Reds

"Reds" is an epic, and it's hard not to admire the sheer ambition on display in this production. But it feels like a vanity project. The majority of the film is comprised of people sitting around tables yelling at each other. This does not appeal to me. Particularly when they're mostly shouting about the Bolshevik revolution and worker's rights. Hard to follow, and hard to be entertained. Nonetheless, Beatty is a tremendous actor and he managed to corral a lot of notable talent for the film. But all in all it's too preachy and self-righteous for me.


Written 9/2/10

Up in the Air

The time flew by watching this. George Clooney is a king of smug banter. He seems to float through each scene. In other words, he plays emotional detachment exceedingly well. The lead character in "Up in the Air" is perfectly tailored to his strengths. Minus a couple of weak interludes that strain believability, this is a strong film chock full of themes snatched from the daily lives of working men and women everywhere.


Written 8/25/10

Mean Streets

"Mean Streets" is a love letter to director Martin Scorcese's youth in New York City. It has its thrilling moments, but for me it was mostly hollow. Perhaps I've seen too many that are influenced by or rip off "Mean Streets". Thus now its impact is dulled. Juvenile characters committing juvenile acts, with an oppressive Catholic sheen. It was amusing to see Robert De Niro sporting long hair in this youthful role. Unfortunately, one can perceive the ending to this story from miles away. No one's smiling by the time the credits roll.


Written 7/13/10

Badlands

"Badlands" is atmospheric and unpredictable. The gritty side of the story is hard to take at times. Murder upon murder are depicted onscreen. But director Terence Malick's filmmaking is always imaginative. What might be an everyday story of two young lovers on the run from the law is instead here a tone poem, vast and mutable as the horizon.


Written 6/29/10

An Education

"An Education" is stunning. The screenplay and director deftly execute what would have been a maudlin story in lesser hands. The cast is brilliant and believable throughout. Peter Sarsgaard is especially strong. Methinks this film deserves all the accolades it has received.


Written 6/14/10

Crazy Heart

I was surprised at how much I loved this film. Jeff Bridges stars as Bad Blake, an over the hill country singer who is perpetually on the road and can't seem to get his life in order. The music in "Crazy Heart" is outstanding; I found myself humming the tunes long after the film had ended. I only wish they had cast an actress older than Maggie Gyllenhaal as Bridges' love interest. Their romance wasn't entirely believable due to their substantial age gap. Still, the actors do their best to sell it. Music fans rejoice: this is a film that respects musicians and portrays the music business as it really is - that is, usually slimy and cutthroat. Watching it all unfold is a rare treat.


Written 6/1/10

Broken Embraces

Somehow this just isn't memorable. Sure, it stars Almodovar's regular muse Penelope Cruz and features his usual wild array of characters and fantastically-colored sets, but something is missing. Mind you, this is still a strong film with a strong point of view, but it's lacking in areas I find hard to pinpoint. I'm glad I watched "Broken Embraces" once, but will probably never feel compelled to watch the film again.


Written 6/1/10

Tetro

The film "Tetro" has so many flaws. It is visually stunning, and that covers many ills. But that's not enough. The storytelling strives for realism for awhile and then throws the viewer a succession of curveballs that are entirely unbelievable. I love Vincent Gallo; I want everything he touches to turn to gold. His work is good here, but Francis Ford Coppola's screenplay needs rigorous editing. It's a shame too, because Coppola has not lost his eye for a great shot. In "Tetro", his meandering story is what lets him down.


Written 5/22/10

The American Friend

This is filmmaking without a net. Some of director Wim Wenders' choices puzzled me for days. But I don't mind this - I appreciate his daring. Dennis Hopper's crazed performance is transfixing. I had no idea what he was doing with this role; a lot of it seems improvised. "The American Friend" is a curious film that will not appeal to all, but if you are daring in your tastes or if you have a special appreciation for 1970's cinema then you ought to give it a look.


Written 5/22/10

The Damned United

Michael Sheen is great as Brian Clough, a larger than life character. It helps to have some understanding of British football and the passion it engenders in its devotees prior to watching this film. Some of the conflict in the story is not entirely gripping. And the way the film ends was unsatisfying for me. Still, a good film about the beautiful game with Mr. Sheen at the top of his game.


Written 4/19/10

Bright Star

"Bright Star" is a decently executed period drama focused on an unfortunately doomed romance. The costumes are lovely, but there is very little substance. The romance between the two leads was hardly believable. These vivid characters from history are made one-dimensional! I was not moved at Keats' passing; he never became particularly likable. I can understand why these archetypes appeal to many people, but I didn't connect with this film.


Written 3/11/10

Bloody Sunday

This is an excellent film that I hope to never watch again. It contains brutal scenes of violence against (mostly) innocent people. If you throw rocks at cops are you innocent? Perhaps not, but you certainly don't deserve to be shot and killed for such an admittedly foolish action. It is awful to observe the filmmaker's slow build-up to the violence: a succession of short edits fading to black. The viewer knows the tumult is on its way and can only brace themselves.


Written 1/22/10

Downhill Racer

This is a curious one. I wanted to like it more, but Redford's choice to play the lead character as a cold, unfeeling ogre left me feeling dazed. "Downhill Racer" has the make-up of a classic sports drama, but it's missing several essential elements. Namely: warmth, humility, and grace. View with caution.


Written 12/25/09

Z

Proving rampant corruption does exist in seemingly every corner of the world, "Z" profiles horrid political corruption in Greece. It's a bit strange that the screenplay is in French given the Greece setting, but I suppose we Americans do it all the time, populating films based in foreign locales with our North American actors. Well, here the French have a go at it. Without giving too much away: the assassination of a key figure in the film is not believably depicted. That pivotal scene did not convince me. This is an unfortunate flaw in what is otherwise a gripping, well-acted work.


Written 12/11/09

Cranes Are Flying

On paper, this reads like another drab WWII sob story, but it is so much more. The female lead, Tatyana Samojlova, is a remarkable presence. Always at the heart of the twisting narrative, she exudes grace and verisimilitude. The filmmaking is brash and always daring. One understands almost immediately upon beginning viewing why this film is so lauded. Its plaudits are earned.


Written 12/11/09

Sugar

"Sugar" is an understated gem of a movie. Where the filmmakers could have bludgeoned us viewers over the head, they instead always choose restraint. As a result we are blessed with a true-to-life tale of a quiet Dominican kid who loves baseball and longs to seek fame and fortune in the U.S. Major Leagues. His story is beautifully written, filmed, and acted.


Written 11/10/09

Opening Night

I found it impossible to care about Gena Rowland's character. The "issues" she faces as the stage factor she plays in "Opening Night" are egotistic and highfalutin. So you can't find the character you're trying to play, huh? Why don't you just quit the role? She bored me with her fish-like flopping around and incessant drinking. This circular saga didn't resonate with me. The film's length - 144 minutes! - certainly doesn't help.


Written 11/10/09