Atonement...I've got nothing funny here.

Just a quick overview of Atonement: Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.

Think you've got the movie in a nutshell now? Yes and no. Special warning: In this review I may give too much up. I'm sorry, this time it can't be helped. I will dutifully stay away from the ending and any major points.

This film has garnered seven Golden Globe Nominations. 7. With a capital S, friends. Now, before you become amazed at that number let us remember that the Golden Globe awards are governed by the Hollywood Foreign Press. What am I saying? Let's save that for the final paragraph.

For Atonement we have director Joe Wright teaming up again with Keira Knightley for their second period piece. Just a few years ago this duo gave us the latest version of Pride and Prejudice, which for my money is the best version to date. Personally, I think Wright should have been nominated for a Best Director Oscar in 2005.

In this newest offering we tackle the issues of class, money, jealousy, love, lust, rape, morality...I could keep going but this is only a short column. This movie has all these things in spades, there is no subtlety anywhere; the emotions are on the surface. There is no denying anything, the director wants you to feel everything. He wants you to feel the selfishness and petty jealousy of youth. Feel the lust and desperate craving of blooming adulthood, separated by generations of social class. Feel the crush of broken dreams, broken hearts...hope.

But, it's not enough.

We are bombarded with all this emotion, we get layers upon layers of setup. Then, just as we are getting to the meat of the story, the emotion melts away. We are left with interludes. The layers disappear. Now each character has one purpose that drives them, it's the means to an ending. Some may say, "That's just right, that's just what you are supposed see and feel." Fine. But I felt that it wasn't enough. I wanted each of them to show me more suffering, more despair. More adversity to be overcome, instead of just going through the motions.

I just needed more substance. Now, to the performances:

I find no fault with any body of work from the actors and Keira Knightley is once again poised to get an Academy nomination. I don't feel like she stretched to do much in this movie, it was all well within her grasp, but it didn't disappoint in any way. Her snobbery knows no bounds and the collapse of her wall was well acted. Much like her brilliant performance in Pride and Prejudice, but just shy of that level overall. When we reach the second half of the film, I feel like we lose her. This is what I was pointing to previously. In turning from her disapproving and accusing family to pine for her lost love, she just goes through the motions. Is this what the writers and directors want? Possibly, for the audience to feel the solitude and forlorn, but why must the story suffer for it? In my humble opinion, it does suffer.

Well. James McAvoy certainly has a nice healthy string of movies going his way recently. It's easy to see why. Click on his name back there to see his IMDB.com page. His Robbie Turner in this film is a spectacular role for him, with great range. Bold and assertive, despite being the son of the hired help. Perhaps needing to be put in his place, but knowing when to find that place. Accepted on some level, but just shy of real "class". With a bright future supplied by the head of the house as benefactor, you get the impression that perhaps he has overstepped slightly. Which makes it all the worse as it is pulled from his grasp by a misunderstanding and jealous 13 year old girl. You feel his life slip away as he is taken from his future; His own boldness partly responsible. James McAvoy deserves his forthcoming nomination. Robbie Turner's story does not. Because, as we see him released on condition of serving in the war, we lose the fight. We see a man trudging across France to rejoin his lost love. The problem remains; walking through the motions. I miss the adversity that was shown us in Saving Private Ryan. We see a man walking back to his love, we don't see what it takes to get there.

Finally the part of Briony, portrayed by three separate actresses. Saoirse Ronan plays age 13, Romola Garai age 18 and Vanessa Redgrave the elder Briony. This is the one character that on every level is perfection. All the way through we see how this girl suffers from her mistake. This one facet is completely fleshed out. Nothing is left behind and we have this one example of what the rest should have been. In reality, the story isn't about two lovers as we have been led to believe but rather this one little girl. The movie is titled Atonement. Here is your story. Not the above trappings. Follow her story, feel her pain; though she doesn't want your pity. Saoirse has been nominated for a supporting actress golden globe. She deserves it. Vanessa Redgrave is wonderful in her few moments on screen. We see too little of Ms. Redgrave these days.

As a final parting shot, take heed of the "R" rating on this one. The gore is not as plentiful as was in Saving Private Ryan, but it is as shocking. Also be warned that a certain word, the worst thing a woman can be called, is used. Insanely used. In 10 foot letters across the screen. You are warned.

Deserving special mention is this: pay special attention to the scene on the beach at Dunkirk. This is done in one nonstop, 5 1/2 minute tracking shot. Absolutely stunning, imagine what it must have taken to plan and master this long shot with a thousand extras, on sand, and the choreography of it all. I'm just saying.

When I sat down to write this I was determined to give it a mid-range score. I've talked myself into giving it 3.25 four letter words out of 5 four letter words. On a good day I might throw on another half point. It's not a bad movie, it's a good movie and the ending is worth catching a weekend matinee showing. The problem is, I just don't think it's heads above anything else out there right now. As for the 7 Golden Globe nominations, it's the Hollywood Foreign Press and this is the only foreign film showing in big release right now.

I'm just saying.

Elijah

Lars and the Real Girl. Sure, but can she hold a conversation?

How do you write a review about a man in love with a sex doll? I guess you start with the description of Lars and the Real Girl: Lars Lindstrom an awkwardly shy young man in a small northern town who finally brings home the girl of his dreams to his brother and sister-in-law's home. The only problem is that she's not real.

When I sit down and think about this movie, I want to say that it has almost has a "Rain Man" quality to it as films go. But that is a disservice. Lars is no Raymond Babbit. In fact, he is a fully functioning person. He's just suffering extreme emotional and social problems that keep him leading a lonely and solitary life until one fateful day at work leads him to make a unique decision.

Think of a family trying to make the mental and physical adjustments to a situation like this. Take a second. Now think of a small town; a town where everyone knows each other and some may have some backwards views on something like this. The upshot of this movie is that there are some heart-warming moments. And a few heart-breaking ones.

Ryan Gosling turns in another Oscar worthy performance as Lars, the man who met his visiting "friend" on the Internet and invited her to visit him. The man who eventually falls in love with a sex doll, but respects his own, and "her" religious beliefs to ask his brother and sister-in-law to use their extra room for "Bianca". This is where the whole plot takes off. I'll be honest when I say that I don't usually see Goslings films, the subject matter generally not catering to my tastes. I had to see this movie though. I just love offbeat stuff and this doesn't disappoint. Neither does Gosling. I laughed when I was supposed to and believe me when I say they give you the opportunities. I felt pain for Lars when it was called for, and there is plenty of opportunity for that as well. The thing is, Gosling as Lars helps you believe that "Bianca" is truly a real person to him.

Paul Schneider plays Gus Lindstrom, the brother that charges himself with looking after and worrying about Lars. As Gus begins freaking out we don't know if it's concern for Lars or his concern for what people will think of this development. It's hard to do anything but laugh at Gus in the beginning, but as the film goes on I started to feel a bit sad at his reactions to the adjustments the family has to make. Bottom line is, I felt that I probably would have reacted in a lot of the same manners, and that just lends credibility to the movie.

Emily Mortimer shines in this movie as the pregnant sister-in-law that really tries. Tries to immediately incorporate this predicament and make the best out of the situation. You feel the love this woman has for her family, and the lengths she will go to in order to protect everyone. You wonder how long this woman can endure, with this stress filled time and the impending birth of a child. Will she break, can she keep the family together?

Patricia Clarkson turns in a great performance as the doctor who tries to get to the bottom of this situation and convinces all involved (including the entire town) to go along with this in order to prevent a real psychological break.

This decision actually provides the meat of the story as we witness the town come together and support this outrageous situation. You'll laugh and feel incredibly uncomfortable at the same time as every member of this town interacts with Bianca. From the church services to holiday parties, this doesn't get anymore bizarre. At the same time, you love it.

Just for more spice, throw in a young blond played by Kelli Garner who, for inexplicable reason is drawn to Lars. I don't know if I really fell for this storyline, but it adds more heart and certain complications that make for good story, so I'll take it.

For the second review in a row I give Lars and the Real Girl 5 fake flower bouquets out of 5 fake flower bouquets. This movie is Rain Man meets Mayberry and I, for one, love it. It's all heart. It's a quirky drama with enough laughs to keep you going, despite the serious subject. Give Ryan Gosling an Oscar Nomination. He's earned it. Again.

Elijah

Juno - If only little Jamie Lynn could have seen this first.

Yes, that is a baby bump discreetly implanted in the photo. Here's Juno's description: Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child.

I first saw the previews for this movie back in the summer, in front of Superbad. Not a coincidence that the star of that movie would also figure prominently in this one. I immediately put this down on my must see list. Sure the previews told me that this was my kind of funny, but the real draw for me: Ellen Page.

This 20 year old Canadian born actress has done a lot of t.v. that we in the states haven't seen, so she's actually been around awhile. I first saw her a couple of years ago in Hard Candy, a very dark, frightening drama. One that you could actually put alongside Robin Williams' stalker film, One Hour Photo. If you haven't seen Hard Candy, and you have children between 10 and 16 years old, rent this movie. Right away. I had a feeling that Ms. Page would do things after seeing that film, and after watching Juno, I'm convinced that she is the next Christina Ricci. Making good movies that mean something.

Back to our snarky comedy. Sure Juno is about a 16 year old girl who gets pregnant on her first sexual foray, but I'll be damned if this movie doesn't do it with a lot of heart and a lot of laughter. The writing on this movie is fantastic. Not just the plot, the dialogue is first rate. Quick, smart, jabbing, funny. Joss Whedon fans will absolutely appreciate this film. The one knock is that as I watched this film I was reminded that there are no high schoolers anywhere who actually think on this high of a level. At least, I hope not, because if that's true, I am doomed as a father of two girls.

As we follow Juno on her journey to self-discovery, we watch as she struggles with the decisions that we've seen time and time again. Do you keep the child? If not, is abortion an option, or adoption? The thing is, every one of these moments has a quirky twist to it that defines this movie. When faced with a serious subject, it's impossible not to laugh or gape as every scene is infused with poignant moments.

The other thing we see is a supporting cast that absolutely sells this movie. There may be other actors and actresses that could fill these rolls, but we don't need them. The ones we are given are perfect for this movie and I highlight Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons, and Jason Bateman in particular.

Janney and Simmons play the surprised parents in this film and they are perfect for what they are asked to do in this film. Generally, when you see Simmons in a film he is yelling at the top of his lungs or barking orders to someone. This time around you get a quiet man, trying to be supportive, but a bit heart-broken. He is the heart of the movie here, and it's definitely a good thing. Allison Janney is one of those actresses that you know, but don't readily think of. She makes the actors around her better and every award season she makes it to the podium. In this movie she provides the "Hell, Yeah!" moments.

Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman play the "perfect" couple that may be potential adopters. These two eschew the perfect suburban couple with their cookie cutter house in its' cookie cutter neighborhood. As I said earlier, Bateman is great. He really is good and you feel his thoughts even though he's not saying what is on his mind. He does get a scene that unwittingly provides a creepy feeling. Now, I've read an interview with the woman who wrote this film and she categorically denies that it was intended that way, but believe me when I say that this scene didn't come across as a heart to heart as it was supposed to play out. So take that with you when you see the movie. As for Jennifer Garner, she does her job. I don't have anything bad to say about her. The problem is that I have never warmed up to her. I've never seen her in anything that made me say she's fantastic. I can't pinpoint anything, and I feel bad writing this, but the fact is, she just grates on me. She does help provide a terrific scene, I just wish I didn't feel so blah about her.

Olivia Thirlby plays the best friend, whom you would just want to reach out and slap if you weren't laughing every time she opened her mouth. She's annoyingly funny and the she adds to the film with her just being in it. I look forward to the movie Jack and Diane, where once again, Thirlby and Page will be on screen together.

Finally, Michael Cera. The underused Michael Cera in this film. What he is given is great. He has absolutely mastered the role of intelligent, slightly naive, quiet guys. I just hope he's not pigeon-holed in Hollywood already, but if he is, I'll still watch.

One last note. Jason Reitman directed this film brilliantly, and if you missed his last film, Thank You For Smoking, then add it to your rental list and and pick it up with Hard Candy today.

If you haven't figured it out, I loved this movie. I'm giving it 5 orange tic-tacs out of 5 orange tic-tacs. I believe that's only the second full rating since I started the actual rating system, though I have loved quite a few of my earlier reviewed films. This is one of those films that is only going to play in select theaters, so if you're fortunate to live near one, see the movie. Don't worry though, you won't miss anything by waiting for dvd, just don't forget to add it to your list.

Elijah

Michael Clayton, or is that just a really pissed off George Clooney?

Here's a brief description: An attorney known as the "fixer" in his law firm, comes across the biggest case of his career that could produce disastrous results for those involved.

When was the last time a George Clooney film slid through your town and you didn't know or weren't aware that it was happening? About two months ago that actually occurred. In the last week or so, you may have actually been hearing more about this film as the various nominations have been lighting up the entertainment news wires.

I did see this film during that quiet run, and going in I knew nothing. It wasn't until about halfway through the film that I started putting the various threads of the movie together. A month later and I'm still not sure that I would have gotten it faster or followed it better if I'd read the promo sheets on this one.

The film opens darkly. Very darkly. For about 10 minutes we are introduced to a late night, frantic, desperate work session at a law firm that isn't explained. From there we meet a depressed lawyer, Michael Clayton (Clooney), who you quickly realize is very nearly at the end of his rope, if not already dangling. You'd expect to see something significant come out of this interlude, considering the movie is named for this character. For about 5 minutes, all I was thinking was that this is going to be another Leaving Las Vegas depression film. Then we get the Event. The Event that sends this film into action. The Event that I didn't see coming, and if I'd known about would have ruined the moment, so now that you've read this you're probably screwed. But maybe not, because this film is all about how did we get to this desperation and scrambling.

Over the course, the film is going to get darker. We are going to meet the head of the law firm, a corporate big wig, a man who has seemingly lost his mind, a cop, a ruined man, and a cleaner. I'm not talking about a maid service.

Each of these parts is played by faces you should recognize, but names that may just be on the tip of your tongue. That doesn't matter. It's all about the stories and the strings that you can't see, but will eventually become entwined to form the rope that Michael Clayton, the person, is clinging on to.

Sidney Pollack, one of the celebrated directors and actors of our time returns to the front of the camera to play Marty Bach, the head of our contentious law firm. He plays the role perfectly as a man who dedicates his life to his firm and the bottom line, but still realizes that it's actual people that work for him and finds the balance to manage both. When ever I have the opportunity to see a Pollack film, (whether acted or directed) I see it. Of mention is his remake of Sabrina, in which he directed Harrison Ford, Greg Kinnear and Julia Ormond. One of my favorites to this day.

Tilda Swinton plays the corporate player trying to save 1. her company from litigation and 2. public opinion of the company and by extension her job and lifestyle. Will she breakdown under pressure? What lengths will one persons dedication drive them too? You've seen Swinton in many things, but you probably never realized it. People in the states will most remember her for her part in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Finally, Tom Wilkinson plays the man whom the whole plot revolves around. His descent into crazy brings it all crashing down around everybody and while you're told that the movie is about Michael Clayton, if you can pay attention to the character Arthur Edens, you may get a firm grip on the confusing plot.

You're going to see a lot of Clayton's life thrashed about on the screen and it all plays little parts in the film as it all becomes a part of the overall story. From the dysfunctional family to the personal conflicts to the interoffice relationships. This is all going to flash on the screen and you may be wondering where it's all going, but trust me when I tell you that the pay-off is worth it.

It was one of the few films that I have sat through the credits as they rolled. If you see the movie you'll understand, and you might just sit there too.

In the end, I'm giving Michael Clayton 3.5 loaves of french bread out of 5 loaves of french bread. The acting was a 5, but the convoluted storyline that didn't come together until late pulled it down for me. This could be chalked up to me walking in blind, but shouldn't we all walk in that way? With nothing spoiled? I'm just saying.

Elijah

Watching: Angel the complete series, season 4.

On deck: Oceans 13 dvd.