The Reader was my pick for Best Picture last year. I loved the style and the stillness. Kate Winslet ("Revolutionary Road"), David Kross ("Krabat") and Ralph Fiennes ("The Duchess") broke my heart. I had read the book on which this film is based years ago, but can't remember enough to compare. The story follows a young teen who begins an affair with an older woman. Years later, he sees her on trail as a Nazi war criminal. It's thought provoking and thoroughly depressing. I loved it.
Sleeping with the Enemy is one of those quick 90s thrillers we don't see much of now. Julia Roberts ("Duplicity") escapes from an abusive marriage by faking her own death. But then the husband discovers the ruse and comes looking for her. Entertaining but forgettable.
My love for Jennifer Garner ("Juno") and the little bit of charm left to Matthew McConaughey ("Tropic Thunder") after learning he doesn't wear deodorant got me through the mostly routine romantic comedy, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. As my coworker said, it was nice to see the three ghosts used in a non-Christmas fashion. But, though this role calls for that age, McConaughey is getting a little to old to play this romantic comedy role over and over. McConaughey is the consummate bachelor attending his younger brother's wedding where he starts to ruin everything. Garner is the one who got away. Wait to watch this on cable.
I freaking love Christian Bale ("The Dark Knight"). I don't care how many people he cusses out. Terminator Salvation is really more of a platform for Sam Worthington ("Rogue") than Bale, but Bale's still there trying to bring some seriousness to the ridiculous story. Of course, the effects are top notch and the machines look great, but the plot is so thin. And poor Bryce Dallas Howard ("The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond") just spends the whole time staring wide-eyed at the camera, barely speaking. A bit of a waste really. My husband disliked this more than I. He said this film killed the series.
The Spiderwick Chronicles is based on a series of children's books about a family who finds a portal to a magical world. When they move into a new house, Freddie Highmore ("The Golden Compass") finds a book that, when read, opens the gate. Then he must convince his family it's really happening. I got sucking into this film, even while fighting against it. The family tension is believable and the creature effects turn out pretty fantastic. By the end, I couldn't look away. It is a little dark for the PG rating though, so beware of that.