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

Hugo: Movie Review

 

An orphan goes on an adventure, and we discover the magic of filmmaking.

“Hugo” has Martin Scorsese master the children’s adventure movie genre. Scorsese’s 2010 hit was “Shutter Island” where he mastered the suspense thriller by paying attention to every detail in the film. Here, the camera is in the walls of a 1930s train station in Paris where we see the inner workings of clocks, an automaton, and an orphan boy looking for a key. It’s also in 3D and is about the history of filmmaking.		2011 Directed by: Martin Scorsese Screenplay by: John Logan Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz and Ben Kingsley

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