Last Friday Movies of 2009

Here is is. The last weekend of 2009.  One or two look promising.  “Sherlock Holmes” starring Robert Downey Jr, and Jude Law for example, and “It’s Complicated” with Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin.

At any rate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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NEW RELEASES THIS WEEK

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

The singing pre-teen chipmunk trio return to contend with the pressures of school, celebrity, and a rival female music group known as The Chipettes.

Sherlock Holmes

Purists may take offense at the down-and-dirty portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle’s master detective, but director Guy Ritchie has crafted a rip-roaring action-adventure film of high order.

It’s Complicated

Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin show the whippersnappers how it’s done in this breezy, tension-free comedy of infidelity and second chances.

Nine

Daniel Day-Lewis plays an Italian director struggling to make a new film with major distractions coming from the many women in his life. A remake of Federico Fellini’s masterpiece 8 1/2.

A Single Man

Fashion magnate Tom Ford makes an impressive directorial debut with this tale of George Falconer, a closeted gay man adrift in the ’60s.

Crazy Heart

Jeff Bridges plays a dissolute, overweight, alcoholic country singer trapped on a dead-end concert circuit. Oscar-worthy Bridges makes this potentially repellent character both fascinating and endearing.

Broken Embraces

Director Pedro Almodóvar extends the riff from 2004’s Bad Education: the filmmaker as agent of both redemption and doom, returning to settle unfinished business. In Spanish with English subtitles.

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New Movies

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Here are the movies which were released on Friday, December 18th. James Cameron’s “Avatar” took the box office as expected. Opening weekend take: $72 Million! Not bad, but it’s getting mixed reviews. a friend who is a Pastor saw it and was repelled by the film making humankind the heavies… I have not seen the film yet, but the theme seems a valid one to me. We find a planet with gentle natives, and exploit them, or kill them. Sound familiar anyone?

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NEW RELEASES THIS WEEK

Avatar

Writer-director James Cameron’s story of a faraway planet populated by a tribe of peaceful blue creatures that is infiltrated by a human corporation with evil plans.

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Unfunny, tone-deaf comedy follows a separated husband and wife who are forced from their upscale urban comfort zones into a witness protection program in rural Wyoming.

The Beaches of Agnès

A captivating autobiographical documentary from French new wave director and artist Agnès Varda. It delights in playing with cinematic form, to the point that Varda’s life becomes a work of art in itself.

The Young Victoria

The story of the teenage princess who was caught in a tug-of-war between her scheming, power-hungry uncles is aided by an excellent ensemble and visual and verbal wit in this costume drama.

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OPENING WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23 From Guidelive.com

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel: The Chipettes join Alvin, Simon and Theodore for what will probably be another hit.

OPENING FRIDAY, DEC. 25 From Guidelive.com

Broken Embraces: This color noir stars director Pedro Almodóvar’s most popular muse, Penélope Cruz.

Crazy Heart: Jeff Bridges plays a down-on-his-luck country singer in this film.

It’s Complicated: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin form a comedic love triangle.

Nine: Daniel Day-Lewis and fellow Oscar winners Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench star in a musical based on Fellini’s 8 1/2.

Sherlock Holmes: Robert Downey Jr. plays the titular detective in this Guy Ritchie film. Jude Law is dear Watson.

A Single Man: Designer (and Texan) Tom Ford’s directorial debut features Colin Firth and Julianne Moore in a movie adapted from the 1964 novel by Christopher Isherwood.