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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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04 Jan

After the Sunset

Grade: B

Pierce Brosnan has cornered the market on the sexy spy/thief roles in our lifetime. He is hotter than ever in this role, cavorting with Salma Hayek on the beach, and strolling around the islands all tanned and tousle-haired – who says he’s too old for James Bond?

I haven’t seen Woody Harrelson in a movie in awhile – and his goofy FBI agent is a nice contrast to our suave diamond thief. These two have great chemistry – you’d think this was one of those “buddy” movies the way they play their scenes together! This could be an ongoing relationship – do I smell a sequel?

Salma Hayek is just too gorgeous – I love her clothes, her attitude, her hair – she plays this role with such ease you just want to be her!

This is a light, fun movie, perfect for date night.

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04 Jan

Aeon Flux

Grade: D+

Oh, my… what a long movie. And it lasted just one hour and 20 minutes. My hubby likes sci-fi so this was his pick, but even he came out of the theatre wondering when we would ever see a good sci-fi movie again. Charlize Theron is absolutely gorgeous as Aeon Flux herself – she’s in great shape and wears skin tight costumes that show off her figure. The only thing that kept me engaged at all were the costumes and the hair and make-up. I felt like I was watching a futuristic fashion show – and thinking “I like that coat!” The rest was pretty silly. Kind of like watching a video game come to life.

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04 Jan

Adjustment Bureau

Grade: A-

It’s still early in the year, but I have to say that so far, The Adjustment Bureau is my favorite movie of 2011.

It’s hard to put a label on this one, but I’ll say it’s a Sci-Fi Romance. Matt Damon always delivers – and he does it again here.  And Emily Blunt is lovely as his true love.  But what I like best about the movie is the concept.  It’s a kind of “what if” look behind the scenes.  There are no coincidences, there is some kind of a grand plan, and we do have some say in it.  Beautiful!

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04 Jan

Across the Universe

Grade: B
Julie Taymor directs this magical mystery tour through the lives of two young lovers in the 1960’s using music from the Beatles as a backdrop.  Evan Rachel Wood is the girl, and quite a songstress as well as an actress!  Cameo appearances from Bono, Salma Hayek and a few others, otherwise the cast is pretty much unknown.  Everyone is really wonderful.  The music makes sense in every scene, it moves the action.  The characters are colorful, and yet real.  Some of the scenes are uncomfortable, on purpose, when the war is involved it is an uncomfortable subject.   I really enjoyed the movie.  It captures the 60’s, and it captures the audience with its imagination.
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04 Jan

About Time

Grade: B+

What is it about Rachel McAdams and time travelers?  This is the third movie that she’s starred in as the love interest of a time traveler. First there was The Time Traveler’s Wife, with Eric Bana.  Then there was Midnight in Paris with Owen Wilson.  And now it’s About Time, with Domhnall Gleeson.

Gleeson plays Tim, who, when he finds out from his dad that the men in his family can travel through time, decides to use those powers to get himself a girlfriend.  Of course, it’s not as easy as he thought it would be.  But fate intervenes, and he meets his dream girl anyway.  But then, a time traveling incident makes him need to try to meet her again so that they really can be together.

Rachel McAdams is darling in her role as Mary, the girl who opens Tim’s eyes to all that is possible.  Bill Nighy plays Tom’s eccentric dad, in an eccentric, yet loving family.

Really wonderful script, strong characters, and sweet chemistry. Great date night movie.

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