Waltz with Bashir

I knew I wanted to see Waltz With Bashir, mostly because I'd loved last year's Persepolis so much. Like Persepolis, Waltz With Bashir is an animated film exploring explicitly adult themes of war, guilt, regret and healing. Also like Persepolis, Waltz with Bashir is deeply autobiographical for Director Ari Forman, who deserves his Golden Globe nod. I sure do hope it makes the Oscar cut.

My rating: Worth $10. You have to see it on the big screen.

Doubt

There is no doubt that Doubt, starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis (who not only cries on screen, but gets her nose to run--how did she do that?), will garner lots and lots of award nominations. All the actors, in fact, received nominations for Golden Globe acting awards.

But I found the play-turned-movie to be too small for the big screen. On a stage, you're limited by the available space; in films, there are no such limitations. Unfortunately, the playwright, John Patrick Shanley, also wrote the screen play and directed the film. I think he forgot that film is expansive.


My review: Worth Renting or Worth a Matinee to see extraordinary acting skill from all the main actors, but especially Viola Davis. And the added bonus, if you're Catholic, you'll laugh throughout this heavy drama as a few women did during the screening Wednesday night. Definitely don't pay full-price for Doubt.