Friday Flick Picks 2/29/08

Opening in RI theaters this weekend, we've got Semi Pro. A silly sports comedy that is continuously vulgar and juvenile. The Other Boleyn Girl, a period film with a lot of eye candy, and Penelope, a modern fairy tale about inner beauty. There are still 9 Oscar nominated films in theaters, and all 5 Best Picture nominees are as well. If the Oscars made you feel like you've missed out, get thee to a theater! If you'd rather stay on the couch, Oscar winners Michael Clayton, Bourne Ultimatum, Once, Ratatouille, La Vie en Rose, and Elizabeth:The Golden Age are all in DVD.
Oh yeah, U2 and Hannah Montana concert films are still in theaters as well! Enjoy!

Charlie Bartlett

Charlie Bartlett is more of a teen drama than teen comedy. A young man, from a wealthy home, keeps getting kicked out of fancy schools for illegal activities (such as making fake IDs). He ends up at the local public school, and finds that a lot of the kids just need someone to talk to. He becomes popular for his ability to listen, and access to prescription medication. There are funny moments in this film, but it tackles heavy issues like depression, suicide, absentee parents, substance abuse, acceptance, privacy and teen sexuality. Good acting and tidy ending, left me a little melancholy, but I liked it.

Vantage Point

Vantage Point is an interesting thriller ...... for about an hour. An assassination attempt and terrorist attacks, are part of a chain of events that we see 8 times. Each viewing presents a new piece of the story. Great, right? Should be. In the last telling, a pointless chase, pointless characters, and senseless reveals spoil what should have been a decent thriller. Bummer.

In Bruges

A hit man, with a conscious, is the central character in the film In Bruges. He's hiding out with an accomplice, and the trip takes an ugly turn. Drugs, hookers, murderers and a dwarf (no kidding, he has a purpose) make up the cast of this off-beat thriller. Now I've known a few people who have been to Bruges. They all gave the small Belgian city a big thumbs up. Kind of strange to watch this bloody thriller unfold in, what I've been told, is a beautiful, romantic place. A dark comedy-thriller I enjoyed.

Be Kind Rewind

Though Be Kind Rewind is a goofy, buddy comedy, it is also a tribute to the love of film. Not only for the film makers, but the fans as well. A small video store suffers the demise of it's inventory to a "magnetic incident". To survive the ire of the store owner, the goof balls in charge, desperately start re-making the films themselves. Anyone who has ever wanted to make their own movie should see this ...... or anyone who wants a good laugh. A funny film with a poignant ending.

Brits, Brothers and Beowulf in DVD

In DVD this week, we have the very funny Brit film Death at A Funeral. The Darjeeling Limited is an exotic road trip with three brothers. Many laughs and poignant moments. Beowulf is translated in motion-capture, digital animation for a wild ride .... enjoy!!

Oscar 2008 : The Awards Ceremony

So I did OK with my Oscar picks. 12 for 24, apparently seeing all the films gives me no edge *yeesh*! The winners are listed here. A few thoughts before I go to bed........

Best Gown: Jenifer Garner
Best Makeup: Ellen Page
Best Hair: Amy Adams
Best Tux: Tom Hanks
Best entrance: Cameron Diaz
Coolest Oscar moment: Bringing Marketa Irglova back out to make her thank yous after they turned the mike off on her. Never seen that before.
On to the films of 2008!!

Independent Spirit Awards 2008

I didn't watch the Independent Spirit Awards (I don't get IFC on my caveman cable), but I was cheering on the nominees, as I am a huge fan of independent film. Juno, Once and Julian Schnabel were my favorite winners. This singing interview with the principles from Once, which won for Best Foreign feature is precious. Now on to the Oscars!

Oscar 2008 : The Pictures

And finally, we have the Best Pictures of the year. For Best Motion Picture of the year, I'd love to see Juno win it, but I think that's a stretch. With films like There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men, the competition is fierce. I think No Country for Old Men will win, but a statue for There Will Be Blood wouldn't surprise me (waffles anyone? sorry). For Best Animated Picture I think it will be Ratatouille. Best Animated Short Film could go to any of the nominees, they're all so different. I think I Met the Walrus could win it on a sentimental vote, though Peter & the Wolf has more universal appeal. I haven't seen all of the documentaries, foreigns or short live action, so I can't really make a call there. I did see the documentary No End in Sight, and think it could take the award.

So that's the last of my Oscar entries. It's been a great year in film. All I have left to do is gather my snacks, chill the appropriate beverages, don my Juno t-shirt and tune in to the broadcast Sunday night. A printable ballot is here for anyone who wants to make their own predictions, or just keep track. Happy Oscars!!

Friday Flick Picks 2/22/08

The thrillers Vantage Point and In Bruges hit RI theaters this weekend. The comedies Charlie Bartlett and Be Kind Rewind will tickle the funny bone. Families can check out the Spiderwick Chronicles. Two good date movies are Definitely, Maybe and 27 Dresses. U2 3D and Hannah Montana are still in theaters for a cool 3D concert film experience.

These are my quick picks for winning Oscars on Sunday night, all of these films worth a look.
Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood
Best Actress - Ellen Page for Juno
Best Director - Joel and Ethan Coen for No Country for Old Men
Best Picture - No Country for Old Men

Let's hope the Academy has surprises for us, can't wait!!

Oscar 2008 : The People

As of last night, I've seen all of the Oscar nominated films (not including documentaries, foreign and live-action shorts). *whew* I used to think this activity would make picking the Oscar winners a breeze, but I've found it's the opposite. All of the performances nominated are award worthy, I want them all to win! I'll be cheering no matter who gets the gold guy.

I think the strongest performance for Supporting Actor came from Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men, for Supporting Actress I'm sold on Amy Ryan's performance in Gone Baby Gone. I'd love to see Ellen Page walk with the Best Actress award for her performance in Juno (today is her birthday, Happy Birthday!), though if Julie Christie wins it for Away From Her, it would be deserving. The slam-dunk this year is Daniel Day-Lewis, probably, winning the Best Actor Oscar for his mesmerizing performance in There Will Be Blood. The Best Director award is tough. My sentimental favorite is Julian Schnabel for his direction of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, but I think Joel and Ethan Coen will probably be arguing over whose mantel the statue will sit on when the evening is done, for their work on No Country for Old Men. All award worthy work!

Oscar 2008 : The Stories

I recently read that if you're looking for the best films of the year, look at the nominations for Best Screenplays. I agree. Because writing is a struggle for me, I have a lot of respect for those who can organize words.

For Original Screenplay, Diablo Cody has brought movie goers a breath of fresh air in the film Juno. The story she tells, the characters she creates (I agree that Paulie Bleeker is totally boss!) and the dialogue she delivers, makes for a fine film. After seeing it a second time, with a more critical eye, my biggest problem was missing a word or line due to the laughter from the audience! Never a bad thing....

With The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Ronald Harwood adapts the fascinating story of Jean-Dominique Bauby. His stroke, his struggle, his life, his loves. Bauby wrote his own story through a painstaking technique, Harwood brings it to the screen as a tender, personal story. A beautiful story, a beautiful film.

Oscar 2008 : The Sounds

I remember when speakers were installed down the side walls of movie theaters. Dolby digital sound was one awesome development! When thinking about sound in a film, I figure if a non-expert, like me, notices, it must be good. Of the nominees for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing, the film that stands out to me for both awards is Transformers. When it comes to music, the most memorable Original Soundtrack, for me, was in the film Atonement. For Original Song, I'm all about "Falling Slowly" from the film Once. Not only is it a gorgeous song, beautifully performed, it is used as a dramatic vehicle in the film. I was brought to tears both times it was used. With music, comes emotion, brilliant!

Oscar 2008 : The Sights

I will start by saying that 2007 was a wonderful year for film. When I look at the list of Oscar nominated films, there's not one that isn't worth your time.

The look of a movie is key. Art Direction is a pretty big award in my book. Many movies had a fantastic look, but the one that stands out in my mind is Atonement. The sets, the colors, the scene at the beach, just gorgeous. I'm surprised to say that my favorite for Cinematography is The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, absolutely poetic. The Editing in Into the Wild did a masterful job of telling the back story of Chris McCandless, along with the adventure of a lifetime. All the nominees for Visual Effects are award-worthy, but the robots impressed me more than the pirates, so Transformers gets my vote. I saw it from the front row, the back row and my couch, blew my mind every time. The award for Costumes is an easy call for me. I went to see Elizabeth:The Golden Age anticipating the nomination, and was not disappointed. The garb of the period is so dramatic it's hard to ignore, they did a beautiful job in this film. Oddly, I'm giving Norbit the nod for makeup. Eddie Murphy is unrecognizable as 2 of the 3 characters in this film. Could it win a Razzie and an Oscar in the same year? I'd love that!

Politics, Punks and Spies (oh my) in DVD

My DVD post is early this week, to make way for the Oscar series I'll post this week. And what a week of releases! Two blockbusters (and Oscar nominees), American Gangster and Michael Clayton hit the DVD shelves. What's hotter than Denzel and Clooney? *sigh* In Rendition, Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon, play characters dealing with the horror of international, racial profiling. Finally, the historic, erotic thriller, Lust, Caution shows what lengths spies will go to in times of war. Happy viewing!

Fierce People

Fierce People is another film I was sold out of at Tribeca Film Festival. I finally got to see it on DVD. This is a bit of a coming of age story, a bit of a thriller and a bit of a romance. A woman with substance abuse issues, goes to work for a wealthy man as his masseur. Her teenage son goes with her, to live on the estate for a summer. He fantasizes about a relationship with a famous father he has never met. They are fish out of water in the wealthy environment, and are encouraged to try to fit in. It is an interesting study of human nature and class systems. Well acted and directed, a drama worth a look.

In the Shadow of the Moon

When I was a kid, anything to do with the space program interrupted regular television programing. The documentary, In the Shadow of the Moon, brought back those childhood memories, of watching those broadcasts in awe. Film maker, David Sington, brings together the astronauts and vintage footage, to portray the drama and courage of the missions to the moon. This was the opening film at the Newport Film Festival this past year. Everyone I ran into, on the night that it was screened, was excited and energized to have seen the film and meet Mr. Sington. The perspective of the astronauts in this film feels personal and intimate, I liked this film so much I watched it twice!

Friday Flick Picks 2/15/08

There are two strong additions to the RI movie scene this weekend. Definitely, Maybe is a good solid date movie and The Spiderwick Chronicles fills the bill for the kids. I'm Not There returns to the Avon for the continuing Heath Ledger love-fest. U2 3D moves to a midnight show to make room for The Spiderwick Chronicles at the IMAX theater, and Hannah Montana remains in theaters for another week. Enjoy!

Definitely, Maybe

In Definitely, Maybe a young girl wants her father to tell her the story of how he ended up with her mother. The story of three women in his life, has just enough depth to be interesting, and just enough predictability to move along. Ryan Reynolds carries this film well. I was impressed with him in The Nines, and this performance shows he's a strong leading man that can create an endearing, believable character. The end is satisfying, but not totally predictable. I liked this modern love story.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

The Spiderwick Chronicles is the story of a family that moves from NY to an abandoned old house, that was left to the mother. Why the house is abandoned is revealed early on, and the action begins. An appreciation for fantasy and magic helps with this one. A steady pace, brave characters and snappy script, move this story along to a sweet conclusion. The goblins are scary, the ogre even more so and Hogsqueal, pretty darn funny. There are some very intense chase scenes and the ultimate hero was a big surprise. A good, solid fantasy film for the family.