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04 Jan

Cloud Atlas

Grade: C+

Cloud Atlas is certainly ambitious.  And utterly original.  There’s really no specific genre for this film – it’s part sci-fi, part romance, part adventure – both futuristic and historical – character studies, and relationship-based.  Each leading actor plays many different parts, which intersect throughout the various storylines, which are set in different timelines.  This is the kind of movie where if you really liked it, you want to watch it again to see what you missed the first time around.

Tom Hanks and Halle Berry are terrific.  I guess my issue with the film is that it’s really long, and it takes a long time to get into it, and understand what is tying all these stories together.  It’s just all a little too much to take in.  But real film buffs will find it worth viewing, and film students may want to take notes!
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04 Jan

Closer

Grade: C+

This is an intense relationship drama, rated R for language, mostly talk about sex. Originally a play, Closer is really one dialogue after another. There’s a lot of talking, not a lot of action. The four characters are well developed and interesting – and their lives are unusually interwoven.

We first see Jude Law, a struggling writer, and Natalie Portman, a New York transplant, meet “cute” on the streets of London. Time elapses, they’re a couple, and Jude meets and falls for Julia Roberts, a portrait photographer. Then Clive Owen jumps into the mix, more time elapses, and things change for the couples.

The whole movie is these four people, and how they handle love, desire, and rejection. It’s heavy, and sometimes dark, but somehow intriguing, as if we are privy to their darkest secrets. All of the actors do well with their characters – but Natalie Portman is a stand out. She is this generation’s Audrey Hepburn.

Not for everyone, but worth seeing if you appreciate good acting.
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04 Jan

City Island

Grade: A-

Andy Garcia has lived in City Island, a remote neighborhood in New York, for his entire life.  The movie reflects on the culture of this area and the impact that it has on those living there.  He’s married to Julianna Marguiles, and they have a daughter in college and a son in high school.  Every one in the family has a secret.  They all love each other, and are trying to protect one another by keeping these secrets.  But of course, one thing leads to another, misunderstandings, hilarity ensues, and as secrets are revealed, they learn more about themselves and each other.

Poignant movie, definitely worth seeing.  Well written, great cast.
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04 Jan

Cinderella Man

Grade: A

So far, this is the best movie I’ve seen all year. Russell Crowe plays the title character, in the real life story of boxing champion James Braddock. Set during the depression, Braddock’s story becomes a kind of fairy tale for all those struggling through hard times. There’s a reason why Russell Crowe gets nominated so many times for his performances – he’s a great actor! He doesn’t even have to speak, it’s like you know what he’s thinking, his face is just so darn expressive. There are so many heartbreaking, and heartwarming moments in this film. I just loved it.

Ron Howard directs – he’s a genius. Renee Zellweger plays Braddock’s wife, Mae, sweet and tough at the same time, and fiercely devoted to her husband. Paul Giamatti is Braddock’s boxing manager. He and Braddock have a strong bond, and their loyalty to one another is what seems them through when the chips are down. And Craig Bierko is quite the villain! I think this is Bierko’s big break in the movies. He’s done a ton of television, usually as the handsome cad, but this is totally out of character for him. You hardly even recognize him in the role! I saw Bierko a few years ago when he had the lead in “Music Man” on Broadway. My friend Andre Garner had a small part in the show so I went just to see him. I was surprised at how well Bierko could sing and dance, and he ended up with a Tony nomination! What a great cast.

Cinderella Man is an amazing story, an amazing movie, well written, and well presented. This one is bound to get several nominations come awards season, and it deserves every one!
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04 Jan

Charlie Wilson’s War

Grade: B

Mike Nichols is one of my favorite directors, and he doesn’t disappoint in “Charlie Wilson’s War.”  Based on a true story, Charlie Wilson (played perfectly by Tom Hanks) is a United States Congressman from Texas.  He meets up with a Texas socialite (Julia Roberts) who entices him to take on a challenging covert mission – to fund the Afghans in their fight against the Soviets by providing weaponry and training.  What starts as a budget of 5 million dollars pretty quickly grows to 500 million when he brings other politicians on board and they see the good that they can do in this war-stricken area.

Sassy banter between these two major stars is the highlight of the film.  Aaron Sorkin, who is so good at political comedy, wrote the screenplay.

Another quick history lesson – one that we all wish had ended on a better note, given what we know has happened since then.
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04 Jan

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Grade: B+

There are bound to be comparisons to the Gene Wilder movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which many of us parents saw as kids the first time around. And it’s nice that there are some things in this new version which kind of pay tribute to the original. But this film stands on its own merits. Tim Burton directs, and I’m a big Tim Burton fan. He’s got this quirky take on things that’s so unique – so visually compelling. You can really tell a “Tim Burton” film by it’s look and feel, he has his own signature that no one can copy. Burton reunites with Johnny Depp, who plays Willie Wonka. It’s a character that Burton seems to relate to, and embrace, and one that Depp brings to life vividly. Freddie Highmore, who appeared with Depp in “Neverland” plays Charlie very sweet and naturally – this kid is a fine actor. The movie is colorful and fun and a visual treat. There are lots of surprises, almost as if the filmmakers are kids in a candy shop with this one! I had a great time in the audience, and I can happily recommend “Charlie” for the whole family.
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04 Jan

Changeling

Grade: A-

Changeling is a powerful movie, based on a true story.  Set in Los Angeles in 1928, we meet single working mother Christine Collins, played powerfully by Angelina Jolie.  Christine returns home from work one day to find that her son Walter is missing.  She files a police report, and the search is on.  After months, the police return a boy to her, but she insists this child is not her son.  As the story unfolds, we learn of police corruption, and a mystery comes to light.  Clint Eastwood directs, and he is so good at getting at the real emotional depth of a situation.  We can really feel a mother’s love and despair.  I predict lots of nominations this awards season for Changeling.
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04 Jan

Catch and Release

Grade: C+

Catch and Release is supposed to be a romantic comedy, but it’s light on the comedy part.  When a movie starts off with a funeral you know you’re in for some heavy emotions.  Jennifer Garner stars as Gray, whose fiance is killed in an accident right before their wedding.  She seeks solace while moving in with her fiance’s housemates in Boulder, Colorado, and his one friend who arrives from Los Angeles for the funeral.  It’s kind of one big unhappy family, when the fiance’s former fling and surprise child arrive on their doorstep, complicating things even further.  Poor Gray has to sort out her mixed emotions and deal with her former future mother-in-law and all of the business of the estate which she has no legal claim to.  So, of course, in the midst of it all she falls for one of the guys which makes things more confusing for her, until she sorts it all out and ties everything up in a nice neat bow.  Some cute moments, but it’s more of a rental.  It’s great to see Jennifer Garner in this kind of down-to-earth role, she’s very appealing.
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04 Jan

Casino Royale

Grade: B-

We have a new Bond, James Bond.  Not just a new actor in Daniel Craig, but a new character.  He’s grittier.  I miss the wry sense of humor and the air of elegance.  This Bond seems much more American than British.  Craig is good in the role, it just takes some getting used to this new persona.  Some say this is more the Bond from the books – but I didn’t read the books, and I’ve seen every movie.  I think there are a lot of fans out there, like me, who expect a certain performance.

Part of the reason this is so different is because this version of “Casino Royale” is written in part by Paul Haggis, an American.  Haggis is brilliant, and has the awards to prove it.  And his writing helps make the film a really good one! It’s just that this is not the James Bond we are accustomed to.  For example, when Bond orders a martini, the bartender asks: “Would you like that shaken or stirred?”  and Bond replies: “Do I look like I give a damn?”  Yet in another scene he orders a very specific cocktail, and names it after his lady love – nice touch.

The Bond women in this film are strong and smart… and of course they’re gorgeous, too.  Judi Densch reprises her role as “M” – but there are no fancy gadgets to be had.

Tons of action, a fun chase scene on foot, a couple of great cars.  Let’s just call this our first introduction to the new style.  Not bad.
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04 Jan

Casanova

Grade: A

It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun at a movie! Casanova is absolutely delightful! It’s smart, witty, silly – it’s a romp, a tour de farce, and a romantic comedy. It’s rated R, which is kind of over the top from what I’ve seen. There’s no real violence, some love scenes but no blatant sex, no nudity. You see a lot more skin on The OC than you do in this movie. Sure, there’s cleavage, it just comes with the costumes. I wouldn’t be hesitant to take teens to see this. Heath Ledger plays the title character. I have always liked that guy! He’s been in such a variety of movies, and he’s always good. And here he’s excellent – he’s the perfect choice to play the notorious lothario. Sienna Miller plays the one who is hard for him to get, and Lena Olin is outrageous and wonderful as her mother. We just laughed and laughed. The time went by quickly and we left the theatre smiling. Wish they’d make more like this one.
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