FUR

At the suggestion of my friend, Bob, I watched this film and I was taken by this imaginative portrayal of Diane Arbus. Not knowing anything about it, I sat down to watch a story unfold of a woman of society stricken by a pension for the odd. Diane (Nicole Kidman) was taken with her mysterious upstairs neighbor, Lionel, (Robert Downey Jr.) who hid behind masks only to eventually reveal his affliction of hirsutism. She was able to look beyond his mass quantities of hair and befriend him. He was a different sort of person than she was accustomed to due to his pressing inappropriate questions directed towards her to get to know who she really was as she felt largely misunderstood. Drawn into Lionel's bizarre world, she became enraptured by the plight of others affected by physical oddities and wanted to treat them as normal people. She went so far as to have he and his friends in her home for a cocktail party despite her husband's displeasure. The deeper she slipped into this other worldly existence, the more distant her family life became. It was like an Alice in Wonderland fantasy world that she coveted rather than the banal existence that she formerly experienced before the entrance of Lionel. The "fur" coat Lionel created for her out of his own hair resembled the body that he had lived with his entire life and presented it to her at a metaphorical time in the story. It was ironic as her family was in the conventional fur business. This film was David Lynchian at points and at some points very fairy tale like. If you want to be taken on a bizarre journey, you should watch this film. It is slow moving, picturesque and artful at times. The direction seemed confused. I wasn't sure if I was watching an art house film or a big studio film... As the feel of it switched back and forth between the two.

I give it a 4 out of 10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVd8RbFESw0

Body Heat

I confess, I watched this because after seeing the Wrestler, I wanted to see Mickey Rourke in his younger years. Watching a film like this clearly shows you that writing has evolved 100 fold. It is good to get perspective. That being said, I very much appreciated the "Chinatown" heat and film noir sytle of dialogue, shooting, and music. The opening scenes to establish the set up were hilarious. I loved when Ned (William Hurt) or if you are brain dead, your memory might serve up the name Woody Harrelson which mine did mistakingly, threw the chair through the glass doors to get to make love to Matty (Kathleen Turner)! There were so many one liners in the beginning that were classic. I kept getting distracted from the story line looking at Kathleen Turner's teeth. Anyway, if you are interested in a light, easy, often times funny in a b movie sort of way, watch it. Otherwise, don't bother!

I give it a 1 out of 10.
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1773863193/

Best Laid Plans

I like Reese Witherspoon which is why I watched this. It is a story of deception at every turn, as what seems to be is never the case in this story. The two main characters, Nick and Lissa (Reese Witherspoon) plot a scheme to make some quick cash and everything goes awry. Bryce (Josh Brolin) is such a tool in this movie it is hard to fathom. The best part of this movie is the ending, which is quite ironic-- because they didn't really need to do anything at all. All the suffering and heartache was for nothing! I also think Reese is sort of a dichotomy, in that she is America's sweetheart, but obviously much cooler than that as she was married to Ryan Phillipe, not a white lilly by any means --and now with Jake Gylenhall, both sort of off the fringe guys.

I give it a 4 out of 10.
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2950759193/

A Beautiful Mind

Rewatching this intelligently acted film has confirmed that this is one of the greatest love stories of all time! If you haven't seen it in awhile or haven't seen it at all, you must watch this movie. What makes it particularly compelling is that is a true story which is remarkably well directed and acted. Russell Crowe doesn't hold anything back and his performance is stellar. It is so difficult to believe that he didn't win the Academy Award! One of my favorite places to be is an Ivy League school library, nothing is more exciting. To get a glimpse into the intellectual world of mathematics and the genius minds of the students that create such complicated theories practiced in the world today is stimulating, to say the least. John Nash's genius is enviable but came at a high price. I tried to put myself in the place of Alicia Nash and wondered if I could stick by someone's side through such harrowing mental illness. Alicia Nash has a strength unmatched and her courage creates such admiration. If you aren't ready to cry a river, I would wait to watch it when you are. This is an unbelieveable portrayal of one of the greatest minds of our time. It is a story of determination and depth unimagineable. If you are feeling life is difficult, pop in this film and your problems will seem minor compared to what John Nash and Alicia Nash have overcome.

I give it a 10 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS_d0Ayjw4o

Interview

It is so difficult to carry a film with 2 actors and Interview does it well. However, it was slow moving at times, but the beauty of Sienna Miller (Katya) keeps the viewer interested-- clever casting by Buscemi! Both characters were off their rockers and tried to out smart the other by revealing albeit "fake at times" information. Power kept shifting from one to the other, and Miller's portrayal of a celebutante was masterful. One hilarious idiosyncratic detail was the ring tone on Katya's cell phone! Almost worth watching for... Katya twisted herself into one emotional tirade after another yet her character's humor came forth. This is a psychological mind bender where the viewer gets retribution at the end!

I give it a 6 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCHUibmnZi4

Cruel Intentions

Ryan Phillipe is the perfect Valmont and Reese Witherspoon's character, Annette, appeared to be a perfect victim for his conniving ways. Annette is inexperienced, naive and wholesome. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kathryn, was the perfect combination of sinister, and cunning, as Valmont's step sister. Although many might find this film a bit irreverent, I enjoyed it immensely. Valmont is the perfect foil to any girl's plan to stay away as he is unrelenting in his pursuit of what he wants, and he always gets it. The trickery illustrated by he and his sister regarding poor Cecile is mesmerizing. I would be remiss if I didn't let you know that the ending is truly great, powerful and riveting. Bitter Sweet Symphony...

I give it an 8 out 10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=538iMqi9S8g

100 Girls

An attempt at comedy, 100 women delivers sporatic witty commentary by the main character who is searching feverishly for a woman he had a tryst with in an elevator during a black out. He is clumsy, boyish, and inexperienced in matters of the woman. Katherine Heigl and Emmanuel Chiriqui star in this b movie and although it was mostly terrible, I found some of the commentary to be informative, in other words, men's views on women. The best anecdote was that men put up a wall to block intimacy and the illustration of this was amusing and I thought it to be mostly true. It bordered on clever in some parts and that is what ultimately saved it for me and got me through to the end. Much of it sophmoric, but amusing AT TIMES.

I give it a 1 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8iSA8yu-uQ

AUGUST

Other than getting to ogle a tattooed Josh Hartnett in his skinny jeans and cool clothing, this film is a dismal failure. There is absolutely no character development. I at no time identified with or remotely liked the main character, Tom Sterling (Josh Hartnett). The dialogue was sparse and bordered on simplistic. The dot.com and financial jargon was the most interesting aspect of this story! Tom's car was nice, an old convertible 69 camaro, the only way a camaro could possibly be cool was in 1969. The story was so uncompelling that I frequently found myself distracted by Josh's good looks so I didn't care if I wasn't listening to the dialogue.

I give it a 0 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMPR28C7NVA

Tristan and Isolde

I have to confess, I saw this movie to gawk at James Franco for a couple hours uninterrupted. This is Romeo and Juliette for Britain and Ireland... a story of confused loyalties due to extenuating circumstances... falling in love by accident, and then fighting and risking your life to give that love to a king, unbeknownst to the fighter (the lover)... It is about risk for loved ones, that comes back around full circle many times in matters out of one's control. It is a good story for girls, and not exactly a 300 epic sort of film. It is "a day late and a dollar short" version of period films like Braveheart, Gladiator and Last of the Mohicans.

I give this a 3 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rflRHussmcs

Garden State

Largeman (Zach Braff) is a likeable character who lives in a mental and physical fog due to the many antidepressants he takes prescribed by his psychiatrist father. Largeman accidentally crippled his mother and has lived on pills since the event in early childhood. I liked the indie feel of this film due to the great music and the way it was shot- very simply. Indies are so refreshing compared to studio films as the undoctored actors seem much more real. Largeman has an epiphany regarding the life he has been living in LA and being home in New Jersey. Largeman's claim to fame in LA was an acting part in a television series playing a retarded kid, and his love interest in Garden State (Natalie Portman) Sam recalls the show and the part when she meets him in a medical office and then turns him on to the Shins music. Great moment in the film, if you ask me. Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory plays Peter Sarsgaard's character's mom's young lover who is works at a Rennaisance themed restaurant. This film focuses on how to feel again without the numbing effects of antidepressants.

I give it a 7 out of 10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u82n0e1mgmQ

Donnie Darko

I had to watch this because of friends raving about it. I loved the opening song, one of my favorites, The Killing Moon, by Echo and the Bunnymen. I immediately became excited for a great adventure. However, now I am wondering if it was weird for the sake of being weird, or it had some deeper existential meaning. The bunny figure seemed to represent Donnie's latent desires and propelled him forward to execute some questionable acts. Like Garden State, the movie centered on medicating for a psychological condition and the problems that can arise as a result. Jake and Maggie Gyllenhal AND Drew Barrymore were good. Donnie Darko is similar to Shapiro in The Wackness- unpopular, thought to be weird and loners. I loved the Joy Division song, Love will Tear Us Apart in the movie as well. Those songs to me represent much of my 80s experience. Although this film moved rather slowly, I hung in there to the end.. not a great ending. Good endings are difficult to write.

I give it a 4 out of 10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N49ISZ4LpkU

The Savages

A psychological study of a brother and sister having to come together to aid in the caring for their elderly, abusive father after his aged girlfriend dies. Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman are good in this together. You get the feeling that these two have nothing in common, but as the film wears on, you see distinct similiarities between the siblings. It is slow moving, but keeps you somehow interested due to the superb acting.

I give this 4 out of 10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu9G9OxHMhI

The Wackness

In the beginning one could think this was just another movie of a city kid trying to be something he is not, but as the movie progresses we see Luke grow from a depressed, rap listening loner to an evolved young man who actually has the right words to spare a human life. A Jewish 18 year old boy who makes his living dealing pot in NYC decides his fate at the end of the story at the table of his grandparents and somehow it makes the movie totally come together. While it wasn't a real mind bender, it was humorous at times, and a graphic look at how difficult life can be for mental health professionals. I enjoyed the music, much of it old school rap, and I like Shapiro, he was a good kid, even though he was a drug dealer. It takes a skilled writer and director to make a drug dealer likeable... so that was clever.. to me anyway.

I give it a 5 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYKuQ-KnY-E

Slum Dog Millionaire

Moving in every way, this film touched on good and evil, choices, and love... About two brothers sharing a life together with no parental guidance, and trying to survive the poverty stricken streets of India. The film takes you throughout the lives of brothers, namely a 6 year old boy who sees his mother murdered and falls in love that very night with a girl he never forgets. We see the life of poverty in such a way that seems more real than acting and take a journey with a sensitive young man who spends his life trying to track down the girl he fell in love with at 6 years old- winding through challenge after challenge. Each scene illustrating the choices the brothers make and how they create their reality has an incredible effect on the viewer throughout the entire film. A must see.

I give this 10 out 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIzbwV7on6Q

Reservation Road

This was a great movie! The script was unreal in its ability to intertwine everyone so succinctly. I kept saying aloud, "What a great script!" This is yet another film depicting Joaquin Phoenix's impressive acting ability. One can honestly feel and see how the death of a child can destroy a marriage and family. This situation has got to be one of the worst in the human condition and it is portrayed as so... Since this film was shot in my town, it was interesting to try to guess where the scenes were, but I was swiftly snapped back into the story line again and again with great intensity. Mark Ruffalo was also quite effective in his role and the parallels drawn were insanely thought provoking. This movie will resonate with you awhile after you've watched it.

I give this film an 8 out of 10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVJJ7Dxcncs

Your Friends and Neighbors

Centering around infidelity, one character rings in my mind played by Jason Patrick because he is disturbing. It is difficult to imagine someone being so mean and bitter. That being said, the cast of this film is pretty good: Catherine Keener, Ben Stiller, Jason Patrick and Nastassia Kinski. Ben Stiller's character was perfectly annoying and Catherine Keener was sort of bad ass. Although it wasn't an epic film of giant proportion, I watched it entirely, and felt a bit empty afterward. I wound up feeling bad for most of them and got no relief at the end. I guess that is necessary sometimes. Everything doesn't have a good ending.

I give it a 3 out of 10.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2952724761/

The Wrestler

Mickey Rourke plays a character you automatically like and want to see succeed. I loved the way the director created mystery by not showing Ram's face right away, it sort of made him seem like the elephant man or a monster. I wanted so badly to see his face and when I did, I felt like I earned it. It is easy to connect to Ram because we all have had something and lost it. Ram lost it due to time. Scenes in this film can make one wonderfully uncomfortable. Ram isn't delusional, isn't fooling himself, or anyone else. He knows exactly who he is, and that is refreshing. He is a good man, who is funny, kind, and tough all at the same time. Marissa Tomei is great in this film and has a phenomenal body- makes me want to work out more. She was a great supporting actress. I loved the use of heavy metal music in this movie. It worked so well with the grit and dirt.

I give this film an 8 out of 10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cCNCU7zIiM

Revolutionary Road

A snapshot of suburban life in the 50s, April and Frank seem to be the "model" couple exemplifying perfection to outsiders. Sam Mendes does a beautiful job shooting this film using foreground and background images effectively. My favorite part was the "insane" son of the realtor who sold the Wheeler's their home in Fairfield County. There were so many messages alluding to the pains of marriage and the expectations people have as a result. The script dispels much of the fairy tale romance that has been sold to people regarding marriage. Thought provoking and intense, Revolutionary Road delivers a punch and leaves you thinking about marriage and its problems. This is a great film to escape to, and it may also have you wondering about your own relationship.

I give this film 8 out of 10.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809883886/trailer

Henry Poole is Here

Actor Luke Wilson portrays a man facing his ultimate demise subtly. The film was shot artfully depicting beautiful california skies and landscape. I would recommend this if you are a little down and want a generous dose of hope. You will be taken on a journey from the perspective of a few characters who push their way into Henry's solitary life. There was some good music and it was rather hip and simple. I realized something important later in this story and that was how if Henry had gotten the house he wanted, the whole story would have been different. See it so that you know what I am referring to... Luke Wilson is always good to look at.

I give it 5 out of 10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laBqNw12InM