MOVIE REVIEW - W. and RELIGILOUS

I saw these movies within a couple of days of one another. And they both left me with a similar feeling, entertained, glad I saw it, but a little underwhelmed. They both were kind of what I expected. I didn’t learn really anything new about W. and I didn’t gain a new perspective on religion. And while W. did attempt to humanize quite possibly the worst president in our nation’s history, I often wondered where these “stories” came from… There wasn’t much beyond generalizations of “Daddy issues” and “stupidity.” …and Bill Mahr was funny, made some great points, …but man, if you are making a full feature movie, maybe have some better comebacks than …”Reeeallly???” ..or… “come on, really? Really?” I just wanted more from both of these movies…

However. After reading this article Titled “Jesus and Witches,” http://www.newsweek.com/id/166215/page/1 I couldn’t help but connect these two movies. Suddenly they both felt very important and necessary. It frustrates me that politicians not only feel a need to “be a person of faith” but HAVE to pander to the religious right so badly that literally a crazy lady like Palin gets the Republican VP nomination BECAUSE of her “strong religious background” – uh u mean her craziness? If Bush hasn’t taught this country enough about the disasters of ruling by Manifest Destiny, and the corruption of forming US policy with a a sense of entitlement from god, then I stand by my wife in saying “We are not coming back from Italy.” Whether its legislating a religious interpretation of marriage into general law, or relying on “jesus” as a serious advisor to policymaking for this country, Religion needs to back the Fck up out of politics. Waging a “war on evil” sounds like a bad movie script, let alone a legitimate US foreign policy. A few days ago Lex and I drove by some “Yes on Prop 8” activists (aka Christian evangelicals, crazies) and as lex was giving them the double bird I couldn’t help but wonder what politician is pulling the strings of these religious puppets. It is that tangled. As of late, religion has become far more concerned with political agendas than providing service to their communities. Something needs to change, quickly. Otherwise Im stuck wandering the Vatican walls, in my attempt to “protest to religion in this country.”

MOVIE REVIEW - Into the Wild

This movie inspires.

Ask Lexie. I spent one of the most sacred holidays of the year, Columbus Day, at home cleaning our disaster of a room. Two loads of laundry, 8 trash bags of filth, some dusting and half-assed vacuuming, a closet door that can actually be opened now, and, most importantly, a quaint little grin on Mattie Mckinnon's face each time he walks past our door. And all of this because of this movie. Thank you Sean Penn. Thank you for taking this story beyond just a movie, and making it a life-changing experience. Amazing cinematography, focused direction, surprisingly great (Eddie Vedder) music, and truly committed acting (by all, even Vince Vaughn) make this one of if not THE best movies of the year. I don't want to ruin this story like Oprah did, or the book (really just Oprah-who reads?) so I won't reveal the ending. Just know this is a very documented, researched, and accurately portrayed true story.

I'd like to close with this final thought. Emile Hirsch lost 41 of his 156lbs during this role. He performed all of his own stunts- including kayaking down the Colorado River and floating downstream nude in 35 degree water. It is a memorable performance to say the least. So memorable, that Rolling Stone recently wrote, "(Emile Hirsch) is the only hope for bringing down this Shia LaBeouf boy-wonder era."

Final score, on a scale from 1-10: I give this a 9.5

MOVIE REVIEW - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Oscar-winning actor, Casey Affleck.

Next year those words won't sound so ridiculous.

My first thoughts when hearing word of Brad Pitt's new movie were: "Fallout Boy is now writing titles for movies, not just crappy songs? That's annoying." However after seeing it, I am sold. It is an excellent film. As I mentioned, Casey Affleck is remarkable. A classic character, like that of Val Kilmer's portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone, Casey Affleck makes you understand why they crammed his character's name (and description) into the title. "That'd be a funny joke. If it were funny." A classic line.

Brad Pitt is awesome, as always (side note: Brad Pitt's good looks often prevent him from getting proper respect as an actor. Those who claim he "isn't that good" are simply wrong, much like their Madonna arguments). The tension and uneasiness Pitt creates as Jesse James is something that could land him an Oscar of his own. The film is poetic in its story telling and visual composition. It sits with you long after the credits, but unlike Rendition, for all the right reasons.

Final score, on a scale from 1-10: I give this a 9

PW Editor's Note: Casey Affleck did not win an Oscar. All I'm sayin'

MOVIE REVIEW - Michael Clayton

Mid-point of our movie marathon.

We were off to a slow start choosing "Rendition" Friday night, and with my mom nodding off to sleep next to me during the first 15 minutes of Michael Clayton (the 4:30pm showing nonetheless), we were not looking good. But then came Tom Wilkinson, who has to be one of the most slept-on actors, that ALWAYS delivers, and this movie just gains speed. Not to mention maybe George Clooney's Best performance ever. There is a classic style about this film that is refreshing. If you liked Erin Brokovitch, and would have loved it, if it wasn't for horse-faced Julia Roberts, then you need to see Michael Clayton. Very solid choice.

Final score, on a scale from 1-10: I give this an 8

MOVIE REVIEW - Rendition

I should have known from the title, which I continuously mispronounced as "redemption" (and one time as "retention"), that this might not live up to the expectations I put on this film. With an all-star cast of Oscar winning talent, I was expecting greatness (or as Roger Ebert stated on a commercial on 107.9- "a perfect movie") Instead, I found myself trying way too hard to like this movie. And it took me a weekend to figure out what exactly it was that didn't connect for me. I enjoyed the acting (Telly Sevalas was awesome), and the story was set up to be pretty interesting, but it never came together. With that many great actors in that long of a movie, there should have been more to it than "torture is bad." Duh. I'm all for political messages, especially when I agree with them, but this just came across desperate to make an obvious point. Does it really take an 8-month pregnant wife (played by Reese), a six-year-old son, and an Ivy-League degree to make people feel "sympathetic" for an Egyptian guy being tortured? That feeling I was left with after the movie ended where I was "trying to figure out if I liked this movie," was really me just feeling like "wow, that was it."

With so many potentially great movies out right now, this movie is similar to leaving me a voicemail - don't bother.

Final score, on a scale from 1-10: I give this a 5

MOVIE REVIEW - Dan in Real Life

John Silva was right (for once) about a movie. Dan in Real Life is great! Steve Carrel is excellent! Heartfelt and hilarious as always. The music is surprisingly great (Read: Mainly indie artists) which gives this family "dramedy" a current style. And most surprisingly, Dane Cook isn't that annoying! He is actually enjoyable for maybe like 12 secs. (Anytime you call someone a "pigface," you're going to have me for a bit. It always takes me back to "Pigface Sammy" from Days.) the movie isn't Oscar material, like the magnificent "Little Miss Sunshine," but it definitely hits some of the same laughs and emotions.

That being said, I really can't pass an opportunity to rip Dane "I'm the least funny comedian ever" Cook. Honestly, how did this guy EVER get a standup SPECIAL on HBO? Wtf? And seriously, telling someone they look like Dane Cook is NOT a compliment, which is exactly what one of lex's co-workers told me the other day. Dane Cook is one of the most annoying people in the history of ever, so telling me I remind you of him, really, really sucks. And so does Dane Cook.

The movie is good, though.

Final score, on a scale of 1-10: I give this an 8

MOVIE REVIEW - Lars and the Real Girl

Sometimes the movie experience out shines, or at least is more memorable, than the actual movie you see. When I think back to the Saturday I saw Lars and the Real Girl, I can really only remember two things. First, watching these two old ladies hike up the face of the Tower Theatre steps.

What stood out was after 5 minutess of trying to let their old ass eyes adjust to the darkness, one lady makes a move and picks an isle, however not a seat. She sits IN BETWEEN two rows, directly on the floor. Now me and the classy crew I rolled with, are just staring, watching her, never once considering helping a couple of senior citizens. The lady, after 2minutes of being parked on the floor, whispers, "I don't think this is a real seat." No shit! We completely lost it. By far the hardest I laughed inside a movie theatre in years.

So, being that laughter is typically a sign of funny, I guess that makes this movie a comedy? Although Lex and Pat were in tears a couple times so maybe it's a drama? Then again, all of that could also be attributed to the other thing that I remember from Saturday afternoon. The symphony of Sparks cans popping open one by one.

Classy.

Final score, on a scale from 1-10: I give this a 7

MOVIE REVIEW - American Gangster

The 70's are cool this year. And I am not talking the John Travolta, Doobie Brothers 70's. I'm talkin the soulful, sexy, afro puff 70s. I am talking naked chicks with afro's cutting up dope, Muhammad Ali in his prime, Serpico running havoc on corrupt cops, this is were "cool" began. And like Jay-Z's cd titled the same, American Gangster represents that era perfectly! This is a cool movie.

Soulful, smooth, wonderfully acted, predictable yet still suspenseful in its story telling, classic. That's how I'd describe this movie. Russell Crowe is always, ALWAYS, great! And Denzel, well its just nice to see him NOT playing a cop for once. He does an excellent job! In fact I found myself wishing he was on the screen more often. And while this movie may not have the heart-pounding violence like a Goodfellas or Scarface, it holds its own in the Gangster dramas.

In what seems to be a year of disappointments at the theatres, American Gangster is one of the best I've seen this year!

Final score, on a scale of 1-10: I give this a 8.5

MOVIE REVIEW - Enchanted

No I didn't take Emma, or Aiden, or Lil' Boo to see Enchanted. Just me and my lovely wife. And I will be completely honest: I really enjoyed it! It's fun, cute, entertaining, and it just makes you happy, perfect for the holiday season! Plus Amy Adams is GREAT!!! And James Marsden is quickly becoming someone I like a lot. I would definitely recommend this film.

Plus, with our crew sporting so many damn kids lately, all Disney movies are really a must see.

Final score, on a scale of 1-10: I give this an 8

MOVIE REVIEW - No Country for Old Men

Anger. Frustration. Serious Annoyance.

This movie PISSED ME OFF. Normally I restrain from giving any kind of real hints about a movie- especially the end. But for this God Damn movie, I'm making an exception. The last 25 minutes FUCKING SUCK. My dad summarized it very eloquently, "It was like they ran out of money, half the actors died in a plane crash, and they had to turn something in by the end of the day." No way that was the ending for the movie I was just watching, a movie I was really into, a movie featuring one of the creepiest characters on film in years. As good as the first 25 minutes of the movie are, the last minutes are that much worse.

But Actually, see it. Please, see it. I'd even see it again with you. Right before the next turkey bowl, so I can unleash some serious frustration on Garett Potter's face.

Final score, on a scale from 1-10: I give this a 6