2008 Woodie Awards
Beacon Quick Picks
Film
Katie Greer
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: Arts and Entertainment
THE LIVES OF OTHERS; OPENS FEB. 16 AT KENDALL SQUARE CINEMA
Though it will compete with Norbit, The Lives of Others determinedly escapes the sullied reputation of Eddie Murphy's return to fat suits. It focuses on East Germany right before the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Captain Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Muhe), an officer of the secret police assigned to follow a writer and actress. Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck creates an interesting commentary on the German Democratic Republic and the tactics implemented to catch dissenters. More fascinating than its political context, however, is the extreme effect Wiesler's spying has upon his loyalties and ideals.
EPIC MOVIE; IN THEATRES NOW
February has earned a terrible reputation for films. All decent and mildly entertaining movies seem to have already premiered or are waiting in the wings, leaving woebegone movie-goers with gems like Because I Said So to console them. Even more terrifying than those cinematic disaster-pieces is Epic Movie, the latest attempt by two of the six writers of Scary Movie to capitalize on spoofing movies far better than their own. With a nameless cast (except Kal Penn, who has sold out to cheap laughs instead of good acting) and a pointless plot, Epic Movie is the kind of film that should have been scrapped the minute the writers thought it up.
Though it will compete with Norbit, The Lives of Others determinedly escapes the sullied reputation of Eddie Murphy's return to fat suits. It focuses on East Germany right before the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Captain Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Muhe), an officer of the secret police assigned to follow a writer and actress. Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck creates an interesting commentary on the German Democratic Republic and the tactics implemented to catch dissenters. More fascinating than its political context, however, is the extreme effect Wiesler's spying has upon his loyalties and ideals.
EPIC MOVIE; IN THEATRES NOW
February has earned a terrible reputation for films. All decent and mildly entertaining movies seem to have already premiered or are waiting in the wings, leaving woebegone movie-goers with gems like Because I Said So to console them. Even more terrifying than those cinematic disaster-pieces is Epic Movie, the latest attempt by two of the six writers of Scary Movie to capitalize on spoofing movies far better than their own. With a nameless cast (except Kal Penn, who has sold out to cheap laughs instead of good acting) and a pointless plot, Epic Movie is the kind of film that should have been scrapped the minute the writers thought it up.
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