Awake

2007, **, PG-13
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard

Meredith A. Iager

In this psychological-thriller, Hayden Christensen (“Jumper,” “Factory Girl,” “Life as a House”) plays Clay Beresford, a wealthy young teen, with a heart defect, that has an out of body experience, and what medical science calls “anesthetic awareness.” His father, now deceased, built a financial empire.

His mother, Lilith Beresford, played by Lena Olin (“The Ninth Gate,” “Darkness”) wants Clay to run the company and focus on himself. She also wants him to get operated on by another surgeon that has more credibility. Christensen must get a heart transplant; otherwise there will be a fatal outcome. He has a fiancé, played by Jessica Alba (Sam Lockwood) and Terrance Howard (Dr. Jack Harper) who is his friend and heart surgeon of choice.

“Awake,” uncovers a plot against a 22-year-old billionaire. The plot is, well I can’t tell you, you’ll have to view it yourself, or read some spoilers online. But, you might not want to watch it after you read my review.

The characters in the film aren’t very deep, and we don’t know much about their past. We only really know one thing, that sometimes people are still awake under anesthesia, due to the explanation in the very beginning of them film. This film has a rather unique story that seems to be dismantled on screen. It has a similar eerie feeling along the same proportion as the 80s film, “Flatliners,” but not nearly as good. The film tended to loose my attention, but I wanted to find out what was going to happen to the main character.

Christensen and Alba have had better film performances. Alba has demonstrated her well-liked comedic nature in films such as “Good Luck Chuck,” and “Honey.” Christensen does an exceptionable job in “Shattered Glass,” as a journalist that concocted his stories and of course he was memorable in the latest “Star Wars,” movies.


It seems as though many movies out there today, have this kind of “downer” mode. It’s a helplessness feeling, like in “Arlington Road.” The main character is in serious trouble and you want to jump into the movie and help save them. I think the film has a great, twisted concept, but part of the initial spark of the film was missing. A couple more dramatic elements could have been thrown in to make it more entertaining.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2008, ****, PG-13
Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett

By: Meredith A. Iager

Brad Pitt reunites with “Babel,” co-star Cate Blanchett in this new enticing flick, that I call, “Forrest Gump in reverse.” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” was actually written by Eric Roth, who adapted Winston Groom’s novel “Forrest Gump,” for the screen.

‘Button’ is a fantasy film about a person born a very old, not too cute baby, who grows younger and younger to a mature handsome middle age man, however he continues to grow younger and then smaller to the end of his life as an infant. Timing is everything and nothing lasts forever as they say and Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt, “Burn After Reading,” “Seven Years in Tibet,”) follows a path that is full of the human experience, but did it quite a bit differently then the rest of us.

This film is a timeless melodrama about life and a man who entered this world in reverse and made the most of the time. Many may find this film to be a long sit, at 2 hours 45 minutes, but it is one that movie aficionados will find it to be truly outstanding. With its drama, the overall life experience, and its points of humor to balance the film, it brings you a picture that spans an 80 plus year life, which was full and very human. You will enjoy watching the life of Benjamin Button and will likely enjoy watching over again from time to time to remind you we are all just trying to learn and experience what life has to offer and make the most of the time we have and the decisions that we make on the path we find.

While this film has a wide appeal I believe most people will enjoy this film and leave the theater more thoughtful then they were before they came. I also believe “Benjamin Button” is one of the best films of the recent holiday season and should be considered Oscar caliber material under numerous aspects of measure for an excellent film. It is a movie to remember and may very well become a classic.

Ladder 49

2005, ****, Drama
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Robert Patrick, Jacinda Barrett

By: Meredith A. Iager

"Ladder 49," is an intense and very personal look at the firefighter profession unseen in other films of its type in recent years. As most people don't even think of the risks and dangers firefighters face everyday, this film will open your eyes.
From the very beginning, as a rookie firefighter, Jack Morrison, played by Joaquin Phoenix ("Signs," "The Village," "Gladiator") knew what he was getting himself into. He wanted to put out fires and help save lives. He was dedicated to his occupation and ran into burning buildings when everyone else was running out. He has a passion for what he does.

Once he gets married and starts a family, he sees his wife and children becoming worried about him being in too much danger. He contemplates what to do, but his ultimate decision is to continue with his job at the firehouse. Ladder 49, one of the trucks at Engine 33, is not just a place of for firefighters; it is a brotherhood.

From the time Morrison began at Engine 33, Captain Mike Kennedy (John Travolta) knew he was one of the best he would ever work with. In time they become very close friends. Day and night the crew of Engine 33 is out on the streets of Baltimore (where the movie was actually filmed) rescuing innocent people from heat and roaring flames. As the worst blaze of Morrison's career arises, he becomes trapped in a 20-story building. Essentially, the movie is flashbacks of the most memorable times in his life as a fireman, as he thinks about them while disoriented beneath the rubble of the collapsing building; meanwhile, Kennedy is coordinating his rescue.

At times this film is sad and heartbreaking, but it accurately and movingly portrays the ups and downs in the life of a fireman. It shows how the death of a loved one deeply affects a person and how we never realize how much you care for someone after they are gone. Everyone should sit down and watch this film. It is one of these "real" films about life, love, and passion for one's career.