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November 16, 2007

FMMR: Beowulf, at last!

The same technology that brought The Polar Express to life in 2004 goes less family-friendly with this week's Beowulf. You might recognize some big-name stars (Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie) in antimated form. But catch it in IMAX 3D, which is Movie Critic Chris Vognar's viewing of choice (his A- had a lot to do with the IMAX 3D). Chris also liked Sidney Lumet's Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, which might have done better than B+ if it had 3D.

The kids might want to check out Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (B) starring Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman.

This weekend also brings Love in the Time of Cholera (D+), Mr. Untouchable (B), Finishing the Game (D+) and Southland Tales (D).

What will you be seeing at the mulitplex (or arthouse) this weekend?

Posted by Holly Warren at 4:00 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

November 9, 2007

No Country for Old Men

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Javier Bardem brings the scary in No Country for Old Men. (Miramax)

No Country For Old Men has received overall positive reviews. But I think the Washington Post's Stephen Hunter summed up my feelings about it best:

"I appreciate No Country for Old Men for the skill in the film craft. I understand No Country for Old Men for its penetrating disquisition on narrative conventions, and its heroic will in subverting them. I admire No Country for Old Men for the way it tightens its grip as it progresses, taking us deeper and deeper into a hellish world.
I just don't like it very much."

It stuck me as very high level filmmaking with good performances. But the ending left me cold (if not surprised, and not in a good way). And when I left, I just felt pretty unfulfilled. No Country has been mentioned on several Oscar watch lists for best picture, but I just can't see this being a film that many moviegoers will really like. It's more a movie to be respected than to be loved, and so it will be interesting to see how Academy voters weigh those feelings when casting their votes.

Posted by Stephen Becker at 10:49 AM | | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

Friday Morning Movie Roundup: Nov. 9

Man, we are *seriously* creeping into full-scale Oscar season. Only six films on the slate this week, but 2/3 of that crop are heavy heavy heavy. The other two? Well, I get the distinct impression that Fred Claus (D+)and P2 (F) don't even succeed at what they try to be. Not every film has to be Citizen Kane, but it should at least strive to be the best pre-season holiday comedy or psychological thriller that it can be. I don't need Fred Claus to be the next The Ref, but it could at least be as entertaining as National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

But what really breaks my heart is P2. I suppose the review could turn out to be wrong, but International Man of Movie Reviews Roger Moore hasn't led me astray yet. I expected a creepy, psychological thriller with lots of "OHMYGAH LOOKOUT!" moments. And it seems like I'll be getting a poor man's Hostel (yeah, re-read that. A poor man's Hostel.), sans gore. Or tension. Or excitement.

So I'll save my $10 for next week's Beowulf , pick up a copy of Cormac McCarthy's novel and wait to see No Country for Old Men until I finish reading.

Or I might just catch up on my Netflix queue. Underworld: Evolution, anyone? (What? Tony Curran is CUTE.)

Posted by Holly Warren at 12:09 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

November 1, 2007

FMMB: Week of excellence


American Gangster (Universal Pictures)

It's a banner week, ladies and gentlemen, with five of the eight new flicks receiving a "Recommended" rating. (one missed the accolade by a mere half-grade.) Only two films didn't do so well this week: Martian Child takes a very sad 'D' while the remake Sleuth redeems itself only slightly with a 'C'. I've been doing this movie thing for a record two years, and I'd say this is the best graded week we've seen during my tenure.

American Gangster wins for "Highest Grade this week," and becomes only one of three films (or so we can remember) to receive the site's highest score of an 'A'. No A+ here; otherwise, I'm told that "The Departed would have gotten an A++++."

While Bridgette and Christy will no doubt revel in the Denzel-Russell glory that is American Gangster, and Shannon heads off to Joy Division heaven with Control, I'm taking my popcorn over to My Kid Could Paint That. The documentary traces the fame -- and controversy -- that surrounded a 4-year-old "modern art prodigy."

What are you heading out to this weekend?

Posted by Holly Warren at 11:31 PM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

October 26, 2007

New releases for Oct. 26

First feast, now famine. After 12 new films opened this week, only five new flicks hit the screens this week in Dallas. With Halloween less than a week away, one of them must be Saw IV. But you can also choose from Dan in Real Life (B), Bella (C), Music Within (B+) and Park. Comment and let the world know: which flick gets your $10+ this week?

Posted by Holly Warren at 6:19 AM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

October 19, 2007

In praise of 'Gone Baby Gone'

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Casey Affleck (Miramax)

I know it's a cliche, but here goes: If you only see one movie this week, make it Gone, Baby Gone. I saw it last night, and it's easily in my top five for the year so far. Ben Affleck makes a wise choice in picking a story set in his hometown of Boston for his directorial debut -- he knows these people and what they're about, and it comes across onscreen. I've read a lot of comparisons to Mystic River (both set in Boston, both about bad things happening to kids, both adaptations of Dennis Lehane novels), and the main critique from the haters seems to be: Affleck doesn't have as good a touch as Clint Eastwood. And I keep thinking, "Really?" Because you know who else doesn't have Eastwood's touch? Just about everybody. Really, though, the major difference in the movies is the lead actors. Mystic River provided Sean Penn with a showy, bombastic character that he was able to ride all the way to a well-deserved Oscar. Casey Affleck's private investigator isn't like that -- he doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve, but you still can feel the pain inside. And watching his character face one moral dilemma after another will have you constantly questioning your own moral stances. All of that being said, the takeaway is this: The story is a brilliantly crafted procedural with a slew of twists and turns and false endings, none of which seem slapped on. And when Affleck's character has his drop-the-coffee-cup moment, a la Chazz Palminteri in The Usual Suspects, you'll feel rewarded that you've finally put it all together, too.

Posted by Stephen Becker at 9:45 AM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

October 12, 2007

Blanchett: The best?

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Cate Blanchett (AP)

I'll throw one out there: Is Cate Blanchett the best actress going these days? She's got a good shot at pulling the rare double nomination this year with Elizabeth: The Golden Age and I'm Not There. She's got one Oscar on the shelf and two other nominations to her credit. And she seems to get the pick of the plum roles for strong women. The short list of other contenders for that title as far as I am concerned include: Meryl Streep (hey, she got nominated as recently as last year), Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet (she's 0-for-5, but still -- that's a lot of nominations) and Hilary Swank. And that's it, if we're talking the real cream o' the crop. So don't tell me about Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon or Renee Zellweger. They're all up there, for sure, but I think Blanchett at this point as separated herself with the work she's done over the past few years. But I would be happy to be talked out of that opinion. Can anyone make a case for some one other than Cate?

Posted by Stephen Becker at 10:38 AM | | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

What are you watching?


Who could resist Clive Owen? Certainly not Cate Blanchett's Virgin Queen (Universal Pictures)

The scores are in, ladies and gentlemen, and ... well, it's not a banner week but hardly a disappointment. Not too much to chose from, which hasn't been the norm lately (nine each last week and next week).

And those of you looking for a grade on Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?: The playwright is notorious for not screening his films in advance (who needs critics when you have a loyal following?), so best check back tomorrow.

Who's seeing what this weekend and why? Or, if these six can't tempt you, what are you watching in the comfort of your own home? Besides football - or hockey, in my case - obvs.

Posted by Holly Warren at 12:00 AM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

September 28, 2007

Friday morning movie roundup: Sept. 28

Where's the love this weekend? Too too too many options to chose from this week. What's getting your 8 bucks? Click the "comment" link and talk amongst yourselves.

Personally, I'm all about Feast of Love, and have been since I watched the trailer about a month ago. Read more about it in Chris Vognar's interview with director Robert Benton.

Posted by Holly Warren at 6:00 AM | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

September 21, 2007

Friday morning movie roundup: Sept. 21

Apparently *everybody* wanted to cash in on the first day of fall, cause we got 12, count 'em, TWELVE new movies opening this week. And that's not counting the three – Across the Universe, Manda Bala (Send a Bullet) and Trade – that were pushed back one week to Sept. 28.

With this much selection, there's got to be something for everybody, right? I gotta admit, for my part, nothing here screams out "Spend your $9.50! Don't wait for Netflix!"

So what are you seeing this weekend?

• In the Valley of Elah (B+) | Trailer

• Good Luck Chuck (D+) | Trailer

• Sydney White (C) | Trailer

• December Boys (B) | Trailer

• The Hottest State (C-) | Trailer

• In the Shadow of the Moon (B) | Trailer

• Fierce People (D+) | Trailer

• The Hunting Party (B) | Trailer

• Live-In Maid (A-) | Trailer

• ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway (B+) | Trailer

• Resident Evil: Extinction (C-) | Trailer

• Sea of Dreams | Trailer

Posted by Holly Warren at 12:04 AM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

September 14, 2007

Friday morning movie roundup: Sept. 14


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I'm woman enough to admit that I like Dawson's Creek. So much so, in fact, that if TBS would stop messing with its scheduling, I'd begin every day with an episode.

And yet... Even I am scared off of a movie whose male lead can only boast "of TV's Dawson's Creek" -- unless it has the words "mighty" or "ducks" in the title. So we can safely assume that I will not be seeing Silk this weekend. Deep Water stands a pretty solid chance, even though I cheated and read the Wikipedia article about Donald Crowhurst, the focal point of the documentary.

Who's getting my $8 this weekend? Defintely David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises, with Viggo Mortensen (read Chris Vognar's interview with both men). Because, seriously, David Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen. And not just because Viggo's wearing a Montreal Canadiens t-shirt in that photo. Okay, not entirely.

Here's this weekend's new offerings - what are you seeing?

• Eastern Promises (B+) | Trailer
• The Brave One (C+) | Trailer
• Deep Water (A-) | Trailer
• Mr. Woodcock (C)| Trailer
• The Devil Came on Horseback (B) | Trailer
• Silk (C-) | Trailer
• Dragon Wars | Trailer

Make sure to save some pennies though -- there are FIFTEEN flicks scheduled to open next weekend.

Posted by Holly Warren at 4:00 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

August 24, 2007

Friday morning movie roundup: Aug. 24

Lot's to see this weekend, but not much great. Stephen Becker already warned you that we're reaching the lean season. So this might not be a bad time to revisit some of the summer's earlier offerings.

For me? I think I'll give The Nanny Diaries and The 11th Hour a shot. Plus, I've still got about a half-dozen to catch up on.

What are you guys heading out to this weekend?

The Nanny Diaries (C) | Trailer

Resurrecting the Champ (C+) | Trailer

The 11th Hour (B+) | Trailer

Lady Chatterley (B) | Trailer

2 Days in Paris (B) | Trailer

Illegal Tender (C+) | Trailer

Mr. Bean's Holiday (C) | Trailer

The Eye of the Dolphin (D) | Trailer

September Dawn (D) | Trailer

War (not screened) | Trailer

Posted by Holly Warren at 8:13 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

August 10, 2007

Friday morning movie roundup: Aug. 10

There should be a little something for everyone this week, with comedies, a documentary and a grown-up fairytale.

My $8 is on Stardust. A Neil Gaiman story + an all-star cast can scarcely go wrong. Besides, there is no way you're getting me to Daddy Day Camp or Skinwalkers (though it should appeal to my CW/Sci Fi Channel heart).

• Stardust (B+) | Trailer

• Rush Hour 3 (D) | Trailer

• No End in Sight (A-) | Trailer

• Molière (B) | Trailer

• Daddy Day Camp (D) | Trailer

• Skinwalkers | Trailer

So tell us: What gets your money this weekend?

Posted by Holly Warren at 8:00 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 27, 2007

Friday morning movie roundup: July 27

Time to start planning your cinematic weekend, kiddos. Did you catch the midnight Simpsons screening? Planning an extra-long lunch to catch the glorious deliciousness that is Aaron Eckhart in No Reservations? (I think I just gave away my plans. Blast!) Does not screening in advance spell disaster for I Know Who Killed Me and Who's My Caddy? - or can they just blame Lindsay Lohan and an 'are-you-seriously-kidding-me?' plot for their imminent failure?

Here's the lineup; what's the game plan? (And whether Bridgette knows it or not, she's seeing Sunshine or the Simpsons this weekend.)

• The Simpsons Movie (B+)

• No Reservations (B-)

• Sunshine (B+)

• Interview (C+)

• Brooklyn Rules (D+)

• I Know Who Killed Me

• Who's Your Caddy?

Posted by Holly Warren at 6:00 AM | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)