best picture showcase 2008

I took Daniel and a friend of his to St. Louis for the AMC Best Picture Showcase at the West Olive 16. We met up with my friend Scott and his sister Tracey at the theater. We arrived at 10 AM, and the first film started at 11. We stayed for the entire event, which ended shortly after 11 PM. Sitting in a theater for roughly 13 hours was rough on me and my knee. I forgot to bring some ibuprofen with me; Tracey went to get some from the dispensers located in the restroom but they were all out. I decided I had to get up and move around to keep it from stiffening up.

Another packed house, and a very enthusiastic crowd. Same deal as last year – $30 for 5 movies and unlimited popcorn; the crowd highly voiced their displeasure over the exclusion of a free soda, including refills, which was included in the same price for last year’s showcase. You could buy a large soda for $4.75, but you would only be allowed one refill (and the staff was asking).

Michael Clayton – **** – George Clooney (Best Actor nominee) is superb as the title character, a fixer for a large corporate NY law firm who cleans up messy cases. Tom Wilkinson (Best Supporting Actor nominee) is fantastic as Clayton’s troubled associate Arthur Edens.

There Will Be Blood – **** – the story of prospector Daniel Plainview and his rags-to-riches story as an oilman in the early 1900′s. Daniel Day-Lewis (Best Actor nominee) is phenomenal as Plainview and should win the Oscar. However, the film was too long, and the eerie score was a little too much for me.

Atonement – **** – a love story that hinges on the observations and actions of a 13 year old girl. Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, this powerful story is told with flashbacks and fast-forwards. I especially liked the score where sounds of a typewriter emphasized the pace and tension in the film.

Juno – ***** – a hilarious film about a teen who finds herself with child. A great cast drives a sweet story that is from the heart; continuous laughs from start to end. Ellen Page (Best Actress nominee) is perfect as Juno. I know I’m biased because CL and I are having a baby, but this movie takes the idea and makes it more special and meaningful for me.

No Country For Old Men – **** – this movie will probably win the Best Picture Oscar. It is a dark and violent crime drama by Joel and Ethan Coen (Best Director nominees). Josh Brolin is great as Llewelyn Moss, the man who stumbles upon a drug deal gone bad and makes the unfortunate decision to take the money and run. This sets the stage for a terrifying cat and mouse chase. The hunter is chillingly played by Javier Bardem (Best Supporting Actor nominee, and my pick to win). Minus a star for me since I felt lost towards the end; I’m interested in reading the novel.