Sharkwater (2007)

Outside of Shark Week of the Discovery Channel, nowhere else have I seen such intense interest in sharks. This 2007 documentary is directed by and stars Rob Stewart, a Canadian underwater photographer. Some have called this film the "anti-Jaws" and rightly so. Stewart treats the audience to stunning moving images while debunking common shark myths, but his story really picks up with his investigation into illegal shark finning with the crew of an oceanic watchdog group.

Nothing will stop him from exposing the reality of what is happening to the sharks - not threats, charges filled against him, getting banned from a country, or flesh-eating bacteria. Although Stewart's message is powerful - full of looming danger and the balance of life on Earth - there comes a point where the audience could easily feel sorry for him while losing some belief in his credibility. About three quarters of the way in, Stewart walks the fine line of obsession. This is demonstrated not only by his willingness to put his own life at severe risk, but also more simply in his near-constant use of the word "sharks" - at one point about seven times in two minutes.

Luckily his overarching message and imagery are stronger. The end leaves you feeling simultaneously like you need to do something to save the sharks and yet like this shark issue is so huge you can't help but feel a bit helpless. Sharkwater has won 31 international awards (mostly at film festivals) and it's easy to see why.

Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Everyone (unless you don't want your kids to see people cutting off fins of very much alive sharks)

Extended Review: Despite Stewart's over-self-insertion, I still have to give him props for getting the bigger picture than just the immediate danger to the shark population. He actually gets into what can happen if the food chain is disrupted by the lack of a high-level predator and how that can affect many living organisms all the way down to those that metabolize carbon dioxide into oxygen. This brings the idea of humans hurting sharks all the way back to humans hurting themselves. And isn't it always interesting to learn something about ourselves?

City of Ember (2008)

City of Ember apparently came out in theaters in October 2008 but I can't remember ever seeing it advertised - anywhere. With a cast including Oscar-winners Tim Robbins and Martin Landau, as well as Oscar-nominees Bill Murray and Saoirse Ronan, I'm not sure why. On top of that, the poster uses the tagline "Escape is the only option." This makes it seem like a horror film unless you're sensitive to things like the typical use of a cool color palette on horror film posters (this one is warm) or have heard of/read the 2003 book on which the film is based.

The real travesty in this poor marketing is that this is actually a pretty darn good children's movie that adults will be able to find interesting as well.

The city of Ember itself is a completely underground community, reminiscent of Eastern Germany right before the Wall fell and built to last 200 years by the aptly named Builders. They also left behind a box containing the instructions on what to do when that time is up, but it's been forgotten. The town's generator is failing and the food supplies are running low as we're introduced to Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway) who've just graduated school and have been assigned the jobs of Messenger and Pipeworks Apprentice respectively. Doon desperately wants to fix the generator while Lina is determined to find a way outside of the city. The two team up but the corrupt Mayor Cole (Bill Murray) isn't going to make it easy.

Director Gil Kenan puts forth a charming film in only his second wide-release effort. There are plenty of questions on how the city really works, but it's visually stunning and still fun to experience.

Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Everyone looking for a fun adventure but especially kids ages 5 - 11

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

Key Largo (1948)

The John Huston-directed Key Largo is a rather simple and straight forward film noir. Humphrey Bogart stars as WWII veteran Frank McCloud. McCloud has stopped in Key Largo to pay his respects to a deceased comrade's family which includes the man's widow Nora, played by Lauren Bacall, and his father, as done by Lionel Barrymore. The hotel the two run has been taken over by fugitive gangsters awaiting a transaction. Predictably enough, as a hurricane brews outside, tempers brew inside. Lead gangster Johnny Rocco's abuses build up and someone has to stand up to him. Frank McCloud is not really interested in be that someone, regardless of him being the most likely candidate.

McCloud is archetypical Bogart hero who has moved on and is attempting to live the rest of his life in peace. And of course there's a woman and circumstances beyond his control trying to drag him back into the fray. It's is not the most exciting of the Bogart/Bacall on-screen partnerships, but it's their last and they work together well. The film itself is a confined tension builder akin to 12 Angry Men but falls just short of that same intensity. That might be due to story pacing which is a little on the slow side. It's a great cast though. Everyone is clearly committed and pulling their weight. So overall, not the best film ever but not a bad one at all.

Rating: 3/5
Recommended for: Any adult who is hankering for some film-noir and has one hundred minutes to spare.

Extended Review: The last twenty minutes or so finds Frank McCloud on a boat with bad guys. Immediately I found myself wondering if I had inadvertently switched over to To Have and Have Not, which has Bogart's character on a boat... trying to escape from bad guys. It seemed too uncanny to call a coincidence. A little research reveals the film was incredibly loosely based on a Maxwell Anderson play. Since they were re-writing everything anyway, when it came time to make up the ending they used the unusable boat shootout from... To Have and Have Not. Well, it worked.

Leatherheads (2008)

George Clooney directs himself in a story about the revamping of US professional football in the mid 1920's. Clooney plays Dodge Connelly, an aging football player. The movie also stars John Krasinski, as Carter Rutherford - college football and WWI hero - who has been recruited to bring life back into the collapsing pro league. Renee Zellweger jumps in as Lexie Littleton, the Chicago newspaper reporter sent to find out if Rutherford's heroism was real. It's a mildly interesting setup that makes for a mildly interesting movie.

Clooney does well with some 1920's-style comedy film nods but the film isn't completely cemented in retaining that film style, which sometimes makes it all come off a bit too goofy for a modern audience although it could still be appreciated by film connoisseurs. The love triangle between the leads was a given but when one player asserts his dominance about halfway through, the premise becomes a throwaway. The dialogue has some great exchanges enhanced even more so by the actors' rapid-fire volleying. Unfortunately as the movie progresses, it gets bogged down by a continually slowed overall pacing until the end of the film is slowly dragging itself through the mud - literally. It was a nice effort and it looks like everyone involved gave it their best, but overall it was just an okay film.

Rating: 2/5
Recommended for: Someone who has nothing to do for two hours and doesn't mind Renee Zellweger, George Clooney, or John Krasinski.

Extended Review: After the smart banter, the next best thing about this film is the story behind Rutherford's WWI medal. In a modern film, the focus would have been on Rutherford as he retells how he accidentally got a whole enemy squad to surrender. But in keeping with the 1920's style, we're treated to a flashback of the event. The lucky confusion of the enemy isn't the funniest plot point ever, but it is clever. And once he returns from the flashback, Krasinksi wears the story like a weight around his neck bringing a bit more depth to his character in a film full of rather flat characters.

American Gangster (2007)

Ridley Scott's American Gangster is said to be based on a true story. It follows two stories - that of Frank Lucas, played by Denzel Washington, and that of Richie Roberts, brought to you by Russell Crowe. Of course their two stories eventually intersect. Frank is the driver/enforcer of crime boss who dies minutes into the film leaving Frank feeling ready to start his own drug ring. Meanwhile Richie is a detective trying to fight drug trafficking in the midst of a highly corrupted police force.

As an audience member, you really hit the ground running in this movie. It's rather rare to be so forcefully made aware that the characters' lives have been going on before you joined the story. It was in fact so blunt in this film that I felt like I'd missed something and was desperately trying to catch up from the start. It takes a good twenty minutes to a half hour until you're comfortably entrenched in the story. From there on it's an interesting story with moments reminiscent of the Catch Me if You Can hunt except definitely not as tongue-in-cheek.

Russell Crowe really holds his own with his less glamorous story line while Denzel Washington is smooth as always, sometimes making you forget he's a crime boss. In fact, things are so smooth and in control often enough in the film that it leaves excitement voids. This is not a thrill ride, but it is a fairly interesting story to watch if you have two and a half hours to spare.

Rating:3/5
Recommended for: Those who like their movies not completely fictional.

Extended Review: While Lucas getting caught seemed like a foregone conclusion, it was sort of brilliant that it happened because he broke one of his own rules.

Ladron Que Roba a Ladron (2007)

Much in the vein of Ocean's 11, this Spanish-language film is a clever caper that can easily keep your interest all the way through. Two thieves, Alejandro and Emilio, team up to rob Moctesuma Valdez, a man conning poor immigrants in America out of their money with fake health products. So of course to do that they must assemble a rag tag team. Where it sidetracks from the Ocean's 11 concept is the reason they don't expect to be caught; their team is comprised of immigrants and they figure no one pays attention to immigrants.

While members of the team tend to fill stereotypical roles, they're all endearing enough (and the bad guy's enough of a creep) that they're easy to root for. And what's even better, if you don't understand Spanish you still won't spend the whole movie with your eyes glued to the bottom of the screen. The story and performances are universal enough it's easy to understand. Plus, the whole thing is high-energy and fun.

While the story's not a ground-breaker in the caper genre, it's not often a film makes a serious statement about the life of immigrants while making you laugh. At the very least, you have to give writer JoJo Henrickson and director Joe Menendez props for that.

Rating: 3/5
Recommended for: Anyone looking for a rag-tag team to rally for.

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

3:10 to Yuma is a drama first and a western second which gives it an appeal to a wide audience. It follows Dan Evans, a not-so-successful rancher played earnestly by Christian Bale, as part of a group taking Rusell Crowe's notorious criminal Ben Wade to the jail train. The focus here isn't on ranchers versus farmers or who can sling a gun the fastest, which makes it all the more refreshing.

The good guys and the bad guys aren't as polarized as your typical western either. And it is that shared humanity, those attempts to make a life out in the early Western US, that give this film depth. Ben Foster gives a particularly creepy performance as Ben's incredibly devoted number two, Charlie Prince. And it being a western, of course there is violence. But this film did a good job of it not seeming gratuitous regardless of how graphic, as it provides the harsh reality of the characters' situation.

I can't speak for the 1957 original, but with the exception of some out of place CGI pulling you out of the story for a few minutes, this film's increasingly frenetic pace with keep you glued through the end.

Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Adults who enjoy rooting for a character no matter what obstacles come his way.