At the Cinema - November 2012

Lincoln – 10
You’ll like this movie if you like:
a.  History
b.  Government
c.  Daniel Day Lewis
This is a terrific movie.  One of its great achievements is that Steven Speilberg manages to restrain himself and let the depicted events speak for themselves.  There is no need for music crescendos and heart tugging drama, not when one of the great actors is dominating the screen and a terrific screenplay is unfolding.   In fact this movie should be known as Daniel Day Lewis’ Lincoln, not Steven Speilberg’s Lincoln.  Not for one minute did I not think I was watching a camera present at history.  The authenticity of it is amazing.
 
The story is much more limited than you might expect.  It is largely political drama as it focuses on Lincoln’s efforts to pass the 13^th amendment outlawing slavery.  It is a little jolting to see the political parties reversed from where they are today in many ways.  It is also fascinating the way politics are played 1860's style to get Lincoln what he wants.

Will Daniel Day Lewis win his third Oscar?  Very likely.  He inhabits Abraham Lincoln, that’s the only way to describe it.  His acting will go down as legendary – there aren’t enough accolades to adequately recognize his work here.  Sally Field matches him as Mary Todd Lincoln.  Tommy Lee Jones is terrific as well.  Not sure if this will win the Oscar for best picture, but you can count on acting statues galore.  This is a must see movie, especially as we try to understand our history. 

HBO did a terrific mini-series on John Adams.  After this movie, I hope someone does a movie or series on every President.  Washington and Jefferson, to start.  Can you imagine?


Cloud Atlas – 8
You’ll like this movie if you like:
a.  Tom Hanks
b.  Halle Berry
c.  Colliding stories
This is one of the most ambitious movies I’ve ever seen.  It doesn’t always work, and it certainly isn’t for everyone, but I was very surprised that I liked it as much as I did.  Several of the actors, including Hanks and Berry, play 6 or 7 roles, sometimes even different genders.  Fortunately this is all disclosed in the closing credits, as some are unrecognizable as well as unsuccessful.  The stories are spread throughout history and interconnected at a frantic pace.  I never quite figured some of it out, and at almost 3 hours, it’s a bathroom challenge that I will probably dissect and enjoy more when it comes out on Blu-ray. I’ll be able to pause it, and watching the “making of” extra will undoubtedly enlighten me.

I recommend this for the real film buff.  You’ll need patience and won’t want to blink, but in the end, quite a movie.

Skyfall – 5
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  James Bond
b.  Daniel Craig as James Bond
c.  Sam Mendes

On paper this must have looked good.  Hire a great director, great cast, and write a complex, upgraded script from what we normally expect from the Bond series.  Translate it to the screen with the usual big budget and outlandish stunts and wait for the fans to flock.  Works every time.

I love the James Bond series.  I’m sure I’ve seen every movie in the theatre and again on TBS.  So, why did I not like this one when everyone else did?

The movie just fell flat to me.  Maybe I’m actioned out.  Maybe I’ve seen it all before.  Maybe I’m just bourned out. 

First the plot.  No madman trying to rule the world here.  Just one who wants revenge against M, played steadfastly, and with the best lines in the movie, by Judi Dench.  Javier Bardem is fine as the villain, although I have no idea why they felt the need to dye his hair yellow.  Daniel Craig is a terrific actor.  He inhabits Bond in a very serious, troubled way.  But maybe that’s not what I want in a Bond.  I miss the carefree, suave Bond of Bonds past.

But I think it was the ridiculousness of the plot that did me in.  It hinges on the ability of Bond and his nemesis to accurately predict everything that is going to happen.  It doesn’t stand up to the scrutiny I would give an oreo.  I laughed out loud on several occasions, and that’s never a good sign. 

A huge disappointment for a huge fan.

Pitch Perfect – 8
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  Glee
b.  Awesome Anna Kendrick
c.  Music

This is a cream puff of a movie, almost a throwback to a simpler time.  It’s a movie that could have been made in any decade, with the music of that decade.  I have a feeling there is a group of young girls out there that have seen the movie over and over and it’s their favorite movie of all time.

Anna plays an unhappy college student who wants to be a DJ instead and finds her outlet in an a cappella singing competition group.  Coincidentally, there’s apparently only a few such groups, and the other very good one is right there on the same campus.  What a happy coincidence.  It’s almost gleeful.  In fact it would be "Glee goes to college" if there was just the sounds of the full orchestra appearing out of nowhere.

That silliness aside, it’s the exuberance of the music that holds the movie together.  Those scenes are worth the price of admission.  Aren’t they always?

Taken 2 – 4
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  Taken
b.  Liam Neeson
c.  Carnage
Hopefully the Liam Neeson-as-action-hero trend officially plays itself out in this garbage.  You know the story.  Band has an inexplicable hit record and then does the same record over and over again in an effort to recapture the charts.  It never works, and we fall for it at the movies way too often.  Do yourself a favor and be content to fondly remember Taken (if that's possible) and avoid this retread.

Flight – 8
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  Denzel Washington
b.  Character studies
c.  Harrowing Events
To watch the previews you’d think this movie was about a plane crash.  One of the most harrowing scenes of that sort ever created for a movie will stick in your memory for a long time.  It's an incredible scene. 

But that’s not really what this movie is about.  It’s a character study of the heroic pilot, portrayed by Washington, who just happens to have a major addiction problem.  His fight through these addictions and the eventual conclusion are the real harrowing parts of the movie.  We root for him like we would root for a family member, even as we are repulsed by his behavior.  Denzel Washington is as amazing as always.  The guys got major chops and they’re all on display here.

You’ll remember the plane crash, but you’ll recognize the toll.

Saints Report # 11 - November 25, 2012

The 49ers came to the Superdome Sunday afternoon and whipped a little halftime blackjack on the Saints en route to a 31-21 win.  The Saints held a 14-7 lead with a minute left in the first half and after a rare interception had the ball at midfield with a chance to go up by two touchdowns going into the half.  The crowd was rocking and the Saints were rolling.  Then disaster occurred in the form of a Drew Brees interception that he will probably dream about this summer.  He threw into a middle that was clogged all day and Ahmad Brooks stepped in and took the pass all the way to suddenly tie the game at 14.

The 49ers came out of halftime fired up and put together their best drive of the game to take a 21-14 lead which they augmented on Brees next pass, which they also turned into a pick 6, and the football equivalent of blackjack - 21 unanswered points.  Just like that a game that was so promising was over.  The Saints fought back with a drive of their own to get to 28-21, but the Niners tremendous defensive line overmatched the Saints patchwork offensive line.  Brees was sacked 5 times and was lucky to get out without injury.

Observations? 

First, the Saints running game was ineffective.  Darren Sproles playing time came at the expense of Pierre Thomas, who has only been the Saints best all-around player this year.  But, to their credit, they kept pounding with Ingram and Ivory.  The 49er front 7 was all it was cracked up to be.

Secondly, the Saints defense continued to improve, although they inexplicably declined to blitz a 2^nd time starter at quarterback.  They put absolutely no pressure on the quarterback.  Good teams hit the other quarterback and protect theirs.  The Saints did neither.

The 49ers are a very good team that have been built block by block through the draft.  The Saints have been tremendous at evaluating offensive skill talent, but sub-par at evaluating defensive talent.  Despite a constant rotation of free agents on the defensive line, and drafts that were mostly defense, they’ve consistently misjudged. 

Prediction – Sean Payton is seeing what we’re seeing and will be taking a long look at wholesale replacements on defense.  The Saints can't challenge without a consistent pass rush, and they desperately need to add speed.

Next up Atlanta, and the Saints will need a miracle to pull back to .500.  Frankly I don’t see it.   Not this week. 

Saints Report # 10 - November 18, 2012

The Saints travelled to the unfriendly confines of the Oakland Coliseum and walloped the Oakland Raiders 38-17 in their most lopsided victory of the year on Sunday.

The Saints continued to run the ball well with their three headed running back monster.  The defense, which historically struggles in the Pacific time zone, played their best game of the season, with 2, yes 2 interceptions by safeties.  Nobody is going to confuse the Saints defense with the 49’ers, but they are playing more aggressively and confidently as the season progresses.  Just the way Spags planned it, I presume.

Now sitting at 5-5 and still a long shot to make the playoffs, the stretch run is now critical.  They must win at least one of the next two games to stay at .500 and that’s not going to be easy, with those 49’ers coming to the dome, followed by a quick turnaround and a trip to Atlanta where the doity birds figure to be in a fowl mood. 

If the Saints can close out November strongly, December football could be very interesting.  We didn't believe that in September.

Saints Report # 9 - November 11, 2012

Now only one game under .500 at 4-5, and a 31-27 victory under their belt over the previously unbeaten Atlanta Falcons, (a wonderful sentence) here’s what we know about this year’s version of the New Orleans Saints.  First, they are pretty hard to beat when they garner 150 yards rushing.  Secondly, while at first glance their defense is as horrible as any in history, it really operates in direct proportion to the amount of ground they must defend.   When they have the whole field, they look like they’re running in quicksand.  As the field shrinks and the opposing team nears the end zone, they look like the steel curtain reincarnate.

For much of Sunday’s game Matt Ryan was throwing to Falcon receivers who could have called for a fair catch, they were so wide open.  Drew Brees was threading the needle to receivers who were just breaking open.  Then there’s the red zone where Jimmy Graham and Marquis Colston dominate and the Falcons couldn’t get open.  Such an interesting game. 

The Falcons will be fired up for a rematch later this month in the Atlanta copycat dome and certainly should win that game, but the reality of it is that if the Saints continue to run the ball, and the defense continues to improve, the Saints could end up 10 – 6, or 9-7.    Who’d of thunk it the way they stunk it to start the season?

Saints Report # 8 - November 5, 2012

On election eve the New Orleans Saints cast an unexpected vote for balance.  Balance between their offense and defense, and an offense that balanced the run and the pass.   

They harassed the eminently harrassable Michael Vick.  Vick darted into as much trouble as he darted out of, and continued to make the case that, while he’s a great football player and athlete, he’s also trying to play the one NFL position he probably is not suited to play – quarterback.  For the record, in case I haven’t said this before, Michael Vick should be playing running back, and Tim Tebow should be playing tight end.  Both of them lack the 2 A’s it takes to be an NFL QB – Anticipation and Accuracy.

I’m not trashing them – they can both play in the NFL, just not where they and their agents want them to play.

The Saints sacked Vick 7 times in their 28 – 13 victory, and previously they hadn’t gotten that many sacks on a trip to Rouse’s.  The Dome crowd couldn’t have been more surprised or pleased.  The Saints found an offensive line they could dominate, and did it in the same game that they rediscovered their running game as, in Darren Sproles’ absence, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, and a very fresh Chris Ivory grounded and pounded their way to just short of 150 yards rushing.  Consequently, the Saints controlled the game, the clock, and the Eagles. 

So, the formula is established.  Seven sacks and 150 yards rushing in each and every game between now and the end of the year and we’ll hoist the Lombardi again.  Likely?  No.  But, at least we know the formula.

At the Cinema - October 2012

Argo – 9
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  Low key Suspense
b.  A Slow build 

c.  Middle Eastern Intrigue

Ben Affleck stars in and directs this straightforward telling of a top secret rescue during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.  This movie does a slow build to a very effective climax.

During the 444 day crisis, one of the things that sunk the Jimmy Carter Presidency, several American Consulate workers snuck out a back door and hid in the Canadian Ambassador's house until a CIA rescue plan was hatched.  The rescuer, played by Affleck, extracts them as a phony film crew scouting locations.  Gutsy to say the least.  This rescue was kept classified until the Clinton administration.

It’s all very entertaining, but it suffered just a little from the oddest thing for me.  Homeland.  The Showtime hit series shows middle eastern intrigue in such dynamic fashion that I found this movie to be a little distant. Check this out if you haven’t heard about Homeland:  http://www.metacritic.com/tv/homeland/season-2

Nevertheless, this is a well-made movie, and Affleck’s attention to detail and lack of embellishment is commendable.  Affleck’s made three strong movies now, but here’s one more plug for the one I think is his best – Gone Baby Gone.  I bought the Blu Ray and have picked the movie over and I think it is a masterpiece.  Watching how movies like “Vertigo” have gained favor over the decades gives me hope that GBG will get more recognition as the years go by.  If you’re a movie renter – check it out.  It packs a wallop.

Seven Psychopaths – 0
You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  fingers on a blackboard
b.  self-torture
c.  nonsense

In other words, if you like this movie, you are on a completely different planet from me.
This is the first movie I’ve ever rated a zero, and is by far the worst big budget movie I’ve ever seen.  I sat there in total agony trying to make it to the end of the useless carnage.  It is built around bad acting and a script I can’t believe someone saw as having any potential.  I don’t believe in asking for my money back, but I sure missed my chance here.  I felt violated.  I was also astonished at the reviews it got.  As bad as it gets.

Sinister – 6

You’ll like this movie if you like
a.  ghost stories
b.  the guy who was married to Uma Thurman
c.  drunk writers

This is The Shining in suburbia, as writer Ellison Oswald, yes that’s right Oswald, played by Ethan Hawke is investigating a horrible mass murder by doing the only natural thing, moving his family into the house that was the scene of the crime.  He stays there about a movie too long.  He gets plenty of help learning that it’s not just a mass murder, it’s a serial murder.  He seems to be getting this help from ghosts.  If being driven to drink, which most writers seem to be, can be considered help.  So while there’s nothing new here, what I enjoyed about the movie was it didn’t cop out. No snappy explanation at the end, just a solid story of one more thing, besides alcohol, that a writer should refrain from.