The Road envisions a world where some sort of cataclysmic event has destroyed virtually all life on earth. We never know exactly what it was, and for the purposes of this film, it doesn't really matter. The Road is about the will to survive, and what drives people to cling to life in the midst of hopelessness. A man and his son spend most of the film traveling south to the sea, where they hope that life will be better for them than the cold desolation that greets their every waking moment. They also trek across a world without sunlight, as the ash filled sky blocks its rays, and coats the terrain. Viggo Mortensen, and relative newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee play the man and son respectively, and their fine performances help make this film as riveting as it is. Besides the endless search for food, the pair must also avoid a roving band of cannibals; in a world where nothing grows, people are the ultimate delicacy. The man tells his frightened son that they are one of "good" guys, and he assures him that they will never resort to eating their fellow humans. He also instructs him as to the proper way to kill himself with a pistol, for the reality of their situation is never ending. I found The Road extremely interesting, and yes despite the depressing subject matter, quite entertaining. The film is based on a Cormac McCarthy novel, and also boasts an excellent script which helps create an ever present feeling of dramatic tension. Charlize Theron appears as the man's wife in an extended cameo, and Guy Pearce and a barely recognizable Robert Duvall appear in brief ones, and they all make their screen time count. One of the best films of the year, don't miss it.
Rating - 4 Stars
I have to admit that I enjoyed the first film in this series, in spite of the fact that I'm about 40 years outside of it's target demographic. Unfortunately this one has little of what made the first one so enjoyable. I felt like I was watching an episode of Gossip Girls, which incidentally I've never actually seen, although I can imagine it's like this film without all the vampires and werewolves. By the way, if you have a film with the aforementioned supernatural creatures you're supposed to have more than a token amount of action, or at least enough to counteract some of the whiny teenage angst on display. Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner reprise their roles from the first film, and they all do a credible job; the problem is the script, not them. The film picks up towards the end with the appearance of Michael Sheen as Aro, apparently the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler of the vampires, but it's just not enough. This is one of those films that's review proof, and if you're a teenage girl it's likely that nothing can keep you away. Anyone else should avoid this like a vampire does a sunny day.
Rating - 1 1/2 Stars
The 60's, in my humble opinion, was the golden age of rock music, and I firmly believe that this era will never be topped in that regard. The best of it came from the British Isles, so it's quite ironic that the nation's official broadcasting outlet, the BBC, refused to play it. Numerous offshore "pirate" radio stations were created to fill this cavernous void, which were viewed as a subversive annoyance by the British government. The "Radio Rock" of Pirate Radio is made up of a collection of characters straight out of "60's" central casting, including Philip Seymour Hoffman as the ship's star DJ. This is not a "star" vehicle for Mr. Hoffman, as the film is definitely an ensemble piece, and everyone involved helps make this quite an excellent and enjoyable film. Relative newcomer Tom Sturridge plays Carl, who's shipped off to the boat by his mother in order to get his life back on track after being expelled from school. Considering all the drugs, sex and debauchery going on this must be one hip mom (Emma Thompson in a cameo). Her ex-husband Kenneth Branagh, plays the government minister in charge of closing the stations down, and he's so evil and anti-fun you can almost see him twirling his moustache as he hatches his plans. His top aide is named Mr. Twatt, and yes, it's a cheap joke, and quite a good one. January Jones also has a small role as the wife and girlfriend of two different DJs. Her brief storyline was actually quite pointless and annoying, but not enough to bring down a fine film. Also, one minor script criticism: the phrase "think outside the box" was used, clearly about 30 years a head of its time, and it briefly took me "out" of the film. This should have been caught. In spite of these two minor points I think that this is one fine film, with of course, a superior soundtrack. It also has the best opening and closing credits I've seen in quite a while and I have no doubt that a splendid time is guaranteed for all.
Rating - 3 1/2 Stars
Supposedly the Mayans predicted a catastrophe of global proportions in the year 2012; no, I'm not talking about the election of Sarah Palin as President of the United States. It's almost as bad though, namely, the end of the world, and most of the people in it. I'm no scientist, but here's a brief explanation: solar flares are heating up the earth's core, causing earthquakes and tsunamis, with the requisite death and destruction. In order to save the world's elite, and, anyone with a billion euros to spare, a series of huge floating ships are built to protect them until the earth is inhabitable once again. By the way, the arks are being built in China, no great surprise there. John Cusack stars as Jackson Curtis, a failed novelist reduced to driving a limo for an extremely wealthy Russian businessman who has already booked his passage on one of the ships. Curtis learns of the ships, and the whole end of the world thing on a camping trip, where he meets conspiracy theorist Charlie Frost, played by Woody Harrelson, who is by the way, the best thing in the film. Most of the action consists of Jackson trying to get himself, and his ex-wife and kids to one of the ships. This is not a film that one goes to see for masterful acting and a deep meaningful story; you go to watch stuff get destroyed, and this film has plenty of that, including the Washington Monument and the State of California. The special effects are first rate, and there's plenty of them. The characters are all one dimensional, and they all represent the usual archetypes that you would expect to see in a film of this genre. Danny Glover is the stoic President, and Oliver Platt is his cold-hearted Chief of Staff. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the compassionate scientist who initially brings the crisis to the President's attention, and he rises above the cliched role to deliver a fine performance. The film was directed by Roland Emmerich, who also helmed Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow, so I guess this one completes the trilogy. It's a fun film nonetheless, and it provides all the thrills and entertainment that you would expect from it. I'm a little surprised though to see it open in the so-called "serious" movie season, as it really fits in more as a summer blockbuster film, but if you see it, I think you'll enjoy it.
Rating - 3 Stars
Although not a "feel good" film in the traditional sense, Precious still has moments that remind us that people have a great capacity to endure and survive. Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe has the title role, and her story is just too horrible to imagine. Her mother, played by Mo'Nique, is both physically and emotionally abusive to Precious, as she makes Joan Crawford seem like mom of the year by comparison. As if that's not enough, her dad rapes her whenever he feels like it, and is the father of her first child, with one on the way. It's no surprise then to learn that Precious has little self-esteem. Whenever her circumstances become just too much to take, she escapes to her fantasies, where she's both beautiful and adored. She also uses food as a way to numb her pain, all the way up to over 300 pounds of numb. Out of duty and compassion her principal refers her to an alternative school, where she eventually makes some friends, learns to read and write, and most importantly, gains the self confidence to make some positive changes in her life.
The film takes place in 1987 in Harlem, when the neighborhood was decidedly less pretty than it is in today's semi-gentrified state. Setting the film in that time period only helps drive home the seemingly hopelessness of Precious' life. This film, although depressing at times, tells its story quite well. This is thanks to a fine script, and, some truly riveting performances. Gabourey Sidibe has been getting a lot of Oscar buzz for her fine acting job, deservedly so, but it is Mo'Nique as her mother, who really steals the show. She plays a beast of a woman, and I only hope that she didn't have to base it on anyone in her own life. This is truly a fine film with some stellar performances: don't miss it.
Rating - 3 1/2 Stars
How many teenage girls could refuse the advances of a handsome, wealthy, and ultra-sophisticated older man? Actually, quite a few I bet, but not Jenny, who longs for much more than what her provincial and overly structured life is giving her. Jenny, played by newcomer Carey Mulligan, is wonderful as the precocious teen who falls for David, an equally good Peter Sarsgaard. Carey has her heart set on studying English at Oxford until she falls under his spell, which by the way makes her money conscious dad quite happy. Soon after meeting David, Jenny is propelled into a world of nightclubs and fine restaurants, and it's no surprise that her studies begin to suffer because of it. David is so beguiling that he even charms mom and dad, as they utter nary a complaint. Hard to imagine this really happening, but David uses his charm, and some tall tales to assuage Jenny's parents. Alfred Molina plays Jenny's father, and he does a fantastic job of portraying this well meaning, but clueless character: adding some laughs to what is essentially a serious story. Along the way Jenny gets the education that the title promises, and the audience gets one as well. This is a must see.
Rating - 3 1/2 Stars
Allegedly based on some truth, The Men Who Stare at Goats is the story of the army's attempt to create a force that uses psychological and paranormal powers, instead of guns and stuff. The unit is commanded by Colonel Django (Jeff Bridges), and if you can imagine an army officer made up of equal parts Timothy Leary and Jerry Garcia then you know what he's all about. The story is told largely in flashback years after the unit has been disbanded, with reporter Bob Wilton (EwanMcGregor), interviewing Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), who was a Sargent in the old unit. The two are traveling in Iraq, Bob looking for his "big" story, and Lyn on a mission. Kevin Spacey shows up a little later, and has a significant effect on the unit. There were a lot of laughs in the film, with most of the humor being of the very dry variety. George Clooney, as a true believer in all the new age philosophy was particularly good, and quite funny. The film also works well as an anti-war statement, with greedy contractors getting their share of the scathing. See it with your peace sign tee-shirt.
Rating - 3 Stars
