Movie Review: Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman
Director: Ben Affleck
Genre: Drama
Rated: R

A strong drama about a little girl who gets kidnapped and those who are trying to find her. Her mother seems to be preoccupied with herself There are a lot of answers that need to be solved. One is why does Ed Harris look so much like Viggo Mortensen in "History of Violence" in this movie? Never figured that one out.

Anyway, you can see some things coming in Gone Baby Gone, but the sharp performances are great. Casey Affleck plays a private detective hired to find the kidnapped four year old. He has to work through finding the girl, tension with his girlfriend and dealing with the girl's family, especially her mother. The movie works up to the point where Casey's character has to make a very difficult decision. The result will impact many lives in many ways.

Casey did a great job for his big brother Director Ben, also has a nice showing as a first time director. After watching you'll think about whether you would make the same decision that he makes at the end. By the way, the closing scene is great.

"Kids forgive, they don't judge, they turn the other cheek, and what do they get for it?"


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Movie Review: American Gangster (2007)

Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin
Director: Ridley Scott
Genre: Drama
Rated: R

Ridley Scott directs this gritty story of drugs and corruption in New York City in the 70s. Denzel Washington plays Frank Lucas, the drug kingpin who is trying to take over. Russell Crowe plays the one detective who is trying to take Frank down and who is not on the take.

For me, American Gangster starts off a little slow, but eventually simmers and cooks into a boil with the two trying to end up on top. This is based on a true story. I didn't know the story beforehand and I have to say that I was pretty surprised by the ending. That made the movie more enjoyable for me. It doesn't get much better than having Denzel and Russell getting lost into their characters. It's what they do best.

Overall this has great casting, including Josh Brolin who seems to be in every movie this year. This is a very well done show by the two Oscar winners. If you are a fan of the two stars, you have to see this.

"My investigation indicates that Frank Lucas is above the Mafia."


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Movie Review: No Country For Old Men (2007)

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Genre: Thriller
Rated: R

Winner of the Best Picture Oscar and winner of three other Oscars, including Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem). It is based on the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same title. The Coen brothers are at it again. They have created a movie that you have to inhale the entire 116 minutes before realizing what you have seen. It is unlike any movie you will ever sit down to watch.

Tommy Lee Jones plays the sheriff in a small town who has to deal with a rash of killings in his small town. Javier Bardem plays Chigurh the cold-blooded killer who will stop at nothing to get the drug money that he claims is his. Josh Brolin's character happens upon Chigurh's money and he wants it for himself. Chigurh is on his trail and the tension builds as we see the journey that he takes on his quest. Also, Woody Harrelson has a small funny role as a bounty hunter thrown into the mix.

I am a huge fan of Coen brother movies (Raising Arizona, Fargo and O, Brother Where Art Thou? among them). The Coen do an amazing job with pacing and timing throughout the movie. This is a movie that will be talked about and will have many interpretations. Go see for yourself why this movie is well deserved to be the winner of the Oscar for Best Picture.

"What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?"


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Movie Review: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck
Director: Andrew Dominik
Genre: Drama
Rated: R

I'm usually not one for slow methodical dramas, but this movie is a huge exception. Just as the title of the movie is detailed so is the movie and the story it tells. Brad Pitt is great as the intimidating Jesse James. Casey Affleck is excellent as Robert Ford. I also thought it was masterfully directed. Casey Affleck was nominated for an Oscar as was the cinematographer.

The movie details the last few weeks in the life of Jesse James after his heyday of train and bank robberies. Jesse James is somewhat of a celebrity and he receives admiration from some, but mostly everyone fears him. He knows his life is winding down and he feels severely disjointed. Enter Robert Ford, who was the biggest fan of Jesse James when he was growing up. As a adult, the quirky Ford learns to know the real Jesse James and his feelings change.

I really don't understand the low reviews for this movie. This is great movie making and I would recommend this for any adult. Give the movie a chance. It is a little long (around 159 minutes), but I think it is well worth it for any movie fan. Schedule yourself two and half hours off to watch this movie.

"Jesse James is bigger than you can imagine."


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Movie Review: I Am Legend (2007)

Starring: Will Smith
Director: Francis Lawrence
Genre: Thriller
Rated: PG-13

I was interested to see this movie, especially after seeing The Omega Man not too long ago. Both movies are based on Richard Matheson's book I Am Legend. Beside the fact of having the character Dr. Robert Neville as the last man on earth the movies are different. They occur in different cities and have totally different endings.

In I Am Legend Will Smith is in New York City surviving with his dog from the "night people". These are those who survived the virus that killed everyone else, but who have deformed into deadly creatures who feast at night. Daily he tries to make contact with any other humans via the radio to no avail. He can't even find DJ Jazzy Jeff. So he is left to try to find the cure for the virus and using some of the "night people" as test subjects. Will he be able to find the cure in time for himself and humanity?

It wouldn't have been this big of a movie with lesser of an actor. Obviously, if you like seeing Will Smith, you'll like this movie; he's in every scene. I was expecting a little more out of the film considering the the budget. However, it is not bad fare for those who can take a little violence.

"I was saving that bacon!"


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Movie Review: Michael Clayton (2007)

Starring: George Clooney, TomWilkinson, Tilda Swinton
Director: Tony Gilroy
Genre: Thriller
Rated: R

Tom Wilkinson plays Arthur the off-his-medication lawyer who wakes up to the realization of his job and makes a mess of things. George Clooney plays the title character, who is the guy who cleans up messes like these, but there are others who have other ideas.

The film has Clooney at his best when he's trying to talk down Wilkinson's character from the planet that he is currently residing. Wilkinson and Clooney are great together on-screen.

This film is nominated for seven Oscars including one for Best Picture. Both Wilkinson & Clooney were nominated for an Oscar, but it was Tilda Swinton who won. She plays the 'bad' lawyer who wants to rid the world of Arthur and Michael. I really can't believe that she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She doesn't seem to be in the film long enough, but oh well. That's the Academy for you. Good thriller with most performances worth the Oscar buzz.

For any fan of George Clooney. I would recommend to any adult.

"I am Shiva, the god of death."

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Movie Review: The Dish (2000)

Starring: Sam Neil, Patrick Warburton
Director: Rob Sitch
Genre: Comedy
Rated: PG-13

In 1969 man is days away from landing on the moon and NASA wants the entire world to see it on TV. Hey wait a minute, there is a large satellite dish in the middle of a sheep farm in Australia. The Australians quickly agree to give NASA all that it can. It becomes the biggest news it ever hit Parkes, Australia. They will be smack dab in the middle of history.
The team in Australia consists of three local men and a man from NASA. Sam Neil (Jurassic Park) pays the leader of the local crew. Of course, not everything runs smoothly. Problems with human error and winds gusting up to 60 mph wreak havoc on the dish engineers and their attempt to have continual communication with NASA. Will everyone with a TV in the southern hemisphere be able to see one of the biggest achievements in human history? Based on a true story, The Dish shows a lot of actual footage which is a great touch.

The Dish also has a great soundtrack with music from 1969. The soundtrack won the ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack Album. With a great cast of characters, this movie is a must for any space buff or anyone curious about the events of July 19, 1969.

"Not everyone at NASA is a hotshot college genius. The guy I most admire is from a one-horse town in Ohio."

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