Movies for this week
Changeling
In 1928 Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) said good bye to her son Walter as she left for work. When she came home, Walter was gone. Devastated and Distraught Christine began a fruitless search for her son, until the LA police returned to her a boy claiming to be Walter. This boy however was not Walter. Deceived and angry Christine continued her search aided by Rev. Briegleb (John Malkovich) only to discover a much uglier horror. Directed by Clint Eastwood with great performances from all involved this story based on actual events comes together nicely. Unfortunately, the film is about 20 minutes too long which feels like an uncomfortable eternity with no resolution. Maybe a matinee or rental at a later date. Changeling is rated R.
Zack and Miri Make A Porno
Zack (Seth Rogan) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are lifelong friends who live together but have never been a couple. Faced with hardship and countless bills the two come up with a way to make some fast cash– a homebrew porn film. But will the plan work, and can the two keep things strictly business? Not writer/director Kevin Smith’s best work, but still enjoyable and full of quirky off color jokes and pop culture references as one would expect. Fun bit parts from some of Smith’s favorite actors also lend to the film’s oddball sense of humor. Suitable as a date movie, albeit not a first date movie, but entertaining without being overly crude. Zack and Miri Make a Porno is rated R.
Fear(s) of The Dark
Just in time for Halloween the English subtitled French film Fear(s) of The Dark is here. A collage of six black and white shorts from several great animators/artists (Blutch, Charles Burns, and Marie Caillou to name a few) stitched together and aimed at leaving an uneasy feeling in your stomach. Interesting artwork from each of the directors keeps the film fresh at each turn; however, the way several of the pieces are cut up and stitched back together seems to detract from the overall strength of each short. The final short is left in tact though, and it’s beautiful in its minimalist approach to light and shadow, truly the gem in the bunch. Maybe an inexpensive way to spend your Halloween evening or perhaps a rental at a later date. Fear(s) of The Dark is rated R.