Mive Review: "The Hurt Locker"

The Hurt Locker

Directed by: Katheryn Bigelow

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Guy Pearce

Rated: R for war violence and language

Katheryn Bigelow’s film about an EOD team in Iraq couldn’t be any better. It’s real, gritty, raw and adrenaline filled. It’s a blockbuster on steroids, which is incredible considering its cast of relative unknowns and independent production value. However, this easily tops any of the blockbusters I’ve seen in the past five years in both action and quality. Jeremy Renner is splendid, Anthony Mackie is terrific, and there are plenty of great cameos by David Morse, Ralph Fiennes, and, my personal favorite, Guy Pearce. The film doesn’t have a lot to say, but it still speaks volumes. If you are looking for a film to get your heart racing and adrenaline pumping, this is a must see.

Movie Review: "The Lovely Bones"

The Lovely Bones

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci

Rated: Pg-13 for mature thematic material involving disturbing violent content and images, and some language

Alice Sebold’s novel The Lovely Bones is harsh, offensive, deep, emotional, thought provoking and compelling. Peter Jackson’s movie adaptation doesn’t share any of these qualities. While I greatly appreciate Jackson’s film for toning down the murder and strong sexual content of the book, I also felt that the tragedy and sadness of the book didn’t translate, either. The novel revolves around how a family deals with a grotesque and horrific tragedy, while Jackson’s story feels more like his take on life after death in a more family-friendly way. The sins of characters lose their harshness on the screen, which eliminates the moral of Susie’s tragic tale. Instead of Susie watching her family fall apart like she does in the book, we are given Susie’s walk-throughs of “the in-between”, where Jackson got make his imaginary after life become a reality. The book felt cold, harsh, and something that you doubted would ever turn out right. (Which makes the ending all the more powerful.) The movie is warm, funny, and, most importantly, lost. I honestly think that Jackson read and appreciated the book, but didn’t understand what it was saying. The film has the basic plot of Sebold’s novel, but it was merely the ghost of her book.

Movie Review: "Up in the Air"

Up in the Air

Directed by: Jason Reitman

Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman

Rated: R for language and some sexual content

Jason Reitman’s previous two films have spawned a market of creative and witty comedies. However, Reitman’s newest film Up in the Air loses the glitz and glamour of his previous films, yet is still as creative, witty, and even more powerful than his previous works. It follows Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), a man who’s job (firing people for a living) is as heartless as his personal philosophy (homes and relationships are detrimental to one’s life). Both of these aspects of Bingham’s life are challenged when he is assigned a partner (the youthful Anna Kendrick, who is spectacular) to learn from Bingham. Underneath it’s simple exterior, Up in the Air is a deep, philosophical film. Reitman deals with specific issues, such as the failures of communication in today’s society, as well as broad themes, such as the meaning and purpose of relationships. And, although it does promote existential thinking, it doesn’t glorify it, like last year’s film Benjamin Button. In fact, Reitman’s conclusion that relationships are connected to the meaning of life (a half truth) is almost negated by different characters throughout the film who are confused, dissatisfied, and even disloyal in their relationships. On this level, Reitman is even wiser than he intended. What his intentions convey, Up in the Air captures more than Reitman’s wit and creativity: it captures the highs and lows of humanity.

Movie Review: "Adam"

Adam

Directed by: Max Mayer

Starring: Hugh Dancey, Rose Byrne

Rated: PG-13 for thematic material, sexual content, and language

This small romantic drama about a man suffering from Asperger’s syndrom was a huge hit at the Sundance Film Festival of 2009, causing it to receive a larger theatrical release and distribution. Because of this, Adam will be compared to films that are a lot bigger than itself. Unfortunate, because Adam, as good of a B movie as it is, is still just that: a B movie. Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne, as good as they are, can’t be compared to Oscar-like talent. As original as the film may be, it still hits the clichés one would expect, and the plot, although deep, still seems lost and disjointed. Don’t get me wrong, if I had made Adam, I would be very proud. That having been said, Adam is a film I could have made.

Movie Review: "Julie and Julia"

Julie and Julia

Directed by: Nora Ephron

Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina

Rated: PG-13 for brief strong language and some sensuality.

The double biopic of professional cook Julia Child and her modern day-want-to-be-protégé Julie Powell offers us a chance to see Meryl Streep in one of her most iconic roles ever, and Amy Adams in one that isn’t quite as interesting. It isn’t that Adams is bad, but her storyline by itself is no more than that of a mediocre chick flick. Streep, on the other hand, has a far less interesting plot, forcing her to generate her storyline through her sheer talent. Both sides succeed, with a little help from co-stars Stanley Tucci and Chris Messina. However, a keen eye can spot the imperfections in the film. Julie and Julia is “Julie Powell” good, but not quite “Julia Child” great.

Movie Review: "An Education"

An Education

Directed by: Lone Scherfig

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Emma Thompson

Rated: PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexual content, and for smoking.

Despite its critical success, the movie An Education has a very modest style; no showy cinematography, editing or storytelling. Just simple storytelling for a simple story. Not surprising since the film is directed by Dogma 95 director Lone Scherfig, of the foreign film Italian for Beginners. However, underneath its simplicity is a depth that makes the film truly fantastic. The movie boasts a terrific cast, from Alfred Molina to Peter Sarsgaard. But no one's performance matches that of the unknown lead Carey Mulligan, who plays Jenny, a teenager who dreams of being a socialite rather than a university student. Like the film, Jenny is a more subtle character, unlike Meryl Streep's Julia Child or Gabby Sidibe's Precious. However, Mulligan understands the depth of Jenny, and uses every frame to express her character, which may make for my favorite performance of the year. Jenny's transformation in maturity is a complex and more consequential experience than most teenagers, but we all can identify with her angst of being an age where we think we understand the world better than we truly do. What Jenny learns is that adulthood is more than being a certain age.