Black Swan: Where does it fall? SPOILER ALERT!!!

Despite some pacing issues at the beginning Black Swan performs like nothing I've seen on the screen this year. Darren Aronofsky really shows why many consider him to be a prolific filmmaker with this one. The story follows a ballerina played by Natalie Portman who gets the lead in Swan Lake only to see it slip away when a younger dancer with the ability to do the part moves in and attempts to steal the role...or does she? That is the beauty of the pacing and hidden clues in the film: Aronofsky builds this unassuming story that becomes a tale of a woman trapped in her mother's failures and her fears while slowly literally becoming the part she always dreamed of playing (as would any dancer).

The cast was superb. So superb in fact that it warmed me to two actresses I've had trouble embracing up to this point: Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. To me Natalie Portman began and ended at The Professional. This has changed my mind and convinced me she is indeed and outstanding actress and dare I say a modern Audrey Hepburn. Mila Kunis suffered simply from reminders of her TV yesteryears on That 70's Show. Again I'm proved wrong by not a new performance for her but a convincing one that really helped push Portman's lead. Vincent Cassel really rounds this cast out with a real fire and wit in his performance.

All in all I still have a few more films to watch before giving my complete verdict but thus far I'm decided. Black Swan had its meandering moments but I think overall Aronofsky beautiful film with plenty of engaging moments and times that really make a viewer like me smile. From beginning to end Black Swan is a joy to watch.

True...and a little more gritty...(short review)

There is an anticipation of event when you have an inkling that the film you are about to see is going to be good. Maybe this isn't true for everyone but it mirrors my experience. I get this slow dull roar toward the core of my being that, if all goes as planned, becomes a towering crescendo upon its closing. And today I can say was one of those lucky days. It was my pleasure to see the latest from the Coen's and another movie I'm happy to have seen, True Grit.

Already I'm a huge fan of the western genre. And how fitting that the creators of the film No Country for Old Men (essentially a modernized death of western sensibilities) reignite that style with this movie. Obviously a re-telling of the classic novel originally popularized by the film with John Wayne, this movie is every bit as good as its predecessor with that special touch that makes everything Joel and Ethan touch magic. Angling and pacing were superb, and despite having a couple awkward edits I didn't understand this is easily my #1 movie of the year.

Jeff Bridges...you astound me...man. :)

Memories Left Today

Comes on like cutting

Fury in storm

Cumbersome worry

For those taking form

Words come like blasting

Not fitting thing

The world that crashes

With that simple name

Not for said owner

Find not the chore

Of cast like true lovers

But wanting much more

So words just fleeting

And memories snug

In the warm place of resting

The grave which you dug