Click- D

While working in Sarasota, FL, I made a group of friends watch this movie just a few days before the Oscars. Believe it or not, Click is an Oscar Nominated movie. What’s funny is that I thought that the movie was nominated for Best Special Effects. So, for the entire movie we critiqued the effects. Along comes Oscar Night, and we come to realize it’s actually nominated for Best Make-up. All it takes these days is making someone look fat in a movie and you’re nominated.
Anyway, the movie is a waste of time, even with the award winning make-up. When you look up this movie on the Internet Movie Database, one of the plot keywords is “fart scene”. How is that a plot keyword? What’s even funnier is that “death” and “redemption” are also included. There’s really not much more to say. D

Little Children- A

There is something about a great performance that really sticks with me. This is especially true when actors are required to play the person who could live next door to me, playing the regular guy/girl who is thrust into extraordinary circumstances. In the past few years there are only a few movies that have moved me in this way, one being “In the Bedroom” with Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek. Little Children falls into this same category, presenting a hand-full of characters who remind me of people I know. Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta, it centers on individuals whose lives intersect on the playgrounds, town pools and streets of their small community. These intersections turn dangerous when a convicted child molester is released from prison and goes back to living with his mother. There are a lot of films that attempt to tackle adultery, but this is different. It’s the combination of the status anxiety of raising children in middle-class America and the deep fear that’s associated with protecting your children and community. But what’s truly amazing is that the movie avoids cruelty and judgment and focuses on the troubling reality of life.
Although the acting as a whole is nearly flawless, particularly in Kate Winslet, (which goes without saying) the standout performance comes from Jackie Earle Haley, who plays the sex offender. It’s indescribable what he does with this character. Don’t miss this one. A

Running with Scissors- B+

Running with Scissors was a big disappointment to a lot of people. I am not one of those people. According to many critics, the chracters are unlikeable (I disagree), the concept distasteful (I disagree), and the direction uninteresting (well...you know). I have to admit, I haven’t read the book of which the movie is based, but I was deeply invested in these characters from begining to end, particularly the two mothers, played by Annette Benning (who I think is overrated, but good), and Jill Clayburgh (who was nominated for 2 oscars back in the 70’s and nothing since, I think it’s time.) I think that in some way I could relate to this movie, and not just because I’m gay. I get such a trill about seeing how people view being raised, through their own eyes.

The rest of the cast includes Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes, Evan Rachel Wood, Alec Baldwin, Joseph Cross, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gabrielle Union, and Patrick Wilson. It’s directed by Ryan Murphy. (Creator of Nip/Tuck)
Official Site

The Fountain- Visually - A The Rest- D

Cinematically, this movie is a masterpiece. The production design was breathtaking. Don’t let the beauty of the attached picture deceive you.

Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman do a decent job convincing the audience that the movie actually has some profound meaning. Maybe they get it, or maybe they just act like they get it, who knows. The movie itself feels like a mess. It’s pretentious and confusing. It made me feel stupid. Other directors get slack for pulling the same stunts, (i.e. David Lynch) but with these directors you don’t feel like there’s some cosmic answer that’s hidden in the symbolism. The Fountain makes you think that, and in my opinion...there’s nothing there. We’ve all been to movies where everyone sits and watches the entire credits because they want time to process the movie. This movie made you feel like you should do that, but no one really cared.

The Black Dahlia- C

The main issue I have with this movie is that the style of direction and the script do not match up. The movie takes place in the 40’s, and filmed in a noir style. It’s based on the true story of a Hollywood style murder of a high-profile woman. Director, Brian De Palma has made a career out of these types of movies. (The Untouchables, Bonfire of the Vanities, Femme Fatale) De Palma must have seen something in the script that I certainly didn’t. The main problem is the ending, which is unclear and unbelievable. In addition, the pace of the movie is slower than needed and frustrating. It has a stellar cast including Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, and Hilary Swank. I feel that most of De Palma’s movies will stand the test of time, and possibly be recognized more as time goes on. Sadly The Black Dahlia will not be one of them.

Cheun gwong tsa sit (Happy Together) A+++

Last night I watched the movie "Cheun gwong tsa sit" (English title- Happy Together) by Kar Wai Wong (2046, In the Mood for Love, etc) There aren't many movies that I can watch over and over again...but I watched this movie 3 times last night and once this morning already. It's the most beautiful, profound, and moving experience I've ever had watching a movie.

I wish I could give you some sort of plot summary, but it would sound too trite. I couldn't do it justice. Basically, it's about a gay couple living in Argentina and their tumultuous realtionship. It's everything that "Brokeback Mountain" should have been. Along with a tango score that makes me cry just thinking about it, and some of the most beautiful cimematic images ever put on screen, this movie has now made it to the top of my favorite movies of all time.

A+++