The Debt

Helen Mirren and Tom Wilkinson star in this suspenseful drama directed by John Madden. The film is actually a remake of a 2007 Israeli film of the same name.

The story shows both the past and present lives of three Mossad agents tasked with hunting down an accused Nazi war criminal. In the past they endured the sacrifices of their mission. In the present the trio were forced  to question the success of the mission that made them famous.

I found this film to be intriguing and with a great story line. The costuming and set design worked well with the locations throughout the film. Helen Mirren delivered another great performance, as did the rest of the cast.

My main criticism of this film is the pace. I'm not sure if it was the editing or the writing, but the film seemed to move at a choppy pace that made it feel awkward at times. It doesn't change my opinion of the film too much, just an observation for those reading who might not enjoy slower paced films.

I give The Debt 4 stars out of 5. 

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

In 2001 a young doctor named Andrew Bagby was murdered. All evidence pointed to his pregnant ex-girlfriend. In 2008 director Kurt Kuenne, Andrew's good friend memorialized this tragedy in this moving documentary. The film chronicles the events after Andrew's death as his parents fought for custody of their new grandson. Through evidence and interviews Kuenne shows not only the facts of the crime, but also the person who was lost. He took the time to interview friends of Andrew around the world. This is a dark and depressing film that shines a light on the problems with justice, not only in America but in Canada as well.

I would give this 4 out of 5 stars.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The third installment of the Harry Potter series was another first for me as I experience this set of films for the first time. It's important to remember that I've never read the books so I don't have any bias based on changes in the story line or anything like that.

This was a really enjoyable film to watch. Once again the characters were well written and the acting continued to improve from previous performances. The story itself was also interesting and kept me involved. The Harry Potter series could easily be milked dry if done poorly (remember Rocky Balboa?), so far this hasn't been my experience. They've managed to keep the running story line going while giving me a satisfying film that stands alone in it's conclusion.

This film has convinced me to move on to the fourth film in the series.

I would rank this film a 4 out of 5 stars.

Our Idiot Brother

This comedy is centered around an idealistic, yet incredibly dense man and how he affects the lives of his family. Paul Rudd stars as the main character Ned, while Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer play his frustrated sisters.The comedy in this film is found in interaction and dialogue. The writing and the music were nice, and the cast did a good job portraying a family.

I think this is a film that underachieved when it came time to deliver on the premise. There was room for more funny moments in some of the situations. That being said, I enjoyed the film for what it was. The story had great moments but didn't come together. I suppose I also expected it to have a few more standout moments.

For anyone looking to see a light comedy that doesn't require much thinking, this is the film for you. It does have some strong words that should keep the kiddies away.

I give this one 2.8 stars out of 5.

Colors

In 1988 Robert Duvall and Sean Penn were cast in this gritty but melodramatic crime film set in the slums of Los Angeles. The film also features a relatively unknown Don Cheadle.

Directed by Dennis Hopper, this film takes a look at the gang war in L.A. through the eyes of a seasoned veteran (Duvall) and the rookie (Penn) as they conflict in their styles of police work. The film feels gritty and the language and visuals seem overdone in an attempt to make things realistic. The acting of the two main characters is what makes this a film worth watching. The conflict between the two seems very genuine and works well as the two try to work together.

The soundtrack is also interesting. For someone who grew up in the 80s there are a lot of songs to remember. The film also features a lot of early rap which lends itself to the theme of the film quite well.

If you're a fan of Boyz N The Hood you might enjoy this film. It's definitely not a "feel good" movie though.

I give it a 3.2 out of 5 stars.

They Killed Sister Dorothy

In my search for important and moving documentaries I stumbled upon this 2008 film about the trial of four men in the killing of an activist nun in Brazil. The film is narrated by Martin Sheen and focuses on the murder while making it's political statement about the deforestation of the Amazon.

The film traces the passionate effort of the prosecutors and Dorothy's brother David Stang. It's an amazing look into the justice system of Brazil. It also sheds light on the anti-American sentiments that run in the courts over the death of an American woman. The film also shows the reversal of confessions and the corruption that runs just under the surface of the defense team.

Like most documentaries I can only comment on the impact of the film. I feel like the filmmaker failed to capitalize on some of the more important points in the story as he focused on the trials alone. If you're interested in seeing how justice works in other parts of the world this might be a film for you.

I give it 2.8 out of 5 stars.

The magical of Harry Potter continues...

After avoiding this series of films for years I've finally begun the saga. The first film was fun, I think it had just enough for me to want to see the second movie. Now I was ready to continue with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

This is the second film ion the series and I think a better film than the first. While the first film in the series was good, the second film has gotten me ready to see more. The story improved for me in this film, mainly since I feel like it opened some new doors while allowing the film itself to have a satisfying conclusion. My main gripe with some series is the middle films that seem to only fill space, this was not the case here.

I guess it's a likely conclusion that I'll be watching the third film soon. Netflix is allowing me to see these films in a rapid succession unknown to the fans who waited anxiously for each new installment over the years.

I would rate this a strong 3.7 out of 5.

Crazy, Stupid, Love

Date night with the wife started and finished with Crazy, Stupid, Love. (Don't confuse this with Date Night, another Carell film which I did not enjoy enough to tell anyone about.)

This is a humorous and intelligent film starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, and Emma Stone. The story revolves around Cal, played by Steve Carell, who sees his marriage fall apart. As he seeks solutions and a way to recover he meets Jacob, played by Ryan Gosling. Jacob is a free spirit who tries to bring Cal into the world of dating. The humor throughout the film is well-placed and the acting lends itself to a film that has deeply serious moments and light comedic scenes as well.

Although rated PG-13 I wouldn't suggest taking a 13 year-old to see the film. This has some swearing but mainly needs a mature audience to understand the situations and events that occur.

I really loved this film. I think it succeeded in making it's point and has repeat value as well.

I give this one 4 out of 5 stars.

The Ex

What happens when your professional wife walks away from a career to raise your child? What happens when you're forced to work with your father-in-law and an old flame of your wife. All this is part of the semi-romantic comedy with Jason Bateman, Amanda Peet, and Zach Braff.

I think this is a film that underachieved based on the cast and the story. The film was funny but awkward, leading to moments in the film which were just uncomfortable. The acting is okay, it actually makes Jason Bateman look like more of a jerk than he did in Juno. Meanwhile Zach Braff just his Scrubs character in a new role.

I enjoyed moments in this film but didn't find it to be an experience with much repeat value. I would give this one a 2.8 out of 5 stars.

"Daniel Day-Lewis won an Oscar for his emotionally and physically complex portrayal of Irish writer Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy and misdiagnosed as mentally disabled for the first 10 years of his life. The story unfolds in a series of flashbacks with Hugh O'Conor starring as the young Christy, who eventually learned to write using the only body part he could control: his left foot." - Netflix

Daniel Day-Lewis is incredible in this 1989 drama which required him to use every skill he had to portray a man who was physically and verbally impaired. Day-Lewis really steals every scene and the supporting cast so a wonderful job as well.

The film is well made and enjoyable to watch as it captures the relationships and growth of Christy Brown. I appreciate that the film didn't attempt to gloss over Brown's flaws. The character of the man is what drives the film. He has the same ups and downs as every other person in the film. He just lacks the physical capabilities to respond as others do. This is a moving film that definitely stands the test of time.

I give this film 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Mugabe and the White African

If you want to see what really goes on in Zimbabwe this is the film to watch. This is an amazing documentary about the land "reclamation" going on in this poor African nation. The dictator Robert Mugabe has allowed violence, fear, and overwhelming odds to push white land owners right out of the country.

In 2008 Mike Campbell - one of the few remaining white farmers in Zimbabwe to have held fast in the face of the violent 'Land Reform' program - took the unprecedented step of challenging President Robert Mugabe before the SADC International Court (SADC - South African Development Community) to defend his farm, which is also home to 500 black workers and their families, and to charge Mugabe and his government with racial discrimination and with violations of Human Rights.

Right now this is available through Netflix to stream online. I hope more films like this get made and noticed to help bring some peace to the world.

Discovering Harry Potter

Since 2001 I've successfully avoided the Harry Potter franchise. This is partly due to the age I was when this all started, and partly just a lack of interest. Now that the series is appearing to come to an end, I feel like I can devote a little time and see what this is all about.

Yesterday I sat down and started from the beginning. I'm glad to say that I was pleasantly surprised. It was a fun film and really did a good job of making me feel like the next film would be worth the time. The story is very interesting and I've been told that it follows the book pretty closely. The characters and their relationships are very well written and developed on screen. The world created also feels magical, as it should.

Due to differing opinions I would be open to any thoughts on the film versus the book since I have nothing to go on.

For anyone who hasn't seen this movie, I would highly recommend it. The story is good for the whole family and it has aged well. I rate this one at 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Memoirs of a Geisha

With this film there is no question that it deserved the 3 Oscars it won. In 2006, Memoirs of a Geisha won for Art Direction, Cinematography, and Costume Design. After re-watching this film I'm reminded that it deserved each of these awards.

Adding to the fantastic imagery is an incredibly well-written screenplay and an amazing cast. For the premise of the film they managed to avoid the content that might have made this an R-rated film. Instead they focused on what I consider to be the main point, the relationships built throughout the life of the main character.

Below I've included the synopsis for anyone interested.

"In 1929 an impoverished nine-year-old named Chiyo from a fishing village is sold to a geisha house in Kyoto's Gion district and subjected to cruel treatment from the owners and the head geisha Hatsumomo. Her stunning beauty attracts the vindictive jealousy of Hatsumomo, until she is rescued by and taken under the wing of Hatsumomo's bitter rival, Mameha. Under Mameha's mentorship, Chiyo becomes the geisha named Sayuri, trained in all the artistic and social skills a geisha must master in order to survive in her society. As a renowned geisha she enters a society of wealth, privilege, and political intrigue. As World War II looms Japan and the geisha's world are forever changed by the onslaught of history."

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397535/

From Paris with Love

If you're looking for a violent and totally ridiculous film, then look no further. John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers play opposites in a movie about spies and terrorists clashing in Paris.

Despite a certain amount of predictability this was a fun watch. The language was coarse at times but the dialogue stayed witty, especially from Travolta. Pay attention and you might hear a bit of an homage to Pulp Fiction.

The action is pretty consistent and actually very realistic. The story line was not as realistic but didn't stretch too far.

From the director of Taken you get a similar film that has a sense of humor at times. I would rate this one a 3.3 out of 5 stars. Good for a cheap thrill, but not really an award winner for me.

Babel, the latest film in the Movie Chain.

This is a great drama directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu that was released in 2006. He was also the producer of 21 Grams and Biutiful.

Babel stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett amongst an array of other great talents.

This movie essentially attacks the plot from four different perspectives. Each point of view feels incredibly independent and ties well together when necessary.

Although a long film it has a nice pace and a soundtrack that feels very natural to the film. I would give it a 4 out of 5 on my own rating scale. The film was really good, just not the type of film I could give a perfect score to. 

Worth checking out.

http://netcaststudio.com/instant-gratification/

If you enjoy a good review and a new point of view on old and new films check these guys out.

Captain America 3D

It was a beautiful day outside so I decided to go into a dark room and stare at a screen for a few hours. What I got in return was a great film. For once Genna and I agree on a movie. I would argue that it's one of the 3 best comic book movies ever made. This excludes the graphic novels which have been put into film.

This film had everything I wanted:
1. Good Villian
2. A premise I could enjoy.
3. A love story that stayed in the background.

In all, I would rate this as a 4.5 out of 5. It's big drawback wasn't really the fault of the film. I'm just tired of films that leave an open door so that you'll want to see another one. I'm okay with the Avengers and this whole series, I just like movies like this to stand alone all the way through.

If you haven't seen this film you're missing out. Fun for the whole family! I don't know if 3D made enough of a difference for me so save the extra money and get some Milk Duds!

A Great Family Film

Not part of the game, just a film I've enjoyed for a long time.

If you want to see a really well made family film this might be the one. The cast did an incredible job creating the film version of this true story. I'm a big fan of Ben Kingsley so that helps too.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.