The Fate Of History Decided In Court... "Denial"

Denial (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall

Directed by Mick Jackson

The Story:

Historian and author Deborah Lipstadt (Weisz) is accused of libel by historian David Irving (Spall). He makes the accusation in England, where Deborah is forced to prove that Irving's claims are false. With Richard Rampton (Wilkinson) and his team on her side, she must prove that Irving's claims that the Holocaust never happened are patently false.

If she should fail, then the British government will be forced to rule that the Holocaust never happened.

How's that for a high stakes game of  Law & Order?

It's a fascinating, and sad, story to be told.

How anyone could deny what happened during World War II is unfathomable to begin with. To do so as an author and historian seems incredible to believe.  But here it is.

And did I mention it was based on the real court case that happened in the late 90s?

Because if I didn't, well, it was.

The entire existence of whether or not the Holocaust ever occurred was played out in an English courtroom.

To make things even more challenging, Rampton refused to let Leipstadt or any Holocaust survivors even testify.

They refused to give Irving any ability to question, interrogate, harass and belittle any survivor, as he was very much a "shock and awe" public speaker.

Instead, they would use his own words against him whenever possible, and rely on historical fact and inaccuracies in Irving's own published words against him to win the case.

If you're up for a good legal thriller, look no further.

Final Grade:  B

The Twelve Reviews of Christmas...Day Eight: "Fred Claus"

 It's called Rubberneckin' baby....

The Story:

This is the story of Santa's (Paul Giamatti) older brother, Fred Claus (Vince Vaughn).  Needless to say, Fred isn't exactly enamored by Christmas anymore, and he's drifted apart from his little brother over the years, thanks also in some part to the parenting skills, espeically of their mom (Kathy Bates).  Fred is in love with a girl (Rachel Weisz) but is afraid to commit.  When a misunderstanding lands Fred in jail, there's only one person left to turn to.  However, the bailout comes with a condition: Fred's got to come North to work it off during the Holiday Season.  Naturally, Fred doesn't exactly fit in at the North Pole, but when an efficiency expert (Kevin Spacey) arrives, ready to shut the North Pole down, Fred may end up costing the entire world Christmas.

Will Fred work to end Christmas forever, or does he have it in him to help save the holiday?

I don't understand the hatred for this film, I think it's actually pretty fun(ny).

We've discussed Vince Vaughn already.  There's probably no better on-screen con-man/huckster on film these days than him, and Fred is no different.

He's the quick-witted, fast talking Santa's big brother who hates the holiday.

In fact, the reasons behind Fred's dislike both of his brother and Christmas are quite sad, and not entirely Fred's fault.

Sibling rivalry is a given in just about any family, but when your little brother is always gushed over by the parents.  Every time you do something neat, your little brother comes along and does something cooler...

And then he grows up to be Santa and adored by millions?

Yep, that's got to be tough to swallow.

Which turns Fred into the cynical con artist that we meet in this movie.

Amusingly, there is a Sibling Support Group scene that underscores Fred's (and other famous...mostly...brothers) gripes with his brother's success and his considerable lack thereof.

You'll also have a rousing Elvis singalong in the middle of the movie that livens things up and shows that the North Pole could use a little bit of Fred, and Fred certainly could use a little bit of North Pole.

Overall, it's a sweet movie that captures the magic of Christmas, and more importantly, the love and magic of family.

I'm a fan, and look forward to this one each year.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I liked it, I bought it.  It gets 1-2 spins each holiday season!

Tomorrow... it's the Final Four Christmas movies of 2013!!!  Time is flying!!

Is The Movie Worth Watching? "Definitely, Maybe"

A story about love, divorce, and second chances.

The Story:

Will (Ryan Reynolds) is getting divorced.  This of course doesn't sit well with his little girl, Maya (Abigail Breslin) who wants to know about how he met her mom and maybe see what went wrong in the marriage.  Fair enough, so Will begins telling her the story of the loves of his life, of which there were three, only he changes their names so that Maya can't figure out which girl happens to be her mom.  Will it be college sweetheart Emily (Elizabeth Banks), good friend April (Isla Fisher) or sophisticated Summer (Rachel Weisz)?  And by telling the story, can Will learn any lessons and realize that maybe the one he was supposed to end up with is still out there?

Before there was "How I Met Your Mother..."

This movie works, for the most part, as a fun romantic comedy. 

I'm not sure what exactly is missing from the movie overall that keeps it from being a must see for me though.  While good, it never crosses the threshold and becomes great.

Ryan Reynolds is always a plus for me, and for the most part he is allowed to play his usual charming, wise-cracking self.

His chemistry with his leading ladies varies, but that is a hard enough trick to pull off with one star, let alone three.

About five years have elapsed since I first saw this, so it was pretty much like watching it again for the first time.

I absolutely think the correct choices were made, as even the daughter rules out her real mom in the story. : )

Will's second chance at love is both uplifting and heartbreaking for both characters, and that is a nice change of pace, when they could have made it so much easier on his character.

Glad I  got a second chance to revisit this one.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: No hurry...should be up for it again in about 5 years. : )

While Damon's Away... "The Bourne Legacy"

 

Bourne to be wi-ii-ld...


The Story:

The assassins with no memory are back.  This time a new agent (Jeremy Renner) has to fight to stay alive, and save a Dr. (Rachel Weisz) from getting killed so she can hook him up with some drugs to keep his superhero powers.  This story takes place, simultaneously as the last Bourne film as they splice some footage together to strengthen the Bourniverse as a cohesive movie experience.

Meh.

That's been my entire take on the Bourne franchise.  I think I've seen all 3 of the Matt Damon flicks.

Couldn't tell you a thing about what happened in any of them.

: )

It was an action film, and there you go.


The latest?

Same thing.  Renner runs around the world trying to get his meds.

The action sequences are great, the movie zips along just fine, and then it's over.

That said, I think I remember more about this one than any of Damon flicks combined.  What that's worth?  I have really no idea.

Will there be another sequel?

There could be.  They leave it open-ended.


Final Grade: B-  It works for what it is.

Would I Own It: Nope, plenty of other action movies I'd watch again before I'd replay this one.  If I want to see Renner kicking butt, I'll play the Avengers for starters! : )