His Movie Reviews

We rented and watched a movie called Conversation with Other Women starring Helena Bonham Carter and Aaron Eckhart tonight. Those two actors alone is probably the only reason we picked this up, I mean Helena Bonham Carter is just an amazing actress (just watch her in Sweeney Todd, or my favorite movie, Fight Club) and Aaron Eckhart is pretty great too (Everyone knows him as Two-Face, but he especially shines in Thank You for Smoking). And after viewing the film, I’m still a little iffy on my review – it was just kind of an alright movie. I think what bothered me the most was also what I liked most stylistically about the movie. Throughout the film, the screen is split straight down the middle showing the two character’s perspectives and thoughts. While confusing at first, this allowed the movie to take what would have been a rather boring dialogue (the entire film is one very long dialouge) and give it depth. While a character is talking on one side, you get the back story filled in on the other. Yet the entire time you are focused on the current story and situation. Sounds confusing just trying to explain it. But as a film technique, I say it works perfect for this story. The entire movie is about two people, split apart and living in different worlds, that meet and talk. And the film literally shows you this. You not only get one side of the story or a hybrid, but both sides, both worlds simultaneously. One character may be talking while the other is remembering something from ten years ago. Or perhaps they are daydreaming of what should really happen, contemplating what the future might bring. So the approach of spliting the screen is a good idea, but seems like its also used as a cover-up.
For a film to be based solely the conversation of two people, that conversation better be really, really interesting. And while there are some good moments and the two actors did provide good performances, the story just didn’t seem to cut it. There were points throughout the movie where it seemed hard to stay concentrated on what they were saying and instead would rather get up and get a beer. The film while it had some funny moments and a bit of charm, was just dull and a bit predictable. I say, as a guy, this is a movie you could probably pass on.

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Going to the movies on a lazy Sunday, we decided to check out Where the Wild Things Are by Spike Jonze. I have been pretty excited about this movie for a while through the trailers and it didn’t disappoint. I absolutely, all-around enjoyed this film, and from the giggles and laughs from the kids in the audience, I wasn’t the only one. This is actaully one of the first films that I have seen so many children so intrigued.  The kid next to us literally sat at the edge of his seat the whole movie.  And it is because from the beginning of the film and Max’s improvised opening credits, you are instantly thrown into the protagonist’s world and you never look back. He is an imaginative kid that is a little strange and dealing with his family falling apart. Through a series of events, he runs away from home and adventures to where the wild things are. And this is when the film becomes, well, visually incredible. I mean, it should be considering it was shot in Australia and the creatures are done by the Jim Henson Creature shop. In a time laden with CG animation and computer rendered special effects, it’s so refreshing to see costumed characters fill the screen. There is just a quality about real characters, a tactile look and feel that is far superior to a CG’d character. Perhaps it is the true interaction between Max and the Wild Things – something literally impossible through 3D effects. But this brought me back to the wonderful films like Labyrinth or Dark Crystal that really showed how well Jim Henson’s crew could perform.

The music seems to plays an integral part to the film and at times makes it almost feel like a music video.  Which makes sense, being Spike Jonze.  But, it’s as if the lyrics are another character, adding a new layer to the story.   While some parts the music is a bit overwhelming and detached me from the story, most of the time, it really helped throw you into the film.  For example during the rumpus, there is this excitement, this chaotic feeling that really only comes from the music.  Karen O does a great job with the music and gives the whole film a stylized approach that is refreshing and fun. Go check out the soundtrack on iTunes.

But it’s through Spike Jonze that this this children’s novel come to life and lets kids of all ages enjoy the imaginative, wonderful world in which the Wild Things live. Through it, you connect with the characters – feeling their feelings – being happy and excited when the rumpus starts and sad and lonely when they are.  I, personally, really liked Max’s character – seeing how he sees the world.  And the Wild Things are like another one of his creations.  His imagination is limitless and yet it is through his experiences with the wild things that he is able to understand the real world around him.  I felt like the film really showed how a child might deal with grown-up issues, making up this fantastic world to figure out how to handle things.  And when he does, its not some fantasy-land, happy ending.  It is real, genuine.

Overall, this is a wonderful film that you should go see. Just go to the movies and for a couple hours, let your imagination run a little wild.  Enjoy.

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Having never seen an advertisement for Whip It, I viewed this completely on the urging of my girlfriend.  And I have to say, this movie is actually very good. Perhaps I am completely oblivious to every advertisement they have for this film, but to me this is definitely a nice little sleeper out in theaters right now that should be checked out. The plot-line is sort of predictable, like every other movie where the main teenage character has a dream to do something and her parents don’t approve.  But its not really the plot that drives this movie.  Its the characters and dialogue that really shine.  Ellen Page plays the title role with a subdued witty Juno-like quality that everyone loves her for.  Kristen Wiig plays a great role as sort of a mentor and friend. The characters are smart, funny, and just act real.  Its also not too bad that they roller skate in skimpy outfits as well.  I mean, I obviously knew the basic premise of the movie involved roller derby girls, so how bad could it really be?

It is a movie the can be considered a chick flick, but I definitely think a guy can sit through it and enjoy it.  I mean, there are some hard hits, blood, and broken bones.  I personally think Drew Barrymore purposely had her character injured every five minutes to keep her behind the camera instead of in front – but thats just me.  The only problem I have with the film is Page’s love interest.  That dude is just ugly, no two ways about it.  I mean seriously, he does a great job as the character but bring back the derby girls.  Sorry, dude.  So as far as this movie is concerned, if you’re looking for a nice, light, date-night flick, check it out and I hope you enjoy it.

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Yesterday we decided to shell out the fifteen plus bucks to go see the new Vince Vaughn / Jon Favreau creation in theaters now called Couples Retreat. I mean, from the outside, it has the makings of a great comedic masterpiece with the likes of the Swingers creators at the helm, not to mention decent one-liners in the trailer and the amazing Veronica Mars herself, Kristen Bell.  But as I was sitting in my velour theater chair, I found myself actually quite bored, and the movie was probably a mere 15 minutes into the film.  Dealing with heavy issues as divorce and family problems from the get-go makes  you begin to question if you have somehow been duped into some drawn out drama.  Of course, they try and keep you interested by sprinkling some comedic one-liners, but they almost fall flat compared to the gravity of other situations.  I mean really for most of the movie, the biggest highlight of the film is Colin Baiocchi, the boy who plays Vaughn’s youngest son in the film (and he has probably a total of 5 minutes screen time).  Granted, that is not to say that there aren’t funny lines in the film.  I did find myself laughing here and there (The shark scene was definitely a hit). But the main problem with the film, I felt, was the awkward progression of the characters through random fights and tension that was not cleverly or fully handled.  It seems to happen too often that a film tries to be more then one genre and gets burned.  Two movies were going on at the same time, a drama and a slapstick comedy yet the two never really melded together. As soon as there might be a need to solve some problem the movie cuts to another couple to capitalize on something funny they might do. You’re left with the haphazard mess that you can’t  decide was good or bad.  I mean, while my review of the film does seem entirely bad, I do have to say I did enjoy the funny parts of the film – I just wish there was more of them.  I would say to wait for this one on DVD and hope for more one-liners in the deleted scenes.

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