Where to Begin? (J. Edgar and Margin Call)

My hat's off to Doc. He's kept us going. Here is a short summary of 2 films I've seen, with more to follow:


J. Edgar, C - Clint Eastwood directs Leonardo DiCaprio in a crappy biopic. J. Edgar Hoover is a fascinating figure in 20th centruy American history, but Eastwood and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk) turn the film into a fabricated platonic love story between Hoover and his longtime aide, Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer). The film is 137 minutes long and you feel every minute. Despite all the riveting material related to Hoover, there are only a handful of scenes that weren't annoying or boring. Judi Dench and Naomi Watts are wasted as Hoover's mother and longtime secretary, respectively.


Margin Call, B - A fictional account of a brokerage houses downfall in 2008, this film charts some interesting territory related to the ethics and "products" being sold in the new Wall Street. Writer/Director JC Chandor directs Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Kevin Spacey and Zachary Quinto in this ensemble drama that tells the story of a 24 hour panic period when a brilliant analyst figures out the firm's risk structure spells doom. Not nearly as direct or literal as Too Big To Fail (A-, review to follow), this is a promising debut from Mr. Chandon. Loved Irons and all the 'big dogs' coming in with their helicopters.