Movies - Invictus and Up In The Air

[Mudcat]

Saw these in the last few days. Brief reviews:



Invictus - Clint Eastwood directed this fascinating glimpse into the leadership and vision of Nelson Mandela at an extremely difficult time in history (early 90's South Africa). And this is integrated with a very conventional sports situation (rugby in this case) which would seem eye-rollingly corny and formulaic - except it really happened.

It is not flawless. It is all a bit too neat and tidy with the way the races are shown to come together. I generally like Matt Damon but didn't think he worked here as the captain of the South African team. But overall I really liked it. 8 out of 10.



Up In The Air - I liked this a lot. Set in current day America in a climate of people losing jobs and having their lives torn apart, it follows one man (George Clooney) and his own damaged approach to relationships. Jason Reitman directed and adapted the screenplay which I felt was very astute. 8 out of 10.



I liked Up in the Air a bit better but my date preferred Invictus. I suspect they will both get attention during award season.

[MartinBlank]

Up in the Air was very good. George Clooney has been picking some good roles.

[pico]

i like matt damon movies. but invectus seems kind of cheesy like good will hunting.

[Mudcat]

Up in the Air was very good. George Clooney has been picking some good roles.

Yes he has. He has made a career of it. Now that he is so involved in producing - and obviously he's not struggling for cash - he can focus strictly on quality.

Although he is not an Executive Producer on Up In The Air, apparently Jason Reitman adapted this role specifically with him in mind.

Fortunately, when the script was ready, Clooney agreed to do it.

[Brock Landers]

saw up in the air, thought it was ok, lots of inappropriate laughing from the audience i thought, this movie is NOT a comedy.

[MonkeyF0cker]

I saw Invictus last week. I thought it was decent and the type of movie that gets undeserving awards. It was extremely cliché - in virtually every way possible. Was there ever any doubt that the Springboks would win the World Cup? I saw Brothers a day later, and it was far better. It's a modern day Deer Hunter. Very good. I also saw Sherlock Holmes yesterday. Very entertaining.

[donjuan]

Invictus was ok but I wouldn't take it to be true. They conveniently left out that the entire New Zealand came down with food poisoning the day before the final, among other things. And the actual rugby in the movie was comical. They should have just used the real clips for action scenes.

[tullamore]

I haven't seen the movie, but the book was a good read.

[Mudcat]

And the actual rugby in the movie was comical. They should have just used the real clips for action scenes.

I have to agree with that. Some of the scenes looked more like a tickle fight than guys trying to rip each other's ears off.

I was thinking as I was watching, 'There has to be a better way.'

[Mudcat]

saw up in the air, thought it was ok, lots of inappropriate laughing from the audience i thought, this movie is NOT a comedy.

Agreed. Definitely not a rom-com. It had moments of comic relief but the over-riding themes are dark and serious.

[Sam Odom]

10* = Great

Invictus 6*

Up In The Air 5*

2012 4*

Avatar 6*

Twilight New Moon 3*

An Education 6*

These are some recent movies I've seen

[Bread]

Tried to see Up in the Air yesterday. Lines too long so went and drank instead.

[pico]

10* = Great

Invictus 6*

Up In The Air 5*

2012 4*

Avatar 6*

Twilight New Moon 3*<---why did you watch this

An Education 6*

These are some recent movies I've seen