Four Lions

When we think of terrorists, we think of smart, clever, evil, conniving criminals. In Four Lions the terrorists are anything but. Bumbling, foolish, clueless and sometimes sweet, these terrorist mess up every plan they make. This is a film that makes us laugh at uncomfortable humor. As the fumbling terrorists meet their demise one by one, I didn't think I should laugh, but I did. A very funny, dark comedy.

Rango

Rango is a lizard who ends up fending for himself against hawks, snakes, toads, moles and all manner of strange animals in the town of Dirt. Great visuals and clever dialog, makes this an animated film that will appeal to both kids and adults. I'd say that it will appeal to adults more, I mean Gatling guns on bats?? Crazy, fun stuff.

The Adjustment Bureau

When a young politician meets and falls in love with a beautiful dancer, he learns of The Adjustment Bureau. An organization that leaves nothing to chance, and makes sure that the path is followed. Do they get their careers, or a chance at love?

Oscars 2011

Another film year has come to the end. Tonight The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will award the Oscar in 24 categories. For years now, I have used the list of nominees as a "must see" list of film leading up to the ceremony. Of the 56 films nominated, Ive seen 42 (foreign and short films are tough to find). A good year.
Here are my picks for the winners tonight. Gotta go pop the popcorn, dust off my tiara and tune in tonight, enjoy!

Best Picture The Social Network
Lead Actor Colin Firth - The King's Speech
Lead Actress Natalie Portman - Black Swan
Supporting Actor Christian Bale-The Fighter
Supporting Actress Hailee Steinfeld - True Grit
Director David Fincher - The Social Network
Cinematography True Grit
Sound Editing Inception
Sound Mixing Inception
Visual Effects Inception
Art Direction Inception
Costumes The King's Speech
Makeup The Wolfman
Original Score The Social Network
Original Song We Belong Together - Toy Story
Animated Feature Toy Story 3
Foreign Language Feature Incendies
Documentary Feature Exit Through the Giftshop
Adapted Screenplay The Social Network
Original Screenplay The King's Speech
Film Editing The Social Network
Documentary Short Poster Girl
Animated Short Day & Night
Live Action Short The Crush

For Colored Girls

For Colored Girls is a narrative with dialog that incorporates the poetry of Ntozake Shange. The intertwining stories of nine women and their struggles with life are all different, but find a common voice. When you surrender to the poetry when it appears in the dialog, this becomes a deep theatrical experience. The performances are outstanding. I was surprised by how much I liked this film, I would watch it again.

Paranormal Activity 2

Paranormal Activity 2 is a prequel to Paranormal Activity. Another good suspense thriller with many startle moments. I would not recommend this film for parents of young children, the involvement of a baby and teenager are disturbing.

Biutiful

When a man is diagnosed with a terminal disease, he faces many a dilemma. In Biutiful we watch this man struggle to provide for his children, a dysfunctional wife, a band of illegal immigrant workers and underworld black marketers. Touching, violent and gritty, this one is worth a look.

The Illusionist

The Illusionist tells the story of a magician who befriends a young girl, and they both grow with each other's help. The art is lovely, the characters are endearing and the story unfolds with almost no dialog. Clever, artful and sweet. A short scene at the end of the credits is worth waiting for. I understand the Oscar nomination.

And Everything Is Going Fine

Steven Soderberg has taken a series of clips of Spalding Gray and fashioned them into a film in which Gray tells his own life story. And Everything is Going Fine takes this fascinating editing, and lets a man tell his story of childhood, adolescence, career and relationships himself. Very touching and effective.

Favorite Films of 2010

I have no right to proclaim which films of any given year are "best", but I can say which films I enjoyed. 2010 was a low key year for me in film. Newport Film Festival did not happen. My annual pilgrimage to Tribeca Film Festival was fun, but friends I was supposed to meet there were held hostage in London by an Icelandic volcano. Thankfully, my daughter's kick-ass NYC wedding distracted me from a summer of minimal releases. My celebrity moment of the year? A Q&A with Susan Sarandon at the Tribeca Grand courtesy of MOFilm at Tribeca Film Festival. She was charming, open, gorgeous and engaging.

So here is where I try to break it down after seeing over 200 films this year.

Early in the year, How to Train Your Dragon, Shutter Island and Girl With the Dragon Tattoo really impressed me. I Am Love was an amazing piece and Get Low just reminded me how much age doesn't matter on the big screen when you have a good script and a ton of talent. Buried was a film with one on screen actor that I saw alone in a theater, which truly increased the impact. The Fighter ("do you really think your family is looking out for you?"), Conviction, Harry Potter and Winter's Bone were all very good as well. I waited to post this until I saw Rabbit Hole, Casino Jack, Blue Valentine and Somewhere, and though all are good, they did not change my Top 10. These are the films I can call my 10 favorites this year.

1. My sentimental favorite of the year is Micmacs. Creative, wacky, outrageous, dramatic, beautiful, everything I love about film.
2. Black Swan is a dramatic dive into psycho-drama. This is a beautifully crafted, well acted film that stuck in my brain for many days.
3. In True Grit, Hailee Steinfeld carries an epic story, with amazing costars, to wonderful places.
4. Scott Pilgrim vs the World reminded me that pop culture is dramatic, creative and funny. So much talent, so much fun.
5. History is compelling and dramatic on it's own, and The Kings' Speech reminds us of how much we should pay attention to history. Great performances and costumes.
6. On a 100 + degree Saturday this summer, I convinced a friend to sit in an air conditioned theater for 2 hours and 45 minutes to watch Inception. It was a great afternoon and we talked about the film for days. This film has generated hours of discussion. Now that's a good movie.
7. At the beginning of the year, I watched Ben Stiller act the heck out of Greenberg.
8. Never have I sobbed so hard at a movie, as in the final scenes of Toy Story 3. Think watching kids play in a yard isn't emotional? I dare you to watch this film without tissues.
9. The Social Network is one of the most well written, well acted, interesting contemporary subject films of the year. Fascinating treatment of a current subject.
10. In 127 Hours the suspense starts when you buy your ticket, we know how this one ends. A fantastic film that relies on it's structure to take the viewer on one heck of a journey.

Other films I enjoyed this year? Kick Ass, Beware the Gonzo, Exit Through the Gift Shop, Nice Guy Johnny, Joan Rivers:A Piece of Work, The American, Catfish, Ironman 2, and Never Let Me Go. This morning the Oscar nominations will be announced, we'll see how many of my favorites are on the list.

The Company Men

In The Company Men we see successful men deal with the brutal world of unemployment. The film portrays the result to their family, friends and lifestyle. An outstanding cast brings this contemporary problem a heart.

Somewhere

Somewhere is a quiet look at a man's life as a Hollywood star and the integration of his 11 year old daughter to that life. The viewer must be patient and allow the film inside the actor's head. A poignent film.

Salt

Salt is one of the most absurd action spy flicks I have ever seen. That is all.

Rabbit Hole

When you learn that the central event in a film is the death of a young child, there is a hesitance to sit through that story. In Rabbit Hole we see a story of coping that is surprisingly real, honest and uplifting. I'll admit that I needed a few tissues, but the tears were not gut-wrenching. There are also light moments that are very effective. This film is well structured, beautifully written and skillfully acted. I liked how the film ended with a simple gesture that defines the future of the family. Powerful and satisfying, I liked this one.

Casino Jack

My brother shakes his head at me when I exclaim on some bit of history I've learned from a movie. I almost flunked history in college, and even when I read of events in the news my brain does not hold on to them long. For some reason, seeing those events in a film, they stick. In Casino Jack I learned of the goings on of lobbyist Jack Abramoff. With Tom DeLay just having been sentenced, it was very relevant and very interesting. Kevin Spacey and Barry pepper put in some dynamic performances, I learned a lot!

Blue Valentine

In Blue Valentine we watch two people fall in love, then watch one of them fall out of love. It is sweet, sad, intense and often difficult to watch. The performances are outstanding and the film work is intimate. A tough love story.

Hood to Coast

I enjoy listening to internet radio. While listening to a Cort & Fatboy podcast on my 3-4 mile walk several years ago, I heard Mike Russell talk about a running relay in Oregon called Hood to Coast. Listening to the story of this 197 mile race as I ambled down the road, I was impressed. Then, last week, I was listening to a Live Wire! Radio podcast that had an interview with Christoph Baaden talking about a documentary he had made about the race. This film was shown in 360 theaters around the country on 1/11/11 as it's World Premiere. We got a screening right here in RI at my favorite multiplex. Though this race is a challenge to elite runners, it is also run by people who enjoy a personal challenge. The film focuses on four teams with inspiring stories. I'm sure there are hundreds of fabulous stories. These colorful people made for a compelling film. The grueling nature of the relay is depicted well, and the route from Mount Hood, through the Oregon wilderness, to the beach, is breathtaking. A film well worth a look.

White Material

White Material is the story of a woman fighting to keep the last crop of her coffee plantation, in the midst of political uprising, rebel soldiers and family upheaval in Africa. This film is brutal and honest. She struggles with loyalty, dysfunction and violence. An intense film, well done.

Easy A

Easy A is a comedy with a lot of laughs and a lot of heart. A high school girl finds an odd popularity, when it seems she is promiscuous. Though she perpetuates the lies to attain popularity, the stories take an unexpected turn. The girl's parents are the funniest couple I've seen in a comedy in a while. Well done with solid performances, a good comedy.

TRON : Legacy

No amount of shiny lights, special effects or endearing actors can replace a good story.Unfortunately, TRON:Legacy has a weak, sloppy story. A disappointment, but I'll be interested to see if it gets noticed for the special effects.

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!