The King's Speech

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: King George VI of England, né Prince Albert Duke of York (Colin Firth), had all the makings of a great King except for the fact that he stuttered. This is the story of the unconventional methods he learned from Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) to overcome his impediment.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Derek Jacobi, Timothy Spall, Michael Gambon, Jennifer Ehle, Eve Best

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! When you come out of this movie you realize that the filmmakers only had one thing in mind when they made it: The Academy Awards. It’s a deliberate attempt at prestige recognition, and likely to accomplish at least a small part of its goal.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: A high-falutin’ prince, a wife who stands on ceremony, and an upstart speech therapist who doesn’t take anybody’s—f*@k, bugger, balls—crap, what’s not to laugh at?

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: A litt-tt-tt-tt-tt…le bit. Don't get all PC on me, I'm crying, not stuttering.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: A Single Man proved that that Academy wants to give Colin Firth an Oscar, The King’s Speech proves that he can win one. From what I’ve seen, (and I've seen most of it), this is looking like his year.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Geoffrey Rush reminds me of my uncle, so that's warm and cozy. Guy Pearce shows a side of his character we haven’t seen before, which broadens his depth as an actor. And it’s nice to see Helena Bonham Carter going back to playing dignified rich people, rather than some freak in one of her husband’s wacky concoctions.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Gorgeous and inventive wide-angle shots are highlighted by beautiful lighting, elegant sets, and an emotional classical score.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The story of Prince Albert’s minor handicap is small and almost not worth telling, but the dialogue and characters draw you in, sometimes even enough to take your mind off wondering why the penis ring was named after him.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-kings-speech/10034251/trailers

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All Good Things

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Inspired by the true story of the wealthy Durst New York real estate family, and using the fictional Marks family to stand-in, All Good Things speculates about the unsolved 1982 missing persons case of Katie Marks (Kristen Dunst), wife of heir David Marks (Ryan Gosling).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ryan Gosling, Kristen Dunst, Frank Langella, Philip Baker Hall, Lily Rabe, Kristen Wiig, Nick Offerman, Diane Venora, Liz Stauber, Maggie Kiley, David Margulies, Trini Alvarado, Michael Esper

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. While it's well acted, interestingly structured, and compelling, it may be too dark for some audience members who are seeking escapism in these trying times.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Yes, but don't go to this if you're looking for a funny time.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you were any number of characters in the movie it should have, but seeing as how cold, self-centered, and entitled most of the members of this wealthy family are, I'm not sure they would even know how.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I'd like to nominate the make-up... I know, it's a totally boring award and it shouldn't even be in the televised show, no less my blog.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Frank Langella is a complex and versatile actor who has continually proven that he can be frightening. Kristen Dunst is a complex and versatile actor who has continually proven that she can be romantic. And Ryan Gosling is a complex and versatile actor who has continually proven that he can be both frightening and romantic, which is the worst kind of romance a man can provide.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Andrew Jarecki, who brought us the most disturbing documentary I have ever seen, Capturing the Friedmans, tries to disturb us some more. This time with murder rather than pedophilia. But I don't know, as far as disturbingness goes, I'm slightly more partial to pedophilia.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The story cuts back and forth between a murder trial that took place in the 2000s and the story of love and loss that took place in the 70s and 80s, focusing primarily on the later. While it's not hard to follow, I can tell from some of the momentarily confusing directing choices that some of the transitions could have been written more smoothly. On the other hand, trying to span three decades-- that aren't even next to each other-- is a huge challenge for any screenwriter, and at no point does the passage of time make the movie feel too long.

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

A: While the title's implication that all good things come to an end is somewhat clever, I have found this title impossible to remember. So, if you're interested in seeing it, you should write the title on your kid's hand, or some other place where it's equally unlikely to ever get washed off.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/all-good-things/36342/trailers

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