Spring Break Films

It's hard to believe that it was mere days ago that I was resting (and reading the highly entertaining The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, mind you) on the beach in South Miami. It was a rejuvenating trip, one that had many highlights. Unfortunately, the three films my wife and I chose to see were not all of highlight caliber.

Alice in Wonderland (3D)

I haven't read any Lewis Carroll. Nor have I seen any adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Therefore, I went into this film open-minded. Well, as open-minded as one can be ... I mean this is a Burton/Depp/Bonham Carter collaboration.

I regret to inform my readers that I can't enthusiastically recommend this movie. Yes it has been a hit. Yes it stars one of the most popular actors of the last decade. Yes it is in 3D. However, these three facts do not necessarily equate to a great film.

I have been unimpressed with Hollywood movie hits as of late. Prime example, the below-average Avatar. I haven't felt excited about a mega blockbuster since Batman and Iron Man (and no, I am not a comic-con kinda guy). Apparently the majority of moviegoers are lifeless zombies who prefer being spoon-fed Chef Boy-Ar-Dee Spaghetti with BrainBalls as opposed to savoring plantain encrusted mahi mahi on a bed of creamy Cuban risotto (mmm ... Miami cuisine). I hate that I contributed my hard earned dollars to such garbage and didn't contribute them to such great films as A Simple Man and The Hurt Locker. Ok, you've heard my Avatar ramblings before, so I will get back to the film at hand. Basically, it may have been a blockbuster, but it wasn't great. Period. Guess there was truly no need to get back to that film after all...

Depp and Burton have done their shtick too many times for my liking. I was impressed ... when they first began collaborating. However, it seems unoriginal and even uninspired at this point. I wonder why Depp has chosen not to do more films like Donnie Brasco, where he played a different type of role. Here's hoping Depp is not involved with Burton's next project.

3D does not make a film better. While 3D may have saved Avatar from being unwatchable, I have yet to see the 3D film that both blows me away and also contributes to the overall film itself. I have heard the newly released How to Train Your Dragon is extremely successful in 3D, so there is hope. On the other hand, Trash of the, I mean Clash of the Titans, has been received as positively as the Tea Baggers welcomed health care reform.

On a positive note, I was impressed with Mia Wasikowska's performance as Alice. I look forward to her next role.

Shutter Island

I am a huge Scorsese fan, so as you can imagine, I was looking forward to his next film after The Departed. Unfortunately, this film is not near as good as most Scorsese films. My full review would echo those previously written -- bad Boston accent by Leo, great cinematography, predictable plot, solid performances throughout (although Ruffalo was not near as dazzling as he has been in some of his other films). I would say this is definitely a rental, and could be worth seeing as a matinee, but it isn't worth an evening admission for a true Scorsese fan.

As a footnote, I'd recommend Cape Fear instead. It has a similar tone, but is a bit more campy and DeNiro is excellent reprising the role of Max Cady that Robert Mitchum masterfully played in the original film of the same name.

The Ghost Writer

Aaahhh ... just typing the title of this film brings joy to this cinemaphile. This movie, check that, this film, is destined to be one of the best of the year. Polanski delivered a masterpiece, and seeing this film rekindled my love for great political thrillers (e.g. All the President's Men, The Parallax View, JFK, Bulworth, Spartan, etc.).

There is so much to say about this film, and yet, I don't want to say too much. I am afraid if I go into great detail I will not do the film justice, or I might sway you into thinking you shouldn't see it. I don't want either of these things to happen. It is too good to be missed. From stellar performances from the two leads (McGregor as the ghost writer turned detective and Bronson as the mysterious ex-Prime Minister) to incredible supporting performances (Tom Wilkinson steals the only scene he is in, Olivia Williams beautifully plays the woman behind the political man, and even Belushi is solid, yet almost unrecognizable). Polanski brings the best from everyone, except maybe Kim Cattrall who simply seems miscast (her accent is either non-existent or terrible, depending upon the scene). The writing is crisp (Polanski shared credits with Robert Harris who wrote the novel the film is based upon) and the directing is paced perfectly. One of my only complaints is that it is evident that none of this film was shot in the states, even though much of the film supposedly takes place in America (blame this on Polanski's warrant).

I'll conclude by saying that the ending of this film is magnificent, no wait, it is perfect. Best ending to a film in recent memory. For the ending alone, you'll feel like you got your money's worth.

(PS - If you want to read an incredibly good article about this film, visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-bradley/the-ghosts-of-tony-blair_b_509269.html - my wife sent this to me and it is definitely essential reading if you see the film.)