Review: The Ides of March

After the somewhat enjoyable light-weight rom-com that was “Leatherheads” this is the second movie directed by George Clooney I have watched. And I really don’t get why the directors nowadays also need to be IN the movie they are directing. Not that George Clooney isn’t a good director – I mean I don’t get the hype about him but I agree he is good at what he does.

In the “Ides of March” he portrays democratic president hopeful Mike Morris and the story kicks in 1 week before the all deciding vote about which democrat will run as president. His campaign is run by seasoned Paul Zara (Philip Seymore Hoffman) while Ryan Gosling plays somewhat of a protige to Frank. It is Goslings Stephen Meyers that is the central point of this political tale of who to trust and who not (anybody following the constant backstabbing knows – Trust no one!). But Meyers is an idealistic guy believing in the good that his candidate Morris can and will do. But when he finds himself an important player within a political check match – things change.

My theory, that any movie Paul Giamatti is in, will be great still holds true! The acting is simply brilliant. No news Gosling is amazing and for once he isn’t a likable character but the viewer can relate to him very well and the change you see in his character  literally takes place in front of you. Giamatti and Hoffman excel at playing vicious characters going around manipulating people. The only weak point of the 4 main characters in my eyes is Clooney himself. He just doesn’t convince me as a politician. Marisa Tomei has a small but fun part and I always enjoy watching her on-screen. I am still not convinced that Evan Rachel Wood is the great actress people want her to be – I found her rather annoying.

The movie shows a pretty in-depth look at how politics are done in the States and with a new presidential election coming up next year, this is a great way to get some information in. But definitely watch this movie for some great acting. And let’s see if Clooney improves his movies – this is already a step up to Leatherheads.

Trailerwatch: Rock of Ages

Unfortunately I missed my chance of watching the musical but will definitely try again. In the meantime, here is the first trailer for the upcoming movie starring a whole bunch of nearly unrecognizable actors.

It stars Alec Baldwin, Malin Akerman, Julianne Hough, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Mary J. Blige, Bryan Cranston, Catherine Zeta-Jones and of course Mr. Tom Cruise himself as Stacee Jaxx! Its written by Justin Theroux, Chris D’Arienzo and Allan Loeb, it’s directed by Adam Shankman. So all together this can only be a LOT of fun.

Trailerwatch: John Dies at the End

If anybody needs confirmation of the coolnes of Paul Giamatti – look no further. This trailer pretty much sais it all!

A seemingly enjoyable horror flick that is still in need of a distributor, but keep your eyes out for it.

“John Dies at the End” stars Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, Paul Giamatti, Clancy Brown, Glynn Turman and Doug Jones. It’s written and directed by Don Coscarelli.

Actors that make any movie watchable

Watching a lot of movies there are a handful of actors that simply stand out. Not because they are so good-looking or great leads but because they seem to make a difference to the movie without much trying. They don’t play the roles that are in every scene but the ones that make a scene stand out. These actors are somehow capable of bringing every character they are giving with such force to the screen that even if the movie is pretty bad (Burlesque anyone) the actors stand out (Stanley Tucci). And it is always like meeting an old friend when they show up unexpectedly in a movie: Like when Oliver Platt suddenly showed up in “X-Men: First Class” – it was one of the highlights of the movie for me. Or when you are watching a movie and are reminded just what great actors are out there that really should be Superstars like the Tom’s (Hanks & Cruise) or like Harrison Ford but for some inexplicable reasons simply aren’t: Ed Harris for example who I recently admired in “The Way Back”.

Or there is Stanley Tucci who for me is reason alone to watch a movie! I am not a big fan of Meryl Streep (I know, Blasphemy) though I agree she is a good actress but since she worked so often recently with him, I simply had to watch her movies. And I really tried finding a movie he doesn’t make watchable – there isn’t. I even sat bravely through “Bourlesque” just to smile at him.

It goes even better with Paul Giamatti: if he is in a movie, the movie is good! I first saw him properly in “Sideways” and ever since he never disappointed in a role. A friend recently gave me “American Splendour” which I am really looking forward to watch. On the female side Julianne Moore is simply one of the most stunning women I have ever seen and she somehow manages to become prettier with every year (usually at that age only men turn more handsome) and her roles become meatier. For me the roles she portrays come across as very sincere but in a good way – you believe her, no matter what her role is going through (ok maybe not the Walkyrie-Thing in The Big Lebowski). Another woman I adore and always love watching is Kate Winslet. She seems to not give a damn about what people make of her and even with green / blue / pink her (Eternal Sunshine of a spotless mind) she still rules the screen.

Finally there are even directors I make sure to follow into the cinema. Here Joe Wright is the leading example. Even though he did make the new “Pride & Prejudice” – which might have been ok had I not been such a fan of the BBC Version – he exceeded in his following works. He directed “Atonement” which I find one of the best movies based on a book I have ever seen. And I recently saw “Hannah” which again was astonishing and very entertaining. So I am very much looking forward to his next project.

I am sure everybody has their different reasons for watching movies but seeing any of those people for me is always worth the price or the effort of finding the movie showing somewhere. They are like the extra bill you find in a pocket of your favourite jeans – a very welcome surprise!

Trailerwatch: Ides of march

We are slowly going into awards season and after already reading an article on the possible Academy Award Contenders here, this is movie looks like a strong frontrunner. It was already selected for the Toronto Film Festival and is scheduled for release in October.

It is directed by George Clooney and he also stars in it along with Ryan Goslin, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jeffrey Wright. Check it out – I think it looks amazing!