The Descendants: Movie Review

 

Scaling the Hawaiian country-side with tears and laughter.

"The Descendants" is set in Hawaii but Matt King (George Clooney) and his family are not on vacation. Far from it. King is actually in a line descended down from an old Hawaiian princess and has inherited a wealth of land. That's only the secondary plot. The primary plot is that his wife is in a coma and he has to learn how to be a parent to his two unruly daughters. Cue the laugh track.		2011 Directed by: Alexander Payne Screenplay by: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller

Take Shelter: Movie Review

 

Shelter in the face of insanity versus reality.

Curtis (Michael Shannon) is having bad dreams and hallucinations. He’s likely just going crazy, but if he is in fact having visions of the future end of the world, then he might as well “Take Shelter”. With Curtis’s dreams turning into nightmares turning into a possible reality, he needs to keep himself safe and his wife (Jessica Chastain) and their young, deaf daughter.		2011 Directed by: Jeff Nichols Screenplay by: Jeff Nichols Starring: Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain

My Week with Marilyn: Movie Review

 

An affair with Marilyn Monroe, but who is she?

“My Week with Marilyn” is the week-long affair with Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) for young film enthusiast Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne). It’s also a week from hell for great actor Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) as he tries to make a movie with Ms. Marilyn Monroe. It’s also a week-long glimpse into the beautiful / tragic life of the starlet-turned-starlet.		2011 Directed by: Simon Curtis Screenplay by: Adrian Hodges Starring: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne and Kenneth Branagh

Melancholia: Movie Review

Feelings of melancholia bursting through the brilliant colours of the Earth.

Justine (Kirsten Dunst) suffers from severe depression. Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) drives herself crazy with paranoia over fear of the end of the world. “Melancholia” just might prove to be the end of the world. This film just might prove to be an example of some of the best filmmaking in the world.		2011 Directed by: Lars von Trier Screenplay by: Lars von Trier Starring: Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg

Like Crazy: Movie Review

 

A story of love, depending on what love really is.

Anna (Felicity Jones) and Jacob (Anton Yelchin) are in love with each like crazy. Hence the title, “Like Crazy”. They are in, or want to be in, a grown-up relationship — one where they act like adults and are just a part of each other’s lives. But they met each other at college and one stupid idea forces them to make grown-up decisions that will affect the rest of their lives quicker than they would have liked.		2011 Directed by: Drake Doremus Screenplay by: Drake Doremus and Ben York Jones Starring: Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin

Anonymous: Movie Review

 

Problematic theory, story and characters but worthy acting and end point.

“Anonymous” is a story that accounts the theory that William Shakespeare did not write all the works credited to William Shakespeare. Instead the true author is Edward, Earl of Oxford, a nobleman of the court of Queen Elizabeth I. It is known as the Oxfordian Theory. And it is a real theory; it’s just not a good one.		2011 Directed by: Roland Emmerich Screenplay by: John Orloff Starring: Rhys Ifans

Martha Marcy May Marlene: Movie Review

 

Martha, Marcy May, and Marlene all caught between truth, sanity and madness.

Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) is a character who has forgotten what it means to be normal. Marcy May is a character who has been taught to ignore social values and any definition of “normal.” Martha and Marcy May is the same person and that’s where the conflict lies. “Martha Marcy May Marlene” is a dramatic character study which edges towards psychological thriller.		2011 Directed by: Sean Durkin Screenplay by: Sean Durkin Starring: Elizabeth Olsen

J. Edgar: Movie Review

 

Presenting a hero but not defining hero versus villain.

“J. Edgar” is worth the hype, the fuss and the wait. I was particularly intrigued by the prospect that it was directed by the older, masculine Clint Eastwood and written by the younger, out-and-proud Dustin Lance Black. I got the biographical story of the FBI leader and I also got the deeply-touching love story of a closeted gay man. Both were woven together seamlessly.		2011 Directed by: Clint Eastwood Screenplay by: Dustin Lance Black Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer

The Skin I Live In: Movie Review

 

Into the mind of mysteriously disturbed individuals.

“The Skin I Live In” is the latest Spanish film from writer and director Pedro Almodóvar who once again explores issues of sexuality, rape, and extremely dysfunctional relationships. Set in the future, as in, next year, a scientist, Robert (Antonio Banderas), has invented the “perfect” skin. Presumably to help burn victims. But things get more mysterious, sinister and unnatural.		2011 Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar Screenplay by: Pedro Almodóvar Starring: Antonio Banderas