Seeking a Friend for the End of the World - 5 stars out of 10
This movie has me completely perplexed. I couldn't have cared less about the movie or its characters; and yet, the final 2 minutes we so perfect that I became completely consumed with the story and couldn't hold back my tears. And then again 5 minutes later when I rewatched the ending to see if I overreacted. I cried even harder and was even more taken by its bittersweet simplicity. Black comedies have never been my thing and I simply did not enjoy this film's depressing atmosphere mixed with ironic humor. The acting is decent but it just feels like something is missing from the script. The characters don't really grow and the film doesn't do a very good job of exploring it's main theme: "Priorities change when the end is near." One thing that is NOT missing from the script is the unnecessary profanity laced throughout the first half of the film. I can imagine several different ways that they could have told this story in a dramatic fashion that would have made me love these characters from the very start. "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" may not be the greatest film but it is absolutely worth watching for the last two minutes. The final scene is literally one of my top 10 movie scenes of all time with its emotional dialogue, simplicity, and one final smile as the world fades away. It is perfection.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Happy, Texas - 4 stars out of 10
Happy, Texas - 4 stars out of 10
This movie was good for a few laughs but that's all. Steve Zahn gets credit for all of these laughs, particularly in the first scene and when he interacts with the pageant girls for the first time. This movie lacks a strong plot and tries to make up with it with a lot of gay jokes. William H. Macy's acting is entertaining but this movie's purpose does not extend beyond playing in the background while doing other things.
This movie was good for a few laughs but that's all. Steve Zahn gets credit for all of these laughs, particularly in the first scene and when he interacts with the pageant girls for the first time. This movie lacks a strong plot and tries to make up with it with a lot of gay jokes. William H. Macy's acting is entertaining but this movie's purpose does not extend beyond playing in the background while doing other things.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Where the Wild Things Are - 7 stars out of 10
Where the Wild Things Are - 7 stars out of 10
I was very confused at the target audience for this movie. Though it is a children's book, this movie was filled with drama and moved at a slow pace. I could hear that the "fun" scenes where they're jumping around, throwing things, or knocking down trees appealed to the kids in the theater (based on their giggling), but those scenes were infrequent. That being said, Spike Jonze did a great job of bringing this classic story to life. The Wild Things were SO realistic and Max Records is extremely talented. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the soundtrack, using childrens voices and (I assume) a made-up language. This movie starts off at a great pace, creating an immediate connection with Max and making his trip to the island seem realistic. Every motion and emotion of the Wild Things was realistic, with the scene of Carol crying being the most moving of them all. My expectations for this movie were too high after hearing rave reviews from so many people, but it was an enjoyable movie, appropriate for kids and enjoyable for adults, and though I'm only giving it 7 stars I'd definitely recommend it.
I was very confused at the target audience for this movie. Though it is a children's book, this movie was filled with drama and moved at a slow pace. I could hear that the "fun" scenes where they're jumping around, throwing things, or knocking down trees appealed to the kids in the theater (based on their giggling), but those scenes were infrequent. That being said, Spike Jonze did a great job of bringing this classic story to life. The Wild Things were SO realistic and Max Records is extremely talented. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the soundtrack, using childrens voices and (I assume) a made-up language. This movie starts off at a great pace, creating an immediate connection with Max and making his trip to the island seem realistic. Every motion and emotion of the Wild Things was realistic, with the scene of Carol crying being the most moving of them all. My expectations for this movie were too high after hearing rave reviews from so many people, but it was an enjoyable movie, appropriate for kids and enjoyable for adults, and though I'm only giving it 7 stars I'd definitely recommend it.
Monday, November 26, 2012
J. Edgar - 3 stars out of 10
J. Edgar - 3 stars out of 10
Good actors, bad make-up. Clint Eastwood is generally one of my favorite directors but this film simply missed its mark. The unlimited potential of J. Edgar Hoover's creation of the FBI is lost in a script whose timeline is too disjointed by a script that is inherently boring. The previews for this film made it an obvious candidate for several Oscars; however, it did not earn a single nomination in spite of its list of big-name actors and one of the hottest directors in Hollywood. Leonardo DiCaprio has established himself as one of the best actors of a generation and yet, this script does not afford him a single chance to show his mastery of emotional acting. Naomi Watts is one of my favorite actresses but she's just sort of there. Throw in Dame Judy Dench, Josh Lucas, and Armie Hammer for some more solid acting, but the entire thing is just so boring. There was far too little emphasis on the Lindbergh kidnapping and far too much emphasis on Hoover's debated homosexuality. "J. Edgar" tells an interesting piece of history but does so in a way that its 2+ hours become progressively more painful from start to finish. Oh yeah, and the "old people make-up" is nearly laughable.
Good actors, bad make-up. Clint Eastwood is generally one of my favorite directors but this film simply missed its mark. The unlimited potential of J. Edgar Hoover's creation of the FBI is lost in a script whose timeline is too disjointed by a script that is inherently boring. The previews for this film made it an obvious candidate for several Oscars; however, it did not earn a single nomination in spite of its list of big-name actors and one of the hottest directors in Hollywood. Leonardo DiCaprio has established himself as one of the best actors of a generation and yet, this script does not afford him a single chance to show his mastery of emotional acting. Naomi Watts is one of my favorite actresses but she's just sort of there. Throw in Dame Judy Dench, Josh Lucas, and Armie Hammer for some more solid acting, but the entire thing is just so boring. There was far too little emphasis on the Lindbergh kidnapping and far too much emphasis on Hoover's debated homosexuality. "J. Edgar" tells an interesting piece of history but does so in a way that its 2+ hours become progressively more painful from start to finish. Oh yeah, and the "old people make-up" is nearly laughable.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - 10 stars out of 10
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - 10 stars out of 10
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" bridges the gap between fiction and reality. It's hard to believe that these actors aren't real mental patients as a dozen unique psychotic personalities are brought to life. At first, they are just a generic group of loonies but when the camera shows each individual patient at the end, they become real people. Each character has a unique ailment and these actors take individual responsibility for revealing these ailments without directly stating a diagnosis. Jack Nicholson is so unpredictable that it is frightening. While he deservedly took home the Oscar for Best Actor, my nomination would have gone to Sydney Lassick (playing Mr. Cheswick) who transforms from a middle-aged man to a temper-tantrum-throwing child in a matter of seconds. The incredible atmosphere inside of the asylum develops through these conflicting personalities, from William Redford (Mr. Harding)'s well-educated superiority to Christopher Lloyd (Taber)'s profane personality, from Danny DeVito (Martini)'s delusions to Will Sampson (The Chief)'s silent but strong presence, and of course Brad Dourif (Billy)'s stuttering innocence and desire to be loved. Louise Fletcher also took home an Oscar as the hard-hearted Nurse Ratched and Scatman Crothers adds fun amongst the madness. Even more amazing than the acting is the films ability to raise the question: "What is crazy?" It shows how one man's life can be destroyed by becoming a victim of the system "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is more than a film - it is a statement. It deserves all of its Academy Awards and possesses some of the greatest acting that you will ever see.
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" bridges the gap between fiction and reality. It's hard to believe that these actors aren't real mental patients as a dozen unique psychotic personalities are brought to life. At first, they are just a generic group of loonies but when the camera shows each individual patient at the end, they become real people. Each character has a unique ailment and these actors take individual responsibility for revealing these ailments without directly stating a diagnosis. Jack Nicholson is so unpredictable that it is frightening. While he deservedly took home the Oscar for Best Actor, my nomination would have gone to Sydney Lassick (playing Mr. Cheswick) who transforms from a middle-aged man to a temper-tantrum-throwing child in a matter of seconds. The incredible atmosphere inside of the asylum develops through these conflicting personalities, from William Redford (Mr. Harding)'s well-educated superiority to Christopher Lloyd (Taber)'s profane personality, from Danny DeVito (Martini)'s delusions to Will Sampson (The Chief)'s silent but strong presence, and of course Brad Dourif (Billy)'s stuttering innocence and desire to be loved. Louise Fletcher also took home an Oscar as the hard-hearted Nurse Ratched and Scatman Crothers adds fun amongst the madness. Even more amazing than the acting is the films ability to raise the question: "What is crazy?" It shows how one man's life can be destroyed by becoming a victim of the system "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is more than a film - it is a statement. It deserves all of its Academy Awards and possesses some of the greatest acting that you will ever see.
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