At the end of the year, I get tons of screeners and find myself knee-deep in reviews. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. But it does make for a large influx of new content. So, here are all of my reviews posted in this update. While not all of them are exactly Oscar-calibre pictures, most of them are. The ones that aren’t are the remnants of 2009 films that I had scene prior to Screener Season and had not yet posted a review.
Alien Trespass
There are many varieties of cheese in the world and many of them smell atrocious, but can be delectable when savored. Alien Trespass has one of those heady, cheesy aromas that doesn’t appeal to everyone, but when you step in and try a piece, you might find out you actually enjoy it. …
Bright Star
… He died at the early age of twenty-five. Penniless. Yet, he is remembered fondly as a brilliant poet and his works are among the most beautiful and pensive ever written. Like most poets of the period, he was not truly appreciated until after his death. Surprisingly, aside from a television movie from 1970, no other films have been made of his life. And while he is one of the key characters in Bright Star, the film plays almost as if he was a periphery character. …
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District 9
Science fiction is often dismissed as one of the more fantastical genres of filmmaking. Most audiences expect a healthy dose of aliens in their sci-fi and look at it mostly as a medium for space battles, explosions and action elements. However, that’s not how the genre, and the best films bearing the sci-fi moniker, is intended. District 9, like many of the best science fiction films, has social ramifications that go well beyond the film’s narrative. …
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Fantastic Mr. Fox
… Exploring the depths of family relationships, Anderson sticks to familiar territory. The story revolves around a poultry-stealing fox (voiced by George Clooney) who swears off raiding when he and his wife (Meryl Streep) are captured on one of their regular excursions and she reveals to him that she’s pregnant. …
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G.I. Joe – The Rise of Cobra
… With comic book movies already piquing the interest of said demographic, it’s not surprising to see cartoon properties being adapted to the big screen. After the colossal failure of The Flintstones, it’s surprising that the trend is continuing. And while Scooby Doo was a success and Josie and the Pussycats was far better than expected, that doesn’t mean that Rainbow Brite, Strawberry Shortcake or Thundercats make good adaptation possibilities. …
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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Nearly reaching the end of its eight-part legacy, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince takes a departure from its exciting, action-filled predecessors and focuses instead, perhaps too readily, on the relationships of Harry, Ron and Hermione. …
The Informant!
There are many stories out there to be told and each one has a unique element that sets it apart from others. At least, that’s what most film directors and screenwriters hope. The Informant! has a large number of unique and interesting elements, but it’s the execution that makes this one feel like old hat. …
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Inglourious Basterds
Why is Quentin Tarantino so effective at evoking strong emotional responses with his films? Whether its disturbing, entertaining, gory, evocative or creative Tarantino earns just as many fans as he does enemies with his movies. Inglourious Basterds is another in his measurable oeuvre of films that screams at its audience to pay attention and be entertained. …
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Jennifer’s Body
… Diablo Cody made a name for herself when she wrote and won an Oscar for the screenplay of Jason Reitman’s film Juno. The film became a breakaway success earning four Oscar nominations including Best Picture. Her first big screen outing since winning the Oscar is an amalgam of genre cliches mixed with her own over-exaggerated teen-girl dialogue. …
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The Men Who Stare at Goats
If the title doesn’t tell you what kind of picture you’re in for, then nothing will. The Men Who Stare at Goats is an oft humorous, sometimes frustrating feature from Good Night, and Good Luck. co-writer Grant Heslov. …
Phoebe in Wonderland
… The story is fairly straightforward and while we’re never at a loss of what to expect next, the journey is fascinating nonetheless. Phoebe’s issues cause problems for her friends, her classmates, her family and her school superiors. No one escapes from the film unscathed by the attacks this little girl unleashes even if she can’t help herself. …
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Ponyo
New Hayao Miyazaki animated features are rare and oftentimes difficult to find at a local theater. Like Stanley Kubrick, Miyazaki takes his time with his films releasing them when they are ready. And similarly, such practices generally make for a perfect or near-perfect film. Ponyo, Miyazaki’s latest creation is unfortunately not even close to his greatest works. …
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The Stoning of Soraya M
… Zahra (Shohreh Aghdashloo) is a fiercely strong woman in an area of Iran that frowns on such things. Women are meant to be subservient pieces of property to be used and disposed of when no longer needed. That’s how matters are where Zahra lives, but she won’t let that stop her from challenging authority and attempting to bring to light such despicable events. …
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Where the Wild Things Are
How does an extremely short children’s book get transformed into a full-length motion picture? Expand it. Spike Jonze, acclaimed director of Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, takes on Maurice Sendak’s seminal 1963 picture book with mixed, but rewarding results. …
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