The Artist

Nostalgic, cheeky, sweet, charming, bittersweet, thoughtful-- the list of adjectives could just go on and on; still nothing can really describe what a pleasure it was to watch this film!  Even in its darker moments, "The Artist" is a gift wrapped in celluloid black and white goodness!  

It's funny the reaction this film gets.  A silent movie, this day in age?  Are they serious?  Even when I went to buy my ticket, the clerk felt it important to inform me about the film... "are you aware that this is a silent movie?"  Yessssss... that is why I am here... I was thinking, geesh!  Are we THAT far removed from the past that we can't enjoy the purity of film?

After experiencing this, it reminded me of my adoration for simplicity.  The scenery and sets were uncomplicated, allowing the expression and enchanting efforts of the actors to shine through.  Jean Dujardin is absolutely wonderful in his role as George Valentin, a silent movie star at the top of his game.  He is all twinkle, smiles, and charm in his dapper tails and top hat.  Peppy Miller played by Bernice Bejo is equally charming in her role as a spunky, happy-go-lucky dancer looking for her big break in the business.    

This film reaffirms the magic of non-verbal communication, reminding me of phrases like "A look is worth a thousand words" or "silence is golden".  In a world where we are so plugged in, turned on, and tuned out, this was a refreshing and highly entertaining film!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

This film, just like Swedish design, is beautiful in its simple and stylish scenes, sets, and acting.  Because of its simplicity, the production and complex story line had to be tight and perfect; and that is exactly what this film delivers.  

The performances on every actor's part were exact, stylized, and played with perfection.  I was curious if the Swedish accent would come off well with American and English actors and it really did--so well in fact that I didn't even recognize Robin Wright-Penn at first.  Daniel Craig is wonderfully cast as Mikael Blomkvist, a discredited journalist out for redemption and a paycheck.  Understated and comfortable in his role, he fits it like a comfortable pair of fine leather shoes, and his intensity and vulnerability are fun to watch.  

Rooney Mara's performance is beyond words.  As Lisbeth Salander, a punked out and pierced computer hacker, she is barely recognizable.  Her world is a microcosm of all things horrific to befall womenkind and what she has lived through is only a part of her mystery.  Mara's performance is reminiscent of Glenn Close's in "Fatal Attraction" in its reality and vivid intensity.  She is enigmatic, quiet, and cognitively alert.  Amid the chilling winter landscape and quietness, it's as if one can hear her brain clicking faster than her fingers stroking the keys of her laptop.  Oscar nods should definitely go to Mara for her interpretation!  

Not to be forgotten are the wonderfully amazing performances of the supporting Christopher Plummer and Stellan Skarsgård.  Plummer's character, Henrik Vanger, exudes the gentle warmth of a hug in contrast to the coldness of the crime that is being investigated.  Stellan Skarsgård is Martin Vanger, the brother to the missing girl Mikael and Lisbeth are investigating. Unlike his Uncle Henrik, he is cool in his warmth, polished and charismatic; he is too friendly and too helpful.

The other star of this film is Sweden herself.  Director David Fincher and Director of Photography Jeff Cronenweth beautifully capture her dressed in dark gritty Stockholm or the elegant monochromatic stillness of her countryside.    

I left this film very intrigued--eager to read the trilogy.  A must see!  Very thrilling from beginning to end, it is one of the best films I have seen this year!

Young Adult

Apathy at its best is the way that I would describe this film.  Like Seinfeld was a show about nothing, this was the film about nothing.  The dark humorous possibilities seem endless in the hands of director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody, but it just ended up a story of stereotypes lacking connection and emotion.

Almost everyone dreams of reconnecting with their first love in one way or another, but Mavis takes it to a whole new level in this new dark comedy.  Set on getting her high school boyfriend back, she heads back to her small town with the intent of saving her old beau Buddy (Patrick Wilson) from what she sees as a sad life with a wife and newborn child. 

Charlise Theron IS mesmerizing as Mavis and she plays her well enough.  Although they rely too much on her golden glow and natural beauty (afterall, she was the prom queen), I feel they could have used that in a more creatively sympathetic way.  The most they could give her was a hair pulling habit... something I think they could have easily expanded on and used to show her vulnerability.  Her transformations from depressed drunk to glam gal are fun to see, as is her trip to the salon to pick her daily personality via color.  Unfortunately for the film, I found these details more interesting than the story itself. 

The only real voice of the film is Matt, played very well by Patton Oswalt.  Stereotypically nerd, Oswalt steals every scene that he is in and is the only character I found myself caring about or being interested in.  His delivery is flawless and heartfelt.  

Cody's writing took me only so far, and as the credits rolled I found myself where I was two hours ago.  It's not that I didn't enjoy this film; it had its moments.  It just didn't move me or connect with me as much as the other Reitman/Cody collaborations.  Where "Juno" and "Up In The Air" had emotion, understated sweetness, and raw vernacular, this film had apathy and lots of booze.