Wilsford's Review
Thumb: Up
Notable Characters:
Diane Lane – Jennifer Marsh
Colin Hanks – Griffin Dowd
Billy Burke – Detective Eric Box
Joseph Cross – Owen Reilly
Plot (contains spoilers):
FBI cyber crime agents, Jennifer Marsh and Griffin Dowd, spend their time working nights tracking evil doers on the internet. One day they get a tip on a website Killwithme.com where a serial killer shows a video, in real time, of a kitten surrounded by heat lamps and the more people that tune in to the site the more heat lamps are turned on and the faster the kitten dies. Unfortunately for the FBI, this killer’s site is “UNTRACEABLE”. Very soon after, a local man is taken and shown on the site. This time the man is cut up and is being given an anticoagulant, doesn’t let your blood caught, and the more people are tuned in the more he gets and ends up bleeding to death. This goes on for some time until Marsh learns the connection between all the victims which is that it has to do with a troubled teen’s suicidal father. Sadly this revelation puts her in the cross hairs of our killer but like all good cat and mouse games, the cat wins.
Reason why I didn’t like it:
· It was a typical cat and mouse movie. The situation was unique, a serial killer on the internet, but the general story is the usual.
Reasons why I liked it:
· I was worried that it was going to be the type of movie where the killer turns out to the best friend or someone close to the main character but this one let you know who it was early on which let you focus on the chase.
· Joseph Cross has a creepy demeanor. When you first see him, within a split second you know he is not right.
Final Notes: This was an entertaining movie. It was suspenseful, there was action, and it had a happy ending. Not the best movie out there but worth seeing if you like this genre.
Young's Review
When watching a murder mystery, one expects to have to figure out the killer's identity.
What makes 'Untraceable' so good is that it lets the audience know early on that it can dispense with the guesswork. The movie is not as much about who did it as it is about how it's being done. The killer is revealed relatively early, clearing the way for some edge-of-your-seat tension that doesn't stop until the final credits. The movie grabbed me early and never let go, and I am giving it a 'thumbs up'.
Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) is an FBI investigator in Portland who specializes in patrolling cyberspace looking for criminal behavior. She and her partner Griffin (Colin Hanks) are tipped off to a website unlike anything they have ever seen. The site, www.killwithme.com, is designed to kill a person with the help of the people visiting the site. With every hit the site gets, the victim is driven closer to their death.
The killer turns out to be Owen Reilly (Joseph Cross), a creepily psychopathic young man. His sadistic tendencies turn him into a celebrity on the web for all the wrong reasons. As Jennifer gets deeper into the case, Owen draws closer to her and her young daughter. It all adds up to some genuine suspense and a tense final scene.
Director Gregory Hoblit follows up the fantastic 'Fracture' with another taut crime drama. While the premise is far fetched, Hoblit keeps things believable enough to move the proceedings along. He certainly gets the best out of his actors, especially Lane. The handheld camera work in the scenes showing Owen's victims is appropriately gritty. Also, Hoblit throws in enough curveballs to generate a real sense of fear on Jennifer's behalf.
Lane does a great job as Jennifer. She brings strength and smarts to the role and carries the movie. The most surprising thing is that she does so without a romantic story line. Filmmakers often feel the need to validate a female character with a male companion. It is refreshing to see a woman who can be a single mom and a successful career woman without the help of a man.
Billy Burke (who also worked with Hoblit in 'Fracture') capably plays the role of detective Eric Box, who joins Jennifer's team in investigating the murders. He is the typical tough cop at first, but softens as the investigation deepens. His character is an ideal contrast to that of the fun loving Griffin. Hanks makes Griffin into a lovable Casanova wannabe and it is a shame he is not given more screen time.
This movie is a study in irony. It points out our culture's obsession with violence while only adding to it. It is also an interesting character study in that the responses from the website's visitors are both chilling and sadly realistic. This is never more true than in the final scene, which no doubt will leave some viewers feeling cheated. In my opinion, however, the movie finishes in the only way it possibly can.
While this is certainly not a feel good movie, it is an exciting thrill ride that I recommend to fans of the crime/thriller genre.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Cloverfield
Wilsford's Review
Thumb: Up
Notable Characters:
Doesn’t matter.
Plot (contains spoilers):
During a going away party, a monster arrives in New York and starts some massive destruction. We follow a group of four as they make their way through the city avoiding the monster and his minions trying to save the love interest of one of the characters.
Reason why I didn’t like it:
• It was a low budget movie. Which means that you got some low budget performances though I think the performances weren’t that bad.
Reasons why I liked it:
• Awesome! I usually hate using exclamation points but I can’t help myself. If you are looking for something to make you think and/or feel emotional, then you need to 1) stay away and 2) lighten up. This is a monster movie and it delivered.
• Oddly enough I love the way it was filmed. I know it is Blair Witch-esque, but the way it was done kept up the suspense and saved the audience some real gore, which would make this more appealing to wider audience.
• J.J. Abrams knows how to tell a story.
Final Notes:
The last couple of movies that I have been excited about have been lame. Finally the streak has ended. This was a sweet movie that I might actually spend money to see again.
Thumb: Up
Notable Characters:
Doesn’t matter.
Plot (contains spoilers):
During a going away party, a monster arrives in New York and starts some massive destruction. We follow a group of four as they make their way through the city avoiding the monster and his minions trying to save the love interest of one of the characters.
Reason why I didn’t like it:
• It was a low budget movie. Which means that you got some low budget performances though I think the performances weren’t that bad.
Reasons why I liked it:
• Awesome! I usually hate using exclamation points but I can’t help myself. If you are looking for something to make you think and/or feel emotional, then you need to 1) stay away and 2) lighten up. This is a monster movie and it delivered.
• Oddly enough I love the way it was filmed. I know it is Blair Witch-esque, but the way it was done kept up the suspense and saved the audience some real gore, which would make this more appealing to wider audience.
• J.J. Abrams knows how to tell a story.
Final Notes:
The last couple of movies that I have been excited about have been lame. Finally the streak has ended. This was a sweet movie that I might actually spend money to see again.
Friday, January 18, 2008
The Great Debaters
By Nathan Young
A film does not have to have an accomplished cast to be great. 'The Great Debaters' is proof of that.
That is not to say the cast is without talent. After all, the film boasts a pair of Academy Award winners in Denzel Washington (who is also the director) and Forest Whitaker. It's the lesser known actors who steal the spotlight, however.
This is a fantastic film that I feel was egregiously snubbed for a Best Picture Oscar nomination. I am giving it a big 'thumbs up'.
Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington) is the debate coach at tiny Wiley College in Marshall, Texas in the mid-1930's. He whittles down his team to four from 45 and sets out to create the best team in the land.
The team takes some time to gel, but things eventually take off. Samantha Booke, (with an "E", as she points out to Mr. Tolson at the tryout) is the first girl to ever make a Wiley squad. Henry Lowe (Nate Parker) is a street smart kid who overcomes his stubborness and pride to make the team. James Farmer, Jr. (Denzel Whitaker) is the baby faced newcomer who has a crush on Samantha despite being just 14. James is also the son of a famous preacher, James Sr. (Forest Whitaker), who has major influence in town.
The team starts out on fire, winning its first 10 debates. After the departure of a key team member (Jermaine Williams), Samantha (Jurnee Smollett) is forced to be one of the two "starting" debaters. She more than holds her own, delivering an impassioned defense of a black person's right to attend a predominantly white college. The team goes through ups and downs (including the movie's defining moment when it witnesses a lynching on the way to a match) but ultimately lands a chance to debate the best white school in America: Harvard.
Some might cast aside this movie as just another underdog story, but it is so much more than that. The cast is great from top to bottom. The credit for that goes partially to second time director Washington. He gets the most out of his actors and paces the story well, without going overboard on sentimentality.
The brilliance of screenwriter Robert Eisele's script is that it gives all three debaters a chance to shine. They are all so good, in fact, it's hard to say which one stood out.
Samantha's aforementioned speech, given at Wiley's first debate against a white school, is moving and convincing. Smollett portrays Samantha as a firecracker who takes a backseat to no one. Parker brings a potent mixture of defiance and erudition to Henry. He goes from being a top notch debater one minute to a drunk playboy the next. As James Jr., Denzel Whitaker is my favorite character. Despite his baby face, he is a bulldog when the lights go on. James is a likeable character and is the backbone of the team. An interesing aside is that the young Whitaker has the same names of both Oscar winners in the movie (spelled exactly the same) but is related to neither.
This movie is funny, interesting, thought provoking and inspiring. The script is good, Washington's direction is brilliant, and the acting is on a plane which I have not seen from an entire ensemble in any 2007 film (it opened Christmas Day). And that is without even mentioning Forest Whitaker's performance, which is layered and pitch perfect. This movie is right there with the best movies of the year. I highly recommend it.
A film does not have to have an accomplished cast to be great. 'The Great Debaters' is proof of that.
That is not to say the cast is without talent. After all, the film boasts a pair of Academy Award winners in Denzel Washington (who is also the director) and Forest Whitaker. It's the lesser known actors who steal the spotlight, however.
This is a fantastic film that I feel was egregiously snubbed for a Best Picture Oscar nomination. I am giving it a big 'thumbs up'.
Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington) is the debate coach at tiny Wiley College in Marshall, Texas in the mid-1930's. He whittles down his team to four from 45 and sets out to create the best team in the land.
The team takes some time to gel, but things eventually take off. Samantha Booke, (with an "E", as she points out to Mr. Tolson at the tryout) is the first girl to ever make a Wiley squad. Henry Lowe (Nate Parker) is a street smart kid who overcomes his stubborness and pride to make the team. James Farmer, Jr. (Denzel Whitaker) is the baby faced newcomer who has a crush on Samantha despite being just 14. James is also the son of a famous preacher, James Sr. (Forest Whitaker), who has major influence in town.
The team starts out on fire, winning its first 10 debates. After the departure of a key team member (Jermaine Williams), Samantha (Jurnee Smollett) is forced to be one of the two "starting" debaters. She more than holds her own, delivering an impassioned defense of a black person's right to attend a predominantly white college. The team goes through ups and downs (including the movie's defining moment when it witnesses a lynching on the way to a match) but ultimately lands a chance to debate the best white school in America: Harvard.
Some might cast aside this movie as just another underdog story, but it is so much more than that. The cast is great from top to bottom. The credit for that goes partially to second time director Washington. He gets the most out of his actors and paces the story well, without going overboard on sentimentality.
The brilliance of screenwriter Robert Eisele's script is that it gives all three debaters a chance to shine. They are all so good, in fact, it's hard to say which one stood out.
Samantha's aforementioned speech, given at Wiley's first debate against a white school, is moving and convincing. Smollett portrays Samantha as a firecracker who takes a backseat to no one. Parker brings a potent mixture of defiance and erudition to Henry. He goes from being a top notch debater one minute to a drunk playboy the next. As James Jr., Denzel Whitaker is my favorite character. Despite his baby face, he is a bulldog when the lights go on. James is a likeable character and is the backbone of the team. An interesing aside is that the young Whitaker has the same names of both Oscar winners in the movie (spelled exactly the same) but is related to neither.
This movie is funny, interesting, thought provoking and inspiring. The script is good, Washington's direction is brilliant, and the acting is on a plane which I have not seen from an entire ensemble in any 2007 film (it opened Christmas Day). And that is without even mentioning Forest Whitaker's performance, which is layered and pitch perfect. This movie is right there with the best movies of the year. I highly recommend it.
Atonement
By Nathan Young
Any film that is nominated for seven Academy Awards is bound to be brilliant in some way. 'Atonement' certainly fits the bill.
It is an epic story with tragic undertones, but also a beautiful one to watch. It is certainly worthy of all the Oscar nods and a 'thumbs up'.
Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) is a well-educated son of a maidservant working for a wealthy family in World War II era England. He has secret feelings for Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley), the eldest daughter of the house. Robbie writes an explicit letter to Cecilia to tell her of his feelings but foolishly gives the letter to her younger sister Briony for delivery (Best Supporting Actress nominee Saoirse Ronan).
Predictably, Briony reads it first and develops the idea that Robbie is a sex starved predator. After interrupting the couple's first romantic encounter, Briony mistakenly thinks it proves he is a monster. A series of events unfold that cause Briony to accuse Robbie of a heinous crime.
Robbie is forced to go to prison, but is given a chance to fight for the British army in place of the remainder of his sentence. He takes the opportunity and goes away to fight. The film then shifts to the different lives the three main characters are living during the war, leading to a shocking and depressing conclusion.
There is not enough space to cover all of the great things about this film. Director Joe Wright and cinemtographer Seamus McGarvey create a vivid visual experience that starts out light and dreamy and fades to a dull gray. The lighting and costume choices are all well done. Christopher Hampton's adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel is tight and void of drudgery, plus the characters are easy to invest in.
The performances of the three main actors are all good. Knightley and McAvoy have good chemistry together. Whether their characters are together or apart, the bond Robbie and Cecilia share is evident. Knightley continues to show why she is one of the most sought after actresses working today. McAvoy sets himself up to be a major film star, especially with the upcoming 'Wanted' (co-starring Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie) to be released later this year.
The 13-year-old Ronan is wonderful in her brief appearance. Just a 12-year-old during filming, she brings a mixture of jealousy and ignorance to Briony. Ronan is chilling in the scene where Briony watches Robbie from an upstairs window as he is being escorted to jail . Romola Garai plays the grown up Briony and screen legend Vanessa Redgrave takes over the role at the end of the film. Brenda Blethyn, one of the finest British actresses ever, is also noteworthy in a secondary role as Robbie's mother.
This film is well done cinematically. It is an epic romance but certainly does not lack punch. While the ending is both shocking and depressing, the rest of the film more than makes up for it. I recommend it to movie fans who want to see a sure winner at Oscar time.
Any film that is nominated for seven Academy Awards is bound to be brilliant in some way. 'Atonement' certainly fits the bill.
It is an epic story with tragic undertones, but also a beautiful one to watch. It is certainly worthy of all the Oscar nods and a 'thumbs up'.
Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) is a well-educated son of a maidservant working for a wealthy family in World War II era England. He has secret feelings for Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley), the eldest daughter of the house. Robbie writes an explicit letter to Cecilia to tell her of his feelings but foolishly gives the letter to her younger sister Briony for delivery (Best Supporting Actress nominee Saoirse Ronan).
Predictably, Briony reads it first and develops the idea that Robbie is a sex starved predator. After interrupting the couple's first romantic encounter, Briony mistakenly thinks it proves he is a monster. A series of events unfold that cause Briony to accuse Robbie of a heinous crime.
Robbie is forced to go to prison, but is given a chance to fight for the British army in place of the remainder of his sentence. He takes the opportunity and goes away to fight. The film then shifts to the different lives the three main characters are living during the war, leading to a shocking and depressing conclusion.
There is not enough space to cover all of the great things about this film. Director Joe Wright and cinemtographer Seamus McGarvey create a vivid visual experience that starts out light and dreamy and fades to a dull gray. The lighting and costume choices are all well done. Christopher Hampton's adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel is tight and void of drudgery, plus the characters are easy to invest in.
The performances of the three main actors are all good. Knightley and McAvoy have good chemistry together. Whether their characters are together or apart, the bond Robbie and Cecilia share is evident. Knightley continues to show why she is one of the most sought after actresses working today. McAvoy sets himself up to be a major film star, especially with the upcoming 'Wanted' (co-starring Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie) to be released later this year.
The 13-year-old Ronan is wonderful in her brief appearance. Just a 12-year-old during filming, she brings a mixture of jealousy and ignorance to Briony. Ronan is chilling in the scene where Briony watches Robbie from an upstairs window as he is being escorted to jail . Romola Garai plays the grown up Briony and screen legend Vanessa Redgrave takes over the role at the end of the film. Brenda Blethyn, one of the finest British actresses ever, is also noteworthy in a secondary role as Robbie's mother.
This film is well done cinematically. It is an epic romance but certainly does not lack punch. While the ending is both shocking and depressing, the rest of the film more than makes up for it. I recommend it to movie fans who want to see a sure winner at Oscar time.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
There Will Be Blood
By Nathan Young
Few films defy convention more than 'There Will Be Blood'. It is undoubtedly the most difficult one to critique of all of the films I have screeened for this blog. The conflicting emotions I feel about it make it difficult to formulate a definitive opinion.
I have come to the conclusion that I have to separate my enjoyment of the film from my opinion of it as a piece of art. It is this reasoning that allows me to give it a 'thumbs up' while also saying that I cannot envision myself ever seeing it again.
Screenwriter/director Paul Thomas Anderson has constructed a masterful film that grabs the viewer's attention in a nearly 20 minute opening sequence without dialogue and never lets go. While the film is never boring, it is also unpleasantly bleak and features one of the most despicable villains ever captured on film. It is hard to call such a relentless film entertaining. On the other hand, it is one of the most mesmerizing films I have ever seen.
The film opens in the late 19th century with Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) drilling for oil. He falls down a well and gruesomely breaks his leg. Fittingly for a character that lives a solitary existence, Daniel declines to call for help and slowly claws his way back to the surface alone.
Daniel is busy looking for oil when a young man named Paul (Paul Dano) comes looking for him. Paul lives on a large ranch that has lots of oil under the surface. He offers to tell Daniel where he lives in exchange for monetary compensation. After agreeing to the deal, Daniel sets out with his young son to find the oil Paul spoke of. Once he gets to the farm, he meets Paul's twin brother Eli (also played by Dano).
Eli is a fiery young preacher at the Church of the Third Revalation and he wants $5,000 for his church to allow Daniel to use the land. Daniel shakes on the deal, with no intention of honoring it. Thus begins an adversarial relationship between the two that lasts the entire film. The rest of the film follows the only true pursuit in Daniel's life: accumulating wealth.
Deep down, Daniel is cold and calculating. On the surface, though, he is a good salesman. He uses his son H.W. (Dillon Freasier), to prove to potential customers that his is a family business. H.W. becomes deaf and mute around 10 years of age as the result of an exploding oil rig and Daniel never looks at him the same again. At one point, he goes so far as to abandon the boy on a train, but the two are later reunited. A scene towards the end in which a grownup H.W. (Russell Harvard) finally stands up to his father only to be rejected is the only time in the entire film in which the audience feels genuine empathy for a character.
This film is a study in paradoxes. While it is fascinating to watch and Lewis is amazing, the subject matter is unsettling and the ending is both haunting and abrupt. The music is jarringly off-kilter and brilliant at the same time. The cinematography is wonderful but some of the violent images are disturbing.
Lewis carries the film with his performance. He is fantastic as Daniel, and his portrayal deservedly won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama earlier this week. Dano, who co-starred in the critically acclaimed 'Little Miss Sunshine', is also very good in his dual performance. He brings the right amount of animation and passion to the role of Eli.
This film is spellbinding, yet I am hesitant to recommend it. While I found it to be a wonderful piece of filmmaking, it is certainly not a feel good popcorn flick. In fact, I walked out of the theater in stunned silence. The thing is, I am still not sure if that is because I liked the film or the fact I was still in shock over what I had just seen.
Few films defy convention more than 'There Will Be Blood'. It is undoubtedly the most difficult one to critique of all of the films I have screeened for this blog. The conflicting emotions I feel about it make it difficult to formulate a definitive opinion.
I have come to the conclusion that I have to separate my enjoyment of the film from my opinion of it as a piece of art. It is this reasoning that allows me to give it a 'thumbs up' while also saying that I cannot envision myself ever seeing it again.
Screenwriter/director Paul Thomas Anderson has constructed a masterful film that grabs the viewer's attention in a nearly 20 minute opening sequence without dialogue and never lets go. While the film is never boring, it is also unpleasantly bleak and features one of the most despicable villains ever captured on film. It is hard to call such a relentless film entertaining. On the other hand, it is one of the most mesmerizing films I have ever seen.
The film opens in the late 19th century with Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) drilling for oil. He falls down a well and gruesomely breaks his leg. Fittingly for a character that lives a solitary existence, Daniel declines to call for help and slowly claws his way back to the surface alone.
Daniel is busy looking for oil when a young man named Paul (Paul Dano) comes looking for him. Paul lives on a large ranch that has lots of oil under the surface. He offers to tell Daniel where he lives in exchange for monetary compensation. After agreeing to the deal, Daniel sets out with his young son to find the oil Paul spoke of. Once he gets to the farm, he meets Paul's twin brother Eli (also played by Dano).
Eli is a fiery young preacher at the Church of the Third Revalation and he wants $5,000 for his church to allow Daniel to use the land. Daniel shakes on the deal, with no intention of honoring it. Thus begins an adversarial relationship between the two that lasts the entire film. The rest of the film follows the only true pursuit in Daniel's life: accumulating wealth.
Deep down, Daniel is cold and calculating. On the surface, though, he is a good salesman. He uses his son H.W. (Dillon Freasier), to prove to potential customers that his is a family business. H.W. becomes deaf and mute around 10 years of age as the result of an exploding oil rig and Daniel never looks at him the same again. At one point, he goes so far as to abandon the boy on a train, but the two are later reunited. A scene towards the end in which a grownup H.W. (Russell Harvard) finally stands up to his father only to be rejected is the only time in the entire film in which the audience feels genuine empathy for a character.
This film is a study in paradoxes. While it is fascinating to watch and Lewis is amazing, the subject matter is unsettling and the ending is both haunting and abrupt. The music is jarringly off-kilter and brilliant at the same time. The cinematography is wonderful but some of the violent images are disturbing.
Lewis carries the film with his performance. He is fantastic as Daniel, and his portrayal deservedly won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama earlier this week. Dano, who co-starred in the critically acclaimed 'Little Miss Sunshine', is also very good in his dual performance. He brings the right amount of animation and passion to the role of Eli.
This film is spellbinding, yet I am hesitant to recommend it. While I found it to be a wonderful piece of filmmaking, it is certainly not a feel good popcorn flick. In fact, I walked out of the theater in stunned silence. The thing is, I am still not sure if that is because I liked the film or the fact I was still in shock over what I had just seen.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Bucket List
By Nathan Young
It's hard to imagine a funny movie being crafted about two men dying of cancer. When you add an all-star filmmaking team of director Rob Reiner and legendary actors Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, it's also hard to imagine such a movie being a bad one.
As it turns out, 'The Bucket List' is both funny and good. It follows two men on a journey to pack in a lifetime's worth of fun into two weeks. The movie is predictable and at times overly sentimental, but in the end it is a fun and often amusing tale that I am giving a 'thumbs up'.
Edward Cole (Nicholson) is a wealthy hospital adminstrator who is as grumpy as he is rich. He prefers to run his hospitals on a shoestring budget. This comes back to haunt him when he is admitted to one of his own hospitals and is forced to share a room with a dying cancer patient named Carter Chambers (Freeman). Carter is as positive and friendly as Cole is sarcastic and abrasive.
After a brief feeling out period, the two begin to strike up a friendship. One day Edward finds a piece of crumpled up paper on the floor and finds that it is Carter's "bucket list" (so called because it is a lists of things to do before you "kick the bucket").
Intrigued by the idea but not with the items on Carter's list, Edward (who's also been diagnosed with a terminal illness) suggests they make a better list and then go out and live it. Carter reluctantly agrees over the loud objections of his wife (Beverly Todd), and the pair set out on a whirlwind tour of skydiving, car racing, and sight seeing every where from Paris to Cairo.
This movie is entertaining, although it falls short of being great. The audience seemed to be genuinely engaged and there were several sustained moments of laughter. The biggest one came in a scene towards the end where Carter explains to Edward where his beloved gourmet coffee comes from.
Nicholson and Freeman, working together onscreen for the first time in their illustrious careers, make a great team. Nicholson plays the cautsic old man that he made famous in 'As Good As It Gets' and 'About Schmidt' and Freeman is the reliable good guy audiences have grown accustomed to. Freeman even provides a voiceover track, reminiscent of his role in 'The Shawshank Redemption'.
This movie is a fun and touching story of two men making peace with their own mortality. I recommend it to movie fans young and old, especially to those who are fans of Nicholson and Freeman.
It's hard to imagine a funny movie being crafted about two men dying of cancer. When you add an all-star filmmaking team of director Rob Reiner and legendary actors Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, it's also hard to imagine such a movie being a bad one.
As it turns out, 'The Bucket List' is both funny and good. It follows two men on a journey to pack in a lifetime's worth of fun into two weeks. The movie is predictable and at times overly sentimental, but in the end it is a fun and often amusing tale that I am giving a 'thumbs up'.
Edward Cole (Nicholson) is a wealthy hospital adminstrator who is as grumpy as he is rich. He prefers to run his hospitals on a shoestring budget. This comes back to haunt him when he is admitted to one of his own hospitals and is forced to share a room with a dying cancer patient named Carter Chambers (Freeman). Carter is as positive and friendly as Cole is sarcastic and abrasive.
After a brief feeling out period, the two begin to strike up a friendship. One day Edward finds a piece of crumpled up paper on the floor and finds that it is Carter's "bucket list" (so called because it is a lists of things to do before you "kick the bucket").
Intrigued by the idea but not with the items on Carter's list, Edward (who's also been diagnosed with a terminal illness) suggests they make a better list and then go out and live it. Carter reluctantly agrees over the loud objections of his wife (Beverly Todd), and the pair set out on a whirlwind tour of skydiving, car racing, and sight seeing every where from Paris to Cairo.
This movie is entertaining, although it falls short of being great. The audience seemed to be genuinely engaged and there were several sustained moments of laughter. The biggest one came in a scene towards the end where Carter explains to Edward where his beloved gourmet coffee comes from.
Nicholson and Freeman, working together onscreen for the first time in their illustrious careers, make a great team. Nicholson plays the cautsic old man that he made famous in 'As Good As It Gets' and 'About Schmidt' and Freeman is the reliable good guy audiences have grown accustomed to. Freeman even provides a voiceover track, reminiscent of his role in 'The Shawshank Redemption'.
This movie is a fun and touching story of two men making peace with their own mortality. I recommend it to movie fans young and old, especially to those who are fans of Nicholson and Freeman.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
The Golden Compass
By Nathan Young
Controversy surrounded 'The Golden Compass' before it was even released. Talk of the film's atheistic overtones drowned out any talk of whether or not the movie was actually any good.
The intention of this review is not to discern any hidden spiritual meanings in the film (although I do feel there were some). My job is to review it on it's artistic merit and entertainment value. The film is wonderfully done and fun to watch and I am giving it a 'thumbs up'.
The world in which the film takes place is an alternate universe where the souls of human beings take the form of animals (called daemons). The story begins with Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), an orphan girl whose soul takes the form of a small ferret. Lyra is approached by the beautiful Marisa Coulter (Nicole Kidman). When Mrs. Coulter offers her an opportunity to travel to her home in the Great North, Lyra jumps at the chance.
It turns out that Mrs. Coulter is the leader of a secret project designed to kidnap children and take them to an undisclosed Arctic location to have their daemons removed. Once Lyra discovers this and that her best friend is one of the children that was taken, she sets in motion a plan to put an end to Mrs. Coulter's plan. What follows is an epic battle of good vs. evil.
Screenwriter/director Chris Weitz and cinematographer Henry Braham deserve kudos because this film looks splendid. Whether it is the dazzling special effects or the beautiful European countryside, the visual aspect of the film is breathtaking.
The performances of the cast are amazing too. The most noteworthy job is turned in by the precocious Richards. Just 12 years old during filming, Richards reportedly beat out over 10,000 girls for the part in an open casting call in England. There is no way the producers could have chosen a more plucky or courageous actress for the role. She displays bravery, stubborness and fierceness in Lyra while still being a cute kid.
Kidman is a good choice for Mrs. Coulter. The character is all over the emotional scale, and Kidman rises to the occassion. Another performance of note is that of Sir Ian McKellan as the animated polar bear Iorek. While McKellan only lends his voice, the role is a crucial one and he plays it well.
The religious symbolism that ignited the controversy is certainly present. However, it seems to be more of an indictment of the Catholic church more than religion in general. The Magisterium is like the Catholic church and the mysterious Dust that is referred to seems to be sin (these theories are all my own, and not that of the filmmakers).
All of the press that I read prior to screening the film said that the religious symbloism was toned down from author Philip Pullman's original novel. One disclaimer I would add is that I do not recommend the film to children. The PG-13 rating is appropriate because of some violent imagery (especially a particularly vicious fight between the polar bears) and complicated content.
I did not feel the controversy around the film kept me from enjoying it. As a devoted follower of Christ, I was not offended in any way. I enjoyed the film and hope that the trilogy is completed. It is a fun film that I recommend to any fan of the fantasy genre.
Controversy surrounded 'The Golden Compass' before it was even released. Talk of the film's atheistic overtones drowned out any talk of whether or not the movie was actually any good.
The intention of this review is not to discern any hidden spiritual meanings in the film (although I do feel there were some). My job is to review it on it's artistic merit and entertainment value. The film is wonderfully done and fun to watch and I am giving it a 'thumbs up'.
The world in which the film takes place is an alternate universe where the souls of human beings take the form of animals (called daemons). The story begins with Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), an orphan girl whose soul takes the form of a small ferret. Lyra is approached by the beautiful Marisa Coulter (Nicole Kidman). When Mrs. Coulter offers her an opportunity to travel to her home in the Great North, Lyra jumps at the chance.
It turns out that Mrs. Coulter is the leader of a secret project designed to kidnap children and take them to an undisclosed Arctic location to have their daemons removed. Once Lyra discovers this and that her best friend is one of the children that was taken, she sets in motion a plan to put an end to Mrs. Coulter's plan. What follows is an epic battle of good vs. evil.
Screenwriter/director Chris Weitz and cinematographer Henry Braham deserve kudos because this film looks splendid. Whether it is the dazzling special effects or the beautiful European countryside, the visual aspect of the film is breathtaking.
The performances of the cast are amazing too. The most noteworthy job is turned in by the precocious Richards. Just 12 years old during filming, Richards reportedly beat out over 10,000 girls for the part in an open casting call in England. There is no way the producers could have chosen a more plucky or courageous actress for the role. She displays bravery, stubborness and fierceness in Lyra while still being a cute kid.
Kidman is a good choice for Mrs. Coulter. The character is all over the emotional scale, and Kidman rises to the occassion. Another performance of note is that of Sir Ian McKellan as the animated polar bear Iorek. While McKellan only lends his voice, the role is a crucial one and he plays it well.
The religious symbolism that ignited the controversy is certainly present. However, it seems to be more of an indictment of the Catholic church more than religion in general. The Magisterium is like the Catholic church and the mysterious Dust that is referred to seems to be sin (these theories are all my own, and not that of the filmmakers).
All of the press that I read prior to screening the film said that the religious symbloism was toned down from author Philip Pullman's original novel. One disclaimer I would add is that I do not recommend the film to children. The PG-13 rating is appropriate because of some violent imagery (especially a particularly vicious fight between the polar bears) and complicated content.
I did not feel the controversy around the film kept me from enjoying it. As a devoted follower of Christ, I was not offended in any way. I enjoyed the film and hope that the trilogy is completed. It is a fun film that I recommend to any fan of the fantasy genre.
Charlie Wilson's War
By Nathan Young
Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are two of the biggest movie stars in the world. Their movies have grossed billions of dollars over the course of their careers.
Surprisingly, 'Charlie Wilson's War' marks the first time they have collaborated onscreen. The results are fun and intriguing. The film is on my top five list of 2007 and deserves an enthusiastic 'thumbs up'.
Hanks plays the title character, a womanizing Texas congressman in the 1970's who seems to be more interested in partying than legislating change. That all changes when he is approached by socialite Joanne Herring (Roberts), an honorary ambassador to Pakistan. In between the lavish parties she throws in her Houston mansion, Joanne is deeply concerned with the plight of the people of Aghanistan. The Russians have invaded and are killing the Afghan people.
Charlie doesn't see how he is supposed to impact the situation. Joanne says that the Afghans need money to buy more weapons, and that he is in a unique position to make that happen since he is on the Defense Appropriations Committee. He looks into it and with the help of chain smoking CIA agent Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) gets the ball rolling for the Afghans.
This film is at the same time bitingly funny and informative (as crazy as it sounds, it is based on a true story). Aaron Sorkin's adapted screenplay is brilliant, and is deserving of the Golden Globe nomination it garnered.
Director Mike Nichols gets the most out of the script and his actors. The latter is not hard when you are working with such an amazing cast. Hanks is an inspired choice for Charlie. Hanks has to balance out Charlie's love of the nightlife with his desire to exact change. It is a fine line, and Hanks is up to the task of walking it. Roberts is good in limited screen time. She steals almost each scene she appears in.
The film's best performance comes from Hoffman. His portrayal of Gust is perfect (not to mention hilarious). Hoffman is one of the top supporting actors working today and he proves that with a Golden Globe nod for his work here (Hanks and Roberts also are nominated).
Despite the overall upbeat tone, the film has a jarring postsript. The ending of the film implies that all the work Wilson did to arm and train Afghanistan led to the rise of the Taliban. It is a sobering thought and a reminder of the current war the U.S. is involved in.
Politics aside, the film is entertaining. I highly recommend it. If you are going to see a movie in the theater, this should be the one you choose.
Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are two of the biggest movie stars in the world. Their movies have grossed billions of dollars over the course of their careers.
Surprisingly, 'Charlie Wilson's War' marks the first time they have collaborated onscreen. The results are fun and intriguing. The film is on my top five list of 2007 and deserves an enthusiastic 'thumbs up'.
Hanks plays the title character, a womanizing Texas congressman in the 1970's who seems to be more interested in partying than legislating change. That all changes when he is approached by socialite Joanne Herring (Roberts), an honorary ambassador to Pakistan. In between the lavish parties she throws in her Houston mansion, Joanne is deeply concerned with the plight of the people of Aghanistan. The Russians have invaded and are killing the Afghan people.
Charlie doesn't see how he is supposed to impact the situation. Joanne says that the Afghans need money to buy more weapons, and that he is in a unique position to make that happen since he is on the Defense Appropriations Committee. He looks into it and with the help of chain smoking CIA agent Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) gets the ball rolling for the Afghans.
This film is at the same time bitingly funny and informative (as crazy as it sounds, it is based on a true story). Aaron Sorkin's adapted screenplay is brilliant, and is deserving of the Golden Globe nomination it garnered.
Director Mike Nichols gets the most out of the script and his actors. The latter is not hard when you are working with such an amazing cast. Hanks is an inspired choice for Charlie. Hanks has to balance out Charlie's love of the nightlife with his desire to exact change. It is a fine line, and Hanks is up to the task of walking it. Roberts is good in limited screen time. She steals almost each scene she appears in.
The film's best performance comes from Hoffman. His portrayal of Gust is perfect (not to mention hilarious). Hoffman is one of the top supporting actors working today and he proves that with a Golden Globe nod for his work here (Hanks and Roberts also are nominated).
Despite the overall upbeat tone, the film has a jarring postsript. The ending of the film implies that all the work Wilson did to arm and train Afghanistan led to the rise of the Taliban. It is a sobering thought and a reminder of the current war the U.S. is involved in.
Politics aside, the film is entertaining. I highly recommend it. If you are going to see a movie in the theater, this should be the one you choose.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Alvin and the Chipmunks
By Nathan Young
The trailer of 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' worried me because I was such a big fan of the television series as a kid. The thought of a live-action version of the cartoon classic seemed like a terrible idea.
It turns out my doubts were unfounded. The movie is by no means a classic, but is much better than I expected. Sure, the biggest laugh from an audience consisting mostly of children came from chipmunk flatulence, but as my wife (a preschool teacher) says, that stuff is funny to a kid. The bottom line is I left the theater entertained. More importantly for the film's bottom line, the nine-year-old that saw it with me loved it. All things considered, I give this movie a 'thumbs up'.
The movie starts off with the chipmunk trio singing Daniel Powter's hit 'Bad Day'. Shortly thereafter, down on his luck songwriter Dave Seville (Jason Lee) makes a failed trip to pitch his music to industry rep Ian (David Cross). One thing leads to another, and before long Dave has three furry house guests. Once the shock wears off that he is in possession of talking, singing chipmunks, Dave composes the Christmas staple "The Chipmunk Song". Once Ian hears the chipmunks sing it, he takes them away from Dave and on the road for a world tour. Life lessons about loyalty, greed and friednship ensue, as do plenty of laughs.
Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) are the only computer animated parts of the film, which makes for an interesting visual experience. The chipmunks are cute and cuddly, especially Theodore (who has always been my favorite chipmunk). There are many popular songs that the chipmunks take on, which adds to the fun. Seeing Alvin and the guys dressed like pop stars and dancing like the Backstreet Boys is also highly entertaining.
To his credit, Lee refuses to mail in his performance on hiatus from his hit TV show 'My Name Is Earl'. He nails the trademark "ALVIN!" line and plays the straight man well. Cross is perfect as Ian. The role requires a smarmy know-it-all, and Cross is up to the task. The former 'Arrested Development' star makes the audience hate him and laugh at him at the same time.
The many children in the theater made for a rapt audience, good news for parents of squirmy kids. More good news for parents: the movie is funny and entertaining for them too. For fans of Alvin, this movie will not disappoint. For those just looking for a fun time, the chipmunks fit the bill there, as well.
The trailer of 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' worried me because I was such a big fan of the television series as a kid. The thought of a live-action version of the cartoon classic seemed like a terrible idea.
It turns out my doubts were unfounded. The movie is by no means a classic, but is much better than I expected. Sure, the biggest laugh from an audience consisting mostly of children came from chipmunk flatulence, but as my wife (a preschool teacher) says, that stuff is funny to a kid. The bottom line is I left the theater entertained. More importantly for the film's bottom line, the nine-year-old that saw it with me loved it. All things considered, I give this movie a 'thumbs up'.
The movie starts off with the chipmunk trio singing Daniel Powter's hit 'Bad Day'. Shortly thereafter, down on his luck songwriter Dave Seville (Jason Lee) makes a failed trip to pitch his music to industry rep Ian (David Cross). One thing leads to another, and before long Dave has three furry house guests. Once the shock wears off that he is in possession of talking, singing chipmunks, Dave composes the Christmas staple "The Chipmunk Song". Once Ian hears the chipmunks sing it, he takes them away from Dave and on the road for a world tour. Life lessons about loyalty, greed and friednship ensue, as do plenty of laughs.
Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) are the only computer animated parts of the film, which makes for an interesting visual experience. The chipmunks are cute and cuddly, especially Theodore (who has always been my favorite chipmunk). There are many popular songs that the chipmunks take on, which adds to the fun. Seeing Alvin and the guys dressed like pop stars and dancing like the Backstreet Boys is also highly entertaining.
To his credit, Lee refuses to mail in his performance on hiatus from his hit TV show 'My Name Is Earl'. He nails the trademark "ALVIN!" line and plays the straight man well. Cross is perfect as Ian. The role requires a smarmy know-it-all, and Cross is up to the task. The former 'Arrested Development' star makes the audience hate him and laugh at him at the same time.
The many children in the theater made for a rapt audience, good news for parents of squirmy kids. More good news for parents: the movie is funny and entertaining for them too. For fans of Alvin, this movie will not disappoint. For those just looking for a fun time, the chipmunks fit the bill there, as well.
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