MOVIE REVIEW - My Week With Marilyn

Every once in a while a good movie comes out that has as its calling card, a really great performance. That is the basic deal with the new My Week With Marilyn.

This is based on a true story in 1956 told from the memoirs of then 23 year old Colin Clark. Colin was a young English movie executive who was lucky enough to get his first paid gig working on a Marilyn Monroe movie, The Prince And The Showgirl. He somehow becomes a sort of assistant to Monroe at the height of her fame during this filming in England. He becomes her confidant, and friend, and he guides her through the tough time she had on this films set.

Supposedly, he documents the entire visit, and even goes so far as to say that Monroe wanted to sleep with him, skinny dip with him, and wanted him. Even though she was married at the time to famous playwright, Arthur Miller. Right up front, this story may have a hole or two, and it may raise an eyebrow or two, as it is the recollection of a star struck 23 year old normal man. It's not a deal breaker.

And the reason is simple. Michelle Williams. She is Monroe, and is absolutely fantastic. How incredibly difficult is this role? Playing Marilyn the movie star, the drug addict, the scared little girl, and the lonely love starved woman. Many times weaving between each in several scenes at the same time. Lots of actors play iconic figures on screen. But playing Monroe has an element that every single other one does not. You have to be the most beautiful woman on earth in your era. Williams is beautiful, and completely at ease with this role she was seemingly born to play. she has Monroe down pat, without being over the top. She looks amazingly like her, throughout this entire movie.

This movie positions Monroe as a deeply troubled, but gifted actor and person. And that seems consistent with all historical accounts. She is 30 years old in this movie, and it's the Marilyn we all like to remember. Iconic, captivating, amazingly alluring and the worlds biggest star at the time. Williams pulls it off perfectly in a movie that is good, but less than perfect. but, this is the runaway best performance of any actress so far this year. Although, Meryl Streep is still yet to be heard from in her portrayal of Margret Thatcher in The Iron Lady later in December.

Qualifying statement here, I am a big Marilyn Monroe fan. And I am not a real huge Michelle Williams fan. That is one of the main reasons I am so blown away with her performance here. As many good roles as she has had, this may be the one she is most remembered when all is said and done. I say, the Oscar may be hers to lose. Should be noted too, the courage it takes to play a character like this. Well done.

My Week With Marilyn. Perfect...no. But Michelle Williams is. Simply perfect.

MOVIE REVIEW - The Descendants

Here come those three little words that generally are followed by a great review. "In limited release," the new George Clooney flick, The Descendants is in theaters just in time for the holiday weekend. And it is worth the wait.

The Descendants is a wonderful story of a successful father in Hawaii (Clooney). He has been in trusted with the 150 year old family inheritance and much of the sacred land in the trust is for sale. As a result, all of the relatives want their cash now. His young wife has just had a terrible boating accident and in an a irreversible coma and will be coming off life support hopefully soon. He has a 10 year old troubled daughter and a 17 year old rebellious daughter. And somehow he has to raise them, repair their relationships, deal with his wife's situation, and the family too. Oh yeah, his wife was having an affair at the time of her accident. And he didn't know.

I am a story guy. And this is a new story we don't know. I know it sounds very deep and highly emotional. and at times this is. But this is also splendidly told in a fashion that lends itself to some humor, drama and irony. This, in feel, not in story is highly reminiscent of Up In The Air from 2 years ago. This has an original story to tell, tells it, and thoroughly entertains the whole time.

This is what Clooney does best and not by a little. Star in movies. No producing, writing, directing, editorializing, or making political statements. This is simply George Clooney the movie star. And that's really what we want. This movie, although exuding a sophisticated feel, is not elitist or above ones head. As this is a departure from recent Clooney flicks, this one is better. Clooney is far more Dr. Ross from ER here and less "I'm the smartest guy in the room Clooney" of late. And it really works.

This movie has a story to tell, not a statement to make. And for me, that is Clooney at his best. Being a true movie star in a time we so badly need one. Nice supporting cast, and a wonderfully adapted Hawaiian soundtrack that sounds weird to tell you about, but really blends in expertly and gives this movie real texture.

The Descendants. This is flat out good. Fun, original, powerful and complete. Clooney has not been this good in a few years, and this is one of the years best. Well, well done!

MOVIE REVIEW - Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1

Here we go again. The Twilight series continues and this time it's Breaking Dawn Part 1. Without question, to be a major hit at the movies this weekend.

These are the hardest movies to really review. The fans of this series love this movie 6 months before it ever hits the theaters. The fans are rabid, and there is virtually nothing the movie makers can do to mess this up. So how do you take an honest look at a movie that not many are willing to look at honestly? The quandary here is simple. To many this movie will be "the most amazing movie ever!" And to others this movie will look absolutely ridiculous.

In Breaking Dawn, the wolves and the vampires are still for some reason fighting over the incredibly boring Bella. Team Edward will be glad to know that Bella marries Edward, and they go to Rio on their honeymoon. (Well of course they did). She then becomes pregnant by Edward after a series of "awww" honeymoon scenes. The pregnancy with a human and a vampire does not go well, and so they return to the Cullen mansion in Seattle, where Bella does the next logical thing. The newly married pregnant woman calls Jacob. The wolf she rejected to marry Edward. They all get together to help Bella through her pregnancy troubles. And all involved are fine with this. Will Bella survive this ordeal?

Looking at this movie from the outside, it is true that this series has grown with the core of its fan base. But for the new and very young girls coming on board, this installment of the series is fairly intense. This movie deals with unplanned pregnancy, and the decision to terminate, or not terminate such. The overall feel to this is far more real rather than the super fantasy of the first few. But at the same time, the whole vampires fighting wolves thing is starting to look silly, and is frankly getting tired. Parents may want to monitor very young fans.

This series seems to be mired down in a creative bog. And at the same time, paint a picture that love obsession for young people is cool and really has no consequences. In this series, no one has any other interests whatsoever. They don't have jobs, or responsibilities, and all they have to do is obsess over each other. I know it's a fantasy, but I'm not 13 and forming my views on the world, love and relationships.

The performances are what they are. They do keep these characters remarkably consistent from flick to flick. Kristin Stewart (Bella) is still boring us to tears, and praying this series ends no time soon. This has always been the troubling thing about this entire story. Bella is so completely boring, one dimensional, and uninteresting, it's amazing anyone would be interested in her. I know, she's the every girl, but she is far more Jane Plain than Jane Plain would ever be. Jane Plain looks like a party animal next to Bella Swan.

And Robert Pattinson (Edward) is praying this does end soon, because he is a real interesting actor, who has been very good in other projects way beyond this. When this ends, he may be poised to take off as one of Hollywood's premiere leading men.

Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1. No matter what anyone says or feels about this movie, it is destined to maybe bring in 100 million or so in its opening. But keeping everything in proper perspective, at 10 bucks a ticket that means around 10 million people will go to see it this weekend. Which means about 320 million people in this country will not.

Just sayin'.

MOVIE REVIEW - Jack And Jill

Jack And Jill is going to be a big hit. The theaters will fill, and a bunch of people are going to laugh and laugh. But for the life of me, I will not understand why.

Jack And Jill is the new Adam Sandler movie in which he plays identical twins, where we have to watch him parade around in drag for most of the movie. And performing without question the worst character voice I have ever heard. It's the story of Jack who is a TV commercial producer in Hollywood. His twin sister Jill comes to visit, and of course she is a real character that generally makes everyone uncomfortable she comes in contact with. She is supposed to be funny, but she's not.

Sandler is so irritating in this movie it almost baffles the mind. I get it, Jill is supposed to be lots of things, including irritating, but this is simply over the top. There is so much terrible dialogue, physical comedy, bad acting, horrible editing, and juvenile humor to go around. This movie will resonate with some younger movie goers, but not all. And this will miss with most, because it is not funny.

Granted, there are a few laughs in this movie, and that's OK. But I emphasize - a few. For the most part this is simply horrible. The laughing I heard today sounded forced. Like this is where you were supposed to laugh. But it wasn't me. I was checking my cell phone screen seeing if it was time to go home.

There are tons, and I mean tons of cameo's in this movie too. A virtual who's who of Hollywood lined up for their few seconds on screen. Some of this works, but most is ho-hum. Most namely, Al Pacino. Pacino plays himself...actually a parody of himself, and at times is funny. But there are a few things he does in this movie, where I could hardly believe my eyes. Sinking to such a low point. Stunning. Someone should have reminded him he was Al Pacino. In fairness in the last five minutes of this movie he is pretty funny. But before that? Oh, boy!

Being more than honest here, this is simply a money printing press movie. Of course with it being Sandler there is a built in audience that will go no matter what he does, and doesn't he know it. Also, this is product placement central. There is so much product placement mentions, and logo's in this movie, it's shameless. Not only is this poorly written and acted even worse, it is unapologetic in it's motive to put advertisers on screen and think we won't notice.

Also for some reason I can't figure out, Tom Cruise's wife Katie Holmes decided to come along on this ill-conceived ride, as did Johnny Depp in a cameo, and a ton more. I get it. Sandler is rich beyond anyone's wildest dreams, and maybe some of these folks were just too tempted by the potential pay day. But seriously, it's not worth it.

Jack And Jill. Quite possible one of the most irritating movies I have ever seen. A laugh or two, can't erase 2 hours of teeth and nails scraping across a blackboard, and watching Sandler wearing a dress. Just putrid!

MOVIE REVIEW - J. Edgar

Here come the big time movies for the end of the year. This week it's the Clint Eastwood directed J. Edgar.

J. Edgar stars Leonardo Dicaprio as the iconic 48 year Director of the FBI J. Edgar Hoover. It tells his personal and professional story over the entire term of his reign as the nations most powerful law enforcement officer. It is told in flashback form, that at times seems a bit disjointed, and choppy.

To say the the actual Hoover was a complicated man would be an understatement. In this piece, he is portrayed as a determined man, bent on crushing enemies of the United States both foreign and domestic. He is also portrayed as a man that may have had a difficult time identifying exactly who was the enemy. Was he paranoid? Was he mentally ill? Eastwood seems to give him his due as a capable man who successfully built the FBI from the ground up. But also as man on mission to grab as much power along the way was possible.

J. Edgar also targets his personal life. From his highly unusual relationship with his mother, to his sexual preference, and his absolute fear and lack of knowledge of how to communicate with women. Overall, it is an eye-opening view into the life of one of the most powerful men that has even been a position of power in United States history.

Decaprio is well cast in this most demanding role. As his performance has to take our character from the time he was about 20, till his death. Makeup and costuming are terrific, possibly Oscar worthy on both counts. This movie has the typical Eastwood feel. Light and well placed music, great camera angles, and somehow he always gets the very best out of all of his actors. That is what Eastwood does best.

Things that may hold this back from being super well received by the public is simple. It is a bit long, at two hours and twenty minutes. It is complicated at times, and you need to have at least some knowledge of history to really understand all that is transpiring. Also, for many there is a lack of action, and long periods of music free scenes. In short for some, there just may not be enough going on.

But this is well written, and well acted. And as is true with most Eastwood picks, he finds stories that you don't know, and tells ones that are worth telling. That is true here for the most part. But I'm not so sure that Hoovers story may not be better told in a Ken Burns documentary, rather than a dramatic movie. There is a lot of story here, and maybe not enough time to tell it perfectly. Also be warned, this is not a glorification of Hoover, but adapted from a story that attempts to tell the entire story of Hoover the man. Not just the law man.

J. Edgar. I think this will fall into the category of "critically acclaimed" and I'm fine with that. I think box office gold is not in the offing here. Not a bad movie, but not Eastwood's best.

MOVIE REVIEW - Tower Hiest

I've felt it. I've seen, it and I've said it. "Seen one Ben Stiller movie and you've seen them all." And for the most part that is right. But I have to admit, Tower Heist is not typical Ben Stiller at all.

Has someone finally gotten through to that thick, and exceedingly rich skull of his, that his typical bumbling, stammering, tasteless self act has grown tired and worn out? Seems so. In Tower Heist, Stiller has reinvented himself, and has made a movie that's not perfect by any means, but way better than you might have thought.

TH is ripped right out of the headlines. It's a comedy that is clearly inspired by Wall Street rip-off artist Bernie Madoff. Stiller is Josh. He is the building manager of this gigantic apartment tower in New York City. The star resident is Mr. Shaw (Alan Alda). Shaw is a Wall Street tycoon who rips off everyone's money in the building along with thousands of other people in a swindling scheme. So, after the FBI arrests Shaw, Josh and his band of merry men decide to get their money back one way or another from Shaw.

It's an action comedy that also stars Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, and a nice supporting cast overall. Some of this really works and some really does not. There are moments that are funny, and over all this movie has a nice feel to it. Stiller has grown up. At least for a little while. He doesn't go all "Ben Stiller" on us with that old routine. Josh is a real guy, and they actually develop a nice character here. This is such an improvement, it is so much more watchable. Kudos.

Murphy tough, is still the same guy he always is. There is nothing new about Eddie Murphy all these years later, but he's in a supporting role, and we can look past it. Broderick is horribly miscast as in his role as a Wall Street banker that has lost it all. But serious kudos to Tea Leoni. She plays FBI agent Claire, who is in charge of the case, and is the movies other nice surprise. She should have been doing comedy all along. She has made some horrific role choices before in some really terrible movies, but not here. In a scene where she has way to much to drink with Josh, Leoni completely steals the show, and give us the biggest laughs of the movie by far. She is absolutely hilarious in that scene.

Yeah, there are a few holes in this story, and not all of this is told well, but TH is over all pretty good. It's a fun 90 minutes or so without being offensive, crude, or selling out to a ton of typical contemporary comedy stunts. It is more grown up and moves along nicely. Good to see some growth too in some or our stars.

Tower Heist. This is nothing except a fun time.

MOVIE REVIEW - Anonymous

In very limited release is this weeks Anonymous. It has long been speculated that William Shakespeare did not write all those classic plays, poets and sonnets. But actually another man, or a series of other men. But the political climate of the day demanded another be credited.

Well in this movie, they put out a strong case that the actual writer of all of the above was actually Edward De Vere, who at the time was the Earl of Oxford. They go so far as to paint the actual Shakespeare as a lying, cheating, actor and illiterate who came upon the title of being great by accident, and skulduggery. De Vere confides in another playwright of the era, Ben Johnson who becomes a messenger of sorts. Sort of taking credit for De Vere's plays in the late 1500's. Shakespeare then starts taking credit for Johnson's work, which is actually De Vere's. It sounds complicated, and at times it is.

Anonymous looks great. Wonderful sets depict the era magnificently, and the costuming is terrific too. Told in flashback form, at times it can be hard to follow, but as time goes on more and more becomes clear to it's credit. This movie does have a slow spot or two, but pacing gets better as time rolls on.

Rhys Ifans is great as De Vere, and remember the name Sebastian Armesto. He is fantastic as Johnson. He delivers one of the best, if not the best supporting performance of the year. His scenes near the end of this movie are the kind that win you Oscars at years end. He dominates this movie in the scenes where he is present.

Anonymous, with it's subject matter and movie making style will not find a big audience. But this might be the movie that will be shown more after the awards shows announce their nominations later this season. Very similar to The Kings Speech last year. As more people became aware of it, the better known it became. Anonymous certainly in the same regard will be in the awards conversation. It's the kind of movie Hollywood loves to pat itself on its own back over. An artsy movie-about art. But don't construe that as sarcasm. Anonymous very good.

Anonymous. If you are a movie goer it would be worth the drive to see this. If not, this will be the best movie this year that nobody sees.

MOVIE REVIEW - Puss In Boots

They make entirely too many animated movies. But every once in a while a gem pops up, and that's Puss In Boots that is out this week.

I love Dreamworks Animation. The are so my favorite. All the way back to Balto, I really like the way they do animated movies. As Pixar, and Disney has their feel, so does Dreamworks, and it just feels better. They have such a nice grown up movie feel, without forgetting about the kids. This movie is fantastic for so many reasons.

First the animation is great, but everyone does good animation. The story is just really fun, and is told in such a charming way, it's hard to resist. It's the story of course of Puss In Boots, a sword toting, boots wearing cat in a cavalier hat from Spain. Is he a hero, or a villain? He is incredibly voiced by Antonio Bandaras. This may be Bandaras' best performance ever. Simply fantastic. Puss is trying to find the Golden Goose who lays the golden eggs just like in the fable with the help of Kitty Softpaws (Selma Hayak) and Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis). And there are pitfalls along the way. But the story will tell itself when you go, and you should.

This movie is so well done, charming, lovely and flat out fun, more movies should be this way. Wonderfully written for kids and adults alike. Plenty of action, and fun. Wonderful character development, snappy dialogue, and enough zest to go around two or three time. This movie has one imaginative scene after another, with Bandaras leading the way.

This movie too, is blessed with one of the best musical soundtracks in years. A big, dramatic Spanish inspired salsa-samba orchestral score that is simply breathtaking. This is a great music to expose youngsters to, as many may never hear such incredible music in their I-pod or on their computer. What a great experience to give a young person, in addition to a fun time at the movies. If this soundtrack isn't nominated for an Oscar, they should stop handing out the award. Awesome. Enhances this movie from start to finish. Stay and watch the closing credits, and you'll get a sense of how wonderful this music really is.

Puss In Boots is great in very way. This is perfect for any viewer, and generation. The bar has been raised in technique, execution, and sophistication for this kind of movie. See it once, then see it again.

This is the new benchmark of animated movies.