Disconnect

After you see this film, and you should because it is one of those intersecting or parallel events kind of movie, you will a)sign up for lifelock b) demand all the passwords for every account your kid has and c) seriously think about going back to the good old days. It is about the power of misuse of the internet, and even though you think you are safe online, you never are. You truly are one programmer or support staff person away from having your identity stolen, your kids exploited, etc. Everyone comes close to disaster and some succeed. I'd recommend you see it as a not so gentle reminder of the age we live in. It isn't a 4 star movie because you've seen it before on reality shows, but it is well acted by several ensembles of good actors If you liked Crash, etc, you will like this.

The Great Gatsby (3-D)

Baz Luhrmann (of Moulin Rouge fame- one of my favorite pictures) had to make a decision- remake Gatsby as a boring, rehash of what has all ready been done  (and the boring applies to the film with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow), OR take his usual use of imagery and contemporary feel and make it a real visual extravaganza. Fortunately, he chose number two and used Jay-Z to throw in some music. Because WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU DO if you wanted any commercial audience to give a damn. Look, anyone who went to a halfway decent high school probably had this book on their reading list. I have no idea if  Luhrmann and his co-writers lifted exact dialogue (other than "Old Sport"). If I had to bet, I'd say they did. I'm sure there are a lot of people who will positively HATE this film. But with a book this dated, with a story everyone knows, I'm not sure what people would expect Luhrmann to do. Get real here. It is a spectacle-complete with fireworks and dance- and I loved it. So did Alex. It is flashy and beautiful and lively and fun. I was actually surprised at how much I liked it. I think DiCaprio is a fine Gatsby- why not? If Robert Redford could do it, then Leo can. Cary Mulligan is gamine and yet horrifyingy insecure and weak as Daisy. Tobey Maguire is the only weak link- he really is a tad too boring for his role as narrator.  I've never thought of this book as being about decadence- but Luhrmann must believe in decadence, because he goes out of his WAY to make the setting opulent. Beyond opulent.  If you are going to see this, give Luhrmann his due and see it in 3D. There are 4 other movie versions, an opera, 3 plays and a computer game on this.  Have fun!

Mud

Before I get to the movie part, I have to mention that I find NO American actor more confusing than Matthew McConaughey. He brushes his teeth with comet, doesn't use deodorant and looks like he has never, ever washed his hair. Yet, he stuffs all that weirdness into Armani suits. He's been in some horrible movies, and yet, he has done some wonderful stuff. Back to the movie now- this is one of his wonderful things. MUD is the name of the title character played by MM. What is this about? Well, two fantastic tween boy actors (called Ellis and NeckBone in the script)  skitter off on a small skiff to an island in the river where a deserted boat, put there by a storm, is up in a tree. They've claimed it but lo and behold, Mud is living in it. At this point, you might be thinking "hey look- they have done a modern day Huck Finn!" Yeah, well, kind of- it has the Mississippi and boys. But not really.  It is about love and learning rejection and regret and how we all learn to start over no matter what our age. The ending is particularly sweet when it is made clear, by a simple smile, that we all put our broken hearts back together with amazing rapidity when we are 14. This isn't for kids- it is too mature a subject and there is some scary shooting at people going on. Plus Reese ("DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM??") Witherspoon plays a kind of slutty girlfriend of Mud's. This movie is really kind of enchanting. The boys were cast because they could handle a boat and ride a dirt bike with ease. The director was on a tight schedule and couldn't take the time to teach a kid that. Wise choice. I loved the acting in this. There is a reason why everyone who has reviewed it has loved it. Go see it if you get a chance. It is limited release. I have no idea why.

Oblivion

The screenwriters sat down and said: "Let's steal stuff from Star Wars and  The Matrix, let's put in some scenes they've seen before a million times, let's get a nice set and borrow the backdrops from Mad Max and then STICK TOM CRUISE in it! They won't even notice the hokey story!" And there you have it. Of course, you are always pretty sure Tom isn't going to die, he usually doesn't,  so there goes the suspense. The set is nice though- and Tom does his usual run run run hide hide hide shoot shoot get caught wiggle away acting job. Sometimes I wonder how he gets the energy to give a damn anymore. Maybe that explains why he took the role of Stacie Jaxx. SO now you know everything you need to know. But I was disappointed. I'll go watch a rerun of Collateral- the best Tom Cruise movie. It'll help.

Pain & Gain

You'll be reminded several times in this movie that it is a true story. Except the actors are much better looking than the real people. Basically it is about a group of really stupid body builders who decide to kidnap a few rich people then steal all of their assets. And it works for them until it doesn't. They are cruel and do some ridiculous things- all true. I liked the movie but I enjoy watching Marky Mark and The Rock anytime they make a movie. I found it hard to believe that this all actually happened- but then, just for me I guess, there was a television show about this bunch of idiots. It is sad in parts because you know it is true, and the victims here do not fare well. It is scary in parts because it is true- there are actually murderous idiots who think they will not get caught by stealing all your assets then killing you. If the idea of that upsets you, don't go see it. But if you are good at pretending this could never happen in real life, then go see it. The real problem with the story is that there is so little humor in it- and really little tension or drama. I think that would make most people walk away with a "meh".  I don't think it is that bad.  Maybe wait until it is on cable?