"I was born under unusual circumstances." And so begins "Benjamin Button," adapted from the classic 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his 80s and ages backwards. A man, like any of us, unable to stop time. We follow his story set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man's life can be. "Benjamin Button" is a time traveler's tale of the people and places he bumps into along the way, the loves he loses and finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.
Starring:
Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas, Tilda Swinton
Directed by:
David Fincher
Rating: PG-13 (for brief war violence, sexual content and smoking)
Genre: Drama, SciFi/Fantasy, Romance
Runtime: 168 min
ROBINSON REVIEWS
VAMPIRES SUCK
So, I find myself at a screening for Vampires Suck. And, I'm thinking, "What am I doing here?" We all know that spoof movies peaked with Airplane, right? The first one? But, for some reason, the trailer for Vampires Suck made me laugh out loud. I love the Twilight films, and this homage seemed really funny.
And, it was. For the first 40 minutes or so, I laughed a lot. I was in a packed theater, and everyone laughed so much that I started to get annoyed that I was missing out on more funny lines. Don't get me wrong, this is lowest common denominator stuff, but a lot of it worked. The Jason Friedberg/Aaron Seltzer school of parody teaches to throw everything out there, and some of it will stick. There were some great bits, with Jacob chasing cats and Edward juggling babies with apples. Newcomer Jenn Proske is the key. She has the voice and mannerisms of Kristen Stewart down pat. Massillon native Matt Lanter is a good looking Edward. Parodies are tough. You have to make it long enough for people to feel it's worth the money to go to the theater, but Vampires Suck, like all the others, overstays its welcome. After an hour, I was tired of laughing and sick of some of the gross out slapstick stuff. If you like the vampire genre and are ready to laugh, it's a fun time. Unfortunately, the studios released most of the best bits in the trailers and online, and the level of humor really declines at the end of the film. So, you might leave with a bad taste in your mouth. I give Vampires Suck a 7 out of 10. It's good, for what it is!
EAT, PRAY, LOVE
I wasn't sure what to expect with Eat, Pray, Love, and I love to go into movies like that, especially when they surprise me by delighting me!
I did not read the book (sorry, Oprah!). But this is one case where it helps you to have some more information from the book, while you're watching the movie. Like a Harry Potter film, your experience is enhanced. Julia Roberts plays Elizabeth Gilbert, a woman who seems to have it all, exciting career as a travel writer, good looking husband, lovely NY apartment. But, beyond the facade, she's empty and doesn't know why, she just knows she's not happy. So, this is where the movie loses some people. I spoke with quite a few girls who were at the screening who said, "Hey, honey, you're life is pretty good, get over it! What's the problem?" Liz leaves her husband and hooks up with a sweet young thing, played by James Franco. But, his charms are not enough to satisfy. These two significant relationships are glossed over a bit to get to the Eat, Pray, Love part of the film, but those in the audience who read the book were privy to more information about how the real Liz reached a depth of despair. And, those of us who've, let's say, lived a little more/longer than the girls who didn't get it have actually had those lie-on-the-floor nights and yearned to do some soul searching. If there was only time... and money... for a selfish year of introspection. So, Liz goes to Italy to eat, India to pray and Bali, intending to study but instead, finding love. Yes, these pursuits, on screen, seem fairly self-indulgent. Let's not forget, though, Liz is a writer, and it's all for posterity and profit, in the end. The girls who didn't get it said, "Why would she be so selfish and go through all that and end up with that guy?" I could not answer. I am a woman who considers "that guy," played by the luscious Javier Bardem, to be about perfection. So, I found Eat, Pray, Love to be a very divisive movie. For me, Julia Roberts' Liz and the men she encounters on her personal journey are a joy to watch. The scenery is beautiful. The lessons are profound. I had some problems with the flow and felt director Ryan Murphy could have established more of a timeline to help us understand where Liz was at, at different points, but the chemistry between the actors, especially Julia and "that guy," was very satisfying. I give Eat, Pray, Love a 9 out of 10.
SALT
I haven't seen any of the Bourne movies. In fact, spy movies aren't generally on my radar at all. I can't remember the last time I saw a Bond film!
So, I'm not sure why I wanted to see Salt, but I heard it was fun, and that's the kind of movie I was in the mood for, on Saturday. We went to the fabulous Capitol Theatre in the Gordon Arts District and enjoyed the thrill ride. Of course, you have to suspend disbelief, when Angelina is scaling walls in her bare feet and singlehandedly kicking the crap out of four and five government agents, but it's good fun. And, even though I wasn't sure about which side Evelyn Salt was on, I was still rooting for Angie. Salt is a CIA agent who has to go on the run after a Russian defector accuses her of being a spy. It's the run and the twists and turns that keep things interesting. Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor are other agents who trust and don't trust her, respectively. I can't say the story kept me guessing, but I found it interesting and enjoyed myself, even cheering a few times, when people I didn't like got beat up. Love Angelina, or not, there's no denying she is captivating, on screen, and she carries this film. It was originally a vehicle for Tom Cruise and pitched to a number of other male actors. I can't say I would have been much interested, with a guy in the lead, but she makes it worth watching and worthwhile. I give Salt a 7 out of 10.
DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS
Regular movie goers know the formula for this kind of film: Nice guy, nice girl, crazy friend or interloper, romantic rival, misunderstanding and mayhem. Lately, it's the stuff of I Love You, Man, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Wedding Crashers, etc. Now, we have Dinner for Schmucks.
First off, please let me get this off my chest, I do not support the title of the film. It bothers me. After watching the movie, I'm even more annoyed, because there is no reason to use the word "schmucks," which some folks find a very offensive term. So...
What is going to make this comedy sink or soar is the cast. Do we care what happens to these characters? Are we willing to watch, while the hijinks and hilarity rise to uncomfortable and ridiculous extremes? In Dinner for Schmucks, Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd make it work. And, newcomer Stephanie Szostak helps with an adorable sweetness. Rudd is the perfect everyman, as Tim, a guy trying to work his way up the ranks of a financial firm. When he's invited to a party where every rising star at work needs to bring an idiot they can ridicule, he's appalled, but the lure of the 7th floor office carrot is too much. He runs into Steve Carrell's Barry, who spends his time making mice dioramas. Is this a blessing or a curse? Barry seems to infect every aspect of Tim's life. And, their descent is a mindboggling, painful trip into chaos. At one point, I looked at my son and said, "If this gets any more brutal, I'm going to have to leave!" I stayed, and later was amazed at a scene where everything seemed to go haywire, then more crazy things happened, and then, when you thought nothing else could possibly happen, more went wrong. Who wrote this stuff? Well, it turns out a french guy did, and this is an American version of the film, Le Diner de Cons. I think Rudd and Carrell save this one from feeling too mean spirited. In this genre, I usually really dislike the romantic rival character (usually played by Russell Brand or someone of his ilk), here though, Jemaine Clement nearly steals the show as the over the top artist, Kieran, who I found to be hilarious! I give Dinner for Schmucks a 7 out of 10. It should be noted that the two 18 year old dudes with me gave it 8!
DESPICABLE ME
One of the most highly marketed films of the summer caught the fancy of my 4 year old, and he was despondant the first time we tried to see Despicable Me, because it was sold out. We finally got to it again, last weekend, and we decided to go all out and do the 3-D. I'm glad we did.
Steve Carrell plays Gru, a hulking villain who is having some financial hardships and needs help to proceed with his plan to steal the moon. Dr. Nefario and his population of minions do the heavy lifting for Gru's schemes. And, they're facing competition from a newcomer to villainy, the young and cocky Vector (Jason Segel). Gru decides to use three orphan girls to help him defeat Vector. And, you can guess how things go from here. The girls are adorable and funny and sweet. Gru's career path is really all about his need for acceptance and love. I thought some of the orphanage stuff was a little dark, though my little one didn't seem adversely effected by it. If you go to the 3-D show, be sure to stay for the credits, because the minions do some more fun 3-D stunts. We enjoyed the show but found it didn't really have the emotional teeth of, say, Gru's dog, Kyle. I give Despicable Me 8 out of 10.
INCEPTION
Everybody is going to be talking about Inception. First off, my advice to you is to NOT talk to anyone about it, before you see it, if you plan to see it. There are no earth shaking twists, or anything, it's just best to approach the film with no preconceptions. And, be sure you're not sleepy.
That said, I loved it. It's so smart, and yes, you should expect to think a little or have your mind boggled, because it's written and directed by Christopher Nolan, who brought us Memento and The Prestige. It takes place in a time when there is technology that allows special individuals to influence your decisions or steal information from your mind, by entering your dreams. There are levels to the dream state, and that's where it gets confusing, because there are times in the film where different things are going on at different levels. This is a cast up to the task of a complex plotline: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Marion Cotillard and lots of other familiar faces in smaller roles. Tom Hardy is the double rainbow here. He's GORGEOUS and very likeable as a rakish member of the dream team. Because a lot of the action takes place in dreams, gravity is optional, as displayed in the still, above. There's an action sequence where Joseph Gordon Levitt is battling various elements in zero gravity that is so fantastic. At one point, I thought it was going to end one of two ways, and I thought to myself, "If this happens, I'm going to love this movie. If that happens, I'm just going to really like it." I love this movie. One detraction: I felt the soundtrack was overwhelming in some of the scenes and drowning out some of the dialogue. In other scenes, I really wished they subtitled Ken Watanabe. I love the actor, and mean no offense, but his English is just not that great, especially with some complicated narrative. That said, Inception gets a 9 out of 10.
TOY STORY 3 IN 3-D
I was nervous. I wanted to see Toy Story 3 in 3-D, but I wasn't sure how the baby would handle the theater experience. 4 and a half years old, and he was a champ. He was mesmerized by the 3-D technology right from the trailers, holding his hand up and saying, "Mommy, this is REAL!"
Yep, the 3-D is a little bit more, but if you're a movie buff, you'll want to pay extra for Toy Story 3. Most of our friends are back, as we fast forward to the Andy's 18th summer, and that time when a kid starts letting go of the toys of youth. He has to clean his room and head to college. But, what is to become of the toys?!?! The storyline is good, if dark in some points. Toys are in real peril in this film. It can be intense for sensitive kids. But, I felt that way about Toy Story 2, as well. As the Mom of a kid who is going to college in one month, I was a sobbing mess through much of the Andy story. When I went home and hugged MY "Andy," he patted my back patronizingly and said, "Don't worry, Mom, I'll come visit you at Christmas." !!! Then, he laughed. He's as evil as that nasty Sid from the first Toy Story, sometimes! Anyway, I loved so many of the messages and relationships in this sequel. Buzz and Jessie are particularly hilarious and adorable. I give Toy Story 3 in 3-D an 8 out of 10.
THE LAST AIRBENDER
Today, M Night Shyamalan has completed his biggest filmmaking challenge to date. Where most of his previous movies were quiet suspense tales, The Last Airbender is huge, with an epic story line that requires a ton of special effects and 3-D. The title character is Aang. He lives in a world where people are divided into tribes based on the elements of the earth: Fire, Water, Earth and Air. He is reported to be the last of his kind, found by some waterbender kids and hiding from firebenders, who threaten to take over the world. Maybe you've seen the cartoon. The Last Airbender is based on a series of books, and in this film, M Night tackles the first one, Water. The story is dense, with a lot of background. Some audiences might find that boring, but I was interested. All of the actors are gorgeous, the cinematography is fantastic, the effects are fun (I advise you to spring for the extra $ to see it in 3-D), the score is moving. Yep, there are parts that are a little slow, but it's an action picture with a grand story, and unlike, say, a Transformers 2, there are no gaps in storyline or character development scrapped for a loud, unnecessary explosion sequence. It flows, like water. And, I hope I get to see more. I give The Last Airbender a 7.5 out of 10.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE
The Twilight movies are very divisive. They have a passionate following, and yet there are many Twihards who love the books and don't feel the films do them justice. So full disclosure, I haven't read the books. In fact, I tried to read the first one and found it awful. But, I loved the first movie. The second one was "meh."
I was really looking forward to checking out The Twilight Saga: Eclipse to see if I wanted to continue following the story. Saw the movie, Monday night, and the answer is, I do. I sort of thought this film would pick up where the second one left off, (spoiler) with Bella answering Edward's proposal. It did not, but the question is still on the table. And, all the same threats to Bella are in play. But, this time, Edward is going to stick around, which is great, because I like to look at him. I like to listen to him speak. And, I love the easy way Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have of capturing that awkward, yet intense, devotion of new love. I'm not ashamed to say I got tear-y and swooned a little again, with Edward's old school romanticism. Jacob and his abs are back, of course. And, what I love about this installment in the Twilight Saga is that we learn the vampire origins of two of the Cullens. Billy Burke is still terrific as Charlie Swan. Ashley Greene is adorable as Alice Cullen. And, despite the freaky eyes, I have a growing attachment to Jackson Rathbone, given more to do here, as Jasper Hale. There are old threats and new threats and alliances made and broken, but the centerpiece of Eclipse is the intensifying triangle of Edward and Bella and Jacob. Whichever Team you're on, as long as you're playing along, I think you'll enjoy more Twilight saga. I give Eclipse an 8 out of 10.
JONAH HEX
I love being pleasantly surprised by a movie! I'm not sure why I wanted to go to the preview screening of Jonah Hex, because I didn't have very high hopes for the film, but I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it!
Here are some things that will help you decide whether you want to go: the comic book genesis of the movie is very prevalent, to the point that they tell some of Jonah Hex' story with comic book frames; Jonah Hex is an anti-hero, meaning you're asked to root for a guy who has done some very bad things in his life; the movie is dark and intense, with a bit of a supernatural element to the evil side. If you're still with me, you might want to go. Josh Brolin is perfectly brooding, as the growling and disfigured Jonah Hex. He fought in the Civil War for the confederate side and went afoul of some even worse men who took away the things he held precious. That sets him on a course of vengeance and bounty hunting. Much is made of Megan Fox in the film, but she does what any pretty girl in a western/action film does. She tries to make the most of her minutes, and she looks good in her corset. Can she act? Probably not. But, no actress wants to take that part in this movie, so I don't have a problem with it. My only criticism is about a later scene, where she's out of the bordello, and I think, at that time, such a gal would have her hair up and act more ladylike, but it's a COMIC BOOK MOVIE, right? John Malkovich does his thing as the bad guy. My son, as always, liked the psycho sidekick, played by Michael Fassbender. I enjoyed solid cameos from Lance Reddick and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. It was blissfully short, because it's very dark and violent, at just 80 minutes. And, they preserve a PG-13 rating by cutting away from a lot of the more gruesome acts. For summer action, I'd rather watch this again than see the last Transformers movie. Then again, that's not saying a lot. I give Jonah Hex a 7 out of 10.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
I love movies. I love seeing them in theaters. I love kids movies, when they're good. Huge Disney fan. So, when the boy became too old to want to see them with me any more, I was bummed, and I missed a few. But now, I'm back!! The baby can now handle himself in theaters! And, I had high hopes for How to Train Your Dragon.
I love the look of the dragons, and really everything about this movie from Dreamworks. We did not see the 3-D version, mainly because it's costly, and I wasn't sure the baby would behave himself. He's MY dragon. :) Still, the movie is gorgeous. It's set in Viking times. Hiccup is a hapless young man, living in a village where you make a name for yourself by hunting dragons. Instead, he ends up befriending one and learning to like them, instead of fear them. It's a nice message, with elements of Avatar and Harry Potter and Mulan. I wanted to LOVE it. Instead, I just liked it. It's okay. I'm not dying to go out and buy it, as soon as it comes out on DVD, like I was for Kung Fu Panda. I can't really put my finger on it, it just didn't seem as warm to me as other movies I really like. I give How to Train Your Dragon a 7 out of 10.
IRON MAN 2
I can actually feel summer coming, once the blockbusters start to come into theaters. And, the ultimate popcorn movie is going to start the season, this weekend. (Clash of the Titans does NOT count) It's Iron Man 2!!
Key to the sequel, the return of Robert Downey, Junior, as Tony Stark. He is absolutely perfect as the brilliant billionaire man-child. Iron Man 2 picks up right where the first film left off, with Tony Stark taking ownership of Iron Man in a press conference. Of course, everyone wants a piece of him now. Congress wants him to testify about his actions and their global impact. Meantime, he still needs to perfect some of the technology, especially the parts that are keeping him alive. I was concerned (after watching trailers) that there would be too many villains and too much action that would take away from what I really loved in the first movie, which is Tony and his relationship to the important people in his life, Rhode-y and Pepper and others. I feared a Batman and Robin scenario. But no, Jon Favreau is back in the director's chair (and the driver's seat), and he remains true to the heart of what worked in Iron Man. In fact, we get more of Tony and Pepper, and even more of the story of Stark's origins. Mickey Rourke is great as the villain seeking vengeance. Even better (or worse), is Sam Rockwell, as Justin Hammer, a total tool who is a defense contractor and Stark Industries competitor. There are more fun guest shots and surprises. And, the action is fantastic, but it does not overwhelm the story or the characters. I give Iron Man 2 a 9 out of 10. I liked it even more than the first one!!
THE BACK-UP PLAN
I really wanted to like it. I talked to Alex O'Loughlin about the movie over a year ago, I think. And, this was Jennifer Lopez' big return to film, after a 5 year absence. Both of their characters in The Back-Up Plan are very likeable. She is a successful businesswoman who has decided she's done waiting for Mr. Right and a family. She goes ahead and gets inseminated. That day, she bumps into Stan, a gorgeous funny guy who has his own farm (note the cheese, above) and dreams of owning a sustainable food shop. He pursues her, she resists. All sorts of clumsy, weird things happen along the way. Honestly, these characters and their relationship is really interesting. It's all the other junk the filmmakers put into play that I found distracting and distasteful and unbelievable. For instance, Zoe has an upscale pet store with a couple of interesting employees who have realistic questions about her and for her, but we barely see them. Instead, we're subjected to a strange single mother's group that is stereotypical and offensive. It's like the writer and director are trying to straddle a line between a sweet rom-com, like Sweet Home Alabama, and something more crude, like Knocked Up. There were so many likeable and believable story threads that were just dropped, in favor of the gross out scene or something silly that just didn't make sense for the characters. I didn't hate it, because I liked the leads, I was just really disappointed and not satisfied. I give The Back-Up Plan a 6 out of 10.
he Runaways
Ahhh, the 70s. For me, in middle America, it was a time of 3/4 length sleeve baseball t-shirts and bell bottoms, polyester and frustration that my hair wouldn't fall into a straight smooth wedge cut. I was listening to pop music and dancing to Soul Train.
On the west coast, things were more glam, with platforms and straight leg jeans. Watching the new movie, The Runaways is fun, because they do capture the essence of that time. Girls were taking this idea of women's liberation and pushing the envelope. An unsupervised teen named Joanie Larkin held on to a guitar that her Dad gave her and pursued big dreams of an all-girl rock band. Her story, along with Cherie Currie's memoir, Neon Angel, are combined to form The Runaways, which is the name of Joanie's band. She became Joan Jett, who teamed up with dodgey producer and promoter, Kim Fowley. They recruited Cherie and the other girls and shot to fame. But, this success story is also a cautionary tale, with 15 year old girls on their own, with raging hormones, unscrupulous adults and lots of drugs and booze available. I got to talk to Cherie Currie about those days, but I wish I could talk to her again, now, after the movie. There are so many more things I'd like to know. The book, Neon Angel, is compelling, but painful to read. The move, The Runaways, is compelling, but painful to watch. If you didn't know that much of what happens is true, you'd say it's unbelievable. I was interested in the story. The performances are excellent. I've never been a huge fan of Kristen Stewart, because she seems to play the same character, over and over. But here, it's almost as if she's channeling Joan Jett, and the portrayal is uncanny. Dakota Fanning is almost unrecognizable as Cherie Currie. Michael Shannon is creepy to the extreme as Kim Fowley. This trio elevates the movie above After School Special dialogue. It's the quiet scenes that stay with you: the band, in the back of a limo, after a long tour, looking old beyond their years; Joan, in the bathtub, crafting lyrics. Great story, some great performances, but the script and the storytelling fall short. I give The Runaways a 7 out of 10.
Clash of the Titans
I think you'll find just as many people love Clash of the Titans as those who do not love it. I went with the boy (who is actually 18, for those of you who are not familiar with his nickname). We were both underwhelmed. In fact, when the credits started to roll, he took off his 3-D glasses, looked at me and said, "Well, that sucked." That warranted a smack from me, because he's not allowed to use that word around me. I forced him to be more specific in his criticism, and as it turns out, we totally agreed on our review.
Good news first. Sam Worthington is terrific, as Perseus. I think the production value is high. The movie, the settings, look beautiful. It's an interesting story. The set up is good. I am sad when Perseus' human family dies. After that, though, it's all a blur of action and mess. It seems like they're trying to cram every detail of the greek epic plus
every effect and monster possible into 90 minutes. None of the characters are developed enough in that time. How could they be, when they're fighting monsters and on an adventure and there's an Olympus back story? If all the warriors on the odyssey were actors I already knew, maybe I could keep them straight. But, I don't, and I don't get to know them, and therefore, I don't care when things happen to them. It's not that the characters aren't interesting. I would love to see a movie and learn more about Andromeda and Draco and these two crazy brothers who like to hunt things.
At this point, I'll defer to my son's review. He says he wished the movie was longer so we could get more character development. He liked another epic guy, Jinn, but said he didn't learn anything about him, over the course of the movie, and that was frustrating.
"It seems like these guys know each other for five minutes, then they're like, Hey, we're not coming with you but here is this cool shield. Andromeda is like, hey, I gave you a cup of water, now you should be my king."
We both would have preferred a movie even 30-45 minutes longer that left us more satisfied.
While the 3-D is good, the creatures all seem cobbled together from other films. There is a cute homage to the original Clash of the Titans. Our disappointment is more pronounced, because this cast is really good. The acting and characters could have elevated the movie above the effects, given time to develop. We give Clash of the Titans a 6 out of 10.
Marwencol
As I've mentioned, when the Cleveland International Film Festival catalog comes out. I read all the summaries and mark the movies I want to see. Marwencol jumped out at me for a few reasons. I had a boyfriend in college who lived near Kingston, NY, where this takes place. It's about a man who recovers from a head injury by building a world of miniatures in his backyard, it becomes therapy. My husband and son are into gaming and miniatures. I thought it sounded very interesting.
Turns out the miniatures are more like dolls. And, the therapy was much more like fantasy and art. Mark Hogancamp was attacked in the parking lot of a bar by five guys he'd been drinking with. Head injuries forced him to learn to speak, write, walk and completely function, all over again. Before the accident, he was married, an alcoholic and a gifted artist. After the accident, he was a completely different person, because he had no memory of his previous life. Working with his figures, he's able to practice small motor function, develop his rich imagination and role play some of his anger and aggression. Because he couldn't draw anymore, he captured scenes on film, with his camera. Now, friends and admirers of his work are urging him to share his town, Marwencol, with the world, with a gallery showing, a book and this film. Mark Hogancamp is a sympathetic and interesting guy. Marwencol is definitely an interesting place. Just when you think, "Okay, I get it, but this is weird," it gets weirder! But then, the pieces start to fit together. Fascinating story, well told, amazing imagery. It's an unforgettable place. Marwencol gets a 10 out of 10.
Garbo: The Spy
Garbo: The Spy hit me like Fire in the Heartland. Again, here's a topic that I feel I am familiar with. i have seen movies about World War II, read books about the Invasion of Normandy. So, why have I never heard about this guy? Why don't I know how critical he apparently was to the whole Allied effort?
If you've seen Alias or the Bournes, you know that a good spy has handlers. Garbo is the codename he received from his British handlers, because he took on various roles so well. In reality, he grew up in the Catalan region of Spain, the child of well-to-do parents, in the days before Franco. He wants to get involved. And, I will tell you we don't get to know much about his actual motivations or personality. The guy's a ghost, really. But, we get to find out what he did, offering his services to the Third Reich and to the Allies. Garbo set up an elaborate ruse that may have turned the tide of the war. He must have had iron clad insides to pull off some of these capers. I don't want to give too much away, but it's just an incredible story. And, to get it on the screen, since we don't have anything but talking heads and documents to illustrate the story, Director Edmon Roach intersperses scenes from spy films and movies about World War II that mirror real life events. It's a beautiful device and a remarkable piece of storytelling. I give Garbo: The Spy an 9 out of 10.
Ward No. 6
I had such high hopes for Ward No. 6. The summary made it sound like a Shutter Island type thriller case, where you're not sure who's really insane, who's really criminal, who's really qualified to be asking the questions.
What I got was a series of clinical interviews that sort of reminded me of the beginning of District 9. The quality of the lighting and shot set up was very flat. Patients are talking to the camera about why they're institutionalized, and it's incredibly sad. Most were dropped off at an orphanage by their own parents and once they aged out, they were moved to the psychiatric facility. They've never had a chance to have a life, because their parents couldn't handle their responsibility. That is horrible! But, I actually would not have minded a more intense study of that situation. Instead, a doctor begins to lead a tour and eventually reveals that his predecessor is now, in fact, a patient. Dr. Ragin had a sort of comfortable life going. But rather than any kind of therapy sessions, he got into philosophical discourses with friends and one patient, in particular, and seemed to be spiraling into a depression about existential issues. The plot is slow. The conversations are like Crime and Punishment. Ward No. 6 is based on a short story by Anton Chekhov, so I shouldn't have been surprised, but honestly, I had a hard time staying focused. It made me sleepy. Ward No. 6 gets a 6 out of 10.
Fire in the Heartland: Kent State, May 4th, and Student Protest in America
If you don't know the story of May 4, 1970 at Kent State University, at least the important parts, then shame on you. If you feel like you know what went down and you don't need to see a documentary about it, you are wrong. Director Daniel Lee Miller puts that tragic day into context, in Fire in the Heartland: Kent State, May 4th, and Student Protest in America.
Using archival footage and interviews with people who were a part of the various student groups on the Kent State campus, Miller shows how events in as early as 1959 helped develop the opposition between young activists and a conservative establishment. Fire in the Heartland touches on each of the building blocks in the so-called "Decade of Death," starting with President Kennedy's assassination and ending in May of 1970. Miller builds the tension with each passing tragedy and confrontation. And when the National Guardsmen march up the hill, turn and begin to fire on the crowd on the Kent State campus, it's devastating. Miller, himself, was there on May 4th and has struggled to make sense of it. Fire in the Heartland makes perfect sense of a nearly incomprehensible situation. I think every student should see it, especially anyone in a social justice course. It's a profound look at a critical time in our nation's history. I was wrecked for the rest of the day. I'm sure I'll think about it in the fall, when my son begins his college career at Kent State. And every May 4th, I will continue to remember Jeffrey Miller, Allison Krause, Sandra Scheuer and William Knox Schroeder and Phillip Gibbs and James Earl Green at Jackson State, just a few days later. Truly an excellent documentary, I give Fire in the Heartland 10 out of 10.
Cow
I've mentioned before that I am practically forbidden from seeing movies where animals or children are in peril. Dumbo is the Disney movie that haunts me, to this day. And, Snow Angels from 2007 sent me into a week long depression. I'm not exaggerating very much, either.
Therefore, when I told my husband one of the movies I really wanted to see was Cow, and I read him the description, I was laughing. He was not amused. 1940, China, during Sino-Japanese War. Niu Er lives in a village and is tasked with taking care of a cow, on loan from the Army. He is a simple peasant, but he takes his job seriously. And, in the aftermath of japanese firebombing, that job is tough. Everybody wants a piece of the cow. The cow reminds him of his wife. The cow reminded me of my dog. The cow and the man struggle in a hostile environment with chaos all around to stay alive. I loved their story. I give Cow a 9 out of 10.
North
I am thrilled to report I had another amazing day at the Cleveland International Film Festival. My one complaint is the lack of opportunity to see movies On Demand. At any one time, there are 7 films playing. During most of the sessions, there are at least two films I want to see. That means I have to make decisions and sometimes I don't get to see something, if I don't make the few times it's shown. I know, there are theatrical releases and DVDs to view it later, but it adds to my psychological drama, this week!
Example, in the morning session, there were two movies I had starred in my Festival guide. I had planned, since the night before, to see Forgetting Dad, which promised to be a fairly intense family documentary drama. At the last moment, I decided to go for North, for whatever reason. It was a game time decision. You have to do that at the Cleveland International Film Festival.
North is a drama out of Norway, and from the looks of it, a pretty desolate part of the country. Jomar is a 30 year old recovering from some traumatic experience. He used to ski, now he can barely get off the couch to do his job, which is not very taxing. His woman left him, after trying to be patient and help him get his act together for some time. Jomar finds out he has a son with her, who is now four. That and another happenstance spur him to head North to find Linnea and meet this kid. Jomar is snowmobiling through back country. When he finds a house or fishing hut or tent, he stops and has various encounters with the people. It makes me concerned for my Norwegian heritage that Jomar and most of the people he meets seem to be completely nuts. He also ends up setting stuff on fire, on occasion. It's a disturbing, yet interesting, road trip. The audience at my screening seemed to find a lot of it hilarious, while I was busy being concerned. I give North a 7 out of 10.
Out of Place
I'm not sure if I've ever actually seen the surfers on Lake Erie. I had heard about them, but I didn't really take it seriously, as a hobby because... come on!
Out of Place is a documentary by Scott Ditzenberger, and Darrin McDonald about this sub-culture. And I assure you, some of these folks who surf Lake Erie are dead serious. They have surfing in their veins and their hearts, and they're not going to let their location keep them from riding the waves. Some of the best waves can be found in the coldest conditions. I mean, who among us hasn't taken that wind coming straight from Canada like a freight train across the lake and right in the face. Can you imagine jumping into the gunmetal grey icy waters of Lake Erie to try to surf? I respect these surfers so much, for re-arranging their lives and their schedules, so they can chase the next batch of waves, when there aren't that many to be had, year round. The characters are all interesting and drawn to the shore from very different places. I wasn't depressed, as was the Minister of Culture, that they all longed to move to warmer climes where they could pursue their passion year round. I come in contact with dozens of people every winter who vow to move elsewhere, because they're too uncomfortable on the walk from their front door to their car in the morning. Whatever. I love it here. And I admire these dudes and dudettes for finding a way to do what they love in a place that doesn't make it easy. That's cool. Scott and the guys in the film who were at the Cleveland International Film Festival screening of Out of Place are really excited about the movie and sharing their passion with everyone. I'm not sure how excited they'll be when people like me start showing up to try to watch them do it live. I don't want to kill anyone's buzz, but I am inspired to look for them in future. I liked meeting this crew and getting some history, having no idea it went so far back. I shouldn't have been surprised, the beach was BIG back in the day. I had some problems with the flow of the film, losing the thread of story and wondering how some of the locations and people fit in, but I enjoyed myself. I give Out of Place a 7 out of 10.
For the Love of Movies
It seemed a bit surreal. I'm in a movie theater with a bunch of movie buffs, and more than a few of them review films professionally or just for fun, like me. And, we're watching a documentary about the evolution of movie reviewers.
For the Love of Movies is a film by a guy who did it professionally, Gerald Peary. He's also a professor, and the movie has that instructional tone. He breaks down film criticism by eras, starting with the Talkies and how the papers promoted them in the early 1900s. I've always loved discussing films. My Mom was a school teacher and had teacher friends. Some of them considered themselves to be intellectual, I suppose. We still share our yearly favorites in our Christmas notes to each other. It was interesting to get a perspective on the way reviewing has grown and developed and broadened to the point that 7 year olds do movie reviews on their computers and post them to youtube. "Everyone's a critic," right? For me, the key is finding a touchstone, someone who shares some of my sensibilities, so that I can tell from their review whether I will like the film or not, myself. Though to be honest, I rarely read reviews before I see a movie, because I like to judge for myself. After, I will seek out critiques to see what I missed or didn't know about the film's genesis. It was a revelation to me that people got paid to do what we did naturally, discuss and argue about films, when I first saw the show Coming Soon on Chicago TV. Gene Siskel was my touchstone. Getting to see a bit of their first show ever and hear Gene again was worth the price of admission, and I'm so happy Gerald Peary made that a part of his film. He interviewed Roger Ebert for the movie, and it was pre-serious surgery Roger, vibrant and telling great stories. Gerald also interviewed A.O. Scott from The New York Times, in casual settings, like they were buds and at some screening together or something. A.O. was the first big movie critic to podcast his reviews. And likely, that what made him the best person to take over for Roger, when he retired from the TV gig. You get to see how Tony has developed. Despite his love for Where the Wild Things Are, I really like his style. Style is one thing I found a bit lacking in For the Love of Movies. It switches between history and quips from current critics, and some of the transitions between the parts are very long fade to blacks that I found jarring. The soundtrack is good, and it could have been smoother. It seemed like I was watching a rough cut, but Gerald was in the theater selling DVDs of his doc, so I guess it's done! If you like film and you're interested in criticism, this is an excellent documentary to check out. I liked it and was entertained and informed, and I got to see Gene. So, despite the editing issues, I give For the Love of Movies an 8.
The 40th Door
The wonderful thing about the Cleveland INTERNATIONAL Film Festival is that you do get to open a door to different cultures and times and languages and places. You could plan your whole festival like a trip around the world.
Yesterday, I spent time in a place I will never go, I suspect, Azerbaijan. The language is beautiful. But, life is hard, in some areas. The 40th Door is the nickname of a small village, just outside the capital of Baku. A boy named Rustam lives there with his mother. He calls every elder in the village "Uncle" or "Aunt," but I suspect that is just their way. I don't think they're all really related. Rustam is a beautiful boy, smart and a help to his mother. He's at that tough age of 14, when he wants at times to be a child but is forced to be a man. His father is killed. And, while his mother wants him to continue going to school, he endeavors to find work to make money, so they won't have to sell off the only prized possession they have, an ancient rug that belonged to his father. He seeks the help of a charismatic character who takes him to Baku and gives him a glimpse into a life of crime, but Rustam tries to hold on to his ideals. He tries to work the streets honestly, sees some of the finer things he'd like in life, but gangs who control the streets don't like his independence. I was really interested in the story, the acting was quite good, but there seemed to be a real lack of focus in the direction. Did Elchin Musaoglu want to show us Rustam's tough times with a realism? Or did he want to draw on the fairy tale origins of the term, The 40th Door? So many potentially interesting side stories were introduced and then just dropped: the drum, the hatmaker, the uncle. I was frustrated when it ended. I give The 40th Door a 7 out of 10.
Lourdes
I am Roman Catholic. Lourdes is a blessed, mystical place. I hear. The story goes, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in a grotto near Lourdes several times. Word spread, a shrine was built, miracles occurred, all in this small community in the south of France. Now, millions travel to Lourdes every year, looking for intervention from St. Bernadette and the Blessed Mother. While I've never been there, I have been to shrines, like Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount-Royal in Montreal. The relics for sale and presence of the pilgrims are a little scary, but there was no denying the power of the place.
So, I was very interested to see a pilgrimage from the perspective of a pilgrim in Lourdes, a movie playing at the Cleveland International Film Festival, this week. Christine is a young woman from France who has multiple sclerosis. She's lost control of her body from the neck down. But, her mind is vibrant, she seems to accept the help of nurse volunteers at Lourdes with a pleasant demeanor. She tells a priest, in confession, that she gets angry over her diagnosis and feels envious of able bodied people, like a nurse who is flirting with a man on the trip that she fancies. This is like a group tour, with a different activity each day: a hike through the grotto, a bath in the water, even an award at the end of the trip for the "Best Pilgrim." Christine's mother is with her on the trip. Their relationship is one of the things that bothered me in the movie. While her mother accepts the role of caregiver, they barely talk or interact, except in a very distant fashion. I didn't get that. A couple of the older volunteers hang together at night and discuss deep topics of faith and spirituality. Juxtapose that with Christine confessing to her nurse that she is not really a believer, she just goes on the pilgrimages because she can't really get out of the house for much else. When the inevitable miracle occurs, within the group, some are jealous, others are skeptical, others just wonder why some are chosen and others are not. Lourdes is a very quiet, very slow moving film. I guess I was hoping for more of an epiphany, but at the end, I wasn't at all sure what I was supposed to take away from it. I was interested but not satisfied. I give Lourdes a 7 out of 10.
No Crossover
I was shocked. One of the movies that I'd marked as a must-see in my Cleveland International Film Festival Guide was No Crossover. Not one person I talked to knew anything about it. No one was interested. My son decided he wanted to come, so I went to buy a ticket, and the girl at the box office said it was the only film in the 7 and 9pm sessions that was available. Every theater I attended today was packed... sold out. Not even half the theater for No Crossover was filled. When the CIFF rep announced, before the movie began, that the film was produced as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 campaign, I thought, "Okay, that's what it is. Everyone thinks they'll be able to see this any time on ESPN." But then, he introduced filmmaker Steve James. !!! He was here! To introduce his film! To a half full room!! I was stunned and chagrined. And, I was thrilled.
Steve James is one of the most highly acclaimed documentarians of our time. His Hoop Dreams practically put documentaries on the map, for mainstream audiences. He also directed one of the most viewed sports movies in our house, Prefontaine. For 30For30, ESPN asked him to produce a personal story. He went back to his hometown, Hampton, Virginia, to try to figure out what happened during one of the most racially divisive events of his life, the trial of Allen Iverson. When most of it went down, Steve was in Chicago, wrapping up production on Hoop Dreams, but his parents were there. And, the whole family loved sports. Iverson was a high school phenom who carried his team to greatness, to the level that they had to play in bigger arenas than just at the high school. That's a story we know, here in northern Ohio, don't we? But, other things were at work here. Virginia is the south, and in that area, you will see folks flying the confederate flag, to this day. I know, because I lived there when this all began. Allen was a brash young man who had lived a very challenging life, trying to cover for his Mom's addiction problems and not being held accountable for some of his actions, because of his skills. He was at a bowling alley with some friends, during his junior year in high school. There was an altercation, then an all out brawl, with a group of white kids. People were injured. 4 black kids, including Iverson were charged. He was convicted of 3 felonies and got jail time. A couple of his friends served time, as well. The trial and appeals ripped the community apart.
I was living in Northern Virginia at that time and doing news. So, I am very familiar with the story. But, I was really interested in this film, because I never felt I got the details and the truth. The story got big. And it was the kind of thing that even my husband and I argued about. He thought Iverson got railroaded. I felt he was a thug, and while I believed there was something hinky about the trial, I thought he should be punished. People said he was being made an example. But you know what? His friends, Michael Simmons, Melvin Stephens Jr. and Samuel Wynn Jr., were an afterthought in all the commotion. Iverson served his time in a minimum security camp. His friends who were convicted ended up in a hard case jail. Virginia Governor Doug Wilder granted clemency to Iverson. It was only after there were protestations that he extended clemency to the other guys, two weeks later. It's stuff like that that makes me rankle at the civil rights leaders. Some of this is covered in Steve James' film. But, we don't find out what happened to the other guys, what they did with their lives. I can't even find anything out about them online. I should have asked Steve about it, after the film. I had too many different questions in my mind. I was fascinated, but not satisfied. So, No Crossover gets an 8. But, I think you should see it.
Bomber
Bomber is the story of a small family in England. The mother and father are in their golden years and setting off on a holiday to Europe. Each has a different reason for going. They have a grown son who ends up accompanying them on the trip. As you'd expect, issues, that have long been festering in the family, surface and must be dealt with while they travel the B roads. The acting is excellent. There were quite a few parts where the audience was laughing so loudly I couldn't hear the dialogue. But, at the film's climax, which was a bit shocking, you could have heard a pin drop. I liked it, but to be honest, I was frustrated, because there were some things I'd have liked to say to the characters that could have helped their predicament. Even an episode of Dr Phil might have helped! But, I cared about the family and enjoyed my time with them on the road. Bomber gets an 8.
Dear Lemon Lima
Dear Lemon Lima is a film written and directed by Suzi Yoonessi. It's about a 13 year old girl in Alaska, getting ready to attend an exclusive private high school. From the very beginning, the film charms you, with adorable animation and graphics in the frame. They're images that the main character, Vanessa, uses in her doodles and artwork and scrapbooking. The tone is whimsical, and with so many interesting and unique characters in Vanessa's life, it's easy to let your guard down and get drawn into the fun.
But, do not be fooled. High school is a very serious and scary place. People are cruel to one another. Life is cruel, even if you're a brilliant, sensitive, beautiful girl. And, Vanessa soon finds that her dreams and aspirations might not be the path she will ultimately choose. Melissa Leo, Beth Grant and Eleanor Hutchins are all excellent, as some of the adults in Vanessa's life. But, if the kids aren't believable and worthy of our concern, the film doesn't work. Here, Savanah Wiltfong and the actors and actresses who play her schoolmates capture the joy and pain of teen years perfectly. I saw someone describe it as Napoleon Dynamite meets Juno. There are parallels. The dialogue is smart, the characters are quirky. The scenery is fantastic. The Nichols School is actually in Buffalo. It appears, on imdb.com, that Suzi Yoonessi did this same entire movie two years ago with an almost completely different cast. Not sure what happened there. But, this film is excellent. Dear Lemon Lima gets a 10.
THE BOOK OF ELI
I felt like I needed to shake the dust out of my shoes, after watching The Book of Eli. The latest movie from The Hughes Brothers really transports you to another time, a time after some kind of apocalyptic event turns the United States into a dustbowl.
Denzel Washington plays the main character, we can only assume he is Eli. He's been on the road for a long time, and he knows how to take care of himself. Part of his strength comes from his faith, his faith and a book he carries. The book of the title is powerful, and other people want it, namely Gary Oldman, as Carnegie. He runs a town where Eli stops to charge his battery. Carnegie is intrigued by Eli and lures him in with his women, played by Jennifer Beals and Mila Kunis. I don't want to give too much away, because part of the enjoyment you get from watching The Book of Eli is having its secrets revealed. It's interesting that it comes out at about the same time as The Road, because the landscapes of the two movies are similar. I didn't see The Road, because I couldn't read the book, because it was just too upsetting for me. The Book of Eli does not have that "child in constant peril" aspect, so I was eager to check out the story. I haven't seen a Denzel Washington movie in a while. I'd forgotten how commanding his presence is. He is a powerful man, and Eli knows how to handle weapons, when he's threatened. There is some violence, here. As you'd expect, it's a rough life in a rough landscape. But, Eli appears to be a righteous man. And, you want to join him to see where his path leads. There's something so noble about a person who perseveres. Some parts of the movie reminded me of Deadwood, from TV. Speaking of HBO, it was nice to see Ray Stevenson, my Titus Pullo from Rome, here as Carnegie's right hand man. The themes of westerns can be hokey, and I thought the ending of the film was a bit of a groaner. But, it didn't keep me from liking it, and Eli stayed with me for a long while after I saw the movie. I liked it more, the more I thought about it, and I definitely want to see it again. The Book of Eli gets 8 out of 10.
THE LOVELY BONES
I will say this for The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold's story stirs up emotions. People who've managed to read the book are passionate about it, to the point that they will probably sink Peter Jackson's movie, financially. But, he did not help himself, with some of the choices he made in making the film. Some critics, mostly people who've read the book, hate the movie. So, let's preface my review by letting you know I have not read the book. My experience was marred, somewhat, by my having to hold my left hand up to the side of my face during some of the most important scenes, because the woman next to me (in the press section of the theater) was texting, and I was shielding my eyes from the light. She asked me, right after the movie, if I liked it. I guess that's what you normally ask someone after a movie. But, how can you say you like a two hour story about a horrific crime committed against a sweet young girl and the torment it causes the people who love her? Nope, I didn't like it. But, I thought it was a good movie. Peter Jackson really captured 1970's middle America. There's a line in the movie about how, at that time, people were not aware of bad things that happened to kids. I remember some sadistic teachers showing a horrible movie about a child molestor to raise awareness, when I was a young girl. But, Stranger Danger was this far off concept. Captured time or not, if you read the book, you probably won't like the movie. If you didn't, see it for the performance of Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon. She's luminous, capturing the sweetness and energy of a young girl on the brink of maturity. And, Stanley Tucci plays Mr. Harvey. He did not want to take the role, but eventually felt that there were aspects of the story that were important, and he wanted to be a part of it. His character is creepy and chilling and scary in his cunning. Much of the criticism heaped on the film stems from the in-between place that Susie exists, after the unthinkable. This is where the special effect budget was blown. Roger Ebert even went as far as to suggest that teenage girls would think that getting raped and killed by a serial killer would seem attractive, if they'd end up in a place like that. Uhhhh... not very likely. In my mind, Susie deserved to be in such a place after experience such evil on earth. For me, where the movie fails is in the aftermath. Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz play Susie's parents. Susan Sarandon is "comic relief" as a boozy Grandma. But, they're all kind of wallpaper. I'd like to see more interplay and emotion, as they all deal with their grief in their own ways. I didn't feel any resolution, as folks moved on. It just felt very sad and shallow to me. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be, but I wanted to feel something hopeful or healed at the end. I just felt empty. There's nothing to be gained from a young girl losing her life in that way, even if she gets to go to heaven. It's just not right. The Lovely Bones is sad and suspenseful, but for subject matter and some shallowness, it gets a 7 out of 10.
SHERLOCK HOLMES
The trailers were everywhere, it seemed, starting in August. And, I was excited to see it. My husband, the scientist, says, "That looks stupid." He is prone to making these pronouncements on occasion. When pressed, he says that the Guy Ritchie directed film, starring Robert Downey, Junior (and ladies, doesn't he get more attractive with each passing year?), disrespected the character of Sherlock Holmes and is far away from what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle intended. Sir ACD was Scottish, so even though I have never read a Sherlock Holmes mystery, I feel I have some insight into his intent, moreso than my husband to be sure, and since I want to see the movie, I'm offended. I don't think it's fair to judge a film on a trailer the studio put together!
Having seen Sherlock Holmes, I can say that purists might take issue with the rough and tumble tactics of Robert Downey Junior's Holmes. But, I think the essence of the character's scientific method is intact. This Holmes is smarter than everyone in the room, elitist and bored... that is, unless there's a mystery afoot! This caper comes about the time his dear friend, Watson, played perfectly by Jude Law, is trying to break from the dangerous bachelor and detective life and move into medical practice and marriage. There's some tension between the boys. And, that's good. The banter and bromance between Holmes and Watson is, by far, the best thing about the movie. They're electric together.
I found the forensics and the mystery a bit pedestrian. Truly, CSI and police procedurals have ruined us all for this kind of film. But, I liked the process, with Holmes and Watson and their disapproving housekeeper. I thought Rachel McAdams was beautiful and alluring as Holmes' female counterpart. I liked the way they set things up for a future film, which is elementary. Guy Ritchie's London has never looked grimier or more authentic. I didn't need all the action, myself. But, Sherlock Holmes is fun and perfect fare for the holidays. 8 out of 10.
A SERIOUS MAN
If you were pulled in by the Oscar talk and then infuriated by the ending of No Country for Old Men, DO NOT see this film. The Coen Brothers have benchmarks in their films. As I reminded my friend Lynn, during the movie, when things were starting to reach a fever pitch for Larry Gopnik (above), "You know the Brothers, it's going to get excruciatingly painful before it gets better." I'm not even going to get into the parallels between that and the sebaceous cyst that Larry's brother Arthur keeps draining in the family bathroom. Other benchmarks: you will laugh out loud at at least one person's death. You will feel that it's wrong, but you won't be able to help yourself. And, there's the infuriating ending, with lots of loose ends still dangling, the credits appear. At least one person in the theater will yell, "What the...!!!" But, if you can enjoy the ride, with the Coen Brothers immersing you in a tight Jewish community in 1967 Minnesota, you will marvel at the performances, especially Michael Stuhlbarg as our man, Larry. You will wonder, with a performance of this authenticity and caliber, where he's been hiding! It wasn't until about half way through the movie that I realized I was having a totally Jewish experience on Christmas Eve day. The irony was not lost on Hashem, and we had a good laugh about it during Mass that night. I am a fan of the Coen Brothers. And, while it does not top The Big Lebowski, in my book, A Serious Man is a solid contender for top three of their films, all time. I can't wait to see the next one. 8 out of 10.
AVATAR
It's the movie of the moment, to be sure. James Cameron's Avatar is in theaters. And, you have to say "James Cameron's" before Avatar, because his fingerprints are all over it. He wrote and directed and produced this project, and it seemingly took something this big to get him out of the water. He's been obsessed with Titanic, Expedition: Bismarck, Ghosts of the Abyss and such for over a decade.
Avatar is the story of a people, the Na'vi, who live on a moon named Pandora. There are some human settlers, but they don't mingle. Pandora is rich with a mineral humans want, called unobtanium. A paralyzed marine is called upon to infiltrate a research team and gain the Na'vi's trust to pave the way for mining. There is an avatar that looks like a Na'vi but contains his DNA, so he can live in that virtual body while his real body is asleep. The Na'vi are very tied to their environment. Can you guess what's going to happen? Yes, I thought so. But, you know what? It does not matter at all.
First things first, if you go to see Avatar, take extra pains to see it in 3-D. Movie industry types have been talking about how 3-D is the future for years, and I never believed it would come to anything, until now. The world that James Cameron takes us to is so visually stimulating, so original, it's breathtaking. Young and old who've seen Avatar in 3-D say they were not disturbed by the 3-D glasses, in fact, they forgot they were wearing them. I wasn't THAT absorbed, but I was quite taken by the imagery. This is not 3-D technology for its own sake, with arrows flying at you and a feeling of vertigo on the mountains in the movie. This is 3-D that takes you virtually into another world. And, since the main character, played wonderfully by Sam Worthington, is also experiencing Pandora virtually, there is a symbiance. No, I don't think that is really a word, but you know what I mean.
Okay. If you've seen his work, you know, James Cameron is NOT a subtle filmmaker. You will be assaulted by the message of the movie. There is a chance you will want those bulldozers to come in and knock down the rainforest, just to rebel. Resist that urge. If you are white, there is a chance you will feel self loathing. That's okay. I admire James Cameron for making an amazing action/scifi/romance/drama with an original script, instead of re-treading some comic book or TV story we already know. But, there is heavy handed plotting here. Think Native Americans combined with the Vietnam conflict combined with the Gulf War over oil. Just under the surface of this beautiful visual feast are political and ethical machinations! Still, I was able to immerse myself in the curiosity of these new beings, this new culture. Love the voice work by Zoe Saldana. You've heard the story before, but you've never seen it presented like this. The experience of Avatar rates a 9 out of 10.
2012
I'm not in love with special effects. I think they should be there to enhance the story and movie experience, not be the main focus. But, John Cusack is in it, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, so I expected to at least like it. I came away from the film a little depressed. I mean, what is Roland Emmerich's problem? He's written and directed so many end of days scenarios. Does he have a death wish for the Earth? John Cusack plays the sort of sad sack every man, and you have to like him. He still loves his ex-wife, and he loves his kids, he's just a writer and distracted, until he starts piecing together that these wack jobs who are proclaiming end times are putting together some serious evidence. We also find out that some not-so-wack-jobs are gathering evidence too. Geologists and politicians have access to the information, and you know what? They're kind of keeping it to themselves. In fact, the government is putting together a program to save only the people who can afford to buy their way on board, when the lava hits the fan. And that, to me, is a pretty grim possibility, so forgive me if my cynicism keeps me from enjoying this movie, as John Cusack and his family fight to stay alive, as the world crumbles around them. The effects are spectacular. I audibly oohed and ahhhhed. But, it's the Poseidon and Titanic type moments that stay with you, the person who's willing to risk their life to fix a mechanical wrong and save others, the Mother who lies down with her children and soothes them knowing none of them will ever wake up from the tragedy. 2012 is what it is, an action/adventure picture, with nothing, really, to raise it out of the molten earth and make it great. 6.5 out of 10. THE BOX
Whether it's the point of view of the trailer or what you've heard about a film, you can get caught up in your idea of what it's going to be about. I thought The Box was a morality play about greed. It was, but there was a LOT more to the story.
I really can't get into it, because the unveiling of the mystery is one of the few things that keeps you watching The Box. I was definitely interested to see where it was going, because I had no idea. And, I had some theories about why strange things were happening, but I don't think any of them were accurate. In the end, they present you with an X-Files or old time Night Gallery type ending. They don't leave you guessing or anything up in the air, unless you really want to read more into the conclusion. Maybe because I'm older, it's hard to picture Cameron Diaz and James Marsden as 30-something parents in Virginia suburbia. They have a comfortable life, with some hiccups, when a box arrives with a button inside and a formal note. Frank Langella arrives the following day with a proposal for the couple. Push the button, someone you do not know will die, and you can have one million dollars. Simple enough start, but things get very weird and very Fringe-like complicated. I'm thinking, wow, they went a long way to tell us humankind is selfish and greedy! They make a point in the beginning of setting the drama in 1976. I'm not sure why that's relevant. But, right after that, they're eating breakfast, and Cameron's character pops the top on the plastic milk jug. For the next ten minutes, I am totally irritated by this, in my eyes, glaring error in continuity. It would have been one of those cartons you had to fold, or at least a screw on cap! It's the holidays, and there is a lot of interplay with their families, which makes their relationship more concrete. All the actors are fine. The other thing that I found distracting was the soundtrack. It's like a 1970s melodrama, very intrusive and over the top! Not necessary. So, if you saw, say, Jacob's Ladder or Mulholland Drive, and you didn't mind that feeling of "Huh?" after, maybe you'd like to see The Box with someone you can discuss it with, after. I give The Box a 6 out of 10. It lost one full point, because of the soundtrack. It's THAT bad.
MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT
The documentary has become my favorite genre of film. And, I've always said the true test of a good doc, or even a movie based on a true story, is whether I am compelled to action, after I see it, whether it's researching the story, to get more information, or donating to a cause, whatever. After Michael Jackson died, I looked through my CDs and was dismayed to learn I had nothing from him, not even any Jackson 5 stuff! Of course, at that time, my two main sources for downloads, itunes and amazon, jacked up the prices on all the MJ tunes, so I told myself to wait.
After I saw Michael Jackson's This Is It, I could wait no longer. I spent the next morning, and about ten bucks, downloading my favorites and listening to them every day. In fact, Smooth Criminal is circulating in my head, right now! I was not sure what to expect, but I was enough of a fan of Michael Jackson to be interested in seeing this documentary on the making of what was to be Michael Jackson's triumphant return to the live stage. And, the pop culture freak in me wanted to see what Michael was like, working, in those weeks before his death, at the age of 50. The only thing I can compare it to is A Chorus Line, or even Every Little Step, the documentary about how they put together the revival of A Chorus Line. With This Is It, the film is as advertised, a glimpse into the rehearsals and staging for the concerts Michael was preparing to do. It's almost like the skeleton of the actual show, with Michael, Kenny Ortega, the musicians and dancers working out the routines, song by song. You get a feel for what the show would have been like. To break it up, there are some scenes of dancer auditions, set design, costumers. There is no at-home-with-Michael. This is Michael at work. And, the disarming thing is, he appears to be focused and driven and methodical and "with it." He's not some drug addled loony being wheeled to the stage to work it out. He has very definite ideas about what he wants, and he relates those ideas to the director of the show, to the director of the band, and others. And, sometimes, Michael is forceful, but it's beautiful. When he knows he's being demanding, he punctuates his directions with: "And I say that with all the love in the world, all the L-O-V-E." It's adorable. He's still Michael. But, he's a 50 year old superstar who obviously still had so much talent and desire to give to his fans. So, you can either take that, as some in our audience did, in the most upsetting way, that his death was such a waste, and he really did go on the brink of an amazing comeback, and be sad about it. Or, you can go and get caught up in the magic captured in these behind the curtain moments and celebrate the amazing moves, the amazing songs and the amazing and misunderstood man that was... Michael Jackson. Either way, it's a damn shame we'll never get to see that show, as it was envisioned and intended to be. It looked... amazing. 8 out of 10.
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
When I first heard that Spike Jonze was doing an adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak, I was skeptical. Was it going to be animated? No, live action. Uhhhh, oooookay. Then, I'm picturing some Henson-y cheese, like The Dark Crystal, which had its merits. I am a big kid. And, the book was read to me, and I've read it to my boys, and I get what it's about. It's a kids book, so I realized there needed to be some fleshing out of the story to sustain a film. That's where I had my problems with Where the Wild Things Are.
Let me say that I appreciate it, as a piece of filmmaking, but I did not enjoy my time watching the movie. The "wild things" are not cheesy. It's quite cool how you almost forget they're big Barneys with famous people voicing them. Max Records is excellent as Max, a kid with a chip on his shoulder and anger management issues. He has a beautiful and emotive face. And, it's hard not to feel for the kid, especially if you, yourself, have been a kid whose parents have split up. It's confusing, and when the parent you're with decides to start having a life as an adult person, it can be a very volatile time. The movie starts with Max acting out, because he feels alone, and the other members of his family are growing up and moving on. It made me sad and uncomfortable, because while I understood what he was going through, it was also like watching a child acting up in public, and the parent in me wanted to enforce a little discipline for more appropriate behavior. He runs away, to get to where the wild things are, and while the fantasy starts out sort of fun and surreal, for me, the situation on the island was even more sad and uncomfortable than his real life. These wild things were trying to live in a community, but they had that child-like lack of self control and empathy, they were mean to each other, physically and psychologically, and they were looking to this kid to give them some solid footing, but he was a mess too, and in no fashion up to setting a good example. So, I watched, hating the way the wild things treated each other, and that is really supposed to be the magic part of the film. The reason it's a success is that it's really divided people. Many critics will put this on their ten best of 2009 lists. I've heard some of the proponents of the film complaining that anyone who doesn't like it must have had a bad childhood. I don't think that's fair. For me, Where the Wild Things Are was depressing and slow. I was not entertained or inspired, I was sad. So, again, while I respect the film, I didn't really like it. 7 out of 10.
THE HURT LOCKER
I hope I wasn't expecting too much. There was great buzz about The Hurt Locker.
There's no question Kathryn Bigelow is a talented filmmaker. And, where's she been, anyway? Big stuff in the 80s and early 90s, Blue Steel, Point Break, Strange Days, then just maybe one thing since '95. But, here she is with a taut and tight look at the soldiers in Iraq who are assigned to the elite bomb squad. Some are precise and deliberate in their tasks, others are a little more devil may care. But, they have to work together, understand each other and try to understand their enemy. I felt like I did have a little better grasp on some of the issues of the Iraq conflict, after seeing the film. Even though it's still a serious problem, I didn't feel it was "too soon" to see The Hurt Locker. We're all still trying to figure out what these men and women are dealing with, you know? The cinematography is all desert and sandy and yellow. The performances are intense, from Jeremy Renner's loose cannon James to Anthony Mackie's serious Sanborn. David Morse, Evangelina Lilly, Guy Pearce and Ralph Fiennes add unexpected cameos. A lot of star power behind a little movie, and it gives everything an extra weight and credibility. I was tense, when I left the theater. And, I appreciate what kind of person who will go out and sacrifice themselves to defuse a bomb. The Hurt Locker shows there are lots of reasons they're there. And, I had a hard time connecting. Maybe, that's because they have to turn off a part of themselves to get through it. I give The Hurt Locker an 8 out of 10.
JULIE & JULIA
One of the movies I was most looking forward to this summer did not disappoint me. I loved Julie & Julia. I was very frustrated by the critics who only liked the Meryl Streep portion of the movie. Meryl and Stanley Tucci, as Julia and Paul Child, are fantastic. And, their life is so interesting! He was in diplomatic circles, they lived all over the world. Meryl is beyond brilliant as Julia, whose enthusiasm and lively spirit won over nearly everyone she encountered. The tougher job belongs to Amy Adams. She's a contemporary woman, working in post 9/11 New York for a bureaucratic office, where they handle claims from victims' families. She is obviously bright and going through that phase in early adulthood where many of us wonder if we've made the right choices, while life seems to just carry us along. She wants more, so she endeavors on a project to cook all of Julia's recipes and do this new thing called "blog" about it. Her personal experiences, a little too personal, in the opinion of her husband, played by the adorable Chris Messina, and documenting her triumphs and failures, make Julie an internet sensation. Still the story of Julie is rather pedestrian, compared to the bigger than life life of Julia Child. Nora Ephron write and directs. And while some thought she wasn't as captivating on the Julie story, I like the juxtaposition. If Julia is Julie's idol, shouldn't that be the way the film sets up their combined narratives? When I got home, my husband told me Roger (Ebert) didn't like the Julie part, and we got into a conversation about my take on the film, vs. others. I do think it's a movie women will "get," more than men. And, I love Amy Adams. I didn't always like Julie, but I wasn't supposed to. And, I told my husband, the scary thing was, with her self centeredness and at times juvenile behavior, I'm ashamed to say she reminded me of myself at that age... a lot. He smiled. A knowing smile. He's a very patient man. The true test of the film? I pulled out our Julia Child, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and made the Baked Cucumber Julie mentions in the movie. It was delicious! Next up, finally since it's fall, Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon!! Bon Appetit!!!! I give Julie & Julia a 9 out of 10.
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
How can you possibly please a fan base as passionate about source books as the Harry Potter fans, when you produce the movies? I have loved the books, myself. And, I have had some problems with the film adaptations. What I've found is that I do better if I put some distance between the book and the movie. But, I know a lot of fans have re-read the sixth book, even all six of the books, in preparation for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It's been a long while since we spent time with Harry, Ron and Hermione. And, all the readers know how it ends, but it's hard to remember, exactly, how things transpired to get us there. The sixth book seemed a blur.
It all comes roaring back in scary shades of gray, in the skilled hands of director, David Yates. He did the last movie, Order of the Phoeniz, and he'll do a two part Deathly Hallows, as well. You Know Who is back, the Deatheaters are running amok. Even muggles are not safe. Our Gryffindor friends head back to school with a big cloud over all proceedings and tasks from Dumbledore that are much more significant than anything learned in Herbology. And yet, they're kids. And, if you've ever dealt with teenagers, you know that adult problems do not always supercede the importance of a break out or a break up or a quidditch match. I think the film finds a nice balance between the day to day dealings of Harry, Ron and Hermione and the forward movement of the threat of Voldemort. And, the actors who play our beloved trio have grown more comfortable in their roles, in their jobs, so that conversations on the Hogwarts Express seem like real chats between "mates," and not just cute scripted scenes. Jim Broadbent is a nice addition to the family, as Professor Slughorn. Young Tom Riddle is played by the nephew of Ralph Fiennes and the son of Stephen Dillane. Both boys are strong and scary. I was wondering if Tom Felton would be up to the task of Draco Malfoy's increased role. He was. And, I just can't say enough about Alan Rickman. He gives Severus Snape a depth and humanity I'd never have dreamed possible from reading the books. I am a fan. Overall, while it doesn't have the stylized beauty of Prisoner of Azkaban, I'd have to say Half Blood Prince is one of the top two adaptations of the books. I give Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince a 10 out of 10.
PUBLIC ENEMIES
There are a few directors working today that I admire, and when their names are on films, I feel confident that I will appreciate the movies. Such is the case with Michael Mann. He's solid. And, I was excited to see him team up with Johnny Depp for Public Enemies. If I'm not mistaken, the book that the movie is based on is really more of an overview of the Chicago crime scene in the 1930s, and Mann chooses to focus all of his energy on John Dillinger, reducing Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd to cameos. On the side of the law, Christian Bale is Melvin Purvis, the FBI pioneer who makes it his life's mission to take down the gangsters. Bale gives him a lot of depth, you can see some of the inner turmoil that Purvis must have felt, but we don't get to know much about him at all, just his methods. It's Depp's show. We get to know and, perhaps, care about John Dillinger. You could say that a lot of kids grew up, especially during that time, with a lack of love at home, taking beatings and living hard. They didn't all resort to a life of bank robbery and, yes, murder. But, Johnny Depp gives Dillinger a soul and a spirit and a vulnerable side, and Michael Mann makes him the hero. The teen Depp fan with us said, at the end, something about how even somebody like Dillinger deserves love. Yep, even the real Dillinger had that allure. Hey, it's why we're still talking about him today. Go to enjoy the performances and a different time in American history that has some eerie similarities to today, but don't expect any frills. Mann's Public Enemies is solid, straightforward, biopic storytelling. I found myself a little confused about all the secondary characters, all those bad 30s haircuts and square white faces. I could not keep the gangsters straight, nor all the G-men. And, I really did want to find out more about some of the actors! Billy Crudup is a stand out as J Edgar Hoover. Marion Cotillard is beautiful Billie. Public Enemies is an 8 out of 10.
STAR TREK
Gang, I don't want to oversell Star Trek. I went in excited, but with middling expectations. I am a JJ Abrams fan (director). I love Damon Lindeloff's work (producer). Do you love Lost? You will see their fingerprints all over this movie. Similar types of action shots, hilarious throw away lines, crazy cameos, Greg Grunberg. I looked for the numbers, people, but I didn't see them. I know they were there! All I've seen in the promos, and I didn't look too much, because I didn't want to be too informed like many fanboys and girls, were scenes with young Kirk and young Spock. I was delighted to find that, over the course of the movie, we were going to encounter other young versions of our friends from Star Trek, the Original. How Trek am I? I loved the original, watched every episode, multiple times. I watched Next Generation and loved it. I watched some Deep Space Nine and some Voyager, but the franchise had started to lose me. I never watched Enterprise. It's the campiness and joviality of the original series that made me happy. And that's exactly what JJ Abrams plumbs for this latest Star Trek film. There are so many nods to the original, you will lose count. I was shocked to find that some of the cheesiness was too much for even me, and it took me out of the film. But, I remember why I loved Bones, why I loved Mr. Scott and why James T. Kirk is the baddest (shut your mouth) in the universe. This is fun, fun, fun. The casting is perfect for every character. Great action. Some messages, sure, but they're covered with swagger. Romulans? Hmmm... I do not remember them being charismatic. I definitely do not remember them all having perfect white and straight Hollywood veneers. But, their space craft is scary! And, they're kind of charismatic. You don't need to know Star Trek to enjoy it. Vic Gideon's kids behind us couldn't figure out why everyone clapped with Leonard Nimoy showed up! But, if you love the original series, and aren't a Big Bang Theory type purist, you will have a great time at Star Trek. I give it a 9 out of 10.
THE SOLOIST
In just a few days, everyone is going to know this man's story. He's Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a gifted musician with mental illness, from Cleveland. Serendipity brought an LA Times columnist named Steve Lopez into his life. Steve has been able to help Nathaniel, wrote a book about their relationship, and now it's a movie, starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Junior. You've probably seen the commercials for The Soloist. Did you know they shot some scenes from the movie in Cleveland? It's open in theaters this weekend. And, Nathaniel's sister, Jennifer Ayers-Moore is in town for a special premiere of the film. She's started The Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation for the Artistically Gifted Mentally Ill to help people like her brother. I had a chance to talk with Jennifer on the phone. She was visiting some of her old neighborhoods and talking to family and friends, also trying to spread the word about naayers.org. She was a consultant on the film. And, you can hear our conversation here, Daune on Demand.
The Cleveland International Festival is going on all week at Tower City. I've lived here many years and have always wanted to go, said I'm going to go, never have, until now. What a waste! It's so well organized and such a great event for the city. Everyone at Tower City that I dealt with, because I was a Noob, was fantastic. I should have been going every year! But, that's water under the bridge. I will never let another year go by without seeing something there and showing my support. I think their main message this year is, despite record breaking crowds, nearly everyone is getting in to see the movies they want to see. Many film showings are on Stand By, but most, if not all of those lines are getting into the seats. Here are some reviews. And, their run at the CIFF is done, some will be playing locally soon, almost all already have a listing on Netflix.
I will always remember Terribly Happy at the first film I saw at the Festival ever. It's from Denmark, a kind of mystery suspense. City cop does something wrong, gets sent to the boonies, where people are weird and the town has secrets. He gets involved in a volatile situation. It was okay, screenplay a bit clunky. It reminded me a lot of the original Wicker Man. I was interested the whole time, I just kept thinking of things I thought were going to happen, and I thought the screenplay in my mind was better and more plausible than what happened on screen. 6.5/10
Jay from Phillippines explores the pervasive exploitation of reality TV. After a school teacher is murdered in Manila, a reporter insinuates himself into the family of the deceased for a segment on a TV show. The disgusting part is the way they gradually give in to the manufactured drama, instead of mourning their son. Interesting idea, very topical, especially with the televised funeral of Jade Goody this week. There were audible groans and gasps at the audacity of the reporter, and the way people just go along with anything to be on TV. But, the film takes a crazy turn at the end, and for me the whole experience was ruined. I probably just didn't get it. 6/10
They Killed Sister Dorothy is a wonderful and balanced documentary about the murder of a Dayton woman, nun and missionary, who was working in the rainforest of Brazil and made ranchers/loggers angry. It picks up the story after her murder, when her brother goes to Brazil to help with the trial. The first half, background of the case, is very interesting. I found the trial, itself, dragged, but I'm sure that was very representative of how everyone involved felt about it. I was worried I'd be so bummed after the movie, but I felt inspired, sad and inspired. More people should give themselves over to a cause like Dorothy did, but the world is a dangerous place. 8/10 (I liked filmmaker Daniel Junge's work so much, I watched his first doc, Chiefs, on Netflix Instant yesterday. It's very interesting, about the basketball program on a Native American Reservation in Wyoming.)
It's Not Me, I Swear from Canada, the Canada where they speak french. I couldn't really tell when it takes place, I'm thinking 70s and suburbia. Antoine L'Ecuyer is terrific as Leon, a kid who is destructive and self destructive as the result of a volatile family situation. The CIFF director keeps saying it's his favorite narrative film at the festival, and the crowd seemed to be really titllated by the kid's humor and antics, but I was pretty horrified and thought he was a sociopath, potentially psychopathic. I mean, hey, my parents fought and split up when I was a kid in 70s suburbia too, I didn't break into peoples' homes and pee on their couture. But, that's just me. The kids in the film are totally victims of their families, and it's really, really sad to me. 7/10
Gomorra is a film that exposes the lower levels of the real italian mafia. You see how kids are recruited, how the families of dead former members are taken care of, how they have infiltrated nearly every industry in the country and are systematically cutting down everyone and everything in their path. It's more education than entertainment. Gomorra is produced by Martin Scorsese, and I think some people were expecting a slick mafia movie, but this is not it. It's dark, and people get popped as an after thought, tossed out like the trash. We don't even get to see any of the big bosses. They're so far removed from the trenches. 7/10
Daune Robinson gets a quick question in for Will Smith at his premiere of "Seven Pounds" at Valley View.
© 2010
