The Queen

2006. Directed by Stephen Frears. Written by Peter Morgan. Starring Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, and Alex Jennings.

"Sleeping in the streets and pulling out their hair for someone they never knew. And they think we're mad!"

Helen Mirren gives a marvelous portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in the days after Princess Diana's death. She remains dignified even when she seems cold and injects moments of humor, all the while maintaining an extremely convincing character. Michael Sheen is also impressive as Tony Blair. The Queen is a very well made movie that offers an interesting interpretation of how the royal family could have been feeling behind their emotionless public display.

My grade: B+

The Illusionist

2006. Directed by Neil Burger. Screenplay by Neil Burger, based on a short story by Steven Millhauser. Starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, and Rufus Sewell.

"Eisenheim, I don't want to arrest you. I'm a cynical man, God knows... but if your manifestations are somehow real... then even I'm willing to admit, you're a very special person. And if it's a trick, then it's equally impressive. Either way, you have a gift. So don't make me put you in jail!"

The Illusionist follows a magician in turn-of-the-century Vienna. He develops a strong following from the masses but his desire for a former love makes him enemies with the crown prince. The film is fully engrossing with very good performances all around. Norton makes us believe in both his characters' talents and his pain while Giamatti has his character walk a fine line between corruption and sympathy. The ending is satisfying, but echoes The Usual Suspects a decent bit.

My grade: B+

Half Nelson

2006. Directed by Ryan Fleck. Written by Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden. Starring Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps.


Half Nelson is a solid film about a teacher who just can't kick cocaine. He has good ideas, even good intentions. He gets by, but he is operating at about half his potential. One of his students figures him out pretty quickly. Ryan Gosling earned an Oscar nomination for his performance and it is a very good one. It is not a showy performance but one that shows how drugs take their toll on your body and your mind.

My grade: B

Borat

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.
2006. Directed by Larry Charles. Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen and Anthony Hines. Starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Ken Davitian.

[Indicating women beside him] "In my country, they would go crazy for these two. [points to minister's wife] This one... not so much."

Borat is uncomfortable and offensive and you have to accept that going in or else there is no point in watching it. Borat is Sacha Baron Cohen's faux-documentarian. A creation that fairly easily (from the looks of it) comes off as a real foreigner who speaks his mind. Out of Borat's mouth come things that are foul, prejudice, sexist, and could easily offend just about anyone out there. But Borat is not just there to offend or even entertain, though the film can be very funny, he is there to make a point. The insight, and horror, is in how people react to Borat. These are, at least in theory (it is unclear how many of these reactions are legitimate and when staging may have been involved), everyday people who happen to unwittingly be in the way of Cohen’s stunt. Their reactions to Borat’s prejudice reveal their own. The gun store owner doesn’t even blink before giving Borat his recommendation for the best gun for killing a Jew. A rodeo crowd wildly applauds as Borat salutes America’s “war of terror,” at least until he substituted his own words into the star spangled banner. Borat is the kind of movie you have to talk about when it is over. I enjoyed it, but I found myself appreciating it more upon discussion and reflection. Borat's biggest strength may be what it leaves you with after the credits role.

My grade: B+

time to update

I'm still here. It has been a long time since my last post. I haven't watched all that many movies since, but I have seen some here and there. My reviews will likely be brief to enable me to catch up. Expect to find my thoughts on Borat, The Queen, Half Nelson, The Bourne movies, Volver, and The Illusionist soon. I've also spent a lot of time with season one of the terrific Alfred Hitchcock presents; I advise you to do the same.