TFC Journal at TheFilmChair.com

Crazy Heart (2009) — ***1/2
Quickie Review

A washed-up, alcoholic country singer named Bad Blake tries to get his life and career in order after meeting an upstart music writer in Santa Fe. With the humble lyricism of a great country song, this understated drama from first-time director Scott Cooper aches with the spirit of musical roots. As Blake, Jeff Bridges gives a performance so good that lesser filmmakers would have let it consume the movie. Thankfully the story and the songs are a strong as the headliner, even if it doesn’t appear so at first glance. Also starring an outstanding supporting cast that includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, and Robert Duvall.

The Lovely Bones (2009)–**
Quickie Review

A young girl who is brutally murdered remains in between heaven and earth, watching her family, her friends and even her murderer endure the aftermath of her violent death. As tepid as it is inauthentic, the Peter Jackson picture never finds a balance between fantasy, horror and reality. There are moments of great filmmaking here, but that can only go so far when the characters feel like they were written for a broadcast TV movie. As the killer, Stanley Tucci is lucky to have the most fully-realized character and performs admirably because of it. Everyone else, in particular a terribly miscast Mark Wahlberg, must contend with their shallow characters and a screenplay with as much emotional nuance as a drugstore greeting card. Also starring Saoirise Ronan, Susan Sarandon, and Rachel Weisz.

Nine (2009)–1/2*
Quickie Review

In 1965, Italian film director Guido Contini struggles to make his latest film while grappling with the women in his life. Based on the Broadway show that was inspired by Fellini’s 8 1/2, this movie musical is an affront to fans of cinema and musicals alike. In trying to capture the manic spirit of Fellini’s masterpiece, the film, not shockingly, fails to produce a coherent narrative. Director Rob Marshall’s theatrical flair further undermines the story with silly musical numbers that, as filmed, are neither necessary or entertaining. The excess of Hollywood glamour (including six Oscar winning actors), rather than helping the picture, turns a simple tragedy into a Titanic disaster. I cannot stress this enough: DO NOT GO SEE THIS MOVIE. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Judi Dench, and Kate Hudson.

The Road (2009)–**
Quickie Review

A father and son struggle to survive in an ashen wasteland left after an unknown cataclysm destroys the world as we know it. Director John Hillcoat treats this adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s masterpiece like a Harry Potter book, focusing on the bleak landscape and atmospheric details rather than trying to get to the heart of the story. With sparse dialogue and detrimentally understated performances, The Road does better keeping people out of the characters’ minds than it does welcoming them in. Starring Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Michael Kenneth Williams, Garet Dillahunt and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Law Abiding Citizen–**1/2
Quickie Review

A man whose family was slaughtered during a home invasion goes after the justice system that allowed the murderer to get off with a slap on the wrist for testifying against his accomplice. What this action-thriller lacks in polished writing, it comes close to making up for in pure filmmaking. Just not close enough. Often muddled, even confused by its own basic details, the screenplay doesn’t give us the time to consider the moral and ethical dilemmas without a plot hole or silly contrivance. Still Gerard Butler’s domineering command of the screen, combined with Jamie Foxx’s star appeal, keeps us from looking at our watches. Directed by F. Gary Gray.

Julie & Julia (2009)–**
Quickie Review

Julia Child changes the world by introducing French cuisine to servantless American cooks. Years later, Julie Powell attempts to change her life by cooking her way through Child’s cookbook. Told using parallel narratives, this Nora Ephron dramedy is half great and half miserable. Meryl Streep inhabits Child’s skin, giving one of the best, most entertaining performances of her career. However, it’s the Julie Powell pity party, highlighted by a melodramatic performance from a miscast Amy Adams, that drains the energy from what could have been an amazing Child biopic. Also starring Stanley Tucci and Chris Messina.

Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, directed by Nora Ephron, is now in theaters.

Adam (2009)–***
Quickie Review

A man with Asperger’s, left mostly alone after his father dies, develops a relationship with a woman who moves into his building. A touching story about two people who find each other when they need each other, this dramedy avoids the sentimentality that we’ve come to expect from similar (though not quite comparable) stories. Hugh Dancy has plenty of time to shine as Adam because of what I sense is the film’s commitment to an accurate portrayal of a person coping with Asperger’s. The rest of the film, however, is overwrought and lacks depth by comparison. Also starring Rose Bryne, Peter Gallagher and Amy Irving.

Adam is now playing in select cities.

Outrage (2009)–***1/2
Quickie Review

Documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick investigates the media conspiracy to keep closeted politicians in the closet at the expense of all gay Americans. A documentary that evokes equal parts anger, empathy and sadness, this latest Dick film takes aim at gay politicians who vote against gay rights and the institutional policy in mainstream media to ignore a gay politician’s sexuality. Interviews with alternative news journalists illuminate the media’s complicity in keeping the secret lives of gay politicians out of public view, while one-on-ones with activists and out politicians show just how harmful the actions of powerful gay people who don’t stand up for gay rights can be. An essential documentary for our time. Featuring interviews with Barney Frank, Jim McGreevey, Michael Rogers, Andrew Sullivan, Tony Kushner, and more.

Outrage is now playing in select cities. Visit OutrageTheMovie.com for theater information.

The Proposal (2009)–***
Quickie Review

Threatened with deportation, a stone cold editor at a New York City publishing house forces her assistant to marry her. An above average rom-com, this sharp and at times rather affecting motion picture benefits from the fresh chemistry of its two leads. As the assistant, a suave Ryan Reynolds looks and feels the part of a classic leading man, while Sandra Bullock gets to play tough without overwhelming the audience with her cutesy awkwardness. The Bullock-Reynolds banter flows effortlessly, which helps the movie charm us on the whole despite a few failed comic gimmicks. Watch for some choice moments from the always delightful Betty White. Directed by Anne Fletcher and featuring Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson as Reynold’s character’s parents.

Drag Me to Hell (2009)–***1/2
Quickie Review

A loan officer from the country seeks upward mobility in Los Angeles at the expense of an old woman trying to keep her home. The old woman takes revenge by cursing the loan officer. Scary, funny, and just pure Raimi goodness, this demonic horror picture is an instant genre classic. Its PG-13 rating helps more than hinders, proving horror pictures can still be frightfully entertaining without the blood and guts. (We are lucky enough to get some great gross-out moments, though.) While some directors seem to lose their touch after taking on big Hollywood productions, Sam Raimi, ever the craftsman, shows that he still has it. Starring Alison Lohman and Justin Long.

Drag Me to Hell is now playing.