Source Code, Paul, Win Win, Sundowners, Left Handed Gun

The new science fiction film SOURCE CODE has a generic (and forgettable) title, and borrows lots of concepts from other films and TV, but it is a lot of fun to watch. Just don't try to analyze the plot after it's over--you really can't. The set up is intriguing---an Army pilot wakes up aboard a commuter train heading into Chicago and seems to die 8 minutes later in an horrific bomb explosion/crash, only to wake up again in a strange metal pod where a cold uniformed woman keeps trying to have him focus on a mission he seems to know nothing about. His mission is to try to find out who the bomber is and where the bomb is, because "officials" fear the bomber will strike again with a dirty bomb, so he is sent back to try again. Much like the tedious VANTAGE POINT(2008) and the exasperating cult romantic comedy GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)--those eight minutes are repeated many times with more points of view and different information coming forth in each segment. I didn't mind the conceit this time, because the cast is quite good and like able--Jake Gyllenhaal is the pilot, Vera Farmiga is the mysterious uniformed woman, and Michelle Monaghan has great chemistry with Jake as the recent girlfriend who is with him aboard the train--an innocent passenger who gets blown up with the others a dozen or so times. By the end, there is a lot of discussion about the "why" and "how"--and it is supposed to be all about parallel realities and quantum physics (and cleverly features the voice of TV's Quantum Leap star Scott Bakula as the father) but the explanations are only a smoke-screen. In spite of the cinematic rush that all the mayhem has delivered, it is still unbelievable and/or illogical in the "science" portion. GRADE------------B ***************** Another science fiction film this week is PAUL, about an extra-terrestial who travels along in a large van with a couple of sci-fi geeks from Great Britain trying to find his way home. The film seems lazily written, and in spite of some clever jokes and funny sight gags, (along with the usual gross and juvenile fart, pee and gay jokes) I wish there had been a lot more. But, it is a gentle spoof of aliens and their followers and does get some creative points for that subject matter. GRADE----------B- ************* I loved writer/director Tom McCarthy's first refreshing film THE STATION AGENT (2003) and his 2nd film THE VISITOR (2008) had a lot of ethno-centric warmth. His newest film is WIN WIN and while it is pleasant and at times heart warming, it feels like a case of diminishing returns. Paul Giamatti stars as a struggling lawyer who makes a poor ethical decision to take care of an old man's estate, then gets involved with the man's grandson, a talented teen wrestler who could make the lawyer's after hours job of high school wrestling coach a whole lot better. It is a quiet, low-key comedy drama that (again) shows that "family" can be created anywhere, between the most unlikely of characters. It just felt a bit obvious to me this time. GRADE---------B- ************ ---------------------- DVD choices this week--- One of my favorite directors-- Arthur Penn died recently. His incredible repertoire of fine films includes one of my all time favorites BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967) as well as LITTLE BIG MAN(1970), MICKEY ONE, THE MIRACLE WORKER, THE CHASE (1966), ALICE'S RESTAURANT(1969), and the underrated NIGHT MOVES (1975) and FOUR FRIENDS(1981). One of his first films impressed me greatly this week, called LEFT HANDED GUN (1958) and featuring the break through performance by Paul Newman. Gore Vidal wrote the economical script based on the life of Billy the Kid, who's portrayed as an innocent cattle hand trying to right the wrongful murder of his boss. Without soft pedaling or sensationalizing, the story is very compelling, and incited me to read up on the real Billy the Kid. GRADE--------A ************* THE SUNDOWNERS (1960) is an excellent Australian western about a family of cattle herders headed by Robert Mitchum and his wife Deborah Kerr, and their friend Peter Ustinov,and it kept me riveted with their struggle to become home owners amid the hard work of sheep herding and shearing. The accents of both were quite convincing, and the director Fred Zinneman keeps things rolling at a jaunty pace. The film was nominated for six Oscars. GRADE-------A ************** THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951)--still classic Robert Wise science fiction drama with the impressive Michael Rennie as the dignified alien sent to warn Earth of pending danger. Bernard Herrmann did the impressive score, as usual. REMEMBER: Klaatu barada nikto! GRADE--------A *********** SCARAMOUCHE (1952)--excellent cast (Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh, Mel Ferrer, etc) features some long and entertaining swashbuckling scenes. GRADE-----B+ *********** COUNTRY GIRL (1954)---She won the Oscar for this, one of her first roles, but Grace Kelly is well matched with William Holden and especially Bing Crosby (who surprised me in this part.) GRADE--------B+ ************ CAPTAIN FROM CASTILLE (1947)--Epic historical drama of early conquest of Mexico with Tyrone Power, Jean Peters, Lee J. Cobb and Cesar Romero all superb....colorful, engrossing, but the ending seemed incomplete, with much of the story left untold. GRADE-------B ********* NEVER ON SUNDAY (1960)--Highlighted by an extravagant performance by Melina Mercouri, this story of an intellectual who tries to bring culture to and earthy prostitute is delightful to watch, and has a very catchy (and popular) theme music. GRADE-----B ********** IN WHICH WE SERVE (1942)--Noel Coward and David Lean co-directed this WWII drama about life of sailors during wartime. Many moving and fascinating scenes, but the story lacks some dramatic punch and resolution---I've seen it twice in the last few years, and still can't recall how it ends. GRADE------B ********* THE THIN MAN (1934)--Myrna Loy and William Powell have chemistry to burn as husband and wife detective team--it's deliciously witty and coy, though the plot is not great. There were four other sequels. GRADE--------B