I always like films that break the stereotype. Too often in the film industry today there is a mold and all too often that mold is made out of adamantium, you dig? As a viewer, you get the feeling that nothing is ever new because, well, everything is derivative of something that came before it. That makes original work today more resonant. It's working against nearly a century worth of material.
Taken is the story of a retired CIA 'preventer' (i.e he prevents shizant from happening) who's daughter is kidnapped while on vacation. Naturally he gets pissed and using his old-school skills sets out to lay the smack down (I am using way too much slang in this entry....homes). Liam Neeson is great as Bryan Mills. He pulls off some serious Jason Bourne style ass whuppings as if he was a twenty-something. Which is refreshing to see. This movie takes it's time as well, also refreshing. It takes almost fourty minutes before the first action goes down. This time is used as it should: to introduce us to the characters and build their stories. This way we understand Bryan as he takes morally ambiguous means to find his daughter. We may not agree but we get it. If there is a criticism it is the action sequences are sometimes hard to follow. A poor combination of claustrophobic proximity, dark lighting, and quick editing.
Overall, not bad. I enjoyed it. It's a character story more than an action film. What would a father do for his daughter? If you had the means to an end, no matter the consequences of using these tools, would you use them? Big question.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
He's Just Not That Into You- and neither am I....to this movie
Chick flicks are a staple of the film industry. Just as action flicks are made to attract the 18 - 35 male demographic, chick flicks are made to serve a similar purpose. If you're a male you've surely experienced the difficulties of sitting through a horribly cheesy chick flick to appease a woman. That's why, every once and a while, a surprisingly entertaining chick flick is welcome.
He's Just Not That Into You is a story about relationships. Or more like the difficulties of acquiring and/or keeping a significant other. It centers around a group of young, sexified people all in different stages of the love game. Firstly, let me clarify that I in no way found this to be any more than a functional film. It's not great, hardly even good, but it works and doesn't shame itself. The cast is not bad and it's diversity in terms of reputable actors (Jennifer Connelly), little knowns (Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin), and bona-fide stars (Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johannson{ok, maybe not her so much}) was intriguing to say the least. It's not like that lifts the film in any way, but it's weird to see a cast list that has so many known actors who vary in recognition. The film has it's moments such as periodic When Harry Met Sally style doc interludes in which characters talk about their love stories. Ginnifer Goodwin is very good as a neurotic dateaholic but she becomes incredibly irritating after a while. It was also nice to see Jennifer Connelly again. However, the film gets bogged down in exposition and theme. Too many characters to handle. Not to mention the film would go from light-hearted to intensely sexual in the snap of a finger. Which is odd for a PG flick.
Anyhow, if you're a girl you will like this movie. If you're a guy, you'll hate it. But if you understand what makes a film work or not, this is actually a great example of a movie that does nothing great but nothing poorly. Worth a look....if you're gf is forcing you into it.
He's Just Not That Into You is a story about relationships. Or more like the difficulties of acquiring and/or keeping a significant other. It centers around a group of young, sexified people all in different stages of the love game. Firstly, let me clarify that I in no way found this to be any more than a functional film. It's not great, hardly even good, but it works and doesn't shame itself. The cast is not bad and it's diversity in terms of reputable actors (Jennifer Connelly), little knowns (Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin), and bona-fide stars (Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johannson{ok, maybe not her so much}) was intriguing to say the least. It's not like that lifts the film in any way, but it's weird to see a cast list that has so many known actors who vary in recognition. The film has it's moments such as periodic When Harry Met Sally style doc interludes in which characters talk about their love stories. Ginnifer Goodwin is very good as a neurotic dateaholic but she becomes incredibly irritating after a while. It was also nice to see Jennifer Connelly again. However, the film gets bogged down in exposition and theme. Too many characters to handle. Not to mention the film would go from light-hearted to intensely sexual in the snap of a finger. Which is odd for a PG flick.
Anyhow, if you're a girl you will like this movie. If you're a guy, you'll hate it. But if you understand what makes a film work or not, this is actually a great example of a movie that does nothing great but nothing poorly. Worth a look....if you're gf is forcing you into it.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Away We Go- and away I went...
A current trend in films these days is the offbeat dramedy. Colorful, but deep, characters interact with other colorful, but deep, characters revolving around a unique set of circumstance. Add a dash of laughs, some alternative music, and a some quirky dialogue and you get an offbeat dramedy. In this regard it's more a style of film making than a genre. Think of films like Juno or Punch Drunk Love. Either way it's a growing trend, and admittedly a welcome one.
Away We Go is the story of a man (John Krasinski) who gets his gf (Maya Rudolph) pregnant. They're in love but both refuse to believe the place they are at in their lives is ideal to raise a child so they take off an a travelling spree to determine where would be the best place to raise a family. This journey takes them to Phoenix, Tucson, Montreal, and Miami. In each place they have friends of family that they interact with and this produces the drama and comedy in the film. Maggie Gylenhaal is very good as an over-bearing hippy mother who believes in new age practices to parenting. The gorgeous Carmen Ejogo is also very good as Rudolph's sister who's unhappy with the man situation in her life. Allison Janney is brilliantly funny as Rudolph's former boss who has become extremely content with the fact she doesn't need to raise her kids well. These characters and their interactions with our main characters is excellent. In addition, both Krasisnski and Rudolph flex their dramatic muscles and the results are surprising. Rudolph in particular is quite good. Sam Mendes directs the story so well we learn worlds about the supporting actors just by a single line of dialogue or decision they make.
While some people might groan at the prospect of another offbeat dramedy, this is one worth seeing. It does all the things an offbeat dramedy is supposed to do. In my opinion, it's superior to the acclaimed Juno which made a run at the Best Picture Oscar in 2008. Either way it's a film worth seeing and seeing again.
Away We Go is the story of a man (John Krasinski) who gets his gf (Maya Rudolph) pregnant. They're in love but both refuse to believe the place they are at in their lives is ideal to raise a child so they take off an a travelling spree to determine where would be the best place to raise a family. This journey takes them to Phoenix, Tucson, Montreal, and Miami. In each place they have friends of family that they interact with and this produces the drama and comedy in the film. Maggie Gylenhaal is very good as an over-bearing hippy mother who believes in new age practices to parenting. The gorgeous Carmen Ejogo is also very good as Rudolph's sister who's unhappy with the man situation in her life. Allison Janney is brilliantly funny as Rudolph's former boss who has become extremely content with the fact she doesn't need to raise her kids well. These characters and their interactions with our main characters is excellent. In addition, both Krasisnski and Rudolph flex their dramatic muscles and the results are surprising. Rudolph in particular is quite good. Sam Mendes directs the story so well we learn worlds about the supporting actors just by a single line of dialogue or decision they make.
While some people might groan at the prospect of another offbeat dramedy, this is one worth seeing. It does all the things an offbeat dramedy is supposed to do. In my opinion, it's superior to the acclaimed Juno which made a run at the Best Picture Oscar in 2008. Either way it's a film worth seeing and seeing again.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Top 10's
I've decided to lay this down on paper. As a film fan, I am used to ranking things. Top 10's are part of my life. Therefore, I shall rank films by genre. Here is my first entry in the Top 10 list: Westerns
1. The Proposition- the most raw Western ever made, true to the form.
2. Unforgiven- like the Proposition, everything about it is what a Western should be
3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid- the most entertaining Western, an ode to the adventurous spirit of the West
4. Once Upon A Time In The West- an epic only a Western could achieve
5. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly- It was the beginning of the modern Western
6. McCabe and Mrs. Miller- a real thinking man's Western and a tribute to those who dreamt of success in the west
7. Open Range- just a good, old-fashioned Western showdown
8. The Ox-Bow Incident- moral, ethical, and destructive consequences of the lawlessness that existed during the time
9. High Noon- the original showdown Western
10. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford- a brave and new vision of western epics, should be a staple for all Westerns to learn from in the future
And in a close 11 place....The Searchers....just cause you can't have a Western list without John Wayne
1. The Proposition- the most raw Western ever made, true to the form.
2. Unforgiven- like the Proposition, everything about it is what a Western should be
3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid- the most entertaining Western, an ode to the adventurous spirit of the West
4. Once Upon A Time In The West- an epic only a Western could achieve
5. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly- It was the beginning of the modern Western
6. McCabe and Mrs. Miller- a real thinking man's Western and a tribute to those who dreamt of success in the west
7. Open Range- just a good, old-fashioned Western showdown
8. The Ox-Bow Incident- moral, ethical, and destructive consequences of the lawlessness that existed during the time
9. High Noon- the original showdown Western
10. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford- a brave and new vision of western epics, should be a staple for all Westerns to learn from in the future
And in a close 11 place....The Searchers....just cause you can't have a Western list without John Wayne
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I Hate Movies....
You know why I hate movies? I was talking to a friend last night who admitted to seeing Twilight seven times in theaters. Seven times!?!? I mean, did they pay all seven times? I don't think there is a film in existence that is worth seeing in theaters seven times. And of all the movies to watch...Twilight!? I don't get it. I just do not understand the craze over that movie, book, franchise, whatever it's called. All these sad, romance-starved women have to read a book about a vampire to feel giddy about their lives? I mean, in real life vampires are scary, weird, dangerous, revolting. If you met a vampire in an alleyway, you'd scream like a mofo. If it's Eddie Cullen though you pass out. I hate movies.
You know why I hate movies? Because people don't get movies. They don't understand what's so great about movies. There are people who's minds are so linear they couldn't see a box if they are shown a square. They see the world as one thing and not a million things. How can someone see a movie that so blatantly insults their intelligence? How can someone see a movie that offers no moral, ethical, residual value? When I think of your average movie fan I think of how R.P. McMurphy was after his lobotomy. Your average fan doesn't understand what makes a movie a good movie. They don't even understand what makes a bad movie good to them, they just think it's good! I hate movies.
You know why I hate movies? Because people don't get movies. They don't understand what's so great about movies. There are people who's minds are so linear they couldn't see a box if they are shown a square. They see the world as one thing and not a million things. How can someone see a movie that so blatantly insults their intelligence? How can someone see a movie that offers no moral, ethical, residual value? When I think of your average movie fan I think of how R.P. McMurphy was after his lobotomy. Your average fan doesn't understand what makes a movie a good movie. They don't even understand what makes a bad movie good to them, they just think it's good! I hate movies.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Finding Neverland-...................found it.
I've said for years that film is the ultimate storytelling medium. Unlike photography, painting, writing, or music, film combines other mediums and creates a tapestry of what makes all of those things beautiful. Listening to a song which makes you happy is extenuated when combined with a picture that makes you happy. Lay over a story behind the picture and you get film. When a film does all of these things right, either by a perfect balance of these things or a meaningful detraction of one, film can be an overwhelming experience.
Finding Neverland is the story of James Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, and how the lives of a family influenced his work and life. Johnny Depp plays the lead and shows off his ability to play a more subtle character than usual. He is one of the dwindling few American actors who can play British (even though the character is Scottish) when usually it's vice-a-versa. Kate Winslet plays the mother of the four boys Barrie comes to adore and she is exceptional as usual. The star of the movie however is Freddie Highmore. Now a teenager, he was barely older than ten when he made this movie. He does a remarkable job as a boy who, so affected by the death of his father, lacks the imagination, joy, and free spiritidness of youth. In addition, Marc Forster does a fantastic job directing. Dabbling in moments of magic into an otherwise real life story creates a more enjoyable film. Oftentimes he dabbles at the perfect moments to offer genuine amusement, much like James Barrie himself.
If you can't hold back tears, grab a box of tissues and get prepped. It truly stimulates an emotional response without overtly manipulating the audience. It simply runs it's course and the characters take the reins. One of the most underrated movies of the last five years, it's one to put high on any list.
Finding Neverland is the story of James Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, and how the lives of a family influenced his work and life. Johnny Depp plays the lead and shows off his ability to play a more subtle character than usual. He is one of the dwindling few American actors who can play British (even though the character is Scottish) when usually it's vice-a-versa. Kate Winslet plays the mother of the four boys Barrie comes to adore and she is exceptional as usual. The star of the movie however is Freddie Highmore. Now a teenager, he was barely older than ten when he made this movie. He does a remarkable job as a boy who, so affected by the death of his father, lacks the imagination, joy, and free spiritidness of youth. In addition, Marc Forster does a fantastic job directing. Dabbling in moments of magic into an otherwise real life story creates a more enjoyable film. Oftentimes he dabbles at the perfect moments to offer genuine amusement, much like James Barrie himself.
If you can't hold back tears, grab a box of tissues and get prepped. It truly stimulates an emotional response without overtly manipulating the audience. It simply runs it's course and the characters take the reins. One of the most underrated movies of the last five years, it's one to put high on any list.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Terminator- way to go a**hole!
The Terminator is one of those rare movies that had a good sequel when the 1984 film spawned a 1991 sequel, T2: Judgment Day that was arguably it's superior. Following a ten-year hiatus, the series returned with a respectable 2003 film, Rise of the Machines. Now in the year 2009 the series is back. Edward Furlong and Nick Stahl have been replaced by Christian Bale. James Cameron and Johnathan Mostow have been replaced by McG. Let's get to it.
In the year 2018, at the height of the war against Skynet and the machines, John Connor has discovered a way to end the war. Meanwhile, an executed convict named Marcus Wright who donated his body to Skynet in 2003 is alive and somehow tied into the whole deal. The action is solid if uninventive and the plot offers some solid emotion and surprises. The acting is good, with Aussie Sam Worthington stealing the show. I do give McG credit for a great vision of a post-apocalyptic future and some great shots. Watch for a great long shot when we first meet Mr. Connor and a compositional excellent shot after a jet fight.
Overall, it was a good flick but not great. The story following Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) is a highlight of the film and really carries the film.
In the year 2018, at the height of the war against Skynet and the machines, John Connor has discovered a way to end the war. Meanwhile, an executed convict named Marcus Wright who donated his body to Skynet in 2003 is alive and somehow tied into the whole deal. The action is solid if uninventive and the plot offers some solid emotion and surprises. The acting is good, with Aussie Sam Worthington stealing the show. I do give McG credit for a great vision of a post-apocalyptic future and some great shots. Watch for a great long shot when we first meet Mr. Connor and a compositional excellent shot after a jet fight.
Overall, it was a good flick but not great. The story following Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) is a highlight of the film and really carries the film.
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