Movie Review: Fruitvale Station (2013)

Can't we all just get along

This film tells the the true life story of Oscar Grant, a young man who was shot by a transit cop in San Francisco.  The film chronicles the last day of his life while also giving a look into his past.  Apart just being a really great story, the film is very well made.  It has already won numerous awards including the Sundance Grand Jury and Audience Awards for best dramatic film.  The fact that this is Ryan Coogler's first feature film makes it all that better. 

Fruitvale Station gets 4 out of 5 stars!

Director: Ryan Coogler
Writer: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Metacritic: 85%

11

Smashed (2012)

I get knocked down, but I get up again

Kate and Charlie are a young married couple who party every night and stumble through every day.  They are both functioning alcoholics who enable the other person's behavior.  When circumstances lead Kate to stop drinking, Charlie is left to sort things out on his own.  The acting is cheesy at a couple of points, but the strong script and beautiful story more than make up for it.  A nicely made movie from an up and coming filmmaker from Athens, GA, James Ponsoldt the man who is also behind The Spectacular Now.

Smashed gets 3.5 out of 5 stars!

Director: James Ponsoldt
Writer: Susan Burke, James Ponsoldt
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Nick Offerman, Octavia Spencer, Megan Mullally
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Metacritic: 71%