Winter Passing - Movie Review

Maybe this movie appealed to me because I'm a writer, maybe this movie appealed to me because I love Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, and Will Ferrell in a toned down role, but most of all this movie appealed to me because of Zooey Deschannel. There is just something lurking beneath the surface with her. You just know she's a major goof ball but she is currently playing all these deeper, conflicted roles, and the depth she brings to her characters isn't faked. As you can tell I really like Zooey and look forward to her career expanding. Hopefully one day she'll record an album of standards. Her turn on "Baby it's Cold Outside" (Elf) had everyone including James Taylor recording and rediscovering that chestnut from yesteryear. Hat's off to Zooey. So how about the movie?

It's an angsty film with bizarre characters. But as in any good story as with real life the more layers you peel back the more you see, and then all of a sudden it's not so unusual after all. So without giving any of the plot away the characters are not one dimensional and the light they are seen in is varied. Kudos to the director and writer for serving up three dimensional characters. If you are looking for a fast paced, action shoot em up this is not your movie. No guns - I love movies without guns! If you are looking for brilliant, subtle acting with some over the top hi jinx for periodic comic relief - this is a great choice. One of Zooey's love interest although fleetingly in the movie exposes the audience or rather gives the audience a chance to ask why is he a hero.

It's a question worth asking and answering and the directors and writer do not spoon feed you all the answers - good stuff, good for them. It's a thinker and respectfully pulls the audience in and allows them some creativity and the opportunity to put something of themselves into the movie. There's nothing wrong with a little pondering, and after all are the loose ends really that important. Well that's for each one of us to decide. It makes for a good movie.

A quick word on Amelia Warner Zooey's foil in part of the movie - she brings an understated role to life and plays it subtly. I've seen the word eccentric used to describe this movie but that's just the outer layer of the character development. It's a device to put inner pain out there and before the audience. Do not be put off by that description or the weird promotional photo. It's not so weird after you have seen the movie - you'll have an oh yeah moment. It's good to use the brain.

Winter Passing is another movie I can highly recommend.

Paul
Author - Journey Home

The Station Agent - Movie Review

If you were on the bubble about renting this movie go ahead and take the chance. I can highly recommend it, and it comes with some mighty high praise. But ignore the reviews nothing short of the Beatles reuniting with John and George could live up to the overblown hyperbole. It's not the movies fault. That being said lower your expectations a bit, relax and get ready for a terrific film.

This is an understated movie that has a calm running through it that Peter Dinklage easily conveys and brings to the screen. Patricia Clarkson another gifted actor who you might remember from the Untouchables (Kevin Costner) brings another dignified role to life. She has to balance two calamities and still come off charming and beguiling. Bobby Cannavale is great as the gregarious soul who won't let these two tragic figures forget about the upside the day brings.

Peter Dinklage is the star here and doesn't tip toe around the prejudice or rather ignorance the world greats him with every morning. He not only has a lot to teach but a fair share to learn. So thankfully the writers and director do not paint him as perfect. Through it all this is a quiet, sometimes loud, sweet, sometimes angry poignant movie. The other supporting actors including the child Peter interacts with and Michelle Williams are cast beautifully. The themes and tone of this movie weave out from deservedly dark places but life rolls on and everybody loves trains!

Paul Burke
Author - Journey Home

additional link
additional link

The Long Goodbye - Movie Review

Robert Altmans tung in cheek Film Noir detective movie ambles along at a wonderful pace, and takes a few twist and turns. Great characters, setting and scenes punctuate this droll take on a 50's gum shoe in 1970's California. Elliot Gould (that's okay by me) or Rip Van Marlow as the character implies - seems to sleep walk through a crazy world - from his perspective. Unable to get a bead on things Elliot never lets em see him sweat and pursues head long into and on his instincts. You can tell this is a 70's movie as Henry Gibbson plays an evil psychiatrist emasculating his patient (or is that client). Anyway great one liners and the rebirth of one of my favorite old time sayings "BALLS" just swept me along. Hint's of sexual over tones - nude yoga and the juxtaposition that Altman usually thrives on presents itself with ease. We wonder along with Gould -"what the hell is wrong with these people" turns out that despite the trappings of time and fashion it's the same old damn thing that's always been wrong with us - just in wider lapels. I loved all the characters as caricatures and Elliot's water off a ducks back approach.

I highly recommend this lark for film buffs and casual fans. By far my favorite Elliot Gould performance.

Paul
Author-Journey Home

Additional link
Additional link II