theCLog

By Matt Brunson

FANTASTIC MR. FOX
***
DIRECTED BY Wes Anderson
STARS George Clooney, Meryl Streep

Whatever is in the water out in Los Angeles is forcing today’s most acclaimed young filmmakers to bring beloved children’s books to the big screen. First it was Spike Jonze directing an adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, and now it’s Wes Anderson helming a motion picture version of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox. At this rate, can we soon expect Darren Aronofsky to tackle Dr. Seuss’ Hop on Pop and Paul Thomas Anderson to serve up Arlene Mosel’s Tikki Tikki Tembo? (more…)

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Ninja Assassin

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day – Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery

Fantastic Mr. Fox – Animated; voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep

Gentlemen Broncos – Michael Angarano, Jennifer Coolidge

Ninja Assassin – Rain, Naomie Harris

Old Dogs – Robin Williams, John Travolta

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By Matt Brunson

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON
**1/2
DIRECTED BY Chris Weitz
STARS Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson

Hollywood’s second foray into the Twilight zone features enough fantasy and romance to satisfy most hardcore devotees of Stephenie Meyer’s vampire saga, but just as many viewers will notice that this is too often a case of the emperor — or, more specifically, buff teenage boys — wearing no clothes. (more…)

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By Matt Brunson

AN EDUCATION
***1/2
DIRECTED BY Lone Scherfig
STARS Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard

Coming-of-age movies are a dime-a-dozen, but one as exemplary as An Education deserves nothing less than the opportunity to command top dollar on the open market. Sensitively directed by Lone Scherfig and exquisitely penned by Nick Hornby (adapting Lynn Barber’s memoir), this lovely drama set in London during the early 1960s stays true to its title by showing how its teen protagonist learns life lessons as they relate to issues of class, sex, schooling and her country’s own growing pains. (more…)

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By Matt Brunson

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE
***
DIRECTED BY Lee Daniels
STARS Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique

“Kitchen sink realism” was the term invented to describe a specific type of artistic movement that took place in England in the 1950s and 1960s, and here comes Precious to borrow that expression for a more modern, decidedly Americanized look at life among the lower classes. Adding to the appropriateness of subletting that term is that fact that a good part of this harrowing drama is set in and around the kitchen, as a frying pan to the head and hairy pigs feet to the arteries both take a toll on the well-being of the story’s heroine, 16-year-old Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe). (more…)

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By Matt Brunson

THE BLIND SIDE
**1/2
DIRECTED BY John Lee Hancock
STARS Sandra Bullock, Quentin Aaron

Precious is different in that it allows an African-American character to tell her own story, never ceding the camera to anyone else and remaining the focal point throughout. The Blind Side is more typical of the sort of racially aware films Hollywood foists upon middle America, purportedly focusing on a black protagonist but really serving as an example of the goodness of white folks. The only reason this young black boy exists, it seems to hint, is so that a Caucasian woman can feel good about herself. (more…)

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The Blind Side

The Blind Side – Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron

An Education – Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard

Planet 51 – Animated; voices of Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire – Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique

The Twilight Saga: New Moon – Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson

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Following is a list of some major DVD releases debuting today. For a complete list, go to www.amazon.com. (more…)

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That Evening Sun

SUNDAY, NOV. 15 – The Good Book may have designated the seventh day as a period of rest, but then again, it’s obvious that back in Biblical times, there wasn’t an Asheville Film Festival that needed constant attention. (more…)

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Photo credit: Don Fairbanks

SATURDAY, NOV. 14 – When it comes to this annual celluloid event, it’s clear that the times they are a-changin’ – and that was more evident on Saturday than on the fest’s previous two days. (more…)

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