I feel a little sad that this series is almost over. But Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is by far the most adult of the Harry Potter films and I found that I relished it in a whole new way. As Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) proclaims, “Well, well, well, look what we have here. It’s Harry Potter. He’s all bright, and shiny, and new again, just in time for the Dark Lord.” Oh, yeah. [Read more →]
I was almost deterred by the copious television commercials that made me fear Morning Glory would be another lame comedy. But the desire to see my seventies Star Wars crush and the amazing Annie Hall (ok, Diane Keaton) won, and I am glad. This film may be trivial, but it is light and fun, and better than the ads suggest. [Read more →]
Clint Eastwood directs Hereafter in his usual gentle and understated style. While the result is not the unqualified success of some of his other work, Hereafter has some lovely moments. [Read more →]
As I watched Stone, I waited for it to get better. After all, Stone has a great cast and explores an interesting idea. But that is not enough to save Stone from being a disappointing film. [Read more →]
It is hard to believe a film about teenage suicidal depression would have the word “funny” in its title. But It’s Kind of a Funny Story is light and somewhat funny. It is rather forgettable, but it is also enjoyable.
Craig (Keir Gilchrist) seems to have a nice enough life. His parents love him, even if Mom (an underused Lauren Graham) seems a little clueless and Dad (Jim Gaffigan) pushes him to excel in school. Craig has a crush on his best friend’s girl and his prestigious New York public school is very competitive, but is that really why he is depressed? A neurotic and medicated teenager is not always cause for alarm, but when Craig stops taking his medication, he feels suicidal. [Read more →]
I thought it would be difficult for The Social Network to live up to all that hype. I was wrong. Excellent writing, directing and performances, along with a compelling story, make The Social Network an almost perfect movie.
Based on Ben Mezrich’s book (“The Accidental Billionaires”), Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay tells a version of the birth of Facebook at Harvard University, its staggering growth and ensuing legal battles. [Read more →]
Philip Seymour Hoffman gives yet another excellent performance and makes an equally impressive film directing debut. Hoffman reprises his role in his Labyrinth Theater Company’s production of Robert Glaudini’s play (Glaudini also wrote the screenplay here). Jack Goes Boating is a small film about relationships where the little things can change lives. The four leads shine in this quiet and moving film. [Read more →]
Davis Guggenheim takes on the public education system in the United States, in much the same way he took on global warming in his 2006 An Inconvenient Truth. But the villains here are not so clear. Waiting for Superman has attracted the attention of both Time magazine and Oprah, and the education problem certainly merits the attention. This documentary has plenty of drama and shocking information, but Guggenheim grossly oversimplifies this complex problem. In spite of this, it is a film well worth seeing. [Read more →]
Elevators can be scary places, especially when that elevator music is playing. But when the lights start flickering, the elevator gets stuck between floors and you are trapped with strangers and possibly Satan, a new level of terror sets in. Less is more in the taut 80 minute Devil, produced and based on a short story by M. Night Shyamalan. The film is tense, chilling and satisfying. And it is fun. [Read more →]
Despite interesting characters and strong performances, Never Let Me Go is disappointing. Aside from the unoriginal and implausible plot points, this film fails to examine the issues it raises. Despite some early promise in the first half of the film, the characters (and the audience) never really take that emotional journey necessary for a satisfying film. [Read more →]
