Bite-Sized Reviews

I thought I'd share my opinions regarding some of the movies I've seen lately. I'm no professional critic or reviewer and have no desire of being one. I just call it like like I see it. This is also not about being wrong or right since art is completely subjective. So feel free to comment and interject your two cents. Here we go.....

Goodbye Lenin! (2003) Germany - 121 minutes /Writer-Director: Woflgang Becker
A clever “What if?” almost always results in a good hook for a movie and this one definitely has it. What if an East German socialist zealot goes into a coma just as the Berlin Wall falls and the country is reunited? Christiane is in such a frail condition and can relapse, or die that her son Alex goes through great lengths to make it seem that things are status quo. There is an honest yet funny cleverness to this movie.(especially Alex’s indifferent and sarcastic takes on the surge of capitalism) But the best part is that in the middle of a great premise, is a story of a family coming to grips with change while dealing with familial transgressions. I highly recommend this one.

3:10 to Yuma (2007) 122 minutes/ Director: James Mangold
Although lacking in cinematic subtlety, this straight-forward remake of the 1957 Glenn Ford film is nicely done and a good watch for any fan of westerns. Christian Bale is a civil war vet who’s upside down on his finances and is struggling to support his wife and son. For a nominal fee, Bale agrees to transport a fugitive in Russell Crowe who is the cunning leader of a gang of bank robbers to the town of Contention, Arizona where a 3:10pm train will take Crowe’s character to a federal prison in Yuma. What transpires in the interim is a predictable yet entertaining battle of wits between Crowe and Bale wrapped up in some real good action sequences. If you’re guessing a rapport between captor and prisoner develop then you should be playing Vegas more often.

Rescue Dawn (2006) 126 minutes / Writer-Director: Werner Herzog
A supposed true-to-life account of US Navy pilot Dieter Dengler’s ordeal as a prisoner in the Laosian jungle during the Vietnam War, this movie has the typical conventions of any POW movie except there is a unique, almost documentary feel to the way it was shot. (after all Werner Herzog is a master documentarian and had already shot a docu about Dengler called “Little Dieter needs to Fly” in 1997) Although this movie was an entertaining watch, I felt it lacked a bit of insight into Dengler’s personal story. Perhaps Herzog felt he had extensively covered this in the docu. (which I haven’t seen, for the record) Either way, if you’ve recently watched Deer Hunter and for some odd reason want to see a little more despair then knock yourself out. (And you haven’t gotten sick of seeing Christian Bale in yet another lead role)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2009) 165 minutes / Director: David Fincher
The trailer knocked my socks off. The question was, would the actual movie be any good? Personally I thought that even if it fell short, David Fincher always delivers a film worth watching. And I was right. Visually this movie was beautiful and certainly not a big surprise, what with Fincher’s well established reputation as one of the premier shooters in Hollywood. Unfortunately the film feels like a re-tread of Forrest Gump. Except Gump was the better of screenwriter Eric Roth’s babies. (not to mention, the first) The parallels are endless between Button and Gump that you can’t help but compare them. Button’s reverse-aging dilemma only complicates matters for a character who I couldn’t seem to find any empathy for. There are a lot of good moments in this one but I’d have to go back to Fincher’s last one, the highly underrated and compelling Zodiac to see his genius at work.

La Vie en Rose (2007) 140 minutes / Director: Olivier Dahan
I’ll preface this by saying I’m not a fan of biopics. To me written history trumps any attempt at an accurate portrayal of anyone and especially when those who have the finances will often have an agenda for or against common conceptions. (which I have nothing against. Free speech is a right we all have) Marion Cotillard deserved the best actress Oscar without a doubt. Her transformation is remarkable here and her performance is compelling. I think she over acted a bit but given the complex and tragic character of Edith Piaf, I’ll give her a pass. The film is shot beautifully but it’s emotionally draining. The one thing it did reaffirm to me is the importance of being tenacious for the things you strive for, and how one should relish every morsel of life.

The Wrestler (2009) 115 minutes / Director: Darren Aronofsky
Like Slumdog Millionaire, this movie received a lot of critical hype and I was wary of it. After all I already felt rewarded when Slumdog lived up to all the talk. But the Wrestler was just as enjoyable and just as compelling to watch. It’s a modern day tragedy about how people find and lose redemption and the constant conflict to control our own nature. Mickey Rourke’s performance is memorable. I have yet to see Milk but I can say that I would been alright with Rourke getting the best actor Oscar. Like Danny Boyle in Slumdog, Darren Aronofksy shows us a world rarely seen and shows that great characters have many facets. Randy Robinson is a flawed man with a genuine soul whose chances in life are dwindling. What he does about it is simply amazing.

Gran Turino (2008) 116 minutes / Director: Clint Eastwood
I wish Clint filmed this as a western because it could certainly have been one. But the modern setting works just as well I suppose. Walt Kowalski is unashamedly old school and seemingly closed minded. A relic of a generation who thought and lived simply but suddenly find themselves having to survive in a complicated, modern society. The revelation here is that beneath the gruff exterior is a decent man. And no matter how he instinctually keeps people at arms length with his bigoted ways, there is no denying that he can and will do the right thing even reluctantly. In a way Walt’s character is similar to Randy Robinson in The Wrestler. Both men want ultimate victory even if it means walking on broken glass.

Doubt (2008) 104 minutes / Director: John Patrick Shanley
Based on a stage play written by Shanley, this film is probably one of the more curiously intriguing films I’ve seen as of late. What lengths would you go do find the truth? Does the end really justify the means? Does self-righteousness give one the right to condemn another? I give a lot of credit to Shanley for not only creating an authentic setting for his story but for not telling one that is not skewed so sharply. Morality is at the heart of this film which is a subject very few people will tackle not only for its sensitivity but also the enormous breadth of opinion and subjectivity. What the director masterfully does in this movie is shoot it in a way where nothing is cut and dried and the audience is free to formulate their own conclusions. Acting wise, Philip Seymour-Hoffman gives another fine performance but for connoisseurs of great character acting, check out Meryl Streep’s Sister Aloysius. It’s a nice study in gestures and facial expressions.

Hancock (2008) 93 minutes / Director: Peter Berg
Where do I start with this one? Well for starters I think this movie suffers from being too self-aware. There is little subtlety in the story telling and the main character lacks the charisma of a super hero, even in his inebriated, self-destructive state. I have to admit that it’s somewhat entertaining but overall it suffers from generic, mediocre writing. There are some good visual gags and special effects but nothing groundbreaking or inventive. An episode of Battlestar Galactica is probably a better option.

Starting Out in the Evening (2007) 111 minutes / Writer-Director: Andrew Wagner
Character films are always a treat to watch and this one is no exception. Leonard Schiller was a once acclaimed author whose been relegated to obscurity. As his swan song, he embarks in writing his final novel but in the interim he meets an enthusiastic young lady named Heather who is writing her college thesis about him. He is reluctant but deep down he is enjoying the adoration he’s been sorely missing. He relents and they eventually form an unconventional relationship that leads both of them to ponder each other’s true intentions. A bi-plot to this is Schiller’s relationship to his daughter, who is undergoing a mid-life crisis and is dubious of Heather’s motives. Personally I could have done away with the daughter who is rather unappealing but a good portion of the film is devoted to her and her relationship troubles. I failed to see any real important connection between both plots and would have rather just seen more of Leonard and Heather. Despite this, I think Frank Langella’s masterfully subdued performance as the aging intellectual in Schiller is worth the watch.

Meet Bill (aka Bill) (2008) 97 minutes / Directors: Bernie Goldman & Melisa Walick
There’s the notion that you can learn more from a bad film than from a good one. This movie might as well be its poster child. If you’re looking for examples of how NOT to make a coherent, focused movie then look no further. Bill is an urbane, mild-mannered push over who’s overweight, and married to a wife who no longer cares for him. What’s worse is he works in a bank owned by his father-in-law who thinks as marginally of him as everyone else. On top of it all his wife is sleeping around with the greasy anchor of the local TV station. Finally Bill says enough is enough and calls his wife out and leaves. He ends up staying with his gay brother and his domestic partner until he can sort things out. In between all of this Bill is obligated to mentor a boarding school brat as part of the Bank’s community service. Sound plenty complicated right? Right. The problem with this movie is that the filmmakers (who also wrote the screenplay) thought that complication by way of superficial conflict means complexity. They populated their movie with stereotypes with stereotypical problems instead of real people. To make matters worse they relied on comedic/romantic/dramatic clichés that not only reminded you of other movies, but those movies did them better. I don’t have a problem with using clichés. You have to probably use one at some point. But clichés are only that if they aren’t sincerely interpreted. I’ll give Aaron Eckart a lot of credit for trying his best to make things work. Too bad his directors couldn’t decide what movie to make.

There Will Be Blood (2007) 158 minutes / Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
I don’t get it. I don’t get it. I don’t get it……. Oh, did I say I didn’t get it? Actually I did. Pure evil not only exists but triumphs over good all the time. Imagine going to see your favorite band or performer, or the New York Philharmonic. Then imagine them play a single note for two and a half hours. This movie is more of a stunt than a film. “look guys, look at what I can do!” To make things clear, I am a huge fan of P.T. Anderson. He’s made some of the more compelling films of the last twenty years. But I don’t get the overwhelming reviews from all the critics. What dope where they smoking? For the record I gave this film a chance. But after subsequent viewings I simply threw my arms up and called it quits. Like Robert Downey said about “The Dark Knight”… I guess I need a college degree to get this movie. (since I have one I guess a need a freakin’ doctorate) Someone pass me some aspirin.

No Country for Old Men (2007) 122 minutes / Directors: Joel & Ethan Coen
Similar in theme to There Will be Blood is the movie I like to call “The most amazing movie I’ve ever seen with a really confusing ending”. Both films show how evil can prevail especially when exacted by a determined, soul less individual. The first three quarters of this film is fun to watch. And by now we all know who Anton Chigurh is and how memorable of an impression he has made. What I don’t agree with (and accept) is the shift of point of view from Lewellyn to the Sheriff in the third act of the film. Yes he is too old and ill equipped to deal with Anton. Lewellyn is clearly the protagonist of the film but he mysteriously dies unceremoniously in a motel while the camera fades to black. Yet the critics literally wet themselves talking about this movie. My advice to you is to not listen to critics. (or me) and watch a movie for yourselves and form your own conclusions.

You Don’t Mess with Zohan (2008) 117 minutes / Director by Dennis Dugan
Where’s Happy Gilmore when you need him? I’m a big Adam Sandler fan but this movie is rather pointless save a few funny visual gags. Although I haven’t seen Bedtime Stories, which might make this movie look Oscar worthy in comparison.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) 124 minutes / Director by Shekar Kapur
I guess the serious period pieces aren’t immune to sequels anymore. Apparently it wasn’t enough to show Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne in the 1998 original, that they had to show her later years as a woman looking for her love while in the midst of a diplomatic struggle with Spain. Though this movie has some good moments, it’s a rather perfunctory exercise. The original film had so much palpable tension and drama. Plus Clive Owen seems he is in this movie because someone suggested he be in the movie. (I dare to bet it was his agent) All in all it’s worth a watch if your Netflix queue has an open spot.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007) 89 minutes / Director: Wes Anderson
I’m a big Wes Anderson fan. I’d watch anything he makes despite what the flakey critics say. This one was quite enjoyable and much more than The Life Aquatic. (And despite the presence of the overexposed Owen Wilson) The movie is about three brothers who board the Darjeeling Limited to reunite with their mother. Along the way old wounds are reopened and their tenuous and spotty relationship with their dead father is revisited with each having their own perspective and method for dealing with these issues. Through a series of petty quarrels and mis-adventures, the boys find themselves booted out of the train, their relationship seemingly shattered forever only to find themselves in the middle of a life-changing experience. Sometimes when we feel like we’ve figured things out, we get that much needed slap in the face and a reminder of what really matters in life. Wes Anderson has made probably the sweetest and emotional of all his films in this one and it’s worth the watch.

Before the Devil knows you’re Dead (2007) 123 minutes / Director: Sidney Lumet
This movie is about people who are at the end of their rope, not by the misfortune that life has unworthily put upon them, but from their own corruption. Andy is a finance guy who’s been embezzling money from his firm. He uses the money to fund his lavish lifestyle not to mention his expensive drug habit. His brother Hank is a simpleton whose ex-wife continually dogs him for child support or risk losing visitation rights for his daughter whom he cares for deeply. Andy hatches a plan to rob a jewelry store and bullies Hank to do the job. But Andy’s pitch has a twist: The jewelry store is the one owned by mom and dad. They only need to steal enough (using an unloaded gun) to cover both their debt and their parents’ insurance would cover the loss. The plan is diabolical and the results are a window into the darkness that inhabits people. Philip Seymour Hoffman is brilliant once again and supported by the equally amazing Ethan Hawke. It gets a little melodramatic but according to legendary director Sydney Lumet, that’s exactly what he wanted to do.

Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) 94 minutes / Directors: Colin & Greg Strause
The most amazing thing about this movie is that it actually got made. This movie made the original AVP look like Citizen Kane. I’m starting a “Please! Don’t make AVP 3” petition to send to Walter Hill who sadly, is actually involved in making this. If you have to know the premise, the movie picks up where the last one left off. The hybrid xenomorph/predator bursts out of the dead predator from the first film and causes the ship to crash to modern day earth. (The universe being so immense, what are the chances right?) The ship crashes somewhere in Colorado. (the earth being so immense, what are the chances right?) The whole town is infected and all of a sudden….beaucoup aliens!! Of course the predator posse can’t let that stand. One predator gets the distress signal from the crashed ship and heads for earth. The rest of the film plays out like you think it does except the ending scene with the Weyland-Yutani corporation getting their hands on predator tech doesn’t make sense at all. Much like the reason I watched this movie in the first place.

Snakes on a Plane (2006) 105 minutes / Director: David R. Ellis
The most amazing thing about this movie is that it actually got made. Wait, I already said that. I guess I needed a good laugh and had to hear Sam Jackson say: “There are snakes in this motherf’’’’in plane!!” I’ll forego giving the synopsis on this one. I just don’t want to spoil it for you.