This week
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Finding Neverland
Hitch
Lemony Snicket's
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Director: Brad Silberling
This is a daringly dark and sinister children's story and a crazy adventure-tale which can scare children (pleasantly) out of their wits. The look of the movie is imaginative and exciting. A lot of people behind the visuals have worked with Tim Burton, and the movie bears a stylistic resemblance to early Burton movies such as "Beetle Juice" and "Edward Scissorhands." Jim Carrey is menacingly funny and makes a great Count Olaf. The children may not be outstanding actors, but at least they aren't annoying. It's a pity that the narrative is slightly too episodic. Perhaps the movie looks somewhat better than it is, but, at any rate, it's a more interesting feature than the cutesy and rather bland "Harry Potter" movies 's this one has more substance and bite.
1/2 (Julie Vinten)
Once upon a time there lived a most fortunate family named Baudelaire. After their parents die tragically in a suspicious fire, Violet (Emily Browning), Klaus (Liam Aiken) and baby Sunny become wards to a very strange and dubious cousin. An astounding Jim Carrey is in peak condition as a dastardly, homicidal ham calling himself Count Olaf. Lemony Snicket (Jude Law's voice) narrates this ominously gloomy but wonderfully entertaining look at the unfortunate orphans' tribulations. The atmospheric set decoration, unbelievable make-up, marvelous costumes and meticulous attention to detail are admirable, providing an out of the ordinary visual treat. This bizarre, funny and often preposterous story proves that grownups should listen to what kids say. Delirious hilarity ensues every time Carrey appears. If you don't like the Canadian-turned-American actor 's keep away!
(Laimons Juris G)
Finding Neverland
Director: Marc Forster
"Finding Neverland" is an enjoyable and moving drama about the cathartic power of using your imagination. The movie is very sentimental, but fortunately never becomes embarrassingly saccharine. The story centers on famous author J. M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) and his bond with a widow and her four sons who inspire him to write his "Peter Pan." It's somehow refreshing to see Depp perform his part in a straight and subdued manner after the extreme characters he has played lately. Director Marc Forster's previous movie, the harsh "Monster's Ball," was miles apart from "Finding Neverland," showing an interesting versatility in the director. This is the definition of a tearjerker. You will probably shed a little tear at the movie's climax, while beating yourself on the head for being such a softie.
(Julie Vinten)
Starting off at a slow plodding pace, "Finding Neverland" turns into an emotionally packed bonbon well worth watching. The story of J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) and how he came to write "Peter Pan" is "inspired by actual events." Stuck in a loveless marriage to Mary (Radha Mitchell), Barrie meets widow Sylvia Davies (Kate Winslet) and her four sons. The entire affair becomes fodder for gossip filled with innuendo. The second half may find you bawling like a baby. American Depp gets by nicely with a Scottish accent, while it's a genuine pleasure to watch Julie Christie as Sylvia's disapproving mother. It's difficult to figure out who exactly this film was made for 's it certainly isn't a family feature. Film critics and fans of the actors involved will be thrilled.
(Laimons Juris G)
Hitch
Director: Andy Tennant
Perhaps the biggest problem for this romantic comedy is that it really isn't very funny. Most of the jokes and gags fall flat and the ones that do work are rather poor anyway. Will Smith and Eva Mendes make an attractive screen couple, and at least there is some chemistry between them. Yet, the love story isn't very credible no matter how you look at it. To be sure, "Hitch" has some enjoyable moments. But it's difficult to be drawn in by the setup, and finding a good reason to watch this movie proves difficult. "Hitch" is a trivial, glossy and predictable romantic comedy, which is what movies of this sort are generally like. But you still end up asking yourself if it really had to be quite so boring.
1/2 (Julie Vinten)
In the ancient Sanskrit language there are over 90 ways to express the word love, each with a slightly different feeling attached. It seems that whoever wrote this script has an unimaginative grasp of the modern world's most-spoken language. The scriptwriter certainly came up with a stale bundle of overused cliches. However, the qualitative acting talents of the actors miraculously combine to save the day. Is there a single term in the English language to describe this latest Hollywood version of a romantic comedy? Yes, it all boils down to that sizzling energy force named Eva Mendes. At the same time, Will Smith is so slick and charming that it's hard not to like whatever character he plays. But, without a doubt, it's Kevin James who steals this show.
(Laimons Juris G)
