The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, director David Fincher makes a fascinating and fabulous movie as he tells ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, a man who is born old and then ages backwards. Beginning in New Orleans at the end of World War I, and continuing to the start of the twenty-first century, the movie follows the life of this unusual man placed ‘out-of-time’. Aided by some excellent make-up, and some amazing special effects, Brad Pitt gives an outstanding performance as Benjamin Button. While his character rejuvenates from old age to youth, Brad fills the role with much nuance, warmth and sincerity. He is superbly supported by Cate Blanchett, as a childhood girlfriend he meets again “in the middle”, and their doomed love affair is very bitter-sweet. Tilda Swinton is also wonderful as a cold British lady who thaws through Benjamin’s charms, giving him his first taste of romance. The movie has great sets and costumes, terrific photography, and, a beguiling script, which is delivered with a measured pace and tempo. What more can I say? The movie is a knockout! Even so, a word of warning: Keep a box of Kleenex tissues on hand, the movie is a genuine tear-jerker!
Ghost Town
Perhaps the most popular romantic ghost movie of all time would have to be ‘Ghost’ (1990), which starred Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. But, with his marvelous new comedy, ‘Ghost Town’, director David Koepp has made an equally successful ghost story. British comedian Ricky Gervais makes a very successful transatlantic crossing to star in this movie, as a misogynistic dentist, who, through some unfortunate surgery, develops the unwelcome ability to see ‘dead people’. Ghosts just won’t leave him alone. One jealous and persistent ghost, played by Greg Kinnear, wants Ricky to break up the marriage Greg’s widow is about to embark on. Greg can then rest in peace. Naturally enough, Ricky falls head over heals in love with the widow himself. The movie is sophisticated, witty, and deliciously romantic. It is delightfully acted by Ricky and Greg, but, it is Tea Leoni, as the bemused widow, and object of everyone’s affection, who completely steals the show.
The House Bunny
The day after her twenty-seventh birthday party, Shelly, a Playboy Bunny, is thrown out of the Playboy Mansion because she is now considered too old. Fifty-nine in ‘Bunny’ years! Poor Shelly has nowhere to go, but, she eventually scores a job as a House Mother, in a rundown college sorority house. Fred Wolf’s comedy, of course, follows a rather predictable plotline, however, the movie sparkles with some very funny dialogue and sight gags. Anna Faris is absolutely adorable as a sexy, blonde, Playboy Bunny, bimbo.
Towelhead
The screen credits of Alan Ball include the script for ‘American Beauty’ (1999) and the conception and direction of the bizarre television soap opera ‘True Blood’ (2008). Alan Ball has now written, produced and directed the extremely powerful and shocking new motion picture ‘Towelhead’. Sent by her divorced American mother to live with her strict Lebanese born father, a naïve thirteen year old girl finds herself out of place in her new Houston suburban surroundings. Unsettled by racism, and curious about sex, she is drawn into an intimate relationship with the handsome Army Reservist who lives next door. He is more than willing to take advantage of her immaturity. This cold, calculating, and alienating movie is not for the fainthearted, as it skillfully delves into the nasty manipulations of pedophiles, and pedophilia.
The Day the Earth Stood Still
The first version of this movie was made in 1951, and it is considered a black and white Science Fiction classic. Director Scott Derrickson’s Technicolor remake follows the original story fairly closely. He has just streamlined the action a little bit, and added some up-to-date supersonic special effects. Back in the 1950s the movie’s message, concerning a visitor from outer-space warning Earth to mend its ways before it is too late, was seen as anti-communist. The exact same message carries much more weight in this age of environmental awareness. Keanu Reeves makes a great Alien!
Changeling
Set in Los Angeles in 1928, one day a single mother comes home from work to find that her nine year old son has disappeared. A search drags on for months, with no results, then, eventually, the LA police department presents the mother with a boy they claim is her son. She continually insists that the boy is not her son! Some very peculiar and disturbing events soon start to take place. Even though the movie is apparently based on a true story, director Clint Eastwood gives his production a certain amount of Hollywood glamour, which often pushes the level of credibility. Clint Eastwood makes a competent and masterly movie, but, it lacks flair. The real revelation of the movie is Angelina Jolie as the distraught mother. Angelina dumps her sex muffin media persona, and presents a remarkable performance. The lady can actually act. Angelina shows no unnecessary flesh, and she is pretty much covered up throughout the movie. The stylish ‘Deco’ costumes suit her well.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Woody Allen’s latest European film is very boring! Two American women spend a summer in Barcelona. They both fall in love with the same Spaniard, and nothing much else happens. It is time for Woody to return to Manhattan!
