MOVIE REVIEWS: KICK ASS

Sunday, April 25, 2010

IN THEATERS

KICK ASS



Adapted from Mark Millar's hyper-violent comic book of the same name, director Matthew Vaughn's (Layer Cake) vigilante superhero film tells the tale of an average New York teenager who decides to don a costume and fight crime. Comic book geek Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) may not have good coordination or special powers, but that doesn't mean he isn't a fully capable crime fighter. After purchasing a flashy wet suit on the Internet, Dave starts busting up baddies with nothing but brute force. He calls himself Kick-Ass, and he can take a beating as good as he can dish one out. Before long, Kick-Ass has become a local sensation, and others are following his lead. Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and Hit-Girl (Chloe Moretz) are a father-daughter crime-fighting duo who have set their sights on local mob heavy Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong). They're doing a decent job of dismantling Frank's sizable underworld empire when Kick-Ass gets drawn into the fray. But Frank's men play rough, and his son, Chris (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), is about to become Kick-Ass' very first arch nemesis. When Chris assumes the persona of Red Mist, the stage is set for a superhero showdown that could spell the end of Kick-Ass once and for all. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Director: Matthew Vaughn

Cast: Aaron Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloe Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Strong.

Release Date: Apr 16, 2010

Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use -- some involving children

Runtime: 1 hr. 57 min.

Genres: Action

Review:

Matthew Vaughn’s Kick Ass lives up to its name at various times throughout it hyper violent run but its change in tone is so drastic you start to wonder if Vaughn might destroy the clutch on this film. Vaughn gives this film an impressive visual style throughout that keeps your eyes and mind entertained throughout by a wonderful use of smart edits during some of the more drawn out action sequences. In the lead role Aaron Johnson gives the titular Kick Ass a decent blend of nerdiness, naiveté and earnestness in the role. He does fine work throughout but the role doesn’t give him much chance to shine and it’s easy for him to disappear into the background. This is especially true once Nicolas Cage and Chloe Moretz show up. Nicolas Cage fits into his role so well you can sense his glee every time he’s on screen. Chloe Moretz is equally strong as the psychopathic foul mouthed Hit Girl. She’s got some of the strongest comedic and emotional moments in the entire film. Christopher Mintz-Plasse & Mark Strong both deliver strong if generic performances in underwritten roles. Cage and Moretz’s are by far the most interesting characters in the film and make the other story lines look like placeholders until they hit screen again. This choppiness in story and tone becomes more jarring as the film head to its conclusion. Kick Ass shifts from satire to shoot em up to standard comic book movie throughout. Having not read the original comic I don’t know if it’s an issue that inherent to story or if it was something that occurred in the transition. Even with its imperfections, Kick Ass is funny and engaging enough to make for an enjoyable experience for comic book movie fans.

B-

MOVIE REVIEWS: DATE NIGHT, THE FOUTH KIND AND FANTASTIC MR. FOX

Saturday, April 10, 2010

IN THEATERS

DATE NIGHT



This action comedy tells the tale of mild-mannered married couple Phil (Steve Carell) and Claire (Tina Fey) who fear their relationship may be falling into a stale rut. During their weekly date night, they impetuously steal a dinner reservation, which leads to a case of mistaken identity. Turns out the reservation was for a pair of thieves, and now a number of unsavory characters want Phil and Claire killed. If they can survive a wacky life-threatening night, they may just rediscover the passion missing from their marriage. Directed by Shawn Levy. Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, and Kristen Wiig co-star. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Directed by Shawn Levy

Cast: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, Taraji P. Henson, Jimmi Simpson.

Release Date: Apr 09, 2010

Rated PG-13 for sexual and crude content throughout, language, some violence and a drug reference

Runtime: 1 hr. 28 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Date Night is unapologetically broad in its laughs and if it weren’t for the excellent comedic talents of Tina Fey and Steve Carell it’d probably be kind of unbearable. Shawn Levy has made a career of making broad easy to consume comedies and he doesn’t change his stripes here. The jokes and situations are mostly paint by the numbers. Its fun light entertainment that keeps you mostly entertained with only occasional moments of tedium. Carell and Fey keep you interested with their strong dynamic and experienced talents. Carell brings a tenderness and earnestness to his character along with the expected goofiness. Fey is sharp and quick witted always keeping the interplay lively and energetic even in clichéd segments. Mark Wahlburg, James Franco, Mila Kunis, William Fichtner and Ray Liotta all have fun little cameos with characters that are goofy send ups of their usual roles. Date Night is the kind of movie that easily forgettable but never terrible. Considering Carell and Fey strong chemistry it would be nice to see them work with a more talent director and concept. For the time being this little nugget will work well as an appetizer.

C+

ON DVD

THE FOURTH KIND




Set in the fall of 2000 and purportedly based on actual events, The Fourth Kind stars Milla Jovovich as Dr. Abigail Tyler, a Nome, Alaska-based psychotherapist whose videotaped sessions with her patients offer the most compelling evidence of alien abduction ever documented. Elias Koteas and Will Patton co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi

Cast: Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton, Hakeem Kae-Kazim.

Release Date: Nov 06, 2009

Rated PG-13 for violent/disturbing images, some terror, thematic elements and brief sexuality

Runtime: 1 hr. 38 min.

Genres: Thriller

Review:

The Fourth Kind is the type of film that has an interesting approach to what is a fairly well worn genre. Sadly, director Olatunde Osunsanmi shows his inexperience throughout and presently he doesn’t have the talent to make the concept a cohesive believable whole. It’s a shame because he has an interesting style that’s aggressively interesting and he does have a few inspired moments which impress. Unfortunately, those moments are few and far between and he fails to achieve the most important thing necessary here, credibility. The film, it starts with Milla Jovovich telling you this is based on true events, demands that you have some level of belief in the proceedings for it to effectively creep you out. Instead everything comes off as fake and manufactured especially the purported “real” footage. The cast across the board is stiff and unconvincing the reenactments never feel any better than old Unsolved Mysteries shorts. It’s all kind of a uneven hodgepodge of ideas that never reach the mark. Films like Communion and Fire in the Sky do a better job with this genre. Not a great sign when the latter is a fairly laughable Walken vehicle.

D

FANTASTIC MR. FOX



A wily fox uses his formidable cunning to outsmart three feeble-minded farmers, who resort to extreme tactics to protect their chickens in director Wes Anderson's animated adaptation of the popular Roald Dahl children's book. For 12 years, Mr. and Mrs. Fox (voices of George Clooney and Meryl Streep) have lived a peaceful life in the wilderness with their son, Ash (voice of Jason Schwartzman). Shortly after their young nephew Kristofferson (voice of Eric Anderson) arrives for a visit, Mr. Fox's long-suppressed animal instincts begin to take over and the faithful family man resorts back to his old ways as a cunning chicken thief, endangering not only his family but the entire animal community as well. When evil farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean force the animals underground in a desperate attempt to capture the audacious Mr. Fox, dwindling food supplies force the frightened animals to band together in one last attempt to fight for the land that is rightfully theirs. Bill Murray, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, and Owen Wilson provide additional

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wallace Wolodarsky.

Release Date: Nov 13, 2009..

Rated: for action, smoking and slang humor

Runtime: 1 hr. 27 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

It’s rare that you find such a charming piece of filmmaking that keeps you smiling throughout via its wittiness and emotional highpoints. There is something incredibly quirky and heartfelt in all of Wes Anderson’s films and this stop motion isn’t any different. Proving that he can work his magic on stop motion dolls as effectively as his live actors, Anderson breathes life into these characters and plot almost from the instant they hit the screen. It’s no small task and he makes it seem utterly effortless throughout. The A list voice cast is up to task as well. Clooney provides just as much as charisma and sentiment as he did in Up in the Air. Meryl Streep’s work is graceful as ever providing Clooney’s titular character his moral center. Jason Schwartzman is wonderfully understated and heartfelt. The story, adapted from Roald Dahl’s children’s book, is just as smart as it should be, something the will give both adults and children something to enjoy. Fantastic Mr. Fox is a stellar achievement in film making and something that should be enjoyed by all.

A

MOVIE REVIEWS: CLASH OF THE TITANS

Sunday, April 04, 2010

IN THEATERS



CLASH OF THE TITANS



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The 1981 mythological fantasy adventure Clash of the Titans is resurrected in this remake from Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier. The joint Legendary Films/Warner Bros. production focuses on Perseus (Sam Worthington), the mortal hero made to carry out a series of quests by the gods in order to win the hand of the imprisoned princess Andromeda (Alexa Davalos). Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Mads Mikkelsen, and Gemma Arterton co-star. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Director: Louis Leterrier

Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Flemyng, Gemma Arterton.

Release Date: Apr 02, 2010..

Rated PG-13 for some frightening images, fantasy action violence and brief sensuality

Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min.

Genres: Action

Review:

Being a child of the 80’s I have had a handful of my childhood movie loves remade with varying degrees of effectiveness. The original Clash of the Titans for all its flaws is still a terribly enjoyable film for me that take me back to childhood. It left indelible images on my young mind and was one of those films that helped shape my general love for films. I doubt Louis Leterrier’s remake will leave that type of impression on today’s children. I could be wrong but I doubt this type of uninspired and chunky film making will leave much of an impression after they leave the theater but who knows, a lot of people said that about the original as well. This film is a chesse fest that’s only occasionally fun and mostly tedious. Leterrier’s direction does his best to give the proceedings an epic feel but for the most part it feels like that is way beyond his talents. The large scale action set pieces are handled with a pedestrian hand only occasionally capturing any sense of grandeur or scope. The battle in Medusa’s lair and final battle with the final battle with the Kraken are the best of the group but the scorpion battle feels more like something out of Starship Troopers. The script makes various changes to the original plot changing the general motivation of Perseus and the gods. They work to certain extent, the gods in particular are a tad more interesting even if we only get Zeus and Hades for the most part and the remainder stands around looking godly. The changes to Perseus aren’t as effective mainly because it makes him less heroic and more petulant. Worthington’s performance doesn’t help as he appears to have mastered the ability to be aggressively wooden. He lacks any fire or drive and just comes across as disingenuous for the better part of the film. Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes have more fun hamming it up, Fiennes in particular looks like he’s having a ball. Gemma Arterton doesn’t make as much of an impression as she should and Mads Mikkelsen is overly serious throughout. The cast is saddled with a script that’s just as clunky as the film’s direction; neither seems to be able to decide if it wants to be serious or cheesy. While I suppose there is a chance this could become a cult favorite like the original I think it’s a long shot. The original has a certain endearing campiness to it and this remake has a terribly generic feel to it.

C-

MOVIE REVIEWS: PRECIOUS, BOONDOCK SAINTS 2 & COULPLE’S RETREAT

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

On DVD


PRECIOUS



Monster's Ball producer Lee Daniels follows up his 2005 directorial debut, Shadowboxer, with this adaptation of author Sapphire's best-selling novel about an overweight, illiterate African-American teen from ..Harlem.. who discovers an alternate path in life after she begins attending a new school. Clareece "Precious" Jones is only a teenager, yet she's about to give birth to her second child. Unable to read or write, Clareece shows little prospect for the future until discovering that she has been accepted into an alternative school. There, with a little help from a sympathetic teacher (Paula Patton) and a kindly nurse (Lenny Kravitiz), the young girl receives something that most teens never get -- a chance to start over. Mo'nique co-stars in an inspirational drama featuring the debut performance of screen newcomer Gabourey "Gabbie" Sidibe. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Lee Daniels

Release Date: Nov 06, 2009

Rated R for child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language.

Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min.

Genres: Drama

Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Lenny Kravitz, Paula Patton, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey.




Review:




First and foremost this film’s plot is something that’s probably already done on Lifetime at one point of another. Had the director not been able to get such wonderful performances from his cast, this film probably would have come and gone with little notice. Daniel’s direction is fairly rudimentary only occasionally does he give the film some creative flair. Lee Daniel’s real strength lies on his ability to pull out such strong performances from his much praised and awarded cast. It’s a truly impressive feat that elevates this film. Gabourey Sidibe comes across as authentic throughout, so much so that it feels like a documentary at times. Mo’Nique is just terrifying throughout, he character just seethes with anger and self pity. Paula Patton has been mostly overlooked but she provides a steadiness to the film, her performance is easy to overlook but it shouldn’t be. Mariah Carey is just as effective, shedding nearly all of her pretension and glam for a grounded performance. Precious is a difficult movie to sit through and probably not one you’d be quick to revisit. It is an actor’s movie through and through and the entire cast delivers stellar work deserving of all the praise.



B+





BOONDOCK SAINTS 2: ALL SAINTS DAY




Boondock Saints, the 2000 crime picture renowned for the unique story of the fast rise
and fall of its egomaniacal filmmaker, Troy Duffy, as well as the cult following that appeared later on home release, gets the sequel treatment with this follow-up. Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus reunite as the vigilante MacManus brothers, with Billy Connolly returning as Il Duce. Duffy once again directs from his own script, with Clifton Collins Jr., Julie Benz, and David Della Rocco filling out the rest of the cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Director: Troy Duffy




Release Date: Oct 30, 2009




Rated R for bloody violence, some nudity and language




Runtime: 1 hr. 27 min.




Genres: Action




Cast: Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly, Clifton Collins, Jr., Julie Benz.



Review:



The original Boondock Saint’s was a movie I really wanted to love and just couldn’t ever warm up too for some reason. The entire thing seemed terribly derivative and amateurish. That’s not to say that Duffy’s film didn’t have a few inspired moment but it just seemed lacking and I still can’t quite understand the fascination with it. Duffy seemed to have some interesting concepts but his prowess as a writer and director seemed lacking. I was expecting Duffy’s follow up would be something akin to Sam Raimi or Robert Rodriguez follow ups to cult hits. Sadly, Duffy seems stuck in the mud. The sequel gives us a more steady directorial hand but the writing borders on horrid various times throughout the proceedings. The characters are all underwritten, the plot generic and the attempts are humor are terribly sophomoric. Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus return do the best they can with the roles but they seem more like an after thought for some reason. Julie Benz, working with one of the worse Southern accents in recent memory, is never believable. Her character’s spot as William Dafoe’s replacement here doesn’t work and she simply becomes grating as the film proceeds. Clifton Collins Jr., who’s usually solid in manic character’s, is generally wasted and generally seems disinterested as he utters some terrible dialogue. This is something that kind of a recurring theme throughout as the actors lack any energy or conviction. Duffy doesn’t seem capable of getting strong performances out of his cast, it was a problem that plagued the first film and is equally problematic here. Billy Connolly seems to be the only one actually trying and he’s got the least screen time of anyone. Once the film ends, I was left with the same feeling after watching the first one. I wanted to like it a lot more than I did. The ideas could be interesting and witty but they are executed so poorly that it’s hard to enjoy it.




C-





COUPLE’S RETREAT




Their relationship in danger of dissipating, a couple racing to salvage their marriage invites three other couples to join them at a tropical island resort. Upon arriving at the island paradise to enjoy some carefree fun in the sun, the other couples are disturbed to discover that participation in therapy sessions is mandatory if they hope to remain at the resort. Peter Bilingsley directs a comedy penned by Jon Favreau, produced by Vince Vaughn, and pairing the two Made collaborators onscreen with co-stars Jason Bateman and Faizon Love. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Peter Bilingsley




Release Date: Oct 09, 2009



Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language




Runtime: 1 hr. 47 min.



Genres: Comedy



Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman.



Review:



Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau have written some strong comedies in the past which makes this totally inert and neutered film a real head scratcher. Peter Bilingsley, Ralphie from A Christmas Story, provides fairly generic direction throughout and does a nice job of capturing pretty vistas once they move to the island. His pacing could use some work as the film seems to have very little flow or momentum. It doesn’t help that the script provides some of the blandest and most generic types for each of the couples. All of them are instantly recognizable and they wouldn’t do anything that surprises you throughout. It’s a real shame considering the comedic talent on hand. The cast just goes through the motions, only rarely delivering more than slight chuckle. Making matters worse this film is overly long, so much so that once we get to the final act you just want it to be over because the laughs have long since disappeared.



D

MOVIE REVIEW: SHE’S OUT OF MY LEAGUE

Sunday, March 14, 2010

IN THEATERS




SHE’S OUT OF MY LEAGUE


An airport security guard gets involved with a girl who's very obviously of a higher caliber than himself, and schemes to make the relationship last as his friends and family watch along in disbelief. Kirk (Jay Baruchel) was languishing in a dead-end job as an airport security agent when he somehow managed to earn the affections of the successful and drop-dead gorgeous Molly (Alice Eve). Even Kirk isn't exactly sure what Molly sees in him, though he's willing to do whatever it takes to make the relationship work. With his friends, family, and ex-girlfriend all watching stunned from the sidelines, Kirk discovers that he'll have to work overtime in order to convince Molly that he's worth hanging on to. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Jim Field Smith


Cast: Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel, Nate Torrence.


Release Date: ..Mar 12, 2010..


Rated R for language and sexual content


Runtime: 1 hr. 44 min.


Genres: Comedy, Romance


Review:


She’s Out of My League is generically written beauty and the geek rom-com that’s held together by its cast. The script hits all the major bullet points for these type of movies and we’ve seen the plot and characters before. The story follows a fairly pedestrian path and director J.F. Smith adds little to no visual flair to any of the proceedings. The relationships, the main one in particular, are sketchily supported and leave you wondering why these characters actually hang out together or date. The film’s strength is its up and coming cast led by Jay Baruchel. Baruchel has his measured type of comedy down, something he’s refined in supporting roles. There’s something both believable and charming about his quirkiness. Alice Eve, who looks like a miniature Christie Brinkley, is pretty flat and fails to make much of an impression. T.J. Miller does solid work as the prototypical loud mouth friend. Krysten Ritter does equally impressive as the female version of T.J. Miller character and both could have used a tad more screen time. A handful of inspired interactions make the film fun but nothing extraordinary. A fun little twist on the airport rom-com finale staple puts a nice little bow on this generic comedy.


C+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE INFORMANT!

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

ON DVD



THE INFORMANT!



A rising star in the agricultural industry suddenly turns whistleblower in hopes of gaining a lucrative promotion and becoming a hero of the common people, inadvertently revealing his penchant for helping himself to the corporate coffers and ultimately threatening to derail the very investigation he helped to launch in this offbeat comedy from Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh. Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) was fast rising through the ranks at agri-industry powerhouse Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) when he became savvy to the company's multinational price-fixing conspiracy, and decided to turn evidence for the FBI. Convinced that he'll be hailed as a hero of the people for his efforts, Whitacre agrees to wear a wire in order to gather the evidence needed to convict the greedy money-grabbers at ADM. Unfortunately, both the case -- and Whitacre's integrity -- are compromised when FBI agents become frustrated by their informant's ever-shifting account, and discover that he isn't exactly the saintly figure he made himself out to be. Unable to discern reality from Whitacre's fantasy as they struggle to build their case against ADM, the FBI watches in horror as the highest-ranking corporate bust in U.S. history threatens to implode before their very eyes. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide




Director: Steven Soderbergh

Cast: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, Melanie Lynskey, Rick Overton.

Release Date: Sep 18, 2009

Rated R for language

Runtime: 1 hr. 48 min.



Genres: Comedy, Crime Drama, Thriller




Review:




Steven Soderbergh’s The Informant! is the type of film that keeps you off balance but he does it in such a subtle way that you don’t know it till the end. Soderbergh’s film has a light and engaging feel that keeps you interested even with what seems like a fairly straight forward plot. Interesting visual and musical choices give this film a 70’s feel even though the entire thing takes place in the 90’s. His direction is organic and never forced something he’s perfected over the years. A hefty Matt Damon is equally impressive in the lead role as Mark Whitacre, giving the audience a real sense of the character’s state of mind and seemingly endless circular logic. Damon gives his a character an undeniable likability even as we find out more about him. Needless to say, he’s in top form here and he supported by a strong and if unexpected cast. Outside of Scott Bakula, the majority of the supporting players are made up of stand up comics in non comedic roles. It makes for an interesting effect and maintains the off balance sensibility of the overall film. Soderbergh’s approach may not be for every one especially people who are expecting a certain type of film going in but it’s hard to deny how clever and witty the overall construction of it is. It’s the type of film that requires repeated viewings to appreciate fully.


B+

MOVIE REVIEWS: ALICE IN WONDERLAND 3D

Sunday, March 07, 2010

IN THEATERS



ALICE IN WONDERLAND 3D

Director Tim Burton and screenwriter Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King) team up to deliver this visually-dazzling take on the classic Lewis Carrol tale. Nineteen year old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is attending party at a lavish country estate when she sees a White Rabbit with a pocket-watch dart into the bushes. Curious, she follows the rabbit to an enormous tree, and tumbles down a hole that takes her to Underland, a strange world inhabited by anthropomorphic creatures in search of someone to save them from the dreaded Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), who has assumed control of the kingdom by decapitating anyone who dares disagree with her. According to a scroll detailing a historical timeline of Underland - including events that have not yet taken place - it is Alice who will set the kingdom free by defeating the Jabberwocky, a powerful, dragon-like creature under the control of the Red Queen. But is this Alice the same Alice who appears in the scroll? While some of the creatures of Underland have their doubts, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) and his friends are certain she's the same girl who previously visited them years ago. When the Red Queen kidnaps the Mad Hatter, Alice attempts to free her friend and locate the one weapon with the power to slay the Jabberwocky, thereby restoring the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) to the throne, and bringing peace back to Underland. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Matt Lucas.

Release Date: ..Mar 05, 2010..

Rated PG for scary situations, scary images, fantasy action violence and a smoking caterpillar

Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min.

Genres: Fantasy

Review:


Alice in Wonderland and Tim Burton should be a match made in creative head trip heaven. Sadly, Burton’s adaptation comes to the screen feeling terribly inert and unoriginal. Visually, Burton adds his usual flair to the proceedings and occasionally the film has some inspired moment. Those moments keep you hoping the film will find its stride but it never finds its footing. The story, written by Linda Woolverton, borrows pieces from Alice in Wonderland and its literary follow up Through the Looking Glass feels uninspired and derivative coming off closer to The Chronicles of Narnia than something original. Mia Wasikowska does well in the lead role providing the necessary curiosity and strength. Johnny Depp is surprisingly one note as the Mad Hatter and is probably the biggest disappointment on the acting side. Helena Bonham Carter is good fun as the Red Queen but the character, like the Mad Hatter, is terribly underwritten. Anne Hathaway suffers a similar fate with the White Queen but she does provide some fun moments especially how she moves around. Crispin Glover feels very comfortable in his role as Stayne the Knave of Hearts bringing his usual oddness. The voice talents for the CGI creations are adequate with Stephen Fry making the best impression as the Cheshire Cat. Once the film’s climactic battle comes and goes you can’t help but be left feeling a tad under whelmed. The film’s use of 3D was equally unimpressive with Burton only using it for the occasional trick scenes, something popping towards the audience, and nothing more. Sadly, it’s a symptomatic of the general state of this film. The subject matter could have been a treasure trove for Burton to add his typical spin on but the execution never achieves anything above mediocre.

C-

MOVIE REVIEWS: THE CRAZIES

Sunday, February 28, 2010
MOVIE REVIEWS: THE CRAZIES

IN THEATERS

THE CRAZIES




Sahara director Breck Eisner teams with screenwriters Ray Wright (Pulse) and Scott Kosar (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) to give George A. Romero's underrated 1973 shocker a shiny new makeover in this update starring Timothy Olyphant and Radha Mitchell. Perform a Google search on "small-town America," and eventually you'll stumble across Ogden Marsh, a picturesque hamlet situated a safe distance from the nearest big city, and full of friendly faces. The citizens of Ogden Marsh are happy, albeit unremarkable people, but they're about to discover just how fragile their warm slice of the American Dream really is. When a mysterious toxin transforms the locals into murderous maniacs, it's up to Sheriff David Dutton (Olyphant) to find out why a man who was once an upstanding citizen would attempt to massacre the local youth baseball team, and a caring father would burn his beloved family alive. Within hours the town has descended into total chaos, and the government has ordered it quarantined. Anyone who attempts to escape will be shot on sight, whether they're infected or not. Realizing that their only hope for survival is to fight through the madness that has consumed their once-quiet town, Sheriff Dutton, his pregnant wife, Judy (Mitchell), his deputy Russell (Joe Anderson), and frightened medical center assistant Becca (Danielle Panabaker) wage an epic struggle to discover the source of this malevolent scourge while fending off their infected friends and neighbors. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Breck Eisner

Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Danielle Panabaker, Joe Anderson, Christie Lynn Smith.

Release Date: February 26, 2010..

Rated R for disturbing violent content, violence and gore

Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.

Genres: Horror, Thriller

Review:

The Crazies is a surprisingly effective, if predictably derivative, remake of George A Romero’s 1973 original. Breck Eisner creates an effective atmosphere and delivers a visually engaging picture. After a shaky start that feels closer to Resident Evil and The Happening, Eisner finds his footing putting any concerns at ease. Eisner keeps the film moving at a quick pace and doesn’t linger on much peripheral information creating an experience that’s never boring and only occasionally borders on tedium. He has a nice knack for creating set pieces that are interesting and innovative, a scene at a car wash and one at the high school make the biggest impact. The cast is effective but they suffer from weak script. Timothy Olyphant is strong as the lead, even if he’s a bit young for the role and being stuck in the tightest sheriff uniform in history, and plays against the type well. Radha Mitchell works well with Olyphant even if the pair seems a bit mismatched but you can’t help but feel she could have done so much more if the character were defined. Joe Anderson and Danielle Panabaker are even more one note but they aren’t asked to do much aside from look act increasingly unstable and the latter acting terrified. Scott Kosar & Ray Wright penned the script, Kosar having scripted various other remakes, and they keep it simple which has its positive and negatives. The characters aren’t terribly defined and logic takes various sabbaticals during the film’s run time mixed with an over reliance on gotcha scares probably keep this from something special. Also, I’m uncertain about the effectiveness of making “the crazies” zombie like in appearance when they aren’t zombie in the standard sense. These deficiencies aren’t fatal mainly because Eisner keeps the film running at a steady pace and making it less of a problem. Genre fans, me included, will find plenty to enjoy here and The Crazies is much better than the bevy of remakes currently being churned out.




C+

MOVIE REVIEWS: SHUTTER ISLAND

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

MOVIE REVIEWS: SHUTTER ISLAND

IN THEATERS

SHUTTER ISLAND

Mark Ruffalo and Leonardo DiCaprio team up as a pair of U.S. Marshals who travel to a secluded island off the coast of Massachusetts to search for an escaped mental patient, uncovering a web of deception along the way as they battle the forces of nature and a prison riot in this Martin Scorsese-helmed period picture. Laeta Kalogridis adapts Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name, with Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures splitting production and distribution duties. Ben Kingsley co-stars as the head of the institution where the patient resided, while Michelle Williams portrays Leonardo DiCaprio's deceased wife, whose memory haunts him during the investigation. Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, and Jackie Earle Haley round out the supporting cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow.

Release Date: Feb 19, 2010

Rated R for disturbing violent content, some nudity and language

Runtime: 2 hr. 18 min.

Genres: Action, Thriller

Review:

Martin Scorsese’s visually stunning Shutter Island is a mind bending trek through heady themes that leave you asking yourself questions long after you’ve finished watching it. Scorsese’s visual flair is apparent from the start and his creativity truly shows during the classic dream sequences that pepper the film. He creates a visual landscape that is unsettlingly and unnerving. He accomplishes this with such flair that I’d be hard pressed to find any diehard movie fan who finds faults with its construction. Scorsese does a wonderful job of channeling Hitchcock’s style and music but making it distinctively his at the same time. The director’s go to guy, Leonardo DiCaprio, is more than up to the challenge as well. DiCaprio is appropriately intense and conflicted throughout, adding another layer to the performance as the film heads into its finale. He does a wonderful job of showing the characters inner struggle throughout without going over the top. Mark Ruffalo is engaging and steady, providing a nice anchor point for DiCaprio’s character. Ben Kingsley is stoic throughout. The remainder of the supporting players Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, and Jackie Earle Haley all make the most of their small but impactful parts. Shutter Island’s plot and central mystery are best left to be discovered on your own even if it’s fairly obvious from a healthy dose of Easter eggs dropped throughout the film. Admittedly, this type of story has been done before but what makes Shutter Island special is talent in front of and behind the camera.

A-

MOVIE REVIEWS: THE WOLFMAN

Sunday, February 14, 2010
MOVIE REVIEWS: THE WOLFMAN
IN THEATERS

 

THE WOLFMAN

Universal Studios resurrects the classic lycanthrope with this tale of a man who experiences an unsettling transformation after he returns to his ancestral home in Victorian-era Great Britain and gets attacked by a rampaging werewolf. When Ben Talbot (Simon Merrels) vanishes into this air, his brother Lawrence (Benicio Del Toro) returns to his family estate to investigate. Upon reuniting with his estranged father Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins), however, he discovers a destiny far darker than his blackest nightmares. Ben is dead; the victim of a savage attack by a beast that keeps the superstitious locals cowering in fear every time the moon shines bright in the sky. Shortly after discovering his brother's true fate, Lawrence. swears to Ben's wife Gwen that he will bring her late husband's killer to justice. As a young boy, the untimely death of his mother caused Lawrence to grow up before his time. Though Lawrence had previously attempted to bury his pain in the past by leaving the quiet Victorian hamlet of Blackmoor behind, he discovers that you can't outrun fate when he's attacked by the very same nocturnal beast that claimed his brother. Not even recently arrived Scotland Yard inspector Aberline (Hugo Weaving) can dream up a rational explanation for the gruesome spell cast over Blackmoor, yet rumors of an ancient curse persist. According to legend, the afflicted will experience a horrific transformation by the light of the full moon. Now, the woman Talbot loves is in mortal danger, and in order to protect her he must venture into the moonlit woods and destroy the beast before it destroys her. But this isn't a typical hunt, because before the beast can be slain, a simple man will uncover a primal side of himself that he never knew existed. Screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker pens a film directed by Joe Johnston and featuring creature effects by special-effects makeup legend Rick Baker. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Art Malik.

Director: Joe Johnston

Release Date: Feb 12, 2010.

Rated R for bloody horror, violence and gore

Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min.

Genres: Action, Horror

Review:

More often than not, films that are beset with long production problem are destined to roll out as terrible films. Occasionally, a film will some how come together and find its way even with a myriad of trials and tribulations, Tombstone being one of the more recent examples that pop to mind. The Wolfman isn’t one of those films. Less its original director and after reshoots and delays, The Wolfman comes to the screen an unfocused mess. Joe Johnston took over the reigns after Mark Romanek walked off over creative differences. Johnston working in gothic horror is like watching a porcupine playing with a balloon. Johnson has no talent at building suspense or establishing characters as a result he drags down what is a fairly impressive cast. Benicio Del Toro gives what maybe be the stiffest most uninteresting performance of his career. He’s neither brooding nor conflicted instead he walks through scenes in an almost catatonic state only occasionally showing a glimmer of life. Anthony Hopkins crews scenery as readily as the Wolfman chews off appendages. In certain films Hopkins can be effective in this type of role but the script here is just a horrid unfocused hodgepodge that provides zero characterization. Emily Blunt is simply asked to look dour and speak in her natural British accent, nothing more nothing less. Hugo Weaving, like Hopkins, makes as much of an impression as possible but his effectiveness is severely limited as a result of the films massive flaws. Besides a bulldozer approach at direction from Johnston, whose over use of gore makes it more comic than scary, the script is wrought with issues. As mentioned the characters are all underwritten, the audience never has any idea what these characters motivations or connections are. This makes a film that is just over 2 hours long seem rushed but tedious at the same time. A major twist that could have been saved for the finale is just haphazardly thrown out in the open way too early in the game. The finale lacks any emotional bite and features a final battle that is funnier than it is dramatic. Kudos to Rick Baker’s practical effects which echo the work done in the original, sadly the CGI is mostly ineffective. Coupled with the fact that most of the outdoor scenes feel cheap and distinctly soundstagey this mess of a movie is neither enjoyable or scary.

D-

MOVIE REVIEWS: A PERFECT GETAWAY

Tuesday, February 16, 2010
MOVIE REVIEWS: A PERFECT GETAWAY

ON DVD

A PERFECT GETAWAY

Honeymooning newlyweds Cliff (Steve Zahn) and Cydney (Milla Jovovich) are hiking an 11-mile trail in Hawaii when they cross paths will ex-military man Nick (Timothy Olyphant), who earns their trust by helping them navigate a particularly treacherous mountain cliff. A few yards later, the trio runs into a group of girls whose parents are begging them to return home following reports that a honeymooning couple has been murdered on one of the other islands. The suspects in the killings are a young white couple, and when Cliff and Cydney meet Nick's frees-spirited girlfriend, Gina (Kiele Sanchez), tensions start to rise. The further the foursome walks together, the more delicate the balance of trust and suspicion becomes. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide


Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Steve Zahn, Milla Jovovich, Kiele Sanchez, Marley Shelton.


Director: David Twohy


Release Date: Aug 07, 2009


Rated R for graphic violence, language and some drug use.


Runtime: 1 hr. 38 min.


Genres: Action, Thriller


Review:

David Twohy returns to form after his lackluster follow up to Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick, with a surprisingly effective thriller. Twohy serves as writer / director here as he usually does and what he creates with A Perfect Getaway is an intriguing if occasionally overly self aware yarn that’s far better than it deserves to be. Twohy doesn’t spend too much time with unnecessary build up or excessive fluff. He gets right into the meat of the story and lets it run in a very lean and well paced manner. He makes great use of the local and shoots some wonderful views of the vistas both as beautiful yet dangerous. The characters he creates are intentionally one dimensional at a glance but as the film proceeds they become more and more ambiguous, keeping the audience guessing. Performances from the cast are decent with most delivering what you’d expect. Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich play it straight, for the better part of the film, as the naïve newlywed couple. Both have major character shifts in the films third act, something Jovovich handles better than Zahn who goes a little overboard. Timothy Olyphant is a ball of crazy eyed enthusiasm. Kiele Sanchez is plays it lower key and probably the most forgettable of the main cast. Twohy direction and script keep you off balance and when the major turn occurs in the final act he loses a bit of steam as he feels the need to over explain the situation. He over does it and the entire sequence feels like it could have been trimmed down significantly without losing effectiveness. Regardless, A Perfect Getaway is stronger than expected and delivers an intriguing thriller.


B-

Movie Reviews: MOON

Sunday, February 07, 2010
Movie Reviews: MOON
ON DVD

MOON

An astronaut miner extracting the precious moon gas that promises to reverse the Earth's energy crisis nears the end of his three-year contract, and makes an ominous discovery in this psychological sci-fi film starring Sam Rockwell and Kevin Spacey. For three long years, Sam Bell has dutifully harvested Helium 3 for Lunar, a company that claims it holds the key to solving humankind's energy crisis. As Sam's contract comes to an end, the lonely astronaut looks forward to returning to his wife and daughter down on Earth, where he will retire early and attempt to make up for lost time. His work on the Selene moon base has been enlightening -- the solitude helping him to reflect on the past and overcome some serious anger issues -- but the isolation is starting to make Sam uneasy. With only two weeks to go before he begins his journey back to Earth, Sam starts feeling strange: he's having inexplicable visions, and hearing impossible sounds. Then, when a routine extraction goes horribly awry, it becomes apparent that Lunar hasn't been entirely straightforward with Sam about their plans for replacing him. The new recruit seems strangely familiar, and before Sam returns to Earth, he will grapple with the realization that the life he has created may not be entirely his own. Up there, hundreds of thousands of miles from home, it appears that Sam's contract isn't the only thing about to expire. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide


Cast: Sam Rockwell, Kaya Scodelario, Benedict Wong, Matt Berry, Malcolm Stewart.


Director: Duncan Jones


Release Date: ..Jun 12, 2009..


Rated R for language


Runtime: 1 hr. 37 min.


Genres: Drama, Thriller


Review:


Duncan Jones feature film debut is the type of film that makes life long science fiction fans feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Recalling Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 with its look and the ever present computer assistant, Jones creates an atmospheric and engaging film that is more about concepts and philosophical musing than the actions on screen. While 2001 is the first thing that comes to mind, its themes and ideas are closer to Solaris, the Soviet sci-fi classic. Jones eye and pacing are very measured and he allows the audience to get a sense of the silence and isolation the story’s main character is experiencing and feeling. Sam Rockwell is on full display here as the film is pretty much a stage for him to show off his entire range of talent. Rockwell is fascinating and intriguing throughout, playing the character at the start and end of his life is daunting challenge but he pulls it off with ease. Kevin Spacey provides the voice for Rockwell’s automated co star Gerty. Spacey’s monotone and disarming timber gives Gerty an artificial yet compassionate voice. That coupled with Gerty’s wide array of smileys that mimic the conversation make for an interesting counterpart to Rockwell’s character. Jones debut makes a strong impression but lacks tension or mystery throughout. The plot feels like it plays its hand a tad too early as there’s very little suspense in the final act. Personally I was left expecting a bit more from the actual story. Still its themes and questions are fascinating food for thought especially for life long science fiction fans who don’t need massive FX or invading aliens to intrigue the mind.


B+

Movie Reviews: WHITEOUT & THE INVENTION OF LYING

Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Movie Reviews: WHITEOUT & THE INVENTION OF LYING

ON DVD

WHITEOUT

A U.S. marshall tracking a vicious murderer through the Antarctic must locate the killer before the sun sets for six months, or risk being trapped in the dark with the madman for months on end in director Dominic Sena's adaptation of the graphic novel series by Greg Rucka. U.S. marshall Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale) has been stationed at Antarctica's South Pole research base for two years, and now after turning in her resignation she's looking forward to finally going home. The last plane out leaves in just three days, and just after that ..Antarctica.. will not see the sun again for another 24 weeks. Then, just 72 hours before she is set to escape the coming darkness, a body is discovered in the ice -- prompting the first murder investigation ever to take place on the desolate Antarctic Circle continent. Little does Carrie realize that she's suddenly been thrust into a mystery over 60 years in the making, and that the killer is ready to strike again in order to protect a grim secret. Now, as the death toll starts to rise, loyalties shift, and a massive series of whiteouts blow bitter winds across the frozen landscape, the U.S. marshall who wanted nothing more than to escape the cold must work around the clock to catch a killer before the blinding white snow gives way to the deadly darkness of winter. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht, Tom Skerritt, Columbus Short, Alex O'Loughlin.

Director Dominic Sena

Release Date: Sept. 11, 2009

Rated R for violence, grisly images, brief strong language and some nudity.

Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.

Genres: Action, Thriller

REVIEW:

It’s never a good thing when the peak of a movie is a gratuitously long shot of Beckinsale disrobing as she gets ready for a shower. After watching the film, I am left with the feeling that there was more effort put into figuring out how to get Kate Beckinsale to show some skin in a movie that takes place entirely, sans a few flashbacks, in the South Pole. Mission accomplished, I guess. As for the rest of the movie, Dominic Sena delivers a woefully paint by the number murder mystery that seems like it was scripted by a computer programmed to churn out low level CSI plots. Everything about the story is terribly hackneyed and there is zero tension as every twist or turn is about as obvious as a little league soft ball pitch. Sena’s direction here is equally generic as he brings very little to the table doing nothing with the locale outside of pointing out that it’s really cold and windy. Kate Beckinsale bored most of the time and is just going through the motions; it’s not a terrible performance but nothing special either. Gabriel Macht is as stoic and mysterious as the script allows but like everything else here his work like his character is generic with a capital G. Tom Skerritt has a supporting role but mostly he just looks like he wishes he was elsewhere the entire time. The rest of the cast are mainly fodder for the killer especially when they have something to say which might be important. Whiteout is one of the strongest works in cinematic banality I’ve seen in a long while. It’s the type of film that plays in the background and you don’t really feel like you missing anything.

D

THE INVENTION OF LYING

Ricky Gervais directs himself in The Invention of Lying, a comedy in which everyone in the world tells the truth except for one misfit in the film industry, who after discovering the act of lying, milks it to become the world's most phenomenal performer. Matthew Robinson will co-direct from his own script, which he and Gervais collaborated on. Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill, and Louis C.K. co-star in the Media Rights Capital production, with John Hodgman, Tina Fey, Christopher Guest, and Jeffrey Tambor rounding out the rest of the cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide


Cast: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Louis C.K., Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill.

Director: Ricky Gervais

Release Date: Oct 02, 2009

Rated PG-13 for language including some sexual material and a drug reference

Runtime:1 hr. 39 min.

Genres: Comedy, Romance


REVIEW:



The Invention of Lying is the type of film that leaves you scratching your head once you’ve finished watching it. The cast is a collection of comedic heavyweights who could carry a film on their own. It’s directed and co written by its star Ricky Gervais whom I consider a comedic genius. The movie’s conceit is interesting and initially funny but as the film goes on it loses traction fairly quickly. Gervais has an interesting idea to work with and there are decent amounts of laughs to be had but some of the concepts just aren’t executed to the fullest extent. A secondary issue is that the tone of the film is unclear throughout as it changes frequently and as the film nears its end it decides to play a little too nice and safe which comes off as artificial and hollow. Gervais himself is in fine form in his role as he delivers plenty of laughs through well timed delivery of lines and he even gets a moment stretch his drama muscle in a pivotal scene with surprising effectiveness. Jennifer Garner isn’t really asked to do too much outside of stare blankly and recite lines like she’s a 4 year old. Rob Lowe is adequate as Gervais counterpoint but doesn’t really leave much of an impression. The rest of the cast such as Louis C.K., Jonah Hill and Tina Fey are terrible underused with Fey showing up for what amounts to a short cameo. It’s hard to not walk away from The Invention of Lying without the slightest ting of disappointment. It’s a solid film that’s entertaining and contains some fairly interesting ideas, one that will probably infuriate religious folks, but the execution is sporadic and uneven, a real shame as it could have been something special with all the talent assembled.




C+

Movie Reviews: THE HURT LOCKER

Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Movie Reviews: THE HURT LOCKER
ON DVD

THE HURT LOCKER



Based on the personal wartime experiences of journalist Mark Boal (who adapted his experiences with a bomb squad into a fact-based, yet fictional story), director Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq War-set action thriller The Hurt Locker presents the conflict in the Middle East from the perspective of those who witnessed the fighting firsthand -- the soldiers. As an elite Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team tactfully navigates the streets of present-day Iraq, they face the constant threat of death from incoming bombs and sharp-shooting snipers. In Baghdad, roadside bombs are a common danger. The Army is working to make the city a safer place for Americans and Iraqis, so when it comes to dismantling IEDs (improvised explosive devices) the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) crew is always on their game. But protecting the public isn't easy when there's no room for error, and every second spent dismantling a bomb is another second spent flirting with death. Now, as three fearless bomb technicians take on the most dangerous job in Baghdad, it's only a matter of time before one of them gets sent to "the hurt locker."

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Release Date: ..Jun 26, 2009..

Rated R for language and war violence

Runtime: 2 hr. 11 min.

Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller

Review:

Kathryn Bigelow’s tension filled The Hurt Locker is an excellently crafted film even if it becomes a war of attrition by the finale. From the opening sequence, Bigelow ratchets up the tension to 11 and, outside of a few scenes, never really lets up. It’s the type of film that never really lets you breathe as it’s a succession of high stress moments after another. Bigelow does a wonderful job of capturing the tension by framing and shooting scenes so that everything has a sense of immediacy. The film would be a failure if the cast didn’t come off as believable, luckily this cast, made up of working actors not stars, is more than up to the task. Jeremy Renner leaves a strong impression with his work here. Renner gives his character a definite sense of authenticity while never allowing his character to come off as clichéd, something the script falls into later in the film. Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty are equally strong in their performances. The film is almost entirely limited to these 3 men and they share a great chemistry throughout. Effective cameos from name actors such as Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pierce and David Morse add to the overall quality of the film and they keep the audience off balance with unexpected situations or resolutions. If there are a few miscues they limited to the script, as it heads towards its conclusions some situations and relationships start to come off as artificially generated and lack the authenticity of film. It’s nothing horrible but noticeable. The Hurt Locker avoids any political leanings and focuses almost primarily on the individuals that trudge through the Iraq conflict. It’s a film that feels every minute of its 2 hour plus run time and that’s not really a bad thing.

B+

Movie Reviews: THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS

Sunday, January 10, 2010
Movie Reviews: THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS
IN THEATERS

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS


Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), the leader of a traveling show, has a dark secret. Thousands of years ago he traded the soul of his daughter, Valentina, to the devil. Now the devil has come to collect his prize. To save her, ..Parnassus.. must make a final wager: Whoever collects five souls first will win Valentina. Tony (Heath Ledger), a man saved from hanging by ..Parnassus..' troupe, agrees to help collect them, with his eye on marrying Valentina.


Cast: Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell


Director: Terry Gilliam


Opened ..December 25, 2009..


Runtime: 2 hr. 2 min.


Rated PG-13 for language, violent images, some sensuality and smoking


Genres: Fantasy


Review:


The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is more than Heath Ledger’s final performance. It’s a bit difficult to separate him and the film at the outset especially once Ledger makes his first appearance, hanging from a noose no less. Gilliam does the smart thing in this sometime choppy but very imaginative fantasy. He addresses Ledger’s passing and devotes a scene to eulogizing him in a surprising effective way that works well within the story. Gilliam’s creative eye and his distinctive style is very much on display and the fantasy element that occur inside the imaginarium are the real high points of the film where you can sense the energy coming from the screen. The film falters in the more mundane real world sequences which creates an uneven flow throughout even though the cast does it’s best to keep you interested. Christopher Plummer performance as the titular doctor is appropriately sagely yet he’s able to also show how deeply flawed the character is as well. Plummer is clearly having a good time playing this Faustian character. Heath Ledger does fine work as the amnesic Tony, giving him a nice dose of huckster charisma while keeping an air of enigma throughout. Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell do well as the different aspects of Tony’s psyche within the imaginarium all the while channeling Ledger in homage. Virtual newcomer Lily Cole provides a nice sense of innocence while looking like a Botticelli model. Tom Waits and Vern Troyer both have fun in broadly written caricatures. Andrew Garfield barely registers even when he’s front and center. Even though it’ll be remembered more as Ledger’s final act, Imaginarium is an impressive bit of creative filmmaking from a director who’s never been afraid to test limits of classical story telling. Gilliam’s film is far from perfect but you’d be hard pressed to deny it’s creative energy during it’s more inspired segments.


B-

Movie Reviews: NINE

Sunday, December 27, 2009
Movie Reviews: NINE
IN THEATERS

 

NINE

Famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) grapples with epic crises in his personal and professional life. At the same time, he must strike a balance among the demands of the numerous women in his life, including his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penélope Cruz), and his confidant (Judi Dench).

Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman

Opened December 25, 2009..

Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and smoking

Director: Rob Marshall

Genres: Musical Drama, Musical

Review:

Rob Marshall’s Nine should be a home run. It’s got an Academy Award winning director and a cast that could light a night sky with star power. Unfortunately, it lacks power and emotion as it listlessly moves through its plot. Marshall brings the same energy and direction he brought to Chicago’s musical numbers; all of them here are lavishly done and visually impressive. Where Marshall falters is during the non musical segments, there is a visual disconnect and the actors seem just as disinterested as the director. It gets to the point where, during some of the slower portions, it becomes a chore to sit through them until the next song starts. Adding to the problem is what should have been the film’s strong point, its lead Daniel Day Lewis. Sadly, Lewis is miscast as the role and the singing just don’t fit this stellar actor’s talents. Lewis is at his best playing strong willed decisive characters and Guido is the exact opposite, he like a Hamlet in the 60’s. Lewis’s vocal talents are limited and his singing sounds more like spoken word poetry even at its best. His supporting starlets are a mixed bag as well. Penelope Cruz has a saucy fun number early on but disappears from the film quickly there after. Judi Dench belts out a serviceable French number in her portion and does a good job as the Guido’s friend and confidant. Kate Hudson has a small role as a flirty Vogue reporter and her number is surprisingly good. Nicole Kidman as Gudio’s muse has a nice little song and she once again shows off her impressive singing talents. The two standouts are Marion Cotillard and Stacy Ferguson aka Fergie from the Black Eye Peas. Marion Cotillard is given two numbers and she shows off her impressive local talents especially in the 2nd number. Fergie make the biggest impression singing her version of Be Italian with wonderful gusto. Her being the standout while being surrounded by some of the biggest movie talents is kind of a statement about this superficial homage to Fellini’s 8 ½. Nine should have been a meaningful movie that left a mark on our memory; instead it’s mostly forgotten as soon as you leave the theater.

C

Movie Reviews: UP IN THE AIR

Sunday, January 03, 2010
Movie Reviews: UP IN THE AIR
IN THEATERS

UP IN THE AIR

From Jason Reitman, the Oscar® nominated director of “Juno,” comes a comedy called “Up in the Air” starring Oscar® winner George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and just after he’s met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams.

Cast: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Danny R. McBride

Director: Jason Reitman

Opened December 4, 2009.

Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min.

Rate R for language and some sexual content

Genres: Romantic Comedy, Comedy Drama, Psychological Drama, Family Drama, Workplace Comedy

Review:

It’s truly shocking that Up in the Air is director Jason Reitman’s 3rd film. Reitman’s level of polish is something most directors aspire to when they reach their peak. Up in the Air perfectly captures the cultural zeitgeist, a snapshot in time, filled with all the disconnect and artificial appreciation we all live with day in and out. Specifically, air travel and hotel life is wonderfully replicated with all the shorthand that anyone with any sort of travel experience would be hard pressed not to grin throughout. Reitman is able to meld this with a poignant look at the corporate wasteland caused by downsizing, using non actors in snippet interviews, that has consumed the America’s business landscape over the past couple of years. It’s a tricky balance but it works well especially since this is a romantic comedy at its heart. Reitman’s director is top notch and his cast is equally up to task. George Clooney, doing his best work since Michael Clayton, displays a full range of his character’s persona. His character is confident and head strong but very self aware of his ideology’s paradoxes. Clooney doesn’t shy away from showing his vulnerable side and does so with great effectiveness here. Vera Farmiga does an equally impressive job matching Clooney jab for jab in their scenes together. She displays a great ability to be strong and sexy without falling into the standard pitfalls of this type of role. Doing a similar balancing act is Anna Kendrick who makes her mark on her role which could have faded into cliché in lesser hands. She makes her character funny but grounded in reality, making her seem like someone we’ve all run into at some point in our careers. Peppered throughout the film are strong character actors like JK Simmons, Jason Bateman, Danny McBride, Zach Galifianakis and Sam Elliott. They make what could have been quick throwaway moments into something more substantial. Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner adapted the script from Walter Kirn’s 2001 mostly stream of conscience novel of the same name and there are moments in the film that feel like they are starting to head into rom-com clichés but they throw you curve balls keeping you off balance. It’s a true testament to their efforts in giving the audience something fresh with substance.

A

Movie Reviews: IT’S COMPLICATED

Friday, January 01, 2010
Movie Reviews: IT’S COMPLICATED
IN THEATERS

IT’S COMPLICATED

Jane (Streep) is the mother of three grown kids, owns a thriving Santa Barbara bakery/restaurant and has—after a decade of divorce—an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, attorney Jake (Baldwin). But when Jane and Jake find themselves out of town for their son’s college graduation, things start to get complicated. An innocent meal together turns into the unimaginable—an affair. With Jake remarried to the much younger Agness (Lake Bell), Jane is now, of all things, the other woman. Caught in the middle of their renewed romance is Adam (Martin), an architect hired to remodel Jane’s kitchen. Healing from a divorce of his own, Adam starts to fall for Jane, but soon realizes he’s become part of a love triangle. Should Jane and Jake move on with their lives, or is love truly lovelier the second time around? It’s…complicated.

Cast: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, Lake Bell, John Krasinski

Director: Nancy Meyers

Opened December 25, 2009

Runtime: 1 hr. 54 min.

Rated R for sexuality and some drug content

Genres: Romantic Comedy, Comedy

Review:

Remove Streep and Baldwin from It’s Complicated and you have a barely passable sitcom plot and writing. Thankfully writer director Nancy Meyers, who’s got a monopoly on the middle age rom-com market, has these two wonderful talents to prop up what is a surprisingly pedestrian script. Meyer’s direction here is typical of her usual style; everything looks wonderfully affluent and polished so much so that even the messes look clean. The plot and situations are fairly standard fare and there’s nothing is terribly surprising or fresh about it. Handing this script to lesser lead actors and you have a certifiable sleeping pill of a film that would fit nicely in a Lifetime marathon between the marital abuse films. Talents like Streep and Baldwin are held in such high regard because they are able to pull up the ordinary and make it engaging and fun when it has no business being so. Streep is a truly a rare talent and continuing her recent hot streak she shines emitting zany comic energy only occasionally crossing into over the top territory. Matching her move by move is Alec Baldwin. Baldwin’s wonderful comedic timing is in full display here, something he does regularly on TV’s 30 Rock. Baldwin isn’t afraid to go the extra mile for a laugh. He and Streep share some wonderful onscreen chemistry together and they keep the audience engaged through some of the more clichéd portions of the film. Steve Martin is there as a potential love interest but he’s so under utilized, outside of an inspired party scene late in the film, that a smiling cardboard cutout would have been just as effective. John Krasinski supporting role is the only one that has any heft to it and he show’s that his comedic talents aren’t limited to TV. The remainder of the cast is mostly forgettable but they aren’t given anything to work with in the first place. Meyer’s has had much stronger showing as a director and writer, luckily she’s blessed with 2 incredibly strong leads who make this film far more fun than it ever deserved to be.

C

Movie Reviews: SHERLOCK HOLMES

Friday, December 25, 2009
Movie Reviews: SHERLOCK HOLMES
IN THEATERS

SHERLOCK HOLMES

In a dynamic new portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous characters, Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson embark on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes battles as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.

Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly

Opened ..December 25, 2009..

Runtime: 2 hr. 14 min

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material.

Director: Guy Ritchie

Genres: Detective Film, Action, Mystery

Review:

Outside of general knowledge and a few episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, yes I’m that nerdy, I have no real knowledge of Sherlock Holmes or any connection to his literary incarnation. As a result, I was a blank slate for Guy Ritchie’s re-imagining of this iconic character and was met with mixed returns. Ritchie’s style and eye work just fine to give this version a visceral hook and freshness lacking form previous versions. He moves the film along at a brisk pace even if some portions feel like they could have been left on the cutting room floor. His biggest advantage is showcasing Downey and Law’s palatable on screen chemistry as Holmes and Watson. The two play off each other incredibly well and give the audience a real sense of their camaraderie. Downey, with an excellent British accent that borders on unintelligible at times, brings a fun bit of manic energy mixed with eccentricity all the while maintaining Holmes’s keen power of detection. He’s like an 18th century Batman sans the mask. Law’s work as Watson is a nice updated and he gives the character depth that isn’t written into the script. Eddie Marsan does strong work in a small role as Inspector Lestrade. Not faring nearly as well is Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong. McAdam’s feels miscast and her character isn’t really much use to the overall story aside from a movie long set up for a possible sequel. The script doesn’t do her character any favors; instead the romantic relationship feels forced and unconvincing. Mark Strong’s role suffers a similar fate as he isn’t required to do much except look villainous and utter dialogue in a monotone voice. Both roles are examples of the main issue with this film in general. The script is convoluted mess, the crux of the main mystery is something about a Masonic like group mixed with supernatural elements, and it’s not nearly as engrossing as it should be for its sometime laborious 2 hours plus runtime. The finale feels hallow as it seems more interested in setting up the sequel than wrapping up this film’s plot points. Even with these issues it’s a fun film that is saved by Downey and Law’s strong work.

C+

Movie Reviews: AVATAR 3D

Saturday, December 19, 2009
Movie Reviews: AVATAR 3D
IN THEATERS

AVATAR 3D

AVATAR takes us to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on an epic adventure, ultimately fighting to save the alien world he has learned to call home. James Cameron, the Oscar-winning director of “Titanic,” first conceived the film 15 years ago, when the means to realize his vision did not exist yet. Now, after four years of production, AVATAR, a live action film with a new generation of special effects, delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film disappears into the emotion of the characters and the sweep of the story.


Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore


Director: James Cameron


Opened ..December 18, 2009..


Runtime: 2 hr. 30 min.


Rated PG-13 for warfare, intense battle sequences, some smoking, sensuality and language


Genres: Sci-Fi Action, Science Fiction


Review:


James Cameron’s Avatar is a thrilling and mind blowing visual feast for the eyes and ears. It’s the type of film that will leave you with your mouth wide open on more than a few occasions. Cameron’s Pandora and the Na’vi are completely realized creations that feel entirely real and believable the entire way through. The lush landscape and its inhabitants are incredible marvels of technological achievements. This is epic filmmaking in every sense of the word and nothing here is done on a small scale. The environments are massive there isn’t nary a sense that anything was skimped on. While this is Cameron’s crowing achievement in visual and technical feats, the story and characters don’t come anywhere close to living up to them. The plot is a predictable rehash of the “gone native” themes that’s been done plenty of times over the years. The characters are mostly single dimensional and paint by the numbers. Sam Worthington gives a mostly wooden performance throughout but he’s not really done any favors by thread bare scripting. He does his best to emote passion in the last act but it never reaches a believe level. Faring much better is Zoe Saldana who gives life and energy to her CGI Na’vi character. Saldana adds as much depth and pathos to her character as she can. Sigourney Weaver is mostly in Jane Goodall mode for the better part of her time on screen. Stephen Lang plays the one dimensional army head well and I would have liked to have seen what he could have done with a more fleshed out role. Michelle Rodriguez and Giovanni Ribisi are in the film for what amount to extended cameos and neither really adds anything to the goings on. Regardless of the story’s shortcomings, this the type of movie watching experience that will leave an indelible experience and won’t be quickly forgotten. It’s a real disservice to not see this film in 3D as it adds a wonderful level of immersion to the entire thing.


B

Movie Reviews: THE ROAD

Saturday, November 28, 2009
Movie Reviews: THE ROAD
IN THEATERS

THE ROAD

A father (Viggo Mortensen) and his son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) try to keep the dream of civilization alive as they wander through a post-apocalyptic landscape.

Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce


Director: John Hillcoat


Opened ..November 25, 2009..


Runtime: 1 hr. 59 min.


Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language


Genres: Road Movie, Sci-Fi Disaster Film, Science Fiction


Review:


The film adaptation The Road requires the viewer’s patience and attention as it pontificates on various elements of human nature and civility in extreme circumstances. Strikingly bleak yet inspirational and hopeful, John Hillcoat’s film can be a slight chore to trudge through but that’s kind of the point. Hillcoat doesn’t attempt to give the audience any glimmer of anything resembling a ..Hollywood.. style happy ending. The majority of the film is shot in weather worn greys and blacks, sapped of color and life mirroring the plot. The characters all look like walking cadavers; most look like they could barely be considered living breathing human beings. It’s a tough movie to watch and not the type that has a clear path, instead it meanders almost aimlessly. The plot isn’t concerned with the destination as much as the journey and the pivotal relationship between father and son. Viggo Mortensen delivers an Oscar worthy performance, his face a mixture of melancholy and quiet strength. Determined but devastated, Mortensen allows the audience to feel every painful step of this harrowing journey. Newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee also delivers fine work as Mortensen’s onscreen son only occasionally bordering on irritating. It’s a challenging role and could have easily been drowned out by Mortensen’s shining work but Smit-McPhee more than holds his own. The two share strong on screen chemistry as demonstrated by some gut wrenchingly tough scenes near the film’s conclusion. Robert Duvall and Guy Pearce are nearly unrecognizable in small roles but both make the most of their limited screen time. Charlize Theron has an equally small role her but is nearly forgettable in comparison. Small issues aside the cast provides strong work across the board. Hillcoat’s adaptation of Cormac McCarthy best selling novel, maintains all the power and most of the shocking imagary of the book. The Road is a fasicinating visual parabable about the human condition and the perserverance of the human spirit, a rewarding excursion that might not be for everyone.


B+

Movie Review: 2012

Monday, November 15, 2009
Movie Reviews: 2012
IN THEATERS

 

2012

Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. 2012 is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

Cast: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt

Director: Roland Emmerich

Opened November 13, 2009..

Runtime: 2 hr. 38 min.

Rated PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and some language

Genres: Sci-Fi Disaster Film, Science Fiction

Review:

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen was Michael Bay at his most excessive and bombastic; the film was an orgy of everything ever associated with the much maligned director. Equally, Roland Emmerich’s 2012 is a new high point for this apocalyptic auteur. By high point I mean its Emmerich unleashed and unchecked, destruction occurs on such a grand scale that it’s almost comical. It feels like watching an old Tex Avery cartoon, so much so that if a massive anvil were to fall on a major city of monument you’d hardly notice or care. Visually, it’s a technical marvel. A virtual highlight reel of what the best CGI in the business can do with nearly unlimited funds and imagination. The film’s massive set pieces are great fun and deliver the trill ride promised. Then there the story, much like his previous film, Emmerich populates this with a bevy of clichéd characters that always act and react the way you’d expect. John Cusack is pretty much just asked to scream a lot of painfully atrocious dialogue. Cusack is a fine actor but here there very little he can do to elevate a script that sounds like it was written on a Mad Libs book. Equally mired is Chiwetel Ejiofor who has the task of playing the world’s worse scientist. Everything he does and says are wrong but people continue to listen to him because he’s got a conscience unlike Oliver Platt’s stereotypical government chief. Amanda Peet isn’t given anything to do other than stand run and look worried from time to time. Thandie Newton, Danny Glover and Woody Harrelson are collecting a paycheck here and don’t really add much to the proceedings. Harrelson even phones in a character which should have been a lot of fun. It’s all par for the course and should be expected since it’s Emmerich we’re talking about. While some of this films failings are expected one major one wasn’t, the films massive run time that’ll have you wishing the world would just end already! I’ve always thought of directors like Michael Bay and Roland Emmerich like candy bars, they give you a nice little rush but too much could make you sick. Excepting any depth or substance is foolish because like the candy bars they have no problem telling you what they are ahead of time.

C

Movie Reviews: THE BOX

Friday, November 13, 2009
Movie Reviews: THE BOX
IN THEATERS

THE BOX


A suburban couple, Norma (Cameron Diaz) and Arthur (James Marsden), face a moral dilemma when they receive a gift that bears irrevocable consequences. With the press of a button, their simple wooden box will bestow $1 million; however, a stranger somewhere else will die, at the same time. The box will be theirs for only 24 hours, and as time ticks away, Norma and Arthur confront the depth of their humanity as they consider their choices.


Cast: Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella


Director: Richard Kelly


Opened ..November 6, 2009..


Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and disturbing images


Genres: Supernatural Horror, Horror


Review:


Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko is a cult classic and rightfully so. His second film, Southland Tales, was a masturbatory cinematic explosion of excess that it’s entirely up to the viewer as to whether it’s high art or the worst kind of garbage. His third film is similar to his first two but different in various ways. The Box is as a visually arresting morality tale that has Kelly melding Twilight Zone-ish scenario with Kubrick like visuals and music. It’s a fascinating blend that makes the entire endeavor feel like some metaphysical dream. It’s probably Kelly’s most accessible film as the story and plot stay fairly tight for the most part. That’s not to say there aren’t the typical oddities that Kelly likes to dabble in, there are plenty especially as the film reaches its 3rd act. If you’ve watched his previous films you should know going in that everything won’t have a nice tidy resolution by the films close. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed this type of filmmaking which leaves the final interpretation of its meaning up to the individual viewer. Kelly’s talent as a filmmaker shouldn’t be in doubt even if he does tend to over extend himself too much at times in his story telling. The cast here is up to the task for the most part and give the subject matter sufficient gravitas. Frank Langella’s cold yet empathetic turn as morally nebulous Arlington Steward was the real ....high point.... of the film. Langella possesses an interesting quality to display varying emotions without changing expressions. Cameron Diaz and James Marsden do fairly impressive jobs with the leads. Diaz seems a bit limited by the exaggerated southern accent she’s trying to pull off, most of the time she sounds like Anna Paquin on True Blood. Regardless, she turns in a solid performance throughout. Richard Kelly’s The Box is a fascinating piece of cinema that probably won’t convert any of his detractors or let down his fans.


B

My 10 favorite horror movies....

Friday, October 30, 2009
My 10 favorite horror movies....
If you feel like watching something creepy on All Hallows Eve, may I recommend one of my 10 favorite Horror movies…....

10. The Ring (2002) Gore Verbinski


Before all the hype more or less killed the scares in this film, remake of the Japanese film Ringu, delivered plenty of atmosphere and scares. At the same time it paid homage to plenty of horror staples like dimension bending TV's, scary little girls, people being marked in photos for death and me being creeped out and loving it.



9. Suspiria (1977) Dario Argento








Dario Argento's Suspiria is the great auteur’s best film. Bloodshed mixed with wonderful use of Techicolor makes the whole thing seem like a nightmarish hallucination. The whole thing may not make perfect sense but it’s horror as high art and the visuals are just so beautifully shot that you can’t help but captivated. A scene involving a girl with very little clothing and a pit of barbed wire still gets me. Not to mention having a blind man get killed by his own seeing eye dog. Disturbing yes, and just a little funny too.



8. 28 Days Later (2002) Danny Boyle







Visceral, unrelenting and extremely effective Not a Zombie movie, according to Danny Boyle, 28 Days Later reinvigorated the long stagnate zombie movie genre. This movie offers some of the best zombie scares around and the director puts you right in the middle of the action, by shooting the whole thing with digital cameras, the tension and immediacy of the predicament is always palpable.



7. A Nightmare on .. (1984) Wes Craven



....



Before Freddy Krueger lost all his fright and became a walking one liner machine in the lesser sequels, he was pretty scary. Wes Craven's first foray into nightmares was a head-trip of a movie that is still effective today; just watch that scene where Freddy is walking down the alley with the super long arms in the dark and tell me it doesn’t freak you out.



6. Poltergeist (1982) Tope Hooper







An underrated, sometimes forgotten, ghost movie that still packs a punch today. Plenty of everyday things are turned sinister in this Tobe Hooper classic. It became very hard to look at clowns, tree branches and especially TV's in the same way after watching this flick.





5. Halloween (1978) John Carpenter







John Carpenter's low budget film slasher is still the standard by which all slasher films should be measured against. Simplistic and precise, it laid all the now recognizable plot points of slasher movies. Jamie Lee Curtis kicks offs off her career in this flick at the tender age of 19. Now a days you'll know what's coming but with such an effective use of atmosphere it can still give you the creeps.



4. Dawn of the Dead (1978) George A. Romero





George A. Romero more or less created the modern zombie horror genre with his groundbreaking film Night of the Living Dead with Dawn of the Dead he perfected it. Now I've never, even as a kid, been a fan of the blue zombies but if you can get past that you have one of the best horror films ever made. Gory, funny and laced with Romero’s social commentary Dawn of the Dead is one of top horror movies ever made.



3. The Thing (1982) John Carpenter







John Carpenter's best film, The Thing, is a marvel of the now lost art of creature effects; and they still hold up today. Carpenter's movie moves at an perfectly deliberate and paranoid pace. When the Thing makes its first and subsequent appearances, it's the stuff of glorious nightmares.



2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Tobe Hooper






The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is over 30 years old and still a scary piece of filmmaking. This films effectiveness is directly related to its budget. It feels grimly dirty and real. That's the main reason this film's remake could never live up, it just look to clean and proper, reeking of ..Hollywood.. hokum. One of the favorite and most manic scenes has to be the finale with Marilyn Chambers covered in blood in the back of the pick up screaming her brains out as Leatherface waves around that chainsaw in the dawn sunlight before we cut to the credits.



The Exorcist (1973) William Friedkin





Friedkin's The Exorcist is still the ....Mount.. ..Olympus.... of horror films, for me at least, and too be honest I doubt anyone will ever top this masterpiece. Directed with a detached almost cold point of view, the audience is subjected to subtle jabs then in your face scares that build as the movie processes. The acting in this film is top notch, especially note worthy are Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller and, of course, Linda Blair. The scene with the final exorcism maybe the most effective horror movie climax ever. A movie that's not just about silly scares instead this one get under your skin

Movie Reviews: WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Sunday, October 18, 2009
Movie Reviews: WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
IN THEATERS

 

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Misunderstood at home and at school, mischievous Max (Max Records) escapes to a land populated by majestic, and sometimes fierce, creatures known as the Wild Things. The Wild Things allow Max to become their leader, and he promises to create a kingdom where everyone will be happy. However, Max soon finds that being the king is not easy, and that his relationships with the Wild Things are much more complicated than he originally thought.

Opened ..October 16, 2009..

Runtime: 1 hr. 34 min.

Cast: Max Records, James Gandolfini, Lauren Ambrose, Paul Dano, Tom Noonan, Catherine O'Hara, ..Forest.. Whitaker, Catherine Keener, Michael Berry Jr.

Director: Spike Jonze

Genres: Children's Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure, Adventure, Fantasy

Rated PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language.

Review:

Spike Jonze’s Where the Wild Things Are is fascinating adaptation of the legendary children’s book. Visually stunning, the film has a palatable sense of youthful energy capturing the dizzying highs along with the painful lows. Jonze’s is able to capture this with extremely effective use of handheld cameras during certain portions of the film. The island is beautifully surreal giving it a dream like feel which fits perferctly into the story. The wild things themselves are technical marvels, created using a mix of puppetry and CGI. The voice actors complete these creations and bring them to life; Gandolfini in particular is surprisingly effective throughout. Lauren Ambrose also impresses as KW providing tenderness to her role mixed with a quiet strength. The rest of the voice cast are equally effective even if they aren’t given as much time as Ambrose or Gandolfini. New comer Max Record is a real find; he’s wonderfully naturalistic perfectly suited for the role. He has the gift to phase through the different emotions in a believable manner, something rare in child actors. Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers had the task of adapting a book with only a handful of sentences. They used the book as a starting point and expanded outward and created something magical, poignant and occasionally a little terrifying. It works a multitude of levels and can be enjoyed either as a straight forward tome or on more allegorical terms. Jonze’s had plenty of issues making this film and it could have fallen into a blackhole because of studio meddling. Luckily the film finally made it to the screen and we can see the fruits of Jonze’s labor. He has creating something that’s respectful of the book but able to stand on its own.

A