A couple more great films for the Holidays (see previous blogs), and it starts with another edition of Peter Jackson's version of a Tolkien story THE HOBBIT. Once more we are back in Middle Earth with engaging characters, fabulous settings (thank you New Zealand), a ripping story of good vs evil, and the finest technical and special effects work available now on film. I saw this in good old 2D (I'm no fan of 3D--it doesn't work over my glasses, and I end up with a headache and/or eye strain.) It looks great and the seamless special effects are better than ever. The score by the ever reliable Howard Shore (Oscar winner for the LOTR series) is part redo and part creative original. I was thoroughly engaged and can't wait to see what happens in the future episodes. The HOBBIT has been made into three films, using the actual (modest length) book and also notes and essays from Tolkien himself to flesh out the running time. This film clocks in at over 2 1/2 hours, but it feels incredibly dense, detailed and fascinating--I can't imagine them cutting a single scene. For those who loved LORD OF THE RINGS films 1,2 and 3, then THE HOBBIT is a MUST SEE. GRADE-------A-
A new version of Leo Tolstoy's classic novel ANNA KARENINA has been given an invigorating, thrilling dusting-off treatment by director Joe Wright (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 2005 and ATONEMENT 2007). He has set the film in and on a grand theatre and stage (perhaps all the world's a stage!) and given the film a stylized, rapid cut action that seems both clever and at times theatrical, yet it works very well. The first 20 minutes I kept imagining that the characters were going to break out into song and dance--it works to bring us into the story of a tragic love affair and the way it is juxtaposed against a love affair that works in a more wholesome and successful way. It is a witty, ironic manner to expose the high society mores of the wealthy, and exposing the way the lower classes can cope in a different, more difficult world. The sets, costumes, music, editing and cinematography are all first rate, and the numerous actors seem to be having a marvelous time. GRADE--------A-
The entertaining bio-pic HITCHCOCK features fine performances by Anthony Hopkins (even if his make up doesn't really look like Alfred's features) and Helen Mirren as Alma his wife. This is a must see for any Hitchcock fan, cinephile, film buff, and old movie fan. Younger film goers unfamiliar with Hitchcock's films (especially NORTH BY NORTHWEST, PSYCHO, THE BIRDS) may wonder what all the fuss is about. GRADE-----------B
Alan Cummings is the main reason to see the based on a true story ANY DAY NOW, about a gay couple in the mid-70's who attempt to raise a handicapped teenager who has been abandoned by his drug addicted mother. Cummings plays a drag queen singer who (fortunately) gets involved with a conservative gay lawyer but their "life style" is considered inappropriate by the legal system which does little to hide their homophobia. Some annoying hand held camera action aside, it is a solid melodrama, and the ending packs a real punch. GRADE---------B
The Belgium film NORTH SEA TEXAS set in a small village in the late 1960's follows a young gay teen who falls in love with the neighboring family's older teen, but finds himself left behind when the older teen discovers girls. The film is very realistic and honest about the feelings that young gay boys harbor--most of the story is from the younger boy's POV. The characters are well portrayed and in spite of some unpleasant characteristics, mostly sympathetic. GRADE-------B
I admired the actors in KILLING THEM SOFTLY---Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Ray Liota, and others---they've been given uncrowded direction and telling dialogue and they make the best of this sad, depressing story of a couple of young lowlife thugs who rob a gangster poker game, making off with thousands of dollars, only to become methodically murdered by a professional hit man (Pitt). The film is stylish and well made, but predictable and very grim, and by the end, the cynicism, violence and pessimism that pervades the film (set at the end of the Bush economic debacle and the start of the hopeful Obama term) feels regrettably ugly. GRADE------C+
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DVD FILMS
The extended versions of GIRL W/THE DRAGON TATTOO (2009) and THE GIRL WHO PLAYED W/FIRE (2010) feature some subplots that intriguingly add to the texture of the plot, and actually make some of the proceedings more interesting. Both are strong mysteries, well acted and directed and they retain their power on a second viewing. GRADE---------A- and B+ respectively
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If, on the other hand, you are a fan of Tolkien's novel, The Hobbit, you will not find it on the screen. The story takes numerous liberties with the original, the violence is nonstop, and the body count is appalling and sometimes tedious. It is very, very, very long. Yes, these are dramatic prequels to Jackson's LOTR. The costumes, acting, scenery, and a few of the scenes are wonderful, but this film has little to do with Tolkien's children's book. You would think that having changed virtually every scene and the dramatic arch of the story, he would make actual improvements beyond justifying making a simple story into a trilogy. But no. This is all about Jackson's vision, not Tolkien or a modern audience. It's best to be prepared for that if you have actually read the book.
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