A Single Man

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 11, 2009

DVD Release Date: July 6, 2010

Plot 411: The last day of a man's life as he prepares to kill himself.

Review: The movie is about a lot more than what the plot summary above implies. George (Colin Firth), a college professor who is simply drowning in his past, decides that today is the day that he'll kill himself. His sorrow focuses around the loss of his lover Jim (Matthew Goode), who died in a car wreck. As we follow George through his last day, we see him relive memories and also live life for the first time in a long time. Because this is his last day, he notices little things and appreciates everything around him. This is reflected in the lovely change in the color palette. In his depression, everything is washed out and gray looking. During those moments when he's truly living (something we should strive to do ourselves every day), the vibrancy and richness of life takes over and floods his perception of the world. It's really amazing. People who help him breathe again are his dear friend Charley (Julianne Moore) and a young student named Kenny (Nicholas Hoult). They help him realize that it's the little moments we should all cherish. Totally unrelated to the film, but what I was kind of shocked by, is that for a man of 50 years old Firth is definitely in shape. There are these amazing underwater sequences (no, not like a mermaid show or anything) that open the movie and I didn't realize it was Firth till a second water scene. Maybe Firth should take more lead-man roles and show off his hot stuff more. LOL

Watch It: For an excellent performance by Firth.

Skip It: If you're not generally into these slowish, more indie-type flicks that are made to make you contemplate life. This one is an excellent example of one of those films.

Eagle Eye

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 16, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 27, 2008

Plot 411: Jerry receives instructions from a mysterious caller and must follow her instructions or face being arrested.

Review: Jerry (Shia LaBeouf) returns home to find his apartment filled with bomb-building materials. Thoroughly confused, Jerry receives a call from a woman (Julianne Moore) who informs him that the FBI are coming and he must escape. Instead, he hesitates and is caught by Agent Morgan (Billy Bob Thornton). The next time the woman calls, Jerry listens and soon he finds himself partnering up with Rachel (Michelle Monaghan). This is a good movie for those who like action and suspense. I enjoyed it a lot more than Transformers: Rise Of The Fallen, but then again, that's not saying much is it? I'm still not convinced that LaBeouf is a good actor. He keeps picking these action films, but I don't think he has the right look for them. I thought it was very odd that the two main characters, Jerry and Rachel, didn't end up as a couple. Isn't that how all of these things work? Wonder what that says about me (or how society has condition me to think)? Anyway, the other aspect of this film that was overtly obvious was that technology is becoming too advanced for humans to control, and this is a cautioning tale about the evils of science and technology. Not really new and not really carried out in a new way. Also in this film are Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Ethan Embry and Anthony Mackie.

Watch It: If you like conspiracy theories and governmental cover ups.

Skip It: Because it's a little heavy handed with its socio-political message.

Boogie Nights

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 10, 1997

DVD Release Date: April 7, 1998

Plot 411: The ups and downs (literally and figuratively) of one kid's porn career, which spans the '70s and '80s, and how it affects his life.

Review: Mark Wahlberg plays down-and-out, 17-year-old teen Eddie Adams whose gifts in certain areas allow him to break into the porn industry. He changes his name to Dirk Diggler and becomes a star for director John Horner (Burt Reynolds). As the movie unfolds, we're privy to insider info and goings on, which really turn out to be a host of humorous events. The sex industry is really a backdrop for the characters. Many of them are flawed in ways that everyone can relate to, such as being separated from a child, having an alcoholic parent or dropping out of school. We learn that everyone in Horner's company uses the film industry as a escape from the real world. For the most part, it's just a job that they do. We see the rise and fall of people as fame and drugs are introduced, then abused. What I loved the most was the transition in clothing and hairstyles. The changes were very distinct and recreated that period of time easily. Other adult film stars in Horner's stable were Rollergirl (Heather Graham), Amber Waves (Julianne Moore), Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly), Becky Barnett (Nicole Ari Parker) and Buck Swope (Don Cheadle). The actors all serve as a disfunctional family unit, supporting each other during rough times and celebrating successes together.

Watch It: For a humorous look at the steamy sex business. It's all smoke and mirrors.

Skip It: If you're already turned off from the Plot 411. It's a different kind of movie than most so it does take a certain kind of audience to enjoy it.

Magnolia

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: January 7, 2000

DVD Release Date: August 29, 2000

Plot 411: A small snippet of the lives of several people who experience love, loss, death, regret, loneliness and a number of other human emotions.

Review: This was a tough one to sit through. It's over three hours long and is basically a collage of people's lives. You have to watch till the end to even figure out what the hell is going on or where the movie is going. I'll sum it up for you: The movie is preaching forgiveness. This movie has an all-star cast of great actors, including Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Alfred Molina. Cruise's character is especially interesting in an obnoxious, chauvinist way. He's as over-the-top as he was in Tropic Thunder. It is difficult for me to reconcile this image of him with the Scientologist version of himself. Very difficult indeed. I can't say that'd I'd recommend this one to most people. It'd probably fit well with the arthouse crowd, film students and maybe the indie flick watchers. The mainstream moviegoer will probably find it too slow going. There is a tremendous amount of character development, although it's splotchy with all the vignettes. It's one that focuses on the people and dialogue, and I think it really stretches the emotive capacities of the actors. There are a lot of close-up shots where they really need to show emotion on their faces and in their eyes.

Watch It: If you're one of the groups I've mentioned above.

Skip It: If you think you could fit two blockbusters into the same timeframe.

Trailer:

Blindness

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 3, 2008

DVD Release Date: February 10, 2009

Plot 411: An epidemic of blindness hits a city and when the government quarantines the infected people all hell breaks loose.

Review: This was an eye-opening movie because it really made you realize how valuable your sight is. When their sight was taken away, the group of quarantined people really got chaotic. Despite having one person (Julianne Moore) with sight who tried to keep order while hiding her ability, the community really degenerated into a downward spiral. It's as if people regressed to their wilder, more animalistic natures. Maybe that's our true nature and our sophistication and order are merely a good cover? The fear of the unknown is a really powerful motivator and can change the way any sane person would act. Self-preservation instincts are still wired to human instinct no matter how civilized we appear. Another interesting thing is that the people in this movie are anonymous. We don't know anyone's name. We only know their occupation, like the doctor (Mark Ruffalo), as if because they're blind they don't have an identity anymore. We never find out the cause of the epidemic, which I think is a good way to end the film. It leaves the door open to the idea that this is possible and makes you ponder how you would react if a similar situation would occur.

Watch It: For an intriguing look at human nature.

Skip It: If psychological dramas bore you.

Trailer: