The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

A well-scripted movie with a fascinating premise, definitely... But somehow it left me a little bit cold. In the face of other Oscar nominated films such as Doubt, Frost/Nixon, and Slumdog Millionaire, this is more like the famed Oscar winners of the past - period pieces with large casts and impressive makeup. This one does have a twist, however, and it was that twist that kept me watching throughout the entire film. The final scenes where Cate Blanchett is caring for Benjamin is an extremely touching one, and one that I will remember for a long time.

A good movie, but not the great one it was purported to be. 3.5 stars.

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

What a very creepy story. I should have known, given Ira Levin's previous work, where this story was heading, but somehow I was still surprised by the last few moments of the movie. The theme music is absolutely perfect - very chilling. Mia Farrow turns in a very good performance. Overall, I'm not sure I can say I *liked* the movie, but I think it was very well done. 3.5 stars.

Fever Pitch (1997)

I saw the American version of this flick and then learned that the original story had been written by Nick Hornby, who had written About a Boy, High Fidelity, and A Long Way Down - all charming, funny, poignant books that were a far cry from the unoriginal romantic comedy sap the movie threw at me.

Then I saw this version of it.

Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore, and scriptwriters, what did you DO to this story? It's sweet, charming, authentic, with interesting characters and a love story that rings true. Colin Firth is more convincing as an actor here than in almost anything else I've seen him in - a character who wants to be living his life fully but is constantly drawn back to his childhood love of football (or soccer, in the U.S.), which keeps interfering with the life he's trying to lead.

An extremely charming romantic comedy/drama - certainly as good as the film versions of About a Boy and High Fidelity. Check it out if you were disappointed by the newer version. 4 stars.

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Okay, did anyone else watch this movie expecting a fluffy movie about some kid who likes to dance? Some sort of inspirational rags-to-riches dance story? Yeah, because I definitely wasn't expecting what I ended up with, which was a dark teenage drama. It was well-executed, but so jarred my expectations of what this movie would be I was unable to really focus on it. It was like watching Grease but discovering it ended like Romeo and Juliet. Someday I'll have to rewatch this movie, knowing that it is not at all what I was hoping it would be. 3 stars.

Frost/Nixon (2008)

One of the most engrossing movies I've seen in a long time. I was completely sucked into the story, and found myself holding my breath throughout the final interview scenes. Very good acting from both Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, with a very strong supporting cast. The choice to shoot it like a documentary was a good movie. It felt like I was watching history in the making - which, in a sense, I was... or a fictionalized version of it. This movie deserved all its many Oscar noms. Brilliant flick. 4.5 stars.

Life of Brian (1979)

This movie is not as irreverent as many people would have me believe. I am a Christian and was not in the least offended by this movie. Unfortunately, it's also not as funny as I was led to believe. There are definitely some good moments (the suicide squad that comes to protest his death at the end made me giggle out loud, as well as the rather brilliant sequence where the people are following him as Messiah) but there's a lot of not-terribly funny humor and repeated jokes. It was worth watching once, but if you are new to the world of Monty Python, check out Monty Python and the Holy Grail instead. It's much, much funnier. 3 stars.

Walk the Line (2005)

Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon both turn in very good acting performances in this biopic of Johnny Cash's early career. I don't like country music at all, so the music part was lacking a little bit for me, although if I had been a fan of Johnny Cash it might have made a difference. The most interesting part of this movie was the study of their relationship - he was truly a mess, didn't deserve anyone, and made a wreck out of everything he wanted... at least in this, the first part of his life story. The scene at the end where he admits to June that he has nothing to give to her is very simple and powerful in its honesty. Much of the movie seems to drag, however, and although the relationships in the movie ring true, it takes a long time to get to that point. 2.5 stars.