Still Alice - 4 smiles

I am so far behind with my movie blog that there’s only one way to catch up.  I will briefly comment on the various movies and assume you know what the movie is about.

Julianne Moore is amazing as Dr. Alice Howland, a brilliant college professor who is diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer’s. Told from the perspective of the disease’s victim, this adaptation of Lisa Genova’s novel Still Alice is filled with clear-eyed honesty. It’s a tough movie to watch because not only is it difficult on her loved ones, but Alice is fully aware of what’s happening to her – how her world is closing in on her. Her frustration and despair are palpable. The movie also touches on how society views the disease and its victims (with little understanding) and how impotent the medical profession is (no miracle drug). Moore has my vote for Best Actress.

Into the Woods - 2 smiles

I am so far behind with my movie blog that there’s only one way to catch up.  I will briefly comment on the various movies and assume you know what the movie is about.

While “Into the Woods,” the cinematic adaption of Stephen Sondheim’s fairy tale Broadway musical, can claim a clever script and a few enjoyable performances, it’s really not that engaging. And in spite of perennial Oscar nominee Meryl Streep headlining the cast, Chris Pine’s Prince Charming is the best thing about the movie. His prince is the perfect mix of bluster, charisma and empty-headedness and his song “Agony” is truly enjoyable. “Into the Woods” may seem like the perfect family movie, but it’s hard to imagine young children having much interest in a film that’s really aimed at adults.

Big Eyes - 3 smiles

I am so far behind with my movie blog that there’s only one way to catch up.  I will briefly comment on the various movies and assume you know what the movie is about.

In addition to being a bio-pic, “Big Eyes” has strong themes about the importance of the act of creation to an artist and the tug-of-war between art and commerce in popular media. The movie illustrates that it’s no less traumatic when the artist is complicit. From the moment that Walter (Christophe Waltz) claims Margret’s (Amy Adams) art as his own, she feels as if she’s lost her identity. The ending satisfies in a way that only a courtroom scene can. However, the main weakness is Waltz’s overplaying Walter to the point of buffoonery. And while Amy Adams is always very good, it’s not her best work.

Selma - 3 1/2 smiles

I am so far behind with my movie blog that there’s only one way to catch up.  I will briefly comment on the various movies and assume you know what the movie is about.

What “Selma” does so well is to bring to life the events of 1965, especially ‘Bloody Sunday’ (the first march). The movie is riveting and David Oyelowo’s performance as Martin Luther King Jr. is impressive. There are a few missteps, such as the glossing over of Coretta King’s meeting with Malcolm X and the occasional captions, purportedly ‘reports’ by the FBI, which prove distracting and sometimes confusing. Nonetheless, ‘Selma’ demonstrates not only how far we have come as a society, but how far we have yet to go. Always confusing to me is how a movie can receive a Best Picture nomination, but not the director, Ava DuVernay.