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Archive for January, 2009
- 30/January/2009 [10:22 PM] -- The Wrestler
The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke plays Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a man who has spent decades slicing himself open in choreographed fights while adoring crowds roar. Pro wrestling isn’t as lucrative as it was for Randy in the 1980s, but he stays at it while working menial jobs because he craves performing and needs a sense of belonging which he finds in fans chants. While trying to win the affections of his one true friend, a stripper named Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), Randy does his best to mend his relationship with his angry daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) he abandoned years ago. Rourke turns in an award-worthy comeback performance. Darren Aronofsky (Requiem of Dream, The Fountain) gives an evocative look into the crumbling life of a wrestler who’s dreams are slowly coming to an end. Filmed with a documentary-quietness that leaves little dialogue at times, I definitely recommend taking a sighted friend with you to help fill in the realistic moments of passing time.
Nominated for:
Best Actor: Mickey Rourke
Best Supporting Actress: Marisa Tomei
Could have also been nominated for:
Best Song: “The Wrestler” by: Bruce Springsteen
- (Fox Searchlight)
- Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood
- Rated: R
- Running Time: 109 mins
- This film is currently NOT available in MoPix
Posted in [Drama Reviews]
- 30/January/2009 [9:50 PM] -- The Dark Knight
With outstanding actors and a superb script at his side Christopher Nolan takes the realm of comic book movies to a new level. The Dark Knight opens in the wake of Batman Begins with the appearance of Batman (Christian Bale), Gotham City’s criminal underworld is unnerved. The criminals are also plagued by the new D.A., Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), who is on an excellent course to shutting down some serious criminal activity. Enter a new villain, the Joker (Heath Ledger), who wants to unite the criminals for a common purpose to “kill The Batman”. Be warned this isn’t a kid-friendly action movie full of the whams and pows of the original series. This is a dark thriller with enough drama and tragedy to please even Mr. Shakespeare himself. Ledger turns in a haunting and disturbing performance as the Joker. I would go as far as to say he offers one of the best villain portrayals of all time, right on par with the likes of Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal. With eight Academy Award nominations it has made history as the only movie based on a comic to receive such high honors and it is well deserved. This is a very visual movie at times and I think it best to rent or buy the DVD and have a sighted friend describe in detail the masterpiece that is The Dark Knight and I guarantee you it will put a smile on your face! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Nominated for:
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger
Art Direction
Cinematography
Film Editing
Makeup
Sound Editing
Sound Mixing
Visual Effects
Could have also been nominated for:
Best Director: Christopher Nolan
Best Supporting Actor: Gary Oldman
Best Picture
Best Original Screenplay
- (Warner Bros)
- Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Rated: PG-13
- Running Time: 152 mins
- This film is currently NOT available in MoPix
Posted in [Drama Reviews, Action Film Reviews]
- 28/January/2009 [9:55 PM] -- Revolutionary Road
Revolutionary Road, based on the novel by Richard Yates, is about a young couple in the 1950’s who have trouble adapting to and accepting their mundane suburban lifestyle. The movie begins with a romantic first encounter between Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April (Kate Winslet) at a party. The rest of this story, however, is dedicated to watching the violent destruction of their marriage and their lives. Frank works at a job he hates in New York City, then commutes home to two children and a wife who feels none of them belong in their cookie-cutter town. On the outside they seem to be the perfect couple with the perfect life, so much so that their realtor (Kathy Bates) introduces them to her mentally impaired son (Michael Shannon) in the hopes of establishing some normalcy into his life. However, this couples life is far from the perfect façade they have built and the audience gets to witness first hand the emotional breakdown between them. This film is skillfully directed by Sam Mendes (Winslet’s real-life husband) so much so that you almost feel as though you are intruding on the characters private moments. Less talented actors wouldn’t have been able to encompass the volatile and emotional chemistry between Frank and April, but DiCaprio and Winslet are as fantastic at capturing the blossoming of young love as they are at tearing each other apart with verbal attacks. Michael Shannon gives a gifted and disturbed performance not unlike his previous work in the movie Bug. Revolutionary Road is not available in MoPix but it is not needed. The dialogue is superb, but be warned this is a heavy film that stays in your thoughts for days.
Nominated for:
Best Supporting Actor: Michael Shannon
Art Direction
Costume Design
Could have also been nominated for:
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Actress: Kate Winslet
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Director: Sam Mendes
Best Picture
- (BBC Films)
- Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Michael Shannon and Kathy Bates
- Rated: R
- Running Time: 119 mins
This film is currently NOT available in MoPix
Posted in [Drama Reviews]
- 28/January/2009 [9:52 PM] -- Oscar Season
Oscar season is upon us and I must say this has been one of the greatest years for cinema in a very long time. It was the kind of year that made you excited about going to the theatre again. Over the next month I will be reviewing all of the major motion pictures nominated for Academy Awards, which will air on February 22nd on ABC. Each film is unique and brilliant, all worthy of recognition. Let me also say I do believe there were some things over-looked this year and I will mention those throughout my posts.
On a sadder note I have begun to realize how many great actors and filmmakers we lost last year, among them, Paul Newman, Heath Ledger, George Carlin, Ricardo Montalban and just a couple days ago Kim Manners who was on the creative teams of The X-Files and Supernatural. All will be missed and all were deeply admired and loved.
I hope you enjoy my reviews this year and I apologize for my long absence, here is hoping that 2009 filmmaking will live up to the genius caliber of 2008.
Posted in [Commentary]
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