doubt [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: there is no doubt about Doubt. This is the type of film I truly enjoy. Not a production, no glamour, just a plain, yet rivoting messy story that does not end tidy. The acting a force.

Meryl Streep is at her finest. I cannot recall a stronger performance from the most honored actor of all time. She delivers far above the high bar she continues to set. Streep's character, Sister Aloysius Beauvier, exposes and depicts unwavering feminism in the most unlikely place. Not many can share the screen with her presence and manage to hold their own but it is no surprise that Philip Seymour Hoffman does. The two challenge each other and feed from each other to create such a tour de force that I don't remember such a strong male/female combination since Silence of the Lambs.

The story leaves you to your own devices. It does not assume anything for you, it does not answer your questions and in the end provides a very satisfying resolution that leaves you with your own finality and a bit of your own doubt.

I would like to see a couple of oscar nods for this film: best picture, best actress/actor, best hair and makeup. I fear the small production and revenue will make this wonderfully big film missed by the masses and award categories but Streep should get her day on stage with another golden oscar.

rachel getting married [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: ok, ok.  Anne Hathaway is MUCH more of an actor than I would have ever thought.  In fact, this role should win her an oscar as no one this year has come close yet to touching her performance. 

Without her performance this film is still fantastic.  Fantastically crazy, intimate, uncomfortable, eclectic, real, touching and I can't wait to see it again.  At times the camera work is a bit too hand camera and took you out of the film as you struggled for your eyes to connect to something not bouncing around (otherwise I would have given it an A+) but the story is fresh, the characters honest and again, Anne Hathaway stole every scene even when she wasn't speaking.

And the oscar buzz begins...

australia [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: We just got back from our own australian adventure so we couldn't resist this 3 hour epic with Nicole Kidman.  Plus, the film is generating a nice buzz and I love Baz Luhrmann's work.

The first 10 minutes I found myself lost in a world of confusing storyline and some what over dramatic cinematography and acting.  I was wondering to myself if I was going to have to admit that Kidman and Baz did not deliver but soon enough I lost myself in this wonderful epic.  It was colorful and Australia's answer to "Out of Africa."  Which quite frankly only a few women, like Kidman can deliver as well as Meryl Streep.

Australia delivers on my expectation for wonderful and breath-taking cinematography.  Where it surprises is the supporting cast and story.  Never would I imagine I could be at the edge of my seat for hours watching cattle driving.  Of course there is much more to the story, war - love - family - corporations - and super cool Kidman moments but really it was the simple cattle scenes, aboriginals and a little boy named Nulla that made this film a pleasure and a must see.

moviemcpeake on crack

vicky cristina barcelona [A]
woody allen's finest. a wonderfully perfect pitch film.

batman: the dark knight [A]
lives up and exceeds the hype. don't get me started on the wonderful performance by heath ledger

smart people [B-]
the squid and the whale mets sideways AND alex p keatons juno love child (aka quirky but incredible dead pan humor)

wanted [B-]
great action movie. jolie was awesome. the story though was a bit lacking in their explanation of the central theme that was driving all of the characters. however the eye candy (special effects) made you not care so much. this was truly a spinoff on the matrix (or did this come first ;). but honestly i wish more movies tried to re-tell the matrix.

disturbia [B+] great hitchcock spin off. really surprisingly enjoyed this one. shia lebeouf is not bad.

there will be blood [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: wow. this was an intense ride. from the beginning to the end i was gripping my seat with anticipation. the musical score was incredible and at times made me very anxious. Daniel Day-Lewis was just crazy good. the story was interesting and intense. i really really enjoyed this film. the story took risks but did not stray away or become distracting. it felt like an old classic where there emphasis is on acting, story, and simple yet powerful music and cinematography instead of special effects and story tangents to make it “different.” this film was able to achieve uniqueness without stretching for a resolution (no country for old men). the director and writer Paul Thomas Anderson did not overdo the symbolism and storyline as i felt he did in “Magnolia.” this was a simple story that Day-Lewis delivered pitch perfect and brought to life an antagonist that you could only help be drawn to and at certain times completely admire.
as you know, i do not like to divulge too much on plot because if you read too much about a movie it tends to ruin the experience. however, i feel something should be mentioned about the ending. i think it was perfect. a perfectly mad ending to perfectly mad lives.


recommendation: see it and then think about it and over think about it. the best kind of film. the one you can't get out of your mind.

sicko [B]

moviemcpeake snippet: michael moore always does a good job of making you aware and also making me want to live in other countries :) the thing i didn't like about it this film is that it didn't really seem to address any of the issues you hear about nationalized health care. it just gave you all the warm fuzzies (which were plentiful) but i feel like it would have been nice to see the problems that they do have from nationalized health care (there has to be some - no policy is perfect) and then show how they pale in comparison to our health care system. also, this is now the 3rd moore film i have seen and although he stays completely true to form, honest, funny, and just a guy trying to reach national audiences on national issues it was at times dry and expected. however, i enjoyed the film, was glad i saw it, and will continue to see the next series of michael moore's political pieces. he shows the human side of the effects of our government which is hard to swallow and inspiring and is something all Americans should see regardless of their opinion on the topic. walk in someone’s shoes for the day and you will think differently about any issue. moore successfully allows us to walk in other american’s shoes and opens our eyes to national issues even if you don’t agree with his solution you can agree there is a problem. thanks again for the experience.

...and the oscar goes to...

[note: this is who SHOULD win not actual oscar predications.]

Performance by an actor in a leading role
George Clooney in "Michael Clayton"
Daniel Day-Lewis in "There Will Be Blood" - WINNER
Johnny Depp in "Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"
Tommy Lee Jones in "In the Valley of Elah"
Viggo Mortensen in "Eastern Promises"

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Casey Affleck in "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men" - WINNER
Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Charlie Wilson's War"
Hal Holbrook in "Into the Wild"
Tom Wilkinson in "Michael Clayton"

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Cate Blanchett in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"
Marion Cotillard in "La Vie en Rose" - WINNER
Laura Linney in "The Savages"
Ellen Page in "Juno"

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Cate Blanchett in "I'm Not There" - WINNER
Ruby Dee in "American Gangster"
Saoirse Ronan in "Atonement"
Amy Ryan in "Gone Baby Gone"
Tilda Swinton in "Michael Clayton"

Achievement in directing
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”, Julian Schnabel
"Juno", Jason Reitman
"Michael Clayton", Tony Gilroy
"No Country for Old Men”, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
"There Will Be Blood", Paul Thomas Anderson - WINNER

Best motion picture of the year
"Atonement"
"Juno" - WINNER
"Michael Clayton"
"No Country for Old Men"
"There Will Be Blood"

Adapted screenplay
"Atonement", Screenplay by Christopher Hampton
"Away from Her", Written by Sarah Polley
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly", Screenplay by Ronald Harwood
"No Country for Old Men", Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
"There Will Be Blood" Written for the screen by Paul Thomas Anderson - WINNER

Original screenplay
"Juno", Written by Diablo Cody - WINNER
"Lars and the Real Girl", Written by Nancy Oliver
"Michael Clayton”, Written by Tony Gilroy
"Ratatouille", Screenplay by Brad Bird
"The Savages", Written by Tamara Jenkins

juno [A+]

moviemcpeake snippet: ok so i am blessed with two fantastic years of best pictures (little miss sunshine and juno). i want a new genre of films to be created for these films. i would call it "quirky greatness." the story is real, sweet, cute, and fantastic. this film can be loved by all as it is carried by the lead Ellen Page and her smart ass quick witted lines. the delivery of all the performances is perfect. the soundtrack is perfectly intertwined. the character ensemble is wonderful and refreshing. i can’t believe how awesome this little film really is. simple. simply perfection.


recommendations: see it now. buy the dvd. get the soundtrack. have a juno party.

la vie en rose [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: oh my god! Marion Cotillard is perfect. mind blowing performance that was captivating and exciting. i did not know much of this film besides her oscar nominated performance and i really knew nothing about Edith Piaf. i am now a huge fan of both the singer and the actress. her performance made the film and the story of Edith Piaf intriguing. one of the best performances i have ever seen. [note it is subtitled]



recommendation: get this in your netflix queue now. buy edith piaf records.

no country for old men [A-]

moviemcpeake snippet: great film. the tone reminded me of "silence of the lambs." intense, drama, great story, a little gory, but just a great dramatic thriller. the ensemble one of the best. the ending was abrupt and i thought a bit of a stretch nor did i carry about the old man's dream (which i think was part of the point). artsy.

recommendation: see it in the theaters and then see "There Will Be Blood" so you know which film you want to win at the oscars.

michael clayton [B]

moviemcpeake snippet: good film. good suspense. good story (not original though as it felt like erin brockovich meets the firm. great acting by all involved. you will not be disappointed.

the bucket list [C]

moviemcpeake snippet: wait for netflixs. predictive and all the best scenes are in the previews.

atonement [B]

moviemcpeake snippet: see for the cinematography and art direction. the story was interesting, great for the war epic romance genre but it wasn't really a romance more of a character study. see it in the theaters and you will be happy with your ticket purchase.

2007 Film Awards

film of the yearjuno

honorable mentions

Into The Wild [A]
La Vie En Rose [A]

The Bourne Ultimatum [A]

There Will Be Blood [A]

Across the Universe [A-]

No Country for Old Men [A-]
Live Free or Die Hard [A-]

moviemcpeake oscar review

each year the oscar nominations and winners baffle me as it is less about who should win and more about the political correct winners or the mathematics of the oscars (i.e. if they won last year they rarely win the next year, if they have never won they most likely will win). sometimes this award reminds me of a referee’s make up calls. if you just get it right the first time you wouldn't be in this mess to begin with. so i must chime in on the film who should get it but won't and the films that got snubbed just so i can feel better about loving the oscars. because i do and every year i look forward to it.

"Into The Wild" - should have been nominated at minimum best director (Sean Penn) and Song (Eddie Vedder). i would also argue adapted screenplay. Apparently it came out too early in the season and none of the oscar boys remembered it. shame really. a great film.

"Across the Universe" - i dunno maybe art direction? something small. it deserved 1 nod. where is the love?

"Michael Clayton" - good film but not a best picture. why does hollywood award unoriginal films? this was erin brockovich meets the firm. although clooney's best work as i finally forgot it was him in a performance. other fine performances as well.

"There Will Be Blood" and "No Country for Old Men" - as of press time I have only seen no country. the oscars have the pissing war they love between these two movies. my guess is there will be blood wins out but because of that they will give some awards to no country for old men so it doesn't leave empty handed. stupid oscar math.

"Juno" - was very happy to see the nominations. oscar is getting better at allowing space for this type of film. it should win best picture but it won't so they will give it the best original screenplay award instead.

"La Vie En Rose" - Marion Cotillard was incredible. one of my favorite performances ever. not sure if she will get it since most people in our culture will not know her but quite honestly no one can touch this performance.

Cate Blanchett - she won't leave empty handed with two oscar acting nominations. i haven't seen the performances yet but my bet is on her winning for her portrayal of Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There."

2008 moviemcpeake update

too many movies, so little time. so i decided to give up writing reviews to all the movies i have seen because there are just too many other things to do. however, i am already back in the saddle as it really only took me seeing a fantastic film for me to want to share my thoughts with you again. kind of like when oprah temporiarly stopped her book club because the novels she read were no longer getting her juices going.
so with the oscars around the corner and some great movies under my belt - i am continuing my tradition of writing, grading, and reviewing.
the updates for the year are adding a few little changes to the site. anything not getting an A-, A or A+ review will be post with just the grade and a few sentences (from my mobile phone as I just discovered how to post to moviemcpeake right from my blackberry - so cool). any movie that is "worthy" i will be doing my full write up with the movie image and recommendation. i know you all are hugely relieved ;)
well, off to writing the review for the movie that inspired me to review again....JUNO.

charlie wilson's war [B+]

moviemcpeake snippet: playful. great pace. it is a great political story without the heaviness. it was like ocean's eleven meets the white house. the acting is spot on and makes you want to see hanks and roberts together again (think hanks and meg ryan but with more meat to the story). overall this is a film that is enjoyable but not just fluff and should be on your netflix queue if you missed it in the theaters.