Grade: B
| Wonderful voice cast includes Ewan McGregor, Amanda Bynes, Robin Williams and Halle Berry. The theme throughout is “it doesn’t matter what you’re made of, you can shine.” Not quite the sophisticated comedy of “The Incredibles” but fun for the whole family |
Grade: B+
| Russell Crowe takes on the role of Robin Hood in this new version of the classic film. It’s really the story of how Robin Hood got to be Robin Hood – it’s kind of a “prequel” to the other films. In that way, it’s interesting. Robin is an archer in the king’s service, and then ends up assuming an identity in order to help avoid a war with France. The characters are well drawn and the setting is quite cinematic. I guess the only way we have to suspend disbelief is that Robin Hood started this “robbing from the rich” career a little late in life! Cate Blanchett is a strong and determined Marian. She’s “Lady Marian” in this version, and she’s capable enough to ride right alongside the men to save the day.
This is an adventure – and a fun one at that. |
Grade: C+
| Heart-wrenching story of an unhappy marriage. Set in the 1950’s Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April (Kate Winslet) Wheeler move to the suburbs to raise their two children. They had always considered themselves young and rebellious but now they feel like they’ve conformed and are frustrated with their limited lives. Kathy Bates plays their friend and real estate agent. While the couple tries to live the suburban lifestyle, they find it tedious, and try to break out. But there are internal conflicts as well, and those end up coming between the two. Sam Mendes, who is married to Winslet, directs, and does a fabulous job. The performances are first rate all around. But it’s hard to watch heartbreak and stress and disillusion and pain for two hours. There are not many happy moments. The end result is depressing. |
Grade: B+
| Religulous is hilarious, ridiculous, and very clever. It’s also a great conversation starter. Bill Maher interviews various people from various religions to try to get at some sort of truth. He is amused by many of the people, and perplexed by some, and downright shocked at what comes from others. It’s all a very interesting mix, presented to give us some food for thought. In many ways it makes us laugh at ourselves. If you’re easily offended, don’t go. If you have an open mind, you’ll love it. |
Grade: C-
| The title of the movie RED refers to “Retired Extremely Dangerous.” We first meet Bruce Willis, who seems to be a nice, sweet retired guy – maybe a little bored and restless. When he single handedly knocks out a group of armed masked men who have invaded his home, we know there’s more to him than he’s let on. Something is up, and he goes to his friends to help out. Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and other familiar faces rise to the occasion, solve a mystery, and save the world. It’s all very tongue-in-cheek – these are professionals, as actors and as characters. Entertaining, but nothing we haven’t seen before. A little long… or maybe it just seemed like it. |
Grade: A
| I’m a sucker for biographies. Truth is always more interesting to me than fiction. If someone wrote the life of Ray Charles as a novel it would be hard to believe, and yet, this amazing man lived this truly remarkable story. Luckily, someone was smart enough to put it on the big screen for all of us to witness.
The movie is so well done in every way. Jamie Foxx, most recently seen in “Collateral,” is outstanding in the title role. As Ray goes through a plethora of both ages and emotions, Foxx shows his broad range. This is an award-worthy performance from a gifted actor. The way the scenes move from Ray as an adult, to Ray looking back on his childhood, gives us glimpses into the events that shaped this man’s character. The music, of course, is awesome – mostly vintage Ray Charles himself. Well directed, well written, well shot. Rated R for scenes of drug use and language. I think mature teens 14 and up could handle it. |
Grade: A
| Pixar has done it again – and they’ll likely win “Best Animated Picture” again this year for “Ratatouille.” Set in Paris, France, the movie has its own unique world – which is the hallmark for these excellent films. We see the city through the eyes of our hero, Remy, a rat who dreams of being a chef. How he fulfills his dream, and influences those around him along the way, is the premise of the story.
What we love about Remy right off the bat is that he’s got passion. And he’s different from those around him in that he has ambition, as well. He’s curious, and clever, and brave – a great combination for a Disney hero. And he’s confident, even given the most unlikely circumstances under which he must perform, which makes us root for him all the more. Ratatouille says a lot about friendship, following your dream, and being true to yourself. It’s a wonderful movie for the whole family. |
Grade: C+
| Rachel Getting Married stars Anne Hathaway as a young woman fresh out of rehab who returns home for her sister’s wedding. Anne Hathaway does a great job in this role, she successfully sheds her “princess” persona and gets really raw and real with her emotions. Jonathan Demme directs. The good parts about the movie are the wedding itself, it’s not traditional in any way, and the family is not traditional either. They’re an interesting group of people. But the downside is that the family, and the story, is full of dysfunction. And that’s not a great movie-going experience. The other problem is the camera work. It’s mostly shot in an informal hand-held style. It’s distracting on the large screen. And there’s a lot of time when the plot is just not moving forward. It’s a very long movie, and if about 15 minutes of this downtime were cut out I think it would have been much better. |
Grade: B+
| Based on the Pulitzer prize winning play, Nicole Kidman produces and stars in Rabbit Hole. A husband and wife struggles to recover some normalcy in their lives after the accidental death of their young son. Aaron Eckhart plays the husband, and he and Nicole have wonderful chemistry. Dianne Wiest is Nicole’s mother in the film, and gives a raw and heartfelt performance. This is a tough subject to explore, and Rabbit Hole does it very well. |
Grade: B
| Quartet is a heart warming movie set in a retirement home in England. This particular retirement home is for retired musicians, so there is a lot of music, energy and creativity throughout the place. As the movie starts the residents are preparing for their annual concert, a fundraiser that keeps the business going.
Then a new resident arrives, an opera diva played by Maggie Smith. Old friendships, and rivalries, are kindled. Lovely movie, great cast, wonderful music throughout. |
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