Entertainment Value: Movies I Saw This Week 7/29/2013

(descriptions and information gathered from IMDB.  The opinions rendered below these, however, are mine. Using a 5 star rating system.)

Fireflies in the garden** 2008

The Taylor family is devastated by an accident that takes place on the day their matriarch is due to graduate from college -- decades after leaving to raise her children.

Director:

 Dennis Lee, 

Writers:

 Robert Frost (poem), Dennis Lee, 

Stars:

 Ryan Reynolds, Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson , Carrie Anne Moss, Julia Roberts, Hayden Panetitere

This was messy, perhaps because of poor editing, and maybe because of poor, unnuanced dialog and not as compelling as it should have been given the plot. Given, also, an amazing cast. Add in a bizarre idea, depicted more than once, that being cruel to animals is a great way for family members to bond and feel nostalgic, and you end up with a not very good movie. 

Tell Them Willie Boy is Here*** 1969

Based on true events, Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here, tells the story of one of the last Western manhunts, in 1909. Willie Boy, a Native American, kills his girlfriend's father in self defense, and the two go on the run, pursued by a search posse led by Sheriff Christopher Cooper.

Director:

 Abraham Polonsky, 

Writers:

 Harry Lawton (book), Abraham Polonsky, 

Stars:

 Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Robert Blake

I chose this movie because I'm assisting in the editing of a documentary that incorporates it and the story behind it into its canvas.  I wasn't as impressed as I should have been considering the accolades it received for its director and stars. I was instantly put off, of course, by the fact that non-natives with black wigs and dark pancake makeup were starring as natives. The supporting cast were real natives, of course. I also hated the depiction of Carlotta as an ineffectual whiner. Lots of fun ignorant stuff that you see in abundance in movies between 1950 and 1970.  Barring that, it's certainly an interesting film, and a fascinating historical perspective. Since then, however, as I know from the aforementioned documentary, much more has come to light about who Willie  was and how he died, so the story, as any point in history, stopped and depicted will show, only tells half truths. 

The Avengers****

Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. assembles a team of superhumans to save the planet from Loki and his army.

Director:

 Joss Whedon 

Writers:

 Joss Whedon (screenplay), Zak Penn (story), 

Stars:

 Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L Jackson. 

I must start by saying that I watched this movie on a small screen, so it just wasn't as spectacular visually as it could have been. Given that, however, it was certainly everything it promised to be. Stunning visuals, an intelligent and compelling plot, great and groovy super heroes. Nothing really stuck with me, though, so like a great roller coaster, it was over when it was over. Pure entertainment. Not to be dismissed, not be to reflected upon.