The Reader
I know I'm late to the party here on this one, but I found this to be a very good film. This film has a plot that is Nazi, but to me this is a device to explore some deeply wounded characters. I thought Kate Winslet, David Kross, and Ralph Fiennes were all interesting in their own ways. This is a very extended coming of age story if you will. The characters may grow up fast and get old, but their journey of self extends itself into several decades. I found Winslet's Hanna Schmitz character to be quite fascinating. My wife read the book, and said that is was very cut and dry, but here you get to see the closet that Hanna hides her soul in, and only at the end does she attempt to open it. I found this film to be a brilliant character study of very interesting characters.
Blindness
Everyone starts going blind, except Amber Waves (I mean Juliane Moore) I really liked the look and tone of this movie there are moments in it that are so sick and depraved you want to vomit. I was totally into this for the first hour or so, but after a while you get the point the filmmaker is trying to make, that humans are A-holes when they have sight and when they don't. Human emotions can get worse weather you have sight or not. I recommend this film cause it is different, and raises some interesting concerns, but I'm not saying its a great movie.
Frost/Nixon
Finally! A Ron Howard film I really liked. I often think most of Howard's films are pretty much like eating melba toast. They fill you up but leave you wanting something on them, like some jelly or something. This film is fleshed out. Again another really interesting character study of two people, Nixon and Frost who had their entire legacy resting on this one interview. Someone had to win, and who wanted it more. I never bought Langella's Nixon in the spots and ads, but after seeing the whole thing you totally buy it. He slips nicely into the role, much more effectively than Hopkins did in "Nixon" to me. I thought the contrast of Frost to Nixon was really riveting, and how they both really thought nothing of each other but actually needed each other. A great film worth multiple viewings.
Splinter
A fun little horror monster yarn from director Toby Wilkins. Its about a Splinter type infection that turns various body parts into a collage of a crazy monster. Most of the film takes place in a country convenience store. If there are any Jill Wagner fans in the house, then you will want to see this. It made me wonder why she doesn't get more tough chick work. She's a bad ass in the making. Someone give her a B-movie action vehicle of her own!!!
Body of Lies
Ridley Scott = brilliant (sometimes). Russel Crowe = brilliant. Leo = Growing Pains. Body of Lies = Boredom. This is a film of blown opportunities. I didn't even finish it.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
I liked this one more than I thought I would. A good little comedy that reminded me of After Hours and other great nighttime urban comedy adventures. Great cameos from SNL people and Michael Cera is again a pleasure to watch. And Kat Denning's Norah is very easy on the eyes.
Phase IV
I sought out this film because of my love of Saul Bass. He did all the great Hitchcock opening credits and James Bond open credits. Not to mention a lot of Scorcese's too. Casino being one of my favs. Anyway back int he day circa 1974, he directed his only feature film called Phase IV, which was about ants, becoming hive brain minded and taking over the Earth! This is greatness you say? No, not so much. There is a LOT of macro ant footage and some Michael Murphy madness, but not much else. I was actually rooting for the ants in this one.
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