Wolfs

An enjoyable bit of crime fluff. The story is a little thin, but that’s hardly the point of this operation; it’s mostly about having Pitt and Clooney playing off each other in a battle of aging paragons of coolness, in a context that is, if not a legitimate heir, then at least a bastard offspring of Tarantino’s best works. Neither protagonist wins or loses, choosing instead to share in the good lines and smooth turns. This movie won’t go down as an indelible example of these stars at their zenith; it’s more the sort of thing that gets made in a top-class star’s in-between moments. As it turns out, that’s quite good enough to kill 107 minutes in an entertaining manner. 

Hail, Caesar!

Sometimes it’s good; sometimes it’s not. Everyone is so given over to Coen Brothers hagiography at this point that mumbling a bad word about any movie they make is likely to elicit strong reactions...which is, in a lot of ways, what this movie does not elicit. There are moments, highlights, that are quite good and make you want to give this effort more credit than you ultimately are comfortable doling out. Perhaps if one of the subplots--I’m looking at you, Scarlett--had been left on the cutting room floor, this might have turned out to be a stronger, tighter movie. Alas, the boys overreached, probably because they were too interested in paying homage to classic movies and moviemaking--perhaps they noticed that such things burnish a film’s Oscar-bait credentials--and the overall work suffered accordingly. It’s definitely worth watching if you’re a fan, of the old days or the brothers; otherwise, it may not pass muster.

The Monuments Men

Noble ideas should always be winners. Sadly, they often are not, though the ones that aren't are not necessarily losers; sometimes they just fight life to a draw. So it is here with George Clooney's remembrance of a group of non-soldiers who suited up and went into a war not to save a country or each other, but the very culture of the Western world. The unevenness of the film probably reflects the difficulty in capturing this story in a dramatic setting; parts of the film are entertaining and involving, while others seem disjointed and not particularly well fit with the rest of the film. (If a movie had been made strictly about the recovery of the Madonna and Child statue--a major plotline here--one suspects it would have been a tighter, more watchable film.) As it is, this flick stands as a good effort, and its noble idea--that the treasures of our culture were worth saving when monsters wanted to destroy them--surely deserves at least this much attention.

Gravity

The Infinite Improbability Drive is alive and well; Douglas Adams would be proud. Everything accomplished in this movie by Sandra Bullock’s space hitchhiker is either a testament to human ingenuity and will, or total bullshit. I’ll leave you to be the judge. Regardless, this film is definitely worth a look; emphasis on LOOK, as the visuals here are quite amazing and a major reason why Alfonso Cuarón won the Best Director award. I think that overall, you’ll enjoy this film, unless you decide to go full Neil deGrasse Tyson on it and nitpick all the science (I don’t recommend that, not even to NdT).

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.

The American

Say what you will about the big, tent-pole mainstream movies--they lay your motivations right out in front of you. Not so here. It's hard to say why we would root for George Clooney's hit man, other than the fact that it's George Clooney playing the lead role. But that does not necessarily equate to a bad movie. This one's moody and atmospheric, has some really nice Italian locations going for it, and the relationships between the characters--particularly Clooney's assassin and the town priest--are complex and interesting. And Clooney's minimalist performance and a well-turned plot combine to bring an involving sense of urgency by the end. If you're willing to deal with a movie that's somewhat opaque, you'll be rewarded by this one. Otherwise, stick to the front end of the googolplex.

The Men Who Stare at Goats

That title? Dynamite. This movie? Well...more like a sparkler; it seems like it'll be fun, but then you start the thing and it just sits there, throwing off the occasional gleam of something good, but never really lighting things on fire. A good cast does perfectly fine work, but they don't have enough good material to really make this flick fly. The biggest takeaway is the idea that a documentary on the movie's germ of truth--weird military experiments into the psychic--would have made for a better, more interesting film.

Michael Clayton

The impressions grow throughout the running time: disparate, unconnected, confusing--though still interesting enough to hold the attention. And then it comes together in the climax, the plot's blurred lines resolving into a final, striking image in the film's jaw-dropping denouement. You're left with a terrific walk-away movie--something you're thinking about long after the final credits roll. Not to be missed.

Syriana

Everybody's guilty. Including you. So seems to be the message of this work. It would be nice if there was story to go along with that sentiment. Remember, kids: a viewpoint does not a narrative make--and you know how I feel about narrative. As it stands, the food for thought goes hand in hand with the muddle of disparate plot threads. They do all weave together eventually, but from a film-making standpoint, clear expression of a central idea is lost (or at least suffers). Overall, a tough call--I know these are issues we should all be interested in, but you need to bring some keen interest and wide-ranging knowledge to play at this table. If you think you've got the intellectual grit for it, dive in. Otherwise, just go with a light comedy.

Ocean's Twelve

Another celluloid smirk from Soderbergh and company--one that's actually better than its predecessor. Sure, it's got a flimsy premise and a redundant story. So why didn't I care? Because the pace is good, the performers are all spot on, the dialogue is sharp, and the visuals are particularly rich. And it ends in an orgy of self-satisfaction. Now, what could be more entertaining than that? In this case, nothing.

Solaris

We're talking Soderbergh's remake here, not Tarkovsky's Russian original. Having never seen that original, I can't say if Soderbergh is copying the original or channeling Kubrick. Something is clearly being referenced, especially in the early scenes, where the spare style almost exactly echoes 2001 (some shots are dead-on callbacks to Kubrick's masterpiece). Parallels even exist between the stories, though the vision here is not quite so epic. Eerily quiet, moody and atmospheric, this film won't be to everyone's taste, but fans of non-shoot 'em up sci-fi should give it a look.

Good Night, And Good Luck

Certainly the best movie I've seen this year (2005). Along with the compelling story and excellent acting, George Clooney has fashioned a beautiful film: lovely use of black and white cinematography, compelling shots of light and shadow that echo the polarized story elements. And David Strathairn's professional, restrained performance as Edward R. Murrow is worthy of many awards. You must see this film.

Intolerable Cruelty

Lightweight, but it achieves what it aims for. The strength here is the work of George Clooney, who really looks like he's enjoying himself. That enthusiasm will carry you through and give you a few laughs. If you go in with the right attitude, that should be enough.

Three Kings

Morbidly funny, except when it's gut-wrenchingly intense, and it doesn't shy away from asking the tough questions about one of the defining events of our times (the 1991 Gulf War). Special props must go to George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze for their remarkable performances as American soldiers caught between their own avarice and the palpable need to use their positions and power to do what's right. Very highly recommended. (Note: this would be a "Best Of All" inductee, except the standard criterion for BOA--a movie you want to watch again and again--can't apply here; Three Kings is great, but just too intense to want to watch again and again. Otherwise, it's in.)

Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind

This is worth it just to see some of those old Gong Show acts coming back for one last wretched appearance. As for the story, you can't help but smirk over the "is it true or not" aspects of Chuck Barris' "unauthorized autobiography." It's preposterous, but just preposterous enough that it may be true. Meanwhile, first time director George Clooney proves himself to be...a first time director, with lots of self-aware camera angles and other directorial hooey. But none of that is too intrusive, and does not get in the way of an enjoyable story

The Thin Red Line

Wow--they made Guadalcanal boring. Almost a twin to Saving Private Ryan--another ponderous, pretentious WWII epic that had virtually no real story to speak of. Oh well--at least it looked nice.

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

Watching this movie is like spending a couple of hours in the High Church of Holy Hipness; it's got more smirks than you'd find on Saturday night in a frat house. There are a few amusing moments, but not enough of them. On another note: this is the second big-time movie (directed by Soderbergh, no less) in which George Clooney has played a criminal--should we be worried? Posted .

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Homer for the masses...and I don't mean Simpson. Well-crafted retelling of the old tale, with some great music and good performances by Messrs. Clooney, Turturro and Nelson.

Out of Sight

Pretty good. Features Jennifer Lopez, in her a little less sleazy incarnation as straightforward actress, along with George Clooney doing his usual thing. Not spectacular, but it holds your interest.