Movie Info:
Writers: James Gray
Director: James Gray
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Moni Moshonov, Elias Koteas
Rating: R
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: February 13, 2009
DVD Release Date: June 30, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $

This film could have gone terribly wrong. It could have been bad in all of the wrong ways. Luckily, thanks to a near-perfect script and some incredibly solid acting there is only one thing wrong with this movie. It’s said to be Joaquin Phoenix’s last picture. Knowing that someone as talented as Phoenix is walking away from acting is nothing short of a bummer, but seeing that this is where he chose to end the line, cannot help but make you feel good. Two Lovers is a romantic drama about a set of perpetually flawed characters.

Phoenix plays Leonard. He’s a guy with some mental problems. At the least he suffers from depression, though his mom calls it Bi-polar and if you know anyone that has it, you’ll probably agree. He lives with his parents and works for their dry cleaning business. His mom is a strong, Jewish mother. She is always in his business, but it’s clear that it is because she loves him and wants the best for him. Then there are the women in his life. One is dependable and though she has received a bad break with men in the past, it’s obvious that she has a good heart. The other, makes bad choices, indulges in various drugs to kill the boredom and is a complete mess in all of the wrong ways.

One of the biggest morals of the story is that people in love only see what they want to see. Leonard makes excuses for Michelle, the girl that’s a mess. He doesn’t care about her problems because she is amazing. Meanwhile, Sandra, the more dependable option, settles for Leonard, in a way, because he’s the best (or only) option available to her and she doesn’t want to be alone. It’s obvious that she cares about him, but there is no real indication to show that if Sandra had someone else she would still be with Leonard.

Two Lovers is anything but your modern day romance. This is a thinking man’s picture. It’s told through the eyes of Leonard, or with him as the main character. Some might say that these women are weak, but I don’t see that as the case. If anything, I think they all suffer from the same weaknesses. Michelle has forced herself into a bad decision and has low self-esteem. She hangs on the comfort of one man, stringing him along and controlling the relationship while waiting for another that offers her no stability or control.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writer: Baz Luhrmann, Ronald Harwood, Stuart Beattie, Richard Flanagan
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Cast: Jack Thompson, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown, David Wenham, David Gulpilil, Brandon Walters
Rating: PG-13
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: November 26, 2008
DVD Release Date: March 3, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $25.99

When I hear Baz Luhrmann is involved with a movie I know that it’s going to be good. I don’t know if he’s made so few movies because he’s trying to attain perfection with each one of them, but the movies he makes are masterpieces that will one day live on as classics. Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet have beautiful cinematography. Their stories are exceptionally well told. The acting is stand out. Luhrmann brings all the elements of perfection together into one, gorgeous film that is a several strides above the majority of what is coming out of Hollywood, these days.

While I just want to reach out and give Nicole Kidman a taco, these days (she is a little thin), she doesn’t appear to be nearly as gaunt in this film. She has exceptional chemistry with Hugh Jackman and the performances they give make you feel raw, true emotions while watching. Ashtyn won’t admit it, but I know she cried during part of this movie. I am not the crying type, but I won’t deny that Australia makes you feel…a myriad of emotions.

I’m the type of guy who isn’t always into showing my emotions. I don’t like to show them on my sleeve. I feel blasé about the vast majority of movies that center on romance because of this. In a Baz Luhrmann movie, I can expect romance, but the main plotline is so powerful that the romance is only a small part of the greater picture. I like a movie with plenty of action. Australia has both action and romance so regardless of gender, this movie is going to appeal to a wide variety of individuals. This is one of the few movies men and women can watch together and both can enjoy.

The beautiful Australian outback sets the stage for this stunningly made movie. The cinematography is exceptional. I already mentioned that the two primary actors did a phenomenal job, as do all of the supporting actors in their perspective role. The narrator of the film, nearly outshines all of them, though. He is a 11 or 12 year old boy named Brandon Walters who single-handedly brought together the entire action and story for this movie. Brand new to film, Walters is a standout performer in league with the adults he performs with in this movie.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.