Movie #590 .........................."Anonymous"

Movie #590 "Anonymous" is the last of the red box bunch I saw this week, and I liked it the most. I was trying to rent the movies I hadn't seen that were nominated for Academy Awards, and this one was actually somewhat worthy of its nomination (in comparison to the previous ones). The costumes were Elizabethean, but I guess Hollywood tends to take that for granted because it didn't win. There was a little to like about this film, but a lot to wade through. It took forever to get into it ---- the time changes abruptly, the time you have to get used to characters and how they look when they are younger wasn't sufficient enough for me, and the time the film gave to get down the names wasn't either --- I had to watch this with a cast list in front of me. For example, the Earl of Oxford has three names --- Earl, Oxford and Edward. Anyway, mix that with the very thick British accents, and a cast of characters that all look and speak alike (and are pretty much unknown to me except for The two leads......well, it wasn't a pretty site, me watching this, at first. But then I stuck with it and got drawn into the story. What an interesting telling of a story. Quite intriguing ............I've always known there was a bit question mark as to who really wrote the wondrous plays we give Shakespeare credit for, and this film supports the thought that Edward Van De Vere, Earl of Oxford, did. And as punishment for sleeping with his mother Queen E (don't even ask --- you would have to see the movie) and trying to save his son with Queen E, no one must ever know that he really wrote the plays --- that Shakespeare, the illiterate, the actor who blackmails people to get his name on the manuscripts, the cheater and possible killer of Marlowe. Hmm. Unlikely, but as you get deeper into the film, you start to think, well, maybe..........naw! But it is titillating to think there could be lots of people out there through history that have felt this is, indeed, the true story. So if you are interested to see this play out, check this one out. but have a list of characters in front of you like I did so it is easier on you to follow along.





3 out of 5 stars
Anonymous
(2011) PG-13
Who was Shakespeare? This Elizabethan drama imagines that the man we call the Bard really didn't pen his body of timeless plays. The stages of London erupt in intrigue as the real author of the classics credited to Shakespeare comes to light.
Genre:Dramas, Thrillers, Period Pieces, British Movies
Availability: DVD and Blu-ray

Movie #589 ..........................."Transformers, Dark of the Moon"

Movie #589 "Transformers, Dark of the Moon" is not exciting (see below) ---- it's annoying and abusive. Yes, it is the first of this series that I watched (and why? you might ask --- it was nominated for its visual effects) so I might have kind of jumped into it and therefore the shock affected my attitude. That could be. Also, the abuse of visual effects could have had a bearing on my disliking of this film ---- the abuse of money spent to make this film could have had an effect, as well. I am not the target audience that this film wanted to hit, but seriously, you have to stand back and see how much money is wasted on something like this ---- I kept thinking of how many people could have better medical care, housing, & food on the table, if this money spent on this "film" went to them. Yes, $ went to all the cast and crew, but they could be working on better films perhaps? I'm sorry. I just hated this film and never want to see anything like it again. I guess I'm not a blockbuster kind of watcher any more ---- too old? too tainted? too "been there, done that", kind of movie watcher and that affects how I watch them, I guess. But then again, that's why I'm not a paid critic. Couldn't sit through another one of these ever again!






1 star out of 5.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
(2011) PG-13
The third installment in Michael Bay's trilogy travels back to 1969's historic moon landing, when Neil Armstrong and his Apollo 11 cohorts touch down in the Sea of Tranquility ... and discover what appears to be a downed Transformers craft. Flash forward to the present, and the Decepticons are ready to exact revenge on Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots. Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky, the Autobots' human ally.
Genre:Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy
This movie is:Exciting

Movie #588 ........................."Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

Movie #588 "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" was pretty silly to me, over all. I DID like the subplot with John Lithgow, as Franco's father who was suffering from Alzheimer's and therefore gave good motivation to Franco for testing chimps with his injections to give intelligence. Now, I have to say, I never really liked the Planet of the Apes series of movies (saw most of them) so I guess it stands to reason I probably wouldn't like this one ---- I got the giggles whenever the chimp would sneer at anybody ---- so I guess you could say I never bought into the premise and therefore felt the acting was a bit melodramatic. But there was a semi-good effort to explain how the planet of the ape series of movies began, a prequel, so to speak, and so if you are interested in seeing that, check this one out. If you could care less, don't bother.





I rated this 2.8 out of 5
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
(2011) PG-13
This reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise is a prequel set in modern-day San Francisco, where scientists are conducting genetic research on apes. The evolved primates develop advanced intelligence and revolt against being used as lab rats.
Genre:Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi Adventure
This movie is:Exciting

Movie #587 ........................."Real Steel"

Movie #587 "Real Steel" ---- I am not in the demographic group of audience members that would probably like this movie, and guess what? I didn't like it. I had trouble staying awake through it, due to pacing, lack of lustre in the main characters, the lack of creativity in the moves of the robot, and the focus on the fighting. There are so many more creative films out there for kids to watch that I wouldn't recommend this one as a "have to" to see. I kind of wish that all future professional fighters were robots ---- people's blood wouldn't be shed, and audiences would get so bored watching the fights, they probably would put the silly fighting out of popularity.






I rated it 2 out of 5 stars
Real Steel
(2011) PG-13
In a future world where flesh-and-blood boxers have been replaced by towering mechanized fighters, pugilist-turned-promoter Charlie Kenton reconnects with his estranged son, Max, to convert a discarded machine into a World Robot Boxing contender.
Genre:Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sports Movies
This movie is:Exciting
Availability: DVD and Blu-ray

Movie #586 ........................."Bill Cunningham New York"

Movie #586 "Bill Cunningham New York" has everything I like in a documentary --- it has a story to tell, it is centered around people you care about (in this case, Bill), it teaches you something along the way (I knew relatively little about the fashion industry), and it inspires you with the story --- and that it did. What an interesting guy, this Bill Cunningham on his bicycle is, riding through the streets of NYC on a daily business (even at the ripe old age of 80) taking photographs of the day's fashions, not knowing what his goal will be until he takes the pics. Very Quirky, but likeable film, and remember it for the spirit awards this Saturday, where it is nominated for one ---- and it might just win it!






I rated this 4 out of 5 stars
Bill Cunningham New York
(2010) NR
Living simply and using a bicycle to get around New York, 80-year-old photographer Bill Cunningham tirelessly records what people are wearing in the city -- both out on the sidewalk and in the salons of the wealthy.
Genre:Documentaries, Biographical Documentaries, Social & Cultural Documentaries
This movie is:Quirky, Feel-good

Movie #585 ........................."If a Tree Falls: The Earth Liberation Movement"

Movie #585 "If a Tree Falls: The Earth Liberation Movement" was boring from beginning to end (maybe, I never got there ---I'm just assuming). I am not a great documentary watcher because of films like this --- formulaic ones that could do so much more with the subject, but relies mostly on interviews with very little graphics or creativity in presenting the argument. I thought with the title: now there's a subject I should know more about, but I got so bored, it prevented me from the learning aspect of the film. I don't recommend it. I watched it because it is one of two documentaries available (streaming wise) that are nominated for oscars this Sunday --- Guess I won't be picking this one on Sunday! I don't recommend you seeing it, either!





1 star
A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
(2011) NR
Filmmakers Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman examine the case of Daniel McGowan, a member of the radical environmental group Earth Liberation Front who was arrested for committing arson against two Oregon timber companies. Dissecting ELF's self-described use of "economic sabotage" to stop deforestation and other damage to the planet, the film also explores the ramifications of the FBI's decision to classify them as terrorists.
Genre:Documentaries, Crime Documentaries, Political Documentaries

Movie #584 ........................."Margin Call"

Movie #584 "Margin Call" -- I rented this because it will be awarded the Robert Altman film for ensemble work this coming Saturday at the Spirit Awards, and I can see why. The actors all have their moments and they use them well --- a great team. I really didn't get all the financial twists and turns in this; in fact, looking at the synopsis below, I didn't think that is what it was about. I got the impression it was more than just a destruction of one company (that it would affect the market exponentially), and they were deciding how they were going to get out of it with as much money as possible ---- I never heard any argument really about telling clients. It was how can we sell this bad stock and get rid of it in a few hours before everyone finds out --- it really shows how callous they are, the further at the top they are. I often wonder if they have any morals, they who run high-powered companies like one depicted in this film, and they pretty much don't, according to this film. Yet, they cry over sick dogs and have their own individual problems. There's very little humanity, and that made me very, very sad. Suspenceful? not so much ---- intense? hmmmm, kind of, but really mostly I watched it as an exercise in acting --- it didn't change my mind about how the CEOs who were to blame for the problems on Wall Street should have been punished!





You rated this movie: 3
Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star
Margin Call
(2011) R
An all-star cast shines in this engrossing drama about a critical 24-hour period at a high-profile investment bank in the early days of the 2008 financial crisis, when young analyst Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto) uncovers information that could destroy the firm. When he alerts upper management to the precarious position of their risky investments, an emergency meeting is held to decide if they should alert clients or abscond with the profits.
Genre:Thrillers
This movie is:Suspenseful

Movies #579-583 .........................Oscar nom. Live Action Shorts 2012

Movies #579-583 The oscar nominated Live Action Shorts for 2012 were also shown at Sundance this past week, and I got a chance to see them, as well, and they were better than the animated shorts, I thought. First, there was a film from Ireland entitled "Pentecost" about an altar boy who accidentally hits the priest with the incense and gets in deep trouble so his dad takes away all his football watching and playing. But then a reprieve --- the archbishop is visiting and needs an altar boy and the only one available is our football kid ---- he is told this is his last chance. The priests stoke these kids up just like it was a football game, and it's very funny. I'd rate it a 4 out of 5. The next film was a German/Indian film entitled "Raju" about two Germans, a husband and his wife, who come to India and give money to adopt a child. When they get him, they lose him and find out that he was originally kidnapped and now what should they do? It seem to reveal a real problem that occurs in Calcutta, and it was good -- 4 out of 5 stars. "The Shore" was another Irish film about a guy bringing his daughter back to Ireland where he grew up when he was a child, but left abruptly. We find out why and see a reunion. This film, although good, didn't seem oscar material, rating 3. "Time Freak" was the American film that I enjoyed the most. Very witty about a guy who invents a time travel machine, but when he tries it out, he gets bogged down with the trivial matters of time --- like he keeps going back to make an awkward meeting with a girl work out --- to the point it takes him the equivalent of a year. Crazy! I ranked it a 5. Finally, Amsterdam has a nominee entitled "Tuba Atlantic" which is about a man who gets 6 days to live (is that possible?) and he tries to contact his brother, whom he hasn't talked to for 30 years. So he decides he wants to use this big tuba they both invented, but one catch. The one has to be blowing westerly --- it finally does. I thought this one was a bit silly, so I rated it a 2. Which one should win? I think the American one, "Time Freak." The American one won last year, and it was sillier than this one and not as good.

Movie #574-578 .........................Oscar Nom. Animated Shorts 2012

Movies #574-578 Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts --- got to see them today (gotta love a sundance theatre near you --- it's in Madison, Wi) and they were not as good as last year, but here they are: "Sunday" (from Canada) about a typical Sunday for a little kid who is trying to understand nature while he is stuck going to church and his relatives afterwards. I wish I could tell you more about this but it escaped me, and I rated it a 3 because I liked it but I wasn't sure what the theme was --- not too clear. The next one was entitled "A Morning Stroll" and it showed a chicken walking past some people, knocking on a door and entering. That's it. But what made it amusing was that the time changed from 1959 to 2012 to 2059, and the chicken never changed but the people who did go by went from just a couple of people who were surprised, to people who didn't care, to people whose heads exploded. Go figure! We are doomed, according to this film, and I rated it a 3.5. The next one was "The Fantastic Flying Book of Mr. Morris Lessmore" and it was about a man who is writing a book and is picked up by a tornado and brought to some magical library where books are flying --- that was it, but it was very pretty. I'd rank it 4 out of 5.

Movie #573 ........................."Albert Nobbs"

Movie #573 "Albert Nobbs" is a well acted movie about women's jobs in the Victorian period of England. Because of Albert's background which he reveals in the film, he is searching for some friendship, some security, some love. Yet, he's a woman passing off as a man in a man's world, and it's tough. As cold as Albert is, it is tough to know what's on his mind, but Close tries to reveal through very subtle facials and when Albert finally smiles, it's a big deal, because there is very little he is ever happy about. In comes Mr. Page, who befriends Albert because they share a secret ---- and a dream of sharing a secure life with someone they love. This is a tough one to judge because it is oftentimes as cold as the main character --- but I never found Albert dull or boring ---- he tries so hard to please that he always intrigued me. I DO recommend this movie, but I must warn you that it is extremely slow and plodding. A lot of the film shows just what Albert's life of servitude is all about, and that might not be all that interesting to most people ---- it all depends on if you don't mind spending some time with Albert. I did.






I rated this 4 out of 5 stars
Albert Nobbs
(2011) R
Having for decades disguised herself as a man while working as a butler in a posh 19th-century Dublin hotel, a woman calling herself Albert Nobbs reconsiders her charade when a handsome painter arrives on the scene.
Genre:Dramas, Period Pieces, Social Issue Dramas, British Movies

Movie #572 ........................."Of Gods and Men"

Movie #572 "Of Gods and Men" was not a movie I liked --- the pace was way too slow for me. It started slow, that I had to start stop start up again a couple of times. Then halfway through, I got that feeling that I thought it was going on forever. I'm not sure what the Cannes Film Festival liked about this movie --- the monks are interesting when they get to talk, which is rare (because they are monks), and it is a true story, but "emotional" I didn't see. I don't recommend it.



You rated this movie: 2
Of Gods and Men
Des Hommes et des Dieux
(2010) PG-13
Awarded Grand Prix honors at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, this compelling historical drama relates the ordeal of seven French Trappist monks in the mountains of Algeria who are taken captive by Islamic fundamentalists. Before the monks' abduction, they have ample reason to believe they may be in danger, but their assumption that there can and must be common ground between Islam and Christianity leads them to remain at the monastery.
Genre:Dramas, Foreign Movies, Dramas based on real life, Foreign Dramas
This movie is:Violent, Cerebral, Emotional

Movie #571 ........................."Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"

Movie #562 "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" is a very powerful and emotional film I saw today, and I'm still reeling. I LOVED the book, so I didn't have much faith going into this that I would like it. Mix that with the reviews it has been getting, well, let's just say, I wasn't sure about it. But I HAD to see what they did to one of my favorite books, and there's been such a controversy over it (It is nominated for best picture and best supporting actor (Max Von Sydow) that I had to check out what all the hubub was about. Well, I'm here to say, this is a great film and deserves to be nominated. I get so disgusted at just how jaded film critics get, that any time they are watching an emotionally sad movie with a kid in its central core, they suggest the film maker is manipulative. The comments I've read about this movie show that those who have criticized this film haven't bothered to read the book because they find fault with the basic story, which is silly. Why don't they find fault with the original book then, instead of the film? Anyway, everyone in it is really good, and the cast is noteworthy: Bullock, Hanks, Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright, Zoe Caldwell, Max Von Sydow, and this little kid who is amazing. It's his first film, but you can tell how passionate he is about this boy's plight through the whole film --- he never gives up, much like Oskar. Yes, the film tackles the very controversial subject of 9/11 (how dare Hollywood do this?) and yes, it makes you very, very uncomfortable and tense and sad at what our nation had to go through by losing their loved ones, but it needed to be done, and Daldry did it well here. It's a film that I will never forget ---- it will linger well past today. And shouldn't it? There are so many messages in this film that I couldn't possibly cover in this small critique, but sufficeth it to say that it isn't for the faint of heart. It'll tear you up, but what a powerful legacy to those who were directly affected by 9/11. My heart goes out to them. How do they go on? Well, one little boy shows you that journey.







I rate it 5 out of 5 stars
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
(2011) PG-13
Believing that his father left him a message before dying in the September 11 attacks, young Oskar Schell embarks on an emotional odyssey through New York City to find the lock that matches a key he found among his father's belongings.
Genre:Dramas, Dramas based on a book, Dramas based on contemporary literature

Movie #570 ............................"A Dangerous Method"

Movie #561 "A Dangerous Method" was a very atypical Cronenberg movie, but well acted, and very cerebral. I wanted to see this since I saw that it was in theatres because it centers around the first female psychoanayst who happens to be a person who was treated by Dr. Jung using Dr. Freud's methods. It's the turn of the century, pre WWI, and there's a debate in psychology on how to treat the mentally ill and how much sex has to do with people's problems. Freud thinks that Jung might take up his practice after he dies, and Jung finds faults in some of the practices and theories of the famous Dr. Freud. It's an interesting historical film on a subject not often handled in movies, and I liked watching it, esp. while the theatre was empty because everyone else was watching the superbowl. I'll have to do that again next year!



I rate this 3.5 out of 5 stars
A Dangerous Method
(2011) R
In this David Cronenberg-helmed biopic, Viggo Mortensen stars as Sigmund Freud, whose relationship with fellow psychology luminary Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) is tested when Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley), one of the first female psychoanalysts, enters their lives. This World War I-set drama also stars Vincent Cassel as Otto Gross, a disciple of Freud, and Sarah Gadon, who plays Jung's psychoanalyst wife.
Genre:Dramas, Dramas based on real life, British Movies, 20th Century Period Pieces, British Dramas
This movie is:Cerebral

Movie #569 ........................."Remember the Titans"

Movie #560 "Remember the Titans" --- is a very inspirational movie, and I think it would have been more powerful, the more football you know --- which is zilch for me, so I kept asking questions after plays so I could follow the plot on the field. It was fun seeing all these young actors in their first big roles: Ryan Gosling, the guy from Scrubs, Hayden Panattiere, the guy from Earl, and others. The film made me want to look up more about the people involved to see what they were doing today. I esp. liked the historical angle of the race conflict with the kids on the team. Well done!





4.0 out of 5
Remember the Titans
(2000) NR
The year is 1971, and the people of Alexandria, Va., are none too pleased when African American Herman Boone is given the nod to head a newly integrated football team. As the season progresses, however, their contentious attitudes begin to change.
Genre:Dramas, Biographical Dramas, Dramas based on real life, Sports Dramas, Sports Movies, Football Movies
This movie is:Emotional, Inspiring, Sentimental