Tonight I saw Miss Potter starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor.
What a delight!
The film tells the life story of one of the most acclaimed children's authors of all time—Beatrix Potter (Zellweger). We see her as a child of privilege with parents who took their London social status seriously and seldom let her forget it. We meet her friends in the form of pets...and drawings of pets that she began when she was a little girl. We learn that first, her illustrations became greeting cards. Then, she developed them into narratives and sold them as books.
Her life as a "spinster" is frowned upon, as her parents have presented many suitable suitors over the years and she has rejected all of them. But the one man who has always believed in her is her publisher, Mr. Warne (McGregor). A friendship transpires between the two (and his sister Millie, brilliantly portrayed by Emily Watson) and they soon become engaged. Because he's a tradesman her parents don't approve of the coupling, but that doesn't stop the engagement.
What follows is a satisfying and honest look at a woman who was a feminist before her time—and I mean that in the nicest sense of the word. Beatrix Potter was independent, clever, powerful, thoughtful, intelligent and eccentric. The movie conveys that beautifully as her drawings literally jump off the page to interact with her and we watch a lonely girl transform into a competent businesswoman.
Yes, it's a light movie. There are no murders or suicides or dramatic scenes where characters break dishes in heated arguments. There are no drug users or orphans or accidents that typically surface when recounting the life of an writer. But the movie is all the better for it.
It stays faithful to the artist's story without creating illusions to mask the normalcy. And really, I can't think of a better way to pay tribute to the world's best-selling children's author of all-time.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Friends of God: A Road Trip with Alexandra Pelosi
Last night I watched Friends of God: A Road Trip with Alexandra Pelosi, a documentary about evangelical Christians in America.
After seeing Journeys with George a few years back and loving it, I was excited to hear Pelosi was returning with a new film. Unfortunately, this one had some flaws.
First, the length.
Friends of God is only an hour long. Considering the time the documentarian spent with these groups of people, I have to assume she had enough footage to create a full-length story. But she didn't. And what resulted was interesting lead-ins with no substantial pay-offs.
Shock and Awe?
While her earlier pieces have brought the viewer in as a mere observer and presented a fair scope of each angle of the message, this documentary felt like it was trying to jolt us into reality every few scenes. Guess what? There are lecturers that travel from church to church refuting evolution! Guess what? Evangelical Christians have sex every day (and even make their wives orgasm)! Guess what? Jerry Falwell's Liberty University was created to breed new right-wing politicians to elect and further the Christian movement!
While all of those things are somewhat newsworthy or at least a little interesting from an anthropological level, they're not really a surprise anymore. We know who our president is and how he got elected (and re-elected). We realize that the liberals in our country are fastly becoming a minority. We understand that evangelical Christians are aware of how to reproduce.
There were compelling elements to many of the topics Pelosi brought to light, but she didn't take the time to develop them or provide a consistent narrative to tie them all together.
Scandal Averted
Perhaps the film was already edited by the time the Pastor Ted Haggard scandal broke, but even if so—wouldn't it have been more interesting to show the footage that she had of Haggard renouncing homosexuals and 'training' his congregations to properly share their faith with the media and then go back to those churches and interview the people. Ask them what they make of their fallen leader? Question whether this hypocrisy is a trend in their circles or just an isolated incident?
I'd love to know if these folks are praying for his soul and forgiving him (as Jesus would want them to), or if they've written him off as a victim of Satan's temptations and moved on.
And I'd like to know why Pelosi didn't go back and ask those questions.
After seeing Journeys with George a few years back and loving it, I was excited to hear Pelosi was returning with a new film. Unfortunately, this one had some flaws.
First, the length.
Friends of God is only an hour long. Considering the time the documentarian spent with these groups of people, I have to assume she had enough footage to create a full-length story. But she didn't. And what resulted was interesting lead-ins with no substantial pay-offs.
Shock and Awe?
While her earlier pieces have brought the viewer in as a mere observer and presented a fair scope of each angle of the message, this documentary felt like it was trying to jolt us into reality every few scenes. Guess what? There are lecturers that travel from church to church refuting evolution! Guess what? Evangelical Christians have sex every day (and even make their wives orgasm)! Guess what? Jerry Falwell's Liberty University was created to breed new right-wing politicians to elect and further the Christian movement!
While all of those things are somewhat newsworthy or at least a little interesting from an anthropological level, they're not really a surprise anymore. We know who our president is and how he got elected (and re-elected). We realize that the liberals in our country are fastly becoming a minority. We understand that evangelical Christians are aware of how to reproduce.
There were compelling elements to many of the topics Pelosi brought to light, but she didn't take the time to develop them or provide a consistent narrative to tie them all together.
Scandal Averted
Perhaps the film was already edited by the time the Pastor Ted Haggard scandal broke, but even if so—wouldn't it have been more interesting to show the footage that she had of Haggard renouncing homosexuals and 'training' his congregations to properly share their faith with the media and then go back to those churches and interview the people. Ask them what they make of their fallen leader? Question whether this hypocrisy is a trend in their circles or just an isolated incident?
I'd love to know if these folks are praying for his soul and forgiving him (as Jesus would want them to), or if they've written him off as a victim of Satan's temptations and moved on.
And I'd like to know why Pelosi didn't go back and ask those questions.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Dreamgirls
This morning I saw Dreamgirls, starring Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson.
What was supposed to be an energetic extravaganza nearly turned into a nap for me. How do you spell over-hyped? D.R.E.A.M.G.I.R.L.S.
First, Jennifer Hudson.
God love her, she's beautiful, she can sing and I'm incredibly proud of her for beating former American Idol winner Fantasia for this coveted part—but she's not an actress.
The only time I 'felt' Effie was during the musical numbers. I didn't think she was sassy enough, I didn't believe she was head-over-heels for Curtis and I didn't feel much empathy for her as she went on about her life without the Dreams.
The Golden Globe should have gone to Cate (or from what my friends tell me, Rinko).
Next, Eddie Murphy.
I'm sorry, but this is another Golden Globe that was not deserved. Not that Eddie can't act, because he can, but his part wasn't large enough to warrant a statue. And I'm sorry, but every time I watched him in a dramatic scene I couldn't help but picture Gumby. That ridiculous hair made it almost impossible to shake.
And as for the musical numbers featuring him, all I can say is "My girl wants to party all the time, party all the time, party all the time."
I couldn't get past Axel F. Or Mr. Robinson. Or Buckwheat, for that matter.
So what was good about the movie?
Beyonce and the underutilized Danny Glover.
I kid you not. Beyonce went from timid back-up girl to manufactured lead singer to repressed wife to independent woman seamlessly and the moments Mr. Glover was on screen, he lit it up.
It's a shame that this passionate story moved so slowly and got too much press before anyone had seen it.
Let's hope the Academy agrees with me.
What was supposed to be an energetic extravaganza nearly turned into a nap for me. How do you spell over-hyped? D.R.E.A.M.G.I.R.L.S.
First, Jennifer Hudson.
God love her, she's beautiful, she can sing and I'm incredibly proud of her for beating former American Idol winner Fantasia for this coveted part—but she's not an actress.
The only time I 'felt' Effie was during the musical numbers. I didn't think she was sassy enough, I didn't believe she was head-over-heels for Curtis and I didn't feel much empathy for her as she went on about her life without the Dreams.
The Golden Globe should have gone to Cate (or from what my friends tell me, Rinko).
Next, Eddie Murphy.
I'm sorry, but this is another Golden Globe that was not deserved. Not that Eddie can't act, because he can, but his part wasn't large enough to warrant a statue. And I'm sorry, but every time I watched him in a dramatic scene I couldn't help but picture Gumby. That ridiculous hair made it almost impossible to shake.
And as for the musical numbers featuring him, all I can say is "My girl wants to party all the time, party all the time, party all the time."
I couldn't get past Axel F. Or Mr. Robinson. Or Buckwheat, for that matter.
So what was good about the movie?
Beyonce and the underutilized Danny Glover.
I kid you not. Beyonce went from timid back-up girl to manufactured lead singer to repressed wife to independent woman seamlessly and the moments Mr. Glover was on screen, he lit it up.
It's a shame that this passionate story moved so slowly and got too much press before anyone had seen it.
Let's hope the Academy agrees with me.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Pan's Labyrinth
Tonight I saw Pan's Labyrinth, starring Ivana Baquero.
Click here to listen to our Cinebanter episode discussing it, which was released on February 3.
Click here to listen to our Cinebanter episode discussing it, which was released on February 3.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Flannel Pajamas
This morning I saw Flannel Pajamas, perhaps the best relationship movie I've ever seen.
It shows two people fall in love and then follows their painful process of realizing that they're not meant to be with one another despite that love.
Nicole (Julianne Nicholson) and Stuart (Justin Kirk) have a love-at-first-sight blind date after being set up by their mutual therapist and the sparks fly. The audience is told immediately that they will have problems based on the fact Stuart tells Nicole on this first night that her best friend is evil—he's made an instant judgement on her character after spending only a few minutes with her.
Despite this, the spark develops into an infatuation, which leads to good sex and a playful, nurturing relationship. Stuart wants to take care of Nicole; Nicole desperately needs someone to take care of her.
They are different religions (Jewish and Catholic), come from different types of dysfunctional families (his cold and distant; hers close and abusive) and don't seem to have a lot in common other than liking to sleep with each other. So they get married.
Like so many couples, they think the talks that they've had about major life decisions (pets, children, place to live, career) are somehow more negotiable once the rings are on the fingers and forget that marriage is techncially a contract, no matter how much you care for the other person.
Just like real life, their relationship gets worse and worse the longer they stay together. Each person's needs are ignored by the other and an overwhelming resentment sets in for the other person. They confide in everyone but each other and what respect they once had for their partner all but disappears into the despair.
Stuart has a didn't-know-how-good-he-had-it-until-it-was-gone revelation; Nicole realized he was never going to be the man she wanted him to be.
This film should be required viewing for every couple that gets engaged. It's cliché to say it, but it's true—sometimes love just isn't enough.
It shows two people fall in love and then follows their painful process of realizing that they're not meant to be with one another despite that love.
Nicole (Julianne Nicholson) and Stuart (Justin Kirk) have a love-at-first-sight blind date after being set up by their mutual therapist and the sparks fly. The audience is told immediately that they will have problems based on the fact Stuart tells Nicole on this first night that her best friend is evil—he's made an instant judgement on her character after spending only a few minutes with her.
Despite this, the spark develops into an infatuation, which leads to good sex and a playful, nurturing relationship. Stuart wants to take care of Nicole; Nicole desperately needs someone to take care of her.
They are different religions (Jewish and Catholic), come from different types of dysfunctional families (his cold and distant; hers close and abusive) and don't seem to have a lot in common other than liking to sleep with each other. So they get married.
Like so many couples, they think the talks that they've had about major life decisions (pets, children, place to live, career) are somehow more negotiable once the rings are on the fingers and forget that marriage is techncially a contract, no matter how much you care for the other person.
Just like real life, their relationship gets worse and worse the longer they stay together. Each person's needs are ignored by the other and an overwhelming resentment sets in for the other person. They confide in everyone but each other and what respect they once had for their partner all but disappears into the despair.
Stuart has a didn't-know-how-good-he-had-it-until-it-was-gone revelation; Nicole realized he was never going to be the man she wanted him to be.
This film should be required viewing for every couple that gets engaged. It's cliché to say it, but it's true—sometimes love just isn't enough.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Notes on a Scandal
Yesterday I saw the thriller Notes on a Scandal, starring Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett.
I was left with mixed emotions.
The story centers around Sheba (Blanchett), who has spent ten years caring for her family—specifically her son with Down's Syndrome—and finds herself ready to branch out and start a career. As a result, she becomes a somewhat scattered art teacher at a high school. A veteran instructor, Barbara (Dench), who lacks companions of her own, quickly befriends Sheba and keeps a detailed diary of their friendship.
As the story progresses, Sheba gets caught having an affair with one of her students by Barbara, who then blackmails Sheba for attention in return for her secrecy.
Dench is apparently a lesbian who is attracted to the younger teacher with a questionable past that only unfolds near the end of the film.
The pace of the movie is great—everything happens quickly and believably, as it would in real-life. The performances are flawless (even the supporting cast is great) and the ending is fine.
The main problems I had with it were the dialogue (wait until you see Sheba scream "Here I am!" in one of the key scenes near the end) and the intrusive score, which often drowned out the cheesy dialogue. Oh wait—maybe the score was good after all.
Anyway—I'd be lying if I didn't say I was entertained during this one. It's a fun, if not predictable ride.
And with Mirren and Winslet all but confirmed for Oscar nods, Dench just may make the Best Actress race a three-way Battle of the Brits with her performance here.
I was left with mixed emotions.
The story centers around Sheba (Blanchett), who has spent ten years caring for her family—specifically her son with Down's Syndrome—and finds herself ready to branch out and start a career. As a result, she becomes a somewhat scattered art teacher at a high school. A veteran instructor, Barbara (Dench), who lacks companions of her own, quickly befriends Sheba and keeps a detailed diary of their friendship.
As the story progresses, Sheba gets caught having an affair with one of her students by Barbara, who then blackmails Sheba for attention in return for her secrecy.
Dench is apparently a lesbian who is attracted to the younger teacher with a questionable past that only unfolds near the end of the film.
The pace of the movie is great—everything happens quickly and believably, as it would in real-life. The performances are flawless (even the supporting cast is great) and the ending is fine.
The main problems I had with it were the dialogue (wait until you see Sheba scream "Here I am!" in one of the key scenes near the end) and the intrusive score, which often drowned out the cheesy dialogue. Oh wait—maybe the score was good after all.
Anyway—I'd be lying if I didn't say I was entertained during this one. It's a fun, if not predictable ride.
And with Mirren and Winslet all but confirmed for Oscar nods, Dench just may make the Best Actress race a three-way Battle of the Brits with her performance here.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Children of Men
Today I saw Children of Men, starring Clive Owen and Michael Caine.
It is the topic of Cinebanter 18, which is available here.
Go see the movie and join in our debate!
It is the topic of Cinebanter 18, which is available here.
Go see the movie and join in our debate!
Monday, December 25, 2006
The Pursuit of Happyness
Tonight I saw The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will and Jayden Smith.
This movie is the topic of Cinebanter #17, available here.
This movie is the topic of Cinebanter #17, available here.
Night At The Museum
Saturday evening I saw Night at the Museum starring Ben Stiller and Robin Williams.
The best way to evaluate this one is to say that it is what it is.
Is it silly? Yes. Is it funny? Sure. Is it a pleasant option for holiday movie watching? Absolutely.
Basically, Ben Stiller is a deadbeat dad that has trouble staying employed, so in desperation he accepts a position as a night guard at New York's Museum of Natural History. The catch? Due to an ancient Egyptian tablet, everything in the museum comes to life after dark.
The adventures that Ben's "Larry" endures are predictable and formulaic, but cute and easy to watch nonetheless. Robin Williams as the wax Teddy Roosevelt and Owen Wilson as a miniature cowboy round out this somewhat all-star cast and make for a good couple hours of laughs.
Take the kids, sit back and enjoy.
The best way to evaluate this one is to say that it is what it is.
Is it silly? Yes. Is it funny? Sure. Is it a pleasant option for holiday movie watching? Absolutely.
Basically, Ben Stiller is a deadbeat dad that has trouble staying employed, so in desperation he accepts a position as a night guard at New York's Museum of Natural History. The catch? Due to an ancient Egyptian tablet, everything in the museum comes to life after dark.
The adventures that Ben's "Larry" endures are predictable and formulaic, but cute and easy to watch nonetheless. Robin Williams as the wax Teddy Roosevelt and Owen Wilson as a miniature cowboy round out this somewhat all-star cast and make for a good couple hours of laughs.
Take the kids, sit back and enjoy.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Blood Diamond
Last night I saw Blood Diamond, starring Leondardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou.
It is the topic of Cinebanter 16, which is available here.
It is the topic of Cinebanter 16, which is available here.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
The Holiday
Last night I braved the Seattle snow storm to see a screening of The Holiday starring Kate Winslet and Jude Law.
Is it predictable? Yes. Formulaic? Of course. Charming? Yeah—that too. And that's why I forgive its cookie-cutter-composition. Because it made me feel good.
All of the Bridget Jones comparisons will be fair—right down to the details (Winslet's 'Iris' is even a writer), but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable to watch.
We have two couples that have suffered cheating (anchored by Jack Black and Cameron Diaz), one office romance gone-wrong (the source of Winslet's distress) and one dashing Brit with a secret (Law). And to top it off, all of our players are wealthy or at least upper-middle class. The story couldn't be easier to compose, but we still find ourselves rooting for certain characters and booing at the rest.
Go into this film with high expectations and you may get irritated with its simplicity, but if you go in ready to have a good time you'll come away with a smile on your face.
And really—who can say that Jack Black and Kate Winslet don't make the most adorable couple ever?
Is it predictable? Yes. Formulaic? Of course. Charming? Yeah—that too. And that's why I forgive its cookie-cutter-composition. Because it made me feel good.
All of the Bridget Jones comparisons will be fair—right down to the details (Winslet's 'Iris' is even a writer), but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable to watch.
We have two couples that have suffered cheating (anchored by Jack Black and Cameron Diaz), one office romance gone-wrong (the source of Winslet's distress) and one dashing Brit with a secret (Law). And to top it off, all of our players are wealthy or at least upper-middle class. The story couldn't be easier to compose, but we still find ourselves rooting for certain characters and booing at the rest.
Go into this film with high expectations and you may get irritated with its simplicity, but if you go in ready to have a good time you'll come away with a smile on your face.
And really—who can say that Jack Black and Kate Winslet don't make the most adorable couple ever?
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Shut Up & Sing
Today I saw Shut Up & Sing, a lively documentary that follows the Dixie Chicks from their controversial anti-war comment to the present day.
I'll admit it—I'm not a fan of country music. I've never bought a Dixie Chicks record. I probably couldn't name one of their albums if my life depended on it, but after watching this I almost want to just on principle.
A few months prior to the start of the war in Iraq, lead singer Natalie Maines said "We're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas" during a show in England. The London-based newspaper The Guardian printed the quote and soon the American right-wing group the Free Republic got a hold of it and led a national boycott of their music.
Ridiculous. And wildly hypocritical.
Here they are "defending" a war that is allegedly taking place to "liberate" a country so they can enjoy the same freedoms that we do, and these so-called patriots are denying the Dixie Chicks their freedom of speech (and freedom of security since Maines received death threats as a result of speaking her mind). It's also hypocritical because it hurt the business of the Dixie Chicks, a business which is ultimately stimulating the American economy when it does well.
It was refreshing to see Republican John McCain cracking down on the radio suits who originally ordered the boycott during congressional hearings, but it was nauseating watching these three lovely ladies see their career crumble before them because they acted like...Americans.
Every journalism teacher should show this film in class and every fan of the first amendment should buy a Dixie Chicks album. Just to show their patriotism.
I'll admit it—I'm not a fan of country music. I've never bought a Dixie Chicks record. I probably couldn't name one of their albums if my life depended on it, but after watching this I almost want to just on principle.
A few months prior to the start of the war in Iraq, lead singer Natalie Maines said "We're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas" during a show in England. The London-based newspaper The Guardian printed the quote and soon the American right-wing group the Free Republic got a hold of it and led a national boycott of their music.
Ridiculous. And wildly hypocritical.
Here they are "defending" a war that is allegedly taking place to "liberate" a country so they can enjoy the same freedoms that we do, and these so-called patriots are denying the Dixie Chicks their freedom of speech (and freedom of security since Maines received death threats as a result of speaking her mind). It's also hypocritical because it hurt the business of the Dixie Chicks, a business which is ultimately stimulating the American economy when it does well.
It was refreshing to see Republican John McCain cracking down on the radio suits who originally ordered the boycott during congressional hearings, but it was nauseating watching these three lovely ladies see their career crumble before them because they acted like...Americans.
Every journalism teacher should show this film in class and every fan of the first amendment should buy a Dixie Chicks album. Just to show their patriotism.
Monday, November 20, 2006
The Nativity Story
Tonight I saw The Nativity Story starring Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Isaac.
Perfectly timed to coincide with the holiday season, this film begins at the time of the Virgin Mary's "miracle" and concludes following the birth of Jesus Christ.
Castle-Hughes does a fine job of portraying the naive young Mary, and Isaac is equally convincing as the understanding Joseph. The supporting characters were also very true to their Biblical descriptions with the exception of the Three Wisemen who were a bit too comical for my liking.
The cinematography is striking—you do feel as if you are roaming about ancient Nazareth, however the element that is missing is the intangible magic that a story so sacred deserves. I felt guilty for not weeping when the Star of Bethlehem lit up the sky, or when they showed crucified men lined up in the village for show.
Perhaps its me that needs the spark of divinity, or maybe it was just the film.
Perfectly timed to coincide with the holiday season, this film begins at the time of the Virgin Mary's "miracle" and concludes following the birth of Jesus Christ.
Castle-Hughes does a fine job of portraying the naive young Mary, and Isaac is equally convincing as the understanding Joseph. The supporting characters were also very true to their Biblical descriptions with the exception of the Three Wisemen who were a bit too comical for my liking.
The cinematography is striking—you do feel as if you are roaming about ancient Nazareth, however the element that is missing is the intangible magic that a story so sacred deserves. I felt guilty for not weeping when the Star of Bethlehem lit up the sky, or when they showed crucified men lined up in the village for show.
Perhaps its me that needs the spark of divinity, or maybe it was just the film.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Deliver Us From Evil
Today I saw the documentary Deliver Us From Evil about Father Oliver O'Grady, a convicted sex offender who the Catholic church moved around Northern California for 30 years before any charges were brought against him.
In the film, Director Amy Berg speaks with a surprisingly candid O'Grady (now living an unfairly comfortable life in his native Ireland) and several of his forever-damaged victims.
The accounts are horrific—the sodomy of a young boy who was helping with the landscaping outside the church; the rape and molestation of a 5 year-old girl (while the Father lived with her family); penetration of a 9-month old baby. And this man only served seven years behind bars, yet his number of victims is estimated into the hundreds.
What's nauseating about this story is how easy it was for the Catholic Church to dodge legal bullets throughout the tenure of this priest. They did so little to help the families and put an end to the abuse, you have to wonder if any of the higher-ups have a conscience, let alone an ounce of actual faith. What God would let this happen?
The most heartbreaking element to watch is the guilt of the parents who trusted this monster with their kids and didn't learn of the abuse until their children were grown. It's not their fault, but you can understand the responsibilty they must feel for O'Grady's actions and their absence in noticing.
Hopefully, this documentary will spark a revolution from the victims—those who have been brave enough to come forward and those who have remained silent, but want to somehow make sure this doesn't keep happening. They (along with each and every Catholic on the planet) need to demand reform and justice so this most hypocritical abuse of trust can finally be put to an end.
In the film, Director Amy Berg speaks with a surprisingly candid O'Grady (now living an unfairly comfortable life in his native Ireland) and several of his forever-damaged victims.
The accounts are horrific—the sodomy of a young boy who was helping with the landscaping outside the church; the rape and molestation of a 5 year-old girl (while the Father lived with her family); penetration of a 9-month old baby. And this man only served seven years behind bars, yet his number of victims is estimated into the hundreds.
What's nauseating about this story is how easy it was for the Catholic Church to dodge legal bullets throughout the tenure of this priest. They did so little to help the families and put an end to the abuse, you have to wonder if any of the higher-ups have a conscience, let alone an ounce of actual faith. What God would let this happen?
The most heartbreaking element to watch is the guilt of the parents who trusted this monster with their kids and didn't learn of the abuse until their children were grown. It's not their fault, but you can understand the responsibilty they must feel for O'Grady's actions and their absence in noticing.
Hopefully, this documentary will spark a revolution from the victims—those who have been brave enough to come forward and those who have remained silent, but want to somehow make sure this doesn't keep happening. They (along with each and every Catholic on the planet) need to demand reform and justice so this most hypocritical abuse of trust can finally be put to an end.
Little Children
Last night I saw Little Children starring Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson.
It was the most complex, realistic and human movie I've seen all year.
The setting—American suburbia—is perfectly executed in the catty behavior of the soccer moms and the weekly football games the men play as an escape.
At first the movie is funny, complete with voiceovers that actually work and a steamy romance that you root for. Then, the movie turns dark as you find yourself alternately sympathizing with and being disgusted by the town pedophile, portrayed brilliantly by Jackie Earle Hayley.
It all comes to a climactic end when the characters each discover their individual destiny and take action to live them out. It makes you think, it makes you laugh and it makes you cry. The problem that I had with it was that the entire movie seemed to be illustrating why some things are just meant to be, yet the ending doesn't pay that theory off.
Nonetheless, it's another fantastic journey from Todd Field that carries us through the American experience with fierce authenticity.
To hear me and Michaelvox discuss this in Cinebanter 14, click here.
It was the most complex, realistic and human movie I've seen all year.
The setting—American suburbia—is perfectly executed in the catty behavior of the soccer moms and the weekly football games the men play as an escape.
At first the movie is funny, complete with voiceovers that actually work and a steamy romance that you root for. Then, the movie turns dark as you find yourself alternately sympathizing with and being disgusted by the town pedophile, portrayed brilliantly by Jackie Earle Hayley.
It all comes to a climactic end when the characters each discover their individual destiny and take action to live them out. It makes you think, it makes you laugh and it makes you cry. The problem that I had with it was that the entire movie seemed to be illustrating why some things are just meant to be, yet the ending doesn't pay that theory off.
Nonetheless, it's another fantastic journey from Todd Field that carries us through the American experience with fierce authenticity.
To hear me and Michaelvox discuss this in Cinebanter 14, click here.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Deja Vu
On Tuesday, I saw Deja Vu starring Denzel Washington and Val Kilmer.
To put it simply, it's a fun ride.
Denzel dazzles as ATF good-cop Doug Carlin, who is recruited to help FBI agent Pryzwarra (Kilmer) investigate the bombing of a passenger ferry in present day New Orleans. The murder of a local (coincidentally beautiful) woman somehow ties into the mystery and Carlin becomes nearly obsessed with solving the crime.
When he learns of the FBI's time-traveling capabilities, he puts his own life on the line to take a quantum leap and save the girl. Oh - and the 543 people that died on the ferry too, including his partner.
The main flaw of the film is that it's painfully predictable. There are many Bruckheimer-typical explosions (Jerry produced the movie, you know). The scientists at the FBI are the funnier-than-usual brand and Denzel is nothing short of handsome the entire time, regardless of the situation. Come to think of it, even the terrorist is hot.
But if you can forgive all of that, watching this fast-paced murder mystery can be quite enjoyable.
To put it simply, it's a fun ride.
Denzel dazzles as ATF good-cop Doug Carlin, who is recruited to help FBI agent Pryzwarra (Kilmer) investigate the bombing of a passenger ferry in present day New Orleans. The murder of a local (coincidentally beautiful) woman somehow ties into the mystery and Carlin becomes nearly obsessed with solving the crime.
When he learns of the FBI's time-traveling capabilities, he puts his own life on the line to take a quantum leap and save the girl. Oh - and the 543 people that died on the ferry too, including his partner.
The main flaw of the film is that it's painfully predictable. There are many Bruckheimer-typical explosions (Jerry produced the movie, you know). The scientists at the FBI are the funnier-than-usual brand and Denzel is nothing short of handsome the entire time, regardless of the situation. Come to think of it, even the terrorist is hot.
But if you can forgive all of that, watching this fast-paced murder mystery can be quite enjoyable.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Stranger Than Fiction
Today I saw Stranger Than Fiction starring Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson.
It is the topic of Cinebanter 13, which is available here.
It is the topic of Cinebanter 13, which is available here.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Borat: Cultural Learnings of American for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
This morning I saw Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, which is the topic of Cinebanter 12. You can download it here.
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