2009, Acceptable for children, Could Be Sad, Drama, Feel Good For All

The Boys Are Back (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Following the sudden death of his wife, Australian sportswriter Joe Warr (Clive Owen) struggles to cope with his grief and comfort his young son (Nicholas McAnulty). Being a single father gets even trickier when Joe’s rebellious teenage son from a previous marriage (George MacKay) moves in. Director Scott Hicks helms this touching — and often hilarious — tale of a family in flux, based on a memoir by Simon Carr.

In this film Clive Owen is as I have never seen him. Gone (well, almost) is the grinning bad boy. Instead he plays well a caring father left to his own uncertain devices. Both sons do an amazing job of acting. The younger gets it right as a little boy. The older teenager gets it right as an adolescent who wonders if his father even loves him. In some ways it is a very ordinary film. But for me the underlying truth is that kids suffer from divorce no matter what our permissive experts tell us.

And is Australia really that beautiful ?

2005, Could Be Hard To Watch, Drama, Explicit sexual discussion, Not Feel Good, Revenge, Suspense, Unusual, Violent

Hard Candy (2005)

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From NetFlix:

Ellen Page (Juno) stars in this suspenseful drama from director David Slade as Hayley, an intelligent teen who’s got her own reasons for spending so much time with Geoff (Patrick Wilson), a much older man she met online. Even though Geoff is a charming, good-looking photographer, Hayley should know better than to go home with a guy in his early thirties — especially since he might have ulterior motives.

WARNING:

  • You may hate this movie. Although there is no explicit gore, there are many instances of violence, and the gore is left to your imagination (which can make it even worse).
  • You must suspend disbelief because the “teenager” Ellen Page looks too old and is far to mature to be a mere 14 years of age. In fact in this film Ellen Page was 18.
  • You must suspend disbelief because the photographer Patrick Wilson claims he is 10 years older than the girl. 32 year old men don’t look like 24 year old men.
  • You must suspend disbelief because the girl has just too many weapons at her disposal. Moreover, to use these tools she has to be very, very strong.

Having blasted the film, I was compelled to watch it from beginning to end. It is quite a trip. I will not spoil the film for you by giving details. If you insist, you can read wikipedia. At least be aware, that the film has the feel of revenge that you might experience in a Stephen King film and for this reason could be hard to watch. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

In 2005 Ellen Page was 18 when she made this film. In 2007 at age 20 she made the film Juno (2007) which was very popular.

In 2005 Patrick Wilson was 32 when he made this film. In 2006 he was 33 when he made the film Little Children (2006), which is a book written by Tom Perrotta from my town of Belmont. He was also Claire Danes young lover in Evening (2007)

2009, Comedy, Could Be Sad, Drama, Love Story

Up in the Air (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) racks up miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to recent college grad Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) — and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future. Golden Globe winner Jason Reitman’s smart comedy also stars Jason Bateman.

For at least one reason this film made me unhappy: I don’t look a bit like George Clooney. Now let’s get serious. Although I used to think he was just another Hollywood pretty boy, lately I have read that his acting has improved with age and indeed in this film he is perfect. I cannot say why without spoiling the film for you. At the very least, during the film assume nothing.

If nothing else this film captures perfectly the current depression of 2008 through (let’s hope) 2011. Remember, if your neighbor loses his job, it is a recession. If you lose your job, it is a depression. If you have ever been laid off from a job, this film will really resonate.

There are some laughs, but this film is only partly a comedy. In addition it offers genuine human value.

Until I started to write this review I had not realized that Jason Bateman, who plays George Clooney’s smarmy boss, was the star of the outrageous TV series “Arrested Development”. What a character transformation !

“Up In The Air” is an unqualified “must see”.

1976, Brazilian, Comedy, Could be boring, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Mostly About Sex, Nudity, Old-Fashioned, Vulgar

Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands (1976)

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From NetFlix:

Proving that bad boys are hard to shake, this fanciful Brazilian comedy follows the adventures of Dona Flor (Sonia Braga), a conventional girl who weds a handsome ne’er-do-well (José Wilker) whose only saving grace is his talent in bed. When he dies suddenly, Flor remarries — but to his polar opposite: an exceedingly dull pharmacist (Mauro Mendonça). Soon, she finds herself longing for hubby No. 1 … and next thing you know, his ghost appears.

“Dona Flor” is the most successful Brazilian film ever made. For more history see wikipedia. Because I am studying Brazilian Portuguese I watched this historical film. Today’s audience would probably find the film dull even though it is completely about sex. In fact the nudity and the sex scenes are fairly chaste. Unless you are a determined afficionado of Brazilian film history, skip this one. I was just grateful to understand some small amount of the Brazilian.

2006, Acceptable Trash, Comedy, TV Series, Vulgar

30 Rock (2006)

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From NetFlix:

Tina Fey stars as Liz Lemon, the lead writer on a television variety series à la “Saturday Night Live,” in this Emmy-winning workplace sitcom co-starring Jane Krakowski, Tracy Morgan and the scene-stealing Alec Baldwin. When brash network executive Jack Donaghy (Baldwin) arrives on the scene to pep up the show, he unnerves the cast and crew with his meddlesome ways — among them, hiring a whacked-out movie star (Morgan).

I warn you: this TV series is at best acceptable trash. My son Mike suggested this series. His tastes are juvenile, sophomoric, and crass. Unfortunately, genes being what they are, he and I seem to share those tastes. I learned this during the recent Christmas vacation when I sadly realized that my tastes and those of my daughter Kate seemed to have diverged. Could it be that Kate is maturing ? What have Kathy and I done wrong ?

Every now and then there is a good laugh that was worth waiting for. Surprisingly, after her success imitating Sarah Palin, Tina Fey in this series is the straight man who leaves the laughs to others. Alex Baldwin does indeed steal the show, he just knows how to deliver a line. Jane Krakowski (she was Elaine in “Ally McBeal”) always gets it right.

You were warned, so don’t complain.

2009, Acceptable for children, Drama, Sci-Fi, Suspense

Moon (2009)

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From NetFlix:

As he nears the end of a lonely three-year stint on the moon base Sarang, astronaut Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) begins to hear and see strange things. It’s not long before Sam suspects that his employer — the conglomerate LUNAR — has other plans for him. Featuring Kevin Spacey as the voice of a robot, this sci-fi thriller also stars Matt Berry and Kaya Scodelario. The film was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival.

Whereas District 9 (2009) was suspenseful, frantic and strewn with garbage and gore, “Moon” is suspenseful, quiet, slow-paced, thoughtful, thought provoking and thoroughly human. Both sci-fi films are original and as different from one another as night and day. To avoid spoiling the plot for you, I can only say it involves deceit on the part of an earth corporation, a “hal”-like moon station robot (“hal” was the robot in “2001”), and genuine and warm interaction between persons. There is blood and some minor scuffles but no gore or real violence. Even children can safely watch the movie (a rarity these days).

I could find no Wikipedia description, but I did find the following detailed spoiler.

If you watch the film, do not hesitate to put philosophical considerations in comments, even if they amount to spoilers.

IF!!! you like sci-fi you should not miss this refined, well-made film.

2008, Could Be Hard To Watch, Docudrama, Drama, Not Feel Good, Occasional gore, Suspense, Violent, War

The Hurt Locker (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Kathryn Bigelow directs this gripping drama (nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards) following one of the U.S. Army’s elite EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) teams operating in the ferocious war zone of Iraq. As the squad identifies and dismantles improvised explosive devices and other bombs, they must also contend with the frayed nerves and internal conflicts that arise from living in constant peril. Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Guy Pearce, Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie star.

Hopefully this film tells it like it really is in Iraq. If so, I don’t see how any soldier in Iraq stays sane: the constant fear, especially in the EOD, would eventually unhinge most humans. Plot is secondary. Rather the film is a sequence of hair raising episodes in the life of the EOD. Once such a episode started, I could not get my eyes off the screen. Episode after episode I never got accustomed to the tension. What little there was of plot involved the difference in personalities between Staff Sergeant William James, the bomb expert, and the other soldiers. James is a chance taker, seemingly impervious to the dangers.

Be prepared for gore: a bomb is planted in the body of a dead child, a family father is forced to become a suicide bomber, etc.

For a complete description see wikipedia.

2009, Car Chase, Occasional gore, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Unusual

District 9 (2009)

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From NetFlix:

When aliens land on Earth, global business conglomerate Multi-National United forces them into rigid containment zones where they are compelled to labor, even as MNU commandeers their otherworldly technology for profit. As tensions build between human and non-human races, a rogue agent leads a resistance movement against MNU’s ruthless consolidation of power. Neill Blomkamp directs this cinema verité-style sci-fi thriller.

As one of the more original sci-fi films I have ever seen, the best adjective for this film is FRANTIC. By using hand-held cameras the constant tension never lets up. Sharlto Copley (who is really from Johannesburg, South Africa) is the perfect choice for the honest, well-meaning pawn of the weapons manufacturers. He is jittery and always a giant bundle of nerves. At first I groaned because the “prawns” (aliens) just looked so stupid. But soon even they fit perfectly into this tale of military-industrial suppression.

Subtle this movie is NOT. In a way the film is one big action scene from beginning to end. In this respect it might remind you of a car chase B film. Therefore, to enjoy this adventure you must like science fiction, action films, bloodshed, violence, and noise. What more could you ask for ?

And tell me, what is going on in the last scene ? What exactly did happen ? In fact, if you want to read a detailed spoiler see wikipedia.

2008, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Hebrew and Arabic, Lawyers, Love Story, Not Feel Good, True Story, War

Lemon Tree (2008)

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From NetFlix:

A Palestinian widow (Hiam Abbass) fights to keep her lemon grove from being uprooted when Israeli security forces declare it a threat to the Israeli defense minister living next door (Doron Tavory) in this foreign-language drama based on a true story. Teaming with a young lawyer (Ali Suliman), the widow takes her case to the Israeli Supreme Court. But in the process of seeking justice, she’s forced to hide the forbidden bond growing between them.

Quiet, beautifully acted, subtle cameo portrait of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. For the most part the film is an indictment of the Israeli treatment of the Palestinians: the woman’s lemon grove is really no threat, the defense minister comes off as nothing more than a hypocritical politician, the odds in court are obviously stacked against the widow. However, the poor woman is besieged on all sides because even her own culture of women as second class (embodied in local almost bullying pressure) will not allow her a fulfilled life. Note, on the other hand, that the Israeli women are more high-maintenance and powerful. If you are fortunate enough to watch this small gem I would be interested in hearing your impression of the very last scene.

Subtitles available for the Hebrew and Arabic.

Don’t miss it!

2009, Complicated, Explicit sexual discussion, Nudity, Occasional gore, Suspense, Violent

A Perfect Getaway (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Newlyweds Cliff (Steve Zahn) and Cydney (Milla Jovovich) are enjoying a perfect honeymoon in Hawaii — until they run into a pair of menacing hikers, Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez). As it turns out, the two are dangerous killers who begin stalking the not-so-happy couple. David Twohy wrote and directed this action-packed thriller, which co-stars Marley Shelton, Katie Chonacas and Chris Hemsworth.

Give this film only a B. The acting was just fine. I have never seen Steve Zahn do a bad job or appear in a movie that I did not want to watch. HOWEVER … you have to suspend disbelief in certain parts. Although there is a wonderful plot twist, I had great difficulty understanding the details. Perhaps I was just too tired to grasp the details. Try watching the film without help. After that you can read wikipedia which explains everything. There are just a few body wounds, nothing more unsettling than that. The very last few seconds are a clever conclusion.