Pick of the Week 6/5/09

WONDER BOYS

Every time I sit down to watch this movie I honestly don't know what to expect, even after multiple viewings. I don't mean that I have forgotten the storyline, but that each time I watch Wonder Boys I see something different in the characters, in their relationships, and more importantly I sometimes see my life in a different perspective. And yes, I laugh till it hurts most of the way through it too.
This is the power of Curtis Hanson's amazing adaptation of Michael Chabon's much loved novel. The fact that Michael Chabon is involved with this movie makes it worth mentioning on its own.
The story revolves around Professor Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas) many years after the writing of his great literary work, struggling to finish the follow up. Stoned and drunk most of the time, having an affair with a married woman, and attempting to mentor a dark and disturbed young student (Tobey Maguire) while fending off the advances of his housemate and admirer (Katie Holmes) doesn’t leave Douglas much time to do anything but coast through life. However, like all lasting cinematic works, Wonder Boys is really about choice, and more importantly about the ability of individuals to make decisions instead of letting life dictate every step of the way.
If you are looking for a deep, emotional and hilariously funny movie, complete with great writing and cast, then Wonder Boys is it.

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Starring Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Katie Holmes, Francis McDormand and Robert Downey Jr.

Released in 2000.

REIGN OVER ME

"Live every day like it's the best day of your life."

This is a gutsy movie. I don't know how else to describe it. Not gutsy in the way it's normally used, like brave or courageous, or even groundbreaking. This movie is gutsy because it makes you feel it in your gut, deep down in that place that tells you your in love, or tells you your wrong, or most of the time tells you your hungry. That's where this movie gets you.
Adam Sandler gives a surprising performance in an even more surprising role. There is a bit of his usual humor thrown into this film, but it's very minimal and sparsely distributed. Don Cheadle is outstanding as well. Come to think of it, all the actors in this movie were well chosen and played their parts to perfection. And Donald Sutherland's brief role at the end was awesome.
This movie is long, the soundtrack is great, and Mike Binders writing and direction really gave the audience a chance to empathize with the characters, a feat most movies miss. But don't be fooled by the trailer, which makes this movie out to be another Sandler comedy. It's a drama through and through. I highly recommend this movie, as well as Mike Binders other somewhat recent film THE UPSIDE OF ANGER.
REIGN OVER ME was released this year, 2007.



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STRANGER THAN FICTION

"Harold Crick isn't ready to go. Period. "

Ok, hands down one of the best movies I've seen out of any category in the past year. This movie almost changed my life. If movies like this can be made, and manage to impart such strong feelings to the viewer, then creativity and originality still live, and even thrive, in the world of cinema.
Harold Crick (Will Ferrel) is an IRS agent. He leads a normal life, he has a steady job with the government, and he brushes his teeth the prescribed number of times each day. But Harold Crick might not be in control of his life.
This is all I can write about this movie because it's so well done that it would be a shame to spoil it any further.
Suffice it to say that supporting cast Emma Thompson, Dusting Hoffman and Maggie Gyllenhall all give tremendous performances, and Will Ferrel's comedy couldn't be better. If I believed in rating movies with a number, I would give this movie 4 1/2 stars out of 5!
Released in 2006.



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SECOND PICK OF THE WEEK

THE CIDER HOUSE RULES:
"A story about how far we must travel to find the place where we belong."

I'm running out of words to describe the great movies that I have seen and want to share. Of all things. I think I might have to invest in a good thesaurus.
THE CIDER HOUSE RULES is a stunning film, shot in Maine it's cinematography is simply breathtaking. This movie has been in my collection from the first week it was out on VHS, almost as long as I've had my copy of HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE. (Also a great classic).
It recounts the story of a young orphan (Tobey Maguire) who is raised and tutored by the head doctor (Michael Caine) to become a doctor in his own right and eventually take over the business of running the orphanage he was raised in. However, like all young people, he feels the need to discover some of life's mysteries on his own, and so sets out with a couple (Charlize Theron and Paul Rudd) that were visiting the orphanage, accompanying them back home and to a vital time of trials and realizations that is necessary for all persons who are intent on finding their own path in life. THE CIDER HOUSE RULES is a fresh take on coming of age.
A story of love, grief, and the necessity of experience in the full human spectrum of emotions, this movie is a fantastic viewing experience.
Released in 1999, and a favorite in my collection.



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BE PREPARED BEFORE YOU WATCH THIS

AMERICAN HISTORY X:
"See reality in your eyes when hate makes you blind."

This movie really had a profound effect on me when I first saw it at a friends house. Granted, I don't think he should have owned it at that age, but I don't think his parents knew about it.
Anyway, AMERICAN HISTORY X recounts the story of a highly intelligent and introspective neo-nazi skinhead (Edward Norton) who gradually discovers that all in life is not black and white. Subsequently, before this grand realisation, he is incarcerated in a state prison, only to be paired with a black man in the laundry room. What follows is a journey of self-discover and a painful march towards higher logic, a true show of how much strength is needed to overcome a lifetime of prejudice and hate, to expand into a life of knowledge and acceptance, and most importantly, of change.
Edward Norton gives a powerful performance, only adding to the importance of a film like this to open our eyes (albeit a little late) to the fact that everything is not all right with the world, and at the same time giving hope for unstoppable change.
This movie is rated R for a reason. There is non-stop racism, brutal racist violence, prison violence, and strong language. Having said that, if you are at an age where you are capable of moving past these kinds of things to get to the philosophical heart behind, then this is a must see. If not, wait until you are.
Released in 1998, starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Bailk, Avery Brooks, Beverly D'Angelo, Ethan Suplee, Elliott Gould and Guy Torry. Directed by Tony Kaye.




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Pick of The Week 10/8/07

I'M REED FISH:

I was a little skeptical about this movie the first couple of minutes into it, but I held true and trusted that I picked a good one at the video store. So when you rent this, give it some room to breath and stretch out to its full potential before passing any cinematic judgment.
I'M REED FISH is actually written by a man named Reed Fish, in what I can only assume is a part of his life's story, which is very interesting to consider when watching certain parts of the film.
Reed Fish (played by Jay Baruchel, of Million Dollar Baby and winner of the best actor award for this movie) is a small town disc jockey and a local landmark in the town of Mud Meadows. He has a beautiful fiance (Alexis Bledel, of Sin City), loving in-laws, a supporting community and a fulfilled life in its own small way. The trouble is, he isn't really happy. So, when his old crush Jill (Schuyler Fisk) comes back to Mud Meadows for the summer, his seemingly perfect life is given the chance to become what Fish has always wanted it to be. His own.
Co-starring DJ Qualls (The New Guy) as his best friend, this movie is filled with laughter, sorrow and some good music, and despite being slightly unorthodox, is a fantastic screenplay.
Well worth watching if your in the mood for something genuine from the heart that will make you laugh as easily as it will make you identify with the film scenarios.



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