January movie reviews

AVATAR. Human beings have come to another planet - Pandora - where they intend to mine a precious mineral. Unfortunately, the mineral is located under a tree sacred to the indigenous people, the Na'vi, who live in harmony with all living things on their world. The humans can create avatars that look like the 10-feet tall, blue Na'vi, and Sigourney Weaver runs a program doing anthropological studies on them. She hopes to learn enough to convince them to relocate without the need for violence. On her team is a Marine who is a paraplegic (so he especially appreciates being in the avatar's body). He is captured by the locals, and begins to learn their ways. Meanwhile, the Na'vi people won't leave their homes, so the human military is determined to forcibly move them. I would say there isn't much that is original about the plot - and it's pretty heavy-handed - but director James Cameron has created such a beautifully realized world on Pandora that the movie is still well worth seeing. He did an amazing job making the world and the people believable. Too bad the story wasn't better.

CRAZY HEART. Jeff Bridges play Bad Blake, a down on his luck country singer. His days of playing big venues is long gone, and he is reduced to playing bowling alleys and such. Into one of his shows comes Maggie Gyllenhaal to interview him for a local paper. She is attracted to him and they will over time become friends, and then more than friends. I have to say, even though it is Jeff Bridges, I can't see any sensible woman being attracted to a sweaty, smoking, old alcoholic like Bad Blake. But, anyway, she will bring something out in him that he hasn't felt in a while. And her young son really brings out the goodness in him. Maybe he'll be redeemed by the love of a good woman. Or maybe not. Jeff Bridge is being acclaimed for his acting, but the movie was just OK for me. It would have helped if I could understand what Maggie saw in him. This is being compared to WRESTLER, and I can see that.

IT'S COMPLICATED. Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin have been divorced for over a decade (Alex cheated on her, and eventually married a young hottie). During their son's graduation, they get drunk and end up sleeping with each other. And Alex admits that life with his new wife isn't all that he had hoped. So it isn't just a one-time fling. Complications (ha!) ensue, including Meryl's attraction to her architect, Steve Martin. The movie is pretty cute, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't seen so many of the cute scenes in previews. Nothing special, but if you haven't seen many previews, it's a lightweight flick worth a look.

A TOWN CALLED PANIC. This low-tech claymation feature from Belgium is not your ordinary animated movie. It involves roommates Horse, Cowboy, and Indian. Horse is the leader and brains in the house. Cowboy and Indian want to get Horse a birthday present, but a mistake in their order makes things go horribly awry. And things just get stranger and stranger, including visits under the ocean and to the poles. Their crazy adventures are very silly, but I was smiling pretty much the whole time, so I guess I have to say it was a fun movie.

YOUNG VICTORIA. The young princess Victoria was over-protected by her parents, and her step-father wants to be the power between the throne. He is actually rather abusive to her. Once she becomes Queen, various factions want her married off to a suitor of their choice. And since she is so inexperienced, she has to rely on someone to help her rule, in this case the prime minister. One of her suitors is Prince Albert of Germany. Even though they both know they are being manipulated by others, Albert and Victoria still feel an attraction for each other. Now, I know a superficial love story between 19th century royalty isn't going to be many people's cup of tea, but I enjoyed the movie.


BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS. Nicholas Cage is a sergeant in the New Orleans police dept. during the Katrina disaster. When trying to save someone, he hurts his back. Six months and a promotion later, he is addicted to pain killers and cocaine. He also has gambling debts. He is one big mess, but he is still on the job. Four days after seeing this movie, I can barely remember the plot. It was so bizarre. It was cleverly resolved, but...not memorable.