Monday at the Movies: What I Have Been Watching Lately

Monday's Movie is hosted by Sheri at A Novel Menagerie.
(Disclosure: All of the below reviewed movies came to me either through my paid subscription to cable or Netflix.)

I went a little movie crazy recently. Sometimes I do that. I just start watching and I cannot stop. Here's a peek at what I've seen in the last couple of weeks.

I'll start with the good ones:

Taken
(Action, Crime - 2008, rated PG-13; directed by Pierre Morel; written by Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen)

Netflix Summary: While vacationing with a friend in Paris, an American girl (Maggie Grace) is kidnapped by a gang of human traffickers intent on selling her into forced prostitution. Working against the clock, her ex-spy father (Liam Neeson) must pull out all the stops to save her. But with his best years possibly behind him, the job may be more than he can handle. Famke Janssen also stars in this relentless action-thriller from director Pierre Morel.

I had wanted to see Taken while it was out in the theaters but I did not get the chance. I found this to be an intense and thrilling film, even a bit predictable. Liam Neeson is good in any role he takes on and playing the father of a kidnapped girl is no different.

Lakposhtha parvaz mikonand (Turtles Can Fly)
(Drama, War - 2005, rated PG-13; written & directed by Bahman Ghobadi)

Netflix Summary: Residents of an Iraqi Kurdistan village await the violent arrival of the invading U.S Army. A young boy named Satellite (Soran Ebrahim) helps clear minefields and installs equipment that brings in news from the outside world. Meanwhile, three orphans wander aimlessly, the victims of tragic happenstance. As Saddam is removed from power, these innocent children must confront the harsh reality that awaits them.

I cannot remember when I first heard of Turtles Can Fly. Perhaps it was recommended to me through Netflix. It isn't unusual for me to discover movies through recommendations made on the their website. This is a foreign film, a joint effort by Iraq & Iran, with subtitles. Satellite is quite the entrepreneur, organizing the children in the village, including the refugees. He assigns them jobs, sometimes clearing minefields. Several of the children are missing limbs, including one of the orphans who no longer has arms. The story of the three wandering orphans is heartbreaking. The more of their story that was revealed, the more my heart ached for them. This is not a happy film. It is harsh and dark, set on the brink of war, in a time when everyone is struggling to survive as best they can amidst a changing landscape.

El Orfanato (The Orphanage)
(Horror, Thriller - 2007, rated R; directed by Juan Antonio Bayona; written by Sergio G. Sánchez)

Netflix Summary: Fueled by fond memories from her childhood, Laura (Belén Rueda) persuades her husband (Fernando Cayo) to help her revamp a seaside orphanage into a facility for disabled children. But soon after the couple moves in, their son, Simón (Roger Príncep), begins exhibiting disturbing behavior. As Laura tries to understand Simón's increasingly malevolent actions, she becomes drawn into the house's terrifying secrets in this unnerving chiller.

This is not the usual type of movie I am drawn to, but I was curious about it after hearing such good reviews. Not to mention it was produced by Guillermo del Toro whose movie Pan's Labyrinth entranced me. I was swept up in The Orphanage almost immediately; Simón is a sweet boy with a big imagination. His parents do not know if they should discourage it, especially when his imaginary friends multiply and take a more prominent role in his life. The film takes its time in setting up the story, allowing the viewer to get to know the characters. The Orphanage is a haunting film in more ways then one. The pain and fear the mother feels when her son disappears is palpable. It is suspenseful and dark with an ending that I did not see coming.

The Illusionist
[Mystery, Romance - 2006, rated PG-13; directed by Neil Burger; written by Neil Burger (screenplay) & Steven Millhauser (short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist")]

Netflix Summary: With his eye on a lovely aristocrat (Jessica Biel), a gifted illusionist named Eisenheim (Edward Norton) uses his powers to win her away from her betrothed, a crowned prince (Rufus Sewell). But Eisenheim's scheme creates tumult within the monarchy and ignites the suspicion of a dogged inspector (Paul Giamatti). Set in early 1900s Vienna, this lush period drama from writer-director Neil Burger earned an Oscar nod for Best Cinematography.

I can see why this film won an award for cinematography. It truly is a beautiful film, in scenery and set. I hadn't expected this movie to be a love story, and so was a little disappointed by that. Still, I enjoyed it. Both Edward Norton and Jessica Beil did a great job in their roles. Rufus Sewell was wonderfully despicable as the crowned prince. I especially liked the mystery of the movie; the ending was well played.

The Proposal
(Mystery, Romance - 2009, rated PG-13; directed by Anne Fletcher; written by Pete Chiarelli)

Netflix Summary: When she learns that she's in danger of losing her visa status and being deported back to her native Canada, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), to marry her. Directed by Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses), this romantic comedy also stars Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen as Andrew's parents, Joe and Grace, and Betty White as the outspoken Grandma Annie.

When I first heard about this movie I was not sure I wanted to see it. As much as I love romantic comedies, I've become quite selective of the ones I will watch. After hearing from friends (like some of you), I had a change of heart and added it to my Netflix queue. And I am glad I did. This was a funny movie. Sandra Bullock was hilarious in her role. She had the overbearing ball breaker down to a "t". And who can resist Betty White? I could have done without the added comic relief of the character Ramone as he was a bit too over the top for my taste, however. This was a great rainy day movie to enjoy with my husband, good for laughs and entertainment.


The okay to not so good bunch:

The Seeker: The Dark is Rising
[Adventure, Fantasy - 2007, rated PG; directed by David L. Cunningham; written by John Hodge (screenplay) & Susan Cooper (novel)]

Netflix Summary: Just as he turns 14, young Will Stanton (Alexander Ludwig) learns that he's the last of a race of paladins known as "the Light" who are dedicated to beating back the forces of darkness and their malevolent leader, the Rider (Christopher Eccleston). As Will travels through time gathering the powerful artifacts that will give rise to the ultimate showdown, he must keep the Rider at bay. Ian McShane and Jonathan Jackson co-star.

I haven't yet read the book, but was curious anyway. The premise is good, but the movie was a bit confusing and was not well put together. This one was only okay for me. It was good to see Christopher Eccleston again though. He was the one who first got me hooked on Dr. Who.


The Day the Earth Stood Still
[Sci Fi Thriller - 2008, rated PG-13; directed by Scott Derrickson; written by David Scarpa (screenplay) & Edmund H. North (1951 screenplay)]


Netflix Summary: In this updated version of the 1951 classic sci-fi thriller, Keanu Reeves stars as an alien named Klaatu who's sent to Earth to warn the leaders of the world about the consequences of their dangerous ways. Joined by a heavily armed robot companion, Klaatu informs the people of Earth that the constant aggression carried out against one another has raised the ire of an alien species, which is now threatening to exterminate all of mankind.


This was just another okay movie for me. It got off to a good start, but quickly became predictable. I have not seen the original and so cannot make a comparison.


Jury Duty
(Comedy - 1995, rated PG-13; directed by John Fortenberry; written by Barbara Williams, Samantha Adams & Neil Tolkin)

Netflix Summary: A luckless loser named Tommy Collins (Pauly Shore) finds himself homeless when his mom packs up the trailer and heads for Vegas. So, Tommy hits on the idea of serving as a juror in a long trial. Though he's assigned to an open-and-shut case involving a notorious killer, Tommy's need for the food, shelter and five bucks a day leads him to delay the proceedings for as long as possible.

I have nothing really to say about this one other than I didn't like it much. It wasn't all that funny to me and I was rolling my eyes more often than not at Pauly Shore's character's antics. Why I sat through this one, I haven't a clue.

What movies have you se,en lately? Have you seen any of these movies? If so, what did you think?

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