This Weekend at the Movies: December 18, 2009
COMMENTS
Blue aliens, Cinema Italiano and Queen Victoria
The main film this weekend is Avatar and that's obvious, but there are a few films opening in limited release to begin discussing as they will be expanding further in the coming weeks. Let's get to it.
| Avatar |
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| It's the talk of the Internet and I am anxiously awaiting box-office returns. I hope this film will be a big hit because it's a lot of fun. Unfortunately I had to skip a second screening of it last night to finish up writing this weekend's reviews or I would be able to say I've seen it twice. I expect most of the regular movie fans that frequent film sites such as RopeofSilicon.com will be sure to check this one out this weekend and I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks. This film is rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking. | |
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| Nine |
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| So it didn't live up to everything I wanted it to be, but Nine has a great ending and plenty to enjoy throughout. I think it's primarily going to play well within its target demographic but won't be able to gain much crossover appeal. Oh well, it certainly looks great and I am sure I will watch it plenty on Blu-ray simply due to it's association with the film that inspired it. This film is rated PG-13 for sexual content and smoking. | |
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| Crazy Heart |
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| Jeff Bridges currently looks like the Oscar front-runner for his performance as aging alcoholic country singer in this one and he deserves it. This film has a few problems, primarily in its dealings with the relationship between Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal, but all of that is easy to overlook thanks to the performances and the music. Right now Crazy Heart is playing in New York and Los Angeles and will expand to Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix and San Francisco on the 25th. It's coming here to Seattle on January 8th and will continue to expand throughout January and February. For a complete list of dates click here. This film is rated R for language and brief sexuality. | |
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| The Young Victoria |
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| What we have here is a quality film, and even though I think it would improve if it had an extra 30 minutes tacked onto the end I still recommend you go see it for the solid performances and very entertaining script. This film is rated PG for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental language and smoking. | |
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| Did You Hear About the Morgans? |
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| There's an upcoming January film I have already seen and it may be the first "F" review I hand out in 2010, and after seeing the trailers for Did You Hear about the Morgans? I didn't want to sit through what looked like another slog only to potentially trash it in a review. I don't think there is a lot of value in that. I know I'm not supposed to judge films before I see them, but that's what trailers are for, and unfortunately (while I always try and avoid all trailers) this trailer played in front of another screening I attended and turned me off instantly. I may have likely checked this film out otherwise On a side note, a friend reminded me this film has almost the same plot as the Tim Allen / Kirstie Alley 1997 picture For Richer or Poorer. Any of you out there see that one? Any of you planning on seeing this one? This film is rated PG-13 for some sexual references and momentary violence. | |
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I am somewhat in the minority on "Avatar," truthfully. I liked the film, but I was underwhelmed with the story. It steals from a whole slew of other movies. Yeah, the visuals are some of the best ever, but it's dragged down by the plot elements. A solid "B."
"Did You Hear About the Morgans?" is completely meh for me, honestly. Neither as bad as the critics are saying it is, nor as good as it could've been (and I'll say it…it could've been good). Definition of a "C" movie.
"Nine" was majorly underwhelming. About five of the musical numbers worked (the best by far being "Take It All"), but dramatically, the film is shambles. "C+" for me.
@Joel: Verily, there is nothing new under the sun. It actually takes a genius like Roald Dahl to come up with new plots to stories. That's why Sherlock Holmes stories are famous too. I thought Avatar was impressive.
The trailer of the Morgans actually made me think I judged it too harshly, as I'm not a SJP fan, and I think Hugh Grant is starting to look old for a leading man. My memory of For Richer or Poorer is "not that bad", which is not much of a reccommendation but there was nothing unpleasant about it and it had it's moments. If MTM's is the same then it would make a decent DVD rental choice.
I like musicals, but not particularly musicals that take place in a theater stage setting. One excellent musical number can make a movie worthwhile, though. Musical numbers that "worked" don't sound too promising. Any as good as the "Golden Years" musical dance number in A Knight's Tale?