Real Movie Review-Movie Reviews, Movie Quotes, Movie Trivia

Director: Julian Schnabel

Starring: Matthieu Amalric, Marie-Josee Coze, Marina Hands, Max Von Sydow, Emanuelle Seigner

This moving and absorbing feature tells the true story of Elle editor, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who suffered a stroke and found himself stricken with near complete paralysis. The story is relentlessly grim and effective at giving the viewer a glimpse at the horrific “locked-in syndrome”, forcing us forced to imagine ourselves in this unimaginable situation. The flawless performances enhance Schnabel’s inspired vision that brought this one-of-a-kind first-person novel to the screen.

Matthieu Amalric plays a successful and self-absorbed editor, who begins the film seeing his hospital room-sized world through only his left eye after awakening from a short coma. Viewers hear his internal thoughts and see his flashbacks as the horrible story of condition unfolds. Over time, Bauby, who can only blink his left eye, learns to communicate, deals with personal issues and writes a book, upon which the film is based upon.

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is another film dealing with the true tale of a person dealing with incredible adversity. Like previous features such as My Left Foot, our ability to deal with challenges is the real story here. Wonderful cinema, I suppose, but pretty depressing for an evening’s entertainment.

Director: Anne Fletcher

Starring: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Edward Burns, Malin Akerman, Judy Greer

Choreographer turned director Anne Fletcher, did a commendable job with an amusing and clever screenplay, from Devil Wears Prada writer, Aline Brosh McKenna that easily won over the rom-com crowd. The smooth dialog dishes out more smiles than laughs, but still manages to gloss over the stereotypical characters and cliched romantic situations. The overall effect is a pleasant, polished and comfortable feature.

Katherine Heigl is Jane Nichols, a responsible and kind-hearted administrative assistant who is secretly in love with her boss, George (Edward Burns), and specializes in being the perfect bridesmaid (guess how many times she’s done it?), while awaiting for her turn to be the blushing bride. Her dream turns into a nightmare when her flighty sister, Tess (Malin Akerman from The Heartbreak Kid) and her secret love George, start a relationship and soon announce their engagement. While hiding her pain, poor Jane is also trying to duck out, as the subject of interest and affection of Kevin, a cynical but perceptive writer. There are some appealing scenes here, especially the montage of her trying on all of her dresses including one based on Gone With The Wind (movie-themed - Cool!). Judy Greer plays Jane’s friend, Casey and supplies most of the humor. It all leads pretty much where you expect it, too, but that’s ok. With films like 27 Dresses, its the journey that’s important, not the destination.

Arline Brosh McKenna lives up to the promise she showed in her Devil Wears Prada film with this light but entertaining comedy about the clumsy and curvy road to love and happiness. While lacking a character as interesting as Miranda Priestly and a performance as arresting as that by Meryl Streep, 27 Dresses is still an entertaining romantic comedy.

Director: Robert Luketic

Starring: Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Bosworth, Aaron Yoo, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts,

All right! Finally, a way to make some money in Vegas! Let’s grab some tickets. I’ll learn to count cards during the flight, and I should be rich by dinner! Director, Robert Luketic (Monster-In-Law)takes us to Sin City in this loud, flashy heist-style true story about a group of M.I.T. students who descend on Nevada’s most profitable Oasis to use their math skills like a blunt weapon to beat the dollars out of Vegas. The story is fast paced but predictable, though it does manage a tricky, if somewhat unconvincing ending.

Jim Sturgess (Across The Universe) seems a little uncomfortable as a smooth M.I.T nerd turned Vegas high roller, as a member of a group of card counting students led by Professor Rosa (Kevin Spacey). At first, it all seems like a never-ending party with money falling from the sky, but soon some dark clouds emerge in that sky in the form of dissension on the team and a surly security specialist, played by Laurence Fishburne.

21 is long on style, but a little short on substance and viewers without an interest in the subject matter will find it repetitious and may not be drawn in by the uneven story. Those who enjoy gambling films, will find this to be an imperfect, but enjoyable distraction for a couple of hours.

Director: Kimberly Peirce

Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rob Brown, Channing Tatum, Victor Rasuk, Timothy Olyphant

Director, Kimberly Pierce, who has been conspicuously absent from Hollywood movie credits since her auspicious debut with Boys Don’t Cry, returns with a motion picture that gives us yet another reason to hate the war in Iraq: the back-door drafting of soldiers who have finished their tour. This controversial practice is called ‘stop loss’ and little question remains as to what side of the argument this film falls onto. The tone gets preachy from time to time, and the story never quite manages to turn the heat up to the boiling level. The acting is strong, as is the direction, but neither manages to distinguish itself beyond that, leaving the film mired in mediocrity.

Stop Loss opens win some intense war scenes, but quickly shifts gears from a war film into a drama about a group of gung ho soldiers that include Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe- that guy you’ve heard of and know from something, but have no idea what), and his best friend Steve (Channing Tatum, who you don’t know from anything). Both of these guys have put in their time and are glad to have done their duty, but are even more glad to be done. Steve is all set to marry Michelle (Abbie Cornish), and Brandon, well I can’t remember what Brandon’s plans are, but it doesn’t matter because he is informed that due to a clause in his contract, the army is allowed to keep him and send him back to Iraq. This is called Stop Loss and is exactly what they intend to do. Brandon feels betrayed and angry over this and has to decide what to do, while all of his army buddies have struggles of their own, as well.

If you are not tired of films that show us yet another problem with the whole Iraq, post 9-11, Bush situation, yet, then here is another related issue. This subject area has already been saturated by the CNN, news magazine television shows, and several Hollywood releases. It’s point is valid, but perhaps using a true story might have managed to give it the interest and impact that it lacked. Stop Loss is a good film that will vanish into obscurity as quickly as a presidential address.

Director: Marc Forster

Starring: Khalid Abdalla, Atossa Leoni, Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, Homayoun Marshadi, Shaun Toub

German director, Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster’s Ball) has done an outstanding job turning David Benioff’s screen treatment of Khalad Hosseini’s best-selling novel into one of the pre-eminent films of 2007. The story is strong, and though it does get intermittently slow, it is still engaging and moving, throughout. The acting is nothing short of flawless and enhances the film, immeasurably. The direction is stellar, particularly in the creation of settings from Kabul in the late 70s, and then the stark contrast two decades later. Subtitles are used for much of the dialog, but the added viewer effort is worth it.

The story here is that of Amir, and is split into a period when he is a child (played by Zekeria Ebrahimi) in Afghanistan just before the Soviet invasion, which forces his father (Homayoun Marshadi) to take him and leave the country. Left behind is their servant, Rahim (Shaun Toob) and his son, Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada) who was Amir’s closest friend, until the shame and guilt of an unfortunate event came between them. Amir and his father end up in America, where an adult Amir (Khalid Abdalla), has put Afghanistan behind him, taken a wife and written a novel, when his past suddenly comes rushing back to him with one phone call.

The Kite Runner is an excellent drama about human relations and how they are impacted by events of the world around them. For those who are comfortable with subtitled films, this is a must see, with the same kind of appeal, and greater impact than Namesake from 2006. For those of you, who never watch subtitled motion pictures, why not?

Director: Luke Meyer, Andrew Neel

Starring: Skip Lipman, Daniel McArthur, Rebecca Thurmond, Kenyon Wells

One of the wonderful things about documentaries is their ability, when done well, to open our eyes to worlds within our own, of which we were completely unaware. Luke Meyer and Andrew Neel have given us just such a feature in Darkon, which tells the story of a group of passionate individuals whose love for fantasy and search for acceptance leads them into a real life version of fantasy role-playing games. The characters are interesting and often filled with an undercurrent of pathos, as are their stories.

Darkon is an unusual but compelling, documentary about adults who retreat on weekends into a world of medieval fantasy kingdoms and battles. The story is told in a straightforward manner, switching back and forth from the subjects’ lives in our modern society to their intricate fantasy game, complete with countries, rulers, alliances and battles, with armor and foam weapons. There is a strange melancholy to their choice to give so much time, effort and emotion to their make-believe world. I watched much of this film with an uncomprehending furrowed brow, as I tried to understand, and make sense of it all, but I was also completely absorbed by it.

Darkon is a wonderful documentary for those who, like me, have an insatiable curiosity about the world around us and how people find so many different ways to interact with it. Many will find this candid glimpse into the lives of rather immature, and socially awkward, gamers to be boring and disturbing. Those with an interest in fantasy role-playing, particularly in a live action setting will find it irresistible. If you have enjoyed previous features like Spellbound and King Of Kong, then this will be just your sort of motion picture.

Director: Michael Haneke

Starring: Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt, Brady Corbet, Devon Gearhart

Writer/director Michael Haneke did a scene by scene exact remake of his 1997 Austrian feature to create this English language version of the thought provoking film that questions the movie industry’s perceptions of violence and reality, unlike any film since 1971’s Clockwork Orange. The performances are superb and delivery of the natural dialog is impressive. The story moves forward slowly, and turns the usual Hollywood formula on its ear time, and time again, but to say more about how it does so, would reveal too much.

Ann, George (Naomi Watts, Tim Roth) and their son, Georgie (Devon Gearhart) are a rich, young family off to spend some time at their summer home. Things are busy, but pleasant, until a couple of polite and strange young men show up. When it turns out that their intentions include far more than borrowing a few eggs, things go downhill rapidly.

Imagine Desperate Hours (anyone remember that one?), with the home invaders being a couple of polite young men of obvious good breeding and cross with the cultural commentary of Clockwork Orange and you will have some idea of what to expect here, but really, in the end, this will really not be anything like what you have come to expect from a film.

Director: David Schwimmer

Starring: Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria, Dylan Moran, Harish Patel, Matthew Fenton

Writer/actor Simon Pegg split off from Edgar Wright, his partner from Shaun of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, to work with David Schwimmer from Friends, on this more mainstream romanatic comedy. There is a decent, but painfully predictable story to work with, and the talented cast pulls out some laughs, but in the end, there is little here to pull this romantic, race comedy ahead of the pack.

Simon Pegg is Dennis, and the story starts out five years earlier on his wedding day to the lovely, and pregnant, Libby, played by the lovely Thandie Newton. Poor Dennis feels overwhelmed, unfortunately, and instead of taking his vows, he takes the window and is last seen sprinting for safety. Fast forward five years and Dennis is prospering (not!) as a security guard at a woman’s lingerie store and has a relationship with his son, but regrets blowing things with Libby, who has hooked up with Whit, a handsome, successful hedge fund manager, who even runs marathons for charity. Who doesn’t feel awkward meeting their ex’s new bang boy? It is truly one of life’s most unpleasant moments, already, but what hope can Dennis have for winning back the woman he loves from a guy with such a cool name?

Run Fat Boy Run is a thoroughly entertaining, and completely forgettable British comedy. It should be good enough to get Schwimmer some more work, though, and it is nice to see a comedy that doesn’t come from the Apatow/Rogan Hollywood laugh machine.

Director: Jay Russell

Starring: Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, Emily Watson, Priyanka Xi, David Morrissey, Brian Cox

CGI meets the formulaic story of a boy’s relationship with an unusual creature. This has been done with dogs, bears and even killer whales, but has never been done with the Loch Ness Monster until now. The graphics are enjoyable, though the story is a little disjointed and lacks the emotion that these features can deliver (Anyone else seen Old Yeller?). The stock characters are bland, but sufficient, and dialog is standard family film fare.

The story here begins in a modern day Scottish pub with an elderly stranger (Brian Cox) offering the real story behind a famous picture of ‘Nessie’ to a couple of tourists. He tells the story of a serious, water-fearing young boy named Angus (Alex Etel) living with his mother and sister in a country inn along the shores of Loch Ness, while his father is off fighting in WWII. One day while wandering near the Loch, Angus finds a strange egg, that soon hatches into an even stranger little water creature. Angus’ attempt to raise the baby sea monster are complicated by his mother, a regiment of soldiers billeted at the inn and their new handyman, Lewis (Ben Chaplin).

The Water Horse is an ordinary family animal film, where the animal happens to be a mythical creature (Remember Harry and the Hendersons?). If you (or your little ones) enjoyed features like Free Willy, then this is an inoffensive, but ultimately forgettable choice. Nessie fans will probably want to see it, too, and will enjoy the CGI on the creature and the building upon the Loch Ness legend, but for a better choice (for Nessie fans, not family viewing) check out The Incident at Loch Ness.

Director: Steven Brill

Starring: Owen Wilson, Nate Hartley, Troy Gentile, Ian Roberts, David Dorman, Valerie Tien, Alex Frost, Josh Peck

Ahhh, the carefree, locker-slamming, change room-fearing days of high school. Really, for most of us, high school is the closest we will ever come to experiencing the violent, anything goes, prison environment. There is nothing more fun than seeing a bully take an ass whupping on film. True, they aren’t the bullies that I would like to see take an ass whupping, but still, it’s a start. Drillbit Taylor is the newest train car to be hooked up to the Judd Apatow comedy express. This guy puts out more video than You Tube. The uneven story that occasionally passes right by silly, on its way to stupid, is helped by some credible performances by the young cast, who actually look the age they’re playing, and by Owen Wilson’s usual entertaining work. Add this to some pretty funny scenes, including the best rap since 8 Mile, and you have a decent way to waste a Friday night.

Wade and Ryan (Nate Hartley and Troy Gentile) are a couple youngsters setting off to get a good start in high school, but a wardrobe malfunction and a poorly-timed hero impulse combine to quickly make them and Emmit (David Dorfman), the primary targets of a couple of begging-for-a-beating bullies played by Alex Frost and Josh Peck. The young victims hit on the solution of hiring a bodyguard and begin interviews, including one with the guy who played the bodyguard in My Bodyguard (Adam Baldwin). That was classic! They settle on the only one they can afford, a bs’ing homeless guy with plans for relocation to Canada, played by Owen Wilson.

There are some pretty funny scenes here, but the story could have used quite a bit more work. Maybe if this crew wasn’t shoving out comedies like fries at a drive through window, the quality could be picked up a little. Drillbit Taylor isn’t bad. It is a combination of Superbad and My Bodyguard, but isn’t as good as either of those. Good enough not to dissappoint, but not good enough to impress.