i heart huckabees [B+]

moviemcpeake snippet: I Heart Huckabees is filled with humor, wit, and questions. The story line starts with Albert, played by Jason Schwartzman, who is on a journey to understand his coincidence run-ins with the same man three times. From there his existential detectives, Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin, begin to analyze his life by bringing more and more characters into his personal equation called a white blanket. As the film evolves, all flavors of people begin showing up. An executive at a top merchandise store called Huckabees played by Jude Law, his girlfriend, the Huckabees spokes model played by Naomi Watts, a confused firefighter played by Mark Wahlberg, and the dark, empty, nothing is connected therapist played by Isabelle Huppert. So how the heck does all of this come together and what does it mean?

First, a stellar, funny, quirky cast. Second, an original storyline with off humor that stumps you, the characters are relating and revealing, and a plot that is all over the place yet all after the same thing. How am I not myself? What does it all mean? How are we all connected? Are we connected? It leaves you to find your own answers and conclusions but the fun part is it leaves you with more questions, a different perspective, and a love for all the characters. It was a fun little ride through life, struggles, and triumphs, with you laughing at every turn and curve. I Heart Huckabees, has just that…a lot of heart.

So why the B+ instead of an A? Too much was going on that I felt like some of the existential story flew right over my head and I missed deeper connections that would make the film an A. The answer. Simple. You may need to see the film more than once to really appreciate all the heart in Huckabees. But either way, connections or not, it is was watchable, enjoyable, and most importantly unique.

recommendation: hey i don't give too many B+ or higher, so see it for an off the beat and path film night.

the human stain [A]

moviemcpeake snippet:

FADE IN
EXT. THEATER ENTRANCE - NIGHT
We see a modest crowd of eager Chicagoans huddling together to see the red carpet affair before the premier of The Human Stain. The Director, Robert Benton (Bonnie and Clyde, Kramer vs. Kramer, Superman, Still of the Night, Places in the Heart, etc.) and Gary Sinise (A Chicago Native) get the crowd excited. Our main character, Jessica, is waiting on tip toes to catch a glimpse at some of her favorite actors, Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins. Nothing. She goes in to find her seat. Inside the main area of an old Chicago Theater she finds the best view of the red carpet. When she looks down the red path she sees Anthony Hopkins getting out of his limo. She watches him approach the door way where he is now three people away from her. She is feeling some what strange as she is typical not a star struck person. But this is Sir Anthony Hopkins. Feeling excited to get that close, she retreats to find her seat. She is avoiding the Hopkins crowd in hopes to get a better seat inside. It is when she makes her break for the aisle door that she runs into Hopkins. This time there is no one in between her and the great actor. Hopkins smiles and then shakes Jessica's hand as she jets it out not knowing what else to do. Finally getting to her seat, she sits down and smiles knowing that she just crossed paths with an Oscar winner who stared in one of her favorite films (Silence of the Lambs) and knowing that she just became within 1 degree of Jodie Foster...Jessica McPeake (The Human Stain Premier) >> Sir Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs) >> Jodie Foster
FADE OUT

Ok. Back to reality and back to the review. I just wanted to share my first red carpet experience.

This film is perfect in every sense. Perfect for me because it is the kind of film I love. Slower pace, wonderful/meaningful story, incredible acting, great camera angles/pans, etc. What I love about slower paced films is that they are driven by the story and the characters. A film can only become great when there is no wasted space of unimportant scenes and the characters/actors drive your emotions. Some "slow paced" films** are Gattaca, The Hours, American Beauty, In the Bedroom, etc.

Let me begin with the story, which is based off the novel by Phillip Roth. This film is about two people who on the outside seem to be a huge mismatch, the old/educated, Coleman Silk (Hopkins) with the young/misfit, Faunia Farley (Nicole Kidman). It is a story about hidden pasts, reputations, regrets, prisoners, and misfortune. It is about two people desperately wanting to escape the prisons that they created for themselves and to be able to live free of their pasts. As far as acting is concerned, I don't know where to start. Gary Sinise, Ed Harris,Hopkins, Kidman...I will say this, it is the best ensemble I have seen in awhile. Better than Chicago, better then The Hours. Maybe because it took me by surprise. I mean how convincing can a relationship be between Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman? Oh, but it was. Gary Sinise had some very memorable scenes with Hopkins. Ed Harris, again playing a small part, delivered a big impact. And then the lovely, Ms. Kidman. What can I say? She has more depth with each new film. She is really becoming an incredible actress that no one can deny. She is so emotional and convincing with each new character. She grabs you with her speech and her body language. Faunia is so sexual and matter of fact but yet so unsure of herself. The more I think of the actors performances the more I get chills down my spine. It was that good.

The Human Stain, right down to its title, is flawless.

**"Slow Paced" is not a technical film term, but a moviemcpeake film term and is not intended as anything but a description. It is part of the drama genre but typical the "slow paced" films have more invested in the story and characters than other dramas.

harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban [A-]

moviemcpeake snippet: Lately, I have had the pleasure or the misfortune of only being able to see the big summer blockbusters. Due to the delay in release dates in Argentina, only the big ones are available during my stay. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was a pleasure.

My hats off to Alfonso Cuarón and his crew. He went from directing lesser known and foreign films to shooting one of the most exciting summer films. The third Potter series somehow pulled off the task of being incredibly dark and yet still maintained its playful youth. The film seemed to be growing up along with the primary actors. It was fast paced and by far the best of the three. It made me feel the excitement of the Potter series all over again. I felt the magic as I was pulled into the world of Hogwarts and my attachments to the characters grew as the film progressed. This never occurred for me in the first two films. It only happened while reading the books. I even stayed for all of the ending credits. It was eye candy for 142 minutes.

It has been awhile since I read the third book in the Harry Potter series. I cannot remember all the details of book three, but I remembered enough that the film was mostly true to form although not as true to form as the other films. But where this film excelled is that it seemed to use less computer animation and use more real location shots for the scenery. And when it did use computer animation I didn’t remember noticing, I just remember enjoying. The amount of realism used for the backdrops of many of the locations really made you believe of the existence of Hogwarts and Harry. It made you think you could really visit the Leaky Cauldron.

The primary actors, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron), Emma Watson (Hermione) have grown up tremendously. Their acting and their characters have matured. I must confess half the fun is seeing how much they have grown. Watson, plays my favorite know-it-all Hermione. Her character in this film really caught my attention. But ultimately, my hope is all three will be able to stick through the making of all seven of the films. I do not think the trio could carry on with one of them replaced. They work well together.

The well written story is the reason for the love and success of these films but Cuarón made it really come to life. The first two films, although good, did not pull me in like Rowling can in her books. This film, did that. And that is no small feat, since I think this is one of the most enduring playful stories ever told. To be able to capture and hold on to both a child and adult. I am desperately craving the release of book six and for a quicker release of the films. Until then I plan to reread the series and get lost in the Rowling world all over again. I encourage all to start the summer film feast by starting with Harry as the main course.

recommendation: so far the best film version of the popular potter books

garden state [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: Garden State is a remarkable coming of age, romantic, comedy. It falls under my very short list of great romantic comedies. Eternal Sunshine and Garden State. Romantic comedies have been plagued by what Hollywood and people have thought they wanted. In reality, Garden State is what viewers need.

I was blown away by Natalie Portman and Zach Braff. Braff plays Andrew Largeman, a young guy not struggling to become a man, but struggling to become himself. After being on anti-depressants, subscribed by his father, since childhood, Andrew rebels from his “numbness” in search of feeling and life. Portman who plays his new found love interest Sam, is quirky, irresistible, and original. Her smile and charm permeate the screen. She truly is the real girl next door. Her family is colorful, enchanting, and unconventional.

This film, right down to its soundtrack, is fun and repeatable. I enjoyed laughing my ass off, gasping from appall, and having blurred vision from deep emotion that was brought out of me. I felt very much a part of their lives. I was on their journey. The characters were developed and well written that I couldn’t help but become attached. Garden State is one of the few stories that should be told to as many people that will listen. It dives deeper than the main character with small pivotal characters and random events that left me with the sense that through out all the States of America, there are many people on their own special journeys. The trick is to discover them and learn something from them.

recommendation: great fun quirky film. this a film you can just "pop in" during the week and relax.

finding nemo [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: Any chance I get to find myself swimming with brilliant colors in a sea of coral and wonderful animated creatures, you will find me first in line. "Finding Nemo" brought me back through time when I remember my first big screen Disney feature experience. "The Little Mermaid." I have always enjoyed full length animated cartoons and when Pixar was created and updated Disney cartoons to incredible technology animated films, I was in heavenly bliss. Pixar has the perfect way to combine unimaginable crisp colors with real life creatures, expressions, and environments. Where Pixar and "Finding Nemo" really pull you into their world is the writing.

I just loved this story. It was simple and full of great little lessons about life. It was cute, funny, scary, intense, feel-good, .... I could go on. It is a film I can't wait to watch with my kids (even though I am sure more impressive animation and another story will replace it by then). I had so much fun. I must say that the spotlight was on Ellen DeGeneres and her fish. Her voice was the backdrop for the comical fish, Dory. She had me laughing every frame she swam into.

"Finding Nemo" provided me with an imaginary outlet. In the midst of everything one can get themselves caught up in, it is nice to fall back into a theater seat (pending it is relatively clean) and get lost on a fun filled experience. For a brief moment I became part of a magical under water existence that took me on an adventure. I truly felt I was another fish flitting about the sea with my new friends. And for any kid or kid at heart...who hasn't wanted to be a fish? It was like Merlin from "A Sword in The Stone" finally found me and turned me into an aquatic friend to learn the lessons of the sea.

The extra Disney movie references are my way to reinstate the need for good clean entertainment. I recommend watching all of the above films mentioned.

recommendation: if you don't love it, you are dead inside.

far from heaven [B+]

moviemcpeake snippet: I knew absolutely nothing of this movie except that according to the Golden Globes, Julianne Moore gave a better performance in this over "The Hours." That was enough to buy a ticket.

Interesting enough she plays a 50s Housewife, which happens to be the same thing she played in "The Hours." Here are my collected thoughts about films where the heroine is a 50s Housewife...
The first movie to ever really capture the 50s Housewife, I believe, is "Pleasantville." Not only did this movie show how stoic the 50s Housewife was but it displayed how she yearned for something more and was conflicted by her duties as a wife and her duties to herself. Her duties as a wife were combined with her duties to society, a society that valued women on how well they baked and threw a party. The 50s consisted of the made-up world that most Housewives displayed to others and a dark, lonely world that was behind closed doors. This is not to say that people no longer put up fronts or that the art of baking is not appreciated but all the same it seems to be the common struggle of 50s Housewives portrayed in films.

So my question to myself was, what was going to make this Housewife different? Nothing really. Different secrets and made-up world, but the same internal battle. Moore and Dennis Quad gave solid performances. All the actors gave solid performances to make the story and situations believable, make them likeable or make you despise them. I wonder if the Globes decided they just couldn't have all three women (Kidman, Moore, and Streep) nominated for the same movie? But I really feel that Laura Brown (The Hours) outshines Cathy Whitaker (Far From Heaven).

I believe this movie to be interesting. Interesting to see the double standards thrown left and right. Interesting to see views on "non-standard" relationships. I just wanted to see something that brought a more memorable performance of the 50s Housewife. I left with a reminder that the 50s Housewife is long in the past but sadden that we still have yet a long way to go before pretenses and prejudices are a thing of OUR past.

recommendation: check it out.

fallen angels [C+]

moviemcpeake snippet: Fallen Angels definitely fell. The film was jumpy and constantly unsure of itself and the direction it wanted to take. I fell asleep twice and only finished it so I could move it off my TBD list. It claims wicked funny and wildly dysfunctional family. I would say wicked family and wildly vague. Although, not confusing, I just never really understood what the point was. Was there one? Some films pick a strong enough glimpse that they do not need to give much outside previous details, Fallen Angels did not build a strong enough story to ignore these details. This story was self destructing from beginning to end.

Miranda Richardson, however gave a wonderful performance as the mother of this wildly dysfunctional and disturbing family. Her performance showed a woman void of love and understanding as over the years her husband seemed to have taken it out of her. Her daughters try and revive her from time to time but her only source of life comes from a brief relive of her dancing years.

Fallen Angels had good ideas, good events, it just never seemed to pull it together in a way that could captivate and audience. The things that made this family truly different are the things that went unspoken.

recommendation: borrow my copy if you are interested.

fahrenheit 9/11 [B]

moviemcpeake snippet: 9/11 and Michael Moore deserve in the least, a standing ovation. I say this not because I am against the current administration or because I am a liberal but because every story, every event has two sides. Up until this point the media and our administration was only giving us their side. We, living in a democracy, deserve to hear both sides. We, as an intelligent society, deserve to gather all the facts and then come to our own conclusion. We should not be told what to think. 9/11 finally begins to even out the last 4 years. Although one film cannot completely even the playing field, at least someone finally tried....

Review Damaged and Lost in Freak Accident

recommendation: it is always good to look at things from another's perspective.

eternal sunshine of the spotless mind [A+]

moviemcpeake snippet: At last, I finally found love. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is the romance film I have been searching for all these years. When I had finally given up hope, when I had finally stopped searching, the film found me.

Eternal Sunshine probably isn't for everybody. It is creative, funky, grungy, full of flare, packed with lost love and regret, and most of all real. Who would have thought Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet would make the perfect onscreen couple? The story is about Joel Barish (Carrey) and Clementine Kruczynski (Winslet) erasing each other from their memories when the relationship is ending. It is once Joel goes through the process that he discovers again what they had and he attempts to stop the procedure to save Clementine and their memories. Carrey is awkward and adorable. He finally was able to shed the Carrey faces and humor and put on a whole new persona. And it suits him just perfectly. Winslet, who has mostly commanded the independent screen and lesser known films, may finally get the recognition she deserves. She plays Clementine, a free spirited individual who seems to be in and out of everything. Sporadic and beautiful, she propels the story and her character into places that I wished every actor and film could take us to.

Written by Charlie Kaufman who has already given us extremely "different" screenplays that have received mixed reviews (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation ) and tend to be liked only by extreme indie lovers, Kaufman finally strikes a cord with a wider audience base and has received more favorable reviews than not. Kaufman, with the help of Michel Gondry, put together a flawless storyline with loveable and hateable characters without compromising originality.

Now that Eternal Sunshine found me, it will be hard to replace my new found love. I was giddy as the characters took me on a romantic journey through first time butterflies, comfort, awkwardness, spontaneity, regret, lost love, first love, real love…eternal love. Eternal Sunshine made me warm with the thought that true love really can exist in today's Hollywood.

recommendation: fall in love with kate winslet and this wonderful honest relationship.

the dangerous lives of alter boys [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: So I opted for the independent film this weekend instead of the big blockbuster. Cruise and Spielberg apparently didn't need my ticket purchase to claim number one anyway. Although I still want to see Minority Reports, I am glad about my decision. "The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys" was a excellent movie. Two warnings before you go and see it: no, it is not about the current Catholic church scandals and two, be prepared for comic book animation mixed into the storyline. That being said, I am not a fan of comic books, nor animation that resembles comic books, but it was done properly and in many ways allowed you to understand the character better, you get the chance to see in his head. It added humor, it added drama, it added intensity to a movie that already had all of the above. Anyone can relate to this movie: the kids, the practical jokes, the secrets, the betrayals, that first kiss, and authority. Jodie Foster produced and portrayed a nun trying to save the souls of the kids in her class. Kieran Culkin, Jena Malone, and Emile Hirsch played the kids needing salvation.

The acting was fresh and honest, the story moving, intense, and real. It all made sense, every frame, every moment, every animation. No Hollywood endings, no Hollywood special effects, just kids being kids and trying to figure out life, where they fit into it, and what really constitutes as a sin. The only thing stopping their "fun" is dealing with real life, a one-legged nun, and consequences. The other great part is the previews were all up and coming indie films so I have more great films to check out and report back on.

recommendation: go back in time and re-live your stupid antics as a kid and add a nun.

the cooler [A-]

moviemcpeake snippet: This film gives new meaning to the phrase unlucky in love. William H. Macy plays a loser yet again. Although it never gets old to see him nail a unlucky, almost pathetic character, named Bernie. Alec Baldwin plays Shelly, an old school casino owner. The role earned him a deserved academy award nomination. The film is simple, but the characters are complicated and interesting. There is humor, drama, suspense, and an ending that was perfect. This film in terms of character relationships is flawless. If you like cheering for the underdog, you will love cheering for the cooler.


recommendation: just a great film to watch and own.

cold mountain [B]

moviemcpeake snippet: Anticipating a moving civil war epic, I found myself not disappointed, but wanting a bit more. I absolutely loved this movie, but I have come to realize that just because I love it it doesn't mean it is an A film. Cold Mountain is a classic example.

There was something missing, something in the story that didn't grab my soul. Something that didn't get me so involved, I lost track of reality. I was searching for something that would cause my heart to cry and my eyes to tear. I should experience these emotions in a true epic film. It wasn't the acting though, it was something missing in the journey.

We start by meeting Ada (Nicole Kidman) and Inman (Jude Law). Coming from different social backgrounds, they flirt around conversations and sporadic town meetings. Through out the film, the director (Anthony Minghella) takes different aspects of their lives, the flirtations of Ada and Inman, Inman and the Civil War, his journey home, and Ada waiting in Cold Mountain for Inman's return and intertwines them seamlessly without ever taking away from the simplicity of the story or the depth (or lack of depth?) of the characters.

To briefly touch upon the acting. Jude Law's performance was wonderful, stoic, quietly romantic and yet rugged. Nicole Kidman delivered another Oscar nominated performance. I enjoyed her as Ada but at the same time it wasn't a heart wrenching, standing ovation type of character therefore I think it will be difficult for Kidman to win a second Oscar with this role. Nor do I think she should. Small roles carried by Phillip Seymore Hoffman and Giovanni Ribisi were wonderful as each of their characters provided an edgy twist to the journey. But really the winner goes to Renée Zellweger. And I thought I would never say that. Typically, I find that although a good actor, I never lose myself in her performances nor forget that she is Zellweger, but did she ever put on a show in Cold Mountain. She plays Ruby Thewes, a farm woman that comes to help Ada and save her farm. Her performance is raw, humorous, and at one point provided the only gut wrenching scene. I found myself longing for more on-screen time with Ruby Thewes and that her scenes were the most memorable. Without seeing many other possible supporting actress contenders, I know she has my vote for the Oscar win.

So I come to the end of this review and I still don't know quiet what was missing from this film. Was it the fact that Ada and Inman didn't really seem to change emotionally even though they experience the hardest journeys of their lives? Was it the fact that the dialog was sparse? Overall, I enjoyed myself, and I think it is worth the nominations it is getting and I encourage people to experience Cold Mountain themselves, just don't expect to feel warm at the end of your journey.

recommendations: see it for the delivery of one of the best lines in film: "They call this war a cloud over the land. But they made the weather and then they stand in the rain and say 'Shit, it's raining!'"

chicago [A-]

moviemcpeake snippet: I come from a family, well a mom, who raised me to love musicals. From "The Sound of Music" to "Moulin Rouge," I have always enjoyed a good singing flick. They are sometimes cheesy, always fun, and great to sing along. "Chicago" was no different. It was a foot tapping, fun time. I want the song track (a key to an excellent musical). The minus part of the A was due to the fact that, I feel "Moulin Rouge" set a new precedence for musicals. "Chicago's" energy wasn't as high, the acting wasn't as good, but...

There were three who out shined the rest. Catherine Zeta Jones, Queen Latifah, and John C. Reilly. Although Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere did a good job, you never forgot who they were. Zellweger has never been a favorite performer of mine. Her voice, facial expressions never really change from role to role. And Richard Gere, not so great at the singing but he played the popular lawyer well. But Zeta Jones, stole the show over Zellweger with her supporting role and honestly, Latifah was the fun, the toe tapping, and the performer who kept it driving forward and full of energy. She, in my opinion, is underrated, to most. And John C. Reilly the best small role actor. No matter how many lines or lack of, he always gives it everything. His solo act was touching and left an impression.

My favorite part of "Chicago" was the fact that I really felt I was at a music hall watching it. It did not lose the stage presence a musical has and it used stage dancing and effects throughout the entire movie, leaving me waiting for the curtain to fall at the end and a standing ovation to occur when Zeta Jones, Latifah, and Reilly came out and took their bows. Unfortunately there were no live performers, no bows, but I still gave them a standing-o in my mind.

recommendation: tap the night away

big fish [B+]

moviemcpeake snippet: Whimsical, playful, wishful, heartfelt…this is just the beginning of the words that could be used to describe Big Fish. I was taken on a journey last night. A journey of a man's little white lies of his adventures. His son, now an adult, finds himself struggling to find out who is father really is because all he knows are his father's stories. Stories of big fishes, shoeless towns, and carnival folk. An altered reality. A reality too hard to imagine because it sounds much like something out of a Dr. Seuss book or a Tim Burton film. But did I ever enjoy being part of this magical creation. Such imagination, one has to at least appreciate the creativity of the writing.

Ewan McGregor could carry his acting solely on his bright-eyed, over confident, salesman quality grin. He is truly adorable. You can't help but loving him and his confidence as Ed Bloom. He plays well in the childlike atmosphere. Ed Bloom has a toy. That toy is life. McGregor is playful with his character and with the story.

There are so many wonderful scenes in this film. So many talented actors. Too many to even touch upon. The casting was impeccable and perfect. If I had read the novel, I am sure I would have imagined the people and places no different. This seems to be Tim Burton's strongest talent. To capture the story visually, just the way your mind would have imagined it. His films are dream-like.

The one area I felt the film could have been better was its pace. All the stories were so playful. You felt like you were on a ride but it was a rather slow ride. Each story was exciting and you couldn't wait to get to the next but it just didn't swirl around you. It didn't play with you enough. I felt like this should have been a film where you dance with every scene, slow---fast---spin---dip! When you finally come to the end of the dance you can come up for air and breathe. Unfortunately, this was not the case. It was more of a take it all in, don't miss a thing, then move along type of pace.

The end. Quite honestly it may be the best ending of a film I have seen. It showed you just how heartfelt the journey was and why Ed Bloom was so lovable. Everything came full circle. It was just perfect.

recommendation: check it out for something different and dream like.

about schmidt [B-]

moviemcpeake snippet: One thing is for sure, my disappointments did not come from the acting. Well, at least Jack Nicholson and Kathy Bates. My disappointment came from my boredom in this slow, boring, comedic drama. Now, I know that was the point. Warren Schmidt hadn't lived life. He was slow and boring. I got it. I got the fact he spent his whole life calculating the probability of when people will die based on their geographics and therefore himself never lived. I got the message, but I was still bored.

From time to time I laughed. I kept waiting on the edge of my seat for Kathy Bates to appear on the big silver screen and when she did, I found myself awake again. But she didn't steal the screen long enough and then the movie was over. Schmidt, who was a very pathetic man, is unfortunately how many Americans end up. Retired and nothing to show for (minus the material items). His daughter, which I felt was poorly acted, snubbed him, just as life had - or did he snub life and now wanted it back? Either way it didn't matter to me when I left.

Of course many critics are disagreeing with me. But I really felt it was close to something but in the end it was just a boring film about a boring man. Nicholson and Bates could only carry the movie so far. There was a man's story to tell and lessons to be learned. I guess I would rather learn them from someone else.

recommendation: your not missing anything but not seeing it.