Movie Review: The Wrestler
Do you ever wonder about what goes on in the lives of professional wrestlers? Ever pondered what it was like behind closed doors for guys like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, or Stone Cold Steve Austin? Me neither, but this movie made me care just a little bit more. Now that may not be saying much, but for what it’s worth, this is a film that at least deserves a viewing, and perhaps illustrates a profession that isn’t as useless as some of us may think. Then again, maybe not. I guess I’m feeling rather dubious today. “The Wrestler”, in some …
Movie Review: Frost/Nixon
There is no doubt in my mind that Nixon is in the top three of worst presidents of all time. And yet, he is one of the most fascinating people to learn about. He was an incredibly brilliant man, who unfortunately was so consumed with paranoia, self-loathing and contempt for all human kind, that squandered his greatest potential as a leader, and as a man. “Frost/Nixon” exposes all of these traits of Nixon, yet exposes very little about David Frost, the British “talk show host” who practically gives up everything to do what he thinks will bring in the most …
Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire
This film may be this year’s “Pan’s Labyrinth”, or “Life is Beautiful”. A movie from overseas, directed by–oddly–Danny Boyle (“Sunshine”, “28 Days Later”, “Trainspotting”), that transcends where it’s from. Forget the subtitles, forget the fact that it takes place in Mumbai. This is a story about people that we’ve seen in our own backyards–even if they are tucked away in the bad neighborhoods. We’ve seen the rags-to-riches stories. And like so many cases, we blur the lines between our heroes and our villains in stories about rising up. But the villains in this story are multiple, and at times, subtle …
Movie Review: Doubt
“Doubt” is most talked about because of the acting, and that’s just. This is what you’d probably call an “actor’s” movie. These are movies with typically weak or thin plot lines, and only serves to promote the acting jobs of A-list actors/actresses who want Oscars. I think that may be a bit unfair to “Doubt” because the movie is *about* something, not just an excuse to put some of the best actors together in the same movie. Now, that does not mean that the acting isn’t superior to the story, but the themes of invulnerability, the power of conviction over …
Movie Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still
You would think a big budget spectacle like this remake of the 1951 classic would be more fitting to be released in the summer time, when popcorn sci-fi cinema permeates the movie theatres; but I suppose that because this one’s supposed to be “thought-provoking”, it was more suitable at the “thought-provoking” time of year, the winter. I guess we have more time to think now that we can’t go outside and do anything, than we do in the summertime. Unfortunately for this movie, there’s not much thought that’s really being provoked. It’s more like it’s being threatened to stay away. …
Movie Review: Milk
Biopics are a funny thing. Sometimes they work, and when they do, they often feel like flashes in a pan and rarely stay in your memory bank. I wondered why I have forgotten most of even recent pictures that were well done, such as “Ray” and “Walk the Line”, and I think I understand why. When I watched both of those movies, all it made me want to do was listen to their music. Unfortunately it’s just not possible to give a life story of someone so dynamic and powerful only a two or two and a half hour snapshot. …
Movie Review: Changeling
One of the things I admire most about Clint Eastwood is his approach to films as an actor, and a director. As an actor, even in his most explosive roles such as Dirty Harry, he doesn’t go over the top. As a director, he mimics this by drawing a picture but not always filling in all of the colors. He knows how to shoot a film, and he knows how to let his actors tell the story while he sits back and lets the cameras roll. He did this masterfully with “Mystic River”. He did not with “Changeling”. A film …
Movie Review: W.
Ah, the movie event of the year! Well, sort of…Oliver Stone was originally going to do a film about the My Lai massacre, and it got scrapped. So, what is a 60+ year old conspiracy theorist director to do? Why, make a movie about the current president of the United States, of course! And when you see Oliver Stone attached to something about a Republican president, all the right can do is roll their eyes, and the left licks their chops. But, hold on a moment. Before jumping to a conclusion, let’s give Stone a chance. I mean, he had …
Movie Review: Body of Lies
I had mentioned in my review of “Burn After Reading” that the opening and closing shots are amusing and poignant to what the film is about; in that, here’s a picture of the globe, here we focus on a random area, and see random events that prove to be much more hectic and dramatic than they should. In “Body of Lies”, it’s pretty much the complete opposite effect. The film revolves around two characters throughout, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. Now, I’m going to go ahead and let you know that the trailers for this film have been …
