Grey Gardens

Oh my God! Watching these two crazy women talk and sing was like subjecting myself to fingernails on a chalk board for the hour and some change. I watched in amazement because no one in their right mind would have allowed themselves to be exposed... or maybe that is the very beauty and essence of this film/documentary? That two women can live so sheltered from the real world and remain blissfully ignorant to their plight (living on a nominal budget due to their inability to take care of themselves the "normal" way). One could easily get philosophical when watching this as really "what is normal?" and happiness really can arrive in simplicity (Buddhism). Maybe the Beales were the first minimalists/Buddhists and didn't know it, although they were wild about the catholic church and mentioned it a few times. I am truly in awe of thier absolute resolute ignorance or genius in not caring what other's think! Their singing and dancing is so weird and haunting. I have no idea whether to recommend this film because I still haven't made up my mind about it. That is the beauty of Grey Gardens, I guess....

I give it a 4 out of 10 (because it was terribly annoying at times)
http://bit.ly/greytrailer

Hounddog

If this film doesn't convince you that Dakota Fanning is the next Meryl Streep, I am not sure what would! She carries the whole film as the main character, Lewellen, a girl of about 10 years old who lives in the country with her grandmother and her dolt father, played by David Morse. She is always barefoot and running through the fields, woods, and playing with snakes. Lewellen lives in a fantasy world and sings Elvis Presley songs to escape the ignorant reality that envelopes her. The film shows how a young innocent girl can become the victim of everyone's shortcomings and problems around her simply by existing. There are a string of unfortunate events that lead to Lewellen breaking down.

I give this film a 6 out of 10. (Although there are a couple corny scenes, I saw exactly what the director wanted me to see)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMqkeMFr2FE

Doubt

When I told my mom I recently watched this film, she replied,"It seems sort of dour, no?" I said, "Yes, but it was good!" Sometimes period films feel like more of a chore when you are trying to pick something out to see... but more often than not, they turn out to be very good films! This was a great script and directed well by Shanley. It was pieced together seamlessly and the flow was perfect and each scene purposeful in telling the story. That is hard to achieve. The story centers around the stern Principal (Sister Aloysius Beauvier) of a catholic school, played by Meryl Streep who suspects Father Brendan Flynn, played by Hoffman, of inappropriate behavior with a young male student. While she has no concrete proof of this supposed dalliance, she is obsessed with the possibility and does everything she can to remove Father Flynn from the Institution. Amy Adams plays an innocent nun/teacher, what else is new? Will Amy Adams ever play a character with some edge? Every movie shows us the same sweet, one dimensional Amy. The story was executed with flair and precision.

I give it a 7 out of 10.
http://bit.ly/doubttrailer

Gran Torino

I loved the fact that the only "big" name associated with this film is Clint Eastwood, and what a BIG name it is, and that name is all it needed! I love me some Clint and still think he is so handsome! Clint is old skool "dirty harry" tough in this story! His character, Walt Kowalski, didn't only TALK THE TALK, but he WALKED IT as well! Walt is a walking, talking a$$ kicker at almost 80 years old! Gimme some of that! When do we get to see a COOL as Hell elderly character using modern slang? This story, for me, has every element for a great film. Walt isn't close to his 2 sons and grandchildren. They don't understand him. His Vietnamese neighbors became like family to him through unlikely circumstances. The boy who tries to steal his Gran Torino becomes his closest friend. A likeable main character, who is so prickly in his demeanor and who is often cringe worthy; Not to mention hilarious many times! The trailer, to me, doesn't do the story or the main character justice but then again, we can't have politically incorrect banter on a film trailer, can we? Not in the New America where everyone is so sensitive and ready to sue at the drop of a hat! This was a touching, funny, sad, and moving story and I recommend it very highly.

I give it a 9 out of 10.
http://bit.ly/grantorinotrailer

Lars and the Real Girl

I did not know what to expect with this film and am even more surprised as I sit here reflecting on it. My friend thought it was the worst movie he had seen and I sat and watched it until the end. What intrigued me was Lars, played by Ryan Gosling, who was GREAT. Lars seemed to be somewhat normal while at work (we never knew what he did for work, they simply showed him in a cube)but when he got home, he was sort of a mess. The biggest problem with this film was that I didn't really feel for Lars, there was a lack of character development. I just knew he was reclusive and a loner. He lived in the garage of the house he inherited from his dead parents, and his older brother and wife lived in the "house part". For whatever reason, and it was never explained. Why Lars ordered this fake woman doll on the Internet and pretends she is his real girlfriend, Bianca, we never know! He develops this whole persona for her and the town folk stand behind him and play into the facade. I watched because it was interesting from a psychological perspective, and Ryan Gosling was so believable as Lars! I guess it is an interesting film because as I sit here contemplating it, I still don't know what to make of it. Obviously, Lars needed to take care of some hidden emotional baggage, but what exactly, we have no idea. We just watch everyone participate in this ridiculous display of affection for a fake doll. I don't know... watch at your own discretion. Not sure I recommend it, but Ryan's acting is worth watching.

I give it a 3 out of 10. view trailer below
http://bit.ly/larsrealgirl

Kill Shot

I don't remember hearing about this film, did it even get to theaters? I liked it, and found the cast to be interesting, especially Joseph Gordon Levitt, Heath Ledger Junior, who plays Richie Nix, an off the wall nut who kills and robs at will. I disliked Richie terribly and that tells me he is doing a great job with his character. Mickey Rourke plays Black Bird (Armand) an American Indian hitman for the Toronto, Canada Mafia, and Diane Lane plays an unlucky realtor who mistakenly gets in the middle of a job gone bad and sees Black Bird and looks at him a little too long while he fails in killing her boss. I don't watch many thrillers these days, and found it a little stressful ;) but I guess that is why people remain interested throughout these films... I thought it was good because I remained interested, although the ending isn't super, and predictable, but how else do you end a thriller? Mickey Rourke was surprisingly convincing as an Indian. I was skeptical, not of his acting ability, but thought his appearance couldn't lend itself "Indian". It did, and he was a little more compassionate and complicated for a hit man..

I give it a 5 out 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kvfnwIN5oA

Burn After Reading

Because this was a Coen movie, I decided to see it, not to mention I love Francis McDormand who plays a great Linda Lizke, a dumb gym sales person who is obsessed with getting plastic surgery because she believes it will increase her odds of finding a boyfriend, or husband. Brad Pitt skillfully plays Chad Feldheimer, another dumb gym employee, a trainer, who is delightfully simple and charming. I enjoyed seeing Brad Pitt in this role, it was refreshing to see him in a comedy. He should do more, but there probably isn't too many he'd do, given that comedies are extremely hard movies to make "good". I am sure he did this because of the Coen brothers, and his buddy from Oceans 1000 something, Georg, was attached to it, who plays a dumb serial affair haver... Overall, good, silly characters! They were totally entertaining to watch! The brothers know how to write and direct, no doubt. Chad discovers that Ozzie, played by John Malkovich,ex CIA,(SO FUNNY TOO!) left behind a computer disk of a book he was writing at the gym. Chad finds it, tells Linda and they come up with a hair brained scheme to blackmail and the chain of events that occur as a result create the story. Tilda Swindon, Richard Jenkins, and the father from Juno.. he is FUNNY, Jk Simmons is also cast!!

I give it a 5 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N99kv6ojn48

Elegy

As I saw the opening scene, I thought to myself, I am going to really like this film. I like professor/cerebral type characters, and Ben Kingsley as David Kapesh is brilliant and sexy (yes, sexy, and unexpectedly so). His best friend, George, played by Dennis Hopper was a good semi-foil. George and David are older men in NYC who are revered in the academic/literary world and have their share of challenges with women. Both are attractive, smart, have presence and seem to have problems with fidelity and longevity in romantic relationships. David is overcome by a beautiful student, Consuela Castillo, perfectly cast and played by Penelope Cruz. She is underrated as an actress, people focus on her beauty, but her acting is great, if you ask me. The story centers around the complications of a much older man (30 years older) and a very young woman's,(David and Consuela)relationship. They truly do have a deep connection,but in both of their minds, the physical limitations (in their psyches) of it seemingly get in the way. It is a touching story and worth a watch if you want to escape for awhile. I liked it although at times it did seem a bit contrived, but how can perfection last for almost 2 hours? You will be surprised by the appearance of some other notable actors playing smaller roles.

I give it a 6 out of 10.
http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/elegy/trailer