Sunday, December 30, 2012

Some of my reviews of movies on Facebook, for awards season.

Here are some of the mini reviews that I posted on my facebook page about movies that Mike and I have seen.  We are getting ready for the awards seasons.  These films are already nominated for Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild awards, and more.  Here they are:

Mike and I saw “Hyde Park on the Hudson” today, and enjoyed it.  I have a new respect for Bill Murray as an actor, who played Franklin Delano Roosevelt in this film.  Laura Linney, as his mistress is very good.  It made me do some research on Wikipedia, and I found that FDR used the song “Happy Days are Here Again” as his campaign song for his 1932 election, when he won for the first time.  I admit, it is a bit strange to see such a sensitive, liberal, democratic President portrayed as a womanizer and a philanderer, but I’m glad the story is being told.  Now the truth is out, and that’s good.   The two actors who played King George and his wife Elizabeth were a delight to watch, because they come off as being offended that FDR would make them eat hot dogs at a picnic.  The movie is based on a play that was based on the letters and diaries of Magaret Suckley, aka “Daisy,” who had a life long affair with the former president.  Here you can listen to a 1930 recording of “Happy Days are Here Again” and think optimistically for the democratic party.  We need a liberal president again.  Happy New Year’s Eve, and best wishes for 2013!  Peace, and Best Wishes, Ruben and Mike.  http://youtu.be/gqsT4xnKZPg

 

Mike and I saw "Life of Pi" today, and made it through the harrowing parts, like animals attacking each other, just preparing you for it if you plan to see it. Overall it is fascinating storytelling, with a slightly disturbing twist. I have the book now, and plan to read it. I like that Pi was a bit of a Universalist Unitarian, liking a little bit of all religions. Pi says in the film, "knowing many religions is like being in a house with many rooms." Truly, it is a story of survival, and making peace with God in face of violence and disaster. It is a great film, with great acting and filmmaking by Ang Lee. Peace, and Best Wishes, Ruben and Mike.

 

Mike and I saw Les Miserables, and we loved it. We don't believe the Tribune review that panned it, we like Rolling Stone's review and give it three and half of four stars too. Mike loved Samantha Barks voice the most, and he was impressed with Hugh Jackman's and Anne Hathaway's singing. The songs are sung slightly imperfectly, but they are much more emotional and human that way, by the middle of the film it made sense. I love everything about Les Miserables, I've read the book(The short version of it at least), I saw the stage musical, I listened to the soundtrack, and I read about the French Revolution on wikipedia. This is a movie that not only depicts the senseless violence of bloody revolution, but it's mainly about Valjean's saintliness, self-sacrifice, and search for redemption. I loved the constant motion in this film, and the fabulous sets. This is a must see film for any fan of classic nineteen century literature, and any fan of musical movies. Note: Victor Hugo was inspired to create the character Gavroche, the little boy in the barricades, after seeing the painting "Liberty Leading the People" by Delacroix. What a great film, and Oscar worthy! Peace, Equality, Human Rights, and Best Wishes, Ruben and Mike

 

Mike and I saw an early showing of "Hitchcock," and liked Anthony Hopkins' and Helen Mirren's performances. Very witty script, and story that revolves around the fear that his longtime wife, Alma Reville, has taken a lover. We know it's one of the greatest love stories of Hollywood that Alma and Alfred married in 1926, and stayed married until Hitchcock's death in 1980 at the age of 80. Pretty long life for a man who ate like an elephant and drank like a fish! I was a little disturbed, and annoyed by the presence of Ed Gein, as the inspiration for why Hitchcock made the movie Psycho, but every director must do his research, and this is one researched, and well filmed movie. Peace, and Best Wishes, Ruben and Mike.

 

Mike and I were lucky enough to get into an early show of "Lincoln" today, and we think it's one of the best movies we have seen in years. Extremely intelligently written by Gay playwright Tony Kunshner, who spent six years researching and writing the script for this moving film. It takes place in the three months in Lincoln's presidency while he drafted and attempted to pass the amendment freeing the slaves or the 13Th Amendment. Lincoln faced many prejudiced members of congress who refused to see African Americans as equals, and deserving of the same freedoms. Sally Field is amazing as Mary Todd Lincoln, but Daniel Day Lewis is nothing short but superb, deserving of an Oscar nomination. Robert Todd Lincoln, was Lincoln's only of four sons to live to old age. This is a powerful moment in history, a movie that begs for equality for all people. A movie not to be missed. Go early, some showig may sell out!! Peace, Democracy, Freedom, Equality, and Best Wishes, Ruben and Mike.

 

Mike and I saw Argo at the Patio theater, which was exciting, and darkly comic political thriller based on a true event, though heavily dramatized. We are living in a time of ruined diplomacy, and since the September 11th bombing in New York, we have seen quite a few films that dramatize this state of ruined diplomacy between the muslims and the people of the western world. Only time will heal such a terrific scar, but people will never forget. This movie, like some others in recent history, has a certain level of Islamaphobia, that made me a bit nervous to watch. I believe in celebrating diversity, so if something seems racist to me, I have to speak out. That's the whole purpose of this film. After the innocent lives of Americans killed in the Libyan embassy, I worry about how fanatic people have become about politics and religion. Embassies are supposed to be places of peace making, not war making. I pray, and hope for better times, when immigrants won't be feared, and people can live in peace, without fear of terrorism. But when? People have to trade hatred for human rights activism, democracy, and civilized places of meeting like the movies. That's why this movie is important, and should at least win an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. What do you think? Peace, and Best Wishes, Ruben and Miked with Hugh Jackman's and Anne Hathaway's singing. The songs are sung slightly imperfectly, but they are much more emotional and human that way, by the middle of the film it made sense. I love everything about Les Miserables, I've read the book(The short version of it at least), I saw the stage musical, I listened to the soundtrack, and I read about the French Revolution on wikipedia. This is a movie that not only depicts the senseless violence of bloody revolution, but it's mainly about Valjean's saintliness, self-sacrifice, and search for redemption. I loved the constant motion in this film, and the fabulous sets. This is a must see film for any fan of classic nineteen century literature, and any fan of musical movies. Note: Victor Hugo was inspired to create the character Gavroche, the little boy in the barricades, after seeing the painting "Liberty Leading the People" by Delacroix. What a great film, and Oscar worthy! Peace, Equality, Human Rights, and Best Wishes, Ruben and Mike.

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