Wednesday, November 28, 2012

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 13th 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.

No comments: