a gas station owner caught in the midst of mid-life, a strained marriage and an anxious little boy.  His sole source of recreation and decompression is fishing, his passion.  When out on a long-awaited trip with his buddies, he comes across a body.  And that’s when his troubles really begin.

Moral dillema, how to handle the situation.  The choices the men make in the moments that follow greatly affect their future and how they are viewed by the people in their town.  It sets up a racial divide, and a gender divide, as each family member experiences the fall-out.

Laura Linney, one of the best actresses of our generation, I really think she is as good as Meryl Streep but she just doesn’t get the credit she deserves.

Gabriel Byrne was gracious enough to talk about the filming of Jindabyne.  He is brilliant, and his insights were fascinating.

I can always tell a movie is good when we talk about it all the way home, and with Jindabyne, that’s what we did.
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04 Jan

Jersey Boys

Grade: B

Jersey Boys, directed by Clint Eastwood, is a movie based on the stage play, based on the real life story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The Four Seasons had multiple hits in the 1960’s. The four Jersey boys who made up the group were from the wrong side of the tracks, as they say, and managed to make it big time in the recording industry. But fame was not without a cost.

Loved the music, of course, but also loved seeing “behind the scenes” into the lives of these guys, and how the whole music industry was changing during that time in history.

Also loved a quick “wink” to the audience – a glimpse of Clint himself appearing in one of his TV shows from that era. And a nice cameo by Clint’s daughter as well.
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04 Jan

Jane Eyre

Grade: B

Jane Eyre is based on the classic novel that has been interpreted many times in film and on television.  This version is dark, almost gothic.  The performances are fabulous – Mia Wasakowska, who was so fabulous as Alice in Wonderland, plays the title role of Jane.  She looks fragile, but she’s strong and smart and fiercely independent – the kind of heroine we love to see in the movies!  From what I can remember, since I read the book back in high school, the film stays pretty true to Charlotte Bronte’s story.  Tragic, romantic, hopeful… worth seeing!
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04 Jan

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Grade: B

 In this movie, a prequel to the series featuring the same character, Chris Pine plays Jack Ryan.  We first see him as a financial analyst, super sharp.  Before long he gets recruited into the CIA.  Thinking it’s basically a desk job, he has no idea what he’s gotten himself into! Before long, he uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.

His mentor in the CIA is none other than Kevin Costner, who has seen his share of action, and action movies.  And Jack Ryan’s love interest is the lovely Keira Knightley.

Kenneth Branagh directs. Fun movie for date night.
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04 Jan

Iron Man 2

Grade: C+

The first blockbuster of the summer season opened strong, and set records.  Robert Downey Jr reprises his role as Tony Stark, megamillionaire and owner/inventor of the Iron Man suit that has been keeping the world safe and at peace.  But it comes with a price – Tony’s own health is suffering, so he has to find a solution to this problem before his time runs out.

Sam Rockwell is the comic relief this time around, and Mickey Rourke is the villain – an evil scientist who seeks revenge on Tony.  Gwyneth Paltrow is the love interest, once secretary and now CEO.  And Scarlett Johansson is the new mystery woman.  Don Cheadle takes over the role of best buddy.

Interesting premise – but when it all comes down to it – it’s still a comic book come to life.  There’s all the predictable elements, including the big show-down at the end with all the iron man’s fighting in an over-the-top display of metal on metal. Sorry, but… yawn.
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04 Jan

Iron Man

Grade: B+

Another big hit from Marvel!  Iron Man is a character straight out of their comic book series – and this movie takes the best of the book, adds a contemporary twist, and puts it up on the big screen.

Robert Downey Jr. has the title role.  His alter ego, weapons specialist and technological genius Tony Stark is kidnapped by war terrorists and forced to re-create one of his super-weapons.  Smart guy that he is, he makes up an iron suit and explodes his way to freedom.  I have always loved Robert Downey Jr. as an actor and it is so great to see him in a role like this where he can really shine.

Back home, pretty assistant Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow slumming it in a supporting role) has newfound meaning in Tony’s life.  Tony’s mentor, a creepy looking bald Jeff Daniels, ends up having ulterior motives.

Great dialog, strong characters and lots of action.  Maybe too much cartoonish action when two Iron Mans get to battling it out.

No surprise that the movie pulled in over $100 million its first weekend and is already slated for a sequel.
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04 Jan

Invincible

Grade: A-

I’m a sucker for true stories with happy endings. Disney does those well, and this one is no exception. Mark Wahlberg plays Vince Papale, a 30 year old bartender in 1976 Philadelphia who makes the Eagle’s football team on an open try out. It’s touch and go, but the coach, played by Greg Kinnear (busy guy these days!) gives him a shot because “he’s got heart.” It’s just what the team, and the city needs at this time. It’s like a real life “Rocky” story – you’ll smile, and cheer.  Paige Turco (I remember her as “Lainie” from All My Children!) is beautiful as the coach’s wife.  Elizabeth Banks is Janet, Giants fan and Vince’s love interest.  Great for the whole family!
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04 Jan

Into the Wild

Grade: A

Into the Wild is based on the book, which is the true story of Christopher McCandless. Chris graduates from college, and basically drops out of society to live life in the wild, all on his own. We learn about Chris’ childhood as the movie progresses, and his motivation for doing something so seemingly extreme. He gives away his life savings, burns up all of his identity cards, and changes his name to Alex Supertramp.

The movie is about all the adventures and life lessons that Chris encounters on this journey. He soon finds that it’s not so much about the trip to Alaska, as it is the journey within. This is a very spiritual movie, one that stays with you long after it’s over.

Emile Hirsch stars as Chris. He is absolutely amazing in the role. I’m so surprised he didn’t get a nomination. Sean Penn directs. I heard that Sean Penn got the rights to the book, and then he waited until the family was ready before he started working on the project. He was very sensitive to their feelings. Hal Holbrook has a small part as a sage and friend that Chris meets along the way, and he was nominated as Best Supporting Actor for the role.

Rated R – it’s heavy, very emotional. A good one to see with your teen. Opens up a lot of questions for discussion.
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