Into the Wild

2007. Written and directed by Sean Penn, based on the book by Jon Krakauer. Starring Emile Hirsch, Hal Holbrook, Catherine Keener, Brian Dierker, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Kristen Stewart, and Vince Vaughn.

Chris McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch) is a college graduate who is finished playing by the rules. He discards his wealth (from his very wealthy parents) and leaves everything and everyone behind on a journey into nature and the wilderness. The character is convincingly played by Hirsch and an interesting enough creation to keep you involved. The movie itself seemed to go on too long and the flexible timeline structure was a distraction to me.

My grade: B

Seven Chances

1925. Silent. Directed by and starring Buster Keaton.

The gag in Seven Chances is stretched a little too long (including running back to Mary's house with a bridal riot in tow). It is Buster Keaton and that is enough to make it enjoyable but it would not be one of his best movies even before you factor in poor racial stereotyping (including a man who I assume to be in black face).

The two short films are actually much better. Brady preferred The Balloonatic, which was very good. The gem, however, is Neighbors. It involves feuding neighbors whose children fall in love. The hole in the fence bit at the beginning is great and it is filled with terrific gags and clever moments throughout. A spectacular short film.

Seven Chances: B
The Balloonatic: B+
Neighbors: A

Juno

2007. Directed by Jason Reitman. Written by Diablo Cody. Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, J.K. Simmons, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, and Allison Janney.

"That ain't no etch-a-sketch. This is one doodle that can't be un-did, homeskillet."

When I first saw the previews for Juno, I thought it looked like a fun, little film that would be worth checking out on DVD. Then Oscar season rolled around and Juno turned into a huge deal. My initial assessment is closer to the mark for me. Juno is fun, warm, enjoyable, and certainly offbeat. The dialogue constantly borders between clever and trying too hard (though I have the quote above really grew on me). Michael Cera and Ellen Page deliver their roles well and J.K. Simmons is great as Juno's dad. Is is worth watching? Certainly. Did it deserve a spot in the best picture nominations? Not even close.

My grade: B

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

2008. Directed by Andrew Adamson. Screenplay by Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeely based on the novel by C.S. Lewis. Starring Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, and Peter Dinklage.

Vince and I have seen quite a few movies together, but it had been awhile. We finally made it out to this latest installment of The Chronicles of Narnia. I was not disappointed. It is fun, tender, and exciting. I could easily see myself watching both this and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe again several times. It should be a fun journey for my kids to take as well when they are old enough to handle the violence that comes with it. I didn't understand everything that was going on, but that didn't stop my enjoyment. I thought it faltered a little near the end once Aslan enters the film. Still, it is a terrific experience full of imagination and excitement.

My grade: A-

In the Valley of Elah

2007. Written and directed by Paul Haggis. Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Jason Patric, Susan Sarandon, and Josh Brolin.

I have many movies to catch up on, so many these will not be very lengthy reviews. I just finished watching In the Valley of Elah a couple days ago. It was about what I expected in that it kept my attention and offered a very good performance by Tommy Lee Jones (though I think he was actually better in No Country for Old Men). It do much for me beyond that. It doesn't seem terribly original just a recycled mesh of ideas from other movies put into the context of a soldier returning home from Iraq. It is far from a bad movie and delivers enough to make it worthwhile if you had planned to see it anyway, but I wouldn't tell you to go out of your way for it. There are both better detective movies and better war movies waiting for you elsewhere.

My grade: B