New Review: Take Shelter

Take Shelter

R, 2 hr.

Directed By

Jeff Nichols

Written By

Jeff Nichols

Genres

Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Main Actors: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain

Easy on the eyes factor: 3. Nothing here beautiful to look at. Unless you like the flat lands of Ohio. There's truly not even good special effects or visual poetry. But the story is gripping enough that you don't need visuals.

30 Minute Rule: I would say yes, only because Michael Shannon has one of those faces that always makes you believe that everything is not right in the world. So he sucks you right in.

Plot: Curtis LaForche lives in a small Ohio town with his wife Samantha and six-year-old daughter Hannah, who is deaf. Money is tight, and navigating Hannah's healthcare and special needs education is a constant struggle. Despite that, Curtis and Samantha are very much in love and their family is a happy one. Then Curtis begins having terrifying dreams about an encroaching, apocalyptic storm. He chooses to keep the disturbance to himself, channeling his anxiety into the obsessive building of a storm shelter in their backyard. But the resulting strain on his marriage and tension within the community doesn't compare to Curtis' private fear of what his dreams may truly signify. Faced with the proposition that his disturbing visions signal disaster of one kind or another, Curtis confides in Samantha, testing the power of their bond against the highest possible stakes.

My Review: Let me start by talking about Michael Shannon, the lead actor. For me, if I saw him in real life, I would run. He is the creepiest man ever. With that being said, he must be a very good actor. He's very believable. He portrays an eccentric FBI agent in Boardwalk Empire; Agent Nelson Van Alden. Then, he was the boyfriend of Rabbit's mother in 8 Mile with Eminem. And every character he plays has so much depth and high levels of 'bizarritivity' (my word). This role as Curtis is more of that 'bizarritivity' and he does not disappoint.

I loved this movie because Curtis took you on a tour of his thoughts and visions. You could almost feel what he was feeling. At every turn, you were invited into his twisted imagination and imagery. Some of it was scary and raised the hair on my arms. Although Take Shelter is not a horror film, there are some horrific scenes in the film that can give you visions for days after watching. I'm still not totally right and it's been 2 days since I've watched. Even more, Curtis makes you understand what it feels like when you know something that no one else knows. A memorable scene is when he unleashes verbal terror on his community neighbors. They all are visibly shocked and disturbed. Michael Shannon's performance in that one scene is nothing short of brilliant.

I highly recommend this film. Do not miss this. It was not a big box office draw and it did not get much marketing or advertisement. But film critics, film festivals and movie geeks like myself love this movie.

Rating: 7 of 10

Movie Review: Hugo

Hugo

PG, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed By

Martin Scorsese

Written By

John Logan, Brian Selznick

Genres

Mystery & Suspense, Kids & Family

Main Actors: Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz

Easy on the eyes factor: 8. Although the actors are not very attractive, the set is amazing. The train station is a timeless masterpiece, the streets of Paris portray The City of Lights that it proclaims to be, and the local streets look like something out of a Charles Dicken's novel.

30 Minute Rule: Very engaging right from the start. There is a cameo appearance by Jude Law that takes you in. Many people did not even know that he was in the film.

Plot: Throughout his extraordinary career, Academy Award-wining director Martin Scorsese has brought his unique vision and dazzling gifts to life in a series of unforgettable films. This holiday season the legendary storyteller invites you to join him on a thrilling journey to a magical world with his first-ever 3-D film, based on Brian Selznick's award-winning, imaginative New York Times best-seller, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret." Hugo is the astonishing adventure of a wily and resourceful boy whose quest to unlock a secret left to him by his father will transform Hugo and all those around him, and reveal a safe and loving place he can call home.

My Review: Hugo was very enchanting and magical for me. Any movie about an orphan or homeless child will always tug on your heart strings. Asa Butterfield who plays Hugo is a very cute kid with wide eyes and an emotional face. He looks sad even when he smiles. And that is how I would assume an orphan feels. That even on their best days, they are still an orphan.

The movie itself is most interesting because while it is about Hugo and his adventure, it is also about Georges Méliès, Ben Kingsley's character. His story of his past intertwines with Hugo's mystery. It all comes full circle and the entire puzzle changes like metamorphosis right before your eyes.

Hugo is a story that can be enjoyed by all. It has the magic and enchantment for children. The story of lost and regret for adults. And the action and adventure for the young at heart. It's definitely Oscar worthy and I am sure that it will receive high consideration for Best Picture.

Rating: 8 of 10

Movie Review: Moneyball

Moneyball

PG-13, 2 hr. 13 min.

Directed By

Bennett Miller

Written By

Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin

Genres

Drama, Comedy

Main Actors: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright

Easy on the eyes factor: 8. Two words, Brad Pitt. Need I say more.

30 Minute Rule: Movie is fun and engaging right from the start. I like the set up and character development. The fun and interaction with the baseball players are like watching Major League, but just a bit more serious.

Plot: Based on a true story, Moneyball is a movie for anybody who has ever dreamed of taking on the system. Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's and the guy who assembles the team, who has an epiphany: all of baseball's conventional wisdom is wrong. Forced to reinvent his team on a tight budget, Beane will have to outsmart the richer clubs. The onetime jock teams with Ivy League grad Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) in an unlikely partnership, recruiting bargain players that the scouts call flawed, but all of whom have an ability to get on base, score runs, and win games. It's more than baseball, it's a revolution - one that challenges old school traditions and puts Beane in the crosshairs of those who say he's tearing out the heart and soul of the game.

My Review: I know what some of you are saying. I don't like baseball or It's not about the Yankees or Baseball Sucks, etc. But this movie is so much more interesting than baseball. First, it's Brad Pitt and he makes almost any role good. Two, the very funny Jonah Hill is the sidekick. You've seen him in funny movies such as Superbad and Get Him To The Greek. Brad Pitt is so convincing as the Oakland A's GM Billy Beane that when you actually see Billy Beane, you immediately think of Brad Pitt. He makes Billy fun to watch.

The movie does not go out of its way to wax poetic about the pageantry of America's pastime or it doesn't do it's best Bob Costas impression of telling us how important baseball is to our lives. It just simply does not. What it does is tell you a story about a man who wanted to win without the resources to win. Who had to go up against the Goliath like the Yankees and the Red Sox without a big gun and no budget. Who lost all of his best players to free agency and teams and markets with bigger payroll options. Have you ever been given a task to succeed at something with little or no resources?

Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill are so funny in this movie and so disciplined in their roles. I think Moneyball will be enjoyable for everyone .

Rating: 9 of 10

Movie Review: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

R, 2 hr. 37 min.

Directed By

David Fincher

Written By

Steven Zaillian

Genres

Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Main Actors: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Robin Wright

Easy on the eyes factor: 5. I don't find any of the actors very attractive, but even worse, the subject matter, a rape scene, and the violence can make this a very uncomfortable movie for some to watch.

30 Minute Rule: Had a very long beginning and set up. You might want to turn it off. There is a lot of dialogue and background on characters, etc. Just wait though. It's well worth the wait.

Plot: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first film in Columbia Pictures' three-picture adaptation of Stieg Larsson's literary blockbuster The Millennium Trilogy. Directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, the film is based on the first novel in the trilogy, which altogether have sold 50 million copies in 46 countries and become a worldwide phenomenon

My Review: I did not see the highly anticipated Swedish version, nor did I read the World renown novel by Stieg Larsson. So I had very little understanding of what this movie would be about. After seeing Rooney Mara's character Lisbeth on promotional trailers, it was a must see for me. The movie did not disappoint.

The film runs through a maze of an investigation trying to figure out the happenings involving a missing girl. It's a thrilling ride as you watch character after character duck and dodge the investigation. It's almost as if NO one wants to be involved and all are very reluctant to talk. The main character with the Dragon tattoo, Lisbeth is genius in every way. Very captivating in how she speaks and interacts with other subjects. She talks very little, so when she does, listen closely. She's going to say something important.

The relationship between Lisbeth and Mikael is quite different. What you hope for and what you get might be two different things. I love how she interacts with those that she trust and those that she does not. Sometimes she speaks with her eyes and other times, she speaks with her body. It's all intriguing. I absolutely loved the role and can't wait for the second part of the trilogy.

As for the subject matter and violence, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is not for the squeamish or weak of heart. It gets very dark and at times heart pounding. I would not let this stop you from seeing it. I think that you will be pleased.

Rating: 7 of 10

Movie Review: The Artist

The Artist

PG-13, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed By

Michel Hazanavicius

Written By

Michel Hazanavicius

Genres

Drama, Romance, Comedy

Main Actors: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell

Easy on the eyes factor: 10 Everything about this movie was beautiful, especially Berenice Bejo. Her smile, facial expressions, and movements were infectious and priceless. The leading actor Jean Dujardin is a very handsome leading man. The set was nostalgic and looked just like the sets of the 20s and 30s.

30 Minute Rule: You get into this movie right away. I think because it's a silent film, you keep your eyes on the screen for any clues that might help you understand what's going on. It was very effective.

Plot: Hollywood 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of the talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), it seems the sky's the limit - major movie stardom awaits. The Artist tells the story of their interlinked destinies.

My Review: I told my friends that I would never see this movie. Never! There was no way that me and my A.D.D. could sit through a silent, black & white movie for almost 2 hours. Quite the contrary. I did not want to turn it off and I feared the ending was coming every 20 minutes. Needless to say, the movie was pretty amazing.

As I mentioned, the leading actress Berenice Bejo was extremely beautiful. Her face captivated the screen and she was very easy to love by all. The way she flirted with the camera with winks, smiles and hair flips made my heart flutter. She was stellar. The leading man, Jean Dujardin is a very handsome actor and he knows how to make his looks work. In the film, he's very impressed with himself and he makes all the facial expressions to show it. Great performances by John Goodman as the studio executive and James Cromwell as the butler.

The storyline was easy to follow. It actually became quite tragic, especially when they tied in the stock market crash of 1929. You feel so sorry for the main character and it makes it difficult to celebrate Peppy Miller's success. Nevertheless, the film is fun to follow along and it's delightfully challenging to try and figure out without words and sound. I think everyone can enjoy this movie. Our grand and great-grandparents would be proud.

Rating: 8 of 10

Movie Review: Midnight In Paris

Midnight In Paris

PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed By

Woody Allen

Written By

Woody Allen

Genres

Comedy, Romance

Main Actors: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen

Easy on the eyes factor: 7. There are a lot of attractive people in this film. Not only that, the Parisienne scenery is beautiful. The creators ensured that as many shots of Paris that could fit into this film did; night, day, rain, dawn, dusk, you name it, it was in there. Beautiful film.

30 Minute Rule: This movie captures your imagination right away because of the beauty of the film. Since I had never been to Paris, I was taken in by the tour that the camera was taking me on.

Plot:This is a romantic comedy set in Paris about a family that goes there because of business, and two young people who are engaged to be married in the fall have experiences there that change their lives. It's about a young man's great love for a city, Paris, and the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better. It stars Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni, among others.

My Review: I loved this movie from the first credit. I love Europe. France, England, Ireland, Germany, and other great countries of the continent. I think that the architecture and art are nostalgic and at times seem to be from another time and place. I love that much of Europe has been untouched by modern creativity. And that is what a lot of this movie is about. I love the history lessons within the film about art, philosophy, and literature and how they are embedded in the script. At the same time, trinkets of understanding on time and space. How we all romanticize about being in "the good ole days". We all do it. Remember or imagine being in another era, wishing to take a quantum leap.

The script and dialogue are beautifully done. Smooth transitions from character to character about politics, art, love, relationships, music and literature. And it's never too much. This film is done as only Woody Allen could do it. With class and dignity.

Rating: 8 of 10