First Weekend in September, 2008

We are back with another weekend review of the movies we saw during the last couple of days.
This weekend was the slowest weekend at the Movies in the last 5 years, where the #1 movie only raked in $7.8 million. Here is what we thought......

At The Movies -

Bangkok Dangerous -

This action, crime-thriller starring Nicholas Cage was interesting and well done. Cage plays a hit man, with very strict criminal ethics. There is plenty of violence so you may want to think twice if you are squeamish. The movie is worth seeing although in our opinion it falls short at the end. Bangkok Dangerous merits...............................3-Stars.

On DVD -

Into the Wild - This screenplay written by Sean Penn plays better than one would first think.
Starring a good cast including Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Hal Holbrook, and Vince Vaughn, the movie deals with a young man's desire to escape from everyday life and to buck all societal expectations. It is based on a true story and can be touching but slow moving at times.
We give Into the Wild................................................2.75-Stars.

Shopgirl -

This romantic drama starring Steve Martin and Claire Danes is an adaptation of Steve Martin's novel about the love triangle between a wealthy older man, a young woman looking for affection, and a spacey young man without much ambition. The movie is well done although it can be predictable and slow going. We give Shopgirl.................................2.5-Stars.

I am Not There -

This was an interesting movie about the life of Bob Dylan who is portrayed by 6 different actors who depict him as an actor, a folk singer, a rocker, Billy the Kid, Woody Guthrie and an author/poet.
The all-star cast helps in maintaining ones interest in this somewhat confusing tale. His music is the back drop to the story that is told in varying degrees of success by Cate Blanchette, Ben Whishaw, Christian Bale, Richard Gere, Marcus Carl Franklin and Heath Ledger. Also starring is Kris Kristofferson, Julianne Moore, and Bruce Greenwood.
This is an Artsy type film that is thought provoking but not visually exciting.
Overall it is very well done and Cate Blanchette was excellent.
We give I Am Not There..............................................................3.25-Stars.