From the Washington City Paper blog City Desk
Lots of new movies this week. Click on titles to visit each film’s roundup of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with the exception of Quantum of Solace and My Name Is Bruce, whose blueness will lead you to my own humble opinions. Shockingly, the majority of these releases are receiving several upward thumbs; must be Oscar season.
THE CANDY:
Quantum of Solace — Not only is the line “Bond, James Bond” never uttered here, dude has to check with the bartender when someone asks what he’s drinking. A refreshing new direction in the decades-old franchise, if not quite as spectacular as Casino Royale.
My Name Is Bruce — Bruce Campbell directs and stars as…Bruce Campbell. Cheesy fun for diehard fans, but not nearly as entertaining as Campbell’s similarly toned Bubba Ho-tep.
THE MEDICINE:
Momma’s Man — Its title and summary — stunted middle-aged man moves back in with his parents — screams that wackiness will ensue. But, surprise, this is a drama, and a highly praised one at that.
Ballast — A drama about a man’s suicide in the Mississippi Delta region; IMDb’s synopsis contains the words “embattled,” “emotionally devastated,” “fury,” “bitter,” and “conflict.” So it’s not quite the ticket if you’re looking for something uplifting, but it’s gotten solid grades nonetheless.
Pray the Devil Back to Hell — A documentary about women fighting to end civil war in Liberia.
Stranded: I Have Come From a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains –A documentary whose title pretty much says it all regarding the 1972 crash of a plane containing a rugby team from Uruguay.
MEDICINE WITH A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR:
Slumdog Millionaire — Danny Boyle’s drama about an impoverished Indian teen who wins big money on his country’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? A thoroughly uplifting story, with a side of social commentary on the hardships facing kids growing up in Mumbai.
