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Short movie reviews by Adriana Popovici

Gravity

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Gravity poster

Image source: Wikimedia

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A movie that reminds us about bigger things we have no merit for, we often take for granted, and our whole life is built upon.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

 

General impression:
When Sandra Bullock and George Clooney play the main characters in a movie, one can (usually) expect some Hollywood movie stereotypes, but “Gravity” evokes such powerful essential facts about the human condition, that the rest becomes irrelevant. Despite missing the few first minutes of the movie, I enjoyed it a lot, and the main reason why I liked it was not necessarily the production itself, but all the thoughts and feelings it stirred in me. I watched many minutes of this movie in tears. It was beautifully made, and universally touching. Everyone on Earth can relate to gravity. We don’t usually think about it, but we experience it every single day, every single moment. It is one of the main reasons why life as we know it is the way it is. This movie can make you think about life on a small (personal) scale, but also on a big (cosmic) one. We all need to remember (at least from time to time) that life on this planet is a privilege, and that we should appreciate… everything more.

Highlights:
Wonderful idea and beautiful imagery.

Downside:
There’s not a lot of diversity in this movie, but there’s also no real need for it.

Would I see it again? – Yes, someday

My Rating (1 to 10): 9

Recommended: Yes!

Suggestion:
Have hankies close, and indulge in your own thoughts 🙂

♦

 

Information about Gravity

Year of release: 2013
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Writers: Alfonso Cuarón, Jonás Cuarón
Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, etc.
For more information on “Gravity”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

The Descendants

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: Alexander Payne
Writers: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash (screenplay), Kaui Hart Hemmings (novel)
Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, etc.

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

 

General impression:
George Clooney married, with children (two daughters) – that’s an oddity one might be curious to see. Hawaii – something else people might be interested in seeing. It is basically a story without magic or sparkle, as plain as it can be, with forgettable, weak characters. George Clooney has better roles and movies in his filmography (like “Up in the Air”, “The Men Who Stare at Goats”, the animation “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, etc.). In a single sentence: this movie is a boring drama, like any other boring drama.

Highlights:
I really can’t think of anything remarkable… Maybe Hawaii, but this movie doesn’t even present Hawaii enticingly enough…

Downside:
Dull and common, in the sense that it fits among other hundreds of similar TV movies. It also does not make much of its emotional potential.

Would I see it again? – No

My Rating (1 to 10): 6.5

Recommended: No

Suggestion:
Indulge only if you don’t want any significant emotional and mental activity.

 

The Men Who Stare at Goats

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2004
Director: Grant Heslov
Writers: Peter Straughan (screenplay), Jon Ronson (book)
Starring: George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, etc.

For more information on “The Men Who Stare at Goats”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
Yet another good movie that doesn’t seem to be appreciated at its real value. Just look at the top of the poster – it says it stars: “George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, and goat”! Perfect! The whole movie feels like an exchange of (not so) subtle jokes within a group, and, of course, outsiders who don’t get it, feel frustrated and hate the movie. However, it’s good satire, does not waste acting talent, and has an opening scene that makes me laugh each time I remember it. The mix of serious and unserious is skillfully agitated.

Highlights:
It’s fun, witty, and the four main actors make absolutely great roles.

Downside:
The humour in this movie doesn’t appeal to everyone. If you don’t think Lyn Cassady’s (George Clooney) moustache is funny, than you probably won’t be amused by the rest of the film either 🙂

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 8

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Don’t stare at goats – who knows what might happen!

 

Fantastic Mr. Fox

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2009
Director: Wes Anderson
Writers: Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach (screenplay); Roald Dahl (novel)
Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, etc.

For more information on “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
Of the four (and a quarter) Wes Anderson movies I’ve seen, only this one and “The Royal Tenenbaums” did not bore me. Even so, I believe his work is original, his style distinctive, his colors and art bright. He’s talented, and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is a strong proof. It’s fun to watch, quite smart, and has a cool indie vibe about it.

Highlights:
It’s an experience in itself, memorable and well-done.

Downside:
After thinking long and hard, I still can’t find a flaw to this movie.

Would I see it again? – Yes. I’ve seen it twice already 🙂

My Rating (1 to 10): 9.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
It’s a good movie for children. At least the kid I saw it with really liked it.

 

Up in the Air

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2009
Director: Jason Reitman
Writers: Sheldon Turner and Jason Reitman (Screenplay), Walter Kirn (Book)
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, etc.

For more information on “Up in the Air”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
Jason Reitman outdoes his previous good work (“Juno” and “Thank You for Smoking” – both good movies).”Up in the Air” deals with some harsh facts – in my opinion, realistically; life is full of thinking you know the right way to live, changing your own life philosophies, elements of distraction, derailments, illusions that seem more real than any reality before them, being wrong/right all along… and so on 🙂

Highlights:
Well built, good story, appropriate acting, effective twists.

Downside:
Not much color; it’s maybe just a tad too dry for my taste, but not enough to make me dislike it.

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

My Rating (1 to 10): 8

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
You can visit http://www.theupintheairmovie.com/ to get/remember the feel of the movie.

 

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