Star Trek ****1/2 has been wondrously updated for modern audiences. Director J. J. Abrams has taken the drollness of past trek and injected energy into the proceedings all the while staying true to the heart of Roddenberry’s creation . This is indeed Star Trek, but new and improved with a fantastic cast and seamless effects. I was never a hardcore trekkie or trekker depending on your time frame, but consider me on board for this next wave of space adventure.
Wolverine ** brings the comic book movie (which has been soaring to new heights with Iron Man and Dark Knight) back down to it’s most cliched roots with lightning punctuations and shallow characters doing pointless things in an attempt to thwart villains who – if you saw X-men and X2 – aren’t going away anytime soon.
I didn’t think it was possible, but Gavin Hood succeeded in making a boring movie about the most interesting of X-men. Hugh Jackman is given absolutely nothing to do in this movie but look sad, growl, and yell. Better luck next time bub.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ***1/2 fantastic special effects in what amounts to a beautifully filmed coming-of-age story where age is everything. I found myself strangely disconnected with the first hour or so of this film despite the incredible special F/X. The only thing interesting about this man’s life is the fact that he’s aging in reverse. Without this conceit, it would be a rather dull affair. I watched short slices of his rather average life (the war sequence being the one exception) for nearly three hours and got to the end feeling a bit short-changed.
The film does find it’s footing in the middle, when both leads get to perform without the hindrance of digital manipulation. Ironically this is also when the characters feel the most alive, but then the last half happens and I once again became a bit detached. Don’t misunderstand, the film is definitely worth watching, and the age effects some of the best ever put on film, but don’t go into it expecting a life-changing experience. The characters didn’t grab me as they should have in order for the movie to have lasting resonance. It’s a good film, but nowhere near great and director Fincher has made better.
The Wrestler ****1/2 succeeds because I am not nor have I ever been even remotely interested in the “spectacle” of professional wrestling, but I wanted to know the fate of Randy the Ram. This film succeeds because of the characters and their lives. Mickey Rourke does give a fantastic performance as the Ram, a once glorified wrestling star now a has-been relegated to the local scene where jumping off of ladders into plates of glass wrapped in barbed wire is the norm. I disagree with some critics who say this one is for everyone, because I can name several people I know who won’t like it at all, but Darren Aronofsky (one of my favorite directors) has shifted gears with this film and proven he can do more than trippy and sci-fi and trippy sci-fi.
Splinter ***1/2 a B-movie with A tendencies. There isn’t anything new about Splinter, the horror/creature film from director Toby Wilkins, but it does harken back to the old school (ie: actually make a creature suit and put a man or woman inside and have it scare the actors), and for that I give it props. The actors you’ll recognize from television; they do a decent of job of transfering their fears to the audience, and the creature design is clever. Worth a rent if you’re a fan of this type of film.
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Tags: hugh jackman, benjamin button, star trek, the wrestler, splinter, wolverine, brad pitt, cate blanchett, j.j. abrams
Tenn. eleven, twelve…
I and my new Sony HDR-FX1000 had the opportunity to attend the EP release show for one, Crystal Thomas, in Nashville on April 16. A tripod and an extra master shot would’ve helped my footage which alternated between hand-held and resting on a table top, but the performance speaks for itself.
Also in Nashville I caught I Love You Man ***1/2, the starring vehicle for Paul Rudd, who proves that being socially awkward is fun for everyone (except young children of course – this one is rated R).
Finally watched the Peter Sellers’ classic Being There (Netflix probably thought I ran off with the thing) and it was quite an experience. Sellers performance is one for the ages and the final shot is utterly inspiring.
Another little gem I happened upon thanks to Harry Knowles over at AICN was the low-budget time thriller Timecrimes. Using the time travel theory made popular in the Back to the Future films this one tells a simply intricate tale.
One month of school left and then what promises to be a busy summer…
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Tags: Being There, Crystal Thomas, I Love You Man, Jason Segal, Nashville, Paul Rudd, Peter Sellers, Sony HDR-fx1000, Timecrimes
i watch the watchmen
i'm not batman
Watchmen (***1/2) is ambitious, and epic, and larger than life, but ultimately lifeless when it comes to the overall feeling you’re left with after watching it. Pretty pictures, and not much that resonates with you after the fact. Director Snyder has done this to audiences before with 300. Half-naked Spartans spouting “meaningful” diatribes while fighting faceless Persian zombies in slow motion and I cared not a whit for any character.
I enjoyed reading Watchmen, the comic book, it was a nice yarn with surprising depth, but I’m not a fanatic who thinks its the greatest “graphic” novel ever written so I came to the movie without a checklist to be entertained , and I was for the most part (didn’t even glance at my watch for the nearly three hour running time), but there was something missing – a connection to the characters, a reason to care about what happened to them. It never happened for me, and then the movie was over, and all could remember was that Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach was inspired casting, oh and that Zach Snyder has a violence fetish.
Definitely worth watching (in IMAX if you can), but don’t expect a transformative experience. Its a bloody comic book movie, floating above the deep end.
i c u
Let the Right One In (*****) is probably the best film about “vampires” I’ve ever seen mostly because it’s unlike any other in the genre. It’s a small story centered around a 12 yr-old boy who befriends his new neighbor (also seemingly 12) who happens to be a vampire. Classic coming of age tale with a bloody twist, but all of the beats are here. Problems at home, problems at school, learning to be a man and stand up for yourself and others – we’ve all seen it a million times before, but this go-round there is a measured, genius (or happy accidental) pace, there is surprising revelation, subtle and effective visual F/X, real friendship, and shocking violence all rendered with fantastic cinematography. It’s debatable whether the ending is touching or tragic (perhaps a bit of both), but whichever, the success is in the details.
weren't you in that film gladiator?
Body of Lies (***) Ridley Scott doesn’t make bad films starring Russell Crowe (well maybe A Good Year), but he definitely doesn’t make bad films with Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio. This is a good little political thriller with some action sprinkled here and there to wake the less-educated audience members. Not breaking new ground, but entertaining and worth a watch on Blu-Ray.
is that a metal apron you're wearing?
Midnight Meat Train (**1/2) is based on a short story by Clive Barker about a photographer who (in his attempt to snap an amazing photograph) stumbles on a butcher who is confused as to what or who he should be swinging his cleaver at. Relentlessly violent, with a surprise ending that should have been expounded upon, this film is ultimately an exercise for gore hounds. None other need apply (except perhaps for fans of early Alias, and Popular).
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Tags: watchmen, rorshach, body of lies, russell crowe, leonardo dicaprio, leslie bibb, ridley scott, midnight meat train
08 in order
slumdog gets the oscar and the girl
2008 Movies in their order of preference + or – a spot (it’s not like it makes a difference whether Untraceable is 57 or 59, the point is it kinda sucked considering I only saw 64 new movies). The top ten are set in stone (at least until I watch something better) and I only included films that I saw (obviously) released sometime in 2008. Some of these were watched recently and never given a formal review so I added a few brief comments (just to be fair). One of the reasons this list is so late is that I was hoping to squeeze in a few more of the lauded films like The Wrestler, Ben Button, etc, but that proved to be difficult due to my clogged schedule. Ever onward….
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The Dark Knight *****
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Wall-E *****
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Slumdog Millionaire ***** – Wonderful story that pulls on all the heartstrings. A bit sappy near the end, but the previous hour and and half earn it.
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4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days *****
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Iron Man****1/2
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Tropic Thunder ****1/2
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The Bank Job ****1/2
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Quantum of Solace ****
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Mongol ****
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Man on Wire **** – the best documentary I saw this year.
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Transsiberian **** – great film in the vein of classic Hitch.
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Appaloosa **** – straight up old fashioned western
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Redbelt ****
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The Visitor **** – really well-written characters.
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In Bruges **** – original spin on an old concept and the best performance I’ve seen from Colin Farrell
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Rogue **** – best man vs. beast movie I saw this year.
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Ghost Town **** – Gervais’ premiere feature-length is quite spirited and features the first Tea Leoni performance I truly enjoyed.
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Son of Rambow ****
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The Fall ***1/2 – beautifully shot but overlong and a bit too nonsensical
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Cloverfield ***1/2
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Speed Racer ***1/2
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Australia ***1/2
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Burn After Reading ***1/2
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Be Kind Rewind ***1/2
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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull *** – the most disappointing movie of the year.
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Doubt *** – moving performances from Hoffman, Streep and Adams.
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Hellboy II: The Golden Army *** – too cartoon-like removed any and all suspense.
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The Ruins ***
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The Incredible Hulk ***
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Cassandra’s Dream *** – the only Woody Allen film I got to this year.
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Forgetting Sarah Marshall ***
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Leatherheads *** Nice old fashioned feel to this one, but the plot plays it too safe.
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Run, Fatboy, Run ***
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The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian *** – LOTR light part two
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Get Smart ***
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Eagle Eye ***
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Rambo ***
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The Air I Breathe ***
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Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist *** – not much to write home about here, but watchable.
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Hancock *** – Will Smith as an ancient god? Bateman is the only reason this one gets three stars.
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Street Kings ***
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Quarantine *** -
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Mirrors **1/2 – Jack Bauer vs the Mirror Demons – nice production values.
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Pineapple Express **1/2– I laughed twice during the two hour running time, and continue to marvel at the success of Seth Rogen. High production value deserves half a star.
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Snow Angels **1/2 – utterly depressing despite some strong performances
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Wanted **1/2
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Penelope **1/2
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Chaos Theory **1/2
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Yes Man **1/2 – decent comedy but below Carrey’s standards.
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Jumper **1/2
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Birds of America **1/2
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The Signal **1/2
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Transporter 3 **1/2
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Sukiyaki Western Django **1/2
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27 Dresses **
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The Strangers ** – nice opening and then the characters become horror-movie stupid.
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Untraceable **
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Babylon A.D. ** – interesting concept thwarted by a terrible script
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Punisher: War Zone ** – yet another disappointing Frank Castle flick
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War Inc. ** – perhaps the worst film of John Cusack’s career, but definitely the worst John Cusack film of 2008
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Pathology **
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Smart People **
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Doomsday **
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The Happening *1/2 – the absolute worst film of the year by a “name” director with “name” stars.
Filed under: silver screen | Leave a Comment
Tags: best movies, dark knight, slumdog millionaire, top movies of 2008, wall-e, worst movies
NvilleII
Went to visit my sister who just recently relocated to Nashville and brought my camera along. The following are snippets from our visit to Centennial Park…
Top Movies of 2008 coming soon…
Filed under: home video, robi productions | 1 Comment
Tags: Bon Iver, Centennial Park, Nashville, Parthenon, Skinny Love, Tennessee
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