2008, Drama

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Javier Bardem stars in the latest effort from legendary filmmaker Woody
Allen as a flamboyant painter who finds himself in the middle of a unique
relationship with Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Christina (Scarlett Johansson),
a pair of American tourists. Penélope Cruz (with her first Oscar win)
also stars as Bardem’s insanely jealous ex-wife, Maria Elena, in this
quirky romantic dramedy (winner of a Best Comedy Golden Globe) set in
Barcelona.

The manner in which this film is narrated reminds me of that quirky TV series “Arrested Development”. There is a continual voice-over that seems to be serious, but in reality the narrative is a bit tongue-in-cheek. In any case, the style lends a certain lightness to the story.

The film may be fun to watch, but the characters constitute a set of really mixed-up people. I just don’t buy the philosophies. What’s wrong with a marriage that seems to have a future ? Granted, all that talk about the perfect house and the perfect decorator gets to be a bit much. But don’t underestimate the value of finding a “steady Eddie”.

Scarlett Johansson is easy on the eyes, but sometimes I swear she reads her lines like a high-school sophomore.

And wasn’t Javier Bardem better in the films of Almodóvar ?

When the characters speak Spanish, there are English subtitles.

2008, Drama

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

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From NetFlix:

David Fincher directs this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic
tale set in the early 20th century that follows Benjamin Button (Brad
Pitt), a man who was born in his 80s and continually grows younger. The
story throws linear conventions upside down to explore love, loss and
memories from the perspective of a character living under incredibly
unique — and unexpectedly difficult — circumstances. Cate Blanchett
co-stars in this Oscar nominee for Best Picture.

This is one long film – 3 hours! But it was good enough that I did not mind the length. At times I felt that the segments of Button’s life were too disjointed, but toward the end of the film it made for better continuity and sense.

The conceit is clever and entertaining. It is actually fun watching someone begin his life as an old man and then become younger and younger until he is an infant. The story actually works! I am not sure an expert in facial development would agree with each stage of Button’s life.

But get serious: would I really want to grow younger so that in time (for however briefly) I looked like Brad Pitt ?

YOU’RE DAMN RIGHT I WOULD !!!

2003, Could Be Hard To Watch, Docudrama, Sports

Touching the Void (2003)

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From NetFlix:

Mixing interviews with dramatic re-enactments of the event, this gripping
docudrama retells the mountaineering trek gone awry of Simon Yates (Nicholas
Aaron) and Joe Simpson (Brendan Mackey). While climbing in the Andes,
Simpson falls and breaks his leg. Yates, who’s tethered to him, attempts
to lower him to safety but fails. He makes a pivotal decision that may or
may not save both of their lives. Was he right?

Mid-May 6 of us (wife Kathy, daugher Kate, her boyfriend Nigel, brother-in-law Jack, sister-in-law Nel, and I) had spent 2.5 hours walking up a mountain path in England’s Lake Discrict to the summit. Almost as soon as we started down, I stepped on what looked like firm soil only to have it collapse under me. My leg and ankle twisted, I heard a “pop” and felt pain. My first thought was “How will I ever get down this mountain ?” By putting my arms around the necks of Kate and Nigel I hopped down on one foot to an awaiting volunteer rescue team with ambulance. Upon returning to the U.S.A. I discovered I had broken my fibula. While helping me down Nigel tried to calm me by talking about the film “Touching the Void”.

So: contrast my minor inconvenience with the story in “Touching the Void”. It is a true and tensely scary story. In the filmed docudrama the three narrators are actors replacing the actual climbers. But it is not just talking heads. The horrors are re-enacted quite effectively. This is not a film for the squeamish. I was glued to my broken-bone sick-bed throughout. At the end you see photos of the real climbers as well as some printed notice of what happened later, including the controversy.

If you can stand it, don’t miss it!

2003, British Mystery Series, Conspiracy, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Gritty, Suspense, TV Series

State of Play (2003)

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From NetFlix:

Powerful politico Stephen Collins (David Morrissey) is embroiled in a scandal when his
research assistant dies in a freak accident and his former campaign manager Cal McAffrey
(John Simm), now a reporter, realizes the incident may be linked to the death of a drug
dealer. As McAffrey digs deeper, he uncovers a dangerous connection between government
and big business in this exciting conspiracy thriller from the BBC.

This version is a 2-disc, 6-episode British TV series that predates the Hollywood film. Reviews for the film have been lukewarm, but they recommended this TV series that I got from NetFlix. Kathy and I could not wait to see each exciting installment. Acting is excellent. Details are well worked out. But pay attention in this conspiracy thriller. From time to time we would pause the DVD player and confer on whether we really understood what was happening. Even toward the end when things seem to be settling down you should hang on for more surprise.

I cannot recommend this British TV series highly enough.

2008, Biographical, Could Be Sad, Drama, Imperfect, Not Feel Good, Redemption, Violent

What Doesn’t Kill You (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Partners in crime Paulie (Ethan Hawke) and Brian (Mark Ruffalo) find themselves at odds after years of pulling dangerous jobs, surviving turf wars and evading a determined detective (Donnie Wahlberg) in this gritty crime drama set in South Boston. The childhood buddies have gone through the wringer together, but when Brian’s relationship with his wife (Amanda Peet) begins to fall apart, their loyal friendship is tested.

I almost did not finish this film. It just seemed like any other film about South Boston hoodlums. However, the last part of the film contains the film’s message. Indeed that half belongs to Mark Ruffalo who beautifully portrays a discouraged former alcholic who desperately wants to be a good father to his sons. This story is based on the life of Brian Goodman who plays Pat Kelly in the movie. The film ends, as do many “true” films, with lines of text that explain what happened in Goodman’s life beyond the end of the film. Note also that the minor role of Detective Moran is played by the brother of Mark Wahlberg. This is only a B-film, but Ruffalo does a wonderful job.

2008, Animated, Feel Good For All

WALL-E (2008)

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From NetFlix:

In a futuristic world, human beings have destroyed Earth and evacuated the planet, leaving the cleanup to an army of robots they’ve programmed to do their dirty work. Due to a mishap, the dutiful WALL-E is the only one left. But with the arrival of a female probe named EVE, the monotony of WALL-E’s existence is broken — and he experiences love for the first time. Andrew Stanton directs this Golden Globe- and Oscar-winning Pixar tale with a sci-fi twist.

Not everyone loves animated films. In the hopes that I could get interested I gave the film a try. WALL-E is built on at least two questionable premises: the earth becomes an uninhabitable junk heap, AND humans abandon earth to live a life of robot-served bliss on a space station. (With regard to the first premise, there is a 2008 documentary called “Life After People”.) Without giving anything away, the conjectured resulting state of those blissful humans is amusing (but I don’t accept the idea that every human would accept the bliss and its consequences). Finally the glorious triumphant end of the film seemed entirely bogus to me.

Much detailed hard work went into making WALL-E. The eye candy alone kept me interested for at least half of the film. But toward the end I was squirming waiting for it all to be over. Enough with chasing robots, electronic traffic control, etc.! Maybe I am just too old for a mini-Star-Wars-clone. And I wonder how a pre-teen or teen would react to this film appropriate for all ages.

As an alternative, try an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki such as “Spirited Away”.

Hopefully someone out there will disagree with me.

2008, Could Be Hard To Watch, Drama, Independent, Not Feel Good

Frozen River (2008)

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From NetFlix:

On a Mohawk reservation on the Canadian border, Ray (Melissa Leo, in an Oscar-nominated role) teams with widowed tribe member Lila (Misty Upham) to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States. Although the work provides the women with much-needed money, each trip puts them in danger. How long will their luck hold before the authorities close in? Charlie McDermott co-stars in this drama nominated for multiple Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature.

Talk about gritty! Ray has two boys and an irresponsible Mohawk husband who disappears to gamble (with sources such as a mortgage payment). Hers is a life of barely getting by. In fact life on the reservation isn’t any better for anyone else. Ray is a gutsy lady fighting to keep her 15-year-old in school when he really wants to get a job. The opening slow pan onto her worn, depressed expression tells you we are in for tough sledding: the 15-year-old tries to invent a scam to steal enough to pay for their rented TV, the kidnapping business might be a tad dangerous, and there’s more! Think of this film as engaging reality TV. If nothing else comes of your watching, at least be grateful for what you have.

For another review see the New York Times review.

2008, Biographical, Could Be Sad, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children

The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Haunted by the death of her mother, 14-year-old Lily (Dakota Fanning) escapes the dreary life she lives on her father’s farm and heads to Tiburon, S.C., with her friend and caregiver, Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson), setting off on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. Set amidst the hotbed of racial tensions in the South in the 1960s, Gina Prince-Bythewood’s dramatic tale is based on the bestselling novel by Sue Monk Kidd.

Basically this is a really sweet and gentle film. Just ignore the incident of racial violence near the beginning that starts Lily and Rosaleen on their odyssey (and even that incident is not too hard to watch). Do I believe there was this oasis of black happiness somewhere in the South of the 1960s? Who cares! Just enjoy the conceit. Did Lily become awfully mature for a girl her age? Who cares! Did the film sometimes border on the maudlin? Who cares!

For some background on the author and her novel see the Wikipedia article.

1998, Acceptable Trash, Car Chase, Suspense, Violent

Desperate Measures (1998)

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From Net

San Francisco police officer Frank Connor (Andy Garcia) desperately searches for a compatible bone-marrow donor for his cancer-stricken son. The only potential donor is convicted homicidal sociopath Peter McCabe (Michael Keaton), who seizes the opportunity of a hospital transfer to donate marrow and escapes custody. Connor must capture McCabe alive, so the hospital becomes the setting for a cat-and-mouse game between the two men.

Do not expect to philosophize, meditate, or even think during this film. Just sit back, relax, and watch the fun: super-smart villain, car chases, violence, and a really clever last few seconds. Still, it is a B film. The action sequences probably are downright impossible. In the real germ-filled world, the boy would have died at many places in the film. Never mind, just suspend disbelief and enjoy what should be termed acceptable trash.

2008, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Explicit sex, Not Feel Good, Nudity, Redemption, Suspense

The Reader (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes) reflects on the formative sexual relationship he had with older woman Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet, in a Golden Globe- and Oscar-winning role) as a young teenager in this poignant drama set in post-World War II Germany. The passionate affair ended when Hanna disappeared. But years later, Michael learns she’s on trial for horrific Nazi war crimes. David Kross plays the teenage Michael in this film based on Bernhard Schlink’s best-seller.

I am still shaking after watching this powerful, superb, maddening film. I was and am still so angry at the male protagonist. Without giving anything away, he was such a “Hamlet” that he allows his female counterpart to suffer more than she need have. I refuse to accept that he was sparing her feelings. Hopefully one of you will have a different point of view and share it with us. Why on earth did he behave as he did ?

The acting is perfect. David Kross does so fine a job I could have strangled him.

Lots of sex, not for children.