Mini Reviews
Mini Review - Paper Heart
Paper Heart (out Oct 22) is a mix of reality and fantasy. Actress Charlyne Yi sets out to make a documentary about love... and finds it in the process with actor Michael Cera (Juno). I thought the interviews with the randoms were good but didn't like Charlyne Yi at all - such an annoying person. What kind of doco is she trying to make here? Grade: C+.
Mini Review - In Search Of Beethoven
In Search Of Beethoven (out Oct 22) is a 2.5 hour documentary about the iconic German composer. I liked it general but did struggle to keep up with the detailed commentary on piano playing and classical music. It's one for fans of Beethoven but I don't know if it's going to have much appeal to others. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Departures
Departures (out now) is an uplifting tear-jerker about an unemployed cellist who finds work in a funeral home. He helps prepare the dead for whatever lies beyond. This Japanese film won the Oscar for best foreign language film earlier in the year and now I know why. Softly directed and deeply moving. Just incredible. Grade: A.
Mini Review - An Education
An Education (out Oct 22) is a beautiful coming of age story. It's about a conservative girl (Carey Mulligan) in her final year of school who is swept off her feet by a much older guy (Peter Sarsgaard). He opens her eyes to an exciting world outside her comfort zone. You'll go through every emotion and the performances and direction are superb. This is why I love movies. Grade: A.
Mini Review - The Final Destination
The Final Destination (out Oct 15) is one of the most gruesome films ever made. Forget about plot - this is all about shock value - trying to show people getting killed in the sickest way imaginable. The fact that it is NOT rated R is an absolute disgrace. How could 15 year olds be allowed to see this? Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Astro Boy
Mini Review - Whatever Works
Whatever Works (out Oct 15) is the new Woody Allen movie and it's best described as Woody-lite. Not a lot to the storyline but it's still got his intelligent jokes and his insightful perspectives on life. It's about a cynical old guy (Larry David) who lets a young twenty-something (Evan Rachel Wood) move into his home. They're two polar opposites but they both rub off on the other. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Couples Retreat
Couples Retreat (out Oct 8) is a "comedy" about two shmucks who con six selfish, narcistic friends into going on a week-long therapy session disguised as a holiday. The world is an interesting place. There are so many different types of people. There are those who enjoy movies like this. And there are people like me. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Whip It
Whip It (out now) caught me off guard. It's a terrific film about a 17-year-old girl (Ellen Page from Juno) who is looking to express herself... and finds a way on the roller derby rink. The cast had fun making it and I had fun watching it. Who'd have thought Drew Barrymore could direct a movie? Grade: A.
Mini Review - Julie & Julia
Julie & Julia (out Oct 8) tells two stories concurrently. The first is of Julia Child attempting to write a French cookbook. The second is of Julie Powell trying to cook up 524 recipes in 365 days. I like the idea of telling these two related stories together but felt the film was a fact-telling exercise in many places - lacking in emotion and character development. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Mao's Last Dancer
Mao's Last Dancer (out now) brings to the screen the true story of Li Cunxin - a talented Chinese dancer who defected from his home country and started a new life in the United States. I liked the way it ended but there's not enough tension or excitement in the lead up. Ho hum. Grade: B-.