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04 Jan

Beowulf

Grade: C

If you’re going to see Beowulf, see it in 3D – it’s pretty cool how they did the movie that way, it made it much more interesting. Basically I wasn’t much looking forward to seeing Beowulf – it kind of seemed like a video game come to life, animated violence and monsters – not really my thing – but when it was all over, I have to say it really wasn’t that bad.

Robin Wright Penn is the Queen. Anthony Hopkins is the King. Ray Winstone is Beowulf, the new guy in town who comes to kill the monster. And, believe it or not, Angelina Jolie is the monster’s mother! Beowulf is based on the old Nordic poem, and I wasn’t familiar with the story, but I know that it’s one of Freddy’s favorite books.

For teen boys, they’ll probably really love it. Girls, I don’t think so. Kids under 10, no way.
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04 Jan

Being Julia

Grade: B+

Would someone please give this girl an Oscar?! Annette Bening is nominated this year for her performance as the title character in Being Julia – a stage actress who certainly knows how to emote! Fun, sophisticated and clever, great dialogue – this is a very adult movie with a huge payoff ending that makes the whole set up just priceless.
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04 Jan

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead

Grade: B
Sidney Lumet directs this movie – which gives you a good idea of its tone – very dark, intense, and artfully directed.  Phillip Seymour Hoffman is Andy, the big brother who looks like he’s got it all together but who is actually deep in debt from embezzling from his company and his heroine addiction.  His wife is Gina, played by Marisa Tomei.  This is a great role for her.  She’s lost, disconnected from her husband and having an affair with his loser little brother.  The little brother is Hank, played by Ethan Hawke, recently divorced and desperate for money.  Andy comes up with a scheme for Hank to rob their parents’ suburban jewelry store, pawn the goods, and get both of them a new start.  But things go awry, and then they get worse.  Albert Finney is brilliant, as always, as the dad.  Thought provoking, conversation invoking – but you kind of walk out a little depressed.  Very heavy.
MOVIE REVIEW ARCHIVES
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04 Jan

Bee Movie

Grade: C

Bee Movie is an animated film from DreamWorks.  Jerry Seinfeld produced and voices Barry, the bee, our hero.  Renee Zellweger voices the human florist he befriends.  Barry graduates from school and wants to see the world before settling into his bee job, so he leaves the hive and discovers that humans are “stealing” honey.  He set out to sue humans so that they stop exploiting the bees.  Cute story, with a nice message about finding our purpose and contributing to society.  A lot of holes, but they’re easily forgiven as this is basically a cartoon.  Nice enough for parents to enjoy with their kids.
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04 Jan

Becoming Jane

Grade: B+

Based on the story of Jane Austen, one of the best-loved, and best-selling, novelists of all time, Becoming Jane stars Anne Hathaway in the title role.  Back in the time when women were expected, even required, to marry in order to secure a future for themselves, our dear Miss Austen bucked the trend and determined to make a life for herself “by the pen.”  She turns away the attention of young suitors, until she meets her match in one Mr. LaFoy.  The two dislike each other at first, then challenge each other intellectually, then finally give in to their undeniable attraction.  They’re good for each other, and yet, it’s the challenges of life, rather than love, that inevitably keeps them apart.

The role of Jane suits Anne Hathaway like a glove.  The actress looks like she belongs in this era.  Costumes are beautiful, setting is lush and authentic.  Many would call this a “chick flick” and women definitely will like the movie more than men will.  Partly because we love Jane Austen’s books, and are excited to see the author come to life on film.  And partly because we’re swept away as a strong, independent young woman experiences romance both with a dashing young man, and a literary calling.  Well written and expertly directed, Becoming Jane is sweet and strong, just like its heroine.
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04 Jan

Be Cool

Grade: B

The sequel to the very popular, money-making Get Shorty. This time John Travolta is paired with the comely Uma Thurman. Lots of great cameos. The Rock shows his funny side in an unusual role. Light-hearted fun, a nice Friday night movie for older teens and adults.
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04 Jan

Batman: The Dark Knight

Grade: A

This new Batman movie, “The Dark Knight” broke all kinds of box office records opening weekend.  And with good reason.  This movie rocks!  It is good on so many levels.  The script is amazing.  Twists and turns and crisp, original dialogue.  The action sequences will blow you away. And the acting is first rate.  I am certain that Heath Ledger will get a nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker.

Christian Bale is Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Batman.  Batman is described as a vigilante in the film, but he’s so much more than that.  He’s a conflicted hero, who has everything he could ever want, except for the one thing he wants the most, love.  He knows that he has to give up his crime-fighting ways if he is to be with the woman he loves, Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhall).  But in order to do that, he has to be sure that the city of Gotham is in good hands.  His instincts tell him that Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), the city’s district attorney, is the true hero, and the hope that he desperately wants to leave with the people.  But alas, a new villain has arrived, one more dastardly and psychotic than Batman has ever faced: the Joker.

The Joker tells Batman “you complete me.”  He is the antithesis of all that is good and right with Batman.  The Joker gets off on stirring things up and creating chaos, and that’s just what he does, gleefully.

I give all the credit to the success of the film to its director, Christopher Nolan.  He gives Batman that “wow” factor.  It’s definitely dark, but with interesting messages.  He certainly gives us a lot to talk about.
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04 Jan

Batman Begins

Grade: B

I probably would have not gone to this movie, except Brian and Freddy really wanted to see this new version of Batman, and they rarely want to go to the movies with me anymore so I jumped at the chance! I’ve seen the other Batman movies, and didn’t hold out much hope for reviving the franchise, but I was pleasantly surprised. Christian Bale is a darn good Bruce Wayne, and an even better Batman! There’s actually a storyline that makes sense, and characters that you care about. Katie Holmes (Mrs. Soon-to-be-Tom Cruise) is the love interest, in her first real “adult” role. Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, and Gary Oldham, all have strong character roles. It’s quite a cast! And it’s fun seeing the evolution of the Batcave and the Batmobile, and having that background into how the Batman character came about. Some intense scenes, so it’s rated PG-13 for good reason. But I’d say age 10 and up could generally handle it.
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04 Jan

Babel

Grade: C

I know that Babel is getting all the buzz right now, and it’s on lots of “Best” lists and has garnered nominations all over the place – but honestly, I didn’t think it was that great.  The locations are great, the cinematography is great – some of the acting is great – but the story is all over the place.  It tries to be like “Crash” and blend 3 seemingly unrelated stories together.  But Crash had a point, and it ended up making sense, and we cared about the characters.  In Babel we’re thrown into the action right away, and end up jumping around from one scene to another, one country to another, one storyline to another, trying to make sense of it all.

Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett are the big names in Babel, and the ones on all the posters, but they are just part of a much larger ensemble cast.  They’re good, but these are not the best or most memorable roles they’ve played.  There are several actors who could have played these characters.  I think Brad and Cate were hired for their marquee value more than for what they bring to these particular characters.

There are a lot of holes in the story, a lot of questions that leave us hanging.  I just felt unsatisfied, depressed and exhausted after watching it.
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04 Jan

Awake

Grade: B

Awake is a documentary that looks at the life of Paramahansa Yogananda, the founder of the Self Realization Institute. Beautifully done, we learn more about the man who really brought eastern philosophy to the western world. Yogananda has influenced many writers, artists and innovators including George Harrison and Steve Jobs – and we are treated to footage of these great minds explaining how their lives were changed by his teachings.

I particularly loved seeing footage of one of my teachers, Swami Kriyananda, who was the last living disciple of Yogananda. Kriyananda is gone now, but it was great to see his radiant face talking about his mentor.
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