Film Critical

Film reviews and coming attractions by NAnderson for your consideration. I will be writing critiques of as many films as I can see. Check them out and write a comment.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

COMING SOON - FEB. 20

Opening Friday February 23 -

The Astronaut Farmer
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/theastronautfarmer/trailer1/
Reno 911: Miami
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/reno911miami/
The Number 23
http://www.apple.com/trailers/newline/thenumber23/

Limited Release:
Amazing Grace
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/amazinggrace/trailer/
Starter for 10
http://www.apple.com/trailers/picturehouse/starterfor10/trailer/
The Abandoned
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/theabandoned/trailer/
Gray Matters
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/graymatters/trailer/

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

CHILDREN OF MEN

A heavy film driven by a remarkable story.

Children of Men is a fascinating story that weighs you down, but inspires at the same time. The tension of it never lets up and the release at the end is so subtle that you leave with your muscles still clenched. The cinematography is brilliantly shot against sets that hold you captive in a world of despair and turmoil so essential to the telling of this story. Everyone gives great performances, and Clive Owen does an extraordinary job in the lead role.

The story takes place in 2027 United Kingdom after the women of the world have become infertile. The film does not explain why women are infertile and this seems to be the biggest complaint I have heard from critics and viewers. To me their reaction is annoying. I do admit at first I was frustrated that the film was not explaining this to me either. How dare they? Then I began to come around and realize that it was completely irrelevant to the story that Alfonso Cuarón is telling. This story is set up almost like a fairy tale or similar children’s story. Who cares how this situation arose. It has no bearing on the characters of this story. I love Cuarón's past work, especially Y Tu Mama Tambien, and look forward to his future projects.

The film follows a thick plot with many characters that all create an incredible tension on screen. Clive Owen does an amazing job of creating his character Theo to represent both the angst and desperation of this time. There is this constant feeling of discontent all while feeling scared and alone. Along with the performances, the sets and scenery really fabricate this tense environment with dark, dirty landscapes that cause your muscles to clench up a little. The shots are amazing and do a great job of putting the viewer right in the story.

The great acting, well-written screenplay, and disgustingly beautiful cinematography make Children of Men great. There is nothing light hearted about it so be prepared for an intense ride. I found it to be well worth it tough.

GRADE: A

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

ACADEMY AWARD TRAILER LINK

A cool site on Apple's website with Academy Award Nominees and trailers/info:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/awards/2006/

COMING SOON - FEB. 13

Opening Friday February 13, 2007 -


Bridge to Terabithia
http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/bridgetoterabithia/
Breach
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/breach/
Daddy's Little Girls
http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/daddyslittlegirls/
Ghost Rider
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/ghostrider/teaser1/
Music and Lyrics
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/musicandlyrics/trailer1a/
Days of Glory (Limited) (Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film)
Avenue Montaigne (Limited)
Close to Home(Limited)
Behind the Mask (Limited)

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

THE GO-GETTER (SUNDANCE 2007)

A fun film that is an instant road trip classic.

The story revolves around a young man, Mercer, that picks up, steals a car, and heads out on the road to find his estranged half-brother. As is typical of road trip films Mercer encounters a catalog of characters that influence not only his travel route, but also his views on life and himself. The one thing that these characters cannot influence is Mercer’s idealistic views of the brother he barely knows at all. The acting is fun to watch, the landscapes enchanting, and the story is as captivating as it is entertaining.

This film is full of great up and coming indie actors. Lou Taylor Pucci came onto the scene with Thumbsucker at the 2005 Sundance film festival and even won a jury prize. He is a great actor with a strong presence on screen where he is joined by two of my favorite young female actresses, Jena Malone and Zooey Deschanel. Jena has an incredible energy and exudes it in all of her work. Saved! is one of my favorite films by her. In almost stark contrast is the subtle, but completely entrancing, Deschanel. Her striking gaze and soft-voiced character fill this movie with romanticism that keeps it going. The supporting actors all nailed their characters as well. Maura Tierney is very funny and the Predator hunter Bill Duke is perfect for his part.

The story is a coming of age tale that many people can relate to. Things get going right away as Mercer steals a car within the first five minutes of the film. From there, the journey begins and takes the viewer through a zig-zag world in a wild west like landscape. It’s gritty, uneasy and most of all it is totally appealing. The story does not flow easily and predictably. It jumps around and neither you nor Mercer knows where he is going to be headed. The finish line to his journey is his nomadic brother.

Martin Hynes has written and directed a wonderful story that is visually, acoustically and emotionally stimulating. The soundtrack, which is mostly done by M Ward, is a great addition to the film and carries it very well. A great journey to watch and experience for yourself.


GRADE: B+

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

COMING SOON - FEB. 6

Opening Friday February 9, 2007 -

Norbit
http://www.apple.com/trailers/dreamworks/norbit/
Hannibal Rising
http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/hannibalrising/trailer1/
The Lives of Others (Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film)
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/thelivesofothers/
The Last Sin Eater
http://www.foxfaithmovies.com/thelastsineater/

Thursday, February 01, 2007

COMING SOON - FEB. 1

Opening Friday February 2 -

Because I Said So
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/becauseisaidso/
The Messengers
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/themessengers/
Constellation (limited)
http://www.constellationthefilm.com/
Factory Girl (limited)
http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/factorygirl/trailer1/