Syriana
(dir. Stephen Gaghan)
Although I'm still not 100 percent sure what was going on, it was an enjoyable film. Much in the spirit of Magnolia, Crash, and Traffic, which Gaghan wrote the screenplay for, multiple stories intermingle as the film progresses. Like Munich, it's not so much a feel-good movie, but it's definately worth seeing.
Overall Grade: B+
The New World
(dir. Terrence Malick)
Malick does a great job here of creating a very intimate feeling between the audience and nature. His stylistic editing does unfortunately get in the way of the story. The first half of the movie was, in my opinion, quite entertaining. I felt relaxed and attached to this natural world, like a vivid daydream. Unfortunately, about half way through it, my concentration and caring was abolished, and I found myself checking my watch more than the screen. At the end, when Pocahontas (an incredible performance by teenage actress, Q'Orianka Kilcher) and John Rolfe (Christian Bale) marry and return to England, I was almost hoping for her to hurry up and die so the movie would end more quickly. I feel like Malick's style, while beautiful and reflective at times, really killed him in the telling of this story.A History of Violence
(dir. David Cronenberg)
This film was a lot different from the gory special effects that are normally very prevelant in most Cronenberg films, but it did delve into ideals that really make you as an audience member think about and question. Ex-Fellowship member Viggo Mortensen plays Tom Stall, a small town family man who gets caught up in some gang related incident. Is he who he says he is? Definately watch this one to find out. Also, watch it to witness the five minutes of screen time that earned William Hurt an Oscar nomination.
Overall Grade: A
Match Point
(dir. Woody Allen)
I'll admit first of all that I am quite partial to Mr. Allen's comedies, and was excited to see one of his first dramas in a while. Match Point, which I ignorantly didn't realize was a tennis term until the opening credits, is a film that uses the metaphor of that moment in a tennis game when the ball sort of sits for a moment on the net, before deciding which way to fall. Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays a poor tennis player (from Ireland, even though he had a British accent) who falls in love with and marries a rich girl, played by Emily Mortimer, my new favorite not-so-well-known actress (despite her part in the putridly disgusting 2006 version of Pink Panther.) He meets and then falls in love with the sexiest woman currenly on the big screen, Scarlett Johansson (which was also the name of my turtle.) This film was incredible, my number 3 favorite of the year. It will have you questioning your morals. It's only downfall is that, as with most Woody Allen movies, it is very dry at points; where Allen's comedies normally pick up these dry moments by inserting his humerous mumblings, this film lacked.Overall Grade: A
Good Night and Good Luck.
(dir. George Clooney)
First of all, I just need to commend Mr. Clooney on his accomplishments this year. He really has come a long way since just being that pretty face on E.R. This film was great. Also very dry, and a film you really need to pay attention to follow. It really gave an intimate look at Edward R. Murrow (incredibly acted by David Strathairm) and the McCarthy scandal. Definately worth seeing, even if you know nothing about the scandal.
Overall Grade: A
Breakfast on Pluto
(dir. Neil Jordan)
Irish director Jordan, who brought us such films as In Dreams, The Crying Game, and one of my personal all time favorites, Interview with a Vampire, brings to the screen this seemingly light-hearted novel about a small town Irish transvestite (the ever-amazing Cillian Murphy), his misfit friends, and his trials and tribulations of growing up. Although it tended to drag at points and was arguably a little too long, this film jumped into my top 5 of the year (sorry, Good Night and Good Luck.) I reccommend this film for even those who aren't obsessed with all things Irish.Overall Grade: A
Walk the Line
(dir. James Mangold)
I have to say, I loved it. I was everywhere from bouncing and tapping my feet, to holding back tears. I was completely into the whole thing (except when I started to notice the very, very uncomfortable seats in the theatre...) As it seems to have been a trend with films over the past couple of years, the film seemed long (again, could have been the seats.) I honestly can't remember what complaints I had with this film, though I did have some, so they couldn't have been that memorable. Definately go see this film with your family (if your family is broken, on drugs, drunk, or in jail...)
Overall Grade: B
March of the Penguins
(dir. Luc Jacquet)
The stars of this film are absolutely amazing. Emporor penguins are incredible creatures. The only other amazing thing about this film is that it was a documentary that EVERYONE knew about. This year seemed to be the year to be a penguin, with those slick characters in Madagascar, and the upcoming Happy Feet. Honestly though, it was an animal documentary. Nobody got this excited when we went to see the dolphin IMAX documentary in high school... and we got to skip school for that. The gerneral populus finally realized that documentaries can be interesting? Anyway, this film is good, entertaining, informational, and makes mating and getting eaten by predators OK for children.Overall Grade: B
Junebug
(dir. Phil Morrison)
From the guy who brought you "The Upright Citizen's Brigade," came this incredible little film. Like a backwards Meet the Parents, upper class Merideth, played by Embeth Davidtz, travels to hickville, USA, to meet her new husband George's (Alessandro Nivola) parents while scoping out a slightly off-kilter artist in the area. While the film itself is great, the best part about it is Amy Adams. Adams plays the bubbly, meer-cat loving Ashley, George's brother's pregnant wife. I kept hearing all of this praise about her, and I kept wondering how one performance could impress so many people. Then I saw it, and I understood. I don't want to give too much away, but check this film about for the outstanding performances, including the "O.C.'s" Ben McKenzie.
Overall Grade: A
Constant Gardener
(dir. Fernando Meirelles)
I just recently saw Meirelles film, City of God, which forces me to say, you win some, you lose some. Gardener was dry, slow, and made me feel so unattached that I really did not care what was going on. Within the first minute of the film, we see that Tessa (Rachel Weisz) dies. The next scene, we see her and Justin (Ralph Fiennes) meet. I immediately felt uninterested as to her who her character was because I knew I couldn't get attached. It was quite the commentary on... something. I really lost the meaning of it, and was completely confused as to what the scadal that was going on was. City of God, in respect, was incredible. I was excited and intruiged the whole time. Meirelles, in my opinion, needs to find a balance, like he did in City, of commenting on an issue and presenting a story.Overall Grade: C-
Three... Extremes (Saam Gaang Yi)
(dirs. Fruit Chan, Takashi Miike, Park Chan-wook)
Be prepared to be disturbed. Extremely, extremely disturbed. Three... Extremes is a collection of three films by Asian directors Fruit Chan (Dumplings) from China, Takashi Miike (Box) from Japan, and Park Chan-wook (Cut) from Korea. Without giving anything away, these three horrific (in a good way) films will terrify you... not meaning that you'll have nightmares, but meaning that you will be disturbed, bothered, troubled, uneasy... and any other synonym. Don't see this if you're faint of heart, or if you've just eaten. DO see this if you enjoyed films like Chan-wook's Old Boy or any of those recent Asian thriller hits. Artisitcally beautiful pieces of work.
Overall Grade: A-
The Squid and the Whale
(dir. Noah Baumbach)
Sorry, Breakfast: you've been knocked out of the top five. Director of Life Aquatic, Baumbach's semi-autobiographical story is one of my favorites of the year. It follows the story of a couple's divorce (Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney) and the effects on their children (Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline.) At first, I was a little confused as to the time period because, although it is set in the early 80's, there were modern day cars driving by. Oops. Oh well, that did not distract me for long as I was completely engaged and addicted to this dry yet amusing story. I enjoyed the symbolic journey all the characters took in this film. I would definately recommend it to those who can appreciate it. (Duh.) More specifically, if you enjoyed the tones of films like Life Aquatic and Royal Tennenbaums, you'll definately enjoy this film.Overall Grade: A-
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