Category: Movie Reviews

The Good: The Coen Brothers have always told their own stories, so to see them take on this novel by Cormac McCarthy is very different for them.  If you hadn’t read the book, or at least known the source, though, you would have thought it was their tale.  As a pseudo-narrator and sometimes participant, Tommy Lee Jones provides for a laid back view of the evil that men do, but the real power here lies behind Javier Bardem – the killer with the chili-bowl haircut.  Bardem is one of the scariest villains since Hannibal Lecter and I will predict that many a trophy will be added to his mantle come awards time.  For the first 90 minutes of this film, I was certain that I was watching the best film of the year. 

The Bad: It’s not that the third act is a disappointment, but there is an artistic choice made here that took me out of the film.  I won’t reveal the ending, and I’m not sure if they were just trying to be true to the source material, but the brothers Coen make a decision that I second guess.  I’m sure that they really don’t care if I act as a backseat driver here, but I’m also sure many will wish that this fantastic film could have ended on a different note.  Imagine, if you will, that you are on an amazing vacation.  One for the ages.  Then, on the last day – you are mugged.  No matter what transpired before, the trip is tainted.  That’s the feeling No Country gave me.

The Summary: Regardless of the strangely uncharacteristic third act, No Country for Old Men remains a powerful and horrifying psychological thriller. 

The Good: If you are fans of the game, you might enjoy this minor thrill ride.  There is lots of violence and nudity which might excite the target audience appropriately.  Olyphant, while not as good as usual, is still fun to watch for most of the film and gives his all to make this another Bourne Identity. 

The Bad: The acting by the rest of the cast is simply atrocious.  Of course the script doesn’t help the film’s cause.  The writing and directing are both novice and make this film very forgettable.  It might have helped to give the hero a real back story, rather than a jumbled montage opening credit sequence, but overall, this film is pretty much an unfixable mess from the start.

The Good: Director Zemeckis uses here the same style of motion-capture animation he used in his Christmas tale Polar Express.  The years have been good to the technology and the look of the film is stunning.  If you really want to see the best possible version of the film, take the 90-minute drive to Houston and see it in 3-D IMAX at the Marquee theater on IH-10 and Silber (just get your tickets early on www.fandango.com as it certain to sell out all of it’s showings over the next ten days).  The production, overall, is truly excellent and the whole experience is very entertaining.  The dragon fight scene at the end of the film is one of the most amazing and breathtaking action sequences I’ve ever laid eyes on. 

The Bad: I wasn’t so sold on the story, and while it’s not bad, the screenplay drags a bit at times and two hours seems a little long for the material.  Also, while it might be a fun film for teenage boys, it is violent and sensual enough to have garnered an R rating.  While blood was spared to achieve a PG-13, I would have given the flick a stronger rating and advise parents of small children to take them to a different movie.

The Good: Not since the 70s have we seen such a gritty and intense crime drama.  Throw Scarface and The French Connection in a blender and you might come up with something that looks like American Gangster.  Washington and Crowe are so good here that I can see both being brought up for Oscar nods for best actor.  The supporting cast is just as good.  The script by Shindler’s List scriber Steven Zaillian is a tremendous piece of work that gives the actors and director Ridley Scott an easy road map to work with.  While almost three hours long, the pacing makes the time go by fast, although I would recommend the small drink so that you don’t have to take a bathroom break and miss any of this great film. 

The Bad: This movie is almost perfect, until the last five minutes.  If I could have left five minutes early, I would already be declaring my best film of the year choice in October.  I won’t spoil it for you, but let’s just say that I was very disappointed in the way the ending was handled. 

The Good: As a huge musical fan, and as a huge Beatles fan, one can easily understand why I would love this film.  Not only are the songs some of the best the Fab Four wrote, but the arrangements here are fantastically put together with a wild spectrum of beautiful voices performing them.  I will go so far as to say that some of the pieces are better than the originals such as Come Together (performed by Joe Cocker), I Am the Walrus (performed by Bono), Strawberry Fields Forever, and an incredible rendition of Dear Prudence.  Brought to the screen by famous stage director Julie Taymor (Broadway’s The Lion King), it is no surprise that the look and choreography of the film are quite stunning.

The Bad: While there are a few little plot problems here and there, and some of the film feels disjointed at times, the movie is so likable that one can’t help but overlook these forgivable offenses.  Also, the pic tends to feel like a large scale music video at times, but I think that’s what most people expect anyhow. 

The Summary: This addictive and ambitious little pic will help you remember why you loved the Beatles so much in the first place. 

Starring George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, and Tom Wilkinson
Directed by Tony Gilroy
Rated R for language, including some sexual dialogue
Appropriate for ages 17+

The Story: Michael Clayton is a “fixer” at one of the most powerful law firms in New York City.  He takes care of the dirty work better than any attorney in the business.  With job burn-out, a divorce, a failed restaurant, and a gambling addiction to contend with, he must put his life together long enough to survive a controversial and dangerous case his firm is litigating. 

The Good: As a history lesson, I’ve seen worse.  There is a lot of fiction here, much revolving around Sir Walter Raleigh (Owen), but it’s not enough to make you hate the film.  The performances, especially Blanchett’s, are solid throughout.  The film is beautifully shot and the costumes are a sight to behold.  Also, the music by Craig Armstrong provides for a moving score, although it, and the film, are a little too playful at times.

The Bad: What worked so well for the first Elizabeth was it’s complex and dark tone, full of violence and sexuality.  Much like you would picture England was at that time.  This new pic is very toned down by comparison.  Making this film PG-13 might be great for the kids, but it does nothing for it’s integrity.  Imagine The Sopranos made by NBC.  Imagine Braveheart brought to you by The History Channel.  Imagine Disney’s South Park.  That’s what a PG-13 Elizabeth is like.  It’s a sell-out to make more dough – and I predict it will backfire horribly.  Sure there are other little problems like a painfully long second act, and a frightfully shortened and unexplained third act, but the tone of the film is what brings it down.