Different isn't always Better

Rating: 4/10 (12 February 2012)

Movie Review: "The Artist" – Three (3) words, "HOLLYWOOD LOVES DIFFERENT"!!!!! Even if different means making everything OLD, NEW AGAIN (i.e. – shooting a 2011 film in an homage to the silent films of the 1920s). I have to admit that the first 40 minutes of viewing is a totally encompassing experience; however, it does quickly wear off, and I found myself constantly looking at my watch wondering when this film would finally end. Which brings us to the movie's plot and in my opinion, the film's downfall In a nutshell, it's basically just a remake of the 1976,1954, and 1937 films "A Star is Born" Old star at the height of his career, meets rising starlet. Starlet's career skyrockets, as the old star's career wanes. So once the "newness" of watching a silent film fades, and you realize that you have seen this film like a gazillion times before; there's nothing more to do but bear the burden of finishing the film. This film is (at best) an "art house" picture, and not intended for the "mass" market audience; made for $15 million dollar, the US grosses to date is only $18 million ($47 million worldwide). Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, it will clean house on February 26, and is already the front-runner for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. If you are a movie connoisseur, you'll probably want to add this film to your collection, if for nothing more than owning a bit of nostalgia and viewing the novelty and pageantry that was the 1920s.