Now having seen it, I can say two things about this film...it is in fact great, but it shouldn't make any money. I would love nothing more than for WTWTA to become one of the most successful children's films ever, one that people of all ages are drawn to because of how masterfully it mirrors the passion and power of love to bind people together through the mess that is life, family, relationships. This I fear will not be the case, as the masses typically like their films to provide a way to escape their reality, to hide from the mess for two hours...and that goes double for a kids film, which technically this is. Not only that, but we like our films to have a story that builds to a nice tidy simple feel-good ending where someone learns a valuable lesson or falls in love with the right person. This film, while hinting at these things, is much more about the journey rather than the destination. Jonze' vision is dark, scary, full of raw humanity, and I highly recommend it...even if you don't shop at Urban Outfitters.
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Friday, October 16, 2009
Where the Wild Things Are - Review
I originally felt apprehensive about Spike Jonze' adaptation of the infamous Where the Wild Things Are children's book. With super hip stores like Urban Outfitters merchandising for the film and a soundtrack by Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs lead singer Karen O, this movie just seemed to be working too hard to build its indie cred. Having seen Being John Malkovich and a few of Jonze' music videos, I knew that he was something special, but it wasn't until I read recently about Jonze journey into the industry and his fight with the studio to keep his vision in tact that I felt confident that this could be great.
Now having seen it, I can say two things about this film...it is in fact great, but it shouldn't make any money. I would love nothing more than for WTWTA to become one of the most successful children's films ever, one that people of all ages are drawn to because of how masterfully it mirrors the passion and power of love to bind people together through the mess that is life, family, relationships. This I fear will not be the case, as the masses typically like their films to provide a way to escape their reality, to hide from the mess for two hours...and that goes double for a kids film, which technically this is. Not only that, but we like our films to have a story that builds to a nice tidy simple feel-good ending where someone learns a valuable lesson or falls in love with the right person. This film, while hinting at these things, is much more about the journey rather than the destination. Jonze' vision is dark, scary, full of raw humanity, and I highly recommend it...even if you don't shop at Urban Outfitters.
Now having seen it, I can say two things about this film...it is in fact great, but it shouldn't make any money. I would love nothing more than for WTWTA to become one of the most successful children's films ever, one that people of all ages are drawn to because of how masterfully it mirrors the passion and power of love to bind people together through the mess that is life, family, relationships. This I fear will not be the case, as the masses typically like their films to provide a way to escape their reality, to hide from the mess for two hours...and that goes double for a kids film, which technically this is. Not only that, but we like our films to have a story that builds to a nice tidy simple feel-good ending where someone learns a valuable lesson or falls in love with the right person. This film, while hinting at these things, is much more about the journey rather than the destination. Jonze' vision is dark, scary, full of raw humanity, and I highly recommend it...even if you don't shop at Urban Outfitters.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Frequently Asked Questions about Time Travel - Review
Frequently Asked Questions about Time Travel is a sort of under the radar film about 3 British losers, Ray, Toby and Pete who, while downing a few pints at the pub, get caught up in a dizzying time jumping fiasco. Right about now you are either immediately surfing imdb to find out everything you can about this film, or you are angrily clicking 'back' on your browser wondering how you ended up reading this stupid blog in the first place. If you are in the former group, you are in for a treat.
It's touting itself as 'Dr. Who' meets 'Shaun of the Dead', and thats not far from the truth. It is smart, funny and has some twists you won't see coming. The three main characters, while not nearly in the same league as Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, handle their roles well and you find yourself rooting for them against your better judgement. In a weird cameo/love interest is American Anna Faris, from all those Scary Movie films and more recently Observe and Report.
I'm not going to even try to relay the plot to you, because, as in all films that deal in time travel, my brain hurts just thinking about all the what happened, which lead to a thousand what ifs. I will say that all that time travel messiness is done convincingly and not once did things get so unbelievable that I disconnected from the story completely.
I will leave you with the ridiculous first few lines from the film and you can decide for yourself whether this is your cup of tea:
"Time travel. It'll turn your brain into spaghetti if you let it. Best not to think about it. Best just to get on with the job in hand. Which is destroying the enemy before they're even born and have a chance to threaten us. We're expecting any resistance to be light, because the ancestors of our enemies have yet to evolve any thumbs... or indeed spines. But that does not change the fact that they may one day evolve into a species that may pose a threat to us. And for that reason, we are going to rain down a fiery death upon them that will turn the surface of their planet into a radioactive desert! Because we are the planetary peace corps! And that is what we do! Now, are you nappy-wearing motherfuckers ready to lock and load, and *get it on*?"
Recommended
It's touting itself as 'Dr. Who' meets 'Shaun of the Dead', and thats not far from the truth. It is smart, funny and has some twists you won't see coming. The three main characters, while not nearly in the same league as Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, handle their roles well and you find yourself rooting for them against your better judgement. In a weird cameo/love interest is American Anna Faris, from all those Scary Movie films and more recently Observe and Report.
I'm not going to even try to relay the plot to you, because, as in all films that deal in time travel, my brain hurts just thinking about all the what happened, which lead to a thousand what ifs. I will say that all that time travel messiness is done convincingly and not once did things get so unbelievable that I disconnected from the story completely.
I will leave you with the ridiculous first few lines from the film and you can decide for yourself whether this is your cup of tea:
"Time travel. It'll turn your brain into spaghetti if you let it. Best not to think about it. Best just to get on with the job in hand. Which is destroying the enemy before they're even born and have a chance to threaten us. We're expecting any resistance to be light, because the ancestors of our enemies have yet to evolve any thumbs... or indeed spines. But that does not change the fact that they may one day evolve into a species that may pose a threat to us. And for that reason, we are going to rain down a fiery death upon them that will turn the surface of their planet into a radioactive desert! Because we are the planetary peace corps! And that is what we do! Now, are you nappy-wearing motherfuckers ready to lock and load, and *get it on*?"
Recommended
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Invention of Lying: Review
I think Ricky Gervais is hilarious. I am a huge sucker for awkward humour and Gervais is the king of this brand of comedy. Let me also go on record as saying that the British Office is much, much smarter than its more brash westernized version...and I still like that one. I'm glad that Hollywood is finally taking notice of his genius and giving him the opportunity to put his talent on the big screen. It's just too bad that his latest just isn't very good. While Ghost Town was a pretty great twist on the romantic comedy genre, Lying just feels like its trying too hard. Don't get me wrong, anything Gervais is involved with will be a cut above your average puff piece, but considering what he is capable of, I couldn't leave the theater anything but slightly disappointed.
The story itself sounds like the perfect premise for Gervais to do his thing. It centers around a world where lying doesn't exist and everyone says what they think all the time. (which honestly gets annoying about half way through the movie...just because people don't know how to lie, doesn't mean they would automatically tell people that they've always hated them etc.) This is the case until Gervais' character discovers the advantages of lying, especially lying to a world that will believe anything you say. This works well as Gervais lies his way to a fortune, and discovers religion by "lying" to his mother about the afterlife, but its when the movie turns its focus to angst laden romance that things get...ordinary. Garner is decent as the innocent, but straight talking love interest, but all this sapp takes the bite out of the original premise.
Still Gervais' style of self depricating humour does elevate this film from bad to decent. I'd really hate to see something like this handled by anyone else, but then again Gervais is capable of much more.
Rent It.
The story itself sounds like the perfect premise for Gervais to do his thing. It centers around a world where lying doesn't exist and everyone says what they think all the time. (which honestly gets annoying about half way through the movie...just because people don't know how to lie, doesn't mean they would automatically tell people that they've always hated them etc.) This is the case until Gervais' character discovers the advantages of lying, especially lying to a world that will believe anything you say. This works well as Gervais lies his way to a fortune, and discovers religion by "lying" to his mother about the afterlife, but its when the movie turns its focus to angst laden romance that things get...ordinary. Garner is decent as the innocent, but straight talking love interest, but all this sapp takes the bite out of the original premise.
Still Gervais' style of self depricating humour does elevate this film from bad to decent. I'd really hate to see something like this handled by anyone else, but then again Gervais is capable of much more.
Rent It.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Zombieland Review
I just had the privilege of catching a sneak preview of Shaun of the Dead 2...I mean, Zombieland. This is the US' answer to the Brit Zomedy, several years later, and answer we did. It is perhaps not as smart, but every bit as ridiculous fun. This is all the crazy splat fest the trailers claimed and more. Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland) plays one of the last known survivors of some sort of apocalypse. He is a frail, phobic geek whose survival has been dependent on how closely he follows his "list" of apocalyptic rules. This list becomes a running joke throughout the film and is used to great comedic effect. While traveling through the wasteland he meets a gun-toting redneck played perfectly by Woody Harrelson. Harrelson loves to kill zombies and, using everything from heavy artillery to lawn tools, he proves to be damn good at it. This unlikely team then adds two con artist sisters along the way to complete their dysfunctional family.
Like Shaun, between each gross out violent set piece is relational core, a humanity that runs throughout, that is just enough to make us care about each character's plight, without bogging down the story. Its loud, bloody, shocking, hysterical, campy and just plain stupid fun. Watch out for the rumored cameo that is pure comedic gold, and sneak a twinkie into the theater, because trust me, you'll want one when its over.
Recommended
Like Shaun, between each gross out violent set piece is relational core, a humanity that runs throughout, that is just enough to make us care about each character's plight, without bogging down the story. Its loud, bloody, shocking, hysterical, campy and just plain stupid fun. Watch out for the rumored cameo that is pure comedic gold, and sneak a twinkie into the theater, because trust me, you'll want one when its over.
Recommended
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Informant Review
This movie will not make much money. Its not hilarious, it's uncomfortable, and Matt Damon is fat. But this film will make you think...think twice about lying. While billed as a comedy, this film is more cautionary tale, with a side of quirkiness (Damon's little side notes about polar bears and indoor pools are pretty great). Matt Damon has never been more impressive, transforming himself from a chiseled fighting machine, in the Bourne films, to a chubby naive compulsive liar. The word that comes to mind the most when reflecting on this story is FRUSTRATING! Don't get me wrong it's a great little film all around, but watching this man spiral his life into oblivion is not fun. On the other side of things, The Informant has a lot to say about corporate politics. Its a telling look at what goes on behind closed meeting room doors and the power of the bottom line.
Recommended
Recommended
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Son of Rambow
I know this movie is out on DVD now, but I just thought I would give it my own personal stamp of approval. If there is anything this movie has an unlimited supply of is heart. It is about a wildly imaginative young boy who lives an extremely sheltered life, as a result of his cultish religious upbringing. Everything changes for him when he meets the misunderstood school bully and is shown a bootleg copy of Rambo. With he new found adrenaline pumping, he and his new friend, embark on a journey to make their own Rambo film, all the while trying to keep it a secret from his family. As word gets around to the coolest kid in school (a french exchange student) it becomes a bigger production and harder to keep under wraps. It is layered film about friendship, love, family and growing up, with enough quirky moments to satisfy any Napoleon Dynamite fan. Here's a trailer:
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