Carnage: Movie Review

The carnage left over after a verbal battle of wits.

“Carnage” is about the carnage that is left over as two couples get together to discuss their sons’ recent altercation. It’s a play. Not just based on a play, but I’m pretty sure it is the play, word-for-word, scene-for-scene. But make that just one scene. One room, one afternoon, four characters. What makes it even more unique, is that it’s a comedy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a comedy this simplistic in its setting.		2011 Directed by: Roman Polanski Screenplay by: Yasmina Reza and Roman Polanski Starring: Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz

Shame: Movie Review

Shameful characters learning about themselves and each other.

There’s a lot to be ashamed of in “Shame”. But are the characters actually ashamed of their actions? That’s an interesting question which the film attempts to answer. Brandon (Michael Fassbender) is a sex addict; Sissy (Carey Mulligan) is Brandon’s wayward sister and is a needy drama queen; David (James Badge Dale) is Brandon’s boss and is an offensive womanizer. These aren’t easy characters to like or even necessarily care about, but they certainly are compelling.		2011 Directed by: Steve McQueen Screenplay by: Abi Morgan and Steve McQueen Starring: Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan

Young Adult: Movie Review

 

An almost brilliant look at the world of a darkly troubled young adult.

“Young Adult” takes place in that thirty-something world where young college student ready to take over the world meets experienced cynic (see my review of “The Ides of March”). Both halves exist in troubled Mavis (Charlize Theron) and not sure what to do about it she sets her sights on her high school flame (Patrick Wilson) who is now married with a newborn.		2011 Directed by: Jason Reitman Screenplay by: Diablo Cody Starring: Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt

Margin Call: Movie Review

The buying and selling of protagonists and antagonists in a profanely straight film.

Set during the recent financial crisis, “Margin Call” does something that most of these sobering dramas do not. It’s not about the characters reactions but their expected actions and takes place primarily in board rooms. A large number of rich and even richer guys work for a financial company that buys and sells. Buys and sells what is blurry, likely on purpose.		2011 Directed by: J.C. Chandor Screenplay by: J.C. Chandor Starring: Zachary Quinto, Kevin Spacey and Paul Bettany

The Artist: Movie Review

The golden hue of black and white silence and old school charm.

The Artist is an artist’s film; a tribute to the golden age of movies. In 1927, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent film star at the height of success. When the studios turn their attention to talkies, George isn’t ready to make the transition. He continues to watch the world in black & white and listen in silence.		2011 Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius Screenplay by: Michel Hazanavicius Starring: Jean Dujardin

The Descendants: Movie Review

 

Scaling the Hawaiian country-side with tears and laughter.

"The Descendants" is set in Hawaii but Matt King (George Clooney) and his family are not on vacation. Far from it. King is actually in a line descended down from an old Hawaiian princess and has inherited a wealth of land. That's only the secondary plot. The primary plot is that his wife is in a coma and he has to learn how to be a parent to his two unruly daughters. Cue the laugh track.		2011 Directed by: Alexander Payne Screenplay by: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller

Take Shelter: Movie Review

 

Shelter in the face of insanity versus reality.

Curtis (Michael Shannon) is having bad dreams and hallucinations. He’s likely just going crazy, but if he is in fact having visions of the future end of the world, then he might as well “Take Shelter”. With Curtis’s dreams turning into nightmares turning into a possible reality, he needs to keep himself safe and his wife (Jessica Chastain) and their young, deaf daughter.		2011 Directed by: Jeff Nichols Screenplay by: Jeff Nichols Starring: Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain

My Week with Marilyn: Movie Review

 

An affair with Marilyn Monroe, but who is she?

“My Week with Marilyn” is the week-long affair with Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) for young film enthusiast Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne). It’s also a week from hell for great actor Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) as he tries to make a movie with Ms. Marilyn Monroe. It’s also a week-long glimpse into the beautiful / tragic life of the starlet-turned-starlet.		2011 Directed by: Simon Curtis Screenplay by: Adrian Hodges Starring: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne and Kenneth Branagh

Melancholia: Movie Review

Feelings of melancholia bursting through the brilliant colours of the Earth.

Justine (Kirsten Dunst) suffers from severe depression. Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) drives herself crazy with paranoia over fear of the end of the world. “Melancholia” just might prove to be the end of the world. This film just might prove to be an example of some of the best filmmaking in the world.		2011 Directed by: Lars von Trier Screenplay by: Lars von Trier Starring: Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg

Martha Marcy May Marlene: Movie Review

 

Martha, Marcy May, and Marlene all caught between truth, sanity and madness.

Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) is a character who has forgotten what it means to be normal. Marcy May is a character who has been taught to ignore social values and any definition of “normal.” Martha and Marcy May is the same person and that’s where the conflict lies. “Martha Marcy May Marlene” is a dramatic character study which edges towards psychological thriller.		2011 Directed by: Sean Durkin Screenplay by: Sean Durkin Starring: Elizabeth Olsen

J. Edgar: Movie Review

 

Presenting a hero but not defining hero versus villain.

“J. Edgar” is worth the hype, the fuss and the wait. I was particularly intrigued by the prospect that it was directed by the older, masculine Clint Eastwood and written by the younger, out-and-proud Dustin Lance Black. I got the biographical story of the FBI leader and I also got the deeply-touching love story of a closeted gay man. Both were woven together seamlessly.		2011 Directed by: Clint Eastwood Screenplay by: Dustin Lance Black Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer

Red State: Movie Review

 

This is the stuff that nightmares are made of.

“Red State” is a horror the way “Jesus Camp” (the 2006 documentary) is a horror; not in the way Hollywood makes horror movies. It’s actually scary. It’s scary because these people exist and events like the fictional ones portrayed here have occurred and there’s no reason they won’t occur again. I’m assuming Kevin Smith had nightmares for years and to try and right his world, he had to tell this story.		2011 Directed by: Kevin Smith Screenplay by: Kevin Smith Starring: Michael Parks and John Goodman

The Ides of March: Movie Review

The games people play to get ahead, not necessarily in politics, but within themselves.

George Clooney is running for President. Well, I mean, in “The Ides of March,” as Governor Mike Morris, he’s running for the Democratic Presidential nomination. He’s the good guy and his opponent is the bad guy. Because that’s how it is supposed to be, right? The opponent’s campaign manager is played by the ever shady Paul Giamatti, while Morris’ campaign is run by the young, handsome idealist Stephen (Ryan Gosling).		2011 Directed by: George Clooney Screenplay by: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willimon Based on the play by Beau Willimon Starring: George Clooney and Ryan Gosling

Moneyball: Movie Review

More than a game of numbers.

It has long been said that professional sports are more a game of politics than an actual game. The MLB is not just a game of money, but here, it’s a game of numbers versus a game of people. It's callousness at its highest when general managers trade away people as objects with little regard for them or their family. Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, the GM of the Oakland As, seems to take that even further, treating people as if they are only numbers, and yet there was something refreshing and humanistic about the whole thing.		2011 Directed by: Bennett Miller Screenplay by: Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin Based on the book by Michael Lewis Starring: Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill

Drive: Movie Review

Driving a slow and thoughtful character study into a full-on violent crime thriller.

Ryan Gosling is a driver. During the day, he’s a part-time Hollywood stunt man and a part-time car mechanic. During the night, he seems to spend most of his time helping out with criminal activities. All of the time, he’s a leading man. He has a quiet and unassuming charm about him that can drive girls wild, and grateful bosses (like Bryan Cranston) since he’s so trustworthy and capable.		2011 Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn Screenplay by: Hossein Amin Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan and Bryan Cranston

Ceremony: Movie Review

The romantic desperation of flawed characters with humour, love and understanding.

Sam (Michael Angarano) is going to take his friend Marshall (Reece Thompson) on an adventure. It starts with Sam referring to liking a book in his “younger and more vulnerable years.” Sam used to think it was written about him; Marshall thinks it is written about him. And if you already know which book they are referring to, the characteristics of Sam and Marshall, and the adventure they are about to go on, instantly fall into place.		2010 Directed by: Max Winkler Screenplay by: Max Winkler Starring: Michael Angarano, Reece Thompson, Uma Thurman and Lee Pace

Beautiful Boy: Movie Review

 

The beauty of love and the beast of life's realities.

“Beautiful Boy” is about people. Husband Bill (Michael Sheen) and wife Kate (Maria Bello) and their son who is in his first year of college. They have an emotionless marriage, one where things are done logically rather than with feeling. They’re separated, just not physically. Bill is going to save up money, then find an apartment, then put a down payment on it, and then move out. But then comes the news of a mass shooting at their son’s school. The police arrive at their door and the tears start flowing. But, wait, as the cops say, “There’s more.”		2010 Directed by: Shawn Ku Screenplay by: Michael Armbruster and Shawn Ku Starring: Maria Bello and Michael Sheen

Meek's Cutoff: Movie Review

A journey not about the destination but which prejudices to fight to stay alive.

As bleak as the 1845 Oregon landscape they are traversing, “Meek’s Cutoff” is about the arduous journey three wayward families are taking. Their trip is at first to get to a better life, but later it becomes just about finding water. Although the film is less about their voyage and more about the characters and their decisions.		2010 Directed by: Kelly Reichardt Screenplay by: Jon Raymond Starring: Michelle Williams and Will Patton

Beginners: Movie Review

The relationships of life told with drama, humour, subtlety, and thoughtfulness.

“Beginners” is one of those life dramas where Oliver (Ewan McGregor) has to take care of his dying father, Hal (Christopher Plummer). Except Hal has just announced that he’s gay and has hooked up with a much younger man, Andy. Oliver hasn’t been able to carry on any relationship but meets the mysterious Anna (Mélanie Laurent) just as he’s grieving over the loss of his father. Oh, and there’s a talking dog.		2010 Directed by: Mike Mills Screenplay by: Mike Mills Starring: Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer

Horrible Bosses: Movie Review

Adding coarse and sexual content to make a plot-rich story funny.

In the vein of "The Hangover" (2009), "Horrible Bosses" has three friends taking a wild trip to—well, jail, most likely. They mean well, but when you spend your free time drinking at a bar complaining about your bosses, reckless plans are bound to be hatched. But I'm glad they do. It's a premise with lots of possibilities, never quite knowing which turns they would take, and they were all hilarious.		2011 Directed by: Seth Gordon Screenplay by: Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein Starring: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis