REVIEW: Up in the Air

Plot summary for Up in the Air from moviefone.com:

Juno's Jason Reitman heads into corporate America territory once again with this adaptation of Walter Kirn's novel Up in the Air for Montecito Pictures. The plot surrounds a human resource administrator (George Clooney) whose life up in the friendly skies becomes his only world as he works to reach his ten-millionth frequent flyer mile. Jason Bateman and Vera Farmiga co-star in the Paramount Pictures production.

Critics keep referring to Up in the Air as a "movie of our time," a reflection of the issues of today and the economy. While this is partially true (Clooney's character is a "termination facilitator," coming in to fire employees when their bosses are too weak to) it seems more a study of a man very critical of relationships and the circumstances that lead to the overthrow of this conviction. The cynicism of Clooney's character Ryan Bingham is almost too hard to believe at times. His "what's in your backpack?" theory encourages people to sever all ties, both material and human and to live a life of solitude. He enjoys a scattering of "single-serving friends" (to quote Fight Club), but without allowing lasting connections. Can anyone really espouse this as their one true value?

Even with this underlying cynicism, Clooney still makes Ryan Bingham into a character that we can't help but care about. But this may have more to do with good casting by director Jason Reitman than any great character development of the screenplay. I mean, who doesn't like George Clooney? You'd have to try really hard to make Clooney unlikable. While Bingham's eventual comeuppance is obvious from the start, its even more painful than one would expect given the surprising connection you feel to the character.

Another point on the casting, Clooney and Farmiga have amazing chemistry together, bouncing lines off each other like Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, all with subtle sexual undertones. It almost makes you wish they would co-star in a romantic comedy. Almost.

The director, Jason Reitman, has a subtle light touch, but still finds times to be inventive. For example,the ballet-like routine of Bingham's packing and maneuver through airport security is charming and fantastically entertaining.

All in all, Up in the Air is a wonderful movie, beautifully shot and acted. Definitely one to see.

Kinsey: 5/5 stars Wade: 5/5 stars

REVIEW: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Plot summary for Fantastic Mr. Fox from fandango.com:

A wily fox uses his formidable cunning to outsmart three feeble-minded farmers, who resort to extreme tactics to protect their chickens in director Wes Anderson's animated adaptation of the popular Roald Dahl children's book. For 12 years, Mr. and Mrs. Fox (voices of George Clooney and Meryl Streep) have lived a peaceful life in the wilderness with their son, Ash (voice of Jason Schwartzman). Shortly after their young nephew Kristofferson (voice of Eric Anderson) arrives for a visit, Mr. Fox's long-suppressed animal instincts begin to take over and the faithful family man resorts back to his old ways as a cunning chicken thief, endangering not only his family but the entire animal community as well. When evil farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean force the animals underground in a desperate attempt to capture the audacious Mr. Fox, dwindling food supplies force the frightened animals to band together in one last attempt to fight for the land that is rightfully theirs. Bill Murray, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, and Owen Wilson provide additional voices.

It seems that many people have written off Wes Anderson as a perfect example of "style over substance." And it's true that he does have a specific style, a "quirk" as many describe it. While some of Anderson's films do focus too much on being visually appealing, hopefully Fantastic Mr. Fox will put an end to the perception that he doesn't know how to put a charming, meaningful story together. And I think charming is the perfect word for this film.

Definite credit needs to be given to Wes Anderson for leaping into the medium of stop-motion animation. It's a gutsy move, but it fits the Roald Dahl source material perfectly. It has a wonderful childish, cartoon feel. Anderson uses all the nuances apparent in stop-motion to his advantage, whether it's the sometimes herky-jerky movements or the ruffling of fur from fingers moving the models. When there are close-ups on the characters, that subtle fur movement even adds an extra layer of depth and feeling to the characters. Attention to detail is superb in this film, with all the characters being nattily dressed, something of a staple with Anderson's.

I keep coming back to the word charming. So many little instances that just make a guy smile, like, for example, using the word "cuss" in place of actual cuss words which leads to a heated argument where every fourth word is "cuss." Or that when a nicely-prepared plate of French toast is placed in front of the tie-wearing Mr. Fox, he suddenly and viciously tears into it like the wild animal he is.

Despite the humor, the film does have some dark undercurrents, which come from the source material. Of course the guy who created Willy Wonka is going to be slightly sinister. Characters do die, there is violence, and the three villains, Boggis, Bunce, and Bean, are definitely frightening. This film strikes the balance in everything it sets out to achieve. In our opinion, Fantastic Mr. Fox was, well, fantastic.

Kinsey: 4/5 stars
Wade: 5/5 stars