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Short movie reviews by Adriana Popovici

Her

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Her movie poster

Image source: Wikimedia

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A futuristic story about a lonely writer and his software companion, that tells a timeless truth about relationships.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

 

General impression:
A poetic movie, but rather boring for those who like tightly woven stories, efficiently edited for pace and emotional impact. Some extra trimming of fluff would have made a difference, turning the movie not only shorter, but also less sluggish. A story about a depressed man separated from his wife cannot be too dynamic, but the movie often feels as if it’s in slow motion, and this is probably its one essential flaw. On the other hand, the story is beautiful. At first glance, it is a sci-fi scented love story between a human and an advanced operating system. However, if you’re into spirituality, by the end of the movie you’ll recognize familiar ideas that are not obvious from the beginning. For example, Theodore, the main character, is basically learning to let go of the past and the void created by the current absence of that past. The OS, Samantha, represents more than just a piece of software. It/She is a symbol for the human spirit – ever learning, ever expanding, connecting, free, nonjudgmental. Through his relationship with immaterial Samantha, Theodore reactivates feelings he had pent up, and learns the lesson he needs in order to move on to a new stage in his life. The main idea of this story is that relationships help us grow, evolve, want more, become more. Sometimes we outgrow relationships, and our paths diverge, but this does not invalidate our love, nor does it mean we’re losing. With an attitude of consciousness and gratitude, we allow ourselves to become larger, integrative, we can connect and spread our love and renewed self to others. That’s pretty new agey 🙂

Highlights:
The story is open to interpretation 🙂

Downside:
The movie, as a whole, dilutes the story a bit too much.

Would I see it again? – Not soon

My Rating (1 to 10): 8

Recommended: Yeah, but it depends a lot on your expectations

Suggestion:
If you’re bored after 30 minutes, it doesn’t get more dynamic, so you can stop watching.

♦

 

Information about Her

Year of release: 2013
Director: Spike Jonze
Writer: Spike Jonze
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Scarlett Johansson (voice), etc.
For more information on “Her”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Sunshine Cleaning

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2008
Director: Christine Jeffs
Writer: Megan Holley
Starring: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, etc.

For more information on “Sunshine Cleaning”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
You watch it for a few minutes, and you can guess that it is a movie made by women – not in a bad sense. I liked it. It’s a nice movie about entrepreneurial issues in the real, beginner’s world. It deals with troubles any entrepreneur encounters, the mindset you need to enforce, the moods you have to control, the situations you need to act upon, the tasks you need to manage, associations, preconceptions and prejudices. It’s not a cinematographic masterpiece, but it has a good story, credible characters, and acting talent at work. I already appreciated Amy Adams; Emily Blunt was new to me. Now I like her too :). These two “sisters” represent two different attitudes in business. If you’ve gone through something similar, you may see deeper.

Highlights:
It recognizes the importance of people who care and believe in you.

Downside:
If the entrepreneurial spirit is not very strong in you, you may think it’s a bad, bland, ignorable movie.

Would I see it again? – Maybe, but not soon

My Rating (1 to 10): 7.5

Recommended: Yes, why not

Suggestion:
Try starting a business. It will reveal, change, and surprise you – to say the least 🙂

 

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2008
Director: Bharat Nalluri
Writers: David Magee, Simon Beaufoy (screenplay); Winifred Watson (novel)
Starring: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, etc.

For more information on “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
Charming! Amy Adams impersonates a winsome character, a frivolous childish girl who can’t decide between what she thinks she needs and what actually makes her happy. Thankfully, Frances McDormand’s character comes to the rescue exactly when she is needed the most. The two actresses are the life of the movie, and, despite a few stereotypes and a lot of predictability, I enjoyed this sweet depiction of a day many years ago, the day Miss Pettigrew lived.

Highlights:
It is a positive movie that has the power to brighten your day, if you allow it.

Downside:
At times, it may seem syrupy.

Would I see it again? – Yes 🙂

My Rating (1 to 10): 7.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Relax, get a comforting drink, and watch it for dessert.

 

The Fighter

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2010
Director: David O. Russell
Writers: Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, Keith Dorrington
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, etc.

For more information on “The Fighter”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
I saw this one after the Oscars, so I tried to keep my eye objective. Now, I can’t say I like movies about boxing; unless they are interesting, thought-provoking, or sensitive, I skip them lightheartedly. I postponed watching “The Fighter” because it seemed like a movie about guys punching blood out of one another as a sport show, clearly not a topic that interests me. However, when I eventually saw the movie, I liked it.

Highlights:
Christian Bale was incredible! He deserved his Academy Award hands down!

Downside:
Where is Micky? Is he the main character? Why is he so bland, lifeless and apathetic? I understand he’s under his brother’s influence and shadow, he has to find his own hook to swing, but the character is faulty by blueprint – there is very little for him in this movie.

Would I see it again? – Not soon, but yes.

My Rating (1 to 10): 9

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
If you’re curious, you can watch the old HBO documentary featuring Dicky Eklund on YouTube. Here is part of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C1ckD-CsXU&NR=1 (video may become unavailable).

 

Julie & Julia

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2009
Director: Nora Ephron
Writers: Nora Ephron, Julie Powell (book)
Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, etc.

For more information on “Julie & Julia”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
Sweet and almost heart-warming, charmingly easy on the eye, definitely a movie made by and for women. It’s a two-hour-long culinary marathon with everyone “mmm”-ing in French cuisine delighted, very rich acting, and an unsatisfying ending.

Highlights:
Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci – all actors I like a lot! Food – which I like too. True stories of women who enjoy cooking (and eating), their paths to notoriety and success, their supportive spouses, writing, getting published, blogging, confronting fears, overcoming obstacles. The movie touched me for the subjective reason that I can relate to all these things.

Downside:
I was disappointed with the ending – a lot for the eye, and not much closure for the heart. The movie focuses on building the two main characters and their worlds, and it seemed (to me) not engaging enough.

Would I see it again? – Mmm… most likely by chance

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended: If you enjoy its genre…and great acting

Suggestion:
Don’t watch it on an empty stomach. Oh, and if you’re curious, here’s the link to “The Julie/Julia Project”: http://blogs.salon.com/0001399/

 

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