Nothing is elementary with Sherlock Holmes

One of our family traditions is to go see a film together on Christmas Day. This year given that we are in Kelowna, and that there aren't too many family films out that we haven't seen, we took the kids to see Sherlock Holmes. This is the highly anticipated Guy Ritchie film with Jude Law, Rachel McAdams and the incredibly multi-talented Robert Downey Jr. I have been looking forward to this film since I saw the trailer over 10 months ago.

It was well worth the wait.

This is a fantastic, exhilarating and thrilling ride of a movie. The chemistry is electric, the writing is intelligent and quick and the acting is superb. Robert Downey Jr plays a flawed, human hero in Sherlock Holmes. Quick witted and ready for action at every turn, he is always poised and up for a challenge. Jude Law plays Dr. Watson, as a brilliant physician, partner and friend, loyal and true. A great match for Holmes as the level headed counter part of this dynamic duo. Rachel McAdams plays her femme fatal role perfectly. She is just as charismatic, snappy and beautiful as Holmes and allows her vulnerability to show through...if only for a moment.

I think Guy Ritchie did an exceptional job bringing these iconic characters and this story to the big screen. He took chances with his directing and challenged the actors to push themselves within the context of the story and their characters. His ability to find the most creative and interesting ways of covering and filming a scene is really unique. This film keep me interested from beginning to end. I didn't feel that it was too long, even though I was a little nervous about the length of the film. Strangely for me...I didn't get antsy. It kept me captivated for the entire time.

The story is gripping with many twists and turns. Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson are out to solve the mystery of Lord Blackwood and despite some challenges along the way, Watson's girlfriend, corrupt police and Holmes' insatiable need to dissect everyone and every situation he encounters...just to name a few.

After seeing several films this month that I felt missed the mark, this was an absolute treat. I anticipated a fun filled, exciting ride and Ritchie did not disappoint. It's been the most fun that I have had at the movies in a long time. I may have to see it again, just to make sure that it wasn't a dream.

Up In The Air, way, way, way up in the air

The movie that I saw yesterday was "Up In The Air", the new Jason Reitman and George Clooney dramedy. I have been reading lots and lots of wonderful things about this movie and since Juno was one of my favorite films from a few years ago, I thought that this would be another quirky comedy filled with great performances and zippy writing that will keep me on my toes.
Now, I have to fess up...I am not a George Clooney fan. I don't completely hate him or his work, but I am definately not someone who thinks that anything he touches is gold. That being said, I felt that this was a reasonable piece of work. His performance was humble and he was able to leave himself vulnerable at times. At times, mostly I felt like I needed more. His love interest Vera Farmiga is great in her role. Calm and cool, she is a great match for him. The real surprise was Anna Kendrick. This young woman came in and stole the show for me. She was able to stand face to face with Clooney and power back what ever side quips that he threw at her, and she does it in a charming and youthful manner, so lovely. Jason Bateman rounds out the talented cast as Clooney's boss.
The story is about a man who travels around the country, who basically lives out of his carefully packed suitcase, and what happens in his life. His family, his friends, his loves and his collegues. I found it quite sad. Here was a man who has spent the better part of his life separating himself from society and plunging himself into his travels for work and all the prestige that goes along with that. He completely misses the boat with regards to relationships and family. At first it's funny and cute to watch, but then it just becomes so sad to see how his life has turned out for him.
For me this was an interesting film. Since I deal with travel during the day, it was fun to watch as the business men manouver through airports, hotels and car rental locations. That part was fun. I found that the movie was a bit slow, a bit perdictable and a bit sappy. It didn't win me over...I left the theatre feeling like I missed something...something big which is why everyone else is writing about how much they loved the film and I am writing about...well, not that. The film was fine.
Maybe it's just Clooney...I just don't get Clooney. Maybe I am the only one that feels like he is too smooth, too suave, too cool. He's just too much for me. Oh well....maybe he'll make another Ocean's film...those were perfect for him I felt. Cool, calm and always collected.

Life is, Precious

I like going to movies. I enjoy the time I spend experiencing my escape from reality. I find that there are some movies that are sweet, fun loving and allow me to express myself through tears of happiness and postive emotion. There are also movies where the emotions that get brought to the surface are horror, pain and sadness. Those movies where you sit there and realize that your life isn't as horrible or difficult as what you see on the screen. I just saw one of those movies. This week's film was Precious.

Precious is the story of a teenager living in New York with her mother. She has spent her whole life being physically, emotionally and sexually abused by the ones that were supposed to love and care for her. This was an unbelievable story to watch on the big screen. It haunted me while the premise intrigued me at the same time. Who was this girl? What made her so special?

The film is rough, emotionally charged and raw. The performances in it are nothing short of incredible. This is extremely serious and disturbing subject matter. There were scenes that horrified me. There were scenes where the entire audience gasped. There were scenes where my poor husband wept as I did. There were scenes where you couldn't really believe that this was actually happening...and yet, there it was right in front of you.

What interests me is the fact that this young woman, a teenager, Precious, despite everything had enough courage to keep trying. She was illiterate and was pregnant with her second child and still she went to school and to learn to read and write. Gabourey Sidibe is fresh and powerful in her performance. I really couldn't keep my eyes off of her. She allowed her pain to connect with the audience sometimes without words or without tears. All she had to do was look into the camera and you knew exactly what she was feeling. Mariah Carey, Paula Patton and Mo'nique round out the exceptional cast. This clearly was a work of love to bring to the big screen. It certainly felt like that while I was there tonight.

The film was powerful and well written. It didn't fill in all the blanks, they left you to figure some things yourself. It was an honest and scary look of an uneducated, abusive household. Where violence is a daily occurance becomes part of the routine. Breaking that routine is tough enough. Watching someone as courageous as Precious, was really a breath of fresh air. She was able to accept support and finally found out what love is really all about.

Throughout award season, I try to see all nominated films/actors in their nominated roles. I have been doing this for years. This was a performance worthy of a nomination. I have no idea if Gabourey will end up taking home the prize, but if this is the type of role that this young actress chooses for her first. I can't wait to watch her in her second choice.

Everybody's fine...hmmm really?

This week's movie was the new Robert DeNiro film, "Everybody's fine". It's a film about a recently widowed man who travels across the country trying to reconnect with his adult children. To me it seemed like a middle aged man's road trip across the US, basically because he had nothing better to do.

I have to say that this movie confused me. I really didn't know what to feel by the end of it. It was reasonably lighthearted that dipped into more serious situations but overall my feeling is that this was supposed to be a very easy film to watch and thus enjoy. I didn't love it. I am surprised that I didn't. As the overly emotional woman that I am who cries at Monsters Inc. and Glee episodes this movie didn't do it for me.

Now, that being said, I wasn't expecting a crazy melodrama, but I was expecting more of a story line and better writing. I thought that the movie was pretty cliche and not particularly surprising. The acting was ok. I was expecting better. I mean, it's Robert DeNiro, Kate Beckinsale (absolutely beautiful mind you), Sam Rockwell (very understated and too placid for me in this role) and Drew Barrymore....eh?!$@#! What can I expect....well, I tell you that I expected more. I wanted a juicier story with more twists and turns, ones that I didn't anticipate. I wanted the actors to be challenged and to rise over and above the challenge. Unfortunately, this didn't happen. Nobody was able to save this film.

Now, I don't want you to get the impression that it's a horrible film. It wasn't. I don't want to give you the impression that you shouldn't see it....well maybe you shouldn't...it's more of a renter. One thing I did enjoy about this film, was DeNiro. Not because he was completely incredible and mind blowing, but because it was nice to see him in a paternal role that wasn't a satire, like "Meet the Parents". He was gruff but soft, awkward and charming. It was nice to see him in this role. I felt that he was a decent choice for this film. I don't think the other actors were cast well.

In the end, I'd have to say that this movie missed the boat for me. I was excited to see it, as the trailer looked good and I am a sucker for a family/emotional/lighthearted/make me cry and think of my dad type of a movie. Too bad this wasn't it.

The Movie that Blind Sided Me

So tonight was supposed to be my movie night with Nat, but I was stuck at work and her daughter had a project so we postponed until next week. My husband and I ended up watching The Blind Side together.
While we were driving to the theatre, I was checking the reviews on the film, and everyone was using words like uplifting and heartwarming. It made me a bit nervous. Were the next two hours going to be filled with Titanic like over drama and emotion. Will it drain me with it's soggy sappiness?
Within the first few minutes of the opening monologue, it was clear that this wasn't the over emotional drama that I had been expecting. The story is true, the people are real and the situations were honest. The Blind Side is the true story of the underprivileged Michael Oher and his life challenges and opportunities he had while becoming an All American Football Champion.
What really impressed me about the movie...(well to be honest many things impressed me about the film) was it's ability to to tell the story in a clear and relaxed manner. They didn't overdo it with sappy, overdone emotional situations, they simply told the story which was powerful enough.
The acting was excellent. What a wonderful vehicle for Sandra Bullock. Finally some work that she can really sink her teeth into and make her own. I think that this was my favorite performance of hers to date and completely different from all her other work. She was charming and driven and powerful. Tim McGraw plays her understated partner who understands that sometimes less is more and often chooses his battles and words carefully. Their children played by Jae Head and Lily Collins are fantastic. They are smart and funny and able to keep up with their mother's energy easily. It was wonderful to watch the development of the relationship between the children, how easy we forget how good we really have it until someone shows us that they never had it at all. Quinton Aaron is the amazing Michael Oher. Such a kind and gentle soul, it makes me smile to think of him on the football field. In some ways it's an oxymoron, but in others it fits seamlessly.
The writing was smart, funny and quick. The direction was supportive and let the story tell it's tale instead of using emotional ploys to ignite the audience. I think that with award season coming up, this will be a film to get people talking. The performances were outstanding, the writing was honest and poignant and the story is as I had previously read...heartwarming. I don't know if I would ever be able to get my father to watch this...it may be too poignant for him, but for anyone else who would like to spend two hours with an incredible cast watching an inspiring true story, go and see this movie. The courageous tale of his personal struggle challenges me to think about how I live my life. I wonder if I could be as courageous as Michael is. Sometimes it's easier to watch courage on the big screen instead of living it personally. How much richer would our lives be with true courage...it's exciting to think.

Jewish Film Festival - Being Jewish In France "Comme un Juif en France"

This movie was part of a group of movies that Nat and I watched during the Jewish Film Festival. It is a documentary, a very long...a very, very long documentary about Jewish people in France over the past hundred years.

Essentially, it started around the the First World War and finished within the past few years, I believe 2004 or 2005. I found this it interesting. Firstly, I have to acknowledge that it was great to listen to the movie in French - it was a great way to practice my understanding of the language and I was so happy for Nat, that reading the subtitles didn't bother me. Yay Nat!

The film details the amount of varying Anti Semitism in France over the past century. There were times were Jewish settlers fit nicely into French society and of course other times were they were being brutally and unfairly prosecuted.

Coming from European descent, I have always had an interest in the Holocaust and how it had directly affected my family. I was expecting a difficult movie to watch filled with war atrocities, but it wasn't. There was a part of the film which covered that area, but the movie wasn't consumed by it. I appreciated that. It made the whole experience a little easier to swallow.

Area 51...oops I mean Planet 51

Sitting in the movie theatre with Nat behind a large group of 9 year old ladies was quite the experience. It reminded me of when I used to go and see movies with my parents and insisted that they didn't sit with me or my friends...when did I get to be so old? When did I get to be so embarrasing?

Nat's daughter had a birthday this past week and so off we went to see Planet 51, a new animated movie with the voices of Justin Long, Jessica Biel and and Dwayne Johnson. It was relatively cute and funny, though I never truly laughed out loud, but to be truthful, I did chuckle a couple of times. The basic story line of the film is that an astronaut discovers Planet 51 inhabited by aliens...however can you call them aliens when you are the only human around? Hmmm, food for thought.

A lot of this movie was spent running; running from the aliens, running from the human, running from the law, running from the army...pick something and they are running from it. It wasn't a long movie, so luckily time was on my side with regards to the amount of time that I could sit there and expect greatness. Unfortunately, greatness wasn't to be found. This is not a great movie. It's a cute movie, with no real point except that it's a funny concept. Which brings me back to my first point...can you call them aliens when you are the only human around?

Of course in all children's movies, good will defeat evil and any challenges that arise will sort themselves out in a neat and tidy 90 minute package. With movies like UP, Monsters Inc and The Incredibles, they are a tough act to follow. I appreciate that...however since the bar has been raised and children and adults alike have shown that they respond positively to a decent animated films made well, shouldn't we expect that for all animated films to come? Where do we draw the line and call it "just a kids flick" and when does a film's appeal to the entire family?

I am challenging all future animated film makers....don't underestimate your audience...let's make animated fluff films a thing of the past. Let's make quality animated films that the entire family can enjoy and appreciate. They don't have to be dramatic or heavy, but they do have to be creative, smart and funny. I'd like to see if someone other than Brad Bird - the genius behind The Incredibles and The Iron Giant (another fantastic film) is able to achieve this.