Archive for October, 2007
Michael Clayton
♥♥♥♥
I love redemption films. Some viewers of this film may not think of it as a redemption film, but I do. Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is a “fixer” for a big NYC law firm – and in the course of this taut thriller, he has an epiphany about how he’s living his life. Tilda Swinton plays Karen Crowder, in-house counsel for a bigwig corporation. Swinton is phenominal and should finally get that Oscar nomination from which she was robbed in 2002 for “The Deep End”. This movie is a must-see.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )The Brave One
♥♥1/2
I thought this was just going to be your typical revenge/vigilante film, with Jodie Foster in the Charles Bronson role. In some ways, it was a typical vigilante movie (lots of people who had turned to the dark side got killed) – but Foster’s performance and voice-overs gave a chilling look into her character’s transformation from an easy-going, happy and sucessful New Yorker into a fearful, tortured soul. I don’t think her character was out for revenge as much as she was desperately, oh so desperately, trying to find a way back to her previous life – to her peace and happiness. But, as we all know after a horrible personal tragedy, that is impossible. Thank goodness most folks turn to a therapist with a prescription pad instead of the local back-alley gun dealer. Terrence Howard, as the detective investigating the vigilante killings, was his usual brilliant self. I’m one of the few people who never really loved Jodie Foster’s acting; she always seemed a little wooden and unapproachable to me, regardless of the role (please don’t get me started – remember Nell? “Like t’ee in the way…..” swaying with arms outstretched?) Anywhoooo– I really liked Foster in this movie. I thought her acting was great and I bought into her character completely. The film has some very implausible scenarios – but I had no problem suspending belief. Foster is 45 and looks great, in an Annette Bening, natural way. Foster has a few wrinkles; her lips are a little thinner – but she’s comfortable in her body, and because of that she’s really beautiful. Thank goodness she hasn’t plumped up her lips–have you seen Meg Ryan lately – yikes!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Across the Universe
♥♥♥♥
Here’s another example of a movie that caught me completely off-guard. For some reason, my expectations were low. I took my daughters to see it and I was expecting to be mildly amused. I was blown away. I LOVE THIS MUSICAL! – and I’m not even a big Beatles fan. All of the 30 or so songs in this musical are from The Beatles. The film is set in 1960’s England, America and Vietnam, and it brilliantly weaves the fictional love story of Lucy and Jude with the real-life anti-war movement and civil rights struggles of the time. One particularly brilliant scene juxtaposes the grief of a dead soldier’s family with the agony of a civil rights uprising (while “Let It Be” was hauntingly sung by an African American boy). The musical numbers were vividly made – some bizarre, some beautiful, some creatively using special effects. This movie made me care so deeply for Lucy and Jude that, at the end, I was boo-hooing like a baby.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )2 Days in Paris
♥♥
Yes, this movie was clever. Yes, this movie was funny. Yes, Julie Delpy is an incredibly talented writer, director and actress. But – yikes – I didn’t care two beans about the characters in this film—so it really rang hollow to me. I really wanted to love it because I’m unabashedly a fan of “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset”. I will say this: it will make an excellent rental.
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