THE SESSIONS
At first glance at the title, I thought this would be about a musical group. OMG, was I wrong! This is based on the true-life story of poet Mark O'Brien's (John Hawkes) life alternating between a gurney and an iron lung due to his polio. He is writing an article about sex among the disabled and decided at 38 years old, it is time he loses his virginity. Being a devout Catholic, he asks his priest (William H Macy) permission. He gets it and hires a sex surrogate (Helen Hunt).
The acting is wonderful among the 3 main characters and even the supporting actors, specifically Moon Bloodgood, Adam Arkin, Rhea Perlman and Jennifer Kumiyama contribute nicely. Ben Lewin wrote and directed the movie get the most accommodations however as it was tastefully filmed and beautifully written.
This movie spoke to me as a writer and human being. His poem Breathing was breathtaking (pardon the pun) and his love poem to no one in particular was amazing. One line about letting his words be your base reminded me about a line in one of my own poems about "using my words as your tissue" and gave me goosebumps in that the line was somewhat similar.
I give this movie two strong thumbs up which will surely be holding a book of Mark O'Briens poetry hopefully soon.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
HITCHCOCK
This film depicts the love story of Alfred Hitchcock and
his wife Alma Reville during the brief period of the making of Psycho.
Besides making this non-horror film watcher want to actually see a
Hitchcock film; at least Psycho if not others, this beautifully shows
the devoted loving relationship between two people committed to each
other through the stresses of vintage Hollywood.
Funny yet risque line was when Alfred prefers to be called Hitch and responds "just Hitch, hold the cock."
Anthony Hopkins is a wonderful actor
who became Alfred Hitchcock but possibly more through make-up than acting as
sometimes it felt more like an impression or characterization. Helen Mirren is her usual amazing self as she carries the movie by playing Alma as strong yet supportive and content to live in the shadow of her husband's popularity while still craving and achieving her own version of independence. Scarlett Johansson was also quite good as Janet Leigh.
I give this two surprised thumbs up for the beautiful love story but holding tight to one another in case Hitchcock tries to scare me with his horror.
ZERO DARK THIRTY
Kathryn Bigelow has directed two Best
Picture nominees in The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. It amazes
me that a female can bring about the atrocities of war without
becoming too emotional or non-masculine. Even though women serve to
defend our freedoms along side men, war is still a male-dominated
act. For a women to direct two war movies that appeal to both sexes
is truly amazing to me.
Zero Dark Thirty fictionalizes the
plan, capture and execution of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. Dealing
with the different middle eastern philosophies and non-western world
of brute force, politics and as stated before male-dominated
societies to bring down arguably the most hated man in America is
obviously no easy task. Jessica Chastain who some may remember as
the drunk socialite outcast in the Help or as Brad Pitt character's
wife in the Tree of Life, moves from those supporting roles to
dominate in her first major leading role. She shows intelligence,
power and a touch of beauty while at times showing the vulnerability
of being over her head and alone in a strange country.
This movie is an amazing piece showing
the brutality of politics simultaneously with humanity or lack there
of. We may have cheered for the killing of Osama Bin Laden but it
was quickly followed by sickness over the cheering over a killing.
I give this 2 thumbs up to the angels
that protect our soldiers fighting for those freedoms that we so
often take for granted.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
LES MISERABLES
I have not read the book and I saw the theatrical version many years ago. I don't hate the musical, I just think that the music is so over-powering that I cannot hear all the words. Words are my life. The general plot was depressing starting with the oppressive government and continuing with the poor people turning to criminal activities to survive. Yes, there are oppressive governments and crime; but call me naive or wearing rose-colored glasses but I prefer to believe that you can make the most out of bad situations with a simple positive attitude. Refer to the previous post reviewing Beasts of the Southern Wild, but I digress.
The best thing about this 2012 movie version besides Hugh Jackman's wonderful acting/singing and Anne Hathaway's singing was the comical relief from Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter. Master of the house lightens up the mood and brings some joy to a often depressing movie. At points, it did seem like a long movie which I think should not be recognized because we should be engrossed into a good movie where we do not notice the time.
Hugh Jackman definitely deserves his Oscar nomination and I would be happy if he won. Anne Hathaway should have been nominated as lead actress because Fantine is more important to the story than any other female role. Russell Crowe performs arguably his best acting to date but that is because in my humble opinion, he was over-hyped in Gladiator, The Insider and A Beautiful Mind.
I give this one thumb up representing the excellent casting of Sacha and Helena with Hugh and Anne's chemistry and acting while the other thumb is pointing to the Les Mis fans who undoubtedly will disagree (hopefully respectively).
I have not read the book and I saw the theatrical version many years ago. I don't hate the musical, I just think that the music is so over-powering that I cannot hear all the words. Words are my life. The general plot was depressing starting with the oppressive government and continuing with the poor people turning to criminal activities to survive. Yes, there are oppressive governments and crime; but call me naive or wearing rose-colored glasses but I prefer to believe that you can make the most out of bad situations with a simple positive attitude. Refer to the previous post reviewing Beasts of the Southern Wild, but I digress.
The best thing about this 2012 movie version besides Hugh Jackman's wonderful acting/singing and Anne Hathaway's singing was the comical relief from Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter. Master of the house lightens up the mood and brings some joy to a often depressing movie. At points, it did seem like a long movie which I think should not be recognized because we should be engrossed into a good movie where we do not notice the time.
Hugh Jackman definitely deserves his Oscar nomination and I would be happy if he won. Anne Hathaway should have been nominated as lead actress because Fantine is more important to the story than any other female role. Russell Crowe performs arguably his best acting to date but that is because in my humble opinion, he was over-hyped in Gladiator, The Insider and A Beautiful Mind.
I give this one thumb up representing the excellent casting of Sacha and Helena with Hugh and Anne's chemistry and acting while the other thumb is pointing to the Les Mis fans who undoubtedly will disagree (hopefully respectively).
LINCOLN
I am not a history buff nor a political fan. This movie focuses on the brief period where Abraham Lincoln works politically to pass the 13th amendment.to abolish slavery while dealing with the carnage of the civil war. His own son wants to fight but of course Abraham doesn't want to see his son in danger after already losing another son to disease.
The year of 2012 in Wisconsin was very politically-charged with protests, walk-outs and recalls. In Lincoln's 1865 the nation was also very politically-charged with people trying to influence and pay-off each other to get their way. So, basically politics hasn't changed in 147 years, politics hasn't changed.
The movie had an assortment of celebrities acting in the movie. Tommy Lee Jones redeemed his lackluster performance from Hope Springs to take over the movie as the Thaddeus Stephens. Sally Field was bigger than her role as Mary Todd Lincoln.
Overall, I give this a sideways thumb in a hope that politics will some day learn to work together as evenly as a sideways thumb.
I am not a history buff nor a political fan. This movie focuses on the brief period where Abraham Lincoln works politically to pass the 13th amendment.to abolish slavery while dealing with the carnage of the civil war. His own son wants to fight but of course Abraham doesn't want to see his son in danger after already losing another son to disease.
The year of 2012 in Wisconsin was very politically-charged with protests, walk-outs and recalls. In Lincoln's 1865 the nation was also very politically-charged with people trying to influence and pay-off each other to get their way. So, basically politics hasn't changed in 147 years, politics hasn't changed.
The movie had an assortment of celebrities acting in the movie. Tommy Lee Jones redeemed his lackluster performance from Hope Springs to take over the movie as the Thaddeus Stephens. Sally Field was bigger than her role as Mary Todd Lincoln.
Overall, I give this a sideways thumb in a hope that politics will some day learn to work together as evenly as a sideways thumb.
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Not well advertised or discussed, but critically acclaimed. This is a movie about the area south of New Orleans known as the bathtub. It is a poor community struggling to survive through the flooding brought about by the melting ice-caps. It centers around a young girl named hush puppy (tremendous 9-year old newcomer Quevenzane Wallis) struggling to survive with her hot-tempered with fading health father. The movie focuses on the power of the human connection between parents and children, members of a community and the rest of the world. Hush Puppy must show humor and imagination dealing with her lost Mother and ailing Father, courage through the rising flood and love for her family and community. Beautifully filmed, this is a small movie with a large message.
We need to remember in this age of technology, that the human heart has a stronger "wi-fri" (wise-friend) than any cell phone or tablet on the market. I give this two thumbs pointing up to the heart in us all to learn the human connection is greater than the electronic connection.
Not well advertised or discussed, but critically acclaimed. This is a movie about the area south of New Orleans known as the bathtub. It is a poor community struggling to survive through the flooding brought about by the melting ice-caps. It centers around a young girl named hush puppy (tremendous 9-year old newcomer Quevenzane Wallis) struggling to survive with her hot-tempered with fading health father. The movie focuses on the power of the human connection between parents and children, members of a community and the rest of the world. Hush Puppy must show humor and imagination dealing with her lost Mother and ailing Father, courage through the rising flood and love for her family and community. Beautifully filmed, this is a small movie with a large message.
We need to remember in this age of technology, that the human heart has a stronger "wi-fri" (wise-friend) than any cell phone or tablet on the market. I give this two thumbs pointing up to the heart in us all to learn the human connection is greater than the electronic connection.
MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS
At first glance, a movie about Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk, Thor and others does not really intrigue me. I watched Iron Man and was pleasantly surprised that the characters and plot were as enjoyable as the action so I thought I would give The Avenger's a try.
Nick Fury has to bring all the heroes together to form the group The Avengers defend the world from Loki and his army. The effects felt a little hokey but still enjoyable and entertaining. Scarlett Johansson was good as the black widow. Mark Ruffalo is a better actor than the Hulk deserves and Chris Evans was over his head or perhaps Captain America is just not a strong enough character.
Overall, this was an enjoyable movie, perhaps a tad long but there was so many characters to explore yet the brother relationship should have been stronger. I give this a partial thumb up for the hero conquering the villain.
At first glance, a movie about Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk, Thor and others does not really intrigue me. I watched Iron Man and was pleasantly surprised that the characters and plot were as enjoyable as the action so I thought I would give The Avenger's a try.
Nick Fury has to bring all the heroes together to form the group The Avengers defend the world from Loki and his army. The effects felt a little hokey but still enjoyable and entertaining. Scarlett Johansson was good as the black widow. Mark Ruffalo is a better actor than the Hulk deserves and Chris Evans was over his head or perhaps Captain America is just not a strong enough character.
Overall, this was an enjoyable movie, perhaps a tad long but there was so many characters to explore yet the brother relationship should have been stronger. I give this a partial thumb up for the hero conquering the villain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
