Why So Blu?

‘Haywire’ Is Streamlined, Offbeat, And Brutal

Once again, the month of January has actually managed to deliver some disposable fun, this time in the form of an action thriller from director Steven Soderbergh.  Haywire falls into the director’s category of more mainstream, but it certainly boasts a strong cast and enough offbeat qualities to make it stand out a bit.  Of course, the main thing to take away from this film is that star (and MMA fighter) Gina Carano can kick all of our asses, and look good doing it, which is especially important, given that the story is stripped down to basics and does not rely on having much complexity or originality in the narrative.  Haywire is held together by its cast, authentic and brutal fights, and its style, which feels like a throwback to 70s revenge flicks. Continue reading ‘‘Haywire’ Is Streamlined, Offbeat, And Brutal’

You Can Smuggle A Little Bit Of Fun Out Of ‘Contraband’

In the 2000 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds, starring Nicolas Cage, actor Giovanni Ribisi played Cage’s younger brother, who was in over his head after losing out on a big heist, while working for an evil gangster.  His big brother, who retired from the life of crime, is forced to come back to the life of crime in an effort to keep his little brother out of danger.  Over a decade later, in Contraband, Ribisi has now grown up into being the evil gangster character, forcing another unfortunate little brother to do his bidding and bringing back the reluctant older brother.  This is all to say that both films are clear examples of a fun enough genre film.  Contraband has a bit of an edge (and not just ratings-wise) however, as I was quite pleased with how the film came together, utilizing every character and minor plot point in an economical sense.  Especially given the early 2012 release date, this is solid escapist fun that doesn’t aspire for anything greater. Continue reading ‘You Can Smuggle A Little Bit Of Fun Out Of ‘Contraband’’

‘A Separation’, A Great Film

A Separation is a lot of things, but it can be boiled down to a domestic drama mixed with a courtroom drama.  The film is Iranian and it is the country’s official submission for awards consideration (and it will likely win the Oscar, among other awards).  It has been well regarded all over and was at the top of many Best of 2011 lists.  Knowing all of that going in, I was not really thinking this film had a lot to live up to, nor was I skeptical about how good it could be.  My main concern was how a film like this could be gripping enough to really elicit such a strong response.  With that in mind, coming out of the film, I found myself to be completely transfixed by how gripping this story was.  The different ways more layers involving the characters and themes of the film were revealed over the course of the run-time kept the film engrossing and the strength of the low-key, but precise direction made it all the more effective.  Saying “simplistic” in terms of the style of this film would be a misnomer, because there is a lot going on in this fantastic film. Continue reading ‘‘A Separation’, A Great Film’

Melodramatic ‘War Horse’ Is Beautiful And Stirring All The Same

It’s easy to write off sentiment.  Having a sweet-natured sensibility is apparently a negative for films that wear their hearts on their sleeves these days.  I don’t feel this way when the film is both effective and presents more than just these qualities.  Before seeing Spielberg’s beautifully made War Horse, I had recently seen The Help for the first time.  That’s a film that cuts down a significant struggle to simplistic storytelling and plays up the sentiment factor, but it works because of the strong acting present throughout.  Similarly, War Horse does not present an agenda or have the need to delve into true darkness like past Spielberg films set during wartime.  The goal of this film is to simply cover the lifetime of an equestrian protagonist and how he effects those around him, during the film’s various segments. Continue reading ‘Melodramatic ‘War Horse’ Is Beautiful And Stirring All The Same’

‘The Darkest Hour’ Didn’t Quite Brighten My Day

About 45 minutes into this Russian-set alien invasion movie I realized that I had no idea what the names of the characters I had been following were.  That probably sums up the character work done in this film to keep you hoping for their survival, even though the leads are fairly likable.  I should also note that at this point, I’ll only refer to the actors by their real names.  Nothing makes this badly timed release (Christmas Day, really?) an abysmal film, it just feels like an incompetent one, with a noticeably bad handle on its editing.  As a result, The Darkest Hour is not as laughably bad (making it almost good, but not really) like Skyline, but it’s also not full of serviceable grit and over-the-top (but still kinda enjoyable) gusto like Battle: LA.  It just sits in the “this will soon be available for $4 in a bargain bin” territory.  But hey, at least it was shot in 3D, right? Continue reading ‘‘The Darkest Hour’ Didn’t Quite Brighten My Day’

‘We Bought A Zoo’ Sure Is Sweet…

We Bought a Zoo is a movie made to make you feel good.  There is no other way around that.  It features nice performances, a nice score, stakes that are enough to keep you involved, but never to really put you in a tense place, and an overall sweetness that is enough to make your teeth fall out.  It is certainly nothing I hold against the film, especially given that it is based on a true story, but the joyful optimism seen in this film can only take one so far, before the level of interest starts to fade.  Still, We Bought a Zoo is perfectly acceptable for families to watch together during the holiday season and at least possesses a confidence in the acting and filmmaking to keep it ahead of other, similar family friendly features. Continue reading ‘‘We Bought A Zoo’ Sure Is Sweet…’

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Movie Review)

David Fincher’s newest flick, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, features an unforgettable opening sequence reminiscent of star Daniel Craig’s other franchise, which coincidently, is also filled with sex, spy gadgets and wealthy super villains.  This movie begins by flashing sort-of-nude dancers writhing to a tune related to the movie, like Octopussy or Goldeneye did before it.  Here it’s Trent Reznor and Karen Oh’s industrial update of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” which appropriately gears you up for the craziest events ever to befall Sweden, a tedious land of ice and snow, or more recently, IKEA and Volvo.  The song choice, along with the assault of slick effects and rapid-fire editing, remind you this is going to be much more like Se7en than 007. Continue reading ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Movie Review)’

Sink Your Teeth Into Comedic ‘Carnage’

The problem I have with a lot of films that are adapted from plays is how they tend to feel a bit too theatrical, yet limited scope.  They are movies that feature big performances from the cast, complete with many key monologues, yet only feel like an expansion from the stage into a larger arena, as opposed to a whole new experience brought to a more cinematic format.  There are many exceptions to this, with 12 Angry Men and Glengarry Glen Ross standing out as obvious ones, and I think director Roman Polanski’s adaptation of the play God of Carnage stands on sure footing.  It is almost entirely contained in one setting and functions as a scathing comedy.  While very limited in scope and possessing very little in the way of a true story arc structure, the film features strong performances from the four leads and is quite funny in a fittingly European way, with tinges of Curb Your Enthusiasm-inspired looniness.  Carnage is an interesting departure for Polanski, but entertaining all the same. Continue reading ‘Sink Your Teeth Into Comedic ‘Carnage’’

‘Dragon Tattoo’: An Almost Too Expected Use Of Fincher’s Talents

After all the lighthearted fun I have had with the adventure films of December, 2011, it is now time to sink to someplace darker.  The biggest curiosity I have with the self proclaimed, “feel bad film of Christmas,” is how the three groups of people will respond to it.  The groups I refer to are those who have read the books, those who have seen the original films, and those who are completely new to the series.  As The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is based on the first book in an internationally best selling series, which has already spawned a popular film, there seems to be plenty of elements to consider.  The main reaction I have taken away is that the film is efficiently constructed and features a lot of specific elements that make it very watchable.  I have some issues with this film’s personality versus the original, but at the very least, it is a well done, hard-R film, with an atypical female lead, for those who enjoy dense mystery thrillers. Continue reading ‘‘Dragon Tattoo’: An Almost Too Expected Use Of Fincher’s Talents’

‘Tintin’s Adventures Never Cease To Astonish, No Matter How Unexpected

I was very excited when it was first announced that Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson would be collaborating on film adaptations of the popular “Adventures of Tintin” comic book series by Hergé.  Having long been a fan of the series, both in comic form and in its HBO TV series format, putting these two master filmmakers behind the camera for a new, big screen adaptation was a pretty easy way to get me amped.  Now as a friend of mine wisely put it, the popularity of Tintin in America is similar to the popularity of soccer.  The character is much more of an international icon and the character’s depiction skews pretty broadly.  Opposed to the gritty rough and tumble nature of many American heroes, Tintin tends to find himself in lighthearted adventures and peril resolved with playful coincidences.  As a result, The Adventures of Tintin is a fairly lighthearted adventure that happens to be incredibly well made thanks to Spielberg’s directorial handle on a 3D motion capture film. Continue reading ‘‘Tintin’s Adventures Never Cease To Astonish, No Matter How Unexpected’

Find The Biggest Screen Possible And Choose To Accept ‘Mission: Impossible’

Anthony Hopkins said it best in Mission: Impossible 2, “This is not ‘Mission: Difficult’ Mr. Hunt, this is ‘Mission: Impossible’; difficult should be a walk in the park for you.”  This latest entry in the Tom Cruise starring and produced spy/action franchise finds Cruise’s character doing one impossible thing after another and pulling it off with style.  From covert escapes during a prison riot, to climbing (and running) up and down the tallest building in the world, to sandstorm car chases, this film is filled with spectacular action sequences.  Aided by the fantastic use of IMAX cameras to further enhance the spectacle, this is one insane ‘Mission’ to behold on the big screen.  Further helped by its fun story, supporting roles, and ties to the original TV series, Ghost Protocol may sound like the title of a dense Tom Clancy spy novel, but it is one of the most accessible and entertaining action blockbusters to come out this year. Continue reading ‘Find The Biggest Screen Possible And Choose To Accept ‘Mission: Impossible’’

Watch ‘Young Adult’ Down A Bottle Of Dark Comedy

When I think of books meant for the young adult crowd (not counting the onset of vampire romance fiction), I tend to think of books that center around characters in their teens dealing with various types of drama, regardless of the genre, dealing with it, and experiencing a healthy level of growth because of it.  In the film Young Adult, we are given a protagonist who is the author behind a young adult book series, but does not practice the methods of a positive influence.  Charlize Theron (who is great in this role) manages to play an unlikable character who manages to become more unlikable as the film goes on.  That would generally be a bad thing, but this film actually uses that as its intention.  As a result, Young Adult manages to be a somewhat unique character study, fitted inside an incredibly dark and at times awkward comedy that does not hold back the way other films would. Continue reading ‘Watch ‘Young Adult’ Down A Bottle Of Dark Comedy’

‘Holmes’ Meets His Match In This Shadowy Sequel

The Victorian boys are back in town.  Sherlock and Watson are back and this time they are wrapped up in a deadly game of shadows, as the threat of Professor Moriarty looms in the background.  The first film, from 2009, turned out to be a lot of fun, given the new take on the character and universe.  Mixed with the fun performances from Downey, Jr. and Law and the stylish direction of Guy Ritchie (not to mention Hans Zimmer’s wonderful score), Sherlock Holmes was able to get by on charm and wit, as much as it did by blockbuster spectacle.  This sequel certainly goes the “bigger is better route” but does not lose sight of what made the first film enjoyable. Continue reading ‘‘Holmes’ Meets His Match In This Shadowy Sequel’

‘The Artist’ Speaks Volumes As A Likable Ode To The Silent Film Era

This past year has been notable to me in the way nostalgia has been informing many films. Hugo, The Muppets, The Illusionist, Midnight in Paris, and Super 8, among many others I could make arguments for have all had this theme running through them. Now we have The Artist, an incredibly likable film that serves as a tribute to the silent film era by literally embodying the genre. The film plays out just as a silent film would, leaving the audience to react accordingly, given only the black and white images see on screen (accompanied by a great musical score), with only small instances that break the realm of the genre. Added benefits to the story, which is purposefully melodramatic as well as reflective on its own subject matter, are the incredibly charming performances. Those with knowledge of film can certainly see what this film is doing quite easily, but that shouldn’t stop all from acknowledging how entertaining, stylish, and well put together The Artist truly is.

Continue reading ‘‘The Artist’ Speaks Volumes As A Likable Ode To The Silent Film Era’

Methodical Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Thrills

Along with having one of my favorite titles to say out loud of the year (the other being Martha Marcy May Marlene), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy also boasts one of the best ensemble casts of the year.  It is very delightful to report that the cast is certainly not wasted either, as everyone in this espionage-themed film has a chance to shine.  As a whole, the way the film plays out, it is very deliberately paced and all the more nuanced in the way it presents information.  Describing the basic plot is simple, but the complexity lies in the details presented.  This is very much a film that needs full attention paid to what the characters are saying and what is being shown in order to grasp all the detail in what is unfolding.  The film’s presentation easily harkens back to 70s spy thrillers, where it does not rely on action, but instead the notion of paranoia through many introspective characters.  Attention is key, as making one’s way through this film can be quite the challenging puzzle. Continue reading ‘Methodical Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Thrills’

No ‘Shame’ In Witnessing Bold Performances On Display

I would like to think that actor Michael Fassbender and director Steve McQueen have fun personalities when they are not on the set of their respective films.  Given the intense natures of characters that Fassbender has portrayed, particularly in regards to the two films he and McQueen have collaborated on thus far, it would be nice to know that the two also like to have a good time as fun drinking buddies for example.  Shame is certainly not a cheery film.  It takes focus on the life of a man who is burdened with a crushing addiction and is forced to abuse himself to find relief, despite the effect it has on those around him. Continue reading ‘No ‘Shame’ In Witnessing Bold Performances On Display’

Whimsical Charm Runs Through Scorsese’s ‘Hugo’ Like Clockwork

I feel that there are two ways to really delve into Martin Scorsese’s 3D adventure/drama Hugo.  On the one hand, I could address the fact that this is less a film for children, as the marketing would imply, and more a loving tribute to the creation of magic via the film format during the early days of cinema.  While the film does revolve around a young boy going on an adventure to unlock a secret (a fairly generic one line summary), the whole things feels much more geared towards cinema history enthusiasts.  Now on the other hand, I could talk more about the way Scorsese uses 3D in this film.  Simply put, this is the best use of 3D in a live-action film I have seen (Avatar included) and I would be plenty willing to recommend seeing it in that format.  As a whole, I would say this is a splendid film through and through, given both the heartfelt story and the technical accomplishment that Scorsese pulls off in its colorful creation. Continue reading ‘Whimsical Charm Runs Through Scorsese’s ‘Hugo’ Like Clockwork’

‘The Descendants’ Is Set In Hawaii, But It’s Not All Sunshine And Rainbows

I was starting to wonder where Alexander Payne went.  Following the large success of 2004’s Sideways, I was hoping to see more films from him sooner.  Payne has made success out of strong comedy-dramas, with some dark and satiric edges to them and I have been a fan of his films.  Now he has finally come back with a new dramatic feature, with some comedic elements, involving a family man dealing with a trauma, among other issues he faces.  The ace up Payne’s sleeve this time around is having George Clooney as his lead.  While Clooney does get to play it smart and provide one of his best performances, he has also ditched a lot of the things that make him cool.  As a result, this film serves as a well made, low-key drama that doesn’t do a lot that is unexpected in the way of story, but is certainly assured in its writing and performances. Continue reading ‘‘The Descendants’ Is Set In Hawaii, But It’s Not All Sunshine And Rainbows’