The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Benjamin Button, is a man who is born in his late 80's and ages backwards. He meets a young girl and they become fast friends although their lives are literally traveling in the opposite direction.

This was an entertaining, albeit very long movie. It clocked in barely under three hours. Nevertheless it was interesting and made you think about aging and the prospect of getting old--is that a good thing?. Anyway the story is very simple, not much to it. In fact there really isn't much of a plot, just random adventures that don't really lead us any where.

This film as a matter of fact, totally reminded me of Forest Gump--just not as memorable (which is not saying much as I tend to think of Forest Gump as forgettable). It is like seeing historical events through the eyes of a not so ordinary person. It was cute and sweet and I guess I am glad I saw it. But if it is ever on TV-I'll probably change the channel.


**1/2

Rated PG-13 (language and sexual content)

Gran Torino

Clint Eastwood stars and directed this film about Walt Kowalski, a Korean War Veteran that has just buried his wife and is now left alone to deal with the new immigrant neighbors.

This movie has some funny parts and I would assume that the script was really, really well written. Nevertheless--the acting, tst, tst, tst, tst. Acting. What can I say, it was like watching a student film. Clint Eastwood, despite his reoccurring growl, is great as always, but the kids are so bad at their line delivery that it completely takes you out of the movie and frankly made me awkwardly uncomfortable.

The racial slurs that Eastwood spits out at the neighbors and friends for that matter, though droll, start to become overkill and again the acting, or lack thereof begins to be more entertaining than the movie itself as most of the theatre was laughing at how bad it was. Which is so odd for an Eastwood movie! Normally his stuff is what the Oscars are all about--not this time. He needs to fire his casting director. Seriously horrific.

If you are looking for an worthwhile Eastwood film--see Changeling!

** Rentable

Rated R (for language and violence)

Seven Pounds

Will Smith stars in this drama about a man trying to help drastically change the lives of strangers.

Yeah that's all you get in terms of synopsis. "A man trying to change the lives of strangers." Like you needed me to tell you that was what this movie was about right? OK perhaps not, however what you may need me to tell you is that this incredibly sappy and dreary flick was so boring I was writhing in my seat hoping it would all come to an end.

The pacing is so slow that with the opening scene, which introduces us to our 'hero' as he is committing suicide--yes that is how it starts--you begin to consider the option yourself. Everything is spoon fed to the audience as the emotionally stunted story takes its own sweet time to slowly--ever so slowly-- unravel.

This was directed by Gabriele Muccino who also directed Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness--another film that I found to be a tad heavy handed nevertheless leaps and bounds better than Seven Pounds.

** Rentable

Rated PG-13 (for thematic material)

Bolt

The story of Bolt the dog, who is the star of a TV show and doesn't know it's just a TV show.  He loses his best friend, co-star and owner, Penny, which leads him on a cross country search where he finds new friends and adventure along the way.

This is a solid effort by Disney Animation.  This is the first Disney Animation Studios film to be executive produced by Pixar director (Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Cars) and now head of animation at Pixar and Disney, John Lasseter, and it's apparent that Disney's story telling is improving with his help.  It's about at the level of Meet the Robinson's which was also enjoyable.  The animation, models, sets and textures look great.  The story has some heart to it, not quite the Pixar level, but solid.  The characters are likable, especially Rhino the hamster, who is voiced by Mark Walton, cousin to my cousins, we're not related but we have the same cousins...if that makes sense. He is a storyboard artist at Disney Animation and was a stand-in voice for Rhino but did such a good job they decided to keep him as the voice.  I attended a special viewing of Bolt that Mark was at, he answered some questions before and after the film and I got to meet him, a very nice guy, his performance really is the highlight of the movie.  

*** out of 4 (Rated PG for intense action and explosions)

Australia

The epic story of an English woman who during the beginning of WWII, travels to Australia to defend her husbands land and cattle from being stolen with the help of an Outback cattle driver called "The Drover", while dealing with Japan's attack on Australia.

Mandy told me this movie is terrible so going in my expectations were as low as could be, so of course I didn't think it was that bad.  The movie tries to be epic, and it is in certain aspects, like it's look, although some special fx scenes look just like fx shots and don't match the rest of the movie's look.  It's also epic in it's length, it's way too long at about 2 hours and 50 minutes, but again Mandy told me it was way too long before I saw it so I was prepared for the length and didn't mind it that much.  The story is kind of weak, very predictable and has too many distractions,  it seems like the Aussie director, who also directed Moulan Rouge, just wanted an excuse to direct a movie about Australia with Australian movie stars.  It's not the most inspiring or "epic" story, but it at least kept my interest enough not to hate it.  Maybe worth a renting if you really want to see it, otherwise you'll be alright passing on this one.

**1/2 out of 4 (Rated PG-13 for violence, language (one F-bomb), and sex)