Three Reviews
Last week was a movie and play extravaganza!
Lorraine and I saw three movies and one play on consecutive nights. All four of these attractions were worthwhile, although they were worlds apart in their storyline and dramatic presentation.
1. The Social Network
The story of Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, played ably by Jesse Eisenberg. We are thrust into Harvard in 2003 in a dark, melancholy time in Zuckerberg’s life. He is a sophomore on the lowest level of the social stratifications. We see him as super-bright but obnoxious. His jerky actions drive him away from Erica, a lovely, intelligent girl whom he desires. Computers are his life and he speaks like a computer, in short bursts. He is hostile to his environment as a method of self-defense. I was also impressed by the acting of Justin Timberlake who played Sean Parker, founder of Napster. We see the outsider as he succeeds and yet fails.
2. You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
The old Woody Allen at his storytelling best. His venue is now London. An older couple has divorced after 40 years of marriage. He (Anthony Hopkins) chases and eventually marries a swinging younger girl, and she takes him for a ride. The wife (Gemma Jones), whose sparkling blue eyes represent eternal optimism, believes in fortune telling and seeks the tall, dark stranger. She finds a short, blond man and they go off happily together.
I was intrigued by their daughter (Naomi Watts), who is very beautiful. She is married to Josh Brolin (an unsuccessful novelist.) There is Allen’s usual bitter look at life, but the movie is fun.
3. The Town
Ben Affleck directed and starred in this crime story about a gang of thieves in Charlestown, Boston. The tension of the viewer being present during this bank hold-up is quite thrilling to the senses. The romance angle is interesting as Affleck and the bank-manager, who was his hostage, have a romance. Charlestown is a neighborhood with a long tradition of blue-collar crime. An exciting and well-done movie, and Affleck did a great job in his first effort.
Answers to last week’s movie quotes:
1. Shane- Brandon De Wilde (1953)
2. A Streetcar Named Desire- Marlon Brando (1951)
3. Citizen Kane- Orson Welles (1941)
4. Grand Hotel- Greta Garbo (1932)
5. Gone With the Wind- Vivien Leigh (1939)
6. Apollo 13- Tom Hanks (1995)
7. White Heat- James Cagney (1949)
8. The Wizard of Oz- Judy Garland (1939)
9. Sunset Boulevard- Gloria Swanson (1950)
10. To Have and Have Not- Lauren Bacall (1944)
I hope my readers enjoyed the movie quotes. I know I did!
