Tag: movies

Movie reviews: Philomena and Beginners

***½ Philomena (November 2013) – Theatre

PHilomena posterJudi Dench, Steve Coogan. A cynical reporter agrees to help the elderly Philomena locate her son, who was taken from her by the church when she was a teenager.

She says: A rather delightful movie about a pretty appalling subject. The interaction between the cynical, worldly, atheist reporter Martin and the sentimental, parochial, and still-Christian Philomena is wonderful. Especially those moments when you—along with Martin—realize that Philomena is not as naive as you might think.

Their journey together to discover what happened to Philomena’s son after he was taken from her from the convent she was sent to as pregnant teenager is full of twists that I didn’t see coming. It’s all based on a true story, and it doesn’t cast the Irish Catholic church in a particularly good light.

He says: It was terrible what happened to her! It all made me so angry!

But it was nice that I wasn’t bored by the movie.

**½ Beginners (November 2011) – Rental

Beginners posterEwan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent. After meeting a woman he connects with, artist Oliver thinks back on his Dad’s last few years of life as an out gay man.

She says: This movie plays with time a lot, flashing back to Oliver’s last few months with his Dad, who was dying of cancer but determined to live to the full to the end; to the period before when his Dad first came out as a gay man, after the death of Oliver’s mother; and to key moments of his childhood. In present time, Oliver is trying to negotiate a new relationship with the unpredictable but insightful Anna. Both Oliver and Anna have a history of failed relationships, of not being able to see them through. Oliver uses the memories of his Dad’s life as a lesson in how to change.

So, it’s a pretty arty. But the performances are great, the actors have good chemistry, and I enjoyed the journey.

He says: I didn’t understand that movie. Not my thing.

Movie review—The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (and other notes)

So this is the difference between having read the book before (she) and not (he)…

The Hunger Games poster** ½ The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Theatre)

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson. President Snow is not happy about how the last Hunger Games ended, and lets Katniss know it. She sees signs of rebellion for herself on her Victory Tour with Peeta. Neither are prepared for Snow’s plan for the 75th Hunger Games.

She says: I think the movie did a good job of showing the oppressive force of the Capital and the danger and excitement of the simmering rebellion in the districts. And it really did seem sad that [spoiler alert?] past victors were sent back to battle again. I also appreciated the fierceness of the women characters—Katniss, of course; Mags, in her own way; but especially Jenna Malone as Johanna. Johanna did make that much of an impression in the book, but on-screen, I couldn’t get enough of her speaking truth to power. And the final shot of Katniss was awesome.

Katniss’ continuing lack of skill in correctly interpreting what’s going on around her (and the plot device of keeping her in the dark so much) was a bit meh, but not enough to ruin the movie for me. It also, cinematographically, looked gorgeous, including Sam Claflin as Finnick, who was as good-looking as I’d hoped, based on the novel. Katniss also seemed more truly in love with both Gale and Peeta than I recall her being at this point in the trilogy, but I guess that’s allowed. ***

He says: I didn’t think it was that good. It was like they couldn’t think of a new story, so just redid the plot of the first movie, sending Katniss and Peeta into the Hunger Games again. And I’m not sure it holds together. If Peeta was in on it, why was he acting so suspicious of the others in the arena? **

And other notes

Also viewed recently, at home, were two much smaller, character-driven movies: Mike Leigh’s Another Year and Norm Baumbach’s Frances Ha. If you like movies about interesting characters and how they interact with others and get on in the world—but without a big dramatic arc—these two are good examples of that. Another Year features a happy couple and their messed-up friends and family. Frances Ha follows struggling dancer Frances in her efforts to “become a person” with an actual career, place to live, and friends.

But these are not the sorts of films Jean enjoys. I didn’t even ask him to watch Another Year. He actually picked out Frances Ha from a short list of options, but then he was sorry he had.

As for award seasons, as usual I haven’t seen too many of the big contenders. But I am happy that Dallas Buyers Club is getting so much recognition. Was reminded it was directed by Canadian Jean-Marc Vallée, who did two other movies Jean and I both enjoyed: Café de Flore and C.R.A.Z.Y.

Movie review: Dallas Buyer’s Club

**** Dallas Buyers Club (November 2013) – Theatre

Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner. A promiscuous, homophobic Texas cowboy is stunned by an HIV diagnosis during the mid-1980s, when that is most definitely a death sentence. He finds unlikely alliances among gay men as he fights for treatment options to prolong his life.

She says: Much less sad a film than I was expecting, given that it is about young men who are dying of an awful disease. But this movie focuses on their fight for life, and while not everyone survives (hardly a spoiler), the movie doesn’t wallow in those moments. It never goes for cheap sentiment.

The gaunt Matthew McConaughey is almost unrecognizable but very good in the lead role of Ron Woodroff, who is not always sympathetic, yet you can’t help rooting for him, even before the prejudice he encounters due to his diagnosis gradually causes him to evolve into a somewhat better man. Jared Leto, as his transsexual partner Rayon in the “buyers club”, is also very good, and I wish the movie had spent more time on his rather fascinating character.

The “buyers club” is formed when the medical establishment has nothing to offer these men. They look for alternative and experimental drugs and therapies, try them on themselves first to test efficacy, then sell them with no guarantees to people who have no other hope. The response of various officials—medical, legal, regulatory—to the club forms the crux of this film. Really interesting.

And often funnier than you’d think from that description!

He says: Wow! I liked that movie! About time. (Although it was disturbing just how good-looking a “woman” that Rayon was…)

Characters from Dallas Buyers Club

Movie review: Kill Your Darlings

This one was a split vote.

Kill Your Darlings movie posterKill Your Darlings  (October 2013) – Theatre

Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan. A look at Allen Ginsberg’s first year of university, where a friendship with classmate Lucien Carr brings him excitement, exhilaration, and turmoil, until a murder puts an end to it.

She says: I found myself caught up in Ginsberg’s journey from his troubled home life with his mentally ill mom to the freedom and excitement of university life. As Lucien Carr draws Ginsberg into his world of artists, drugs, and parties, you can see him flourish with inspiration—a sort of Dead Poet’s Society, only rather more corrupt. And it was nice to see the written word take centre stage: their big caper is to break into a library and steal some of the naughty books; their great goal is to “write something beautiful”. (Rating: ***)

He says: Oh my God, that was so boring. (Rating: *)

Movie review: Gravity

*** Gravity (October 2013) – Theatre

Gravity posterSandra Bullock, George Clooney. Astronauts Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Matt Kowalsky (Clooney) are out on a space walk when their shuttle is hit by space debris. Without connection to Houston, they have to figure out how to get back home.

She says: This movie was probably over-praised. Certainly the effects are amazing; you do believe they are in zero gravity the whole time. But the story is a little bit slight, the theme a bit obvious. It was certainly enough to hold my interest, and there are definitely moments of real drama. But I probably would have enjoyed it more if it hadn’t been so overhyped.

He says: I didn’t think that much of it. I agree with you that the effects were just amazing, and definitely stuff happened. I guess I just didn’t find it the most compelling story ever.

—-

And for those who have seen Gravity and have ever shopped at Ikea… I gave you, the parody video. (Not particularly spoiler-y if you haven’t seen the movie… But not that funny, then, either.)

 

Movie reviews: Blue Jasmine and Adore

*** Blue Jasmine ((July 2013) – Theatre

Blue Jasmine posterCate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins, Alec Baldwin. Cate Blanchett’s Jasmine has to go live with her working-class sister Ginger after her wealthy husband is arrested for fraud.

She says: At first I thought Jasmine would be this annoying character to spend two hours with, but she develops layers as we witness her current plight and flash back to what brought her here. That the two sisters are so different is explained by each of them having been adopted, which works. It’s interesting to see past secrets revealed as Jasmine desperately tries to adjust to no longer being ultra-rich. By the end, we still didn’t know quite what will become of her. But we care…

What did you think of the movie?

He says: It wasn’t bad.

Adore movie poster** Adore (September 2013) – Theatre

Naomi Watts, Robin Wright. Two 40ish women, best friends, become lovers with each other’s sons, which gets complicated.

She says: This was billed as “porn with good acting”, but I dunno. I think porn would have a lot more sex and fewer scenes after characters looking angsty as dramatic music plays.

The acting was indeed fine, and everyone involved was quite attractive and thus appealing to look at, and the ocean-side setting was pretty. I don’t have a problem with the age difference, and the fact that there was a “son swap” was merely weird, not disturbing, but the movie made it clear that the women had known these boys since they were little babies. That made their later relationship kind of ookey, and you had to ignore that part to enjoy the storyline at all.

He says: I had too much trouble ignoring that part. The movie wasn’t boring. That’s the best I can say about it.

Movie review: The Spectacular Now

***½ The Spectacular Now (August 2013) – Theatre

The Spectacular Now posterMiles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson. On the rebound, popular teenager Sutter Keely unexpectedly takes up with the decidly less popular Aimee Finecky, and the relationship develops in a way neither expects.

She says: Apparently we’re seeing all the indie movies about teenagers this summer. Like The Way, Way Back, this one also focuses on a teenage boy, but he’s three years older and couldn’t be more diffferent in character than Duncan in that movie. Sutter is charming and outgoing and fun and apparently at ease with himself—but appearances can be deceiving.

Sutter planned to just mark time with Aimee Finecky while trying to woo ex-girlfriend Cassidy back, but to the surprise of both of them, the relationship turns into something real and meaningful. This movie is hardly schmoopy and simple-minded, though. Sutter has his issues—including alcoholism—and his confronting them isn’t always pretty.

All the young actors in this are very good, and while certainly attractive, notably look less movie star-like than I can remember seeing in a long time.

He says: Yes, that had enough plot for me; I definitely got into the story. It just seemed to real, and that made the sad parts sadder. And I loved that open ending.

Movie review: The Way, Way Back

**** The Way, Way Back (July 2013) – Theatre

The Way, Way Back posterSteve Carell, Toni Collette, Liam James. Awkward, introverted 14-year-old Duncan suffers through a summer vacation at a cottage with his mom, her unlikable boyfriend Trent, and Trent’s self-absorbed daughter Steph, until he finds refuge with the employees of a water park, particularly the manager.

She says: I’m sure there are critiques to be made of this movie, but I don’t care, because it’s just such a satisfying journey. The movie isn’t but feels set in the past—Trent drives a vintage station wagon (does anyone really do that?), no one uses a cell phone, and the water park where much of the action takes place is noted for having had no upgrades since the 1970s. Perhaps that’s an homage to the many teen “coming of age during the summer” movies of the past. This one takes a proud place among them. It’s engaging, has a strong cast, and leaves you smiling.

He says: I don’t know if I should say. You get annoyed, sometimes, when I don’t like shows that you do.

…

Well, they didn’t have to make Trent so unlikable. Duncan would have hated him, regardless.

…

Yes, sometimes I’m kind of picky.

…

But bottom line? I liked that movie. I really did.

Movie review: Much Ado About Nothing

***½ Much Ado About Nothing (June 2013) – Theatre

Much Ado About Nothing posterAmy Acker, Alexis Denisof. Shakespeare’s classic comedy in a modern setting.

“I’m bored.” — Text from my husband, just before the movie started.

She says: On a warm summer’s evening, I had proposed an outing of walk in the park, gelato, and movie. He eagerly embraced the proposal—except for the movie. He feared being bored by that.

I was not so concerned. But as noted, the movie is set in modern times, and begins wordlessly. When the characters begin speaking in iambic pentameter, I must say I did find it a bit jarring, as though I was hearing Esperanto without subtitles. But I got into the flow of the language pretty quickly, and was fine thereafter. A lot of the comedy is physical, as well, which helps it along.

Overall, I found it very enjoyable. It’s very funny where it’s supposed to be, throughout. The dramatic moments are suitably so. The inserted backstory of Beatrice and Benedict adds interest. And it is fun seeing some of Joss Whedon’s favorite TV actors again: Topher! (from Dollhouse, as Claudio), Fred! (from Angel, as Beatrice), Captain Reynolds! (from Firefly, as Dogberry).

Don’t fear the Shakespeare.

He says: OK, it wasn’t totally boring. Nathan Fillion was really good—really funny.

Movie review: Before Midnight

**½ Before Midnight (May 2013) – Theatre

Before Midnight posterEthan Hawk, Julie Delpy. Third in the series of movies featuring one day in the life of this couple. They are now in their early 40s and struggling with the stresses of children and ex’s.

He says: Whatever you do, don’t say I liked that movie.

She says: So, he did not like that movie. But it wasn’t because he found it boring, or badly written, or unrealistic. It wasn’t a quality problem.

It was that Céline drove him nuts.

He says: God! She was so irritating!

She says: It’s true; Céline was really irritating. See, in this installment, the couple spends an awful lot of time arguing. And I must admit that I also found myself more often taking Jesse’s side. Céline often did seem over-dramatic, stubborn, unfair… even mean.

But these are movies of talking. And she would have her moments of being to explain why she was responding as she was. The strain of having to deal with their infant twins while he was on book tour. The feeling that she had to take on more of the burden of care. And she’d kind of win me back. (And maybe someone with kids would be more on her side in the first place… I dunno.)

Overall, there’s no way for this one to be quite as enjoyable as the first two, which involved falling in love, then reconnecting. Staying together is just a more difficult theme. But it is explored effectively in this movie, if you’re brave enough to go there. And Greece does look really lovely in it…