THE READER opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg (David Cross & Ralph Fiennes) becomes ill with scarlet fever and is helped home by Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslett), a stranger twice his age. When Michael recovers and seeks out Hanna to thank her, the two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair that only lasts one summer. This movie … [Read more...] about The Reader
Archives for December 2008
Nothing Like the Holidays
If there's one thing everyone can agree on, it's that family time isn't always a walk in the park. Nothing Like the Holidays takes a peek at the Rodriguez family, bringing the wayward siblings to converge at their parent's home in Chicago to celebrate Christmas as well as rejoice in their youngest brother's safe return from a military tour overseas. Nothing Like the Holidays … [Read more...] about Nothing Like the Holidays
The Day the Earth Stood Still – IMAX
Only at the precipice of destruction will we change This was my first IMAX experience, and the sharp, crisp clear quality alone was mesmerizing with the cinematography fusing well with the format. The graphics and special effects were spot on. But, a few times it was painfully obvious you were watching digital effects which have the surreal effect of taking … [Read more...] about The Day the Earth Stood Still – IMAX
Doubt
John Patrick Shanley must be very proud of the superb writing and directing of his adaptation of the Broadway play Doubt. In his first direction since his debut over 18 years ago in the mediocre comedy Joe versus the Volcano starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, Mr. Shanley has captivated Oscar worthy performances by both Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The stage is set in … [Read more...] about Doubt
Australia
"A life lived in fear is a life half lived." Powerful and dramatic period piece set on the precipice of Australia's entry into World War II. This film has everything you need in an Oscar contender: epic; breath-taking; and awe-inspiring. These are words typically used as razor-sharp barbs to tear apart modern fluff and meaningless drivel pieces by modern critics, but … [Read more...] about Australia