The Ghost Writer

Words really do matter. President Obama uttered this statement while on the campaign trail two years ago, surely not the first person to suggest such a thought. While Obama was talking about future promises, Director Roman Polanski suggests that one's words, even after death, carry meaning and importance.

The Ghost Writer is the story of a former British Prime Minister, played by Pierce Brosnan, who is in the midst of writing his memoirs of his time in office. Or, rather, he's having his "ghost", played by Ewan McGregor, mold his thoughts into a book. The story contains too much detail to provide much information here, but the plot basically revolves around the death of the first ghost who was writing the memoirs for Brosnan. The first ghost writer of Brosnan's memoirs, a close friend of the Prime Minister, is found dead on the beach, the victim of an apparent suicide or unfortunate accident. Or was it? McGregor, upon arrival, starts to unravel the secrets that the first ghost uncovered. It's a curious case of two ghosts speaking to each other.

Something is amiss in the house of the Prime Minister. He's been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a former British Minister. The CIA may be involved with Brosnan in some way. Put plainly, everyone's a suspect for something.

And Polanski handles all of the intrigue with a masterfully deft touch. He allows the suspense to build naturally. Through side-long glances and little hints of dialogue Polanski reveals the supposed motives and misdeeds of the characters without showing his hand too much.

The film doesn't have the action or thrills of some contemporary films, but it more than makes up for it with a tight story-line that truly does keep the viewer guessing. Say what you will about Polanski and his deplorable personal life and sins, but the man can flat make entertaining and smart movies.

As the film closes, McGregor discovers the secrets that explain all of the intrigue, hidden in the manuscript prepared by the first ghost. He must decide what to do with this explosive and even deadly information. McGregor has learned the consequences that words can have. Now, will he suffer the consequences from words left unsaid?

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- Stuart -

Pan's Labyrinth

This movie sat on my Netflix queue for almost a year and I still never got around to watching it until recently (it is currently free On Demand). I had heard the rave reviews it got when it was released and was curious to see what all the fuss was about. If you are a fan of fantasy, like me, then you will find this movie equally wow-ing. Pan's Labyrinth is a truly unique and fascinating movie. It combines fantasy and historical fiction, CGI technology and real footage.

Set in fascist Spain during World War II, and subtitled in English, it follows a young Spanish girl, Ofelia. Her mother has married a remarkably evil leader of the Fascist movement and moved them out to the hills to fight the insurgents. The escape Ofelia creates for herself is a world that combines reality and fantasy in indistinguishable and perilous ways. Pan's Labyrinth had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and left me both impressed and perturbed.

A warning for some viewers, the movie has some scenes of gruesome violence and absolutely deserves its R rating. Other scenes of this movie are downright creepy, and being the anti-horror proponent that I am (although this movie is NOT a horror movie, it is just nerve racking and unsettling), I can not recommend this to anyone of a sensitive nature. (No shame in that). For those who think they are up to it, be prepared for a movie that will stick with you long after it ends.

$ $ $ $ $

-Emily

Unforgiven

My next few posts will review some of my favorite movies of all time; the best-of-the-best, as far as I'm concerned. In that spirit, it's only appropriate to start with what is, in my opinion, the best movie ever made: Unforgiven, starring and directed by Clint Eastwood.

Clint Eastwood is most likely known as a big-screen tough-guy, usually starring in Westerns or gritty crime dramas. His raspy, gravelly voice defines him nearly as much as his acting prowess. But simply pegging Eastwood as a one-note actor robs him of the credit he is due as a master film-maker. Unforgiven is Eastwood's masterpiece and ode to "The Western" as a distinct, American film genre.

Eastwood, long known for playing supremely capable and for the most part good-guy outlaws, is introduced as an aging, incompetent outlaw, William Munny, who assures us, albeit somewhat unpersuasively, that he is holding on to the memory of his dead wife. William Munny, however, despite what his broken down circumstances indicate, was once one of the most feared and ruthless outlaws in the entire west.

The rest of the film explores the true nature of Munny. Is he a "changed man" as he so often suggests, cured of his wicked ways, or is he truly the cold-blooded killer that he was for so long, and people still want him to be?

The plot involves Munny (Eastwood) leaving his home and two small children behind to try to claim a reward by killing a couple of cowboys who 'cut-up' a prostitute in the town of Big Whiskey. Munny, joined by his old partner, Morgan Freeman, and a newcomer set out to track down the cowboys.

The film alternates plot lines between Munny and his gang and the goings-on in the town of Big Whiskey, which is guarded by the blood-thirsty and even sadistic Sheriff Little Bill Dagget, in an Osacar winning turn from Gene Hackman, who is protecting the wanted cowboys. In each plot line Eastwood explores the idea of the Western "hero." Many of Eastwood's earlier Western roles revolved around him as the savior of a town or group of people (think Pale Rider). In this role, however, Eastwood is a "killer of women and children" who is feared across an entire region. But here he comes, bumbling across the plains with two other outlaws in an attempt to avenge the honor of a prostitute. Are there any heroes, or for that matter, any innocent people worth being saved in Eastwood's new west?

Eastwood methodically deconstructs this notion of the hero that he so self-assuredly portrayed in many of his earlier Westerns. A great side-story involves a famed gunslinger, English Bob, who has gone to Big Whiskey at the behest of the railroad company to kill employees who get out of line. The town, and a writer travelling with English Bob, are at first awe-struck and fascinated with the gun-fighter, that is until Little Bill thoroughly debunks the myths about him and exposes English Bob for the fraud that he is.

**Potential Spoilers Below**

Similarly, Eastwood bumbles along for most of the film, succeeding almost by accident in many occassions. He makes good on his promise to avenge the prostitute, but in what could only be described as a cowardly fashion (would you ever shoot an unarmed man while he's on the toilet?).

But what has Eastwood become by the end of the film? He kills the cowboys and collects his money, but has he gained any satisfaction from it? Is he a better person for it, and did the woman deserve her retribution either? Despite all his protestations, Eastwood is not a changed man. His "dear beloved" dead wife may have tried her best to change him, but is he beyond saving?

In the most hard-core scene in the entire movie and my absolute favorite scene ever, we finally get our answer. Eastwood has collected his money but given it away already. He has nothing to keep him in the town of Big Whiskey except to get revenge against Little Bill for killing Eastwood's partner, Morgan Freeman. Eastwood's character is incapable of change, and in fact he doesn't want to change.

Eastwood implores us to not believe the myths of the grandiose west, perhaps out of guilt for his role in glamorizing the violence of his earlier films. But when William Munny shoots his way out of the saloon in the final scene we understand that perhaps we don't deserve perfect heroes and we are left to rely on the violent William Munny's of the world.

- Stuart -

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Shrek 4

Ok, I don't know how many of you are itching to see the newest Shrek movie, but I saw it last night. (I was babysitting) I am generally a big fan of animated movies. Up? LOVED it. Still wanting to go see How to Train your Dragon... stay tuned. I really liked the first Shrek movie. I thought the second one was still pretty good. The third movie started to turn me sour, and the fourth one was really just one too much.

Its the basic story of you don't know what you've got until you lose it. Shrek signs a magic contract with Rumpelstiltskin and then he has to undo it all. It's like every other story of losing something and wanting it back; it's just not new. There is less that is funny about it, and I would think, less that kids will like. It's a movie for the parents, but it's not even a very good one.

If you just love Shrek, then sure, go see it. But you will not have missed anything if you don't see it. I would hold out for other summer animated flicks to get your fill of kids movies... Toy Story 3? Despicable Me? and not animated, but Karate Kid?

$ $ $

-Emily

It's Complicated

I'm pretty sure everyone saw the previews for this much-hyped movie starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin... and many middle aged women actually saw it. As it turns out, its a decent movie. Alec Baldwin, the rage of current pop culture, stars as the same character he seems to always play and yet we still always love, himself. (I was able to sell this movie to the boyfriend based on this fact alone, ladies take note).

There are definitely some resemblances to Something's Gotta Give, by the same director, so if you liked that movie, you will probably find things to like about this one as well. It does up the ante with an R rating, so this film may not be for everyone.

For me, I found it to be a fine movie, but not at all the best works of any of these actors. Meryl Streep's character used to be married to Alec Baldwin's character, and as you most likely already know, they have an affair. If you saw the previews, you get it. The best part of the whole movie is John Krasinski (Jim from the Office). It doesn't matter what role he plays, I seem to always fall in love with his fictional characters. Ahhh Jim...

If you're bored and care for a few laughs (i.e. the scene where Meryl and Steve are feeling groovy) then check this movie out, but on the other hand, you won't be missing much if you don't.

$ $ $

-Emily

New ranking system

It came to my attention that we will be reviewing more movies that have already left theaters than those that are in theaters, so our ranking system needed a little tweaking. Please note that from here on out, we will be using the new system as shown to the right. Thanks!

-Seven Dollar Soda

Miracle at St.Anna

I saw this movie in theaters when it came out last year. The previews sucked me in, and I tend to always appreciate a World War II epic. Consequently, I felt the need to review Miracle at St. Anna so that no other viewer will make the same mistake I made. THIS IS THE WORST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN. I have never walked out of a movie, and I generally like most all movies. However, within five minutes of this one, I was ready to leave the theater or punch myself in the head to knock myself out. I was not allowed to do either and so I tried to force myself to fall asleep to escape the torture that was the Miracle at St. Anna.

Spike Lee, you've done some good "joints", but this one should never be viewed by a human person on the planet. If someone says to you, "I would like to watch Miracle at St. Anna", run screaming while seriously doubting this person's sanity and taste as well as your friendship with them.

While it is common knowledge that Spike loves a nice racially charged film, this one is just completely over the top. Its losely based on a true story that could have made a really great movie, but the greatness ends there. It follows a group of African American's in an all black squadron (platoon, group, whatever the term is) as they fight in Italy during WWII. That part really happened, that's the part that could have made a good story into a great movie. But then the movie actually happens and the character we are supposed to empathize with is the worst actor in the world, the character we are supposed to hate is the worst actor in the world, the peacemaker character is the worst actor in the world. There's some heeby-geeby juju about a miraculous sculptural head (St. Anna) that is just stupid. The acting is bad, the script is bad, the effects are bad. Its BAD.

I can't even bring myself to give this movie one dollar. It gets ZERO DOLLARS.

-Emily

Adventureland

Every now and then a movie comes along, "flawed" by a level of obscurity that causes mainstream movie audiences to shy away, yet filled with so much subtle charm it comes to find a special place in the hearts of the audience that chooses to embrace it.
Adventureland is this movie. No, Advenutreland is not a movie currently circulating the Carmikes and Regals found across the amber waves of grain, but I imagine if you were to stack it up against the current options at your local cinema, it would (should) unanimously be given the nod of approval. (That is until Sex & the City 2 orgasms into theaters next week. OMG...Carrie on!)

Adventureland is a fantastic little movie with rich, unique characters. It's the type of movie that earns the right to be ignored. In fact, It almost deserves to be ignored. So...what does that mean?
Well, the movie arrived to little fanfare and shitty marketing efforts -think Superbad Dos - last April. Yes, it's time in the spotlight of Hollywood has already come and gone (I suppose that automatically deducts three $ signs from my impending ranking of this movie, but so be it).
Despite overwhelmingly positive reviews from people that classify this act of writing about movies as their profession, it didn't do much at the box office, and it has fallen into its respective place in movie lore...a film deserving of its obscurity.

The plot follows recent Oberlin college grad James Brennan, portrayed excellently by Jesse Eisenberg of Zombieland fame, home to suburban Pittsburgh after learning that his graduation present/trip to Europe has been called off due to his Dad being demoted.
James ventures home for a summer of forced labor in order to save for an impending move to NYC and journalism grad school at Columbia.

Discovering that a college degree in English classifies him as unqualified for manual labor,
James is forced to find a job at the local "Adventureland" theme park. In one way or another, I feel like we have all been here.

We are introduced to the Adventureland staff, full of hilarious and bizarre characters, including Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig as married co-managers of the park's young, unenthusiastic, party loving staff.
There's Joel, a Russian literature and Slavic languages major that totes a pipe, Frigo, James' childhood friend with a penchant for "double sack smacks", Lisa P., the park goddess, and Connell (Ryan Reynolds), a mechanic that appeals to younger girls with his good looks and tales of playing sets with Lou Reed.
Then there's Em. James quickly falls head over heels for Em as the summer progresses. Em (Kristen Stewart/sneaky hot) is an NYU student with sad eyes resulting from a recently deceased mother, a rich lawyer for a father, and a stepmom she despises. Oh, she's also sleeping with Connell on the side.
Em has never been in love with those she has slept with, has deep security issues, and generally hates herself. But James sees so much more in her, and despite being so guarded it's clear to see that she genuinely cares about him, too.

Without detailing too much of the movie, I can assure you that the result is a sweet, touching, hilarious, depiction of the transition we make when we are not quite sure "what's next." With deep, real characters, Adventureland sticks with you after you sit down and watch it.

So why does it deserve to be ignored? It's simple; the general movie going public doesn't deserve to be treated to a hidden gem like this.

So let people ignore this movie. Let them forget it with time. Adventureland has earned that right in my regard.
But, let those who appreciate it cherish it's quirkiness. Its dry humor. Its ability to make us relate to the uncertainty of the future. The incredible soundtrack that fits in each scene seamlessly. Let us applaud its incredible accuracy in capturing a strange era and placing a unique set of lovable characters in that moment in time. Its (few) cheap laughs. But more than anything let us appreciate Adeventureland's ability to capture the beauty of youth and dreams and the love that two people can share when those elements are mixed together.

Adventureland made me realize that something special can come from the grey areas in between if you let it. Maybe being a recent college grad in 1987 working at a rundown theme park, wouldn't have been all that bad? Maybe it could have been the time of your life? Maybe most people don't deserve to experience a feeling that liberating?

-Russell-
$$$$ (you should have seen it in theaters!)

Date Night

Without question, the funniest movie to come out in 2010 so far is Date Night. I, like everyone else in the world, LOVE Tina Fey and Steve Carell. I went in to this movie with mid-level expectations which were far exceeded. The movie is hilarious but it also has a nice story line. So much of the movie seems ad-libbed, which it may be, but it also really says something about the writing. (Note: stay for the credits and the bloopers which are almost funnier than the movie itself. Also, look for much more of Mark Wahlberg than the previews suggested, playing the typical role of himself without a shirt on.

Compared to other successful comedy movies that have come out in the past few years, this one absolutely measures up but it is far cleaner (not totally clean) and more family friendly (still PG-13) than all the rest. If you like these two great actors, comedians, and writers then you will like this movie. It is a definite go-see in my book.

$ $ $ $ $ $

-Emily

Robin Hood

Ridley Scott's new Robin Hood is another in the line of 'origin' films that have come out recently, including Batman Begins, Superman Returns and others that aims to explain the "real story" of the title character. What we get is a re-telling, or more accurately, a brand new story of Robert of Locksley and his Band of Merry Men.

We're introduced to Robin Longstride while he is fighting his way through France in the English Army of King Richard the Lionheart. It seems that other than his prowess as an archer, the writers decided to change everything about the story we know at exactly this point. Robin is a poor conscript, troublemaker and brawler who eventually deserts his army with several others (Will Scarlett, Little John, and unnamed others, none of whom are developed any further).

A funny thing happens on the way back to England, however, as Robin finds himself obligated to travel to Nottingham to see a dead knight's family. Robin, now Sir Robert, finds himself right at the crossroads of history as French forces aim to invade England, English Nobles fight for the rights of the commoners, meddling royals plot to overthrow a king and villagers all across the countryside are starving to death and being taxed to death (literally) as well.

What begins as a strong story line spirals in so many directions (including the childhood of Robin) that the viewer can hardly keep it all straight in his mind. There just doesn't seem to be a focus in the movie that keeps us attracted to these particular characters. While the movie is bound to draw comparisons to Gladiator, I found myself thinking of so many other movies while watching. The story lines (liberty, freedom, starvation, childhood, war-epic and others) are thrown together so quickly that none of them get the development that they truly deserve. It's as if Scott wanted to take the best parts of Gladiator, Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, El Cid and others that he ends up with a story that's unoriginal and uninspiring. Indeed, at points in the movie (specifically a beach-landing scene that almost plagiarizes Saving Private Ryan), one wonders if Scott intentionally tried to duplicate these memorable scenes from previous movies. It also doesn't help that so many of his characters are so similar to those in Gladiator, including the character of Sir Walter Locksley who is a ringer for the Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

The film is full of action and thrills. It has a lofty and ambitious story to tell, indeed one that is well worth telling. The themes that Robin Hood cribs from those other movies, however, don't strengthen the film, it just left this viewer wanting to watch those other, better movies.

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- Stuart

Robin Hood

Aaaaand on to our first review- Ridley Scott's Robin Hood, starring everybody's favorite, Russell Crowe. This movie certainly had big expectations from me, originating from my love of Robin Hood (much like my love for King Arthur, wizards, and vampires.. more to come on those later). While not the Oscar-winner that Gladiator was, Robin Hood is a fun and well done movie.

As is the latest craze, it tells the "real" story of Robin Hood. In truth, it is more of a prequel to what will surely be the sequel and more well known story of Robin Hood. Less violent than its peers, it also packs a weaker punch on a moral story line. King John isn't as despicable as I would have liked (hes no animated snake from the old classic). The most developed character was Marion, excellently portrayed by Cate Blanchett.

In sum, Robin Hood is an entertaining movie that is worth the watch.

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-Emily

It's here!

It's been a long time in the making and we're proud to present our movie blog, Seven Dollar Soda. As long time movie lovers and advocates, we came to recognize the necessity of finding a way to make our opinions into constantly accessable unsolicited advice for friends and strangers alike. Welcome to our soap box.

Considering many of us spend so much time working, movies are a much loved pastime. Reviews will cover movies of all kinds, genres, and eras. We hope that you find this blog entertaining, humorous, and informative.

Happy blogging! Put us in your bookmarks. Tell your friends.

-Seven Dollar Soda