Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Slumdog Millionaire is a jarring story that rips between a young man doing very well on India's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and the life he's lived that taught him those answers.

The young man, Jamal Malik, is played by Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Tanay Chheda, and Dev Patel throughout his life. This was the first or second role ever for all of them but you wouldn't know it. They each bring a profound innocence to the character despite all the horrible things that have happened to him growing up.

Credit most likely goes to director Danny Boyle for that. Boyle's oftentimes jarring style give the movie, and the city of Mumbai, a frenetic feel. Part of this came from Boyle's decision to use handheld cameras for filming in the slums - that way he'd be less likely to disrupt people's daily lives. If you're worried it's going to make you sick, don't worry, as they work their way out of the slum, the camera's more steady. Luckily all this moving around doesn't make you miss out on all the wonderful colors and lights.

In addition to grimy beauty, this film also offers up a great soundtrack. A.R. Rahman is said to have composed everything for it in about twenty days, but the songs will stick with you far longer. So many scores recently have blended into the background, so this is refreshing.

Ultimately, this film excels at throwing the events in this one man's life into sharp contrast - dazzling and dirty, uplifting but heartbreaking. Just beware of the hype. Even though it's a deserved Oscar winner for Best Picture, hype always messes with expectations and can ruin a film-watching experience.

Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: People who don't mind seeing the worst of times as long as they get to see the best of times too

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

Days must have been longer in late 1930s London. Miss Pettigrew certainly has a long one in this story of an out-of-work nanny who sidesteps her way into the screwy world of aspiring American actress, Delysia Lafosse, under the assumption that she's a renowned social secretary.

Frances McDormand plays the title character with demure wisdom that builds over the course of the film. This contrasts a bit with the actual pace of the movie which picks up double time from Delysia's first appearance for a whirlwind ride all the way to the finish.

Amy Adams' Delysia is a slight offshoot from her typical innocent living in her own world; it's difficult not to feel a little bad for her even though her dilemma is entirely her own fault. As Miss Pettigrew skillfully assists her in balancing three boyfriends - a controlling nightclub owner, a pushover play producer, and a lovesick piano player - we're treated to a glitzy view of pre-war London. Much of it comes off like a stage production but there are some good shots that pull the audience into the 4th wall. One of those is the circle of relationships shot during Delysia and Michael's treatment of "If I Didn't Care". Overall this is mainly a fluffy piece with no real underlying message but an enjoyable sprint through what must have been an exhausting day 70 years in the making.

Rating: 3/5
Recommended for: Women and men alike looking for 90 minutes of light laughs

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)

What keeps this satire grounded is that there's actually a story. John C. Reilly as Dewey Cox is not just doing comedy but is actually acting the tragic story of his character. And although it has its share of dirty jokes, the film doesn't solely rely on them. This results in a movie that's not laugh-out-loud funny the whole way through but still consistently amusing.

The cast list (although several went uncredited) boasts a veritable cornucopia of today's parodying talent including: Tim Meadows, Kristin Wiig, Ed Helms, Chris Parnell, Craig Robinson, Jane Lynch, and Harold Ramis. There were also a few surprises such as Jack White as Elvis and Frankie Muniz as Buddy Holly. Jenna Fischer lets her silly side run wild as Dewey's second wife and backup singer, Darlene. But the hands down best appearance is by The Beatles, or rather Paul Rudd as John, Jack Black as Paul, Justin Long as George and Jason Schwartzman as Ringo. Their delivery of the tongue-in-cheek dialogue peppered with song references is spot on amusement.

This movie is well thought out as it takes us on the journey of Dewey's entire life - from his scaring childhood to his death as a music legend. The attention to makeup and costuming for the different decades (as well as jokes for when nothing can be done about an actor's appearance) deserves a round of applause.

Walk Hard differs from a mockumentary like This is Spinal Tap by more so making fun of Hollywood's treatment of the music industry biopic rather than of the rock and roll scene itself. So if you're looking for This is Spinal Tap, you'll be disappointed. But like another Christopher Guest hit, A Mighty Wind, the songs are well sung and catchy enough to be stuck in your head hours later.

Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Adults looking for a film to make them smile, are tired of the music biopic, and don't mind a little bit of crude humor

Appaloosa (2008)

Ed Harris wrote, directed, and stared in Appaloosa. With fellow writer Robert Knott, he's really written more of a story that happens to take place in the Old West than a classic western. And what you really have to give Harris credit for, is although he's holding the reins on this movie from three directions, he still stands just off to the side to let Viggio Mortenson shine. It's ironic because that's just what Mortensen's character is trying to do for Harris' in the film.

Harris' character Virgil Cole is clearly flawed. He walks around with with well-founded confidence and swagger and yet still quietly acknowledges his downfalls. Mortensen's Everett Hitch is Cole's partner in a lawman-for-hire operation - the quiet man carrying the giant gun. Their teamwork is inspiring as they work to protect the town of Appaloosa from rancher Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons still channeling Scar from The Lion King).

Their smooth teamwork is interrupted by the arrival of widow Allison French (Renee Zellweger). Ms. French will play anyone to get whatever she needs and the idea of a woman doing that to survive in the old west is intriguing. Unfortunately, Zellweger pours all her focus into the conniving aspect of her character and forgot to also show us why anyone would love her, much less stick their neck out for her, in the first place. We're lucky that Harris and Mortensen are so good they can pretty much hold up that plotline without her.

As far as plot and visuals go, the movie has many of your typical western elements: a scene on a train, plenty of horseback riding, a conflict with native americans, and at least one spectacular shoot out sequence. But this movie is more than just that. It has a heart and mind. So many westerns have larger than life characters, but this one has ones you can actually relate to. Cole and Hitch are real, relatable people. And they sound like it too - the dialogue works wonderfully. It's obvious that this project was a labor of love for Ed Harris.

And it's films like Appaloosa and 3:10 to Yuma that have managed to keep the western genre open to appeal to a wider audience than just those who typically enjoy westerns. Audiences just need to give them a chance.

Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: The farmer AND the cowhand provided they are over 13.

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.