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This profile of Buck Brannaman, the real life Horse Whisperer, brims with wisdom and compassion. Robert Redford, who directed and starred in that Hollywood film, is on hand to testify to the uncanny ability Brannamen has with even the most difficult horses. You won't believe your eyes when you see the way he can handle even a dangerously temperamental horse. Brannamen's personal experience of abuse as a child has apparently given him great insight into the proper training and treatment of animals, and he travels far and wide as a trainer, sharing what he's learned. Perhaps a bit too sincere for the cynical, but you animal lovers will love this. | |
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Just as the movie Clueless updated Jane Austen's Emma, this movie loosely updates Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. After lying about her virginity to escape a social obligation, high school student Olive acquires a reputation. And that inspires a boy at her school to ask her to pretend to have slept with him in order to get some bullies off his back. Before you know it, the rumor mill is working overtime, and this 'good girl' gets to see what life with a big scarlet A on her chest is like. Funny and charming, this movie put Emma Stone on the map as one of the most promising stars of her age-group. With Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci as her impossibly cool and understanding parents. | |
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Matt Damon narrates this documentary about the financial crisis of 2008. In it, we are given a history lesson about how the various financial fiascos came together, making this doc at once engrossing and infuriating to watch. Of course, with hindsight it's easy to ask, "What were they thinking?" But through deep analysis and extensive interviews, this film does an admirable job of demonstrating that Wall Street insiders should have known better. | |
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A group of well-meaning, idealistic scientists experiment with chimpanzees, even taking a baby chimp home to raise among humans. They're so cute, so smart. What could go wrong? That description applies equally well to two excellent 2011 films, the documentary Project Nim, and this prequel to the classic Planet of the Apes franchise. James Franco stars as a brilliant young researcher who unleashes something the world isn't ready for, and Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings's Gollum) actually inspired some Oscar buzz for his motion-capture performance as Caesar the chimpanzee. If you held off on watching this after being disappointed by the 2001 re-boot, or if you scoff at the notion that chimps could inherit the Earth, reconsider. This movie rocks. | |
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Based on a novel by Joe Dunthorne, Submarine is a darkly funny, offbeat comedy that borrows from Wes Anderson but still manages to hold its own, demonstrating Richard Ayoade's promise as a first-time director. Oliver (Craig Roberts) is one of those mildly self-aware teenagers self-dramatizing his adolescence: "I've already turned these moments into the Super 8 footage of memory," he narrates as he recalls his weeks-long romance with Jordana (Yasmin Paige), a relationship that consisted mostly of minor vandalism and locking lips. Besides wooing and attempting to sleep with Jordana, he's consumed by the lack of romance in his parents' (Noah Taylor and Sally Hawkins) relationship and his mother's suspicious interest in a former flame (Paddy Considine) who moves in next door. Ayoade locates humor in his characters' disenchantment and heartache, the camerawork is clever, the characters deftly-played, and the film's idiosyncrasy is charming. | |
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Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Steve James of Hoop Dreams provides viewers with a compelling look into the lives of Cease Fire workers in Chicago's violence-ridden neighborhoods over the course of a year. The innovative program, created by Dr. Gary Slukin, approaches the problem of violence like disease. The role of the Cease Fire workers is to interrupt the cycle of violence by mediating peaceful outcomes. Ex-cons and former gangbangers, the Cease Fire workers are incredibly adept at their jobs. They have street credibility and are very committed to the dangerous and important work they perform. The documentary provides a sobering look at the violence in these blighted communities - the term war zone doesn't seem an exaggeration. But it's a film of hope, too. The successful outcomes of Cease Fire workers' mediations are inspiring. Here are some real-life heroes worth cheering on. | |
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This documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put together the September issue of Vogue, the bible of the fashion world. Over several months, the icy Anna Wintour, esteemed editor of the magazine and inspiration for The Devil Wears Prada, and her staff furiously work to create the biggest single issue in the magazine's history. It's an interesting look at the gritty and insular world of fashion. And while Wintour, in many ways the face of Vogue, comes across as a cold rationalist with a shrewd business sense, it's creative director Grace Coddington who arguably emerges as the unassuming genius behind the magazine. | |
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Thor |
The Avengers is coming to theaters soon. Are you prepared? The forthcoming film (directed by Joss Whedon) will unite the main characters from the Iron Man movies, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America and this entertaining superhero flick. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is a hotheaded warrior living on a godlike plane of existence who enjoys battle a little too much, and his wise, battle-scarred father King Odin (Anthony Hopkins) tries in vain to teach his son the value of maintaining peace. To teach him a lesson, Odin strips Thor of his mighty hammer and banishes him to the mortal realm of Earth, and that's where astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) finds him, fallen out of the sky like a meteorite. The special effects are unusually good and even beautiful. Director Kenneth Branagh brings panache and storytelling verve to this Nordic mythology-inspired tale, and the talented cast is rounded out by excellent supporting players like Stellan Skarsgard, Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba. |
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14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) decides to avenge her father's murder by hunting down his killer, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). She enlists the help of U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) believing that he is the best man for the job because he possesses "true grit." Cogburn accepts the job, but doesn't want her tagging along. Her persistence wins out. They carry on, accompanied by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who has been hunting Chaney on other charges. This ragtag crew continues their pursuit through Indian Territory and in the process encounter some unsavory characters, including Chaney who has joined up with Lucky Ned's (Barry Pepper) gang. Based on the novel of the same name by Charles Portis, this is an honest-to-goodness Western. While it might not be what one comes to expect from the Coen Brothers, there are glimpses of their style and humor throughout. Bottom line, regardless of the genre, the Coen brothers have made another terrific film with stellar performances all around. |