Crazy Heart

WORTH-IT: (Scott Cooper) I keep talking about movies that have really surprised me. I'd made a bad habit of forming opinions too early based on predictable trailers and was limiting my cinematic exposure in doing so. But, with all the flicks thus far that I keep saying that about, I've really got to kick that. Crazy Heart was one I was anything but excited to see. The preview made it look like The Wrestler (which I loathed) and it was all about country music (another thing I hate). Throwing Jeff Bridges into the mix did even more of nothing for me... Sorry guys, he's just way before my time. So, with all my low expectations, sure enough, the reviews came in, and it was the movie to see. Critics claimed Bridges was "unbelievable" and Maggie Gyllenhaal had a sure-fire nom come Oscar time. The more I heard, the more curious I became, and actually will admit that when I did make it to the theater, I really was feeling pretty apt anticipation.

Well, it fulfilled the media-ensued expectations. Bridges was incredible, making a sad, hopeless man into an endearing protagonist. Despite that I have never seen him in a movie (I know, I know, I have work to do) he immediately won me over an had my vote for his Oscar nom. Maggie G. (my #1 girl) tagged along perfectly, bringing an otherwise minor role to life as a bright-eyed yet weathered, young reporter. An unlikely match on-screen, the duo make this relationship believable and genuine--one you root for knowing full-well what's actually good for them.

Even the music was pretty noteworthy. Despite a questionable choice in casting Colin Farrell as the up and coming music star (I mean, really. Colin Farrell will never pass as a country music star. Never. It was painful and hilarious all at the same time.), the music they wrote for this film sticks with you. It's universally just good music, something that I can imagine myself listening to with all the windows down, blah blah and all that stereotypical shit. But, it's not shit - it was impressive, unique, enjoyable and something I'll definitely download to keep enjoying it.

I urge everyone to put this on your list to see. Music-lovers, it's a no-brainer. Everyone else, it's actually a well-told story and a damn good movie so don't pass it up.

My Blueberry Nights

ALMOST: (Kar Wai Wong) A touching and tender movie dotted with potential controversy, My Blueberry Nights disappoints overall as a bland, predictable and pretty much boring film. The story is sweet, but stereotypical: A broken-hearted girl treks across the country trying to find herself amongst misfits in low places. Director takes us through three story lines, each with a character that helps reinstall Norah Jones's Elizabeth's self respect and dignity. The brightest spots consist of the small roles by Nathalie Portman as a gambling addict out for innocent money, Rachel Weisz and David Straitharn as separated and drunken lovers who quarrel to the death, and a dreamy cafe owner, played by Jude Law, who falls for her blueberry lovin' lips and thoughtful postcards from afar. Jones falls short as an actress, but does deliver sultry smokin' tunes to make a killer soundtrack. The brief appearances by the other stars are strangled by a weak script, a deeper story seeming just below the surface. This is a key note for recognizing great performances, made obvious by Jones's empty attempt to make the surface seem fallible. Unfortunately, with boring script and flat performance gives this film an overall "seen it" and "it hasn't changed" tone. Sad, because the aforementioned stars put forth their best, they just had nothing to work with. The title also leaves you hanging... does it refer to the blueberry pie being what she associates home with? Is it because she is in love with the guy who makes them? Or is it because when she ate blueberry pie those few nights, that was what made her pick up and leave. I wouldn't stress over getting this movie in your player... Watch it if you're curious, but don't expect a smash. It won't make you cry, you probably won't laugh, and most of all, you might keep checking your watch.

Across the Universe

WORTH-IT: (Julie Taymor) I admit, I went into this film expecting to find fault (and I loathe expectations going into movies), but what I ended up with was a great experience of a what can best be described as a Beatles-infused Rent. That said, the music was inevitably fantastic. The rich and melancholy sounds of the Beatles tell a story on screen of our world wrapped up in war and changes, seeking out love for each other and for themselves. The characters represent popular personalities of the time. The immigrant who feels estranged by the culture he isn't really a part of, the sheltered young girl who finds passion in making a difference, the dropout who gets drafted into a war he doesn't support and a band of hippie musicians looking to make their break in a society needing an escape. The music illustrates a storyline of universal struggle, and ends with "all you need is love" as the motto to get through the hard times. I wouldn't call this film phenomenal, simply because I felt like I had seen it before in the form of a psychedelic Rent. But standing alone, it is good. You will enjoy the colorful unfolding of history, find yourself singing along to well-known oldies, and allowing your heart to enter into the characters, your spirit will find its place in Universe's message. You might even experience the threshold of tenderness that surfaces only after lessons learned. Before you go renting this one though, understand it is a musical, and look for the story within the lyrics rather than the dialogue. Let yourself appreciate the aesthetics of color and emotion that back up the music. You'll enjoy it.

The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen)

MUST-SEE: (Henckel von Donnersmarck) Shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall, East Berlin suffocated its citizens with a life void of secret. The secret police trained its members to spy on and interrogate society members believed to support the West. They ran wires through the house walls, listened to the most intimate of moments, and never hesitated at the suggestion of misbehavior. The indulgence was so extreme, that even the secret police's own employees began to question the integrity of the government, manifesting doubt in the mind of those held in highest East Berlin regard. Such is the storyline of HvonD's The Lives of Others. This film is the story behind one case the GDR held in high classification. A popular playwright of the time, George Dreyman (played flawlessly by Sebastian Koch) called into question by a jealous prime minister is secretly tapped for months in hopes of catching his plans for rebellion before they began. Ulrich Muhe plays the cold-hearted agent in charge of Dreyman's case, gisting all dialogue, reporting each suspicion, and helping himself to play a part in Dreyman's life 24 hours a day. The storyline makes its punch with the theme that art will outlast government control. The audience witnesses a dramatic change, not only in the government, but also in the men who work for the GDR. Realizing they've gone too far, the men find they are trapped in the horror that is communism. And as the officials promote communist socialism, more and more people are interrogated, tortured, and even killed along the way to eradication of Western tendency. A powerful performance by Martina Gedeck, playing East Berlin's "it" girl evokes the inner battle many people faced when they were forced to choose their art or their life. The Lives of Others beautifully illustrates the emotions of both sides, contrasting love and obsession with good and evil. Von Donnersmarck excels with The Lives of Others, making great acting, frank storytelling, and phenomenal heart the standard for Best Foreign Films. See this movie, despite the subtitles, and allow yourself the education of both history and the human spirit through the tragedy of East Berlin.

August Rush

WORTH-IT: So worth it! August Rush is a family friendly happy ending movie made for those of us that need some life inspiration and reaffirmation of the good in life. Although masked by the most cheesy script I've ever heard, the storyline is unique. The heart of young Evan (August himself) tugs you along, giving the audience the same hope to find his parents through an uncanny musical genius he was born with thanks to a musically inclined Keri Russell and Johnathan Rhys-Meyers. Again, cheesy script will make you cringe at these two, especially after Russell instilled us with the utmost respect after Waitress. Nevertheless, the pair finds chemistry underneath the words, and the true heart is revealed in the music, the phenomenal music. So in conclusion, this film is worth its cheesiness to experience the happiness. The music and acting is supreme, and emotion is honest. Give it a chance, but don't expect to be blown away.

Enchanted: A Happy Ending

MUST-SEE: Right off the bat, I know some of you are rolling your eyes or scoffing at the rating I give Enchanted. But heed my words and slow your tendencies to disregard, because this hilarious and perfectly over-the-top SPOOF on some of everyone's favorite Disney fairy tales is beyond any expectation I could have had. The story is the journey of an animated fair maiden (Amy Adams) destined to marry her sing-song prince (on the morning after they met), but instead is pushed into a well that lands her in the real New York City, by the evil stepmother (a sultry Susan Sarandon). Landing under the care of Robert (McDreamy) and his daughter, she barely misses a beat of Cinderella as she transitions into a world not meant for happy endings. Above all, the humor prevails. McDreamy faces Adams's constant urge to break out into song, her instinct to make a new dress out of his curtains each day, and her ability to summon all walks of life through the window of his apartment to help cook and clean. The screen is filled with laughter, ruffles and a spunky chipmunk that please the eyes of children, but the wit and satirical take on Disney makes this one a happy ending for adults too. Expect to finally be given a reason to laugh out loud at Cinderella's naivete, scoff at Snow White's furry following, and appreciate the outlandish plot for being a stretch beyond reality's boundary. It's funny, it's pretty, and might even make you want to sing your way out of the theater.

Black Snake Moan

MUST-SEE: You have go to see this movie! BSM is the story of a hurting man (Jackson) wanting to prove his worth and cure all women from their evil. God gives him this opportunity when Ray (Ricci) winds up near-dead outside his driveway. Upon realization that she is the town's sex-addict, he vows to cure her from his own living room. The story gets typical with the inevitable friendship that grows between the two, but the accompanying story lines make this film one worth seeing. The excitement of the plot extends beyond the two, into ta web of townspeople out to judge and spy. This film throws together religion, comedy, moral, and music to make a truly entertaining story of an aging man in need of worth and a maturing girl in need of a wake-up call. Back to the typical: They hint at saving one another, but the pull for your attention stems from the unlikely angles this writer takes on trust, love and vulnerability. I laughed out loud, grooved to the guitar blues, and even shed a tear for the genuine sentiment released. Overall, it's a sad story, but one that can empathize with emotions across the board. It'll inspire you to befriend even the most unlikely person and teach you to trust you heart in matters of the soul.

Factory Girl

MUST-SEE: (Hickenlooper) Never before has over the top eye make-up, fake fur, and enormous dangling earrings made such an impression for a life that was lived too fast, but too short. The portrait of Edie Sedgewick as she evolved out of art school into a world controlled by Andy Warhol is the gut of Factory Girl. An adorable Sienna Miller superbly plays the waif Sedgewick capturing a rare and raw emotion amidst what appears a glamorous lifestyle. The film carries us well from her rebellion from art school, through her curious and innocent explorations of New York, all the way to her downfall; a naked and bruised body enclosing a tormented and aching soul. Miller does a fantastic job at conquering each characteristic of a true Edie. Her style and her accent truly reflects the trendsetter and outlandish persona Edie carried. As for the film, the casting is perfect, the depiction of The Factory was convincing, and the overall tone evoked a creepiness that made her destruction even more tragic. The script remains true to Edie's heart, borderline exploiting Warhol and gripping the audience in her favor. The credits run alongside an audio/visual montage of past friends and family speaking on the essence of Edie. All in all, the film was enlightening, saddening, and inspiring. If you can move your heart past the drugs and past the sadness, you will experience a phenomenal story of one of the greatest trendsetters and art icons of our recent history.

The Double Life of Veronique

ALMOST (Krsysztof Kieslowski): I don't have a lot to say about this film. I was terribly intrigued by its recommendation, and equally excited to test out a new director (writer/director of The Three Colors: Bleu, Blanc, Rouge). Unfortunately, what I found was a terribly boring film. What is supposed to be the story of a girl whose spirit lives in two people, becomes one mushy blend of the same girl, a flat and solemn musician. The film is overall dark (visually UN-stimulating) and slow. Hardly any pivotal characters leave the entire plot drive on this poor female star, who does a fabulous job of taking on two girls, but actually delivers one synonymous role as a girl who sings with her mouth incredibly wide open. The music is droning, the mood is low-key and to be honest, it took two tries to get through the whole thing. Now for those of you that enjoy this director, be my guest to watch it, and I wish you better experiences. I hope to never deter anyone from any film, but simply offer what the film lacked in its jaunt towards success. I'm a lover of French films, and as a whole, foreign films, but this one let me down tremendously. The drama wasn't convincing, and the plot dragged. Maybe a little diversity in character development could have sent it on its way. Better luck to other viewers!

Once

PHENOMENAL: I'll say it was hard not to give this movie a Phenomenal, but in keeping with the scale, I feel like I made my point here. Once is actually phenomenal though, in the adjective sense. I am not sure what I was expecting, but I dare you to have expectations going in, because they will shatter. First and foremost, the music is strong. From the first notes in the first scene, the voice of the main character reaches deep into your heart. Later on, the music becomes so overwhelmingly emotional, I felt as though it was meant for me. A particular duet, uniquely powerful, and sung in the back of a music store brought literal tears to my eyes with its honesty and beauty. But, in an effort to praise the film, alongside the soundtrack, the story is surprisingly quaint and cleverly humorous. It is charmingly realistic, shedding believable light on a common story. The characters in this film, playing themselves, were outstanding. Their dialects funny and witty, their lines scripted beautifully. I am telling you that this movie cannot be missed. It satisfies musical, scriptural, and schematic needs within film, making this movie far more an experience than a form of entertainment. Be ready to love these characters, feel their turmoil, and embrace their music.

La Vie en Rose: Edith Piaf Croons

PHENOMENAL: (Subtitled) La Vie en Rose captures the mind through ear and eye, taking its viewers on a tour of France and New York, along the trodden stage of cabaret to music hall star, Edith Piaf. In few words, I loved it! In fewer words, Fantastic! And, for the sake of my readers, in more words... La Vie en Rose is fun, emotional, and sensual. It takes its audience on a scenic tour of despair and hopelessness to freedom and success and back through broken roads of aching hearts and ailing spirits. We get to see a portrait of the chanteuse unique, Edith Piaf, as lived from birth. She suffered immensely, but her genuine talent and spunk wind her up on stage, singing for men and women, making her the picture of envy for all. But the film reveals many more parts to the prodigy's life. It paints the picture inside her head, masked by love, fame, and fortune. We watch her tarnish her own relationships, delude in her own fantasies, and eventually, dig her own grave. It's a bitter story, but one cured to tickle our curiosity and entertain our desires for the same longings we are taught to harness. Piaf is represented as a strong woman, misled, mistreated, and out to work for her own neck. This story of true determination, pride, and passion grips the spirit and educates the soul. Piaf is quoted as saying "I'll die when I can no longer sing." To feel that emotion, to understand that sincerity is to experience Edith Piaf. The movie is entertaining through her voice and her story and the life she forces others to live. It creates a phenomenal 2-hour portrait of a young woman out to prove worth and push limits. Definitely treat yourself to this film. It will be talked about.

Stomp the Yard

QUESTIONABLE: Its hard to think of exactly what I want to say about this movie. I want to describe the energy well enough to keep your opinion aimiable, but in reality, I don't think you're missing too much by skipping this one. The dancing, stepping, and music was phenomenal. Rap, R&B, and rock collide to pump up the teams, the crowds, and the viewer. But, the acting, the back-up storyline, and the execution fell slack. Actually, it fell OFF the yard. Good ideas left out to dry, powerful monologues slammed into a brick wall before blooming, and the potential for incredible digital videography was lost. I think it goes without saying that this is stereotypcial for most dancer movies, but I was thoroughly disappointed this time. I love Chris Brown, but his big-name pull only pulled until he got shot. From then on, it was a laugh, accompanied by great moves and music.