Invictus (2009)

Invictus is Latin for "unconquered" and is also the name of the poem by William Ernest Henley that Nelson Mandela turned to in times when he needed inspiration. Invictus the movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, centers around the beginning of the Nelson Mandela presidency. Mandela (Morgan Freeman) knows he has to unite post-apartheid country before tackling major issues like poverty, crime, and education. He decides to focus on using the South African rugby team, the Springboks, as a political tool; they must win the 1995 Rugby World Cup and bring the South African whites and blacks together. François Pienaar, the Springbok's captain played by Matt Damon, forms a relationship with Mandela based on their mutual leadership roles and need for inspiration.

Like all movies based on rather famous true stories, we already know how Invictus ends. It's how the movie gets to its end that becomes the focus. Clint Eastwood seems to be very good at manipulating emotions. He picks just the right stories that will tug at your heart strings and films them in a way that makes the sentiment of the film impossible to ignore. At times, this is just cheesy (i.e. showing the crowd cheering in slow motion up to the Springbok's game winning score). At other times, the cheesiness is outweighed by reality; this is not just a movie, this really happened. One such moment is when Pienaar is shows Mandela's cell when he was in prison. He looks down and sees the thin blankets on the floor that were his bed. He spreads his arms out while in the cell to see how small it is. He imagines Mandela sitting in the single chair, reading and never giving up hope. The scene is filmed in Mandela's actual cell, so even though it seems a bit gratuitous and the transparent Mandela sitting in the chair juxtaposed over Pienaar seems a bit too much, it doesn't matter.

I'm really a stickler for a movie being good only on the grounds of its production, its form. The movie in and of itself is not great. Sure, the acting is good (both Freeman and Damon were nominated for acting Oscars), but the story, the filming, and the writing are the same as just about every other sports movie ever made. The underdog always comes out on top and the same story is retold once again. However, what most sports movies don't have is the incredibly charismatic character of Mandela and the historical significance of something as monumental as the apartheid. Even if Invictus does follow the same old formula, it's a shining example of what the formula should be.

Writing: 7/10
Acting: 9/10
Plot: 6/10
Visuals: 6/10

In the Loop (2009)

In the Loop is a British comedy that at once reminded me of the British version of The Office. I suppose it's the same sort of dry, subtle, straight-faced humor. It's also filmed in a similarly pseudo-documentary style. Apparently, In the Loop is a spin-off of the BBC television series The Thick of It, but I haven't seen it, so I can't really comment. Anyway, the movie depicts US and UK political relationships during the run up to the Iraq war in 2003.

The movie if filled with brilliantly amusing site gags and absurd quips. At one point, Karen Clarke (Mimi Kennedy), the US Assistant Secretary of State of Diplomacy starts bleeding profusely from the mouth during a meeting. She retreats to the bathroom where she stuffs her mouth with napkins with the assistance of her assistant, Liza (Anna Chlumpsky, the girl from My Girl). Karen gives Liza an order and when Liza clarifies, "You're not going to shout at me if I go and do that, are you?" Karen, with her mouth and hands covered in blood and crammed full of bloody napkins says, "I'm not a monster, Liza, okay?" Another delightful one-liner has Malcome Tucker (Peter Capaldi), the Prime Minister's Director of Communications, saying "'Climbing the mountain of conflict'? You sounded like a Nazi Julie Andrews!"

In the Loop is probably entertaining for those who are familiar with and enjoy British comedy, and maybe some of those who don't. I think deadpan punchlines and absurdity has it's place in American comedy, but it's much more subtle than the more common forms of humor.

Writing: 9/10
Acting: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Visuals: 8/10

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

While watching the Oscars on Sky Movies HD (some British channel thing) one commenter said that his children didn't care for Fantastic Mr. Fox and that he thought when it comes to animated movies, children should enjoy it, or what's the point? He totally neglects the possibility that maybe some animated movies are made for adults. Avatar, in all rights, was primarily animated, yet was enjoyed by adults worldwide. Fantastic Mr. Fox, however, is for the most part a children's movie. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, Fantastic Mr. Fox is the story of a fox (George Clooney) and his family who rob the local farmers of their poultry and cider. Wes Anderson is the master of subtlety and using empty space exactly where it's needed. At times awkward, the humor in Fantastic Mr. Fox would be difficult for many children to grasp. However, the escapades of Mr. Fox and friends are entertaining enough visually even for an ADD wonder brat. The entire movie is engaging and engrossing, from the low-tech stop motion animation to the bouncy, fun-loving soundtrack.

Writing: 10/10
Acting (voice): 9/10
Plot: 8/10
Visuals: 10/10

Julie & Julia (2009)

Meryl Streep is the greatest actress of our generation. That alone is enough to see Julie & Julia. The premise, however, probably deters even some of her most ardent fans. A movie about cooking? Hardly. Julie & Julia interweaves the story of how Julia Child becomes the most famous American cook and the story of a blogger named Julie (Amy Adams) who, at a time where she's turning 30 feels she's not good at anything, decides to start a blog about completing every recipe in Julia Child's 734-page Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I concede that it doesn't sound all that interesting, but add a dash of romance, drama, and politics, and the story becomes remarkable.

The acting is brilliant on Meryl Streep (surprise, surprise), Amy Adams and Stanly Tucci's part. Playing a public figure with distinct mannerisms and an over the top personality is difficult. Meryl Streep does it effortlessly; she is Julia Child. Even those, like me, who are too young to be familiar with Julia Child's work and television shows know who she is and you'll recognize how dead on Streep's performance is. Amy Adams' Julie is incredibly sincere, somewhat naive, and beautifully diffident. I must admit that the character of Julie was partially the inspiration for starting this very blog. Stanley Tucci is an incredibly likable actor and there is no exception for his role as Julia Child's incredibly loving and sanguine diplomat husband.

I think Julie & Julia is a lovely film in the truest sense of the word. I don't care if you give a shit about cooking or blogging or history, it's well made. The acting and dialogue are consistently interesting. The stories are woven together masterfully. I think if you're looking for a well crafted, moving film, Julie & Julia is worth your time.

There are no explosions in this film.

Writing: 9/10
Acting: 10/10
Plot: 7/10
Visuals: 7/10

The Blind Side (2009)

So I watched Oscars last night, like so many people, I WTFed Sandra Bullock winning Best Actress in a Leading Role, but I did that without having actually seen The Blind Side . Until today, that is. It's a nice movie. Heartwarming, interesting, but also incredibly predictable and standard for its genre. Though it is based on a true story (they all are), it has a very distinct Lifetime movie quality to it. It's the story of a neglected (and large) black teenager (Quinton Aaron) with no where to go, who finds passion and purpose in football. He is taken in by the brazen and forceful Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) who helps him discover that he isn't as stupid as most adults and teachers think. He eventually becomes part of her family and goes on to do very well with that football thing. That said, Sandra Bullock's performance definitely fits the genre. Her Southern drawl is obnoxious and far from authentic sounding. Her delivery is nothing different from any other film she's made (maybe without the charming snort of Miss Congeniality). At the Oscars, Sandra seemed to realize that this performance was nothing amazing and would never have beaten out such power players as Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren. She even said during her acceptance speech, "Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?"

In any case, The Blind Side is definitely a film you can pass up, but if you're looking for something heartwarming and family friendly and Blockbuster is all out of copies of Up, go ahead and watch The Blind Side. Just know what you're getting.

Writing: 7/10
Acting: 6/10
Plot: 6/10
Visuals: 6/10