Larry H's Movie Reviews for 2010
Index of Movies:
The Last Station | Shutter Island | A Single Man | Valentine's Day | It's Complicated | Edge of Darkness | Extraordinary Measures | Crazy Heart | The Lovely Bones | The Book of Eli | Youth in Revolt
The Last StationA historical drama about the genius author of "War and Peace," bigger-than-life Leo Tolstoy (Christopher "Captain Von Trapp" Plummer). The movie begins in 1910 Russia when Tolstoy is an old man and struggling to balance his immense celebrity and wealth with his life's philosophy of brotherly love and world peace through pacifism.
His followers are part of the Tolstoy Movement and they live in a commune where they till the soil and act like 1960's hippies. Regrettably, the movie does not delve into the lives of these dedicated supporters. Director/Screenwriter Michael Hoffman missed a golden opportunity because I'm convince these little peaceniks were slipping out in the woods to drink some vodka and spoke a little weed behind Leo's back.
Instead of having some fun with this story, Hoffman concentrates on the Last Will and Testament of Tolstoy who wants to leave the rights to his literary assets to the people of the world and the angst this causes his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren). They had been married 48 years and had more than their share of discord. But Sofya is nobody's fool and she figures that she is entitled to this obvious large pot of gold and she is willing to fight for it. And more accurately, chew on Tolstoy until he packs his bags and leaves his estate and her.
The countess is none too pleased with this turn of events so she kicks it into high gear of Drama Momma. Paul Giamatti and James McAvoy play Tolstoy's old and young confidants; Giamatti as Vladimir Chertkov is brilliant as the arch enemy of Sofya.
This movie will be remembered for Mirren's Oscar nomination for Best Actress and little else. Monique H. and I whispered and played with our popcorn and Milk Duds far too much.
Let's face it; Helen Mirren is no Sandra Bullock. Relax, I'm kidding, but don't be surprised if the 45 year old Bullock takes home the gold on March 7th. The acting in "The Last Station" was borderline great but the story was uninspired and dull. Go see this movie if it is important to you to see all the nominations for Best Actress (my excuse) or if you are a Tolstoyan. Otherwise, go see "Avatar" and "The Hurt Locker" to ensure that you see the Best Picture of 2009 before the big show. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 79. Larry H.
Shutter IslandI saw this flick on a dreary Saturday afternoon; an omen of things to come. This movie is a bust. The great Martin Scorsese has fallen to earth and he took Leonardo DeCaprio with him. The two of them have had some good times ("Departed") but you can't win all the time.
But don't feel sorry for these two; Marty is still one of our most accomplished directors and Leo is in my top two or three top actors. Nothing about this movie has made me change my mind about their talent and I forgive them for boring me.
And besides, I have been a huge fan of Leo's ever since he got rooked out of a nomination and Oscar for his memorable portrayal of Jack Dawson in "Titanic." Kate Winslet was good in "Titanic" but it was Leo/Jack that won the day not Rose. Ok, fine I've said. Let's move on with life.
I had high hopes for "Shutter Island" because I'm a sucker for psycho thrillers involving the criminally insane but now I just feel like a sucker. I was sitting at the very top of the aisle in Theatre #16 at AMC The Fountains. I like that seat and since there were no seats in front of me, I literally stretched my legs as far as I could down the steps. I felt like I was sitting in the cat bird's seat.
Anyway, I got so bored about midway through the movie that I spotted a pair of shiny white Nike Shox about two rows in front of me and I started watching this guy's shoes instead of the movie. That's a first for me. I decided to call it the Shoe Bomb Theory which should not be confused with the God Bomb Theory even though both theories are similar. The Theories are simple: Stop this movie now and let me out of here!
I did not like any characters and while I completely understood the story and the twists and turns, I did not care. When a bad guy (I guess he was a bad guy) slipped up behind Leo and started choking him, I hoped that the bad guy would kill Leo so the movie would end.
The screenplay by Laeta Kalogridis, who is also an executive producer for "Avatar," must take the fall for this disaster. I have not read the novel by Dennis "Mystic River" Lahane but based on the movie, I bet the novel is pretty good. What does that mean? The movie could not connect the dots. The sun got in Marty's eyes and he couldn't see clearly and Leo was just doing what Marty told him to do. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 72. Larry H.
A Single ManColin Firth is nominated for Best Actor and he has a legitimate shot at winning the gold on March 7th. His portrayal of English Professor George Falconer is Oscar-worthy.
The movie begins in Los Angles in November 1962; long before gay rights and acceptance of homosexuality. But Professor Falconer is living with his partner, Jim, who is tragically killed in a car wreck. Jim's family will not allow George to attend the funeral.
Meanwhile, George must go on with life in the classroom and suburbia where his neighbor describes him as "light in the loafers." He finds some comfort in his old London girlfriend Charley (Julianne Moore) and a young male student.
George is not coping well and it is obvious to all who see his sleep-deprived eyes and melancholy demeanor. The world does not know that George is plotting his own suicide.
Director Tom Ford has masterfully told a complicated human story of a man trapped and desperate yet seeking solace wherever he can find it. George hides behind some rather large horn-rimmed glasses but his eyes and expressions are not hidden.
As good as the acting and direction were, I did not particularly enjoy this movie at Landmark's River Oaks near downtown Houston. I like going to the old theatre; it's got character and reminds me of my childhood.
During the movie, a lady near the front decided she needed to go the concession stand but was a tad disoriented and when she arrived at the top of the stairs she unexpectedly turned left and opened the exit doors to the horror of the rest of us. With these doors open, a rush of very bright sunlight came beaming into our little dark and protected environment. There was a collective groan. The obviously embarrassed woman hurriedly retreated without closing the doors. Luckily a Good Samaritan quickly jumped into action and closed the double doors to a loud "thank you" from the crowd. Now that's character.
Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 82. Larry H.
Valentine's DayLove is in the air and in this movie. I showed up at First Colony AMC to see this movie on Friday February 12th on opening day with a bit of a 'tude. You must understand that the great Larry H. does not see silly, love-story movies with the sophomoric title of "Valentine's Day."
In the first 30 minutes, I was so nonplussed and turned off by the syrupy characters that I started to walk. Then I decided it was so cold outside and not time yet for date night with Monique H. that I might as well stay just to see if it could possibly get any better. But my 'tude was getting pretty bad. I didn't like any of the quirky, loser characters and my patience was thin meaning I was beginning to think that the other audience members were losers, too.
Then something peculiar happened: I laughed, no it was a guffaw, and then Taylor Swift's zany high school character came on the scene and demonstrated her love for Willy (Taylor Lautner) through a head twisting dance. Swift was so charming and funny that I decided to give it a few more minutes before I walked. Then the "love is in the air" among a host of sweet and sappy people started to jell.
And then this floppy film turned a corner and I became completely hooked and even got teary-eyed several times. In the end I was actually crying; not deep breathing and shoulder hunching, but there was a salty discharge. I would have been embarrassed but I'm pretty sure the other suckers in Theatre #13 were reaching for Kleenex, too.
Here's the plot: a whole bunch of folks, young and old face the ups and downs of a traditional and emotional ride on Valentine's Day.
The biggest winner was Taylor Swift but Ashton Kutcher and Jennifer Garner were a close second. I've never got Kutcher other than he has the ability to date hot, older chicks in real life but I thought as an actor he was a doofus. Not anymore, I am now out of the closet; I like Ashton Kutcher as an actor and predict that he has some huge starring roles in his future.
I spent much of this movie thinking about a young Larry and Monique H. when we were wild and crazy; she looked like Taylor Swift and I looked like Taylor Lautner. This movie can cause temporary episodes of delusion.
I can't say enough about Director Garry Marshall's ability to string together multiple stories and stars that meld into a cohesive theme of love is difficult but worth it. There is already serious talk about a sequel entitled "New Year's Eve" and if Katherine Fugate also writes the screenplay, then I'm in. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 89. Larry H.
It's ComplicatedI didn't see this movie until Super Bowl Sunday on February 7th; it debuted on December 25th. So, where have you been Larry H.? Been busy with Christmas and such and quite frankly I didn't think I'd like what appeared to me to be the ultimate chick flick.
And then my chick said she wanted to see it and we needed to kill some time before the Super Bowl. And when Monique H. says she wants to go the movies, Larry H. says "how high?"
This is a silly movie that works. Occasionally, great acting can save a cute story; this one had Meryl Steep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin. Nancy "Something's Gotta Give" Meyers wrote and directed "Complicated" with her patented female touch sprinkled with humor and pizzazz as only she can do.
Here's the story: Jane (Streep) is having an affair with Jake (Baldwin) who is her ex-husband and married to a much younger woman. Then there's Adam (Martin) the boyfriend who is her sensitive, cute architect and does not want to get involved with anyone that is involved. Cute, corny, and cool if you like watching a group of fifty-somethings having fun and smoking a few doobies.
I granted Monique H. special permission to talk/whisper during this movie because one need not concentrate during drivel plus I needed to mock throughout the flick. I had fun even though Alec Baldwin reminded me more of his "30 Rock" character Jack Donaghy than he did Jake. To my surprise during a poignant scene near the end of the movie, I realized that Baldwin was holding his own with the great Meryl Steep.
Director Meyers has a good feel for cars: Jane was driving a Toyota Highlander; Jake sported a Porsche Carrera and Adam an Audi; that's about right. This is a shockingly good movie in spite of it being an inane tale of a zany love triangle/quadrangle. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 88. Larry H.
Edge of DarknessThis is a good reason not to get too involved with the private lives of movie stars. Mel Gibson has taken his fair share of hits lately (5+ years) for being a overbearing, insensitive, drunk. He has not done a movie in over eight years ("Signs") and his off-screen bio probably contributed to his hiatus.
But Mel can act and evidently the public has forgiven or forgotten because my theatre had a large crowd. Maybe Tiger just needs a little time and some rehab and he can make a comeback. What about Johnny Leno and Coco O'Brien?
Mel Gibson (age 54) plays Boston PD Detective Tommy Craven whose daughter Emma is murdered in the first five minutes of the movie. Props to Director Martin Campbell for grabbing the audience's attention in those first few minutes of the story and setting the mood for the rest of the movie. This is not a great film, but it has a great beginning and end.
Emma Craven (Bojana Novakovic) worked for the mysterious Northmoor Company in rural Massachusetts that has top secret contracts with the US government and is very serious about its security. Emma and some of her friends have some incriminating information about the company and they want to blow the whistle. Uh oh, that's dangerous business.
And if your daddy has a gun and a badge and is grief stricken, then things can really go badly for the bad guys. But who are the bad guys and what have they done and who and why are they trying to kill people? Lots of people.
The script by William Monahan and Andrew Bovell is well written with just the right blend of action and suspense except in the middle. Luckily for Director Campbell, this is not his first rodeo with "Edge of Darkness" as he was the director of a six-episode TV series by the same name and similar plot in the mid 80's. Campbell must have learned something over the last twenty something years because the direction and editing are key to the film's measured success.
The acting was acceptable as a general proposition but Ray Winstone, the British-born actor, who plays the conflicted and mystifying Jedburgh was the big winner.
Those of you who fancy yourself a "solver of movie mysteries" will enjoy connecting the dots and guessing the next plot revelation before your date has had a chance to lean over and whisper in your ear "he's a bad guy."
My audience liked this movie and laughed and became silent in all the right places and much to my surprise broke into approving applause and audible outbursts more than once. I marvel at an audience that gets so worked up about a movie that individuals feel compelled to let the rest of us know how they feel about what just happened on the screen. Marvel is not the right word; I admire their enthusiasm. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 88. Larry H.
Extraordinary MeasuresSometimes weird things happen and I have to work on Friday afternoons. I know such an act seems like a crime against nature, but I got caught on Friday and could not make it to the theatre.
Part of the problem was lack of enthusiasm as I tried to choose between "The Tooth Fairy" and "Extraordinary Measures." I even considered seeing "Avatar" again and pretending like there were no new movies.
I got up Saturday morning determined to go to a movie - any movie. I repeatedly perused the newspaper movie section while negotiating with myself about my choice. Then I began looking for an excuse not to go at all. I finally chose "Extraordinary Measure" starting at 11:00 am at First Colony AMC but I was convinced that it would be a dud. Even my long-time hero Gene Shalit panned it. I was getting depressed, but pushed through it and drove to the theatre and soon was feeling much better when I ate some popcorn and drank some Mr. Pibb.
I was surprise to see about 100 people already seated in Theatre #21 when I arrived. Then, I got passed that awkward moment when one is looking for just the right seat (near the target area but not near anyone else). The trailers were all about syrupy love stories and Valentine's Day which depressed me even more so I took a hit of popcorn to calm my nerves.
Ok, I was wrong. This movie caught my attention from the beginning to end. I laughed and cried in the first ten minutes. The movie is based on a true story and a book by Geeta Anand about John and Aileen Crowley (Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell) who have two children with Pompe Disease that is a deadly form of Muscular Dystrophy. Most children with this genetic disorder will die by age 9 because they are "missing an enzyme." These two adorable children are 8 and 6.
Brendan Fraser's character is the moving force of the film as he sets out on a personal and business quest to find an answer to his children's fate. The trail begins with Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford) who is the classic curmudgeon medical scientist who is hidden in his underfunded lab at the University of Nebraska.
Dr. Stonehill is a brilliant theorist, but has never been involved in developing a new drug even though he is convinced that his research is on the way to prolonging the lives of the Pompe children. John Crowley is a graduate of the Harvard School of Business with the guts of an entrepreneur and determination of a loving father. They need money and lots of it.
The story is very emotional but was not overplayed by Director Tom Vaughan who walked a fine line between creating a Hollywood tear-jerker and a believable account of human tragedy and hope. There was way too much scientific and corporate mumbo jumbo for my taste but I respected the need to explain the very complicated world of business meets science.
My main man with the big mustache (Shalit) ripped Brendan "The Mummy" Fraser as being miscast and uncomfortable with his role. I disagree; who do you believe? Me or Gene Shalit? Ok, I thought so. Keri Russell and Fraser were perfect as the concerned parents; the only suggestion I have for them is that Fraser needs to lose a little weight and Russell needs to put on a few pounds.
The 67 year old Harrison "Han Solo" Ford was outstanding as Dr. Stonehill with an attitude and he knew this movie would be a hit which is why he is listed as one of the Executive Producers. This is a good January movie. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 89. Larry H.
Crazy HeartBad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a down and out country singer who's been "rode hard and put up wet" as we use to say in Bay City. In other words, Bad had too many marriages and way too much to drink and he looked like an old horse that couldn't win the race or sing his way out of wet paper sack.
But he was charming and continued to look for salvation through all the ups and downs of his pitiful career. Sparks happen when a reporter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) comes into his life and gives him a reason not to die.
Ok, enough of the story. This movie is memorable and worth the price of admission for one reason only: Jeff Bridges. JB's been an accomplished actor for a long time - "The Fabulous Baker Boys" and "The Big Lebowski" but this is his crowning performance. He does his own singing and his soulful rendition of Bad Blake dominates the film
Surely, he will be nominated for Best Actor and has a decent chance of winning; he was that good. Occasionally, there is a movie that is not particularly entertaining or artfully produced but some aspect, such as an actor, is so spectacular that the movie is catapulted into that rare stratosphere of greatness. And this is one of those movies. Jeff Bridges is phenomenal and I recommend you see this movie soon so you will be ready for the Oscars. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 89. Larry H.
The Lovely BonesThe bones were not lovely. "I was murdered on December 6, 1973," is the explanation by the precious 14 year old Susie Salmon (Saoirse "Atonement" Ronan). The screenplay is adapted from the book by Alice Sebold and it is set in a quiet town in Pennsylvania before lost children's "faces appeared on milk cartons."
Much of the movie is from Susie's perspective from heaven or more appropriately the "Blue Horizon". As she watched her murderer continue with his life next door to her parents and brother and sister, did she influence the earthly events? Or did she merely suffer from her memories and anxiety of her terrible grief. And the grief by her parents was gut-wrenching.
Susie is brutally murdered on the way home from school by the creepy next door neighbor George Harvey (Stanley Tucci). Tucci's makeup and costume disguised his well-known face and features and will cause some to fail to identify him. However, I knew the despicable character was Stanley Tucci and still could relate to him because Tucci's performance was off-the-chart good. He is one of my frontrunners for Best Supporting Actor.
The movie is riveting and intriguing but Director Peter "The Hobbit" Jackson took me down too many paths that I did not want to go. I don't care if he followed the book or not; I did not enjoy the movie on any plane other than witnessing evil in a spooky presentation. I give Jackson high marks for movie-making but the entertainment level of movies is all about me and I was not entertained.
The highlight was the acting. Tucci set the bar high, but Susie's parents Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz were up for the task as was Grandma Lynn played by Susan Sarandon. But as I've said many times, "great acting" can not save a story that does not equally support the characters. Perhaps I should not go to these kinds of movies; and perhaps you should not go to these kinds of movies, either. And I will never watch it again. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 84. Larry H.
The Book of EliThis is another post-apocalyptic film that has the feel of "The Road." And it is almost as good with some dramatic differences. "The Book of Eli" is an original screenplay by Gary Whitta (who?) and "The Road" was adapted from Cormac McCarthy's novel. And Eli is directed by the Hughes Brothers (who?).
The Hughes Brothers (Albert and Allen) are 37 year old twins that must have enough on the ball to convince Denzel Washington to play the lead and invest some of his cash as Denzel is one of the credited Producers. The Hughes Boys will be heard from again because they have now convinced Denzel and Larry H. that they know the working end of a camera.
The editing and cinematography were superb and the foreboding music was effective and an integral part of the movie from start to finish. The young Hughes skillfully wove all elements of good movie-making and story telling into the dramatic fabric of this tale.
One of the hallmarks of this film is the slow yet effective revelation of the mystique of the story of one man's struggle to survive a dreary, dangerous world that has evolved into chaos and desperation. Our hero is willing to die for the preservation of a book that could save mankind while others are willing to kill him to possess that book.
That's about all I'm going to share about the details of this intriguing plot out of an abundance of respect for the unique aspects of this mystery. I will add that our hero (Denzel) has the combat skills to quickly dispatch/kill an overwhelming, heavily armed group of attackers that would make Spaghetti-Western Clint Eastwood proud. And there is some very graphic violence and blood if you count lopping off a man's hand with a machete-like knife as bloody.
The acting is outstanding; Denzel was his usual dominant self but Gary Oldman as the bad guy was excellent and my early favorite for Best Supporting Actor for 2010. I am mildly shocked that Denzel and the Hughes Boys decided to release a movie of this magnitude in early January '10 even before the 2009 Academy Award nominations have been announced. This film easily has nomination/award potential for 2010, but its luster might be lost in large part because of the timing; we shall see. This is a must see movie; there were a few slow areas but I loved it. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 93. Larry H.
Youth in RevoltDear Michael Cera,
I saw your latest movie "Youth in Revolt" on opening day January 8, 2010 (Elvis' 75th birthday) and I have some good news. You are a very hot commodity and I predict that you will make north of $250 million over the next 20 years if you don't do something stupid with guns or girls.
Here's my proposition: I want to be your agent and it's not just because my net during the next 20 years will be $10+ million but it's because I really care and feel protective of someone who is in his early 20's. Heck, Michael, I'm a dad and I know a knucklehead when I see him - i.e. Eric H.
Back to the business plan. You are the face of today's young man even though you are the exact opposite of macho and apparently do not mind playing the proverbial virgin that can't quite get the girl but you are nice and polite with no facial hair.
What's in a name? Let's review some of your most successful movies/TV shows and see if we can discover a pattern: "Arrested Development" - George-Michael Bluth; "Juno" - Paulie Bleeker and Nick Twisp - "Youth in Revolt." And then there's Elvis who played many characters and he was hot in the 50's and 60's with names like - Mike McCoy, Charlie Rogers, Rick Richards, and my personal favorite Johnny Tyronne.
So you can see, Michael, my role model in the 60's was Elvis and he had some down-home names that sounded manly and he always got the girl. I guess you could say that I've been around for a while and I know a thing or two about the careers of movie stars and I know some legal stuff that could come in handy during contract negotiations. Trust me.
In "Youth in Revolt" you nailed your character as the over-sexed 16 year old teenager Nick Twisp who is madly in love with a more sophisticated hot chick who likes everything French, but how is that working for you? I'll tell you how it is working - fantastic. We aren't going to change a thing. The audience at my theatre was full of young men that looked strikingly like you; not like the motor-cycle-jacket-wearing Elvis. But if you ever need a jacket like that, not to worry as I still have one in my closet.
Michael, I'm not saying you haven't made some good moves in your career, I'm just saying that it's time to take it up a notch and I'm the guy that can make it happen. I'm not just a Sugar Land guy; I get around. Please email me and I'll send out my standard four percent contract that will be acceptable to both of us.
Meanwhile, I thought the use of a mustachioed, cigarette-smoking alter ego in this movie was a nice twisp, I mean twist, that will bode well for you in future roles. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 85. Larry H.
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