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Bridge of Spies (2015)
Subtle, Focused- Hanx a lot, Spielberg!
I know that a portion of my positive experience in viewing this film came from the fact that I was privileged enough to see an advance screening attended by the Secretary of the Air Force, Francis Gary Powers Jr. (son of the U2 pilot downed in the USSR), and an AF Colonel who flew the U2 for the making of this film. All three spoke before the film and they had many warm words for Steven Spielberg's professionalism and his appreciation for uniformed service-members. Apparently Spielberg's father visited Russia during the Cold War and served as a radio operator in the military at some point- giving Spielberg a personal reason to "get things right" in the movie.
I thought the film's strongest point was its edifying, anti-xenophobic message. Tom Hanks plays a kind of Atticus Finch in the face of McCarthy-style anti-Russian public sentiment. The (french?) recurring epithet for Hank's Character's resolve "stoique majete" (sp?) reminded me of the yiddish concept of a "mensch." And that's not too surprising seeing as the Coen Brothers co-wrote the script.
Though there was no spiritual theme to the movie, I couldn't help but thinking of 1 Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." This would apply to Tom Hank's unassuming character who is elevated to more and more influential positions simply because he is faithful in the tasks he is given. Very refreshing to see a "reluctant hero" as realistic as this. Just a man willing to do the right thing even when it's unpopular. Definitely echoes of Oscar Schindler, one of Spielberg's previous protagonists. Also had a couple scenes that reminded me of Munich, though this film is much more enjoyable.
Last thing I'll say is that I enjoyed a number of the casting decisions. Don't know that I could name any of the actors outside of Hanks, but it made the film so much more fun to have a strong actor in the role of the Russian spy (the relationship that develops between Hanks and the spy is really fun to watch). Hank's character's wife plays a small part but does a great job of portraying stern, loving concern without becoming grating. Honestly thought Powers (the downed pilot) could have been a little more two-dimensional, but the movie is clearly "not about him" so the movie didn't suffer and he had enough aw-shucks-young-american-in-the-60's to make him likable. Hank's one line to him is priceless. Such a relief to have a summary of the film's themes delivered in such an effortless way.
Great film! And it got a thumbs-up from the downed-pilot's son in terms of historical accuracy (obviously some details changed for screenplay's sake). Enjoy!
La fille du puisatier (2011)
The Most Beautiful Film.
This movie gave me the same elated, lighter than air feelings as Chaplin's "City Lights." It was amazing to see the film never dodge a single important factor in all the sordid repercussions of the titular woman's misdeeds. At the same time, I never felt like I was being dragged through emotional hell just for some theoretical catharsis. At times the film reminded me of a less block-headed and ham-fisted version of "Fiddler on the Roof" (also no singing Jews). Lastly, and most beautifully, the film offers up a shining example of the benign influence of a strong, loving father. It makes you remember the sort of picture of God that a father is supposed to be.
Godzilla (2014)
Kudos for the throwbacks. But whole thing shoulda been thrown back.
Transformers has ruined everything! Curse you Michael Bay! Serious! I'm not even going to bother to take the time to look up the hunk they grew in a test tube to play the marine. I'm sure he's a nice guy but he sucked. Poor man's Channing Tatum fighting the bogey man with his chin. Bryan Cranston was convincing. But dead in 20 minutes. Ken Watanabe was there to look scared, pronounce Gojira, and remind us that this is a Japanese movie. If another freaking movie takes down the Golden Gate bridge, I'm going to stop watching movies altogether. Best parts were the throwbacks. But like I said, they should've thrown this mackerel back in the stinking ocean and trawled on for something fun.
Date Movie (2006)
Ughhh!!!
Really, really, really horrible. I could not believe the sick things they were able to get away with for PG-13! The movie was so scattershot that it seemed more like a parody of a parody. I cannot BELIEVE that Entertainment Weekly gave it a B-. I really feel sorry for the actors in the movie though, because they all seemed to be trying to be good sports. There were so many things that just really ticked me off though, like a completely lame, completely pointless rip-off of a Blink -182 song (it was basically the same song, sans vocals and crappilly recorded). The main actress in particular seemed to be a really sweet woman with good taste, I don't know how she ended up in this movie though!
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
Wowzers uncle Gadget!!!
This movie was so incredibly moving. I am a sixteen year old boy and I cried like a baby. The musical scenes take some getting used to but are -dare I say it (yeah, well, I'm gonna!)- magical!!! I laughed. I cried. It moved me. This is the kind of movie that's gonna do one of two things: make you wanna brutaly dispose of anyone related to this film in anyway, or make you wanna elect 'em all a the president (I don't know how that'd really work logisticly, but who cares). I mean, this movie's so good, it let me forget that lady from Men In Black's line "sugar water." Yup, it turns out she can act! (I already knew that though, she's pretty cool.) Anyway, if you aren't fond of suspending disbelief and protocol---DON'T WATCH! Otherwise, please do. It's cool. Awesome soundtrack.