TRUE GRIT 3.5***
“True Grit" 2 is the Coen Brothers' most heroic, straight forward tale yet from a long line of outstanding movies made by them .The original "True Grit" took liberties with the book. The Coens' remain true to the original book storyline, In the first "True Grit" John Wayne won his Academy Award for playing his larger than life self as Rooster Cogburn, an aging U.S. Marshall, with ease and grace. Contrastingly, Jeff Bridges authentically inhabits Cogburn as the drunken broken down man coming to terms with his own mortality, who still possesses the remnants of “true grit”. Mattie, a very smart and shrewd 14 year old girl, hires him mainly because she sees the “grit” in him.. Young Hailee Steinfeld is a revelation as Mattie. Steinfeld and understatedly and wonderfully captures the spirit and character of Mattie . She is no nonsense and razor sharp. Matt Damon solidly plays the somewhat pompous Texas Ranger LaBoeuf—the Glenn Campbell role in the first movie. Damon shows again how versatile he is as an actor. He is with Cogburn and Mattie off and on during the hunt for Chaney and at the end.
Mattie seeks vengeance for the murder of her father by Tom Chaney ( Josh Brolin) who hastily fled to join up with outlaw Ned Pepper and his crew in the Indian Nations . Mattie aims to see Chaney hanged in her home state or brought back dead. Mattie often has Cogburn and Le Boeuf on their intellectual heels, but she is beholding to them for her very life. And the unlikely trio find danger and surprises on their journey, and each has his or her "grit" tested.
“True Grit” crackles and pops across the sweeping vistas of the Wild West, a time where the frontier actually existed, where young girls could pursue their father's killer in the name of revenge, and a time where a U.S. Marshall could be judge, jury, and executioner without any real appeal. The Coen Brothers have crafted a Western adventure that is everything a great Western should be . They take us back to a simpler time, where men roamed the wilderness and where things were either good or bad, and it is this simplicity that makes “ True Grit “the superb achievement that it is. And Coen Brothers fans will not be disappointed because this film very definitely has the Coen touch and feel to it.
This is one of the best films of the year. However, the PG-13 rating is somewhat misleading as it is on the very cusp of being rated R for the violence.
Clark
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
THE TOURIST 3.0**** Barely
We're all used to seeing Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in dramatic/action roles and it's so easy to forget that they can be lighthearted and funny. But they can be and are in this film.. Johnny shines, as he always does. Angelina Jolie looks glorious, and when she smiles, the screen lights up and I melt down.. They don't have chemistry, some critics say. Oh yes, they do. More importantly, they seem to be enjoying themselves.
Johnny plays an American math teacher called Frank who, while on holiday in Europe, is approached on a train by a mysterious and beautiful woman called Elise (Angie ). Little does he know, however, that he's actually being used by her as a decoy to shift police attention from her lover - a financial 'whizz-kid' who ripped off a scummy criminal and now owes the British government over 700 million Euros in taxable funds. In a case of mistaken identity, the angry defrauded criminal assumes Frank is her thieving lover and Frank ends up being plunged into a whole web of intrigue, pursued by both the cops and the robbers. At the same time, he's trying to battle his own increasing infatuation with Elise.
This is a rather sophisticated and old-fashioned movie and its all the better for it. It would be easy to imagine this being made in 60s with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn starring in the lead roles. As Frank, Johnny Depp once again shows us why he's one of the best out there. It's easy to imagine George Clooney – surely the aforementioned Grant's heir - playing this role, but Depp is more effective and brings a more earthy quality, able to play both plain and debonair at the drop of a hat. Similarly, Angelina Jolie is convincing as the conflicted mystery woman Elise, and puts in a nice understated performance while at the same time never looking better. The chemistry between them starts slowly and builds as they interact. In fact the interplay between them for the first 40 minutes is absolutely brilliant.
A PG-13 rating means there is little violence or sex or naughty words.
Clark
We're all used to seeing Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in dramatic/action roles and it's so easy to forget that they can be lighthearted and funny. But they can be and are in this film.. Johnny shines, as he always does. Angelina Jolie looks glorious, and when she smiles, the screen lights up and I melt down.. They don't have chemistry, some critics say. Oh yes, they do. More importantly, they seem to be enjoying themselves.
Johnny plays an American math teacher called Frank who, while on holiday in Europe, is approached on a train by a mysterious and beautiful woman called Elise (Angie ). Little does he know, however, that he's actually being used by her as a decoy to shift police attention from her lover - a financial 'whizz-kid' who ripped off a scummy criminal and now owes the British government over 700 million Euros in taxable funds. In a case of mistaken identity, the angry defrauded criminal assumes Frank is her thieving lover and Frank ends up being plunged into a whole web of intrigue, pursued by both the cops and the robbers. At the same time, he's trying to battle his own increasing infatuation with Elise.
This is a rather sophisticated and old-fashioned movie and its all the better for it. It would be easy to imagine this being made in 60s with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn starring in the lead roles. As Frank, Johnny Depp once again shows us why he's one of the best out there. It's easy to imagine George Clooney – surely the aforementioned Grant's heir - playing this role, but Depp is more effective and brings a more earthy quality, able to play both plain and debonair at the drop of a hat. Similarly, Angelina Jolie is convincing as the conflicted mystery woman Elise, and puts in a nice understated performance while at the same time never looking better. The chemistry between them starts slowly and builds as they interact. In fact the interplay between them for the first 40 minutes is absolutely brilliant.
A PG-13 rating means there is little violence or sex or naughty words.
Clark
Thursday, December 9, 2010
BURLESQUE 3.0***
“Burlesque” is a dazzling movie musical.. a sensual delight.. not just because there are a bevy of beautiful women in very sexy costumes dancing and strutting their stuff… and there is a lot of fine stuff. But then, what else would you expect in a movie about burlesque. If you are offended or embarrassed by the beauty of the female body then go see “Toy Story 3” again.
The story is not unique and has been often used. Ali, a young talented, very attractive girl from Iowa (Christine Aguilera) decides to leave home and go to, where else, but Los Angeles and pursue a singing career She ends up at a burlesque theatre owned and operated by Tess (Cher). Tess initially flatly refuses to hire her but Ali ends up being a bar waitress and from there literally soaks up all she sees and hears on and off the stage. Backed by newfound friends amongst the theater's crew, she eventually manages to get on stage and dance and eventually sing. Things take a dramatic turn when Ali's big voice makes her become the main attraction of the burlesque revue.
The film has it’s good and bad points. First the Bad;
+ Historically and artistically the movie does not show TRUE burlesque which is usually a solo performance with a theme and with stripping although usually done with a lot of feathers and balloons or other obstructions. Instead this movie gives you Las Vegas style production numbers with lots of girls with burlesque as the ongoing theme. But the production numbers are terrific with a lot of energy, great music and sensational dancing…and of course gorgeous women.
+ Christina Aguilera is excellent in the movie but is overused ..too much singing from one performer, even a very good performer, become repetitious and tiresome. There should have been at least one more singer in addition to CA and Cher.
Now the Good;
+ It’s great to have Cher back in a role perfect for her. She does a great and shows that she can still belt out a tune like nobody’s business.
+Christine Aguilera, while overused for singing, is excellent and proves she can shake her stuff, i.e. “dance” with the best of them in addition to being a good actress. Of course, everyone knows or should know how well she sings.
+The film’s production, especially for the dance numbers, is sensational…on the same high scale as “Chicago” and “Nine”.
+It’s a lot of fun..it’s “feel good” and it’s sexy.. it doesn’t get much better than that.
Rated PG-13 for sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, and some language but overall it is relatively tame.
Clark
“Burlesque” is a dazzling movie musical.. a sensual delight.. not just because there are a bevy of beautiful women in very sexy costumes dancing and strutting their stuff… and there is a lot of fine stuff. But then, what else would you expect in a movie about burlesque. If you are offended or embarrassed by the beauty of the female body then go see “Toy Story 3” again.
The story is not unique and has been often used. Ali, a young talented, very attractive girl from Iowa (Christine Aguilera) decides to leave home and go to, where else, but Los Angeles and pursue a singing career She ends up at a burlesque theatre owned and operated by Tess (Cher). Tess initially flatly refuses to hire her but Ali ends up being a bar waitress and from there literally soaks up all she sees and hears on and off the stage. Backed by newfound friends amongst the theater's crew, she eventually manages to get on stage and dance and eventually sing. Things take a dramatic turn when Ali's big voice makes her become the main attraction of the burlesque revue.
The film has it’s good and bad points. First the Bad;
+ Historically and artistically the movie does not show TRUE burlesque which is usually a solo performance with a theme and with stripping although usually done with a lot of feathers and balloons or other obstructions. Instead this movie gives you Las Vegas style production numbers with lots of girls with burlesque as the ongoing theme. But the production numbers are terrific with a lot of energy, great music and sensational dancing…and of course gorgeous women.
+ Christina Aguilera is excellent in the movie but is overused ..too much singing from one performer, even a very good performer, become repetitious and tiresome. There should have been at least one more singer in addition to CA and Cher.
Now the Good;
+ It’s great to have Cher back in a role perfect for her. She does a great and shows that she can still belt out a tune like nobody’s business.
+Christine Aguilera, while overused for singing, is excellent and proves she can shake her stuff, i.e. “dance” with the best of them in addition to being a good actress. Of course, everyone knows or should know how well she sings.
+The film’s production, especially for the dance numbers, is sensational…on the same high scale as “Chicago” and “Nine”.
+It’s a lot of fun..it’s “feel good” and it’s sexy.. it doesn’t get much better than that.
Rated PG-13 for sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, and some language but overall it is relatively tame.
Clark
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
FAIR GAME 3.0*** (almost 3.5***)
This film, which is based upon actual events, sets out to accomplish two things—to expose the Bush Administration’s deliberate falsification and manipulation of info about Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) to purposely bring about the Iraq War and to watch a married couple under intense pressure, Valerie Plame ( played by Naomi Watts) and Joe Wilson (Played by Sean Penn), get swept up in the Iraq controversy. The first half follows Valerie Plame as she goes about her work as a CIA covert operative. But she cares about the promises she makes to "assets" (people who are working undercover for the CIA) and she is dedicated to her country. She soon finds out that those who run the countrydon’t give a darn about her. She is dumped, fast and hard, when her name is purposely revealed to and reported by the media through revelations from a high ranking source in Vice President Chaney’s Office. She is dumped as retribution for her husband, Joe Wilson, having reported that the White House was lying about the WMDs. Friends and colleagues at work don't want anything else to do with her. They tell her to forget the promises she made to her “assets” whose lives depended on trusting her. But blustery Joe Wilson is fully prepared to fight back. It's his country, not Cheney's or Bush's, and he's going to stand up for the integrity of his name. As it turns out…Good Luck, Joe. When the White House is out to get you, consider yourself gotten. They'll use all their extensive powers to destroy you and your wife and children.
I have to confess that I am a harsh critic of the Bush Administration and the Iraq War, so viewing this movie I got all riled up and spitting mad all over again. Especially the scene of the real State of the Union speech by Bush when he informs the Country of a secret transaction between Iraq and Niger involving aluminum tubes which he said were for purposes of making WMDs. He and his War Hawks knew full well that the intelligence was false, but used it anyway to promote a declaration of war. We were manipulated, tricked, deceived. If they had not used false intelligence, Bush would probably not have gotten support for the war. The consequences of that deception affect us to this very day. ( I somewhat apologize for the editorial remarks here which I always try to avoid in a review, but this is one time and probably the only time I feel so strongly about an issue that I had to speak my mind). By the way, when Plame’s identity was disclosed , a dozen clandestine operations that she was overseeing were jeopardized, and a number of assets, including Iraqi weapons scientists, were killed. This action was unique, because no White House in the history of the United States had ever divulged the identity of our spies for any purpose.
The story, which is based upon actual events, is realistic and quite suspenseful, the acting is excellent and the overall look and feel of the film is top notch.
Clark
Bottom of Form
This film, which is based upon actual events, sets out to accomplish two things—to expose the Bush Administration’s deliberate falsification and manipulation of info about Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) to purposely bring about the Iraq War and to watch a married couple under intense pressure, Valerie Plame ( played by Naomi Watts) and Joe Wilson (Played by Sean Penn), get swept up in the Iraq controversy. The first half follows Valerie Plame as she goes about her work as a CIA covert operative. But she cares about the promises she makes to "assets" (people who are working undercover for the CIA) and she is dedicated to her country. She soon finds out that those who run the countrydon’t give a darn about her. She is dumped, fast and hard, when her name is purposely revealed to and reported by the media through revelations from a high ranking source in Vice President Chaney’s Office. She is dumped as retribution for her husband, Joe Wilson, having reported that the White House was lying about the WMDs. Friends and colleagues at work don't want anything else to do with her. They tell her to forget the promises she made to her “assets” whose lives depended on trusting her. But blustery Joe Wilson is fully prepared to fight back. It's his country, not Cheney's or Bush's, and he's going to stand up for the integrity of his name. As it turns out…Good Luck, Joe. When the White House is out to get you, consider yourself gotten. They'll use all their extensive powers to destroy you and your wife and children.
I have to confess that I am a harsh critic of the Bush Administration and the Iraq War, so viewing this movie I got all riled up and spitting mad all over again. Especially the scene of the real State of the Union speech by Bush when he informs the Country of a secret transaction between Iraq and Niger involving aluminum tubes which he said were for purposes of making WMDs. He and his War Hawks knew full well that the intelligence was false, but used it anyway to promote a declaration of war. We were manipulated, tricked, deceived. If they had not used false intelligence, Bush would probably not have gotten support for the war. The consequences of that deception affect us to this very day. ( I somewhat apologize for the editorial remarks here which I always try to avoid in a review, but this is one time and probably the only time I feel so strongly about an issue that I had to speak my mind). By the way, when Plame’s identity was disclosed , a dozen clandestine operations that she was overseeing were jeopardized, and a number of assets, including Iraqi weapons scientists, were killed. This action was unique, because no White House in the history of the United States had ever divulged the identity of our spies for any purpose.
The story, which is based upon actual events, is realistic and quite suspenseful, the acting is excellent and the overall look and feel of the film is top notch.
Clark
Bottom of Form
Saturday, December 4, 2010
MORNING GLORY 3.0****
M
Rachel McAdams leads the way in this surprisingly refreshing flick as the workaholic television morning show producer, Becky, who lands the job of reorganizing "the worst morning show ever". She only has a short time to save the show because of it’s plummeting ratings, and in doing so must battle with low worker morale, highly conceited anchors, and poor working conditions. Desperate for a change, she recruits the legendary newscaster Mike Pomeroy, played by Harrison Ford, who is not willing to cover any story he does not consider "worthy of his reputation".
The film brings not just a comic story of working with grumpy people, but the beautiful emotional tale of a girl who desperately hopes to realize her dream of being a television producer by somehow pulling everyone together against the odds and creating a team, almost a family, in the process. Although the story is not unique, the chemistry between the impressive cast is the movie's redeeming quality. Across the board, the acting is quite good, but in all honesty the movie owes its success to McAdams and Ford. Rachel McAdams should be commended for playing the frustrated role of the driven and often frustrated Becky, and proves that she has much more to offer than a just pretty face. Harrison Ford fully embraces the character of Pomeroy and does a wonderful job being grumpy, conceited, and an all-around jerk in one of his best roles as of late. Diane Keaton is amazing. Her Colleen could have been a shallow beauty queen washout. Keaton gives Colleen a self awareness and whimsy.
Morning Glory is a nice tale that will leave you with a sweet taste in your mouth. Combined with some real solid acting, this is a movie you'll be glad you checked out.
M
Rachel McAdams leads the way in this surprisingly refreshing flick as the workaholic television morning show producer, Becky, who lands the job of reorganizing "the worst morning show ever". She only has a short time to save the show because of it’s plummeting ratings, and in doing so must battle with low worker morale, highly conceited anchors, and poor working conditions. Desperate for a change, she recruits the legendary newscaster Mike Pomeroy, played by Harrison Ford, who is not willing to cover any story he does not consider "worthy of his reputation".
The film brings not just a comic story of working with grumpy people, but the beautiful emotional tale of a girl who desperately hopes to realize her dream of being a television producer by somehow pulling everyone together against the odds and creating a team, almost a family, in the process. Although the story is not unique, the chemistry between the impressive cast is the movie's redeeming quality. Across the board, the acting is quite good, but in all honesty the movie owes its success to McAdams and Ford. Rachel McAdams should be commended for playing the frustrated role of the driven and often frustrated Becky, and proves that she has much more to offer than a just pretty face. Harrison Ford fully embraces the character of Pomeroy and does a wonderful job being grumpy, conceited, and an all-around jerk in one of his best roles as of late. Diane Keaton is amazing. Her Colleen could have been a shallow beauty queen washout. Keaton gives Colleen a self awareness and whimsy.
Morning Glory is a nice tale that will leave you with a sweet taste in your mouth. Combined with some real solid acting, this is a movie you'll be glad you checked out.
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