Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Drama - Afghanistan - based on the novel The Kite Runner - Two young boys living in Kabul, one a rich man's son, the other a servant boy fly kite contests together. When the younger of the boys is bullied by an older gang of boys, his friend watches and does nothing. This creates tremendous guilt and the friendship shatters. Some 20 years later the older boy has another chance to stick up for his childhood friend. Fine acting and lovely photography. 2 hrs. 8 min.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Once (2007)
Drama/musical - lovely tale of romance and music set in Dublin. Czech girl pianist befriends Irish street guy guitarist and they embark on an adventure of making music and recording it. Each have their own challenges - the girl caring for her 5-year-old daughter and the guy working for his dad at a vacuum repair shop. Acting, songs, and photography are very well done. 86 min.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
This Is England (2007)
Human Drama - 1983 England. 12 year old boy loses his dad in the war. He is adopted (so to speak) by a gang of older boys who educate him in the ways of the street. Things complicate when the band changes leaders and becomes violently nationalistic. Awesome acting by the multitude of characters. 1 hr. 38 min.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Valet (2007)
French Comedy - Billionaire with supermodel mistress is desperate to avoid a nasty divorce with his billionaire wife. Despite being caught with the supermodel mistress by rag-mag photographers, the billionaire husband denies any relationship with the gorgeous model. He devises a scheme to prove his "innocence" by hiring a phony boyfriend for the model, but his wife is a step ahead of him. Interesting plot and a fine cast!
Beau Travail (1999)
French Drama - "Good Work" - artful movie with almost no dialog. Told with pictures (awesome photography) featuring lovely landscapes. Inspired by the short novel Billy Budd - but instead of at sea, the story takes place in the desert. A French Foreign Legion master sergeant is extremely jealous of a young handsome legionnaire. The sergeant plots to get rid of him. Fine performances. 90 min.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Smart People (2008)
Comedy - Extremely egocentric literature professor lives in memory of his deceased wife while ignoring his students and comrades at work. Things begin to change dramatically when he gets a visit from his unruly half-brother and then encounters one of his former female students who becomes his doctor. Fun script and lovely characters. Stars Dennis Quaid as the professor. 1 hr. 35 min.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Color of Paradise (1999)
Iranian - 8 year old boy is blind and his father wants to get rid of him. (It is very bad luck to have a handicapped child in this rural culture). This film explores the strained relationship between father and son. Lovely photography and extremely real performances. Entertaining and moving. 90 min.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Lives of Others (2006)
Foreign Drama - Late 1980's East Germany before the fall of the Berlin wall. The secret police are heavily surveilling an author/actress couple suspected of slightly unpatriotic activity. Agents involved in the plot begin to lose their faith in the political system. Realistic, nicely paced, and with some fine performances. 2 hrs 18 min.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Ice Harvest (2005)
Comedy - but not so funny. Wichita Kansas, 2 guys rob money from their employer and then plan to leave town. Numerous complications prevent their easy exit. An ice storm blocks the roads and tension mounts as their employer wonders where the money went. Something doesn't click with this movie - maybe it is the mixing of violence and murder with comedy. There are some good performances (Billy Bob Thornton plays one of the thieves). 89 min.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
Drama with some comedy - based on the book with the same title. 1980's Congressman from Texas (Tom Hanks) is a popular womanizer successful mainly at being reelected. After a trip to Afghanistan and seeing the radical injustices the Afghans suffer at the hands of the Russians, Charlie uses his political clout to upgrade the Afghan military resistance to victory. Excellent acting all around! This fast-clipped story based on reality is fun and educational to watch. 1 hr. 42 min
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Avenue Montaigne (2007)
French Comedy featuring charismatic actress Cecile de France. Upper class part of Paris features musicians, actors, and art collectors. Enter Jessica (Cecile de France) who is living on a shoestring, and working as a waitress at a small restaurant/bar. Fun look at the entertainment business. Charming movie and upbeat. 1 hr. 46 min.