Midnight in Paris (2011)

"Midnight in Paris" is probably one of the most charming, funny and whimsical Woody Allen films I have ever had the pleasure of watching.

The film centers around Gil (Owen Wilson), a screenplay writer who travels to Paris with his snooty fiancee Inez (Rachel McAdams) and her family on business. While Inez seems to want to spend most of her time with a pompous prick named Paul, an old friend of hers that they happen to run into in Paris, Gil wants to soak up the romantic, beautiful city that is Paris. He seems almost infatuated with the city and its mystique. We also learn that Gil is trying to write a novel -- he's tired of writing vapid screenplays. He is also a romanticizer of the past. He seems to think life would have been better in the 20's when literature was at its finest. In fact, his novel is about a man, whom is modeled after himself, who works at a nostalgia shop.

One night during one of his late-evening walks in Paris, he happens to get lost. A strange cab pulls up with some French-speaking people dressed in period clothing and he is taken to a party where he meets some rather unexpected guests... the Fitzgeralds. As in F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda. We quickly discover that Gil has gone back in time and is thrown into the 1920s. During the next several nights, he continues to take these adventures back in time and meets the other members of the Lost Generation -- Gertrude Stein (who actually edits his novel for him), Ernest Hemingway (who is probably the funniest character in the film), and T.S. Eliot. He also happens to meet some other notable characters, including Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.

During his escapades, which he has kept hidden from his obnoxious fiancee, he falls in love with a woman named Adriana (played by the gorgeous Marion Cotillard). Adriana is a mistress of Picasso and she, too, believes that life would be better in the past...

One night, Adriana and Gil are taken via horse and carriage even further in the past where they get to visit the Moulin Rouge and meet Toulouse-Lautrec. As Gil realizes how much Adriana yearns for the better days of old, he discovers that maybe everyone feels this way and that perhaps it is merely an illusion.

There is more to the story, and of course, in the end things don't work out between Gil and Inez. Nor do they work out with Gil and Adriana, who has chosen to remain in the past (and by that I mean even for her). But Gil does find happiness and some new peace of mind by discovering that life is about the present, which - if you think about it - will one day be considered "the good old days."

Overall this movie was quite enjoyable. I loved the quirky historical figures, particularly Hemingway, with his love of alcohol and always wanting to start a fight, and Dali, who seemed to have a thing for Rhinoceroses. Definitely a film worth watching. If I had one word to describe it, I would say it was "enchanting" -- both thematically and visually.


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PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.
Comedy, Romance
Directed By: Woody Allen
Written By: Woody Allen
In Theaters: Jun 10, 2011 Wide
On DVD: Dec 20, 2011
Box Office:$56.3M
Sony Pictures Classics

Buried (2010)

 

This movie took me by surprise. And in a good way!  I was skeptical when I found out this movie was 90 minutes of Ryan Reynolds in a box, but this movie keeps you on the edge of your seat and takes you on an emotional ride throughout. 

Ok, so Reynolds plays Paul Conroy, an American truck driver who has been contracted to work in Iraq as part of a humanitarian aid program. While on a delivery, he is captured by insurgent guerrillas who intend to hold him hostage. He wakes up buried underground in a coffin-like box. All he has on him is a lighter and a cell phone. Trapped underground with a limited supply of air, he frantically calls his family, his employer, and American military and political representatives, trying to remain calm as his chances of survival slip farther away with each passing minute. It is truly one of those race against time thrillers that keeps you nerve-wracked until the very end. 

While the movie is confined within a tiny space, the plot seems to feel immense. Paul is in a fight for his life and tries to utilize all available options, although there aren't many at his disposal. As an audience member, you keep thinking -- you keep hoping he's going to get out of there. You are left feeling just as buried in that box as he is, which is truly a stroke of genius on the director's part for never leaving the coffin scene. The more you learn about the character, the more you care about him. Reynolds really showcases his talent with this one. There are moments of sadness, desperation and even some humor. 

But it's the end that really makes the movie. This film keeps you holding your breath all the way up until the very last second. 

*spoiler* At the very end, the sand is pouring into the coffin and Paul has only a matter of minutes until he suffocates to death. He is on the phone with the agent who has been corresponding with him throughout the film and has been part of the effort to locate him, and you think they are only seconds from getting to him. They think they've found his location and they are digging frantically to save him, and just when you hear them open the lid, you realize they are at the wrong location. They have unearthed a former American hostage who had also gone through a similar situation and was never found. All you hear is the agent saying "I am so sorry, Paul." That's an ending that sticks with you long after the film is over.

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R, 1 hr. 34 min.
Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Rodrigo Cortés 

In Theaters: Sep 24, 2010 Limited
On DVD: Jan 18, 2011
Box Office:$1.0M

Lionsgate

Tower Heist (2011)

"Tower Heist" is a fun comedy about the a group of working stiffs who plot their revenge on a Wall Street swindler who has taken all their money - and has essentially gotten away with it.

So basically, the staff of The Tower, a luxury Central Park condominium, discovers the penthouse billionaire has stolen their retirement. The heartless billionaire Arthur Shaw, played by Alan Alda, proves unapologetic, and despite being investigated by the FBI, Shaw knows he's going to eventually get off scot-free (one of the perks of being one of the Wall Street "untouchables"). So, Ben Stiller's character, who has been manager of The Tower for years and cares for its staff like family, gets together a group of people to rob Shaw of the $20 million they know he is hiding somewhere in his apartment.

The movie is no "Ocean's Eleven," but the cast does provide some good laughs along the way. Most notably, I enjoyed Matthew Broderick's character, Mr. Fitzhugh - who we discover at the beginning of the movie is being evicted from his apartment at The Tower because he lost his job due to economic hard times. His character is one of those quirky, nerdy types that Broderick seems to play so well. Also, I want to give a big welcome back to Eddie Murhpy! I don't know where you went, Eddie, but it's good to see you on the big screen again, even if your character is only one dimensional. And I was pleasantly surprised by Gabourey Sidibe, who plays one of the conspirators in the scheme. I didn't know she could be funny... especially after her first role in the rather dark movie "Precious." 


For a comedy, this movie does have some heavier, more serious moments -- particularly with its timely depiction of the economic injustices of Wall Street. I was slightly surprised by that. But I think that also adds a little something. Specifically, I think it makes you want to see the demise of the corrupt billionaire even more, because you know people like him really exist, and they probably get away with stuff like this all the time. 


All in all, it was fun story of a victory for the underdogs. While not the greatest heist film out there, it is a humorous way to pass the time. 




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PG-13, 1 hr. 39 min.
Drama, Action & Adventure, Comedy

Directed By: Brett Ratner

Written By: Ted Griffin, Jeff Nathanson

In Theaters: Nov 4, 2011 Wide
Box Office:$70.6M

Universal Pictures

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

"The Adjustment Bureau" centers around the age-old battle of predestination vs. free will. Are we really in control of our destinies, or has everything been laid out for us ahead of time? According to this film, it's a little bit of both... if we're willing to work for it.

The movie begins with a young politician named David Norris (Matt Damon) who, after a photo of him from his college party days surfaces in the tabloids, realizes he is losing in the New York senate race. As he's preparing to give his "I'll get back up after this" speech in the bathroom, he unexpectedly meets a stunning woman named Elise (Emily Blunt). Their meet-cute inspires him to give a rather honest speech about what goes into politics and the pursuit to be liked, which apparently comes down to details as minute as how shiny a person's shoes are. This essentially wins many people over, which suggests a promising future for Norris.

Some time after that, Norris winds up running into Elise again on a bus, where they exchange more flirty banter and she gives him her number. At this point, we become aware that the Adjustment Bureau does not want these two to be together -- and their running into each other again was a mistake. Anthony Mackie's character Harry was supposed to ensure Norris spilled coffee on himself and did not end up making that particular bus. Harry has been monitoring Norris' activities for what we can only guess has been a very long time. There is a strict plan for everyone, and it's the Adjustment Bureau's job to make sure everyone is on their correct path.

Because Norris catches that bus and arrives to work earlier than planned, he walks in on a behind-the-curtain look at the Adjustment Bureau, which is essentially "going to work" on his campaign manager. Confusion ensues, and Norris is told about the bureau and what they do. John Slattery plays Richardson, who initially leads the effort to get Norris back on track. He's a rather stern guy, and he tells Norris that if he tells anyone about the bureau, they will basically lobotomize him. Also, he is never to see Elise again, although they don't tell him why.

The movie goes on, and Norris rides the same bus everyday for three years in hopes of finding Elise again. See, the bureau has burned her number and will basically thwart any effort he makes to try and reach her. As chance would have it, he sees her walking on the sidewalk three years later and they rekindle their old spark.

Obviously, this upsets the bureau, and the rest of the film is a back-and-forth situation in which Norris employs every tactic possible to be with her and the bureau keeps pushing back.

Eventually the bureau brings out the big guns with a fellow named Thompson (played by Terence Stamp). He's a scary S.O.B. who doesn't put up with Norris' antics. He tells Norris that if he stays with her, he will never be successful politician and Elise will never be a famous, world-renowned ballerina. This seems to work on Norris. Oh, and Thompson further emphasizes his seriousness by causing Elise to fall and sprain her ankle during a dance practice.

Anyway, years later he finds out Elise is getting married to a guy she never really loved. This sends Norris over the edge and he is determined to win her back at any cost. With the help of Harry, he devises a plan to get to her and rewrite their "plan" before the bureau can catch on.

I must say, I enjoyed the film overall. I thought the chemistry between Blunt and Damon was believable, and the acting on both parts was enjoyable. There was wit, humor, suspense, intrigue and passion. I liked Harry's character, too.  Even though he worked for the bureau, you could see that he too questioned their activities. Who made these plans, and why? Ultimately I think that's why he helps Norris in the end.

I learned later that the movie was based on a short story, which made sense to me because I felt this film could have been shorter. It gets a bit muddled towards the middle. I enjoyed the sci-fi aspect to it, and I have always liked the dichotomy of choice/destiny. In the end *spoiler* we find out that the master plans are written by some God-like figure who runs the bureau (which I guess would mean the bureau agents are like angels...), but apparently if you're willing to risk everything to make your own choices, you somehow earn them. All that stuff was kind of odd and preachy, but I guess it had to wrap things up with some kind of Hollywood resolution.

Overall, it was a fun movie with a unique take on life.

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PG-13, 1 hr. 39 min.
Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance

Directed By: George Nolfi

Written By: George Nolfi

In Theaters: Mar 4, 2011 Wide
On DVD: Jun 21, 2011
Box Office:$62.5M

Universal Pictures

All the President's Men (1976)

The most devastating detective story of the century!

As a journalist, I absolutely loved this movie. The story begins with Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward (Robert Redford), who covers what seems to be a minor break-in at the Democratic Party National headquarters... and what is later known as the Watergate Scandal. He is surprised to find out that the burglars already have top lawyers assigned to their case, and after finding several connections between the burglars and the Republican Party, he begins to unravel a lengthy trail of lies and corruption. Woodward, with the help of fellow reporter Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman), follows a trail of money that leads higher and higher in the Republican Party and eventually to the White House itself in what is one of the biggest political scandals of all time.

What I enjoyed about this film was that it focused on how the story was obtained, giving us a true journalistic perspective. We are all familiar with President Nixon and the Watergate Scandal, but some people may not have known the lengths these reporters had to go to get the story. It also demonstrates journalism in its hay day, something that both excites and saddens me. 

Like a good news story, the movie did not include any fluff or subplot that wasn't key to the story, and there was no over-dramatization of the events. It seemed, at least to me, rather authentic and poignant. I thought Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford played well off each other, particularly in the way their characters differed in pursuing the story. On that note, I don't know if it's just because I'm a reporter myself, but watching their interactions with the sources and how they went about coaxing information from these people who were obviously reluctant - and even scared - to talk was very interesting. I can imagine that it must have been challenging to get these people, who clearly were told by some pretty high-up officials not to talk to the media, to divulge. I particularly liked Bernstein's approach with the book keeper - when he went to her house for 6 hours and drank an exorbitant amount of coffee until he got what he needed. I also liked some of the craftier things they utilized to get their deep background information, like meeting in parking garages or telling one source to hang up the phone before the count of 10 if the information was incorrect. I personally have never gotten to use any of those tactics, but I can see the thrill of it when the situation calls for it. I also enjoyed their messy note-taking, which is exactly how it really is. Sometimes I can barely read my own notebooks.

Another thing that struck me was their gumption. The Washington Post was scrutinized and even slandered by important government officials for printing these stories, which for the most part did not have attributed sources. Later in the movie, their lives are even put at risk for pursuing such a damaging story. However, instead of backing down or printing any retractions, they pushed forward because they knew they had a story. They knew that in the end, they would be uncovering something so important that any struggles along the way would be worth it. I can only imagine how exciting that must have been for everyone involved. 

Watching this movie now, in 2011, I can see some stark contrasts between journalism then and now. The newsroom featured in the movie seemed quite sizable and filled with bustling activity. Most newsrooms today are about 1/4 that size and the number of employees is even smaller. I've only been in the industry for 3ish years, but I can say with certainty that those days are over. Now papers are just trying to find a way to stay relevant. I can't speak for the big league papers, which may still have the ample resources and abundant staff of the past, but most local dailies fall into the "not what we used to be" category.

Overall, it's an exceptional movie and a compelling account of what goes into unearthing such a powerful story. And even though we already knew where this information would inevitably lead, the viewer can't help but become just as excited as the reporters were with each new discovery.

  

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PG, 2 hr. 18 min.
Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
Synopsis: Reporters Woodward and Bernstein uncover the details of the Watergate scandal that leads to President Nixon's resignation.  

Directed By: Alan J. Pakula

Written By: William Goldman

In Theaters: Apr 4, 1976 Wide
On DVD: Oct 30, 1997

Warner Home Video