Since this is vacation time for many with the Fourth of July holiday approach, I thought it would be a good time to post a few movie reviews. I see a lot of movies, and I have fairly wide-ranging tastes (though I lean toward independent films). So, for whatever they are worth, here are my reviews of Away From Her, Ocean's 13, Knocked Up, Sicko, Evening, and A Mighty Heart.
Away From Her: This is a very small film starring Julie Christie as a woman with Alzheimer's disease. In short, this movie is excellent albeit heartbreaking. As Fiona begins to exhibit more and more symptoms, she asks her husband Grant to check her into an assisted care facility. Their love for each other is so moving, as he struggles with the decision but complies with her wishes. Soon, she forgets who he is and becomes attached to another man who is suffering from the same condition. If you are interested in geriatrics, you will learn a lot from this film. It is a beautiful portrayal of love and loss.
Ocean's 13: The Ocean's gang is back and I think this is the best version yet. It has something for everyone--comedy, drama, intrigue, cute boys, inside jokes, Vegas, and cute boys. I admit that movies like this are sometimes hard for me to follow all the plots and subplots. However, I was able to understand the action and all the twists and turns. A great popcorn movie and completely enjoyable.
Knocked Up: I'm a fan of Judd Apatow and his previous movie, 40-Year-Old Virgin. This is similar broad comedy with a sweet story. Granted, I never really "bought" the romance between Kathryn Heigl and Seth Rogan, but I appreciated them both wanting to try to make a real relationship work. If you are interested in obstetrics, you will enjoy the birthing scene. If you are interested in having a baby, you might want to turn your head during a few parts! Again, fairly mindless entertainment but with enough laughs to make it worth your 10 bucks.
Sicko: I confess, I love Michael Moore. While I agree that his movies are not documentaries in the true sense of the word, I do appreciate that he makes good points and does so in an entertaining way. His topic here is health care, and, surprisingly, I found the film to be fairly nonpartisan. He doesn't really applaud with political party's work so far on health care policy. This movie raises interesting issues, which is up to the viewer to agree with or not. I did find his "stunt" of taking 9/11 workers to Guantanamo Bay and then to a Cuban hospital to be unnecessary. I think he allowed himself and this movie to be used more for Cuban propaganda than to make a meaningful point. I found his visits to Canada, Britian, and France, however, to raise interesting questions and make valid points. If you are interested in health care reform and policy, I would encourage you to see this film. That doesn't mean I personally agree with Moore's argument; I don't. But I do think it is important to understand the issues raised and explore options that other countries' have adopted.
Evening: I went to this movie for the performances of many of the finest actresses of a generation, and I wasn't disappointed. If you have seen the trailer for this movie, unfortunately, you have already seen a lot of the great lines and plot points. However, I found the story compelling and while the acting was a bit "actorly," it was still very good. Pretty much a "chick flick," but I think a good boyfriend or husband would also enjoy the movie. If nothing else, it is beautifully shot and a treat for the eyes.
A Mighty Heart: This movie is done almost documentary-style about the abduction and eventual execution of Daniel Pearl in Pakistan in 2002 from the perspective of his wife, Marianne, played by Angelina Jolie. As a true story, we already know the sad ending. However, the movie does shed light on the political and cultural realities in that part of the world and celebrates the efforts of journalists to bring the story back to us. The world's most photographed celebrity gives a good performance, if you can forget you are watching Angelina Jolie in a curly dark wig.
What have been your favorite movies this summer? And what are you still looking forward to seeing?
