His Movie Reviews

The viewer is first introduced to this couple as if they were strangers, but as the story progresses you realize they were married and divorced, and embarking on a one night stand after the mans sisters wedding. My question is this, who would be a bridesmaid at their ex husbands sisters wedding?! Alas, these are the things I think about when the movie is at a lull. The details of their lives are revealed randomly through their conversation, and it is much like watching two old friends catch up: they never actually refer to the fact that they are discussing themselves, instead he says things like “well my ex wife used to say that” and then you realize he is actually referring to her. It is a very intimate film, although you do not realize until the end that you never even know their names. They are simply listed as “man” and “woman” in the credits.

I am always a fan of the films Helena Bonham Carter chooses to star in. Aaron Eckhart stars opposite her, and they are both brilliant. They have great chemistry between them and never once does it feel forced.  I highly recommend this movie to anyone.

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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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as a child of the 80′s, this book actually had very little effect on me. i couldn’t tell you the names of any of the characters, or what the plot line to the story was. in fact i do not even believe i owned it. I probably skimmed through it a few times throughout elementary school and looked at the pictures, but make something into a film, and i am bound to see it eventually.
the film itself is a work of art. the costumes and the scenery and the effects are spectacular. it is a very visual film, and at times looks like a great music video. i don’t think a child will walk out of that movie and not want to be max for halloween, with his whiskered costume and crown; hell, i want to be max! my favorite “wild thing” was alexander (voiced by paul dano). he is quiet and overlooked and is constantly asking “can anyone hear me?” he is an understated presence in the film. KW (lauren ambrose) is lovable and compassionate. she is the one who shows consistent support and kindness to the lost little boy pretending to be king.
the story is a roller coaster of emotions. i found myself becoming so attached to that cute little boy on his big adventure. max (played by max records) was absolutely perfect. he was mischievous and innocent and completely believable as the king of the wild things. when he is happy, you are happy, and when he cries, you cry. that being said, i have very mixed emotions about this movie. i cannot decide if i liked it or not. i mean, i did like it, but there is something about it that i just didn’t quite love, which i cannot put my finger on. i would definitely recommend it as a date movie. get some popcorn, and have a seat. be entertained, most certainly you will.
on a side note, the soundtrack is great.

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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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