Downsizing

A little bit of hucksterism goes a long way. Such seems to be the premise of this flick. It's a notion well worth pointing out, and that might be enough to build a movie upon--especially early on, when flaws in the characters' thinking and the sales pitch abound, and the viewer is just sort of grinning at how much smarter he is than the protagonists. But writer-director Alexander Payne has more on his mind. Soon the film turns mostly about the thought experiment--that is, getting the viewer to ask what would I do? And what would you do if you make that choice? On that level, I think this movie succeeds; as the story drills down into something more personal, it shifts tone and focus yet remains affecting. Most noteworthy is an amazing performance by Hong Chau as Matt Damon's eventual guiding light. She has to cover a wide range in her role while staying within a limited vocabulary, both verbal, physical and in characterization. This will not be a film that's everyone's cup of tea, but I think it's rewarding for viewers who are open to a thoughtful experience.

The Descendants

What matters? That simple question lies at the heart of this movie, and the answer--personified in George Clooney's cuckolded husband and father, and his journey through this story--is simple, universal, almost cliched, but still very relatable and true. Good performances from all involved, some nice Hawaiian scenery, and a fine script that delivers just the right blend of comedy and pathos, make this flick well worth your time.

Sideways

A beautifully done movie, with a half-hilarious, half-touching story. Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church create a wonderful symbiosis as mismatched friends: one who would barely be alive but for being pulled forward, the other who would probably be dead if he wasn't being held back. Together they're amazing. I'm still sorting out whether or not this one belongs in the Best of All category, but it's certainly a personal favorite. You need to see this movie.

About Schmidt

An overly laconic beginning almost torpedoes this one before you can give it a chance. Hang in there and you will be richly rewarded with a quirky, interesting, and funny tale, as well as a breathtakingly honest and sincere performance from Jack Nicholson which--given so much of what came before it--is nothing short of astounding. Don't miss it.

Citizen Ruth

Kind of a major disappointment. A pretty good cast headed by Laura Dern, and a good plot idea (satirizing the abortion debate), but it never really clicked.