Half Nelson

Half Nelson: A very powerful and painful look at a junior-high school teacher’s addiction to drugs. Ryan Gosling(the Notebook) plays Mr. Dunne, a History teacher who works at an inner-city school in Brooklyn – this is the best performance of his career and the best acting by far that I have seen this year. One of the great aspects of the story is seeing how Mr. Dunne really does care about teaching his students about history – even though he hits the crack pipe at night. But the aspect that makes this movie stand out the most is the friendship he has with Drey -one of his female students in his class. She is also affected by the world of drugs – her brother is in jail for dealing and her family is friends with the neighborhood drug dealer. On paper you might think that true friendship between a teacher and a 12 year old girl is far fetched, but the actors bring it to life. What we see develop is both characters give in to the evil world around them until their worlds collide. The climax of the movie is one of the more stirring, haunting and beautiful moments I have seen in film in a long time. This is all done by the performance of the 2 actors, but mainly by Ryan Gosling. Like all great acting performances everything is said in expressions – no words are needed. As Mr. Dunne teaches in his History class = History is made when there is conflict from 2 opposing forces, we see that all happen on screen and it is truly brilliant!
* * * and ½

If this movie had parents they would be: Dead Poets Society & Boyz N the Hood

With a run time of 106 minutes
This film is rated R

Little Miss Sunshine

Little Miss Sunshine: A small independent film about a dysfunctional family brings a BIG breath of fresh air to theaters. The story seems basic at first glance – A family must drive cross country to get their 7 year old daughter to the “Little Miss Sunshine” beauty pageant. Enter the crazy characters that make up this family. This is one of the best cast ensembles I have ever seen. Each character is cast, written, and acted perfectly. 5 minutes into the film you have a hilarious dinner table scene which introduces us to each member of the family. The dad is played by Greg Kinnear, he is a motivational speaker. His brother-in-law played by Steve Carell, has to live with them because he is depressed and just tried to commit suicide. Rounding out the family is a son who does not speak, a grandpa who does drugs and says whatever is on his mind, a mother who is trying to make the family work and a daughter fixated on winning a beauty pageant. The laughs keep coming as the whole family jumps into a VW van to drive to California. The movie actually stays away from the typical “family traveling” humor and instead gets into some outrageous circumstances – most of which would be far-fetched if it were not for us believing in the characters so much. Indeed this was the funniest movie I have seen this year, but the whole time there was also this real, sad, and important message beaming across the screen. The film definitely works as a comedy, but it also works as an off-beat drama. As of today - August, 15 – it is the best movie I have seen this year!!!! Check it out!

* * * and ½

If this movie had Parents they would be: The Royal Tenenbaums & Vacation

With run time of 101 minutes
This film is rated R

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: Strange, Silly, violent……very entertaining. The film stars Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. Kilmer plays Gay Perry, a gay private detective who also works with actors in Hollywood to help their acting performance as detectives. Downey plays a thief turned actor who is working with Gay Perry to prepare for an audition. On a night out they witness two hit men disposing of a body and the plot thickens from there. The movie has many strange and just silly plot lines and the story keeps getting deeper and more bizarre, yet it all works as a whole - For one Klimer’s character is hilarious and the best role he has had in 10 years and second, the writing of the film is brilliant. Downey narrates the story and even that is done in a creative way, with him rewinding the movie or explaining to you why he is telling you something. I do not like either of these actors normally, but in this film they are a great on screen duo. I have a feeling watching this a second time would open up even more laughs – it is just that kind of movie. A very funny, film noir!

* * *

If this movie had parents they would be: The Whole Nine Yards & The Boondock Saints

With a run time of 103 minutes
This film is rated R

The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada: This film starring Meryl Streep was adopted from the novel written by Lauren Weisberger. The story revolves around a naïve young woman – Andy, who comes to New York looking to write for a major publication. The job Andy lands is 2nd assistant to the most powerful women in the fashion world – Editor and Chief of “Runway” magazine Miranda Priestly (played by Streep). Andy(Anne Hathaway) knows nothing of the fashion world or of the magazine “Runway” – which is where she will be working. The reason the story works …..Better yet – the reason to see this movie is the performance by Meryl Streep. I have not seen a better, stronger character on screen in a long time. Her strong performance brings comedy with it as everyone is so scared/intimidated by her…..reminds me of a certain boss I use to have. Andy is determined not to quit and slowly gives in and embraces the world of fashion to the extreme. The rest of her life begins to crumble as she has no time for anything else but her job. The plot twists around in a funny way until we get to the age old question – What do we really want out of life? The story, the characters (especially Streep) are all fantastic. This is a grown up comedy that works…….try that on for size.

* * * and a ½

If this movie had parents they would be: 13 going on 30 & Clueless – Not good parents

With a run time of 109 minutes
This film is rated PG-13