movie resolution post

As per our New Year's Resolution to see a movie a week in theatres this year, Seth and I saw Doubt yesterday. The first week we saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, so I thought I would write about those, in case you're interested. WARNING: probably spoilers. Not on purpose, but you never know.

Week 1, Movie 1: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Synopsis: “I was born under unusual circumstances.” And so begins The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. We follow his story, set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man’s life can be. Benjamin Button is a grand tale of a not-so-ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time. (Paramount Pictures) (from Metacritic.com)
Thoughts: I totally love love loved this movie. It's the best movie I've seen this year (as in, the last 12 months, not just in '09). It's beautifully done, visually. And I got totally engrossed in it, like "what happens next??? And then what???" while it was still going on. I was devouring it like a novel, which is kind of weird to say. I don't really get *in* to movies that much (which I think is partly why I like scary movies so much, because they're made to get you into them). Anywho, Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchette are gorgeous at every age. And I promise that you'll go into it thinking it's going to be a certain way and thinking you know what to expect, but the movie will still blow you away. Rating: Five stars. Really.


Week 2, Movie 2: Doubt
Synopsis: It's 1964, St. Nicholas in the Bronx. A vibrant, charismatic priest, Father Flynn, is trying to upend the school's strict customs, which have long been fiercely guarded by Sister Aloysius Beauvier, the iron-gloved Principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline. The winds of political change are sweeping through the country, and, indeed, the school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Miller. But when Sister James, a hopeful innocent, shares with Sister Aloysius her suspicion that Father Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Donald, Sister Aloysius is galvanized to begin a crusade to both unearth the truth and to expunge Flynn from the school. Now, without a shred of proof or evidence except her moral certainty, Sister Aloysius locks into a battle of wills with Father Flynn, a battle that threatens to tear apart the Church and school with devastating consequences. (Miramax)
Thoughts: Honestly, I was a little disappointed, but I can't really explain why. I guess maybe because this movie (unlike Benjamin Button) was exactly like how I thought it was going to be. Maybe it's party due to all the commerical hype the movie's been getting. But I will say that Phillip S. Hoffman and Meryl Streep really brought their a-game will probably get awards. Amy Adams was even sans make-up, the true mark of a serious actress. The scenes are thoughtfully and beautifully shot, but it moves a little slow...probably because it's based on a play. Anyway, definitely worth seeing, but I would wait to rent it. Rating: Three & 1/2 or Four-ish stars.