Movies at the multiplex and beyond, opening Dec. 18

Up in the Air, opening everywhere
Director: Jason Reitman
With: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman

Clooney has become the go-to guy for comedies with serious purpose, and he is in a good one here.  I thought as I watched this that it is one of my favorite romantic comedies of the year, but it isn’t one at all.  That’s just an element of the story.
And, other than the small fault of the film trying to do too many things, it is a terrific movie.  Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, whose job it is to fly around the country firing people.  I don’t know if such a position exists, but it is all-too plausible.  His major ambition, though, is to accumulate 10 million air miles, at which point the airline virtually deifies you.
He meets Alex (Farmiga), another frequent flier, who nicely fits into his universe, and they begin a torrid, but sporadic affair.
Bingham may be a hired hatchet man, but he understands that he is dealing with human beings, and has some compassion for them.  His shark-like boss (Bateman) has no such pity.  In a bottom-line move, he hires a young hotshot named Natalie (Kendrick), who develops a system to fire people via video conference, thereby saving the company travel money.
Now, this upsets Bingham’s 10 million mile plan, but it also offends what remains of his humanity.  He decides to show Natalie what the real consequences are of sacking employees.
The film bogs down a bit as Bingham gets sucked back into the vortex of his estranged family, but that puts him in touch with what real people think and feel, and sets him up for a disillusionment that we can see coming.
Funny, poignant and almost great.  Definitely worth seeing.
B+

Sita Sings the Blues (Animated 2008) Clinton Street Theater
Director: Nina Paley
Voices of: Neena Shah, Nina Paley, etc.

Charming and sometimes brilliant cartoon, based on the Ramayana, that contrasts the relationship between Rama and Sita, and a modern tale of romantic woe.  Several different styles are used, which may confuse at first.  And, the whole thing provides a setting for the wonderful voice and music of Annette Hanshaw.  See it just to hear her songs set to nice visuals, if for nothing else.
A-

Beeswax, at the Hollywood Theater
Director: Andrew Bujalski
With: Tilly & Maggie Hatcher, Alex Karpovsky, Anne Dodge, Katy O’Connor

Another “mumblecore” film, with all of the strengths and weaknesses of the genre.  Rambling, unfocused and mundane plot and dialogue, but very naturalistic acting and the occasional gem of a scene where it all works.  Basically the story of twin sisters (the Hatchers), who share a house.  Jeannie (Tilly) runs a vintage tchotchke and clothing shop in Austin, Lauren (Maggie) seems to be looking for a job to get her away from her life and family.  Jeannie’s partner in the shop may be trying to sue her, and Merrill (Karpovsky) is a law student who tries to help her, and incidentally to get her into bed.
And so it goes, one desultory scene after another.  People drift in and out: store employees, family, old friends, and do something or other.  The actors are all very ordinary people, who never seem like they are acting.  This is good.  But, they rarely do anything interesting.  This is, you know, not so good.
If you liked Bujalski’s other films, or the mumblecore genre itself, you will like this.  Others should see it knowing that it is not in any way a Hollywood movie, except that it’s playing at the Hollywood Theater.
B-

Avatar, opening everywhere
Director: James Cameron
With: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez
Voices of: Zoe Saldana, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi

You may have heard me say this a few dozen times.  The reason that Pixar animated films are generally the best is that they take as much time with the script as they do with the gee-whiz animation.  So, they are more than just a light show with words.
James Cameron is one of the most successful directors in the world, with several blockbusters to his credit, and I have no doubt this will be another.  It is beautiful to look at.  The 3-D animation is nothing less that spectacular.  The movements are natural and the faces expressive.
The fan-boy geek stuff is through the roof.  Hard-edged battle weapons, flying dragons, and landscapes that exist only on a hard drive, but seem to be real.
The acting is as good as it gets in these action films, especially Weaver, as an anthropologist who is trying to keep the bad guys from simply slaughtering a planet of people.  Well, actually an inhabitable moon named Pandora in the shadow of a gas-giant planet.
The story in brief: Pandora is a source for a mineral not found on Earth which can solve all of our energy problems.  Small detail, we have to destroy the planet to mine it.  So, the mining company sends a Blackwater-like outfit to do the job, unless the small group of anthropologists can convince the indigenous peoples, the Na’vi, to vacate to reservation-like enclaves.  Any resemblance to the treatment of Native Americans is the point, thank you.
The anthropologists communicate with the locals through avatars, projected simulacra of the 10-foot tall, feline/reptilian creatures.  One of the hired guns (Worthington) goes native and falls for a local female named Neytiri (Soldana).  Can you guess the rest?  Sure you can.
In fact, an animated film entitled The Battle for Terra had the same plot, except the McGuffin was that Earth was no longer inhabitable.
So, this gorgeous, technically stunning film has a pedestrian and overused plot, (See Pixar, above), and it is way too long at 2:40.  It also has a song over the closing credits that is just as bad as “My Heart Will Go On.”  Thanks, James.
However, you should see it.  It is the future of film, and the kids will love it.  I liked it a lot, given its flaws.
B+