As I looked at the crowd seated around me, prior to the start of the movie, it struck me that for some of the people, this was going to be their first NC-17 movie. Was that enough reason to come see this movie? Maybe that was part of the marketing hook, since the majority of articles I have read talked about the movie’s NC-17 rating for sexual content. For me, there has to be more than gratuitous sex, to go see a movie. Michael Fassbender is Brandon, a mid 30’s man who cannot get enough sex… as long as he is not emotionally involved with the person. His life is thrown into a tailspin when his sister Sissy, played by Carey Mulligan, appears unannounced at his home one day. I thought Carey did a wonderful job of acting and could get an Oscar nomination here.  Michael, overall was good in his role; I just did not find as much depth to it. The film had an interesting look to it, where close-ups would almost be oversized as a counterbalance to the drama of the scene.  Overall I did not feel sympathetic towards Brandon and was left wanting more.

2 3/4 stars

I was excited to see this movie; but for all the hype, I have to say there was more drama from the director’s offscreen comments at his press conference, then his vision for this film. For those of you who may not be aware; the director, Lars von Trier, talked about his family being Nazis and that he understood Adolf Hitler. If you type his name in Youtube, it will be the 1st thing to come up. Seated next to him is Kirsten Dunst, the star of the movie. Watch her expression as she realizes any hope of an Oscar nomination has just fallen into the hole the director had dug for himself. Truth be told, I did not consider her performance Oscar worthy. Though individual scenes had excellent acting, the movie dragged for me. I was curious to see Alexander Skarsgard in a different role from his True Blood character, Eric Northman; however, I did not think the script gave him the opportunity to display fully his capabilities. The story involves two sisters, whose strained relationship is challenged further when a mysterious new planet appears on a possible collision course with the earth. By the end of the movie I did not care whether the planet was going to hit earth or not; I just wanted this movie over.

2 stars

When a movie has both Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in it, can it really be bad? In this case, absolutely not. This charming movie has a wonderful story line:  Judi and Maggie play two aging sisters living in a cottage on the coast of England, back in the 1930’s. One day they discovered a young man had washed up onto shore and decided to nurse him back to health. The chemistry between the sisters felt real to me, as I watched the two actresses in their roles; forgetting they were Maggie and Judi, believing they really were sisters Janet and Ursula. If you want to see good acting and be entertained, then this is a movie you should see.

3 1/4 stars — DVD

Don’t look now, but there well could be a dark horse in the Oscar race and it is Dominic Cooper (Mamma Mia!, My Week with Marilyn) in the dual role as Latif Yahia, who was the real life body double to Uday Hussein–Saddam Hussein’s elder son. What an amazing performance as Dominic portrays the ruthless, decadent Uday and the look alike Latif who tries to maintain his sanity as he is forced into servitude. This intense drama was horrific to watch in parts as Uday truly was allowed to run amok; whether it was raping, beating or killing anyone who came within his line of sight. If you can handle it, then do not miss this movie based on the true story by Latif Yahia and the incredible portrayal by Dominic Cooper. As far as I am concerned, Dominic has every right to get a best acting nomination for his work in this film.

3 1/2 stars — DVD

What an incredible performance by Michelle Williams as she plays Marilyn Monroe. Based on the memoirs of Colin Clark, an employee on the set during the filming of Marilyn’s and Sir Laurence Olivier’s movie, “The Prince and the Showgirl,” we get a peek behind the scenes into the friction when old theater people meet young Hollywood movie people–mainly Marilyn and Laurence. Truthfully, it did not matter to me if everything I was watching was true or not; I could not take my eyes off of Michelle as the camera truly caressed her in every scene.  The era this took place, the 1950’s, was laid out perfectly in scene, in costume; I really started to get lost into the magic of this movie. Also, as far as I am concerned, Judi Dench could read the Waffle House menu to me, I loved listening and watching her in the few scenes she was in. There is no doubt in my mind that Michelle will get an Oscar nomination. Whether gentlemen prefer blondes or some like it hot (young ones may not get this) go see this wonderful film.

3 2/3 stars

A stellar performance by Leonardo diCaprio in this new Clint Eastwood movie is enough reason to see it; albeit, it may be the only reason to do so. I was enthralled with Leonardo’s acting–the look, the speech, the mannerisms–it is Oscar worthy in my opinion. On the down side, the script was weak and a bit silly to me.  Keep in mind, this movie was based on a true story about J. Edgar Hoover and I felt the writer (Dustin Lance Black) took liberties in telling the story, drawing it out more than it needed to be. In regards to Mr. Eastwood’s directing, I was getting somewhat distracted from the constant jumps in time frames. And what was the point of shooting the film so dark, with sharp black and white contrasts? I felt Clint was trying to capture an arty, film noir style and all it did was annoy me. But with all that being said, you should go and see Leonardo in this role–it is amazing.

2 3/4 stars

A Palestinian mother’s determination to get her son out of the West Bank, to a better life, is the driving force of this independent film.  And of all places, they settle in rural Illinois–talk about cultural shock.  The acting is wonderful on the part of Nisreen Faour, who plays the mother, Muna.  To watch her 16 year old son Fadi, played by Melkar Muallen, find his way through the minefields of high school, brought back some old memories for me.  A touching, sensitive movie that, I hope, gives one pause to look beyond the surface.  Don’t pass this one up.

3 1/4 stars — DVD

This movie will strike a chord with those of you who have loved someone, who for whatever reason, could not be with you at some time in your life.  The story line is about a British student, in the United States on a student visa, who falls in love with an American classmate.  I am not going to tell you anything more, because it is a common story.  However, the way this film shows us this tale is fresh. Through the young couples’ various emotional states, during different periods of their lives, we watch their relationship rise and fall.  I really enjoyed this movie and had a tear in my eye, while watching the struggles, the despair and the  accelerated excitement when they looked into each other’s eyes after a long absence.  Excellent acting by all.  The softness and progression of this film will recall a fond memory or two for some of you, I believe.

3 1/4 stars

What sparked my interest in this movie, besides being fond of Georgia O’ Keefe’s work, was the wonderful Joan Allen. This biopic was Joan’s baby and was released on cable. I enjoyed the quietness, the gentleness of this movie. Add Jeremy Irons as Alfred Stieglitz and watch that gentleness turn into passionate explosions.  Watching Joan as Georgia fight to be heard in a man’s world, to be recognized as an equal against the larger than life Alfred; that underdog determination was well played out in this film. For a change of pace, let time slow down and relax watching this sweet movie.

2 7/8 stars — DVD

If the rumors are true, then I can see why the Olsen twins (Mary-Kate & Ashley) are jealous of their little sister, Elizabeth. She evidently got the acting talent in the family. A serious solid performance, Elizabeth added to the steady tension in this film. Portraying a troubled woman who tries to blend back into her sister’s life, she is plagued with painful memories of her time in a cult and with brimming paranoia. The direction is well done and the changing of time periods was not an issue. Nor was the one bloody scene, in the latter half of the film. There is a good chance, Elizabeth may get an Oscar nomination for this role.

3 1/2 stars