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/

AngelA

December 21, 2005. Jamel Debbouze is a vision as a super shady qusi-businessman Andre, so full of self-loathing that he positively shimmers on the screen. I am thinking especially of the scene at the bar where Angela is making money in the bathroom. Rie Rasumssen is the perfect contrast to Andre, both in screen presence and in world view. Given the direction by Luc Besson, the Mise en scène is amazing, better than but also reminiscent of the THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI. It is both a love story and a morality tale without being too pedantic or sappy. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473753/

You Don't Mess with the Zohan

June 6, 2008. It manages to be both better and worse than you expect. Happy Gilmore meets Munich meets Romeo and Juliet. The call to Hezbollah is the highlight of the film. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0960144/

Interview

May 10, 2007. The casting of Steve Buscemi as the political journalist, slumming on a celebrity assignment and Sienna Miller as the B-list pop tart, the kind that ends up on the red carpet sans underwear, is nearly perfect. This is a tribute piece to Theo Van Gogh, a remake with numerous references to the original. More like a stage play that has a battle of wits where the winner is often unexpected. You root for one and then the other and then realize that each is more complex than expected. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480269/

Iron Man

May 2, 2008. There are summer block busters that live up to hype (Pirates of the Caribbean) and those that do not (Spider Man III). And then there is Iron Man, which exceeds even my unreasonably high expectations. To say that it was the role that Robert Downy was born to play doesn't do credit to his work in KISS KISS BANG BANG but it does indicate the depth he brings to the Bruce Wayne of the modern age. The crackling repartee between Tony Stark and Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) is actually interesting and somewhat reminiscent of Nick and Nora (of THIN MAN fame). But now that superheroes are big and every franchise from the Green Arrow to Captain America will get his time on the silver screen, I have become disenchanted and I will be much more discrimination in my future choices. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/

Sleuth

October 11, 2007. This movie presents a mental chess game between two deceptive and manipulative Brits. Ostensibly, the object of contention is Wyke’s (played by Michael Caine) wife, but Tindle (played by Jude Law) needs to prove himself to the clearly superior Wyke. It is interesting that this remake of the 1972 film of the same title featured Michael Caine as Tindle. I was surprised to see Kenneth Branagh as the director because it bares no indication of his style. It is clearly based on an adapted stage play (Anthony Shaffer's Tony Award-winning work) with exceptionally limited setting and only two characters. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0857265/

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/

Lars and the Real Girl

October 14, 2007. Ryan Gosling stars as Lars Lindstrom, an extremely shy young man living in a small town where he is a popular fellow. He purchases a sex doll online and proceeds to introduce her to his brother and sister-in-law as his girlfriend. Despite the concerns of his friends and relatives, a local doctor notes that since Lars otherwise has a highly functional personality that threatens no one, this delusion is a sign that he is working through some personal issues and his loved ones should play along in the meantime. With some persuasion, the entire town eventually participates as well with growing enthusiasm for this unusual, but enjoyable, activity as Lars continues to pursue what he perceives as a deep and meaningful relationship with the doll. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805564/

Dan in Real Life

October 26, 2007. You have to love a movie that pits Steve Carell versus Dane Cook (who is his slimy and smarmy best). Juliette Binoche is lovely as the object of their contention. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480242/

Nancy Drew

June 15, 2007. Andrew Fleming directed DICK, THE CRAFT and some random TV shows. Emma Roberts (niece of Julia Roberts) is completely charming as Nancy Drew. There is a passing similarity to VERONICA MARS in terms of the wit and charm and grace under pressure, to say nothing of the raw sleuthing powers, of the title characters. However, Veronica has an iconic anti-hero vibe that Nancy only aspires to in a mild way. There is a “fight the power structure” and “over turn the Queen Bee” element to both characters. There is also a passing similarity to the BLACK DALIA. I was fascinated by Nancy’s fashion sense and part it plays in the story line. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479500/