Conviction

“Conviction” stars Hillary Swank, Melissa Leo and Sam Rockwell. The story of a sister’s efforts to free her wrongfully convicted brother, the film lacks depth and becomes a never ending series of roundtrips from the outside world to the prison where the brother is incarcerated. As is so often the case when trying to glamorize or make interesting a real life drama, it just cannot rely upon the actual facts to make the film as engaging as it could have been. Viewed at best as a good docu/drama, I give the film 70 with kudos to Ms. Swank’s acting especially and in spite of the poor dialogue she is forced to deliver.

Life As We Know It

“Life As We Know It” stars Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel in this drama/comedy directed by Greg Berlanti. A straight formula movie that we went to see strictly because we were in the mood for something light and easy to watch. This film is all of that with a little bit more due to some fine writing and an interesting plot. This is a perfect fill-in film in the event your prime choice is sold out or is playing at an inconvenient time. I give the film 2 and ½ stars and certainly a better rating than most of the critics who perhaps were looking for much more but didn’t realize that there was still something of value on the screen.

Hereafter

“Hereafter” is the latest entry by talented producer and director Clint Eastwood as he once again ventures forth into territory and story lines that, handled by someone less capable, could be awkward and uncomfortable. Not here. This 129 minute gem of a movie stars Matt Damon, Cecile de France and twins George and Frankie McLaren as they take us, via different stories occurring in different places, through an exploration of the issue of afterlife as so eloquently posed by writer Peter Morgan (“The Queen”, “Frost/Nixon”). In an interview concerning the film, Mr. Eastwood indicated that Mr. Morgan had no agenda and, in fact, probably doesn’t even believe in the afterlife. The film relates via 3 separate stories involving the characters played by Mr. Damon, the McClaren twins and Ms. de France, their separate experiences and needs. Most importantly, all of this occurs under the umbrella of believability. This is not a sci-fi film but, instead, a beautiful study of human relationships, losses and caring as each character draws us into his, her or their respective worlds with a humanity that will touch every viewer. I give this film 3 and ½ stars for it proves, more than ever, that the post summer theatrical releases represent the best each movie year can offer.

The Town

“The Town” is an action filled film taking place in and referencing Charlestown, a pocket suburb of Boston, where more bank robberies take place per capita square mile than almost anywhere else in the US. This is Ben Affleck’s movie for he not only directs and stars in the film but co-wrote the screenplay together with Aaron Stockard Peter Craig and Chuck Hogan, the author of the book “Prince of Thieves” upon which the story is based. Ben Affleck last directed “Gone Baby Gone” to critical acclaims and this film proves that his stellar directorial debut then was no accident or chance of fate. Ben Affleck directs with clarity, ease and a willingness to give his other actors, Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) and Rebecca Hall, the space and opportunity to each shine in his or her own right. There are lots of action scenes in this film and perhaps a bit more violence than one would care to witness but, bottom line, the film will hold your interest and even allow you to root for the “bad guys” as they battle and rob their way through the movie. I give the film 3 stars with a salute to Mr. Affleck who excels in all of the 3 assignments he undertook..

The Social Network

“The Social Network” is a 2 hour docu-drama and tells the story of the life and obvious success of Mark Zuckerberg and his creation, Facebook. Based on the book entitled “The Accidental Billionaire” by Ben Mezrich, Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay is crisp, tight and indeed quite informative as to the ways and wiles of a world few non-techies can understand. Kudos to director David Fincher and film editors Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter who take us back and forth from depositions to dormitories in a fast and easy- to- follow style that should be the envy of all who attempt to accomplish such feats. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg), Andrew Garfield and an amazing Justin Timberlake whose future in the acting phase of the business is, as a result of is performance, comfortably assured.
Mr. Eisenberg‘s stoic and blank expressions convey so much more than if he used paragraphs of dialogue and in no small part make his performance and. the film really worth seeing. I give the film 3 and ½ stars and strongly urge you to put down your laptop and buy a ticket early since the theater we attended was, but for the 2 seats I bought, totally sold out (and deservedly so).

The Concert

“The Concert” is a movie well worth seeing. This Russian/French endeavor stars Aleksei Guskov and a wonderful actress named Melanie Laurent. Taking place in both Moscow and Paris this original story by Thierry Degrandi and Hector Cabello Reyes is well directed by Radu Mihaaileanu. A difficult film to categorize (i.e. comedy, drama, tragedy) it contains all of these elements but, most of all, it is spiritually uplifting as it covers the period in Russia from the reign of Leonid Breznev to subsequent changes in both leadership and attitude. The director takes us through a series of flash backs and current scenes to relate the story in simple and unconfusing elements as we learn the history of the musical group that is the subject of the film (hence the title) and its sparkling and vibrant last 25 minutes as we listen to Tchaikovsky’s violoin concerto and see flips and bits of scenes that tie the entire picture so that, as a result, there is finality and a recognition that music can be so basic and important a part of our lives. I give the film 3 stars with a fair warning that the movie will not only allow you to see the tugging of the strings of the violin in the concert but also the ones along your heart.

Mao's Last Dancer

“Mao’s Last Dancer” stars Bruce Greenwood, Chi Cao, Joan Chen and Kyle MacLachlan
Based on the best selling Australian book by author Li Cunxin, this is the story of a Chinese ballet dancer, Mr. Cunxin, who attempts to chronicle his life from the sixth child of a Chinese peasant family to the artistic heights of the Houston ballet.. Written by Mr. Cunxin and Jan Sardi the film was directed by Bruce Beresford (“Tender Mercies”, “Driving Miss Daisy”). Unfortunately, the film tries too hard to create heart tugging moments to the background of world famous ballets but without much success. Mr. Cao’s dancing is, of course, noteworthy as is his acting but the film creates in the viewer the feeling that we are simply “going through the story” without much depth or sincerity. I give this film 2 stars with a question mark why so many people are recommending it. As an aside, although Mr. Greenwood’s acting is likewise appreciated, his attempting to portray a gay musical director has an almost SNL appeal to it when it could have been done with much more subtlety and class. Ms. Chen and Mr. MacLachlan, however, stand out, as the dependable actors we have come to know them to be.