Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf

Beowulf - Voices of too many stars to list. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. Screenplay by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary. Adapted from the really boring epic poem we all had to read in high school.
King Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins) is having a wee bit of trouble. There’s a huge, arm removing, human–bashing monster named Grendel (Crispin Glover) terrorizing his people. If you remember ye olde poem, then you’ll know that’s right where Beowulf (Ray Winstone) steps in. Then the similarities between this Beowulf and that Beowulf sort of disappear.

Our Beowulf is very self aware, a shameless self-promoter and has the skills to back up the boasting. He takes out the offending critter, only to find himself called to another tour of duty to take out Grendel’s mom (Angelina Jolie). This modern animated monster is all about the spectacle. At the Imax in 3D, there’s a lot to look at. I don’t know if it would hold up as well without the extra dimension of visuals, but it’s a heck of a sight to see. This ain’t your mama’s Beowulf. B+ (Joe Allison)

Lions for Lambs - Starring Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. Directed by Robert Redford

Best and Worst Movies of 2007 Joe Allison’s Top 5 Knocked Up Transformers Pirates of the Carribean: At World’s End Bridge to Terabithia Children of Men Bottom 5 Norbit Lucky You Illegal Tender Sleuth The Good German Linda Hollar’s Top Movies Sicko Lars and the Real Girl Jimmy Carter Man From Plains Death At A Funeral The Bourne Ultimatum Notes On A Scandal Blades of Glory The Shooter Mr. Brooks Worst Movies The Wendell Baker Story Nancy Drew

Lions for Lambs primarily takes place across three stories – a conversation between a teacher and student, an interview between a senator and a reporter, and an Army drop following two friends. The teacher (Redford) is busy exploring his student’s poor attendance record, looking for reasons behind his apathy. The reporter (Streep) is busy taking candid notes in an exclusive interview with one of the most extremely conservative humans on the planet. The soldiers are busy freezing their butts off on top of a mountain, trying not to get killed by the snow or gunfire.

The audience is busy wondering if there is a cohesive storyline behind all three mini stories. Kind of? Sort of? Maybe? The whole point of the movie is to open up a conversation about the ball that got dropped leading up to the war in the Middle East. For those looking for a modern angle, this is what politicians like to call a “dialogue.” If you take a look at the cast, you can probably guess which side of the fence the “dialogue” sits on. Lions For Lambs is sort of preaching to the choir, and whether or not you like it will probably rest on your political leanings. C+ (Joe Allison)

The Education of Charlie Banks - Starring Jesse Eisenburg, Jason Ritter, Eva Amurri, and Chris Marquette. Former frontman Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit turned film director!
The storyline for his movie is about a super bully played by the ever-so-handsome Jason Ritter (Mick) and a geeky tattletale Jesse Eisenburg (Charlie). When Mick and Charlie were teenagers, they met under extreme circumstances. Charlie soon finds out that Mick is someone not to associate with. When paths cross between Mick and Charlie in college years, the connection still isn’t so sweet. That Mick has a dirty past, which involved him in a murder, doesn’t help their relationship. The education of Charlie on Mick presents him with a view of the not so perfect side of life and how to deal with it. Newcomers Eva Amurri, Chris Marquette, Jason and Jesse all gave reverence to the underground feel of this film. B+ (Misty Johnson)

The Mist – Starring Thomas Jane, Laurie Holden, Marcia Gay Harden, Andre Braugher and William Sadler Adopted from the short story by Stephen King
A huge storm rips through a community one night, trashing houses and messing up people’s lives. David Drayton (Jane) gets a smashed boat dock and a living room window out of the whole mess. Off he goes to the grocery store, kid in tow but, before he can leave the store, a huge fog... sorry, “mist”... envelops the store. No problem, right? Except that the “mist” brought along a bunch of nasty monsters with it.

I have to get this out of the way right now: Yes, a lot of the movie suffers from typical Stephen King horror movie problems – people talk like they’re in a book. But it’s probably the best Stephen King horror film in a long time. Although it also suffers from horror movie problem of the day – showing too much monster and killing your imagination. There is a lot of cool psychological stuff that happens to the people stuck at the store. Unfortunately, it’s got a pretty f’ed up ending. Not for everyone. B (Joe Allison)

Jimmy Carter Man From Plains - Documentary, Produced and directed by Jonathan Demme
Awesome documentary on Jimmy Carter, following him on the book-signing tour of his recent controversial Palestine Peace Not Apartheid. He travels the country, seeking to open an avenue for justice, as well as peace, in the world. The well-produced film, directed by Academy Award winning director Jonathan Demme, shows Carter’s private and public sides. If you don’t already have great respect for Carter, you will by the end of the film. A (Linda Hollar)
Opening at the Magnolia on December 21.