Movie #172 Source Code *2011*

Jake Gyllenhaal - Colter Stephens
Michelle Monaghan - Christina Warren
Jeffery Wright - Dr Rutledge
Vera Farmiga - Colleen Goodwin
Duncan Jones (Director)

This makes two weeks in a row that I have gone to the theaters and saw the #2 movie in terms of box office draw.  Last week it was Sucker Punch and this week, Source Code.  Another interesting note, both films were beat out of the #1 spot by a kids movie.  Both of which hold zero interest for me.

Source Code held so much interest with me mainly because of the director Duncan Jones and his first film, 2009's Moon staring Sam Rockwell.  A movie and performance that I loved.  Source Code is a much higher budget film with an equally high concept premise.  Source Code is a government program in which soldiers can travel back into a decesed persons memories and relive the last 8 minutes of their life.  Why would they want to do that?  In the film a train has been bombed killing hundreds.  That train can't be stopped.  Time has already passed and the events of that have happened and are forever recorded in the halls of history.  But there is another bomb threat from the person who set off that bomb.  If we could find out who the bomber is, we could save possibly thousands of peoples lives.  Whew, that is a chocked full of plot.   

People are saying this is the action film version of Groundhog's Day.  There are unavoidable similarities, but I think that both films get at different truths.  In Groundhog's Day (a film I adore) Bill Murry's character has to learn to lose his cynical, self loathing characteristics to truly find love.  Both in his self and with others.   Source Code deals with a much different theme.  The protagonist in this film doesn't really have much of a character arc.  His job is to change the lives of those around him.  He is a tough military man in the beginning and carry's that out through out his mission.  He change is that of learning and accepting.  The changes of those around him is what is driving the movie.

The performances in the film are pretty decent.  Gyllenhaal is sound and makes for a believable tough guy and sensitive everyman.  I felt that Vera Farmina was sort of wasted here.  I think she is a wonderful actress, but until that last 10 minutes she wasn't given much to do.  I did think Michelle Monaghan was great in her role.  I hope this movie help her land more meaty roles in the future.  Then there is Jeffery Wright.  Another actor I love.  What the hell was he trying to do in this film?  I think it was sort of a classic mad scientist kinda thing, but he stuck out like a sore thumb. 

Source Code is a solid thriller.  I liked the narrative structure, even if it was a little familiar (no pun intended).  I was a little disapointed in the film but that is because of the baggage that I brought into the theater.  Baggage that was placed there by a visionary first film.  I guess I was looking for a little more eccentricity.  Don't let the bad press fool you.  This will be better than almost every superhero film that comes out in the summer months.  Even if the science is a little sketchy.  I give Source Code ★★★.  Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.

Movie #67 Up in the Air

The beauty of isolation...

This blog is about the 2009 film Up In the Air staring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick.  Directed by Jason Reitman of Thank You for Smoking and Juno fame.  Also kind of famous for being Ivan Reitman's son.

I first saw this film on Christmas day 2009.  It was one of 4 movies I saw that day.  I mention that because I was alone and enjoying it.  I remember everyone liking this picture as well did I.  But most people I talked to thought it was really depressing.  It is about a man who travels 300+ days a year to different locations for work.  His job is firing people for companies that don't want to do it themselves.  He enjoys his work and his lifestyle.  He is free from the trappings of life.  People, relationships, mortgages, ect.  In fact he also has a seminar he presents about living alone and it's benefits.

I really connected with Clooney during this movie.  I found it inspirational not depressing.  Now keep in mind that was the first time I saw it.  The most recent time I have seen it 366 days later, after having spent a great deal of that time in a long distance relationship with a wonderful woman I have a little different take.  But first let me explain the rest of the movie. 

Anna Kendrick plays Natalie.  A young up and comer that wants to cut expense by not flying to locations to fire people but do it over the Internet via video chat.  She is cute and a little naive.  She plays the role wonderfully in a supporting performance that one of that years best.  Vera Farmiga is the sultry female road warrior equal to Clooney.  They carry on a very hot, torrid friends -with-benefits relationship through the movie.  Several scenes (my favorite ones of the movie) felt as if they were ripped form the reels of a 1950's pulp thriller where the characters were allowed to say what they were thinking on screen so they had to hid it in the dialogue.  Very sexy stuff.  Clooney doesn't take well to Natalie's idea and as a result they hit the road so she can learn the ropes of what it is exactly that he does. 

Clooney is great as usual.  He is my generations Carey Grant and I have no hesitation in that statement.  Vera lights up the screen and Kendrick couldn't have asked for a better launch for her career.  The film has a few moments where actual victims of the financial crisis do testimonials directly to the camera.  These felt a little too forced to me.  I knew what the film was getting at.  I didn't need to be hit over the head with it.  There are a few twists and turns in the film.  There is also a side plot about Clooney's younger sister getting married that works very well.  So far Jason Reitman hasn't made a movie that totally blew my socks off, but he hasn't made a bad film either.  There is nothing wrong with being the new Ron Howard.

So now how do I feel about my connection with Clooney's character?  I still didn't think the film was depressing.  I don't want to get into spoilers but things change for Clooney towards the end of the picture.  It is left to the viewer to determine if is for the better or not.  I think most people would think that it is, but I disagree.  I fell the changes that he goes through only hurt him and forced him to lead a life he is uncomfortable with.  The impact on me?  It made me appreciate the wonderful things that I have in my life.  My kids, my beautiful girlfriend, my family and my health.  Not bad for a movie about firing people.  I give Up in the Air 4/5 stars.  Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.