3 out of 5.
Lone Scherfig's AN EDUCATION was a tour de force of writing and acting. The
directing was really quite good too with some excellent shots that
seemingly try to sneak by. Overall a very positive film about family
matters being taken down a notch with the entrance of an acceptable
gentleman caller. Some nice plot twists and some really great dialogue
throughout. The lead, Carey Mulligan is believable in her arc of an
isolated teenager to one who grows a backbone through harrowing
circumstances to become a sound young woman. I would have scored this
higher but while the story and dialogue was quite good the structure of
the script toward the end felt a little too satisfying and quick.
Definitely memorable regardless and worth a watch.
=s=
4 out of 5. Duncan Jones' deceptively simple MOON shows a real sincerity to filmmaking. Really smart well-done sci-fi flick. The story is rich and
the attention to details respects the audiences intelligence. Sam
Rockwell does a great job in this difficult role. With possible nods
to Tarkovsky's Solyaris and Syd Mead the production design was a real
treat. There was still something about it that held it back from being a
GREAT film. It might have been the lack of deep emotional ties to other
characters. For fans of movies like Sunshine and Solyaris you will
revel in the sights and sounds of this well-crafted film.
=s=
4 out 5. Michael Hoffman's THE LAST STATION
overflows with excellent acting and a real solid story. It makes one
wonder how this slipped by so easily without much notice. Maybe the
subject of Tolstoy is over everyone's
heads and seems daunting. But truth be told it's about the beginning and
ending of love and relationships. I wouldn't call it a chick flick, but
the subject matter contrasts nicely between serious drama and some
rather amusing scenes. I'd call out Helen Mirren as having done an
exceptional job but really everyone played with the perfect pitch of
sincerity that I'd hate for her performance to shadow anyone else. If
you like well-photographed, well-acted films that look like
impressionist paintings at times, you should definitely check this one
out.
=s=
