Man, is THE WOMEN a bad movie

Add comment January 12th, 2009

 This week’s Movie Man column focuses on Diane English’s sort-of remake of THE WOMEN. Yes, I watched it, and what’s  more, I hated it. Here’s a video of me making my case… 

And here, for all you fans of the written word, is the print version.

Why so serious? Why not?

4 comments January 12th, 2009

Though most critics loved THE DARK KNIGHT, not all of them did. Jim Emerson saw some major problems with the logic and structure of the movie, and he discusses those concerns over at his Scanners blog. Here’s his first post in the series, taking a careful look at the movie’s opening bank robbery and trying to figure out just what the heck is happening. And here’s post No. 2, where he tries to figure out what the Joker is saying, what’s true, what’s a lie and what it all means.

I liked THE DARK KNIGHT quite a bit, and thought the sheer momentum of the movie carried it past some of its rough spots. I don’t agree with everything Emerson says, but it is interesting to hear someone coming from another perspective — and doing so in a smart, observant manner.

The Golden Globes, the morning after

4 comments January 12th, 2009

In case you haven’t seen them, here are the movie-related results for Sunday night’s Golden Globes (along with my expert, off-the-cuff analysis):

BEST PICTURE, DRAMA: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE — Danny Boyle’s critically acclaimed story of a poor guy (a “slumdog”) who wins big on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire” is now a lock for an Oscar nomination.

BEST PICTURE, MUSICAL OR COMEDY: VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA — Woody Allen? Back? Wow.

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA: Mickey Rourke for THE WRESTLER — Mickey Rourke? Back? Definitely.

BEST ACTOR, MUSICAL OR COMEDY: Colin Farrell for IN BRUGES — Though I liked this movie a lot, calling it a comedy is a bit of  a stretch. Farrell is very good in it, though.

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA: Kate Winslet for REVOLUTIONARY ROAD and BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Kate Winslet for THE READER — It’s safe to say Winslet (maybe the best actress of her generation) is a lock for two Oscar nods. Be nice to see her finally win one (or two).

BEST ACTRESS, MUSICAL OR COMEDY: Sally Hawkins in HAPPY GO LUCKY — This Mike Leigh movie hasn’t come to Rockford, but it made a lot of top 10 lists, thanks in large part to Hawkin’s go-for-broke performance.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger for THE DARK KNIGHT — The question is, will this performance — probably the most talked about of 2008 — win the Oscar?

BEST ANIMATED FILM: WALL-E — Not exactly a surprise. The question is, will it get nominated for a Best Picture Oscar?

BEST FOREIGN FILM: WALTZ WITH BASHIR — Strangely enough, this one is animated, too.