EXTREMELY LOUD INCREDIBLY CLOSE 3.3***
This movie may be the best and most honest, hard-hitting look at the many aspects and challenges of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome but even more so at the depths of grief experienced by children and adults with the loss of a loved one. In a bold and perceptive use of a character who is 9 years old and has a mild to medium case of Asperger’s Syndrome, which use turns out to be remarkably appropriate because it allows the dialogue to be straight-forward and frank and elevates the logical mind above the emotional mind which, in most any other movie would have seemed artificial and contrived. The entire mystery adventure which is the heart of the movie allows the audience to experience the wonder and the depths of true emotions as well as the hidden mysteries and goodness of the human condition.
The film tells the story of Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn), a nine-year old boy whose father ( Tom Hanks ) is killed on September 11th 2001, in one of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. A year passes since "the worst day", and, Oskar desperately tries to keep his father’s memory from fading He has read or knows that "If the sun were to die, we'd not know it for another 8 minutes, because that's how long it takes for sunlight to reach us." Feeling that his 8 minutes with his father are about to expire, and upon finding a key in a vase on the top shelf of his father’s closet, Oskar sets off on a remarkable journey to find the safe or door or whatever the key unlocks. The journey, the quest, is to Oskar an attempt to bring his father back. But the journey in fact will bring him closer to his mother and other family, to others struggling with the horrible after-effects and grief and loss of 9/11, and, most importantly, to himself. Along the way, Oskar meets a variety of characters including the mysterious "renter' (Max Von Sydow) living in his grandmother's house. What the movie so beautifully accomplishes, above all else, is capturing the sweet innocence of a young boy with Asperger’s and revealing so many touching and dramatic moments about him and the many people he meets in his journey, while never getting over-zealous or contrived .
What Thomas Horn delivers as Oskar is by no mistake one of the best child performances in some time. Horn dives into one of the most complex character's ever created for a child & does a marvelous very convincing job .Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock did well in their roles, as did Max Von Sydow, as the surprising and at times scary renter, but the movie belonged to young Thomas Horn.
It would help for you to know about and look for some of the Asperger’s traits that Oskar portrays so very well: .
He's a catalogue of obscure facts and figures . He's highly neurotic and his list of phobias rang from tall buildings to bridges to loud noises to things made of concrete. He has a hard time approaching strangers and speaking to them directly. He mentally counts his own lies. The only person he could communicate with was his father. So imagine the huge amount of courage it took for Oskar to go out into all 5 Boroughs of NYC during his quest seeking out and talking to complete strangers .
But the film is not about Asperger's syndrome nor is about the 9/11 incident/tragedy. . The movie is really about the loss of a loved one as seen through the eyes a 9 year old with Asperger’s whose fears and anxieties are just like everyone else's. But because of the Asperger’s, Oskar openly expresses those fears, there's no filter to it if you will, he lets it all out, something that the rest of us probably would need years of therapy to be able to do.
.Excellent film for the whole family … many lessons to be learned and many emotions to be felt.
Clark
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
MELANCHOLIA 3.3****
This film opens with the end of the world. A massively large planet named Melancholia, whose path through space has been blocked from our view by the sun, smashes into the much smaller Earth, obliterating it and all on it. There are no Bruce Willis-detonated nukes and no space colony of the elite – only the end of everything. The opening act which runs about 7 minutest is an incredible collection of scenes and montages depicting the creation of the Universe, the evolution of the Earth and man, and the Earth's destruction, set to the chilling prelude to Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde.
The movie concentrates on the mental illness, depression, and that is what the film is about – the planet and the destruction of humanity is just a plot device, nothing more than that. We focus on two sisters during the week before the destruction of the Earth. One of the sisters, Justine ( Kirsten Dunst) gets married at the first of the last week of Earth at the personal and financial expense of the other sister, Claire ( Charlotte Gainsborough) and the movie focuses on the Wedding Reception being held at a gorgeous booked out golf-course and hotel. Justine , the bride, is suffering from a crippling depression, while her sister Claire has much more of a "balanced" life, with a family and responsibilities. In the first half we see Justine's depression at work at the Reception and into the night while others try to be patient with her or just help her despite not knowing what to do – all wishing they could make her snap out of it but knowing they can't. In the second half of the film we see Claire beginning to suffer from the same feelings of despair and pointlessness, feeling like the world is ending, wanting to get away, but knowing she can't flee anywhere. Both sisters are suffering from melancholia – in Justine's case it is the condition, in Claire's it is the menacing planet.
What really makes this film are the outstanding performance and the fabulous cinematography. In the first half of the film Dunst is brilliant. I have limited experience with depression but from what I know and have read, the film gets really right i.e… nails it; the inability to function, the swings into sadness and the hopeless feeling of loss of control.. Dunst really captures all these emotions… she is very convincing.. In the second half of the film she effectively switches gear by taking on the caregiver role for her sister, Claire. Dunst is getting most of the praise, but Gainsbourg deserve credit too for a fine performance. In the first half she makes a great caretaker and totally captures the feeling of those dealing with someone else's depression – we feel her conflicting emotions towards her sister, we know that she is both angry at her for her selfish behavior while also knowing it is not her fault. In the second half she captures the depression that also overwhelms her and makes it work while also keeping it about the planet.
Overall this is not a film for everyone – it is certainly not a film for anyone who thinks it is a European version of Deep Impact. Nor is it a perfect film as it could have been tighter and the second half is not as good as the first, but it is still very interesting and engaging. As an exploration of depression it is quite fascinating and saddening at the same time. It is a clever film and, while an action movie about the same scenario (planet collision) may have been an easier viewing experience, Melancholia is rewarding, inventive and artistic with two central performances that are worth seeing.
Melancholia presents a number of dramatically and emotionally compelling themes: depression can cripple the human spirit. It is said that people who have never gone through a depression don't understand what it feels like; that when you go through a bout of depression for the first time (as Claire does), the experience is terrifying in its uncertainty; and, most crucially, that when you've been too depressed for too long, it can feel like the world really is going to come to an end.
Clark
This film opens with the end of the world. A massively large planet named Melancholia, whose path through space has been blocked from our view by the sun, smashes into the much smaller Earth, obliterating it and all on it. There are no Bruce Willis-detonated nukes and no space colony of the elite – only the end of everything. The opening act which runs about 7 minutest is an incredible collection of scenes and montages depicting the creation of the Universe, the evolution of the Earth and man, and the Earth's destruction, set to the chilling prelude to Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde.
The movie concentrates on the mental illness, depression, and that is what the film is about – the planet and the destruction of humanity is just a plot device, nothing more than that. We focus on two sisters during the week before the destruction of the Earth. One of the sisters, Justine ( Kirsten Dunst) gets married at the first of the last week of Earth at the personal and financial expense of the other sister, Claire ( Charlotte Gainsborough) and the movie focuses on the Wedding Reception being held at a gorgeous booked out golf-course and hotel. Justine , the bride, is suffering from a crippling depression, while her sister Claire has much more of a "balanced" life, with a family and responsibilities. In the first half we see Justine's depression at work at the Reception and into the night while others try to be patient with her or just help her despite not knowing what to do – all wishing they could make her snap out of it but knowing they can't. In the second half of the film we see Claire beginning to suffer from the same feelings of despair and pointlessness, feeling like the world is ending, wanting to get away, but knowing she can't flee anywhere. Both sisters are suffering from melancholia – in Justine's case it is the condition, in Claire's it is the menacing planet.
What really makes this film are the outstanding performance and the fabulous cinematography. In the first half of the film Dunst is brilliant. I have limited experience with depression but from what I know and have read, the film gets really right i.e… nails it; the inability to function, the swings into sadness and the hopeless feeling of loss of control.. Dunst really captures all these emotions… she is very convincing.. In the second half of the film she effectively switches gear by taking on the caregiver role for her sister, Claire. Dunst is getting most of the praise, but Gainsbourg deserve credit too for a fine performance. In the first half she makes a great caretaker and totally captures the feeling of those dealing with someone else's depression – we feel her conflicting emotions towards her sister, we know that she is both angry at her for her selfish behavior while also knowing it is not her fault. In the second half she captures the depression that also overwhelms her and makes it work while also keeping it about the planet.
Overall this is not a film for everyone – it is certainly not a film for anyone who thinks it is a European version of Deep Impact. Nor is it a perfect film as it could have been tighter and the second half is not as good as the first, but it is still very interesting and engaging. As an exploration of depression it is quite fascinating and saddening at the same time. It is a clever film and, while an action movie about the same scenario (planet collision) may have been an easier viewing experience, Melancholia is rewarding, inventive and artistic with two central performances that are worth seeing.
Melancholia presents a number of dramatically and emotionally compelling themes: depression can cripple the human spirit. It is said that people who have never gone through a depression don't understand what it feels like; that when you go through a bout of depression for the first time (as Claire does), the experience is terrifying in its uncertainty; and, most crucially, that when you've been too depressed for too long, it can feel like the world really is going to come to an end.
Clark
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE/ GHOST PROTOCOL 3.5***
This is hands-down the best action film for 2011, boasting some of the most exhilarating action sequences ever captured in a long while. It also restores Tom Cruise's marquee value as an action star.
.The movie has a classy, heart-pounding, nail-biting opening that sees IMF operative Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) breaking out of a Russian prison. The sequence, which combines Dean Martin's 'Ain't That A Kick in the Head' with Steve McQueen's 'The Great Escape', is carefully executed and fluidly filmed .
No 'Mission Impossible' film would be complete without the exotic locales, fancy gadgets and big explosions.. So even as the setting moves from Russia to Dubai to Mumbai, even as the gadgets grow increasingly more dazzling and even as the explosions get more colossal, the movie never lets the adventure get frenetic, and alternates between quiet tension and full-blown action to keep you on the edge of your seat.
But the most awe-inspiring action sequence so worthy of special mention is Cruise's nerve-wracking climb up the glass exterior of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai by using, of all things, electronic suction gloves. It is Cruise himself way up on the 130th floor, and the authenticity of it shows in every second of the breathtaking cinematography which was done for and should be seen at I-MAX (which thankfully I did) . It is even more heart-stopping than you can imagine, such as when Cruise is left dangling by just one glove after the other malfunctions. Nothing else quite comes close to the sheer dizzying excitement of this sequence- not even the intensely gripping race-against-time climax to the movie complete with a good-old fashion fistfight between Hunt and the main villain in an automated parking garage.
Cruise isn't one to rest on his laurels, and at the age of 49, the extent to which he commits to perform the stunts in this movie by himself is simply amazing , Cruise also uses his immense charisma to deliver a slickly captivating performance as the leader of IMFteam.. He also enjoys a fine supporting cast…Simon Pegg, as the tech whiz, Paula Patton, as the tough sexy female player and last, but not least, Jeremy Renner, as the intelligence analyst. There is no super villain here but it is not really necessary because there’s enough going on as it is .
. To say that the action on display is exhilarating is merely an understatement, and let me repeat that you really should see this one at IMAX to get the full impact of the movie.. It is quite simply the best 'Mission Impossible' entry yet, and the best action movie in 2011 and maybe 2012.
Top of Form
Clark
This is hands-down the best action film for 2011, boasting some of the most exhilarating action sequences ever captured in a long while. It also restores Tom Cruise's marquee value as an action star.
.The movie has a classy, heart-pounding, nail-biting opening that sees IMF operative Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) breaking out of a Russian prison. The sequence, which combines Dean Martin's 'Ain't That A Kick in the Head' with Steve McQueen's 'The Great Escape', is carefully executed and fluidly filmed .
No 'Mission Impossible' film would be complete without the exotic locales, fancy gadgets and big explosions.. So even as the setting moves from Russia to Dubai to Mumbai, even as the gadgets grow increasingly more dazzling and even as the explosions get more colossal, the movie never lets the adventure get frenetic, and alternates between quiet tension and full-blown action to keep you on the edge of your seat.
But the most awe-inspiring action sequence so worthy of special mention is Cruise's nerve-wracking climb up the glass exterior of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai by using, of all things, electronic suction gloves. It is Cruise himself way up on the 130th floor, and the authenticity of it shows in every second of the breathtaking cinematography which was done for and should be seen at I-MAX (which thankfully I did) . It is even more heart-stopping than you can imagine, such as when Cruise is left dangling by just one glove after the other malfunctions. Nothing else quite comes close to the sheer dizzying excitement of this sequence- not even the intensely gripping race-against-time climax to the movie complete with a good-old fashion fistfight between Hunt and the main villain in an automated parking garage.
Cruise isn't one to rest on his laurels, and at the age of 49, the extent to which he commits to perform the stunts in this movie by himself is simply amazing , Cruise also uses his immense charisma to deliver a slickly captivating performance as the leader of IMFteam.. He also enjoys a fine supporting cast…Simon Pegg, as the tech whiz, Paula Patton, as the tough sexy female player and last, but not least, Jeremy Renner, as the intelligence analyst. There is no super villain here but it is not really necessary because there’s enough going on as it is .
. To say that the action on display is exhilarating is merely an understatement, and let me repeat that you really should see this one at IMAX to get the full impact of the movie.. It is quite simply the best 'Mission Impossible' entry yet, and the best action movie in 2011 and maybe 2012.
Top of Form
Clark
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO 4.0***
This is an excellent whodunit thriller about the disappearance of a 16 year old girl 40 years ago in Sweden ( a REALLY cold case), and the genius of the movie is how the 2 investigators go about trying to solve such an old puzzle. It is based on the first book in Stieg Larsson's crime trilogy with the main characters journalist Mickael Blomkvist and outcast computer hacker Lisbeth Salander Fans of the book will NOT be disappointed…I can say so because I read the book. The 2 hours and 38 minute running time allows time for great depth and detail which makes the whodunit even more fascinating. Even at this length some subplot lines have been left out but fortunately they made the right choices. It does not hurt the overall feel of the movie and, in fact, helps to sharpen the focus on the mystery
. An aging corporate executive, Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), employs Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) to solve the puzzle of his missing niece. .. a girl who mysteriously disappeared 40 years earlier. It has become an obsession to Henrik to shed some light on his missing niece's fate, and he is desperate to have closure before he dies. Acclaimed investigative journalist Mickael Blomkvist is hired for his researching skills. Eventually Blomkvist teams up with secluded computer hacker Lisbeth Salander( Rooney Mara). Their investigation unfolds a complex set of clues leading to a string of morbid sadistic murders spanning decades. Pieces of the puzzle slowly start falling into place, as inevitable confrontation with the hidden villain draws closer. Alongside this main plot line, both of our main characters have to deal with personal problems that help us understand their characters.
The two leads are both compelling but Mara as Lisbeth is absolutely spellbinding. She has the perfect combination of toughness and vulnerability with a hint of possible psychopathy. You simply cannot take your eyes off her when she’s on the screen. This about 100 lb whirlwind of a woman is depicted as being somewhat craftier, stronger and more energetic than her male counterpart. This does not however diminish Blomkvists character a bit as he is the perfect contrast to her…steady, congenial, wise and much the gentleman. Having a female heroine such as Lisbeth is a welcome twist to the classic detective genre. And overall, Mara gives a sensational, fearless, dedicated, and electrifying performance that guarantees an Oscar nod.
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is a harsh, gritty, and rough cinema trip that will capture your attention right off and carry you spellbound to the amazingly exciting ending . Also, if you're squeamish, you may not like it. It is rated “R” .There are two shocking rape scenes, a torture sequence and a hefty amount of nudity involved. But it is consistent with the book and the film is more the powerful as a result.
Clark
This is an excellent whodunit thriller about the disappearance of a 16 year old girl 40 years ago in Sweden ( a REALLY cold case), and the genius of the movie is how the 2 investigators go about trying to solve such an old puzzle. It is based on the first book in Stieg Larsson's crime trilogy with the main characters journalist Mickael Blomkvist and outcast computer hacker Lisbeth Salander Fans of the book will NOT be disappointed…I can say so because I read the book. The 2 hours and 38 minute running time allows time for great depth and detail which makes the whodunit even more fascinating. Even at this length some subplot lines have been left out but fortunately they made the right choices. It does not hurt the overall feel of the movie and, in fact, helps to sharpen the focus on the mystery
. An aging corporate executive, Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), employs Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) to solve the puzzle of his missing niece. .. a girl who mysteriously disappeared 40 years earlier. It has become an obsession to Henrik to shed some light on his missing niece's fate, and he is desperate to have closure before he dies. Acclaimed investigative journalist Mickael Blomkvist is hired for his researching skills. Eventually Blomkvist teams up with secluded computer hacker Lisbeth Salander( Rooney Mara). Their investigation unfolds a complex set of clues leading to a string of morbid sadistic murders spanning decades. Pieces of the puzzle slowly start falling into place, as inevitable confrontation with the hidden villain draws closer. Alongside this main plot line, both of our main characters have to deal with personal problems that help us understand their characters.
The two leads are both compelling but Mara as Lisbeth is absolutely spellbinding. She has the perfect combination of toughness and vulnerability with a hint of possible psychopathy. You simply cannot take your eyes off her when she’s on the screen. This about 100 lb whirlwind of a woman is depicted as being somewhat craftier, stronger and more energetic than her male counterpart. This does not however diminish Blomkvists character a bit as he is the perfect contrast to her…steady, congenial, wise and much the gentleman. Having a female heroine such as Lisbeth is a welcome twist to the classic detective genre. And overall, Mara gives a sensational, fearless, dedicated, and electrifying performance that guarantees an Oscar nod.
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is a harsh, gritty, and rough cinema trip that will capture your attention right off and carry you spellbound to the amazingly exciting ending . Also, if you're squeamish, you may not like it. It is rated “R” .There are two shocking rape scenes, a torture sequence and a hefty amount of nudity involved. But it is consistent with the book and the film is more the powerful as a result.
Clark
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