Burn After Reading

September 12, 2008. Not as good as the BIG LEBOWSKI but better than INTOLERABLE CRUELTY, this movie has elements of both. I am amazed at the Coen brothers ability to get name brand stars like Brad Pitt play ridicules roles. John Malkovich is delightful as usual, playing the villain as usual with just the right amount of humor and realism. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887883/

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

March 27, 2008. Frances McDormand is perfect as the frumpy yet charming freshly unemployed governess. I continue to be enchanted with Amy Adams, fresh from a movie of the same description. She manages to make gold digger an acceptable profession. And I have never seen anyone who needed a social secretary more. The movie conforms to the title in that it takes place in a single, frantic and event filled day. There is a wonderful tension between the sweet and tender versus the comedic versus the undercurrent of sadness and impending disaster. As a period piece the costumes are an integral part of the movie and they do not disappoint. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970468/