Jennifer Garner’s new movie 13 Going on 30 opens this weekend. My wife and I saw the sneak preview two weeks ago ? and found it completely endearing.
The comedy represents a new turn for Garner, best known for her butt-kicking roles in movies like Daredevil and her TV show Alias. I was skeptical about how her new direction would come off, but in the end my wife and I were each won over completely. (In fact, we’ll be going back for seconds this weekend.)
Garner has a rare quality as an actress: the ability to project undiluted joy at being alive in the world. And, though you can’t tell by the trailer, the movie’s clear theme is the importance of staying true to oneself, even if it means being less-than-popular.
This is not a good movie for cynics. Watch the trailer for a glimpse of what’s in store.
Also, ExtraTV offers a good set of interviews with Jennifer on her experiences making the movie. (Favorite quote, from her Alias co-stars, on whether Jennifer could successfully play a thirteen-year-old: “Jennifer, you are thirteen; I hate to tell you.”)
Category: Mini-Reviews
Eternal Sunshine … or Something
My wife and I just got back from seeing “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, and Kirsten Dunst.
The preview had seemed clever, even upbeat. Unfortunately, they were the only upbeat moments from the film.
The plot takes some clever turns, and the ending is somewhat redeeming, pulling together what seemed like an unsalvageable montage of confusing experiences.
Overall, however, a far more suitable title for the movie would have been “Eternal Mundane of the Post-Modern Mind.”
Howard Roark and 'My Architect'
In a review of the movie My Architect for the Grand Rapids Press, reviewer John Douglas reports shades of Howard Roark in the movie’s lead character:
Nathaniel [Kahn] also went to see the structures his father designed. As the film progressed, Kahn began to remind me of Howard Roark, the uncompromising architect in Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead.” Thus he became a very interesting character in my eyes, because I loved [Roark] when I read the book.
See the full review for additional details. (And please send us your own comments, if you’ve seen the movie.)
A Passion Against Man
Onkar Ghate has written a criticism of The Passion of the Christ for the ARI MediaLink. From the article:
When charges of anti-Semitism, denied by the producers, surrounded the film before its opening, there was outrage from many circles. But when the principals behind the film tell us openly that its message is that not only Jews but all men are implicated in the death of Jesus, the voices of moral outrage fall silent. (In what follows I leave aside the question of how successfully the film conveys its intended message.)
So, let us ask some questions no one is asking. Why is it immoral to ascribe guilt to all Jews, but not immoral to ascribe guilt to all mankind? How can anyone know, without first considering our specific choices and actions, that you or I are guilty? How can you or I be responsible for the death of a man killed some two thousand years ago? To make any sense of the accusation, one must recognize that one is here dealing with, albeit in a more sophisticated form, the same collectivist mentality as the racist’s. For the anti-Semite, to be Jewish is to be evil. For the devout Christian, to be human is to be evil.
Read the full review for further details.
Movie: Something's Gotta Give
The new romantic comedy Something’s Gotta Give (starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton) features a theme emphasizing the importance of honesty, intimacy, and a commitment to personal growth. (It’s also incredibly funny.) The writing, acting, and production are all first rate.
My wife and I saw it on Christmas eve and enjoyed it immensely. For more information about the movie, watch the trailer or read Roger Ebert’s review.
New Greenspan Bio
Following up on the lead from Ayn Rand at Salon.com… Below is an excerpt from TownHall.com’s review of Jerome Tucille’s new (2002) Greenspan biography, Alan Shrugged:
Alan Shrugged provides a thoughtful, penetrating examination of the Fed chairman, from the early years through late 2001. Written by investment executive and biographical best-selling author Jerome Tuccille, and accuracy-checked by Greenspan through his press secretary, Alan Shrugged is likely as close as a lay person will come to understanding Alan Greenspan and the power he wields as Fed chairman. Although written by a fellow financier, there’s little jargon to confuse a lay reader; Tuccille excels at cutting through layers of complexity to present the heart of the matter, be it the workings of the Federal Reserve or an individual.
From the outset, Tuccille deftly evokes images — of the Greenspans’ home environment, Alan’s college years, his early jobs — that enable immersion in the cultures and events that influenced the young Alan. While not a novelized biography, the effect is similar to one, and it’s very effective at keeping a reader’s interest. Of course, the Ayn Rand years are given their due — thankfully, without the tawdry tabloid elements that have found their way into other biographies of Rand’s intimates. Tuccille instead focuses on how Rand influenced Greenspan, and how he influenced her as well, providing a rare, balanced look into Rand’s inner circle and its workings.
Sounds like a book that would interest many Ayn Rand fans.