jearnshaw Reviews

Sunshine Cleaning (2008)

Excellent

[10/10 · 27 January 2008]

Just excellent in every conceivable way. Tight story and excellent screen writing. Perfect casting and performances. I was captivated within ten minutes of the start. The gore was not as horrible as I expected, though I have to admit I closed my eyes for three seconds at one very early scene so I honestly do not know how much they showed on screen. Another brilliant Alan Arkin performance, he was beyond charming. Amy Adams was captivating, as usual. She is as captivating here as her performance in Enchanted, though the roles vary tremendously. Emily Blunt was absolutely perfect and hands down had the best lines of the entire movie. Every child needs an aunt like Emily Blunt. Really loved the film.

Dark Matter (I) (2007)

Change the ending!

[3/10 · 27 January 2008]

This movie was captivating. Excellent performances from all characters. It was lovely. Meryl Streep was classic, brilliant Meryl Streep. There was a scene at the end of the film that was one of my most favorite cinematic moments. However, all of the lovely story was smashed to pieces in an awful train wreck of an ending. The director at the q & a explained that he pieced together two separate stories to make this movie...and it shows. The warmth of the characters and the honor of the culture represented are a complete disjoint from the awful ending. I say re-shoot an ending to tack on that can still keep the current ending but add a few minutes to show the actor getting out of his fetal position from his apartment and leaving on a bus or something...anything. His character would never commit this act. It is too far of a stretch and leaves the audience confused. I loved this movie, truly loved it. But with this movie ending where it currently ends, it will never make a dollar at the theater. Make the change and go for an Oscar. I would love to see this film again and again but not with this ending.

I.O.U.S.A. (2008)

Great depiction of the numbers and facts of the financial crisis

[9/10 · 26 January 2008]

Comptroller of the United States GAO gives us the facts and describes some history of why the financial crisis of the government budget deficit and national debt are the top threats facing the United States today. Our nation has lost its way and we somehow think it is sustainable for us to spend more as a nation than we earn. The facts and numbers are shocking. Where we will be in 25 years is even more alarming. But it is not too late. As recently as the end of the 1990s the nation was operating under a balanced budget. We can do that again and begin paying down our debts. Excellent presentation of these facts. Not a hopeless cause. But we do need to make some adjustments as a nation. This movie is a must see for everyone of any political persuasion. Very educational.

Savage Grace (2007)

Disappointment, homosexuality does not have to involve insanity

[1/10 · 26 January 2008]

Vastly overrated. Only redeeming quality of this film is the beautiful scenery and some fine cinematography. This movie is not the beautiful story of the importance of accepting others for who they are, regardless of their sexual orientation. Rather, this film depicts absolute dysfunction of individuals. The director misfires in his effort to portray humanity but does so only in terms of insanity. This film is not courageous and only amateurish in the cheap images used to shock rather than an accurate portrayal of the depth of this complex story dealing with complex and important issues. I came away very disappointed.