The Help – 8
You’ll like this if you like
a. Mississippi Movies
b. Faithful book adaptations
c. History
There have been many movies about Mississippi. Mississippi Burning, Ghosts of Mississippi, Mississippi Masala, O Brother, Where Art Thou; Crossroads, and over 90 more that are listed in IMDB.com. Most focus on race relations, an area where Mississippi doesn’t exactly shine. But few movies capture the Mississippi I know. The Help seems to get it right. No Ashley Judd sweating buckets as if we haven’t gotten air conditioning yet.
My family first moved to Mississippi in the early 60’s, and I can’t say that the coast experienced what Jackson did, as portrayed in the movie. Having owned a restaurant in Jackson I can honestly say that Jackson is a separate world in Mississippi, much like you can divide Louisiana into New Orleans and not New Orleans. That Jackson world is captured in this movie.
Sometimes you watch a movie knowing that it’s good, even great, but it’s not enjoyable. That’s the way I felt watching this. It made me uncomfortable, but I guess that’s ok. Two performances brought this film to life. Viola Davis captures the soul of the black maid Aibileen Clark who decides to let Skeet (Emma Stone) tell her story. Bryce Dallas Howard as the aristocratic Hilly Holbrook gives the movie the villainy needed. They help make this an important movie.
Captain America: The First Avenger - 7
You’ll like this movie if you like
a. Marvel Comics
b. Old Fashioned Movie values
c. Patriotism in your movies
Captain America is better than expected, but not as good as it could have been. It’s entertaining in a 1940’s kind of way. It’s a little disconcerting to see World War II fought with advanced weaponry shown with advanced special effects, but it’s best to just eat the popcorn and enjoy.
All in all this is a Saturday afternoon kind of movie.
What 98 pound weakling hasn’t wanted a little scientific help? Steve Rogers, who has what it takes in every other way, has been rejected by the military repeatedly. He volunteers for a magical research project, and after one heroic act, is relegated to selling savings bonds in Captain America garb. He gets his chance to do a little “Inglourious Bastards” rewriting of history, and at the same time set up Joss Whedon’s Avengers movie of next summer. Sounds good to me.
Horrible Bosses – 7
You’ll like this movie if you like
a. What passes for comedy these days
b. Fantasy Assassination
c. The usual comedy suspects.
Most people just want their boss to go away. Here’s the story of three guys searching for a more permanent solution. Their problems are as funny as their solutions. Like most comedies today, this isn’t high art. It’s ribald humor and some of it works, some of it doesn’t. When it works, like in a car chase sequence, it’s out right hysterical. Some of it just falls flat. Such is comedy in 2011.
Jennifer Anniston and Colin Farrell play surprisingly bad bosses. Of course it’s Kevin Spacey that is the most horrible, and he’s easily the best thing in the movie. Hope he does some serious work again soon. If lewd screwball comedy that continues Justin Bateman’s career renaissance is your idea of fun, this movie will be your cup of lunacy.
The Debt – 8
You’ll like this movie if you like
a. Espionage Thrillers
b. Star-is-born acting
c. CGI-less action
Three Israeli secret agents in 1965 infiltrate East Berlin to capture a brutal Nazi doctor, the Surgeon of Birkenau. The story alternates between 1965 and 1997 as the three must deal with the long term impact of not only their mission, but their complex relationship. The mission goes slightly ary when their “capture and transport” mission turns into a “capture and hold.” The love triangle that develops among the three agents before and after the capture gives this movie the emotional weight that you won’t get in a special effects extravaganza.
Helen Mirren is the star of this deliberately paced spy story. But make no mistake, Jessica Chastain, playing Helen’s character 30 years earlier is the reason to see this movie. The camera loves her and she’s the centerpiece of the movie. If she doesn’t convey the emotions of the love triangle perfectly the movie doesn’t work.
Jessica Chastain plays a pivotal role in The Help as well, and the diversity of these roles is amazing. Watch out, a star is born.
Scanning The Satellite
Torchwood: Miracle Day -8
Strike Back – 8
With the success of HBO and Showtime series it seems that every pay channel must put something out. I promise myself I won’t get involved in them, but sometimes I check them out and get hooked. Starz brings us Torchwood – Miracle Day, which has the fascinating story of how governments would react if people just stopped dying. Strike Back is a Cinemax adventure series and it’s got first rate action and some great plot twists. Be prepared however. Like HBO with Game of Thrones, Starz and Cinemark have no problem with killing off main characters.
The Tillman Story – 10
Saving the best for last, here’s easily the best movie I’ve seen in a few months. A typically infuriating documentary, this one takes you inside Pat Tillman’s family in a way that you’ll rarely see. Pat Tillman was an NFL safety who gave up his career to enlist in the Army after 9/11. He was subsequently killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan and the resultant cover-up would have stymied any family I know. I don’t know any families like the Tillman’s. Their pursuit of the truth is more riveting than any superhero movie you’ll see. This movie is a “wow” in every way. Don’t miss it.
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