Movies of a Petite Aspie

Jessica Chastain Director: John Madden Stars: Helen Mirren, Jessica Chastain, Tom Wilkinson, Sam Worthington, Martin Csokas Genre(s): Drama, Thriller Release Date: August 31, 2011 Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%   "The Debt," a remake of the 2007 Israeli film of the same name, is an exciting thriller that takes place in two distinct time periods and benefits tremendously from the commendable acting of its cast.  In 1997, a tragedy causes retired Mossad secret agents Rachel (Helen Mirren) and Stephan (Tom Wilkinson) to confront a terrible secret that existed only among Rachel, Stephan, and former colleague Stephan (Ciaran Hinds).  In 1966, the three (portrayed by Jessica Chastain, Martin Csokas, and Sam Worthington) worked together in Berlin to capture a Nazi who had perpetrated monstrous crimes during the Holocaust (Jesper Christensen).  Mirren is excellent, as would be expected of the dependable Oscar winner, yet it is newcomer Chastain, who steps ...

Some movies -- well, you just never tire of them, no matter how many times you've seen them.  Here's my list: Armageddon Back to the Future trilogy Chicago Father of Bride Parts I & II Finding Nemo Harry Potter series It's a Wonderful Life Legally Blonde The Lord of the Rings trilogy Mean Girls Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy The Princess Bride Shrek Star Wars series

Paul Rudd and Elizabeth Banks Director: Jesse Peretz Stars: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, Rashida Jones Genre: Comedy Release Date: August 26, 2011 Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69% In "Our Idiot Brother," after easygoing, carefree Ned is released from prison due to selling marijuana to a uniformed police officer, he is dumped by his hippie chick girlfriend (Kathryn Hahn), and then proceeds to live with his each of his three straight-laced sisters: Miranda (Elizabeth Banks), a career-obsessed perpetual singleton; Natalie (Zooey Deschanel), an eclectic lesbian who cheats on her loving girlfriend (Rashida Jones) with an artsy pal (Hugh Dancy); and Liz (Emily Mortimer), a hard-working mother and wife who seems to be resentful of her packed life.   Ned is truly as far from "street smart" as one can possibly be.  He is almost like Will Ferrell's character in "Elf", with his blatant wordily ignorance and naiveté, despite...

Toni Collette, Imogen Poots, and Anton Yelchin Director: Craig Gillespie Stars: Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Toni Collette, Imogen Poots, David Tennant Genre(s): Comedy, Horror Release Date: August 19, 2011 Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%   Fright Night , which is a remake of the 1985 movies of the same name, succeeds in being a hilarious vampiric horror film that often goes to extremes to garner laughs and amusement, which works perfectly in a film of this nature. Charley (Anton Yelchin) is an awkward high school senior who has managed to gain the affections of Amy (Imogen Poots), one of the most popular girls in school, and simultaneously alienate his dorky best friend (Christopher Mintz-Plasse).  Charley begins to suspect that Jerry (Colin Farrell), his new muscled and hunky neighbor, is a vampire, after a series of mysterious disappearances occur in the area.  Charley asks Las Vegas vampire expert/magician Peter Vincent (David Tenant) how he can kill...

Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess Director: Lone Scherfig Stars: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Patricia Clarkson, Romola Garai, Jodie Whittaker Genre(s): Drama, Romance Release Date: August 19, 2011 Rotten Tomatoes Score: 28%    One Day tries so hard to be an engaging romantic comedy/drama that it fails miserably in nearly every single aspect. Author David Nicholls wrote the screenplay, adapting his own novel of the same name, both sharing a plot reminiscent 1978 Same Time Next Year , the film attempts to create humorous moments where they don't belong, and as a result they feel extremely out of place. The awkward, highly ambitious Emma (Anne Hathaway) and the cocky ladies' man Dex (Jim Sturgess) have an almost one-night stand after their college graduation. The movie concentrates on one day, July 15, and the experiences of Emma and Dex--whether they are apart of together--over the course of 20 years. It is obvious from the moment that they share a pas...

There are a number of upcoming screenings in the Boston area -- I know I recently provided you with these dates, but there are more (and more links & opportunities to attain these passes).  Stay tuned for updates! Tuesday, August 16th: 7pm: Conan the Barbarian ( Gofobo open screening ); Senna ( Gofobo open screening ); 50/50 ( Gofobo open screening )    Wednesday, August 17th: 7pm: Warrior (Gofobo private screening) Thursday, August 18th: 7pm: Conan the Barbarian ( Cinemit ); Fright Night ( Boston Phoenix contest) Sunday, August 21st: 1pm: Dolphin Tale (Gofobo private screening) 7pm: Martha Marcy May Marlene (Gofobo private screening) Monday, August 22nd: 7pm: Brighton Rock ( Film Metro ) Thursday, August 25th: 7pm: Colombiana (Gofobo private screening) Monday, August 29th: 7pm: Seven Days in Utopia (Gofobo private screening) Tuesday, August 30th: 7:30pm: 50/50 (Gofobo private screening) Wednesday, August 31st: 7pm: Warrior (Go...

Heather Morris and Amber Riley Director: Kevin Tancharoen Stars: Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Amber Riley, Heather Morris Rated: PG Genre(s): Documentary, Music Release Date: August 12, 2011 Rotten Tomatoes Score: 62%     "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" can hardly be considered to be aimed towards anything but a specific audience: those who call themselves "Gleeks" (i.e. are obessed with the hit television show). The film was shot on the show's North American tour and features the concert itself, in addition to visibly staged behind-the-scenes footage of the cast (as their characters) prepping for the show.  The movie also focuses on three young people who are attending the concert, who explain how Glee has impacted their lives: an optimistic dwarf who is one of the most popular girls at school and is asked out to a dance by a football player, a once-sullen woman with Asperger's who has been able to make friends through her ex...

Everyone--or rather, most--loves Academy Award -winning movies such as The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and The Hurt Locker .  However, there have been a number of movies that haven't received awards or may not have been released in many theaters, but I believe they're amazing.  In particular, here are 10 movies released within the last decade that I believe are underrated (check them out!).   -Akeelah and the Bee (2006) -- Keke Palmer, Lawrence Fishburne, Angela Bassett -Being Julia (2004) -- Annette Bening, Jeremy Irons, Bruce Greenwood -Bend it Like Beckham (2003) -- Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers -The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008) -- David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga, Rupert Friend -A Christmas Carol (2009) -- [voices of] Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Robin Wright -Frozen River (2008) -- Melissa Leo, Charlie McDermott, Misty Upham -In Her Shoes (2005) -- Toni Collette, Cameron Diaz, Shirley MacLaine -Knowing (2009) -- Nicolas Cage,...

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer Director: Tate Taylor Writer(s): Tate Taylor (screenplay), Kathryn Stockett (novel) Stars: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney Rated: PG-13   Genres: Drama, Comedy Release Date: August 10, 2011  Tagline: Change begins with a whisper  Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%   "The Help", based on the novel of the same name by Kathryn Stockett, is one of the most anticipated movies of the summer, and not merely by fans of the novel. Moviegoers have been wondering how Tate Taylor, a virtually unknown director, would handle adapting such an adored - and controversial - book. It turns out, he delivers a humorous and heart-rending film.  The film takes place in the 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi. Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone, never better), an ambitious and intelligent young college graduate, embarks on an unusual assignment: to write a book from the point of view of "the he...

Director David Dobkin may have garnered a number of laughs, shocks, and gasps from the audience, but The Change-Up is, essentially, an R-rated bromance version of the mother-daughter body-switching comedy Freaky Friday . So inspired, in fact, that the lascivious comedy can hardly be called innovative. Dave (Jason Bateman) is a career-obsessed lawyer with a loving wife (the screechy yet lovely Leslie Mann) and three young children.  Mitch (Ryan Reynolds ) curses in front of Dave’s children, smokes marijuana in public, and adores himself and his looks, which he uses to sleep with as many women as possible (and brag about it incessantly).  He is reckless, careless, and carefree.  One drunken night, Dave and Mitchell urinate in a fountain, simultaneously chanting, “I wish I had your life.” Thunder, a blackout, and body-switching follow and the predictability ensues. Of course, following the supernatural formula established in Big , the magical fountain ha...

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is not meant to be a prequel to the original Planet of the Apes movies (or the 2001 remake); it is a reboot, and the ending that occurs shortly after the credits start rolling assumes that more movies are to come. A brilliant young scientist, Will (James Franco), has concocted a serum named “ALZ-112,” with the “ALZ” prefix referring to its [supposed] ability to cure Alzheimer’s, which is a cause that is important to him because his father (John Lithgow) suffers from it.  After an experiment that goes awry, Will sneaks home the infant son of a deceased ape.  Will grows to love and care for the “little” guy, Caesar, who displays unusually high intelligence.  But when Caesar is sent to a shelter overcrowded with apes, he commences his plans to help his fellow primates escape the prison.   Much of the first act is spent on establishing the world, further theory that this is a hopeful relaunch of the franchise ....

The Devil’s Double , director Lee Tamahori’s bloody yet enlightening drama , is about Latif, an Iraqi soldier who is forced to be the body double of President Saddam Hussein’s son, Uday. It is unknown why exactly it is necessary for Uday to have a double, although perhaps it is partially to enable him to continue his hard-partying ways.  Latif yearns to help his country, yet he possess a strong moral compass and is unwilling to participate in this dangerous venture, until his family is threatened.  Uday is much more than merely a womanizer, and his lavish designer duds and showy cars make it easier for him to essentially do whatever he wants.  Latif develops feelings for Uday’s mistress, Sarrab (French actress Ludivine Sagnier), who reciprocates.      The movie was filmed in various parts of Malta, which seems to be a thoroughly appropriate location that contrasts stunning desert landscapes with the bustling streets of Baghdad...

I typically use the five-star rating system when reviewing movies -- well, obviously, the reviews I've posted thus far have not included specific ratings, but I intend to do so from now on.  I will most likely use either a star rating, a letter grade rating, or both.  Here's what it translates to, and examples of movies & how I've rated them: ***** = A/A+ (I rarely use A+) all Harry Potter movies Chicago March of the Penguins ****1/2 = A- Cast Away Fight Club Mystic River  **** = B+ An American Crime Elf Invincible  ***1/2 = B Adventureland Hot Tub Time Machine The Other Guys *** = B- The Blind Side Jumper Nine **1/2 = C+ Grown-Ups High Fidelity War of the Worlds  ** = C How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Obsessed X-Men Origins: Wolverine  *1/2 = C-/D+ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Hesher Idiocracy * = D Epic Movie Euro Trip The Smurfs 1/2* = D- The Hours 0 * = F The Master of Disguise