Monthly Archives: February 2012
Flash Movie Review: In Darkness
As I prepared to sit and watch this nearly 2 1/2 hour movie, I pondered the idea of people forced to live in a sewer to stay alive. When you hear this, you think it is not possible, that it is a made up story. However, it was not only a true story, but it was an experience that this movie depicted deftly, with no apologies. Leopold Socha played by Robert Wieckiewicz (All Will Be Well, Little Rose) was a sewer worker in the Nazi occupied town of Lvov, Poland. With Jews being rounded up for deportation to concentration camps or to be killed immediately, Socha was presented with an opportunity to make money off of the Jews’ plight–charge them money to be hidden in the town’s sewers, that he knew so well. What surprised me about this movie was its depiction of human nature. In the face of being exterminated, to see the petty fighting, sexual urges and jealously among the victims was something I have not seen in previous holocaust movies. The filming was a remarkable feat. The ability to convey the steady darkness in the sewers, yet provide us glimpses into the survivors’ daily perils, where things appeared more oppressive in the lightless dank, archaic sewer system was remarkable. This was not an easy movie to watch, but compared to what those people had to endure, it put my mind in the proper perspective. Nominated for an Oscar in the best foreign film category. Polish/German/Ukrainian/Yiddish with English subtitles.
3 1/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: The Last Station
His novels were not the only place where drama took place. In this movie, Leo Tolstoy’s personal life was filled with substantial drama. Played magnificently by Christopher Plummer (Beginners, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), the majority of this fiery drama occurred between Tolstoy and his wife of 43 years, the Countess Sofya, played with electrifying fire by Helen Mirren (Arthur, The Tempest). Determined to prevent her husband from changing his will, relinquishing his copyrights and property to the Russian people, Sofya enlisted a confederate in recently appointed assistant to her husband, Valentin played by James McAvoy (Wanted, Atonement). The acting was superb in this movie, as the dialog had a fine accompaniment in the musical score. Completing the movie’s feel were the beautiful set pieces, with the attention to detail; I felt as if I had been transported back to Tolstoy’s estate, to witness the final years of this great writer’s life.
3 1/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Secret World of Arrietty
I will always be grateful to the other movie I could not get to in time. Because, instead I was able to enter a magical world, that was simply beautiful. There was such a softness to this hand painted animated movie, that computer animation cannot replicate. Every frame had such depth of detail, like the reflection off a raindrop or the intertwining vine leaves curling up the side of a house; I truly felt as if I were in the movie. And then there was the story and what a wonderful story. Fourteen year old Arrietty and her parents are Borrowers, 4 inch tall people, who live undetected under the floor of a family’s residence. Life changes dramatically for Arrietty when she is seen by a human boy. There are layers to this story that added to the amazing time I spent in the theater and for that reason, I am going to withhold mentioning anything more. This movie is best watched knowing little about it and being taken away to another world like I was when I saw it.
3 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Days of Glory
I did not need to understand what the actors were saying in this movie; in fact, I did not. The actors were so good, I easily felt what they were going through in, what I have to tell you were some intense scenes. Among the outstanding cast were Jamel Debbouze (Amelie, Outside the Law) as Said Otmari and Samy Naccri (The Code, Return to Algiers) as Yassir. During World War II, France was aided by enlisted men from North Africa, to help liberate France from Nazi occupation. These men hoped that with their help, in freeing the “motherland,” they would be treated as equals by the French. I never knew about this part of history and was dumbfounded that in the middle of this horrific war, where there was common ground, the North African soldiers still experienced racist encounters. They were denied promotions, time for leave–were not allowed the same food as the French soldiers who were fighting along side of them. To see these men devote themselves to the common good, in spite of such treatment, was inspiring to me. A former Oscar nominated movie, that brings to light an ugly injustice. French/Arabic with English subtitles.
3 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Woman in Black
How scary could a movie be when, at a crucial moment, a group of teenage girls yelled out, “Use your magic wand, Harry Potter!” At another scene, where we were supposed to gasp, it was only met with laughter. If you have never seen a horror movie in your life, maybe you would get scared watching this film. For the majority of audience members, they felt the same way I did–this was a weak horror movie. I give Daniel Radcliffe credit for trying to make us not think of him as Harry Potter (could we ever?). He played the lead character of Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer. And to help in pushing away the image of a wand toting magician, Arthur was a widower with a young child. Daniel was okay in this role; unfortunately, he was sadly stuck with a poor script. Being assigned the task to go through the paperwork of a deceased woman’s estate, in a remote village away from London, he encounters strange and deadly happenings. Cliches were in abundance, especially the soundtrack with sudden knocks and bangs, trying to make us jump out of our seats. It only left me bored. On a visual level, the movie was stylish and created a somewhat creepy atmosphere. If I only had a magic wand with me, I would have had a better time.
2 1/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Arsenic and Old Lace
Who knew murder by poisoning could be so hysterical. Reprising their incredible stage performances are Josephine Hull (Harvey, After Tomorrow) and Jean Adair (The Naked City, Something in the Wind) as the spinster sisters, Abby and Martha Brewster. With precise comedic timing and sweet daffiness, these two marvelous actresses were flawless. One day their nephew Mortimer Brewster, played by the classy Cary Grant (North by Northwest, To Catch a Thief), arrived to introduce his new bride to his dear aunts. Imagine the horror when Mortimer discovered his aunts were killing and burying lonely gentlemen in their cellar. There are so many things taking place in this classic movie; I could easily devote a week’s worth of reviews for this black comedy. Directed by the brilliant Frank Capra (It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr Smith Goes to Washington), this film is a perfect example of what it means to be a zany, screwball, dark comedy. Ironically, Cary said this was one of his least favorite performances, that it was way over the top. He donated his salary to the U.S. War Relief Fund. For those who have already seen this movie and to those who have not, it is well worth the visit to watch this amazing cast, hear the loaded lines of dialog and understand what it means to be a classic comedy. Just do not drink the elderberry wine.
4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Albert Nobbs
Happiness is not something that can be given or bought for you. Its birth starts inside of you. For this reason, I felt the movie was lifeless, that Albert Nobbs, played by Glenn Close (Dangerous Liaisons, Air Force One), was an odd character. I felt no matter what Albert did there was never a solid foundation where her/his emotions could bloom. Glenn played this role live on stage years ago, but I do not understand why she wanted to bring it to the big screen. Set in Dublin, Ireland in the late 19th century, Albert Nobbs was born a woman but living her life as a man. Was it because she was a lesbian, or was it because women had very few opportunities open to them in business, or maybe because she felt she was a man trapped in a woman’s body? I never found the reasons why. As a butler working at a hotel, Albert had a dream of opening up a small business for himself. But with no sense on his ability to be truly joyous, I did not believe Albert would ever find true happiness. As a result, the movie was dry for me; I did not find an emotional connection to the character. The real star of this movie was the painter, Hubert Page, hired by the hotel. This character had life, purpose and emotions. It was a powerful performance. By the end of the movie, I simply felt tired and thought, what was the point of this film? As I left the theater, I did treat myself to some ice cream and felt better.
2 1/3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Anonymous
To be or not to be Shakespeare’s own words, that is the question in this political thriller. It was an interesting premise that completed the story line trio with the Essex rebellion and the succession of Queen Elizabeth I, played by Vanessa Redgrave (The Whistle Blower, Letter to Juliet). The idea that the Earl of Oxford, played by Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, Hannibal Rising), was the real author of the famous works we know today, was a curious concept. In a brilliant casting move, Vanessa’s own daughter, Joely Richardson (The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo, Event Horizon) was given the role of playing the queen at a younger age. I had a hard time following the story as it jumped back and forth through time. It took me some time to figure out who was the younger version of the older character. Once I did figure it out, the movie was fun to watch with its steady pace and great look. The action was worthy of a daytime soap opera. By the time you are done watching this movie, I cannot say parting will be such sweet sorrow. Maybe a slightly confused piece of entertainment.
2 2/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Vow
Could the only reason to see this movie be the opportunity to see Channing Tatum’s (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Dear John) bare buttocks? Based on the majority of the crowd’s reaction, I think that was enough for them to say this movie was great. For the rest of us, it was not enough. Channing is not a great actor; however, what works in his favor is the combination of his physique with his sad, teary eyes and romantic streak on display throughout this film. Playing husband Leo to wife Paige, played by Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes, Midnight in Paris), the happy couple’s life is shattered when a car accident causes a memory loss for Paige. She has no memory of Leo, let alone being married to him. Rachel is good in this type of romantic drama and the two actors blended easily enough. The story is predictable and I wonder how much of the actual true story was used to make this film. With that being said, this is an easy movie to watch as it tries to squeeze your heart and elicit a tear from your eye.
2 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Project Nim
How many people do you know who treat their pets as if they were human, putting human reasons on their pets’ actions? What would happen if an infant animal was raised within a human family? This documentary tells an in depth story of the landmark experiment about Nim, an infant chimpanzee taken away from his mother at birth and raised by a family in the 1970’s. The footage in this film will captivate you as Nim is taught to use a bathroom and to me, the most incredible feat, sign language to communicate with his family. On one level I thought this experiment was so cool; however, as I continued watching, I started thinking what was going to happen when the cute and cuddly Nim grew up. You will not only get an insight into the chimpanzee world, but you will also get a glimpse into the human mind, in this fearless movie.
3 1/2 stars — DVD
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