The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Well well, a movie that is better than it's hype.  Nice.  Refreshing.  Funny.  Smart.

Others who have compared this movie to Inception maybe saw a different version than I did?  I don't see any similarities.  I saw more similarities with City of Angels and The Matrix, but that's just me.

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt appeared to be enjoying themselves and that chemistry translated well at my house.  I guess the hype had my expectations fairly low for this movie, but I truly enjoyed it.  If nothing else, it is a fun look at New York.

Watch this with someone who has doubts about their control over the future.

True Grit (2010)

I'm still surprised how many people do not realize this movie is a remake.  John Wayne played this role originally, in 2 different movies in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  Jeff Bridges does a most worthy job.

Thanks to the genius Cohen brothers, the movies are very different even though the story is the same.  I actually think this new version is better.  Forgive Duke.

Matt Damon and Barry Pepper are almost unrecognizable in their roles here, and both do a great job.  This story has so few characters, each moment on screen is precious.  Everyone did a fantastic job.

This is a dark period comedy indeed, and not everyone will appreciate how things unfold.  But I believe this is a faithful retelling of the story.

Watch it with someone who has a strong sense of justice.

Hereafter (2010)

To many of us the phrase real psychic is an oxymoron. This movie actually pokes a little fun at that as well. For the believers, this movie gives proper reverance to those on both sides.

This is not however, an easy movie to watch. That might explain why it did not do better at the box office. The story jumps around a bunch, sometimes masterfully; sometimes a little confusing. One must pay attention and keep up with the subtitles during the Paris scenes.

Matt Damon does a very interesting job playing the publicity shy introverted psychic. Cécile De France is fantastic as a new convert to the possibility that something and someone is on the other side of the veil. The McLaren twins do a great job being themselves.

Clint Eastwood does his usual classy job directing this complex story. It begins and ends well and makes for very interesting watching between.

Watch this movie with someone who can discuss spiritual issues without getting all religious.

Green Zone

What really happened in the months leading up to the US war on Iraq? Surely there are a few who know. Maybe they were consulted on the story feasibility of this movie, maybe they weren't. Either way it's great fiction or shocking history. Most likely it's somewhere between?

Matt Damon plays an army Chief Warrant Officer who is suspicious about why his teams keeps coming up "donuts" on WMD sites around Baghdad. When he starts asking questions he gets help from the CIA in the form of Brendan Gleeson and a Wall Street Journal reporter in the form of Amy Ryan. They are all three pitted against Greg Kinnear is one of his best "bad guy" roles ever.

This movie has the stress and feel of "Hurt Locker" without as much intensity. There is plenty of action however. Damon's character never sits still.

This movie may be construed by some as anti-war. It may earn that. However, it is NOT disrespectful those who faithfully serve duty's call. Nor do I believe it belittles the people of Iraq.

Watch this movie with someone who still celebrates the now infamous May 1, 2003 "Mission Accomplished" speech and encourage them to point out factual flaws with the story.

Invictus

Did Morgan Freeman do an outstanding job as Nelson Mandela? No doubt. Could a real South African have done just as good a job? Probably, but it may not have sold as many tickets in the US. Sad huh? Could the captain of the South African Rugby team have been played as well by someone other than Matt Damon? Maybe someone actually from South Africa?

Okay this seems to be my quest for the summer - actors actually from the countries the movies are about.

Dear Hollywood Suits, please watch more foreign movies. There is plenty of talent out there NOT from the US. Maybe you will sell fewer tickets in the US but how much will you save in salaries? Okay I have no idea, but you get my point.

Back to the movie? Inspiring and funny don't usually come in the same package. This time it does. As a former resident of the apartheid state I can see the struggle for change. This story tells us more behind the scenes in the early 90s than most of us Yanks are aware of. A little history is a good thing.

This movie is a very good thing. Watch it with someone who knows nothing about rugby.

Ocean's Thirteen

Enough already? Lots of big stars - way more than 13. Some great lines. The sights and sounds of Vegas. What could go wrong? Its been done before, twice, and not just by these guys.

Yes, it keeps you guessing, and yes it is interesting. But it is also predictable and follows the formula set back in 2001. Professional cons, grifters, and thieves with seemingly endless means pull off impossible jobs. Change the characters and it's really still the same story.

Don't get me wrong, I liked this, but the first one is still the best of the bunch.

Good to see the old and the new here. Elliott Gould and Carl Reiner still know how to spin a story. Casey Affleck and Scott Caan do their better-known family members proud. All the regular guys are up to par. Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin are the marks this time around and both are great.

For those who know Vegas well this can be a fun watch to see the familiar and the imaginary. For those who don't know the difference, it's also a fun movie. Vegas is a place of make-believe and false advertising. This movie lives up to that standard.

Watch this with someone who remembers who all the old characters are.

Bourne Ultimatum - WOW

"The Bourne Ultimatum" has been called the best action spy thriller of all time. While I may not yet be willing to go that far, I can say it raises the bar to a new height. The first hour is non-stop, rapid edit, action. You must pay attention. At the 1 hour and 10 minute mark, the movie slows down and you can catch your breath, literally. But, be ready with the pause button before that so you can make sure you catch every little nuance. There are tons.

You do not need to have seen the 2 previous Bourne movies, but it would certainly help. I highly recommend both before seeing this 3rd.

Matt Damon is the ultimate smart tough guy. Joan Allen (Pleasantville) and Julia Stiles (um, okay this Bourne series is the only thing she has done that I liked) make great accomplices without the romantic involvement so many other stories get hung up on.

This movie "feels" high tech without the use of special effects. I love that. This movie expects you to think ahead, and think back. I love that too. In fact, this movie does not "give" you anything. It's much more like a ride at your favorite theme park. Get on, strap in, hang on, ride the twists and turns.

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. Sometimes you have to dig through a lot of dirt to find a good gem. "The Bourne Ultimatum" is a great popcorn and soda movie. Watch it with someone who knows how to enjoy something like this or they'll ruin it for both of you.