Snap Judgments - a Quick Review of 5 Movies

Orphan

Why are 2 of our better actors (Vera Farmiga & Peter Sarsgaard) slumming in the horror genre? Because it has a surplus of character back story and development. They play a couple whose 3rd child was stillborn, then adopt an older child who turns out to be ridiculously evil. There are great shocks and a consistently creepy atmosphere. The cinematography is first-rate and the ending doesn't pull any punches. B

Everybody's Fine
Frank (Robert De Niro), a recent widower, goes on a cross-country trip to visit his 4 children after they are a no-show at Christmas. The film plods along predictably as the reticent Frank tries in vain to connect with the artsy-fartsy kids. Sam Rockwell is excellent (of course - what a natural), but Kate Beckinsale and Drew Barrymore never form full characters. Something quietly snuck up on me toward the end that made the last 10-15 minutes pretty affecting and effective. I probably related to Frank feeling like he was too tough on his kids, but I'm not sure. De Niro mugs for the camera and remains a shadow of his former self, but he almost has a real character here - for the first time in a long time. B-

Whiteout

Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale) is a US Marshal stationed in Antarctica who has just discovered the continent's first murder. She has to solve the case before a huge storm arrives and the planes are grounded for the long 6-month winter. The depiction of the frozen landscapes and wintry storms is inherently visually interesting, but director Dominic Sena can't get the material to rise above its graphic novel origin nor apply any worthwhile themes to the characters. The frost-bitten finger amputation scene is rough and the ending whimpers. C

Law Abiding CItizen
After the wife and daughter of Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) are murdered by 2 home invaders, the assailants turn on each other and one gets plea bargained down to 10 years by DA Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx). Clyde no likey and decides to brutally torture his family's murderer to death and send the video to Rice's address. Clyde then abuses and distorts the legal system to get revenge on everyone involved with the case. OK for awhile as Clyde's intelligence and maneuvering exposes the arbitrary judicial system we live under. Then, the disastrous ending subverts the film's message and drops Clyde's IQ by at least 50 points. C-

It Might Get Loud

Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White get together to talk about their lives and play a little guitar. The tri-generational approach is all over the place at first, but eventually comes together nicely as each shows their love for the guitar and how it became their life. I don't "get" White, but lots of people think he's a great guitarist. He seems a bit of a pretentious egoist and his music is instantly forgettable. Page and The Edge seem much more down to Earth and less full of themselves. I did sort of root for White toward the end since he seemed hopelessly outmatched, unworthy to be in the same room. He did show sufficient respect for the 2 living legends and his musical intentions sound noble, at least.

Inevitably, the best parts are about the music: whether Page is playing "In My Time of Dying" or "Whole Lotta Love" (with the other 2 staring in awe like little kids) or The Edge going over how he formed his unique sound or Page playing Link Wray's "Rumble" on a record player, giddy as a teenager himself. Also, Page describing how John Bonham developed the drum sound on "When the Levee Breaks" is also a huge highlight for any Zeppelin fanatic. The film closes with the 3 playing and singing The Band's "The Weight". Page's admission that his singing voice is terrible is endearing. You could learn a lot from Mr. Page, Mr. White - and I mean a lot. B+