The Special Relationship
The Special Relationship is about the relationship between Tony Blair and Bill Clinton from when Blair started his campaign to when after Clinton left office. The two leaders interact through phone calls, dinners with the wives, and cabinet meetings. Dennis Quaid plays Clinton and not for the first time Michael Sheen plays Tony Blair. (He also played Blair in The Queen). These two 90s power brokers have a brotherly relationship where Clinton acts as big brother who feels free to hang on up on his little bro mid-sentence after offering some sage advice. When Blair rebels in the media and takes Clinton to task about the US’s involvement in Kosovo, the relationship becomes less trusting but does not seem to completely sever. The portrayal of the wives is also interesting --Hope Davis as Hilary gives a thoughtful performance. This political movie examines a key moment in history. It's interesting and well acted.
Robin Hood
Robin Hood has an original start with a realistic take on the Robin Hood myth. It even has a cute romantic relationship with Cate Blanchet as Maid Marian and Russell Crowe who have to marry for convenience—the two of them making a very smart and good looking couple. But somehow it went awry about half way through the movie. It seemed like the second half of the movie was one big extended vicious battle. Robin Hood should be more about clever comrades who are amazing marksmen having jovial fun in the woods, but this Robin Hood seemed like it was trying too hard to be different by showing the “real” Robin Hood. I think it just got too big for its britches.
Sex and the City II
As a fan of the TV show and since I kinda liked Sex and the City I, I wanted to see this movie but knew it was going to be dumb – but, believe me it was dumber than I could have imagined. Dumb dialogue with bad puns (esp. from Samantha – she actually said, “Laurence of my labia” ehhh. Ridiculous outfits. Cliched Arabs. Just dumb. It makes you wonder how some smart people ended up making a movie that dreadful.
Showing posts with label political movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label political movie. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Fair Game and Black Swan
Fair Game
Fair Game tells the story of Valarie Plame (Naomi Watts) and her husband Joseph Wilson (Sean Penn) – she, a CIA agent and he a former ambassador and expert about the country of Niger where the Bush administration is claiming Iraq is getting uranium from. After Wilson writes a letter to the New York Times’ claiming that the Bush administration is beefing up the facts surrounding the weapons of mass destruction claim in Iraq, his wife is then outed as a CIA agent – a fact that some of her family members had no idea about and, according to the movie, put some Iraqis working for her at risk of not being able to safely escape Iraq. Of course, one can question the veracity of the events in this movie which, of course, is always a problem when movies are based on real events. But judged solely as a movie, I found Fair Game to be very compelling. I came away from the movie feeling indignant about the way the presidency used its power to ruin reputations and distort reality – I guess, Duh, but it is a reminder of what can happen when one, “speaks truth to power.” If you like political movies, like I do, I think you would enjoy Fair Game.
Black Swan
Another cringe worthy movie for 2010. Luckily I had a friend who could fill me in on what was happening when I blocked the screen with my hand. Black Swan tells about a mentally disturbed ballerina Nina played by Natalie Portman who prepares to dance the lead in Swan Lake. Her director Thomas (a dance dictator and the most “fun” of the movie) wants Nina to get in touch with her bad side, the black swan side. Nina needs no help with this since she’s nutty already, as is her mother, by the way. This movie had some interesting plot twists and some cool scenes (especially some of the ending’s dance sequences), but its downfall for me was the movie’s pure humorlessness. Portman’s character is mousy and dour in the beginning of the movie all the way through to the end. She’s just not a very complex or interesting character – other than being just plain balmy.
Fair Game tells the story of Valarie Plame (Naomi Watts) and her husband Joseph Wilson (Sean Penn) – she, a CIA agent and he a former ambassador and expert about the country of Niger where the Bush administration is claiming Iraq is getting uranium from. After Wilson writes a letter to the New York Times’ claiming that the Bush administration is beefing up the facts surrounding the weapons of mass destruction claim in Iraq, his wife is then outed as a CIA agent – a fact that some of her family members had no idea about and, according to the movie, put some Iraqis working for her at risk of not being able to safely escape Iraq. Of course, one can question the veracity of the events in this movie which, of course, is always a problem when movies are based on real events. But judged solely as a movie, I found Fair Game to be very compelling. I came away from the movie feeling indignant about the way the presidency used its power to ruin reputations and distort reality – I guess, Duh, but it is a reminder of what can happen when one, “speaks truth to power.” If you like political movies, like I do, I think you would enjoy Fair Game.
Black Swan
Another cringe worthy movie for 2010. Luckily I had a friend who could fill me in on what was happening when I blocked the screen with my hand. Black Swan tells about a mentally disturbed ballerina Nina played by Natalie Portman who prepares to dance the lead in Swan Lake. Her director Thomas (a dance dictator and the most “fun” of the movie) wants Nina to get in touch with her bad side, the black swan side. Nina needs no help with this since she’s nutty already, as is her mother, by the way. This movie had some interesting plot twists and some cool scenes (especially some of the ending’s dance sequences), but its downfall for me was the movie’s pure humorlessness. Portman’s character is mousy and dour in the beginning of the movie all the way through to the end. She’s just not a very complex or interesting character – other than being just plain balmy.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Hodge Podge
I have actually seen four movies in the last week, but haven't been keeping up very well with ye olde blog. So here's a quick synopsis starting with last Friday night when I was watching a DVD with my niece Holly . . .
Charlie Wilson's War: Holly could barely pay attention to this political movie, what with all the texting and facebooking. I tried my best but also was a little distracted by the world of the Internet. And quite frankly it was a tad boring. I thought the concept, a war started in Afghanistan by huge American egos, was fascinating and learned a something, but I had trouble sustaining my attention. Tom Hanks and Phillip Seymour Hoffman were good in it, though.
Rachel Getting Married: I dragged Holly and three friends to this movie and regretted it. One friend said, "I never would have seen that movie if I knew what it was about." All four found it to be a real downer. Yet, I wanted to see it -- you know my penchant for anything Indie. Sure it was depressing and odd all at the same time. Oh, and irritating, note the bizarre dishwasher filling competition, and you will wonder what the deal is with these psuedo-intellectual weirdos. Yet, I thought Anne Hathaway was really good in it, and there were some genuine moments in the film and some really good music. Oh, and some annoying music too. The genuine moment came in the cold way Hathaway's mother played by Debra Winger politely dismissed her daughter as she left the reception -- that was painful to watch. So sorry friends for putting you through that, but you know.
In Bruges: is a violent black comedy with Colin Ferrel, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes, and it really was violent, but also funny. I couldn't imagine how a story of three paid assassins who have a strange holiday in Bruges, could possibly be funny, but it is. Worth seeing. and Bruges is incredibly beautiful.
Jodhaa Akbar: Finally, today I saw a 16th century, three hour Hindustani epic with subtitles. How does that grab you? Well, if you want to learn a little about Indian history in a toned down Bollywood style, you might like this, but I doubt it.
Charlie Wilson's War: Holly could barely pay attention to this political movie, what with all the texting and facebooking. I tried my best but also was a little distracted by the world of the Internet. And quite frankly it was a tad boring. I thought the concept, a war started in Afghanistan by huge American egos, was fascinating and learned a something, but I had trouble sustaining my attention. Tom Hanks and Phillip Seymour Hoffman were good in it, though.
Rachel Getting Married: I dragged Holly and three friends to this movie and regretted it. One friend said, "I never would have seen that movie if I knew what it was about." All four found it to be a real downer. Yet, I wanted to see it -- you know my penchant for anything Indie. Sure it was depressing and odd all at the same time. Oh, and irritating, note the bizarre dishwasher filling competition, and you will wonder what the deal is with these psuedo-intellectual weirdos. Yet, I thought Anne Hathaway was really good in it, and there were some genuine moments in the film and some really good music. Oh, and some annoying music too. The genuine moment came in the cold way Hathaway's mother played by Debra Winger politely dismissed her daughter as she left the reception -- that was painful to watch. So sorry friends for putting you through that, but you know.
In Bruges: is a violent black comedy with Colin Ferrel, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes, and it really was violent, but also funny. I couldn't imagine how a story of three paid assassins who have a strange holiday in Bruges, could possibly be funny, but it is. Worth seeing. and Bruges is incredibly beautiful.
Jodhaa Akbar: Finally, today I saw a 16th century, three hour Hindustani epic with subtitles. How does that grab you? Well, if you want to learn a little about Indian history in a toned down Bollywood style, you might like this, but I doubt it.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Political Movies
I haven't seen any movies lately -- a conference, a night class, my job, and too much politics has kept me from them. Tonight, of course, I am glued to the TV watching the returns. Stick with me, though, I'll get back to it and keep up my goal of posting at least once a week. For tonight, though, I leave you with a list of political movies that I liked.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Oh, you just gotta like this idealistic look at Washington
The Candidate (1972) a sexy Robert Redford combined with a smart suspenseful story
Wag the Dog (1997) A very cynical look at American politics
Primary Colors (1998) John Travolta does a surprisinly good Bill Clintonmerican politics, but gets ya thinkin'
Dick (1999) silly teens in the Nixon whitehouse -- silly but fun!
Election (1999) Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon high school election satire. HIGH- larious! One of my favorites.
Thank You for Smoking (2006) Sexy Aaron Eckhart as smarmy tobacco lobbyist -- a strangely good combination
Recount (2008) (see earlier review) great recap of what happened in Florida during the 2000 presidentical election -- and a great movie
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Oh, you just gotta like this idealistic look at Washington
The Candidate (1972) a sexy Robert Redford combined with a smart suspenseful story
Wag the Dog (1997) A very cynical look at American politics
Bulworth (1998) weirdly goofy Warren Beatty movie
Primary Colors (1998) John Travolta does a surprisinly good Bill Clintonmerican politics, but gets ya thinkin'
Dick (1999) silly teens in the Nixon whitehouse -- silly but fun!
Election (1999) Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon high school election satire. HIGH- larious! One of my favorites.
Thank You for Smoking (2006) Sexy Aaron Eckhart as smarmy tobacco lobbyist -- a strangely good combination
Recount (2008) (see earlier review) great recap of what happened in Florida during the 2000 presidentical election -- and a great movie
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Visitor and Baby Mama
Ooh! What an odd combo of movies I watched this weekend. I am going to start with The Visitor because I just finished it and it left me feeling sad and wanting to talk to someone about it. The movie potrays a middle-aged economics professor stuck in his joyless life and recovering from the death of his wife. His life changes when he encounters an exuberant Syrian drummer who is crashing in his New York apartment. The movie moves from being a story about drumming to a story about trying to save Tareq, the drummer, from being deported. This movie does not have a sunshiny view of how the good professor saves the immigrants from their doom -- sadly that is not even possible. The reality of life for immigrants in America after 911 is bleak and The Visitor examines this reality. But the movie didn't just bum me out about how are justice system can work, it also left me feeling like playing the drums or at least getting in touch with my inner drum beat!
Baby Mama, with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, is a lightweight, sit-comesque comedy. It's kinda funny in parts and makes some interesting commentary about our me-centered American culture, but it is pretty forgettable which I say regrettably since I love Tina Fey and think 30 Rock is awesome, but BabyMama isn't as clever as that show or Mean Girls, another Tina Fey movie.
Baby Mama, with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, is a lightweight, sit-comesque comedy. It's kinda funny in parts and makes some interesting commentary about our me-centered American culture, but it is pretty forgettable which I say regrettably since I love Tina Fey and think 30 Rock is awesome, but BabyMama isn't as clever as that show or Mean Girls, another Tina Fey movie.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Recount
If you like political movies, and I sure do, you will be riveted by Recount. Recount breaks down the Florida fallout of the 2000 election between Al Gore and George Bush. The movie manages to flush out the details of the voting irregularities while building suspense like a thriller. Maybe it’s just me be, but I found these details fascinating and also appalling. One wonders, what would have happened if Al Gore won Florida? It was so close. Two actors playing real people in this political drama are Kevin Spacey and Laura Dern. Laura Dern is especially good as her wackiness, Katherine Harris, Florida’s Secretary of State.
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