Posts
'Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale' (R) (Finland) (3 stars)
Writer and Director: Jalmari Helander
Starring: Per Christian Ellefsen, Peeter Jakobi, Jorma Tommila, Onni Tommila, Tommi Korpela, Jonathan Hutchings
I don't know about you but I am sick of watching some of these same feel good, heartwarming Christmas movies. There are never many "Bad Santas" that someone will come up with. After all the presents, hugging, egg nog and Ho Ho's and Christmas cheer movies like "Rare Exports" are a breath of fresh air. I don't know if this is a horror movie or a creepy fantasy. I do know that I was surprised by the end when I had laughed a lot and I actually felt the movie was sweet and magical. Weird! The movie is about some men out in the wilderness who discover a frozen Santa Claus underground or is it the real Santa? The men are accompanied by two kids who are brothers. The youngest kid thinks this will be a wonderful Christmas if they have indeed found the real Santa. There are some wonderful surprises as they all discover that it isn't the real Santa but the real Santa is somewhere and when we see him it is damn funny.
"Rare Exports" has a wonderful wintry look that is also haunting and strangely beautiful. The movie sets a creepy mood but there is some great, black humor and some really original and imaginative ideals and a strange whimsy. There are a plethora of elves that are looking for Santa after the three men try to hold Santa for ransom. These elves do not look like your stereotypical elves (don't you hate elf typecasting?) nor do they look like Will Ferrell. One of the ingenious threads in this movie is what the elves look like and what happens to them at the end. Pity the men who try to ransom Santa and risk the wrath of angry elves! This movie is fun and I like the imagination, the darkness, the look of the movie. The movie starts out slow and it isn't the best movie you will see and it doesn't try to be great. The movie already scores major points for being original because I think out of 200 movies I saw in this past year five were original. The movie could catch on as a midnight movie and it is already showing at The Music Box in Chicago for midnight shows. This is a weird, fun and strange movie and if you thought this review was weird and the movie sounds warped, you will like this one a lot.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
'Somewhere'
'Somewhere' (R) (3 1/2 stars)
Writer and Director: Sofia Coppola
Starring: Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning, Chris Pontius, Ellie Kemper
Sofia Coppola has that quality a lot of film makers don't have. She can take two characters and just let them be in the moment. She would be welcomed with open arms in France where this kind of style is appreciated. With most Hollywood movies being talky, loud and obnoxious Coppola is not afraid to let calm and quiet take over. This is a movie of very few words but it's power and beauty lies in it's quiet moments. Not many American film makers, except for maybe Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Sunset), would let the few words and beautiful images take over. Coppola knows that to get her point of view off she doesn't have to be stuffing the movie with dialogue and dramatic plot developments. "Somewhere" is simply about Hollywood action movie star Johnny Marco who spends most of his time inhabiting the infamous Chateau Marmont hotel in Hollywood. In a very amusing sequence of scenes we first see Johnny being entertained by twin strippers who bring their own poles to pole dance. I love how the girls come off like they were choreographed by a professional dancer, every move they make is perfectly detailed. Then I laughed as we see them leaving and folding up their poles. Johnny doesn't do much besides sleep and have a lot of sex with pretty much any woman that says hello to him in the hotel. Then we see his daughter Cleo arrive, dropped off by her mother who disappears a lot. That is pretty much the jumping off point as we see Johnny and Cleo spend time together.
Johnny doesn't have many responsibilities and we are surprised that he would have a daughter, maybe he had her with a woman he was not married to or involved with. We can see he loves his daughter and Elle Fanning is perfect here as his daughter Cleo. She has a great smile, quietly inhabits her role and shows a sweetness and vulnerability. Johnny is played by Stephen Dorff who I have always liked but here gives the best performance of his career and one of the best of this year. Johnny seems bored with his life but when Cleo arrives there is a sparkle in his eye and a rejuvenated feeling. He plays "Guitar Hero" with her, plays cards, she cooks for him and tags along with him to a movie premiere in Italy of one of his action pictures. Cleo also finds out that you can pretty much order anything from the hotel and it is delivered right away. Johnny loves spending time with Cleo because she doesn't ask for much. When Johnny takes Cleo to her ice skating practice Johnny and the audience realize that he doesn't know a lot about his daughter and hasn't spent much time with her.
The movie moves along slowly and there are many scenes I love where we just see the two hang out. There is a nice, leisurely quality to the scenes and if you are looking for some deep meaning this is not the movie for you. You have to be patient and by the end I was surprised about how deeply this movie touched me. There is something unsaid between the two at first and it comes out near the end. There are some feelings that are let go by Cleo and we find out that the father and daughter don't know each other that well. They have spent a lot of time together and it is quality time but they realize this wonderful time they have had of bonding won't get duplicated many times. This movie has a beauty to it that is hard to explain. All I know is while watching it unfold the movie quietly but surely grabs you and makes you feel something about these two. Sofia Coppola takes her time letting the movie work it's magic and she has such a great command of the screen. I also love her female point of view because the movie carefully makes Cleo a character with deep hurt that she hides pretty well. She also writes the Johnny character well and like "Lost in Translation" we see that Johnny lives in a world of isolation and it is powerful. I can very much identify with his character but I can also feel Cleo's brief joy and then finally pain and her own isolation. You can also see a lot of what Sofia's life must have been like with her famous father through this story and the Cleo character.
With the outstanding "Virgin Diaries", one of the most under rated movies of the last decade, and "Lost In Translation" and now this Sofia Coppola has become one of my favorite writer/directors. She doesn't waste any shots, is careful not to lose us by making her story simple and she is awesome with female actors. She joins my list of David Fincher and Quentin Tarantino as my "Snavely New Wave Auteur's" and I will be adding more to the list. She is one of our brightest and best young film makers and I can't wait to see more of her movies. I know that many hated "Marie Antoinette" and everyone is entitled to one mistake though I admired "Marie Antoinette". I now know that every time Sofia makes a movie I can count on it it to be at least fascinating. Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning give great and very subtle and powerful performances. I also love the music score done by the great french pop group "Phoenix". I haven't heard this wonderful of a movie score created by a pop group since "Tangerine Dream" scored "Risky Business" and "Thief". There is also a beautiful and catchy song by "Phoenix" that blends in the movie flawlessly. With "Somewhere" Sofia Coppola proves she is here to stay and again she has made one of the best movies of the year.
Writer and Director: Sofia Coppola
Starring: Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning, Chris Pontius, Ellie Kemper
Sofia Coppola has that quality a lot of film makers don't have. She can take two characters and just let them be in the moment. She would be welcomed with open arms in France where this kind of style is appreciated. With most Hollywood movies being talky, loud and obnoxious Coppola is not afraid to let calm and quiet take over. This is a movie of very few words but it's power and beauty lies in it's quiet moments. Not many American film makers, except for maybe Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Sunset), would let the few words and beautiful images take over. Coppola knows that to get her point of view off she doesn't have to be stuffing the movie with dialogue and dramatic plot developments. "Somewhere" is simply about Hollywood action movie star Johnny Marco who spends most of his time inhabiting the infamous Chateau Marmont hotel in Hollywood. In a very amusing sequence of scenes we first see Johnny being entertained by twin strippers who bring their own poles to pole dance. I love how the girls come off like they were choreographed by a professional dancer, every move they make is perfectly detailed. Then I laughed as we see them leaving and folding up their poles. Johnny doesn't do much besides sleep and have a lot of sex with pretty much any woman that says hello to him in the hotel. Then we see his daughter Cleo arrive, dropped off by her mother who disappears a lot. That is pretty much the jumping off point as we see Johnny and Cleo spend time together.
Johnny doesn't have many responsibilities and we are surprised that he would have a daughter, maybe he had her with a woman he was not married to or involved with. We can see he loves his daughter and Elle Fanning is perfect here as his daughter Cleo. She has a great smile, quietly inhabits her role and shows a sweetness and vulnerability. Johnny is played by Stephen Dorff who I have always liked but here gives the best performance of his career and one of the best of this year. Johnny seems bored with his life but when Cleo arrives there is a sparkle in his eye and a rejuvenated feeling. He plays "Guitar Hero" with her, plays cards, she cooks for him and tags along with him to a movie premiere in Italy of one of his action pictures. Cleo also finds out that you can pretty much order anything from the hotel and it is delivered right away. Johnny loves spending time with Cleo because she doesn't ask for much. When Johnny takes Cleo to her ice skating practice Johnny and the audience realize that he doesn't know a lot about his daughter and hasn't spent much time with her.
The movie moves along slowly and there are many scenes I love where we just see the two hang out. There is a nice, leisurely quality to the scenes and if you are looking for some deep meaning this is not the movie for you. You have to be patient and by the end I was surprised about how deeply this movie touched me. There is something unsaid between the two at first and it comes out near the end. There are some feelings that are let go by Cleo and we find out that the father and daughter don't know each other that well. They have spent a lot of time together and it is quality time but they realize this wonderful time they have had of bonding won't get duplicated many times. This movie has a beauty to it that is hard to explain. All I know is while watching it unfold the movie quietly but surely grabs you and makes you feel something about these two. Sofia Coppola takes her time letting the movie work it's magic and she has such a great command of the screen. I also love her female point of view because the movie carefully makes Cleo a character with deep hurt that she hides pretty well. She also writes the Johnny character well and like "Lost in Translation" we see that Johnny lives in a world of isolation and it is powerful. I can very much identify with his character but I can also feel Cleo's brief joy and then finally pain and her own isolation. You can also see a lot of what Sofia's life must have been like with her famous father through this story and the Cleo character.
With the outstanding "Virgin Diaries", one of the most under rated movies of the last decade, and "Lost In Translation" and now this Sofia Coppola has become one of my favorite writer/directors. She doesn't waste any shots, is careful not to lose us by making her story simple and she is awesome with female actors. She joins my list of David Fincher and Quentin Tarantino as my "Snavely New Wave Auteur's" and I will be adding more to the list. She is one of our brightest and best young film makers and I can't wait to see more of her movies. I know that many hated "Marie Antoinette" and everyone is entitled to one mistake though I admired "Marie Antoinette". I now know that every time Sofia makes a movie I can count on it it to be at least fascinating. Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning give great and very subtle and powerful performances. I also love the music score done by the great french pop group "Phoenix". I haven't heard this wonderful of a movie score created by a pop group since "Tangerine Dream" scored "Risky Business" and "Thief". There is also a beautiful and catchy song by "Phoenix" that blends in the movie flawlessly. With "Somewhere" Sofia Coppola proves she is here to stay and again she has made one of the best movies of the year.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
'The King's Speech'
'The King's Speech' (R) (3 1/2 stars)
Writer: David Seidler
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce, Jennifer
Ehle, Derek Jacobi, Tomothy Spall, Michael Gambon
"The King's Speech" tells the story of King George VI who had a hard time communicating because he had a speech impediment. I usually am very indifferent about historical epics and movies about royalty because most are stodgy and dull. "The King's Speech" is not an epic and never dull, it is in fact an uplifting and compelling, intimate drama. I didn't expect to be choked up and crying my eyes out at the end of this movie, very powerful stuff. Colin Firth plays George VI and the actor gives a career defining performance that is one of the best of this or any other year. Firth is outstanding in a performance that is quiet, never flashy and grounded in humility. George VI had a terrible stuttering problem and we first see him making a speech for his father for the public and it does not go well. This is a problem that has bothered George for a long time. His wife Elizabeth goes to find someone to help her husband with his impediment. She finds a sometime actor and speech therapist to help her husband. The first meeting does not go too well because George is hopeless and doesn't believe anyone can help. The therapist, Lionel Logue, does something very smart to convince George to stick with him and we are off and running.
The movie has another part of the story that I was not as into and that dealt with who would take over the throne after George's father passes away. George's brother, Edward, was a playboy and was cheating on his wife and when he was picked to claim the throne it ended quickly. The scenes that deal with Edward are the least interesting but that is minor. With Edward out that forces George to improve his speech if he wants to be a King that communicates to the people with confidence. The scenes with George and Lionel are very entertaining, funny and touching. A beautiful friendship starts between the two and by the end they are there for each other completely. Geoffrey Rush plays Lionel and he is just as great as Firth. Rush hasn't been this great in ages and here he is charming, funny and winning. Helena Bonham Carter who plays Elizabeth is also amazing here, funny and beguiling.
In the end King George VI has to make an important speech to the public about going to war after his work with Lionel. This is a very suspenseful, powerful and touching scene that brought me to tears. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are so great in this scene and the music adds power. I admire what the King has to go through with his speech impediment and the bravery it took in working to fix it. I have a hard time speaking in public to my associates at work, it takes me hours to prepare and get up my nerve. So I can imagine how hard it was for the King who has it even worse with the stuttering problem and he is speaking to all of England! Tom Hooper does a great job just shooting this movie with a simple beauty. It is an uplifting, inspirational drama that has great performances. Colin Firth's performance is what careers are defined by and it is amazing. This is the performance that wins awards and Firth will win them all I assure you. This had more of an effect on me then I was prepared for. This is a rich and rewarding movie experience that just might surprise you also.
Writer: David Seidler
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce, Jennifer
Ehle, Derek Jacobi, Tomothy Spall, Michael Gambon
"The King's Speech" tells the story of King George VI who had a hard time communicating because he had a speech impediment. I usually am very indifferent about historical epics and movies about royalty because most are stodgy and dull. "The King's Speech" is not an epic and never dull, it is in fact an uplifting and compelling, intimate drama. I didn't expect to be choked up and crying my eyes out at the end of this movie, very powerful stuff. Colin Firth plays George VI and the actor gives a career defining performance that is one of the best of this or any other year. Firth is outstanding in a performance that is quiet, never flashy and grounded in humility. George VI had a terrible stuttering problem and we first see him making a speech for his father for the public and it does not go well. This is a problem that has bothered George for a long time. His wife Elizabeth goes to find someone to help her husband with his impediment. She finds a sometime actor and speech therapist to help her husband. The first meeting does not go too well because George is hopeless and doesn't believe anyone can help. The therapist, Lionel Logue, does something very smart to convince George to stick with him and we are off and running.
The movie has another part of the story that I was not as into and that dealt with who would take over the throne after George's father passes away. George's brother, Edward, was a playboy and was cheating on his wife and when he was picked to claim the throne it ended quickly. The scenes that deal with Edward are the least interesting but that is minor. With Edward out that forces George to improve his speech if he wants to be a King that communicates to the people with confidence. The scenes with George and Lionel are very entertaining, funny and touching. A beautiful friendship starts between the two and by the end they are there for each other completely. Geoffrey Rush plays Lionel and he is just as great as Firth. Rush hasn't been this great in ages and here he is charming, funny and winning. Helena Bonham Carter who plays Elizabeth is also amazing here, funny and beguiling.
In the end King George VI has to make an important speech to the public about going to war after his work with Lionel. This is a very suspenseful, powerful and touching scene that brought me to tears. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are so great in this scene and the music adds power. I admire what the King has to go through with his speech impediment and the bravery it took in working to fix it. I have a hard time speaking in public to my associates at work, it takes me hours to prepare and get up my nerve. So I can imagine how hard it was for the King who has it even worse with the stuttering problem and he is speaking to all of England! Tom Hooper does a great job just shooting this movie with a simple beauty. It is an uplifting, inspirational drama that has great performances. Colin Firth's performance is what careers are defined by and it is amazing. This is the performance that wins awards and Firth will win them all I assure you. This had more of an effect on me then I was prepared for. This is a rich and rewarding movie experience that just might surprise you also.
'True Grit'
'True Grit' (R) (3 stars)
Writers: Joel and Ethan Coen based on novel by Charles Portis
Director: Joel Coen
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin, Dakin Matthews,
Barry Pepper
The Coen Brothers love movies and it shows in every movie they make. I have never seen a bad movie that was written and directed by them. They have an unique, quirky style and while some critics find them smarmy and don't care for them I love that they don't roll with the staus quo. I don't know what their critics will think of their remake of "True Grit" for this is the most straight forward film making they have done. There are no quirks, fancy camera shots or that Coen goofiness and I kind of expected that it would have some of that style. Maybe it is because they respect and love the novel so much or maybe they wanted their first true Western movie to be seriously done. "True Grit" is not a remake of the 1969 John Wayne picture but is based on the original novel written by Charles Portis. The movie is seen through the eyes of a wonderful character played by a wonderful new 14 year old actress Hailee Steinfeld. The character is Mattie Ross who is a 14 year old girl seeking revenge on the man who killed her father. She enlists an U.S. Marshall named Rooster Cogburn who is played by the great Jeff Bridges. Also along for the ride is a sheriff named LaBoeuf played by the reliable Matt Damon.
I mostly liked "True Grit" for the Mattie Ross character which is good because the movie centers on her. It could have focused a lot on the Cogburn and LaBoeuf characters but that would have been the wrong direction. Hailee Steinfeld gives such an assured, mature and spellbinding performance for a first time actress. She is scared and vulnerable but also pretty tough when it is required. I love her first scene when she matches wits with a horse trader and pretty much wins. Jeff Bridges gives another excellent performance and this time he is buried into his character. He is colorful but he doesn't over play the look and doesn't come off as goofy. All I can say about Damon is that again he is great and charismatic here and I loved his scenes with Bridges. The acting is outstanding here and even Josh Brolin, as the villainous Tom Chaney, is good with very little screen time. The cinematography by the great Roger Deakins and the location work are breathtaking. The actions scenes and shoot outs are crisp, well directed and compelling.
I was very excited coming into this movie and I expected a Coen Brothers masterpiece and they do a great job here. The only thing that frustrated me was that I didn't love this movie. I have loved almost all of their movies and I liked watching this movie but it didn't grab me as I thought it would. This is a serious Western and it is exciting a lot of the times but in the end I felt somewhat cold about it also. I love the characters, I am very impressed by Steinfeld and the action and shoot outs are well crafted and amazing. I kept thinking of another Western that I think I loved much better and that was the remake of "3:10 to Yuma". I am not a huge Western fan if it is not a Clint Eastwood one but I loved "3:10 to Yuma". This version of "True Grit" is much better than the 1969 film and very entertaining but I still don't think it touches greatness like the Yuma remake did. There are Coen Brother movies I love like "Blood Simple", "Raising Arizona", "Fargo" and "No Country For Old Men" and ones I don't care a lot for like "O'Brother Where Art Thou?" and this is in the middle. I was impressed by the movie and the job the Coens did but I don't think this is one of their best movies.
I feel bad because I I think I am am being unfair thinking that all of the Coen Brother movies should be quirky and in their original style. They shouldn't have to make a mind bending, great masterpiece every time out. "True Grit" is a different movie for them because they tell a complete story and focus on their 14 year old heroine. They could have gotten sidetracked on their more colorful supporting characters. I like that the movie revolves around Mattie like it should, she is the one with true grit. Their Oscar winning Best Picture "No Country For Old Men" was done in the style of a Western. I love that movie and it grabbed me and was a powerful experience for me. "True Grit" doesn't have that same hold on me but I must say it is a very solid and well done Western. I also think some Coen fans might think this is outstanding and one of their best but sadly not in my opinion. It does have great action, photography, great performances by Bridges and Damon and a star making performance by Steinfeld. She is a true find and I want to see this movie again and focus on her, it might improve my rating.
Writers: Joel and Ethan Coen based on novel by Charles Portis
Director: Joel Coen
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin, Dakin Matthews,
Barry Pepper
The Coen Brothers love movies and it shows in every movie they make. I have never seen a bad movie that was written and directed by them. They have an unique, quirky style and while some critics find them smarmy and don't care for them I love that they don't roll with the staus quo. I don't know what their critics will think of their remake of "True Grit" for this is the most straight forward film making they have done. There are no quirks, fancy camera shots or that Coen goofiness and I kind of expected that it would have some of that style. Maybe it is because they respect and love the novel so much or maybe they wanted their first true Western movie to be seriously done. "True Grit" is not a remake of the 1969 John Wayne picture but is based on the original novel written by Charles Portis. The movie is seen through the eyes of a wonderful character played by a wonderful new 14 year old actress Hailee Steinfeld. The character is Mattie Ross who is a 14 year old girl seeking revenge on the man who killed her father. She enlists an U.S. Marshall named Rooster Cogburn who is played by the great Jeff Bridges. Also along for the ride is a sheriff named LaBoeuf played by the reliable Matt Damon.
I mostly liked "True Grit" for the Mattie Ross character which is good because the movie centers on her. It could have focused a lot on the Cogburn and LaBoeuf characters but that would have been the wrong direction. Hailee Steinfeld gives such an assured, mature and spellbinding performance for a first time actress. She is scared and vulnerable but also pretty tough when it is required. I love her first scene when she matches wits with a horse trader and pretty much wins. Jeff Bridges gives another excellent performance and this time he is buried into his character. He is colorful but he doesn't over play the look and doesn't come off as goofy. All I can say about Damon is that again he is great and charismatic here and I loved his scenes with Bridges. The acting is outstanding here and even Josh Brolin, as the villainous Tom Chaney, is good with very little screen time. The cinematography by the great Roger Deakins and the location work are breathtaking. The actions scenes and shoot outs are crisp, well directed and compelling.
I was very excited coming into this movie and I expected a Coen Brothers masterpiece and they do a great job here. The only thing that frustrated me was that I didn't love this movie. I have loved almost all of their movies and I liked watching this movie but it didn't grab me as I thought it would. This is a serious Western and it is exciting a lot of the times but in the end I felt somewhat cold about it also. I love the characters, I am very impressed by Steinfeld and the action and shoot outs are well crafted and amazing. I kept thinking of another Western that I think I loved much better and that was the remake of "3:10 to Yuma". I am not a huge Western fan if it is not a Clint Eastwood one but I loved "3:10 to Yuma". This version of "True Grit" is much better than the 1969 film and very entertaining but I still don't think it touches greatness like the Yuma remake did. There are Coen Brother movies I love like "Blood Simple", "Raising Arizona", "Fargo" and "No Country For Old Men" and ones I don't care a lot for like "O'Brother Where Art Thou?" and this is in the middle. I was impressed by the movie and the job the Coens did but I don't think this is one of their best movies.
I feel bad because I I think I am am being unfair thinking that all of the Coen Brother movies should be quirky and in their original style. They shouldn't have to make a mind bending, great masterpiece every time out. "True Grit" is a different movie for them because they tell a complete story and focus on their 14 year old heroine. They could have gotten sidetracked on their more colorful supporting characters. I like that the movie revolves around Mattie like it should, she is the one with true grit. Their Oscar winning Best Picture "No Country For Old Men" was done in the style of a Western. I love that movie and it grabbed me and was a powerful experience for me. "True Grit" doesn't have that same hold on me but I must say it is a very solid and well done Western. I also think some Coen fans might think this is outstanding and one of their best but sadly not in my opinion. It does have great action, photography, great performances by Bridges and Damon and a star making performance by Steinfeld. She is a true find and I want to see this movie again and focus on her, it might improve my rating.
'The Little Fockers'
'The Little Fockers' (PG-13) (1 1/2 stars)
Writers: John Hamburg and Larry Stuckey
Director: Paul Weitz
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Deniro, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Jessica Alba,
Owen Wilson, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Harvey Keitel, Tom McCarthy
"Little Fockers" might be a blessing in disguise for I think the third in this popular series will kill the franchise. Actually it will probably make a lot of money and then the film as ended can follow up on it's new direction. That was the real depressing part for the movie promises a tease that there will be more. I was depressed because a lot of talent was wasted, the first movie was damn funny and I can only take so much dick jokes. This embarrassing comedy takes us back to Greg Focker and his in-laws. Now the family has grown and there are two little Fockers. Grandpa Jack is back and this time he worries about who will be next in line to run the Jack Byrnes family dynasty. This leads to more misunderstandings that lead to more slapstick comedy that would make The Three Stooges roll over in their graves. For a movie focused on two little kids, rated PG-13 and where there were about 25 kids under the age of 8 in the theatre it was curious how much sex jokes were in this. When "The King's Speech" gets a lame (R) rating for a few f words this movie actually is close to R rated and has no problems with a ratings board. Hmm.
Again I am not a prude, this is the regular movie goer blog. I am not a stuffy, overly critical monster who doesn't like vulgar comedies. I love "The Hangover" and Farrelly brother comedies but that is because the dirty jokes are funny, key word, "funny". The only time I chuckled was when Owen Wilson was on the screen. He steals the movie and his comic chemistry with Stiller is great. I love that Robert Deniro does comedy a lot now but here he mugs, looks uncomfortable and isn't funny like he was in the first one. Stiller is fine and I love Blythe Danner to death but whoever thought the horrible Jessica Alba could do comedy was taking drugs. The humor here is smarmy and based on cruelty to the characters. No problem with that, some of my favorite comedies and the first movie had that quality but again they were funny. There are the standard vomit, dick and sex jokes which can be funny if the movie has style but this one is dead and not funny at all. I kind of pity the families that all go together to see this especially with little kids.
The other problem is the kids aren't really focused on except for a section where Greg tries to get his kids into a top of the line grade school. It also doesn't help that the child actors playing the kids are horrible actors. I go back to the section that deals with the school. I kept waiting for some smart jokes and situations to come from this material but all you get is the son getting his arm broken. Ha!Ha! There is a horrible fist fight between Greg and Jack at the end and a lot of situations that occur that "Three's Company" did in the 70's and did ten times smarter. There is also a re-teaming of Deniro and Harvey Keitel which is a misfire and a wasted opportunity. All you get from that teaming is Greg dumping a truckload of sand and gravel on Jack. I also just love the making fun of the Jack character when he has a heart attack. Ha! Ha! Okay, the bottom line is that this is one stupid comedy that is lazy and doesn't have one big laugh at all. Streisand and Hoffman phone in their performances, Owen Wilson is the only one that tries and Ben Stiller looks tired and old. It is time to retire the series and anyone that does find this funny who I know can receive $5 from me. I am that certain that this movie will not make you laugh but only shake your head.
Writers: John Hamburg and Larry Stuckey
Director: Paul Weitz
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Deniro, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Jessica Alba,
Owen Wilson, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Harvey Keitel, Tom McCarthy
"Little Fockers" might be a blessing in disguise for I think the third in this popular series will kill the franchise. Actually it will probably make a lot of money and then the film as ended can follow up on it's new direction. That was the real depressing part for the movie promises a tease that there will be more. I was depressed because a lot of talent was wasted, the first movie was damn funny and I can only take so much dick jokes. This embarrassing comedy takes us back to Greg Focker and his in-laws. Now the family has grown and there are two little Fockers. Grandpa Jack is back and this time he worries about who will be next in line to run the Jack Byrnes family dynasty. This leads to more misunderstandings that lead to more slapstick comedy that would make The Three Stooges roll over in their graves. For a movie focused on two little kids, rated PG-13 and where there were about 25 kids under the age of 8 in the theatre it was curious how much sex jokes were in this. When "The King's Speech" gets a lame (R) rating for a few f words this movie actually is close to R rated and has no problems with a ratings board. Hmm.
Again I am not a prude, this is the regular movie goer blog. I am not a stuffy, overly critical monster who doesn't like vulgar comedies. I love "The Hangover" and Farrelly brother comedies but that is because the dirty jokes are funny, key word, "funny". The only time I chuckled was when Owen Wilson was on the screen. He steals the movie and his comic chemistry with Stiller is great. I love that Robert Deniro does comedy a lot now but here he mugs, looks uncomfortable and isn't funny like he was in the first one. Stiller is fine and I love Blythe Danner to death but whoever thought the horrible Jessica Alba could do comedy was taking drugs. The humor here is smarmy and based on cruelty to the characters. No problem with that, some of my favorite comedies and the first movie had that quality but again they were funny. There are the standard vomit, dick and sex jokes which can be funny if the movie has style but this one is dead and not funny at all. I kind of pity the families that all go together to see this especially with little kids.
The other problem is the kids aren't really focused on except for a section where Greg tries to get his kids into a top of the line grade school. It also doesn't help that the child actors playing the kids are horrible actors. I go back to the section that deals with the school. I kept waiting for some smart jokes and situations to come from this material but all you get is the son getting his arm broken. Ha!Ha! There is a horrible fist fight between Greg and Jack at the end and a lot of situations that occur that "Three's Company" did in the 70's and did ten times smarter. There is also a re-teaming of Deniro and Harvey Keitel which is a misfire and a wasted opportunity. All you get from that teaming is Greg dumping a truckload of sand and gravel on Jack. I also just love the making fun of the Jack character when he has a heart attack. Ha! Ha! Okay, the bottom line is that this is one stupid comedy that is lazy and doesn't have one big laugh at all. Streisand and Hoffman phone in their performances, Owen Wilson is the only one that tries and Ben Stiller looks tired and old. It is time to retire the series and anyone that does find this funny who I know can receive $5 from me. I am that certain that this movie will not make you laugh but only shake your head.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
'How Do You Know'
'How Do You Know' (PG-13) (2 stars)
Writer and Director: James L. Brooks
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson, Jack Nicholson, Kathryn Hahn,
Mark Linn-Baker
"How Do You Know" is a story about two very likable people and one misguided but kind of sweet person. I liked following these three people but they keep getting interrupted by a story line that kills the movie. "How Do You Know" starts with a classic James L. Brooks start as we see Lisa, a little girl who shows up a little boy on the baseball field. Lisa will grow up to be played by Reese Witherspoon and Reese is one of the most likable actresses on screen. Reese plays Lisa who grows up to be a really good softball player even making the Olympic team. Maybe it is due to Brooks or Witherspoon's past but Reese looks and plays like a real softball player. She looks like an athlete and Reese is so charming in this movie that I really wanted to like this movie. Lisa gets a call from George who a friend has told to call Lisa for a date. It leads to a very awkward first date that is funny but painful. Both are going through some rough patches, Lisa was cut from the Olympic team, but they are sweet and maybe there is promise.
George and his father are being indicted on charges of wire fraud. George is played by Paul Rudd who like Witherspoon is very likable on screen. I love Paul Rudd because he has an easy going charm and we root for him in all his movies. Lisa is also kind of dating a professional baseball player Matty played by Owen Wilson. She doesn't know if what she has with Matty is real and she meets George again and starts to like him. Matty is not to smooth with relationships and settling down.
"How Do You Know" is great when it concentrates on Lisa, George and Matty. They are all nice people and I was rooting for George and Lisa. This is not because I don't like Matty but he seems like too much of a player. Owen Wilson is perfectly cast, not so much for playing a baseball player, but because he fits the goofy and immature Matty well. The part I didn't care for was the story line of George and his father being indicted. Jack Nicholson plays the father and Nicholson just doesn't seem to work well here. Maybe it is because he is miscast or I think it is because his character is not written well. This is a surprise coming from James L. Brooks who always writes deep and fully formed characters. Nicholson does a lot of shouting and flailing his arms like he is trying to make more out of a weak role. He seems to be taking a page from the sometime screaming style of Al Pacino. The Nicholson charm is missing and I know he plays a arrogant man but his character just doesn't gel with the rest of the movie.
The whole indictment story seem like a third wheel and interrupts the movie. We don't need this story line, why can't we just follow this sweet love triangle? Why can't there just be the father character without the weak plot? When the movie concentrates on George and Lisa I loved this movie because I have a deep affection for Witherspoon, Rudd and Wilson. I was frustrated with the movie because I expect a home run every time coming from Brooks. This is the great writer of "Terms of Endearment", "Broadcast News", "As Good As It Gets" and "The Mary Tyler Moore" show. His writing is a little off here and the movie fails but there is so much to like that I think a rental at home in an intimate setting might be a better ideal.
Writer and Director: James L. Brooks
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson, Jack Nicholson, Kathryn Hahn,
Mark Linn-Baker
"How Do You Know" is a story about two very likable people and one misguided but kind of sweet person. I liked following these three people but they keep getting interrupted by a story line that kills the movie. "How Do You Know" starts with a classic James L. Brooks start as we see Lisa, a little girl who shows up a little boy on the baseball field. Lisa will grow up to be played by Reese Witherspoon and Reese is one of the most likable actresses on screen. Reese plays Lisa who grows up to be a really good softball player even making the Olympic team. Maybe it is due to Brooks or Witherspoon's past but Reese looks and plays like a real softball player. She looks like an athlete and Reese is so charming in this movie that I really wanted to like this movie. Lisa gets a call from George who a friend has told to call Lisa for a date. It leads to a very awkward first date that is funny but painful. Both are going through some rough patches, Lisa was cut from the Olympic team, but they are sweet and maybe there is promise.
George and his father are being indicted on charges of wire fraud. George is played by Paul Rudd who like Witherspoon is very likable on screen. I love Paul Rudd because he has an easy going charm and we root for him in all his movies. Lisa is also kind of dating a professional baseball player Matty played by Owen Wilson. She doesn't know if what she has with Matty is real and she meets George again and starts to like him. Matty is not to smooth with relationships and settling down.
"How Do You Know" is great when it concentrates on Lisa, George and Matty. They are all nice people and I was rooting for George and Lisa. This is not because I don't like Matty but he seems like too much of a player. Owen Wilson is perfectly cast, not so much for playing a baseball player, but because he fits the goofy and immature Matty well. The part I didn't care for was the story line of George and his father being indicted. Jack Nicholson plays the father and Nicholson just doesn't seem to work well here. Maybe it is because he is miscast or I think it is because his character is not written well. This is a surprise coming from James L. Brooks who always writes deep and fully formed characters. Nicholson does a lot of shouting and flailing his arms like he is trying to make more out of a weak role. He seems to be taking a page from the sometime screaming style of Al Pacino. The Nicholson charm is missing and I know he plays a arrogant man but his character just doesn't gel with the rest of the movie.
The whole indictment story seem like a third wheel and interrupts the movie. We don't need this story line, why can't we just follow this sweet love triangle? Why can't there just be the father character without the weak plot? When the movie concentrates on George and Lisa I loved this movie because I have a deep affection for Witherspoon, Rudd and Wilson. I was frustrated with the movie because I expect a home run every time coming from Brooks. This is the great writer of "Terms of Endearment", "Broadcast News", "As Good As It Gets" and "The Mary Tyler Moore" show. His writing is a little off here and the movie fails but there is so much to like that I think a rental at home in an intimate setting might be a better ideal.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
'The Fighter'
'The Fighter' (R) (3 1/2 stars)
Writers: Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson
Director: David O'Russell
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Amy Adams, Jack McKee
To me the boxing movie is one of my favorite sport's movie because it creates so much drama. "The Fighter" is not very polished or necessarily a great movie but with the acting and the high boxing drama it becomes greater. To me this was just a very fun time at the movies with two performances that are some of the best acting you will see this year. I am a sucker for boxing movies because in one fight there is so much strategy and heightened drama portrayed. "The Fighter" has a wonderful climatic boxing match and before the drama of the story sucked me in just as is usual when I see a boxing drama. This movie knows how to get us involved and knows how this kind of movie should work. This true life story is about boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward played very well by Wahlberg who is perfectly cast. Mickey trains for fights in the shadow of his brother, Dicky Eklund, who is infamous for knocking down Sugar Ray Leonard even though people say Ray tripped. Dicky is a crackhead now and an HBO crew is filming his comeback but for reasons different then Dicky thinks. Dicky is played by Christian Bale and let me say this, Bale is the front runner for major supporting actor roles. He is simply amazing here losing major poundage to play the emaciated Dicky and Bale is unrecognizable. He totally immerses himself in the role and he takes what could have been a hammy role and makes it something special. He owns the screen and his performance alone raises this movie's quality.
The other special performance comes from Oscar nominee Melissa Leo as Mickey's crazy but loving mother. Like Bale Leo is totally unrecognizable and turns what could have been a one note role and added depth. Mickey's mother could have been a superficial and shallow character but Leo makes her sympathetic and vulnerable when we think she is sometimes a monster. The cast of characters are rounded out by Amy Adams who is very good here as Mickey's girlfriend who butts heads with Mickey's mom and sisters. It is a blue collar role for Adams and she too disappears and right away we forget we are watching Amy Adams. I mentioned Mickey's sisters and what wonderful characters they are. Mickey has a big family and several sisters that are very tough and will actually physically fight you if you mess with the family. When the story deals with Dicky, the sisters and the mother it is so much fun to watch, the movie is very entertaining. I hate to say this but Wahlberg actually is the least interesting character here. That is not his fault because the others are given the showier roles.
There is also a nice performance by Jack McKee (TV's Rescue Me) as Mickey's step father and his reactions to Leo's mother are priceless and well played. The director David O'Russell, who directed by Top Ten of the 90's favorite "Three Kings", does a great job with the boxing scenes, the recreating of Mickey and Dicky's neighborhood and the performances. This movie reminded me a lot of "Rocky" with crazy and lovable blue collar characters but with the extra crazy family thrown in. I didn't find "The Fighter" one of the best movies I have seen this year but it is one of the most entertaining films of the year. What makes it special are the performances of Christian Bale and Melissa Leo who are outstanding. Christian Bale has just proven to be one of the best actors of his generation. If you see the Batman movies and then see Bale in here you will know what I mean. Also if you love boxing movies I can pretty much assure you that you will have a fun and great time.
Writers: Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson
Director: David O'Russell
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Amy Adams, Jack McKee
To me the boxing movie is one of my favorite sport's movie because it creates so much drama. "The Fighter" is not very polished or necessarily a great movie but with the acting and the high boxing drama it becomes greater. To me this was just a very fun time at the movies with two performances that are some of the best acting you will see this year. I am a sucker for boxing movies because in one fight there is so much strategy and heightened drama portrayed. "The Fighter" has a wonderful climatic boxing match and before the drama of the story sucked me in just as is usual when I see a boxing drama. This movie knows how to get us involved and knows how this kind of movie should work. This true life story is about boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward played very well by Wahlberg who is perfectly cast. Mickey trains for fights in the shadow of his brother, Dicky Eklund, who is infamous for knocking down Sugar Ray Leonard even though people say Ray tripped. Dicky is a crackhead now and an HBO crew is filming his comeback but for reasons different then Dicky thinks. Dicky is played by Christian Bale and let me say this, Bale is the front runner for major supporting actor roles. He is simply amazing here losing major poundage to play the emaciated Dicky and Bale is unrecognizable. He totally immerses himself in the role and he takes what could have been a hammy role and makes it something special. He owns the screen and his performance alone raises this movie's quality.
The other special performance comes from Oscar nominee Melissa Leo as Mickey's crazy but loving mother. Like Bale Leo is totally unrecognizable and turns what could have been a one note role and added depth. Mickey's mother could have been a superficial and shallow character but Leo makes her sympathetic and vulnerable when we think she is sometimes a monster. The cast of characters are rounded out by Amy Adams who is very good here as Mickey's girlfriend who butts heads with Mickey's mom and sisters. It is a blue collar role for Adams and she too disappears and right away we forget we are watching Amy Adams. I mentioned Mickey's sisters and what wonderful characters they are. Mickey has a big family and several sisters that are very tough and will actually physically fight you if you mess with the family. When the story deals with Dicky, the sisters and the mother it is so much fun to watch, the movie is very entertaining. I hate to say this but Wahlberg actually is the least interesting character here. That is not his fault because the others are given the showier roles.
There is also a nice performance by Jack McKee (TV's Rescue Me) as Mickey's step father and his reactions to Leo's mother are priceless and well played. The director David O'Russell, who directed by Top Ten of the 90's favorite "Three Kings", does a great job with the boxing scenes, the recreating of Mickey and Dicky's neighborhood and the performances. This movie reminded me a lot of "Rocky" with crazy and lovable blue collar characters but with the extra crazy family thrown in. I didn't find "The Fighter" one of the best movies I have seen this year but it is one of the most entertaining films of the year. What makes it special are the performances of Christian Bale and Melissa Leo who are outstanding. Christian Bale has just proven to be one of the best actors of his generation. If you see the Batman movies and then see Bale in here you will know what I mean. Also if you love boxing movies I can pretty much assure you that you will have a fun and great time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
