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.