Friday, May 25, 2012

Movie Review: Desert Flower (2009)

"Desert Flower" is the film adaptation of Somali-born supermodel Waris Dirie's autobiography with the same name.   Waris escaped an arranged marriage in her native Somalia and ended up in London working as a maid at the Somali embassy.  When war breaks out in Somalia the embassy closed and Waris ends up on the streets.  She ends up working at a fast-food resturant and is discovered by one of London's top fashion photographers.  As she climbs the ranks to supermodel status, Waris becomes a face for the fight to abolish female genital mutilation by sharing the story of her own mutilation and encouraging fellow Africans to abolish this practice.

Though I have not read the book, I did enjoy this film.  It was truly an inspiring story about a woman who survived so much and then was brave enough to put a beautiful face on the ugliness of female genital mutilation.  I think it is easy to overlook how deeply rooted this practice was in her culture and therefore how brave it was for Waris to speak out on the issue.  It was so moving when Waris tells a reporter that she loves her mother and then shares the grisly tale of how her mother took her as a toddler to have this procedure done.  The movie is well-cast, especially Liya Kebede as Waris.  It's an inspiring story that's difficult to watch at times but I feel like it's important to face important issues like this.  Solid B+ for me.

Movie Review: In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011)

I wasn't sure what to expect with "In the Land of Blood and Honey" but what I found was a complex love story set during the Bosnian War.  Before the war, Danijel and Ajla were dating (not married as some of the descriptions of the movie state) but once the war starts the lovers become enemies.  Danijel is an officer for the Serbs while Ajla is a Muslim so she is now part of the race the Serbs want to "cleanse."  The pair meet again as Ajla is part of a group of women forced to become slaves for the Serb army at a base where Danijel is stationed.  He claims her as his "property" meaning she is his personal sex slave in order to "protect" her from being raped by the other men.  Throughout the war there is a complex relationship between the two that begs the question: can enemies be lovers?
This is the directorial debut for Angelina Jolie, who also wrote the script, and I think she did a good job of directing and cinematography.  The dialoge was a bit stiff at times but the movie had a decent flow.  As I am not well-versed in the history and politics of the Bosnian War, I had to take the film as a historical fiction and not as a documentary or something educational/informative.  The acting is good but sometimes the accents are a bit difficult to understand.

I found the relationship among the main characters to be fascinating.  Before the war they were dating and clearly have chemistry.  At that point they are free to love each other and have equal power.  Once the war begins however everything changes and now they cannot be a couple but rather it is acceptable for Ajla to be Danijel's sex slave.   Though he behaves in a way that can be interpreted that he cares for Ajla (protecting her, showing her a way to escape), due to her lack of power the audience and Danijel himself cannot be certain of how she feels towards him.  Danijel wonders out loud if she would kill him and the ending seems to point to an answer though my interpretation is that Ajla has mixed feelings towards him. 

There are difficult scenes in this film due to the setting of war (rape, killing) which might be unsettling.  Overall I think it's a B+ for a decent story of a complex relationship, good acting, and nice direction/cinematography.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Movie Review: Shame (2011)

"Shame" is a drama about a good-looking successful New Yorker named Brandon (Michael Fassbender) who hides a secret sexual addiction.  Brandon goes to great lengths to fulfill and hide his addiction and his sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) crashing in his apartment throws a wrench in Brandon's efforts.  Not only does Sissy complicate Brandon's life because of his addiction but she brings her own set of issues.  Brandon begins pursuing a coworker but struggles with achieving intimacy with a woman due to his addiction. 

This film is a well-acted case study of addiction, specifically sexual addiction.  In the movie Brandon shows the depths of the addiction and the lengths that he goes to in order to find sex and also hide his behavior.  There's hint of something in his childhood and Sissy's with some of their dialog, her self-distruction, and their seemingly odd relationship (Sissy says "we're not bad people we just come from a bad place.").  However the audience does not get an explanation for why Brandon is the way he is so it's up to interpretation.  A lot of films on addiction issues portray the addict as someone in the gutter or at last resort.  In this film we see a functioning addict in Brandon who chases his compulsion and hides it quite well until his sister inserts herself into his life.  With Sissy there seeing what he's doing Brandon has to face the shame and dispair that he feels.  Fassbender was fearless in his portrayal and I liked Mulligan as well in a very different role for her.

A word about the rating: This film does have a NC-17 rating for explicit sex and I can understand that this might be off-putting for some.  I felt after watching it that with the exception of one scene and Fassbender's full-frontal nudity that this movie was on par with many I've seen that got an R rating.  I say this just to be honest that this film does have sexual scenes and nudity but viewers should make their own decisions about renting or not renting. 

The bottom line is that I feel for the acting and story-telling this film deserves an A-.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Movie Review: One for the Money (2012)

I must confess upfront that years ago I read a few of the Stephanie Plum series including "One for the Money" so that creates certain expectations of a film adaptation that non-readers of the book do not have.  That said I did like Katherine Heigl as the heroine Stephanie Plum in this film.  Stephanie is a down on her luck Jersey gal laid off from her lingerie buyer job who takes on the role of bounty hunter to make ends meet.  She lands a big case that connects her to her past - a high school flame turned vice cop is on the run after a shooting and Stephanie can't wait to bring him in but she uncovers information that may help him instead.

While I liked Heigl in this role there just seemed to be something missing from the film compared to what I remember of the books.  I think one problem is that the film is 91 minutes and it feels that the action is compressed to fit so there's less time for character and relationship development.  Another issue is that I guess the director wanted the PG-13 rating enough to water down some of the bawdiness that gives the book some of its heart.  This makes Stephanie less of the badass tough-talking chick and more of a rom-com gal and I think that was a mistake.  Stephanie, the lovable but bawdy Jersey gal who loves her crazy family and relates to the criminals she brings in, needs the freedom to be herself even if that brings an R rating.  One positive for the film is Sheri Shepherd as Lula, the hooker turned informant because Shepherd brought some sass. 

Bottom line: If you read and liked the book then you may be a bit disappointed here otherwise it's a decent film and Heigl does her best with the script.  C in my book.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Movie Review: Columbus Circle (2012)

Though "Columbus Circle" went straight to DVD I think this movie shouldn't be overlooked.  It's actually one of the best thrillers I've seen lately.  The story centers on Abigail (Selma Blair) who is an heiress who is hiding from the world in her Columbus Circle penthouse apartment.  When her elderly neighbor across the hall dies Abigail must face the police and then the new couple  Charlie and Lilian (Jason Lee and Amy Smart) who move into the now vacated apartment.  Things aren't what they seem and Abigail faces challeges from the outside world she can no longer ignore.

I thought Selma Blair did a good job playing the agoraphobic Abigail and I also liked Giovanni Ribsi in a supporting role as the detective investigating the elderly neighbor's death.  I think the writing was pretty good as there are several twists and the movie held my attention to the finish.  The film has minimal language and violence.  Bottom line: Don't overlook this little-known but satisfying thriller - I give it B-.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Movie Review: The Way (2010)

"The Way" stars Martin Sheen as Tom, a father who travels to France after learning that his estranged only son died there (played by real-life son Emilio Estevez).  Once in France,  Tom learns that his son died in an accident while on his first day of the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.  Tom decides to make the pilgrimage in honor of his son and sprinkle his ashes along the path.  While making the trip, Tom meets other pilgrims making the trip for their own reasons and somewhat reluctantly falls in with three others who journey with him.

This is a simply beautiful film as the landscape along the journey is amazing.  I thought Sheen was great in the main role but I feel that his partnership with his real-life son gave the film such a personal feel.  Throughout the film the audience sees this journey not only in the physical sense but also an emotional one for Tom as he moves through his grief over his son.  At first he is reluctant to talk to anyone and he moves from being very secretive about his real reason for doing the journey to anger and later to a spirit of reverence and a respect for his dead son.  Overall just a quality film that is subtle but powerful - A.

Movie Review: Albert Nobbs (2011)

"Albert Nobbs" is a film with a lot of heart.  Set in a hotel in Dublin, Albert Nobbs (Glenn Close) is a devoted butler with a big secret - he is really a woman.  Albert has been quietly working and saving to buy a shop for years and hasn't longed for more until a chance meeting with a house painter named Hubert Paige (Janet McTeer).  Paige and Albert have to room together and Paige finds out Albert's secret but promises not to tell.  The next day Paige revels his own secret - he too is a woman and he has a wife.  Albert becomes curious about how he too can start a life with someone and what possibilities are there for him outside the hotel.  In particular, Albert wonders if a maid at the hotel, Helen (Mia Wasikowska) could be part of his future but the hotel's repairman might be in the way.

I felt that both Close and McTeer gave strong performances in this film as women posing as men in order to work and support themselves.  It's really interesting that in the 19th century women would find posing as a man as a viable option in order to protect themselves and find work.  The scene where Close and McTeer don dresses and go out as women is almost heartbreaking as the audience sees Albert free himself for a moment.  This film also achieved acclaim for makeup which I thought did a good job of transforming Close and McTeer into believable men for the film.  This film is fascinating to me because of the lengths the main characters had to go through for finanical opportunities and freedom from abusive men by transforming into men themselves and living with this big of a secret.  This film gets an A in my book for great writing and acting as well as the makeup/costuming that helped the women transform.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Movie Review: The Muppets (2011)

The Muppets are back and it feels like old times as the gang reunites to save their studio and their name.  The Muppets' biggets fan, Walter, journeys to Los Angeles to visit the Muppets Studio with his brother Gary (Jason Segal) and his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams).  They find that the studio is in disrepair and bad guy Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) is about to buy the property and destroy it to drill for oil.  The Muppets have to raise $10 million in order to buy the property but there's a problem - they haven't performed together in ages so Kermit with the help of Walter, Gary, and Mary have to get the band back together again for a telethon.

I really liked this film because though there's a lot that's predictable there's so much charm to the script which really gives a wink and a nudge to the Muppets' previous movies and the tv show.  Plenty of references abound to the past and we even get "The Rainbow Connection."  It's all in good fun and it's a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously (see the song "Man or a Muppet").  One of my favorites of the music numbers is a very different cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - trust me you haven't heard it like this.  Watch for numerous celebrity pals who show up in roles big and small throughout the film.

Overall this movie hits the mark for kids and kids at heart and I feel that the script shows that there's still a lot of love for these characters.  Solid B+ in my book as a Muppets fan.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Movie Review: The First Grader (2010)

This film is based on the true story of an 84 year-old Kenyan former freedom fighter named Kimani Maruge.  Maruge enrolls in primary school when he hears that the Kenyan is giving free education to all.  However, not everyone is happy that the overcrowded school is giving space and time to Maruge.  Despite resistance from locals, some of his schoolmates' parents, and politicians, Maruge is determined to learn to read and his teacher, Jane, is equally determined to help him succeed.

This film is well-done and simply inspiring to watch.  One can't help but root for Maruge on his quest for education and the strong-willed Jane determined to teach him.  I thought Naomie Harris played Jane brilliantly and the rest of the cast was very good as well.  I enjoyed the scenes where Maruge interacts with his first grade classmates.  There is some mild violence shown in flashbacks that explain Maruge's past abuse at the hands of the British when they tortured the freedom fighters for years in camps.  Overall, this is an inspiring film that shows the power of education, our obligation to remember the past, and the importance of perserverance - A.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Movie Review: W.E. (2011)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this film given that Madonna was co-writer and director but suprisingly I liked it.  The film follows two women: Wally, a woman in a loveless marriage in late 90's New York City played by Abbie Cornish and Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee who inspired King Edward III's abdication of the British throne played by Andrea Riseborough.  Wally, named for Wallis, longs for what she sees as a great love story like what Wallis experienced with her prince and she lives vicariously as she explores an exhibit at Sotheby's of the Windsor estate.  But was Wallis' story really the ultimate love story?  The focus is generally on what the king gave up to be with Wallis, but was he the only one who sacrificed for love?

The best part of this film has to be the costumes, makeup, and hair, which is breathtaking.  From the bonus feature (The Making of W.E.) I learned that the Wallis character had around 50 costume changes.  The acting in this film is also quite good, especially Riseborough as Wallis and I liked Abbie Cornish as well.  The domestic violence scenes are a bit much but overall I thought this movie was a treat.  It's especially interesting to viewers who have seen "The King's Speech" and remember the mention in that film of King Edward's abdication for Wallis Simpson and how this led to Bertie taking the throne.  I give this a solid B+ for beauty and an interesting storyline plus a nice job by Madonna.



Thursday, May 10, 2012

Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

"On Stranger Tides" is the fourth installment of the Pirates franchise and hopefully the last.  This film dispenses with Orlando Bloom and Keira Knighley's charachters, who were in the first three films, and there's no explanation or reference to them at all rather this film focuses on Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow.  Also notable is that this film has none of the expansive fighting scenes between the ships.  Positive additions to this film are added scenes/lines to Geoffry Rush who plays Barbossa and the addition of Penelope Cruz as Angelica, Blackbeard's daughter.  The adventure in this film is the race to find the fabled Fountain of Youth, which both the Spanish and British want to find but Blackbeard needs to find it for a more personal reason.

I really liked seeing Penelope Cruz and Johnny Depp spar with each other as their characters are semi-romantic interests.  Geoffry Rush is a treat but also look out for Keith Richards in a cameo early in the film.  Though there is good acting, overall there was a lot going on in this film and many storylines that were attempted to be resolved in a short period of time at the end.  I think that some of these storylines, like the missionary/mermaid one, didn't really add to the film.  The Jack/Angelica dynamic and the Blackbeard/Angelica dynamic were more interesting and could've been more fleshed out. 

The bottom line is that this film is better than the previous two in the franchise but still not as satisfying as the original.  Average but check it out if you're a fan of the franchise: C.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Movie Review: Straw Dogs (2011)

This film is apparently a remake of a 1971 film with the same name and I admit that I haven't seen the original but I pray it's better than the 2011 version.  The new version stars James Marsden as David who moves with his wife Amy (Kate Bosworth) to her hometown, a small town in Mississippi.  David is a Hollywood screenwriter and unfortunately he sticks out in the town where guys are more like Charlie (Alexander Skarsgard) and his friends.  Charlie is Amy's ex-boyfriend and leads his gang of good ol' boys hunting, drinking, and oh they also do roof repairs so David hires them to fix their barn (bad idea).  Apparently the moral of this awful film is that if you are not a small-town country guy then be sure you don't move to a small town in Mississippi because you're just asking for violence.

This movie is just such a disaster.  The writing is terrible and the cinematography is bad.  The result is a movie that spends the first half beating the viewer over the head with cliches and one-dimensional characters (look how rich/elitist/out of touch David is!) and then the other half in violence including the last 30 minutes or so when all hell breaks loose and an earlier violent rape scene.  It's like an amped-up Lifetime movie in terms of violence with famous people in it.  I felt relief and kind of awkward when it was finally over.  Take my advice and don't rent this one - D-.



Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Movie Review: Hugo (2011)

"Hugo" is a beautifully-made family film that anyone could watch.  The movie centers on Hugo (Asa Butterfield) who is a 12 year-old orphen living in a secret space within a Parisan train station and maintining the station's clocks.  Hugo often steals pastries and parts that he uses to work on a project he never got to complete with his late father: an automaton or mechanical man who can write.  He is caught stealing from a toy vendor (Ben Kingsly) names Papa Georges and later befriends Georges' goddaughter Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz).  Hugo is convinced that he will find a message from his late father if he can fix the automaton. 

This movie is shot in 3D but it's still beautiful to watch in 2D.  Martin Scorsese lovingly directed this film and the accolades for direction, cinematography, and art direction are well-deserved.  While the plot may not keep adults on the edge of their seats, this movie is perfect for the family and offers an entertaining tale for a broad audience.  I liked Sacha Baron Cohen in a supporting role as the station's security officer.  Solid B - rent this and watch with the family.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Movie Review: Dream House (2011)

Unfortunately "Dream House" has a great cast (Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, & Naomi Watts) but the script is terrible and the result is something like a well-cast Lifetime movie.   I labeled this film as "suspense" but the suspense was watered down when the publicity for the film gave away what should've been the twist.  The film centers on Daniel Craig as Peter Ward, whose family was murdered and while he was suspected he was institutionalized, declared unfit for trial, and released.  He returns to the family home and develops this fantasy world where he is Will Atenton and living in the home with his wife and two daughters, calling them by different names.  He starts to think that Peter Ward is stalking his family and investigates Ward.  Of course he finds out that he is Ward and this fantasy is to protect himself from the truth of the murders.  Naomi Watts is a neighbor/friend who attempts to help Peter figure out what happened to his family.

Like I said, the publicity for the film gave away the twist of Peter and Will being the same person so that really limits the suspense of the movie.  With such a good cast this movie could have been really something great but unfortunately it's just a mess.  Apparently the director, Craig, and Weisz were so disappointed with the final cut of the movie that they refused to promote it and I have to agree with them.  This film gets a D from me - don't rent it just wait for it to be on cable (or Lifetime).

Movie Review: We Bought a Zoo (2011)

I think "We Bought a Zoo" (2011) is one of those movies I would recommend for just about anyone.  It's a heart-warming tale of Benjamin (Matt Damon) recently widowed who seeks a fresh start for himself and his two kids by buying a home that includes a run-down zoo with Scarlett Johannson as its overworked zookeeper, Kelly.  They then embark on an adventure as they try to bring the zoo up to standard and reopen.  Along the way, Benjamin and family deal with their loss and try to move forward though not without strife between Benjamin and his rebellious teenaged son.

This film is a home-run as far as a family-friendly film.  Rated PG it's appropriate for a wide audience.  Yes it's a bit predictable as these movies go but it's well-acted by the main actors and a good supporting turn by Thomas Haden Church as Benjamin's brother.

The bottom-line: This movie won't change your life but it's a heart-warming and entertaining two hours that you can share with the family.  Solid B.