Monster's Ball

Rating:
Summary: No Quarter
Review: "Monster's Ball", is easily one of the best films I have seen, and why it was passed over for a Best Picture Nomination is a mystery. Or perhaps the film is just too graphic, whether in its use of the most brutal racist language available, together with a few dozen other topics that most people would rather forget. This is not a film to go see if you are seeking to be entertained. This picture portrays very dark sides of human nature, and the deepest of hatred amongst family. The three generations of family, the middle of which is portrayed by Billy Bob Thorton, is almost hard to accept. The occupation all three generations have practiced provides a basis for the hatred.

I did not find anything cliché about this film. There are a host of topics that people may feel have been discussed and portrayed enough, but that alone does not make a cliché. Racism is hardly news, it is also hardly a topic that is relegated to history, pervasiveness and endurance does not equal cliché. The emotions in this film work both ways. The patriarch played brilliantly by Peter Boyle is the type of throwback few could tolerate the presence of in their midst. He is difficult to stomach while only on the screen.

The only Best Actress Nominee I have not seen is Judi Dench in, "Iris". I am a great fan of hers, and perhaps I would change my mind once seeing her performance. The balance of the actresses I have seen, and in my opinion Halle Berry should take home the Oscar. The film itself, and the human pain that is depicted by the primary cast are the equal of any of the other nominees. "In The Bedroom", has been cited for its powerful emotion and the performances that it offered, but I would place that film behind, "Monster's Ball". Billy Bob Thorton gave another tremendous performance, and I feel he should have been nominated as well. I think the race between his male counterpart from, "In The Bedroom", would actually be a tougher call.

No actor or actress should ever be recognized for anything other than the performance being considered. Halle Berry is absolutely deserving of the recognition an Oscar brings. It would also be an accomplishment, for she would be the first black woman ever to be so honored in 74 years by the academy, and would join

Rating:
Summary: Best of 2002
Review: I sat in a sold out theater in Annapolis with mostly couples in their 30's through 50's and was so captivated by the story and the interactions of the characters. So few American movies have this quality - I generally prefer foreign films.

The highlight of the film and surprise was Halle Berry's performance. How wonderful! Until this film, her talent was not explored. Definitely get's my vote for best actress.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST SEE MOVIE
Review: Hank (Billy Bob Thornton) lives with his aging racist father, Buck, and his own son, Sonny (Heath Ledger). Hank and Sonny work as guards at the local prison, where they've prepared the electric chair for a black inmate. While Hank falls in love with the inmate's widow (Halle Berry), who is unaware of his role in her husband's death, Sonny is driven to a bitter end in this drama about racism in America.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully made, compelling movie
Review: I went to see this movie with an attitude of taking my medicine. I knew it was supposed to be very well done but I did not expect it to be emotionally satisfying. While it contained scenes that were brutal emotionally, it was quite compelling right up to the end, and surprisingly worked well as a love story. I understand why some reviewers are saying this is the best movie of the year. I strongly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Stunning
Review: Billy Bob Thornton is THE Actor of the year! This engrossing tale is packed with superb acting from the entire cast! The script is uncluttered, allowing the devastating emotional pitch to just surge. Director Marc Forster's style is understated and elegant, symbol laden yet not preachy and moralizing. Halle Berry certainly deserves the Oscar for Best actress. Reminds one what brilliant movie-making is all about.

Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking
Review: I saw this movie today and cannot get it out of my mind. It works on so many levels and the major cast members are brilliant! Halle Berry is terrific giving many shadings to her character. Her ambivalence towards her son was so on target. Billy Bob Thornton's character and his growing need to escape from his dysfunctional family and change his life to something more positive was almost painful to watch. I cannot believe he was passed over by Oscar. I hope Berry wins the Oscar. She was so brilliant in this role and continues to grow as an actress. If you see no other movie this year, don't miss Monster's Ball.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful performances in a less than powerful story
Review: Monster's Ball has received huge publicity because of its stars, namely Billy Bob Thornton and Halle Berry. They are the only reason to see this over-hyped romantic tale of "unexpected" love in the New South. I say over-hyped because the publicity raised my expectations for how the story would unfold, and in the end it was not at all powerful.

Without giving away too much, I have to disagree with several of the other reviews that mention how shocking and uncomfortable the movie made those reviewers feel. I strongly believe that your personal comfort level and/or sensitization to movie violence will determine just how the movie affects you. While some scenes were somewhat disturbing to watch, the events found in Monster's Ball were not that shocking. Perhaps it's because real-stories of racial hatred and violence are sadly as commonplace nowadays as ever. Not to say that the movie's impact is trifling, but it is not a groundbreaking film like say Spike Lee's Malcolm X or even more so his greatest work, Do The Right Thing, which was truly thought-provoking then and now.

Too many elements of the movie happen, then the resolution seems to be "let's move on to the next big event." The characters' emotions perhaps are so weighted down by the tragedies visited upon their lives, that their only reactions seem to be aggressive sexual desire and resignation.

The ending was not at all what I expected. It's as if the tension of the Sonny and Leticia's actions never had any real consequences. It didn't leave me feeling any sympathy for either character.

Too much focus on the romantic element and not enough focus on the consequences of death and hate, and the possible power of redemption.

All in all, 4-star casting in a 2-star plot.

Rating:
Summary: an acting masterpiece
Review: There's no point in going over the plot of the movie -- it is secondary to the complexly realistic characters created by Billy Bob and Halle Berry against the stark backdrop of a movie that (bravely) does not hide the flaws of its characters. Go see it for the acting, just as you visit a museum to see a fine painting. I was stunned by Halle Berry's performance. Her powerfully raw acting should put this beautifully rendered movie at the top of everyone's must see list --and put her at the podium as best actress. Billy Bob Thornton also delivered a subtly gripping performance. I found myself replaying the scenes in my mind long after I had left the theater....

Rating:
Summary: All Hail Halle!!
Review: This movie gets its extra credit due to its great casting. Although a small but intrical part, who knew P.Diddy could actually act as well as he did?? Then there was the Mighty Mos Def w/his role as a protective father to two young boys. Moving on up to the young man who played Billy Bob's troubled son and Peter Boyle as his racest old father. Billy Bob has been a great quirky actor for some time. But Halle Berry is the movie!! What range she has as an Actress. She draws you into all of her feelings, you are right there w/her. Without her, I probably would have given this movie only 3 stars. It was somewhat slow moving and lackluster. With Halle...well, this is her OSCAR!

Rating:
Summary: Great! Halle Berry is incredible!
Review: I just saw this movie yesterday. I have to say that this si probably the best-acted film I have seen in a long time. Everyone was so believable, and Halle Berry is definately worthy of an oscar for this role. The film is about an african-american woman named, Leticia (Berry)and she is having a hard time coping with the death of her son and husband, and she can barely pay the rent to her apartment. That all changes when she meets Hank (Thorton), and they get into a good relationship. However, things soon change, but I will not spoil anything else. You should see it, it's great!