The Book Thief

Saw The Book Thief. It was good, but the ending is quite objectionable. The problem with the movie is that it seems more like a situation rather than a story. And this is what causes the author to just throw the thing in the toilet. Still, it was good, though slow at times. Grade: B+

The Hobbit II: Desolation of Smaug

Saw the Desolation of Smaug. Like how they elevated the story from an adventure to kill a dragon to having something to do with the rise of Sauron. A true prequel. It gives the movie a higher sense of purpose. I do have quibbles: some of the early scenes can disappoint a bit. But at the end of the day, my nails were gone and I left the movie quite satisfied. Gandalf is superb. Was good to see Legolas, even if he did clearly look older. Left me in great anticipation of the third installment. Much better than the first one. Grade: A.

Philomena

Saw Philomena. A little slow, but good. The truth of it is really more than half of its entertainment. Acting good. Only seriously regretted one scene -- the one where she stops to pray at the church. Grade: A-.

Hunger Games II

Saw Hunger Games. It certainly delivers. I had forgotten these were books. So I was saying to myself during the movie, "Sequels hardly ever work." In fact, when they decided to have Katniss enter the games again, I thought the script (or story turn) contrived. And yet, as I watched this apparent contrivance deliver so well, I had no choice but to be puzzlingly content. Then, as I saw the ending, I realized how well the story fit and was reminded that this trilogy is a set of books. I really like Jennifer Lawrence. I can't tell which guy Kantiss really likes, which I find pleasing and interesting, as it gives her character a depth quite consistent with her larger sense of empathy (and complexity). I like Woody Harrelson too. Grade: A.

The Butler

Saw The Butler last night. It was okay. Forest Whitaker was good. The best parts of the film are in the middle, around the period of the 60s. But the script isn't great, and the melodramatic turns and twists – particularly toward the end, with father and son – seem a bit forced. Didn't like Snape playing Reagan: the guy couldn't come close to the voice. Also, the “cinematic license” part of the film seems too framework-oriented. Reminds me of the way Ron Howard did Nixon. An example would be the start of the film, which has the main character seeing his mother violated by a slave owner and his father shot, all while he picks cotton. Yet, the true person in history who worked for 34 years in the White House, retiring as head buter (Eugene Allen), was born in 1919. This cinematic episode would have been happening around the great depression, but you don't ever get that sense in the film. It seems like nothing more than a negative stereotype for an 1800s southern plantation. The question is whether, in the director's mind, the episode displays crime or the way American life is arranged. This kind of stuff goes on throughout the film. I think there's only one Caucasian portrayed as helping in the civil rights movement. Nothing about Bobby Kennedy being shot, or his idealism. In short, I think the film's imagination isn't diverse enough. Grade: B.