Little Women

Little Women

1994

Directed by Gillian Armstrong

It was hard to watch this film and not compare it to the production of the play that I performed in recently. It was actually nice to see the scenes in the film because they reminded me so much of the play. I did enjoy the film, but I felt there wasn't enough heart in it. The sisters didn't seem as close as they should.

Rustin Allison

No Country for Old Men

No Country for Old Men

2007

Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

It has been quite a while since I have watched a Coen Brothers film. The last one that I had seen was The Ladykillers. This film is a dark look at the inevitableness of life. Tommy Lee Jones plays a Texas sheriff who is trying to save a welder (played by Josh Brolin) who has gotten involved in a drug deal gone wrong. 

The stand out actor in this film is Javier Bardem. His portrayal of a hit-man hired by drug lords to track down Josh Brolin's character is a cold and chilling performance. Bardem's character has his own code of ethics that he expects people to adhere to, and if they do not they are ultimately punished by him. Bardem's character is a unstoppable force that casts it shadow over the whole film... much as Bardem's face overshadows the other characters in the above poster.

Rustin Allison

Thelma & Louise

Thelma & Louise

1991

Directed by Ridley Scott

This is a film I have not watched in a quite a long time. The performances by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon are outstanding, and they portray great strong women characters. My one big problem is that Geena Davis' husband in the film seems more like a macho stereotype rather than a more fleshed out character.

Rustin Allison

Notes on a Scandal

Notes on a Scandal

2006

Directed by Richard Eyre

This is a film that I have been meaning to see for a while. This film is worth watching for the two powerhouse performances from Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench. While I have always admired Judi Dench, I am only just beginning to appreciate Cate Blanchett. Her perfomances are always superb in the few things that I have seen. 

There other aspect of this film that I enjoyed about this film is the score by Phillip Glass. Although, I am not a fan of his strictly classical works I think his film scores are superb. There always seems to be an unrelenting feeling to his film scores and this apect of his music fits in so well with the themes and narrative of Notes on a Scandal.

Rustin Allison