The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I think anything is believable; it's all in the way the story is told. 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' is just such a story. And besides, we want to believe in that which touches the heart, scares us half to death or brings sidesplitting laughter. This is why we love to watch movies. It is why the best of them appear to be timeless.

This film is excellent on every level. The story was handled perfectly. It is a rich and expansive tale. One might think that time is the subject here, but in truth, it is nothing more than another excellent love story. ‘Nothing more’ because it doesn’t get lost in it’s circumstances. The direction of David Fincher wrings every bit of energy and emotion from the cast that allows this story to thrive.

Brad Pitt crafts an unforgettable performance as 'Benjamin Button'. It is perhaps, his finest work to date. He creates an even-tempered, and sophisticated man.
A man who thirsts for a knowledge and understanding of a world that seems upside down, but that also has dropped great compassion on his doorstep.

Taraji Henson is outstanding as the mother that recognizes beauty, the future and the hand of god in her son's disposition. Mahershalalhashbaz Ali compliments Hensen's 'Queenie' as 'Tizzy', the other man in her life. Jared Harris is 'Captain Mike' who in the proverbial split-second decision becomes Benjamin's mentor in the ways of the world.

Menageries of characters pass through ‘Benjamin’s’ world. It is they who are rambunctious and animated. They show Benjamin the aspects of life that can easily be missed, and thus bypass the great experiences that life offer. It is Benjamin who realizes that one must be brave enough to grasp these opportunities.

'Benjamin Button' was a movie I had read about, seen the trailers for and was convinced I shouldn't see. I thought I knew pretty much all there was to know already. It wasn't long into the film that I knew I was wrong. With the end credits came the realization that I had just experienced an incredible story.

The Visitor

One of the major issues leftover from W.’s administration was immigration. ‘The Visitor’ addresses the thorny subject by presenting a story of four people affected by it. As with most issues on this country’s agenda, it’s not quite so cut and dried as people make it out to be. One might assume you are either for or against. ‘The Visitor’ tears that apart and forces the viewer to re-examine the complexities involved. And I’m not sure that by the last act we can be certain who the ‘Visitor’ truly is.

Aside from some sober realities, ‘The Visitor’ is full of magic on many levels. Richard Jenkins plays ‘Walter’, an academic who appears to be not merely burned out, but a scorched shell of an individual that has been sleepwalking through life. His world changes as many do when a chance occurrence presents him with a decision requiring a spark of humanity.

On the opposite end of the spectrum (and a welcome balance) are Dania Gurira (Zainab) and Tarek (Haaz Sleiman). They are a young couple who live life to it’s absolute fullest , while traveling on a near empty tank of gas. They embody every bit of spirit, hope and determination of those who came before them in the massive wave of immigration from the early days of the last century.

An excellent performance from Hiam Abbass (Mouna) lifts the film to new heights. Her addition to the cast was that good. The savvy filmgoer might be tempted to believe they have gotten the best of the plot guessing game with her arrival. Perhaps. But by this time in the story, anxiety begins to creep in and soon the viewer will be gripped by the decisions leading to the finale.

My paternal Grandparents were among those afforded the opportunity for a new life in America. I couldn’t help but think of them while watching ‘The Visitor’s’ story unfold. In the high stakes world of public opinion with political futures at stake, something gets lost. It is drowned out amidst the analysts’ incessant babble. It is an individual’s chance to build upon their dreams in a country that depends upon them to survive that is disappearing.

Twilight

Many elements of 'Twilight' have been explored in other vampire movies. One might gather that this film has little to offer. Not so. There are also several old rules that get tossed out the window here, and that makes for an interesting film. The objective is not fright and blood. It is certainly not ritual (unless you include baseball). And the only relation to ‘Lost Boys’ is found in the ‘new kid on the block’ story line. So on to the good and the bad (no ugly in ‘Twilight’). It is definitely a film with Barbie, Ken and their teenage daughters in mind. But fans of the genre might just be entertained.

Since it was based on a novel, there was plenty of obligatory set-up work to be handled. Director Catherine Hardwicke does so while maintaining a smart pace. She is able to move onto, well, just the potatoes I’m afraid, without dragging her feet. The story is set mainly in the Pacific Northwest. This allows for a nice compromise between the old day/night conflicts of most vampire adventures.

Some of what is found in ‘Twilight’ is a cross between a series on the WB and ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’. The vampires contained within ‘Twilight’ are for the most part quite affable. And as odd as it may seem, the notion of a vampire maintaining a strictly vegetarian diet is not a new one. But it does tend to water things down. And while there is a side order of hearty munchers included, it doesn’t quench one’s thirst for, well, vampirism.

In as much as vampire movies go, ‘Twilight’ is aiming for a radical departure from the norm. Given that, and as a fan of the genre, my interest was maintained. I enjoyed the setting of the film, as well as the ‘new’ elements as to what vampires can and cannot do. Let’s see what the next chapter brings.