Fantastic Mr. Fox Directed by: Wes Anderson
Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray
Rated: PG for action, smoking and slang humor
Director Wes Anderson is known for his unique sense of style, beautiful art direction, unorthodox stories, and overtly existential overtones to his films.His adaptation of Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl is no different.While it’s certainly Anderson’s first attempt at a “kids” movie (and his first film that wasn’t rated R), Mr. Fox still comes with Anderson's baggage, both good and bad.It’s beautifully shot, and it may be the best-made animated film of the year, but it’s missing the heart and emotions that made Pixar’s Up a true success.With his past films, I’ve been disconnected from Anderson’s unorthodox story telling or odd ball cast of characters (with the exception of The Royal Tenenbaums).However, with the Fantastic Mr. Fox, its Anderson’s troubling message of encouraging the civilized characters of his story to embrace the wild-animals that they (or we) are.This is straight scientific realism, which justifies an “animals’” behavior (which Anderson would call “instinct”) purely for their own survival.Heavy stuff, especially for a children’s movie, but not surprising from Mr. Wes Anderson.
The Clash of the Titans Directed by: Louis Leterrier Starring: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton Rated: PG-13 for fantasy action violence, some disturbing images, and brief sensuality
As a huge Greek mythology fan, I was pretty excited for the Clash of the Titans remake. I wasn't expecting much out of the film; just hoping for enough to stir my imagination and get my adrenaline pumping. If your expectations are that low, then Titans will be a fun adventure. It flows more like a computer game walk-through than a movie, telling you enough plot and giving you enough character and setting to make it to the next fight scene. Trust me, it is that shallow. Even the legendary actors involved in the film, Neeson and Fiennes, can't raise the script to any real height. (Perhaps they were too weighted down by their fake beards.) But, to me, the film was enough. Unlike Wolfgang Peterson's movie Troy which tried to be something it wasn't, this film know exactly what it is; a blockbuster fairy tale. The themes of the story, which revolve around the gods (something Troy rejected) and the difficulty of their relationship with man and each other, is really a means-to-an-end: we want to see guys fight monsters. And, while this internal struggle brings out some provoking thoughts, and Leterrier even tries to draw some parallels to modern religion, there isn't any real great heights to the movie, except for how gruesome the Kraken looks. This film is certainly not a god-like film but, for an action-blockbuster, it rises to the occasion.
The Matrix Directed by: The Wachowskis Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne Rated: R for Sci-Fi Violence and Brief Language
Although it's falling fast off my list (it was in the top 3 before college), this is easily one of the most exciting movies I've ever seen, and helped develop my love for special effects. Sure the movie is weird, and was later killed by the two disappointing sequels, but the action scenes, even for today, are quite thrilling. Mix the philosophical discourses and theistic imagery, and you have something that is quite unreal.
The Damned United Directed by: Tom Hooper Starring: Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, and Jim Broadbent Rated: R for language Writer Peter Morgan can seemingly take the most un-cinematic events in British history and turn a fantastic film out of them. Especially when he re-teams with director Tom Hooper (HBO's John Adams), whom he worked with on the movie Longford, as well actor Michael Sheen, whom has appeared in many of Morgan's recent pictures, including last year's film Frost/Nixon. Sheen shines again, this time as the obsessed and outspoken soccer manager Brian Clough. However, it's Morgan's wit and craft, along with Hooper's visual style that truly won me over. Even unlike Frost/Nixon, this film gives you a true sense of its 1970s British setting, especially with it's high contrasted, unsaturated images. The terrific supporting performances, such as Timothy Spall, only add to the film's strength. However, although it's considered a dramatic-comedy, The Damned United is also a very sad film. Clough's obsession to beat the legacy of his coaching rival is so crippling, Clough not only causes his problems, but can't truly enjoy his own successes. And, while the film ends with some resolution to his turbulent journey, it also hints that Clough's life was continually plagued and difficult, thanks to his cockiness and loud-mouth habits. Clough needed to learn that there are only three people who deserve to brag about their accomplishments: Peter Morgan, Tom Hooper, and Michael Sheen. Because, when they're united, they're unbeatable.
Casablanca Directed by: Michael Curitz Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains Rated: PG for mild violence Casablanca is truly an iconic film, much deeper than it's legendary quotes "here's looking at you kid" or "play it, Sam." It goes beyond the legendary performances of Bogart or Bergman, or even it's setting in World War II. At it's core, Casablanca is a morality tale, where one wonders if the hero and heroine can put their own personal feelings aside in order to do what is right and best for each other, as well as the world surrounding them. It's a romantic film that succeeds where most in it's genre fail: it places responsibility and integrity higher than feelings and desire. And, against the black-and-white backdrop of World War II, Casablanca is truly a timeless picture that, when it's over, one wants to play it again.
Amazing Grace Directed by: Michael Apt Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Rufus Sewell, Romola Garai Rated: PG for thematic material involving slaver, and some mild language
Ironic that, in my opinion, the greatest “Christian” film ever made was (once again) made by non-Christians.However, no matter who you are, Amazing Grace is one of the most inspiring stories that I have personally ever seen.It chronicles William Wilberforce’s epic campaign to live out his Christian beliefs by ending the slave trade, and the joys and sorrows that the quest brought.It’s a tale that rings true with the humanist in us all, but even more so with the Christian who, like Wilberforce, finds slavery wrong because “God made man equal.”The script is littered with some of the most moving and inspiring lines I’ve seen, the film is technically well-made (especially when compared to other Christian films), and it boasts a terrific cast of fresh faces and timeless performers.This Michael Apt film needs no grace from me; it’s simply amazing.
Sorry about the recent tardiness of the reviews. We're going to do a little “Deem and Pass” Review Style in order to get caught up. It will be a few-sentence reviews to keep up with the times.
Shutter Island
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams
Rated: R for disturbing violent content, language and nudity.
While Scorsese is a master visual artist, I always feel that his films (the few that I’ve seen) fail to have much of impact or message.All-star cast, and spectacular visuals can’t save a harsh and offensive story that fails to move or say much.
State of Play
Directed by: Kevin Macdonald Starring: Russel Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Jason Bateman Rated: PG-13 for some violence, language including sexual references, and drug content
Another political thriller from writer Tony Gilroy that packs plenty of punches, twists, and suspense to keep you entertained from start to finish.Crowe and cast are great, and Jason Batemen gives a standout performance.A first-rate thriller that focuses on integrity in a world of mistrust and deception.
Now, for some classic films...
The Graduate
Directed by: Mike Nichols
Starring: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman
Released: 1967
Rated: PG for sexual content (although today would get a borderline R rating)
While Robert Surtees’ cinematography is fantastic, The Graduate is not a film I enjoyed or appreciated.The screenplay forces characters to interact quicker than reason, and the film is just plain dirty.Skipped through most of the film, and would have rather just listened to my Simon and Garfunkle greatest hits album.
While the beginning of the film seems forced and on-the-nose, I was actually invested in the film by movie’s end.Estelle Parsons (who won an Oscar for the film) didn’t deserve much recognition for her annoying and easy character, while Gene Hackman and the lovely Faye Dunaway (who didn’t get nominated) deserved the golden trophy, instead.Not sure why this 60s blockbuster is as famous as it is, but it is a truly entertaining film at the least, and caters to the rebel culture of the late 1960s.
The Seventh Seal Directed by: Ingmar Bergman Starring: Max Von Sydow Released: 1957 The Film is Unrated (although I would say PG-13 for thematic elements) A masterpiece of philosophical questions that somehow tries to correlate hope in a world of nihilism and failed theology, where the main character plays a chess game with Death (literally) while trying to derive meaning and purpose outside of the “Christian culture” of the middle ages. Bergman’s rejection of his father’s hypocritical and harsh “Christianity” shines through, giving the film a deeper message than the visuals and storytelling would lead you to believe.
