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Reviews
Super 8 (2011)
Kinda works as a homage only
Just know going in that there is absolutely nothing original in Super 8, nothing whatsoever unless this is the first movie you've ever seen. I read that JJ Abrams guarded the secret of the movie's plot like a classified Homeland Security document. Um, OK. But that secret is a complete letdown if you've seen three or more of the following movies this borrows heavily from: ET, Goonies, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jurassic Park, Poltergeist (yes, lots of Spielberg here), Alien, Aliens, Eight Legged Freaks, Jeepers Creepers, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and many, many others too numerous to mention here.
I want to give the filmmakers the benefit of the doubt and say this is an homage to other far superior Science Fiction flicks, but the huge budget and clunky storyline lean more towards a derivative mishmash. Still, there are some semi-decent scenes and the young boy actor and Elle Fanning do a fine job with their stories. It's just when they come together with their contrived pre-adolescent romance that the chemistry fizzles like the 80's candy Pop Rocks abundant in the era this movie supposedly takes place in. But the music choices are great as are the 80's throwback costumes and setting.
The action drags along, and by the end I gave it a should shrug and a "meh." There are worse ways to spend a weekend day and $15, though.
The Runaways (2010)
Engrossing tale of innocence lost ... with great music!
Just caught a special screening of The Runaways last night at the Laemmle on Sunset, and it more than exceeded expectations. The leads (Kristen Stewart, Michael Shannon and Dakota Fanning) do an admirable job playing the sullen budding rock star, whacked-out manager and reluctant front girl. At first, it looked as though Stewart was going to fall back on her woe-is-me (woe-is-us who have to suffer through it) Bella character in Twilight, but her performance as Joan Jett soon showed a shyness and vulnerability that made the role three dimensional and overall enjoyable. Shannon gives a wonderful turn as Kim Fowley, The Runaways' too-brilliant-for-his-own-good manager and has some of the best lines in the movie (my friend and I were giddy every time he opened his mouth). But the real star here is Fanning as the innocent Cherie Curie, who didn't ask to be a star but was thrust into the spotlight nevertheless. Watching her downward spiral from innocent young woman (the film opens with her getting her first period) to trying to buy a jug of vodka for breakfast is where this movie soars above others of its ilk. With her big baby blues (wow, those eyes), Fanning portrays innocence lost more effectively than any other actress I can remember. She should be considered for many awards for her performance. Did I mention those eyes?
All in all, The Runaways is a fantastic movie. The direction, though "arty" at times, fits in well with the rock 'n' roll themes. The script is nearly pitch perfect without being preachy or excessive. The performances great. The soundtrack genius (from Bowie to The Stooges to The Sex Pistols - and even a few Runaways songs). But what really adds to the authenticity of the 70's period piece are the costumes and set design, which transport the audience back into a time when women rockers were practically unheard of. Some of the fashion (where did they find all those platform heels?) even takes on a life of its own. Looking forward to watching this little gem again.
Friday the 13th (2009)
Piece of crap horror remake
Unlike the excellent 3-D remake of My Bloody Valentine, Friday the 13th takes itself way too seriously. Sure it's peppered with jokes and comic relief but even this is heavy handed and awkward instead of seamless and funny. Whereas Valentine paid homage to the 80's slasher pics (almost reveling in its self-aware crummy dialogue, intentional bad acting, and gratuitous sex and gore), Friday the 13th fails to capture an ounce of the original's creepy fun or sense of doom. The remake has no style, no atmosphere (the lighting is horrendous), no direction - all of which the original 13 had in spades. The actors and flimmakers try too hard to squeeze a drop of fear from the ticket buyers, and only succeed in looking like they're trying too hard. But the true litmus test of any horror movie is whether it keeps the audience's attention. Sadly, the new 13 does not. After the first 20 minutes of nothing happening (it begins with the "story" of the inane "teenagers" instead of engaging us with a hook and hold involving Jason), I found myself nodding off throughout the remainder of the film, resulting in a 90-minute exercise in tedium.
The Path to 9/11 (2006)
The real path to 9/11...
In the immortal words of the Thompson Twins, "lies, lies, lies - yeeeaaah." Based on little fact, except that the Bush Administration dropped the ball and allowed 9/11 to happen, this mini-series is just a neo-con rant that will be forgotten as Americans realize how incompetent this current administration truly is - and how the Iraq occupation is the best recruiting tool for terrorists. It's pathetic that the all-Republican production team of this series didn't go back a few more years to the true start of the path to 9/11, i.e., the creation of Osama Bin Ladin. That was, of course, during the Iran Contra, Oliver North and Reagan Administration, who recruited Bin Ladin and trained him to become a killer. But as history has showed us again and again, these monsters always turn against their creators.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
That's all...
Not sure if Devil is a comedy or a drama. I call it a drama but my friends say this film is definitely a comedy. Whatever the genre, this is a must see for anyone who appreciates great acting. Yes, this year's award for making a mediocre story into a truly great cinematic escape goes to Meryl Streep. Her Miranda is cold and calculating (don't expect a crazed, fanatical, over- the-top character - hers is more reserved, intense). What Streep does (she makes it look effortless though this performance can only come about through hard, disciplined work) is art in the highest form. Miranda is one of the most original "bad guys" created on film. We hang on her every word. We see her struggle for power and self-preservation. And we don't want to forgive her, but we do. These are not the type of emotions audiences usually feel towards the antagonist but Streep gives us a real person, not a caricature. And this is what propels the film along (this and some of the best night shots of New York I've seen). Kudos to the director, cinematographer, script writer (some great and memorable lines), and to whoever got Streep to sign on to this film.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Why Ang Lee is a master
After reading Ms. Proulx's tour-de-force story (only 30 pages), I weeped for the rest of the day. How a writer can capture all five senses of a place and its people so keenly was a magical, near religious experience. Only a few writers have ever been able do this. And only a few directors can recreate this kind of short story into a brilliant, faithful adaptation.
Mr. Lee accomplished this feat. The movie, like the written story, is about what isn't said. The silence, the human gestures and Mother Nature Herself tell the real story - the one lurking deep (very deep) below the surface. Lee's attention to detail is mind blowing. At one point early on in Brokeback, the audience sees an extreme static close-up of Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal). In the background, Ennis (Heath) is washing himself. Most directors would have had him steal a glance at the naked man. But Jack holds still, focused on his task at hand. This subtlety is what sets this movie apart from any other love story. It respects the audience, and in turn leads us to highs and lows not experienced in a theater before. I haven't been this emotionally manipulated by a film since Spielberg's The Color Purple.
A standing ovation to Lee, Ledger, Gyllenhaal, and the supporting cast (who give some of the most heartbreaking small performances ever filmed). The "buzz" is on...
The Fog (2005)
Give me back Carpenter!
Whoa, what a mess. I would have given this movie 1 star, but Selma Blair starred in this exercise on how NOT to make a remake (see stinker). She doesn't do much in the movie (and her character doesn't even come close to Adrienne Barbeau's turn) but neither do any of the other characters for that matter (blame the script and director, not the actors).
Whereas in the original, John Houseman set the creepy tone with his captivating ghost story around the campfire, this version tries (and fails miserably) to recreate what happened 100+ years ago off the coast of Antonio Island. I was completely confused by the string of events and wondered why we needed to see this flashback at all. In fact, almost every decision Rupert Wainwright ("director" of said remake) made was a bad one. He should have just stuck with the original script, since he obviously has no sense for creating suspense. None at all!
I was bored out of my skull the entire movie (actually, I left 10 minutes before the end when it tried to substitute scares with car crashes). So beware of the high ratings. Ninety percent of reviews that appear before the movie opens is from people who worked on the film or who are associated with it in some way (i.e., they can't "afford" the bad word of mouth).
And how bad can it possibly be? At one point, the character of Dan the weatherman (in another botched scene compared to the original) yells at the fog, "Is this some kind of joke?" Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" And more unfortunately, that joke is on the people who paid to see this suckfest.
War of the Worlds (2005)
Finally...
A mega blockbuster that uses FX to move the story - instead of as space filler and eye candy? Who would've known such a concept could work? I've skipped most blockbusters within the last five years (right after Independence Day sucked the soul right out of me). But gave Spielberg a chance at redeeming the genre (mega-blockbusters should be its own category despite being action, drama, comedy or horror). The genius director delivers. He came through on just about every level (story, visual, pacing). Other than "Tom's" annoying, whiny, cloying son and daughter (I wanted to reach through the screen and slap the #$%! out of them more than once), the movie was pretty much flawless. I'm still mulling over the ending (not sure if this is how the book or not) but WOTW is great summer escapism that won't lower IQs.
Team America: World Police (2004)
The problems with Team America....
The reason this movie bombed at the box office wasn't its edginess or controversy (those would be assets in other hands), but that it wasn't all that funny. Viewers need to sit through scenes upon scenes of vapid, inane dialogue and situations (mostly g-rated fluff) before getting to anything that sparks of irony or humor. The cobbled together plot (a team of young puppets who destroy everything in its path in the name of "freedom") could have been dreamed up one night during a cub scout sleepover. I found myself dozing off in many parts of the movie. Only towards the end when the "celebrities" get their just desserts does it become interesting. I'm a huge fan of South Park (very original, very ironic humor) but this movie really missed the mark on just about every front - except being a formulaic action flick along the lines of the forgettable Armageddon or Pearl Harbor. I give this three stars for the three slightly humorous scenes - one being the deleted "sex" scene.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Certainly not the best movie of the year
The middle hour of this movie was well-paced, well-acted and well-executed. Too bad the first and last half hours failed. Ten minutes into the movie, and I was already checking my watch. I almost walked out, but the story got interesting once "Clint" took "Hilary" under his boxing glove. The second act (one hour) then became pretty riveting: exciting boxing scenes, good drama between the two leads, back story development, yes! But then - like a loud, farting uncle who has worn out his welcome - came the melodrama in big heaping, dripping spoonfuls. I rolled my eyes more than once during this TV-movie-of-the-week portion of the movie.
The movie also boasts one of the most annoying secondary characters since Jar Jar Binks stunk up the screen. You'll know him within the first five minutes. Danger, film goers.