4 out of 5
Terror in Mumbai
Submitted by Jonathan on Fri, 2010-02-26 21:09I recently watched Terror in Mumbai (2009). From HuffPo:
When ten young men from Pakistan entered Mumbai aboard hi-jacked boats on the night of 26th November 2008, they had one intention: to create a terror that would grip international media and make the world sit up and take notice of Lashkar-e-Taiba -- the Army of the Righteous, a previously little known terrorist organization based in Pakistan.
And it's this intention, despite the extreme violence, allegations against Pakistan and shocking negligence of elements in the Mumbai police force, which really sticks with the viewer of Terror in Mumbai. The more you watch, the more you realize they succeeded.
The film has a unique perspective because it incorporates the cell-phone calls that the masterminds in Pakistan used to direct the terrorists during attack and footage of the sole surviving attacker being interviewed in police custody. Here is the trailer:
I give it 4 out of 5.
Boy Interrupted
Submitted by Jonathan on Fri, 2010-02-26 20:52
I recently watched Boy Interrupted (2008).
On the night of Oct. 2, 2005, Hart and Dana Perry’s 15-year-old son Evan jumped to his death from his New York City bedroom window. This moving film is the story, told by his filmmaker parents and others who knew him, of Evan’s life and death, and his life-long struggle with bipolar disorder. It delves into the complexity of Evan’s disease, sharing his family’s journey through the maze of mental illness. In showing how one family deals with generations of loss and grief, the film defies the stigma related to mental illness and suicide and tells a human story that touches everyone.
For a parent of a kid who is presumably healthy but occasionally seems "bipolar" or makes suicidal statements, this film is chilling.
I give it 4 out of 5.
Coraline
Submitted by Jonathan on Sat, 2010-02-06 22:19
Today we watched Coraline (2009,PG) for family movie night. From ScreenIt!:
A lonely and bored preteen discovers a tunnel in her new house that leads to an alternate reality where most everything is the same, save for attentive parents who have buttons for eyes and want her to join them there.
Finn needed some convincing ahead of time about watching a movie that had people with buttons for eyes. We convinced him to give it a chance. The boys enjoyed it. Finn said, "It wasn't scary. It was creepy. Indiana Jones was scary."
I give it 4 out of 5.
Revolutionary Road
Submitted by Jonathan on Thu, 2009-12-31 18:37
Last night we watched Revolutionary Road (2008,R). From ScreenIt!:
A 1950s era couple must contend with their unhappy marriage as well as unexpected developments that threaten to derail the wife's plan to save their relationship and make them happy.
I couldn’t help thinking of Mad Men with DiCaprio’s character feeling like a slightly-more-hip Pete Campbell. Also, somehow the dysfunctional families and mood of this film somehow reminded of those in Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm.
I give it 4 out of 5.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Submitted by Jonathan on Wed, 2009-12-23 23:54
A few weeks back we watched Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981,PG) for family movie night. I’m sure I’d seen it before, but it was interesting because it felt more like it was familiar more from clips I’d seen, video games as a kid, and the show at Universal Studios theme park. The kids enjoyed it. I was kind of surprised that it didn’t seem to spook Finn. Hopefully it was the first time they’ve seen exploding bodies. :-)
I give it 4 out of 5.
The Village
Submitted by Jonathan on Wed, 2009-12-23 23:33
I recently watched The Village (2004,PG-13). From ScreenIt!:
Old-fashioned members of an isolated and simple village must contend with what appear to be incursions of monsters from an adjacent forest.
I know this one wasn’t critically-acclaimed, but I generally enjoy Shyamalan’s films including this one.
I give it 4 out of 5.
By the People: The Election of Barack Obama
Submitted by Jonathan on Wed, 2009-12-09 22:10
Tonight I finished watching By the People: The Election of Barack Obama (2009). From Wikipedia:
By the People: The Election of Barack Obama is a documentary film that came out in November 2009 on HBO. The film was produced by Edward Norton during the 2008 Presidential election of Barack Obama. It follows Obama and various members of his campaign team, including David Axelrod, through the two years leading up to November 4th, 2008.
I heard David Plotz pan this documentary on the Gabfest, accusing the filmmakers of squandering their behind-the-scenes access and not getting any amazing Obama moments. I don’t really agree (there were several moments that I thought were great…prepping for a debate, chatting off-stage while he is introduced, etc.), especially since the film was as much about a variety of other campaign staffers as about Obama…and they were interesting to watch too. As the film closed with those folks reacting to the election results, I was reminded how I felt that night too…and that was worth remembering.
I give it 4 out of 5.
The Dark Knight
Submitted by Jonathan on Wed, 2009-11-04 22:32
Several months back I watched The Dark Knight (2008,PG-13). From ScreenIt!:
While trying to bring down various criminal figures, Batman must contend with a murderous psychopath who enjoys toying with him.
I enjoyed it.
I give it 4 out of 5.
Star Trek
Submitted by Jonathan on Wed, 2009-11-04 22:26
On Saturday night of the June MS150 weekend, Eric and I went to see Star Trek (2009,PG-13) (continuing the tradition we started when we saw Iron Man last year). From ScreenIt!:
The young and relatively inexperienced crew of a starship must set off on a rescue mission when a madman goes on an intergalactic spree of revenge.
I liked it.
I give it 4 out of 5.
Up
Submitted by Jonathan on Wed, 2009-11-04 22:10
A few months back we went to see Up (2009,PG) in the theater. From ScreenIt!:
A 78-year-old widower uproots himself when he attaches balloons to his house and sets off for South America, unaware that an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer has unintentionally come along for the ride.
I give it 4 out of 5.
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