Movie Review: The Station Agent

The Station Agent is a nice portrait kind of picture. A moment in time - Peter Dinklage is forced into a change of scenery by a sudden death and inherits a unique piece of property - a train station. Patricia Clarkson has lost her son to a tragic accident and can't pull herself out of depressions, Bobby Cannavale is dealing with a dying father and desperately wants new friends in this small town he's been drug back into, Michelle Williams is the local librarian who seems a bit doomed to only meet backwoods rednecks and love them...

Good performances all around, all four main characters definitely put their best foot forward on this one. Simple story, good acting, nice settings make for a good movie.

4 of 5 peaches

Movie Review: New Moon

aka The Twilight Saga: New Moon

New Moon builds on the previous strengths I mentioned from Twilight and adds a couple of things.

1. Taylor Lautner's buffness. The audible gasps from the girls (and guys!) in the audience i was in was amusing and telling.

2. Dakota Fanning & Michael Sheen - as the "elder" vampires these two make you sit up and take notice - the movie just got serious. I'm definitely hoping the franchise keeps these two characters involved and in the important scenes.

Although I'm way too distracted by Taylor's hawtness, I'm happy with the better direction by Chris Weitz, and again the cinematography and the music selections, like the first twilight movie, are great.

4 of 5 peaches.

Movie Review: Twilight

So in advance of New Moon, and I refuse to miss out on Taylor Lautner in the near buff, I needed to watch Twilight and get up to speed on the story lines.

I will say it's a well done movie, the cinematography is quite beautiful even if it is set in the very rainy Northwest. Edward and Bella provide plenty of Teen angst and romantic awkwardness. The lines are smart enough and quick enough to be believable. The special effects are well done if not long-paced out.

Two things I think Twilight has going for it: Teen angst pretty accurately portrayed by hot stars, and the strength of it's auxiliary characters.

There can be no doubt that the young stars of Twilight have plenty in the looks and hotness department. The stars definitely have the knack for the longing stares, the inexperienced kiss turning pro, etc., and it is entertaining to watch.

The supporting characters in Billy Burke, Gil Birmingham and Peter Facinelli pull in the movie significantly with wit and maturity.

To me Twilight isn't one major thing like that ONE actor that pulls the movie forward, it's not solely a beautiful movie, it's not solely the expert direction. To me, it a level push of a lot of things that put this movie forward and why the cult following has legs for a franchise.

3 of 5 peaches

Movie - Little Women: Still stands the test

Little Women - I happened upon this movie again during a bout of insomnia. Except for the somewhat overwraught performance from Wynona Ryder, the actors in this film to me are still top rate.

No matter how many times i see it, the ending seen of Beth's life is still very touching, and Susan Sarandon is her normal steady self throughout.

Some early glimpses here of Kirsten Dunst and Christian Bale who are about to come into their own.

4 of 5 peaches for me