The Great Debaters

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: The true story of a team of Black debaters from Wiley College, in Texas, who are the first to challenge White debate teams, in 1935, and in so doing, help pave the way for the Civil Rights movement.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, John Heard, Jermaine Williams

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Moving, intellectual, and visceral, the story is a reminder of a shameful part of our history, and the brave and forward-thinking types of people it always has and always will take to break the cycle of hate.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Yes. It'll even make you applaud.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only if you have a heart, a mind, or a conscience.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I can say with confidence: yes, because The Golden Globes were announced today, and it was nominated for Best Motion Picture - Drama. But I don't think it'll win.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: You've got Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, and this movie has even got a kid in it named, Denzel Whitaker. Need I say more?

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Clearly an actor's director, Denzel captures some of his most poignant moments in the shared looks and thoughtful expressions that happen in between the dialogue .

Q: How is the story/script?

A: There is a B-story about unionizing the farmers, which doesn't make much sense. But screenwriter, Robert Eisele, more than makes up for it by creating inspired debate speeches and a sensory experience of what it must have felt like to live as a Negro in the lynch-mob-south. That would've been so uncool.

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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Based on Jean-Dominique Bauby’s memoir about the stroke which caused him to become completely paralyzed from his head to his toes, this is the true story of how he learned to communicate by blinking his left eye… the only remaining functional part of his body besides his mind.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: A bunch of French people: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josee Croze, Anne Consigny, Olatz Lopez Garmendia, Max von Sydow, Isaach De Bankole, Neils Arestrup

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! This a beautiful film about a man who overcomes his anger at having “Locked-in Syndrome,” which is a condition describing a person who has a completely functioning mind, memory and imagination, but no physical ability to express any of those thoughts through speech or movement. Everyone can relate to being misunderstood and feeling like their thoughts aren’t being heard, for Jean-Dominique Bauby this literally became his life condition. After being the successful editor of Elle France, this condition couldn’t be more opposite to his previously powerful image of himself as a man. But he proves that his spirit of success can’t be stopped as he blinks his way to a best selling memoir, which explains what Locked-In Syndrome feels like, for all those of us who will be lucky enough never to have to experience it.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: This is not a comedy, but the uncensored thoughts of a man who can’t be heard are funny because they’re true.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Very good chance. They got me in the scene depicting the first time Mr. Bauby’s kids see their once vibrant father acting like an impotent vegetable.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: If Julian Schnabel doesn’t win the best director Oscar for this, the whole Academy should be replaced.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: This is a stand-out performance for Mathieu Amalric who plays Jean-Dominique Bauby. He seems like two entirely different people as goes from confident, good-looking Editor-in-chief, to paralyzed shell of an embittered man who can’t even swat a fly off of his own nose.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: With the help of gorgeous cinematography by Janusz Kaminski, Julian Schnabel was able to use visuals to make you feel like you were actually experiencing the blurriness and confusion of waking up from a coma and discovering that no one can hear you scream. His point-of-view camera allows you to look at and see the main characters feeling. And while the main character is immobile, the audience travels the world. My only complaints in regards to the directing is that 1) many of the actresses looked too much alike, and I sometimes had difficulty telling them apart, and 2) he would sometimes cut to crumbling ice-caps, which seemed a little out of the blue. Perhaps it was his way of showing us that this once strong man was falling apart, or I don’t know—I’m sure I could read some significance into this but I shouldn’t have to guess.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: I’m not a fan of bio-pics, because they tend to wander and feel pointless, but this one was worth making. Focusing only on the part of this man’s life that was truly extraordinary, this is a movie you have never seen or experienced before. Without much of a story, and no semblance of a plot, this movie keeps your attention and captures your imagination, except during a few minutes toward the end of the 3rd act when you feel like you get it already, and you’re ready to wrap it up.

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Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: When Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman), the 243-year-old magical owner of a magical toy store decides to move on from this life and leave his store to the young pianist (Natalie Portman) who manages it, the store begins to revolt.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Natalie Portman, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Bateman, Zach Mills.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Don’t go to this film if you don’t have kids. Also consider that kids over ten years old will probably think the movie too “babyish,” and kids under five may not be ready to deal with the mature themes of death that drive the majority of the story line. This leaves a sweet spot of kids between the ages of six and nine, and the parents who love them enough to sit next to them. While the sweet spot for this film is small, I predict that those kids in their pre-tween years will be indelibly affected by memories of this magical store for the rest of their lives. They will want to go there for entire days at a time, so hopefully 20th Century Fox will create an attraction at their theme park… Oh, wait, they don’t have one.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: There are a couple of chuckles, and interesting turns of a phrase.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only if one of your parents has died within the last week. That being the case, you might bring personal baggage to the film, which would generate tears about your own loss, as you watch the main character losing her father-figure, Mr. Magorium.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: The Special Effects really are beautiful to watch. And, since it is not an action movie, it may have a good chance of separating itself from the rest of the potential nominees in this arena… Who are we kidding? Transformers is gonna sweep.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Some people will think that Dustin Hoffman has created yet another genius character, while others will just be annoyed by the character Hoffman has so geniusly created. His performance could become a source of great debate. Then again, what do six-years-old’s know about acting?

Q: How is the Directing?

A: For first time director, Zach Helm, this was a very impressive debut. The visuals are stunning throughout, and the lighting changes perfectly from colorful and vibrant, to dark sepia tones as death becomes imminent.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The story was fairly straight forward and predictable, but sometimes still felt a little confused as to its message. Apparently the main character is trying to find her inner confidence, but I never really felt like she lacked confidence in the first place. Sure, they told me she did, but I didn’t feel it in my heart. Her actions were those of a confident woman who believed in magic, and believed she could convince Mr. Magorium not to leave this life. She had lots of good ideas as to how to keep him around, and it didn’t seem to take any effort for her to come up with them. She seemed like she knew who she was on a lot of levels, but was having a little bit of writer’s block on a piano concerto she was writing. Because I wasn’t connecting with the thing the main character was trying to achieve (self-confidence), many parts of the movie seemed without purpose, and almost random, including the conclusion.

Q: Is there anything else outstanding about this movie?

A: “Outstanding” may be a slight exaggeration, but the music shouldn’t go without mention. It becomes something of a supporting character in the film, as you hear the catchy symphony playing in the main character’s head throughout.

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Lions for Lambs

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A Congressman (Tom Cruise) and a Journalist (Meryl Streep) debate the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the role of journalism in those wars, while a college professor (Robert Redford) and a student (Andrew Garfield) debate whether or not they are doing enough to help the world, while two injured American soldiers (Derek Luke and Michael Pena) fight for their lives atop a strategically placed cliff in Afghanistan, that both the Allies and the Enemy are trying to control.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Derek Luke, Michael Pena, Andrew Garfield, Peter Berg

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Stop! No matter which side of the political debate you are on, this movie will add nothing to your thoughts or emotions about the current wars. I thought it was based on a play, because it is literally a movie about three pairs of people talking to each other in a room or on a cliff. There is no action, no story, no plot, no inciting incident, no ticking clock, no suspense, and no real tension in this film. It could have just as easily been six people sitting around a dinner table spouting their opinions about politics. If it weren’t for the A-list actors and director, I would have thought I was watching a film school thesis. And since the actors weren’t doing it to help out a desperate film student, the only reasons I can speculate as to why they were attracted to this script are 1) the concepts discussed must be in line with their own political beliefs, or 2) their friends were doing it. To add insult to injury, it turns out the script is not based on a play. It’s just one writer’s internal debate about his own guilt for doing nothing to change our world.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: No.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I sure hope not.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Meryl Streep is amazing. She is able to bring enormous depth and real moments to a character that is underwritten, generic and would be indistinguishable from any other poorly written journalist if not for her performance.

Tom Cruise on the other hand should not have taken this role. It is often hard to get past the fact that you’re watching “Tom Cruise” regardless of the movie. Unfortunately, this character (a smarmy and ambitious politician) is too close to his real life persona to ever make the separation between the character and the actor. Like Tom Cruise, Senator Irving incessantly flashes his charming smile to hide the fact that someone has pressed him up against a wall. Then, because the character and story go nowhere, you are never sucked into the film enough to forget that you’re watching the celebrity Tom Cruise.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: That depends, is this a movie by Robert Redford, the guy who directed Quiz Show, A River Runs Through It, and Ordinary People?… I’m just saying I’d be more impressed if he admitted that he farmed this one out to his assistant.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: What story?

Q: Is there anything else outstanding about the movie?

A: The lighting was pretty, and I appreciated that the actors wore their wrinkles for this film.

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The Kite Runner

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Based on the best selling novel by Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a rich kid in 1970s Kabul who betrays his best friend, Hassan, a Hazara servant boy. In present day, Amir is still guilt-ridden from not having protected his loyal friend in a time of dire need. So when he is confronted with his past, he must choose whether he will make up for his childhood cowardice or continue running away from his mistake.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Nobody who’s famous in America. Homayon Ershadi, Khalid Abdalla, Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! This is the kind of powerful drama that reminds us that the movies are not only a form of entertainment, but also an art form.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Not very much.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Definite possibility, although not a guarantee. While it is emotionally tense, there are no tear-jerking moments.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Although it hardly has any English in it, this movie is a likely contender for the Best Picture Oscar. It also has a good chance at nominations in the areas of Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. See the next three questions for more details.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The acting is impressive. And even though I didn’t understand a word of what anyone said, I walked out feeling that Homayon Ershadi would get a best supporting actor nomination for his role as Baba, Amir’s father, whose life spans 30 or 40 years in the course of the tale. I also hope that the two young children will not be overlooked by the Academy, as their performances were deep and rich and realer than a reality show. One performance which is sure not to get any award recognition, due to its short length of only one scene, was the brilliant performance of Nasser Memarzia, as the director of the orphanage… After all, everyone knows that only Judy Dench can win awards for being in less than 10 minutes of a film.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Exuding a warmth that is missing from many of his previous films, this is Marc Forster’s best work to date. The Academy voters will want to honor this movie, as well as Forster’s growing track record for films that are both artistic and commercially successful. Not to mention that the kite flying scenes are inarguably visually stunning.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: David Benioff has become one of Hollywood’s most sought after writers, and this film demonstrates why. Often when books are turned into screenplays they fall into two traps: 1) They disappoint those who enjoyed the book by leaving the best parts out. 2) They discount those who haven’t read the book by not putting enough insider knowledge in. Coming from someone who has not read the book, I thought as a movie this story worked beautifully. Without doing any homework or bringing any back story to the theater, I knew who the characters were, I understood the plot, and I was able to engage in the emotions of these boys’ lives… And somehow Benioff managed to pull that off with characters who speak mostly in Dari!

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Jimmy Carter Man from Plains

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: This Documentary follows Jimmy Carter on his 2006 book tour to promote his book, “Palestine: Peace not Apartheid.”

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jimmy Carter and a bunch of his groupies. People can’t help but go ga-ga when faced with a former President.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. While it is an endearing portrait of the 39th president, and proof of his outstanding diplomacy skills, as well as his ability to stay positive, the story is thin and goes on a bit too long.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: There are a few laughs due to the fact that Carter and his family are so “down home” it almost seems like they’re faking it. And also, other people’s problems are funny.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If by “cry” you mean “think”, then yes. Just as Carter’s book has opened up a discussion about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, so will the movie about him talking about his book.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Only if the Academy thinks that a Nobel Peace Prize isn’t award enough for this guy.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Carter is amazing at acting cool under pressure. This becomes especially clear three-quarters of the way into the movie, when his 30-something publicist clearly starts to tire of the book tour, and Carter in contrast manages to look like he’s just getting started. For a man in his 80s, this guy is tireless!

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The directing seems biased, as the film plays a bit like a love letter to Carter. It achieves its goal in that you do walk out wondering why this president was only elected for one term, but it would be more effective had Jonathan Demme cut about 25 more minutes out of the film, as it currently runs at over 2 hours.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Carter compares how the Palestinians must feel about having their land taken from them, to how he would feel if his land on the Georgia Plains, which has been in his family for generations, were taken away from him. He makes a compelling point, but ultimately it is not sustained through the 2 hrs and 5 minutes that follow. The film delves more into the controversy over using the word “Apartheid” in his book’s title than anything else. Ultimately, much of the movie ends up being about semantics.

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Dan in Real Life

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a family advice columnist whose relationship with his own three daughters is anything but perfect. Things get aggravated when he falls in love with the beautiful Marie (Juliette Binoche), only to discover that she is dating his brother (Dane Cook), and will be spending the weekend with them at their annual family reunion.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Diane Wiest, John Mahoney, Emily Blunt

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Sure to be a holiday classic, the moments are real and relatable for anyone who has a family.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Yes. While the jokes are not a laugh a minute, the awkwardness you feel as the tension escalates between Dan and Marie will keep you chuckling uncomfortably in your seat. Also, a dance battle, a hilarious song about Ruthie “Pig face” Draper, and a teenage daughter in love for the first time, (brilliantly portrayed by Brittany Robertson), provide for many, well earned, big laughs.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only if you start to think about how few comedies are being made lately about characters who seem like real people and are dealing with issues that feel like real problems. If you begin to consider how tired you are of being spoon fed jokes, and talked down to by Hollywood movie makers, and how the quality of many movies is actually making you dumber… then, yes, you might get a little teary at this film.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Probably not. It’s not nearly pretentious enough to collect nominations, and dangerously close to being considered a comedy—which, as we know, will knock any movie out Academy Award consideration.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Great. Be prepared to be impressed with Steve Carell’s versatile range, Juliette Binoche’s comprehensible accent, a break out performance by both Brittany Robertson and Marlene Lawston, and to fall in love with Diane Wiest all over again.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Peter Hedges’ work is imperceptible and therefore perfect.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Simple and relatable. Without pandering for laughs, the script presents a plausible situation and plays it out realistically. The conclusion is a little forced and requires a slight suspension of disbelief, as many of Dan’s family members react to his behavior in ways that are overly forgiving. That said, I’ll accept this easy out because like most audience members I love a happy ending.

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