Die Welle, 2008

Based on a true story, high school teacher Rainer Wenger (Jürgen Vogel) decides to teach his students about autocracy by creating one in his class. When the class project grows beyond his control, the consequences are bigger than anyone would have predicted.



A very thought provoking film, Die Welle explores the human urge for community. The film depicts the comfort and sense of belonging that a group creates as well as the dark side of following a crowd.

Kudos to Dennis Gansel who not only plays the part of high school student Martin but also wrote (along with Peter Thorwarth) and directed this film!

Great soundtrack.
Based on the novel by Todd Strasser, and the classroom experiment The Third Wave created by California high school teacher Ron Jones.


Melody's Stars: * * * * *


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system

Flash of Genius, 2008

Based on actual events, Flash of Genius follows the bittersweet story of inventor Bob Kearns (Greg Kinnear). With the support of his wife (Lauren Graham) and their six children, Kearns invented the intermittent windshield wiper. With his business partner (Dermot Mulroney), Kearns brings his design to Ford. At first they are interested, but then he is told that there will be no deal.

When Kearns discovers that Ford no longer wants his product because they have stole his design, he finds a lawyer (Alan Alda) to take up his case. Ford agrees to settle for a large sum, but Kearns refuses to take the offer without public acknowledgement of his work.

Unable to move on with his life until Ford admits that they used his designs, Kearns risks his the well-being of his health, family, and job in order to gain public credit.



This film moves a bit slowly towards the end, but is otherwise very good. My favorite moment is probably when Kearns is cross-examining himself.


Directed by Marc Abraham.
Written by Philip Railsback.
Based on an article by John Seabrook.

Melody's Stars: ****


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system

Changeling, 2008

Based on actual events, Changeling tells the story of Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) and her fight to find her missing son Walter (Gattlin Griffith).

In 1928, when Collins' son disappeared, the LAPD consider the case closed after returning a boy who was not Walter Collins. When Mrs. Collins declared the boy was not hers, the police chief had her locked up in a mental hospital in an attempt to avoid bad press. While Collins never found her son, she was vindicated and the LAPD faced corruption charges.

Powerful, thought provoking, frightening, and heart-wrenching, this is one of the best films of 2008.



If I were to change anything about Changeling, it would be to cut out about 20minutes. Just over 140minutes, it is a tad too long. That said, for a 2 and a half hour film it moves very quickly.

Produced, directed and original music by Clint Eastwood. Is there anything that this guy cannot do?! I did not realize that in addition to being a talented actor/producer/director, Eastwood also is a gifted composer and plays the piano.

Written by J. Michael Straczynski.
Beautiful costumes by Deborah Hopper.


For more info about the real Walter Collins:
The Boy Who Vanished–and His Impostor
Wiki Christine Collins

Melody's Stars: *****


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system

Frost/Nixon, 2008

Based on the 2007 play by Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon chronicles the 1977 interviews between Robert Frost and President Richard Nixon. While I have not seen the stage play, Morgan's screenplay is quite engaging.




Ron Howard directs and produces this docudrama starring Frank Langella as Nixon and Michael Sheen as David Frost.

The movie features Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell, Rebecca Hall, Kate Jennings Grant, Clint Howard (Ron's brother) and Rance Howard (Ron's father).

Melody's Stars: *****


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system

Milk, 2008

Based on a true story. Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official, and Mayor George Moscone were both murdered by former San Francisco Supervisor Dan White.
White's lawyers claimed that he went on the rampage after eating too much junk food, thus coining the term "Twinkie Defense."




Sean Penn, James Franco and rest of cast deliver fine performances. If you enjoy the film, you should also check out the play "Execution of Justice" by Emily Mann which is based on the trial People vs. Dan White.





And also the documentary The Life and Times of Harvey Milk:




Melody's Stars: ****


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time

W., 2008

It seems wrong to come out with this movie while George Bush is still in office. The proverbial ink isn't even dry and Oliver Stone has already made an "historical" film.



But I guess it's just as well because this movie was already 2 hours too long, I can't imagine if he attempted to cover the past few months. The financial situation alone might add another hour. This movie honestly felt longer than George W. Bush's entire presidency at times. If you're stuck in an airport security line or waiting for paint to dry there are a few moments worth watching.



Melody's Stars: *


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time