Welcome + The Bourne Ultimatum

After the 126th person asked, "Why don't you keep a blog on the movies you see?", I've decided to jump in and give it a go. Obviously you can go to a number of sites and get the information you seek, a number of which I base a lot of my weekend choices on in the first place, but in this case you know me. Chances are that if I give you an opinion on the way a film is shot, or how a story line goes, or if it's really a family flick, then you'll have a pretty good idea of where I'm coming from or where I'm going to with that statement. If you don't, well then, I'm not doing my job and you should let me know. Whether it's a comment here, hitting me on email, or actually calling me, let me know what you think, what you like, even what you don't like. Finally, if there is a request you have, i.e. something you haven't seen here or an older movie, please leave a comment or email. You'll be seeing some older movies coming out for a while until Hollywood picks up the intensity, but here is your first taste:

The Bourne Ultimatum

Expect a positive bias going in. First, huge fan of the first two in the series. Second, Matt Damon really is a great actor. Say what you will about past movies he's been involved in, Mr Damon always shines in a role. His almost unrecognizable turn in Courage Under Fire, or how about the fact that his 10 minute screen time in teen comedy Eurotrip is the most talked about scene in the movie (the song featured is a favorite on my iPhone).
My first recommendation is that you should throw a copy of the Bourne Supremacy in your dvd player before you venture to the theater as a refresher, because this movie picks up right on the heels of that one. It wouldn't hurt to watch the Bourne Identity as well, but certainly not required. If you haven't seen either, then you should run to your video store immediately.
I can count on one hand how many times I've sat in a theater in the past five years and felt either the adrenaline or my heart pumping for the majority of the film, and director Paul Greengrass has been involved in two of those films. This film had my attention at the first moment and the threat of a coronary didn't stop until the credits where halfway done and I was in the parking lot. Mr. Greengrass has a certain way of filming a movie with handheld cameras that is, I assume, intended to put you in the action. This has a way of being a little off-putting to some viewers. I certainly had issues with the hand-to-hand fight scene in the Bourne Supremacy; too quick, hard to tell the movements, but after watching his excellent United 93 and following with Ultimatum, I've grown to love this story-telling. It may not work for most pictures, but it does here. So you are duly warned: the picture is shaky and it will flip from angle to angle and back again before you get your bearings. Just relax and go with it, the more you let it flow, the better you'll be able to pay attention to the story, because these films' stories need your attention. That's because this story also moves fast, zipping from city to city, exotic locale to exotic locale. So pay attention. The action is nonstop the whole way through, and so is the plot intrigue. You'll find yourself asking how this situation is going to resolve, only to be thrust into the next sticky corner. I have to give writers Tony Gilroy, Scott Burns, and George Nolfi all the credit in the world for constructing such a intricate screenplay; weaving flashbacks and special scenes so remarkably. Kudos for finding a way to spin my favorite Bourne moment a new way into this movie.
The element that holds this movie and it's story together is the supporting cast. I can't say enough about the performances of Joan Allen, who is one of those actresses that you don't realize you know until you google her resume and nod your head in approval of the movies she's done, or the scene stealing David Straithairn who creates a fantastic antagonist for Bourne. If you haven't seen his Good Night, and Good Luck, then you haven't seen him at his best.
The biggest surprise for me was Julia Stiles. Here is an actress who has done good work. 10 Things I Hate About You is one of those movies you watch on cable but would never admit to, and that was my first exposure to her. She's had accolades from L.A. to N.Y. and I generally love her movies, but her performance in the first Bourne was absolutely the most wooden, phoned in job I've ever seen...I'm happy to report that Julia Stiles is back in this movie and I'm glad. The key to her performance here isn't what she says, but rather what she doesn't say and how she communicates. You may walk away saying that Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass made a good/bad movie, but in the back of your mind, you should remember that Julia Stiles and Joan Allen gave it the personal grounding.
In summation, if you can't tell, I loved this movie. See it in the theater and pay full price, I doubt you'll be disappointed. The movie is rated PG-13 for violence, and there is a ton of it. You know your kids better than I do, so use your own best judgement if you are taking the little ones, but I would be cautious around the recommended age if it were my kids.

E

Currently watching on dvd: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5 - don't judge me, I don't judge you.

On deck: Undeclared the Series.

Reading: His Dark Materials trilogy - coming to the big screen this December....The Book of Fate.....rereading Harry Pottter and the Deathly Hallows