Cedar Rapids

Movie name: Cedar Rapids
Year of release: 2011
Director: Miguel Arteta
Stars: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Root, Kurtwood Smith, Alia Shawkat, Rob Corddry, Mike O'Malley
Genre: Comedy
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:
Miguel Arteta's new film following "Youth in Revolt", follows the story of insurance salesman Tim Lippe. Tim is an idealistic man, living in a small town, having an affair with his much older, high school teacher Macy, whom he loves. Following the accidental death of a co-worker, Tim gets sent to a convention in Cedar Rapids, where he has to make a presentation and hopefully get an award for his insurance agency. Tim gets roomed with the extroverted Dean Ziegler and with the hard-working Ronald Wilkes and during his stay, he finally sees life from a different perspective and has fun like never before.
Miguel Arteta creates with "Cedar Rapids" a comedy that lives from the observations of people with simple dreams, who maintain their ideals and a certain naivete. Tim Lippe is a man who always lived a sheltered life, and who gets to experience life beyond his limits and boundaries. Tim gets tainted, but remains true to himself and his ideals. The film has a sweet irony to it's core and manages to feel heartfelt, most of it due to the wonderful cast, from Ed Helms, the always fantastic John C. Reilly, Anne Heche and of course, Sigourney Weaver. This film is a small gem waiting to be found.

I Am Number Four

Movie name: I Am Number Four
Year of release: 2010
Director: D.J. Caruso
Stars: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Agron, Callan McAuliffe, Kevin Durand, Jake Abel, Judith Hoag, Garrett M. Brown
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 3

Synopsis:
The new film from director D.J. Caruso, following the huge hits of "Eagle Eye" and "Disturbia", is again targeted at a young audience. The film follows the story of John Smith, a young man whom we come to find out early on, is an alien possessed of great powers. John and 7 others are a group of selected young men and women, who have been entrusted with those powers to defend their planet of the attack of a hostile species. The first three of this special group are found and killed - John is the next and feeling the menace of exposure, and possibly extermination, he and his protector run off to Ohio. As John enrols in high school and meets the special Sarah, things get increasingly complicated with the appearance of his followers.
D.J. Caruso has made a name for himself as a director, starting with the underrated "The Salton Sea", after which he directed "Taking Lives" with Angelina Jolie. His latest two films were both considerable hits, produced by Dreamworks, who again backed up "I Am Number Four", alongside director/producer Michael Bay. The film is written as part of a serial, which in itself would not be a problem, if the characters existed and not just disappeared or have no consistency. The director tries to build momentum with the good special effects, but there's only so much that can be achieved - creating memorable entertainment requires a solid screenplay which clearly isn't here. There are plenty of cliches throughout the film and the acting for the most part is forgettable. A film not worth visiting.

Freeway

Movie name: Freeway
Year of release: 1996
Director: Matthew Bright
Stars:Reese Witherspoon, Kiefer Sutherland, Dan Hedaya, Wolfgang Bodison, Brooke Shields, Brittany Murphy, Alanna Ubach, Amanda Plummer, Michael T. Weiss, Tara Subkoff, Conchata Ferrell, Bokeem Woodbine
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
Matthew Bright's career has thus far been a short one, with "Freeway" being his debut feature and his best effort. The film executive-produced by Oliver Stone, is a take/variation on the story of the Little Red Riding Hood, but with a contemporary edge to it. The film follows the story of Vanessa Lutz, a teenage girl with a messed family life. Her mom prostitutes herself and her step dad is trying to abuse her. When her mom and step dad get thrown in jail, Vanessa decides to go stay with her grandmother. On her way, her car breaks down and she hitches a ride with a man, who turns out to be a therapist. Or so he says, since Vanessa knows there's a psycho killing young girls on the road.
Matthew Bright's film is one populated with great character actors that really bring the story to life. Bright manages to create the story vivid, engaging and always dynamic. Though nothing particularly new is happening on screen, the sheer energy and enthusiasm of everyone involved makes the film enthralling. The Red Riding Hood story, which has been used in so many different films, gets a more urban scenario, with the wolf being replaced by a serial killer (which is a departure, considering for example Neil Jordan's "The Company of Wolves" which used the werewolf metaphor). The actors are also really vibrant, particularly Reese Witherspoon, who at this point wasn't known for her mediocre comedies, but for her actual acting talent. She creates a character that is hilarious and unforgettable, whereas Kiefer Sutherland, excels as the creepy killer. A hidden film worth discovering.

Mini Cooper Illustration

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Winter's Bone

Movie name: Winter's Bone
Year of release: 2010
Director: Debra Granik
Stars:Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Sheryl Lee, Garret Dillahunt, Lauren Sweetser, Dale Dickey, Tate Taylor
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
Debra Granik's second film, "Winter's Bone" has been collecting accolades since it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2010. With 4 Oscar nominations the film has definitely achieved a critical acclaim that is certain to continue propelling her career forward.
The film follows the story of Ree, a teenage girl who lives with her mom and her two young siblings, in the remote area of the Ozarks. Ree's life suddenly changes when she's given notice that her father has placed their house and property as collateral for his bail, and that since he hasn't shown up for his hearing, her family is going to be evicted. Ree sets upon herself to find her father, trying to ask the unfriendly neighbors and family his whereabouts.
Debra Granik has chosen with "Winter's Bone" to track the life in the Ozarks, a remote area, where life is extremely difficult and where everyone is very closed up in terms of their social interactions. Ree, having grown up in that area, knows the difficulties she will have to encounter in order to get the answers she needs. Her mission is a difficult one, since her mother isn't capable of assisting her and her uncle is unwilling to provide much assistance, and is to a certain extend a menacing figure in the community. The young woman's resilience and her despair in not losing her family keep pushing her forward trying to find answers, placing her in danger, something that is emphasized by the people and by the location itself. Debra Granik chose to cast unknown actors and it pays off. Jennifer Lawrence is fantastic as the stoic Ree, as is John Hawkes as Teardrop. They give the film it's heart and edge. A good film worth watching.

Biutiful

Movie name: Biutiful
Year of release: 2010
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Stars:Javier Bardem, Maricel Alvarez, Hanaa Bouchaib, Guillermo Estrella, Cheng Tai Shen, Luo Jin, Ruben Ochandiano, Karra Elejalde, Eduard Fernandez
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
Alejandro González Iñárritu's last two films were big critical successes, being nominated for several Oscars - "21 Grams" and "Babel". "Biutiful" comes again in the same vein as the previous ones, having been nominated for the Oscar for best Foreign Picture and best Actor for Javier Bardem. The film follows the story of Uxbal, a Spanish man who lives with his children in a small apartment in Barcelona. Uxbal lives of schemes, namely illegal African immigrants selling on the streets and Chinese immigrants working in construction. His ex-wife is bi-polar and can't control herself about basically anything, while his brother is involved in all sorts of illegal affairs and does drugs/alcohol non stop. Uxbal discovers his health is failing and his life starts to unravel as he tries to find a way to keep his young children safe and protected.
Iñárritu is a director who likes to probe the frailties of life, the apparent disconnections between people. With "Biutiful" he once again, explores a dramatic slice of life in Barcelona, one where corruption, extreme poverty and social decadence exist, as part of every day life (and he shoots it very documentary style). In this film he injects a spiritual/paranormal component that somehow lifts Uxbal from all that gruesome suffering and pain that surrounds him. This is a film where the pain of every day life is only balanced by the joy of small moments with the ones you love, in Uxbal's case, his two young children and the memories of his father. Javier Bardem carries this film with anguish, pain and such sadness, unlike any other role he has played before. He is, as always, excellent. This is a film, that beyond it's bleakness has something not many films these days do: a beating heart.

L'illusionniste/The Illusionist

Movie name: L'Illusionniste/The Illusionist
Year of release: 2010
Director: Sylvain Chomet
Stars:Jean-Claude Donda, EilidhRankin, Duncan MacNeil, Raymond Mearns, James T. Muir, Tom Urie, Paul Bandey
Genre: Animation
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
Sylvain Chomet became well known with his awarded animated feature "The Triplets of Belleville", which was nominated for the Academy Award in 2003. His latest film adapts a screenplay from the fantastic Jacques Tati. The film follows the story of a magician who goes from city to city, playing small venues, trying to make ends meet. When he goes to a small town in Scotland, a young girl becomes fascinated with him and follows him to Edinburgh. They decide to stay in a small hotel, where the Illusionist tries to find odd jobs in order to maintain both of them.
Sylvain Chomet uses and designs the characters and situations in an homage to Jacques Tati's work. His Illusionist is trying his best to fit in a world that has moved along, one where magic probably has no place. His young companion for whom magic seems to be the freedom she aspires to, is his last connection to times that have passed by. This is a bittersweet tale, superbly designed and animated, filled with incredible details and a soundtrack that stays with you. A good film!

Somewhere

Movie name: Somewhere
Year of release: 2010
Director: Sofia Coppola
Stars:Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning, Chris Pontius, Michelle Monaghan, Laura Chiatti, Amanda Anka
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten: 6.5

Synopsis:
Following the flawed "Marie Antoinette" from 2006, Sofia Coppola went back to familiar territory with her latest film, "Somewhere". The film follows the life of American actor and star, Johnny Marco, as he goes through a series of random encounters with different women, while he stays at the Chateau Marmont. His daughter Chloe comes to stay with him, since her mother decides to take some time "off" without elaborating when she comes back. Left to take care of his daughter, Johnny is forced to reassess his own life.
"Somewhere" touches some similar ground that Sofia Coppola explored with her celebrated effort "Lost in Translation": the characters are drifting aimlessly in life, trying to find a path and a connection with someone. Both films explore the artificiality of the Hollywood life, but "Somewhere" slowly shows the angst and loneliness of the life of Johnny Marco, the big star, who hasn't been present for his daughter's life, and who all of a sudden is required to be there, be an adult and provide a support that he does not know how to deliver. Stephen Dorff does a great job playing the playboy actor who slowly starts to unravel and who feels the emptiness of his life. Elle Fanning does a good job playing his young daughter who is growing up and feels the loneliness of not having a real family support to anchor her life. The film also boasts a great cinematography from the usually fantastic Harris Savides. A good film worth seeing.

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Oscar 2010

The Oscar nominations are in. This year the list of films selected is uniformly good. Though the most surprising omission is Christopher Nolan's nomination for best director, the few highlights given to "Fair Game" is also surprising, as is the overload of nominations for "True Grit". You can check the full list of nominees here.

Golden Globes 2010

The Golden Globes have been awarded. This year most of the praise fell upon David Fincher's "The Social Network". The saddest omission was the foreign film award not going to "I Am Love". Onward to the Oscars. Check the results and winners here.

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New Snowboard Illustration

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Music With an Impact - 2010

2010 was a year that saw many great releases and where I discovered really remarkable and rewarding albums. Though the music business has forever changed, fantastic artists are releasing music that is compelling, unique and fantastic. Here is a list of what I heard (and heard) during the year that just went by.

Massive Attack - Heligoland
Madita - Pacemaker
Miami Horror - Illumination
Robyn - Body Talk
Groove Armada - Black Light
Gorillazz - Plastic Beach
Four Tet - There is Love in You
Caribou - Swim
Bonobo - Black Sands
Benoit Pioulard - Lasted

Honorable mentions include "Royksopp - Senior", "Sia - We Are Born", "Jonsi - Go", "Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz", "Brian Eno - Small Craft on a Milk Sea", "Ceo - White Magic", "White Hinterland - Kairos" and "Matthew Herbert - One One".

True Grit

Movie name: True Grit
Year of release: 2010
Director: Ethan and Joel Coen
Stars:Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Dakin Matthews, Elizabeth Marvel, Paul Rae
Genre: Western, Adventure, Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
Joel and Ethan Coen follow their little seen "A Serious Man" with a remake of Henry Hathaway's "True Grit". Their intention has been to return to the book from Charles Portis and make their own interpretation of the book. The film follows the story of young Mattie Ross, who at 14 comes to a small town by herself to claim the body of her murdered father and take care of his pending businesses. Mattie also takes upon her the resolution of hiring a marshall to help catch her father's murderer, bring him to justice so he can pay for his crime. Mattie finds Marshall Cogburn, a drunken and older law enforcer, who alongside a Texas Marshall named La Boeuf end up being her rescuers. This unlikely trio set upon finding the fugitive through some rough scenarios.
Joel and Ethan Coen are always interesting directors, even in their failed or flawed attempts to create something different, wich was the case of "The Man Who Wasn't There" and "Intolerable Cruelty" to name a few. "True Grit" is their take on the Western genre and follows the conventions that the genre has established. Jeff Bridges' Marshall Cogburn is rough and tough, but with a heart of gold, who helps the young, bossy and talky Mattie find her father's murderer. Theirs is an adventurous task, since it's only three against quite possibly a larger number of adversaries, but they still prevail and go on their quest. Jeff Bridges does a fantastic job, making his Marshall a resourceful, boozy and ultimately, kind hearted man who tries to help the young woman who has lost her father. Hailee Steinfeld creates a spunky and fast talking Mattie, filled with knowledge for her young age and an iron will who makes her find her quest, no matter what the obstacles are. Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and Barry Pepper create good supporting characters, but the film definitely belongs to Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld. A solid film worth watching.