last update 1/28/08 11:26AM

We Own The Night

Directed by: James Gray

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Eva Mendes

Michael Clayton

Directed by: Tony Gilroy

Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack

George Clooney takes the lead as Michael Clayton, an attorney known for his uncanny ability to clean up legal messes.  When a fellow attorney has a break down over his role defending a ruthless corporation, Clayton is sent in to do damage control.  Clooney is at his best here, and while the movie has a fairly slow pace, it picks up steam mid-way and becomes a gripping drama.  Overall, I found the movie very satisfying, and of above normal intelligence, in comparison to recent films like "No Country For Old Men", or "Atonement". 

Nominated for Original Screenplay, Best Motion Picture, Achievement in music written for motion pictures, Achievement in Directing, Performance by an actress in a supporting role (Tilda Swinton), Performance by an actor in a supporting role (Tom Wilkinson), Performance by an actor in a leading role (George Clooney)

Across The Universe

This musical is about a British man named Jude (Jim Burgess) who travels to America in the 60's, makes some friends, and falls in love with a girl named Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood). It's really hard to explain much else about this movie, other than almost everything in the movie is somehow linked to the Beatles, and the main characters sing Beatles songs. It's pretty interesting the way the songs are used to interpret what's happening to the characters, and there's some really good performances. There's some cameos by Joe Cocker, U2's Bono, and comedian Eddie Izzard, that are a bit over the top. Overall, I have to admit that I liked it, and would recommend it to Beatles fans.
Nominated for Achievement in Costume Design

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Directed by :Tim Burton

Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Cater, Alan Rickman, Sasha Baron Cohem

Johnny Depp is excellent as Benjamin Barker/Sweeney Todd. Although he's not exactly known for his singing voice, he does such a good job, that you forget that this is not his normal role. The movie itself is entertaining, but rather gruesome. Horror fans, and Tim Burton fans in general will be pleased. The story is basically about a barber named Benjamin Barker, who is wrongfully shipped off, so that an evil judge (Alan Rickman) can have his wife. When Barker returns 15 years later, he assumes the name of Sweeney Todd, and plots revenge, with the help of Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter). Even if you're not into musicals, there's plenty to like here.

Nominated for Achievement in Art Direction, Achievement in Costume Design, and Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Johnny Depp)

Eastern Promises

Viggo Mortensen is amazing as a Russian driver for a London mob family.  He is so good in this, that you forget about anything else he has done.  Naomi Watts plays a  midwife who helps deliver the child a teenage girl, whose diary leads her back to Mortensen.  To tell you anymore, would give too much of the story away.  Like many of the movies released recently, this one also has an ending that leaves you wondering "what happened?".  Overall, I really enjoyed the movie, and appreciated how good Mortensen's performance was.

Nominated for Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Viggo Mortensen)

Hitman

This video game based movie once had names such as Vin Diesel, and Jason Statham attached to star.  While he is a good actor, Timothy Olyphant is unfortunately miscast as Agent 47.  It's a shame, too, because the movie looks amazing, and the action sequences are pretty good.  I never once bought Olyphant as Agent 47, and the horrible script never gives enough background to even let you like him.  This movie isn't worth a DVD rental.  Wait for it on cable.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

I was pleasantly surprised by this film starring Brad Pitt as James, and Casey Affleck as Ford.  It's more about Robert Ford, and what made him do it, than the exploits of the James Gang.  Don't look for too much action, as this is strictly a drama.  Affleck is as good as it gets in his portrayal of a young man whose eagerness to be close to Jesse, is met with total disregard and mockery.  Brad Pitt shines as well as the legendary bandit at the end of his career, whose paranoia consumes his final days.  Excellent directing, cast, and script.  The only fault I could find was the voice of the narrator.  It did not fit the material being read, and took away from what was happening on screen.

Nominated for Achievement in Cinematography, and Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Casey Affleck)

Cloverfield

This is a monster movie the way it should be made. It's panic inducing, and just plain scary. When the attacks start you're no longer watching a movie, but experiencing one. You basically become the camera man, so if the shaky camera makes your stomach queezy, then this isn't the movie for you. The whole movie is presented as a amateur video recovered by the military, so don't expect a big slick Hollywood production, or for everything to be explained. If possible, see this in the theaters. DVD will not do it justice.

The Bucket List

I liked this movie. It was predictable at times, and unbelievable in spots, but it was a great story. Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are great as two hospital roommates dying of cancer, who develop a friendship that changes their lives. They start a list of things they want to do before they die, or kick "The Bucket". It's a pretty touching movie, that works, if you can get past some of the absurdities.

This has become one of my top 10 favorite movies of 2007. Ellen page stars as Juno, a 16 year old girl who gets pregnant and decides to give the baby up for adoption. While the premise of the movie is serious, the movie itself is light-hearted. With a great cast, and hilarious dialogue, Juno at times reminds me of Napoleon Dynamite, but not so much a comedy. Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner are great as the couple looking to adopt Juno's baby.

Nominated for Best Motion Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Achievement in Directing, and Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Ellen Page)

If you liked the first movie, then you'll definitely like this sequel. It's much better. Nicolas Cage returns as Thomas Gates, the treasure hunter. This time around he's trying to prove that his great great great grandfather was not involved in the assassination of President Lincoln, and his adversary is none other than Ed Harris. Also in the cast are Jon Voight, and Helen Mirren. It's an entertaining "popcorn" kind of movie.

First off....this is a kid's movie, so take it for what it is. Being a fan of the Chipmunks as a kid, I enjoyed it on that basis. It was cute, and the CGI was pretty good. Jason Lee as David Seville was pretty lame, but kids won't notice.

I Am Legend

Will Smith plays Robert Neville, the last man on Earth. Set in NY (like Cloverfield), I Am Legend is the story of Neville's attempts to find a cure for the virus that turned what is left of the population into mutated vampire-like creatures that only come out after dark. Smith is pretty much the only actor in the movie, and he gives one of his best performances. It's not the best movie, or even best version of this story (I like Charlton Heston's "Omega Man" better), but it definitely has the best acting. For me, the German Shepherd steals the show, with every scene it's in.

Atonement

Wow. I thought this was a huge disappointment. I don't mind period pieces, or even telling a story from different view points. This movie was confusing, and I never really found myself caring what happened to any of the characters. James McAvoy was amazing, but Keira Knightley didn't do much to warrant any award nomination. This is definitely not a movie I would recommend seeing in theaters. Save your money and rent it when it comes out on DVD.

Nominated for Best Motion Picture, Achievement in Art Direction, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Costume Design, Achievement in Music Written for a Motion Picture, Adapted Screenplay, and Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Saoirse Ryan)

No Country For Old Men

Another disappointment to me. It had some great performances, and interesting characters, but lost steam at the end, and failed (in my opinion) to give any closure at all. It had the makings of a masterpiece, but got too hung up on being artsy. The most memorable performance for me was Josh Brolin (son of James), who has come a long way since his debut in "Goonies".

Nominated for Best Motion Picture, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Directing, Achievement in Film Editing, Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, Adapted Screenplay, and Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Javier Bardem)

Gone Baby Gone

Going in to this movie knowing that it's directed by Ben Affleck, and stars his brother Casey Affleck can give you the assumption that the movie is going to disappointment, on "Gigli" levels. I'm glad to say that the brothers Affleck pull it off, and Gone Baby Gone has become my personal pick for Best Movie of 2007. The story is about a private investigator hired by a family to help find their missing 4 year old. It's heartbreaking at times, and thought provoking. By the end of the movie you will wrestle with your own feelings and think "What would I do?"

Nominated for Performance by an Actress in a Support Role (Amy Ryan)

Charlie Wilson's War

Tom Hanks is good as Charlie Wilson, but Philip Seymour Hoffman stands out as the slimy CIA agent Gust Avrakotos who he partners with to supply the Afghans with artillery to fight off the invading Soviet army. It was a pretty good movie, with memorable performances, but it did feel a little deliberate in it's timing, considering the current wars in Iraq, and Afghanistan. Since it's based on actual events, you're left wondering what is true, and what is fictionalized for the movie.

Nominated for Performance by an Actor in a Support Role (Philip Seymour Hoffman)

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

Another Philip Seymour Hoffman movie, with another great performance. This depressing film revolves around two brothers (Hoffman & Ethan Hawke) who are down on their luck due to drug use, infidelity, and battling an ex over child support, who scheme to rob their parents jewelry store. Of course, things don't go as planned, and the rest of the movie is spent watching the brothers dig themselves deeper into a hole. It's definitely not a movie for everyone.  Marisa Tomei fans will be shocked by her lack of clothing throughout the film.

The Great Debaters

Denzel Washington stars in this true story of the Wiley College Debate Team, who became the first black debate team to challenge champions Harvard College. It's a thought provoking movie, more about the times (1935) and the struggles of young black students, than about debating. What they go through comes through while they debate, making it easier to connect with the characters. While not exactly a family friendly movie, it's definitely a movie we can all learn from.

American Gangster

Denzel Washington stars in another "based on a true story" movie that couldn't be any further in subject matter than The Great Debaters. Washington portrays Frank Lucas, the head of a drug smuggling operation in Harlem, with ties to the mafia. Russell Crowe plays the the cop trying to bring him down. It's a violent movie, that to me, seemed to drag on way too long. While Washington was great, Crowe seemed miscast. I never once bought him as Det. Richie Roberts, and I'm a huge Russell Crowe fan.

Lions or Lambs

Normally I enjoy moves directed by, and starring Robert Redford. This movie however, felt more like he was trying not to force his political views on us, but make us pick a side. It was strange, and felt like several movies. Tom Cruise was slimy as the congressman pushing his war propaganda, and Meryl Streep was good as the veteran reporter who interviews him. The best, most believable performance goes to newcomer Andrew Garfield. His back and forth banter with Robert Redford's Professor Malley is the highlight of the movie. The dialogue was great, and far superior to the Cruise / Streep scenes. Overall, not a good, but interesting movie.

Awake

This psychological thriller stars Hayden Christensen as a heart patient who experiences "anesthetic awareness" during open heart surgery. He feels the pain, and can hear everything happening around him, but is paralyzed, and unable to speak. It's a little spooky, and over the top at times, but overall will be a good DVD rental.