9 (2009)

Only a year after Wall-E, the dystopian post-apocalyptic animation "9" hit the screens with none other than Tim Burton among the producers. As a big fan of course I'm excited!

9 is (obviously) the nineth creation of a scientist, predicting that man would eventually lose the war against machine. Giving them not only life, but actual souls, these puppet-like creatures are the last hope to fight the robots and save the world.

To make action out of animation must be difficult, especially when trying to maintain the 'cute' mask. My guess is that these creatures somehow represent children, supporting the constant double meaning that "children are our future" (the tagline on the cover is 'When our world ended, their mission began'). It is cute, but I get a bit genre-confused. On the other hand - amazing animation! The creativity on evil robots is never ending.

Yeah, we got it, robots are bad. The references to both communism and nazism are also very obvious, with warnings that great wars can have even greater consequences. I'm missing the cool score from the trailer, and some of the action is a bit obvious (there's more scares and jumps than actual action), but all in all I really liked it. Didn't even check the time once.

Runtime: 79 min
Starring: Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly, Christopher Plummer, Jennifer Connelly

The Visitor (2007)

There are many big words to describe this movie: Important. Sad. Real. Inspiring.

Walter (Jenkins) is a widowed university professor who has lived the same routines every day for 20 years, pretending. He lives in solitude, avoiding the world around him. Unwillingly sent to present a paper in New York, Walter finds a young couple living in his spare apartment, oblivious that it belongs to him.

Meeting Tarek and Zainab changes Walter's life, revitalizing it and opening it up to new impulses. Unfortunately, however good citizens, the two are illegal immigrants, and suddenly Tarek is taken in by the immigration department. Working to get Tarek out, and also getting to know his mother Mouna, Walter finds new meaning to his own existence.

It is slow paced and stout, but also deep. It's sad to think how many people might actually be in Walter's situation, stuck in the routines of their own lives. It is also sad how laws of immigration deport good, innocent people every day. This movie makes you think about your own life, and its connection, rhythm, balance, whatever you prefer... Am I really living my life?

Runtime: 104 min
Starring: Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Hiam Abbass

Nine (2009)

From the director of Chicago comes another fiery crossing between drama and musical, nominated to 5 Oscars.

Set in Rome, Italy in the 1960s, the movie portrays the famous movie director Guido Contini (Day-Lewis) who struggles to finish his newest screenplay. Massively distracted by beautiful women throwing themselves at him everywhere, not to mention delusional and out-of-control narcissism, Contini is heading towards breakdown.

I love musicals. I love musical adaptations to film as well, and I absolutely loved Chicago. This however... With a crew this impressive and a story about a passionate Italian surrounded by beautiful women, it's almost hard to understand how it all became so dull... All the time I was holding out for a great musical act, one that I would watch again and again on YouTube (like Cell Block Tango), but no such luck.

There are a few points of light; Judi Dench is fantastic. Costumes and sets are most of the time really good. Marion Cotillard, beautiful as ever, is good as Contini's wife, but unfortunately she can't dance or sing... Nicole Kidman is well cast, but her character is just too small to matter. Well... Mostly its just chaotic and disconnected. You really gotta love movie musicals to swallow this one.

Runtime: 118 mins
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Fergie, Sophia Lauren

Where The Wild Things Are (2009)

What a truly wonderful and inspiring movie! For one who has never even heard of the book, it was impossible not to be moved by this imaginative and warm story about family and loneliness. And it's made in such an playful way, it takes you right back to childhood!

Max is maybe 8, and struggles to accept that his mother and older sister don't have time to play with him anymore. He reacts with hurt and anger, and runs away from home in a rage. On a journey through his imagination, Max meets wild creatures struggling with sorrow and loneliness, and through trying to help them deal with their problems, he begins to understand his own feelings towards his family.

Everything about the movie is beautiful. It is innocent, simple and slow, just like a childs mind, and the images are great. From the impressive acting skills of young Max Records and brilliant voice of James Gandolfini, to the Arcade Fire soundtrack, this is a complete movie experience. Go ahead and find the kid in you!

Inside all of us there is HOPE.
Inside all of us there is FEAR.
Inside all of us there is ADVENTURE.
Inside all of us there is...
A WILD THING.

Runtime: 101 min
Starring: Max Records, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Lauren Ambrose, Catherine O'Hara