THE AIR I BREATHE

THE AIR I BREATHE IS FRAGRANT AND COMPELLING
"Sometimes risking everything is the only choice you have." -Pleasure

This film is magical and moving. By far, it is one of best movies I may have ever seen. Based on the Chinese proverb that divides life into four major emotions: Happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. When put together they make a whole that defines life and our existence. Like the proverb, there are four story lines that fit together piece by piece. Alone they are interesting character pieces. When combined they tell a story of the human condition.

"No emotion, any more than a wave, can long retain its own individual form." Henry Beecher

Each character is named for their emotion. Forrest Whitaker is Happiness and begins the movie. He is a man who is afraid to breathe and apologizes for his very existence. Brendan Fraiser is Pleasure, a man who is anything but afraid and is able to glimpse the future. Sorrow, is Sarah Michele Gellar who has a name, Trista, which means sorrow. She is a pop star who is trying to escape her life. Kevin Bacon rounds out the stellar ensemble as Love, a doctor who loves with his very being. Yes, for a film that received so little reception, it has strong star power. I've not even mentioned the fine work of Andy Garcia, Emile Hirsch, or Julie Delpy. I watched this movie twice, a rarity. It moved me and struck a chord down deep that is the gift I love most about good movies. There was never a dull moment and when you see how each action sets up the next, the end product is a feeling of total satisfaction. How a film like this never received acclaim is shameful, but believable in a world full of Step Up 2 The Streets and Mirrors. The acting in this film is razor sharp. The story is well written and the plot is gripping. I was moved down to the bone.
Big PICK: Not a movie to miss. It is sharp, touching and well done across the board.

THE SECRET

THE SECRET IS A GOOD ONE TO SHARE

Almost all ages can remember one version or the other of Freaky Friday, the story of a woman and daughter who "switch" bodies and have to literally walk in the other's shoes. Here we have another Freaky Friday of sorts. This one is a dramatic one. Hannah Marris (Lili Taylor) and her daughter Samantha (Olivia Thrilby) have hit the normal progression in time when a teenager doesn't want her mother (or father) so close anymore. It's not cool to love your parents, so 'Sam' acts accordingly. They end up in a serious car accident; enter Dr. Benjamin Marris (David Duchovny) who finds himself standing between the two hospital beds containing his wife and daughter. His wife dies. It gets 'freaky' when his daughter regains consciousness and seems possessed by the spirit of Hannah. This could have gone so many different bad ways, but it didn't. Like the similar movie of years back, Birth staring Nicole Kidman, the implications hang above our heads waiting to "go there" but this one doesn't. It is amazing to be put in this sort of situation, for the most part, Dr. Marris. How do you treat your 'wife' when she is inhabiting the body of your daughter. Hello, Dr. Freud?! They cover a normal range of emotions and limitations in this situation for which there is no president, but they are covered well and believably. A very odd film, but oh, so well done. Trilby inhabits Taylor which in her first role, is awesome.

PICK: Different situation makes for an interesting film.

THE TRACEY FRAGMENTS

THE TRACEY FRAGMENTS DON'T MAKE WHOLE FILM

"My name is Tracey Berkowitz. Fifteen. Just a normal girl who hates herself." And she is not alone in the hate...

I confirmed my suspicion by checking with IMDB. This movie was released just before Juno hit. It was in "post production" for 9 months. Now we see her on the cover of the DVD and want to see more of 'Juno' but instead we get Ellen Page as Tracey. Tracey is having a fifteen year old version of a nervous breakdown, which happens to be every ten minutes or so. At first the images shot are so artsy and well, fragmented. It was a neat trick... until they used it all through the whole movie. At that point, I didn't care. The handheld camera work took me back to the same nausea I felt with the Blaire Witch Project. The plot is thin at best. Tracey runs. Tracey screams. Tracey rides the bus. Tracey goes to therapy. Tracey makes me want to bleed a slow and painful death as opposed to watching the end of the movie. It is a sluggish and damp, soggy excuse for a film.

NOT a pick: Go watch Juno again instead. Nothing redeeming in this film.

WHY DVD RENTAL CHAINS SUCK: AN EPIGRAM

WHY BLOCKBUSTER AND HOLLYWOOD VIDEO CHAINS STORES SUCK
Mind you, I understand why rental prices have increased steadily since Netflix came on the scene and changed everything. I cancelled Netflix after the second or third month because I could go through too many new releases and had to dumb down my movies in queue. So back in the stores renting for a few days despite the option of returning them 'whenever I want'. A GALLON OF GAS IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN RENTING A MOVIE. Stew over that one a minute. It costs $5 (tax not included) to rent a "new release" at Blockbuster and $4.67 (tax included) at Hollywood Video. Mind you, their definition of "new release" has nothing to do with the actual release date. It is of my opinion that if these stores want to bring customers back to the store is to make them less expensive not more. I am grateful to the Pierce County library system and their taste in DVDs because they are free. It might take a while to get a newer movie, but it's free and still as new as the "new releases" in the stores. I've been hoping to attract movie studios with my blog in hopes of reviewing new to theaters movies, but nothing yet; everyone is a critic. Just food for thought because for every video you rent, a child in Bangladesh goes to bed with no movie at all.

SLEUTH

SLEUTH CUNNING MYSTERY
What a fantastic film!!! I'd put off watching it because I knew it would basically be Jude Law and Michael Caine acting together for an hour and a half and I wasn't sure I was up for that. I wish I hadn't waited. This is a remake of the 1972 version and lots of critics have their knickers in a twist about that. Fine, whatever, but don't miss the tree for the forest. (Caine played Milo in the prior version.) Without prior knowledge, I watched this film unfold before me showing two of the most outstanding performances I have seen. This may have well been Law's best work. He is on fire in this movie and you can feel every drop of sweat from his pretty little head. From the start, this was a game of cat and mouse. The difference was that they kept changing from cat to mouse and so on. It takes place in Andrew's estate (Caine) as Milo (Law- is it hot in here or is it just me?) is there to persuade Andrew to agree to divorcing his wife, who Milo is now intimate with. But it goes so much further than that. It is a duel between charm and intellect; young versus old. Things are not what they appear to be and by things, I mean every thing. Caine and Law play off each other like dancing a tango. It is a constant power struggle and even when it seems that one has the advantage, they really don't. Listen carefully as Milo asks "What's it all about?" which is the tag from Alfie, a movie that Caine starred in and Law tried to star in its remake. These are two remarkable actors and with clever dialogue, it makes for one edge-of-your-seat journey.
BIG PICK: One of the best films I have seen. Top notch and intense acting. Kudos.

THE BANK JOB

THE BANK JOB WORTH A MIL
If Ocean's Eleven had a baby with the Italian Job, you would get this film. Basically it's the fight between the small time crooks outwitting, or not outwitting the higher ups. A little hard to follow because there are only two "leads" that, at least, I knew of. There were two things I liked about this script, because we've all seen this story a million times over. I liked how the main character, Terry Leather (Jason Statham) is married with children. I didn't like the risks he took with them, that was unbelievable, but I do like how he is a different kind of thief. The second part is how the movie seems more realistic than most. There are no high-speed chase scenes or shoot outs; but there is definitely a price to pay and it is difficult to watch the payment. It's not a great film by any means, but a solid story nonetheless.
PICK: Super job from all actors and interesting plot twists.

FELON

FELON EARNS PAROLE FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR
Finally a realistic look at jail life. Wade Porter (an outstanding Stephen Dorff) is a common man. He is unthinkably sent to serve hard time and hard it is. He reflects the shock any one of us might feel in such a bizarre situation. Once the shock wears off, little by little he acclimates to the point where he is even lost by his own behavior. This film was set up to take the viewer on the same journey and as in any good film, it no longer feels like a movie. It feels like the sting of hard cold life. Then we have Val Kilmer. Bless his heart. He gained some decent weight for this role and the paps have been on him like white on rice. He is John Smith, the seasoned lifer. He wished for a death sentence, but instead got life, which he has to find peace with. The contrast between the two is powerful and so human. He has fought his demons and finds no answers to his questions. This is one of his more powerful performances to date. Interesting fact; most of the extras in this movie were actual prisoners or ex/current gang members. Watch the DVD extras.
Big PICK: Solid and stunning performances, script and direction. Well done.

SMART PEOPLE

SMART PEOPLE IRONICALLY DUMB

As much as I enjoyed watching Sarah Jessica Parker not be Carrie Bradshaw for once, I didn't think there was enough in this film to be attractive. Granted Juno, I mean Ellen Page, always gives a solid performance, but it wasn't enough to float this movie. The magic was totally lost on Quaid's role and frankly, I didn't like him. I have gravitated to the imperfect people for just those reasons, but not this time. The ending was forced and unreal. I expected a lot more from this movie, but it didn't live up to the hype.

NOT a PICK: Snooty, rude and implausible.

MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY

MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY AND WHAT A DAY IT IS!

The time is 1938 and Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (portrayed magically by Frances McDormand) has not only just received the axe from her current job, but from the employment agency altogether. By hook or by crook, she needs money and needs it fast. Through a serious of good timing and clever tactics (and sharp writing) she finds herself employed with a popular and very social American actress/singer Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams). Adams oozes a sweet sexuality and is perhaps the most perky actress I can name. The best, however, is when her realizes her true self and acts accordingly. Beforehand, she was to juggle her many gentlemen callers and Miss P. acts on her feet. There are no guns/gangs/murders/and if any, not much foul language. I was truly amazed and happily surprised at the width of this film, and at its end felt very much engaged to the characters. It may have been for one day, but wow, what a day!

PICK!: Not many films are as sweet and genuine. Excellent plot, acting and directing.

SHORTBUS

SHORTBUS

MORE THAN TRANSPORTATION FOR THE 'GIFTED AND THE CHALLENGED'

"As my dear departed friend Lotus Weinstock used to say: "I used to wanna change the world. Now I just wanna leave the room with a little dignity."

-Justin Bond."

Try to hang on past the initial scenes of masturbation, sex, fetishes, orgies and nudity. John Cameron Mitchell, who brought us Hedwig and the Angry Inch has come up with another hole in one. If we, as a culture, can sit through the horrors of Saw (1-27), Aliens, PS I Love You and the nightly news, then what's wrong with a movie with graphic nudity? This is not just another goofy romp through several characters intersecting plot lines. This is a movie that was intentionally made to ruffle some feathers by asking: is sex bad? On first glance the film is pure camp and the actors are doing their own improvisation. There are no "names" in the cast. No faces to recognise. We are tossed into the movie as we watch three plot lines unfold and midway through the movie you realize that these people are not just the sex acts they portray. Past the sex and nudity, both very real, are complex characters and not stereotypes. As there is much improv, there isn't anything very clever or new except for the approach of the concept itself. How hard is it to look for actors who will have sex on camera who aren't porn actors? One of which includes the making of the movie. Aside from being hard to cast, it was difficult to make due to its content. Even with the anticlimactic ending (had to do that) it turned into a film about people who have relationship issues regardless of their orientation. I was all set to slander this film, but I turned out to like it for the big picture and it engaged me to care about these messy lives. After all, aren't all our lives a little bit messy?
PICK: Not for everyone but also not pornographic. A film about sex which is okay.

DAY ZERO

DAY ZERO: (NO) FIRE IN THE HOLE
This is what happens when a potential film goes bad. Three buddies, Aaron, James and George (Elija Wood, Jon Bernthal and Chris Klein) have been drafted by the military since the draft has been reinstated. This is a drama because it deals with war and how it hits so close to our homes as Americans. Give me a break! What a piece of crap this is. Each actor trying to make their well rehearsed monologues come across as dialogue instead of speeches. If you survive the preachy politics and keep watching, you will see the predictable "development" of each character. Unfortunately it falls flat and mouth-to-mouth by Dr. McDreamy couldn't save it. The actors did the best they could and it still was lackluster at best. The two standouts were two of the supporting actresses, Ginnifer Goodwin and Alley Sheedy. Ginnifer was the wife of Klein who had survived a battle with cancer. Sheedy was the psychotherapist of Wood, who would file her nails or read magazines during his sessions. Both women were well acted and came off the page and had some life force. Overall, it was not enough to save the film, which wasn't enough to save our troops. [See also: Lions For Lambs]
NOT a pick: Political monologues do not a film make.

THE WALKER

THE WALKER NEEDS A CANE
"You've got to watch yourself; this is a brutal political climate. Whatever 'ruth' there was in this town, there's 'less' now than ever. -Carter Page III."

Some films are plot driven and some are character driven. This had a little of both and ended up muddied and shallow. 'Car' is played by Woody Harrelson, a man who escorts society women to social events. Unlike American Gigolo, this walking is just that; walking. Good thing too as Car also happens to be gay. The things that I couldn't shake was his thick Southern drawl. It's a mixture of the South and Truman Capote and not one I cared for much. So amidst the social functions, Car is a clever gossip; "just one of the girls" while meeting for their weekly game of canasta. In the gaps between, we witness Car's social life, his long standing partner and just how most of him is illusion. The movie plot, or lack thereof, is nothing different that you can see on any episode of Law and Order. So that leaves Harrelson's performance. He has the capacity to be magical and powerful but in this movie he is flat and stale. It is a departure for most of what he usually does, and could have been lauded for it, but instead will be listed as one of the "rotten tomatoes".
NOT a pick: Watch Capote again for a better film than this.

LIE WITH ME

LIE WITH ME... Too shocked for caption
Leave it to the Canadians to come up with such a blatant in-your-face movie that leaves you with the cold slap of amazement. Why? Because, even through this movie is "un-rated" it gives 9 and 1/2 Weeks a run for its money. There is sex, lots of it, and FULL FRONTAL NUDITY on all accounts. The only actor I recognised was the male lead, David (Eric Balfour) who was Clare's boyfriend on Six Feet Under. Lauren Lee Smith as Leila is unknown to me and delicately beautiful. Leila is a young woman dealing with being young, having flaws and trying to deal with the bumpy road of life. I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I wanted to see the end of the film and find out where the characters landed. This is a fresh, raw and very different movie for us Americans.
PICK: After the shock comes a reward. Not flawless, but still a strong film.

21

21 WINS HIGH STAKES

"I had a 1590 on my SAT, I got a 44 on my MCAT, and I have a 4.0 GPA from MIT. I thought I had my life mapped out, but then I remembered what my non linear equations professor once told me, always account for variable change... I let down my good friends, but as it turns out, they weren't too bad at simple math either. I scored the prettiest girl in school. I got beaten down by an old school Vegas thug who was having trouble accepting his retirement, but I worked out a deal with him that got him a nice pension... And I lied to my mother, but I confessed a lie and well, she still loved me... So my senior year of college I joined this team and I learned this new skill. I went to Vegas 17 times to use it. I made hundreds of thousands of dollars counting cards. And then I had it all stolen from me, twice... How's that for life experience professor? Did I dazzle you? Did I jump off the page?"

No need to summarize when the monologue from our main character, Ben (Jim Sturgess) does it for me. Think Ocean's Eleven meets the Breakfast Club. What could be easier than to be smart, count cards and win money? Well, I think we all know what happens to young people and big money. Ben is sucked into the high life faster than a Hoover with a fresh bag. We all know things won't last, but how they happen and when is still a mystery. This is a very well executed movie. It had an entertaining pace; not too fast and not too slow. Spacey does a lovely job as the charismatic yet deeply selfish professor who takes advantage of his wiz kids. Sturgess makes believable the wide-eyed, amazing naive "nerd" who turns into "McLovin" the pimped out mac daddy. Strong supporting cast, especially Aaron Yoo as Choi, who makes for good comic relief. No masterpiece, but certainly worth a look.

PICK: Well done; entertaining and fun to watch. Sturdy work all around.