The King's Speech

It's been a while since I've heard an audience applaud a film, but that's what happened as the credits rolled on The King's Speech today. The story of King George VI taking the throne at the outset of war, addresses his inability to speak publicly at a time that it was essential to his station. A specialist is employed to help him, the men become friends, and George conquers his impediment. I'm predicting that we see Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Costumes for this film. Great story, great film.

True Grit

"I heard you were a man with true grit, so I chose you." With these words Mattie Ross enlists Rooster Cogburn to help her track down and avenge her father's murderer. The latest adaptation of the novel True Grit is a heck of a film. The story of Mattie's quest gives us some of the best film performances of this year. The Coen brothers bring their knack for a telling a gritty, genuine story, laced with humor and action, to this classic. Leave your thoughts and feelings for the 1969 version at the door and enjoy this new adaptation. I really liked this one.

The Fighter

A true story of a boxer's comeback is more about family, trust and loyalty than boxing. The Fighter is based on the story of Micky Ward and his battle with himself and family to succeed in the brutal sport of boxing. The performances in this film will be talked about a lot in this award season. An excellent, compelling film.

Black Swan

Black Swan is a unique look into the world of ballet theater. The desire of the dancers to be perfect, distorts the performers thoughts and actions. This is a drama that explores how the human psyche handles pressure and expectations. We basically watch a talented young woman lose her mind. Performances are intense and effective. The special effects draw you into Nina's mind. The music provides a background for a world of perfection, distortion, abuse and sexuality. Don't be fooled by the pretty faces and tutus, this film is bloody, erotic and mind bending. An intense drama I really liked.

Friday Flick Picks 12/17/10

The end of the year brings the gift of good film. Oscar contenders open in RI theaters like gifts under the tree. Black Swan, Tron:Legacy and The Fighter top my list. A little eye candy, a little drama. What else is worth seeing? 127 Hours, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Tangled and Fair Game. There's a great line-up at the $2 theater this weekend as well. Check it out here. Enjoy!

Tangled

Tangled is this year's pleasant surprise from Walt Disney Animation Studios. A good story, great action sequences and laugh-out-loud moments makes this film fun for kids and adults alike. I saw it in 2D which looked great. I can see where the 3D probably would have been worth it on this one though. Great to see families enjoying this fun film.

The Inside Job

If the documentary Inside Job is true, this is the most horrific film I've seen in a long time. The financial abuse of the banking industry and the unwillingness of the government to control them, has destroyed the economy of this country. Worth a look, though very disturbing.

Friday Flick Picks 12/10/10

Back to theaters this weekend. I'm hearing that Tangled is worth a look and Inside Job is still playing at the Avon. The Tourist and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader open at the multiplex here in RI.The Social Network, 127 Hours, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Unstoppable are worth a look as well. Enjoy!

127 Hours

The film 127 Hours is a harrowing, emotional ride. With sound, light, color and acting we are drawn into the ordeal of a man trapped alone in a canyon, and driven to a desperate act. Not easy to watch, but a brilliant film.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows : Part 1

Dramatic and dark, the seventh installment in the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows : Part 1, is an exciting ride. The characters are on a quest to find the horcruxes. It is dangerous, they are chased, they are tortured, they triumph. The special effects are amazing, the editing is sharp, the acting is skilled. My favorite scene is a wand shoot-out in a coffee shop. The film makes me want to read the book, but I'll wait until I see Part 2 so I don't ruin the ending for myself. As this series goes on, the films just get better. Well done.

Friday Flick Picks 11/19/10

For a change, I will not be bitching about the movies opening this weekend. Shock and joy!! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, The Next Three Days and Fair Game open in RI theaters. In art houses? Tamara Drewe, Nowhere Boy and Inside Job. Other stuff in theaters Unstoppable, Red and Conviction. Enjoy!

Unstoppable

What makes Unstoppable a successful thriller?

The big bad train is angry, red, loud and menacing.
The rescue train is steady, blue and at the ready.
The menace is caused by carelessness and poor decisions.
The camerawork and editing kept me on the edge of my seat.
The electric smiles of the co-stars come at just the right moments to break the tension.
Based on real events, a great ride!

Friday Flick Picks 11/12/10

The march of the mediocre movies continues. Morning Glory, Skyline and Unstoppable are all billed as "likeable" *sigh* Though Unstoppable is praised for the action. Enter the Void opens at the Cable Car and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and the documentary Inside Job are playing at the Avon. Looks like I'll get the the yard raked this weekend.

For the Love of Movies

The Cable Car Cinema was kind enough to run For the Love of Movies with a Q&A with director Gerald Peary today. The history of film criticism is chronicled and a look at the present and future of the same is touched on. The impact of the Internet and young critics and bloggers are explored. An interesting documentary.

The Karate Kid (2010)

I was skeptical about a remake of The Karate Kid, but I was wrong. The latest version is well paced, well acted and sentimental. Though a bit too long, the characters develop nicely and react realistically. A good rental.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

In the last installment of the story of Lisbeth Salander, we see recovery and revenge with growth and closure. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is the last film in Steig Larson's trilogy. Lisbeth is recovering from a near death beating and faces attempted murder charges. Still not as good as the first, but better than the second, this film focuses on her will and brains to a satisfying end.

Friday Flick Picks 11/5/10

The march of the mediocre drivel out of Hollywood continues with the release of Due Date. Megamind is another animated comedy about aliens, and scientists and blah, blah, blah. The only redemption is The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest in art houses and The Cable Car is showing For the Love of Movies on Sunday with a Q&A with the director, Gerald Peary. The Social Network is the best film in RI theaters right now. When does Oscar season start?

Conviction

The love and devotion of siblings are at the core of Conviction. The story of a man, Kenny Waters, who is wrongly incarcerated for murder, and the work of his sister Betty Ann to free him, is told well in this film. Based on real events, this film tells the story quietly and methodically. Betty Ann becomes a lawyer to work to get her brother free. The film spans a time frame of over 40 years, which is conveyed well through clothing, hairstyles and technology. Well structured and well acted, we grow close to the characters and the situation as the events unfold. A good film about a compelling story.

Metropolis (2010)

I saw the silent film Metropolis (1927) years ago. A video rented from the library blew my mind, as I watched the birth of sci-fi on my TV. Years later, I learn that there is found footage of this German masterpiece so I headed to the Cable Car Cinema to see it on a big screen. An amazing score accompanied a film rich with drama, action, love and a moral. Glad I had the opportunity. Thanks Cable Car!

Friday Flick Picks 10/29/10

Halloween weekend is here, so my copy of Trick 'R Treat is ready viewing. The 2010 restoration of Metropolis is at the Cable Car. I'm looking forward to seeing this on a big screen. Conviction arrives in RI theaters, a local story with fine performances. Worth a look at the multiplex? The Town and The Social Network Since it's Halloween weekend, Paranormal Activity 2 is said to be better than the first and pretty darned scary. Happy Halloween!!

Buried

Buried
One actor (on screen)
One wooden box
One cell phone
One lighter
One bureaucracy
One corporate entity
One person in the theater (me)
One intense movie.
One happy person when I got outside to the sunlight and open air. whew!

Friday Flick Picks 10/15/10

I'm packing to visit the kids in Brooklyn this weekend so this will be brief. This weekend's movie openings are full of action. Red is a senior citizen's dream team and those idiots from Jackass return to the big screen. Howl and My Dog Tulip arrive at the local art house. Buried opens in RI as well. Written by a Rhode Islander, I'm looking forward to seeing this one. Worth a look in theaters? The Social Network, The Town, Catfish, Never Let Me Go, Wall Street:Money Never Sleeps and Easy A. I'm outta here!!

The Town

The Town is a heist film set in Boston. The story is classic-crime basic, but there is an interesting romance and the "big job" is pretty clever. An amazing car chase scene and shoot-out finale, prove that Affleck can shoot action and entertain. Good flick.

Catfish and Never Let Me Go

Catfish and Never Let Me Go are two films that you are best off knowing very little about going in, so I'm not going to link the reviews. Catfish is a documentary that deals with the repercussions of Internet relationships. Never Let Me Go is a story of love, devotion, innocence and sacrifice. After seeing these films today, I will say that both are well worth seeing.