Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Q: What’s the movie about?

A:  A young boy (Thomas Horn) struggles to get over the senseless death of his father in 9/11.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A:  Thomas Horn, Max von Sydow, Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Viola Davis, John Goodman, Zoe Caldwell

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A:  Proceed with Caution.  Every step of this movie is totally contrived.  Does some of it work?  Sure.  But the set-ups and pay-offs are so in your face that you may be too annoyed to enjoy any of it.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: They say that comedy equals tragedy plus time, so is 9/11 funny yet?

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A:  It will try to make you cry by any means possible, throwing crap at the wall until something sticks.  It's as if the writer were sitting on your shoulder like a little devil saying, "Oh, death didn't get you?  Try alienation...  Oh, that didn't work either?  But remember 9/11, that was awful, right?...  Still nothing?  But he's a little boy, and he's hurting, and he misses his daddy!...  What are you some cold heartless monster?"  To which I reply, "I wasn't until I met you, so I guess you bring that out in me... we should probably break up now."

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Boy am I getting sick of all these wanna-be Oscar movies that are trying so hard to be important that they neglect the basics, like being entertaining and seeming effortless.

Q: How is the Acting?

A:  Don't be fooled, neither Tom Hanks nor Sandra Bullock is in the movie for more than 10 minutes, so I hope you like kid actors who aren't particularly cute or charming!

Q: How is the Directing?

A:  The imagery is consistently well thought out, and many of the shots demonstrate a strong voice.  Also, the art is impressive, but I don't believe for one second that a 10 year old could have made any of it.

Q: How is the story/script?

A:  The friend I saw it with really liked the strong sense of community that the movie suggests exists-- even though we both agree that it's a lie, because the people in your neighborhood don't really hang out with Mr. Rogers, which is why they're not all that friendly or generous with their time.  But the fundamental issue with the script is that when you try this hard to matter and be about  heart-string issues that I'm supposed to naturally be moved by, I feel manipulated.  And when I feel manipulated, I start to discredit you, even in the areas where you succeeded.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Trailer

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Remember Me

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After getting into an altercation with a cop (Chris Cooper), a college student (Robert Pattinson) decides to date the cop's daughter (Emilie de Ravin), as a means to get back at him.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Ruby Jerins, Chris Cooper, Tate Ellington, Pierce Brosnan, Lena Olin, Gregory Jbara, Chris McKinney

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. The vampire from Twilight is only half as brooding in this version of the one character he plays. But without the white face makeup, he's twice as hot. So it's a toss up.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The story opens on a woman getting murdered in front of her 11-year-old daughter, and then cuts to a different set of characters visiting the grave site of their 22-year-old brother. So you may want to laugh, but the people sitting around you may take death a little more seriously than you do, and that can get awkward.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: For all the death and drama going on, the only thing that might make you cry is the ending, which is totally exploitative of a true event that should never have been used in this way. It insults our intelligence, and makes the true situation feel like a cheap trick.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I would've given it the award for hottest male nudity (Rob Pattinson), but there wasn't any... What were the filmmakers thinking?!

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Sometimes, when the little girls in the film have scenes with R-Patz, you can see them thinking, "OMG! I'm talking to Edward, right now!"

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Allen Coulter does a good job of keeping Pattinson in focus in the foreground, and Emilie de Ravin in the shadows... he knows which one is easier on the eyes. And frankly, aside from Pierce Brosnan, who holds his own, you almost start to feel sorry for the actors who have to share the screen with Pattinson. It's hard on all of us when we realize we're the ugliest person in a room.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: This is another case of a compelling logline for a romantic comedy, which goes off topic in the second act because it has run out of conflict to explore. Now I know this is a romantic drama, and not a romantic comedy, but it dawns on me that there would have been a lot more ground to cover in this premise had it been a comedy instead. Well, I guess I'll just hold my breath until the Will Ferrell version comes out.

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

A: It's funny, in a screening like this, you get a lot of previews for other romances. And what's funnier, is watching all the men who were dragged there by their girlfriends quickly turn to them with a preemptive, "No! I'm not seeing that." But we all know that when the time comes, they're seeing that.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/remember-me/37888/trailers

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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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