Tuesday Movie Reviews

Up In The Air
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman
Directed by Jason Reitman

I saw this movie while I was on vacation in Florida in January. At the time, everybody was saying this was the runaway Best Picture bet for the Academy Awards. It was lauded in many newspapers and websites as the best of the year. I didn't see that. I liked it, but perhaps the hype got to me. George Clooney is, well, George Clooney...not a fantastic performance, but strong as always. Let's be honest, he's quite easy to watch. My real surprise was the great performance by Vera Farmiga. I've always liked her, mostly in smaller roles in movies like The Departed and Nothing But The Truth, but she really breaks out in this role of a female version of Clooney's character with less moral values. She is definitely worth the price of a rental. The movie itself is funny at times, serious at others, but I found it quite predictable. Still, well written and worth seeing.

GRADE: B+

Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire
Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, Paula Patton
Directed by Lee Daniels

A very difficult movie to watch, especially the first half hour or so. Sibide is an unknown that goes full force with her role as the abused teenager Precious. She was, surprisingly, fabulous. But the real star of this film has to be Mo'Nique. She was absolutely fantastic as the horrible mother. I felt repulsed and sorry for her at the same time. Her Oscar win last night was well deserved. A couple of scenes I found were a little long and unnecessary, such as the many fantasy scenes. I understand why they were there and what they were meant to say, but one or two were enough to make the point. Some great supporting performances by Paula Patton and Lenny Kravitz (yes...Lenny Kravitz!), but Maraih Carey was a stand-out in her small role as well, which surprised the hell out of me. Great film making, but again, very hard to watch at times...be prepared!

GRADE: A-

Old Dogs
Starring: Robin Williams, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Seth Green, Bernie Mac, Matt Dillon
Directed by Walt Becker

I had to watch this movie just to see how bad it was, according to the reviews I read. I have to tell you...the reviews were DEAD ON! This was one horrid sight gag after another. The story was ridiculous! Williams and Travolta are big-time business men that never wanted to have or had time for kids. Then, all of a sudden, Williams agrees to take care of two seven year olds that,turns out, he had fathered while the mother spends two weeks in prison...IN PRISON!! His entire life values change on a dime for, really, no reason at all. All the ensuing "jokes" must have been aimed at the seven year-olds in the audience, because if you have half a brain, none of the will make you laugh. (Yes, seven year-olds actually have half a brain!). I guess kids may find some of this funny, but beware if you have to sit through it with them. By the way, what the hell is Seth Green thinking??? Isn't he better than this? He's part of the force behind the very funny Robot Chicken. How does he think this could help his career?? Sheeeesh!!!

GRADE: D-

Capitalism: A Love Story
Starring: Michael Moore
Directed by Michael Moore

You either love his movies or hate them. I am a fan of this overweight documentarian, and his latest attack on what's going on in the US is another hit for me. Although I feel this is Moore's most jumbled documentary (a lot of different ideas are presented and it's a little hard to follow at times) he still makes his point...and does so with all the humour and anger he can muster. A story of a Chicago windows and doors company was my favourite part. I realize Moore's movies are heavily slanted to his personal opinion, but you can't deny the fact that some of the things he says makes a lot of sense. Or maybe you can deny it...isn't that the beauty of watching a Michael Moore film? By the way...I'm all for Socialism!!!

GRADE: B

Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day
Starring: Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly, Peter Fonda, Clifton Collins Jr., Julie Benz
Directed by Troy Duffy

I've had a few people tell me this movie does not live upto it's original, which I, and many others, absolutely loved. I had to disagree with every one of them. OK, it's not original, much of the sequel has very similar shots and editing as the first movie. I'll give them that. But this film was still a lot of fun to watch. The two vigilante brothers who kill in the name of the Lord are very easy to watch and are quite funny. There is a good amount of gun play violence and I liked the slow-motion photography that made the first movie so good. Troy Duffy is not a seasoned director, by his own admission, and he borrows heavily from the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie, but he is able to convey fun and violence adequately enough for the viewer to enjoy for a couple of hours. Now, Julie Benz' accent was terrible and Peter Fonda was completely mis-cast, but it didn't take away from the joy I was having while watching this film. I may be alone in this, but I really don't care!!

GRADE: B