I really like George Clooney and I really like Renee Zellweger ... but ... this was only an okay movie, some funny moments ... clever story ... but it never really got off the ground.
Zellweger had a great part, and played it well - sharp-tongued and brash, full of spit and vinegar.
Clooney has the capacity to make fun of himself, but I wasn't quite sure where it was going to go. I've seen him funnier, and I've seen him play himself with a little more panache. Oh well.
Jonathan Pryce plaid a semi-scummy character, but lacked the sinister greed to make this character a bit more colorful.
A relatively minor role - the first football commissioner (Jack Thompson) had some character to it - tough and commanding, making it clear that he held all the cards in the new game.
Jonathan Krisinski did a fine job of playing Carter Rutherford, a Princeton grad and a "war hero" - with a story bigger than it was. This was a serious thread running through an otherwise comedic film. Krisinski handled it thoughtfully. We will see more of him.
Overall, I couldn't find enough energy in it.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
My Blueberry Nights
Hard to rate ... I really enjoyed it, but it was slow, slightly disconnected ... but definitely an enjoyable film - Jude Law is very good - a low-key kind of a guy with dreams bigger than his life, now running a late-night cafe with blueberry pie that no one ever eats, except the distraught girl who comes in one night to leave some keys with him, keys a former boyfriend gave her.
The rest of the cast mostly good ... but it's the kind of story I like: human interest, snapshots of people and life.
Nora Jones is sweet, but seemed to lack passion, energy.
Natalie Portman is cast as a rich-kid gambler taught by her daddy, but mostly down on her luck. Affecting a western drawl - not sure - trying to play a toughed personae, but her face, her personality, a little too sweet for this kind of role. But I'd give her an A for effort.
Aside from Jude Law, Rachel Weisz gave a fine performance as an abused lady shunning the love of a man utterly devoted to her - David Strathairn - also excellent in his low-key manner, playing a cop who marries this beautiful woman he once pulled over for speeding.
The story might have been better told ... I wish the up-front part of the story could have been told a bit more quickly ... felt like several movies begging to be made, but collated into a less than satisfying melange. It needed focus; I was never quite sure where the heart of the story was at least in it's telling. But then, maybe that's life.
Don't get me wrong. I liked it ... never once feel asleep, enjoyed the script, had a few laughs ... but would have liked to see more passion pulled out of the actors and the story.
A challenge to the director perhaps?
The rest of the cast mostly good ... but it's the kind of story I like: human interest, snapshots of people and life.
Nora Jones is sweet, but seemed to lack passion, energy.
Natalie Portman is cast as a rich-kid gambler taught by her daddy, but mostly down on her luck. Affecting a western drawl - not sure - trying to play a toughed personae, but her face, her personality, a little too sweet for this kind of role. But I'd give her an A for effort.
Aside from Jude Law, Rachel Weisz gave a fine performance as an abused lady shunning the love of a man utterly devoted to her - David Strathairn - also excellent in his low-key manner, playing a cop who marries this beautiful woman he once pulled over for speeding.
The story might have been better told ... I wish the up-front part of the story could have been told a bit more quickly ... felt like several movies begging to be made, but collated into a less than satisfying melange. It needed focus; I was never quite sure where the heart of the story was at least in it's telling. But then, maybe that's life.
Don't get me wrong. I liked it ... never once feel asleep, enjoyed the script, had a few laughs ... but would have liked to see more passion pulled out of the actors and the story.
A challenge to the director perhaps?
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Motorcycle Diaries - 2004
Off on the "Mighty One," their trusty Norton 500, for an 8-month adventure around their America; so it begins for Ernesto and Alberto.
Already friends, on the threshold of careers, they embark upon a life-changing adventure. I suppose if there's a lesson here, it's this: "Stay home!"
If you don't, you're likely to see and experience things that will alter your life and lay a claim upon your soul, a claim that cannot be shaken or denied.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Alberto Granado see the beauty of their America, the wonder of its people, and the vast injustice that governs so many lives.
This marvelous film explores how a soul is shaped, how a conscience is stirred, how a life forms its commitments. Surely not all at once, but in bits and pieces, over time. Like planting seeds, they take their time and grow, and then still the wait for flower or fruit.
Without being overly dramatic, with terrific bits of humor, neither are portrayed as saints, but revealed as young men who who long to see life - as the young always do - but doing it from a motorcycle and with limited means, they see life on the street and in the field. They get close to people, close enough to see their faces, the often haunting look of the frightened and desperate.
Along the way, they meet the generous and the cruel, the kept and the keeper. We're all part of vast systems, and it's within these systems that evil takes systemic root - hard to identify, more than anyone person, but pervasive and murderous.
A love-letter for South America, with its vistas and people - sometimes a remarkable feel as if it were a documentary. Be sure to check out the special features - how it was made.
In all regards, a film worthy of its accolades.
Already friends, on the threshold of careers, they embark upon a life-changing adventure. I suppose if there's a lesson here, it's this: "Stay home!"
If you don't, you're likely to see and experience things that will alter your life and lay a claim upon your soul, a claim that cannot be shaken or denied.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Alberto Granado see the beauty of their America, the wonder of its people, and the vast injustice that governs so many lives.
This marvelous film explores how a soul is shaped, how a conscience is stirred, how a life forms its commitments. Surely not all at once, but in bits and pieces, over time. Like planting seeds, they take their time and grow, and then still the wait for flower or fruit.
Without being overly dramatic, with terrific bits of humor, neither are portrayed as saints, but revealed as young men who who long to see life - as the young always do - but doing it from a motorcycle and with limited means, they see life on the street and in the field. They get close to people, close enough to see their faces, the often haunting look of the frightened and desperate.
Along the way, they meet the generous and the cruel, the kept and the keeper. We're all part of vast systems, and it's within these systems that evil takes systemic root - hard to identify, more than anyone person, but pervasive and murderous.
A love-letter for South America, with its vistas and people - sometimes a remarkable feel as if it were a documentary. Be sure to check out the special features - how it was made.
In all regards, a film worthy of its accolades.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Stop-Loss
The young man walking out behind said quietly to himself, "It was so real."
I let him pass - he was walking alone, well-built, wearing blue scrubs ... was he a vet?
This is a film to see if you care about what's happening to the military in this meat-grinder of a war.
The film features a young man on his last day of duty back in the USA after his second tour in Iraq. But as he's getting his affairs in order to go back home, he's issued orders to report back to his unit for redeployment to Iraq. "There must be some mistake; I'm getting out today. I'm going back home."
"No sir, these orders are clear. You've been stop-lossed."
He goes AWOL ... and makes his way, finally, to New York and an attorney who specializes in helping people get a new identity and make their way to Canada for a new life. But called home to Texas because a war buddy took his own life, he meets with family again, loving parents, the father a Vietnam Vet - and heads to Mexico instead.
I'll not devulge how the film ends, but it powerfully portrays what all sociologists of war now understand - men neither fight nor die for country, but for the soldier next to them. In the most basic sense of the word, it's all about community, falling in for one another.
The power of the film is its "commentary" without commentary - how constant redeployment and stop-lossing is tearing the military apart, destroying families and leaving in its wake thousands of seriously injured and emotionally impaired women and men.
Politically, there's a certain glamor to war - ala Bush & McCain - but every personal account of war says the same thing: War is hell!"
Even the WW2 veteran, proud and stoic, is reluctant to talk about his experience - to kill or be killed does hard things to the soul, and when a professional soldier is repeatedly exposed without the hope of returning home, as did the WW2 citizen-soldier, the soul is compromised, even in the strongest personality.
Anyway, the message is profound, and the acting, cinematography and music, fits well.
Hats off to Kimberly Peirce (writer and director) and Paramount Pictures for bringing us this film.
I let him pass - he was walking alone, well-built, wearing blue scrubs ... was he a vet?
This is a film to see if you care about what's happening to the military in this meat-grinder of a war.
The film features a young man on his last day of duty back in the USA after his second tour in Iraq. But as he's getting his affairs in order to go back home, he's issued orders to report back to his unit for redeployment to Iraq. "There must be some mistake; I'm getting out today. I'm going back home."
"No sir, these orders are clear. You've been stop-lossed."
He goes AWOL ... and makes his way, finally, to New York and an attorney who specializes in helping people get a new identity and make their way to Canada for a new life. But called home to Texas because a war buddy took his own life, he meets with family again, loving parents, the father a Vietnam Vet - and heads to Mexico instead.
I'll not devulge how the film ends, but it powerfully portrays what all sociologists of war now understand - men neither fight nor die for country, but for the soldier next to them. In the most basic sense of the word, it's all about community, falling in for one another.
The power of the film is its "commentary" without commentary - how constant redeployment and stop-lossing is tearing the military apart, destroying families and leaving in its wake thousands of seriously injured and emotionally impaired women and men.
Politically, there's a certain glamor to war - ala Bush & McCain - but every personal account of war says the same thing: War is hell!"
Even the WW2 veteran, proud and stoic, is reluctant to talk about his experience - to kill or be killed does hard things to the soul, and when a professional soldier is repeatedly exposed without the hope of returning home, as did the WW2 citizen-soldier, the soul is compromised, even in the strongest personality.
Anyway, the message is profound, and the acting, cinematography and music, fits well.
Hats off to Kimberly Peirce (writer and director) and Paramount Pictures for bringing us this film.
Under the Same Moon - La Misma Luna
Directed by Patricia Riggen, this is a wonderful film in all regards - heart-wrenching and heart-warming.
A quest story, if you will, as a young 9-year old boy living in Mexico with his grandmother, who, when grandmother dies, sets out to cross the border and be reunited with his mother who lives and works in LA. His mother, Rosario (Kate del Castillo) has been in LA for four years, and she faithfully calls Carlitos every Sunday morning at 10:00 AM.
She describes to him the pay-phone corner from which she's calling ... Carlitos (Adrian Alonzo) can imagine it in his mind.
From the title, the moon shines in both their lives - it's the same moon, and when Carlitos is lonely for his Mother, she tells him to look at the moon, the same moon she's looking at, and they'll be close to one another.
I found myself profoundly moved by the story, quite tense at times, and uttering a few prayers toward the end.
Along the way, young Carlitos meets a raggedy cast of characters - some cruel and terrible, some kindly and helpful, and one delightful rogue (Eugenio Derbez) who has a heart after all, sacrificing himself for Carlitos.
The film powerfully highlights the life of an "illegal" - and even as I type that word, how easily we use a title to avoid the simple realities of real people hoping to find life. In this regard, the film doesn't "preach," but only tells a human story.
Jacqueline Voltaire who plays Mrs. McKenzie, an "employer" or Rosario, does a marvelous job of portraying a pathetic wealthy woman in a terrible marriage who treats Rosario with utter contempt even as she reveals the brokenness and sadness of her imprisoning wealth. I wanted to slap her silly!
A combination of Spanish (with subtitles) and English, the film delivers a grand story - family, love, romance and hope.
A must-see film!
A quest story, if you will, as a young 9-year old boy living in Mexico with his grandmother, who, when grandmother dies, sets out to cross the border and be reunited with his mother who lives and works in LA. His mother, Rosario (Kate del Castillo) has been in LA for four years, and she faithfully calls Carlitos every Sunday morning at 10:00 AM.
She describes to him the pay-phone corner from which she's calling ... Carlitos (Adrian Alonzo) can imagine it in his mind.
From the title, the moon shines in both their lives - it's the same moon, and when Carlitos is lonely for his Mother, she tells him to look at the moon, the same moon she's looking at, and they'll be close to one another.
I found myself profoundly moved by the story, quite tense at times, and uttering a few prayers toward the end.
Along the way, young Carlitos meets a raggedy cast of characters - some cruel and terrible, some kindly and helpful, and one delightful rogue (Eugenio Derbez) who has a heart after all, sacrificing himself for Carlitos.
The film powerfully highlights the life of an "illegal" - and even as I type that word, how easily we use a title to avoid the simple realities of real people hoping to find life. In this regard, the film doesn't "preach," but only tells a human story.
Jacqueline Voltaire who plays Mrs. McKenzie, an "employer" or Rosario, does a marvelous job of portraying a pathetic wealthy woman in a terrible marriage who treats Rosario with utter contempt even as she reveals the brokenness and sadness of her imprisoning wealth. I wanted to slap her silly!
A combination of Spanish (with subtitles) and English, the film delivers a grand story - family, love, romance and hope.
A must-see film!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Bank Job
Yes!
Slow start - lots of T&A - was wondering if this was going to be the "strength" of the story, but once it got going, it got going with style and cleverness. The intensity builds slowly, like a well-choreographed tango!
The twists and turns got my attention - a good story well-told; great acting, especially by the lesser characters.
Based upon true events, the film reveals the human drama - always a mixed bag of good and evil, yet making clear that evil exists at both the bottom (the pornographer) and the top (British officials), and woven into the dark fabric, bits and pieces of decency (the British agent seeking to protect a member of the British royalty and the good cop). The interplay here between good and evil, and all of their permutations is philosophically sophisticated.
Intense without going over the top, clever without too many convolutions, a clever fairy-tale ending without sentiment.
Music, I loved it ... high energy.
Cinematography - very good - music: excellent.
I went into the theater looking to waste some time, but came away with a film much better than anticipated.
Is it a guy's movie?
Could be, but raw action and car chases are at a minimum. As noted earlier, a little heavy on the T&A in an extended night-club scene.
Chick Flic, maybe, what with it's unique portrait of a family (the lead robber is married) and the loyalty of love, even when tempted, tested and tried, able to withstand disappointment and failure, with "love covering a multitude of sins."
I think Jason Statham is terrific ... his character took time to develop. At first, just a small-time crook trying to go straight, but as the store unfolds, it becomes obvious that he's no one's dupe and not to be trifled with.
Saffron Burrows was good, but neither slinky enough to throw off the sexual heat called for in the story, nor innocent enough (being forced into this bank heist as a way to beat a drug smuggling charge) to generate sympathy. Perhaps a Mini Driver type would have been more provocative on both counts.
A film worth seeing? Absolutely!
Slow start - lots of T&A - was wondering if this was going to be the "strength" of the story, but once it got going, it got going with style and cleverness. The intensity builds slowly, like a well-choreographed tango!
The twists and turns got my attention - a good story well-told; great acting, especially by the lesser characters.
Based upon true events, the film reveals the human drama - always a mixed bag of good and evil, yet making clear that evil exists at both the bottom (the pornographer) and the top (British officials), and woven into the dark fabric, bits and pieces of decency (the British agent seeking to protect a member of the British royalty and the good cop). The interplay here between good and evil, and all of their permutations is philosophically sophisticated.
Intense without going over the top, clever without too many convolutions, a clever fairy-tale ending without sentiment.
Music, I loved it ... high energy.
Cinematography - very good - music: excellent.
I went into the theater looking to waste some time, but came away with a film much better than anticipated.
Is it a guy's movie?
Could be, but raw action and car chases are at a minimum. As noted earlier, a little heavy on the T&A in an extended night-club scene.
Chick Flic, maybe, what with it's unique portrait of a family (the lead robber is married) and the loyalty of love, even when tempted, tested and tried, able to withstand disappointment and failure, with "love covering a multitude of sins."
I think Jason Statham is terrific ... his character took time to develop. At first, just a small-time crook trying to go straight, but as the store unfolds, it becomes obvious that he's no one's dupe and not to be trifled with.
Saffron Burrows was good, but neither slinky enough to throw off the sexual heat called for in the story, nor innocent enough (being forced into this bank heist as a way to beat a drug smuggling charge) to generate sympathy. Perhaps a Mini Driver type would have been more provocative on both counts.
A film worth seeing? Absolutely!
10,000 BC
Story? Hmmm. A little of this and a little of that. With some powerful elements - love is loyal no matter what. Love never gives up in its quest for the beloved! Also elements of father/son quest.
The "ruler" reminded me the Star Wars' emperor; the "Egyptian" type world reminded me of "Star Gate."
Acting? Sorta okay. Nothing stunning, too often lacking personal intensity. Though the bad guys are pretty bad, played with some subtlety, especially by Affif Ben Badra.
Special effects? Good, but rarely spectacular. The "spear tooth" tiger is great; so are the Wooly Mammoths. The "red birds" caught my eye - clever imagery.
Music, cinematography? Good.
Put it all together, a film I enjoyed, but wouldn't likely see again.
Worth seeing?
Yup!
The "ruler" reminded me the Star Wars' emperor; the "Egyptian" type world reminded me of "Star Gate."
Acting? Sorta okay. Nothing stunning, too often lacking personal intensity. Though the bad guys are pretty bad, played with some subtlety, especially by Affif Ben Badra.
Special effects? Good, but rarely spectacular. The "spear tooth" tiger is great; so are the Wooly Mammoths. The "red birds" caught my eye - clever imagery.
Music, cinematography? Good.
Put it all together, a film I enjoyed, but wouldn't likely see again.
Worth seeing?
Yup!
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