I actually paid extra to see this in 3D. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are the only cast (not counting voice work by Ed Harris and others). They are both extremely talented, award-winning actors who once again share their talent. The main reason to see this movie though is the special effects. It is a simplistic plot about astronauts who get stranded in space. I can't even imagine the fear and loneliness that would accompany such an event. SPOILER alert: I was disappointed when George Clooney's character comes back which turned out to be a sort of "dream".
I give this a half a thumb up because I love Bullock and Clooney also the effects were neat to watch on the edge of your seat but overall and even though there are worse movies, there are plenty better too.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Being John Malkovich
I finally got around to watching this movie from 1999. Starring John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener and, of course the title character (real person) Jon Malkovich, this is a bizarre movie about what it would be like to travel through a portal into the mind of another person. Not just any person but in this case, the mind of John Malkovich. The long hair of John Cusack and frizzy hair of Cameron Diaz was distracting in the movie. I did not feel an emotional connection between John and Cameron but it was very strong between Cameron and Catherine. The movie felt to me like it didn't know if it wanted to be a sci-fi, mystery, comedy or drama. The characters were less developed because of it and that hurt the movie. Overall, I'm glad that I watched it but the DVD extra's spoiled the movie a bit. It was fun to watch a bit role for Octavia Spencer (academy award winning supporting actress twelve years later for the Help) and the whole 7 1/2 floor was also a fun site gag. I give this a half a thumb up for potential, limited comedic moments and unique plot.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Stories We Tell
Sarah Polley is at the top of my always increasing pedestal of writer's that I admire and aspire to become.
She burst onto my radar in 2007 with the release of her wonderful movie, Away From Her (see my review earlier in this blog dated 6/2/07), about a woman dealing with Alzheimer's that SHOULD have earned an Oscar for Julie Christie--damn that Marion Cotillard, but I digress.
She returns to my radar in a documentary about her own life and how her family of storytellers (actors, directors and producers) can mix myth and memory to create the truth of their lives.
This started off a bit jumpy showing all the set-up of the camera's and interview participants. I loved how her father, Michael Polley was the narrator for most of it along with Sarah herself. The writing was filled with a so many great lines about truth, secrets and memories that I cannot possibly remember them all. It made me smile at points, cry due to Sarah's uncanny ability to make me think about my own writing aspirations and mostly induce thoughtfulness.
I will be seeing this again whether in the theater or at home after I purchase it.
In the mean time, I give this two thumbs up pointing to all those people we have lost (like Sarah's mom) and the truths, secrets, myths and memories they have taken with them in their journey to their heavens.
Sarah Polley is at the top of my always increasing pedestal of writer's that I admire and aspire to become.
She burst onto my radar in 2007 with the release of her wonderful movie, Away From Her (see my review earlier in this blog dated 6/2/07), about a woman dealing with Alzheimer's that SHOULD have earned an Oscar for Julie Christie--damn that Marion Cotillard, but I digress.
She returns to my radar in a documentary about her own life and how her family of storytellers (actors, directors and producers) can mix myth and memory to create the truth of their lives.
This started off a bit jumpy showing all the set-up of the camera's and interview participants. I loved how her father, Michael Polley was the narrator for most of it along with Sarah herself. The writing was filled with a so many great lines about truth, secrets and memories that I cannot possibly remember them all. It made me smile at points, cry due to Sarah's uncanny ability to make me think about my own writing aspirations and mostly induce thoughtfulness.
I will be seeing this again whether in the theater or at home after I purchase it.
In the mean time, I give this two thumbs up pointing to all those people we have lost (like Sarah's mom) and the truths, secrets, myths and memories they have taken with them in their journey to their heavens.
Lee Daniels' The Butler
Will Haygood wrote an article in 2008 about Eugene Allen who served as the White House butler for eight presidents which inspired this movie to be made.
Forest Whitaker is a tremendous actor (Last King of Scotland) who seems a bit overwhelmed in playing this role of Cecil Gaines (film name for Eugene Allen) It feels like he was trying to make a statement (along with Lee Daniels) at the struggles of the African-American in the United States. Oprah Winfrey was a surprisingly good as Cecil's wife, Gloria. She portrayed the strength of a mother with the dutifulness of a wife and the humor of a friend. There were so many stars featured in the previews for this movie that became distracting to the movie waiting for the stars to make their appearance. It feels like the directors and producers wanted the stars in the movie regardless if they fit the roles or not. John Cusack is NOT Richard Nixon, Robin Williams looks more like he forgot to change out of his makeup from One Hour Photo than Eisenhower and Alan Rickman is more a caricature of Ronald Reagan than anything else. In fact all the females in this movie, especially Oprah, Mariah Carey (Cecil's mother), Jane Fonda (Nancy Reagan) and Minka Kelly (Jacqueline Kennedy) are far better than their male counterparts in this movie.
Lee Daniels who exploded in the film-making world when he superbly directed Precious has taken a step back and should re-evaluate the reason he loves to make films. If it is simply to make a statement, perhaps he should switch to documentaries.
I give this a one thumb up for an interesting story about a previously under-stated member of our American history (Eugene Allen--character Cecil Gaines) but what could have been a great movie was only good.
Will Haygood wrote an article in 2008 about Eugene Allen who served as the White House butler for eight presidents which inspired this movie to be made.
Forest Whitaker is a tremendous actor (Last King of Scotland) who seems a bit overwhelmed in playing this role of Cecil Gaines (film name for Eugene Allen) It feels like he was trying to make a statement (along with Lee Daniels) at the struggles of the African-American in the United States. Oprah Winfrey was a surprisingly good as Cecil's wife, Gloria. She portrayed the strength of a mother with the dutifulness of a wife and the humor of a friend. There were so many stars featured in the previews for this movie that became distracting to the movie waiting for the stars to make their appearance. It feels like the directors and producers wanted the stars in the movie regardless if they fit the roles or not. John Cusack is NOT Richard Nixon, Robin Williams looks more like he forgot to change out of his makeup from One Hour Photo than Eisenhower and Alan Rickman is more a caricature of Ronald Reagan than anything else. In fact all the females in this movie, especially Oprah, Mariah Carey (Cecil's mother), Jane Fonda (Nancy Reagan) and Minka Kelly (Jacqueline Kennedy) are far better than their male counterparts in this movie.
Lee Daniels who exploded in the film-making world when he superbly directed Precious has taken a step back and should re-evaluate the reason he loves to make films. If it is simply to make a statement, perhaps he should switch to documentaries.
I give this a one thumb up for an interesting story about a previously under-stated member of our American history (Eugene Allen--character Cecil Gaines) but what could have been a great movie was only good.
Love Is All You Need
This is a Danish movie with English subtitles and some English dialogue. This is the story of Ida (Trine Dyrholm), a hairdresser who loses her hair due to cancer and walks in on her husband having an affair. This happens a week or so before they are about to fly to Italy to see their daughter get married. On her way to the airport by herself, she runs into (literally-in a car) the bridegrooms father, Philip (Pierce Brosnan). Philip is a widower who blames the world for the loss of his wife and becomes a work-a-holic.
Trine Dyrholm needs to be seen in more movies here in America as she is a wonderful actress. She holds her own and even overpowers the more recognizable Pierce Brosnan. Paprika Steen is also a wonderful actress in a bad role as the sister of the deceased wife of Philip, Benedikte who flirts with Philip. Anders Thomas Jensen has written a beautiful screenplay with wonderfully developed female leads yet the male cast and youth are either under developed or under acted.
This was a romantic movie which I give two thumbs up mostly to Trine to hopefully propel to bigger and better roles and a bit to Pierce who is still as sexy now as when he played Remington Steele on TV in the 80's.
This is a Danish movie with English subtitles and some English dialogue. This is the story of Ida (Trine Dyrholm), a hairdresser who loses her hair due to cancer and walks in on her husband having an affair. This happens a week or so before they are about to fly to Italy to see their daughter get married. On her way to the airport by herself, she runs into (literally-in a car) the bridegrooms father, Philip (Pierce Brosnan). Philip is a widower who blames the world for the loss of his wife and becomes a work-a-holic.
Trine Dyrholm needs to be seen in more movies here in America as she is a wonderful actress. She holds her own and even overpowers the more recognizable Pierce Brosnan. Paprika Steen is also a wonderful actress in a bad role as the sister of the deceased wife of Philip, Benedikte who flirts with Philip. Anders Thomas Jensen has written a beautiful screenplay with wonderfully developed female leads yet the male cast and youth are either under developed or under acted.
This was a romantic movie which I give two thumbs up mostly to Trine to hopefully propel to bigger and better roles and a bit to Pierce who is still as sexy now as when he played Remington Steele on TV in the 80's.
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