Movie Reviews 2010: The Lovely Bones

(After talking to plants in The Happening, Wahlberg is now reduced to talking to a candle)

Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci & Rose Mclver

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Screenplay by: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens

Plot:

Susie Salmon was just 14 years-old when she was murdered. On her way to Heaven, she is stuck in the 'in-between' where she observes her family and friends carry on with their lives without her. Based on the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold

Verdict:

With no expansive battle scenes or massive T-Rex's in sight, Peter Jackson's latest film finds the Director taking a breather of sorts, making a much more intimate, smaller scaled picture. The Lovely Bones though does share one comparison with, The Lord Of The Rings because it is also based upon a book. Also despite the smaller scale, Jackson still gets to flex his visual muscles, using some stunning CGI to create a beautiful looking 'in-between' that our central character, Susie Salmon (murdered when she was just 14 years-old) is trapped in on her way to Heaven.

Despite one big sub-plot and a couple of graphic scenes from the book being ignored here on screen, The Lovely Bones is by and large a very faithful adaptation with some spot-on casting. In particular, an unrecognisable, meticulous Stanley Tucci as the ultra-creepy Mr. Harvey and Susan Sarandon as crazy grandma Lynn providing some comic-relief amidst the drama. Also, the younger generation impress too, with Saoirse Ronan and Rose Mclver both equally good as Susie and Lindsey Salmon respectively, giving mature performances beyond their years. Last but certainly not least, Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz are also strong as Susie's grieving parents, despite their crumbling relationship not being given as much attention as in the novel.

Visually stunning and imaginative, The Lovely Bones may well be, some of the the strongest scenes actually emerge without any visual involvement. Lindsey's brave piece of detective work inside Mr. Harvey's house where the tension is knocked up to unbearable levels being a major standout in the movie. The Lovely Bones manages to be emotionally involving without ever being sentimental and simply is a poignant tale of life after death.

DDDD

Movie Reviews 2010: I Love You Phillip Morris

(McGregor is completley star struck by Carrey's hair cut)

Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann & Rodrigo Santoro

Directed by: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa

Screenplay by: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa

Plot:

Carrey plays Steven Russell, a happily married family man whom after a serious car crash realises he is gay and starts to live life to the fullest by becoming a conman. After being sent to prison, Steven meets and falls in love with sweet inmate Phillip Morris.

Verdict:

We all know by now that Jim Carrey is just as assured playing a more serious part as he is playing his trademark goofy roles. I Love You Phillip Morris - which wowed critics at last year's Sundance Film Festival - presents Carrey with that dream role every great actor lands eventually. Playing straight, church going police officer turned homosexual conman Steven Russell, Carrey gets to combine all of his slapstick brilliance with his more emotionally convincing acting skills. His performance feels genuine and honest throughout. Unsurprisingly, Carrey has once again been completely overlooked by the Academy, which is a great shame.

Ewan McGregor is perfectly fine too as the title's Phillip Morris, sweet, innocent and convincing enough when required but on the whole, this is certainly the Jim Carrey show. Importantly though, their characters relationship never feels forced, it is a genuinely touching connection they share.

Coming from the writers of the brilliant Bad Santa, this is a black comedy of the blackest kind with plenty of foul language - used to absolute perfection in one particular scene where a prison inmate hurls abuse at the prison guards - and of course, some riotous anal gags. But it's not just the gags that Phillip Morris nails. This is a film that like Steven Russell himself, manages to lie, cheat and rebel right to the very end where our emotions are suddenly put into overdrive; with the rug - as they famously say - being completely pulled from under our feet. Amazingly based on a true story, I Love You Phillip Morris will easily be remembered as one of the sharpest comedies this year.

DDDD