Movie Review: The Road

The Road is bleak and grim, unbearably sad and beyond dark but it is thoroughly engrossing and I dare you to take your eyes off the screen. I can only imagine Cormac McCarthy’s total approval of director, John Hillcoat’s and screenwriter, Joe Penhall’s film adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize winning, post-apocalyptic novel. The film is pretty faithful to the source material (although not as poetic); probably too faithful for most people. It will be a very hard sell for general audiences. There is only one memorable part of the book (too involved to write about here - you should read it) that I assume was left out deliberately to insure the movie never brings to mind another post-apocalyptic movie, The Road Warrior (which is a comedy by comparison). Viggo Mortensen is brilliant as The Man and basically carries the entire movie. New-comer, Kodi Smit-Mcphee plays The Boy and does an honest and emotional portrayal of a child trying to survive his nightmarish existence. His incredible resemblance to his mother, played by Charlize Theron (seen only in flashback), brings an unexpected but sorely needed tenderness to the film. But highest honors go to Chris Kennedy, the production designer for providing the cataclysmic landscape, the real star of the movie. Mount St. Helens, still devastated from its explosion 30 years ago, the Oregon coast, the woods of Pennsylvania and some post-Katrina New Orleans provide the very natural dark, dank and twisted metal surroundings that gives an element of realism, setting this movie apart from others like it. Kennedy was also involved in the production design of Hillcoat’s previous and near perfect movie, The Proposition (if you haven't seen it, rent it). The Road follows the treacherous journey of a man and his son as they head to the coast through what has become hell on earth. We are never told what caused the apocalypse and quite frankly, it does not matter. The movie is an allegory about the bond between father and son. It is about love, devotion, personal strengths and weaknesses. When everything is taken away, what do you do? Can you maintain your humanity? The movie ends with just a glimmer of hope which I was extremely grateful for. Robert Duval and Guy Pearce have very small but critical roles. As always, they are both perfect. This movie is obviously, not for everybody. There are plenty of disturbing images that will stay with you long after you leave the theater. Not giving characters names, usually annoying to me, works in this movie. My one complaint, too much unnecessary voice-over. Ugh.

Movie Review: Ninja Assassin

I’ll be honest; I liked this movie a whole lot better then The Twilight Saga. With a name like Ninja Assassin, there is no pretense, it’s not gonna be deep. Within the first 3 minutes there is more bloodletting and dismemberment then there is in both Twilight installments combined. And there are no vampires OR werewolves. This is a revenge movie that utilizes the plot to justify a spectacular display of martial arts and special effects. It features the Korean pop star, Rain who plays Raizo, the trained assassin and hero who turns on his ninja trainer. Considering his background, he does a fantastic job with this role (and it doesn't hurt that he's ripped)! Naomie Harris (28 Days Later) is the pretty girl marked for death, in need of rescue. Look, this is a blood and guts movie that is not for the squeamish (there is a very graphic beheading). But if you like martial arts, you will not be disappointed and you will be very impressed with the scenes of Raizo practicing his craft alone in his room - beautiful. Wait for it to come out on DVD or Demand, grab a beer with your friends (if you're 21) and I promise, you will be entertained.

Movie Review: The Twilight Saga: New Moon

The Twilight Saga: New Moon, is truly astounding. It runs for two hours and eleven minutes. There are vampires, werewolves and beautiful half-clad men, and from the very beginning of the movie until the very end, absolutely nothing happens. I'm not sure how that's done, but they did it. It is quite an accomplishment. And, by the way, I liked the first one. I didn't love it, but I like it.

Movie Review: The Blind Side

The movie opens with a few minutes of voice-over as Leigh Ann Touhy (Sandra Bullock), tells the story of how Lawrence Taylor changed football history in a matter of seconds. Personally, I felt it was the best part of the movie and I am NOT a big fan of voice-over because more often then not, it is used to make up for poor movie making. But in The Blind Side, it provides a little education about the game of football including the importance of the left tackle position. I feel smarter. The movie is based on the true story of Michael Oher who was rescued from abject poverty by the Touhy's; clothed, fed, tutored, nurtured and groomed to be a sought after football player. And it's true, they did that and I believe they did it out of the goodness of their hearts. But how do you make a movie like this and not make it feel like; you found a puppy (in the pouring rain no less) and everybody in the family is jumping around asking "can we keep him?" I don't know how and neither did the director, John Lee Hancock. It's actually not all that manipulative (which I appreciate), but it does not engender the kind of emotion that I thought it would (or hoped it would). It is well acted. The only weak-link is Quinton Aron who plays Michael. He does not have the acting ability to play this part without appearing like a caricature of the role. Bullock is perfect and, quite frankly, never better as the no-nonsense, southern bell who protects her interest in Michael like a tiger. There is a Guess Who's Coming to Dinner-like scene, where Leigh Ann walks away from a lunch with her condescending friends. It is very reminiscent of when Katherine Hepburn sends her friend off down the driveway: "..take the check....and get permanently lost. It's not that I don't want to know you, although I don’t, it's just that I'm afraid we're not really the sort of people that you can afford to be associated with." Remember that? How great was that. Not everybody can be Katherine Hepburn and not every movie can be Guess who's Coming to Dinner. Tim McGraw does a nice job as the husband but the best acting and most endearing role is that of the little brother, S.J., played by Jae Head. He is adorable, funny, fast talking and provides the movie with its comic relief. And I loved the credits where you get to see photos and video clips of the real-life Touhy family. They're not as good-looking as their movie counterparts but you can see their genuine affection and you can imagine this very heartwarming story, playing out. It makes the whole movie worth it. It does not need a big screen so I can safely say you can wait for it to come out on DVD. Although, truthfully, there is not much out there so if you want to kill a few a hours, you will not be disappointed. It is also a "feel good" movie and we can all use a little "feel good" right now.

The real Touhy family with Michael Oher

Movie Review: Pirate Radio

In what has been a disappointing movie season, Pirate Radio (released in the UK as The Boat That Rocked) provides a little bit of fun and a lot of nostalgia. Thankfully, it’s not rocket science and does not pretend to be. Opening with the Kinks, "All Day and All of the Night", it’s a frat house on the open seas. Based loosely on the true story of boats that supplied Brits with round the clock, Rock and Roll music during the 60’s when the BBC was trying to keep a lid on it. The cast makes the movie work. It includes Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Count, the foulmouthed American DJ and Bill Nighy as Quintin, the ships captain. Kenneth Branagh plays a whining bureaucrat who is obsessed with shutting these ships down. His real life ex-wife, Emma Thompson, has just a little more then a cameo, as the mother of the teenage boy she has sent off to get “straightened out” by living on board the vessel; probably not her best idea. The movie is filled with music everyone will recognize but people my age, 50 +, will immediately be taken back to high school parties, making out in the basement and slow dancing (especially when you hear Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale”). It was written and directed by Richard Curtis who is best known for his much meatier comedies, Bridget Jones Diary, Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral. My one complaint (and pet peeve), it's too long. Ten minutes shaved off this movie would have made it better. Oh yes...go get the soundtrack!

Movie Review: 2012

2012, staring John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Woody Harelleson (who I believe plays himself) and a French speaking Thandie Newton, is the special effects movie of the year. No more and no less. The plot is super thin. There is some mention of the Earths core, sun spots, microwaves and tectonic plates. Even more ridiculous is the fact that while the ground is crumbling beneath their feet, the inhabitants of Earth don't quite get that there is a serious problem. Never-the-less, you will be amazed by the scenes of the world collapsing in on itself, skyscrapers tumbling into the sea, earthquakes and tsunamis that engulf the world with water. It is directed by Roland Emmerich who brought us 10,000 B.C., Godzilla (1998) and The Day After Tomorrow. Three movies I did not like. On the other hand, he directed The Patriot and Independence Day. Two movies I did like. 2012, (which I think has scenes taken right from The Day After Tomorrow), is somewhere in between. The big mistake was making this movie two and a half hours long. At this point, we are all familiar with apocalyptic special effects so enough is enough. Two hours would have been plenty. But if you want to experience a ringside seat to the end of world, park your brain at the door of the theater, sit back and enjoy the show.

Movie Review: Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire

Precious is a very good movie but it is excruciating to watch. It's directed by Lee Daniels who doesn't have many movies to his credit but does a tremendous job with this very challenging material. He will not, however, win any awards for subtlety. The movie is about a 16 year old, seriously overweight girl who is pregnant with her second child, both are a result of being raped by her father. Her barbaric mother, absolutely brilliantly portrayed by Mo'Nique (who is a comedian by day!) is the source of endless emotional and physical abuse. As moviegoers, our tolerance for disturbing images is fairly high. Just as a reminder, Slumdog Millionaire won Best Picture last year even though we witnessed the torture of a young man using electric shock as well as the deliberate blinding of a child for the purpose of making him a better beggar; pretty rough stuff. But movie-makers can get away with plenty if they mix in occasional humor or the possibility, no matter how meager, of something better to come. In Slumdog we had the promise of money but more importantly, the beautiful girl. In Precious, it's about education and the potential to turn what seems like a hopeless situation, around. Stay in school, learn how to read and you can overcome anything. Shocking scenes of rape and abuse are juxtaposed to the classroom where Precious, now in an "alternative school", is being nurtured, encouraged and inspired to read and write by her dedicated teacher. We are also privy to her hopes and dreams through glimpses of her fantasies and by listening to her persistently optimistic, inner dialogue. Is all that enough to make up for the constant onslaught of very disturbing images? You bet it is. This is not a feelgood movie but the bottom line; this raw and brutal material is presented in a way that allows us to experience just how far a film can go while only offering just the slightest glimmer of hope. And believe me, it is quite an experience. Newcomer, Gabourey Sedibe, is exceptional as Precious. The very pretty, Paula Patton is just so good as Ms. Rain, her teacher. Miriah Carey is unrecognizable and surprisingly outstanding as Mrs. Weiss, the Welfare social worker. And I will be stunned if Mo'Nique is not nominated and win an Academy Award for her absolutely riveting, image tarnishing performance as Mary, Precious's seriously disturbed mother.

Movie Review: Disney's A Christmas Carol

Robert Zemeckis, the writer, director and producer, uses what he learned from making The Polar Express and Beowulf to bring us this visually impressive but very dark 3-D version of Dickens, A Christmas Carol. To accomplish this, he uses his favorite; performance-capture technology. Briefly, the actors work on an empty sound stage and are covered with sensors. The digital cameras record the performance and that information is used when the sets and costumes are filled in later with 3-D animation. The overall effect is a stunning hybrid of animation and real life. Jim Carrey is outrageously perfect as the voice of Ebeneezer Scrooge (throughout all his ages - boy, teen, young and old man). He also provides the voices for The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. He shows a lot of restraint which I personally appreciated. It's no secret, he has a tendency to over-act (do ya think). Gary Oldman, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn all do a great job. Parts of the movie are an awe-inspiring virtual reality ride as Scrooge is taken on his whirlwind tour through time flying high over landscapes and through old Victorian cityscape's. And I loved sitting in the middle of a snowfall which the new and improved 3-D technology creates flawlessly. But...the movie is pretty scary, especially in the beginning. Marley's ghost, with his unhinged jaw and 3-D chains rattling right in front of your face, may prove a bit too terrifying for young children (and some grownups). And The Ghost of Christmas Present has this very frightening, very loud and protracted laugh that is simply too creepy (and unnecessary). But more disappointing, the movie never quite reaches the emotional impact that many of the older versions do. Even the Muppet version was more touching. I didn't cry once and I don't think I have ever seen A Christmas Carol without crying. I'm beginning to wonder if performance-capture technology, for all its artfulness, takes something away from a good story. Maybe the problem is, it can capture "motion" but it can not capture "emotion". I remember thinking the same thing when I walked out of The Polar Express and Beowulf. I would have rather seen a Pixar type animated film or a regular movie with real actors. A Christmas Carol is a classic, indestructible story that never gets old but it does get a little lost in this very flashy retelling. I'm glad I saw it but I'm having a hard time recommending it.