The Tree of Life

Let me just start off by saying, I'm amazed that I was able to sit through this entire movie since it seemed to be a 2 hr and 11 minute long screen saver. Don't get me wrong, some of the cinematography was very beautiful, but I couldn't help but feel as though I was staring at a computer screen and at some moments not sure exactly what I was looking at. There is a sequence of the creation of the earth and the first life on the planet that evolves in dinosaurs while classical music plays in the background. I was oddly reminded of the movement in Fantasia when the dinosaurs go extinct. The music, which I would normally find beautiful, added an element of chaos to the movie that did not match the flow of action. The constant whispering of the characters was a little bit creepy and remained vague throughout the entire film. The actors played their characters down to a T, but the flow of the movie and the lack of communication couldn't be helped. As the en credits began the only thing I could say was, "Really?"

Anonymous

The movie "Anonymous" stars Rhys Ifans as Edward De Vere(the Earl of Oxford) and Vanessa Redgrave as Elizabeth I. The actual existence of William Shakespeare is still surrounded by much speculation and Edward De Vere is one of the actual people thought by historians to have written the works that are recognized as Shakespeare's. I found this movie to be a very intriguing theory on the most well-known playwright in the world. However, there were some things about the movie that irked me. For instance, Vanessa Redgrave's portrayal of Elizabeth was on the pathetic side. "The Virgin Queen" is usually thought of as strong and independent of men, but in this film she is absolutely influenced by several men, Edward De Vere in particular, who she fell in love with. The film portrayed her as a wounded lover and quite codependent. Another thing that I found quite far-fetched about this film was the insinuation that Edward De Vere and two of of the main characters were Elizabeth's bastard sons. This presents an interesting theory and I'm sure she had her fair share of sexual partners even though she never wed, BUT to say that she slept with her own son...That just doesn't sit well with me, or most modern society. I like having an alternative view on the existence of Shakespeare that surpasses anything that I have seen, but I don't think the added incest drives the point home any harder. It was a good film, definitely worth watching, but loses all credibility when the facts of De Vere's parentage are presented.

Fireflies in the Garden

I recently watched this film starring Ryan Reynolds as a Romance Novelist who has a very rocky relationship with his father and must confront this after the unexpected death of his mother. Although this movie has an all-star cast and a pretty compelling plot, the execution is quite lacking. Willem Dafoe plays the father very convincingly, a man who abuses his son both mentally and physically for a portion of his childhood. Ryan Reynolds was good in the role of the son holding a grudge against his father, but the dialog tries to give him a funny sarcastic edge that is not very fitting with the story. There was definitely a lack of character development and a lot of unanswered questions at the movies close. All in all I expected more from the story, but the actors did as much as they could with script. The use of Robert Frost's poem, "Fireflies in the Garden" add a little more meaning to the movie, but sadly it couldn't help the execution.

One Day

I was unpleasantly surprised with the direction that this movie took. I mean, after watching the preview I would have thought I was in for a formulaic romantic comedy where the sexual tension builds until the point of bursting and then there is a passionate sex scene and everyone lives happily ever after. That's not quite the case. Anne Hathaway is semi-charming with her fake British accent as she goes from frumpy to feminine chic and her friendship with Jim Sturgess teases the audience by presenting an attraction between them and taking years for either of them to act on it. By the time the two finally do get together, there is a sense of relief and a warm fuzzy feeling that everyone gets at that "happily ever after" moment, BUT in this film that feeling is ripped abruptly away from the spectator by overwhelming disappointment as the movie ends in tragedy rather than happiness. I don't want to give away the ending, but since your probably more curious than ever because of my previous statement I'll tell you...She dies...Yeah, it takes them forever to get together and bring out the best in each other and all that crap and then she gets hit by a bus. I think I've made my point.

The Romantics

I just watched the Romantics, starring Katie Holmes Josh Duhamel, Anna Paquin, Malin Akerman, Elijah Wood, Candice Bergen, and Adam Brody. It was written/directed by Galt Neiderhoffer and based on a novel she wrote. It's categorized as a Romantic Comedy, but it's really more of a drama. It was good to see Katie Holmes out from under Tom Cruise's thumb for once. She was actually very good in the role and the most likable character in the film. So the basic gist of the movie is seven people who were best friends in college reunite for the wedding of two of those friends. The two getting married are Josh Duhamel and Anna Paquin. However, Josh Duhamel's character still has feelings for Katie Holmes' character whom he had a four year relationship with and who happens to be the Maid of Honor at his wedding. It is revealed that this group of friends gained the name, "The Romantics" in college for dating each other repeatedly. And it seems that even after growing up and leaving college they still can't get enough of each other. The mention of John Keats' poetry also adds to the meaning of the title. For a movie with so many notable actors, it was lacking plot and any sort of resolution. Its portrayal of human desire and selfishness is slightly depressing as well. I probably wouldn't watch it a second time, but it definitely had its moments.