The Love Bug - 7 stars out of 10
"The Love Bug" really caught me by surprise. I remember loving this film as a kid, but it is not a kid's movie. There is a lot of high brow humor and poignant thematic material that went right over my head 20 years ago and now resonate as an adult. Even more amazing than its appeal for adults and children alike is Disney's ability to turn a car into a character that shows compassion, jealousy, and many other emotions (hmm, sound like another film of the computer animated variety that would appear 40 years later?) The success begins with solid live actors, the most memorable being David Tomlinson (the father from "Mary Poppins") as Peter Thorndyke. He is the perfect comic villain, just mean enough to make you root against him but unquestionably the funniest character of the film. The irony is that the villain is not trying to harm any person; rather, he wants to destroy the car that "has it out for him." Next we have our lead, played by Dean Jones. His character undergoes the most changes by being humbled as a racecar driver, by falling in love, and by discovering the value of friendship (an ever-present theme in Disney films). Solid performance. Michele Lee's spunky character is my favorite as she serves two purposes - she is the love interest and she helps the lead to understand the value of friendship. Buddy Hackett is the comic relief and is as entertaining as ever. Finally, we have the hero - a Volkswagen Beetle. Herbie is so much more than a car. He has as many emotions as any character in any movie out there. Even more impressive is the fact that he does not have facial expressions, so his "operators" had to portray his sadness, drunkenness, and jealousy through his "mannerisms" as he drives. Only Disney could be so successful with this concept. These multi-faceted characters are what elevate this film beyond a children's film. It's a comedy, but instead of thinking "look at the silly car drive around," we are drawn to the moral and ethical dilemmas of its characters. The film has many racing sequences, but they never feel monotonous since each of the short sequences has something to make it unique. Just when the short sequences begin to feel monotonous, they throw in the gigantic racing finale. Every aspect of the film adds to its atmosphere, including the San Francisco landscape and the fun musical score by George Bruns. The music often resembles a car horn and always leaves a smile on my face. Don't write this off just because "it's that movie with a goofy car" - there is a lot more to Herbie than meets the eye as this film will make you laugh, cry, and feel every emotion between!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Unknown (2011) - 5 stars out of 10
Unknown (2011) - 5 stars out of 10
"Unknown" possesses a great sense of the, well... the unknown. The constant sense of "Who is after me?" gives the film a driving intrigue and intensity that pushes it from start to finish, constantly questioning what is real. While the intensity and awesome car chase sequences are great, the story is not as great. This premise naturally draws a comparison to the Bourne Trilogy, but there really is not a comparison. A thriller with a great twist makes you think that you have the twist figured out, and then takes it in an entirely different direction. I thought that I had the twist figured out 20 minutes into this film... and I ended up being right. Character development is at a minimum as the film's focus is the mystery, not the characters. Liam Neeson is awesome in his role and Diane Kruger is as beautiful as ever. The rest of the actors didn't leave much of an impression. This film is good for some sweet action sequences, but I'd definitely point you to the Bourne Trilogy (or any other intrigue film with great character development) before recommending this one.
"Unknown" possesses a great sense of the, well... the unknown. The constant sense of "Who is after me?" gives the film a driving intrigue and intensity that pushes it from start to finish, constantly questioning what is real. While the intensity and awesome car chase sequences are great, the story is not as great. This premise naturally draws a comparison to the Bourne Trilogy, but there really is not a comparison. A thriller with a great twist makes you think that you have the twist figured out, and then takes it in an entirely different direction. I thought that I had the twist figured out 20 minutes into this film... and I ended up being right. Character development is at a minimum as the film's focus is the mystery, not the characters. Liam Neeson is awesome in his role and Diane Kruger is as beautiful as ever. The rest of the actors didn't leave much of an impression. This film is good for some sweet action sequences, but I'd definitely point you to the Bourne Trilogy (or any other intrigue film with great character development) before recommending this one.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Titanic - 10 stars out of 10
Titanic - 10 stars out of 10
"Titanic" is one of the greatest films in the history of cinema. That is not an opinion - it is fact. The "disaster film" genre is often scoffed at, but there is so much to this film that you forget that half of it belongs in the disaster genre. James Cameron's script geniusly incorporates countless historical characters from the Titanic's voyage into this fictional story, transporting the audience back to 1912. The love story works because of the format of the film, telling the story from Rose's point of view with Gloria Stuart's magnificent voiceovers. It also gives a sense of finality through it's poignant ending as we see the photographs from Rose's adventurous life. The entire theme of making life count is ironic as Rose and Jack pursue their affair, never realizing that their time is about to run out. With this movie, James Cameron pushed the boundaries of computer animation and it is still remarkably realistic by today's standards. Seeing this film in 3D made me realize that it was meant to be seen on the big screen. I missed it the first time around but after seeing it in theaters this time, it absolutely consumed me in the story. The 3D magnified this effect, placing me inside of the Titanic with the rest of the characters, praying that the ship will not sink (I know that it sounds cheesy, but I was desperately hoping that history would be rewritten). Kate Winslet is enchanting and should have won the 1998 Academy Award for best actress. This is her most lovely role of all time, showing her acting diversity as the high class brat, careless lover, and eventually the heartbroken victim. The chemistry between Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio is perfect and has made them one of the greatest leading couples in any movie. Achieving a good ratio of love story to tragedy, Titanic will capture your attention for its entire 3+ hour duration. There is so much depth in this story that your interest will never waver. In addition to great performances by the leads, it is filled with excellent supporting performances by Kathy Bates (as the unsinkable Molly Brown), Victor Garber (as the ship's architect), David Warner (as the bodyguard), Jonathan Hyde (as the White Star Line director), and many others. "Titanic" creates some of the most memorable moments in cinema history without resorting to cheesy foreshadowing, since we all know what eventually happens to the ship. This movie has been lauded as one of history's greatest, especially with its 11 Oscar wins... and all of the critics are correct. Titanic nears cinematic perfection.
"Titanic" is one of the greatest films in the history of cinema. That is not an opinion - it is fact. The "disaster film" genre is often scoffed at, but there is so much to this film that you forget that half of it belongs in the disaster genre. James Cameron's script geniusly incorporates countless historical characters from the Titanic's voyage into this fictional story, transporting the audience back to 1912. The love story works because of the format of the film, telling the story from Rose's point of view with Gloria Stuart's magnificent voiceovers. It also gives a sense of finality through it's poignant ending as we see the photographs from Rose's adventurous life. The entire theme of making life count is ironic as Rose and Jack pursue their affair, never realizing that their time is about to run out. With this movie, James Cameron pushed the boundaries of computer animation and it is still remarkably realistic by today's standards. Seeing this film in 3D made me realize that it was meant to be seen on the big screen. I missed it the first time around but after seeing it in theaters this time, it absolutely consumed me in the story. The 3D magnified this effect, placing me inside of the Titanic with the rest of the characters, praying that the ship will not sink (I know that it sounds cheesy, but I was desperately hoping that history would be rewritten). Kate Winslet is enchanting and should have won the 1998 Academy Award for best actress. This is her most lovely role of all time, showing her acting diversity as the high class brat, careless lover, and eventually the heartbroken victim. The chemistry between Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio is perfect and has made them one of the greatest leading couples in any movie. Achieving a good ratio of love story to tragedy, Titanic will capture your attention for its entire 3+ hour duration. There is so much depth in this story that your interest will never waver. In addition to great performances by the leads, it is filled with excellent supporting performances by Kathy Bates (as the unsinkable Molly Brown), Victor Garber (as the ship's architect), David Warner (as the bodyguard), Jonathan Hyde (as the White Star Line director), and many others. "Titanic" creates some of the most memorable moments in cinema history without resorting to cheesy foreshadowing, since we all know what eventually happens to the ship. This movie has been lauded as one of history's greatest, especially with its 11 Oscar wins... and all of the critics are correct. Titanic nears cinematic perfection.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Bedknobs and Broomsticks - 2 stars out of 10
Bedknobs and Broomsticks - 2 stars out of 10
"Bedknobs and Broomsticks" is a Mary Poppins-wannabe. This story may have a leading lady with special powers, a journey to the "underworld" of London (complete with a song to make this group of people very fun and loveable), mischievous young children, David Tomlinson, and an extended sequence placing live actors into an animated world, but it somehow manages to be TERRIBLE! For me, the eye-rolling began with the kids. I don't know how any group of kids could be so unlikeable. The oldest boy was a little jerk, I don't even remember what the girl looked like, and the youngest was kind of cute but more annoying than anything. You can feature quality actors like Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson but if the children are bad, the entire movie is shot. I feel like they were doomed to begin with, due to the poor quality of the script. They must have conceptualized Portabello Road while they were working on their designs for EPCOT, since they manage to toss just about every culture into this never ending, 10-minutes long dance number. And I'm still trying to figure out the purpose of the entire Bookman aspect of the plot, except to make the movie unbearably long. They easily could've written right past that part and gotten to the animation sooner. The animated soccer sequence is so good. The humor is Disney at its finest and the incorporation of live actors into the animation is of the highest quality. It's just a shame that it exists in the middle of a terribly boring movie. You can tell that it's the highlight, since this 15-minute sequence dominates the cover of the DVD. It isn't worth watching this entire movie for the animated sequence, but it's worth looking up on youtube! The songs can't even redeem this film and if I had to hear that cheesy music while they''re being transported by the bed one more time, I was going to kill somebody. There are glimmers of Disney movie magic in this film (like the special effects with the armor), but this story is just so dumb that I can't recommend this to anybody, not even once.
"Bedknobs and Broomsticks" is a Mary Poppins-wannabe. This story may have a leading lady with special powers, a journey to the "underworld" of London (complete with a song to make this group of people very fun and loveable), mischievous young children, David Tomlinson, and an extended sequence placing live actors into an animated world, but it somehow manages to be TERRIBLE! For me, the eye-rolling began with the kids. I don't know how any group of kids could be so unlikeable. The oldest boy was a little jerk, I don't even remember what the girl looked like, and the youngest was kind of cute but more annoying than anything. You can feature quality actors like Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson but if the children are bad, the entire movie is shot. I feel like they were doomed to begin with, due to the poor quality of the script. They must have conceptualized Portabello Road while they were working on their designs for EPCOT, since they manage to toss just about every culture into this never ending, 10-minutes long dance number. And I'm still trying to figure out the purpose of the entire Bookman aspect of the plot, except to make the movie unbearably long. They easily could've written right past that part and gotten to the animation sooner. The animated soccer sequence is so good. The humor is Disney at its finest and the incorporation of live actors into the animation is of the highest quality. It's just a shame that it exists in the middle of a terribly boring movie. You can tell that it's the highlight, since this 15-minute sequence dominates the cover of the DVD. It isn't worth watching this entire movie for the animated sequence, but it's worth looking up on youtube! The songs can't even redeem this film and if I had to hear that cheesy music while they''re being transported by the bed one more time, I was going to kill somebody. There are glimmers of Disney movie magic in this film (like the special effects with the armor), but this story is just so dumb that I can't recommend this to anybody, not even once.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Planes, Trains and Automobiles - 6 stars out of 10
Planes, Trains and Automobiles - 6 stars out of 10
"Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is an ode to the negative stereotypes of the transportation industry. John Hughes, one of the greatest comedy writers of the 80's (Ferris Bueller, Home Alone), earned critical acclaim with this work. While it provides a lot of laughs, some parts of the film are forgettable. One thing that is not forgettable, however, is the infamous f-word scene (punctuated by Edie McClurg's most memorable line of her career). Had it not been for these 19 f-words over the course of, wait for it... wait for it... 19 f-words over the course of ONE MINUTE, the film would carry a PG rating and be very suitable for families. The comedy gets a bit tiresome by the end but if you know when to skip to the next scene, kids will love this. Steve Martin is very impressive in his progression of frustration, all leading up to his meltdown. It is especially impressive to consider that the scenes were not filmed in order, and yet each scene includes a subtle increase of angst. John Candy is awesome, blissfully unaware and creating his own rules of proper social interaction. The key to this film's success is its characterization and these two actors are a joy to watch through all of their misfortunes. Empathy levels are high in regards to these characters, even though it has an inevitable happy ending. It has the right ending, but the right ending is way too cheesy and predictable. In spite of its "cheese factor," "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is a great Sunday afternoon comedy filled with slapstick comedy and scenarios that progress from bad to worse to worst... to even worse.
"Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is an ode to the negative stereotypes of the transportation industry. John Hughes, one of the greatest comedy writers of the 80's (Ferris Bueller, Home Alone), earned critical acclaim with this work. While it provides a lot of laughs, some parts of the film are forgettable. One thing that is not forgettable, however, is the infamous f-word scene (punctuated by Edie McClurg's most memorable line of her career). Had it not been for these 19 f-words over the course of, wait for it... wait for it... 19 f-words over the course of ONE MINUTE, the film would carry a PG rating and be very suitable for families. The comedy gets a bit tiresome by the end but if you know when to skip to the next scene, kids will love this. Steve Martin is very impressive in his progression of frustration, all leading up to his meltdown. It is especially impressive to consider that the scenes were not filmed in order, and yet each scene includes a subtle increase of angst. John Candy is awesome, blissfully unaware and creating his own rules of proper social interaction. The key to this film's success is its characterization and these two actors are a joy to watch through all of their misfortunes. Empathy levels are high in regards to these characters, even though it has an inevitable happy ending. It has the right ending, but the right ending is way too cheesy and predictable. In spite of its "cheese factor," "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is a great Sunday afternoon comedy filled with slapstick comedy and scenarios that progress from bad to worse to worst... to even worse.
Monday, April 16, 2012
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 7 stars out of 10
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 7 stars out of 10
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is a riot! This perfect cast delivers laugh after laugh after laugh. I nearly busted a gut during the song "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid" and that chariot chase sequence at the end was absolutely hysterical. I understand that this version is very different from the stage show but, being unfamiliar with the stage version, I really enjoyed this film as its own entity. Any discussion of the actors must begin with Zero Mostel, whose wit is a perfect fit for the role of Pseudolus. The bantering dialogue between him and Jack Guilford (as Hysterium) is genius, while Phil Silvers often hops into the dialogue as Lycus at all of the perfect moments. The other role that I really enjoyed was Michael Hordern as Senex, the miserable husband who is desperate to be with anybody other than his dominating (literally) wife. This story manages to throw in just about every joke in the book in a quick-witted, fast-paced dialogue. As the plot grows thicker and thicker, resolution seems impossible... but in a matter of 35 seconds, the entire story is turned on its head and every loose end finds its place. If you are looking for a hysterical look at the historical Roman Empire, this is the movie for you!
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is a riot! This perfect cast delivers laugh after laugh after laugh. I nearly busted a gut during the song "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid" and that chariot chase sequence at the end was absolutely hysterical. I understand that this version is very different from the stage show but, being unfamiliar with the stage version, I really enjoyed this film as its own entity. Any discussion of the actors must begin with Zero Mostel, whose wit is a perfect fit for the role of Pseudolus. The bantering dialogue between him and Jack Guilford (as Hysterium) is genius, while Phil Silvers often hops into the dialogue as Lycus at all of the perfect moments. The other role that I really enjoyed was Michael Hordern as Senex, the miserable husband who is desperate to be with anybody other than his dominating (literally) wife. This story manages to throw in just about every joke in the book in a quick-witted, fast-paced dialogue. As the plot grows thicker and thicker, resolution seems impossible... but in a matter of 35 seconds, the entire story is turned on its head and every loose end finds its place. If you are looking for a hysterical look at the historical Roman Empire, this is the movie for you!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
A Clockwork Orange - 8 stars out of 10
A Clockwork Orange - 8 stars out of 10
"A Clockwork Orange" is one of the most bizarre dystopian films that I have ever seen. It is violent, twisted, and should only be watched when emotionally prepared for its graphic nature - it is not light-hearted. That being said, the film carries a strong message amidst the overwhelming storm of nudity and violence about human nature and the inability to create "goodness" within a bad person. The film's main character, Alex, is terrifying. It isn't because he is physically intimidating; rather, it is because he completely lacks a conscience and is thrilled by his grotesque acts. Malcolm McDowell brings this character to life with his eerily joyful personality and love for classical music. The climax of the film occurs with it's most famous scene in which Alex is forced to endure the Ludovico technique. This aversion therapy involves Alex's eyes being propped open while he is forced to watch violent images for long periods of time with a nausea-inducing drug in his system. If my PG-rated description is causing hesitation, this is not the movie for you. This sequence is so powerful that the resolution of the film seems to take forever. I like the ending (which, by the way, ends after Chapter 20 of the original 21 chapter book) but it feels so boring in comparison to the rest of the film. The film's clever soundtrack is a thematic extension of Alex's love for classical music, comprised of classical music in a twisted synthesizer form. Unfortunately, this film creates an aversion to its music for the viewer, making it difficult to listen to Beethoven's 9th Symphony and especially Singing in the Rain without associating the music with the horrific scenes in which the music is featured. This landmark film changed the acceptance of violence in movies forever. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing (okay, after watching the American version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" it is definitely a bad thing), but Stanley Kubrick's shocking portrayal of violence creates an amazing cinematic experience.
"A Clockwork Orange" is one of the most bizarre dystopian films that I have ever seen. It is violent, twisted, and should only be watched when emotionally prepared for its graphic nature - it is not light-hearted. That being said, the film carries a strong message amidst the overwhelming storm of nudity and violence about human nature and the inability to create "goodness" within a bad person. The film's main character, Alex, is terrifying. It isn't because he is physically intimidating; rather, it is because he completely lacks a conscience and is thrilled by his grotesque acts. Malcolm McDowell brings this character to life with his eerily joyful personality and love for classical music. The climax of the film occurs with it's most famous scene in which Alex is forced to endure the Ludovico technique. This aversion therapy involves Alex's eyes being propped open while he is forced to watch violent images for long periods of time with a nausea-inducing drug in his system. If my PG-rated description is causing hesitation, this is not the movie for you. This sequence is so powerful that the resolution of the film seems to take forever. I like the ending (which, by the way, ends after Chapter 20 of the original 21 chapter book) but it feels so boring in comparison to the rest of the film. The film's clever soundtrack is a thematic extension of Alex's love for classical music, comprised of classical music in a twisted synthesizer form. Unfortunately, this film creates an aversion to its music for the viewer, making it difficult to listen to Beethoven's 9th Symphony and especially Singing in the Rain without associating the music with the horrific scenes in which the music is featured. This landmark film changed the acceptance of violence in movies forever. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing (okay, after watching the American version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" it is definitely a bad thing), but Stanley Kubrick's shocking portrayal of violence creates an amazing cinematic experience.
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