Michael Clayton

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A corporate law firm's 'fixer' (George Clooney) starts to realize that he's on the wrong side of the law.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Micheal O'Keefe, Austin Williams

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! This is one of those movies that doesn't seem all that special at first, but eventually builds to such a good ending that the rest ends up feeling worth it.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: An intelligent wit can be found in much of the dialogue.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No... But if it were a true story it would... And I'm not saying it's not a true story when you change the names and compare it to similar people and things going on in our world... But it's actually not a true story.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's the reason I'm reviewing it now! Call it the Comeback Kid, if you will, but this film which nobody disliked, and yet not many people saw when it first hit theaters, seems to be gaining the most beneficial resurgence from its nominations for 7 Academy Awards, including all the big ones.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, and Tilda Swinton are all nominated for Oscars for their performances. Tom Wilkinson is the most deserving of the nomination, but if you look at the competition, Tilda Swinton is the only one with even the slightest chance of winning her category.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: For a first time director, this is quite an accomplishment. Tony Gilroy does a wonderful job with the actors-- as noted by the fact that they all got Oscar Noms-- but the camera style, while completely competent, doesn't have a voice of its own. In other words, if I went to see his next directing effort, without knowing he was the director, there is no chance that I would walk out saying, "That was a Tony Gilroy film," as what it is to be a 'Tony Gilroy Film' has yet to be defined.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The last scene is a compelling roller-coaster ride of convoluted logic. But I have some complaints about the rest. For example, I would have liked to see Michael Clayton doing his job more. You know, 'fixing things.' There was an opportunity to show us how clever he is, but instead of showing his genius, the script only talks about it. Also, there seemed to be a lot of deep meaning wrapped up in the book, "Realm and Conquest," which Clayton's son, Henry is reading, and which he talks about ad nauseam, and convinces Tom Wilkinson's character to read; but whatever the deep meaning was, I missed its relevance. And although the first half of the movie is put to good use at the end, (not to be redundant but), wasn't there a way to make the first half of the movie play a little less boring and redundant?

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4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A Romanian college co-ed helps her roommate get an illegal abortion, and it ruins her life in more ways than she could have imagined.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov, Alexandru Potocean

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. The film brings up some interesting arenas and presents some interesting moral compromises, but the pay off leaves you hanging.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: One guy did. I wanted what he was having.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Maybe if you speak Romanian. I spent so much time reading subtitles, that I rarely got a chance to watch the drama being conveyed on the actresses' faces.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It won the Palme d'Or in Cannes, so there was a big brouhaha when it didn't get nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Now that I've seen it, I can image that there were five other films in the world that deserved it more.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Very good. Very natural. And not knowing any of the actors helps it feel like it's really happening.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: A lot of long still shots of one character, with little or no coverage of the other characters in the room. That aspect of the directing was interesting, and mostly effective. The few moving shots, though, are hand held and dimly lit, so while the hand held camera is meant to create heightened action and suspense, the viewer's inability to see anything in those shots cancels out the effect.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: This is a classic case of a story starting before the beginning and ending before the end. In other words, in the opening sequences a lot of what happened is as extraneous as a third nipple. In contrast, when the movie ends you want to know more and see more, as there isn't much resolution. The middle of the film is quite good.

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Be Kind Rewind

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: When Jerry (Jack Black) tries to pull a prank on a local power plant, he gets severely electrocuted, and his body becomes magnetized. Subsequently, this causes him to accidentally erase all of the information on the VHS tapes at his friend's (Mos Def) video store. Now, in an effort to save the video store, the two of them must re-enact all the movies that customers want to rent.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, Melonie Diaz, Mia Farrow, Sigourney Weaver, Marcus Carl Franklin, Chandler Parker

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If the description sounds weird, it's because it is. While the technique in this film is astounding, and there are fleeting moments of genius amidst the boring parts, it's virtually impossible not to spend the majority of the film thinking, "This has got to be the dumbest thing I have ever seen..." And that's why I've concluded that this is sure to become a cult classic. Welcome to crazytown!

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Yes, although it's hard to know for sure if you're laughing with it or at it.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Real emotions in this film are hard to come by. Everyone in the town is just crazy enough not to realize that everyone else in the town is completely insane.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: The artistry in all design departments is also insane... insanely good.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Purposely bad in some places-- which is done quite well. And Melonie Diaz stands out as having a greater range than she was able to display in some of her earlier work, as well as stronger than expected comic timing.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Michel Gondry continues to be the most original voice of his generation. He can do things with the camera, that most people can't even do with their imaginations. If I were to give any reason to see this film, it would be so that you could be blown away by the visuals he thinks up. And in this film, he pulls back the curtain a little, since his characters use some of his wacky techniques to film their remakes.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's the source of the majority of the problems in this movie. If you want us to buy into a fantastical world, it has to be set up in the beginning of the story and in the tone. Here, we are told that we're in a normal town, in modern day New Jersey, where it seems that some of the people are very strange. Gradually, we realize that all of the people are very strange, that none of them seems to own a DVD player, and finally we figure out that it's supposed to be other worldly in some way. But by that point, it's too late to sell us a new reality, because our confusion about time and place has pretty much been cemented.

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Cloverfield

(Guest Review by Jack)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A faux-documentary about a Godzilla-like monster attacking New York City.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Nobody you know, yet. But since J.J. Abrams tends to reuse the ones he likes, you will probably see some of these people again: Michael Stahl-David, Odette Yustman, T.J. Miller, Jessica Lucas, Mike Vogel, Lizzy Caplan, Brian Klugman, Chris Mulkey.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Stop! Despite all the hype, it boils down to a disappointing Godzilla movie shot “Blair Witch” style, where in order to maintain the conceit, the filmmakers (and the actors) are forced into a multitude of situations that ring completely false.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Only because of the inane, forced commentary by the guy documenting the mayhem.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but it may make you throw up. The frenetic and dizzying camerawork of the supposedly amateur videographer makes The Blair Witch Project feel like a smooth Steadicam shot. Watching this on DVD should reduce some of the motion sickness.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Hmmm… Highest number of dates ruined by vomit?

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Hit and miss. Mostly miss.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: They certainly took a concept and ran with it. But the concept of “found footage” is exactly what brings the film down. The movie is not completely without good scares, but due to the Point of View shooting style, they miss a lot of opportunities to build suspense. The one cool element of the film is the introduction of small creatures that fall off the main creature – but even those are only a set up for two scenes and then they totally disappear from the film.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The first 20+ minutes consists of boring party footage that is supposed to endear us to the main characters, and yet I still didn’t care who lived or died. Worse yet, the plot about the hero going back for his girlfriend does not create the emotional arc the filmmakers think it does. It only allows the main character to stay in the danger zone longer than he should, becoming just one of the many set-ups that ends with little to no payoff.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: I have to say that the sound design is quite good. The film opens with creature footstep noises that literally shake the theater. Unfortunately, the film’s suspense peaks there.

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27 Dresses

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Jane (Katherine Heigl) loves weddings, and dreams of romance and marriage-- preferably to her seemingly perfect boss (Edward Burns). But when her gorgeous and fun sister (Malin Akerman) comes to town, Jane's boss falls for her, and Jane is forced to put her ideas about romance into question.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Akerman, Edward Burns, Judy Greer, Brian Kerwin, Melora Hardin

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. First of all, as much as I want men to go to romantic comedies more and stop calling them, "Chick Flicks," this isn't the one that's going to turn them. Even I felt a little nauseous at the main character's obsession with weddings and marriage and romance, as if the world had nothing else to offer. But the story picks up about two thirds of the way in, and the ending leaves you feeling like you may have gotten what you came for.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Judy Greer will.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Yes. If you're a sap.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Coming out in January is pretty much a guarantee that it won't. But if anyone remembers this movie a year from now, it would actually be somewhat deserving in the costume department, because the variety of wedding dresses and types of bridesmaid dresses is astounding.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Malin Akerman is lovable, even as the most hateable character in the film. Contrarily, Edward Burns comes off like a jerk, even though the dialogue keeps telling us what a saint he is. But Judy Greer steals the show, squeezing laughs out of lines without jokes in them.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I hope that Anne Fletcher continues to have a long and illustrious career because, of all the movies I've reviewed so far, this is only the second one that's been directed by a woman... and fyi, it doesn't look any different than the ones directed by men. Just wanted to point that out, because it's my blog, and I can do what I want to.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: By the numbers. Everything is perfectly in its place, but there are no particularly clever turns.

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Running with Arnold

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A documentary about Arnold Schwarzenegger, which takes you from his humble roots as an under-educated Austrian boy, through his rise to fame, fortune, and power.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Alec Baldwin narrates. Playing themselves are: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Clinton, Gray Davis, Maria Shriver, Bill Maher, Arianna Huffington, Presidents Bush I & II, Kenneth Lay, Nixon, Reagan, Rob Schneider, Warren Beatty, and too many more to mention.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. To be honest, you won't have a choice. It's only playing in one theater, in one city, for one more day.* The good news is it's being distributed on Netflix starting this week, and it will probably play better on your TV, anyway. It is well worth the watch if you have any interest whatsoever in learning about Arnold as a body builder, an actor, or a politician. This movie gets to the bottom of why Arnold is so compelled to always push himself further... but it doesn't really get to the bottom of why Californians are so compelled to always vote for him.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Arnold is a funny guy... I don't think I mean that in a good way.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you haven't yet given up on the democratic process, this movie will continue to crush your spirit.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Not if nobody knows it exists.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Even after reading Alec Baldwin's name in the opening credits, I forgot it was him narrating, while watching the film. It could have been anybody. I'm not sure he gave this one his all. In contrast, this may be Arnold's best performance ever. It's almost like he was born to play the role. If he does ever go back to acting, I hope producers will remember how good he is at playing a total douche.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The film starts well, presenting a thesis and following it through chronologically, but the ending is abrupt and inconclusive in some ways. After a strong argument, the film ends with a fizzle. Still, the beginning and middle are memorable and informative.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Arnold as a character study is larger than life. He's almost like a fictional prototype of the narcissistic, power hungry man who will stop at nothing to win... I only say 'almost' because he's not fictional.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: *It's playing in L.A. at the Laemelle Sunset 5, on Thursday, January 17th.

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Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & Nights - from Hollywood to the Heartland

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Vince Vaughn takes four comics on the road trip of their lives, touring 30 cities in 30 nights, they drive across America, putting these stand-ups on the map.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Vince Vaughn, John Caparulo, Ahmed Ahmed, Bret Ernst, Sebastian Maniscalco, Peter Billingsley, Justin Long, Keir O'Donnell, and nationwide fans of Vince Vaughn.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Unless you don't like things that are funny.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: A lot. Sometimes at the comedians doing their acts on stage, sometimes at the comedians being themselves off stage, but for me the biggest laugh came from watching a kid in a Hurricane Katrina Camp laugh uncontrollably when he realized he was talking to the kid who played-- are you kidding me? I'm not going to ruin the biggest laugh for you. Go see the movie. (Hint: the kid will be wearing a bright blue t-shirt)

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Could do... they go through the south, just as Katrina is hitting-- oh, and one of the comedians might have to go back to waiting tables when the tour is over, so that's kind of sad, "I just went on a month long road trip across America with Vince Vaughn... so would you like fries with that?"

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: In the ongoing competition amongst comedy features of late, I think it has narrowly beat out, Talledaga Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, and Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, in the Longest Title category.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: They're all playing themselves, but here I go... Vince Vaughn really is similar to the characters he plays, only in real life he's also respectful, respectable, and kind of like a father figure-- wise, mentoring, and full of solid advice. I know, it's strange, but I left the theater wishing he would adopt some foreign babies, like everybody else... All of the comics are incredibly relatable off stage, as open-hearted guys who are willing to show their vulnerabilities. On stage, they are all funny, but for John Caparulo this is a break out movie. If I had a network, I would give that guy a deal.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Having had to sift through 700 hours of footage, Ari Sandel did a great job of keeping it moving. I don't always have a lot of patience for sitting through an entire night of stand ups, doing 20 minutes each. But in this movie, you don't have to! The best jokes are interspersed throughout the narrative, showcasing only a few of them at a time in each different city they play. By the end you've seen the whole show, gotten to know each comic's story, and not had a chance to get bored.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's a fun trip, and you feel like you're on it with them.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: It's a documentary, shot on mini dv, so don't expect glitzy production value. And there's a lot of cussing, so if your ears are sensitive, put pillows on them.

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Zeitgeist

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A fascinating documentary analysis of organized religion, 9/11, and the master plan of the rich tycoons behind the wars of the past Century.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Nobody.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go!... Or stay home. It's only playing on the internet. It's controversial, and you may not like or agree with what it has to say, but it will definitely get you thinking and keep you thinking. Beware if you are highly Christian or a Bush family fan, as it might make you angry. But while your reaction may differ from those who are not, it is still an interesting point of view to check out-- and it's free!

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you don't believe the filmmaker's conspiracy theories you might laugh at it. If you do believe them, you'll be too busy crying.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Not in a good way. May I suggest you just kill yourself now?

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I'm thinking it's good for a Webby for best internet marketing of an internet movie... But I have no idea if that even remotely resembles a category.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The narrator does a fine job of using dramatic tones to work you into a needless frenzy.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Terrible. There are minutes at a time of black screen, over which you hear the narrator's voice. You can practically watch the movie with your eyes closed.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: There are three parts, and it's sometimes hard to tell how they are connected, but the information cased within each part is scary, emotional, and makes you wonder how much you can trust anyone in a position of power... including the makers of this film.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: The web address to watch it is: http://zeitgeistmovie.com

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The Band's Visit

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A small orchestra, made up of Egyptian police officers, gets lost in Israel on their way to a concert, and its members spend the night amongst small town Israelis, who don't quite know what to make of them.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: (Warning-- the answer to this question is not in English, so don't be alarmed if you can't read, spell or pronounce any of the words... In fact, why don't you just skip ahead.) Sasson Gabai, Saleh Bakri, Ronit Elkabetz, Khalifa Natour, Shlomi Avraham, Rubi Moskovitz.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If you have a personal appreciation for independent film, you will enjoy the subtlety and nuance in this methodical and stylized film.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: A lot is said in the glances between the dialogue, and a lot of the English dialogue is said completely wrong. Between the two, the movie provides laughs of all sizes.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but it does get very odd in parts.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It swept the Israeli Film Academy Awards, winning 8 of them, including all the big ones. It won Cannes' Un Certain Regard award, and the director has won every festival he has been to, around the world. In the US, it's nominated for a Spirit Award, for Best Foreign Film. But it was disqualified from the category at the Oscars for having too much English... Although I'm still not sure that jumbled mess qualifies as English.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: There are a lot of really interesting performances, in particular, Sasson Gabai, who represses his emotions beautifully in his effort to set a good example, as the leader of the band. Meanwhile, Saleh Bakri is sexy as the band's Casanova and upstart. And Ronit Elkabetz is charismatic, as the Israeli hostess who tries to seduce the band leader. Unfortunately, in parts, her performance felt like it was trying too hard.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Eran Kolirin creates highly stylized, picturesque stills from the opening shot through the end. His framing is particularly easy on the eyes. But at times he prioritizes style over substance, holding unnaturally long on a shot for the sole purpose of creating a still image. There is one time in particular, where stopping the actors' movement to hold on a framed image is so forced, that you leave the theater still wondering how he justified it to himself.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Very small. Sometimes charming. But it leaves you wishing it had given you just a little bit more.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: Most of the movie is in Israeli and Arabic, with a smattering of scenes in English, which also require (and have) subtitles.

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Gone Baby Gone

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Private detective, Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck), gets hired to find a missing child, but the deeper he digs into his investigation, the more blurred the lines become between right and wrong.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Amy Ryan, John Ashton, Amy Madigan, Titus Welliver

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Right when it seems like the same old-same old, it takes a turn. And right when you think the turn is going in the wrong direction, you find out it's been taking you right where you wanted to go.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you've ever met a Mass-hole, you'll find the humor. If you haven't, you'll wonder what the hell I'm talking about.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but the ending is sad.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Ben Affleck is getting a lot of recognition in the Best Directing Debut category. And I finally know why everyone has been talking about Amy Ryan, and throwing Supporting Actress awards at her. I would be very surprised if she doesn't get hit in the face with an Oscar.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Amy Ryan's performance is reminiscent of The Sopranos in that you can't wrap your head around the idea that this is an actor, and not a real person. On the other hand, I don't get why Michelle Monaghan gets so much work. Is she really pretty to look at? Is she especially talented? Is she sleeping with the right people? Whatever it is, I feel completely out of the loop. So if you know, please clue me in.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: For a first timer, Ben Affleck is pretty impressive. But where his acting experience really shows is in the casting. I'm not talking so much about the known actors, but rather the unknown ones, like Amy Ryan, Titus Welliver, Jill Quigg, and Bubba Rogowski (the latter two of which have no previous credits). Their performances are all so real, I couldn't stop wondering where he'd found them.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Unconventional in a lot of ways. But not in ways that are annoying. It's simultaneously original and main stream, and it leaves you thinking about how sometimes doing what's right is wrong.

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Shotgun Stories

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A good ol' southern feud erupts between two sets of half-brothers, when their mutual father dies, and the half of the family that was neglected publicly insults their dead dad at the funeral.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Nobody you've heard of. Michael Shannon, Douglas Ligon, Barlow Jacobs, Michael Abbott Jr., Travis Smith, G. Alan Wilkins

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It's a fairly strong story for a classically-styled independent film, but in keeping with that classic independent style, it is very slow moving and it looks homemade.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Not a lot, but it's kind of funny that the main brothers are first-named Kid, Boy, and Son-- clearly making it easier for their parents to sound angry at them.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only if you get something in your eye.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: So far it has won every festival nomination it's gotten, including the Austin Film Festival, the Newport International Film Festival, and the Seattle Film Festival. Currently, it's nominated for the John Cassavetes Award, which is the Independent Spirit Award given to the best film made for under $500,000.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Really good for a bunch of unknowns. I think this will be a great showcase for Michael Shannon, who bravely down plays all of his emotions, and is also quite photogenic-- especially considering the low grade cinematography.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Jeff Nichols seems to have channeled the directing style of his producer, David Gordon Green. If that means that his career will follow in his footsteps as well, then Mr. Nichols has a lot to look forward to.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The ending is too simple, and lacks the element of surprise.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: It is still playing the festival circuit, and it doesn't have a release date in the United States yet, but I think it will (although it might end up on television). It came out in Greece last month, and it opens tomorrow in France.

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