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04 Jan

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Grade: A

I wish there were more movies like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel!  Stellar cast: Judi Densch, Dev Patel, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and more all turn in wonderful performances.  The story is that a group of people, with no relationship to each other, find themselves moving to India to retire to a new “exotic” retirement community.  Of course, things aren’t what they appeared to be on the internet when they arrive.  But through a series of events, and some time to get to know each other, they form a kind of family of their own, and learn just what it is that makes them happy and comfortable.  Sweet, charming, touching, funny… this movie has so much going for it.  Highly recommended!
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04 Jan

The Beaver

Grade: B

It if weren’t for all of Mel Gibson’s personal troubles and issues that have been so prevalent in the media, I’d think that he would get an Academy Award nomination for his performance in The Beaver.  This may look like a comedy on the surface, or from the previews, but it is definitely a drama.  A heart-wrenching one.  Director Jodie Foster plays the wife to Mel Gibson’s husband, who is suffering from depression.  After she kicks him out of the house, he comes across a hand puppet, a beaver, who becomes his alter-ego.  His life dramatically improves, but he can’t handle the success.  Very thought-provoking, intense, with fine performances from everyone in the cast.
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04 Jan

The Bank Job

Grade: B

Based on a true story, set in 1972 London, the bank job is a crime caper drama.  When ordinary people get caught up in extraordinary circumstances things get way out of control.  What’s great about this movie is that you can’t predict anything that will happen.  I don’t know if anyone could have dreamed up the script if the events didn’t actually happen in real life!  Very compelling.  A little violent at times.
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04 Jan

The Aviator

Grade: A

All I can say is “wow.” Another awesome biopic, this one about the life of Howard Hughes. It’s often been said that there is a fine line between genius and insanity, and I think this sums up Mr. Hughes pretty well. The guy was just plain brilliant, and fearless – and yet strangely paranoid at the same time. Early scenes hint at the source of the neuroses, but I don’t know if anyone really knows for sure what went though the man’s head.

Martin Scorsese directed – I’m a fan, and this is the best I’ve seen from him. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Howard Hughes convincingly – a very strong performance, and he won the Golden Globe for it this year. Cate Blanchett plays Katharine Hepburn. Wasn’t as thrilled with her, seemed kind of caricature-ish. Story is tight, cinematography is beautiful. This is one of my favorites for 2004
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04 Jan

The Avengers

Grade: B-

Really this is a split grade.  I’d have to say that for fan-boys – those who love comic books and super heroes, they will love the Avengers.  It’s like a fantasy to have The Hulk and Iron Man and Captain America all together in one movie.  And that’s probably why this particular movie has broken all kinds of box office records!

However… for the rest of us… I have to say that The Avengers is just too loud, too long, and way too predictable for its own good.  When my favorite character is the bad guy, I know something is amiss.  For me it was like ego-central, each “hero” trying to outdo the other, in-fighting and flexing their muscles both literally and figuratively.  And then of course they get their acts together and finally save the world… but it’s not like we were holding our breath waiting for THAT to happen!

The one bright spot is Scarlett Johanssen as Black Widow.  There’s got to be at least one girl in the bunch, right?  She’s strong and smart and confident.  Girl power!

Of course there will be a sequel, and of course it will do well.  But will I go?  No, thanks.
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04 Jan

The American

Grade: D+

Cinematically The American is a beautiful film.  Shot on location in Italy and Sweden, it is beautiful to look at.  George Clooney plays the title character, a hit man on his last job.  He looks great, too, and his love interest in this movie is absolutely stunning.  Unfortunately, the movie itself is tedious, even boring.  It is long and drawn out – the story is thin at best.  There are several back-to-back scenes with no dialogue, just George doing his thing.  There’s not much character development, so we don’t even get to know these people.  Rated R for violence and nudity – not George’s.  Oh, well!
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04 Jan

The A Team

Grade: B

Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper make up half of The A Team – based on the hit ’80’s TV series from Stephen J. Cannell.  All signs point to this being a movie series now – it’s fun, full of action, and has lots of storyline potential. Jessica Biel is the girl who starts out hunting this motley crew and ends up helping them.  The guys are just having a great time, and it shows.  Good escapist fare for the summer.
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04 Jan

The 11th Hour

Grade: A

The 11th Hour is a documentary produced and hosted by Leonardo DiCaprio – here he’s an eco-activist more than an actor, and his heart is on his sleeve.  The health of our planet is what is at stake, and clearly this movie makes a compelling case for all that we can do to help.  Several scientists weigh in with their takes on the situation.  My friend Thom Hartmann, who wrote “The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight” (www.thomhartmann.com) is just one of the articulate presenters.

Here the official website for the movie for more information.  This is a must-see.

http://wip.warnerbros.com/11thhour/
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04 Jan

The 100 Foot Long Journey

Grade: A-

The 100 Foot Long Journey is the kind of movie I’d like to see more of. Sweet, funny, heart-warming, inspirational, and just enough conflict to keep us on the edge of our seat.

Helen Mirren heads up a beautiful cast.

After a tragedy in Mumbai, an Indian family moves to France to open a new restaurant. They wind up across the street from a famous French restaurant run by Helen Mirren.  There’s a culture clash at first, but the two restaurants, families, and staffs all learn from each other and their experiences.

This will be a classic for foodies, and for anyone who loves the French countryside.
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04 Jan

Thank You For Smoking

Grade: A

An interesting story, almost done like a documentary, Thank You For Smoking is original, and quirky, thoughtful and funny. Aaron Eckhart is the lobbyist for the tobacco industry who can talk his way into, and out of, just about anything. We get a kind of insider’s look into the mechanics of the business – and the personalities and motivations that go into it. The dialogue is sharp, the characters are well drawn and fun to watch. Adam Brody (Seth from The OC) has a nice role as a Hollywood agent’s assistant – he’s so dead-on it’s scary! Maria Bello, Katie Holmes, William H. Macy and others round out an excellent cast. I really liked this one.
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