DIRECTOR: Brad Silberling
CAST: Morgan Freeman, Paz Vega
PLOT: An actor prepping for an upcoming role meets a quirky young grocery clerk and the two hit the road to show one another their respective worlds.
BEN"S VIEWS: One of the best parts of life is human interaction and connection. 10 Items or Less celebrates this aspect of our world and is actually a bit inspiring in the end. This is due in a large part to the joyous character Morgan Freeman (playing himself) brings to the screen. I don't know if this is what he is like in real life but I would like to think so. His character seems to be filled with a general love of life itself. Paz Vega makes a good companion for him in the film. The films strengths are its light-hearted humor and outlook on chance-meetings and friendship It's a thoroughly enjoyable and unique film.
The English Patient is the type of film that the Academy of Motion Pictures eats up, proven by the 9 Academy Awards given to it. It has classy written all over it. The problem: it's not really that good. The film is a jumbled mess of multiple storylines and confusing occurrences. The story is roughly as follows: A man severely burned in a plane crash (Ralph Fiennes) during WWII is cared for by a nurse (Juliette Binoche). Fiennes character then has flashbacks to tell us the story of how he met the woman he loved (Kristen Scott Thomas) and how he came to his present state. There is a compelling movie buried somewhere underneath all the extra plots, but as with many films based on novels the director (Anthony Minghella) attempts to squeeze in too much. The result is a tedious 2 hour and 40 minute film with only half of that time keeping our attention.
The Proposition is the anti-Western and I mean that in a good way. It's dark and bloody and dripping with dusty Australian atmosphere. The new sheriff in town (Ray Winstone) has vowed to "civilize this land". This land being the Australian outback in the 1800's. The three Burns brothers are his main target, notorious for being ruthless rapists and murderers. He has captured two, young Mikey and Charlie (Guy Pearce). Arthur (Danny Huston) is the meanest and the sheriff cuts Charlie a deal. Kill his brother Arthur and he and Mikey will receive a pardon. Otherwise Mikey will hang. The cinematography is appropriately gritty and the music is somber. This is not an action packed Western . It is more contemplative and atmospheric. But those that enjoy offbeat fare will enjoy this.
A detective film set in a high school with its own style of dialogue similar to 1940's classic mystery thrillers like The Maltese Falcon and Double Indemnity. And it is a kick ass film, one of the most unique of 2006. The performances make it believable particularly Joseph Gordon Levitt who plays Brendan, a smarter than your average high-school kid who is out to help his ex-girlfriend Emily get out of the serious trouble she is in involving drug dealers and thugs. The dialogue is tight and clever as is the story and pace of the film. You'll have to pay close attention to catch details but it is well worth the effort.
Breakdown is the perfect example of what a white knuckle thriller should be. When a couple's (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan) car breaks down in the middle of nowhere the wife, Amy, is quick to take a ride from a trucker to the closest diner to call for help. When the husband, Jeffrey, is able to get the car up and running again he finds that his wife is nowhere to be found. Kurt Russell goes beyond the call of duty as Jeffrey. The film is skillfully directed by John Dahl and milks the story for all the suspense it can get out of it. You'll be on the edge of your seat for this one.
This is a powerhouse of a film from director Darren Aronofsky. Four characters lives hit a downward spiral when addiction grabs hold of them. It is an anti-drug film and hits you with the force of a punch-in-the-gut. Ellen Burstyn gives an incredible performance that should have been honored with a slew of awards. This film has a crushing effect like few others before it.