The Verdict

Absolutely outstanding. Paul Newman inhabits his character with unwavering commitment. This is filmmaking at its best - driven by brilliant acting and a continually compelling screenplay.


Written 6/23/09

Miller's Crossing

An early gem from the Coen brothers. The cast is brilliant, singular. Period costuming hits the mark, also. The camerawork is elegant and understated. Gabriel Byrne's lead character is a curious individual to construct a film around - a gangster hero with no heart. At the least, Miller's Crossing is "a handsome movie about men and hats" (Ethan Coen).


Written 6/21/09

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains

The "vibe" is strong in "The Fabulous Stains". This is a brilliant satire of the punk scene and also a progenitor of the riot grrl movement, no doubt. The music is outstanding throughout, and the cast is perfect. A lot of the audio overdubs are awful, but it all adds to the charm. I can't believe this movie was out of circulation for so long -- it's a blast!


Written 6/14/09

Slumdog Millionaire

The production values are top-notch, but that's actually part of the problem. India's slums are glossed with ultra-saturated coloring. The scenes of terrible poverty cannot resonate deeply because the editing is too fast-paced. The film is like an extended music video: mostly flash, and with little character development. The "love conquers all" theme has certainly pleased crowds the world over, but the story rang hollow with me. The soundtrack does little to help -- it is a crass fusion of East and West. But Dev Patel is a beacon of light in the midst of disappointment. He shines in the lead role as a tender-hearted striver. Too bad about the rest.


Written 6/13/09

The Hustler

Paul Newman oozes stylish cool as the impassioned title character. The outstanding jazz soundtrack is a perfect complement to this moody tale. Of course, the film features pool, but even more so than that it starkly presents the dangers of obsessive behavior. Each character experiences a loss related to their insatiable "hunger" -- as Newman's love interest scolds him at one point early in the film: "You're too hungry!" Addiction will always be dangerous, and "The Hustler" delivers this message as a clarion call.


Written 6/11/09

Wendy and Lucy

"Wendy and Lucy" is another slow-burner from Kelly Reichardt. Michelle Williams shines as a sad & introspective vagabond. Her "Wendy" is subtly affecting. This is a film in which it can be argued that nothing actually happens. Equally forceful could be the argument that many things happen, indeed. The screenplay is slight in my opinion, but I still appreciated the subtle nuances in the storytelling and the lovely Pacific Northwest scenery. The slow pacing of "Wendy and Lucy" reminded me very much of Vincent Gallo's "The Brown Bunny" (minus gratuitous fellatio, of course).


Written 6/7/09

Elite Squad

This is incredible. A companion to the incomparable "City of God", this film presents the cops' point of view. The images are at times brutal, and the presentation is unflinching. It is the tale of men who go to war every day and then at the end of a day's work go home. The campaign is in their backyard. Day after day the same battles are waged. Learn what it's really like with this insider's perspective.


Written 6/5/09

The Monastery: Mr. Vig and the Nun

This film's subject, Mr. Vig, is a singular character. His appearance -- full neck beard, strange year-round winter garb, and eyeglasses perpetually hanging off the tip of his nose -- give him a cartoony appeal. His quest to convert an abandoned castle on his land into a monastery lead to clashes between Vig and the Russian nun given charge of the project. The movie drags a bit at times as Vig searches for words to deliver to the camera. He is an isolationist after all, and he doesn't have a loose tongue. The beauty in the story is the maturation over several years of his relationship with the nun. They come to their own understanding, and it's lovely to witness.


Written 5/29/09

JCVD

Jean-Claude shines in an understated performance. Although he is granted a couple opportunities to showcase his trademark physicality, this "self-portrait" reveals a comedic and emotional depth in the actor that is previously unseen. His extended monologue halfway through the film is riveting - it hypnotizes. The storytelling is imaginative, using creative editing techniques to string along the suspense. The supporting cast is alright, but it's really all about JCVD. He does not disappoint.


Written 5/19/09

I've Loved You So Long

This is a slow-burner, but patient viewers will be rewarded. "I've Love You So Long" strikes a fine balance between the sombre tone necessitated by the subject matter and refreshing, unexpected moments of joy. Kristin Scott Thomas' performance is a heavy weight for viewers to bear, but viewers should commit to sharing her journey. At the end you will likely conclude that the painstaking construction of her lead character is a nuanced success.


Written 5/14/09

Encounters at the End of the World

Beautiful images abound, but the many scientists profiled in this documentary are rarely compelling screen presences. The director Herzog is our tour guide. He is ever-curious, but his search for poetic truth among Antarctica's residents is mostly disjointed and futile. I would argue that he fails to capture any images more profound than the ones comprising the opening shots of the film. These stunning "under ice" scenes were shot by "Encounters" producer Henry Kaiser. Herzog unfortunately doesn't top these. But his tireless quest for more knowledge, more untold stories, and more otherworldly images is certainly worthy of high praise.


Written 5/11/09

The Namesake

The first half-hour of this film is great - a touching love story laced with beautiful scenery and interesting color schemes. Unfortunately, things go downhill fast from there. Kal Penn, who plays the son, is playing against type here (usually he's a stoner comedy lynchpin), and fails miserably. He is rarely believable. The script is hackneyed at best. It feels like the book adaption that it is, desperately cramming in source material whether it fits or not. Time lapses in the storytelling are jarring and ineffective. If your jaw is not hanging loose in disbelief at the end of this mangled tale, then you may not be a discerning, critical human being.


Written 5/7/09

Cinemania

A portrait of obsessive white people. Hungry children in Africa will be unable to relate to the "struggles" of these film buffs. The documentary delivers a true, unflinching picture of addiction. Does joy continue to arise when one is about to sit through their fourth screening of the day? Or are these simply hapless efforts to fill a gaping life void? By film's end, none of the subjects is sated. This is either a negative or positive, depending on how you decide to spin it.


Written 5/3/09

Rachel Getting Married

Nothing feels forced. I had misgivings about this film, based on press clippings I'd read and Anne Hathaway's huge head screaming from the poster, "give me an award, already - I'm playing 'tormented'". But I was surprised, nay, shocked at the sincerity and genuine tenderness I encountered. All the casting is perfect. Bill Irwin is particularly wonderful as a doting, challenged father. The expressions of love portrayed by Rachel and her beau encourages me to love and give more in my life. Live music is brilliantly interlaced through almost the entirety of the film. Yes, the camerawork is jarring. It's an intentional technique! If hand-held camera footage is a turn-off to you, then do stay away. But you will be missing a warm, though sometimes brutally stark, portrait of an American family.


Written 4/30/09

Role Models

This would merit a better rating if the language wasn't so crass, but I guess some people just like to hang out in the sewer. Men: when do we begin to reject this content? This redundant "men-will-be-boys" schlock ushered in by Judd Apatow and co. and now seemingly unavoidable at the local cinemaplex. The writers of "Role Models" decided to resort to including the "cute kid with a filthy mouth" character, so you're presented with every generation of the cast writhing in debased verbiage. The dénouement wraps everything up in a pretty bow for viewers, despite our inevitable disbelief at the loss of realism.


Written 4/16/09

Happy-Go-Lucky

I was disappointed by this film, considering the many critical raves I had read and heard. The female lead, Polly, is certainly a unique character. Unfortunately, she grates. She never gained my sympathy. Though some of the humor is effective, often the style of dialogue is too frenetic to deliver useful comedy. Much of the banter Polly shares with her flat-mate is performed as sped-up, hyper infantilism; it didn't much appeal to me. And then some dark elements creep into the storytelling. These twists are quite unsettling and awkward for the viewer to square with the bulk of the content.


Written 4/9/09

WALL-E

The character Wall-E is an unlikely protagonist. But viewers will warm to his R2D2-esque mannerisms and his "robot that cares" persona. This film is highly imaginative and beautiful to look at. Once again, the Pixar animators have struck upon a delightful array of characters to present a story that holds the potential to enthrall audiences both young and old.


Written 3/16/09