Shrek Forever After (2010, U.S.)

I was kind of surprised how complicated this plot was for a family movie. Shrek is having a mid-life crisis (in itself a rather strange plot for a kid flick). He is constantly surrounded by his his wife, three children, best friend, and best friend's three children. It gets monotonous, and he misses being a real ogre. So he makes a deal with Rumplestilskin to go back to being a real ogre for today. In exchange, he gives Rumplestilskin one day of his past. Rumple is a tricky bugger and he takes the day Shrek was born. This somehow results in the King and Queen signing Far Far Away over to Rumple as well.

In the alternate universe, Fiona was never saved from the tower and she is the leader of an ogre resistance against Rumple. Rumple has a witch army, and they're pretty amusing, as is Rumple. (He has a business wig and an angry wig, for starters.) But the plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the jokes were few and far between. It was okay, but not nearly as good as the first, second, or third Shreks. The score wasn't too bad, and it reused some themes from the earlier movies, which lent some continuity.

And then we wait for true love's kiss, yadda yadda. Eh. Perhaps it didn't help that I was crammed into a theater full of kids.

Rating: 3.0

Crazy Heart (2009, U.S.)

I went into this film knowing that it wasn't really my thing, but I decided to give it a try because it was critically acclaimed. Well, I will say that the two Oscars it won were probably earned. (I haven't seen all the competition, and something tells me that Morgan Freeman could have beaten Jeff Bridges.) I'm not a big country music fan, but I have to say all of the original songs were pretty good, and Jeff Bridges performed them exactly like a has-been, alcoholic country singer.

So those were two good elements. And I guess the story wasn't terrible, but the writing could have used some work. It was very slow paced, which wouldn't have been so bad except the characters just weren't that sympathetic. It wasn't the acting—it was the writing, Bridges and Gyllenhaal are both talented actors.

I don't know, it was just boring, boring, boring. Not as bad as The Hurt Locker, but still.

Rating: 2.0

The Young Victoria (2009, UK)

I feel like I use the same words a lot, but believe me when I say this film is indescribably beautiful.

To begin with, there were some incredible special effects done with the camera. My favorite was the servants setting up for the king's birthday dinner; as they laid glasses down this long table, the camera's focus shifted from glass to glass seamlessly. There was another scene with an attempted assassination of Victoria, and they zoom in on her mother's arm, where the hairs slowly raise on end at that moment. It was completely unnecessary to the story, but lovely.

The acting in this film was superb. Emily Blunt was perfect as a young and unsure but strong queen. She was so real and vibrant and full of life she practically left of the screen. (I was especially fond of the scene where she proposes to Albert.) Rupert Friend, as Prince Albert, was a perfect contrast. He was silent and steady, Victoria's rock. And between the two of them there was this kind of quiet chemistry. It's hard to explain, but it's almost like you can see their hearts touching and softly warming each other. That sounds incredibly cheesy, but I don't know how else to describe it. Their relationship brought this story alive, and I will never think of Victoria as an old dowager queen ever again.

And on the subject of actors, Jim Broadbent as King William. Wow. He is something else, that Jim Broadbent. I have no idea what King William was like in life, but I will never picture him any other way than the way Broadbent portrayed him. Jolly and kind. Perfect!

Artistically, the film was a visual delight. The costumes were well deserving of their Oscar. especially Victoria's coronation ball gown of gold and scarlet. I thought the settings looked pretty accurate for upper class Victorian England, but something tells me a lot of grime was missing.

I liked the choice at the end to mix shots of Victoria and Albert with end titles about what happened next, because it really emphasized how much they loved and relied upon each other. It suitably concluded the film and left a memorable impression of the ending, always a plus.

One last note on the score, which was heavy on the piano and fit the film perfectly. I'd also be willing to guess that it would stand on its own if you're looking for a soothing piano album.

I really liked this one, and I'd love to see it again. I'll also be on the lookout for more films featuring Emily Blunt.

Rating: 4.0