Max

I watched "Max" this week and felt it was such a good movie that I wondered why it had not received more buzz.
The movie is about an art dealer named Max who meets a young Hitler after WWI. Hitler is an aspiring artist and desperately wants Max to pick him up as a serious artist with his own show. Max, a Jewish playboy of sorts, is skeptical about the quality of Hitler's art and is concerned about his growing passion for politics, as it may interfere with his artistic career. Max and Hitler share a common background in that they served in WWI and lost something. Max lost an arm but came home to a family and continued wealth. Hitler came home to nothing but increasing bitterness.
Most interesting to me was the relationship between Max and Hitler. At times, Hitler begged Max for help, once even stating that Max had saved his life. Yet when Hitler had a political audience, he ranted on about how the Jews had poisoned the German bloodline. It was as though Hitler was living two lives and consciously knew it.
I did a small amount of research after watching the movie and found Hitler's work to be excellent. You be the judge. If you were to see these paintings in a museum, would you have known they had been painted by the same person who had millions of Jews killed? It doesn't seem possible that someone who could create life on canvas could so quickly take it all away in reality.
I really enjoy historical films and this one didn't disappoint. The actors were phenomenal. John Cusack played the title role while the exceptional Noah Taylor portrayed Hitler in scary detail. Leelee Sobieski played Max's lover while Molly Parker was Max's long-suffering wife. It was very moving - I got chills when Hitler addressed a large crowd in an auditorium. I wept for the real-life Jews who had to be a part of this atrocity.
I would recommend this movie to teens and up. Remember that it is only someone's interpretation of what happened, not that everything is exactly as it is laid out in the movie. Historical movies are usually 50% truth at best. A lot of liberties are taken. As I try to remind high school kids - don't watch the movie instead of studying for the test.

Downfall

Yes, it's in German. Don't let that stop you. Just read the subtitles. You'll get used to it - promise. If you can walk and chew gum, talk on the phone while driving or eat breakfast while checking your email, you can do that.
With all the buzz of Tom Cruise's new movie about Hitler, I thought it would be nice to review a really good movie about Hitler from the people who knew him.
As a disclosure, Bruno Ganz is my favorite male movie actor of all time. In "Downfall," he plays Hitler. Of course I loved his performance, but my admiration went to new lengths after watching reel footage of Hitler. Ganz picked up Hitler's mannerisms - it is truly brilliant.
The supporting cast is also excellent. I don't want to give too much away but this wonderful movie heralds Hitler's last days, mostly in the bunker with the rest of his faithful supporters. (Anyone who knows anything about WWII knows that Hitler dies, right?)
Despite Germany's imminent defeat, Hitler pushes his people on, determined to continue fighting. Some of his people defy his actions (I'm assuming this is where some of the Cruise film comes in).
Of particular significance is the family/military unit. The people in the bunker are like Hitler's extended family. It is clear he dotes on some more than others, and he has a loving partner to serve as the mother figure. What may not be known to most Americans, is what the real parents of some of the children who were living in the bunker did when they realized they were not going to win the war. I don't know how to put into words how I felt when I watched those scenes. It is emotional and I don't know what I would have done in their place.
As for the appropriateness of the movie, I'd go father than saying I'd let teens watch this, I'd ENCOURAGE them to watch this. It is a great history lesson and one they won't soon forget. My suggestion is for teens and up.
While I used to be a big Cruise fan, I'm not now. I haven't seen his movie, "Valkyrie," but I'm willing to bet you could get a lot more out of "Downfall." I hope you rent this (I have a copy). If you do watch this, please let me know what you thought.

Persepolis

This is not a childrens' animated movie. Let's get that straight. It's for teens up.
Personally, I loved this movie because it is told from the female author/narrator's point of view as she grew up during various political regimes in Iran, particularly the Islamic Revolution. She is honest and often funny. I think all teenagers need to watch this movie.
"Your mom won't let you go to the mall today? Aw, maybe the government will change overnight and you'll have to wear a burka everywhere and go to religious schools, huh."
It is animated but in all black and white. The first and last scenes have additional color. While watching it you completely forget you are watching something that resembles a comic book. This is a don't miss history lesson that is enjoyable and funny to watch.
Additionally, it was nominated for best animated movie by the Academy but lost to "Ratatioulle." They should not have been in the same category from my perspective, but that's another story. The animation category is the most controversial. Don't believe me? Look up SpongeBob vs. Disney. Sadly, Disney always wins.

Traitor

Don Cheadle, steals my heart as his movie roles keep getting better. His acting is so good and so believable that his movie roles are getting better. I loved him in the "Oceans" movies and adored him in "Hotel Rwanda," but this is a close second. The audience is not aware if Cheadle is a good guy or not as he races across continents, religions and international situations. Guy Pearce ("Memento") and Neal McDonough ("Star Trek:First Contact") play U.S. agents searching down Cheadle's character. Jeff Daniels plays the government official working the covert operation. Said Taghmaoui plays the radical Cheadle befriends and together work as a team against the U.S. This is one of those movies in which the audience is shocked (in a good way) at the ending. I highly recommend you rent this one.

Tropic Thunder

This was recommended by my professor. What was he smoking? Do I want to know? This was a silly, stupid movie with a few exceptions. The opening pretend credits were LOL funny, one with Tobey McGuire ("Spiderman") posing as a gay monk opposite Robert Downey Jr. Jack Black's role was stupid and forgettable. The star, Ben Stiller, had the everyman role and played it better than expected. Unfortunately, the movie wasn't all that. There are definitely funny parts (one at the end on the bridge) and takes at the mercy of the way movies are made. This is a movie for those who are not offended by racial slurs, gay situations, drug use, potty humor or child villains (who tote guns and smoke). Side note: Tom Cruise has a small part that is pretty good and you get to see him dance like an idiot as the ending credits roll.

UPDATE: My professor read this and feels I have done this review an injustice. I will admit that after reading his email, this movie was better than my bashing. Hey, it even got some award noms (not for the movie, but for the comedic actors) Looking at the movie from a film maker's perspective, it is slightly more funny than I gave it credit. Sorry.

Iron Man

I had decided I wasn't going to fall in love with this movie because of all the hype. I found that I really did like it because of its unpredictability. Just when I thought THIS was going to happen, THAT happened. Good going, writers! As a teen of the 80s, I loved watching Robert Downey, Jr. in this role, which seemed suited for him. Terrence Howard played Downey's best friend and a military officer (how convenient...) and I understand Paramount/Marvel has not asked him to reprise his role for the sequel - Shame on you! As for the sort of love interest, Gweyneth Paltrow's role was milquetoast - a yawner. The scene stealer was the almost unrecognizable Jeff Bridges as the villain. Please rent this movie. It's really a good story (but not PC) and you'll need to see it to watch the sequel...

The Other Boleyn Girl

Trashed by the critics, it was a good movie. Historically, no, it wasn't realistic. Again: Kids - this doesn't take the place of your history book. However, it did do a good job in other areas. I liked Eric Bana's acting, Natalie Portman's scheming and the beautiful innocence of Scarlet Johannson, who was the best performer. Johannson's role was of a daughter, lover, mother and pitiful sister. She played each of these roles well. Kristen Scott Thomas played the doomed first wife of Henry XIII to perfection. If you want to see an interesting take on a no-so-historically-accurate movie, see this. The sets and costumes were worth it.

Atonement

This one was worth the hype. I loved the movie because it showcased a romance in a believable historical scenario. Who doesn't love looking at Kiera Knightly and James McAvoy? Nobody. The fountain scene reoccurs throughout and from a different perspective. It is one of those movies that, after seeing the trailer, you think you know what will happen and are surprised when it's even better than you imagined. Scene stealer Saoirse Ronan (as Knightley's little sister) was Oscar worthy. This was also one of the best named movies I've seen in awhile. Loved it.