Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW: THE ARTIST
THE ARTIST
Michel Hazanavicius' stylistically daring, dialogue-free comedy-drama The Artist stars Jean Dujardin as George Valentin, a matinee idol in Hollywood before the dawn of talkies. His marriage is far from perfect, and one day he meets ambitious chorus girl Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) and is smitten. Very quickly thereafter, sound comes to movies, and George sinks all his money into one last epic silent film, while Peppy becomes a star in the new era. John Goodman co-stars as the head of the film studio working with Valentin. The Artist played at both the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, RoviDirector: Daniel Espinosa
Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller
Release Date: Nov 25, 2011
Rated PG-13 for a disturbing image and a crude gesture.
Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.
Genres: Art House/Foreign, Comedy
Review:
By this point in time if you’ve heard of The Artist, you’ve heard all the buzz on it and there’s probably nothing new or fresh that I’ll be able to tell you about it. Quite simply it’s one of the most charming films you’ll probably see, working with a wonderful “meta” style. This silent film seems like it’d have a huge challenge trying to convey a full fledged, albeit well worn, plot with a dramatic arch. It does it with such ease that any reservations you might have had are quickly quelled and you fall easily and happily under its spell. Jean Dujardin’s smile lights up the screen but it’s just a small portion of his palatable charisma and charm. He doesn’t just deliver the lighter side of the film but traverses the film’s meatier and more emotional portions. A radiant Bérénice Bejo is more than capable as his female counterpart. Her performance as Peppy Miller is one of most enchanting and lovable performances I’ve ever seen. She gives her character and the film an earnest heart and its soul. Hollywood mainstays like John Goodman and James Cromwell turn in impressive supporting roles and the lovable dog, Valentin’s constant companion, deserves a special award. Director Michel Hazanavicius delivers a film that any movie lover should love. It touches on so much about the format that I love all the while telling a beautiful story, a lovely counter point to the current trend of louder larger and bigger.
A
Friday, February 24, 2012
TV SHOW REVIEW: PEEP SHOW Series 1-7
TV SHOW REVIEW: PEEP SHOW Series 1-7
ON DVD / STREAMING VIA NETFLIX
Mark and Jez are a couple of twenty-something roommates who have nothing in common - except for the fact that their lives are anything but normal. Mayhem ensues as the pair strive to cope with day-to-day life.
Creators Andrew O'Connor, Sam Bain, Jesse Armstrong
Starring David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman, Matt King, Isy Suttie, Paterson Joseph
Like a perverse “The Odd Couple” Peep Show is the kind of show that is sure to offend plenty of people and make every more people, like me, break into laughter just at the mention of it. It’s a series that’s so incredibly well written and performed that the comedic timing on display is truly something impressive to watch. Its distinctive point of view style, it decreases to a certain extent as the series goes by, gives it a fresh feel throughout. It’s the kind of show that feels very familiar but not at the same time. Its characters are all fairly dislikable and do terrible things to each other but like Seinfeld and its Always Sunny in Philadelphia it’s not off putting. Instead you are sucked into these characters lives and hilarious inner monologues as they go through the mundane minutia of their lives. David Mitchell and Robert Webb make a fantastic comedic duo, further proof can be found in the equally awesome “That Mitchell and Webb Look”, who just live and breathe their characters throughout the series. Mitchell has that frustrated repressed office drone persona down with Webb playing a perfect slacker foil. The supporting players are equally impressive and memorable. If shows like Arrested Development, Spaced, Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia or The IT Crowd make you laugh then Peep Show is required viewing.
A-
ON DVD / STREAMING VIA NETFLIX
Mark and Jez are a couple of twenty-something roommates who have nothing in common - except for the fact that their lives are anything but normal. Mayhem ensues as the pair strive to cope with day-to-day life.
Creators Andrew O'Connor, Sam Bain, Jesse Armstrong
Starring David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman, Matt King, Isy Suttie, Paterson Joseph
Like a perverse “The Odd Couple” Peep Show is the kind of show that is sure to offend plenty of people and make every more people, like me, break into laughter just at the mention of it. It’s a series that’s so incredibly well written and performed that the comedic timing on display is truly something impressive to watch. Its distinctive point of view style, it decreases to a certain extent as the series goes by, gives it a fresh feel throughout. It’s the kind of show that feels very familiar but not at the same time. Its characters are all fairly dislikable and do terrible things to each other but like Seinfeld and its Always Sunny in Philadelphia it’s not off putting. Instead you are sucked into these characters lives and hilarious inner monologues as they go through the mundane minutia of their lives. David Mitchell and Robert Webb make a fantastic comedic duo, further proof can be found in the equally awesome “That Mitchell and Webb Look”, who just live and breathe their characters throughout the series. Mitchell has that frustrated repressed office drone persona down with Webb playing a perfect slacker foil. The supporting players are equally impressive and memorable. If shows like Arrested Development, Spaced, Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia or The IT Crowd make you laugh then Peep Show is required viewing.
A-
Thursday, February 23, 2012
TV SHOW REVIEW: UNITED STATES OF TARA THE COMPLETE SERIES
TV SHOW REVIEW: UNITED STATES OF TARA THE COMPLETE SERIES
ON DVD / STREAMING VIA NETFLIX
A woman struggles to find a balance between her dissociative identity disorder and raising a dysfunctional family.
Created by Diablo Cody
Starring Toni Collette, John Corbett, Rosemarie DeWitt, Patton Oswalt, Keir Gilchrist, Brie Larson
United States of Tara is the type of show that’s easy to dismiss for plenty of people. Once some people see Diablo Cody’s name listed as the creator and writer of the show, I assume some people will just move one. Personally, I’ve been a fan of Cody since Juno and never went through the backlash about her writing style after that film came to prominence. I’ve enjoyed all the films she’s written, even liked Jennifer’s Body. I also have to admit I’ve been a big fan of Toni Collette since Muriel’s Wedding, so maybe I’m just a perfect mark for this show but none the less I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the 3 seasons of it. The writing and direction is excellent throughout, very few episodes ever fill like filler and deftly avoids falling into a repetitive pattern of plots. The cast of characters are all wonderfully written and well rounded over the life of the series. The cast is filled with wonderful actors whom I’d already been a fan of (Toni Collette and Patton Oswalt) and gave me new found respect for some I’d never given more than second thought (John Corbett & Rosemarie DeWitt). Toni Collette is front and center of course and her talents truly deliver throughout as she creates clearly defined personalities that go beyond wardrobe changes. Keir Gilchrist and Brie Larson deserve special attention because they really deliver even though their characters are written in the most “Codified” style. The cast as a whole gives the writing real heart and soul. The series, sadly, never had a proper finale and season 3 really heads down some interesting and dark roads. A shame but it doesn’t detract from an excellent run.
A
ON DVD / STREAMING VIA NETFLIX
A woman struggles to find a balance between her dissociative identity disorder and raising a dysfunctional family.
Created by Diablo Cody
Starring Toni Collette, John Corbett, Rosemarie DeWitt, Patton Oswalt, Keir Gilchrist, Brie Larson
United States of Tara is the type of show that’s easy to dismiss for plenty of people. Once some people see Diablo Cody’s name listed as the creator and writer of the show, I assume some people will just move one. Personally, I’ve been a fan of Cody since Juno and never went through the backlash about her writing style after that film came to prominence. I’ve enjoyed all the films she’s written, even liked Jennifer’s Body. I also have to admit I’ve been a big fan of Toni Collette since Muriel’s Wedding, so maybe I’m just a perfect mark for this show but none the less I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the 3 seasons of it. The writing and direction is excellent throughout, very few episodes ever fill like filler and deftly avoids falling into a repetitive pattern of plots. The cast of characters are all wonderfully written and well rounded over the life of the series. The cast is filled with wonderful actors whom I’d already been a fan of (Toni Collette and Patton Oswalt) and gave me new found respect for some I’d never given more than second thought (John Corbett & Rosemarie DeWitt). Toni Collette is front and center of course and her talents truly deliver throughout as she creates clearly defined personalities that go beyond wardrobe changes. Keir Gilchrist and Brie Larson deserve special attention because they really deliver even though their characters are written in the most “Codified” style. The cast as a whole gives the writing real heart and soul. The series, sadly, never had a proper finale and season 3 really heads down some interesting and dark roads. A shame but it doesn’t detract from an excellent run.
A
Monday, February 13, 2012
[Trailer] Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Since the film adaptation of Pride, Prejudice and Zombies died on the vine I took some small solace in knowing the Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter was still a go.
A few hiccups along the way we finally have a trailer for it and it looks like all kinds of delicious genre fun I’d hope it’d be, a tad too much slow mo for my taste but that’s to be expected with Bekmambetov at the helm…..
A few hiccups along the way we finally have a trailer for it and it looks like all kinds of delicious genre fun I’d hope it’d be, a tad too much slow mo for my taste but that’s to be expected with Bekmambetov at the helm…..
Sunday, February 12, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW: SAFE HOUSE
IN THEATERS
SAFE HOUSE
A rookie CIA operative goes on the run with a rogue former intelligence officer after a South African safe house comes under attack by heavily armed mercenaries. Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) is a CIA agent just waiting for the perfect opportunity to prove himself. But that's no easy task when you've been cooped up in an empty Cape Town safe house for a whole year. Weston realizes that a prime opportunity is headed his way, however, when he learns that former agent Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) has been captured after nearly a decade on the run. Frost is about to become Weston's one and only guest at the safe house, and the fledgling agent is determined to handle the situation like a true professional. But by selling U.S. secrets to countries like North Korea, Frost has made more than his fair share of enemies in high places, and shortly after he arrives at the safe house, all hell breaks loose. A small army of gunmen are determined to see Frost dead. Meanwhile, Weston will do everything in his power to protect Frost, regardless of his crimes. Now Weston's only hope for getting out of this alive is to find out who's gunning for them, and seek out someone he can trust before it's too late. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Cast: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard
Release Date: Feb 10, 2012
Rated R for violence and some language
Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller
Review:
Safe House is the type of film you keep expecting to surprise or excite you but it never really can. Incredibly generic and predictable it never rises above better films of its ilk. Daniel Espinosa directs his film like a muted Tony Scott, the action is chaotic and loud but nothing seems to illicit the response intended. To his credit, Espinosa does pace his film steadily and never lets it lag too much, as a result this 2 hour film doesn’t feel any longer than it should. Denzel Washington is clearly having a good time; he’s always the most interesting person on screen both as an actor and character. Sadly the character is underwritten and you can’t help feeling like you’ve just scratched the surface. Ryan Reynolds should make for a perfect action star but he just never believable especially when delivering a punch. It doesn’t help that his character is a moron who makes the absolute worst decisions in every situation. The supporting cast is made up of top tier actors and strong character actors which could enhance the overall experience but they are all terribly underused and underwritten. The plot itself is straightforward and generic, nothing really surprises you and any of the turns or surprises are telegraphed in such an obvious manner that they might as well have street signs announcing them. Still, it’s all easily digestible with its Bourne style action even if it’s instantly forgettable.
C
SAFE HOUSE
A rookie CIA operative goes on the run with a rogue former intelligence officer after a South African safe house comes under attack by heavily armed mercenaries. Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) is a CIA agent just waiting for the perfect opportunity to prove himself. But that's no easy task when you've been cooped up in an empty Cape Town safe house for a whole year. Weston realizes that a prime opportunity is headed his way, however, when he learns that former agent Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) has been captured after nearly a decade on the run. Frost is about to become Weston's one and only guest at the safe house, and the fledgling agent is determined to handle the situation like a true professional. But by selling U.S. secrets to countries like North Korea, Frost has made more than his fair share of enemies in high places, and shortly after he arrives at the safe house, all hell breaks loose. A small army of gunmen are determined to see Frost dead. Meanwhile, Weston will do everything in his power to protect Frost, regardless of his crimes. Now Weston's only hope for getting out of this alive is to find out who's gunning for them, and seek out someone he can trust before it's too late. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Cast: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard
Release Date: Feb 10, 2012
Rated R for violence and some language
Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller
Review:
Safe House is the type of film you keep expecting to surprise or excite you but it never really can. Incredibly generic and predictable it never rises above better films of its ilk. Daniel Espinosa directs his film like a muted Tony Scott, the action is chaotic and loud but nothing seems to illicit the response intended. To his credit, Espinosa does pace his film steadily and never lets it lag too much, as a result this 2 hour film doesn’t feel any longer than it should. Denzel Washington is clearly having a good time; he’s always the most interesting person on screen both as an actor and character. Sadly the character is underwritten and you can’t help feeling like you’ve just scratched the surface. Ryan Reynolds should make for a perfect action star but he just never believable especially when delivering a punch. It doesn’t help that his character is a moron who makes the absolute worst decisions in every situation. The supporting cast is made up of top tier actors and strong character actors which could enhance the overall experience but they are all terribly underused and underwritten. The plot itself is straightforward and generic, nothing really surprises you and any of the turns or surprises are telegraphed in such an obvious manner that they might as well have street signs announcing them. Still, it’s all easily digestible with its Bourne style action even if it’s instantly forgettable.
C
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