The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is worth seeing for several reasons. Beyond strong performances from Brad Pitt and Kate Blanchette this tale, based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, leaves you with a great deal to ponder. The main character Benjamin Button, is born with an horrific condition whereby his body at birth ressembled that of an eighty five year old man. If this premise wasn't unlikely enough, the additional twist that Benjamin Button does not age with the passage of time but instead grows younger, sets up the audience for this truly amazing story. The fact that it somehow remains plausible is a testement to the wonderful writing and memorable chemistry between these two fine actors.I found myself at various points in this film wondering how a story like this might really play out if it were to happen. Finally it occurred to me that what attracted me to Benjamin Button's story was the continuing sense of discovery and joy that seemed to animate almost every point of his life. Unlike people who as they age become, to one degree or another, weary of life's ups and downs; Benjamin Button seemed to meet the implausible challenges of his own life with a quiet sense of amazement and wonder at how special the experience of life really is.
It may be more than a stretch for most of us to superimpose our own lives into the character of Benjamin Button. However the inexplicable circumstances that led to his abnormal birth should not be entirely strange to a people who have themselves been reborn, which is itself a most unlikely circumstance.
]]>In Horton Hears a Who, Horton is an elephant who one day hears a yelp coming from a small speck floating in the wind. Upon investigation he learns that this speck is actually a small world inhabited by microscopic people called “Who’s.” Horton vows to protect this speck and its inhabitants and adopts the mantra “a person’s a person no matter how small.” Initially, Horton is the only one who can hear the “Who’s”. Consequently, he is persecuted by his society who claims “if a thing can’t be seen or touched it does not exist.” Horton is a lone voice crying in the wild; a role many of us former drug users who now speak unpopular truths are acquainted with. The story shows the pressures of the majority trying to force one to deny truth. There are many other spiritual lessons in this story, which I will not spoil for future viewers, but rather will strongly encourage you to discover for yourself.
The movie is extremely funny from beginning to end. The genius of it is that, it is a movie children are bound to love, making it a perfect opportunity for parents to be reminded of some truths and teach these to their own kids or even their Sunday school students.]]>
Like cinematic dynamite, City of God lights a fuse under its squalid Brazilian ghetto, and we're a captive audience to its violent explosion. The titular favela is home to a seething army of impoverished children who grow, over the film's ambitious 20-year timeframe, into cutthroat killers, drug lords, and feral survivors. In the vortex of this maelstrom is L'il Z (Leandro Firmino da Hora--like most of the cast, a nonprofessional actor), self-appointed king of the dealers, determined to eliminate all competition at the expense of his corrupted soul.]]>Our Take: Is the movie great? No! Is it worth seeing? Sure, why not? The scenes with Gwen driving the car drunk gave me flashbacks. The worst part was how she appeared to be held to a lower standard than anyone else. This would never happen in CR, right? Sorry ladies, no Keanu Reeves in this one. Whoa!
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Our Take: None of your 'Titanic' mush here. Leonardo DiCaprio as a heroin addict is, in my opinion, one of his best roles. Very gritty and realistic with a scene outside his mothers apartment door that will bring flashbacks to many of us. Don't miss this.]]>
Our Take: This is a movie worth seeing. Both James Woods and James Garner give a powerful performance. It is interesting to see just how AA began and some of the trials they had to go throgh. The movie also serves as a reminder of how great things can happen with just a few determined people.]]>
Our Take: Micheal Keaton plays an alcoholic businessman, who wants to get clean 'his' way. He enevtually learns to get humble and sober. Great acting by Morgan Freeman. Unfortunately, we don't get to see enough of him. Worth watching.]]>
Our Take: This is a powerful tale about middle-class alcoholism. Very realistic imagery and totally relatable. Realistic direction and uncompromising writing combine for excellent results plus a poignant score by one of my favorite composers, Henry Mancini. Definately worth watching.]]>
Our Take: This movie has a lot of powerful imagery in it. Watching Frankie detox will cut close to the bone for many of us. The 'cure' being brought about by 'the love of a good woman' is a little lame, but understandable considering what was known about treatment during this era. The co-dependancy of his wife was never explored either. Nonetheless, a movie worth seeing.]]>