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Reviews
Liberal Arts (2012)
Good despite the lead
There were a lot of things to like about "Liberal Arts". The problem with this film is the same problem that Radnor's more famous series "HIMYM" suffered from. Radnor is the main character. Radnor is not a compelling character. He's just a whiny malcontent. In "HIMYM" he is constantly whining about not being married. Here he is whining about not being young. As in the series, he is surrounded by a capable cast of interesting and compelling characters. Elizabeth Olsen makes the most of a limited part. She leaves you wanting to know more. Richard Jenkins creates a compelling storyline that goes unfinished. I'm not sure I wanted to see more of Zac Efron or Allison Janney, but they both were excellent and entertaining making the most of their supporting roles. At the end of it all I wanted the story to revert back to their stories. Instead we are stuck with Radnor, and I just couldn't care less.
The Trouble with Harry (1955)
Simple, Dark, Funny
The Trouble with Harry, is that he's dead. However this isn't the true problem because nobody seems to care for Harry in particular. What they care about is who did it and how best to deal with it so that nobody gets caught. This involves burying and digging up, re-burying and re-digging up Harry several times. The simplicity of the comedy is perfect. I have always been a Hitchcock fan, but this film is like a breath of fresh air. It shows that their is a fine line between dramatic and comedic movies. This movie is very dark in content yet because there is very little character development the viewer doesn't identify with the plight of the character and the absence of Hitchcock's signature suspense music allows a viewer to laugh at the awkward situation and the ridiculous actions of the characters rather than worry about what terrible outcome could come from them. A delight and if he had been so inclined this film is proof that Hitchcock could have gone into the comedic genre if he had so desired.
The Fountain (2006)
Exquisite
This movie is many things. First and foremost it is a powerful and emotional movie which if viewed by an active viewer will shake them to their core. It explores love, and mortality in ways no other film I've ever seen has. Secondly it is the most aesthetically beautiful film I've ever seen. Their have been a lot of advances in technology in film over the past decade, this is the first movie I've ever seen that has used that technology to create an emotional and dramatic effect instead of just a shock and awe spectacle. The movie is out of sequence and is hard to follow at times. But if you wait for the conclusion the film reveals itself and any confusion you had initially was well worth the culmination of the three story lines at the end. Hugh Jackman has an intensity that I couldn't imagine another actor bringing to the part while Rachel Weis is ethereal. I have trouble ranking this in terms of other movies I've seen because there are no films that are like it. Hopefully that will change.