The Interrupters

Movie: The Interrupters

Genre: documentary

Synopsis: Violence Interrupters is the name of a Chicago organization.  In the 1990’s violence was running rampant in many areas of Chicago.  Violence Interrupters was formed in an effort to reduce this violence.  The idea is to recruit former gang members who have reformed and turned their lives around.  These men and

women meet with current gang members to try and get them to realize that they have it within their power to stop the cycle of violence.  They also meet with victim’s families to help them.  The program has shown considerable success.  The movie covers a single year and focuses on three members of the Violence Interrupters.

My two cents: I found this movie to be pretty interesting. The amount of violence going on in Chicago was pretty amazing – one single day saw 16 shootings.  The whole idea was intriguing.  Since most of the members of this group are themselves former gang members, they are not easily intimidated by the gang members they work with. The movie did seem to plod along, though.  While I am glad I saw it and learned a lot, the 125 minutes of the movie seemed to drag on and on.

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Anonymous

Movie: Anonymous

Genre: historical drama

Synopsis: This movie takes place in the late 1500’s.  It proposes that the works attributed to William Shakespeare were in fact written by Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans  The movie covers, via flashbacks) the Earl’s childhood and his obsession with writing.  We get a taste of the incredibly complex political maneuvering that went on in the court of Queen Elizabeth I.  The infighting and manipulations that went into determining who succeeded Queen Elizabeth makes today’s politicians look like a bunch of boy scouts.

My two cents: From what I have seen in a brief internet search, the Earl of Oxford really is probably the leading candidates for the works attributed to William Shakespeare.  I found this movie to be absolutely fascinating and riveting. My biggest problem was keeping the various characters straight as the movie jumped back and forth over a 20 year period.  It was interesting to see how playwrights were looked down upon in those days.  Definitely a movie worth seeing.

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Melancholia

Movie: Melancholia

Genre: drama

Synopsis: There are two story lines here.  The first one is centers on Justine (Kirsten Dunst).  The movie opens on Justine’s wedding day.  The problem is that Justine suffers from almost an paralyzing depression.  Those around her fail to grasp the depth of her problem. The wedding reception takes place at plush estate of Justine’s sister, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg).  Justine’s divorced parents, played by John Hurt and Charlotte Rampling, are about as dysfunctional as they can get – and totally useless as parents.  Claire struggles to help Justine through her depression/melancholy.

The second story revolves around the planet Melancholia.  It has appeared in the solar system – where it came from we are never told.  There is much debate about whether Melancholia is going to collide with – and destroy the earth or if it will simply do a “flyby” and provide the earth with a beautiful display to watch. 

My two cents:  This was a very unique movie. The opening sequences are beautiful and surreal – and tough to describe.  The first half of the movie is difficult to follow – but it kept my interest.  The 2^nd half of the movie seemed a bit more coherent as I was able to see the direction it was going in.  This movie has really stuck in my head.  I keep going over it in my mind.  I am really looking forward to seeing it again when it comes out on DVD.  I expect to understand it a lot better the 2^nd or 3^rd time around.

Bottom line: If you are a Kirsten Dunst fan, you should enjoy this – she gives a superb performance.  However, it you like your movies to be neat and tidy and straightforward, this might not be the movie for you.

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Immortals 3D

Movie: Immortals 3D

Genre: sword-and-sandals

Synopsis: In the time before men, the Greek gods battled the Immortals.  When the Greek gods prevailed, the Immortals were imprisoned in a special cage, with the caveat that if the gods ever directly interacted with humans, the Immortals would be released.  Fast forward to the 2^nd millennium B.C. where King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) is well on his way to conquering all of Greece.  His goal is to find a magical bow that he can use to release the Immortals.  Theseus (Henry Cavill) has the skills, but not the desire, to be a mighty warrior and leader.  When Hyperion kills his mother before his eyes, Theseus is finally motivated to fight Hyperion.  Assisting him is the oracle Phaedra (Freida Pinto) and Zeus (Luke Evans).

My two cents: A pretty decent entry in its genre.  Hyperion was satisfyingly evil and ruthless.  There was a lot of good old fashioned swordplay.  It was interesting to see the Greek gods as less than immortal.  Freida Pinto was great as the oracle. I first saw her in Slumdog Millionare.  She has become breathtakingly beautiful – truly stunning.

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