Now Playing

Here's a look at this week's new reviews. Next week I'll be making my annual Academy Award predictions in anticipation of the big show, set for Sunday, March 7. It's the Super Bowl of entertainment and Must See TV for film nuts like myself.

An Education
Starring: Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina and Olivia Williams.
Quick Take: This is one of the 10 Best Picture nominees. A British import, the film is set in the 1960s and is the story of a young girl (Mulligan) coming of age and caught up in an affair with an older man (Sarsgaard). The film is crisply shot and well-acted. It's a nice example of the seductive power of sin and the importance of making good choices and following your conscience. The story probably has too happy an ending for some, and isn't as good as some of the best films in the Best Picture race, but it's solid. In addition to Best Picture, the film earned a nomination for Mulligan in the Best Actress race and for Best Adapted Screenplay for the work by Nick Hornby.
Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexual content and smoking.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Shutter Island
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley and Max Von Sydow
Quick Take: From Martin Scorsese and based on a novel from Dennis Lehane, "Shutter Island" is a psychological thriller. It features some intense, disturbing material, including graphic flashbacks of a Holocaust death camp. There are some fine performances, including supporting cameos from Michelle Williams, Jackie Earle Haley and Emily Mortimer, as well as good work from Kingsley and DiCaprio. The film is too intense and likely too dark for many viewers. Still, it provides some interesting food for thought. Of particular interest to me was a quote from DiCaprio's Teddy Daniels, "This place makes me wonder whether it's better to live as a monster or die as a good man." It's a question everyone must ask themselves when struggling with facing areas of brokeness in their lives. There are strong aspects of the film but it's not a great complete work.
Rating: R for disturbing, violent content, language and some nudity.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Academy Award nominee home video bonus:
The Cove
Quick Take: This film is nominated for Best Documentary feature. It is about the dolphin slaughter that occurs yearly in a small village in Japan. I've never been an animal rights activist, but as a Christian I think it's important to respect, honor and cherish all of God's creations. The images in this film and the ritual slaughter that occurs each year is horrifying. You will never look at seafood, Seaworld or "Flipper" the same way again. It's a moving, gripping documentary and a must see.
Rating: PG-13 for disturbing content.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more