Movie Review: Skyfall (2012)

"Skyfall" is the latest in the James Bond series.  Bond (Daniel Craig) is back and investigating a cyber-attack on M16.  The bad guy this time is a former M16 operative named Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), who is obsessed with humiliating, discrediting, and punishing M (Judi Dench) for her betrayal of him.  The film brings in two classic Bond film characters: Q (Ben Whishaw) and Eve Moneypenny (Naomie Harris).

I'm a bit mixed on this film.  I continue to like Craig in the role of Bond and loved Dench.  Her character got a lot of screen-time and development in this film.  As a fan of the Bond franchise I liked the classic characters, Q and Moneypenny, being brought into the script as well as some of the background nuggets offered about Bond's childhood.  I still wish there was some continuity between all of the Bond films, as taken as a series it's difficult to put them on a real timeline and reconcile a lot of "facts" and plots, but I'm begrudgingly accepting that this is just not possible.  Overall this is a nice action/suspense film with a nice theme running through it of asking what is the value of old ways and old spies (note: Bond is supposedly "old" in this film).  Don't miss Adele's theme song during the opening credits.

What I really didn't like was Bardem's character, Silva.  When taken in comparison to some of the great Bond villains of the past, Silva is just not up to par.  This is a shame especially since Bardem is such a good actor - we've seen how thrilling he can be as a bad guy (remember "No Country for Old Men").  Silva comes across as scheming but a bit whiny and the homosexual angle to the character just seemed silly.  I feel like this character should have been written much better.  With better writing I think Bardem would have delivered a villain holding his own with classic bad guys like Dr. No and Goldfinger.

This film should have been better if Bardem had been given something to really chew on: B

Movie Review: Argo (2012)

"Argo" is a historical drama/thriller staring and directed by Ben Affleck.  Affleck plays Tony Mendez, a CIA operative who devises a daring plan to rescue six diplomats who escaped the takeover of the American Embassy in Iran.  The diplomats hide out in the Canadian embassy as "house guests" while the CIA tries to find a plan to rescue them during a very dangerous time in Iran.  Mendez criticizes the proposed plans then is inspired by a movie his son is watching to pose as a Hollywood film crew scouting a location to film a science-fiction fantasy film called "Argo."  Mendez flies to Hollywood and enlists a make-up artist (John Goodman) and film producer (Alan Arkin) to help create the cover story for his rescue mission.

I really liked this film, which was based on the real-life Mendez's book.  I thought the writing and directing were great - the film has good pace and suspense.  The supporting acting by Goodman and Arkin, as the Hollywood guys helping create the cover, was really good and added to the film.  I would've liked to have seen the "house guest" characters be a little more developed but that would've really changed the focus of the movie from Mendez's character.  Nevertheless, I think this is a solid drama/suspense film and Affleck did a good job directing.

Good story and directing, excellent supporting acting: A

Movie Review: Your Sister's Sister (2012)

"Your Sister's Sister" centers on three main characters: Jack (Mark Duplass), Iris (Emily Blunt), and Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt).  Jack is struggling with his brother's death but his good friend Iris (who is also Jack's brother's ex-girlfriend) sends him to her family's deserted cabin to get himself together.   Jack is surprised to reach the cabin and find Iris' sister Hannah has secretly moved into the cabin after breaking up with her long-time partner.  Jack and Hannah get drunk and sleep together, which they attempt to hide from Iris when she unexpectedly shows up at the cabin the next day.  Iris confesses to her sister that she may have feelings for Jack while Jack is left thinking about why he is going to such lengths to hide his dalliance with Hannah from Iris.

I really liked this film because it's an in-depth character study with a great script and good acting.  With just three characters, the film really delves into each character and their relationships among each other.  Thus we explore Jack/Iris, Jack/Hannah, Iris/Hannah without taking anything for granted.  The script has some twists, including a big secret that is revealed and really throws the characters into a tailspin further complicating all of the relationships.  The acting feels real and fresh throughout and the result is a film that feels really "human" in that the characters are full-developed and presented warts and all.

If you want something in-depth with a twist: A-

Movie Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is a film adaptation of a popular novel bearing the same name.  The story centers on Charlie (Logan Lerman), an unpopular high school freshman seeking to connect with anyone at his school though only finding a connection with his English teacher Mr. Anderson (Paul Rudd).  Eventually Charlie befriends seniors Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson), who take him under their wing and into their social group.  Charlie flourishes with his new friends though a troubling secret from his past threatens his well-being.

I confess that I have not read the novel so this review has to be strictly based on the film.  I found the casting to be great and felt that Lerman, Miller, and Watson were strong in their respective roles.  The story is really thoughtful and though I'm not sure most high school students are as introspective as the characters in the film I think the script works.  The dialogue is honest and thoughtful.  I liked that the characters weren't one-dimensional but rather fleshed out in a way that the typical "coming of age" story isn't always.  The soundtrack complements the movie really well.

The acting is great and the story is thoughtful - A-

Tribute to the Late Roget Ebert

It would be wrong on so many levels since this is a blog where I share my reviews on movies for me to not pay tribute to the late Roger Ebert.  Ebert has been a staple in American film and is the best-known and most-trusted (in my humble opinion) movie reviewer of his generation.  Quite simply he was a man who loved the movies but wasn't shy about giving his opinion when a film didn't live up to his standards.  I feel the New York Times has a great piece on his life out and you can access it here.  As a fan, I want to give Mr. Ebert a final thumbs up, from his signature reviewing system, and tell him that I hope to one day see him at the movies, which was his famous tagline.

Movie Review: Anna Karenina (2012)

"Anna Karenina" is an adaptation of the classic Tolstoy novel starring Keira Knightley in the title role.  Anna is a married Russian aristocrat and socialite whose life is turned upside down when she meets and begins an affair with Count Vronsky.  Jude Law co-stars as Anna's husband, Alexei Karenin.

I liked Knightley a lot in this role - she shines as Anna, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson maybe wasn't the best choice for Vronsky.  I also thought the costuming and overall look of the film were beautiful.  The staging of the film, which had the action taking place literally on a stage as if the audience is truly watching a stage production, was distracting at times.  There's definitely style choices made here that I think either make or break the film for the viewer.  It almost gets to the point of style over substance, which makes for a film with a lot of beauty but lacking some depth.

Beauty but not enough brawn: B

Movie Review: Won't Back Down (2012)

"Won't Back Down" follows two mothers, Jamie (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and Nona (Viola Davis), who are dissatisfied with the condition of the school Jamie's daughter attends and Nona teaches.  Jamie begins the process for parents to takeover the school and make significant changes.   She convinces Nona to join her but the two are up against a formidable foe in both the teacher's union and the local bureaucracy.

This film features two good actresses (Gyllenhaal and Davis), who have great chemistry together.  Also a good supporting turn by Holly Hunter.  I think my problem with this film is the great over-simplification of education reform to the point where the film plays like a promotional piece for Parent Trigger laws.  Aside from the two main characters, everyone else is 1-dimensional and obviously in the way of reform.  I'd rather see something more well-rounded with more than one point of view when there's so much at stake.

See it for the acting, not for a well-rounded debate: C-

Movie Review: The Intouchables (2011)

France's "The Intouchables" is based on a true story and the story is told in flashback.  Driss is down on his luck and not seriously looking to get the job when he applies to be a live-in caregiver for Philippe, a wealthy quadriplegic.  Driss is shocked to be given a trial for the job but quickly earns Philippe's trust even when a friend reveals Driss' checkered past.  Philippe appreciates that Driss doesn't treat him with pity but rather as an equal.  The two develop a special friendship that is sure to inspire.

While it is a bit predictable, I felt that the cast sold this story and made it into something beyond what it might have been.  There have been other films made over the years about friendship, even between caretaker/patient, but there's a chemistry among the actors and a script that manages to be both touching and funny at points.  This is a case where script, acting, direction, and cinematography seem to be on point and come together to create a film that is a really good product. 

Good, touching, and heart-warming: A-

Movie Review: Darling Companion (2012)

"Darling Companion" is about Beth (Diane Keaton), the wife of self-involved surgeon Joseph (Kevin Kline), who rescues an abandoned dog and becomes very attached to the dog named "Freeway."  After their daughter's wedding, Joseph takes a walk through the mountains with Freeway but he is distracted with his cellphone and Freeway runs off.  Beth is distraught and forms a search party made up of Joseph, Joseph's sister Penny and her new suitor Russell (Richard Jenkins), Penny's son Bryan (Mark Duplass), and a psychic/gypsy Carmen.

I wanted to like this film and there are some things to really like here.  First of all, the cast is top-notch.  Kline is especially effective as the self-involved doctor.  There are also some funny parts, with some sharp lines.  I think the problems with the film center on that it starts off as a romantic comedy but takes a turn into more of a relationship drama.   This sort of genre-confusion usually drags a film down and I think that's the case here.  The film seems to lag a bit as the film goes from rom-com to drama/character study but dips back to romantic comedy at time.  I think this lack of focus is what brings the film down, which is a shame because I think the drama/character study portion could've made a strong film on its own.

Strong cast but could've been better - C-

Movie Review: Frankenweenie (2012)

"Frankenweenie" is Tim Burton's animated parody/homage to the classic "Frankenstein."  Young Victor Frankenstein is a young boy who loves film-making, science, and his dog, Sparky.  Sparky is accidentally killed and Victor finds inspiration in his science class that he uses to bring his beloved Sparky back to life in true "Frankenstein-style."  Victor finds that hiding Sparky from his parents and nosy kids from school looking to find a winning science fair entry is difficult.  The situation spins out of his control when he is forced to explain Sparky's resurrection to one kid who tells others and suddenly Sparky is not the only dead animal raised to life.

This film closely follows the classic "Frankenstein" but the twist of the young scientist raising his beloved dead   dog gives the well-known story heart and new warmth.  This is a Tim Burton project so his fans will love it and those who typically aren't fans of his work probably won't.  There are odd parts such as a weird female classmate who has strange prophecies and an even stranger cat but I liked the overall direction of the film so I wasn't too bothered or distracted by some of the smaller choices.  Look for some of the characters' voices to be familiar: Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, and Martin Landau all lend their voices in this film.

Good but not exceptional - a must for Tim Burton fans: C+

Movie Review: Playing for Keeps (2012)

"Playing for Keeps" stars Gerard Butler as George, a former professional soccer player who is struggling to find a lucrative post-playing job.  George has a son named Lewis with his ex-wife Stacie (Jessica Biel) and due to his absence, he has a spotty relationship with his son and Stacie has moved on to become engaged to another man.  George attempts to spend time with Lewis by watching his soccer practice but soon becomes the team's coach.  This leads to him getting more time with both Lewis and Stacie but brings trouble in the form of unwanted attention from some of the other kids' moms (played by Judy Greer, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Uma Thurman) as well as a father who bribes him (played by Dennis Quaid).  As George makes progress building a relationship with Lewis and repairing one with Stacie, he gets help from one of the mothers (Zeta-Jones) in starting a sportscasting career, which could take him away from Lewis and Stacie.  Stacie's impending marriage also presents a problem.

This film is really one I'd recommend avoiding.  Though Butler is largely likable in his role, there isn't a lot here to recommend.  There's such a great cast of big name actors/actresses that it's hard to believe that the finished product is something so unfocused, predictable, and unbelievable.  It's just not enjoyable to watch at all and I found myself looking forward to the predictable ending that was coming (though not fast enough for my taste).  

Avoid this film, it's just not worth the time to watch - D-

Movie Review: First Position (2011)

"First Position" is a documentary following six young dancers preparing for the Youth America Grand Prix in New York, which is an annual dance competition showcasing elite young dancers.  Dancers compete for scholarships to dance schools or contracts with dance companies depending on the dancer's age. 

I feel that this film does what a great documentary should do - draw the viewer into a world he/she is not a part of and make that viewer care about the subjects.  "First Position" does just that by bringing the viewer into the world of the six young dancers, all of whom are under 19 years old.  The level of talent among the film's subjects is just amazing but more than their obvious talent the film also delves into their personal commitment to dance and especially in the case of the youngest ones their families' commitment too.  Beautifully done this film dazzles with top-notch dance but shows the kids behind the talent too.

Anyone who loves dance should run out to rent this one but also consider if you like a well-done documentary - solid A

Movie Review: Burning Man (2011)

"Burning Man" is an Australian film about a chef named Tom (Matthew Goode) who is burning with anger and pain almost literally.  His emotions get the better of him in many situations including ones at work and with family and friends.  The storyline is presented with scenes completely out of order so the audience sees many of Tom's struggles and blow-ups before having enough information to piece together the source of the character's pain.

This film has some beautiful moments and I liked the artistic choice of telling the story out of order.  Goode does his best with the material while Bojana Novakovic did a beautiful job in her supporting role as well.  The film is bogged down by all the sex and language in it but more than that it's an issue with the development of the main character.  Even once I figured out the real story, I still had trouble with "Tom" because he's written so over the top that it's difficult to feel the level of empathy that I feel I should have. 

This one could've been better though it does have some bright spots - C-