What to watch? Well this Friday, three of the year's heavyweights are released each vying for your mind, heart and wallet. I would love to do extensive reviews on each of them (and maybe I will over time) however they all have their merits and slight flaws and so how could anyone decide which to watch. My personal favourite is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button although I enjoyed Vicky Christina Barcelona more. Figure that one out!
So this is my oddball approach to help:
If you're an aspiring thespian, watch Doubt. The performances are what make this adaptation work. If you enjoy the deep nuances of film acting (and why wouldn't you) this is a treat. Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams & Viola Davis are all terrific as the key players, although I think Hoffman can play these sort of roles in his sleep...
N.B. All four actors have been nominated for an Oscar (the smart bet on the scene-stealing Davis).
Grade: B (7/10)
For something altogether far more uplifting, try Vicky Cristina Barcelona. It's sensual, sexual, exotic, fiery, funny and casual all at the same time. Definately Woody's best in a long, long time. I wouldn't quite call it a 'date movie' because it just isn't, but rather more apt a movie to watch with free-spirited souls. Again, all the actors are engaging, though altogether less methodical than the cast in Doubt. Newcomer Rebecca Hall is a standout, but the film's delightful pivot is the tangerine blast that Penelope Cruz's delivers. It's just wonderful!
Grade: B+ (8/10)
Finally, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Several critics in the UK and across the pond have been left a little icy with the story of a man who grows younger as each day passes. I wonder what they were watching though, as this is Fincher's warmest audience embrace in a filmography which breathes of diversity, plot and visual splendour. Clocking in at over 2 1/2 hours, the film flies by. This is Fincher's film through and through. The leads and technical aspects are also true standouts (the much speculated de-aging process a wonder of modern visual technology) but I really recommend the film as it feels incomparable to anything you've seen before and again for that the credit goes to Fincher.
Grade: B+ (8/10)
There you go, hope that was helpful. Not an easy choice...but your choice all the same.
Bon Chance!
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