Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Nestled between the glass towers of downtown NYC resides a magic toy store named Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Dustin Hoffman is Mr. Magorium, an eccentric with a lisp that splashes the screen and eyebrows that conquer Martin Scorsese's', who relies on his assistant Molly (Natalie Portman) and  Eric Applebaum, an avid hat collector, to manage the store. Magorium is approaching his final days at the ripe age of 243 and reaches out to an accountant (Jason Bateman), also known as 'Mutant', to determine the store's value before the anticipated hand-off to Molly begins. 

This is a fun film, one with hope and humor. It is well rounded with Hoffman's quirkiness and Bateman's sarcasm. Portman delivers a cute but somewhat annoying role. She comes across whiny and her aimlessness is a bit exaggerated. Albeit this is a family film, it was well received by young and old. 3.5 out of 5. 

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly

A gem. I fought watching this one and regret waiting as long as I did to view the story of Elle magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric - Quantum of Solace) who suffered a stroke at the height of his career only to wake up mute and paralyzed. 

The film is based on Bauby's own autobiography, which was dictated to his scribe by blinking. It is a powerful film about our motivating forces and the fortitude displayed by Bauby and those who loved and supported him. 'Butterfly' is a treasure and Amalric's acting abilities are peaked by his authenticity. You can see the emotion in the few muscles he moves, it is a gift to watch him orchestrate the process as Bauby accepts what his life has become. 

My admiration for the director cannot go without mentioning as well. Julian Schnabel was nominated for the 2008 Best Director Oscar and won the Golden Globe for the same category. The film almost got ejected from my machine because of how intensely nauseating the first few minutes are as we see the world from Bauby's eyes and his awakening from the coma following the stroke, but that is another feature of what makes this film so unique. Another interesting point about the film is that it is subtitled in French. This was Schnabel's mandate so that the genuineness of the Bauby's heritage and life was conveyed at a maximum level. 

My favorite part is the flashback Bauby has to his father's apartment. It is a beautiful moment as Bauby dialogues with Max von Sydow during a shave. Very raw, fulfilling and yet poignant in the same breath. A richly reflective film that is honored with great acting, cinematography and direction. 

4.5 out of 5.

 

'Push' The Eject Button

I am so glad I didn't pay a penny to see this one. What looked to be a deeper and darker look into a Heroes-esque world was nothing more than an extended episode of Power Rangers meets Kung Fu Hustle. Blah!

In short, you have these different races of people with super powers. Some can see the future, smell items and locate people (yeah-weird), duplication of items, pushers (super strength and can pull a Ken/Ryu move from Street Fighter), then there are the Wipers (I believe they are the ones with the ability to manipulate people's minds). Let's just say that I was that disengaged, especially once the film went into trying to find this formula that was being tested on people with powers. Yada, yada, yada. 

My favorite parts were the two fight scenes between the Pushers, they were pretty sweet. Nope, they were awesome. That's it though. Truly a bore without those scenes and Dakota Fanning - please don't act, it is painful to watch. 

1.5 out of 5.

Tennis, Trains and Murder

'Strangers On A Train' is another of Hitchcock's masterpieces that confronts what some would call taboo subjects, especially in 1951: Murder, Infidelity, Black Mail. 

Two men, Bruno Anthony (a psychotic millionaire mommas boy portrayed marvelously by Robert Walker) and Guy Haines (a famous tennis player played by Farley Granger) meet on a train from Washington to New York. As awkward as the conversation gets you never suspect that Bruno will comfortable sharing his theory on how to successfully rid Guy of his philandering spouse and himself of his overbearing father. The theory is that each, who had never met before the exchange on the train, would swap crimes so that a trail to the killer would be virtually impossible. 

I have to stop without unveiling how fantastic it gets, especially knowing the era in which it was released. This is another Hitchcock film that defines the great suspense thrillers of today. Walker's representation of Bruno is chilling. Much like Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter portrayal, there is a charm and tempting mystery to the character. You know there is so much more than the eye or ear can detect. Big thumbs up for the acting of Robert Walker and my respect for the magician that Hitchcock was is taken to another level. Remember as you watch that this was a daring film, exploring the subjects of murder (in a medium of entertainment) and confronting the dark side to a world that would soon be portrayed by white picket fences and stay-at-home moms (Leave It To Beaver premieres six years later). 

4 out of 5.

W.

Whatever your political affiliation is this one is a treat. I had my apprehensions knowing this was an Oliver Stone film, but he packs a solid punch from both sides of the political tracks. Sure it leans a little harder left, but a truly magnificent journey into the world of the Bush family.

George W. (Josh Brolin) is chronicled in a way that boasts the proud ways of a Texan and upper-class, ivy-league educated, politically powerful family. From teenage troubles to outright battles with his father, W. is a man in search of what he wants - we soon find ask, what does he want? Approval from his father? Professional success? Loyalty to a task / cause? All of these questions are ingredients into the making of a man who would be one of our most controversial Presidents. 

I won't go into the obvious regarding the tale of events, although the definition they provide of W. as a man and leader are unforgettable. The only side we really don't get to see much of is him as a father. Brolin is firing on all cylinders with his portrayal of W. In fact, all of the acting in this movie is nothing short of terrific. Stone yanks you into the world of the Bush family and exposes their significance and the blemishes of W.'s terms in the White House without feeling like a tug-of-war match between Bill O'Reilly and Keith Olbermann.

4 out of 5. 

Notorious

Christopher Wallace, also known as Notorious B.I.G., quickly rose to the throne of hip-hop stardom in the mid-90's. They finally got enough financial backing to paint the silver screen with insight to his life, struggles and ride to the top of the music world. 

The film was a smooth time warp back to those years in the 90s, which quickly dusted off a few Biggie songs soundtrack'ed into my personal memories. As a growing young man, Wallace (Jamal Woolard) is tempted by a security and identity in pushing drugs on the Brooklyn streets meanwhile balancing the innocent only child syndrome with his mother Voletta (played strongly by Angela Basssett). 

Sean 'Puffy' Combs (Derek Luke) enters the scene as Biggie is given his chance to shine at Bad Boy Records. Without fail, his charisma and unique style -along with Combs'-timely knack for talent and music samples that resonate with the old and new school-put him on the overnight path to super stardom. In what felt like an instant, Wallace became another voice from the ghetto meanwhile chasing personal problems with long-time friend and lover Lil' Kim (Naturi Naughton) and new found interest Faith Evans (Antonique Smith). 

The film is bookended with his last moments on March 9, 1997. It is a tense moment as you wait for what you know is about to happen: death. Rather than leave with a dark and almost vengeful tone the filmmakers share actual footage from Wallace's hometown streets as the cars drove his body to its final resting place. It is a touching send away to a talent lost so young. 

'Notorious' is a music biopic and a surprisingly decent one at that. Strong acting from Bassett and Woolard. His portrayal of Biggie is incredible and Luke gives Combs the personality that engaged so many during the Bad Boy tidal wave of the 90s. The film is richly laced with the guise and stance of NYC, it gets you into the skin of a man who was pained and eventually privileged: an artist with a great deal left to give. 

3 out of 5.