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04 Jan

Casino Royale

Grade: B-

We have a new Bond, James Bond.  Not just a new actor in Daniel Craig, but a new character.  He’s grittier.  I miss the wry sense of humor and the air of elegance.  This Bond seems much more American than British.  Craig is good in the role, it just takes some getting used to this new persona.  Some say this is more the Bond from the books – but I didn’t read the books, and I’ve seen every movie.  I think there are a lot of fans out there, like me, who expect a certain performance.

Part of the reason this is so different is because this version of “Casino Royale” is written in part by Paul Haggis, an American.  Haggis is brilliant, and has the awards to prove it.  And his writing helps make the film a really good one! It’s just that this is not the James Bond we are accustomed to.  For example, when Bond orders a martini, the bartender asks: “Would you like that shaken or stirred?”  and Bond replies: “Do I look like I give a damn?”  Yet in another scene he orders a very specific cocktail, and names it after his lady love – nice touch.

The Bond women in this film are strong and smart… and of course they’re gorgeous, too.  Judi Densch reprises her role as “M” – but there are no fancy gadgets to be had.

Tons of action, a fun chase scene on foot, a couple of great cars.  Let’s just call this our first introduction to the new style.  Not bad.
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04 Jan

Casanova

Grade: A

It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun at a movie! Casanova is absolutely delightful! It’s smart, witty, silly – it’s a romp, a tour de farce, and a romantic comedy. It’s rated R, which is kind of over the top from what I’ve seen. There’s no real violence, some love scenes but no blatant sex, no nudity. You see a lot more skin on The OC than you do in this movie. Sure, there’s cleavage, it just comes with the costumes. I wouldn’t be hesitant to take teens to see this. Heath Ledger plays the title character. I have always liked that guy! He’s been in such a variety of movies, and he’s always good. And here he’s excellent – he’s the perfect choice to play the notorious lothario. Sienna Miller plays the one who is hard for him to get, and Lena Olin is outrageous and wonderful as her mother. We just laughed and laughed. The time went by quickly and we left the theatre smiling. Wish they’d make more like this one.
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04 Jan

Cars

Grade: A

Loved, it, loved it, loved it!!! Saw it opening weekend and my husband and I were just about the only adults in the theatre without kids – but we enjoyed it every bit as much as the rest of the audience. Cars is magical! It’s wonderfully written, so clever, with richly textured characters and layers of story. Pixar is head and shoulders above any other animation company because it pays attention to the little details. The characters have personality, and quirks. The scenery is just beautiful, real artwork! The storylines make sense, and are intelligent. And there are so many cute little asides and sweet moments. This is a MUST see! The other thing Pixar does so well is that it makes the whole movie an experience. They have a darling short before the movie. This one is called “One Man Band” – no dialogue, everything is on the screen – and it is awesome. And even the credits are worth staying for! There’s a cute added on scene where the cars are at a drive in movie and they’re watching other Pixar movies – “A Bug’s Life” with VW bugs as the characters – “Monster Truck” with those characters as trucks – and “A Toy Car Story” – absolutely precious! You can just see all the thought that went into every moment. I applaud the creative minds at Pixar, and thank them for a fun evening’s entertainment! Big name stars like Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Paul Newman and so many others voiced the characters. This is a first class production that everyone in the family will want to see again and again.
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04 Jan

Capote

Grade: A

Best Picture nominee this year, and with good reason. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who plays Truman Capote, won Best Actor, and it is well deserved. This movie just blew me away. I wasn’t expecting anything from it, but wanted to see it because of the nomination, and I’m so glad I did. This is a character study, and it brings up so many interesting issues. The story is about what Truman Capote went through while writing his book “In Cold Blood.” I thought it was going to be gory and violent but it’s not – it’s really layered emotionally, and very deep. Catherine Keener plays Harper Lee, and she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. She’s wonderful in the role. I love true stories, and real people – and this whole movie was put together so well. It’s just fascinating. A little heavy for younger teens, but really a must-see for older teens, especially those interested in writing or journalism as a career.
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04 Jan

Cadillac Records

Grade: B+

Chess Records was a record label named after it’s owner and founder and was fondly known as “Cadillac Records” because if you stick around  long enough, everyone gets one.  Adrian Brody plays the record label owner who has an ear for what’s up and coming, and signs Muddy Waters as his first artist.  This movie is based on a true story, about the time of racial tension in the U.S., and also the time rock and roll really got its start.  We meet Chuck Berry, Etta James, Little Walter, and many more original characters who helped shape the industry.  Beyonce Knowles plays Etta James.  Beautiful voice, beautiful actress.  I love true stories – I think you can never make up anything as good.  Great music in this one.   Reminiscent of other music/bio pics like Ray and Walk the Line.
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04 Jan

Burn After Reading

Grade: A-

The Coen Brothers have come up with another dark comedy.  Burn After Reading has an eclectic cast of characters who somehow all have ties to one another.  The interwoven relationships make for a kind of farce that drives the action.  Brad Pitt plays a personal trainer at a gym, and this is the funniest I’ve ever seen him.  He rides a bike, chomps on gum, nurses a bloody nose, and laughs like a dork.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get a supporting actor nomination, he’s so different than he usually is in films.  Frances MacDormand is his friend and co-worker.  They find a CD in the locker room and assume it is filled with CIA secrets.  They contact John Malkovich, the now fired CIA agent, whose wife, played by Tilda Swinton, is having an affair with George Clooney.  And the antics ensue.  The movie keeps you guessing, and laughing, and cringing.  If you can stomach this kind of humor, you’ll really enjoy it.
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04 Jan

Burlesque

Grade: A-

I’m a sucker for musicals, and Burlesque is exceptionally good!  How can you miss with Cher and Christina Aguilera in the lead roles?  The musical numbers are amazing.  The story works – small town girl comes to Hollywood and finds a family in a nightclub and its performers.  Cher plays Tess, who runs the nightclub and sings.  She’s fallen on hard times and owes money or she’ll lose the club.  Christina’s character, Ali, finds love with the engaged bartender, Jack, played by Cam Gigandet, who wants to be a songwriter.  And of course, she’s beautiful, smart and talented so she gets the attention she deserves and becomes a star.  Then there’s the villain, Marcus, who comes in the form of slick Eric Dane. He wants to buy Tess out, and keep Ali away from Jack.  The only criticism I have is that the Ali character is so darn good.  She’s too good in every way – it would have been more reasonable to write in some flaw to make her more relatable. The music is great – I bought the soundtrack!
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04 Jan

Buck

Grade: A

“Buck” follows Buck Brannaman on his job as a horse trainer/people trainer as he’s on the road 9 months out of the year.  Buck is an amazing person, and his story is inspiring.  This is a compelling documentary – whether you’re a horse person or not, there is something to be learned from this man’s wisdom.  Absolutely loved it!
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04 Jan

Broken Flowers

Grade: B-

I love Bill Murray, but he pretty much plays the same character he played in “Lost in Translation” in this new movie, “Broken Flowers.” It’s really slow moving – there are many shots of Bill just sitting there staring at the wall. The characters are strong – Bill plays “Don” – an aging Don Juan who finds out he may have a grown son and goes in search of the possible mothers. Sharon Stone, Jessica Lange, and Frances Conroy play a few of his former paramours. It’s a road trip movie, and a personal journey at the same time. But it is ultimately unsatisfying because there’s no real resolution. And maybe that’s the point – life is not tied up in a neat little package. But after investing a couple of hours it’s nice to have some conclusion to the story. The performances make this movie worth seeing – but it’s not a “must see.”
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04 Jan

Brokeback Mountain

Grade: A

Brokeback Mountain has to be the most talked about movie this season. Yes, it’s about two cowboys and their love for each other – but it’s about so much more than that. The movie is set in 1963 in Wyoming. Heath Ledger plays Ennis Del Mar and Jake Gyllenhall plays Jack Twist. Both are down-on-their-luck loners and they get to know each other when they take a job herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain. There are two pretty graphic love scenes, although if these were between a man and a woman we would think them to be tame. A bit intense, but older teens can handle it. Years go by as Ennis and Jack resume their lives in separate states. They each marry and have children, making homes for their families. When they reconnect four years later, the attraction is still there, and they both admit to the feeling of lack without the other in his life. Yet this is a “forbidden” love – and they fear the consequences of their relationship, so they find a way to be together when they feel they can be safe. Michelle Williams is brilliant as Ennis’ young bride. She discovers her husband’s secret by accident and although she is devastated, she silently endures her pain. Anne Hathaway is Jack’s socialite wife. This talented actress is much grown up since Ella Enchanted, and she plays this woman as cool and aloof. There is a lot to explore relationship-wise in this movie. The men’s relationship with each other, with their wives, with their fathers, with their children – all of these come into play. And then there’s the whole relationship with society, too. What is expected of us? How far must we go to conform? How far have we come as a society in our acceptance of people? Ang Lee directs, and the cinematography is beautiful. But what makes the movie is the relationship factor. It’s sad and heartbreaking and thought-provoking – and definitely worth seeing. Heath Ledger is amazing in this part – he’s already been nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance and I expect the Academy will give him a nomination as well.
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