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Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Director: Charlie Kaufman | Rated: R | Review date: 13-Jan-2010
Synecdoche, New York is the film directorial debut for Charlie Kaufman, who’s wrote such acclaimed pieces as Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. One thing is clear after viewing this cinematic gem: Mr. Kaufman has the eerie ability to transfer his deep and profound writing onto the screen. This film is unlike anything I’ve seen in quite some time. The obscure and often bizarre visuals almost resemble a David Lynch-like world of imagination and physical metaphors.
The film stars Philip Seymour Hoffman More >
Whatever Works (2009)
Director: Woody Allen | Rated: PG-13 | Review date: 12-Jan-2010
Comedic master Larry David stars in Woody Allen’s latest narrative, Whatever Works. David plays Boris Yellnikoff, an egotistical, rude, and anti-everything scholar who seems to be too smart for his own good. His know-it-all attitude causes his relationships to deteriorate and frequently pushes him into a suicidal state. Everything changes when Boris meets Melodie (Evan Rachel Wood). The southern bell lands literally on Boris’ doorstep and he reluctantly allows her to stay with him.
Melodie’s sunny personality is ignorant to More >
Paper Heart (2009)
Director: Nicholas Jasenovec | Rated: PG-13 | Review date: 11-Jan-2010
Charlyne Yi wrote and stars in this little quirky pseudo-documentary about discovering the many wonders of love. Aside from interviews, the film attempts to take a more dramatic turn when Yi becomes involved with actor Michael Cera. I found this angle of the story to be slightly boring and uninteresting. Both Cera’s and Yi’s acting felt unnatural and made them seem a bit drab on camera. I would have preferred this film had been an actual documentary as the interviews, even the quirky little puppet shows in between, were More >
Whip It (2009)
Director: Drew Barrymore | Rated: PG-13 | Review date: 5-Jan-2010
Actress Drew Barrymore makes her feature film directorial debut with Whip It, the story of a misfit teen who discovers the world of roller derby. The film is based on the novel Derby Girl, written by Shauna Cross who also adapted the screenplay. Ellen Page (Juno; Smart People) plays Bliss Cavendar, a bit of an outcast with only one real friend, Pash (Alia Shawkat). Despite Bliss’ mother’s constant pressure for her to be in beauty pageants, Bliss strives to be her own person. One day her and Pash sneak off to a roller derby game More >
Time Traveler’s Wife, The (2009)
Director: Robert Schwentke | Rated: PG-13 | Review date: 4-Jan-201o – First Review of 2010!
The Time Traveler’s Wife is based off the novel by Audrey Niffenegger which follows a man who has the inexplicable ability to travel through time. Henry, nicely played by Eric Bana, meets his future wife Clare (Rachel McAdams) at some point during his travels when she’s at a very young age. The two hopelessly fall in love even despite Clare’s knowledge of Henry’s unique “condition.” True love is put to the test in this fast-paced supernatural romance.
The story jumps back and forth during Henry’s More >