Quickie: Julie & Julia
Julie & Julia (2009)–** Quickie Review Julia Child changes the world by introducing French cuisine to servantless American cooks. Years later, Julie Powell attempts to change her life by cooking her way through Child’s cookbook. Told using parallel narratives, this Nora Ephron dramedy is half great and half miserable. Meryl Streep inhabits Child’s skin, giving one of the best, most entertaining performances of her career. However, it’s the Julie Powell pity party, highlighted by a melodramatic performance from a miscast Amy Adams, that drains the energy from what could have been an amazing Child biopic. Also starring Stanley Tucci and Chris Messina. Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, directed by Nora Ephron, is now in...
Read MoreQuickie: Adam
Adam (2009)–*** Quickie Review A man with Asperger’s, left mostly alone after his father dies, develops a relationship with a woman who moves into his building. A touching story about two people who find each other when they need each other, this dramedy avoids the sentimentality that we’ve come to expect from similar (though not quite comparable) stories. Hugh Dancy has plenty of time to shine as Adam because of what I sense is the film’s commitment to an accurate portrayal of a person coping with Asperger’s. The rest of the film, however, is overwrought and lacks depth by comparison. Also starring Rose Bryne, Peter Gallagher and Amy Irving. Adam is now playing in select...
Read MoreQuickie: Outrage
Outrage (2009)–***1/2 Quickie Review Documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick investigates the media conspiracy to keep closeted politicians in the closet at the expense of all gay Americans. A documentary that evokes equal parts anger, empathy and sadness, this latest Dick film takes aim at gay politicians who vote against gay rights and the institutional policy in mainstream media to ignore a gay politician’s sexuality. Interviews with alternative news journalists illuminate the media’s complicity in keeping the secret lives of gay politicians out of public view, while one-on-ones with activists and out politicians show just how harmful the actions of powerful gay people who don’t stand up for gay rights can be. An essential documentary for our time. Featuring interviews with Barney Frank, Jim McGreevey, Michael Rogers, Andrew Sullivan, Tony Kushner, and more. Outrage is now playing in select cities. Visit...
Read MoreQuickie: The Proposal
The Proposal (2009)–*** Quickie Review Threatened with deportation, a stone cold editor at a New York City publishing house forces her assistant to marry her. An above average rom-com, this sharp and at times rather affecting motion picture benefits from the fresh chemistry of its two leads. As the assistant, a suave Ryan Reynolds looks and feels the part of a classic leading man, while Sandra Bullock gets to play tough without overwhelming the audience with her cutesy awkwardness. The Bullock-Reynolds banter flows effortlessly, which helps the movie charm us on the whole despite a few failed comic gimmicks. Watch for some choice moments from the always delightful Betty White. Directed by Anne Fletcher and featuring Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson as Reynold’s character’s...
Read MoreQuickie: Drag Me to Hell
Drag Me to Hell (2009)–***1/2 Quickie Review A loan officer from the country seeks upward mobility in Los Angeles at the expense of an old woman trying to keep her home. The old woman takes revenge by cursing the loan officer. Scary, funny, and just pure Raimi goodness, this demonic horror picture is an instant genre classic. Its PG-13 rating helps more than hinders, proving horror pictures can still be frightfully entertaining without the blood and guts. (We are lucky enough to get some great gross-out moments, though.) While some directors seem to lose their touch after taking on big Hollywood productions, Sam Raimi, ever the craftsman, shows that he still has it. Starring Alison Lohman and Justin Long. Drag Me to Hell is now...
Read MoreQuickie: Terminator Salvation
Terminator Salvation–** Quick Review In 2018, John Connor leads the human resistance against Skynet machines set on killing him and the teenager who will go back in time to become his father. A benign tumor on the Terminator franchise, this McG-directed four-quel is loud and soulless, but otherwise harmless. The film pulls you in just enough to warrant continuing the franchise, but only if you’re willing to slog through two hours of overblown effects, unimaginative chase sequences, and a script content in its mediocrity. Starring Christian Bale, Anton Yelchin, and Sam...
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