Noah

It has been a long time since I have been in a full theater. Usually this is fun for epic openings as the entire crowd gets into the film. Suffice it to say, there was more applause for a couple of the previews than there was engagement during the feature. Another clue as to the mediocrity was the fact that I found myself thinking about work, or other films, or books to read in the middle. Not overwhelming, and I came in with pretty low expectations. The film itself traces the life of Noah from seeing his father killed by the descendants of Cain in the opening scene, to getting the word from God to build the ark, to actually floating around on the boat. I did like that there was an attempt to get inside Noah's head as he tries to interpret God's commands. It turns out that God doesn't actually speak to Noah, but he has visions that are cryptic and need interpreting. So what was God's purpose for man in this destruction via flood? And how is Noah's vision & interpretation any more or less valid than other prophets and/or cult leaders in the past of present? Is scriptural/spiritual interpretation that leads to self preservation always suspect? Interesting questions at least. Too bad the film doesn't hold up its end with entertainment value.
2 stars (out of 5)

Heat

I found this on someone's list of all-time great heist films. De Niro is the heist crew leader and Pacino the cop who is chasing him. Add in Jon Voight, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd, Amy Brenneman, Dennis Haysbert and Natalie Portman. This is fun. And nearly the polar opposite to The Yellow Handkerchief. Heat is 100% action with, at best, 1 dimensional characters. Every character is pretty stereotypical. Pacino is the gritty, driven detective who "Says what he means and does what he says", De Niro the criminal mastermind who has no attachments that "he can't leave in 30 seconds". The puppy dog assistant criminal, devoted criminal girlfriend, struggling parolee, enamored new girlfriend, etc. Everyone has their role and plays it and only it. Of course, in this case, there is not really a need to have multidimensional characters since the tense game of cat and mouse holds all of our attention. And you know this is done well because you are simultaneously rooting for both De Niro and Pacino to win the battle. You really want there to be some sort of outcome where they are both fulfilled and satisfied. You will have to watch to see whether this is the case.

4 stars (out of 5)

The Yellow Handkerchief

William Hurt is just released from a 6 year stint in prison and no-one is around to pick him up. He meets a couple of kids and travels with them to New Orleans in search of his wife. Through flashback and story-telling, we get a sense of Hurt's life. The two kids seem to just be around to listen to stories, and provide some variety. Not much plot, lots of character. After recently reading The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, and complaining that it wasn't that good because it didn't "do anything", I am surprised that I really like this movie, and it didn't "do anything" either. This is very nearly a zero plot, 100% character film. We meet Hurt's character and learn who he is by his small interactions with the kids, with strangers around him, and through his own professed confidence and self doubt. A road trip movie with no action. But still excellent. I suppose I will need to continue thinking about what makes a good film or book. It is clearly not just plot or character.
4 stars (out of 5)

About Time

There is something about Bill Nighy that makes me happy. Seeing him standing, one hand on a chair back, the other held out palm up, bumbling about with clever language... he does not disappoint here. With a minor role as the father of Tim in a family where the men are able to travel back in time, he does just enough to provide credibility to this crazy scenario. Tim is our protagonist, who learns the joy and struggle of time travel. Every travel back allows some benefit, but also some cost. While the story is quite clever in how it deals with the unintended consequences of travel, it does not adequately explain how some of the travel decisions are "undone". How do you get back to the present? Do you just live back through the time, or can you jump? It seems both, but without reason... I would categorize this as a moderately good romantic comedy and a low-moderate quality sci-fi time travel film. Made me laugh, and didn't make me mad.
3 stars (out of 5)

Broken

Set in a middle class English suburb, 'Skunk' is the local 11-year old girl. She is about to go to high school, lives with her older brother and single father after mom left several years earlier. Played by Eloise Laurence to perfection, Skunk is the heart of this film and her acting is what makes it an excellent film. She witnesses a violent altercation between her neighbors, is growing into her adolescent self (physically and emotionally), has abandonment issues because of her mother and a crush on her teacher. And amidst all of this, she is endearing and the epitome of a good person. I love the relationships she develops, the anger she shows, the fright, the curiosity and mischievousness. Well worth it.
4 stars (out of 5)

Four Lions

Intended as a farce, a la Borat, but not funny. Four Islamic British men fancy themselves Jihad warriors, when in fact they are bumbling idiots. It plays as a series of sketches pieces together with over the top "punchlines". Perhaps had I been able to finish watching, I would be able to provide for you some grand meaning or purpose, some satirical commentary on religious fundamentalism in western society. But I was unable to finish...

1 star (out of 5)

Silver Tongues

A couple travel around the country for a week or so, role playing all their interactions with people. They meet a young couple on their honeymoon and role play as swingers. In a church, role play a detective. In a nursing home, role play as kids. the characters are abusive and mean, and seem to take joy in destroying the joy of the people they interact with. The man is definitely the lead here and as a viewer, you are pulled into the drama of figuring out the relationship and the purpose. Who is role playing, who is letting their real self show through? What self-discovery is happening? Or are the characters so apathetic about their lives that they feel nothing, discover nothing? Are they psychologically cutting just to generate emotion? Not fun, but fascinating. It left me with a grimacing, no-redeeming-value, curiosity.
3 stars (out of 5)