Emotional, and profound movie-going experience

“Into the Wild”
Starring: Emile Hirsch, William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Katherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Hal Halbrook, Jena Malone, Kristen Stewart
4 stars out of 4


“Into the Wild” is Sean Penn’s adaptation from the John Krakauer book of the same name. This film tells the true story of 22 year old Christopher Johnson McCandless, who at young age left behind all of his possessions, and donated his entire bank account of $24,000 to charity, while planning to hitchhike to Alaska and live in the wilderness. McCandless, a bright and young idealist, graduated from Emory University with a 3.7 GPA, and had plans to go to Harvard Law before he left for his epic journey.

McCandless is played magnificently by rising star Emile Hirsh who truly defines the phrase breakthrough performance for his role in this. McCandless, has had a rocky relationship with his parents Walt and Billie played by William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden. They are an upper class family who define themselves by possessions. Although they are hard working and good people, McCandless and his younger sister Carine played by Jena Malone understand where the parent’s flaws lie. In an early scene, McCandless rejects a graduation gift of a new car that they offer him; this among other things has set Chris over the edge.

While on the road, McCandless changes his name to Alexander Supertramp, abandons his car, and burns the rest of his money. In search of beauty, freedom, and independence, Chris encounters many interesting and friendly people on his journey. He meets Jan Burres played by Catherine Keener and her husband Rainey. They are hippies who move from place to place and basically live simple lives. McCandless appreciates there way of life, and becomes friends with them. They see him as a bright young man, who should contact his parents and let them know his whereabouts. This happens with most people that Chris meets, the others include a grain manufacturer played by Vince Vaughn, and an old lonely widower named Ron, played gently by Hal Halbrook, who gives a touching Oscar worthy performance as who has found a deep friendship with Chris. They all see themselves as surrogate parents in some way, and all wish the best for Chris.

McCandless works odd jobs, and gathers what money he can to prepare him for his great Alaskan adventure; he also canoes, camps, and catches any ride he can to get him to that moment. The moment of living in the wild, catching game, and being free. This is McCandless’ dream. The film shot beautifully by Sean Penn, is a tribute to the young McCandless and his aspirations. Penn also uses original songs by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam to enhance the journey that Chris is on. Vedder’s vocals contribute largely to this story. The character of McCandless is portrayed as having strong rifts with his parents, as he displays his frustration in many scenes, mainly his father who really can’t understand Chris’ motives. Carine McCandless who is closest with Chris, narrates the story, and tells of her families’ frustration and fear of what has happened to Chris, as he hasn’t contacted them in two years. They live in disbelief of what Chris has done, and just hope there son is safe.

As Chris finally arrives in Alaska, we fear of what may come to him, as he is very inexperienced in hunting, and living off in a remote location. His only shelter comes from a bus, that McCandless shelters himself in, which becomes a resting place for him near the end of his journey. Its hard to understand this character, is he brave, naïve, or just stupid. Viewers of this film can arrive at there own conclusion. This film is touching, emotional, and haunting. It’s a story of the road, and the pressures of one man to escape society and create his own utopia in the rough and unforgiving wilderness.

This film is emotionally draining, heartbreaking, and triumphant in telling this kids story, it’s my favorite movie of the year, and Sean Penn has crafted his own personal masterpiece with such passion and craft. “Into the Wild” is a film of substance, intelligence, and righteousness, a character study of the highest and most haunting magnitude. Also, listen for the original score by Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder, he composed original songs for the film, which feel like a character all themself. Best movie so far this year

Top 10 of 2007, so far.....

1.Zodiac- Epic and mesmerizing film, wonderful ensemble cast, and Fincher's best work since Fight Club. Didn't see it till it was released on DVD and still liked it this much. Haunting movie

2.Once- Small, small indie gem. Had to see this in Cleveland, probably won't see it again till DVD. Great music and acting. Feel good movie of the year

3.Gone Baby Gone- Great surprise, debut film for Ben Affleck. Strong Boston crime story with great performances by Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, and Amy Ryan. Saw this twice within a week

4.The Bourne Ultimatum- This movie kicked my ass, the best of the trilogy, and easily the best of the summer sequels

5.Michael Clayton-Smart legal thriller, with tight plot and great pacing. Good performances,should get Clooney nominated again.

6.Knocked Up- I am one of the few that enjoyed this more than Superbad. It's funnier and just an overall better film. The dialouge is witty, and with a lot of pop-culture references, and I love any movie with Paul Rudd.

7. 3:10 to Yuma-Even though I usually don't get attracted to Westerns, this one had a great effect on me, Russell Crowe and Christian Bale own the screen in this action drama directed by James Mangold. One of the years best.

8.28 Weeks Later-It's hard to make a good horror film, and even harder to make a good horror sequel. This film is intense as the zombie horror genre gets. Good acting, fast paced, and in your face. Loved it

9.In the Valley of Elah-One of the many Iraq movies to be released this fall, directed by Paul Haggis, tells the story of a broken down troop returning from Iraq, strong performance by Tommy Lee Jones

10.Rescue Dawn-Tiring and grueling experience from director Werner Herzog. Tells true story of Vietnam pilot Dieter Dengler played by Christian Bale, and his efforts to escape Vietcong prison camp.

Affleck's debut film impresses

"Gone Baby Gone"
Starring: Casey Afflek, Michelle Monaghan, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, Amy Ryan
3.5 stars out of 4

Actor turned director Ben Affleck, makes his directorial debut with the stunning, and gritty "Gone Baby Gone." The film, adapted by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote "Mystic River", tells the story of the dissapearence of a 4 year old girl, in the rough neighborhoods of Boston. Affleck who is originally from Boston, uses his memory of the streets, to create this gritty and tough film.

Not only does Affleck direct, but his younger brother Casey, plays the lead role of Patrick Kenzey a local boy with a feel for the neighborhood. This is a breakout role for Casey Affleck, who most will recognize as one of the Milloy brothers in the Oceans' movies. Patrick Kenzey is a neighborhood detective, who also has a girlfriend of the same occupation, she is Angie Gennaro, played by Michelle Monaghan. The two are called upon by locals to investigate the dissapearence of a 4 year old girl in the neighborhood. The girls mother, played by Amy Ryan, is a coke addict, and part drug mule who shows she has many problems of her own, nonetheless the dissapearence, and possible kidnapping of her young daughter.

Patrick and Angie are soon thrust deep into the case,and underbelly of Boston, as they shake down the neighborhood, and try to get information. The first hour plays like a police procedural, as the two join cops played by Ed Harris as Detective Remy Broussard, and his partner Nick Poole played by John Ashton. Morgan Freeman plays Jack Doyle, the local police chief, who years ago had his child abducted, and was soon found dead. Doyle has never recovered, and this is why he leads and created the department of missing persons.

Things get messy when a drug deal gone bad has some insight into the case. At certain times, its hard to tell where the film is going, but it all pays off and leaves the audience thinking well after the lights come up. The film deals with morals, whether your a cop, criminal, parent, etc. "Gone Baby Gone" is an intelligent thriller with solid acting, mainly from Casey Affleck, Ed Harris, and Morgan Freeman. If you like films like "Mystic River",or last years "The Departed", you will enjoy this film. "Gone Baby Gone" is a violent, foul mouthed portrait of a neighborhood with many secrets, its being praised around the world by critics, and I can see why. Anyone loves a comeback story, Ben Affleck looks promising as a director, this is pretty impressive work for a debut film. Affleck has certainly washed the bad taste out of his mouth, from past bombs that he starred in. "Gone Baby Gone" is a great surprise this fall, and I can't wait to see it again.

A stunning legal drama

“Michael Clayton”
Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack
3.5 stars out of 4

Let’s face it, Clooney is a genius at picking serious roles, and making them work well with his persona. This time around Clooney plays Michael Clayton, an in house “fixer” or janitor as he calls it, for one of the biggest law firms in New York. Clayton is the guy who shows up at your house after a hit and run and tells you what to do. He’s also burnt out, in debt, and divorced. He has minimal relations with his two brothers, one a cop and one a black sheep druggie.

But the film isn’t all about Clayton, it’s about the world we live in, corporate corruption, greed, and crime, when many head honchos turn away from to save there own name in today’s world. Clayton has steered clear of this sort of thing, until he gets submerged into it physically. One of his good friends, Arthur Edens (Wilkinson) who is an attorney for Clooney’s company, goes bonkers at a crucial meeting; he strips down and starts speaking gibberish. Although this is part of his manic depressant psyche, Clayton begins to sense some truth to what Edens is trying to say. Edens has had an epiphany of sorts. One which realizes that the firm is he defending, U/North is covering up a weed killer they manufactured which killed many families. It’s up to Clayton to get him on track, and to not sabotage the case.

The film is a top notch thriller, with a superb cast, consisting of Tilda Swinton, a litigator for U/North, who hires two spies to keep tabs on Eden and his unusual behavior; she is a monster in a suit, showing her true colors when she tries her hardest cover up the truth about the case. Also, Sydney Pollack, the co-founder of Clayton’s firm, who tries to make sense of it all, along with Clayton. The film is not easy to follow; we start of at one point, and then go back to 4 days prior, slowly and anxiously piecing together the parts of this superb drama, directed by Tony Gilroy, who wrote the Bourne franchise. This is like that in small ways, the dialogue is sharp, and it’s a thinking film first of all. While the film may move at a slow pace, fans of this genre and of the plot will enjoy every second of it.

This is definitely not a run of the mill thriller, if you like films like “Syriana” or are a fan of John Grisham, this is your movie, expect this is better than any of the Grisham movies. Clooney takes command of the screen, and demands attention. What is fascinating about his character is that we meet him at a hard time in his life, and we see how handles pressure when the chips are stacked against him. “Michael Clayton” comes alive on screen, as it makes you believe in modern day heroes, Clooney breathes life into this entire film, and doesn’t look back for one second.