First and foremost, I'm not some political nut. I vote because I feel it is my right to have my voice heard. I have never been a big fan of George W. Bush. He's made poor decisions and was not the best person to represent the most powerful country on the planet. Needless to say, I was skeptical when I heard there was not only going to be a movie about Bush, with a release date in campaign season, but that the greatest propagandist not named Moore was behind the helm.
W. tells the the story of the last President of the USA, George Bush, as he tackles the September 11 terrorist attacks. Through brief flashbacks, we see how he developed from a booze swilling malcontent to the charismatic politician who convinced a nation he could run it.
With Oliver Stone behind the camera, one would expect Bush to be portrayed as a dumbed down version of the man. However, Josh Brolin plays Bush very accurately. Bush is as much a product of his daddy complex as his poor vocabulary. Brolin has Bush down to a T, but doesn't exaggerate or emphasis the worst characteristics. In fact, the movie is more critical of Bush government and subordinates. Thandie Newton as Condoleeza Rice was so overdone I thought Thandie's face would cramp up from all the squinting she does. In fact, Colin Powell played by Jeffrey Wright comes off as the smartest person in the film. You can tell what Oliver thought of him....
All in all, it was enjoyable look at arguably the most controversial President ever. For the most part, Stone plays it with a deft hand. One can't expect Oliver Stone to keep a hold on himself for too long however, and he loses the film for long stretches.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Pineapple Express- *cough, cough* I don't get it...
The current trend of mainstream pot use has seen a subsequent rise in main stream stoner comedies. Movies that glorify the pot experience are becoming cool. That's nothing new. Movies have often been a vehicle for what is deemed main stream and provide a portrait of the generation.
Pineapple Express is one of the latest Judd Apatow productions. Since the uber-succesful 40 Year Old Virgin, he's been Hollywood's go-to guy for comedies. His right hand man, Seth Rogen, co-wrote Pineapple Express and one gets the feeling it's a personal one for him. Rogen has always been outspoken about his pot use, so you get the feeling he's put in serious work. It's too bad because honestly, it didn't work for me.
I thought it was genius to cast against type with James Franco and Rogen. The problem is that there really wasn't that much funny. I got more laughs out of the way they acted than anything they said. Rogen coughing after his first hit on the tri-joint was very funny. Franco's body language throughout the whole movie. Yet a lot just did not work. Half of the 'stoned' ad libbing was amusing, but hardly hilarious. The whole concept of spoofing action flicks is good in theory, but is too straight laced and inconsistent to be funny at times. Unless that was the idea. Then I guess all that was accomplished was a poor action flick.
If you're looking to see a great stoner comedy, I guess you could do worse but you can most definitely do better. If you're looking for an action spoof, rent Hot Fuzz. Either way, it's worth a look but I wouldn't take the relationship further.
Pineapple Express is one of the latest Judd Apatow productions. Since the uber-succesful 40 Year Old Virgin, he's been Hollywood's go-to guy for comedies. His right hand man, Seth Rogen, co-wrote Pineapple Express and one gets the feeling it's a personal one for him. Rogen has always been outspoken about his pot use, so you get the feeling he's put in serious work. It's too bad because honestly, it didn't work for me.
I thought it was genius to cast against type with James Franco and Rogen. The problem is that there really wasn't that much funny. I got more laughs out of the way they acted than anything they said. Rogen coughing after his first hit on the tri-joint was very funny. Franco's body language throughout the whole movie. Yet a lot just did not work. Half of the 'stoned' ad libbing was amusing, but hardly hilarious. The whole concept of spoofing action flicks is good in theory, but is too straight laced and inconsistent to be funny at times. Unless that was the idea. Then I guess all that was accomplished was a poor action flick.
If you're looking to see a great stoner comedy, I guess you could do worse but you can most definitely do better. If you're looking for an action spoof, rent Hot Fuzz. Either way, it's worth a look but I wouldn't take the relationship further.
Saving Private Ryan- what was sacrificed
For the records, I have only cried in a movie twice. The first time was Cinema Paradisio, which is one of the most beautiful movies ever made. The second time was Saving Private Ryan. I had the flu and the film made me think of my late grandfather who flew planes in WWII. So I wept.
I think if you cry in the same movie on more than one occasion, it's cool to count the first cry as the only cry because it was the same flick. I watched Saving Private Ryan for the first time since that last cry and I made for a good encore.
Saving Private Ryan was groundbreaking when it hit screens in 1998. It was far ahead of it's time for it's genre. The sheer scale of it was beyond any war movie seen before. Yet more importantly, it is a reminder of the things sacrificed and lost to oppress tyranny. No other film represents this better. It's brutal reality provides us with the knowledge of just what our forefathers experienced to keep our world free. The tragic consequences are on full display, back dropped by beautiful cinematography.
I feel no embarrassment for having cried watching this film. They are tears shed for the memory of someone I cared about who fought for what was right. What he fought for is why I you and I are here today.
I think if you cry in the same movie on more than one occasion, it's cool to count the first cry as the only cry because it was the same flick. I watched Saving Private Ryan for the first time since that last cry and I made for a good encore.
Saving Private Ryan was groundbreaking when it hit screens in 1998. It was far ahead of it's time for it's genre. The sheer scale of it was beyond any war movie seen before. Yet more importantly, it is a reminder of the things sacrificed and lost to oppress tyranny. No other film represents this better. It's brutal reality provides us with the knowledge of just what our forefathers experienced to keep our world free. The tragic consequences are on full display, back dropped by beautiful cinematography.
I feel no embarrassment for having cried watching this film. They are tears shed for the memory of someone I cared about who fought for what was right. What he fought for is why I you and I are here today.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Fight Club- philosophy for the 21st century
I have watched a movie a day for the last three days, so here's a quick rundown:
Fight Club- There is a moment in David Fincher's Fight Club when a roomful of men listen intently to every word spoken by their leader, Tyler Durden. While Tyler Durden is no president or religious leader, he might as well be to them. Tyler Durden is their prophet. Fight Club has always been to me a movie of profound depth. There is much to take from it if one is so inclined to pay attention and look past the brutality. Not to mention, Bad Pitt at his charismatic finest.
Kill Bill- the epitome of style over substance. More like style takes a hatchet and hacks substance into a bloody, screaming mess. For once though, this stylistic direction does not make Quentin Tarantino come off as a conceited goof. Tragically it was a sign of things to come as Quentin spiraled madly into the oblivion of style, culminating in the horrifically intentional campiness(and squandered greatness) of Death Proof.
Panic Room- another Fincher flick. I've always liked this one. I loved how it takes place in one building and doesn't try to burst out of the seams like many films do. Not to mention Raul being one of the most cold-blooded house robbers in film.
Fight Club- There is a moment in David Fincher's Fight Club when a roomful of men listen intently to every word spoken by their leader, Tyler Durden. While Tyler Durden is no president or religious leader, he might as well be to them. Tyler Durden is their prophet. Fight Club has always been to me a movie of profound depth. There is much to take from it if one is so inclined to pay attention and look past the brutality. Not to mention, Bad Pitt at his charismatic finest.
Kill Bill- the epitome of style over substance. More like style takes a hatchet and hacks substance into a bloody, screaming mess. For once though, this stylistic direction does not make Quentin Tarantino come off as a conceited goof. Tragically it was a sign of things to come as Quentin spiraled madly into the oblivion of style, culminating in the horrifically intentional campiness(and squandered greatness) of Death Proof.
Panic Room- another Fincher flick. I've always liked this one. I loved how it takes place in one building and doesn't try to burst out of the seams like many films do. Not to mention Raul being one of the most cold-blooded house robbers in film.
Friday Night Lights- best sports flick?
Anytime the word 'best' precedes a statement, that statement is looked at under immense scrutiny. How often is anything unanimously the 'best'? Never, probably. Yet I can confidently say Friday Night Lights is the best football movie. It contends for best sports flick, as well.
Friday Night Lights is as real a sports flick there is. Most sports movies are exaggerrations of the truth. This is a story of a town built around a singular thing: football. The pressure of expectations weighs heavily on the people. For the kids playing, it's as close to life or death as there is. It is life. Every moment has built up to that final year of high school. Director Peter Berg captures this from the minute the title roll to the closing credits.
The desperation on screen is overwhelming. One scene takes place after the star player has suffered an injury, he's sitting in a car with his uncle and begins crying. It's a heartbreaking picture. The realization crashing down on a young man who has been robbed of his only talent. FNL is full of elements like this.
On top of that, the game scenes are fluid. Most sports flicks, especially football, do not capture the overall look of the games. They're choppy and feel unfinished. Friday Night Lights stays simple. Very few cuts allow shots to play out and let the viewer actually see whats going on.
For anyone who has ever suffered failure, Friday Night Lights will touch you.
Friday Night Lights is as real a sports flick there is. Most sports movies are exaggerrations of the truth. This is a story of a town built around a singular thing: football. The pressure of expectations weighs heavily on the people. For the kids playing, it's as close to life or death as there is. It is life. Every moment has built up to that final year of high school. Director Peter Berg captures this from the minute the title roll to the closing credits.
The desperation on screen is overwhelming. One scene takes place after the star player has suffered an injury, he's sitting in a car with his uncle and begins crying. It's a heartbreaking picture. The realization crashing down on a young man who has been robbed of his only talent. FNL is full of elements like this.
On top of that, the game scenes are fluid. Most sports flicks, especially football, do not capture the overall look of the games. They're choppy and feel unfinished. Friday Night Lights stays simple. Very few cuts allow shots to play out and let the viewer actually see whats going on.
For anyone who has ever suffered failure, Friday Night Lights will touch you.
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