Up in the Air
Being "downsized", a slightly less bristling word for "fired", is probably the worst experience a longtime employee can suffer. In today's age of 10% unemployment and bank bailouts, it's become an all too common part of life. Director Jason Reitman takes these issues and mines them into a smart, relevant comedy with a ton of heart and three Oscar nominated performances by George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick. My #2 film from 2009, and the one film I would recommend to anybody and everybody.
Precious: Based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire
Those who've been following me on Twitter or Facebook know that I've been hella hard on this film lately, but the truth is Precious is a very good, powerful film that deserves a ton of praise. Just not to the degree it received. Gabourey Sibide puts in a towering performances as Precious Jones, an overweight, illiterate, inner city teen struggling to cope with the hopelessness of her situation. She's had one child already, and another on the way courtesy of her dirtbag father. Her vile mother, played by Oscar winner Mo'nique, abuses her in every way imaginable. Against all odds, Precious must find out if she's got the strength to break out from the darkness that's all she's ever known.
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
The sequel to Troy Duffy's cult action hit has been long in the making, thanks to a personal and professional implosion. The break only seems to have intensified his bloodlust as this is the most action packed installment yet. The Irish Catholic brothers McManus have been holed up ever since the first film, but the death of a beloved priest sends them back into the vengeance game guns a' blazin'! Tracked by a beautiful FBI agent, and joined in their quest by a new member to the gang, Boondock Saints 2 is sure to please fans of the original.
Old Dogs
If you're one of the handful of people who wasted their time and money seeing this stale time waster in theaters, you ought to be obligated to purchase the DVD. That's just my opinion. You should be forced to lay your money down on everything Old Dogs related as a harsh lesson. Just look at that DVD cover. Does that look funny to you? The fact that they put the gorilla on the case means they think that scene(which was the crux of the film trailer) was a high selling point for fans. Even John Travolta standing behind them seems to be saying, "Hey, it's a paycheck and I got a mortgage to pay".
Planet 51
2009 was a banner year for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and his transition from action hero to kiddie film icon. Case in point: he lends his voice to the main character of this somewhat underwhelming animated flick about an astronaut who crashlands on a planet full of aliens.
Capitalism: A Love Story
I love Michael Moore. The man knows how to make an entertaining documentary. Capitalism is perhaps his least effective one to date after the brilliantly insightful Sicko
set a new standard for him. The main problem with this film is that it's out of date. Dealing with the confusing laws governing over Wall Street, the big banks stranglehold on America, and the destructive effects of Capitalism. Usually Moore's films are a year or two ahead of their time, but this one feels strangely dated and more showy than substantive. The Stoning of Soraya M.
One of the most powerful films of the year, Shoreh Agadashloo(House of Sand and Fog
, 24
) stars as woman with a secret. In her remote village in Iran, a horrible misjustice has occurred. A scheming husband, quick to remarry and cash in on a dowry, has accused his wife of the crime of adultery, a crime which carries the penalty of death. Not a film for the squeamish or the weak of heart, The Stoning of Soraya M is unflinching in the reality of this horrible punishment. But what's worse is the grave mistreatment of an entire gender, rendering them practically invisible. The only other film I bought this week.
