Going viral

Now that I've just gotten done washing my hands for the 50th time, I think I'm ready to type up my review of Steven Soderbergh's latest film, Contagion. This is a smart and impressively realistic thriller exploring the possibility of a deadly virus spreading across the globe.

The film begins its focus on Beth Emhoff (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) , a businesswomen on her way home from a trip to Hong Kong, who quickly becomes sick and just as suddenly dies. Doctors, as well as her husband (the always terrific Matt Damon) are at a loss as to how this could have happened. Soon we see other people dying after exhibiting the same conditions and before you know it we have an epidemic on our hands.

From here, the film splinters off into several different storylines connected to this disease. We see people from the Center for Disease Control trying to locate where this virus began in order to identify a cure for it, as well as stopping it from spreading further. We meet a blogger (Jude Law) who initially attempts to break the story on the epidemic and then turns his attention towards attacking the goverment and promoting his own homeopathic remedy to the disease. We also spend more time with Damon as he tirelessly works at making sure his daughter does not get sick (Damon himself is immune to virus).

At times, the multiple storyline approach can be frustrating because some of the stories don't receive the attention they could have had for further development, while other stories could have been eliminated and it wouldn't have dramatically hurt the film. I feel like if there could have been a way to combine Kate Winslet and Marion Cotillard's storylines together, that may have been more effective. And yet, I think it was a smart approach to deal with this story in this manner. Like the virus itself the storytelling here continues to spread and grow sometimes in an uncontrollable way. It gives the film an added feeling of chaos that would surely ensue if such an event actually occurred.

One of the best things about this film is Soderbergh's attention to detail. The way he frames his shots makes you acutely aware of the surroundings without being overt about it. Suddenly you're picking up on all of the different ways that you could easily contract germs. Watching the film will cause you to never look at a bowl of bar peanuts or a door knob in the same way. While awareness is an important element of the film, I don't feel like it's intent is to make us all into neurotic germophobes. The film is just as much about people as it is about the virus. We are in a global society today - something that we often take for granted. As a result we are often incorrectly take an microscopic look at things. Having a better understanding of the bigger picture in life can help all of us work better together.

I know there will be some that will be turned off by the subject matter and will refuse to see this film, but I think they are doing themselves a great disservice. This is an excellent film that deftly juggles a lot of characters (played by an all-star cast) and appropriately addresses a touchy subject matter. Credit also to the Soderbergh for being able to find moments of levity to sprinkle throughout the film. Their presence prevent you from being a frazzled bunch of nerves by the end of the film while never causing the subject matter to be taken lightly. I wouldn't blame you for skipping this film in theaters, which are a germ breeding ground, but at some point do yourself a favor and check this out. I guarantee you'll find it infectious. Grade: A-

Fall Movie Preview (September)

As the temperature begins to cool off and everyone heads back to school, movie fans turn their attention to the most 'prestige' films that will be coming out in the next few months. I was having difficulty ranking the ones I'm looking forward to, so instead, I'm just going to focus on the most interesting films coming out month by month.

A GOOD OLD FASHIONED ORGY (September 2)
Plot: Jason Sudeikis is Eric, a thirtysomething party animal famous among his close circle of friends for his lavish summer theme parties at his father's swanky Hamptons pad. But when members of the crew start settling down, and Eric's dad announces plans to sell the beach house, Eric decides it's time for one last bash to go out with a proverbial bang--a good old-fashioned orgy. The only obstacles to overcome are actually convincing each of his reluctant friends to join in on the bacchanal, and an inconveniently blossoming romance with the real estate agent threatening to sell the house out from under him before the main event can even take place.

Quick thoughts I'm sure there's a lot of you who may need a break from the R-rated comedy after having a glut of them this summer, but if you've got room for one more, then this seems like it might be right up your alley. Based on the trailer I posted last week, there seems to be enough solid laughs to make this worth a look. Plus, Jason Sudekis has been solid in his other films this year and this time it appears he's surrounding himself with a solid cast of other funny people. While the subject matter may seem a bit taboo, I'd like to think this will focus more on the comedy than the tawdry.


CONTAGION (September 9th)
Plot: "Contagion" follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.

Quick Thoughts: The idea of a non-terrorist virus spreading throughout the globe may be a little too real for people to enjoy this thriller. However, it's hard to ignore this impressive cast of actors coupled with an excellent director. I'd have to be sick in order to miss this one.


MONEYBALL (September 23)
Plot: Based on a true story, "Moneyball" is a movie for anybody who has ever dreamed of taking on the system. Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's and the guy who assembles the team, who has an epiphany: all of baseball's conventional wisdom is wrong. Forced to reinvent his team on a tight budget, Beane will have to outsmart the richer clubs. The onetime jock teams with Ivy League grad Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) in an unlikely partnership, recruiting bargain players that the scouts call flawed, but all of whom have an ability to get on base, score runs, and win games.

Quick Thoughts: With the Cleveland Indians imploding, it appears this is the only fall baseball I have to look forward to. While I still don't understand it completely, the system that Billy Beane created to scout players is pretty impressive and I'm anxious to see how they depict it on the big screen.


50/50 (September 30)
Plot: The dram'edy is a funny, touching, and original story of friendship, love, and survival, in no particular order. Joseph Gordon-Levitt toplines opposite Seth Rogen as the twenty-something who's been diagnosed with cancer and decides to use humor in helping fight against the disease.

Quick thoughts: While the title refers to the chances the title character has of surviving his cancer, it's also the odds I'll give this film of being really good. On one hand, you have Seth Rogen who has turned from hilarious to grating in most of his recent films. But then you have Joseph Gordon Levitt, who's really starting to come into his own as an actor. Making light of cancer is a difficult task, but the previews I've seen thus far make me think this has a chance of doing it right.


DREAM HOUSE (September 30)
Plot: Some say that all houses have memories. For one man, his home is the place he would kill to forget. Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts star in "Dream House," a suspense thriller about a family that unknowingly moves into a home where several grisly murders were committed...only to find themselves the killer's next target.

Quick thoughts: The plot seems familiar and the first trailer for the film seems to give away the big twist, which would be major marks against seeing this. Yet, I can't shake the feeling that this still might be good, especially if you're looking for a few good scares. The director recently came out to say that the twist revealed in the trailer is not the final twist, so here's hoping this still has a chance to surprise us all.

OTHER POSSIBLE FILMS OF INTEREST:
- Apollo 18 (September 2)
- Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star (September 9)