Take Shelter, J. Edgar, Hugo

Take Shelter - Michael Shannon stars as a man who may be psychic or may be a little bit crazy. Either way, it's Michael Shannon, probably the best actor under 50 working today, so you know the acting is going to be damn good. Shannon's character has a family history of schizophrenia so when he starts having very realistic nightmares that a storm is coming, he turns all of his attention on fixing up and expanding the storm shelter in his back yard. His wife (Jessica Chastain) has a lot on her plate also - dealing with a potentially mentally ill husband and a newly deaf child. Slowly, the nightmares become more and more realistic and everyone in the small town starts to think he is losing his mind. The movie is a little bit slow burning but it's also intense. The dream sequences are all a big tease. However, Shannon's amazing performance more than makes up for any small problems I had with the plot. He is Oscar worthy, for sure. In fact, at this point I think he should win Best Actor for his intense, slow burning, dramatic performance. Chastain, who has been in about forty movies this year is also quite good and goes toe-to-toe with Shannon very well. Take Shelter is not for everyone, but it's a damn good film.
Grade: B+

J. Edgar - While we are talking about Oscar caliber performances, it's important to discuss Leonardo DiCaprio and his completely engrossing performance as the one time most powerful man in the world - J. Edgar Hoover, the founder of the FBI. Clint Eastwood's film follows Hoover from a young man with mommy issues to an overzealous nerdy agent and eventually to a deeply confident and powerful head of the bureau. The film encapsulates his career - showing him catching the kidnapper of the Lindbergh baby and discussing how the FBI brought down Dillinger. It also speculates on the never married man's personal life. Was he really a cross dresser? Was he really gay and in love with his closest confidante (Armie Hammer)? Or was he just too busy to find a wife? J. Edgar itself disappoints as a movie. It's slow and it's boring, and it's not good for a movie about such an interesting man to be boring. However, the performances are the saving grace. Hammer may be a better actor with old man make up. Naomi Watts is great in a small role. Judi Dench dazzles, OF COURSE. But it's DiCaprio's transformation that is truly remarkable. Perhaps he will finally win that Oscar he's been due for so long.
Grade: C+

Hugo - It should be no surprise that the greatest living director should be able to switch so easily from gritty, dirty, violent films to charmingly beautiful children's tales with no effort. And it's true. Martin Scorsese, so well known as the director of some of the greatest adult movies of all time, has turned his limitless talents to children's films with Hugo, a beautiful, charming, sweet tale of young friendship and a celebration of film making. Based on a kids book, Hugo tells the story of a young boy who lives in a train station and knows the inside of the walls like the back of his hand. After his father's (Jude Law) death, he goes to live with his clock winder uncle and becomes responsible for the winding of the clocks at a Paris train station. Asa Butterfield is a revelation as the young Hugo, intent on fixing up the last remaining piece of his father's life. This takes him on a wild adventure that includes Isabelle (Chloe Mortez) and a shocking good Ben Kingsley as a mean, mean toy shop owner. This is a love song to film making, a beautiful, sweeping, charmer of a movie that will remind you why you love movies so damn much. As far as I'm concerned, we've found our Best Picture Oscar winner already.
Grade: A