3/1/09

Sunday Movie Reviews

We watched Changeling starring Angelina Jolie last weekend. It is inspired by the true story of a woman who's son went missing in 1920's Los Angeles and her battle with a very corrupt LAPD. Desperate for a successful outcome to this widely publicised case, they claim they have found her missing son Walter, only for it to be the wrong child.

Due to the times (of female repression) and pressure from the LAPD, she takes him home despite knowing it's not her son. Over the following months and years she fights the LAPD to prove he's not her son and continue their search, whilst the LAPD resort to truly desperate measure to cover-up her story and discredit her. Eventually an LAPD detective stumbles on the truth and an even bigger case emerges.

This movie was well directed by Clint Eastwood and is very true to the period and times. Angelina portrays the mother with great sympathy and emotion, she is a character you cannot help but care about. I very much enjoyed this movie, the Hubster did too, although he felt it could have been told in less time.

On Friday night we watched Body of Lies starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Russell Crowe and directed by Ridley Scott.

The movie is about Roger Ferris (Di Caprio) a CIA operative in the Middle East; Ed Hoffman (Crowe) is his control at Langley. After a stint in Iraq, Roger works with Hani Salaam in Amman, Jordan's head of security, whose only dictum is "Don't lie to me." The Americans are after a fanatical cleric who's group places bombs all over Europe. When Hani rebukes Ed's demand that Jordan allow the Americans to use one of Jordan's double agents, Roger and Ed hatch a plan to bring the cleric to them. The plan is complicated by its being a secret from Hani and by Roger's attraction to a local nurse.

This is very much about modern warfare and makes you realise what's actually going on over there. The use of satellites for spying, cell phones, computers and setting others up is all covered in depth.

I loved this movie, but then I am a big fan of spy/espionage plots and Leonardo Di Caprio, a seriously under-rated actor in my book. The Hubster was tired and so thought it was okay, but he dozed off a couple of times and this is a movie you need to watch closely due to all the twists. Just a note to the squeamish, there are a few gory shots, but I got through them fine.

In summary, both these films are recommended, but Body of Lies gets the highly recommended.

12 comments:

Kay said...

I was curious about Changeling. I'd like to see it but I hate sad endings and this sounds like it's gotta be a sad ending.

Flea said...

I'm not a thriller fan, but Changeling looks good. Thanks for the review!

Sherri said...

Thanks for the 2 reviews Sarah!

karen said...

thanks Sarah! I enjoy the movie reviews, to look forward to once they come out on DVD, having nowhere to go and watch any! :)

Anonymous said...

I just ordered these movies off Netflix to watch. Thanks for the review I am looking forward to them even more now x x

Daryl said...

Husband agrees with Hubster about the length of Changeling ... but he loved the other

Peggy said...

I saw both movies last weekend and was pleasently surprised. Wasn't sure that I would like Changeling but I did. I usually like the Clint Eastwood movies but from the previews I wasn't sure that I would like Angelina in the mother role. Sad movie but empowering too.
My hubby and I like thriller movies and we enjoyed Body of Lies.

Anonymous said...

I would love to see Changeling. I really must make the effort.

CJ xx

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I've had a number of people recommend the Changeliing, I must get a copy when it's released.

I've just watched Taken this week with Liam Neeson, a film I really enjoyed.

victoria x

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Thanks for the reviews. I am really interested on Changeling.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I haven't seen either one, but I've thought both looked quite interesting. I'll add them to my Netflix queue. I agree that DiCaprio is underrated as an actor and doesn't Angelina, a wonderful actress as well, have the most incredible face?? Beautiful.

Wendy Hill said...

Love your movie reviews. I always trust your instincts. These both sound like ones my hubby and I would enjoy together (if we could just get those boys to go to bed early enough and hubby to stay awake long enough).