My Sister's Keeper (2009)

I would like to start out by stating I really had no intention of ever seeing this film, or reading the book. I typically try to avoid sad, dramatic movies (and books) that tend to be emotionally draining, causing me to cry my way through most of it, and feel depressed long after it’s over. My Sister’s Keeper was no exception. Directed by Nick Cassavetes (He also directed The Notebook), the entire movie was that of archetypal “sick dramas”- sad and emotionally draining. I ended up seeing it only because my friend really, really wanted to.

However, I thought the movie was done very well. My Sister’s Keeper tells the story of the Fitzgerald family, and relays their individual struggles in dealing with Kate Fitzgerald’s leukemia. Parents Sara and Brian Fitzgerald make the decision to genetically engineer a child, Anna, who will be a direct donor match for 2-year-old Kate. From birth, Anna gives spare parts to her sister in order to keep her alive, such as blood and bone marrow. When Anna is 11 however, and her parents request that she donates one of her kidneys to Kate, Anna decides she’s had enough. Anna hires a lawyer and attempts to sue her parents for the rights to her own body—medical emancipation.

The acting is superb in this film. Abigail Breslin, who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Little Miss Sunshine, does an amazing job at portraying Anna and newcomer Sofia Vassilieva also gives a noteworthy performance as leukemia-stricken Kate. I’m sure we will be seeing more from this young actress in the future. The most surprising of all was Cameron Diaz. Playing the pragmatic mother trying to do everything possible in order to save her daughter, Cameron Diaz shows viewers that she is capable of doing more than her usual romantic comedies. This was the best performance I’ve ever seen her do.
All of the actors did an outstanding job of making you feel the heartache of the Fitzgerald family.

The flashbacks also worked very nicely with the film. Often the characters would be shown in the present time, and then the storyline would flashback to when the children were younger. I especially liked the flashbacks when Kate is looking through her scrapbook in the hospital. I thought the flashbacks added a lot to the movie, and were very easy to follow.

If you plan on seeing this movie, be prepared for a good cry. There are relatively no happy moments throughout the film, and very little humor. But the film moves along quite nicely, the 109 minutes didn’t seem long at all. My Sister’s Keeper is extremely touching, and succeeds at making you question why certain things happen in life, and the difficult choices we make along the way.

I’ve never read Jodi Picoult’s book by the same title, so I’m not able to give a comparison between the two, but if you enjoy the book, I’m sure the movie is worth checking out.

-Lindsay

Låt den rätte komma in A.K.A. Let The Right One In (2008)

This little Swedish horror flick may not be something you have heard of, or have had the chance to see. I came across a review for it around Halloween-time of last year (when it was hitting theatres overseas), and had to wait, and wait and wait for it to come to DVD in the U.S. When I placed a hold for it in February through the SHARE system, I was not expecting to wait for another four months. 'This better be good,' I thought to myself when I finally pulled the DVD out of the transit bin. I must say that it actually was worth the long wait, and you may agree with me if:

A) You don't mind foreign fims (English dubbing was an option, but I personally prefer subtitles).
B) You don't mind an R rating for some blood and gore, nudity and swearing
C) You liked Pan's Labyrinth

This film was directed by Tomas Alfredson and its screenplay was written by the author of the book that the movie was based on. Bear with me as I try to explain this amazingly unique film...

Oskar is an awkward 12 year old living in a wintry 1980s suburb of Stockholm. He is bullied at school, and lives with his divorced mother in an apartment complex that includes a playground where no children ever seem to be playing. While out in the playground one day, Oskar meets Eli (pronounced Eeelee), who seems to be his own age and has just moved into the apartment next door to his.

There is an immediate attraction between the two, and we see that Oskar is drawn to his new neighbor out of curiosity toward her odd habits, such as her walking in the snow with bare feet, and out of admiration for her strength. Eli's advice for Oskar in terms of the school bullies? Fight back.

Eli seems drawn to Oskar at first due to his sweetness, but as the film progresses, we see that Eli's feelings are very complex, and that she is no ordinary girl. On top of walking barefoot in the snow and never feeling cold because she's "forgotten how", Eli scares cats, defies gravity Spiderman-style, and drinks human blood to sustain herself. Let The Right One In is a vampire movie, but like none that has ever been made before. It has elements of spine-tingling horror, a heartwarming portrayal of first love, and the depth and intrigue of a dark fantasy. All of the film's images are in my opinion, instant classics, and the story is a primal one, yet also fresh and modern.

It is arranged to be remade by Hollywood (I am obviously worried, but keep reminding myself that I liked The Grudge, whose original was Japanese), and will be called Let Me In. Look for it on a big screen near you in 2010. Today, however, take the time to see Let The Right One In on DVD as I did, and remember that they just don't make many films like this one, so ENJOY!

- Dani

He's Just Not That Into You (2009)

After reading the self-help book entitled, He’s Just Not That Into You and finding it extremely hilarious and insightful, I was very excited when I discovered they had a movie coming out by the same name. However, I was curious as to how they were going to portray a self-help book on the big screen. Unable to see the movie at the time of its theatrical release, I had to wait the four long months until it was finally released onto DVD, but the wait was well worth it. I was pleasantly surprised to ascertain that the movie was done in a rather creative way, while also keeping much of the information provided in the best-selling book intact.

He’s Just Not That Into You follows the love lives of a dozen or so people through the complicated world of dating, marriage, and friendship. Well-known actors portray the cast of characters, including Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Connelly, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kevin Connolly, Scarlett Johannson, Bradley Cooper, Drew Barrymore, and Justin Long.

Rated PG-13, this 129-minute romantic comedy will make you laugh as well as empathize with the main characters. I found it intriguing that all of the characters are connected to each other in some way, and I also enjoyed the short scenes of “real people” giving their take own person takes on dating.

All in all, I thought this movie was very well done. It’s difficult to share more of the movie plot without giving away too much, so you’ll just have to see it for yourself!
I also suggest reading the best seller that started it all, He’s Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. It’s as hilarious and well-written as the movie.

-Lindsay