Precious (2009)
Bottomline: Mediocre movie punctuated by terrific scenes and phenomenal performances.
Pros: Mo'Nique. Mo'Nique. Mo'Nique. The entire cast is superb and delivers incredible performances.
Cons: It's too long and begins to fall under the weight of a plodding pace.
Where Can I See It? It is in theaters.
Bottomline: Before I write anything else about this movie, let me just go ahead and confirm what you've heard about one thing: Mo'Nique delivers an amazing performance. I don't know a lot about her personal story but she dug down deep in her soul for this performance and she absolutely lays herself bare on screen. Now, let me dispel something else you may have heard: This is not the world's greatest movie. This is a classic case of the acting being much stronger than the overall movie. Someone (Director Lee Daniels? Producer Tyler Perry? Producer Oprah Winfrey?) fell in love with every single scene they shot. What this movie needed was an editor who could masterfully tighten the film, improve the pace and strengthen the overall movie.
The Brothers Bloom (2008)
Bottomline: An interestingly quirkly but ultimately disappointing con movie.
Pros: Rachel Weisz. Cinematography. Rinko Kikuchi.
Cons: The story starts off strong enough but then gets tangled up in its own desire to fool the viewer.
Where Can I See It? It is available for rent on DVD.
What's a Better Movie to See? For a con movie, you really can't beat The Sting (1973) or, more recently, The Usual Suspects (1995).
Bottomline: I loved -- LOVED -- Director Rian Johnson's first movie, Brick (2005), and I would recommend you pick that one up on DVD instead of renting this one. The sad thing is that this movie should be great. The line-up includes Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz, Robbie Coltrane, and Rinko Kikuchi. The problem is the story gets too complicated too quickly and you just want it to be over. Ruffalo mugs his way throughout the movie. Brody spends the entire movie looking like he has gas. Highlights are Rachel Weisz as the quirky Penelope Stamp. And I really liked Kikuchi as Bang Bang. Kikuchi was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in her role in Babel (2006).
Joyeux Noel (2005)
Bottomline: Surprisingly excellent French film that is perfectly appropriate for the holidays.
Pros: Excellent screenplay based on a true story. Natalie Dessay. Rolano Villazon. Concise directing.
Cons: Director crosses the line from time to time taking the movie into unbelievable territory.
Where Can I See It? It is available for rent on DVD.
CAVEATS: It is a French movie with sub-titles. While it is a feel good holiday movie, it is a war movie and does have disturbing war scenes involving violence and death.
Bottomline: This movie was recommended to me by a friend of mine who knew I had a soft spot for good movies and good holiday movies. This one fits both criteria and is well worth your time. It's based on the true story of soldiers in the trenches during World War I laying down their arms and celebrating Christmas Eve as one. The acting is solid. The direction is spot on. But what brings them out of their trenches on that Christmas Eve in 1914 is music. And that's another reason why I like this movie -- it features the singing prowess of two of today's best operatic voices: Natalie Dessay and Rolano Villazon. So if you get tired of watching the same old same old this holiday season, take a chance and pick up Joyeux Noel. Be sure to watch the interview with the director in the special features section of the DVD.
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