Ocean's 13 is the third in director Steven Soderbergh ("The Good German")'s heist series. It's better than the second film, but doesn't quite have the magic of the first. Everyone is very charming and handsome. But mostly I was only kind of interested in the story. However, Casey Affleck ("The Last Kiss")'s story line with the worker revolution was priceless.
George Washington is the first movie from writer/director David Gordon Green ("Snow Angels"). The film is set in a rural Southern town populated with interesting people. The story focuses on a group of kids and a tragic accident. Voice over plays throughout the film and some of it is insightful. Some of it just weird. A couple of times I was surprised at what was happening. But some lines and scenes have stuck in my head all week. And that's a good thing. "I wish there were 200 of me."
Flashdance was just different than I expected. I thought it was going to be entirely fluffy, but it was much more serious than I had anticipated. A story about a girl who is a welder by day and exotic dancer by night, but she really wants to take ballet. It's very, very 80s, the music, the clothes. I totally enjoyed it.
Black Snake Moan is almost perfect. From the previews, I expected almost a soft core. But I got a story of two lost souls finding their way with the help of each other and the blues. Christina Ricci ("Penelope") is almost unrecognizable. Even her giant forehead is disguised. Both she and Samuel L. Jackson ("1408") are reminding the world that they can act, loosing themselves in their roles. I can't wait to see what writer/director Craig Brewer ("Hustle and Flow") has in store for us next.
As far as recent horror movies go,
1408 is pretty good. The atmosphere and cinematography especially. Very creepy. And the set-up of John Cusack ("Grace is Gone") as a cynical ghost writer is very strong. But once the story gets Cusack in the titular room, I lost a bit of interest. It was just too much to happen in one hour. Samuel L. Jackson ("Black Snake Moan") was appropriately sinister. Good. But not great.