D.C. MOVIE GUYS

One of the key rules of movie reviewing I’ve come to lean on over the years is: Never expect a lot from a sequel. With the significant exceptions of Godfather II, The Empire Strikes Back and Terminator II; Judgment Day, most sequels fall far short of the engaging energy that drove the first film. The Dark Knight is that rarest of exceptions, a follow-up that builds upon and broadens the themes and elements that helped Batman Begins reinvigorate the franchise. This richly textured film is not just the best movie of the summer, but may just be the best movie of the year.

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Certain things are irresistible-a baby’s laugh, a sunny day and, it seems, the music of ABBA. How else can one explain the continuing worldwide popularity of the Scandinavian pop group’s hook laden dance tunes and mournful ballads?

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Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins,) the main protagonist of screenwriter/director Tom McCarthy’s new film, “The Visitor,” is a man on a treadmill.  An economics professor at a college in Connecticut, he’s been teaching one class-the same class-for the last several years.  He has also been research and writing a book on his specific area of knowledge for a while as well.  Since the death of his pianist wife, both time and life have moved at a snail’s pace for Walter.  He is comfortably numb inside the cocoon of day to day drabness he has woven for himself.  An unexpected trip to New York City for a conference is the axis on which this gentle and affecting film turns. (more…)

Citizens rarely think deeply about the amount of trust we place in the men and women who protect us. Policing takes a terrible emotional toll, not to mention the physical risk the job requires. Over the years, the emotional strain of dealing with the worst behavior humans can display while trying to keep your own sanity and humanity intact has informed and enriched thousands of novels and movies. James Elroy has be acclaimed as a master of the genre, in books and movies such as “L.A. Confidential” and “Blood On The Moon.” Based on an original story by Elroy, the new film “Street Kings” takes us down the sun washed streets of Los Angeles on a dark and dangerous journey into the heart of a troubled city and its “blue knights.” (more…)

The lives of royalty seem to be catnip for filmmakers and audiences alike. The latest addition to the cannon of works about England’s King Henry VIII is “The Other Boleyn Girl.” Based on the best selling novel by Phillipa Gregory, director Justin Chadwick’s film is visually attractive and benifits from the talents of Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson in leading roles, but lacks the emotional spark to compare with earlier and current efforts.

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