Valkyrie

For the first time on this blog, I'm going to say that this film is a must-see. For any fan of WWII films, "Valkyrie" will rank near the top for its historical accuracy and brilliant portrayals. For fans of the suspense thriller, there hasn't been a film that has your heart pounding this much in a long time. You need to see this film.

Tom Cruise, although commonly associated with all-American good looks and characters, is brilliant as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of a secret resistance of very high-up German soldiers. After failed plots to kill Hitler, they bring in a wounded but not broken von Stauffenberg to lead the team. They ultimately band together to attempt "Operation Valkyrie", a large-scale conspiracy whose aim is not only taking Hitler's life, but also control of all of Germany in order to make a truce with the Allies and end the war and its atrocities once and for all.

The most interesting part about this film is that you know the outcome - Hitler doesn't seclude himself in a bunker and commit suicide until nine months after any of this occurs. So half the suspense comes from wondering how they hatch this plan, seeing how it comes together, and finding out how it falls apart. One of the most suspenseful scenes occurs when von Stauffenberg must attend a meeting with Hitler himself and convince him to sign the amended transcript of "Operation Valkyrie" that would ultimately lead to his demise.

"Valkyrie" boasts an incredible ensemble of veteran actors - Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkenson, Terence Stamp, and David Bamber (who makes a frightening appearance as the dictator himself), all coming together with Cruise to create an epic war thriller that will no doubt be remembered come Oscar time. He may be a little crazy sometimes, but I have the utmost respect for Tom Cruise as an actor, an artist and a businessman. He invested a lot into this film, he's passionate about what he does, and he's a mover and a shaker who makes things happen. And it's obvious when you see the finished product. Go see this film. It's this year's holiday epic.

Yes Man

Jim Carrey's back, and he's proven he can still carry a movie and make us love him for it (no pun intended with the carry reference there).

For those of you who still see Mr. Carrey as a bizarre caricature with a wild hair-do and Hawaiian attire and are wary of his films, fear not. His comedic appeal is mellowing - but he is still the king of physical humour. Thankfully with "Yes Man" he portrays everyman, Carl Allen, with honesty and sincerity, so that the humour becomes more embedded in the character rather than a presentation from the actor, and we actually care about him.

Depressed after a breakup, Carl is coaxed by a long lost compadre to attend a seminar in which he makes a "covenant" with a guru-like motivational speaker named Terrence (Terence Stamp) to open his life to possibilities and say "yes" to anything and everything that comes his way. Of course this results in some silly and rather hilarious situations (namely being seduced by the randy old woman next door), but it also brings unexpected happiness when scooter-riding rocker-girl/photographer Allison comes into his life and the two begin to fall for each other.

"Yes Man" was a wonderful mix of old and new Jim Carrey. A little bit of the earnestness of "The Majestic" and "Eternal Sunshine" mixed with the silliness of "Liar Liar" and "Bruce Almighty" to create a perfect fun film. And on top of that, Zooey Deschanel is enchanting as the free spirited Allison. One look from her big blue eyes and you're hooked on her "happy-what-life-brings-you" attitude.

I would go so far as to say that "Yes Man" was so endearing that it managed to stir up my own desires to live life to the fullest, which says a lot about how easy it is to enjoy this film. Definitely recommendable, and highly entertaining. A great date movie, or if you just want to feel good about life.

The Spirit

Well one thing's for sure: I certainly didn't expect "The Spirit" to be that hilarious! The way I've been describing this film is Adam West's Batman meets Frank Miller. All the cheesiness of your overacted comic book camp smashed together with the dark sexiness of Frank Miller's direction. And it works!

Sitting in the theatre preparing for this film, all I could think of was, "Do I really want to sit through another Frank Miller?" I mean "Sin City" was revolutionary, "300" was riveting, but everything I'd seen in trailers of "The Spirit" looked like nothing new. Like "Sin City" redux, but less violent and gritty. Little did I know that, unlike its predecessor, "The Spirit" blissfully didn't take itself seriously at all. It was campy, it was over the top, and it wasn't ashamed to be silly.

The story follows a former cop named Denny Colt who mysteriously returned to life and proclaimed himself The Spirit (Gabriel Macht), an un-killable vigilante determined to destroy The Octopus (a phenominally crazy Samuel L. Jackson) and learn why the two of them are unable to kill each other no matter how many wounds they inflict. He is constantly haunted by two women, Loreli Rox (Jamie King), the beautiful angel of death who continues to call him back to his grave, and Sand Saref (Eva Mendes), former girlfriend turned jewel thief hell bent on getting some serious bling. Along for the ride are Ellen Dolan (Sarah Paulson), a young doctor who has the hots for The Spirit, her police commissioner father (an unchanged Dan Lauria not seen since "The Wonder Years") and a deliciously sarcastic Silken Floss (Scarlett Johansson), sexy sidekick to Sammy J.

First of all, I gotta say... incredibly gorgeous women in this film. Thank you Frank Miller, you have made classy sexy again. That said, I would argue that Sam Jackson and Scarlett, yes Scarlett, make this film worth watching. Whenever the two of them are on screen together it's pure comedic gold. I never knew she had it in her to be that sarcastic and funny, with great comic timing. This movie needs to be seen for the Nazi interrogation scene if nothing else. Priceless.

The other thoroughly enjoyable aspect is The Spirit and his uncanny ability to seduce any woman he meets. He milks that for all it's worth, and it's hysterical. And his ability to deliver such lines as, "Somebody get me a tie. And it'd better be red!" is worth the price of admission alone.

All in all, the action is awesome, the comedy is an unexpected surprise, and the ladies are stunning to behold. Merry Christmas.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Okay. I haven't seen the original. Every review I've read seems to be comparing it to the oh-so-lifechanging 1950's TDTESS. I wasn't born then. I was barely alive during the Cold War. I can't relate an outdated film to a time that I never existed in, nor can I relate it to a much-hyped remake of today.

That being said, there's not much to say about this film. I mean, the role is perfect for Keanu - an emotionless humanoid. But I can pretty much sum up this movie in a quick paragraph so you don't have to spend the $10+ to see it for yourself. Spoilers be ahead.

Big spheres come to Earth. Jennifer Connelly is called in to help. Kathy Bates looks perplexed. Sphere in Central Park opens up, slimey guy comes out, turns out to be Keanu. Big lazer-eyed guy comes out, kicks ass if threatened with violence. Keanu gets taken in by the government. Kathy Bates won't let him go. Jennifer Connelly helps him escape. Takes him to see a fellow alien at McDonald's. Keanu decides humans aren't going to change their pollutin' ways, sends out the order to exterminate us to ensure the survival of the Earth. Jennifer Connelly takes Keanu to see John Cleese. Keanu is reformed by John Cleese. The extermination has already begun. Keanu sees Jennifer Connelly and her adopted son cry. Finally understands humans. Saves them and takes his own life to save the rest of the world.

Done. With a lot of explosions from a very cliche American army. And a lot of tiny bugs that disintegrate everything they touch.

What astounded me was that this film had the audacity to suggest that an advanced alien lifeform wouldn't be able to understand humanity until it meets an a) Brit, b) highly educated professor who c) listens to Bach. Suddenly it all makes sense. Humans really aren't all bad, most of them are just stupid. If everyone could be like John Cleese, the Earth could be saved.

And poor Kathy Bates. She tried hard with what she had. But even she couldn't salvage cliche after cliche that made this script. It looked as if she was worried anyone was going to notice that she was in this film.

I'm not usually this scathing. At least the film didn't leave me angry. It just left me wondering, why? Why would an alien life form care as to what was going on down on our little planet? Why would they take the trouble of coming all the way here to assess and destroy our species? And why is Keanu Reeves still getting hired?