Movie Quickies - Early Holiday Edition

Lincoln - Seen it twice so far and liked it even better the second time. And I'm up for a third, which is pretty amazing considering the movie is like 2 1/2 hours long. It goes so fast. The performances all around are spectacular, from Daniel Day Lewis as Lincoln, to Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln, to Tommy Lee Jones as the staunch abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens. Even James Spader is incredible. Truly one of the best films I have seen—ever. Early prediction: Daniel Day Lewis nabs Best Actor (really that's a no-brainer). A+

Argo - It is going to be an awfully hard call come Oscar time as to which walks away with Best Picture, Argo or Lincoln. Argo is thrilling and absorbing from beginning to end. Just thoroughly entertaining. Wow, who ends up winning Best Supporting Actor this year is going to be a really tough bet to call: Alan Arkin in Argo, who is so memorable in this movie, or Tommy Lee Jones in Lincoln (I even thought James Spader should at least be nominated for Lincoln).  A+

Skyfall - This was disappointing. I'd heard so many great things about the latest James Bond movie. But, aside from Javier Bardem's terrific villain - you just can't take your eyes off of him every time he's on the screen - the rest was a pretty formula Bond flick. Critics are calling this like the best Bond film ever. I'd pick Casino Royale (the second one, with Daniel Craig). This might grow on me if I saw it again, but after seeing it once, it was just ok... B-

Movie Quickies: Early Summer Edition

Here's my mini-reviews, in case you haven't seen these guys yet. The great thing about living in NYC is you can probably still find them playing somewhere. If not, well DVD soon.

Battleship: B+

This kind of got panned. But I thought it was pretty good. Not very memorable, but fun while it lasted. Kind of like chinese food. It actually has a pretty touching ending too, especially if you are a World War 2 buff, like me.

The Avengers: B

Everyone seemed to have just adored this movie. But, please. How many different ways can they blow up New York City? Enough already! That's kind of what I was thinking about 3/4 of the way into this movie.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: B-

Not even sure if I got the name of this right, and to tell you the truth, between the ridiculous heat outside and the margarita I had with lunch, I am too tired to look. This was a mildly diverting film. Very forgettable. Nothing to write home about really. But the cast was damn good, which is why I gave it a B- and not something in the C range.

Prometheus: A+

I've seen this one two times now. The first time in 3D, which I actually thought didn't do justice to this Ridley Scott sci-fi movie. So I went back and saw it again without the 3D. Awesome. A masterpiece sci-fi adventure. One of the best I've seen in a long time. I predict this is one of those that will take its place as an all-time classic.

Men in Black 3: A-

Will Smith is great as usual, as is Josh Brolin. In fact, wow is Josh Brolin great. Oh, and in this one they almost destroy NYC again, but... well, I won't ruin it. It's a really fun summer movie. 

Movie Quickies

Haven't done this in a long time, mostly because the movies have been rather sucky. But, suddenly, I've seen some good ones...

Moneyball: I give this one an A+. Totally enjoyed this baseball film. I caught it in the Village at the Quad Theater, where it was still playing as of a week ago. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill are both really great. Philip Seymour Hoffman is fantastic as usual, in a supporting role this time. It's a really interesting look at baseball today.

Margin Call: This one gets an A from me. It's a bit of an odd movie, kind of a half-fiction, half-real look at the financial meltdown. But Kevin Spacey is great, as is Jeremy Irons as the corporate CEO. Heck, I even liked Demi Moore in this one! It moves fast and is very enjoyable. Even if you're not into business/finance movies, this one is very entertaining.









My Week With Marilyn: I'd give this is a B+. Michelle Williams really steals this movie as the title character. And Kenneth Branagh does a spot-on impression of Sir Lawrence Olivier. I caught this in Kew Gardens, followed, of course, by dinner at Mood, my local favorite restaurant there.

J. Edgar: This one gets a B- from me. Not bad, but could have been sooo much better. Clint Eastwood, who directed, chose to try to stuff way too much of this amazing person's life into two hours. This easily should've been a mini-series or HBO series of several episodes to do it justice. And Leonardo DiCaprio, while much better than I've ever seen him, still has his "Tom Cruise" moments -- you know, the one's where try as he might he is just not that great an actor. Sorry Leo!