LINCOLN - a tired sage

Monsieur Spielberg is at it once more with his new Civil War drama centered around the political genius of Lincoln. 

First, I will admit that I didn't really care for this film. It carried on with a deliberate lethargy which assumed too much from the viewer. The whole film seemed uncompromisingly superficial at its best—nearly documentary in style and content. All the actors were acting away onscreen with their various issues but we, the audience, never really come to care. Despite a few brief moments of built up suspension and release, Lincoln just dragged on with an insouciant attitude toward us all. 

Although, one idea that I gleaned and care a great deal about, was discussed. A leader in power will have to make terribly difficult decisions that affect many souls. Therefore when you try to contemplate all possible outcomes of a current decision or dilemma, you may tend to dissuade yourself from taking the proper action. For instance, freeing the slaves; what's next? Women the right to vote?!!  This line of reasoning is illogical. There will always be the next issue to tackle but you should be concerned with the current matter at hand, albeit, with a certain prudence. Various issues of this nature may enter your thoughts as you watch. 

Spielberg is now making films that can no longer be counted on for original and compelling content. This has been the case for many years, unfortunately. I still have hope for the future and will set my sights for his next futuristic epic, Robopocalypse.   

And yes, Daniel Day Lewis was superb at vicariously wearing the spirit clothes of Abraham. 

Recommended Viewing: There Will Be Blood - Young Mr. Lincoln - Munich

              Bob Scale: The Critic: 7.5   -   The Fan: 7.0

             MetaCritic: 86

 Rotten Tomatoes: 90

                    IMDB: 8.2

HOPE SPRINGS - love in the late afternoon

Ahhh, Hope Springs. Sounds like another boring, geriatric romance that also contains a young couple in love so the demographic is widened. But noooo, this was actually a smart, realistic portrayal of two older people that have fallen out of love and don't want to talk about it. 

At moments, the movie feels slightly provincial in view. The great Meryl Streep, at points may even overplay the dim, simple American housewife and Tommy Lee Jones may at times overplay the grumpy curmudgeon. I really don't care. The acting from them blew me away; I was shocked by how emotional I became and how much I cared about these two elderlies love life. The movie becomes magic in the marriage counselor's (Steve Carell) office. The frank sex talk is humorous but so much more affecting because of the frankness and awkwardness that comes about. 

This is a no-frills film. It should be. It doesn't get into all the possible complex problems that could have arisen over the years between the two people. Hope Springs has a straightforward and universal story to tell and it does so with extraordinary simplicity and poignancy - how could you not be taken in by it's spell? Oscar worthy?

Recommended Viewing: Defending Your Life - Silkwood - Coal Miner's Daughter

              Bob Scale: Objective: 6.5   -   Subjective: 7.4

             MetaCritic: 67

 Rotten Tomatoes: 74

                    IMDB: 6.6

MEN IN BLACK III - lunar clowns attack

Will Smith is back after a four year hiatus, to champion his own kids careers no doubt, with this third installment of goofy alien blunder. Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin are complicity enjoined to once again help save the planet from contemptible critters who have nothing better to do than destroy our insignificant planet.

The original Men In Black is a whopping 14 years old now - hard to believe considering I remember it so vividly. I caught the show at my local drive in bloody high school circa 1997! Anyway, origin stories are hard to beat and thus this new adventure felt rather unnecessary and childish except for a few points which I will come to momentarily.

Tommy Lee is looking reasonably old these days and many closeups reveal that even movie magic makeup is no match for his uniquely lined face. He plays his curmudgeon character well and thankfully the movie gives him some real screen time before just shooting off to the past and introducing his younger self. Brolin characterizes a young Lee with verve and provides some quaint comic relief but nothing too surprising or indelible. It was a pleasure to see Will Smith again and I must say he looks absolutely no different than he did 14 years prior. All three actors have numerous interesting movies in the pipeline as well. 

Barry Sonnenfeld has directed all three spectacles and has kept the same goofy vibe that many of his films contain. Some are better than others and it's really just a crap shoot with him. I would say that this film rivals the 2nd Men In Black for being about the same quality - both unfortunately fairly forgettable because each film uses many of the same gags from the first one with a few exceptions. The odd little man that can tell any possible future was an agreeable clever touch I thought - in line with many theories of quantum mechanics by the way - the bug-eyed, wicked nemesis on the whack motorcycle was decidedly bad ass and looked groovy but his alien dart throwing hands were a bit weak as a superpower and lastly we have the superb ending. It truly touched me because I guess it was so unexpected. It doesn't make full sense to me unless the zapper thingy was used to erase a memory but regardless it was a wonderful way to wrap up a trilogy of silly films.

Recommended Viewing: MIB - Killer Clowns From Outer Space - Galaxy Quset

              Bob Scale: Objective: 6.0   -   Subjective: 6.5

             MetaCritic: 58

 Rotten Tomatoes: 68

                      IMDB: 7.3