Swing Kids

"You can't listen to this and not dance!"

Peter (Leonard), Thomas (Bale) and Arvid (Whaley) live for their secret swing club, and are part of a group called Swing Kids. Swing Kids love American culture, such as swing, jazz, and slang. All the Swing Kids have long hair, and are learning American slang.

Swing is not allowed in Nazi Germany. The swing clubs change to polka music when the police find their secret hideouts. After being arrested by the Gestapo, Peter is forced to cut his hair and join the Hitler youth (HJ). Thomas also joins so they aren't separated. The HJ are being groomed to become soldiers, asked to spy on their families and neighbors, and learn all about Hitler. At home they are encouraged to continue in the HJ and give up their ties to Swing.


Overall I like this film. Robert Sean Leonard and Christian Bale learned how to swing dance for the film, which is impressive. It was interesting to see a different side to Nazi Germany...usually films focus on the Holocaust, or the atrocities of the Nazi party. This film doesn't really show that. A few times they show Jews being persecuted, but it is not the major focus of the film. In fact, the characters do not even question what we now see as atrocities. Overall they accept the propaganda they are fed daily.

Interesting fact, Kenneth Branagh (who plays a Gestapo officer who befriends Peter and his family) was not credited in the film because he didn't want to receive top billing. He wanted Leonard and Bale to be credited as the stars of the film, which is cool because people in Hollywood don't tend to do that.

--: it was a good film, entertaining. If you enjoy swing, you'll enjoy this (or at least the dance scenes)
Rent it: it might be hard to find, but I think it is a worthwhile film

Swing Kids (1993) 112 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for violence and language
Director: Thomas Carter
Starring: Robert Sean Leonard as Peter
Christian Bale as Thomas
Frank Whaley as Arvid
Kenneth Branagh as Herr Knopp

I'm Not There

"I can change during the course of a day. I wake and I'm one person, when I go to sleep I know for certain I'm somebody else. I don't know who I am most of the time"

Who is Bob Dylan? Honestly, I can't think of a single Dylan song (unlike saying Elvis...which immediately puts several songs in my head)... So who is he? Can he be described in a paragraph or within the context of a 2+ hour film? Apparently not...and apparently it takes more than one actor to fully describe him (it takes 6).

Arthur (Whishaw) is being questioned about his life. Every time he is onscreen is is seen sitting at a table talking to the camera. He is always in black and white.
Jude (Blanchett) is a famous folk musician who has started incorporating electric guitars into his act. His fans feel betrayed, but he is tired of being seen as an ideal "People actually think I have some kind of a fantastic imagination. It gets very lonesome." He is always in black and white.
Woody (Franklin) is a boy on the run: traveling my riding trains with hobos, carrying only his guitar. He plays folk music.
Billy (Gere) is the oldest character, who lives with his dog Henry in the woods. He stands up stands up to the law, in a old west town. The stories of Billy and Woody have similar elements (watch them in the train).
Jack (Bale)'s story is told in documentary form, told by the people who knew him best. He was a popular folk musician. He laters converts to Christianity and becomes known as Pastor John.
Robbie (Ledger) is an actor, playing the part of Jack in a film. During the film he meets the woman of his dreams. Most of his story involves this relationship.


Overall, this is the kind of film you have to pay close attention to...it's a thinker! The stories interweave, and even within the context of a character the narrative is not presented in chronological order (you have to watch the whole film to get an overall sense of what is happening to each character). As I previously mentioned, I don't know anything about Bob Dylan. Perhaps if I did, this film would make more sense. Overall I think I understood the narrative (or what it was trying to convey).

Cate Blanchett was excellent, and worth all the buzz she received (I usually think she's a tad overrated, but she was good here). Blanchett and Ben Whishaw looked the most like Dylan (Christian Bale did in the later scenes). The story of Richard Gere didn't always fit into the rest of the film. And I do not understand why it was necessary to have the character of Alan Ginsberg (although I do love David Cross). It was also unclear who Coco (Michelle Williams) was, or why she was important to the narrative.
Overall, it was an experience...a confusing one. But I do love Bale and Ledger, so I think I would be willing to watch it again (or even learn about Dylan's life).

--: different from typical film biographies (like "Ray" or "Walk the Line") in that we never really see a Dylan who is gets involved in drugs but eventually pulls through. This is some disconnect between the characters and the man.
Rent it multiple times: once isn't enough. Beaware that it is long, and a tad talky. It is a good discussion film

I'm Not There (2007) 135 minutes
Rating: R for language, some sexuality and nudity
Director: Todd Haynes
Starring: Christian Bale as Jack / Pastor John
Cate Blanchett as Jude
Marcus Carl Franklin as Woody
Richard Gere as Billy
Heath Ledger as Robbie
Ben Whishaw as Arthur
Kris Kristofferson as Narrator

Enchanted

"Have you any last words before I dispatch you?"
"You have got to be kidding me!"
"Strange words!"

Giselle (Adams) is a happy girl. She has a cheery disposition and sings to her animal friends often, but what she really wants is true love. Lucky for her, she is an animated character, and she literally drops into the arms of the charming Prince Edward (Marsden). However, before they can live happily ever after, Edward's stepmother Queen Narissa (Sarandon) sends Giselle to "a place where no one is happy": New York City, and real life.

In New York Giselle meets Robert (Dempsey) and his fairy tale-loving daughter Morgan (Covey), and she stays with them while she waits for her friends to save her, and shakes up Robert's world. Meanwhile a spy for the Queen, Nathaniel (Spall), accompanies Edward and Giselle's chipmunk to the real world, each with their own reason to find Giselle. How will they adapt to their surroundings, and is the world ready for them?
In a time when Disney films (especially their fairy tales) are constantly being lampooned in popular culture (see Shrek) it was only a matter of time before Disney starting having fun with it's past...and that is exactly what happens in Enchanted. Giselle lives in a world that is similar to all of the Disney Princess films (some things are verbatim from these films), and seems to fit the same mode. And then she is sent to the real world, showing how ridiculous these ideals are (while still adhering to them). Ironically, three of the woman who voiced former princesses, have cameo's here (and 2 of the others have characters that bear their names): Ariel (Jodi Benson) is Robert's secretary, Belle (Paige O'Hara) is in the TV soap opera, and Pochahontas (Judy Kuhn) is the pregnant woman in Robert's apartment complex.


Amy Adams is very lovable and makes Giselle an adorable character. Overall the cast seems to be having a blast, especially James Marsden who steals the show...I laughed hardest when he was on the screen. I love Idina Menzel, and wish her character had more time in the film (or a song or two, because she has an amazing voice). The songs are great (they should be, they have an amazing songwriters), and the film does a good job transitioning into the songs. I love the concepts, and the scene with the NYC rodents is hysterical (so is "That's How You Know"). Completely worthwhile for any Disney fan!!

Dude, it's quotable: just look at Edward's lines throughout the film...so many laughs
Rent it: how can you be a Disney film if you haven't seen every animated film they have? (this one starts animated, so it counts)

Enchanted (2007) 107 minutes
Rating: Rated PG for some scary images and mild innuendo.
Director: Kevin Lima
Starring: Amy Adams as Giselle
Patrick Dempsey as Robert Philip
James Marsden as Prince Edward
Timothy Spall as Nathaniel
Idina Menzel as Nancy Tremaine
Rachel Covey as Morgan Philip
Susan Sarandon as Queen Narissa
Julie Andrews as The Narrator

The Brothers Grimm

"I made that armour! It's not magic; it's just shiny."

It is 1796, in French occupied Germany. Wilhelm (Damon) and Jacob (Ledger) Grimm are con men, traveling to different towns to exercise demons and other paranormal creatures, which they create. They have case of impressive looking tools (like a gold crucifix that catches on fire), and two willing assistants: Hidlick (Mackenzie Crook) is all witches and other feminine characters while Bunst (Richard Ridings) is all creepy monsters like trolls. Together they put on an impressive show and get a large sum of money from the town for doing so.

After their most recent con they are captured by Italian master of torture Cavaldi (Stormare) and taken to the leader of the French soldiers Delatombe (Pryce). Delatombe forces the brothers to work for him by going to the town of Marbaden and find the fiends who are stealing young girls. Ten little girls have already been taken, and the people of Marbaden blame the enchanted forest. The brothers and Cavaldi go the Marbaden and take on local huntswoman Angelika (Headey) as their guide. While in the mysterious forest they learn about the Mirror Queen (Bellucci) who is 500+ years old who may still be alive, and planning something big.


I studied German in high school and college, and have read the original Grimm Brothers Fairytales, which are much darker than the versions from what the kind of fairytales we read now. Many of the characters and situations found in the film are taken from these fairytales (there are the obvious ones like the children named "Hansel and Gretel", but there are more subtle ones, but I won't spoil them for you). Besides that the casting is excellent. Matt Damon and Heath Ledger are playing against type...and it was their choosing. Until that point, Ledger had been playing the heartthrob character, while Damon was the dreamer / smart one...which is how director Terry Gilliam initially saw the casting, but both actors wanted the other role, so they swapped...and in my opinion it is better that way.

Peter Stormare goes over the top as Cavaldi, who talks big but is actually spineless, while Jonathan Pryce's Delatombe speaks softly but powerfully, they make a good pair! The chemistry with Lena Headey doesn't work out as well, but she is a good Angelika, and Monica Bellucci is an excellent Mirror Queen. This film is quirky and funny, and clearly the actors are having a blast (and so is Gilliam). The sight gags and dialogs work...and the chemistry is there between the brothers.My favorite little scene involves the brothers wearing bonnets and aprons, scrubbing the floor as Cavaldi's little Aschenputtels (which he calls them in a deleted scene).

Dude, it's quotable: plus it's Matt Damon and Heath Ledger...how could it be bad?
Rent it multiple times: as with all Gilliam films, it takes multiple viewings to appreciate the film...you need time to take it all in, understand the plot and characters, and time to accept and appreciate the effects, and then you can truly acknowledge Gilliam's masterpiece (the man is amazing)

The Brothers Grimm (2005) 118 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for violence, frightening sequences and brief suggestive material.
Director: Terry Gilliam
Starring: Matt Damon as Wilhelm Grimm
Heath Ledger as Jacob Grimm
Jonathan Pryce as Delatombe
Lena Headey as Angelika
Peter Stormare as Cavaldi
Monica Bellucci as Mirror Queen

Ned Kelly

"I've never shot a man, but if I do, so help me God, you'll be the first!"

After a stint in prison for stealing a horse, Ned Kelly (Ledger) is ready to live a normal life. He moves home with his mother (Kris McQuade) and siblings, and gets a job working with horses. Things seem to be going smoothly, until Ned stops a local police officer from pursuing his sister Kate (Cordon). The wrath of the police comes on the Kelly family, culminating in the officer claiming Ned shot him. The police arrest Mrs. Kelly and send Ned, his brother Dan (Kinlan), and their friends Joe (Bloom) and Steve (Barantini) go on the run. While gone they rob banks, burn mortgage papers, and give the money to their needy neighbors...and kill three officers. These activities catch the attention of Superintendent Hare (Rush) who leads a small army to capture the notorious Kelly gang.


Honestly I liked this film, however, it reminded me of other similar films (Robin Hood, American Outlaws, etc). Heath Ledger was good, but Orlando Bloom managed to steal any scene he was in (the man can't really act, but he is charming). The subplot with Ned's affair with his boss's wife, Julia (Watts) could have been developed better. Overall I thought it was good, but I don't know anything about the real history of Ned Kelly (I had never heard of him until I watched this film), so I don't know how accurate the story is, but I was entertained.

--: there were some good twists that I wasn't expecting, plus the Irish accents in Australia were pretty classic.
Rent it: it gives you a good history lesson, but it is still interesting

Ned Kelly (2003) 110 minutes
Rating: R for violence and brief nudity.
Director: Gregor Jordan
Starring: Heath Ledger as Ned Kelly
Orlando Bloom as Joe Byrne
Geoffrey Rush as Superintendent Hare
Naomi Watts as Julia Cook
Jole Edgerton as Aaron Sherritt
Laurence Kinlan as Dan Kelly
Philip Barantini as Steve Hart
Kerry Condon as Kate Kelly

Waitress

"I don't want you to save me. I don't need to be saved."

Jenna (Russell) does not want to be pregnant. She sits in the changing room with her coworkers / best friends, Becky (Hines) and Dawn (Shelly) praying that the test will be negative...but the prayers are in vain. Not only was this pregnancy unplanned, the father is a man she does not love...her abuse and needy husband Earl (Sisto). Jenna works at a pie shop and makes inspired pie creations. She is happiest when she is creating a new kind of pie (with exciting names like "Pregnant Miserable Self Pitying Loser Pie... Lumpy oatmeal with fruitcake mashed in. Flambé of course") and serving one of her old standbys.

Even though she is not interested in having a child, she immediately goes to her doctor for a thorough check up. To her surprise, her usual doctor is replaced by the young and attractive Dr. Pomatter (Fillion). Dr. Pomatter is the opposite of Earl, and they begin a secret relationship...which is complicated because of her pregnancy and the fact that he is also married. Through his medical advice, and a gift from her friends, Jenna begins writing letters to her baby. While everyone speculates about the sex of the baby (her friends think girl, Earl is convinced boy) and gets excited, Jenna is not happy and starts all of her letters "dear baby" and is quite frank about her feelings about her pregnancy, the baby's father, and other related events. Also adding color to the story is the owner of the pie diner Jenna works at, Old Joe (Griffith). Old Joe is difficult, but he likes Jenna, and they have an unusual friendship.


After watching this film, I was hungry for pie...and wanted all of Jenna's recipes (including "Earl Murders Me Because I'm Having An Affair Pie... You smash blackberries and raspberries into a chocolate crust" and "I Can't Have No Affair Because It's Wrong And I Don't Want Earl To Kill Me Pie... Vanilla custard with banana. Hold the banana").

The film does not disappoint. Keri Russell makes the audience relate to Jenna while still keeping her anger and vulnerability real. I was not as familiar with her career as I was with her love interest: I love Nathan Fillion (he was in Firefly!!). He is great as the doctor, charming but still incredibly quirky. Cheryl Hines and director Adrienne Shelly add humor as Becky and Dawn respectively. They each have relationship developments during the course of the film, but they stand out when they appear with Jenna. It is sad to watch Dawn and know that actress/director Shelly was killed several months ago...

Overall a great film. The beginning is a little jarring, but once you get a little into it (and understand why Jenna is so upset about being pregnant with her husband's child) it really works. And there is a sort of poetic justice at the end...satisfying!

Dude, it's quotable: just look at the names of the pies...amazing!
Rent it: definitely an adult film...it may be a little film, but it has a lot to offer and a lot of heart. Stellar performances and lots of pie loving!

Waitress (2007) 108 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, language and thematic elements.
Director: Adrienne Shelly
Starring: Keri Russell as Jenna Hunterson
Nathan Fillion as Dr. Pomatter
Cheryl Hines as Becky
Jeremy Sisto as Earl Hunterson
Andy Griffith as Old Joe
Adrienne Shelly as Dawn

Saved!

"There's only one reason Christian girls comes down to the Planned Parenthood."
"She's planting a pipe bomb?"
"Okay, two reasons."

Mary (Malone) has had a rough summer. She lives a Christ centered life, has great friends, and is happy. Everything seems to be going great until her boyfriend Dean (Faust) tells her a big secret: he thinks he might be gay. She sets out on a mission from God to cure Dean. However the school year begins with Dean's parents sending him to a "degayification" center and Mary learns that she is pregnant.

Good Christian girls don't get pregnant (see the above quote), so she decides to hide her impending motherhood from everyone, which is harder than it seems. When she questions the extreme methods of her friend Hilary Faye (Moore), Mary becomes a social outcast with questionable morality...Hilary Faye even tries to perform an exorcism on her. Mary's secret is discovered by Hilary Faye's wheelchair bound brother Roland (Culkin) and his Jewish girlfriend Cassandra (Amurri). Cassandra is the bad girl of the school who smokes on school grounds and enjoys scandalizing the other students. Roland and Cassandra befriend Mary and help her hide her secret. Her mother Lillian (Parker) is too busy with a secret of her own, she is secretly dating the married school principal Pastor Skip (Donovan), to notice her daughters problem. Pastor Skip's son Patrick (Fugit) is a new student at American Eagle Christian High School and is instantly attracted to Mary, but Mary just wants to finish the school year...


I am a Christian...and I love this movie. The film isn't mocking Christianity, it is mocking people who are blinded by their fanaticalism. In other words, it has a good commentary on faith and going to the extremes. Honestly don't we all know people like Hilary Faye (to a lesser degree)? While the film is mostly about Christian teens, it doesn't follow the pattern of typical teen school films, and that makes it work on a broader scale. This film has the ability to speak to a range of ages, not just teens.

The film is hysterical. The characters and situations are crazy, but it works. The last portion of the film gets a bit preachy, but otherwise there is an interesting mix of emotions. Macaulay Culkin and Eva Amurri steal the movie. They are the most outspoken characters but their relationship is the most normal. Mandy Moore is so good at playing mean characters, like in "The Princess Diaries," and while she goes over the top with Hilary Faye, it still works. There is an impressive cast of minor characters who add to the chaos. So glad I own this film!

Dude, it's quotable: there are so many one-liners or little scenes that stand out (including the exorcism scene which I love)
Rent it: it isn't a film for everyone, but if you ever want to discuss a movie, this is a perfect one to talk about!

Saved! (2004) 92 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for strong thematic issues involving teens - sexual content, pregnancy, smoking and language.
Director: Brian Dannelly
Starring: Mandy Moore as Hilary Faye
Jena Malone as Mary
Macaulay Culkin as Roland
Patrick Fugit as Patrick
Eva Amurri as Cassandra
Martin Donovan as Pastor Skip
Mary-Louise Parker as Lillian
Chad Faust as Dean