Shutter Island

With Martin Scorsese at the helm, and his favorite actor Leo DiCaprio as the main protagonist, the film is bound to be top-notch. At times it is.

A creepy plot that makes "shutter" more like "shudder!" Real Hitchcock twists and turns, even a solid lighthouse scene, keep us guessing about the plot. Why does Leo keep having visions of his dead wife? What does the labyrinth of a mental hospital have to do with our hero? With all those lobotomized folks wandering around, where does Leo fit in?

Oh, did I forget to mention that SIR Ben Kingsley is outstanding as the main hospital doc? He is spot on as the shrink who might, or might not, be following the Hypocratic Oath. Michelle Williams is pretty as always, playing the role of Leo's wife...yet somehow, I always see Heath Ledger in her eyes, which are alreadly quite sad.

Lest we overlook the downsides, there are gratuitious scenes of gore. Yes, this is a thriller, and yes, Marty enjoys shocking us now and then. But I draw the line at repetitive scenes of death camps and dead children. Once is enough...point made. Then there are the endless movements through the labyrinth...again, some editing could have helped.

With Leo transforming, bit by bit, from FBI agent to possible insane asylum inmate, from seeker of justice to possible murderer, from devoted cop to possible avenger, all bets are off.

So my overall impression: A film well worth seeing. But be sure to suspend your disbelief.

Think Twilight Zone, Hitchcock, and Cops....neatly mingled in a Kafkaesque setting...and enjoy!

The Lucky Ones

Last night, I had the time of my life watching three misfits wander the U.S. together, having just exited a tour of wartime duty. Rachel McAdams, Michael Pena, and Tim Robbins create film magic. In a tightly scripted, non-Hollywoodized story, our three soldiers, each wounded psychologically/physically by war (and life), struggle to find their niche back home. This is not a new theme: Remember Coming Home with Jon Voight or Born on the Fourth of July with Tom Cruise? But this treatment is far more subtle, far more engaging. The threesome get to know each other, and care for each other, as they stumble and fall as civilians. I won't say much more...because chances are few viewers have seen this little jewel. But I'd suggest that film buffs put this DVD at the very top of their list. A+ in my book.

Splendor in the Grass

Visited with an old friend last Friday night. After all, hubby was at the monthly neighbor poker party - what else is there to do but snuggle up with Splendor in the Grass. This early 1960s romance takes us through the painful angst of teenage love. Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty (in his film debut!) really nail this theme. Bud and Dini, with passion (and sexual frustration) that could melt steel, are star-crossed members of a pre-Depression America. Since I shall assume you have seen it, I shall skip summary to just weigh that the adults in this film are a fascinating study of what not to do in parenting, despite all their best intentions. (Could write an essay on them.) It is also a statement on the limited choices of this era, especially for young females.

I relate to this movie on several personal levels, some of which I will spare you. However, there is a scene where Dini is forced to stand in English class and recite and interpret Wm. Wordsworth's Ode: Intimations on Immortality. "What, though the radiance which is once so bright, be now forever taken from my sight, tho nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower, we will grieve not; rather find strength in what remains behind."

Dini bursts into tears as it punctures her pain in Bud having broken up with her.

When I studied the poem in college, it held meaning for me, too.

For years I taught it in high school, and I was coincidentally scheduled to read and discuss it in class on the day my best friend, Steve Hanley, died. I broke down, reading the words. My students huddled around me.

So, yea, this film is an old friend of mine. I cried again at the end. Dammit.

Toy Story 3

Admission: I LOVE the Toy Story series. I find it immensely rewarding when a film truly appeals to every age. Not an easy task. Humor must take its many forms, from slapstick on up to most subtle satire. For the adult audience of this film, we get the "adult" humor while also reveling in our own childhood and its level of humor. But TOY STORY goes beyond any UP or CARS; by inserting actual toys we and our children have nostalgically attached ourselves to with affection and loyalty, every scene elicits an undercurrent wave of "awwww" rolling through the rows of the movie-goers. (Rolling telephone, troll dolls, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head...) And the repartee between Barbie and Ken was hilarious.

We sat in a full theatre crawling with kids. Normally, I would hate that. But it actually added to this experience. They were completely engaged and it felt downright bonding to laugh with the child next to me about the same lines. And, I doubt there was a dry eye by film's end, at least not from the adults!

I enjoyed this film the least of the three (typical). It had extended dark scenes and situations and created possible negativity in kids for day care (pile on the parent guilt). And the constant build-up of grave crisis after another seemed borrowed from too many action flicks. But all is equalized by conclusion.

This film makes a strong point about the importance of returning children to an era of imaginative play. To make something out of nothing. To create our own story lines, instead of being manipulated through a media's construct. Also, to value and care for the things we are entrusted to.

Andy has his Woody; my Nate had his Big Bird, Greg his Growl, and Jenna her Bunny. Just a few weeks ago, I asked my youngest (age 26) if he could go through his toy trove high on a closet shelf and perhaps whittle it down. FAT CHANCE OF IT NOW! I couldn't bear it myself.

Last note: can someone be a fan of a voice? I LOVE the voice of Joan Cusak. Her gravel-y, down-to-earth girl sound always makes things seem grounded. She's terrific.

Romantic Comedy

Time to survey a new category. Favorite Romantic Comedy. Now, I mean the kind that stays with you for a longggg time. The kind whose lines of dialogue or soundtrack seep into your everyday life. The kind that you will stop whatever task you are doing and watch it every single time it comes on t.v. The kind that isn't just, "oh, that was sweet," but, "I laughed so hard, I felt so much." Tell us what your one or two choices are and WHY? (see, there's that English teacher essay wording again. help me!)

California Dreamin'

The title might suggest a documentary on The Mamas and the Papas...or maybe a show about 60's surfers. It's something better: a top-notch winner of a film that takes place in Rumania!

Credit for viewing this film begins with this writer's smart spouse: She chose the film among many and put in on our DVR. What a great choice!

Made in 2007, the flick takes us to an unlikely place...a small village in Rumania where a trainload of NATO soldiers gets waylaid by the local pulpit bully, the corrupt trainmaster. Uh..boring! No, sports fans, not one little bit!

After ten minutes, we're hooked on this charmer. When the local villagers, let by the mayor, invite the young soldiers to meet the young ladies of the town and party with them, life really heats up! Focusing on a delightful true-love romance between a soldier and the trainmaster's rebellious daughter, we smile and revel in the couple's joy...even though neither speaks a word of the other's language!

Symbolism abounds in this sweet package, as the flick explores themes of anger, love, frustration, power, politics, and so much more. Until the last ten minutes, which this viewer did not embrace, the story keeps us grinning and guessing.

So, for you viewers who love getting inside other cultures, take a trip to Rumania...and prepare your popcorn prior to seeing the movie. You won't want to get up to take a break from this winner.

Four Time-Travel Wonders!

Every Trekkie knows the expression: "Beam me up, Scotty." In this viewer's fantasy, the expression would be: "Beam me back!" Yes, I'm a time-travel film nut!

This post assumes that readers have seen the classic flicks that take us back to the old days...or forward to the future. The Terminator series is among the most popular. Then there is the great standout, The Time Machine (and its wimpy remake with Guy Pearce).

Today's discussion touts four lesser-known, but delightful time-travel movies.

First, there's The Time Traveler's Wife. I'm a fan of both Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana, so this was not a hard sell for me. Basically a love story, the message being that love is eternal, poor EB finds himself soaring through time at the most unexpected moments. Except for a moment of older man/little girl inappropriateness, the film keeps us guessing. Just think of Christopher Reeves/Jane Seymour in a more creative package.

Then we move on to Millenium. With Nick Nolte at the helm, this imaginative piece really gets us thinking. To avoid the usual time travel paradox--a theme central to every good scifi piece--some future folks save people from plunging airplanes just before the crash. If, after all, the people are listed as goners, there's no problem keeping them alive...in the future!

Edward Burns is the star of the next winner: Sound of Thunder. He leads a troop of travelers who must stay on the "path" that takes them back to the Dinosaur Age...without actually entering that world. What if, however, one of the travelers accidentally lets an object roll off the path into the real past? Yikes!

In Twice Upon Yesterday, Lena Heady wows us with her charm and wit. She and her lover, who really screw things up in the past, get to go back and work it all out again. A nice fantasy for those of us (everyone?) who really messed up a relationship way-back-when! Will she succeed? Will her lover succeed? Or is the past truly fixed?

Enjoy, film buffs!

PS: If they ever make a real time machine, sign me up. I'll go visit my favorite hero, Abe Lincoln...and about a thousand other folks!

True Romance

As a Quentin Tarantino follower, I had forgotten what a masterpiece this film is.

Squeezed between the film maker's debut of Reservoir Dogs of 1992 and Pulp Fiction of 1994, True Romance was made in 1993. It showcased a myriad of major actors, including Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hoper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, and Samuel L Jackson. Oh, and don't forget to include James Gandolfini, in the perfect gangster role that may have eventually landed him his great lead in The Sopranos.

Who's best? I'd put my money on Patricia Arquette. She played the ditsy moll with incredible flair...worthy, in my mind, of Oscar attention. Yes, all the QT ingredients are all there: guns, drugs, sex, shootouts, and even a bit of pre-Kill Bill Kung Fu stuff.

One reviewer says it well: I've seen Reservoir Dogs, I've seen Pulp Fiction & I've seen Jackie Brown, but for me this is Tarantino's best crime caper. Completely engrossing from start to finish, the story of the two lovers who are on the run is not entirely believable, but seriously enjoyable. You get your fill of guns, sex, style and pop-culture, and the usual array of celebrity cameos in a film that seems a whole lot more 'close'. Whereas Pulp Fiction felt like one long trailer, with every line razor-sharp and a load of hip music that made the film go so quickly, True Romance offers you the chance to savour every moment, as the film moves at a (slightly) slower pace. Enjoy the blazing finale, and just wonder how it might have turned out if Tarantino had got his hands on the camera...

So in case you missed this gripping flick, rent it and enjoy! My dear spouse and I were glued to the screen and did not stop for a coffee break!

Back to you, Valerie.

Lantana

OK, film lovers, fasten your seat belts for a great, I mean great, thriller! Lantana? Huh? Yes, a lesser known film from 2001, made by Aussies and starring two of our aging favorites, Geoffrey Rush and Barbara Hershey, is the standout of the day! The film opens with a shot of a woman's body in the woods....carefully photographed with beautiful flowers and melodic, soft music...then bam, we're face-to-face with two sweaty lovers very "enrapt" in the moment! Somewhat Tarantino-esque, you might say. From there on, it's a who-dunnit at the core...but far more significantly, it's a psychological piece about thirty-somethings who seek fulfillment at an age where, alas, the open arms of lovers seems to fill the bill. With interwoven themes of sex, love, fidelity (and the obvious lack thereof), violence, mystery, and angst, this film is a winner! Here are a few comments I lifted from the Web:

Something close to a masterpiece, 8 May 2003

This original film, one of the best of the new millennium I have seen, stayed with me long after they ran the closing credits. It is well worth the two hours.

Readers' Challenge

O.K., readers out there (you are out there, yes?), I am challenging YOU to take on the following assignment. (Remember, I am a recovering lit. teacher.)

CHALLENGE: How is Apocalypse Now like The Wizard of Oz?

GO!