The Departed

Martin Scorcese is back, and as you would expect from his style as a storyteller, he is back with a vengeance! "The Departed" is a master work of crime drama and mystery. It encompasses every positive aspect that Scorcese brings to the table: its complexities flow seamlessly through twists and turns, realistic violence, and tormented yet human characters. Although this movie will probably not get a best picture nod, it might produce a nomination for best director or even best actor for Leonardo Dicaprio.

I cannot retell the story because it would be giving away surprises and ironies. However, the basic plot goes like this: There is an Irish mob in Boston. Obviously, the police are trying to infiltrate and beat organized crime through the use of moles. The interesting aspect of the movie is that moles are on both sides: cops give information to the mob and vice versa. The theme of the movie revolves around the nature of "the rat." How much can you lie without deceiving yourself? How long can you work with the mob until you sympathize and befriend them? As one would expect, Scorcese does a much better job with the above theme than do previous mob movies, including "Donnie Brasco," a film that I wanted to like, but did not.

The movie also has great actors at the top of their game. As stated above, Dicaprio has developed under Scorcese into a phenmonal performer. Matt Damon uses his natural charm and arrogance. Mark Wahlberg takes advantage of his simple yet streetwise talents to create an entertaining cop character. Jack Nicholson indulges in the evil and brashness of his character, as he did with the joker in "Batman" and Jack in 'The Shining." His "teetering on the edge of crazy" persona fits perfectly into the character.

My final comment has to genuflect before Scorcese as a director. He has learned from making blockbuster movies like "Gangs of New York" and "The Aviator" how to combine perfectly wrought stories and characters with obsessive camera placement. His shots were poetically near perfection. Finally, Scorcese adds a dimension to "The Departed" that is not in his other movies. His current work is almost a dark satire or comedy about the serious and multifaceted aspects of crime. It is at times thrilling and other times almost ridiculous. The key component is that the movie works concurrently from different perspectives.

"The Departed" is easily one of the best movies of 2006. It's really time to give Scorcese his Oscar.

4.9

Jesus Camp

"Jesus Camp" is a well-made and highly entertaining documentary, but it is anything but fair and balanced in its judgment of evangelical radicalism. Even though the movie purports to show both sides of the issue, a skeptical talk show host and the bible camp organizers, the evangelicals are doomed to a portrayal of stupidity and alarming belligerence. Then again, my view is very biased as I despise religious radicalism with a great passion. Still, "Jesus Camp" will have this paradoxical effect on most audiences; it will make them laugh and it will scare the hell out of them.

The world of documentaries is a hard business. Unlike other genres, documentaries cannot rely on visual acrobatics, superb directing, or even great acting. Great documentaries are the result of relentless shooting, keen editing, and the luck to stumble upon interesting subjects. "Jesus Camp" manages to break the above mold just a little by incorporating some fine directing. We are not only shown interviews with people, but contrived visual sojourns that serve the movie's general theme of fear and radicalism. For example, there are scenes involving phone interviews and radio shows that are paired nicely with portraits of dark foreboding forests and towns. Additionally, many of the shots involving people, which one would expect would be haphazard, are very well crafted. To be honest, I have to wonder if some of the scenes were staged. The camera always seems to zoom in at the perfect moment or catch an event from a perfect angle. Perhaps it is luck or the result of a director with good instincts.

The subject matter of "Jesus Camp" explores a camp in North Dakota where young teens are sent to be indoctrinated (this is not too harsh a word) with religion and even worse, politics. Children are driven into emotional states and are forced to pledge their lives to Christ, their community, and George W. Bush (I am not kidding!). They are also taught the evils of science and its multiple lies like global warming, evolution, and the big bang (Again, I am not kidding). Camp Counselors discuss their various tactics and hope that one day American children will be as fanatical and Islamic children. Oh yeah, and Harry Potter is an evil warlock who sins against God!

"Jesus Camp" is a yelp from the blue states. It demonstrates a burgeoning worry for people with brains and education. As the movie states, "There are so many evangelicals that if they all vote, they can be the majority in any American election [as they were nationally in 2000 and 2004]." That is a scary thought! Run for the hills! However, in the end, a good documentary tries to depict an event, not make judgments. Although I agree with the film's premise from what I have seen in the movie and in my own real experiences, I could not help but feel that I was being led by the hand. Much like Michael Moore's films, "Jesus Camp" represents stellar filmmaking, but poor objectivity and argumentation. For a an example of a more balanced documentary, see Morgan Spurlok's "Supersize Me," which puts the blame of America's obesity problem on fast food companies AND the customers for making poor choices. In "Jesus Camp," we should not only be horrified by evangelicals, we should be angry at our own complacency in watching their growing movement. Is making a scathing documentary the best we can do? My advice is: spare the rod and spoil the child. It is time to discredit and defeat these people politically, socially, and scientifically.

4.5

Half Nelson

What happens to those poor college grads who join Teach for America or to the liberal hippies who didn't have the grades to get a real job? "Half Nelson" is a movie that explores the throes of inner city schools both for the teachers and the students. Even though I had considerable issues with the directing, I think that "Half Nelson" is a strong film. In particular, Ryan Gosling (the boy next door from "The Notebook") shines with an epic performance as a troubled teacher.

The best aspect of the movie was the acting. In addition to the flawless Gosling, who may or may not have Oscar gold shining on him, there is another great performance by a little African American girl who is tangled in a world of drugs, anti-heroes, and difficult life choices. The exemplary acting gives the film a realism that is almost scary. It almost feels like watching a gripping documentary, especially because of the fast jump cuts and the use of a hand held camera throughout most of the film. Even though I prefer well planned placement of cameras, I can understand why the director would choose to use more gritty slipshod methods.

The theme of "Half Nelson" is two fold: First, we can see the life of a teacher who does great work with children, but is forced into poverty and its effects, which includes drug use. One of the best scenes in the movie is when Gosling smokes crack in a bathroom and is caught by his student---which dovetails into the second theme, a lack of opportunity for inner city kids. Who can a moral girl look up to if not her teachers or family? Even more interesting is the duality with which the movie presents every character. Gosling is a hero because he cares about his students, but he is no role model because of his drug use. A local drug dealer helps out the young girl, but sucks her into the world of drugs. Finally, the little girl is strong and moral but eventually succumbs to temptations. Should we judge these characters as a whole or bifurcate their alter egos? This complex inquiry makes "Half Nelson" a very interesting, well crafted, and important film.

4.5

Little Miss Sunshine

After a scorching summer of substandard movies, "Little Miss Sunshine" was a breath of cool and refreshing air. In my opinion, it was the best movie of the summer and a notable movie of the year. It is very rare that an independent movie can be both popular and quirky, but "Little Miss Sunshine" does just that. It provides a plethora of interesting characters who commence a road trip (a staple of independent films) to enter a little girl in a beauty contest. There are three reasons why "Little Miss Sunshine" is a huge success with audiences and critics.

First, the cast is perfect. Some highlights: Greg Kinnear is great as the ambitious yet witless patriarch. Toni Colette plays the role she has mastered: a plain yet strangely attractive middle aged woman. Finally, Steve Carell gives the best performance of the film as the quasi-suicidal gay scholar (again, a staple of independent film). I was so blown away by Carell's performance that I cannot help but speculate about his future as an actor. I think it is quite possible that he could make a very fruitful transition from comedy goof-ball antics to dramatic roles (a la Bill Murray and Tom Hanks). I hope writers continue to take advantage of Carell's impeccable timing as an actor.

Second, the film very interestingly balances wholesome familial themes with a parody of trashy poor people who enter their daughters in beauty contests. Although the family is loving, one cannot descry their dysfunctional nature nor their motives for placing so much credit in contests. The grandfather of the family is loving and supportive, but is addicted to heroin. The enigmatic son is goal oriented (he wants to fly jets), but is hateful and buried in his existentialism. Finally, the little girl in the contest is cute and lively, but also aesthetically challenged. Throughout the film, the family confronts their duel nature (their ambitions against reality) and ultimately learn more about theirselves.

Third, the writing and directing in "Little Miss Sunshine" stands as a pillar in a season of Hollywood blunders. As for the former, we are given a witty story, weird digressions, and snappy dialogue that keeps us laughing and even sulking in parts. The directing is what one would expect from an independent film; it was interesting, color coordinated, detailed, and emotionally driven. I especially liked the scenes with the pastel yellow Volkswagen.

In the end, I highly recommend this movie. It will appeal to movie fans as well as those who only go to the cinema once in awhile.

4.8

The Illusionist

"The Illusionist" is a solid movie that piqued my interest and kept me entertained until the very end. The movie stars Ed Norton as Eisenheim, a famous illusionist in nineteenth century Vienna who was so convincing that he formed occult status. Eisenheim falls for the fiancee of the crown prince and much intrigue and romance ensues. Paul Giamatti stars as a police inspector who investigates the tricks and exploits of the magician. Although one may call "The Illusionist" a humdrum whodunit, the movie is quite skillful in how it examines the serpentine trail of crime, jealousy, and romance. ED Norton is a fine actor who brings a mixture of mystery and humility to Eisenheim. Giamatti is jarringly memorable as the bearded inspector. To my surprise, Jessica Biel plays the fiancee character with great finesse. Finally, the director masterfully balanced light and dark forces while giving an older, rusty look to the film by using various camera filters. Oddly enough, there are 3 films dealing with magicians and illusionists being released in the next few weeks. I cannot explain the sudden interests in ambidextrous entertainers. I can hope, however, that the other two movies are as good as "The Illusionist."

4.5

Beerfest

I do not want to spend alot of time on this review. Suffice to say that "Beerfest" is a horrid movie not worth seeing or talking about. It is an absolute wonder how its middle-aged stars could be so immature and complacent in stupidity. "Beerfest" rivals "Lady in the Water" for worst movie of the year.

0.5