The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Foggy]

No! I Am Spartacus

Adaptation

Watched this at my first proper lecture, very interesting film about writers block. Probably Kaufman's most straight forward film in terms of narrative and visuals. But his stamp is quite clearly prominent, because he's the main character.

It's film about creative integrity, creative walls and the fear of writing something that you struggle to find to say your own. The film actually is devoided of audience attachment and passion, the same way Kaufman can't attach himself to the adaptation he's writing, this isn't his story, this isn't something he would create. So the only way he can attach himself to his script is by quite literally making the film about himself and his struggles. Sure, it's self indulgent, and it does come off as quite lazy but you somehow manage to assert yourself into his story.

And then there's the idea that he might cop out and go the Hollywood route, loosing the integrity of the film and the integrity of the book. As his fictous brother tries to boil him down to typical levels of Hollywood writing. As the film goes along, and the story itself becomes more Hollywood based, he becomes more ravelled within his script and thus overcoming writers block and integrity, instead going for something more natural to him.

Nic Cage was great in one of the few occasions he's acted this side of the millennium. Direction is decent although it feels a bit starved of flash and flair. Overall it's a pretty funny and heart felt film about struggling to feel heartfelt about anything.

8.5/10

Don't move, another, lengthier review for a film coming out in November coming right up... (SPOILER: If it's not on your radar by now, you will once I've finished)

[Foggy]

Killing Them Softly

If you're wondering why this is out so early compared to you guys in the states, the film is set during the election between Obama and What-Was-His-Face McClain, and is quite a hard nosed criticism of America in general.

As I'm not an expert on the state of the States, a few stuff didn't quite have it's affect on me. And I expect some right winged and left winged people to get pissed off with the film, as it uses a lot of sound bites from Bush and Obama. But I looked at as a criticism of politicians in general over specific parties, as the film quite often creates links between the politicians and the gangsters, one example is where a character gets beaten and the action is purely there to appease the "public reception" although he was completely innocent.

However, don't mistake the film, it's a great gangster first and foremost no matter how on the nose the subtext is.

It has all the trademarks, robbery gone wrong, brutal killings, some fantastic dialogue and backstabbings. But it feels like it gives the gangsters a form of corprate control, giving it the perception that it's a business like any other, except the character have meetings in cars in the middle of nowhere and instead of being fired they're killed off. And like any business, when a wrench is thrown into the works, someone has to pay. And in this scenario, Brad Pitt is the debt collector, he pulls the strings from behind the scenes, he's respectful to people, and he keeps quiet and remains observant, silently making judgement of what kind of a person someone is. His acting isn't anything note worthy, but the way he is written is well done.

Instead, the great actors are the two thugs in the middle of it all, looking for a cheap way for a quick buck and high. I can't remember the actors playing them, but needless to say, they play fantastic pieces of scum and the main one is very sympathetic. Ray Liotta is at his best I've seen him in for a while, and Tony Soprano is adds a more tragic side to the story, although I must of missed where he fitted into the whole plot. And I always like seeing Richard Jenkins in a film.

The film is very suspenseful and is a technical marvel in places, there's a car crash scene which is unbelievable in it's technical marksmanship. The opening credits are also attention grabbing and very brutal in it's style, as is the rest of the film.

Really really liked the film, and is probably the film people will be yelling snubbings come Oscar nod time, if only because it is so heavy handed in places.

9/10

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I'm Spartacus!

Originally Posted by Foggy

No! I Am Spartacus

THIS IS SPARTAAAAA...

...CUSS!!!!!




...crap, I got the movies mixed up. Never mind.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

THIS IS SPARTAAAAA...

...CUSS!!!!!




...crap, I got the movies mixed up. Never mind.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

THIS IS SPARTAAAAA...

...CUSS!!!!!




...crap, I got the movies mixed up. Never mind.

talk about major confusion

[P@t_Mtl]

Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984)

Kali ma!

Indy was back after three years and this time he was in India. Spielberg make's a a musical opening a la MGM and we end up with the most annoying female character ever created. Temple is not a bad movie far from it but for me it's the weakest of all four Indy movie. Beside Indy none of the other characters are that interesting and please Steven was it really necessary to have a kid? Do you need to have a kid in every movie you make Steven?

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest random selection: Virus 1999. Not to be confused with the 1970s Sonny Chiba film from Japan...not that anybody would really know of it or care of either one of these suckers.

Chances are that you might see Billy Baldwin's mugshot on this movie's cover art and automatically assumed that this would be some really awful B-movie. Well...you'd be right. Film snobs should probably avoid this one like the plague (no pun intended, especially since "virus" in this film doesn't automatically equate to an actual virus of any kind ).

The good news is that this film does entertain. It's constantly loud, loaded up with shootouts and 'splosions and some impressive special effects (for its time anyway, but they have held up well enough). At times, the film entertains in a "so bad it's good" kind of way, especially with the ridiculous dialogue, the incredible amount of macho over-acting, and the horrid writing. On top of it all, this is also a fairly gory film; you can expect to see at least one disembowelment.

The story is not particularly substantial. It plays out as if the Borg from Star Trek invaded Ghost Ship. There is a certain amount of coolness to watching this electro-mechanical entity take over a sea-faring research vessel and fuse human tissue together with robots to make some really wicked and menacing cyborgs. It looks like Johnny 5 on steroids, and smashes through walls and people like a metal Incredible Hulk. Aside from all that novelty, the story's rather plain and formulaic, and none of the characters really stand out. In fact, a lot of them act like jerks. Only the minor characters come off as likable. The film does try to at least hint at a deeper theme, as it blatantly labels humans as a "virus" to be exterminated. It never fully capitalizes off of that concept though.

This abomination of a film is well-captured on celluloid, with quality photography and editing. Acting is pretty bad; it seems as though everybody is doing their best to act as manly as they can. Even Jamie Lee Curtis tries so hard to man up for her role, but at least she mostly succeeds. It gets pretty ridiculous watching Billy Baldwin shouting all his lines, while Donald Sutherland plays out the jerkiest character in his career. Writing is quite bad, but it does have a few funny and novel lines (I'll always remember the native American dude watching the other guy blow stuff up and say "he's gone postal, man!" ). This production has decent enough sets, props, costumes, and special effects. Music is pretty standard action-movie fare.

3/5 (Entertainment: Good | Story: Marginal | Film: Marginal)

Recommendation: Probably not.

This Blu-Ray is available from Germany. It looks pretty sharp and clean, with adequate (never outstanding) color and contrast. Sound quality seems decent. A definite improvement over the DVD edition. The disc does have English language, but no English subtitles; it's only bothersome in the opening scenes, when everybody's speaking Russian, and only German subs are available to translate.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

The disc is region-free.

[Steve46]

Rushmore (1998)
Comedy, Drama, 93 minutes
Directed by Wes Anderson
Starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Olivia Williams

Comedy is so subjective. Some people want American Pie, The Hangover, or the latest Eddie Murphy movie, while others prefer gentle indie comedies such as Little Miss Sunshine.

What makes you laugh?

I often think about my own sense of humor and it's difficult to pin down at times. I tend to avoid cheap laughs or things done for shock value, and I admire intelligent dialogue and quirky or original takes on everyday situations. One director who never fails to make me smile is Wes Anderson. He definitely falls into the quirky category, but there is so much more to his movies than that.

Rushmore is Anderson's second movie, coming two years after his debut, Bottle Rocket. Both movies were written with Owen Wilson, and they have a similar feel. Anderson is one of those directors who appears to make movies about nothing and it's easy to sit there wondering what you just watched. But, unlike many comedies, there are deeper themes present. I usually find myself thinking about Anderson's work several days after I see the movie. That's the case this time, and it's the main reason I am writing this review.

Rushmore stars Jason Schwartzman in his first role. He plays Max Fischer, who is a 15-year-old student at Rushmore, a private school. He's there because he wrote a play in second grade and won a scholarship. Most of the students have rich parents, but Max's father is a barber and Max has to lie and claim that he's the son of a brain surgeon in order to gain acceptance.

Max is struggling at school and is informed that he'll be expelled if he flunks another class. His main problem is not one of intelligence, it's his lack of focus. He takes on so many extracurricular activities that he doesn't have time to work on his grades. We see snippets of Max indulging in each of these activities, such as beekeeping and fencing, and these snapshots give the movie a lot of charm. It reminds me of Amelie and some of Jeunet's other work in that regard.

As usual, something feels odd in Anderson's world. This effect is heightened by the dialogue. For example, Max sounds as if he is much older. He talks so seriously and it's funny that someone of that age thinks the way he does. Watch him direct Serpico for the school play and you'll see just what I mean.

The heart of the story involves an unusual love triangle. Max befriends Herman Blume (Bill Murray), who is a wealthy tycoon and former student of Rushmore. They both develop feelings for Miss Cross (Olivia Williams), who teaches at the school.

I won't reveal any more of the plot, because it doesn't really matter. All you need to know is that Rushmore is a typical Wes Anderson film. He'll surprise you at times, make you laugh, and leave you wondering how he came up with such original ideas.

I should also mention Mark Mothersbaugh, who began his association with Anderson on this film by contributing to the soundtrack. Other music used in the film includes songs by The Kinks, The Who, The Faces, and John Lennon. They all add to the nostalgic tone and fit perfectly.

Owen Wilson doesn't appear in this one, but Luke and Andrew Wilson are both involved. If you appreciate quirky comedy, Rushmore won't disappoint.

The Criterion Blu-ray offers a superb presentation. Colors are natural throughout and you'll feel as if you are standing next to the characters. The special features are also noteworthy and the highlight is a 55-minute feature showing interviews with Murray and Anderson on the Charlie Rose Show. Fans of commentaries will be happy that Anderson, Owen Wilson and Schwartzman appear on the commentary track.

If you are curious about the appeal of Wes Anderson, Rushmore isn't a bad starting point. It won't work for everyone though.

Overall score 4.5/5

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Killing Them Softly

[Show spoiler]If you're wondering why this is out so early compared to you guys in the states, the film is set during the election between Obama and What-Was-His-Face McClain, and is quite a hard nosed criticism of America in general.

As I'm not an expert on the state of the States, a few stuff didn't quite have it's affect on me. And I expect some right winged and left winged people to get pissed off with the film, as it uses a lot of sound bites from Bush and Obama. But I looked at as a criticism of politicians in general over specific parties, as the film quite often creates links between the politicians and the gangsters, one example is where a character gets beaten and the action is purely there to appease the "public reception" although he was completely innocent.

However, don't mistake the film, it's a great gangster first and foremost no matter how on the nose the subtext is.

It has all the trademarks, robbery gone wrong, brutal killings, some fantastic dialogue and backstabbings. But it feels like it gives the gangsters a form of corprate control, giving it the perception that it's a business like any other, except the character have meetings in cars in the middle of nowhere and instead of being fired they're killed off. And like any business, when a wrench is thrown into the works, someone has to pay. And in this scenario, Brad Pitt is the debt collector, he pulls the strings from behind the scenes, he's respectful to people, and he keeps quiet and remains observant, silently making judgement of what kind of a person someone is. His acting isn't anything note worthy, but the way he is written is well done.

Instead, the great actors are the two thugs in the middle of it all, looking for a cheap way for a quick buck and high. I can't remember the actors playing them, but needless to say, they play fantastic pieces of scum and the main one is very sympathetic. Ray Liotta is at his best I've seen him in for a while, and Tony Soprano is adds a more tragic side to the story, although I must of missed where he fitted into the whole plot. And I always like seeing Richard Jenkins in a film.

The film is very suspenseful and is a technical marvel in places, there's a car crash scene which is unbelievable in it's technical marksmanship. The opening credits are also attention grabbing and very brutal in it's style, as is the rest of the film.

Really really liked the film, and is probably the film people will be yelling snubbings come Oscar nod time, if only because it is so heavy handed in places.

9/10

I anticipate I will be agreeing with you on the score whenever I finally see this. I remember seeing the trailer a while back and thinking it will be pretty good.

[P@t_Mtl]

Films Of Fury The Kung Fu Movie Movie (2011)

A sort of fun documentary of martial arts movies. Everything start's in a bit of a silly way but it really cover's the history and the different styles of movies. Of cause a good part of it is dedicated to the "big three", Bruce, Jackie and Jet but it cover's a lot of other things as well. Pretty interesting with lot's of footage from old Hong Kong movies, no regreats in getting this.

[jvince]

Apocalypse Now (1979)
dir. Francis Ford Coppola

The Good: The cinematography. The acting. The direction. The screenplay. The music. Everything.

The Bad: ...Too much colored smoke grenades?... Nah.

The Bottom Line: Apocalypse Now isn't just one of the greatest war films ever made, it is one of the greatest films ever made, period. A masterclass in filmmaking and an absolute must-see.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

"Dull and unengaging" is exactly how I felt on the first viewing.

The second time around, something happened. It clicked with me, and it felt a lot less "dull and unengaging" and more like how I feel watching a Kurosawa film.

So I give it the high points now.

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I had a similar take. I think most of Bergman's films are better the second time around. I suggest another viewing down the road Vince!

Yeah, I was surprised I didn't like it that much since I'm really into these type of films. I'll give it another try someday.

I've only seen three Bergman films so far , and I'd rank them as such:

1. Persona :
2. Wild Strawberries :
3. The Seventh Seal :

Originally Posted by Foggy

Adaptation

[Show spoiler]Watched this at my first proper lecture, very interesting film about writers block. Probably Kaufman's most straight forward film in terms of narrative and visuals. But his stamp is quite clearly prominent, because he's the main character.

It's film about creative integrity, creative walls and the fear of writing something that you struggle to find to say your own. The film actually is devoided of audience attachment and passion, the same way Kaufman can't attach himself to the adaptation he's writing, this isn't his story, this isn't something he would create. So the only way he can attach himself to his script is by quite literally making the film about himself and his struggles. Sure, it's self indulgent, and it does come off as quite lazy but you somehow manage to assert yourself into his story.

And then there's the idea that he might cop out and go the Hollywood route, loosing the integrity of the film and the integrity of the book. As his fictous brother tries to boil him down to typical levels of Hollywood writing. As the film goes along, and the story itself becomes more Hollywood based, he becomes more ravelled within his script and thus overcoming writers block and integrity, instead going for something more natural to him.

Nic Cage was great in one of the few occasions he's acted this side of the millennium. Direction is decent although it feels a bit starved of flash and flair. Overall it's a pretty funny and heart felt film about struggling to feel heartfelt about anything.

8.5/10

I've only seen this once before. I'd give it a 3.5/5. I thought it was okay. Seven Psychopaths is kinda similar to this, only way more fun.

Originally Posted by Foggy

Killing Them Softly

[Show spoiler]If you're wondering why this is out so early compared to you guys in the states, the film is set during the election between Obama and What-Was-His-Face McClain, and is quite a hard nosed criticism of America in general.

As I'm not an expert on the state of the States, a few stuff didn't quite have it's affect on me. And I expect some right winged and left winged people to get pissed off with the film, as it uses a lot of sound bites from Bush and Obama. But I looked at as a criticism of politicians in general over specific parties, as the film quite often creates links between the politicians and the gangsters, one example is where a character gets beaten and the action is purely there to appease the "public reception" although he was completely innocent.

However, don't mistake the film, it's a great gangster first and foremost no matter how on the nose the subtext is.

It has all the trademarks, robbery gone wrong, brutal killings, some fantastic dialogue and backstabbings. But it feels like it gives the gangsters a form of corprate control, giving it the perception that it's a business like any other, except the character have meetings in cars in the middle of nowhere and instead of being fired they're killed off. And like any business, when a wrench is thrown into the works, someone has to pay. And in this scenario, Brad Pitt is the debt collector, he pulls the strings from behind the scenes, he's respectful to people, and he keeps quiet and remains observant, silently making judgement of what kind of a person someone is. His acting isn't anything note worthy, but the way he is written is well done.

Instead, the great actors are the two thugs in the middle of it all, looking for a cheap way for a quick buck and high. I can't remember the actors playing them, but needless to say, they play fantastic pieces of scum and the main one is very sympathetic. Ray Liotta is at his best I've seen him in for a while, and Tony Soprano is adds a more tragic side to the story, although I must of missed where he fitted into the whole plot. And I always like seeing Richard Jenkins in a film.

The film is very suspenseful and is a technical marvel in places, there's a car crash scene which is unbelievable in it's technical marksmanship. The opening credits are also attention grabbing and very brutal in it's style, as is the rest of the film.

Really really liked the film, and is probably the film people will be yelling snubbings come Oscar nod time, if only because it is so heavy handed in places.

9/10

Awesome. Really looking forward to this. How does it compare to The Assassination of Jesse James?

Originally Posted by Steve46

Rushmore (1998)
Comedy, Drama, 93 minutes
Directed by Wes Anderson
Starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Olivia Williams

[Show spoiler]Comedy is so subjective. Some people want American Pie, The Hangover, or the latest Eddie Murphy movie, while others prefer gentle indie comedies such as Little Miss Sunshine.

What makes you laugh?

I often think about my own sense of humor and it's difficult to pin down at times. I tend to avoid cheap laughs or things done for shock value, and I admire intelligent dialogue and quirky or original takes on everyday situations. One director who never fails to make me smile is Wes Anderson. He definitely falls into the quirky category, but there is so much more to his movies than that.

Rushmore is Anderson's second movie, coming two years after his debut, Bottle Rocket. Both movies were written with Owen Wilson, and they have a similar feel. Anderson is one of those directors who appears to make movies about nothing and it's easy to sit there wondering what you just watched. But, unlike many comedies, there are deeper themes present. I usually find myself thinking about Anderson's work several days after I see the movie. That's the case this time, and it's the main reason I am writing this review.

Rushmore stars Jason Schwartzman in his first role. He plays Max Fischer, who is a 15-year-old student at Rushmore, a private school. He's there because he wrote a play in second grade and won a scholarship. Most of the students have rich parents, but Max's father is a barber and Max has to lie and claim that he's the son of a brain surgeon in order to gain acceptance.

Max is struggling at school and is informed that he'll be expelled if he flunks another class. His main problem is not one of intelligence, it's his lack of focus. He takes on so many extracurricular activities that he doesn't have time to work on his grades. We see snippets of Max indulging in each of these activities, such as beekeeping and fencing, and these snapshots give the movie a lot of charm. It reminds me of Amelie and some of Jeunet's other work in that regard.

As usual, something feels odd in Anderson's world. This effect is heightened by the dialogue. For example, Max sounds as if he is much older. He talks so seriously and it's funny that someone of that age thinks the way he does. Watch him direct Serpico for the school play and you'll see just what I mean.

The heart of the story involves an unusual love triangle. Max befriends Herman Blume (Bill Murray), who is a wealthy tycoon and former student of Rushmore. They both develop feelings for Miss Cross (Olivia Williams), who teaches at the school.

I won't reveal any more of the plot, because it doesn't really matter. All you need to know is that Rushmore is a typical Wes Anderson film. He'll surprise you at times, make you laugh, and leave you wondering how he came up with such original ideas.

I should also mention Mark Mothersbaugh, who began his association with Anderson on this film by contributing to the soundtrack. Other music used in the film includes songs by The Kinks, The Who, The Faces, and John Lennon. They all add to the nostalgic tone and fit perfectly.

Owen Wilson doesn't appear in this one, but Luke and Andrew Wilson are both involved. If you appreciate quirky comedy, Rushmore won't disappoint.

The Criterion Blu-ray offers a superb presentation. Colors are natural throughout and you'll feel as if you are standing next to the characters. The special features are also noteworthy and the highlight is a 55-minute feature showing interviews with Murray and Anderson on the Charlie Rose Show. Fans of commentaries will be happy that Anderson, Owen Wilson and Schwartzman appear on the commentary track.

Overall score 4.5/5

Originally Posted by Steve46

If you are curious about the appeal of Wes Anderson, Rushmore isn't a bad starting point. It won't work for everyone though.

The best starting point, imo, would be either Fantastic Mr. Fox or Moonrise Kingdom. Next would be Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, then The Life Aquatic. Bottle Rocket and Darjeeling if you like his style by then.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by jvince

The best starting point, imo, would be either Fantastic Mr. Fox or Moonrise Kingdom. Next would be Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, then The Life Aquatic. Bottle Rocket and Darjeeling if you like his style by then.

Yep, Moonrise and Fox are probably the two most accessible.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

I anticipate I will be agreeing with you on the score whenever I finally see this. I remember seeing the trailer a while back and thinking it will be pretty good.

Hopefully, it is a bit more slower and more dramatic than the trailer depicts, but it's still very engrossing.

Originally Posted by jvince

I've only seen this once before. I'd give it a 3.5/5. I thought it was okay. Seven Psychopaths is kinda similar to this, only way more fun.



Awesome. Really looking forward to this. How does it compare to The Assassination of Jesse James?.

Really looking forward to 7P, but I am hearing mixed stuff that it's very much a farce unlike In Bruges. I think you should give Adaptation another go though.

And I've not seen Jesse James, but I have a hunch that film is better. But I guess it just depends on what sort of film you want, that film is quite long and dramatic I think, while Killing Them Softly is briefer and more pulpy.

[BladeRunner2007]

The Dark Knight Rises 4/5

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by jvince

Yeah, I was surprised I didn't like it that much since I'm really into these type of films. I'll give it another try someday.

I've only seen three Bergman films so far , and I'd rank them as such:

1. Persona :
2. Wild Strawberries :
3. The Seventh Seal :

What I like so much about Bergman's films is that they are always built around character depth and reflection. I think Persona does this best. You should watch Smiles of a Summer Night next. It's unorthodox Bergman but like a lighter, funnier Rules of the Game and brings together all of his finest actors.

[Steve46]

Here's one from this century:

Trouble with the Curve (2012)
Drama, 111 minutes
Directed by Robert Lorenz
Starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman

I knew that I wanted to see Trouble with the Curve without knowing anything about the plot. The reason? Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams are so likable. Eastwood claimed that he would never act again after making Gran Torino, but I'm happy that he changed his mind. Eastwood plays baseball scout, Gus Lobel, and his character is similar to Walt from Gran Torino in many ways. He's hard to get along with, even if you happen to be one of his close friends.

One thing I should point out is that Trouble of the Curve is funny. Although it's tagged as a drama, there is a lot of humor in the movie. Eastwood has good comic timing and his character delivers one-liners at every opportunity. The audience in my theater laughed loudly and often. But the story also has the ability to move you emotionally. It feels somewhat like a James L. Brooks movie, such as Broadcast News or As Good as It Gets.

Like Moneyball, Trouble with the Curve is about people more than it is about Baseball. Gus has three months left on his contract and with the exception of his friend, Paul (John Goodman), people are starting to wonder whether he's still capable of doing his job. He's a dinosaur, preferring to dig through a pile of newspapers for statistics, rather than rely on computers for the information. His boss (Matthew Lillard) wants to replace him.

The thing is, there is some truth to the belief that Gus is struggling to do his job as a scout. His eyesight is failing and it doesn't go unnoticed. Paul pays him a visit and advises him of the situation, asking him if he has considered the future, but Gus won't listen. In desperation, Paul asks Gus's daughter, Mickey (Adams), to go on the road and help out her father with his latest scouting assignment. She's an ambitious lawyer, and on the verge of becoming a partner, but she agrees to squeeze it into her schedule and intervene.

Adams is a talented actress and I've been waiting for her to get a meaty role after earning an Oscar nomination for her performance in Doubt. Her role in The Fighter was to brief to count. I've yet to see The Master, but I came away thinking this was the best Amy Adams performance in the past four years. I mentioned that she is likable, but she's also good at what she does. There's a certain intelligence and vulnerability to her characters that I find appealing, and it's present in Mickey. She appears successful on the outside, but she has never been close to her father.

There are three main themes present in the movie:

If you have seen Absolute Power, you'll know that Eastwood is convincing as a father who has a problematic relationship with his daughter. One of the keys to Trouble with the Curve is seeing how Mickey attempts to resolve her issues with Gus.

The most obvious issue is with Gus, as old age threatens his livelihood. Director Robert Lorenz takes plenty of time at the outset to establish his characters, allowing us to get an idea of what is at stake. Is Gus washed up, or does he still have something to offer? I won't ruin that for you.

The other main theme is the ability to decide what constitutes happiness. It's different for everyone. Are you happy because you earn a good salary and thrive in your career? What about personal relationships and family? How about having time to enjoy your life?

It's clear that Gus is happy working as a baseball scout, but what isn't clear is how Mickey views her own life. Is she truly happy as a lawyer? Can she come to terms with the distance between her and her father? She's also romantically involved with a man who thinks of her as a commodity rather than as a woman he loves. He figures that they get along quite well and are both successful, so it would make sense for them to be together. He's not the most romantic of men.

That's the setup. As you can see, there are a lot of issues at stake.

One thing the movie does badly is make it obvious which characters you are supposed to root for, and who you should dislike. That flaw makes it easy to predict the outcome for Gus, Mickey, and at least three other minor characters. Those flaws aside, I enjoyed the pacing and the thorough characterization.

If this turns out to be Eastwood's final acting role, it's not a bad way to finish. As for Adams, it is good to see her in a role which allows her to show that she can actually act. I should also mention Justin Timberlake, who plays a former baseball player and young talent scout. He's also interested in Mickey if she'll let down her defenses long enough.

Trouble with the Curve isn't a great movie, but it's very good, and one that I want to own. It's a pleasure to spend time with the actors and the story has a lot of warmth. If you're a fan of Eastwood or Adams, I doubt that you'll be disappointed.

Overall score 4/5

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Here's one from this century:

Trouble with the Curve (2012)
Drama, 111 minutes
Directed by Robert Lorenz
Starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman

[Show spoiler]I knew that I wanted to see Trouble with the Curve without knowing anything about the plot. The reason? Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams are so likable. Eastwood claimed that he would never act again after making Gran Torino, but I'm happy that he changed his mind. Eastwood plays baseball scout, Gus Lobel, and his character is similar to Walt from Gran Torino in many ways. He's hard to get along with, even if you happen to be one of his close friends.

One thing I should point out is that Trouble of the Curve is funny. Although it's tagged as a drama, there is a lot of humor in the movie. Eastwood has good comic timing and his character delivers one-liners at every opportunity. The audience in my theater laughed loudly and often. But the story also has the ability to move you emotionally. It feels somewhat like a James L. Brooks movie, such as Broadcast News or As Good as It Gets.

Like Moneyball, Trouble with the Curve is about people more than it is about Baseball. Gus has three months left on his contract and with the exception of his friend, Paul (John Goodman), people are starting to wonder whether he's still capable of doing his job. He's a dinosaur, preferring to dig through a pile of newspapers for statistics, rather than rely on computers for the information. His boss (Matthew Lillard) wants to replace him.

The thing is, there is some truth to the belief that Gus is struggling to do his job as a scout. His eyesight is failing and it doesn't go unnoticed. Paul pays him a visit and advises him of the situation, asking him if he has considered the future, but Gus won't listen. In desperation, Paul asks Gus's daughter, Mickey (Adams), to go on the road and help out her father with his latest scouting assignment. She's an ambitious lawyer, and on the verge of becoming a partner, but she agrees to squeeze it into her schedule and intervene.

Adams is a talented actress and I've been waiting for her to get a meaty role after earning an Oscar nomination for her performance in Doubt. Her role in The Fighter was to brief to count. I've yet to see The Master, but I came away thinking this was the best Amy Adams performance in the past four years. I mentioned that she is likable, but she's also good at what she does. There's a certain intelligence and vulnerability to her characters that I find appealing, and it's present in Mickey. She appears successful on the outside, but she has never been close to her father.

There are three main themes present in the movie:

If you have seen Absolute Power, you'll know that Eastwood is convincing as a father who has a problematic relationship with his daughter. One of the keys to Trouble with the Curve is seeing how Mickey attempts to resolve her issues with Gus.

The most obvious issue is with Gus, as old age threatens his livelihood. Director Robert Lorenz takes plenty of time at the outset to establish his characters, allowing us to get an idea of what is at stake. Is Gus washed up, or does he still have something to offer? I won't ruin that for you.

The other main theme is the ability to decide what constitutes happiness. It's different for everyone. Are you happy because you earn a good salary and thrive in your career? What about personal relationships and family? How about having time to enjoy your life?

It's clear that Gus is happy working as a baseball scout, but what isn't clear is how Mickey views her own life. Is she truly happy as a lawyer? Can she come to terms with the distance between her and her father? She's also romantically involved with a man who thinks of her as a commodity rather than as a woman he loves. He figures that they get along quite well and are both successful, so it would make sense for them to be together. He's not the most romantic of men.

That's the setup. As you can see, there are a lot of issues at stake.

One thing the movie does badly is make it obvious which characters you are supposed to root for, and who you should dislike. That flaw makes it easy to predict the outcome for Gus, Mickey, and at least three other minor characters. Those flaws aside, I enjoyed the pacing and the thorough characterization.

If this turns out to be Eastwood's final acting role, it's not a bad way to finish. As for Adams, it is good to see her in a role which allows her to show that she can actually act. I should also mention Justin Timberlake, who plays a former baseball player and young talent scout. He's also interested in Mickey if she'll let down her defenses long enough.

Trouble with the Curve isn't a great movie, but it's very good, and one that I want to own. It's a pleasure to spend time with the actors and the story has a lot of warmth. If you're a fan of Eastwood or Adams, I doubt that you'll be disappointed.

Overall score 4/5

Really looking forward to seeing this one. It won't be in the theater since I don't see that much in the theater, but I made up my mind for a blind buy a while ago. Definitely right up my alley.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

Really looking forward to seeing this one. It won't be in the theater since I don't see that much in the theater, but I made up my mind for a blind buy a while ago. Definitely right up my alley.

Good to hear. I hope I didn't give away too much.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Good to hear. I hope I didn't give away too much.

No worries. I never read the actual reviews people type unless I've already seen the movie. Well, I stop and skip right to the score once the movie starts being discussed.