Running with Scissors - 2 stars

This movie is perfectly named. Watching it really felt like Running with Scissors. This film has some great performances and some wonderful moments (check out the stills on imdb), but it's still painful. Annette Benning stars as a dysfunctional mother married to absent alcholic father Alec Baldwin. She abandonds her misfit teenaged son with her even crazier shrink and his family including Gwyneth Paltrow. This film tries to combine the non-stop dry humor of The Royal Tenenbaums and the mysticism of the magic Magnolia only to fall flat on it's face. It's major saving grace is that it's a true story. I wonder if I would have liked it more had I known that at the beginning. Jim & I almost walked out, and we saw another couple leave. By the way, I think this shot is an homage to the absolutely brilliant Harold & Maude (if you haven't seen this one, run, don't walk, to your nearest video store).

Running with Scissors opens nationwide on 10/27/06.

Little Children - 3 stars

Little Children is a good film that fails to be great. As usual with major studio films with big stars, the acting was very good and it was well shot. However, it was too long in parts (aka it dragged) and most importantly the very dramatic stories fell flat at the end. Here you have complex relationships with interesting characters, then all of a sudden they go, "Oh, I guess I'll stop doing that thing now," then finish going about their day. Jackie Earl Haley's perfomance was Oscar worthy as a pedofile.

The movie poster and preview don't exactly represent the film. It is a bit creepy and sexy at moments, but primarily it's a film about relationships, family, and personal struggle. The trailer had me expecting a horror film.

In theaters now.

The Accidental Tourist - 2 stars

I watched the Accidental Tourist because I just read the book. The book is great, the movie sucks. It's quite difficult to translate a slow, character-driven story to the big screen. Plus, the casting was all wrong. For example, Gina Davis who can't pull off quirky and dishoveled, they needed more of a Lily Taylor. Gina is better at white trash (see Thelma & Louise).

Skip it.

The Departed - 4 stars

The Departed is a near perfect Boston/mafia/cop movie. The all-star cast really lives up to it's potential, a rare find. Leonardo DiCaprio seems to have come into his own, Matt Damon has perfected the young smarty, Alec Baldwin is always brilliant, Mark Wahlberg steals the show as an obnoxious cop, Martin Sheen is classic, and Jack Nicholson is over the top crazy. On top of all that, it's hilarious. It's a mafia movie so there is some violence, which isn't all that bad. There is a ton of foul language, mostly coming from Wahlberg, which is one of the funniest things about it. Definitely a must see, but it's not necessary to see it in the theater. If you haven't seen Little Miss Sunshine yet, go see it with a crowd before it's too late.

Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted (1997) - 1 star

This movie sucks. If you are really into extended scenes of people puking or into watching small animals blow up each other with granades, then go for it.
- Jim

Catch a Fire - 4

Catch a Fire is a stunning movie. This will certainly be nominated for Oscars. Here is a quote from imdb that sums it up perfectly:

"This movie, set in the 1980's, depicts and contrasts the brutal oppression of White South Africa with the opposition of the ANC, most notably Joe Slovo, a hero of the time. Joe Slovo paid a high price for his opposition, including the loss of his wife to the oppressors of the day, but this movie, with a screenplay written by one of his children, takes a high-minded, forgiving approach that few of us could ever contemplate in the circumstances. Told through the eyes of Patrick Chamusso, a gentle man whose quiet life becomes radicalized by oppressive forces, the movie is powerful, emotional and, curiously - for reasons mentioned, balanced."

The movie was directed by Philip Noyce who also directed Rabbit Proof Fence (see my review of this amazing film). The only known actor in the film is Tim Robbins, along with an amazing cast of American and South African actors. It's impossible to tell which is which, the accents and emotions are so real.

Catch this one on October 27th when it goes into general US release.

The Woodsman - 3 stars

The Woodsman, starring Kevin Bacon, is about a man re-entering society after serving 12 years for child molestation. He truely thinks what he did was bad, but has an uncontrollable impulse.

The movie is pretty good, taking the high road when it could have easily gone down the most obvious route. He struggles at work when people find out, he develops a new relationship, and trys to make contact with his family. All at the same time as still battling his demons. Kevin Bacon delivers another nuanced and creepy performance. Kyra Sedgwick is consistently good and always cute. It's not as disturbing as it could have easily been, but it does attack a gross subject.

Romper Stomper - 3 stars

Romper Stomper is about a gang of Australian neo-Nazis, led by Russell Crowe. As you can imagine, it's very violent. The role is a perfect fit for Crowe, as he is himself an angry and controlling Aussie (that's pronounced Ozzie) and performs naturally.

It's not the most violent film I've ever seen, nor is it the best neo-Nazi film. American History X starring Ed Norton is much better and more gruesome. They do share some interesting similarities, aside from the obvious. They are both excellent character studies. Both leads are responsible for protecting someone they love. But that's where the two diverge. The characters in the 2 films react very different to increased pressure and new information. Not knowing much about Melbourne (for those of you keeping score: it's pronounced Melbun), I was surprised that the focus of their hatred was Viet Namese immigrants.

Dune - 3 stars

Dune is a classic that you will watch over and over again. I mean you have to watch it over and over again in order to start figuring out what the heck they are talking about. There are so many intergallactic names, places, and concepts in this epic (that means long) sci-fi tome that you are better off with a guide. Fortunately, I have one. Besides the confusion, it's fun to watch. They do a good job of creating a futuristic society that is surprisingly well constructed.

Primal Fear - 4 stars

Edward Norton's (my boyfriend) first role won him an academy award. He's that good. Primal Fear is a surprising thriller. Smarty Pants figured out some of what was happening, but not everything, so that's pretty good. Again, the acting is excellent and Richard Gear co-stars. So really, there's something for everyone.

Watch this one.