March in the Movies by Midge

March 1: Caught in a Utah canyon, Aron Ralston was faced with an unthinkable decision: die or hack off a limb and—maybe—survive. It’s a story that broke out of the pages of adventure and outdoor magazines into the larger media landscape because it’s a story that both amazes and disgusts. It’s a story that makes you wonder what you would do to survive. Although Ralston’s ordeal is the stuff of inspiration, it is not the kind of tale that is necessarily easy to translate onto big screen. There is one character and one location, and trapped for five days, Ralston’s journey was largely internal. If there’s an actor out there up for the challenge, however, it is James Franco. Here’s an actor who has shown himself unafraid to take major chances. After all, he followed his award-winning turn in Milk with a recurring role in General Hospital. Pair him up with the equally fearless director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 28 Days Later), and ending up with something special is a pretty safe bet. Nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor, 127 Hours is the kind of movie that starts conversations and sticks with you. A word of warning, however: the squeamish will have difficulty with Ralston’s harrowing decision to sever his arm.
Other releases: Burlesque, Faster, Love & Other Drugs

March 8: There have already been a handful of films outlining how the West was lost—to the regular folk—with the economic meltdown of 2008, but there is something different to be gained from Charles Ferguson’s Inside Job. Not only does he have a knack for explaining complex ideas, but he also resists the Bush-bashing temptation. He deftly lets the facts speak for themselves, which means there are very few heroes on either side of the political aisle, even in members of Barak Obama’s recovery team. Narrated by Matt Damon, Inside Job is a film you escape with. In fact, you’ll likely be smoking mad. But it is fascinating and a must-see for anyone interested in learning how not to lead a country.
Other releases: The Next Three Days, Tales from Earthsea, Jackass 3

March 15: Mid-March sees the release of some highly anticipated titles, so I am going to tell you about a film you may not have heard about. A Marine Story tells the tale of Alexandra Everett (portrayed by Dreya Weber), a woman who is sent home from her fourth deployment in Iraq because of a suspicion that she is a lesbian. A career Marine, Everett is rudderless when she returns to her small California town. While A Marine Story is not a perfect film, it does tackle some thorny issues, from the US Military’s contentious don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy to double standards between the sexes. Weber’s performance is as taut as her abdominals, even when the script becomes ham-fisted.
Other releases: Fighter, Carlos the Jackal, Hereafter

March 22: For pure escapism, look no further than The Tourist. Surprisingly nominated for a Best Picture Golden Globe, the film has garnered only mediocre reviews. That said, it is stylish and has a couple of Hollywood’s sexiest in its leading roles. Johnny Depp is Frank, a teacher from Wisconsin who travels to Europe to mend a broken heart. Angelina Jolie is Elise, the femme fatale who deliberately crosses paths with Frank so that she might elude both the law and the criminals she’s duped. With the beautiful backdrop of Venice, The Tourist is a definite nod, albeit flawed, to films with Cary Grant, Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn.
Other releases: All Good Things, Dear Mr. Gacy, Yogi Bear

March 29: If there is one film in March I am looking forward to, it’s Black Swan. While we often applaud those who work hard at achieving greatness, director Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler) has a real knack for showing the murky side to seeking perfection. His films are dark and often nightmarish. Black Swan tells the story of Nina (Natalie Portman), a ballerina who descends into madness when the pressure to perform becomes too much. Her Svengali-like director preys on her virginity. Pushed to embrace her sensual side for her character, Nina’s derangement mirrors the struggle between the good and evil swans of Swan Lake. Her overbearing stage mother is no help either, as she imposes her own failed dreams on Nina. Black Swan is over-the-top and melodramatic, but it is delicious nonetheless.
Other releases: Fair Game, The Resident, Tangled