Now that school is back in session after a summer of ho-hum new films, movie season is just getting started. Fall is always a banner time for really good movies with the Oscars just a few months away. I've seen three films since we've been back to work, none have been Oscar contenders, but they all warrant a quick reviews.
A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson books are a lot of fun to read. I thought the book was better than the film. The scenery was beautiful and there were a few funny one-liners, but I found it more contrived than anything else. Each time I watch a film with Robert Redford in it, I think, "Ya know, he's not really that good of an actor." I find myself wanting more, and this was one of those films.
Black Mass - Another new movie based on a book, which I also read as I'm fascinated with the mob. The movie was very good, interesting, and well done. Johnny Depp transformed into Whitey Bulger, an organized crime boss of the Winter Hill Gang in Southie (South Boston) who also informed for the FBI. It is a crazy story, which came to an end here in Santa Monica where he was hiding in plain sight.
The Intern - Speaking of mob movies, it's hard to think of Robert DeNiro in a non mob/tough guy role, but I absolutely adored him in this sweet, sappy movie. Paired with Anne Hathaway as the very busy owner of a successful internet company, DeNiro plays a retired widower who is having a hard time filling his days so decides to apply for a senior citizen intern position at said internet company. His character was so endearing and kind, bringing tears to my eyes several times. It certainly won't be nominated for anything substantial, but it was a very nice, feel good film.
And as I am pressing the "post" button, we just had an earthquake! It was a decent-sized one...ugh.
wordless wednesday
7 hours ago
I want to see so many that are coming up! Didn't knew about The Intern but I'm going to check it out! :)
ReplyDeleteThere were a lot of good ones in the previews too!!!
DeleteI'm sure we'll get around to seeing all three of those once they hit Netflix, but the latter two appeal to me more than the first.
ReplyDeleteI think De Niro is a wonderful actor and I've really enjoyed his "later in life" stuff, including the comedy! (Meet the Parents) He's certainly proven how versatile he can be.
Such a DeNiro fan! Goodfellas was on TV a week or so ago and I left it on while I made dinner. Like we all have, he's aged a ton since then, but he looked good in this movie. I wouldn't recommend the first one, except for the scenery. The other two, most definitely.
DeleteAnymore, things come out so quickly on netflix, I bet they will be available before you know it! :)
I'm honestly not too bothered about the Bulger story. There has always been very odd mechanisms of control in the US Irish communities where one lot became cops, one lot became priests and nuns and another became criminals. Here though, with Bulger, the FBI needed a way into the Irish community to get a read on those supplying the cash to the Nationalists in Northern Ireland. Political policing in other words.
ReplyDeleteThe rest I think I'll watch. I may even go to the bother of seeing the Redford one in the cinema.
For what it's worth I think you are way too young to be of the generation of women that he lit up like a Christmas tree in Griswaldville. I think the next actor that would fit would've been Patrick Swayze, and he was the glint in your mom's generation. Like I was too young for Farrah Fawcett. But what it means is the acting is a bit blah and samey. It isn't that they can't act, only the rolls seen cut out to fit them rather than them being stretched to fit a part. IMO.
Yes, that was the Bulger story. Those cops crossed over and let him get away with or were part of his crimes as well. It's a good story. I had forgotten about his politician brother, which was another interesting piece of the puzzle.
DeleteYes, I agree, Redford has never really been on my radar as a great actor or good looking man. I feel like his timing is off or something, his lines never sound natural.
I would say the movie is good in the theater for the scenery. It's a beautiful trek. Nick Nolte did a good job in the film as well, but he's gotten so old and is kind of a mess...it was a little hard to watch him.
It was odd casting though. Bryson was in his 40s when he did the hike, and both actors in the film are almost twice that.
I'd say the issue for the makers was two fold. Given the time it takes a project going the two men went from middle to old age. And two, who would you find amongst the pretty boys at 40 would you give it too. I suppose Pitt is the nearest. That might actually have worked.
DeleteHa! Maybe.
DeleteThe pretty boys don't fit the casting, which is probably why they went with who they went with. Bryson was in his 40s, but just a regular guy and not someone who had done that kind of hiking - if that's even what you'd call it. Neither man was terribly prepared. Brad Pitt is too pretty for that role. Most of the A list would be.
I was having a think re. Redford. He has that slight delay of someone who's had a stroke, and recovered 99.9%. It's a split second of processing when reaction is expected.
DeleteYep, I expect to hear the "buh duh bump" after his one-liners because his timing makes them sound like bad jokes, even the clever ones.
DeleteWe were hoping to get to watch Black Mass.. we very rarely make it out to the movies.. and by the time they make it to dvd the buzz has died and we sort of just forget about them..
ReplyDelete