26 January 2011

Charlie Hunnam and Freddie Highmore star in films 2 and 3

As the week progresses, I find that my movie watching ability has not waned. I love cinema. I love it... probably because for a few hours I'm able to escape into the world that another person has (or should I say other people have) created.

Tuesday's flick was a serious story about a man on a ledge. Gavin (played by Charlie Hunnam from Sons of Anarchy fame) walks out and stands on the ledge of a tall skyscraper building. He doesn't seem like he wants to be there and as he tells his tale to a cop (Terrance Howard) the audience is able to see why he ended up so high up. The film has really two possible endings: he jumps or he doesn't jump. As the story of why he's going to kill himself unravels, the audience begins to realize that there is more to Gavin than meets the eye. The film takes shape in the form of a tragedy, a love story, a family drama, a thriller, a philosophical reflection piece, and even highlights a comedic moment or two. "The Ledge" features four characters that all have their own baggage of shame and heartache. Their struggles make you like and dislike their actions (no character is completely innocent). But the end is always looming. Will Gavin jump?

I would recommend this movie to those who don't mind sitting on the edge of their theater chairs while contemplating morality, religion, death, love and other larger issues throughout "The Ledge."

POPCORNS: 3 of 4

Wednesday's film was a little more lighthearted. "Homework," of course, focused on high school student, George, who doesn't do his homework. Any of it. Ever.

Brit actor, Freddie Highmore, played the New York-born teen who's attending an upper crust prep school with intelligence and showcased the off-beat nature while delivering exquisite lines and subtle gestures. The story begins to unfold when George takes the rap for Sally's (Emma Roberts) smoking on school grounds. When Sally thanks him, she begins to open up his quiet and withdrawn nature and quiet, simple relationship begins to bloom.

Screenwriter/director, Gavin Wiesen, did a fabulous job in capturing realistic, yet intelligent, high school students by the incredible dialogue featured in "Homework." Some of the quotables would be lines such as 'Teflon slacker' or the comment about how Valentine's day is commercial. The film also captures little (and often hilarious) moments of realism, for example, showcasing George's anguish by having him play a sad song on repeat for days as he sulks over a situation.

I would recommend this film to anyone. It's reminiscent of other film fest movies such as "500 Days of Summer" that take a new or simple approach to that crazy little thing we call love.

POPCORNS: 3 of 4

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