The Fighter (Mo**** Jo***1/2)

John says:
The Fighter could have been a masterpiece - a movie dealing with issues ranging from poverty, drug addiction, lost chances, redemption, and family. Instead, we are left with a rather clunky piece of filmmaking with some of the best acting of the entire year.

The story follows Micky Ward, a boxer set on making it big like his older brother, played by Christian Bale. Bale, now addicted to crack, has the support of his mother (Melissa Leo) and sisters, but few others. An HBO camera crew follows the family around claiming to be making a documentary about Ward's comeback. Instead, they are documenting the reality of drug use in America.

Wahlberg's character meets and falls in love with Amy Adams, in one of her most fiery roles, and his opportunity for greatness is divided between taking the support of his family or the support of everyone else.

For whatever reason or another, the film just doesn't flow as a boxing movie in the way that Raging Bull or Million Dollar Baby do. Although the title suggests the story is focused on Micky Ward, the bulk of the plot deals with Christian Bale's character - his determinations and his addictions. By the time the final fight comes, we really don't even care.

In terms of acting, the 3 standout performances come from Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo. Each performance is flawlessly portrayed and endlessly layered. Expect all three to garner Oscar nominations, and each of them would richly deserve a win. The cast is not without its flaws - unfortunately the one flaw is in the title role played by Mark Wahlberg. Although the character requires little to no character depth or development, Wahlberg still lacks a heart and his performance falls far short of his costars.

Again, we are faced with a year for 10 Best Picture nominees. As much as I would disagree with its nomination, I'm sure it will still receive one simply based on subject matter and critical approval. Although I wouldn't highly recommend this movie, do see it for the stunning acting - easily the best of the year. (From most of the cast, at least...)

Maureen says:
Though certainly not the best picture of the year, notable and watchable if for nothing else, the terrific acting. The screenplay is unfocused and a bit choppy, making the film not quite realize its full potential, but it is entertaining nonetheless.

Mark Wahlberg stars in the title role as Micky Ward, "the fighter," an up-and-coming boxer from Lowell, Massachusetts. Christian Bale plays his older brother Dicky, a washed-up fighter and crack addict, and Melissa Leo is Micky's controlling mother and manager. Amy Adams, in a very new and different role for her, plays Micky's feisty and defensive girlfriend Charlene. Despite playing the title character, Wahlberg's performance is shockingly poor, despite having opportunities to develop emotions such as conflict, despair, embarrassment, and anger. He gives Micky almost no depth or emotion whatsoever, negatively coloring the feel of the entire movie. Thankfully, Bale, Adams, and Leo come to the rescue with outstanding supporting roles, more than making up for Wahlberg's lack of character. Bale is particularly outstanding and gives his best performance to date as the drug-dependent Dicky Ward. He conveys a range of emotions and mannerisms to perfection from beginning to end. One almost begins to wonder if he has a separate life as a crack addict! Nominations and likely wins are in store for Bale this awards season, as are nominations for Adams and Leo.

The actors - particularly Bale - make this film worth watching, which is good, as the script would not stand very well on its own. The potential for the story is there: drug addiction, family conflict, failure, overcoming obstacles... but instead of focusing on one plotline or integrating multiple issues into a single, moving story (i.e. American Beauty), the script seems confused as to which story to focus on. Is this a film about Dicky's drug addiction? Is it about Micky's career? Or is it about family conflict and internal issues within the Ward family in the small town of Lowell? The screenwriters touch on all of these issues, but do not develop any of them to their fullest extent, and instead we are left with a slightly unsatisfying film that tells you a little about a lot.

Aside from the acting, there is not much else of note except for the editing. The boxing scenes, especially, are exciting and well-filmed, and the movie may receive a nomination for this work. In another ten-Best Picture-nomination year, The Fighter will likely be a contender, but almost certainly not for the win.

Overall, I was entertained by The Fighter and would absolutely see it again - which is really the ultimate goal of any film, right? Even though its success is largely because of the superb acting, it still makes for a pretty good watch.

(Awards potential: Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Supporting Actor (Bale), Best Supporting Actress (Adams & Leo)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 (Mo ***1/2 Jo ***1/2)

John says:
Finally we near the end of the entire story - we've seen these characters develop from adorable, innocent kids through to the darkest, most mature moments. Overall I would like to say this first part of the last chapter was a success, but on the whole I can't help but voice concerns that overall, the film is much too dependent on its upcoming finale to function as a film of its own.

David Yates, the director of films 5 through to the end, is an amazing visual storyteller, and part 7 may very well be the most stunning - possibly out of all the Potter films. The technical wizardry behind the camera is astounding - with notable praise going to cinematography and visual effects - many of which were practically seamless, almost invisible. Similar praise can go to the score. Alexandre Desplat, one of the best composers working today, is the best thing to happen to the series since John Williams left. His music is moody, layered, effective, and totally in-tuned to the world of Harry Potter.

Each of the films seems to have a stand-out star, and this film is dominated by Emma Watson as Hermione. In previous films, her performances have been satisfactory to say the least, but finally we see her mature into a real actress, and there is never a moment you don't trust everything she is saying or believe every emotion she is portraying. Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint likewise have become fine actors - not to mention the rest of the all-star cast.

On the whole it was a very faithful adaption of the book - maybe the closest to the source material any Potter film has yet come, yet certain omissions were surprisingly missed. Yes, they split the book into 2 parts in order to fit as much in as possible, but - for instance, they still managed to almost completely cut the Dursley's out of the picture. Could they really not afford to spend maybe 2 minutes wrapping their minute story up? What was that mysterious mirror Harry is constantly looking at? Are we supposed to believe Harry is really in love with Ginny when she is seen for one second and his focus is more on Hermione? (at least in the film) Clearly I know the answers, but like other Potter films, I am concerned with how much the average audience will understand and interpret from the plot based on the film alone.

By the end of the film, though, I couldn't help but feel a bit unsatisfied. Yes, the ending is a 'cliff-hanger' to those who haven't read the books, but ultimately, the episodic nature of the first half of the book doesn't easily lend itself to a complete story, let alone a fulfilling plot for a feature movie. I have a feeling that Part 2 will tie up many loose ends and have more of a grandiose feel, but until then, I can't help but think that Part 1 had so much going for it, yet mysteriously managed to avoid greatness.

Maureen says:
The long-awaited final installments of the Harry Potter series have arrived. For better or for worse, the decision was made to present the final installment of the series in two parts. After seeing this film, though well-made and exciting to watch, I can't help feeling as though this is a weak preview part 2 - the REAL finale.

David Yates once again does an outstanding job with the making of this film - arguably, his finest Harry Potter work to date. The visuals were stunning and had me on the edge of my seat the entire movie. The 2 1/2 hours flew by. It was engaging, exciting, and spectacular to watch, with almost undetectable effects. Acting was also particularly outstanding, most notably from Emma Watson (Hermione) and Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix LeStrange), who as usual stole the screen whenever present. The score, as well, was mysterious, exciting, unique, and complemented the outstanding cinematography perfectly. There was enough humor to keep the script entertaining but also enough serious moments to keep it interesting. A large part of the book itself involves silent traveling, which could have made for a boring film, but Yates and the actors managed to make the silent moments emotional and intriguing.

Although the cinematography and editing were excellent and the film was generally very faithful to the book, certain artistic liberties were questionable at best. For example: not to give anything away, there was a provocative fantasy sequence that - it is safe to say - does not fit in with J.K. Rowling's intentions for the book. This tainted the entire scene and even, to a certain extent, the rest of the movie. I also must agree with some other critics in saying that the film seemed rather "jumbled" at times, which was not helped by the presence of shaky, Bourne Identity-style camera work. Had I not read the book, I likely would have been confused by the editing and plot twists. And although I went into the film expecting the ending to be anti-climactic, I was still left feeling like something was missing.

This film is certainly not the best Potter film nor my favorite, and in fact, finds itself toward the bottom of my Potter list... but it was absolutely 2.5 well-spent hours and does well in its ultimate job of raising plenty of anticipation for Part 2.

(Awards potential: Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Cinematography)

127 Hours (*****)

Slumdog Millionaire move over, Danny Boyle's latest work also may be his greatest. What began as a skeptical night of going to the movies transformed into an experience I don't think I will ever forget. The story of a man who gets his arm trapped behind a rock somehow manages to become a profound reflection on each and every person's life and the individual paths we all take.

The movie is in many ways similar to Boyle's previous film - Slumdog Millionaire - a colorful, fast-paced, dramatic yet inspiring story of life's worst situations transforming the characters into better people.

Of course, the story mainly focuses on Aron Ralston, an adventurous, albeit naive mountain climber who - of course - find himself in the worst situation: trapped in the middle of no where with no means of help. Any other director (I literally mean ANY other director) would have ruined the film and lost the true meaning of the story. Boyle makes it seem easy, oftentimes with unusual means - split screen, superimpositions, dreams, etc. It's highly stylized to say the least - but it works so well.

I could go on for hours praising each individual aspect - the score (our lovely AR Rahman), the cinematography, the editing, the sound design (!) but it all rides on James Franco's shoulders, and his is a towering performance. It's not necessarily a showy role, but he makes the most out of every little moment and pause - it's the silence that he manages that really holds our attention.

Although the running time is around an hour and a half, the intensity of each moment leaves you pinned - and time seems to stop. You might ask yourself, how could a movie set in a narrow canyon possibly hold our attention for 10 minutes, let alone over an hour? Well - it just does. In many ways it's a story about survival. Our tensions build as we see his water supply get lower and lower and the littlest changes in weather remind us how dangerous it is. At the same time it also manages to be a moving drama, a story about a man reflecting on his past relationships, love affairs, and family ties. If you were about to die, how would you feel about the life you had led thus far?

As far as I'm concerned, this is the best movie I've seen all year. No other movie in recent memory has had such a huge impact on me - physically and emotionally. All the pieces are here, and they all work brilliantly together. In fact, stupendous is probably the best word I can think to use to describe it.

(Awards potential: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Franco), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, Best Makeup)

Waiting For Superman (*****)

Waiting For Superman is as good of a documentary I have ever seen. The story focuses on the American public school system - its flaws, its champions, teachers, parents, students. Like any great piece of non-fiction film making, its powerful because it somehow manages to connect the audience with it's subjects, in this case, middle school students just hoping for a proper education.

I was surprised at two things when watching the film. First, how easily the information was presented. Walking in I was somewhat intimidated and possibly even put off by the subject matter. How interesting could learning about schools really be? In all honesty it was engrossing. Ideas are presented clearly and concisely with animation used to help drive in certain points. It was in that regard a very visual story. Second, the decision to focus the story on a handful of students was perfect in regards to the topic. As we learn about the flaws and problems children face in school, we are presented with actual children - kids and their parents trying their hardest to rise up and become successful by any means possible.

As fascinating as the documentary was to watch, ultimately its focus was on our country as a whole. We are raised to believe that America is 'the land of opportunity,' but after watching this I began having second thoughts. Not to spoil anything, but when a little girl who wants to grow up to become a doctor can't simply because her name wasn't pulled out of a hat, then something is wrong. How is it that years and years of political focus on reforming our educational system has had practically no effect at all?

I haven't seen any other documentary made this year yet, but I am almost positive this will remain the best I will see. Go see it immediately!

(Awards potential: Best Documentary, Best Original Song ('Shine'))

Black Swan (Mo****1/2 Jo****1/2)

John says:
Black Swan is like no other movie I have seen this year. It is difficult (if not impossible) to classify into any one genre, and the story remains cryptic and open, from the very first shot to the last. Despite all the mystery I felt after the screening, I can't get it out of my mind - trying to unravel everything that happened, make connections, sort through the plot - and in that regard I would consider the film a huge success.

The movie follows Nina (played by Natalie Portman), who seemingly has worked as a dancer for years but finally gets her break - the coveted lead role in 'Swan Lake.' Lily, a new dancer (played by Mila Kunis) appears, and slowly Nina's world of perfection and repetition is completely jolted off course. The movie could have taken the course of a typical drama, but by graphically illustrating Nina's inner (and outer) transformations, moments become surprisingly horrific. It's a balancing act that the director, Darren Aronofsky, manages to pull off with great ease and an unflinching sense of truth.

In terms of acting, Natalie Portman is brilliant. This could have been a role in which a lesser actor would just act scared and fake tears. Portman manages to bring great depth, playing a part that essentially mirrors the White Swan she portrays on stage. She manages to be both powerful and completely humbled, often times simultaneously. Definitely one of the strongest and most thorough performances of the year. Mila Kunis also deserves praise - one wouldn't expect a star of 'That 70's Show' to provide such a solid performance, but she keeps us guessing from start to finish. Winona Ryder (yes, she's in this movie), playing the part of an aged dancer reaching retirement is completely riveting. Her total screen time can't sum to more than 5 minutes, but her every moment is perfect. Barbara Hershey wraps up the lead cast playing Portman's harsh, oftentimes psychotic mother. In a 'Carrie-esque' fashion, her character hovers over every aspect of Nina's life, There's sympathy to be found in her, yet there is always a sense of unease, too.

There's little resolution to many of the characters, very few moments of revelation, and there's never a sense of a solid basis in reality. How much of what we see is real? How much is imagined? I don't want to provide any spoilers (if that's possible) but I feel like this movie may be a bit more abstract than the average movie-goer may suspect. It's gorgeously photographed and meticulously pieced together, and in many ways it's beautifully effortless like the dancing we see on screen. You have never seen dancing (or anything for that matter) filmed in this way. It's immersive, stunning, completely engrossing.

Darren Aronofsky has created a vast assortment of films, from Requiem For A Dream and The Wrestler. You can feel his presence with Black Swan - the harsh grittiness of the editing, the manic camera work, the focus on characters going through a change, etc.

This is a fascinating, harsh, disturbing, brilliant movie. As dangerous a movie as it is, this movie seems locked for a Best Picture nomination. Aronofsky, too, makes risky movies that don't always sit well with audiences - but his meticulous and startling work here definitely could and should garner him a directing nomination as well. Unlike any other movie this year: a unique, mind-boggling masterpiece.

Maureen says:
Darren Aronofsky creates a new and completely different genre with this film: the psycho-"drorror" thriller... or something. Black Swan is dark, mysterious, and shocking... but in all of the best possible ways. 

The film is centered around ballerina Nina, played by the stunning Natalie Portman. She is perfect in the role; I've almost never seen a role so well-cast, and she does an impeccable job with a difficult and layered part. This slight actress will be a force to be reckoned with at the 2010 Academy Awards. Mila Kunis perfectly complements the innocent Portman and embodies the very definition of a dark temptress. She is at her finest, and it will not be surprising to see her recognized with multiple nominations. Nina's mother - played by Barbara Hershey - is also outstanding. Although secondary to the overall plot, Hershey manages to make Nina's mother the center of attention in each scene, and makes the audience's collective skin crawl progressively more with each appearance.

Filmmaking-wise, this is up there with the year's finest. Dark cinematography, spooky lighting, and edge-of-your-seat editing make this film a thrill ride from beginning to end. I actually found myself physically exhausted by the end of it, having been enthralled and tense the entire way through. The sets and particularly the costumes are beautifully designed and make each scene mesmerizing to watch.

The story itself is a completely unique one, not only filled with symbolism but based almost entirely on it. Completely abstract, surreal, and cryptic... but despite the very nature of the film, it has the audience desperately waiting to see what happens next, regardless of whether it will make sense or not, regardless of whether it will be "real" or not. That being said, some of the artistic liberties may be a bit too liberal... where does one draw the line between symbolism and gratuitous horror? The "shock" factor here, though nearly perfectly executed in nearly every instance, was not always a positive addition to the story. When certain visuals remind you of The Ring, that's where you begin to wonder about the film's overall intent: is it to shock and amaze? Or simply to terrify?

A risky, gritty, disturbing piece... but a story that will stick with you for hours, even days afterward. Certainly not for the faint of heart; but for those looking for a true cinematic "experience," you have come to the right place.

(Awards potential: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Portman), Best Supporting Actress (Barbara Hershey, Mila Kunis) Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design)