Movie Monday - 12/5/2011

The weather outside is frightful today.  No ice and snow, much to the chagrin of the grandchildren whose ears had perked up to the words "slight chance of snow" on the weather forecast yesterday and were hoping for a school closing today...

Directed by Barry Levinson, You Don't Know Jack is a biographical film examining the career of Dr. Jack Kevorkian.  Al Pacino plays the controversial right-to-die activist and he is very good, as are Susan Sarandon, Brenda Vaccaro and John Goodman. The film ended after he was convicted and sent to jail for second degree murder.  He served about eight years before he was released in 2007 for good behavior.  Kevorkian died in June this year and was said to have not suffered any pain.  No matter which side you support in the euthanasia issue, this movie was thought provoking and entertaining.  I liked it.

Terri, starring Jacob Wysocki and John C. Reilly, is a film about an overweight teenager who suffers many indignities at school from students and teachers alike.  Aside from his weight issues, Terri stands out because he wears pajamas to school…everyday.  His parents died when he was quite young, and he now lives with an uncle, who has his own issues.  The school’s vice principal (Reilly) is the only person who gives Terri the time of day, and deservedly so.  Terri is very bright and empathetic towards other people.  He’s a good kid.  I liked it.

The trials and tribulations of dancers are depicted in Every Little Step.  This film is about the casting process for the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line on Broadway.  The movie follows the year-long process of casting the leads.  What the dancers go through is grueling and heartbreaking at times, but any of them will tell you that if he or she wins a role, it is worth it.  It was fascinating and entertaining, but if you are not in the least bit interested in the subject material…you might be a little bored.

I wasn’t sure I would like J. Edgar when I decided to see it the other day.  I really wasn't all that interested in the subject matter.  I figured that it would probably be nominated for at least one of the major Academy Awards categories; so, I felt compelled to see it.  Now, I am glad that I did.  I really didn’t know all that much about J. Edgar Hoover, except that he was the head of the FBI until his death in 1972 and that he had “the dirt” on many influential people (and that he used it regularly as it suited him).  Leonardo diCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench and Armie Hammer were wonderful in their roles.  It was surprisingly good.

Stay warm and dry!

MK out.