Monday, November 26, 2007

Films of the Weekend

Movie name: I'm Not There
Year of release: 2007
Director: Todd Haynes
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Ben Wishaw, Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Peter Friedman, Kris Kristofferson, David Cross, Kim Gordon, Bruce Greenwood
Genre: Drama/Biography
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:
As a fan of Todd Haynes (I've seen "Poison", "Safe", "Velvet Goldmine" and "Far from Heaven"), I was really anticipating a great film with his view on the life of Bob Dylan. I ended up slightly disappointed. The film doesn't go for the conventional biopic - instead it focuses on different sides of Dylan's persona throughout the years, each played by a different actor. The concept actually sounds more interesting than the development it had - there were a lot of interesting ideas on display, but few of them showed the coherence that his previous films had. The most interesting "section" ended up being Cate Blanchett's, whom will probably enjoy another Oscar nomination (entirely deserved - her performance is fantastic). The beautiful photography of Edward Lachman (who also shined in "Far From Heaven" and Larry Clark's "Ken Park") surely elevates the aesthetic of the film, who nonetheless leaves a lot of questions, and the general feeling of a missed opportunity.


Movie name: Enchanted
Year of release: 2007
Director: Kevin Lima
Stars: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:
Kevin Lima's previous work with Disney has included the animated "Tarzan" and the live action "102 Dalmatians". "Enchanted" is a holiday film, finely crafted, aimed at families with a great cast, where Amy Adams finally has a chance to shine. Previously nominated for a supporting Oscar in "Junebug", Adams shows off her range, and this film will certainly elevate her to a new path in her career. Other than that the film continues to show the versatility of James Marsden (who also had a good turn in "Hairspray") and shows Susan Sarandon having fun in the wicked witch role. A good entertainment for children.

Movie name: The Mist
Year of release: 2007
Director: Frank Darabont
Stars: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher, Frances Sternhagen, Toby Jones, Jeffrey DeMunn, William Sadler, Alexa Davalos
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
Frank Darabont follows his previous Stephen King adaptations ("Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile") with another solid film, one where the chills and suspense just keep you riveted and tense all along. Boasting a terrific performance by Marcia Gay Harden as the religious nut of the city, this claustrophobic tale of suspense almost feels like a modern variation of an episode of Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone". The surprise ending is both chilling and bleak, something that will please fans of the author's work.

Movie name: Hitman
Year of release: 2007
Director: Xavier Gens
Stars: Timothy Olyphant, Dougray Scott, Olga Kurylenko, Robert Knepper, Ulrich Thomsen
Genre: Action, Thriller
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 2

Synopsis:
Another adaptation of a video game, this time written by Skip Woods, also responsible for the screenplay of "Swordfish". The film shot entirely in Europe (cheaper locations), is fairly simple in it's premise: assassins are "raised" by a secret organization and when grown are lethal to any target they are assigned. The focus on this film is agent 47 played by Timothy Olyphant (who did so much better in "Deadwood" and "Live Free or Die Hard"), who gets set up on one of his contracts and then goes on a killing spree to save his own skin. The film basically has many action set pieces and... that's it. Nothing new here. For more irreverence and charisma Michael Davis' "Shoot'em Up" was far more interesting.


Movie name: Margot at the Wedding
Year of release: 2007
Director: Noah Baumbach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black, John Turturro, Ciaran Hinds, Zane Pais, Flora Cross, Halley Feiffer, Seth Barrish
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
Following "The Squid and the Whale", Noah Baumbach's "Margot at the Wedding" is a look at the dysfunctional relationship between two sisters, and their ramifications to the other people in their lives. Jennifer Jason Leigh shines as Pauline, a mature woman who is pregnant, and who's about to marry Malcolm, much to her sister Margot's shock and disapproval. Margot is a famed author whose marriage is collapsing, involved in an affair, and just deeply unhappy with the outcome her life has had. All these lives come into collision in the days leading up to the wedding, in ways that are at times humorous and also dramatic. Definitely a film worth checking, with a beautiful photography by the great Harris Savides.

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