Carnage (2011)

OK, each one of these actors is insanely good. Jodie Foster has won 2 Oscars; Kate Winslet has one; Christopher Waltz has one; John C. Reilly has been nominated. There should be a few nominations from this movie as well. The acting is top notch. The only thing they could have done to improve it would be to add Meryl to the film. But she's in Iron Lady, so they were stuck with these 4.

Two couples meet in the apartment of one of the couples to discuss a violent fight between their 12 year old boys in a local park. They are very civilized initially, but the meeting quickly devolves into behavior that would rival the fight in the park.

I see two main themes here: the veneer of civilization (not a hidden theme) and claustrophobia. The movie involves 4 actors and takes place entirely in the apartment and the hallway outside the door. Remember how trapped Jimmy Stewart was in Rear Window? This is a a different kind of trapped. These people are physically mobile, but the apartment represents the inability to escape their lives. At least that's my take. And it's good. It's funny and freaky and honest and a bit scary. Jodie Foster blew my mind. I hope she gets a Best Actress nod. Wouldn't it be cool if she and Meryl were the front runners this year?

Roman Polanski directed, and he's good with the insanity of enclosed spaces. Watch this and watch Repulsion. The man has talent. Too bad he's a pervert who has tried to escape jail for 30 years. He should have just gone to jail and finished it. Wouldn't he have been able to do more films if he had?

I didn't love all the cinematography here, but it's hard to make a play into a movie. I will watch this again and again. They acting is just wild.

We Bought a Zoo (2011)

This is the sappiest, most sickly sweet movie I have ever seen. I think that's right. I need to refresh my memory. I'm pretty sure this is way sappier than The Notebook, for instance. If you have kids, take them to this one. It has animals, it is perfectly innocent and harmless. It has a ridiculously cute little girl in it. It has no real value whatsoever, but Matt Damon is always good, the kid is cute, Elle Fanning is a great and charming actress, and there is a lion and a tiger. What the hey. That's got to be better than Chipmunks, right?

Matt loses his wife, and he is torn up about it, but in this movie he calmly quits his job and buys a zoo. All the while he is wearing nice sweaters and helping his daughter "catch her mommy's spirit" with her hands and hold it to her heart (no shit). His son is acting out, but in a very artistic way. It's ridiculous, but inoffensive. Just sickly sweet.

By the way, Scarlett Johansson is fine in this. I kind of liked her. Cameron Crowe directed, and he should be embarrassed about this one.

War Horse (2011)

I am not a Steven Spielberg fan. I feel he manipulates his viewers with sob-story antics and has probably never even heard the word "restraint" spoken out loud. He can tell a good story, and it's usually beautiful to watch, but I am not a fan of being hit over the head with a club of pathos. If I had to guess, I would say I hate that manipulation so much because it usually works. If he hits his mark, I leave the theater with tears running down my neck. And he hit his mark with War Horse.

I would say this movie is a front runner for Best Picture. The star is a horse, without any doubt. The humans that come into the life of the horse are important sidelines, but that's it. They have no real substance. One thing I did like and found believable was that wherever the horse was, whatever side of the war he happened to be on at the time, there were people who valued and found love for an animal in spite of what was happening around them. The rest of the time the characters were thinly drawn, with melodramatic dialogue and unbelievable clothes. A young girl surrounded by battlefields would probably not have consistently clean and well-groomed hair with a big satin bow in it at all times. You'll do better with the movie if you accept its cartoonish quality and don't get too annoyed at the ridiculous and unrealistic characters. No matter how great Emily Watson and Peter Mullan are as actors, I wanted to slap them both for their characters' dumbshit, predictably stupid and stoic acceptance of their gender roles.

Anyway, on to the good stuff. The cinematography is insane. Remember the old Disney movies that had amazing colors - like Mary Poppins? Have you ever watched the Searchers and marveled at how beautiful the cliffs and rocks of the West are, and how gorgeous and well-groomed the (marauding and kidnapping) Indians are? The cinematography in War Horse is even better. I want to go to war if it's this beautiful. Janusz Kaminski (cinematographer) has worked with Steve S for years and they have a great thing going. I would say they understand each other.

This horse is awesome. I still like Seabiscuit better, but this is a miraculous horse. There are many scenes in this movie that will become favorites. You know the type of scene where you will stop what you are doing and wait for it to unfold rather than leave the couch to get some ice cream? Lots of those scenes. But there is one at the end of the film that will go down in viewing history as one that makes your heart stop, makes you jump up and walk around the room, will rivet you every time. (More so than the scene in Jaws where Roy Scheider sees the shark for the first time and says, "We need a bigger boat". More so than John Travolta singing Greased Lighting.) You will stop what you are doing for this scene.

So go and watch. You will have a good time. Don't get annoyed at the improbability and just enjoy the horse and the view. And then cast your vote for Best Picture. I am not voting for this one.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Oh my. This is a good one. If we are talking technical mastery of the medium of film, which includes directing the actors, the editing, the mood, the set direction, the cinematography, the artistry, the music, plus that certain something that is so hard to pin down, this may be the best movie of the year. It was directed by Tomas Alfredson, the director of Let the Right One In, the Swedish vampire movie (later made into a US film).

This is the story of Smiley, a British spy, swept out of his job with his boss on the wave of a botched Hungarian mission. The time is the early 70's, and the Cold War is is the mood, along with bad fashion, hair and makeup. Smiley, played with precision by Gary Oldman, is brought back into the fold to search for a mythical double agent planted by the Russians at the tip-top of British Intelligence. None of his former cohorts know he is investigating, and the stakes are high. These cohorts are the who's who of British film and theater: Colin Firth, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Ciarán Hinds; as well as newer faces. They are perfect to a man. Women don't have much of a role here, but the atmosphere is thick with tension, whether sexual or political or plain-old sneaking around tension.

I was surprised at the end. Do you know how wonderful that is? I was confident I knew the identify of the spy, and I was wrong! How delightful. In addition, Mark Strong is one of my least favorite British actors. I feel he plays the same role again and again, rarely stretching himself. He is a revelation here. I will buy this one and watch it many times.

Right now I'm thinking Oscar nominations for Adapted Screenplay, Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for this film. I think Gary Oldman could win. I need to review my list. Watch the scene where he reenacts his conversation with Karla. He's worthy of the nomination right there.

Le Corbeau (1943)

Henri-Georges Clouzot directed this film, which is why I picked it up. I recently watched Quai des Orfèvres, and Diabolique before that. He is three for in my book. I need to get more of his films! Maybe buy a box set?

This movie is set in a small town in France, where a doctor starts to get poison pen letters. They are signed by The Raven. Pretty soon he has lost his patients and the Raven has started writing to many people in town. The town goes a bit wacky. There is paranoia, finger pointing, neighbor is turning on neighbor and a mob mentality develops. A nurse is thought to be the Raven, and she is carted out of town. It is quickly evident she is not Le Corbeau (the Raven), as the letters do not stop.

This movie is, at its core, about the claustrophobia of small towns. It is fantastic. I recommend Le Corbeau - it holds up very well and is a joy to watch.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) - Fincher

OK, I have read all three books (twice), and I've seen all three Swedish films. And I liked them. I was disturbed (I think that's the best word) to hear that Hollywood was remaking the movies. I was pretty certain Hollywood would fuck this up. Then I heard David Fincher (Social Network) was directing the first film. That was a game changer. Fincher is a very assured and very good director.

And he did a great job. This movie is better than the first Swedish film. Here are a couple of simple reasons: Rooney Mara is a better fit for the role than Noomi Rapace. Noomi was awesome, but she doesn't look like a 16 year old, which is part of Lisbeth's mystique. Since Rooney's acting is fantastic, she wins the contest easily in physicality and intensity.

Daniel Craig is the better Mikael. I am astounded by this guy. He is still gorgeous, and nobody wears clothes like he does, but he can act. He doesn't feel like Bond playing a reporter. His Mikael bumbles, falls, is confused, scared and shocked. He is not cocky and bold, but human and capable of self-awareness. He's a great actor and so easy on the eyes.

Stellan Skarsgård is a far superior Martin. You have to see it. He is a character rather than a cardboard villain. It's interesting.

And then we get to Fincher, where the real difference lies. He makes a slick movie. He concentrates more on Lisbeth than on Mikael, which is what we all want. He loses some details, but let's face facts - we all know this story. We don't need details anymore. Fincher can really build tension - very different from the Swedish film. And he brought Trent Reznor in for the music. Reznor won an Oscar for Social Network, and he does a great job here. He adds to the tension, definitely.

The big problem with this movie? We have a better Lisbeth, a tighter, more suspenseful film - what more do we need? Something fresh. We all know this story. It's old ground, and hard to really make an impression. This feels more like watching an old favorite than seeing something new.

The Debt (2010)

OK - this one is a ton of fun. If you like a thriller, rent this film. It has the obligatory surprise, but what it really has is acting! WooHOO!! How often do you find a thriller with Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson and Ciarán Hinds? Simple answer: not often. Definitely not often enough. So these three play the older versions of three Mossad agents who were on a mission in the 60's that made them famous. And of course, they have been carrying around the secrets of that mission every since.

The younger Helen is played by Jessica Chastain, and I'm getting really impressed with this gal. She's everywhere this year, and I haven't seen a bad performance yet. But the eye-opener for me was Sam Worthington as the young David (Ciarán Hinds younger version). I was very impressed, and could not figure out where I had seen him before. Well, I couldn't remember because I had blocked it out: Avatar. He was also in Clash of the Titans, which I may never see (with any luck).

Watch this one - it is way better than average.

Super 8 (2011)

This was quite disappointing. There were some cool effects here, but ET is still better in every sense, and far more original.

The kids are good, especially Elle Fanning, but the adults are stereotypes. The alien is a rip-off from previous movies (it makes Predator sounds), and the plot is a conglomeration of other films, including ET and Close Encounters. It's fine for a couple hours of escape, but don't buy it. The credits are the best part of the movie.

Young Adult (2011)

This movie is awesome. I liked it more than Juno. What a great and surprising film. Mavis, played by Charlize Theron, is an anti-hero, but not a typical one. She isn't just flawed - it's very hard to find anything good about Mavis at all. Perhaps her uncompromising sense of self and entitlement? These qualities are admirable in a way.

Mavis goes back to her hick hometown to steal her HS boyfriend away from his wife and new baby. These are burdens and baggage in Mavis's mind, and she's doing him a favor. He may or may not agree.

Watch the portrayal of small town life here. It's very interesting. Who is really to be pitied in this group of personalities and types?

Charlize should get an Oscar nomination for this one, and Patton Oswalt for supporting actor. I'm going to go see this one again. But this isn't a comedy. If you're looking for comedy, rent Bridesmaids.

The Help (2011)

I'm the minority for this one. I did NOT like the book. I found it portrayed evil and ugliness in a cartoonish way, and I wasn't interested. This was a crap time in American history, and I think the book gives the impression that vapid women obsessed with toilets and pie ruled the day.

The movie is pretty much the same. Logic rules the day, people develop courage suddenly and as needed (whether black or white), and a nice dinner can make everything better.

Nevertheless, I would recommend the movie over the book for one huge reason: Viola Davis. I could feel her despair and hopelessness in every scene. She made this film for me, and that was worth it. Otherwise I would pass and watch something real.

Try Trouble the Water or Order of Myths for different takes on what it's like to live down south. They are not candy-coated. And for another great performance of Ms. Davis, check out Doubt. It's not a huge role, but it's unforgettable.

The Women on the 6th Floor (2010)

I went to see this movie last week with friends, and it was perfect. You know how with a diverse group of friends it can be hard to pick a film? Well this film falls in the "charming" category. There is French spoken, Spanish spoken, it set in the 50's, so it's a bit costume-y, it takes place in France and then Spain so the scenery is lovely. It's pretty much perfect for seeing with girlfriends.

The story is pretty simple. A well-to-do French family in 50's Paris lose their housekeeper. All the good families are now hiring Spanish maids, so they do too. In the apartment building where they live (and where the husband in this family was born), the domestic staff for all families lives on the 6th floor. No one else ever goes to the 6th floor, so lack of heat or working toilets is never observed or fixed.

Well, the new maid unintentionally starts shaking things up. The man of the house, played by Fabrice Luchini, starts taking an interest in the welfare of the women on the 6th floor, which just isn't done. Pretty soon everything is screwed up with his wife, in his household, you name it.

The ending was a bit surprising. I liked it. I recommend this one.

The Lady Vanishes (1938)

This is one of my fav Hitchcock films. Ostensibly it's a mystery about what happens to a middle-aged English governess who disappears on a train leaving a small European country. And the mystery, plot, acting are all great. But to me, this is really a love story about British characters. We have the obsessed cricket fans, the middle aged governess, the stiff, upper-crust judge who is cheating on his wife, and the incredibly charming musician. The heroine is an American heiress, and she and the musician are freakishly good together, with sparkling dialogue. This one is a lot of fun.

Quai des Orfèvres (1947)

I picked this one up because it was directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, the director of Diabolique. I adored that movie. I should probably buy it.

This movie is a who-done-it, complete with many possible suspects and a poor but genial and very intelligent policeman. But this one is not a thriller. It is a family and neighborhood film with the focus on three people: a husband, wife and their good friend. The wife is incredibly ambitious, and not particularly moral, but she does love her husband. She is stringing along a wealthy old pervert in the hopes of snagging a film contract. When the perv turns up dead, who killed him? The wife, her jealous husband? The good friend? This is the kind of movie where a happy ending is the point - sometimes the regular guys do OK and the police are actually trying to help. And this movie is great - I highly recommend it. I cannot believe it is 65 years old! I would watch this one again and again.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)

Hitchcock directed this movie twice; once in the UK in 1934 and once in the US with Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day in 1956. Pretty cool, right? I think I like the earlier one better. In both movies a child is kidnapped after the parents accidentally receive information about an assassination. The child is held so the parents will not talk.

The first movie is black and white, and the transfer I viewed was very poor, plus the sound was bad. Nevertheless, the couple in the earlier film does not include Doris Day, so I like them better. Plus, this is one of those old British films where their child is kidnapped, but the parents are still dressed and made up and lounging about without fighting. They are incredibly polite even in their distress. How fun to watch! And this ending is better than the later version. Whatch them both and see what you think!

Captain America (2011)

I watched this one twice!! Mainly I liked the guy who played Captain America, Chris Evans. He's very cute, very buffed, and very waxed. He is also curiously expressionless, which is normally a death knell for an actor, but this guy isn't bad. He isn't totally expressionless, see? He delivers the corniest lines with sincerity and without over playing them. He is perfection when he needs to be embarrassed or flustered or flummoxed. Since this Captain started as a skinny, sickly, always beat up nebbish, he has no experience with girls or success in manly pursuits. He is frequently at a loss for how to behave, how to react, how to talk to a girl. It's endearing. Combine it with Mr. Evans' lovely physique, and you may find you watch this twice as well.

The supporting case is decent (Tommy Lee Jones doesn't have much to work with, but I always like him.), and the art direction is cool. Those are bonuses.

The ending is bad (too many blow-ups), but not as bad as the last Batman and Iron Man films. And here's a surprise: I will tune in to The Avengers to see how they resolve the issue of Captain America and his "perfect partner". Who knew I would fall for that tease?

The 10th Victim (1965)

OK, this rarely happens. I turned this movie off after 20 minutes because I'm a grown-up and I don't have to watch crap. I turned it off right after Ursula Andress does a belly dance and shoots a guy with guns planted in each bra cup. Life is just too short, and I won't get that 20 minutes back.

The Hitch-Hiker (1953)

I think I put this one in my queue because it was directed by Ida Lupino. Ms. Lupino was a Hollywood trailblazer. She was a B-movie star, usually playing the hard-boiled dame on the run from the law with her man. But she was also a director. If you realize that only one female has won the Best Director Oscar (Kathryn Bigelow for the Hurt Locker) it gives a picture of how the directing biz is a man's game. Ida also wrote movies, plus wrote and directed for TV.

This plot is simple: two men meet up with a murderous hitch-hiker, who kidnaps them to drive him far down into Mexico. The men know the hitch-hiker plans to kill them, and all three are listening on the car radio to the progress of the police search for the hitch hiker. The men know that if the police get too close, they will be shot.

Most of the action takes place in a car, with some activity on the roadside, or various pit stops. This is hard for a director to keep interesting, but Ida did a good job.

Best surprise? The evil hitch-hiker was played by William Talmam, otherwise known as Hamilton Burger from Perry Mason! He's an awesome bad guy.