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The Box starring James Marsden, Cameron Diaz & Frank Langella

Posted on March 30, 2010 Written by ripitup

The Box with Cameron Diaz and James Marsden. Frank Langella gives creepy and mysterious a whole new meaning. So what would you do to get $1.000.000?

1976. A black box is dropped at the house of Norma and Arthur Lewis (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden), a happily married couple with a kid. They have the house, the car, the careers and things seem quite perfect in their front. Well, there are some problems. NASA employee Arthur fails to get his chance to become an astronaut and the private school Norma is teaching at -and their son goes to school to- cuts off his scholarship. And there is the almost life-long disability that has been bothering Norma, her constant limping due to her 4 cut-off toes. What comes in the form of a suggestion however is something they never could have anticipated.

A mysterious old man – Arlington Steward – with an extremely disfigured half-face appears at the door. Norma invites the man in, both shocked and intrigued. As it turns out, this is the man who dropped the mysterious black box at their door and he has come with a proposition. The box has a red button. If the couple presses it within 24 hours, someone they don’t know will die. And they will receive $1.000.000, if she and her husband don’t tell anyone. He leaves Norma shocked. Arthur doesn’t really take it seriously. But after a while, “what if” questions start to surface. What if that man is serious? What if they will actually be paid $1.000.000? Are they ready to be responsible to be responsible for someone’s death?

Eventually, money and financial troubles win over conscience and the button is pushed.

It turns out Arlington meant everything he said. But will their act have other consequences? Who the hell is Arlington Steward? Why are there so many people around them acting weird? Where does the money come from? Will they ever be safe?

Now, this movie has one of the most interesting premises I have ever run into. I found myself glued to the screen, wondering about Arlington, the money and feeling shocked at the fact that both Norma took the man seriously and easily pushed the button. How could a seemingly good person be that reckless of someone else’s life? The movie is slowly-paced, intending to build the tension and curiosity. While I can’t say I was bored, I couldn’t find the exciting explanation I was waiting for in the end. What happened and why will be shown to you to a certain extent. However a lot will left to your imagination and interpretation.

The screenplay is based on a short-story by Richard Matheson, called Button, Button. The movie is written for the screen and directed by Richard Kelly, writer and director of the cult hit Donnie Darko. While Darko is better-paced, I was more intrigued by The Box.

I am looking forward to read Matheson’s story and see how much/what Kelly left out.

I should say it is always good to watch Marsden and Frank Langella really crept me out.

6.0 on IMDB. I guess I can say 6.5-7 for some parts and 6.0 for other.

Favorite Line

Norma Lewis: What happens now? Will you make the offer to someone else?

Arlington Stweard:Yes, Mrs Lewis. And you can be sure it will be made to someone you don’t know.

Favorite Scene

Last conflict for the Lewises. My favorite part of the whole movie.

Adam starring Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne

Posted on March 28, 2010 Written by ripitup

Adam starring Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne. Lovely romantic drama/comedy from 2009. Photo: http://thewarrenreport.com/wp-content/uploads/adam.jpg

Adam (Hugh Dancy) is a 29-year-old guy living in New York. He has recently lost his dad, his boss isn’t thrilled by him and is struggling to lead a normal life, despite his Asperger’s Syndrome.

Beth (Rose Byrne) is Adam’s new neighbor. Beth easily starts a friendship with him, without noticing his condition at first. However their friendship continues and strengthens afterwards. They manage to start a relationship despite Adam’s social awkwardness. Adam’s inevitable honesty is like a breath of fresh air after her previous relationship. Things could have gone more smoothly however, without Beth’s father’s (Peter Callagher) current run-in with the law and his disapproval of Adam.

This is one of the sweetest stories ever. I read that a lot of people with Asperger’s found Hugh’s performance as quite natural and true and frankly, in this case they are the movie critics we should listen to.

I always like watching Hugh Dancy. True, he is given a lot of romantic roles but it is like he is made for them. I don’t mean to underestimate his talent. It does take chops to take on some of the roles (The Jane Austen Book Club, Confessions of a Shopaholic…), he had and manage to differentiate them from another. He pulls of a great American accent and his baby face comes in handy when portraying Adam’s innocence. I like watching Rose Byrne. You might catch her in the law drama/thriller Damages co-starring with Glen Close. Amy Irving and Peter Callagher play Beth’s parents.

This is a romantic comedy but it is not your typical romcom in so many ways. Adam’s interactions with people in general and Beth’s relationship with her family adds a lot of necessary drama. Your funny moments aren’t laugh-out-loud cases. Instead, they intend to make you smile. And it works. You watch the movie with a big smile on your face most of the time.

7.3 on IMDB. Because of it is dramatic elements and (I am guessing high rating) a lot of people have been reminded of 500 Days of Summer. Actually plotwise or structurewise, they have virtually nothing in common. And Adam’s love is reciprocated from day 1. But if you do like your romances a little bittersweet, yes, I can see some similar mood setting. I prefer Adam, though. Written and directed by Max Mayer.

Recommended Film

Snow Cake starring Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver and Carrie- Anne Moss

Other Hugh Dancy Posts:

The Jane Austen Book Club

The British Actors We Love: The Hughs

6 Hollywood Couples: Gorgeous, Glamorous and Happy Together

Adam Trailer:

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92U6OnVZG3U&NR=1&feature=fvwp[/pro-player]

Il y a longtemps que je t’aime (I’ve loved you so long)

Posted on March 27, 2010 Written by ripitup

Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (I've loved you so long) with Kristin Scott Thomas. Photo: http://smackamack.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/ive-loved-you-so-long.jpg

Wow. This movie really makes me regret my previous attempts to dismiss most French films, aruging they have too much dialogue without enough emphasis on events (and causing the movie to drag forever). Well, I saw a lot of French films before coming out of it but with one movie, I snapped out of it. From now on, I am not going to be so quick to judge. In fact I decided to jump at it if it is written/directed by Phillippe Claudel.

The movie stars Kristin Scott Thomas and this is what made me want to watch the movie in the firs place. For one, she is a great actress. But I was more intrigued by the fact that she would be starring in a French movie, as a French woman. You might be remembering Kristin from The English Patient? Or Easy Virtue? Yes, she is English. And while a lot of good actors can master different accents of their languages (Hugh Laurie in House) or they can fake foreign accents impeccably (Mark Strong, Body of Lies), it is rarer for another actor to have mastered another language. Surely, Italian Raoul Bova has appeared in Hollywood movies and Spanish Antonio Banderas is a major Hollywood star. But they get to play foreigners since you can tell where they from upon hearing them. However I have so far seen really few native English speakers play in foreign films. While Kristin Scott Thomas’ character is supposed to have some roots in Britain, she is playing an essentially French character. So you end up admiring her linguistic abilities as well as her acting.

The Plot:

Juliette Fontaine (Scott Thomas) is released from prison after a 15-year-sentence. Her younger sister Léa (Elsa Zylberstein) is eager to bond with her again and help her adapt her new life as a free woman. Things aren’t going to be easy for either of them. For one thing, Elsa’s husband Luc ( is not all that willing to live with an ex-convict under his roof, where they are raising two small children. However, Léa is determined to make Juliette feel welcome and make up for the years where she wasn’t at all there for Juliette. Léa and Luc’s friend Michel is both intrigued by and attracted to Juliette, without knowing where she had been for the last decade and a half. Juliette tries to find a job, get along with government officials and to be loving again. Her cold and defensive attitude slowly is altered by her sister.

Now, the premise sounds simple and humane. And that’s exactly why it works. It is rare for a drama to arise your curiosity this much, as you are dying to know what crime she committed. It must be something awful, right? You don’t just get sent away for 15 years for self-defense. But on the other hand, if she did do something that terrible, how can Léa be so welcoming and trusting? And after you do learn about the crime, you get even more intrigued. How can she have committed that and lived with herself? What could have been the motive? Juliette never strikes you as a monster after all.

The pace, the dialogue, the setting and characters look and feel so real. What I find most beautiful about this movie is that its subject and characters are extremely universal and humane. You have a small family, a troubled sister with a troubled past, a mother in a nursing home and a live-in father they take care of. It is all about humanity, compassion, life, family, love, understanding, depression and reconnection. How can anyone not find at least one thing to relate to? Nothing is over the top and I adored the ending. Not because it is happy or sad; but because it is perfect just the way it is. And I won’t try to hide the fact that I shed a few tears. It is not a regular habit of mine, but the climax sort of explodes in your face. Any emotion you might have felt or delayed during the movie finally goes out.

You might argue about actions and the motives. What one person finds humane can be thought as monstrous by the other. But in the end, it is the story of Juliette. Not yours. And there are people who could have chosen to go down the path she did.

Final note: Kristin was nominated for a Best Actress Golden Globe in 2008 for this role. I have no idea why she hasn’t received an Oscar yet. While she was nominated in English Patient, she wasn’t nominated for this one.

7.7. on IMDB.

9-10/10 from me.

Leaves of Grass starring Edward Norton, Tim Blake Nelson and Keri Russell

Posted on March 27, 2010 Written by ripitup

2009- Written and Directed by Tim Blake Nelson

Billy Kincaid (Edward Norton) is an established, respected and published philosophy professor. He is adored by his students-maybe too adored- and his future definitely looks bright. And most importantly, he has done a good job avoiding his family roots so far.

His mother (Susan Sarandon) and identical twin brother Brady (yep, of coure Norton) still live in Oklahoma and he hasn’t spoken to them in years. After all, Brady is a pot dealer and proud of his lifestyle. But when Brady’s threatened by the big guys, he finds the perfect solution. He tricks his brother into coming home. Billy’s arrival resurface family issues while Brady continues to implant his more than flawed plan. But Brady won’t be the only one complicating Bill’s life…

This movie is fun, as long as you don’t get too excited by all the labels IMDB has put on it. It says comedy/drama/thriller/crime Yes, it has many funny moments and some romantic scenes. But this is not an action movie. It is a fun drama (or call it a dramedy if you like) worth watching especially for Edward Norton fans.

Norton plays two opposite characters with brilliance. Plus, I like Susan Sarandon and can’t still get used to her playing the mother of a grown man. Yeah, I am fully aware that she is in her 60s now but she still looks really youtful and pretty. Hell, I wouldn’t mind if she had played Norton’s love interest, let alone her mother. But then again, Edward doesn’t exactly look over 30 so they make a good mother-son duo.

Bill’s love interest is Keri Russell (August Rush, Felicity, Bedtime Stories) and Brady’s pregnant girlfriend is played by Melanie Lynskey (Up in the Air). Richard Dreyfuss appears in a small role but his character is one of the most vital ones. After all, all hell starts to break loose due to him. Yes, Dreyfuss makes an impression again. But for me his best will always be Mr. Holland’s Opus.

All in all: Good cast and fun script. It is not Edward’s best film but it is worth watching nonetheless.

7.2 on IMDB.

7 from me.