The Painted Veil

This is an intriguing film about an unhappy woman who is forced to follow her epidemiologically minded husband (Edward Norton) into the cholera epidemic raging in a section China. If you can stand the slow pace, sit back and enjoy the scenery and costuming. It is a beautiful film to watch. Say what you will about really skinny girls, but all 100 pounds of Naomi Watts looks fantastic in the costumes. Her dresses were fabulous- and quite unbelievable in the hot and humid region of China she is learning to grow in. I thought it was a little bit of a snoozer in spots- so be prepared with some popcorn and diet coke. Since Edward Norton is such a great actor to watch, there is a real reason to go see it.

Pan's Labyrinth

This is, like most real fairy tales, a violent, bloody and intense story. During WWII, a desperate woman marries a sadistic Spanish army captain, gets pregnant and moves with her young daughter to an encampment in the woods. The captain is a vicious and cruel man. And the daughter escapes into a world of fairies (not the cute kind like Disney) and ogres. There is nothing cute in this movie- it is dark, full of scenes of torture and gore and hate. It is evil that the child is trying desperately to escape. She performs tasks in a magical world- one where she says "I am not afraid". Truly, she is a very brave little girl indeed. What in this film is real and what is not? You can form your own opinions. Does the little girl really do things? Or is she locked into a world of make believe to protect herself from the horrible world around her. This is a movie that seems to get better the more I think about all of the nuances. It is not for children- in fact, Alex and I both had to look away in some of the torture scenes. There is a great deal of blood and adult issues. Not for kids at all. But it is a very intense and moving experience to be in the audience.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Wow- this one is my favorite. I liked the first one because it was magical to see the story brought to life. But this one- this one is really great. By now, you know where this is all headed. I almost forgot what this book was about I read it so long ago. The film is beautiful- the scenery and action and special effects are so well done that it is easy to take them for granted. Though a lot is left out of the movie, it is still a remarkable film that tells and imaginative and brilliant story. I want to see it again!!! If you are one of the few people on the planet who has not read the Harry series- get cracking.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

is a great movie based on the same book. The Potter books get darker with each book- the characters richer and the fantasy world more complicated. My only gripe was that the climax of the movie was an afterthought- that in the book, the climax is sinister and lengthy and loaded with symbolism. Had I not read the book, I wouldn't have known the end of the movie was coming. But the kids in it are growing up and becoming better actors. That's a relief!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

has it really been a year since we left Ron, Hermione and Harry to fend for themselves? The kids are a year older in this- a pivotal year as all of them are maturing nicely. The kid who plays Potter is a slightly better actor this time. Though still directed by Christopher Columbus, this film definitely is darker, the kids more savvy, and the special effects are smoother. It is a superior effort to the first film. It follows the book rather rigidly, so if you are an avid reader of Potter books, the plot will be known to you. But it is a lovely film. Certainly not for small children (under 8 minimum). There is gore, violence, a frightening snake the size of Godzilla, and some wounding and paralyzing that would make little kids scared for years. But anyone over 8 or 9 would certainly be riveted by the special effects and story. J K Rowling is so gifted to have dreamed all of this up. Go see it and enjoy it- though it is a bit long, you won't notice.