Tropical Delight

sons of thunder

Tropic Thunder ****1/2 is Ben Stiller’s best directorial effort so far, and the best comedy I’ve seen this year. The film is unbelievably smart while posing as a “ridiculous” comedy. And there are incredibly ridiculous things that happen in the film, but the world is so fully realized, that at times I didn’t know whether to laugh or cringe.

The characters are all solid. Stiller and Black have laugh out loud moments, but it is Robert Downey Jr.’s turn as an Australian “method” actor and Tom Cruise (who gives his most outlandish performance ever) as a superjerk producer who take their characters into truly memorable territory.

where's hitch?

Frenzy **** One of a handful of Hitchcock films that I had not yet seen, Frenzy was the master of suspense’s 2nd to last film before his death, and is proof that the man still had the gift even in the twilight of his career.

Hitch purposely cast unknown actors in the roles because he didn’t want the audience to have preconceived notions about the characters. The plot is similar to previous Hitchcock films, in that an innocent is blamed for a series of brutal murders due to inopportune circumstances.

Frenzy was Hitchcock’s first “R” rated film and also marked his return to England, where he began his career. Although not considered one of his classics, I believe Frenzy is an often overlooked gem in Hitch’s crown.

summer status

Yes, summer is still in full swing, especially in the South where I reside. The temperature stays in the mid-80s until November most years, but my vacation is drawing to a quick close and so here’s my recap of the best and worst of 2008’s top half- based on what I saw of course.  Starting with the worst of the bunch…

Doomsday ** – a bit scatterbrained

The Signal **1/2 – three short films tackling the same event from different perspectives – great idea, and impressive considering the budget, but I was expecting more considering the hype.

i'm not scared of zombies

Jumper **1/2 -interesting idea thwarted by terrible performances

Wanted **1/2 – interesting idea thwarted by a holy screenplay

Chaos Theory **1/2 – dramedy that loses its way near the end

Penelope *** – entertaining modern fairy tale

this little piggy played chess

Get Smart *** - more funny less explosions

Rambo *** – no guts no glory, and here there be plenty of guts

The X-Files: I Want to Believe *** – not the x of old, but I give it a pass

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull *** – can’t believe this one is so low on the list

The Incredible Hulk *** – really can’t believe this one is above the previous, but I’m being honest

Be Kind Rewind ***1/2 – if you love the craft of movie making you’ll enjoy this one

Speed Racer ***1/2 – hyper kinetic and heartfelt

ricci sans pig nose

Cloverfield **** – perfectly planned chaos

The Bank Job **** - a great heist flick

Iron Man ****1/2 – a great comic book flick

4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days ***** – quietly moving and brutally honest

Wall-E ***** – “E-va”

The Dark Knight ***** – “You just couldn’t let me go could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You truly are incorruptible aren’t you? You won’t kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness, and I won’t kill you, because you’re just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever.”