All in all not a hugely impressive year for movies. I have now seen all the movies I care to see. Michael Clayton and Atonement stand out as the best of the big movies. But if you want a smile you can not go wrong with Ratatouille or Juno.
Michael Clayton is a very well constructed lawyer drama that follows a major firm's fixer (lawyer that fixes the firm's problems). As you probably know, this role (and the title of the movie) is played by George Clooney. George's character is sent in to clean up after a colleague and friend's mental breakdown during a crucial point of a class action lawsuit (His firm represents the company being suit). Along with George is an excellent cast including Tom Wilkinson, Sydney Pollack, and Tilda Swinton. This is my pick for Best Movie of the Year.
An amazingly beautifully shot film that spans from the English countryside to the near disastrous shores of Dunkirk. If nothing else, it made me want to visit the English countryside and stay in a British manor house. The story follows a young couple and how they were torn apart by false accusations. Do not go see this movie if you want a cheery film :).
Ah now a happy film. Pixar continues to excel and it may be one favorite one of theirs. I wonder now and during this film if it was intended for a more adult audience. The kid in front of me was asking if it was over yet and I was thoroughly enjoying it. The plot follows a gourmet rat who dreams of being a chef at a human restaurant. Hard for a rat in normal circumstances, but it is a movie. Pixar's animation is beautiful as usual including some astonishing vistas of Paris. Its a must see.
Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, how could you go wrong? The movie did not go wrong and the result is the best western made in years. "Silverado" comes to mind as the last good one and no I am not a fan of "Unforgiven." It is a remake though so a good deal of credit must be given to the original which I have yet to see. Basically the plot is that the bad guy (Crowe) is caught and must be taken to the train station so he can be transported to court and then jail. The Law needs manpower and a struggling farmers steps for for the financial benefits and to prove something to his son. Kind of a cliched plot, but very well done.
When I saw the preview for this movie, I knew this would be a movie I would want to see. Plus the screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin. Its a humorous yet serious look at the life of Congressman Charlie Wilson, and what he and others did to support the Afgan fight against the Soviet invasion of their country. The banter between Tom Hanks (Charlie Wilson) and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Gust Avrakotos, CIA) is worth seeing alone.
The little movie that could of last year. The word that comes to mind to describe this movie is pure "charm" and considering the subject matter its utterly amazing to say that. "Juno" is about a offbeat but highly intelligent high school girl who gets pregnant and decides to put her future child up for adoption. See what I mean . The main performance by Ellen Paige and the wonderfully witty writing will pull you in and change the awkward subject into something wholly endearing. Add an excellent soundtrack and you have the best little movie of the year.
Not the easiest movie to watch but I do think it is truly worth it. A true life story that follows a highly successful magazine exec whose sudden stroke nearly completely paralyses him to the point all he can do is blink one eye. By blinking he is thus able to communicate to the outside world. The cinematography does gets a bit artsy in parts (probably because the director is an artist), and also, the film is in French so you are hereby warned. The story grabbed me what can I say.