Crazy Heart (2009) A+
Directed by: Scott Cooper
Cast includes: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall
Drama, Color
In Crazy Heart Jeff Bridges plays Bad Blake, an aging country music star whose best days are behind him. While on the road playing dumps for food and whiskey, Bad meets Jean (Gyllenhaal), a music writer for a local paper. They have a fling and then Blake is off to play a big gig, opening for his protégé Tommy Sweet (Farrell.) Throughout the film, Blake struggles with alcoholism, reviving his career, and his desire to make a relationship with Jean work.
Crazy Heart is a touching movie. Bridges makes Bad so likeable despite his demons. I found myself pulling for him when he finally tries to pull his life together. Crazy Heart is like life: it doesn’t come wrapped up in a box with a neat little ribbon tied around it. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable. Sometimes it seems like there’s no hope. But sometimes there is that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel that just might change your life.
Jeff Bridges as Bad Blake is one of those born-to-play-this-character roles. He’s so good, you forget he’s even acting; he’s not Jeff Bridges, he’s just Bad Blake. The rest of the cast is good, as well, supporting the story and presenting well-rounded characters including Duvall as Blake’s friend who helps him get his life together. The music in the film is fantastic! I found myself tapping my foot during the sets and humming some of the tunes before we were half-way into the movie. In fact, I bought the soundtrack the next day. There’s nothing flashy about Crazy Heart. It’s just a simple story about life.
2010 Academy Awards Nominations for:
Actor in a Leading Role-Jeff Bridges*
Actress in a Supporting Role-Maggie Gyllenhaal
Music (Original Song)-“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” Music and Lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett*
*Denotes Winner
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The Wolfman
The Wolfman (2010) C+
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Cast includes: Benecio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving
Color, Horror
This was definitely not the worst movie I’ve ever seen. I’ll leave that distinction to Nicholas Cage’s Knowing. I must say that I did not go into The Wolfman expecting to like the movie at all because of what I had heard about it from the critics, so I was pleasantly surprised in that respect. Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro) is summoned back to Blackmoor, his family’s manor and place of a childhood trauma, by his brother’s fiancé Gwen, played by Emily Blunt. His brother is missing but by the time he arrives at Blackmoor, his brother’s body has already been found, along with two others, ripped to shreds. While attempting to find the cause of his brother’s death, Lawrence himself gets bit by the beast and survives. What happens next is no surprise. During a full moon he himself becomes a werewolf. But who is the original beast and how will Lawrence’s own condition be resolved? Will the Scotland Yard detective (Weaving) investigating the case catch him?
The Wolfman is a throwback to the original horror movies, only with much more gore and CGI. Trust me, lots more gore! If seeing blood on the screen makes you sick, then I do not recommend you see this movie. The story was predictable with no major plot twists. I had already figured out what I think was intended to be the main twist from all the previews I had seen. While the storyline about Lawrence Talbot’s past helped support the story, there was not as much depth to it as I had hoped. There was very little background to Lawrence’s father (Hopkins), Sir John Talbot, and absolutely no characterization of Gwen. I must say the cinematography deserves an A+ for some stunning shots. I enjoyed the elements of the classic horror film present in the movie. I almost jumped out of my seat several times, but with better developed characters The Wolfman would have been a much better movie.
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Cast includes: Benecio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving
Color, Horror
This was definitely not the worst movie I’ve ever seen. I’ll leave that distinction to Nicholas Cage’s Knowing. I must say that I did not go into The Wolfman expecting to like the movie at all because of what I had heard about it from the critics, so I was pleasantly surprised in that respect. Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro) is summoned back to Blackmoor, his family’s manor and place of a childhood trauma, by his brother’s fiancé Gwen, played by Emily Blunt. His brother is missing but by the time he arrives at Blackmoor, his brother’s body has already been found, along with two others, ripped to shreds. While attempting to find the cause of his brother’s death, Lawrence himself gets bit by the beast and survives. What happens next is no surprise. During a full moon he himself becomes a werewolf. But who is the original beast and how will Lawrence’s own condition be resolved? Will the Scotland Yard detective (Weaving) investigating the case catch him?
The Wolfman is a throwback to the original horror movies, only with much more gore and CGI. Trust me, lots more gore! If seeing blood on the screen makes you sick, then I do not recommend you see this movie. The story was predictable with no major plot twists. I had already figured out what I think was intended to be the main twist from all the previews I had seen. While the storyline about Lawrence Talbot’s past helped support the story, there was not as much depth to it as I had hoped. There was very little background to Lawrence’s father (Hopkins), Sir John Talbot, and absolutely no characterization of Gwen. I must say the cinematography deserves an A+ for some stunning shots. I enjoyed the elements of the classic horror film present in the movie. I almost jumped out of my seat several times, but with better developed characters The Wolfman would have been a much better movie.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Solaris
Solaris (2002) B+
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Cast includes: George Clooney, Natascha McElhone, Jeremy Davies, Viola Davis, and Ulrich Tukur
Color, Sci-Fi, Romance
This version is based on a novel and film from the Soviet Union of the same name about cosmonauts’ strange experiences on another planet. In this film a psychologist (Clooney) is contacted by a friend (Tukur) to join him on a mission due to strange happenings on their spaceship. When he arrives the silence and blood that greet him create an anxious atmosphere that pervades the screen. Clooney finds that his friend has committed suicide and the two remaining crew members are plagued by bizarre fears. As it turns out, the planet the ship is orbiting, Solaris, creates a “visitor” created by their memories of that “visitor” for each person on board. Clooney’s is his dead wife, McElhone, who we find out through flashbacks committed suicide when Clooney left their marriage.
These flashbacks are emotional and powerful; the visuals of the planet and inside the ship are pleasing. Jeremy Davies, before he spent time on “the island” on Lost, provides comic relief with something strange lurking under the surface. Soderbergh does a great job of telling a story without overloading us with dialogue. Slightly reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Solaris is a troubling examination of emotions and memory.
Any good movies lately?
It's been awhile since I've posted here. Job and family obligations have kept me quite busy for the last month. Last week my husband and I went to see Shutter Island. We both liked it. The previews make the movie seem much "scarier" than it really is. The movie is really much more of a psychological thriller. Despite the fact that I could see the ending coming, I still found it a great way to spend a Friday morning.
Speaking of mornings, Movie Tavern here in Denton has $3 movies for the first showing of each movie Monday-Friday including new releases. So, if you live in Denton, and find yourself needing something to do mid-morning on a weekday, head to Movie Tavern!
And now my question to you is, Seen any good movies lately?
Speaking of mornings, Movie Tavern here in Denton has $3 movies for the first showing of each movie Monday-Friday including new releases. So, if you live in Denton, and find yourself needing something to do mid-morning on a weekday, head to Movie Tavern!
And now my question to you is, Seen any good movies lately?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Movie Weekend!
This weekend was full of movies for me. Well, three movies to be exact. Saturday night I indulged myself with a movie I had DVRed: Night Nurse with Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Blondell and Clark Gable. Then on Sunday night, my husband Landon and I joined the rest of the world when we watched The Hangover. Today (an oh-so-glorious day off), we went to see The Lovely Bones in the theater. I thoroughly enjoyed all three of them. I'll have reviews to come!
Friday, January 15, 2010
I Was a Male War Bride
I Was a Male War Bride (1949) A
Directed by: Howard Hawks
Cast includes: Cary Grant and Ann Sheridan
Black-and-White, Romance, Screwball Comedy
Cary Grant is at his comic best opposite Ann Sheridan who is definitely able to stand up to Grant. Grant plays Henri Rochard, a member of the French Army whose escapades with WAC officer Catherine (Sheridan) forms an unlikely marriage. The story then follows Grant as he tries to follow his new wife to the U.S. as a male “war bride.” I Was a Male War Bride is a perfect example of director Howard Hawks’ fast-paced dialogue for which Grant was made. Sheridan is wonderful as the woman who can take the heat and give it right back. You’ll never know how ugly a woman Cary Grant makes until you’ve seen him in this movie. Hilarious and one of my favorite comedies!
Directed by: Howard Hawks
Cast includes: Cary Grant and Ann Sheridan
Black-and-White, Romance, Screwball Comedy
Cary Grant is at his comic best opposite Ann Sheridan who is definitely able to stand up to Grant. Grant plays Henri Rochard, a member of the French Army whose escapades with WAC officer Catherine (Sheridan) forms an unlikely marriage. The story then follows Grant as he tries to follow his new wife to the U.S. as a male “war bride.” I Was a Male War Bride is a perfect example of director Howard Hawks’ fast-paced dialogue for which Grant was made. Sheridan is wonderful as the woman who can take the heat and give it right back. You’ll never know how ugly a woman Cary Grant makes until you’ve seen him in this movie. Hilarious and one of my favorite comedies!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) C
Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Cast includes: Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Heath Ledger, Vern Troyer, Andrew Garfield, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell.
Drama, Comedy, Fantasy, Color
To say that this was an odd movie would be an understatement. My husband and I wanted to see this film for one reason only: This is the movie Heath Ledger was filming at the time of his death. The filmmakers handled his departure from the production very well by using Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell to play Ledger’s character inside the imaginarium.
Let me back up a bit. The premise of the movie is something like this: Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) makes a deal with the devil to become immortal. A thousand years later he falls in love with a woman and makes another deal with the devil to remain youthful in order to woo the woman with whom he’s fallen in love. Dr. Parnassus’ end of the bargain is that he must give the devil, known as Mr. Nick in this movie, his child on their 16th birthday. So, we meet Dr. Parnassus and his daughter, Valentina (Cole), a few weeks before her 16th birthday as they work their side-show magic on the people of London. Dr. Parnassus, now 1000 years old in the 21st Century, has the power to bring people into his mind and see into their imagination; this is what they call the imaginarium. He and Mr. Nick have a game they play inside the imaginarium to see whether people will choose a life of evil and darkness (Mr. Nick) or the life of good and self-sacrifice (Dr. Parnassus). In an attempt at one last gamble with Dr. Parnassus, Mr. Nick proposed that the first one to win five souls can keep Valentina, but they only have 2 days to do it.
Are you confused yet? Because I am and I haven’t even begun to tell you about the other characters involved in the story. Somehow Percy (Troyer) also obtained immortality and takes part in Dr. Parnassus’ Imaginarium side show. Also involved in the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is Anton (Garfield), a young performer as dedicated as the others to winning souls for the good of humanity who also has a heart for Valentina. The gang stumbles upon Tony (Ledger) one night as he is hanging off a bridge, literally. It seems Tony has gotten himself into a bit of trouble with a group of Russians and is implicated in a well-known charity scam. He pretends to have lost his memory after they save him from the noose so that he can hide out.
There is so much going on in the convoluted plot that it can sometimes be hard to keep up with everything. Unfortunately it also means the characters are not well-developed and I’m left wondering why on earth I should care what happens to these characters. Perhaps there was a bit left on the editing room floor, so to speak? Or maybe the scrip itself didn’t lend itself to much character development. The imaginarium scenes were trippy, to say the least, but had great special effects. I enjoyed the performances by Ledger, Cole and Garfield. I do have to admit that producer/director Gilliam cleverly integrated the performances by Depp, Law and Farrell after Ledger’s death left scenes unshot. There was one shot of Depp outside of the imaginarium that was too obvious and did not belong. He did most resemble Ledger, but the shot would have worked just as well from behind.
This is the kind of movie that may very well develop a cult following and someday become a cult classic. For me, there were too many holes, too much plot, and not enough character. It had its moments of drama and comedy, but not enough to carry the movie.
Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Cast includes: Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Heath Ledger, Vern Troyer, Andrew Garfield, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell.
Drama, Comedy, Fantasy, Color
To say that this was an odd movie would be an understatement. My husband and I wanted to see this film for one reason only: This is the movie Heath Ledger was filming at the time of his death. The filmmakers handled his departure from the production very well by using Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell to play Ledger’s character inside the imaginarium.
Let me back up a bit. The premise of the movie is something like this: Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) makes a deal with the devil to become immortal. A thousand years later he falls in love with a woman and makes another deal with the devil to remain youthful in order to woo the woman with whom he’s fallen in love. Dr. Parnassus’ end of the bargain is that he must give the devil, known as Mr. Nick in this movie, his child on their 16th birthday. So, we meet Dr. Parnassus and his daughter, Valentina (Cole), a few weeks before her 16th birthday as they work their side-show magic on the people of London. Dr. Parnassus, now 1000 years old in the 21st Century, has the power to bring people into his mind and see into their imagination; this is what they call the imaginarium. He and Mr. Nick have a game they play inside the imaginarium to see whether people will choose a life of evil and darkness (Mr. Nick) or the life of good and self-sacrifice (Dr. Parnassus). In an attempt at one last gamble with Dr. Parnassus, Mr. Nick proposed that the first one to win five souls can keep Valentina, but they only have 2 days to do it.
Are you confused yet? Because I am and I haven’t even begun to tell you about the other characters involved in the story. Somehow Percy (Troyer) also obtained immortality and takes part in Dr. Parnassus’ Imaginarium side show. Also involved in the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is Anton (Garfield), a young performer as dedicated as the others to winning souls for the good of humanity who also has a heart for Valentina. The gang stumbles upon Tony (Ledger) one night as he is hanging off a bridge, literally. It seems Tony has gotten himself into a bit of trouble with a group of Russians and is implicated in a well-known charity scam. He pretends to have lost his memory after they save him from the noose so that he can hide out.
There is so much going on in the convoluted plot that it can sometimes be hard to keep up with everything. Unfortunately it also means the characters are not well-developed and I’m left wondering why on earth I should care what happens to these characters. Perhaps there was a bit left on the editing room floor, so to speak? Or maybe the scrip itself didn’t lend itself to much character development. The imaginarium scenes were trippy, to say the least, but had great special effects. I enjoyed the performances by Ledger, Cole and Garfield. I do have to admit that producer/director Gilliam cleverly integrated the performances by Depp, Law and Farrell after Ledger’s death left scenes unshot. There was one shot of Depp outside of the imaginarium that was too obvious and did not belong. He did most resemble Ledger, but the shot would have worked just as well from behind.
This is the kind of movie that may very well develop a cult following and someday become a cult classic. For me, there were too many holes, too much plot, and not enough character. It had its moments of drama and comedy, but not enough to carry the movie.
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