MOVIE REVIEW - 13 Going On 30 (2004)

The female Big, and yet somehow quite small. Jennifer Garner did not transfer to the big screen well at all. Or maybe, I just couldn't stop seeing Beniffer2. Mark Ruffalo was good as always, but how much can someone do with such a predictable, wimpy script.

MOVIE REVIEW - Crash (2005)

Complex intertwining storylines, complex subject matter, complex performances spread throughout. I had read several bad reviews, and I don't understand that - this was a deep, well-done, unflinching study of racism, social fears, violence, and growth. The movie leads the viewer to prejudge, then forces the viewer to relook at those judgments. I can't decide if it's a flaw or a victory that I was terrified of the worst in most every scene - literally, I cowered in my chair, hoping that the hideous possibilities would not come true. It's impressive how the writers developed hope and enlightenment in these depressing and fearful circumstances. Trivia: nice to see Deanna Troi, even if she only had 2 lines.

MOVIE REVIEW - Upside Of Anger, The (2005)

It took me a while to decide if this was a heavy drama or a satire. It's both, I think, and also a bizarrely heartwarming family story. In a part written just for her, Joan Allen plays a mom who is angry - so angry - so life-alteringly angry - that she loses herself, treats her kids terribly, and hooks up with a man (Kevin Costner) who she would normally never be with. Joan is typically Oscar worthy, and she is great here; but somehow, she ever-so-slightly missed the mark of being stellar. The narration by Evan Rachel Wood was not very profound and added nothing to the story. Costner's ex-MLB player pothead brings a wanted levity and helps Joan deal with her husband's presumed running off with his secretary. In the end, the story tells us that anger is such a waste of time, that it changes us, that it makes us irrational. And that sometimes, it can help us bond. There were moments that I burst out laughing, others where I cringed at the behavior, and throughout, I was pleased at how warm and functional this dysfunctional family was.

MOVIE REVIEW - Layer Cake (2004)

Surprising that a movie this violent can be this dull.

MOVIE REVIEW - Pieces Of April (2004)

A quirky family drama that initially repelled me but ultimately drew me in. It's the story of a slightly dysfunctional family on their way to Thanksgiving dinner at their daughter's apartment who they all hate and who hates them. The excellent Patricia Clark plays the mom who has cancer and a thousand issues. Katie Holmes, the daughter, has her own troubles as she tries to put on her first Thanksgiving in the slums; her story (not her) is especially enjoying, as we see many of her quirky neighbors trying to pitch in and help - which they sometimes do. The story feels chaotic throughout, disjointed like the family is; and yet it's poignantly touching when the meal is served. At only an hour and a half, the difficulties of the journey are bearable and make the mildly climactic dinner worth the trouble.

MOVIE REVIEW - Breaking Up (1997)

Highly annoying relationship between Russell Crowe and Salma Hayek. On again, off again, taken to extremes. Two people who are so very wrong for each other, but the heat keeps them coming back. Unfortunately… for them and for us.

MOVIE REVIEW - Li'l Abner (1959)

Other than the legs (and legs and legs) and Julie Newmar's hips, I'm not sure why Wayne wanted me to see this film. Cute? Uh, I guess you could say that. Corny, for sure. Not a complete waste of time, but nearly.

MOVIE REVIEW - Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

Dead Poets Society with Breasts. And I didn't enjoy the guy version either, for much of the same reasons. The movie thinks it is profound, but it is filled with stereotypes (of "ladies" and of the "enlightened ones"), smugness, inane comparisons of life to the Mona Lisa, and unwarranted claims to loftiness. I couldn't tell if Kirsten Dunst did the worst acting job ever, or if her character was just that lame and arrant. Julia seemed to phone it in. The only depth came from Julia Stiles' character, and her ultimate independence from Ms. Watson.

MOVIE REVIEW - Derailed (2005)

Jennifer looks like she belongs on the big screen in this intensely fun thriller. Nothing here that hasn't been done before, but what it is is done to full effect. The bad guy could've been badder (though he sure caused a heckuva lot of bad); but Jennifer and Clive are believable, conflicted Chicago executives who start their chaos, but get in so much deeper than they planned. The twists are great - one so shocking that I literally jumped out of my seat - High out of my seat. Others were a little predictable - some I figured out 15 minutes before the actors did; but it's still plenty enjoyable. And it's especially good to see that Jennifer could make the transition from Rachel to Julia so well.

MOVIE REVIEW - Escape From Alcatraz (1979)

A movie is more enjoyable when you are personally familiar with the setting. I toured Alcatraz earlier this year, and it was great fun watching the movie and knowing most every crevice of the island that they were on. The movie has nothing surprising here - the title tells you the entire story. But it is well done.

MOVIE REVIEW - Torn Curtain (1966)

Hitchcock film starring Paul Newman and Julie Andrews, about an American scientist who defects, and his befuddled girlfriend. Tons of suspense, multiple twists, and a self-defense/murder scene is most chilling. It got just a tad long - with the bus scene near the end feeling like a predecessor to "Speed". But still one of the better Hitchcock films, in large part thanks to Newman.

MOVIE REVIEW - Jarhead (2005)

A funky war movie without the war. It seemed the actors had a great time making this crazy film. Intense moments, bizarre male bonding, raunch, frustration, and lacking of the gore of war. I read reviews that indicated the soldiers boredom became the viewer's boredom - but I disagree. It was a fun, quirky, ride. Welcome to "the suck". Someday, Peter Sarsgaard will win an Oscar (though probably not here). Interesting to see Lucas Black ("American Gothic", X-Files movie, Sling Blade hick talking boy) as a young adult.

MOVIE REVIEW - Shopgirl (2005)

Steve Martin has written a lovely portrayal of flawed, sad people trying to find someone to hold them. From the onset, the viewer had instant sympathy for Claire Dane's loneliness. Boy, that girl can act - consistent, heartfelt, broken - she could possibly get an Oscar nod here. Steve and Claire's relationship had no real foundation, and that was frustrating - but it was also the point. The scene with Claire's family (especially Francis Conroy) perfectly portrayed the roots of her isolation and her sadness.

Please take Jason Schwartzman out of significant roles - the guy lessens the credibility of anything he touches. The narration was a little jarring - it was too seldom to be a presence in the movie, and Steve Martin's narrarator referred to Steve Martin's character in the third person - awkward. There is a great gag with the blond Mrs. Sampras ("Oh, Ray").

This story will stay with me for a few days, I think. A little conflicting, in that it makes you want for more; but overall, it's a comforting look at difficult relationships and the growth we can have through them.

MOVIE REVIEW - Good Night, And Good Luck (2005)

Clooney does know how to make a movie - crisp, thorough, nice flow. Intentionally slow, but Clooney (the director) held the viewers interest. But I wish he would've picked a less preachy topic. Over half of the movie was reenactments of news broadcasts, or actual footage of Senate hearings and news broadcasts. Straithairn even matched the head nods and glances of Murrow (the actual footage was scene in a monitor behind Straithairn). No matter how profound or historic the event, I'm not sure how a newscast reenactment warrants a movie.

My dislike for the movie was mostly rooted in my bias. It seemed like a movie for the liberals to puff themselves up and feel proud of their pet causes. There were constant not-so-subtle indictments of The Patriot Act. Multiple quotes, like "We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty" that felt like I was getting beat over the head with a bat. When Murrow was asked, "Is this the start? Are you taking sides?", there was only one answer (not given) - YES, definitely. And when Downey asked, "Are we gonna look back and wonder if we fought for the wrong side?", I wanted to scream out that, No, Downey won't, but Clooney will (or, at least, he should). The timing of this film, when our nation is so polarized - it felt like rubbing a low hour for the conservatives in their face. And by the way, I contest that it was a low hour at all (see Ann Coulter's Treason).

Patricia Clarkson was stellar, as usual. She and Robert Downey, Jr had the only minor comic relief in the film. There was no soundtrack, except for a seldom seen Jazz singer in a bar - and the silence worked well, helping maintain the intensity. Nicely made, frustrating topic.

MOVIE REVIEW - De-Lovely (2004)

At the beginning of the film, Kevin Kline's Cole Porter mentioned that he couldn't sing. If true, then Kline nailed the part. So, why did they have him sing throughout this unpleasant movie? Porter's songs are some of the least catchy of any of the great standards. Matched with Kline's voice and Porter's complicated and mildly hurtful life, we have here a movie to be avoided. And a life to be avoided, imo. If the movie depicts it accurately, Porter and his wife had an arrangement doomed for pain. The format of the movie was reminiscent of Beyond The Sea - a look at Porter's life from a very old (dead?) Porter, as though he was directing his own film. The format worked in neither movie. It was great seeing Sheryl Crowe, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, and Elvis Costello singing old songs (although the best rendition was by an unknown-to-me Vivian Green on Love For Sale). But these current day stars can't overcome the damage done by Porter's life and this depressing view of it. When Ashley coughs that first time, you knew where the movie was headed - and you wished it would hurry up and get it over with.

MOVIE REVIEW - Raising Helen (2004)

What were they thinking? Kate Hudson is fun and endearing and pretty. They place her in a spoiled, annoying, irresponsible role where even the love interest doesn't come in until the last half hour. Joan Cusack is The Bomb, and they put her in the role of a bitter, unfunny, drab, annoying mom. Killing off Felicity Huffman in the first 10 minutes? Tragic move. They shoot for endearing, but instead end up with confused and dull. It's supposed to portray a message that family is more important than ambition and hedonism; but the writers/producers themselves seem to be conflicted as to whether that's really true. What a waste of talent all around.

MOVIE REVIEW - Dreamer: Inspired By A True Story (2005)

A blatant PG/Heartstrings movie (in the vein of 3 Wishes); but the makers Knows what kind of movie it is, and they do it well. Great development of character and father/daughter bonding – even good father/son bonding between Kurt and Kris Kristofferson. I really loved Dakota’s scene with Manny, when they discussed his racing accident and his nightmares – nice portrayal of a budding friendship. I loved the popsicle scenes, as well. The Krispy Kreme product placement was appreciated, and made me hungry. Kurt is looking leathery – like Redford did in Spy Game and Indecent Proposal.

The views of the horse farms (especially the aerial ones) were breathtaking, and nicely accurate. They showed Kentucky terrain at its finest. I was pleasantly surprised that Kurt pronounced "Versailles" correctly for Kentucky – which is incorrectly, if your French.

MOVIE REVIEW - Elizabethtown (2005)

The film could’ve been a profound look at family, death, isolation, feeling lost. It settled for a taste of that, a lot of nostalgia, and surrounded by a mess of pithy clichés (especially by Claire). Still, the roadtrip feel of the movie was a nice walk through Orlando’s emotions, nicely bookmarked at the end by his actual roadtrip.

I didn’t think the phone call was as poignant as Cameron Crowe wanted me to believe. It was ok, just not all that “bonding”. I did like how they met each other at the end of it, though, staying on the phone while driving, then parked, then walked to each other, Then they hung up. Nice. However, Nashville and E-Town are over 2 hours from each other, not the 45 minutes that Claire said.

Susan Sarandon’s speech/dance and the entire memorial fiasco/fire felt desperate for an ending. I was afraid the movie was about to fizzle into ridiculousness. But then the roadtrip helped redeem the movie.

Since I know Kentucky (particularly Louisville and E-Town) fairly well, I’m going to indulge in some extra critique…

Orlando flew into the Louisville airport, which was most certainly Not the Louisville airport – looked nothing like it, and I should know. I recognized most of the landmarks from E-Town – the square, the sign driving in, etc. I recognized all of the Louisville landmarks – but it was annoying… because Drew flew into Louisville and was supposed to be driving South to E-Town. Every single one of the Louisville landmarks during that drive were North of the airport. Any time Orlando was seen driving in his car, there were nice fences (some of them stone) alongside spacious pasture land. E-Town has no such fences. All of these drives were shot in the Lexington/Versailles area, and it was obvious to a Kentuckian.

The credits indicated that Patty Griffin had a small role in the film, but I missed her. I did catch her singing Moon River during the end credits – she’s awesome.

I was pleasantly surprised at how the Kentucky natives were portrayed. Hick, yes; but also with deep roots in family and friends, and with rich fundamental values of dedication. I especially enjoyed the aunt – she was a terrific depiction of Kentucky’s finest.

MOVIE REVIEW - Flightplan (2005)

A decent suspense thriller, but felt too derivative. A little Panic Room, and little Not Without My Daughter. They also sort of beat you over the head with the plot twist. And the “Arab profiling” was annoying. But overall, still mildly enjoyable. In certain scenes, Jodie was looking old. Well, less old, and more, you got a picture into the future 65-year-old Jodie.

MOVIE REVIEW - North Country (2005)

Decent, but shy of Oscar worthy – both for the movie and for Charlize. Francis McDormand was terrific as always, and could possibly get a nod; but she replicated her Fargo accent exactly, which was jarring at first. Woody Harrelson played a likeable, principled guy – quite a departure for him. The movie feels too “been there, done that”, from Norma Rae to Silkwood. The constant Anita Hill references felt like the director beating the point with a baseball bat. A story worth telling, and you do root for Charlize; but it’s also a story and setting that is drab, difficult, and even a tad boring.