Movie Review: "The King's Speech"

The King's Speech

Directed by: Tom Hooper
Starring: Colin Firth, Helen Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce
Rated: R for language

With a boldness and a unique vision, Tom Hooper's latest historical film The King's Speech succeeds as one of the most unique and entertaining films of the year. Sporting a cast of the finest talent in England, The King's Speech centers on King George VI, who was handed the throne of England just prior to World War II and who suffered from a severe speech impediment. Becoming the voice of the nation in the time of trial, the King turned to the unorthodox cure of a speech therapist, who sees the king's personal needs beyond his impediment. Firth soars as George, and Geoffrey Rush turns out yet another solid performance as the quirky yet charming therapist Lionel. But not to be outdone, the rest of the cast round out the film perfectly, from Timothy Spall to Guy Pearce, from Ms. Bonham Carter to Mr. Gambon; all are splendid. They're enhanced by Tom Hooper's artistic taste and design, as well as Danny Cohen's cinematic eye. The King's Speech shows us that, despite being our own worst enemy, one can conquer their own giant shadow by loving friend seeing you for whom you truly are. We need that more than we may ever understand, and this is what makes us courageous and respectable.

Movie Review: "True Grit"

True Grit

(2010)
Directed by: The Coen Brothers
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin,
Barry Pepper, and Hailee Steinfeld
Rated: PG-13 for some intense sequences of western violence
including disturbing images

While the original is always herald as the film which won John Wayne his Oscar, the Coen's new adaptation of the movie True Grit is far less of the clean-cut, glossy colored movie of it's counterpart. The Coens brilliantly make a solid film with their signature style and witty dialogue. The Coens' crew rise to the task once again, especially Carter Burwell, whose wonderful score is my favorite of his since Fargo. The film, however, also breaks their mold a little. You still have the classic lines from the book/first film, the plot is relatively conventional, and it has a somewhat happy ending. (I'm being completely honest.) The true reason True Grit works is because of the fine talent in front of the camera. Matt Damon, Barry Pepper, and Josh Brolin all succeed, but the emotional core of the film is really in Jeff Bridge's Rooster and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld's Maddie. Rooster is your typical crusty-yet-humorous lawman, who is too much of a drunk gunslinger to be anything close to a respectable man, while Maddie is the wise-beyond-her-years teenager, who appears to be more tough than her male, adult companions. Yet, in the brilliance of the movie, these individuals rise to the occasion; for a moment, Maddie becomes the child she truly is and Rooster's integrity rises to the level of a man. For a simple moment, they are a family, and the moment changes their lives. Add on the biblical themes (including it's musical score), and True Grit is as good as the original. It may not feature The Duke, but The Dude still abides.

Archive Analysis: "Remember the Titans"

Remember the Titans

Directed by: Boaz Yakin
Starring:Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Ryan Gosling, Hayden Panettiere
Rated: PG for thematic elements and some language

Sports films revolve around a team unifying it’s self and overcoming diversity on and off the field. The team, which is misfit squad with great potential, is most of the time is lead by a steadfast and determined coach who propels them to victory, despite that others claimed they would fail. While Remember The Titans surely fits this mold and, therefore, should be considered cliché, there is something endearing about the characters, something exciting about it's story, and something motivating and inspiring about their accomplishments, which make it one of my favorite sports films.