Time For Some Movie Reviews

Mar and I have had the good fortune to watch several movies in the last few weeks, so I am going to give my opinion on the flicks we have viewed.

The Bourne Ultimatum- Starring Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen and David Strathairn. Wow. This movie totally knocked my socks off. I enjoyed the first two additions of this trilogy, but this one should go down as an action/suspense classic. Director Paul Greengrass was able to weave the intricate story of Jason Bourne's past with action sequences that left me catching my breath for the duration of the film. Without a doubt four stars and worth a view for everyone.

Wordplay- Featuring President Bill Clinton, John Stewart and Will Shortz. This is a charming little documentary about the world of crossword puzzles. Will Shortz is the editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle and also is the organizes the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in Stamford, CT. I know this sounds a little quirky, but it was a fun watch and gives the viewer a window into the intricacies of making and solving crossword puzzles. Three stars.

King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters- Another documentary, but not nearly as entertaining or engaging as Wordplay. Kong follows two intense gamers as they fight to be the world record holder of the high score for the video game King Kong. The story had the potential to be engaging, but it gets lost on the way by picturing the video game world in a seedy, shallow light. Two stars.

Stranger Than Fiction- Staring Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Queen Latifah, Dustin Hoffman and Maggie Gylenhal. This was a very enjoyable romance with a little fantasy intertwined. Ferrell plays Harold Crick, an IRS agent that can hear his everyday life being narrated in his head. This narration comes courtesy of the Emma Thompson character, who is a writer. The writing is sharp, and the performances are fresh. It was nice seeing Ferrel drop the silly guy persona that he usually brings to life in exchange for someone we can all relate to. Bonus points for being filmed in Chicago. Three and a half stars.

Waitress- Starring Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion and Andy Griffith. This was a rather simple romantic comedy that takes place in a small Sourthern town. Russell gives a nice performance as a pie making waitress with an unexpected pregnancy and a failing marriage. She ends up falling for her OBGYN and decisions about her future must be made. It was a very nice movie to watch on a quiet day, and I would give it three stars.

Gone Baby, Gone- Starring Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris. First and foremost, this was a stellar effort by first-time director Ben Affleck. This heart breaking drama based around a kidnapping triangle is haunting and keeps the viewer on edge the whole time. Casey Affleck gives a sparkling performance as a private detective who is trying to solve the kidnapping case of a young girl while dealing with moral decisions that he did not foresee. One of the better movies to come out of 2007. Four stars.

I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With- Starring Jeff Garlin, Sarah Silverman and Bonnie Hunt. I wanted to like this, I really did, but the whole flick was just a meandering mess. Marketed as romantic comedy written, directed and starring Garlin, follows a single actor in search of love. The only redeeming quality of this movie are the familiar Chicago locales that were the backdrops of the movie. One Star. Note to viewer: If Wrigley Field had not made several appearances, it would have been a 1/2 star.

Talk to Me- Starring Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Based on the real life and times of legendary Washington, D.C. disc jokey Petey Greene. Cheadle give Ejiofor give standout performances as we see Greene, played by Cheadle, rise from ex-convict to one of th most prominent voices in African-American radio during the seventies. Greene's story is engaging and was a joy to watch. Three stars.

I Could Never Be Your Woman- Starring Paul Rudd and Michelle Pfeiffer. A simple and satisfying romantic comedy from the writer and director of Clueless. Pfeiffer plays a sitcom writer in her 40's who falls for a twenty-something actor played by Rudd. Not much makes this movie distinguishable form other romantic comedy's, but it is enjoyable and fun to watch. Two stars.

Hot Fuzz- Starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. A totally off the wall British comedy that is a hoot. Pegg and Frost play cops in a sleepy English town that are out to solve a series of murders that are being covered up. What starts out as a typical cop cation flick turns to complete lunacy and hilarity ensues. There is cartoonish violence, so watch out. Three stars.

Eastern Promises- Staring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts. An intense drama that centers around the Russian mafia in London. The story begins as Watts attempts to determine the identity of a young woman who died while delivering a baby. This leads her to unknowingly contact a Russian mob kingpin. Mortensen gives a tour de force performance that stays with you as a mob driver who is trying to earn his way to the captain level. The story unravels as we follow these two characters while they try to reach their goals. A surprise ending will leave your jaw on the floor while satisfying the viewer. It doesn't get much better than this, but it is not for those of us who are squeamish to violence. Four stars.