A Dangerous Method

The early years of modern psychoanalysis are chronicled in A Dangerous Method. Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud work to treat a young woman, who's recovery is rather remarkable. All three characters have ugly sides, but it's and interesting, true story. Another film with excellent performances.

Shame

In the film Shame, I realized that sex addiction is a dangerous form of self-abuse. Not a happy drama about a man and his sister who struggle to find happiness and fail. Great performances, but it's a sad story.

How to Die in Oregon

When a well structured documentary takes on the subject of medically assisted suicide, it is a rough, emotional ride. How to Die in Oregon is heartfelt, yet frightening in our attitudes toward life and death. It's a tough issue, with some eye-opening stories.

Q&A My Week with Marilyn

When Kenneth Branagh talks about My Week with Marilyn he lights up. Watch him here, delightful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB3NWyMUQJw

A Separation

In any altercation there is Story A, Story B and the truth. In A Separation we start with a family struggling with the realities of life. Add an unfortunate incident, desperate motivations and a struggle to find the truth and we've got a drama that is heartbreaking and compelling. The tone of the screenplay borders on a crime thriller. Incidents are exaggerated, information is left out, the facts come together a bit like a puzzle, but we never quite see the whole picture. Excellent film with a deep emotional core.

Chronicle

Chronicle delivers on drama and thrills. Three teens acquire super-human powers. They use them as any teenager would. Emotions run high and things get out of hand. Their adventures start out joyful, but end on a cataclysmic note. Great effects and cool story.

Q&A Young Adult

A wonderful peek behind the curtain of her process. Diablo Cody in a Q&A for Young Adult.

(don't let the lighting distract you)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJhdsZGtpYQ

Q&A Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

The folks over at the Arclight got a few principles from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy to talk about the film. Interesting insights to an interesting film. Have a look.

Gary Oldman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw01ng6MCTM

Mark Strong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_3w5S3-FMw

Thomas Alfredson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuwrOZudlCc

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

I saw the film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close because of its Oscar nominations. In the wake of 9/11 an unlikable kid deals with the death of his father with a strange quest for the origin of a mysterious key. His Mother is even less likable, and the story was unlikely. This is a frustrating movie that could have used some editing to make it easier to swallow. Best Picture? I think not.

Albert Nobbs

The film Albert Nobbs is a story of identity, gender, survival and social mores. The wants and longings are heartbreaking. The outcomes are as well. Janet McTeer's performance grounded the film. The more I think about it, the more I like it.

Rio

I think that having small grandchildren has made me hyper-sensitive to stories told in animated films. I rented Rio because it is nominated for an Oscar for the song Real in Rio. The animation is beautiful and the music is lively and catchy. The story is scary, weird and in some ways, perverted. I think it is too intense for little ones, but that's just me.