Doubt (2008)

John Patrick Shanley turned his own play into a movie, directed said movie, and called it all Doubt. Stemming from its stage background, the film is anchored by its words. Sets, costumes, even music fade into the background while you watch a story unfold in a 1964 Catholic school in the Bronx.

Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is trying to bring some modernity to the school and its church but diametrically opposed to him is the school's strong-willed principal, Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep making up for being in Mama Mia). The tensions are further enflamed when history teacher Sister James (the ever-innocent Amy Adams) expresses concern over the special interest Father Flynn has taken in her student, Donald, who also happens to be the school's first African American student. Sister Aloysius immediately commits herself to discovering the truth of this relationship and comes to believe the worst.

Shanley only discussed with Hoffman whether Flynn was guilty of anything. It's a thoughtful directorial move that keeps the rest of the cast tethered to the audience, who knows just as much as they do. The story is all about its title concept and more. It's about what people do with the information they have. It's about how little they can control the world around them. It's about innocence and believing what we need to believe. Though it's mostly channeled through the three main characters, Viola Davis appears briefly as Donald's mother and brings another perspective to the duel that comes across as heart-breaking slap in the face. It's refreshing to see a movie so well thought out that still lets you form your own ideas and make your own decision at the end.

Rating: 4/5
Recommended for:Anyone who doesn't mind thinking and watching a movie at the same time

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

This 2007 followup to the 1998 film, Elizabeth is mainly beautiful to look at but doesn't reach the bar set by its beauty in any other aspect. I say mainly because there are some scenes that are so dark that although that may be historically accurate, it leaves you peering into the screen to catch glimpses of fabrics and wondering what you're missing. Oh if only someone would just light a candle and hold it near himself or herself so we could see them. What we can see is vast sets and colorful and intricate costumes. Cate Blanchett is the one wearing the most elaborate of the costumes as she reprises her role of Queen Elizabeth in this story set in 1585.

Blanchett brings something to Elizabeth that makes her seem more of a real person than the mighty historical figure most of us know her as. A more personal storyline for the character helps too. Unfortunately, instead of that story juxtaposing with her fight to protect England from Spain, they clash. One moment she's shown deeply saddened by a loss of love and the next she's on horseback with armor leading troops into a logistically-confusing battle. It all just comes across too pieced. Clive Owen also stars as a very stereotypical swashbuckling Sir Walter Raleigh.

Rating: 2/5
Recommended for: Those with an interest in the Elizabethan monarchy and Clive Owen

Woman of the Year (1942)

Woman of the Year is the first on-screen pairing of the legendary actors Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey and it's too bad the film itself couldn't be as timeless. The story begins with Tracey's no-nonsense sports reporter, Sam, getting into a written (and radio broadcast) argument with Hepburn's Tess, a lofty international news reporter from the same newspaper. When their boss brings them face-to-face for an apology, their chemistry is irrefutable. Sadly, it goes downhill from there.

Tess and Sam get married in typical-movie-way-too-fast-for-the-real-world time and their new conflict arises from combining their lives with the expected husband/wife roles. It isn't just that this part of the story won't resonate with today's audience. Beyond that, it's supposed to be a 1940's comedy but it isn't so funny - frustrating is more apt. Several awkward lighting, directorial, editing, and stylistic choices only disconnect the viewer even more. And to top it off, the ending doesn't quite fit (which makes sense as it was added after test audiences didn't like the original, now lost, ending).

Hepburn and Tracey still manage to shine through the muck. She flies through like a kite while he tries to keep a firm grip to prevent her from being swept away. And a silent close up of Hepburn in the last quarter of the film as her character is hit with a revelation is truly moving not only showing her acting talents, but also reminds us that despite other evidence to the contrary in this film, director George Stevens was a talented director.

Rating: 2/5
Recommended for: Anyone who wants to see the beginnings of the Hepburn/Tracey partnership - and even then the first twenty minutes or so should be sufficient

Wanted (2008)

Wanted is excessive. Its story is too far-fetched to even temporarily believe and its violence/special effects show more than you'd want to see. Wesley is anxious, mentally-abused cubical drone who suddenly is informed his father was an assassin and he now must join the Fraternity (of assassins) to kill the ex-Fraternity member who killed his father. Right.

James McAvoy steps out of his normal fare to take on this role while Angelina Jolie pulls her action boots back on to be Wesley's sometimes teacher, sometimes transportation coordinator, Fox. Morgan Freeman attempts to bring the film gravitas as Fraternity leader Sloan. Even the combo of these three respectable actors aren't enough though to make this the really great action-drama one would expect from them. And there's too many elements, rules, and relationships to remember for it to succeed as a mindless thrill. It probably worked much better in its original graphic novel form.

Wanted should probably come with a warning to stay away if you think you'd mind watching a bullet tear through someone's head and then reverse and un-tear its way back out. The "R" rating is not specific enough to give that heads up.

Rating: 2/5
Recommended for: the un-squeamish who don't mind the unreasonable

Enchanted (2007)

Disney's 2007 animation/live action foray, Enchanted requires total suspension of disbelief. Yes, it's a film with an intended audience that includes children but since the plot pulls things into the "real world" the logic gets quite messy.

The beginning is very tongue-in-cheek as we're introduced to the cartoon maiden, Giselle, who is looking for her magical "true love's kiss". In fact, for a moment you may wonder if you're watching movie by Disney or by the ex-Disney employees over at DreamWorks. After conferring with woodland creatures, the prince arrives of course and in under 5 minutes it's their wedding day.

The prince's step-mother (Susan Sarandon) doesn't like the idea that this new girl could be replacing her in the monarchy. So she pulls a Snow White's old lady bit and then pushes the girl down a well. Next thing we know, Amy Adams is popping out of the sewer in real-world New York City wearing a 40-lb dress. She's reluctantly taken in by Patrick Dempsy's Robert, a boring lawyer, and his daughter, Morgan. Soon Giselle's Prince (James Marsden) follows her to the real world to rescue her and the Queen follows to make sure he doesn't succeed.

The concept was an interesting idea. The songs by veteran Disney composer Alan Menken and Broadway veteran Stephen Schwartz are catchy. Amy Adam's "animated" princess mannerisms are spot on down to the way she holds her fingers. Kids probably won't mind all of the film's faults. But overall, this Disney film mocks everything Disney's ever done before. Not everything Disney's done is laughable and the rest... well, mocking that is other people's job.

Rating: 2/5
Recommended for: Kids and only kids