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The Good Shepherd (2006)
Is It Over Yet?
"The Good Shepherd" is an engrossing movie; very watchable. All of the performances were outstanding. Angelina Jolie, taking on a different kind of role for her, does an excellent job as the high-society, charming girl who becomes the neglected wife. Matt Damon, in possibly the most stoic portrayal of the year. leaves something wanting. The passion the character should have, the drive to be successful and for the success of the C.I.A., never comes through. The characterization is totally dispassionate where it should be the opposite. The motivation for the character's resolve and dedication never comes through. One gets the impression the character is a drone of a fifties "company man". Go t work day in and day out at the same company for thirty years and then retire. His personal life is totally disconnected from his career (thus the neglected wife). Damon is most charming in is college days, and again at the end of the film when dealing with the problem his son creates. Interesting to watch, but not one to recommend. I think the directing (de Niro) too much reflects the fifties as baby boomers remember it; and not as people actually lived their lives.
Bobby (2006)
There won't be enough Oscars to go around to the cast
First, if you see the movie expecting a documentary about Boby Kennedy, or an Oliver Stone-like "JFK", you will be disappointed. What you do get is a fantastic ensemble cast, most notably Sharon Stone, Christian Slater, William Macy and Freddy Rodriguez. What you will get is a movie that draws parallels between Iraq and Viet Nam. What you will get is a feeling for the hope people had in the sixties that life in America could be different. What you will get is a feeling how how wasted the last 30+ years have been, and how the hope of Aemrica has soured. although the title of the film is "Bobby", it is not about the attorney general, the senator or the presidential candidate. It is about the hope he gave to so many people, The film evokes a feeling of how much we have lost.
Casanova (2005)
Great fun; witty, funny and great performances
I saw the film earlier this week with friends at a preview. Surprisingly there was not a large crowd. However, that was not the only surprise. The film itself was a surprise. Heath Ledger, not as handsome as usual, was lots of fun, however, as Casanova. Oliver Platt takes some physical risks in this role - if you consider partial nudity a risk for a man Platt's size and shape. All of my friends enjoyed the film. I wasn't expecting the film to be such a romp! It was very successful at being funny! I attribute to Verdi's Don Giovanni. There is even the comic relief of the side kick, Leperello. The plot has a few surprises, and everyone in the film has a good time, except for maybe Jeremy Irons. Lots of fun!
Fixing Frank (2002)
Tedious
A person's response to a film often depends of where they are emotionally and psychologically at a particular point in time. Great films can break through whatever emotional and psychological barriers the viewer brought with them - their baggage - and enlighten, inform and entertain. This film, although engaging, does not come near being great. The adaptation to film from play should somehow transcend the mediums. If you just film the play, you are missing the opportunity to use the medium of film to enhance the storyline. This film never loses its play quality. The dialog that works so well as a play, become tedious and goes on forever! Do people really talk this way? I think not! After a while the psycho babble becomes a hmmmmmmmmm in the ears. Now what was the point? Ah, the actors did a great job!
Traffic (2000)
I really enjoyed this film!
One of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. Much better that "Cast Away" and even though I enjoyed "Gladiator", better than that one too! The only complaint might be with the editing - it was a tad long. However, everyone in the theater appeared to be engrossed by the film. Lots of Oscars for this one!