The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett shine in the film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Pitt stars as Button, who is born under unusual circumstances. As a baby, Button exhibits the characteristics and behaviors of an eighty year old on his way to his death bed. As time continues to pass, however, Button seems to grow younger. Along the way, he meets a friend named Daisy (Blanchett), who takes a liking to Button, but has bigger dreams of becoming a world class dancer. The film takes the viewer on a journey through Button’s life, showing just how lonely being the only person getting younger can actually be. My analysis is below, here is the theatrical one-sheet from the film:
The Theatrical One Sheet for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The make-up artists for this film should get an Oscar for their job in this film. Aging Pitt’s character was not an easy task, and at one point in the film, he literally looked sixteen years old. I thought the story was also pretty interesting. The only knock I’d give this film is it’s length. Clocking in at 2 hours and 39 minutes, I thought that the film could have cut a little bit more out of the finished product and still had an excellent story. Overall I’d give this film a 4.3 out of 5 stars, and definitely a movie to see this holiday season.
Valkyrie
Tom Cruise takes on a slightly more serious role than that of his small role in Tropic Thunder. Valkyrie finds Cruise playing Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a dissenter to Adolph Hitler and the leader of operation Valkyrie. The operation, put quite simply, is an attempt to assassinate Hitler, and offer a truce and or treaty with the Allied forces in WWII. In all, there were fifteen known attempts on the life of Hitler, and Operation Valkyrie was the last known attempt. The plan was simple, Operation Valkyrie was originally intended to be executed if and when Hitler was pronounced dead. With a careful rewording of the order, Stauffenberg makes it so that, after Hitler is assassinated, as many known members of the SS are to be arrested, and control of Berlin is to be restored. The only hangup for Stauffenberg is that it is 1944, and communication systems are not what they are today. My analysis is below, here is the theatrical one-sheet from the film:
The Theatrical One-Sheet for Valkyrie
Tom Cruise scored big with this film, along with the rest of the cast which include Bill Nighy and Terence Stamp. The film beautifully chronicles a few men’s failed attempt to stand up against the tyranny of a corrupt individual, as well as just how evil that individual can be. The movie almost mirrors 300 in the way that few stood against many, and that their legacy lives on and they themselves are vindicated by history. I’d give this film 4.7 out of 5 stars. A word of caution to parents; the ending is kind of grotesque, and probably not suitable for anyone under the age of 10.
The Spirit
In one of the most anticipated movies of this holiday season, The Spirit hit theaters on Christmas Day, and based on the theater I went to, it seemed to attract a fairly large amount of people, even with it being a holiday. Gabriel Macht stars as the Spirit, an ex-cop who was shot to death, but because of a miracle serum, came back to life and is now, somewhat immortal. Macht heads a cast that includes Scarlett Johansson (Silken Floss), Eva Mendes (Sans Serif), and ever the consummate B.A.M.F Samuel L. Jackson (The Octopus). The film also includes Dan Lauria, playing the part of Commissioner Dolan, whom you might remember as the father on the family show “The Wonder Years.” The Spirit chronicals the lead character’s fight against the Octopus and all the evil for which he stands. Along the way, the beautiful women in The Spirit’s life seem to provide support, as well as a distraction from the everyday action that comes with fighting the Octopus. My analysis is below, here is the theatrical one-sheet from the film:
The Theatrical One-Sheet for The Spirit
Overall I thought this film was a really great experience, and I couldn’t help but notice that it also served as a cult comedy. For example, in one scene, Eva Mendes’ character is persuading a man (sometimes known as holding him at gunpoint) to try to ahem “reallocate some funds” into her bank account. While she is doing this, she is literally xeroxing her butt, a copy that she later uses as a calling card. It’s moments like that the made me, and everyone in the theater, give a little chuckle. As far as the action goes, it was in the manner of 300 and Sin City, both films that I enjoyed and own, so I didn’t mind it at all. The best part is, they’ve set the film up very nicely for a sequel. Overall, I’d give this film 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Seven Pounds
Will Smith scores big in this year’s drama “Seven Pounds.” Smith plays a man who impersonates his brother Ben Thomas, who is an IRS agent who collects taxes for a living. Years ago, Thomas was in a traumatic car accident in which his wife, along with six others traveling on a bus, were killed. His life from that point forward has been devoted to helping seven strangers, by completely changing their lives. Along the way he meets Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson), a heart patient who is in grave need of a transplant. Thomas grants her a six-month grace period to try to get her life back in order from overdue medical bills, and with such a gift, the two fall in love. Thomas then decides to complete his task of giving in a heartbreaking finale that will require a box of tissues. My analysis is below, here is the theatrical one-sheet from the film:
The Theatrical One-Sheet for Seven Pounds
The critics really ripped this film in their reviews, and I’m glad I went to see this film because it really epitomizes what this blog is all about. This film was excellent, and another one of Will Smith’s top notch performances. I really like the timing of this film as well. Smith’s character represents what is good about the holiday season, and that is the spirit of giving. Ben Thomas (or rather, the characters real name, Tim Thomas) gave so much of himself to others, asking for so little in return, and I think that that is a great message for everyone during this holiday season. I’d definitely say that the kids should come along, if only for the message of the film. I give Seven Pounds 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Yes Man
Jim Carrey returns to the big screen as Carl Allen, a bank loan officer who never quite learned how to say…yes. His job suits him, giving him plenty of opportunities to say no to quite a lot of people, the problem is, he says no to quite literally everything. When a friend tells him about being a yes man, Carl reluctantly agrees to go to a seminar that will help him say the magical word. Following the seminar, Carl has to say yes to everything, and initially it brings him very good fortune. When he starts saying yes to things he doesn’t want, the hilarity ensues. My analysis is below, here is the theatrical one-sheet from the film:
The Theatrical One-Sheet for Yes Man
This film was pretty hilarious based on the situations that Jim Carrey’s character was subjected to. I laughed the entire time, and the audience around me seemed to enjoy the film as well. The only degrading mark that I’d give this film is based on its originality. It struck me as extremely similar to Carrey’s 90’s hit Liar Liar. With that said, however, I’d give this film 4 out of 5 stars.
Twilight
The long awaited movie adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s novel “Twilight” hit theaters on November 21st to throngs of tweens, teens, and adults alike in what has quickly become a national phenomenon. Bella Swan (Kristin Stewart) is new to the small town for Forks, Washington, and doesn’t know many people. Her father Charlie (Billy Burke) seems to have a very detached relationship with Bella, and lets her keep to herself. One day, while she’s at school, she meets Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a mysterious boy who, at first, seems to want nothing to do with her. The worst part is, in Bella’s eyes, Edward is extremely attractive. His odd habits, however, such as absences from school for “personal” reasons, and his increasingly hot and cold weather, frustrate Bella. It eventually comes out that Edward is a 107 year old vampire who wants Bella’s blood, so natural he’s extremely attracted to her. Thus begins a passionate relationship that tests both Edward’s ability to restrain himself from sucking Bella’s blood; as well as Bella’s ability to maintain a stable relationship with Edward, knowing full well that there is a part of Edward that wants to eat her. Keeping in mind that this film was shot with a limited budget, I thought the film stayed true to the novel (yes, I read it), and was extremely well done. My analysis is below, here is the theatrical one-sheet from the film:
The Theatrical One-Sheet for Twilight
Keeping in mind that this film did not have the budget to support much of the green screen effects seen in many of the films today, I thought director Catherine Hardwicke did well with what she had. When it was all said and done, Twilight fans will be happy to know that Hardwicke and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg stayed true to the novel, including some of the novels best known lines, sometimes verbatim. Knowing how hard the cast and crew worked, I give this film a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
New Upcoming Movie: The International
Head on over to the upcoming movie page to check out the plot synopsis and trailer for the upcoming action film The International, starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts. The film is set to hit theaters on February 13th, 2009, and looks to be a very satisfying thriller about an Interpol Agent and a Manhattan Assistant DA who try to take down a high profile bank with corrupt intentions.
