Movie Review - The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner (2007)
Director: Marc Forster

Actors: Khalid Abdalla, Atossa Leoni, Shaun Toub

It's impossible to talk about this movie without making the comparison to the best-selling book by author Khaled Hosseini. While the book is amazing and a must-read for anyone, the movie doesn't reach that level. But who really expects an adaptation to be as good as the book? It's impossible to capture the depth of a story in a 2-hour movie. That being said, the movie was actually very enjoyable. It stayed true to the original story and the acting was really good. In some ways the movie was a nice supplement to the book in that it filled in some of the visuals of Kabul and Afghanistan. I would recommend this movie to everyone who has already read the book, and to everyone else: READ THE BOOK!!!

Movie Review - La Vie en Rose

La Vie en Rose (2007)
Director: Olivier Dahan

Actors: Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Emmanuelle Seigner

This film was really all about Marion Cotillard's performance as Edith Piaf. Without her tremendous performance this film would have fallen completely flat. There's no doubt that Edith Piaf was one of the most iconic French performers in history and this film helps bring her to life for a whole new generation. The story played out very true to form and didn't attempt to sugarcoat any of her life's trials and tribulations. My only criticisms of the film were that (A) it was a bit too long and (B) portions of the story were a bit too slow. Without giving this film two thumbs up, I would still recommend it for it's historical subject-matter and an excellent performance by Marion Cotillard.

Movie Review - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Director: Julian Schnabel
Actors: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner

One of the most interesting films of the year, this fascinating look inside the mind of Jean-Dominique Bauby is truly remarkable. After surviving a stroke, Jean-Dominique awakens to find that he's suffering from 'locked-in' syndrome, which means that he's cognitively awake but phyically non-responsive. Aside from the ability to blink his left eye, he has no muscle control over his entire body. Improbably, with the help of a speech therapist, he develops a method of communication and eventually writes a book. This film is based on his best-selling memoir. Great cinematography and superb acting make this film Oscar-worthy. I would recommend it for everyone!

Movie Review - Juno

Juno (2007)
Director: Jason Reitman
Actors: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Gardner, Jason Bateman

One of the most enjoyable films of the year, this witty comedy walks a fine line between the serious issues of teenage pregnancy and adoption, while still being light-hearted and genuine. Ellen Page's performance is noteworthy and deserving of an Oscar nomination. You can't help but like her unique character, even if you don't always agree with the decisions she makes throughout the film. Cleaver characters and dialogue keep this film moving along nicely. This years Little Miss Sunshine, Juno holds up over multiple viewings and should become a classic. I would recommend it for everyone!

Movie Review - No Country for Old Men

No Country for Old Men (2007)
Director: Joel & Ethan Coen
Actors: Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones

Best film of the year! That's pretty much all that needs to be said. Incredibly well written, well acted, & generally well done! It should win several Oscars at this year's Academy Awards. In this film, once again we're reminded that trying to steal large quantities of drug money is never a good idea. In one of the most tremendous performances of the year, Javier Bardem portrays a disturbed hitman in pursuit of a cowboy, played by Josh Brolin, who's trying to make off with 2 million dollars in cash. Unpredictable from beginning to end, this film delivers in every way an Oscar-worthy film should. Even if you don't like films with violence, this one is definitely worth it. I would highly recommend everyone see it.

Movie Review - Superbad

Superbad (2007)
Director: Greg Mottola
Actors: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera

This film delivered far more than just the usual teen-movie hijinx, it helped illuminate the complex relationship between teen boys as they transition out of high school. From the first word out of Seth's mouth, played by Jonah Hill, you think you know where this film is heading, "American Pie" Land. Yet by the end, you start to understood what it's really about. It's about more than just trying to be cool, getting wasted, getting laid, and all the other pitfalls of high school. It's about having a best friend, sticking together, standing up for each other, and eventually letting each other become their own person. The strange characters, crazy antics, and ridiculous jokes keep you laughing all the way through, and the bond of friendship lifts you up at the end. As long as you can handle some crude humor, the underlying themes make it a worth while film. I definitely recommend it!

Movie Review - I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)
Director: Dennis Dugan
Actors: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel

This film missed the mark for me. Although it had a few laugh-out-loud moments, in general the dialog felt slow, predictable and poorly-written. Similarly, the acting was pretty underwhelming. Except for a strong performance by James, the rest of the characters seemed generally boring. Fans of Sandler ensemble films, i.e., 50 first dates & Waterboy, will enjoy the familiar faces, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. I would only recommend this film if you're a die hard Sandler fan or if you have a low laugh threshold.