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HEREAFTER...Damon (lead) Eastwood (Director) Spielberg & Marshall (Producers)...2011

A line of scripture, one that Clint Eastwood no doubt has perused in his day, reads, "...a cord of three strands is not easily broken." In Eastwood's recent offering, he slowly braids three threads of storyline, eventually intertwining them, hoping to create a strong and lasting hope in an eternity attainable. The opening sequence recreates the instant inundation of Thailand via tsunami. Tone settles like debris reminding me that when Eastwood nods to or foreshadows some tragedy or sadness, he delivers. He's not a liar. Rather, his films tell the stark, raw, unapologetic truth. The sad mingles with hope, yet there is a familiar loneliness, a longing most can relate to. Matt Damon succeeds in this role, but even his performance wanes in comparison to the french woman of the film, Cecile De France. Matt Damon at least secures top billing as he makes all seven deliveries of the line, "It's not a gift. It's a curse," feel almost believable and with an air of debonair.

Perhaps Eastwood, becoming what Shakespeare would call "much in years," has begun pondering his own afterlife. Yes this film provides a thoughtful, researched line of questioning,but it's slow pacing and neglected payoff provide too faint a glimmer to represent a perceivable light at the end of the tunnel.

SALT...in all of Jolie's wounds 2010

Purposeless,

guessable

violence.

SALT.

EAT, PRAY, LOVE...2010...Julia Roberts at her best

This could have been called Walk, Sit, Smile. As our hero rushed out of her ordinary world, she became a traveler, a thinker, a mimic, a devout even thoughtful character. I cried through this whole movie. I kept wondering why as I walked away from the theater and down toward the waterfront to catch the last bits of sunset. What had I learned from this film? Certainly, my lessons are not the same, but I feel for her as she experiences pain . I ache for the lost, the compassless, the grieving. This film opened a stranger's medicine cabinet, and allowed viewers ample opportunities to recognize that the perscriptions have our names inscribed on them. We feel for Julia. In many ways, as any good story should, we feel we are not simply like the hero, but that we are the hero. My story may not take me around the world, but the obstacles, the triumphs, the discoveries, the journey itself : these are the same. My compass, however, is the Jesus and His word. Without it, I too would likely find myself on a similarly blunderous journey listening to all voices longing for the one that sounds most like a father.

ROBIN HOOD...2010...Crowe, Blanchett

Despite fluctuations in accent, Crowe played his straight-arrowed Hood as flawlessly as ever. He and waifish Blanchett were beautiful together, and gave the last 20 minutes of this film the romantic glances, battle tension, and purpose needed to redeem it. Redeem it? You ask? Yes, I say. No quirky redheads, no flatulent Keamys, no host of British greats could rescue the unnatural pacing used for unnecessary character development. And, I have nothing against the bald beauty Mark Strong for his meanness or ability to woo an audience. Sadly, in stature, he pales meanly as the dwarfed dark knight. No matter the fighting words, a Troyer-esque antihero doesn't frighten, and waxes unrealistic. Stand him on a box, and try shoulder pads for the next period film. Too cruel?

While we're on the subject: ROBIN HOODS reviewed.

Russell joined the legend, the legacy of men in tights. He, however went for the far less disconcerting leather pants. Good choice.

Kevin Costner used his bow hunting skills and Chuck Norris hair for good as the Prince of Thieves in 1991.

Disney's foxy Robin was a childhood crush, next to Ralph Macchio, as he foiled that phony Prince John.

Cary Elwes, and even Sean Connery make the list of comical green do-gooders robbing from the rich to feed the poor.

But, perhaps my favorite of these hooded heroes is the original worthy swashbuckler Errol Flynn, of 1938.

INCEPTION...Leo,Ellen, Joseph, & many more...2010

I would like to exhale now. And as I do, a slow facitious "Thanks alot" will be directed at the creators of the show LOST, Lieber, Abrams & Lindelof, for taking me far away on that lovely train ride for six years only to reveal a final year in pergatorial limbo. As one of Kristen Wiig's best characters would say, "I'm not angry. I'm just very upset."

The midnight crown yelled. Yelled, at the closing frame. It sounded like, "Whaaaaaa???AAhhhh!" Then, it was 4:30 am before I fell asleep, granted we left at almost 3. But, what is time? Dream time feels more like real life. Layers. Didn't the priest from Princess Bride coin the phrase, "...a dream within a dream." Believable, striking, lovely. The well-selected team of actors gave depth to decidedly pragmatic characters, endearing them through pure curiousity. Joseph G.L. was given perhaps the most memorable sequence in anti-gravity fighting circa Fred Astaire's spinning room dance sequence.

Thanks to this phych-thriller, I am plagued with questions and needing to see it again. I woke up the next morning pondering new theories and casting possibilities after a stream of violent, but very cool dreams.

DESPICABLE ME...a Universal and Illumination toon...2010

I'm learning the hard way that if it's not Pixar, I can expect some of what the rating board calls "crude humor." Did I laugh with the junior high boys in the room? Okay. But would I want to take my little kids to it? I guess not. Now, I know that I watched The Love Boat as a kid and loved it. I missed ALL of the crude humor then. But somehow I feel that xeroxing butts and laughing, responding "Poop" in frustration, and calling the known Villain "hero" and "good dad" brings daddy issues to a whole new level.

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP...A Banksy film...2010

Throw legos down on the floor of a nursery and two types of children will emerge: thinkers and doers. The thinkers pose with purpose - piecing mental masterpieces and creating the vision with precision. Thinkers care about how others perceive their work, since internally the work is the outpouring of the worker, a hint of self, desiring to be known. It plays upon the eternal to leave such a mark - a grasp on immortality, some might say.

For the doer, however, the project is one of accomplishment. Block towers are built to be torn down. The rubble is equal joy to the construct itself. It is in the doing and the done.In this documentary film entitled Exit Through the Gift Shop, artist Banksy shares much of the life of accidental artist Thierry Guetta. Banksy is a self-proclaimed, self-promoted, yet ironically self-effacing graffiti artist. He shouts art for art's sake. I have always appreciated, in some rebellious way, well-placed graffiti.

And, though unfamiliar with his name until tonight, I recognized Banksy's work immediately. Maybe that's his true point: promoting ideals, not effort, propaganda through paint. His bitterness felt acutely, Banksy used mostly old footage from Guetta's possessed "filmmaker" days before Guetta himself used what he learned, became a copycat street artist, and took the nom de plume: Mister Brainwash. Unbeknownst to world-renowned street artists such as Banksy and Shepard Fairey, they were training Guetta as master teachers would an apprentice.

As far as documentary films go, this entertains as though a Christopher Guest creation. The artist reveals his own absurdity without analytical reinterpretation. Where Banksy delights in educating the world through careful placement and purpose, so Guetta proves only to paint the tower just in time to see it crumble to the ground. And afterward, I felt a possessive impulse to go and tag a building myself, but it was getting a little late.

ECLIPSE...Edward, Bella, Jacob...Team, uh, Howard? 2010

So, I did it. Pulled the old bait and switch. TS3 was exiting the theater, and my curiosity pervaded my decision-making centers and pulled me into the next theater in time to see Bryce Dallas Howard in a bare-toothed battle against Robert Pattinson. My sister's boyfriend calls my action petty larceny. Semantics. I feel that I was the one wronged. I had a skin-glimmer of hope that Oprah was right this time and that this extreme, blood-soaked trilogy was worth its weight. But wait, what's going on? I stifled the laugh from the back row of the sniffling audience as Taylor welled up all of the sweat that he could muster from his well-read abs. Sadly his best acting occurred beneath CGI fur. And Pattinson showed all fifteen magnum facial expressions as Bella professed that her agitated life force found its belonging in his ways and and in his kind. You know that feeling when you've cried so hard you start to laugh? Or throw up. Or that feeling of feeling nothing because you don't understand the popularity of these three awkward enemies finally finding friendship and love. Wow. Yes, I've opened the book...research. I perused a few chapters. It seems enticing, certainly. I want to understand the fanaticism, and the rare eqinanimous love affair with book and film alike. Perhaps the effect of a ubiquitous media education...and what my mother calls demonic influence.

Dakota Fanning says she really enjoyed the challenge of wearing the red contacts.

I'm glad that she and Kristen are friends. Everyone needs friends. The big puzzle for me is Bryce. Bryce, daughter of filmmaker Ron Howard & M. Night's fav it girl, is an actual actress. She, however, may also have let curiosity damage her hypothalamus.

TOY STORY 3...Buzz, Woody, & the whole gang 2010

Pixar! Do you remember being little, sitting on the porch step with your orange half a popsicle dripping down your legs? Ah, youth. Ah, reminiscence. Ah, summer. Ah, life. Toy Story 3

KNIGHT AND DAY...Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz...2010 (by James Mangold)

Classic Cruise and Classic Cameron. In fact that's the whole idea. This perfectly paced film plays on the well known stereotypes. Cruise is an action movie star. And, he's crazy. Cameron is on screen for her body of work...actually just her body.

A favorite professor of mine used to say, you are only allowed to mock from within your own culture group - essentially you should only mock yourself. Tom Cruise embraced these perceptions and obviously made fun of himself to my utter delight. It was such fun. I laughed for 2 hours - good medicine they say. Well done.

A-TEAM...oh, Blue Eyes...

Hannibal - Once George Peppard, now Liam Neeson. To you both I bequeath my little girl hand to hold, since you have both fathered me through. I trust that you will always have a plan and love it when that plan comes together.

Mr. T - I will never know what the T stands for, but I appreciate that your first name is B.A. for... Bad Attitude. You cannot hide from me - you are the gentlest of the bunch. Kudos to the new: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Murdock - To you (Dwight Schultz & Sharlto Copley): I offer you my old spirograph set and my brothers micro machines. Take care of them. You'll love them.

Face - Dirk Benedict, yes, I admit to having a small crush on you when I was young, but we've both matured. So to you, Bradley Blue Eyes Cooper, I pledge my love. I loved you first as Will Tippin. Dibs.

LETTERS TO JULIET...Redgrave, Nero, Seyfried... 2010

The true love story of this film is the real life story of love between Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero, who first starred together as Lancelot and Guenever in the 1967 film version of Camelot. Originally a sappy singing duo whose sensual screen romance shocked and enticed the world so many years ago, they now live as man and wife and sparkle together again in this sweet little romcom.
The Minnie Mouse type Amanda Seyfried forced lines and dressed 40 while her quirks wooed the male counterpart MIckey Mouse with his equally awkward walk and quintessential British mannerisms. The fiance', Victor (Gael García Bernal), played Goofy very well. But this Disney trio was not the endearing focus. Stepping back, it was the precious connection between Juliet (Redgrave) and her Romeo (Nero). And it was the sweet, felt longing for a mother to come and simply listen, spend time, and so gently brush the hair of a sweet daughter. This was what made this film endearing, enjoyable, and sweet.

PRINCE OF PERSIA...Ah, Jake, finally the action hero!

As the sands of time...so are the days of our lives. Didn't Socrates say that? (Bill & Ted cough). Original and curiously enjoyable, this action film is an oasis in the dry theater this week.

At the Lincoln Cinema, at Bellevue Square, in plush seats. 3D? No, thanks...I almost puked at Clash of the Titans. Yeah, I think was the 3D... maybe. Lights dim. Jake Gyllenhaal has abs? Yes, a 6 pack. CGI? Possibly. I wonder if that girl (Gemma Arterton) feels she can only do these mythological period films. Audience response? Applause. Long applause and standing O from the man who looks like a kid. Think he grew up playing the video game? Definitely. He looks pleased.

Here's a picture of me walking with Jake. Yeah, we hold hands.

CITY ISLAND...2009...Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Emily Mortimer

Some films stay with you. Some films teach. This film provided this familiar discomfort and disgust of an unvarnished indie with the cozy warmth of trustworthy acting. An actor like Andy Garcia can believably play the discouraged prison guard/family man turned vulnerable acting student. Shockingly acceptable. Some scenes /storylines belong in a poorly made 80's movie, but a few characters and scenes took me by surprise as classic dramatic irony brought everyone's secrets into the open. What's your great secret? Each character dealing alone with unconfessed sins while attempting to protect loved ones from the truth, lives in desperate pain and wears a mask: contented wife and mother, A+ college student, high school normal, acting mentor. Oxymorons. Emily Mortimer, Julianna Margulies, and newby Steven Strait (also seen shirtless in odd-duck flop 10,000 BC), beautifully and believably frame this narrative and provide perfect resolve. A favorite author, Flannery O'Connor, has written many City Islandesque scenarios, in which the stable family comes undone and the convict plays the Christ-figure. Well done. Writer/Director: Raymond De Felitta.

IRON MAN 2...R.Downey Jr. ...2010

Well, if you must know, I really liked it. What's not to like? Robot action flick, a very scary and believable bad guy (probably the most frightening man alive), excellent acting, bright colors & spectacular showmanship. And they only gave Scarlett Jo a few monosylabic lines and some kicking - I was happy. The ending was a bit anticlimactic, but I still a blast. Oh, R.D.J., why do you tease me so...

BABIES...2010

In the debate of Nature vs. Nurture, I tend to to lean into the side of Nurture knowing that the milieus in which we are raised affect us greatly. This film peered brilliantly and honestly into 4 individual stories from 4 unique countries, giving the audience that long-coveted fly-on-the-wall feeling. 4 BABIES come into their own worlds, interact with parents, eat, sleep, poop, throw fits and coo. The coo's become intelligible words just as crawls work up to dance. We climb. We conquer. In these are everyman and yet none of these represented groups that I feel I will ever truly understand. I was horrified by the cultural lack of hygiene and equally mortified by one family's constant absence as the baby sat tied to the bedpost all day. I delighted in the culture of community in one story, but sat stupefied by the over-the-top American example. At least the American example reminded me of the very important truth one family does not represent every - that the one African family is not every African family, that the Mongolian family does not represent all of Mongolia, and so forth. This, one of my first documentary film viewings, led me through fascinating journeys of thought into the probability that we are not only affected by our surroundings but that at whatever age, we also work to impact the environments in which we are placed. I also realized that I am so very Western. I know it's not wrong to appreciate baby wipes, or to be more grateful suddenly for undergarments like bras, but this film stretches worldview. It gives a Truman-esque perspective. What will these little lives turn out like? What will they choose to do and become? How are they formed and forming in thier surroundings? How are they the same? How do they differ? How would they be different if they grew up elsewhere? All excellent studies, but perhaps this film taught me more about motherhood...like the fact that I'm okay without that responsibility for now. I walked out of the theater more grieved than enchanted.

DATE NIGHT...Tina Fey & Steve Carell...2010

Tina & Steve take the city and work it believably as middle-marrieds in this fam-com. Classic Steve. I was only disappointed when they used the same jokes multiple times and had to add the visit to the cesspool for a pole dancing scene. Didn't I see most of this premise on an episode of King of Queens? ...just checking. I suppose it's worth a viewing. Or you could always revisit the most classic of date nights =

YOUNG VICTORIA...2009...Emily Blunt

Blunt is fabulous. Strong and fabulous. She gave Queen Victoria youth and life, poise and dignity, strength and wit, romance and passion. Helen Mirren, of course, opened the window into Buckingham palace, so now Emily Blunt has made public Victoria's diaries. "Even a palace can be a prison."
Rupert Friend, her Albert, unfortunately more recognized currently for his relationship with Keira Knightley than his excellent presence on screen.He is Wickham no more. I may be a bit in love with him for his devotion and strength opposite the stubborn thin shell covering the Queen's insecurities. They were a lovely match - well cast.

Some would complain that period pieces become sleepy, but this does keep moving. The tension remains long enough to enjoy the resolve. I found it transporting and truthful, and, as Matthew would say, "lovely" (pronounced: lahv -f -lay").

My lovely, late Grandma Sota was enamoured by the British monarchy. She spoke about them with awe, and I believe that this is why my mother wears large hats out in public. My Grandmother, like Victoria was genteel and proper.

I'm standing taller today. Posture = elegance. Quite right.

BAND OF BROTHERS...2001...Spielberg & Hanks produce

"He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.

And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'

Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,

But he'll remember with advantages

What feats he did that day: then shall our names.

Familiar in his mouth as household words

Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,

Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,

Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother;"

Shakespeare's King Henry V, Act 4, Scene 3

CLASH OF THE TITANS...2010...Liam, Sam, blockbuster remake

Today, the epic clash ensued between titans! Greek Gods, demigods, and men battled for the power over and worship of mankind. Liam Neeson (the one I deemed my 2nd Dad after Taken) plays an ever-powerful Zeus, and Ralph Fiennes (an excellent Voldemort and beautifully fascinating creature indeed) is again the antagonist as Hades. Both typecast? Not likely...but commonly cast certainly. Aslan most definately released the kraken today.

Much like the sense of familiarity when smells evoke memory, so somehow my childhood was laced with these adventures and 80's wonders. Perseus must defeat Medusa, ride the pegasus, and destroy the kraken. I've always known this somehow.

It seemed somehow appropriate that this film would come out right before Easter - the day of the resurrection of THE hero - the salvation of the world. The one sent by His Father to save us all. It was interesting that Zeus said in the film, "I will not sacrifice my son for the sake of humanity." When that is exactly what God did. The legendary superman lives on in echo through characters like Perseus, but we must never equate these to Jesus. The Greek gods were selfish, angry, too like humans.

Yet the Greeks of old constructed temples and made sacrifices to appease these gods. We see the fanatic followers on the screen and laugh because we have forgotten that so much of creation is re-creation - this was religion for so many not so long ago.

I like an epic action flick, so I again donned the 3D's

today to spend a few hours vicariously saving the

world. There was no nudity or language, and only

black blood. Don't take little kids, cause they'll pee

the $14 seats. It's fun, though. Dangerous and fun. Hmm. Two words I associate with God.

Call me unique, but I do. Happy Easter, all! Blessings.

HE is risen indeed!