JOEY'S PAGE - Joey's Favorite Movie Critic

Joey's Favorite Movie Critic

Dear loyal readers,

Having composed a list of best films and best music, it is perhaps time to jump right back in reviewing some recent films.  The end of this article will have additional recommended music.  Here we go:

W.  is a passionate caricature of the current president of the United States.  The prez would be delighted to see it.  It has excellent cinematography, acting, direction, writing, and editing.  It deserves to be one of the five best pictures at the Academy Awards.  This great Oliver Stone film ultimately does the prez justice and shows the director to be at top form. 

There's nothing here that should displease anyone since the film adroitly plays with our perceptions of the Bush administration and is a rich experience.  This is a well-researched meditation that has intrinsic value as social and political critique.  Stone's interpretation of the last eight years and his filmic history of George W. Bush is vivid and telling as it zig-zags back and forth in time.  (4 stars)

"Baby Mama" is more of a conceit or an amusing exercise than a successful comedy.  The leads are adorable and quick-witted but the comedy is spread thin.  (2-1/2 stars)

"Get Smart" is sleek and witty.  Sean Kelly says "Although Steve Carell does what he can, Anne Hathaway carries the film into near greatness."  (3-1/2 stars)

At first "Tropic Thunder" is perceived as goofy and sub-par, low-brow comedy.  Then upon a second viewing one starts to appreciate the cinematography.  The jokes are riotously funny.  If no one laughs it is even more funny.  The movie is hysterical.  The pseudo-previews at the beginning are done tongue-in-cheek and are quite witty.  (3-1/2 stars)

"Hancock" is bold and audacious.  The Oscar for best visual effects belongs here since the astonishing visuals advance the story of Hancock the super hero (Will Smith).  Instead of being at the service of the plot, the visuals add resonance.  The film changes gears when Hancock meets a couple (Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron).  Hancock had earlier saved the man from certain death by train.  Theron has a tricky role to play considering what the narrative of the picture goes through.  This movie about immortality is deeper and more poignant than it seems. (3 stars)

My best,
Patrick Kelly

p.s.  Here are more additions to the best music list:

"Love Like Winter" (AFI),  "Like a Stone" (Audioslave),  "Split Screen Shower Scene" (Felix da Housecat),  "Miss Murder" (AFI),  "Goodies"  /  "Like a Boy"  /  "1, 2 Step" (Ciara),  The Confessions Tour (Madonna),  "Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky" (Red Hot Chili Peppers),  "Mad World" (Gary Jules),  "Losing My Religion" (R.E.M.),  The Joshua Tree (U2),  "What You Waiting For?" (Gwen Stefani), and more specifically "Sanctified"  /  "The Great Below"  /  "Terrible Lie" (Nine Inch Nails).