The Movies thread!

[njskaguy33]

New Movie Review

A Single Man

At the risk of sounding overly emo, I love myself a sad, depressing movie. While summer blockbusters, explosions and comedies keep the little boy in me grinning, for me, there’s nothing like watching a film that pushes the right buttons deep within, eliciting an emotional response. Friends of mine often say that I like depressing movies and while that’s not always the case, I can’t say they are wrong. Nothing wrong with curling up on the couch with a bag of Cheeze-Its, moping about with The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and if I have to turn in my guy card because of this, so be it.

So, when a movie is about a British literature professor who’s trying to find joy in his life after losing his partner of 16 years in a car accident, I say sign me up. Never mind it’s being directed by first time director Tom Ford. When you have talent like Colin Firth and Julianne Moore starring, how could it go wrong?

The answer is simple. It goes horribly wrong when you rely on contrivances to force an emotional response. It fails when you introduce cliché characters that do nothing to move the story along. It sinks when you tack on a hack ending because you’re not brave enough to allow the characters to arc on their own. In short, a good story can be ruined when you simply don’t know how to direct a movie.

Wow…that last paragraph was harsh, so let me soften it a bit by saying there is a fair amount of good in this film. As every reviewer has mentioned, Colin Firth is wonderful in the starring role. Never once does he overact or play the part too strong. Firth’s performance is patient, controlled and connects with the audience in a meaningful way. The film also shines when Firth flashes back to moments with his partner. In interviews, Tom Ford mentioned that he wanted to add these moments as it reminded him of time spent with his partner and that was good move. These quiet moments of interaction, which include reading together at home and laying on the beach, are some of the best in the film and really cement the relationship between the two characters. Julianne Moore is also very good in the film, although I felt she was underused.

It all sounds great, right? Why the bashing? Keep reading…

The main fault in the movie centers on the absolute pretentiousness of the filmmaking. Making an artistic film is one thing, but boring is boring and pretentious is pretentious, no matter how you slice it. Do we really need the slow pull into a budding flower? Is the owl launching into flight at a moment of personal revelation really necessary? There’s a fine line between artful touches and being “too cool” for the room. While Tom Ford does have an excellent eye for staging, imagery and shot design (he is a professional photographer and fashion designer after all), his additions are hackneyed and unnecessary. Ultimately, A Single Man is defeated by Tom Ford’s insistence on being too arty for his own good.

And you know what the real crime is? HE DIDN’T NEED TO BE! Art films are just that…artfulness for the sake of art. Generally, films of that type work well enough because aspects like acting and character development are developed through the artistry of the filmmaking, not necessarily the actors on screen. Sure, you need a stomach for that sort of film, and there is a market for it. In A Single Man, you have excellent actors working their tails off. There is no need for the aforementioned owl because Firth’s state of mind is written all over his face. To me, nothing is worse than watching good acting get bogged down by bad, or in this case, over fluffed directing. If this were an art piece, fine, but this is a drama and the actors are pulling their weight. There’s no need to artificially heighten the drama.

Directorial choices aside, A Single Man falters in other areas as well. Firth and Moore aside, the surrounding actors don’t bring much to the table and the film features an ending that literally made me scream, “Hack!”, through my clenched teeth. Not to ruin the ending, which I’m almost tempted to do so you have no excuse to see it, but it seemed tacked on and gutless.

In the end, A Single Man is a prime example of opportunity squandered. The film features a moving story featuring excellent acting that’s brought to a screeching halt by a director Tom Ford’s insistence on being arty when the subject matter didn’t need to be. To be fair to a director I’ve really taken a dump on, you can tell this was a labor of love, and I respect that, however, a 99 minute film shouldn’t feel like it took two and a half to get through. Hopefully Tom Ford learns to trust his actors to bring the drama rather than relying on photographic cliché’s as he truly has the vision of an artist but lacks the filmmaking chops to see it through.

[njskaguy33]

Opening This Week – Nationwide

Cop Out – Oh, Kevin Smith, why, why, why. Stop complaining about Soutwest Airlines, get your eyes away from the hockey and start writing again, for God’s sake. This buddy cop film starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan has been getting pounded critically, and who can blame them. The trailer looks painfully unfunny and why in the world is Smith even directing this one? The charm of Kevin Smith is in his writing, not necessarily his directing, and I don’t think anybody could get laughs out this dullard of a film. Avoid like the bubonic plague.

Crazies – This remake of the 1973 George Romero horror classic features a story about a chemical weapon that goes off in a Kansas town and turns the inhabitants into crazies. The story sounds as B movie as it gets, but there’s certain amount of charm to that. Critics have been mostly favorable towards it saying it’s pointless, silly and pretty badly acted but still a good time. Some critics have even gone so far to say that’s smarted than your average gorefest. Genre fans will flock to see this and probably wont be disappointed.

Opening This Week – Limited

Prophet – One highest rated movies to come out this year and on my short list of films to see this month, Prophet is the story of a 16 year old who is just starting a 6 year prison sentence and quickly has to learn the politics of prison life in order to survive. Critics have been going nuts for this ever since it won the Grand Prix at Cannes last year and it’s nomination for Best Foreign Language Film cements this as a must see.

Art of the Steal – Interesting looking documentary about the fight over the Barnes Foundation, a series of artwork that was willed to a group of Lincoln University students who blocking a planned move to a larger museum. Reviews have been mostly positive in the few I’ve seen ,so if you’re anywhere near the IFC Cinema in NYC this weekend, it could be worth a look.

Defendor – Woody Harrelson stars in this movie about a traffic cop by day, underground superhero by night who bungles his way into problems with the real law and the mob. I read a fascinating article once about regular people who dress up as super heroes and attempt to fight crime, so this low budget affair hold some interest for me. Reviews have been mixed, however, saying this film tries to touch on too many points and could have used a clearer focus. Still, I might give this a spin when it lands on Netflix.

The Yellow Handkerchief – Sad and light drama about four people who meet by chance and take a road trip through Louisiana, full of self discovery and revelation. Not fun by any stretch, but critics have been generally positive about this film, saying a stiff breeze could blow it away, but it’s still an emotional ride.

Prodigal Sons – Well, let’s break this down a touch. This film is about two brothers, one who was an outcast and the other high school superstar. Fast forward 20 years, and outcast discovers he’s the offspring of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth and football star is a transsexual. Oh yeah, this is a documentary. With a premise that would never work if it were fiction, this film has been getting high marks by most critics in the few reviews I’ve looked at. This also may go right on my Netflix queue.

[btexperience]

Cop Out – Oh, Kevin Smith, why, why, why. Stop complaining about Soutwest Airlines, get your eyes away from the hockey and start writing again, for God’s sake. This buddy cop film starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan has been getting pounded critically, and who can blame them. The trailer looks painfully unfunny and why in the world is Smith even directing this one? The charm of Kevin Smith is in his writing, not necessarily his directing, and I don’t think anybody could get laughs out this dullard of a film. Avoid like the bubonic plague.

I'm not trying to defend Kevin Smith or anything like that (honestly, a bad movie is a bad movie), but there might be a good chance that he did this work-for-hire because he just needs to buy more time for projects he cares about. Those projects being Red State (a horror film he's been developing for the last three years) and Hit Somebody (a movie about a hockey player who has a knack for fighting). How about that Devils fans! A Kevin Smith movie about hockey! Hell yeah! It's going to be filmed in Michigan (rumored), so I think it's Detroit hockey, but whatever.

Peace!

[Devils731]

Hit Somebody is going to star Sean William Scott, if they get it off the ground.

[DaneykoIsGod]

I think Cop Out looks like it could be funny, but then again I love stupid comedies. Dirty Work is one of my all-time faves.

[thelastonealive]

I think Cop Out looks like it could be funny, but then again I love stupid comedies. Dirty Work is one of my all-time faves.

The interrogation room scene looks hilarious based on the commercial. Willing to bet it's the only very funny scene in the film, though.

I'm dying for him to get Hit Somebody written already. I feel like the story, coupled with his writing and love of the sport, could make for a REALLY good film - finally someone treating a hockey with respect and even reverence in film. I could see it taking a similar track that The Wrestler did.

I know I'm behind on this conversation, but I too wasn't thrilled with Choke. Chuck Palahniuk's books will always require a special touch to turn them into a good film, and it just didn't work out with Choke. If Survivor ever gets off the ground, that could be a great flick with the right people behind it. It's been stalled for 8 or 9 years now, though - a main plot point being the main character hijacks an airplane to tell his story via the blackbox recorder in the cockpit before ultimately committing suicide by crashing into the Australian outback. It wasn't moving along very swiftly before 9/11, and it came to a complete halt afterwards. Might be long enough since then to finally get the film going though if anyone's willing to put the effort in. It's by far my favorite Palahniuk book, too, ahead of Choke and Invisible Monsters (which would also make a good movie if handled right).

[DaneykoIsGod]

Agree on Choke, never read Invisible Monsters. Might have to give that a read. But, on the topic of Palahniuk, I thought the ending in the book was way better than the movie for Fight Club. Way better. The movie ending blows. But I know a lot of people who disagree with me on this.

[btexperience]

But, on the topic of Palahniuk, I thought the ending in the book was way better than the movie for Fight Club. Way better. The movie ending blows. But I know a lot of people who disagree with me on this.

The movie is one of my personal favorites, but I've actually heard the same thing from a number of people in regards to the ending. Also in the book, Project Mayhem (in general) is much more fleshed out. You're not alone at all.

For the hell of it, here's Roger Ebert complaining about the movie. He says the movie ends up being "routine." The review is almost unwatchable. There is nothing routine about Fight Club. At least the other critic gives him a rebuttal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvmYrEVX0

[DaneykoIsGod]

I saw the movie before reading the book, so I was expecting a lot more Project Mayhem stuff from the book than I ended up getting. I guess I was hoping that a lot of Project Mayhem "homework assignments" were cut from the movie for time constraints purposes. That disappointment is my own fault though for setting the expectations too high. Except for the ending, I thought the movie did a surprisingly good job of staying faithful to the book.

Good to know I'm not alone in thinking the movie ending was awful. I'll check out that Ebert review when I get home. And speaking of Ebert, has anyone seen this? I had heard about the cancer and everything, but that picture and his attitude towards it all are surreal.

Edited March 1, 2010 by DaneykoIsGod

[Devils731]

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10009599-alice_in_wonderland/

Alice in Wonderland is rated at 65% positive right now on Rotten Tomatoes but also has a 5.9/10 rating. It looks like some reviewers love how wonderful it looks but think the story stinks and other reviewers think the story stinks and that's it.

Anyway, as far as I can tell from what I'm seeing and reading about the movie I tend to think it's not worth seeing. Whenever some reviewers have a director they like and have to find ways to justify a positive review, other than the movie is just good, and other reviewers are slamming the movie is bad, I think you can get a good idea on where the movie is at.

[CRASHER]

Alice in Wonderland is rated at 65% positive right now on Rotten Tomatoes but also has a 5.9/10 rating. It looks like some reviewers love how wonderful it looks but think the story stinks and other reviewers think the story stinks and that's it.

It's a simple formula actually.... Tim Burton + remake = RUN LIKE HELL FROM IT!

[njskaguy33]

It's a simple formula actually.... Tim Burton + Johnny Depp + remake = RUN LIKE HELL FROM IT!

Fixed.

Actually, that pretty much sums up my thoughts on the new Alice in Wonderland flick. Despite every trailer, poster and bus advertisement I see, I'm nowhere near interested in this film.

RT has it now at a 62% which is falling steadily from the 80 something it was at towards the beginning of the week. I'm sure I'll have a few thought about it when I do my Opening Movies this week, but it just doesn't look to have the charm of the original.

[njskaguy33]

Opening This Week – Nationwide

Alice In Wonderland – This weeks most anticipated film, Alice in Wonderland is the classic story well know in love all Tim Burton-ed up. Trailers have been available for what seems like a year already and nothing in any of them make we want to see this film. Critics have been very mixed but most agree that the film is stunningly beautiful yet the newly imagined story is thin, flat and lacking charm. Still, this movie is destined to be number one this weekend, so if you need a film fix and you’ve seen everything else out right now, Alice in Wonderland will be fine spectacle, if nothing else.

Brooklyn’s Finest – Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke and Wesley Snipes star in this film about the week in the lives of three NYC cops trying to take on a Mexican drug ring. Complete with archetypes like the cop a week away from retirement and the undercover guy losing his loyalties to the force, this script is one big honking cliché, and that exactly what critics are saying about this film, which is surprising given it’s directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day). Should be avoided, despite the strength of the director and cast.

Opening This Week – Limited

Harlan: In the Shadow of Jew Suss – Interesting looking film about the life of Velt Harlan, the director of what’s considered the most horrific Nazi propaganda film ever made, Jew Suss. The film talks to living family members (as opposed to the dead ones), friends and constructs his life and how being forced to make this film affected him. Screening at the Film Forum in NYC this weekend if you’re so interested.

[Devils731]

I actually think the Alice movie is a sequel to the original Alice movie but that is not based on the book series.

[njskaguy33]

New Movie Review

The Hurt Locker

One this season’s surprise critical hits and Oscar nomination scarfing films, The Hurt Locker flew under most people’s radar this past summer. Directed by Katherine Bigelow (Strange Days, Point Break, being James Cameron’s ex), this film tracks the lives and exploits of three Army soldiers whose specialty is defusing bombs in wartime Iraq. Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty round out the bomb squad in a film that’s one part war flick, another part psycho-drama and all parts wonderfully kick ass.

The first thing you notice about the film is how expertly paced and balanced it is. From the first shot to the ending frame, everything is perfectly pitched. Humor is balanced with raw emotion and intense action is intertwined with light hearted joking, all expertly mixed by Bigelow, who deserves top mark for her work in this film. Without her excellent direction, this film could have easily devolved into “just another war flick”. Thanks to her, the film brings something new to the table.

Full credit also goes to Jeremy Renner in the role of SSG William James, the leader of the team and the most complex character of the three. When you first meet James, he tends to come off as brash and arrogant, but as the movie develops, you learn how deep the character gets and Renner does a fantastic in this emotional balancing act. If it weren’t for Jeff Bridges, he would be the front runner for a Best Actor Oscar.

The other actors do a fine job filling out the triangle. Mackie, playing the hardened journeyman soldier and Geraghty as the young kid just trying to make it though play nicely to Renner’s character. The cinematography is also noteworthy as it drops it you into the fray in almost a pseudo-documentary style that not quite District 9, but features a combination of shaky cam, quick pulls and classic filmmaking that compliments the story nicely.

When all is said and done, The Hurt Locker effortlessly balances all the intensity, drama and emotion of modern day warfare in what shapes up as an instant classic. Featuring fine performances by the top three actors, a thrilling story and top notch direction by Ms. Bigelow, The Hurt Locker is one the finest films released this year and is a no-brainer must see film.

[Atterr]

Very timely review Bulletproof, as The Hurt Locker has won 6 Oscars last night including Best Picture and Best Director. I haven't seen it yet, although I have it on DVD for nearly 2 months now. Will probably watch it this week, although my expectations have been raised by its (unexpected) great night at the Oscars.

I did see Shutter Island a week ago. Don't really have the time to write a review, but simply put: it is Scorsese's best film since Casino. Visually it is one of the finest of his career, the acting and casting are simply perfect and the impressive soundtrack features great avant-garde music.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Atterr

[DaneykoIsGod]

I thought The Hurt Locker was good, but I'm kinda surprised that it won Best Picture. I didn't see a whole lot of the nominees, though. I thought the most impressive thing about the movie was that there were scenes that should have dragged, but they didn't. When you can make someone looking at nothing through a sniper's scope for hours upon hours watchable, that's a hell of an accomplishment.

[njskaguy33]

Just a quick run down of the Oscar winners from last night and my thoughts on the evening…not many surprises here in what shaped up to be a pretty boring night but here they are!

The Winners

Best Picture

The Hurt Locker – YES! After a long snooze inducing evening, it was great to see the better film win the big one. Avatar was a big beautiful spectacle, but The Hurt locker had the better acting, the better directing and the better story. Thankfully, the Academy made the right move and picked the better of the two favorites, however, I still which Up In The Air got more recognition than it did as it was my favorite movie of the year.

Random Thought – After all the buildup, this was probably the most rushed Best Picture announcement in Oscar history. Yes, the thing had already run a half hour too long but it seemed so anti-climatic to not even announce the nominees one more time, especially after Best Actor and Actress got a 10 minute schpeil for each category.

Actor in a Leading Role

Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart – Meh, this was a no brainer although, after seeing The Hurt Locker, I can see why Renner got a nomination. Still, Jeff Bridges had the best male performance of the year and more than deserved the win.

Random Thought – Jeff Bridges also wins the award for “Strangest Rambling Acceptance Speech” of the evening. Evidently, “The Dude” still abides….

Actor in a Supporting Role

Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds – Not much to say on this one as this was another slam dunk for Waltz who had been gathering up awards by the fistful for months now. Also well deserved and my personal pick.

Actress in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side – While I picked her to win, I really didn’t want her to and was a touch disappointed when she did. To be fair, I didn’t see The Blind Side, but I can’t imagine her performance was better than Streep in Julie and Julia, which critics were raving over, or Helen Mirren in The Last Station, who was brilliant. Streep is now 2 for 16 in Oscar wins versus nominations which is a damn shame for someone who’s arguably the finest screen actress that ever lived. Bullock is now 1 for 1 for what looks like a TBS movie. Just doesn’t seem right.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Mo'Nique - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire – Another slam dunk for Mo’Nique as nobody else really had a chance against her. Nuff said!

Directing

Kathryn Bigelow – The Hurt Locker – Another win for independent minded cinema! Many Hollywood insiders thought Cameron and Bigelow would split Best Picture and Best Director but Bigelow came away with both of the biggies she was up for. Again, really glad to see the better film win.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire – This was a bit of a surprise for me because I was really rooting for Up In The Air to get some recognition for having such a fantastic script, but sadly it was not to be. In fairness, Precious was good enough to get something, and I suppose this is as good as any. Still, I think Up In The Air deserved it more.

Random Thought – Line of the day goes to Steve Martin who after the screenwriters bumbling acceptance speech said simply, “….I wrote his speech…”. Evil, but very funny.

Writing (Original Screenplay)

The Hurt Locker – Loved the movie but I thought the story was the weakest part of the film. While I really thought Inglourious Basterds had a chance for this one, it ran up against the THL machine this year. Shame too, as I thought the writing was far superior to THL.

Animated Feature Film

Up – Pixar does it again with another easy pick…no other film stood a chance

Art Direction

Avatar – Well, when half of the film is drawn by computer animators, it better win best art direction. Avatar walked away with a fair share of technicals, as it should, and this one was an easy pick.

Cinematography

Avatar – WHAT???? My brother hit the roof when this won, simply because, how does a movie that features maybe 40% of actual traditional filming win best cinematography?! Yes, I’m oversimplifying, but how hard is it to film somebody on a green screen and plop them into a computer generated world? Technically it’s challenging, but it has nothing to do with the actual filming of a movie. Hurt Locker should have ran way with this based on how wonderfully it was filmed. To be fair, when I did my initial picks I picked Avatar to win, but that was before seeing THL.

Costume Design

The Young Victoria – Told ya period pieces always win costume design! Score one for BP!!

Random Thought – Was it me, or was the woman accepting the award a big bi-atch? “I already have two of these, so I might as well be greedy and get a third.” Wow, what a C U Next Tuesday. Still, her bit about how period pieces shouldn’t always win and contemporary costuming should get more respect was spot on. Still, she didn’t have to be so nasty about it.

Documentary Feature

The Cove – Didn’t see any of the nominees but my brother called this one as it had a ton of buzz going for it before the ceremony. Killing dolphins in Japan…sounds like a good doc to me!

Random Thoughts – Boo to the guy who walked up with a poster that read, “TEXT DOLPHINS to 44144” during the acceptance speech. Yes, killing dolphins stinks but this is about your achievement in filmmaking, not the agenda you’re pushing. Just a tacky moment that I saw coming the second he walked up there with the thing rolled up in his hand.

Documentary Short

Music By Prudence

Random Thought – Who was that crazy woman who interrupted the director 10 seconds into his speech? If it weren’t for Jeff Bridges rambling like a stoner, this would have easily taken the “Oddest Acceptance Speech” prize.

Film Editing

The Hurt Locker – Another instance where I made a pick without seeing the winner first and wish I had picked the winner, as it certainly deserved the award.

The Others

Foreign Language Film – The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos) – Kinda thought the Prophet would win, but whatever.

Makeup – Star Trek – Well deserved

Music (Original Score) – Up

Music (Original Song) – Crazy Heart – The Weary Kind

Short Film (Live Action) – The New Tennants

Short Film (Animated) – Logorama – Not sure if anybody saw this, but this thing looks awesome.

Sound Editing – The Hurt Locker – Toss up between Avatar and THL to me.

Sound Mixing – The Hurt Locker

Visual Effects – Avatar – If this didn’t win, I would’ve given up on the Oscars entirely.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Bulletproof

[njskaguy33]

I actually think the Alice movie is a sequel to the original Alice movie but that is not based on the book series.

Sorry for not responding sooner, 731, but you’re 100% right…it is intended to be a sequel but not based on any of the books in series. Still, from what I’ve read, the film tends to fall into some fantasy clichés, but is still visually striking. On the fence on whether or not I’m going to see this, but I’m leaning towards no.

Very timely review Bulletproof, as The Hurt Locker has won 6 Oscars last night including Best Picture and Best Director. I haven't seen it yet, although I have it on DVD for nearly 2 months now. Will probably watch it this week, although my expectations have been raised by its (unexpected) great night at the Oscars.

I did see Shutter Island a week ago. Don't really have the time to write a review, but simply put: it is Scorsese's best film since Casino. Visually it is one of the finest of his career, the acting and casting are simply perfect and the impressive soundtrack features great avant-garde music.

Atterr, I think you’ll enjoy The Hurt Locker. It’s not a prefect film, by any stretch, but it’s up there in my best of this year. What’s most surprising is how good the acting is…looking forward to your comments once you see it.

As for Shutter Island, I have yet to see it myself but my brother saw it and had the exact opposite reaction you did. I’m not going to go into details, but he felt the movie failed in story and acting, with a twist visible a mile away. Still, with reviews being so mixed, I think I might have to see it when it comes out on Netflix, just so I can form my own opinion.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Bulletproof

[Atterr]

When you can make someone looking at nothing through a sniper's scope for hours upon hours watchable, that's a hell of an accomplishment.

That sounds a lot like Jarhead and I really liked that movie. I don't know why but I have a feeling that I will be really disappointed by The Hurt Locker. I just saw that it's still in the theatre here, so I'll definitely watch it there this week.

Actress in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side – While I picked her to win, I really didn’t want her to and was a touch disappointed when she did

No, you didn't.

On topic: Watch Shutter Island a.s.a.p.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Atterr

[btexperience]

I did see Shutter Island a week ago. Don't really have the time to write a review, but simply put: it is Scorsese's best film since Casino. Visually it is one of the finest of his career, the acting and casting are simply perfect and the impressive soundtrack features great avant-garde music.

I don't know man. My friend and I walked out of the theatre with very little to say; other than it sucked the big one. In movie land, this is what they call well-made shlock. The cinematography and art design were wonderful, the actors worked pretty well (I really liked Ben Kingsley & Michelle Williams), and some scenes were really well put together. But the actual source material is really lame stuff, and the twist was convoluted. It also didn't work psychologically with the flash backs--they were pretty, nothing more. Also, the Nazi material was pointless, because if you consider the twist, it all adds up to nothing. Also, there were so many scenes of just mindless dialogue and exposition.

There are theories that there are deeper meanings in the subtext of the nature of the employees at Shutter Island, that give complete new meaning to Teddy and his development--quite honestly, that's just digging. I don't blame Scorsese for this film, he did the best he could with the material. I'm pretty much in the realm of opinion with these guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piSkIJwK6OM

However, the movie cost $80,000,000 to make, and the gross revenue is currently $130,825,000. So we just went from well-made schlock, to well-made profitable schlock. I can see some people liking this for what it is. For me, I really like psycholocial horror like Jacob's Ladder, Silence of the Lambs, or The Shining. Hell, even the Silent Hill video game series works (we won't talk about the movie, though ).

That's all, just my opinion, and according to Rotten Tomatoes, I'm in the minority anyway. It's on the top 250 list on iMDB also, but that's always changing. Wanted to like it more, just couldn't. Sun rise, sun set.

Cheers

[njskaguy33]

That sounds a lot like Jarhead and I really liked that movie. I don't know why but I have a feeling that I will be really disappointed by The Hurt Locker. I just saw that it's still in the theatre here, so I'll definitely watch it there this week.

No, you didn't.

On topic: Watch Shutter Island a.s.a.p.

Jarhead is great but Hurt Locker is a different type of great. The story is thinner in The Hurt Locker but the character development is right up there with Jarhead and the film is wonderfully intense as well.

Oh, and good call out on my Best Actress pick...for some reason, I thought I had picked Sandra Bullock when in fact I picked Meryl Streep. Thanks for keeping me on my toes, Atterr!

[njskaguy33]

Opening This Week – Nationwide

Green Zone – Consider this one “Bourne Light”. Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass (Bourne Supremacy, Ultimatum, United 93) team up again to bring us another fast action thriller, this time set in the early days of the Iraq War searching for WMD’s. Critics have been pretty critical of this film, with many of them saying Greenburg’s steadycam style of shooting is used to over excess and the story is rather thin, but fans of Damon and the Bourne style movies should find a lot to like…just don’t expect a film on par with that classic franchise.

Our Family Wedding –So, what do you get when you take a bucket full of ethnic clichés, wrap them around a story of duel weddings and throw in one of the lamest premises known to man? Our Family Wedding!! Critics are saying this is a mirthless, humorless waste of time that insults the intelligence of anybody stout enough to attempt a viewing. Painfully bad!

Remember Me – Robert Pattinson in something that doesn’t need false teeth and brooding teenage vampires? Say it ain’t so! Remember Me is the story of a rebellious teenager who meets a gal who pulls his life out of the gutter with love. Wah, wah, waaaah, this thing has melodrama dripping from the synopsis. Critics have been hating on this film, saying it’s maudlin, melodramatic and has an ending that is so bad, it’s “nearly offensive”. Ouch…something else to avoid if you’re near the cinema this rainy weekend.

She’s Out Of My League – Remember the dorky kid in Tropic Thunder? The one who’s reaaally eager to be there? Well, he got himself a starring role as a average guy who had trouble dealing when a “total hottie” starts to fall for him. The funny thing is that is the second best reviewed film coming out this weekend, behind Green Zone, at a sparkling 46% rating on RT. Not my type of flick, but there might be enough to make it worthwhile for fans of light comedies.

Opening This Week – Limited

Mother – Sorry, this may be an obscure reference, but every time I read this film title I think of Fez from Ron and Fez, talking about his “mooootherr”. Anywho, I could write pages on the sad state of the film industry when Our Family Wedding gets released wide and an apparent gem like Mother gets released in two theaters. The story revolves around twenty something adult who is accused for murder of a girl he barely met and the efforts of his mom in trying to clear his name. Critics have been raving over this Korean import, so check it out if you get a chance. Playing at the IFC Center and the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas in NYC this weekend.

Severe Clear – Interesting looking documentary about the our first invasion into Iraq told through the stories and cameras of the people who were actually there. Much of the film is “home movies” of soldiers in combat, so it definitely looks to be an interesting angle on the Iraq conflict. Opening at the Angelika this weekend.

Opening This Week – Worth Waiting For

Children of Invention – This highly rated film is about a brother and sister who have to fend for themselves after their single mother fails to come home from one of her many jobs one night. The brother, a self proclaimed inventor, now has to invent new ways for him and his sister to survive. Critics have been saying this is a heat-warming story that is the one of the best of the year, so far. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been released in the Tri State Area as of yet, so look for it when it finally reaches our area.

[njskaguy33]

Note : Since Atterr wrote a very good review of this movie, I had decided to just skip it and let his stand. However, since I've been posting my reivews on Rotten Tomatoes and a conversation cropped up on there about this movie, I decided I would do one for that site and share it with you all. Enjoy!

Newish Movie Review

Avatar

Often, reviewing movies can be, what the English call, a sticky wicket. As critical reviewers, we tend to examine what exactly makes a good or bad movie. Elements such as lighting, cinematography and acting all come into play and as critics, we tend to let deficiencies in those aspects affect our feelings on a film. By the very definition of the term, critics are…well…critical, more so than your average viewer, so much so, that we sometimes forget why we fell in love with movies in the first place.

Avatar is one of those films that inspire an internal struggle within me, the epic debate of substance versus experience, technique over emotion. The film features hammy, over the top acting, a script that is teeming with laughable dialogue and a story that’s been told literally a hundred times before. So why oh why did I leave the theater with a smile on my face feeling completely satisfied and blown away? The answer is a complex one, but to do the film justice, let’s examine what the movie is, what it’s not and what it aspires to be.

While you would think the highest grossing film in move history wouldn’t need a synopsis, Avatar is the story of a peaceful alien race called the Na’vi whose tree hugging way of life is being threatened by the big bad industrialist humans. Enter a crippled Marine who, via a mind meld with a Na’vi avatar, is tasked with infiltrating the alien culture to learn their ways and try to sniff out a potential weakness. On the way he flies a dragon, falls in love, and learns to appreciate a culture that his superiors have tasked him to help destroy.

First the bad, and there is plenty of it. As I mentioned earlier, Avatar features one of the worst Oscar nominated scripts I’ve ever seen on the big screen. No amount of technical tomfoolery can mask the cornball lines that come out of the actor’s mouth at every turn. The role of the General is particularly painful as he has some of the worst lines ever committed to celluloid...and I have to reiterate, this was a front runner for Best Picture! On the acting front, Sam Worthington proves he has neither the charm nor the chops to be a leading man, Zoe Salanda plays it over the top as Worthington’s love interest and Sigourney Weaver is surprisingly wooden as the Avatar scientist. In fact, the acting as a whole is clichéd, stale and, without the incredible special effects, pretty boring. Inspiring monologues don’t inspire, humor falls flat and the film actually starts to drag after an hour and half into it. So why the 70% Fresh rating?

Well, now for the good. The film itself can only be described as a big, beautiful spectacle, and in this case, that’s enough. Much ado has been made about the technology behind Avatar, but the CGI world that the Na’vi inhabit truly is beautifully realized with ooohh and ahhh moments at every turn. While James Cameron’s weakness is directing real human beings, he is one of the finest action directors in Hollywood and those scenes are frantic, exciting and very satisfying. The art direction is also inspired as all that technology would have been for naught if the vision hadn’t been there, and it’s there in spades. The story, while clichéd to the point of plagiarism, still hits all the right emotional buttons. In short, the film is something that we are wired to enjoy.

In fact, one can make some Cameron / Lucas comparisons. They both have no clue how direct real human beings, have a love for cutting edge technology and are true visionaries. They also both borrow heavily from the archetypes of Joseph Campbell to create their movie structures. Just like Star Wars and The Matrix, Avatar, whether James Cameron intended on it or not, uses Campbell’s classic mythological archetypes to create a story that, despite its many flaws, people naturally respond to. While I’m not going to start writing a thesis on Campbell, do a quick Google search for “Joseph Campbell archetypes” and you’ll see what I mean. Avatar is basically Star Wars with blue people and audiences are having a similar reaction. Why? Because it’s a proven formula for writing success, that’s why.

When all the dust settles, Avatar works as a film because it’s a classic story that people can’t help but respond to. Much like pop music simply sounds good and peanut butter tastes great with chocolate, Avatar simply feels good to watch, despite all the aforementioned problems and pitfalls. When it comes to all the things we critics look for in movies, Avatar falls short in almost every aspect; however, it’s a fantastic ride for the senses and clicks all the right links within our souls. While it wasn’t deserving of the Best Picture buzz, Avatar creates an awe-inspiring, hopeful world that you can’t help but fall in love with, even if only for the 162 minutes you spend there. Afterwards, you can dish with your film buddies on all of the movie’s flaws, but if you don’t find yourself staring at it with childlike wonder, you may want to re-examine what made you fall in love with film in the first place.

[btexperience]

Mother – Sorry, this may be an obscure reference, but every time I read this film title I think of Fez from Ron and Fez, talking about his “mooootherr”. Anywho, I could write pages on the sad state of the film industry when Our Family Wedding gets released wide and an apparent gem like Mother gets released in two theaters. The story revolves around twenty something adult who is accused for murder of a girl he barely met and the efforts of his mom in trying to clear his name. Critics have been raving over this Korean import, so check it out if you get a chance. Playing at the IFC Center and the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas in NYC this weekend.

Joon-ho Bong is the man! I haven't seen it yet, but his segment in the film Tokyo! is the best of the three. Memories of Murder is on my list of things to see.

Children of Invention – This highly rated film is about a brother and sister who have to fend for themselves after their single mother fails to come home from one of her many jobs one night. The brother, a self proclaimed inventor, now has to invent new ways for him and his sister to survive. Critics have been saying this is a heat-warming story that is the one of the best of the year, so far. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been released in the Tri State Area as of yet, so look for it when it finally reaches our area.

This film isn't even from Sundance 2010, it's from last year's! Proof that if you don't have any major studio backing or a distribution contract, it's almost impossible to get your movie seen outside of Sundance. My friend, Brooke, is in it, too. She was supposed to be an extra, but it turned into a speaking part. She's in the trailer! 2:12--she's wearing the yellow shirt.

Plug, plug, plug a lug...this is my shamless plug!!!