4th & Short: 11/15/09

Three movies in the last two days ain't bad,but hardly a record. Four in the last three days if you include The Road on Thursday. One of those films was 2012, which I'll review later this week, but all I'll say about it is that it's one of the most unintentionally funny movies evah! All Roland Emmerich movies cross that threshold at some point. I'm convinced the man isn't even bothering with a script anymore and just lets an office full of trained monkeys handle the writing chores.

I introduced my girlfriend Susan to Mike Nichols' wonderful 2004 film, Closer, last night. And it just reminded me of how much I love all four of those awful characters, in particular Clive Owen's brutally devious Larry, who starts off looking like a simpleton but puts all of them through Hell at one point or another to ensure his own happiness. It's the role that made him my favorite actor, and anybody who hasn't seen it needs to put it on the top of their Netflix queue immediately.

3. Disney's A Christmas Carol

We're getting to that time of year, so why not indulge yourself with some holiday cheer courtesy of famed director Robert Zemeckis? More like a holiday fright, as Charles Dickens' classic story about a miserly old scrooge has never looked more terrifying or as gorgeous. Probably not one you wanna take little kids to, but those who can handle it will be in for a visual smorgasboard.

2. An Education
They don't really make movies like this anymore. Nick Hornby's adapation of Lynn Barber's memoir is a story we've all seen before, of a girl who falls head over heels for an older man, but lifted beyond expectation by a smart, crisp script and an Oscar worthy performance by newcomer Carey Mulligan. Those looking to get away from the burning buildings crashing tidal waves will in favor of something deceptively funny and often brilliant will want to check this out.

1. Precious
I'm not one to slather praise unnecessarily, but I will say that Precious is the most powerful film out right now(atleast until The Road comes out). Forget all the hype supplied by Oprah, let's not forget she has a vested interest considering she produced the film, Precious's story is as heartbreaking as it is hopeful. Mo'Nique has earned much deserved raves for her performance as Precious's domineering, manipulative mother, but the entire cast does amazing work, including Mariah Carey and and Lenny Kravitz. Don't be like some idiot parents at the showing I went to and bring your kids. We're talkin' a movie that deals primarily with incest and rape, so no need to burn the children's virgin ears.

DVD Pick: Watchmen(The Ultimate Cut)
I know the uninitiated might've had a bone to pick with the retro feel and look of Alan Moore's gritty superhero tale, but for guys like me who've been reading this classic regularly for 20 years it was like seeing your childhood come to life. Jackie Early Hayley steals the show as the enigmatic vigilante, Rorschach, and if he isn't nominated for Best Supporting geeks like me will be rioting in the streets. This edition is the one people have been waiting for, as it mixes in Alan Moore's comic within a comic, The Black Freighter, woven seamlessly into the story and pushing Zack Snyder's film past the 3 1/2 hour mark. So what? It's worth the butt impressions on your couch.