Mystic River (2003)
Mystic River is a very dark drama from 2003. It is directed by Clint Eastwood and was nominated for six Academy Awards. Sean Penn and Tim Robbins won best actor and best supporting actor respectively for their roles in the film.
The film begins with a child abduction by a priest and it doesn’t get any happier from there. Our setting is the tough south side of Boston. The groups of friends from the abduction scene are our main characters and they are getting to be middle aged. Dave is the boy who was abducted and he has a child of his own, but there is something off about him, possibly something left over from his abduction. Jimmy is the hardened criminal turn blue collar father with two kids and a hard cutthroat wife. Sean is a detective and all these characters are reunited after Jimmy’s daughter is murdered and Sean begins an investigation. Coincidentally, Dave arrived home covered in blood the same night of the murder. The only person who knows of this is his wife. He explains to her that somebody tried to mug him after he left the bar. Her suspicions grow after there is nothing in the paper or the news. She actually comes to the conclusion that he is the murderer and goes to tell Jimmy. Jimmy gets him drunk and threatens Dave out by the river. Dave is scared for his life and confesses to a murder he did not commit. Jimmy murders him.
I really loved this movie. The acting is really well done. The characters are bitter and harsh from their frigid environment. It is a simple life with simple rules. Their misapplied concepts of justice produce a vicious cycle that consumes the neighborhood. As Gandhi said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”
“Because it’s like I told the girls. Their daddy is a king. And a king knows what to do and does it.”
9/10
It’s Complicated (2009)
It’s Complicated was written and directed by Nancy Meyers. Private Benjamin got Meyers started as a writer in 1980.
It's Complicated (2009)
Jane (Meryl Streep) start an affair with her ex-husband Jake (Alec Baldwin) at their son Luke’s (Hunter Parrish) college graduation. Jake is married to Agness (Lake Bell) and Jane is starting a relationship with Adam (Steve Martin). Add in Harley (John Krasinski), who is engaged to their daughter Lauren (Caitlin Fitzgerald) and Gabby (Zoe Kazan) the youngest daughter.
I’ve always enjoyed Steve Martin, but they did something to his face in this movie. It looks like hes wearing a mask of some kind. This is a romantic comedy for the old folks. Having an affair with your ex, it could be an interesting movie, it’s not. Drunken sex, extends into their real lives and it’s no surprise that the ex-husband is the clown of the movie.
“And what’s with the “big guy”? Is it because I’m fat?”
06/10—-The males in this movie are total buffoons–if you can past that it’s a fair movie.
Alvarez Kelly (1966)
Alvarez Kelly was directed by Edward Dmytryk. Dmytrky was a member of the Hollywood Ten, he served time in prison for being in contempt of Congress during the McCarthy trials. After a months he testify again, and gave the names of his fellow members in the American Communist Party. This kept directing low budget films till he did “The Caine Mutiny” (1954).
Alvarez Kelly (1966)
Cattleman Alvarez Kelly (William Holden) is contracted to deliver a herd of Mexican cattle to the Union Army in Virginia. At the end of the cattle drive, Kelly is kidnapped by Confederate Colonel Tom Rossiter (Richard Widmark). The Confederacy wants the cattle to feed its soldiers in Richmond. They want Kelly to help them steal the herd and drive it to Richmond. Star Trek’s Harry Mudd has a small part as Captain Fergusson(Roger C. Carmel) a blockade runner.
Holden and Widmark are both older men in this movie, both play cynical men. One that cares only about the South and one that cares only for himself. With all the talent, you would expect a great movie, it’s not. It’s not terrible, but it’s not up to the standards of the people making the film. Passed their prime or did they just get lazy on this one?
“God deliver me from dedicated men.”
06/10——Great actors playing in an OK film.
The Blind Side (2009)
The Blind Side was directed by John Lee Hancock. Hancock directed one other sports movie, The Rookie(2002).
The Blind Side (2009)
The Blind Side is based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. It’s the story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless kid living on the street is taken in by the Touhys, a well off family. Sandra Bullock plays Leigh Anne Tuohy and Tim McGraw is Sean Tuohy.
While the movie is about a football player, it’s not a football movie. It’s a story about family and personal courage. The acting, story and pace of this movie all click to make a very good movie.
“Who would’ve thought we’d have a black son before we met a Democrat?”
08/10—–The fact that is a true story really makes it worth seeing.