Recent Movies I've Read

As the end of the year approaches, films are released at a furious pace and I start noticing more popping into theatres for which I read the scripts. Some of these might be playing at your local theatre, so I figure I'll toss in my two cents. Keep in mind, the translation of script to screen can improve or diminish what is on the page:

"Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium." Here's the only one from this list that I've seen so far, and I must say it's a bit of a disappointment. I thought the script was very imaginative, but the film emphasizes too much "wonder" and not enough of the characters. I also didn't like Dustin Hoffman's interpretation of the title character. On the other hand, my kids loved it.

"Into The Wild." Already on many "Top Ten" lists, I found the script to be tedious, but what really turned me off was the main character. To me, he was too self-involved to be of interest. Most of the reviews I've read have emphasized how beautiful it all looks. I always hesitate when the main thing I take from a film review is "the pictures are pretty."

"Juno." Another well-reviewed film, I liked the characters a whole lot. A nice variation on the typical "high school movie."

"Thirty Days of Night." Good premise for a horror-thriller, but becomes repetitious after awhile. Of interest for those who like scares, but probably not for others.

"3:10 To Yuma." Just a dang good ol' fashioned Western.

"Dan In Real Life." This might be gone already, but I found it to be a sweet script about a man trying to deal with life. That said, it's just the type of story that can go wrong in translation. (Reviewers have been generally harsh.)

"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." Another one that film critics are falling all over themselves to praise, the script felt one-dimensional and claustrophobic (which, granted, is part of the point). Not something I plan to see until it's on cable.

"I Know Who Killed Me." I'd be surprised if you could find this still playing. I didn't buy into the premise at all.

"Love In The Time of Cholera." People love the book (which I've never read), but critics find the movie too slow. This is the type of film that I always try to be aware of whether or not a critic has read the book. Expectations can be too high for them. As for the script, I thought it was well done, though I can see how it might be considered "slow," but my take is that's how it's supposed to unfold,. Probably something just for those who really like romantic movies.