The movie to watch in my book this coming weekend will require me to bring a whole box of tissue. “My Sister’s Keeper”, an adaptation of Jodi Picoult’s book, has captured my attention the first time I saw it’s trailer, tugging at my heartstrings with the few scenes revealed. “My Sister’s Keeper “ is a film about a family of a dying child and a sister “created” to save her . Sofia Vassilieva plays the role of the suffering 15 year old Kate who’s dying from leukemia. Abigail Breslin plays the role of her sister, Anna, who was literally conceived/created using science to be Kate’s genetic match. Anna, who from infancy has been constantly giving blood and bone marrow to her sister, finally refuses to be a spare parts factory when one of her kidney is required to keep Kate alive. Now that is a story to make one’s head spin.
So far judging from the handful of film reviews I’ve read it seems that the director Nick Cassavetes succeeded in what he set out to do – flood the cinema with tears. Cameron Diaz is also garnering praise for her performance of the mother who desperately keeps on putting her dying daughter’s needs above Anna’s. This is a great role for her and one that might just give her the break she needs to get more challenging roles than those that merely require her to be the cute girl with a great smile that she is.
Gracie’s Choice Review
More than 5 years old and this TV movie still moves me to tears each time I see it. Gracie’s Choice is about a 17 year-old girl who all her life has taken on the responsibility of raising her siblings, a sister and three brothers who all have different fathers, because of the irresponsibility of their addict mom. Kristen Bell plays the part of Gracie and Anne Heche, who was nominated for an Emmy for the role, played the mother.
The family’s state has been horrible for years but things came to a boiling point when the mom was jailed sending the kids to institutions that meant tearing the whole family apart. Gracie steps up to the plate with their grandma helping her as she struggled to provide for the family, do well in school, and somehow raise the kids well. Things go well enough for them with Gracie even meeting a wonderful guy who loves her and helps expand her horizons, until her mother gets out of jail. The grandma, who is very easily manipulated by her daughter agrees to let her stay with them despite her continuous drug use and the financial strain she brought by cashing in the kids welfare checks and using it all on herself and her boyfriends. Gracie finally fights back, knowing full well that she’ll lose her family if they stay with their mom, and decides to adopt her own brothers.
Kristen Bell and Anne Heche played their roles very convincingly so much that it tears my guts up just watching the movie. Anne Heche is so effective in her role that you can’t help but pity her despite the utter disgust you’ll also feel at seeing how bad her kids has it because of her.
What’s even more remarkable about the TV movie is that it is based on a true story. Reader’s Digest first published the story of Amy and her family. I’ve been looking for updates on them but so far haven’t found any. You can’t help but really admire the real Amy and hope for the best for the whole family.
This is one must watch TV movie. I should know I’ve seen it several times and it never fails to tug at my heartstrings and inspire to be better at the same time.
Thumbs Up for The Soloist
The Soloist is earning is getting great reviews and you can add mine to that. The film is based on a true story. It centers around the friendship developed between LA Times journalist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) and a musically gifted but mentally ill Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx).
Nathaniel Ayers once studied at Julliard but due to a mental breakdown cannot cope with the strict code that society enforces and so ends up living in the streets, which is where Lopez finds him and befriends him. Being a journalist, Lopez of course started writing human-interest stories about Ayers but also starts on a quest to save Ayers. As time goes by Lopez realizes that his friendship with Ayers is the one that’s opening his eyes and making him see the richness of life. A movie about life and friendship that tackles the hard issues of homelessness and mental illness, the Soloist may lack the fast-pace of action flicks and will not awe you with effects but it is thoughtful and moving.
As for the acting, Robert Downey Jr was able to perfectly capture the character showing us the depth of emotions of the deeply troubled journalist. Jamie Foxx was equally perfect giving such a great performance that watching it you’ll forget that it is just acting. His portrayal of Ayers could just break your heart. Extra props to Jamie Foxx as well for his patience in learning to play the violin because it sure did pay off, even classical music enthusiasts agree that he was very convincing when he played the violin and the cello.
The movie is a must-see if you wish to see a quality film that is more than just about effects. This one you must see for the story and superb acting.
Biel’s Powder Blue DVD Release Only
Sorry guys but if you have been waiting to see Jessica Biel in her new stripper role in Powder Blue you just won’t be seeing it in the cinemas anytime soon. Her new movie wasn’t able to make the cut and instead will be released on DVD this June. That means that not only won’t you be seeing her skin on the big screen but you’ll have to wait a month to buy a copy and enjoy it in your own homes.
The movie is supposed to be more than just a Jessica Biel stripper movie and the plot promises a whole lot more but it makes us wonder why it still wasn’t good enough to make it to the big screen. Other disappointed cast members of Powder Blue include Patrick Swaye, who plays the part of a sleazy club owner; Redmayne, a mortician head over heels for Biel’s character Rose Johnny; and Forrest Whitaker, a suicidal ex-priest. Luckily Whitaker, who’s also a producer of the film doesn’t feel suicidal over the movie being snubbed.
Hopefully Jessica Biel’s career will start faring as well as her love life is although right now even her next movie doesn’t seem to be making waves this early. In case her career doesn’t pan out well at least she has a fall back plan because according to Cher Tippetts of Entertainmentwise, “Jessica Biel has all the necessary requirements to become a real-life stripper, according to the woman who trained her in the art of exotic dance…should the Hollywood roles ever dry up, which could be a real possibility following Powder Blue.” Oh well, I bet she’ll have the last laugh.
Star Trek Trailer a Big Hit
Star Treks’ trailer has me all excited. Though it has always had a very faithful following the movie series was not something I really liked. The funny thing is that I am so into the books but for some reason never got into the movies. I blame it on my hyper-active imagination which makes the movies pale in comparison. This time though it might be different.
Star Trek has always been cool but you just have to see the trailer to see why it’s gotten even cooler. I do hope the movie doesn’t disappoint. For now though the verdict is that Star Trek is making a huge comeback. Props to JJ Abrams for managing to revitalize the movie…or at least the trailer. Hopefully the trailer editors didn’t do too good a job making the trailer tons better than the actual movie.
The cast also helps with Chris Pine as James T Kirk, Zachary Quinto as the young Spock (That alone makes the movie worth watching! Sorry but I’m obviously a fan.), Leonard Nimoy as the old Spock, Zoe Saldana as Uhura, Eric Bana (another one for the ladies) as Nero, and Winona Ryder as Amanda Grayson.
The movie premieres May 8. Come May I will surely be dragging people with me to see the movie. My guess though is that the dragging part won’t be necessary once my friends see the trailer.
Watch the Star Trek trailer in HD at Apple.com