Film: The Judge

GENRE: Drama

RATING: R for language and sexual references
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 21 minutes

STARRING: Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes)

Robert Duvall (Get Low, A Civil Action), Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)

DIRECTOR: David Dobkin(Wedding Crashers, Shanghai Knights)

WRITERS: Nick Schenk (Gran Torino) & Bill Dubuque (newcomer)

PLOT: A lawyer returns home for his mother’s funeral but ends up having to stay to defend his father, a judge, who is accused of murder.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 The film was a fine piece of work but nothing to write home about. I think they tried to stuff too much content into the story. The estranged father/son relationship and the court case was enough; there was no need for the lost love angle.

2 Robert Downey Jr. is always fun to watch. I really enjoyed his parenting skills with his young daughter. Funny yet touching.

3 I was impressed with Jeremy Strong (Zero Dark Thirty) who plays one of the brothers with special needs. It wasn’t overboard but pretty effective.

4 I was annoyed by Duvall’s hair in this film. It kind of winged out in the back. Gel that thing down!  

5 David Krumholtz (Numbers) has put on some weight. He used to be a really skinny dude. Just sayin’.

RECOMMENDATION: Wait for it on TV
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Birdman

Film: Gone Girl

GENRE: Drama/Mystery

RATING: R for violence, strong sexual content & language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 29 minutes

STARRING: Ben Affleck (Argo, The Town, Good Will Hunting)

Rosamund Pike (Jack Reacher), Neil Patrick Harris (HIMYM, Smurfs)

DIRECTOR: David Fincher (Social Network, Fight Club, Panic Room)

WRITER: Gillian Flynn (newcomer, based on her novel)

PLOT: A husband becomes the main suspect when his wife goes missing, but many twists ensue.  

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 What an engrossing film! I was riveted the entire time. Fincher is meticulous in his direction and it shows. This is a perfectly crafted film. Fincher also often deals with some pretty messed up storylines. There is some of that too.

2 One of the reasons this film works so well is the music from Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails, Social Network). I never felt manipulated by the music. It only added fullness to the film. Beautifully done. 

3 While there is great acting all around especially from Affleck and Pike, my favourite character is the twin sister Margo, played by Carrie Coon (The Leftovers). She was a treat to watch.

4 Loved the risks that Fincher took with his cast, putting comedic actors in serious role like Harris, Tyler Perry (Madea) and Casey Wilson (Happy Endings). Also enjoyed seeing Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous) again.  

5 While the film runs a bit long and I would usually complain, this one kept me intrigued the whole time.

RECOMMENDATION: See it in the theatre
UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Judge