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My Reviewer's Philosophy: I believe that every film has its audience. One man’s Citizen Kane is another man’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre. My purpose is to help you spend your entertainment dollars wisely. A bad review never kept me from going to a film I wanted to see, but a good review will sometimes get me to a film I never considered. As a movie lover I want you to go to the movies. When more people go to the movies, the more movies get made. But, I also believe that if you enjoy the films you see, you naturally will be inclined to go more often. So join me in supporting our film industry by going to a movie today. Hopefully I can steer you towards a good one. See you at the movies. Melanie Wilson

Saturday, January 23, 2010

The Spy Next Door

When I first saw Jackie Chan in a Chinese cop movie I was amazed by his prowess and martial arts skills. Later when I started seeing him in American movies, I enjoyed his humor and superior comic timing. He was kind of like a clown who could kick your butt. But now that he’s reached his mid-fifties he’s been relegated to children’s movies and I really think it’s a shame. He has so much more to offer.

In The Spy Next Door, Jackie Chan portrays a secret agent who falls in love with the woman who lives next door to his cover house. He wants to retire from the spy business and marry her, but there is one problem, her children hate him. When she must leave town on a family emergency, he agrees to watch the kids seeing it as an opportunity to win them over, but when one of the kids accidently downloads some secret documents, the bad guys track down the IP address and crash Jackie Chan’s babysitting gig.

There is nothing original or special about this film. We’ve seen the same match-up before with Arnold Schwarzengger in Kindergarten Cop and Vin Diesel in The Pacifier. The idea is to pit big strong macho guys against cute adorable kids. The trouble is, Jackie Chan is not a big intimidating guy, his skills lie in his acrobatic and martial arts abilities. Watching him scale a building or manipulate a common everyday item and turn it into a weapon is his trade mark. But here they give Jackie too many unbelievable gadgets and strange props. In addition, the threat of bodily harm was never completely believable. To protect the children from violence, things were toned down and buffered. Plus they added wire work which made some of the stunts look totally fake. This is completely unnecessary with the talented Chan. They may gets these cheats pass the kids, but the adults are going to catch it.

Jackie Chan’s associates in the spy business were George Lopez and Billy Ray Cyrus. I cannot think of two more unlikely spies and I felt like I was watching a Disney channel sitcom. I kept waiting for Hannah Montana to show up. The villains were given bad Russian accents and kept in cartoon mode and the kids were cliche and overly precocious. I also thought it was weird that it took so long for the mom to lose her cool. The children are jumping on her bed when she is trying to sleep and she comes up smiling. I’ve never seen a real mom react like that, most moms would scream or lock their door. That was just too weird.

I did not find this movie painful, with the charming Jackie Chan how could I, but I was sure glad I didn’t pay full price. The film may be fine for the kiddies, but if you are a fan of the early Jackie Chan movies, you’ll be very disappointed. I say leave this film for the young ones and hope Hollywood can find a better way to utilize Chan. Look at Liam Neeson. He just recently became an action hero and he’s two years older than Jackie. It can be done. Hollywood, give him a chance.

Rating: Rent It Leave this one for the kiddies

Friday, January 22, 2010

Legion

When Jesus encountered a demon possessed man he asked him what his name was. The man replied, my name is Legion, for we are many. And that is about all the theology you are going to get in this film. Legion stars Paul Bettany as the archangel Michael, one of God’s mightiest generals. Apparently, God is fed up with mankind and is ready to send his army of angels down to earth to do a little spiritual housecleaning. But Michael still has faith in man and he risks the wrath of God to prove his point. He gives up his wings and proceeds to earth in order to protect the unborn child of a desert cafe waitress. What she doesn’t know is that her baby has the potential to save the world and lead it’s people back to God. But there are dark angels and demons who are sent to keep this from happening.

The plot of Legion is no more complicated than that. Basically the whole premiss is an excuse to have some really cool fight scenes between two angels. The other angel, Gabriel (Kevin Durand), is determined to stop Michael. He wants the baby dead, and for everyone on earth to receive their consequences. He insists that the wages of sin is death.

What I liked the most about this movie was the cinematography by John Lindley. The film had a really unique look and I liked how the shots were tight and angled. The lighting was also very well done. It almost had the quality of a graphic novel. Light, or the absence of it was like an additional character. It really added to the tone of the film and made some parts even scarier.

But Legion is less of a horror movie and more of an action flick. It is full of fights, explosions, gun-power and the creepiest demons who possess the unpredictability of a spider. You never knew which way they were going to move. The newly appointed warriors of the desert cafe, Dennis Quaid, Lucas Black, Tyrese Gibson, and Charles S. Dutton, were forced to repress their horror in order to fight back. The women, Adrianne Palicki, Kate Walsh and Willa Holland had to toughen up real fast.

The other danger with these demon angels is that they prey on your weakness. Like Satan himself, they’ll take your deepest insecurities, twist them and use them against you. Only the strongest can resist the lies and manipulations. This is a mental fight as well as a physical one.

Legion is a pure popcorn movie with better than average acting and high production values. But I pity the young child who sneaks in and encounters these demons for the first time. Like flying monkeys, walking dead and blood-sucking vampires, some little kid is going to be scarred for life. They may not be so affectionate the next time they see Grandma.

Rating: First Run Scary things come in sweet packages

Saturday, January 16, 2010

The Lovely Bones

When my mother because ill, she suffered from oxygen deprivation and her mind became muddled. When she exhausted her hospital stay and was transfered to a nursing home, she coped with it by believing that she was back in school. In her mind she had returned to college to brush up on her teaching skills, and she was living in a college dorm. When I met with her in the common room she was able to tell me about her classes, the other students, and how excited she was when the professor let her teach part of the lesson. Eventually this delusion faded and reality set in, but it happened when her mind was ready to accept it. Even though I was happy that my mother was thinking clearly again, I was also grateful for her fantasy. Sometimes the truth is just plain unbearable.

The Lovely Bones is a wonderful movie based on the book by Alice Sebold. It tells the story of a fourteen year old girl who has been murdered, but refuses to pass on until her family is able to contend with it, and her murderer is exposed. Stanley Tucci plays the meticulous neighbor who no one suspects. Mark Wahlberg plays the tenacious father who can’t rest until Susie’s killer is found. Rachel Weisz portrays the grieving mother who wants to let go but can’t because her husband is so driven, and Susan Sarandon plays the mother-in-law who has a few things to say of her own about coping skills.

Even though this is a sad subject matter, The Lovely Bones is really a beautiful film. Saoirse Ronan, who plays Susie is full of life and Peter Jackson photographs her to perfection. He then places her in a netherworld, or at least an in-between world, where Susie’s imagination can capture all the colors of the rainbow and create picturesque scenes of joy and peace until her dark thoughts come creeping back in. Susie is not ready to let go of life, nor is she ready to face her killer. The whole Salmon family is in limbo and will be until they can works things through. This is a film about loss, coping, justice, and moving on. It is about how our imagination can protect us until we are ready to see the truth. It is a homage to the spirit and the power of the human mind, but mostly it’s a tribute of family love.

Rating: First Run Love will get you through

Friday, January 15, 2010

The Book Of Eli

There is power in the word, or at least Carnegie (Gary Oldman) believes so. He remembers a time, before the war, when words from The Book could inspire people to give up their last dime. Now he is living in a world where people will kill each other for a glass of water. And only the oldest of them remember what it was like when men of great words could inspire us to more. Carnegie wants to inspire, Carnegie wants to rule, but desire is not enough, he needs the words. There will come a time when ruling with a fist will no longer be enough, so he searches, he has his minions search, somewhere, out there, a Bible must have survived.

Eli is in possession of a Bible. After the last war, people put the blame on religion and every Holy Book was burned. But not this one. This one is safe. And for thirty years Eli has been protecting it. He doesn’t know where he is going. West is all he knows. But he knows how to fight and he knows how to pray. But mostly he has faith, and the desire to read every day. This classic tale of good vs. evil, set in a post-apocalyptic world has Denzel Washington roaming throughout the wasteland on a mission from God. Could one little book really make a difference? These men think so.

The Book Of Eli is a very stylish film and has plenty of action for the fan boys. Mila Kunis plays the daughter of Carnegie’s woman (Jennifer Beals) and she follows Eli out of town. As a post-war baby, she doesn’t know how to read, so she is curious about the book. She is attracted to the poetry and the beauty of its words, but her beauty causes others to follow her. Redridge, (Ray Stevenson) Carnegie’s head man promises to get the book in exchange for the girl. This is truly the road trip from hell. Only heaven knows how it will end.

Rating: First Run Bad man with a Bible

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Messenger

In the military, a position of honor comes with minute rules, regulations and codes of conduct. You are not only representing yourself, you are representing the United States of America. It takes a special person to hold up under all of the scrutiny. Emotionally it takes a toll.

The Messenger, starring Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster is about two soldiers who have been entrusted with the task of notifying families whose loved ones have been killed overseas. Everything is mapped out for them, the words to say, what to do, what not to do, every contingency is considered and answered for. But what the manual doesn’t tell you is how to sleep at night, or how to keep from reaching out when you see someone else in pain. These are matters that you must work out for yourself.

Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) is the rookie of the notification team. After being wounded, he has three months left on his contract with the Army and they have decided to place him with Captain Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson) until his hitch is up. Captain Stone’s commanding officer sees something in Staff Sergeant Montgomery and thinks that the two will work well together. Stone is ordered to teach Montgomery the ropes. They are both hoping that Montgomery will re-enlist.

The Messenger is an emotional tale. Witnessing families receive the worst possible news is heart wrenching and hard to take. Samantha Morton plays the wife of a deceased soldier. Her uncharacteristic reaction haunts Will as he tries to blot out the day with loud music and alcohol. He cannot get this graceful woman out of his mind. Steve Buscemi also stars as a grieving father who renders a more violent reaction and Jenna Malone plays Will’s childhood sweetheart who is now marrying another man. These men are trained not react in the most stressful of circumstances, no matter what. They are men of character, but they are also repressed. This film will give you a whole new appreciation for these men and what they do. It is one of the most difficult jobs there is, but for a soldier, it is a position of honor.

Rating: First Run A closer look at extraordinary men, doing an extraordinary job

The Last Station

No matter how famous you are, no matter how high your pedestal, there is nothing like family to cut you down to size. The Last Station tells the story of Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) the famous author, and his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren). Tolstoy was a Russian Count and Sofya, sixteen years his junior, was the daughter of a court physician. On their wedding night Tolstoy presented his wife with his diaries detailing all his previous sexual conquests and the existence of an illegitimate child. This insensitivity to her feelings as a woman is how they started their marriage, but they managed to stay together for forty-eight years.

Sofya and Tolstoy had a passionate relationship. She bore him thirteen children and during the writing of War And Peace she became his secretary and hand-copied the epic novel eight times. She also handled all financial matters for the family and the running of the estate. She was Tolstoy’s partner in all ways. Later in life when Tolstoy became famous Sofya was pushed into the background, most notably by Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti), Tolstoy’s companion. Sofya’s jealousy of Chertkov and the founding of the Tolstoy movement caused a riff in the family. Chertkov wanted Tolstoy to renounce all material possession to further their cause and Sofya wanted to protect the estate for her children’s benefit. When Chertkov replaced Sofya with a professional secretary (James McAvoy), the family home became a battlefield. Tolstoy, sick of all the bickering finally left his family and went on the road. Unfortunately he was also ill in health.

The Last Station is named for the legendary location where Tolstoy died. It examines how the celebrities we worship can very seldom live up to their hype. Despite the press, they are still people, dealing with wives and children and everyday life. I think that this film is a good antidote to hero worship. Everyone should see this film.

Rating: First Run Heroes are people too

Monday, January 11, 2010

Screen Gems of 2009

When you go to the movies as often as I do it is not uncommon to run out of quality first-run films, especially around the holidays or during award show season. My remedy for this situation is to go see independent films or visit art house and revival theaters. Independent films do not have the money to advertise like mainstream films so they rely on word of mouth, newspaper articles and flyers. That’s why I review as many as I can to help these movies out. I also like to support films from other countries.

Every once in awhile an independent film will hit pay dirt like last year’s Juno, or Little Miss Sunshine the year before. I love it when that happens. But what I like the most about independent films is the sense of discovery, the chance to discover a film for yourself. With studio movies, you see so many previews and interviews beforehand that you feel like you’ve already seen the film before you’ve actually viewed it. But with smaller films you go in unbiased, uncontaminated, and free of pre-conceived notions. It’s like putting the first footprints on freshly powered snow. I love the serendipitous feeling.

If we were to compare movies to precious stones, everyone can appreciate a diamond. They are big, sparkly and easy to see. But there are some of us that value semi-precious stones. We enjoy their unique color, their exotic look, or we revel in the fact that they are different. We still enjoy diamonds, but we like other jewels too. We like variety and the ability to mix things up. So in this spirit I’m going to share some screen gems with you from 2009, little films that sparkle in their own right.

The Damned United

I love surprises when it comes to film. When I went to see The Damned United I had never heard of Brian Cloughie, had no idea what the title meant, nor did I know much about European football (soccer). All I knew is that the film starred Tony Blair and I’ve never seen him in a bad film. I walked into this movie in complete faith and I absolutely loved it.

Based on the life of Britain’s most winning manager, The Damn United immersed me into the world of divisional soccer and how one manager rose to greatness by sheer force of will. It intrigued me, informed me, and most of all entertained me. Tony Blair was excellent and because I knew nothing about British soccer history I had no idea how it was going to end. What a fabulous, delightful, film.

Lemon Tree

I can probably count every Israeli film I’ve ever seen on my two hands, but I’m really glad that I made an effort to see the movie Lemon Tree. Lemon Tree tells the true-life story of an Arab woman who is now a widow and running her family’s lemon farm alone. With the help of a long-time caretaker she barely ekes outs a living, but the farm has been in her family for generations and it is her legacy and she refuses to give it up. One day the new Israeli Minister of Defense buys the property next to her farm and begins to erect a house. The official’s wife is completely caught up in decorating their new home, but she notices the solitary woman next door. They are both trapped in their own cultural prison.

When the security team arrives to install all the alarms and surveillance equipment, they decide that the lemon grove is a security threat. They claim that terrorist and insurgents could hide among the trees. They immediately put up a security perimeter encroaching on the Arab woman’s land and she no longer has access to care for a portion of her farm. The trees that she cannot reach, which are very old, have been in her family for generations. They are now dying because she can no longer water them. The army wants her to cut them down. Alone, and on the other side of the fence both literally and culturally, she summons all her courage to takes the Defense Minister to Israeli court to fight for her beloved trees. This is a film about justice and dignity. It is a beautiful and passionate film.

O’Horton

Sometimes a movie is so quirky that it enchants you. This is what happened to me when I saw the Norwegian film O’Horton. O’Horton tells the story of a train engineer on his last day on the job before retirement. His entire working life has been set on a timetable, predictable, routine, and consistent. But on his final day at work, he misses his train and a whole series of events throws his life out of sync. Some of the visuals are so bizarre that if I stop to think about them right now I will giggle. The character’s nickname is Odd and the name is a misnomer. Odd Horton is a stable, hardworking, normal, man. It is the world around him that has gone crazy and it is the juxtaposition that makes this film so funny. I loved this bizarre, odd, little film.

Moon

It has been awhile since a true science fiction movie has emerged. We’ve had plenty of space westerns, monster movies and battling robots, but a true science fiction movie that makes you think and stretches your consciousness, those are few and far in-between. Moon reminded me of some of the sci-fi movies I saw back in the seventies like Andromeda Strain, Soylet Green or Planet of the Apes. If science fiction is a reflection of our fears, today’s society is concerned over the questions of identity and the de- personalization of corporate culture. Moon is a creepy movie, but it was totally fascinating. Sam Rockwell keeps you intrigued through out.

Bronson

The British love their tabloids and Bronson is about one of their tabloid darlings. Sentenced to seven years for robbing a post office, Michael Peterson has extended his prison stay to over thirty-five years by exhibiting aggressive and disruptive behavior. Thirty of those years have been spent in solitary confinement. He has been dubbed by the media, Britain’s Most Violent Offender.

Michael Peterson changed his name to Charlie Bronson when he was a professional bare-knuckle fist fighter. His promoter thought it was more theatrical. Once inside prison, Bronson became obsessed with the media and anything he could do to attract attention. He has attacked guards, taken prisoners and has even staged protests and riots. But on the other side, he has written poetry, published books and has become a respected and sought after artist. As you watch this film, which is almost like a giant monologue or absurdist play, you can’t help asking yourself, what makes this guy tick? It is a fascinating character study and a commentary on the cult of celebrity. Bronson is a very interesting film.

The Escapist

Every once in awhile, someone will take a tired genre and re-invent it. With The Escapist we have a wonderful new twist on the prison escape film. There are certain conventions that must go along with this genre, but what The Escapist does is start us in the middle of the escape, give us a few visual clues and pieces of information, and then takes us back to the very beginning by introducing us to our main character. Brian Cox plays a lifer who has forged a decent life within his prison walls. But he receives a letter and without letting us in on the contents, he is suddenly very intent on breaking out. He is old, tried, and in poor condition, but for whatever reason, he must get out. The film jumps back and forth along the timeline giving us bits of information as we go. You’ll find yourself riveted.

Brian Cox is magnificent in this film and the supporting cast is excellent, too. Damien Lewis plays the top dog in the prison and he is very sinister and menacing. He is one of the obstacles that Brian Cox’s character must get around. Because the film has an unorthodox time frame, the leaping back and forth keeps the story moving quickly. If you don’t hang on you’ll get left behind. This prison escape film is a very satisfying thriller.

The Weather Girl

The Weather Girl may not be a great movie, but it certainly was a lot of fun. When I was watching it I had a sneaking suspicion that someone in television wrote the script and then asked all his friends to join along. And sure enough, when I got home and looked it up, the writer/director has done a lot of television and many of his cast mates have performed with him before.

What I liked about The Weather Girl is that it was fun and uncomplicated. Tricia O’Kelley plays a weather girl who is living with the station’s head anchor played by Mark Harmon. In a change of pace, Mark Harmon plays a total sleaze bag that gets caught cheating on his girlfriend with his co-anchor. When the weather girl makes her discovery, on-air, she has a total meltdown on live television and subsequently gets fired. Since she lives with her boyfriend she is forced to move out and then move in with her brother who still lives like a college student. As she is struggling with unemployment and self esteem issues, she becomes famous when her tirade goes viral on the Internet making her a local celebrity. This makes being taken seriously in job interviews a real problem.

The script has some very funny lines and the movie is full of hysterical cameos by the likes of Jon Cryer, Jane Lynch, Blair Underwood, etc. It was nice seeing them do something outside of television. Patrick J. Adam and Brian Devlin, who play the younger brother and the guy next door, are adorable. And Kaitlin Olson, who plays the other women with an extreme quilty-conscience, is outrageously funny. I really enjoyed this film.

Adam

Rose Byrne plays Beth Buchwald and she is tried of lying and cheating men. When she becomes acquainted with her upstairs neighbor she is attracted to him because he has Asperger’s syndrome and seems incapable of saying anything but the truth. At first his honesty is shocking and difficult to deal with. But soon she is appreciative of a relationship that is so sincere and open. Of course her family and friends are concerned, however Rose is open to the idea. The handsome Hugh Dancy plays Adam, which explains a lot. But this is a relationship full of obstacles. Will they get past them is the question. Hugh Dancy is wonderful as Adam and Rose Byrne is honest and moving. I really liked this small quiet film.

Song Of Sparrows

I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen an Iranian film before, but I was really moved by Song of Sparrows. It tells the story of a modest family living outside of Tehran in a poor rural community. The father of the family has a job as an ostrich farmer, but when one of the expensive animals escapes into the desert, he is blamed and loses his position. To add to his woes, his brilliant daughter damages her hearing aid right before final exams. He must find a way to get it replaced so she can graduate and make something of her self for the family.

When the father rides his motorcycle in to the big city to look for a repair shop, he is mistaken for a motorcycle taxi and before he can figure out what is happening, a stranger hands him a large amount of cash to drive him down the street. Realizing this could be a way of making fast cash, he observes what the other taxi drivers are doing and mimics their behavior. This happy accident could be his way out and he decides to return each day to the city and look for more fares.

Soon, being exposed to all the new construction, glamour and commercialism of the growing city, the father is no longer content with his modest home. He starts bringing home little luxuries, which concerns the wife because she is fine without them. Meanwhile, his children have their own get rich ideas. They have taken over an abandoned desert well and want to raise expensive decorative fish to sell. But first they need money for a breeder pair. While their father is away chasing money on his motorbike, they are executing get rich quick schemes of their own. This film shows how consumerism is ruining certain ways of life and how fast cash can compromise your values.

The Hangover

Lately, it seems that every year one little film breaks out and becomes a giant hit. For 2009, that film was The Hangover. Now I’m not going to sit here and try to analyze why this film struck such a chord with America. I don’t think anyone has ever had a weekend quite like that. Suffice it to say, America found this movie extremely funny. It is crude, offensive, vulgar and crass, but it’s all about presentation. Somehow this motley group of guys gets away with it and in the process charms the masses. I’m sure this movie will spawn a sequel and no doubt many imitators. Then we’ll know what they did right by observing how everyone else gets it wrong.

In Summary

The whole reason I started my Blog was to share my love of movies and to draw attention to films that the average person may not see. I always find it incredible when I meet people that only go out to the movies once or twice a year. But what they don’t often mention is that they watch a lot of movies at home, on television or on DVD. So this list is for everyone. Whether you are a frequent moviegoer like me, or you rent your movies and watch them at home, search out these little films. They all have something to offer and are worth the effort to see them. Let’s embrace the auteur filmmakers and support their original voices. If we don’t we are doomed to more re-makes, sequels and tired formalistic films. Corporate Hollywood has very little imagination.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Leap Year

When a young girl grows up with an Irish-American father who possesses a healthy helping of the Blarney and is constantly letting her down, she may gravitate to men who are stable, dependable, and practical about the world. But when she is also a repressed romantic, it can cause conflict within her very Irish soul.

Amy Adams plays Anna. She stages high-end apartments for a living, filling them with endearing little touches, so prospective buyers will fall in love at first sight. But this is not for practical Anna. She has a cardiac surgeon boyfriend, a chance at one of the most exclusive apartments in Boston, and after four years, she thinks, an engagement ring. But when the little black box turns out to be earrings, Anna takes matters into her own hands and follows her boyfriend (Adam Scott) to Ireland for a medical convention.

According to Anna’s father and Irish tradition, a girl may propose to her man once every four years on February 29th in Leap Year. Anna decides to take charge and get things done, but the universe has other plans. Enter Declan (Matthew Goode), the only taxi driver for miles who is hired to take Anna to Dublin, when the already disastrous trip leads her to a small coastal town. By sheer force of will she has made it this far, but can her determination get her past the brooding Irish charm of Declan? He is suffering from a loss of his own and wants nothing to do with women. But his need to save his pub makes her American cash much more attractive so he agrees to drive her. Will they both be able to make their deadlines? Well, this is a romantic comedy.

Leap Year has some very nice moments, and as far as the chemistry between the stars, I’d give it a B. The trouble is that this film never gets into full gear. Amy Adams has the talent to turn any character into a fully realized woman, but the story runs out of gas. It’s a pleasant ride, full of beautiful scenery, but I never envied her. That’s when you know that a film has got you. When you want to leave the theatre and buy a plane ticket. After this film I just wanted to take a warm shower. With Matthew Goode if he is available.

Rating: Second Run A pedestrian romantic comedy

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Crazy Heart

When watching Jeff Bridges in the film Crazy Heart, I didn’t feel like I was watching an actor playing a role, it felt like I was watching Waylon Jennings or Kris Kristofferson in a movie. Jeff Bridges so inhabited the essence of a country music singer that if you told me he was going to be playing next week at the local amphitheater, I’d totally believe it. From his guitar playing to his singing to his weathered cowboy look, Jeff Bridges could go out on tour right now and be completely successful at it.

In Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges is Bad Blake, a hard core country artist on the downside of fifty. His last original song was over seven years ago and his prodigy (Colin Farrell) who he mentored into a serious musician, is now busting out of Nashville and playing the big arenas. Meanwhile, Blake is relegated to small clubs, bars and bowling alleys. Bad Blake is a little bitter that country music has left him behind, but everyone reminds him that he still has the goods, he just needs to focus and write some new material.

When a young reporter takes an interest in Bad, he is forced to take a look at himself and face his alcoholic condition. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the reporter who is also a single mom. She grows to love Bad and sees the genius under his beat down exterior. But she has a little boy to be thinking about and as a mom, she must put him first.

As well as Jeff Bridges, Colin Farrell also does his own signing in this film. He would fit in perfectly in the country music world. He has the look, the persona, and the humble country attitude. Robert Duvall plays a bar owner friend, and T-Bone Burnet provides provides plenty of original country music. Country Music is about life, love and loss, and Bad Blake has seen it all. Jeff Bridges proves that he’s seen things, too.

Rating: First Run One of Jeff Bridges finest performances

Youth In Revolt

Every Era has a film that speaks to its youth. A film that strikes a chord with the teenagers of America. As much as they wish, adults may not pick this film for their children, it is something that they chose for themselves. Something that speaks to them and something that they can identify with. Will Youth In Revolt be that film for this generation? I don’t know. What I do know is that all the classic elements of a teen rebellion film are here; first love, teen angst, alienation, conflict with parents, sex, nudity and crude humor. Just enough wantonness to cause parents some concern, but enough good-natured humor to remind adults that they were young once, too.

Youth In Revolt is based on a popular series of books written by C.D. Payne, that were first published in 1993. Written as journal entries, Youth In Revolt follows the adventures of Nick Twisp, who must learn how to be bad in order to hang on to the love of his life and reunite himself with her. Michael Cera plays Nick Twisp as well as his bad alter-ego Francois. The object of his affection, Sheeni, is played by Portia Doubleday.

The cast is full of veteran character actors such as Jean Smart, Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard, Ray Liotta, M. Emmet Walsh, Mary Kay Place, as well as new entries into this field, Justin Long and Zach Galifianakis. Each character is slightly exaggerated as if seen through the prism of a teenage psyche. To further enhance this view, animation is also used to help us enter the mind of Nick Twisp. This is his vision and his adventure, we are just along for the ride.

This film is quirky and fresh and told in a very interesting way, but only time will tell if the youth will adopt it as their own. Will it be a Napoleon Dynamite, Dazed And Confused, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, or an American Graffiti? Will teenagers be quoting this film at school and in the malls. We’ll see. But just in case, be ready, “You must be bad, Nickie. Be very, very bad.”

Rating: First Run Some kids weren't born to be bad

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Must See Movies of 2009

When I started my movie review blog in February of 2009 I had many doubts. I wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to keep up with it, my rating system was untested, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to continue to find my own voice when there are so many other critics out there. But after 172 articles with a month still to go, I have to say that my movie review blog has been a big success. It even opened a door allowing me to write for a professional web site. I’m very contented with my rookie year.

As I look over the 164 movies I saw in 2009, only 13 got my rating of Must See. My criteria for a must see movie is one that is so technically proficient that it deserves a look or a film that is culturally relevant; something that every one should see for its message, or one that everyone will be talking about. If you missed this particular film you would be left out of a lot of conversations. I think that it’s interesting that only 13 films made my list.

Looking back at my must see films I was pleased at the variety. There is something for everyone there. But even if your taste in movies is limited please give these wonderful films a chance. Most can be rented on DVD and some will enjoy re-releases during Oscar season. Each film deserves your attention.

Better Late Than Never

Sometimes a movie is nominated for an Academy Award and the general public has never had a chance to see it. This most frequently happens with documentaries and foreign films. When Departures won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film last year, I was kind of shocked. Up until that time everyone was talking about The Class and Waltzing With Bashir. But after seeing Departures, I could not agree more. What a wonderful film. It was sensitive, lovely, funny, heart warming and most of all moving. I was deeply affected by this film and will carry its images with me forever. This movie definitely deserved its Oscar.

The other film that was highly touted during awards season was Russia’s 12. This film was a re-imagining of the movie 12 Angry Men. Not only was this film artfully made, it was also socially relevant. Russia is going through a lot of changes politically and being empowered as an individual is one of them. For 12 men to be able to put aside all their prejudices, their economic and educational differences, and determine the fate of one disadvantaged youth was very exciting for me. It also opened my eyes to what is happening in Russia. Great film, heartening message, tremendous social relevance, this is one film worth watching.

Regenerating a Franchise

This year boasted two films that regenerated old franchises. One was Star Trek. The vultures were circling ready to pounce on this film, but the strange thing was, most people liked it. The casting was inspired, the story was solid and most of all it was fun. It was not a perfect film, but it so exceeded expectations that everyone raved about it, there has even been talks of Oscar possibilities. If this franchise does continue you want to get in on it from the beginning. But even if you’re not a Star Trek fan you’ll still enjoy this film. It is above all an adventure and it captures the spark and imagination of the original.

The other franchise that received a makeover was Terminator. Terminator Salvation starred Christian Bale as John Connor. This film had a much more difficult job trying to bridge the gap between all previous films and a fledgling television show. Although it wasn’t as popular as Star Trek, I feel that it did an admirable job. The subject matter was bleak and depressing and Arnold was left out, but it’s still a very good film. I believe this film will be better appreciated with distance. It was a victim of bad press and timing, but those who give it a second look will be rewarded with a solid film.

New Cinematic Frontiers

With all the entertainment options out there today, Hollywood is constantly trying to one –up itself to draw the public out of their homes and into the theaters. But there were two films this year that not only used the latest emerging technology of performance capture, but they told good stories as well. In Avatar, James Cameron gave us a film that was a mixture of live action and computer-generated animation. In A Christmas Carol, Robert Zemeckis gave us a faithful retelling of the Dickens classic, but with the use of performance capture he was not bound by the limitations of standard photography. If he could imagine it, he could create it. Both men used performance capture techniques, breaking new ground on what is possible. They told interesting stories in interesting new ways, and paved the way for those who follow. This is just the beginning.

Socially Relevant and Moving

Film does have the power to change. By giving us a fresh perspective or by taking us to new worlds, we have the opportunity to see things through someone else’s eyes. When you combine insight with artistic filmmaking the combination can be quite powerful. Early in the year, a friend and I went to see a film called The Stoning of Soraya M. This film showed us the repressed lives of women living in the Middle East and how one woman was falsely accused by her lying husband and stoned to death by the male community. We were so outraged by the end of this film that I pitied the poor man who had the unfortunate coincidence of looking very much like the husband in the movie. Leaving the theater he was given multiple dirty looks and scornful glares. The film is based on a true incident and everyone should be made aware. Until women receive equal rights and consideration under the law world wide, there is still a lot of work to do.

Another powerful film was the love story, A Single Man. Set in the sixties; this was the story of a gay man morning the accidental death of his long tine partner. This was before Harvey Milk, Gay Pride, AIDS, and terms like coming out of the closet. It is a beautiful sensitive film, wonderfully directed with a phenomenal performance by Colin Firth. It is a love story first and anyone who has ever loved will be able to relate to the characters loss and emotions. Visually, this movie is so striking that I marveled at the beauty of it. Everyone should see this film.

Breath Of Fresh Air

There are some films that are so enjoyable that you find yourself grinning throughout the entire movie. For me this year, those movies were I Love You, Man and 500 Days of Summer. 500 Days of Summer was new, creative, fresh and totally original. The story is as old as time; boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl, but what made this story so unique was the way that the story was told. With spontaneous musical numbers, alternative realities and sharp dialogue, this film was a joy. What a wonderfully well written film.

I Love You, Man was one of the most satisfying romantic comedies of the year. Even though it was a “bromance”, a term coined to describe best buddy films, it was laugh out loud funny while still appealing to women. All the ladies fell in love with Paul Rudd and found Jason Segal pretty cute too. The supporting cast was hysterical and it was nice to see Paul Rudd out in front for a change. He proved that he can be a leading man as well as an invaluable supporting player. What a funny, funny adorable film.

The Power Of Love

There were two movies this year that really demonstrated the power of love. One was Pixar’s Up, the story of a man who loved his wife so much that he tied balloons to his house in order to fly to South America to fulfill her lifelong dream For an animated film, this movie had a lot of heart. It was also very romantic. This feature was focused more on story than merchandising rights which was a refreshing change for animation. It was a very touching film and a beautiful artistic achievement. Up is one of Pixar’s best.

Another film, which had a strong impact, was the movie The Blind Side. Sandra Bullock shines in this true-life tale about a southern family that takes in a disadvantaged teenager when they discover that he is homeless. This teenager just happened to be of high school age, black, several hundred pounds, and barely literate. But through love, nurturing, a professional tutor and some good coaching, this young man graduates, goes on to college and becomes a professional football player. I loved Sandra Bullock in this film and wish her all the best come awards times. It is one of the best family films of the year.

Best Of Year

For my money, the film that had it all this year was Up In The Air. George Clooney was born to play this role and it fits him to perfection. The entire cast is phenomenal, the script is well written, the story delivers a poignant message, while still remaining funny. It also has some great one-liners. Jason Reitman directs the film brilliantly and I believe that this movie will become a cinematic marker representing this time and era. What a perfect film to end the decade. Now go start renting!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Young Victoria

Victoria and Albert are one of the greatest love stories in history. A young tightly controlled girl becomes queen at the age of 18 and while everyone around her is jockeying for position, a pair of brothers are sent to her by her uncle King Leopold. He wants to manipulate her too, but the youngest brother, Albert, truly cares for Victoria. Having met a year before she ascends to the throne, he had tremendous ideas about improving the world and in Victoria he finds a sympathetic ear. He loves music and literature but Victoria was forbidden from reading novels until a year ago. She is very naive, but Albert has faith in her. He suggests books to read and supplies her with the latest music, and through their friendship she quickly learns about the world she is about to rule.

Although Victoria has chosen an advisor in Lord Melbourne, her friendship continues with Albert through letters. As she struggles with the pitfalls of politics and other scandals, Albert praises her ability and instincts. His advice is sound, loving and most of all unselfish. He displays the persona of a man with a social conscience who is deeply concerned about the welfare of others. After growing up a virtual prisoner separated from the rest of society by an over-protective mother and her scheming advisor, Victoria found Albert truly amazing. She falls in love with him and they eventually wed.

Young Victoria is the story of Queen Victoria and how her relationship with Albert changed the nation and made Great Britain the mightiest country in the world. Victoria reigned for over 63 years and spent a large part of her monarchy as a widow. But this film covers the time of her youth and ends after the death of Albert. It is the story of a woman coming into her own and how a man and a woman put their stamp on a culture that still reverberates in the world today.

There have been many films and television series exploring the lives of Victoria and Albert. In this production, Emily Blunt brings us the inexperienced Victoria. A Victoria waiting to bust free. A Victoria who resents the repressed melancholy lifestyle she has been forced to lead. Emily shows us her frustration, her anger and her bitterness, but she also shows us a good kind heart and a strong will. She overcomes a lot and forgives a lot to become a respected leader. Through Albert’s love and guidance she becomes a world power to be reckoned with. This film shows us her genesis.

Rating: First Run Exploring the early life of a great leader