Holiday Feast Part 1

Busy time of year...

Following up the highest grossing movie of all time isn't an easy task, but James Cameron gives it a helluva try with Avatar. It's grand, visually stunning and captivating. However, the core elements of the story aren't very original (outsider is welcomed into foreign community, becomes their savior) and the acting/screenplay was a little bumpy at times.

Those of you who know me, know how I feel about George Clooney, but I saw Up in the Air anyway. What dazzled in this picture was the screenplay. It was great! A couple of the scenes were so elegantly choreographed with dialogue, I just had to smile. Supporting performances by Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick were also wonderful. The general concept of a loner realizing life is better when he's surrounded with loved ones isn't anything new, but I liked the mix of light and dark here, although the real life interviews with people who have been fired didn't really work.

Putting aside the irritation I feel that this is not a true adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, I have to say that Guy Ritchie's vision of the clever detective is beyond fun. I loved this movie as soon as I saw the Warner Bros. logo in the cobblestone streets of 19th century London. The costumes, the scenery, the action, the slick dialogue, Downey, Law - it was clicking on all cylinders. And is there a better Christmas present than Rachel McAdams?

I was underwhelmed by Nine not so much because it wasn't a good picture, but because Chicago blew my socks off, I was expecting something spectacular. Nine further proves my point that solemn, dramatic musicals (Rent, Phantom of the Opera) don't translate as well to the big screen as happy, bubble gum musicals do (Hairspray, Mamma Mia!). Nine was visually appealing - the sets and the costumes were great - and I really loved how so many of the scenes were intercut with black and white footage. Penelope Cruz and Marion Cotillard stood out in an already great ensemble.

Invictus

A Clint Eastwood film vying for Oscar attention has become a nice tradition. This year the attention is focused on his newest film Invictus starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. After years of apartheid in South Africa newly elected president Nelson Mandela (Freeman) uses the nation's commonalities and affections for rugby to unite the country. Mandela inspires not only team captain Francois Pienaar (Damon), but an entire nation to come together as one. While I thought Invictus took a little while to get going, I never thought it dragged and once it did find its momentum it was unstoppable. Freeman, as always, was terrific and Damon gave one of his best performances ever. Invictus is smart, uplifting and truly inspirational.

Everybody Hurts

Again I was duped by dodgy Hollywood marketing. Everybody's Fine looked like a fun, quirky holiday family film. Look at the poster! But it's not. It's really not. I won't ruin the surprises for you, but nobody's really fine and the film is incredibly sad. Judging it as it is, Everybody's Fine isn't all that great of a picture - especially disappointing because of the great cast. There were a couple of scenes that I thought were flat out bad, but what was good was De Niro. He's in nearly every scene and does his best to carry a weak film.

Finally! Oscar bait! It's pretty safe to say that every film for the rest of the year will have Academy Award aspirations. And it's about time! Kicking it off is Brothers. When Grace's (Natalie Portman) husband, Marines Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) is presumed dead while in Afghanistan, she and her daughters find comfort in Cahill's trouble maker brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), only to find out later that Cahill is not actually dead. I really liked this film a lot. There's something enjoyable and satisfying about watching a good movie starring people that are your age. That's not why I liked it, that's just a bonus. I liked this movie because of the story and the performances. Maguire, with his wide vacant eyes, was volatile and explosive while still bleeding vulnerability. Portman (I've missed her!) was heartbreaking and raw. Gyllenhaal (yes!) had a more understated role, but carried it off with quiet confidence.