Beatles Stories - 7 stars out of 10
"Beatles Stories" is a cool little collection of interviews with celebrities who share their stories of meeting the Beatles. It’s overwhelming to think about how many lives these four men made a significant impact on, even through the most insignificant events. Everybody from Henry Winkler to Art Garfunkel and Davy Jones is included in this documentary, all vividly recalling random happenstances from 40 years ago because they were all so struck by their brief encounters with the Fab Four. This documentary does not dig deep into the personal lives of the Beatles; instead, it tells cool little stories that cannot be heard anywhere else. The film creates a collage of events that strips away the idolatry and reveals that these iconic men were actually normal people. This film focuses on the good memories of the greatest rock band of all time and is sure to leave you smiling with so many nostalgic anecdotes from celebrities who were just as awe-struck as us.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - 6 stars out of 10
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - 6 stars out of 10
Warning: This film is not historically accurate! "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" is an axe-wielding feast for the eyes. Even though the film seems absurd from the moment that you read the title, it actually is a cool twist on the history of our country. Benjamin Walker gives a really cool performance, especially once the beard grows in. Overall, the story is imaginative and while it is ridiculous, you can really enjoy it for what it is. The vampires are pretty freaky and the film gives enough blood to satisfy. If given the choice between "Twilight," The Count from Sesame Street, and this... I would choose "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" nine times out of ten (with the other time going to Sesame Street, of course). Just read the title - this is a cult classic in the making.
Warning: This film is not historically accurate! "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" is an axe-wielding feast for the eyes. Even though the film seems absurd from the moment that you read the title, it actually is a cool twist on the history of our country. Benjamin Walker gives a really cool performance, especially once the beard grows in. Overall, the story is imaginative and while it is ridiculous, you can really enjoy it for what it is. The vampires are pretty freaky and the film gives enough blood to satisfy. If given the choice between "Twilight," The Count from Sesame Street, and this... I would choose "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" nine times out of ten (with the other time going to Sesame Street, of course). Just read the title - this is a cult classic in the making.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Alice (1990) - 3 stars out of 10
Alice (1990) - 3 stars out of 10
"Alice" was a big disappointment. I love Woody Allen's films but this one just missed its mark. This women's journey of self-discovery is about as far from the Alice in Wonderland story as it can be. Perhaps with a different expectation, I would have enjoyed this film but Netflix lied and I was waiting for the modern, real-world take on Lewis Caroll's story. While Mia Farrow's mischievous adventures involve magic (like disappearing and a love potion), I would have never known that this was a play on Alice in Wonderland. And then I probably would have enjoyed the story. The film does teach a few important lessons about entering into a marriage for superficial reasons but much of the film is dull. Woody Allen's humor is at its finest when a love potion accidentally causes a bunch of strangers (including Bob Balaban) to fall in love with and court Alice at a Christmas party. Even though I didn't like the film, it was worth watching just to discover this scene. This film might be worth a try, but don't spend the entire time searching for parallels to Lewis Carroll.
"Alice" was a big disappointment. I love Woody Allen's films but this one just missed its mark. This women's journey of self-discovery is about as far from the Alice in Wonderland story as it can be. Perhaps with a different expectation, I would have enjoyed this film but Netflix lied and I was waiting for the modern, real-world take on Lewis Caroll's story. While Mia Farrow's mischievous adventures involve magic (like disappearing and a love potion), I would have never known that this was a play on Alice in Wonderland. And then I probably would have enjoyed the story. The film does teach a few important lessons about entering into a marriage for superficial reasons but much of the film is dull. Woody Allen's humor is at its finest when a love potion accidentally causes a bunch of strangers (including Bob Balaban) to fall in love with and court Alice at a Christmas party. Even though I didn't like the film, it was worth watching just to discover this scene. This film might be worth a try, but don't spend the entire time searching for parallels to Lewis Carroll.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Exporting Raymond - 9 stars out of 10
Exporting Raymond - 9 stars out of 10
"Exporting Raymond" is hilarious. This documentary is unlike any other, showing the disparity between American comedy and Russian comedy as well as exploring the cultural differences between Hollywood and Russia's "Hollywood." Phil Rosenthal, the creator of "Everybody Loves Raymond," tries to oversee the conversion of America's hit comedy into Russian tv but nobody will listen to him. Every suggestion about casting, costuming, and interpretation is ignored as several classic Raymond scenes are brought to life and killed. Rosenthal's commentary and mannerisms throughout the process are laugh-out-loud funny as he encounters characters that are so ridiculous that they can't be real (but they are). This is a must for any "Everybody Loves Raymond" fan but even if you have never watched the show (like me), it will still have you in stitches.
"Exporting Raymond" is hilarious. This documentary is unlike any other, showing the disparity between American comedy and Russian comedy as well as exploring the cultural differences between Hollywood and Russia's "Hollywood." Phil Rosenthal, the creator of "Everybody Loves Raymond," tries to oversee the conversion of America's hit comedy into Russian tv but nobody will listen to him. Every suggestion about casting, costuming, and interpretation is ignored as several classic Raymond scenes are brought to life and killed. Rosenthal's commentary and mannerisms throughout the process are laugh-out-loud funny as he encounters characters that are so ridiculous that they can't be real (but they are). This is a must for any "Everybody Loves Raymond" fan but even if you have never watched the show (like me), it will still have you in stitches.
Rock of Ages - 6 stars out of 10
Rock of Ages - 6 stars out of 10
"Rock of Ages" is exactly what you think it is. Awesome rock music and really great singers wrapped around a weak story that attempts to incorporate the music into the plot. I would much rather go out and buy the soundtrack than watch the actual movie again. Unlike "Across the Universe" which focused on telling a great story and fitting the Beatles music and characters into it, this film started with the music and attempted to work the plot around it. Any songs that didn't fit, they just made them into random rock performances throughout the film. The characters weren't anything special but the singing was. Diego Boneta's voice is perfect for this rock music and Julianne Hough, while obviously auto-tuned at points, has the grit to pull off the female interpretations of these rock songs. To me, the highlight of the film are the mash-ups of multiple rock tunes, particularly "We Built This City/We're Not Gonna Take It," "Jukebox Hero/I Love Rock 'n Roll," and "More Than Words/Heaven." If there is one reason that you should see this film, it is those mash-ups. Tom Cruise is in the zone as Stacee Jaxx but I was particularly annoyed with Alec Baldwin and Paul Giamatti. And I'm a huge Paul Giamatti fan! They threw in a lot of stars like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Russell Brand but truly, if you rent "Rock of Ages," you will be watching it for the musical performances and nothing else.
"Rock of Ages" is exactly what you think it is. Awesome rock music and really great singers wrapped around a weak story that attempts to incorporate the music into the plot. I would much rather go out and buy the soundtrack than watch the actual movie again. Unlike "Across the Universe" which focused on telling a great story and fitting the Beatles music and characters into it, this film started with the music and attempted to work the plot around it. Any songs that didn't fit, they just made them into random rock performances throughout the film. The characters weren't anything special but the singing was. Diego Boneta's voice is perfect for this rock music and Julianne Hough, while obviously auto-tuned at points, has the grit to pull off the female interpretations of these rock songs. To me, the highlight of the film are the mash-ups of multiple rock tunes, particularly "We Built This City/We're Not Gonna Take It," "Jukebox Hero/I Love Rock 'n Roll," and "More Than Words/Heaven." If there is one reason that you should see this film, it is those mash-ups. Tom Cruise is in the zone as Stacee Jaxx but I was particularly annoyed with Alec Baldwin and Paul Giamatti. And I'm a huge Paul Giamatti fan! They threw in a lot of stars like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Russell Brand but truly, if you rent "Rock of Ages," you will be watching it for the musical performances and nothing else.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The Avengers (2012) - 8 stars out of 10
The Avengers (2012) - 8 stars out of 10
"The Avengers" is epic. It successfully pulls six superheros into one film while giving each hero his own storyline and development until all six paths eventually intersect. Some multi-hero films (cough cough "Fantastic Four") don't properly develop the characters and just become a jumble of annoying personalities. But "The Avengers" has even more challenges than character development. Unlike the X-Men films, where all of the characters exist in the same world and have the same goal of protecting the mutants, this film pulls characters from several comic worlds and has to make these worlds align. I like how the writers didn't suddenly throw all of the characters together in a room and say "Let's do this." The film has a believable quality because some of the characters show resistance to joining, other characters pair up and try to find a solution but can't do it on their own, and finally the necessity of the situation pulls them all together instead of their desire to be a team. All of the acting is incredible, from Robert Downey Jr.'s coolness as Iron Man to Scarlett Johansson's kick-butt attitude as Black Widow. Outside of the superheros, Clark Gregg reprises his role as Agent Coulson and really grabs the spotlight this time. Also, Samuel L. Jackson. That is all. The action sequences are amazing, the Hulk is so cool as he destroys stuff, the dialogue is great, and the acting is even better; however, this movie falls short in one way for me and that's the inclusion of mythological enemies. The recent trend in superhero movies has placed these heroes into real world situations that makes it seem that they could be among us. The costumes and characteristics of these heroes have been altered so that their abilities can be logically explained and the character's appearance wouldn't be laughable if we saw them on the street. I understand that the plot of "Thor" requires this mythical garb and even though he looks goofy standing next to Hawkeye, I could have been okay with it. But why did the conflict have to revolve around other-worldly beings instead of a realistic enemy like those in the "Iron Man" series. I just feel as if this film lost some of its potential by breaking the realism that has placed superheros into the real world. That being said, the story, special effects, acting, and script are awesome and make "The Avengers" one of the best superhero films out there. I can't wait to see The Disney Corporation's continued enhancement of the Marvel Universe.
"The Avengers" is epic. It successfully pulls six superheros into one film while giving each hero his own storyline and development until all six paths eventually intersect. Some multi-hero films (cough cough "Fantastic Four") don't properly develop the characters and just become a jumble of annoying personalities. But "The Avengers" has even more challenges than character development. Unlike the X-Men films, where all of the characters exist in the same world and have the same goal of protecting the mutants, this film pulls characters from several comic worlds and has to make these worlds align. I like how the writers didn't suddenly throw all of the characters together in a room and say "Let's do this." The film has a believable quality because some of the characters show resistance to joining, other characters pair up and try to find a solution but can't do it on their own, and finally the necessity of the situation pulls them all together instead of their desire to be a team. All of the acting is incredible, from Robert Downey Jr.'s coolness as Iron Man to Scarlett Johansson's kick-butt attitude as Black Widow. Outside of the superheros, Clark Gregg reprises his role as Agent Coulson and really grabs the spotlight this time. Also, Samuel L. Jackson. That is all. The action sequences are amazing, the Hulk is so cool as he destroys stuff, the dialogue is great, and the acting is even better; however, this movie falls short in one way for me and that's the inclusion of mythological enemies. The recent trend in superhero movies has placed these heroes into real world situations that makes it seem that they could be among us. The costumes and characteristics of these heroes have been altered so that their abilities can be logically explained and the character's appearance wouldn't be laughable if we saw them on the street. I understand that the plot of "Thor" requires this mythical garb and even though he looks goofy standing next to Hawkeye, I could have been okay with it. But why did the conflict have to revolve around other-worldly beings instead of a realistic enemy like those in the "Iron Man" series. I just feel as if this film lost some of its potential by breaking the realism that has placed superheros into the real world. That being said, the story, special effects, acting, and script are awesome and make "The Avengers" one of the best superhero films out there. I can't wait to see The Disney Corporation's continued enhancement of the Marvel Universe.
Flashdance - 6 stars out of 10
Flashdance - 6 stars out of 10
"Flashdance" screams "80's!" From the retro costumes (which weren't retro at the time) to the music video-style dance sequences, it is a walk down memory lane. More than anything, the soundtrack to this film defines 1980's pop music, winning a Grammy and an Oscar as well as charting songs on the Billboard Top 100. Even though the critics heavily panned the film, it survives as a period piece that captures the 1980's music culture. The "steel-mill-worker-by-day/bar-dancer-by-night-aspiring-to-study-dance-at-a-conservatory-while-falling-in-love-with-her-boss" story is so cheesy that it's tough to believe that it is based on a true story, but the story doesn't really matter in this series of awesome dance sequences. The Pittsburgh atmosphere works perfectly to facilitate film's duality between steel mills and nightclubs. Jennifer Beals commands the screen as Alex Owens, a bold and multifaceted character who is full of attitude and self-consciousness. Beals is very nice to look at and has incredible dance skill, all while bringing emotion to this character. "Flashdance" may not be an Oscar-caliber drama but it is a fun dance film and I'd watch it again.
"Flashdance" screams "80's!" From the retro costumes (which weren't retro at the time) to the music video-style dance sequences, it is a walk down memory lane. More than anything, the soundtrack to this film defines 1980's pop music, winning a Grammy and an Oscar as well as charting songs on the Billboard Top 100. Even though the critics heavily panned the film, it survives as a period piece that captures the 1980's music culture. The "steel-mill-worker-by-day/bar-dancer-by-night-aspiring-to-study-dance-at-a-conservatory-while-falling-in-love-with-her-boss" story is so cheesy that it's tough to believe that it is based on a true story, but the story doesn't really matter in this series of awesome dance sequences. The Pittsburgh atmosphere works perfectly to facilitate film's duality between steel mills and nightclubs. Jennifer Beals commands the screen as Alex Owens, a bold and multifaceted character who is full of attitude and self-consciousness. Beals is very nice to look at and has incredible dance skill, all while bringing emotion to this character. "Flashdance" may not be an Oscar-caliber drama but it is a fun dance film and I'd watch it again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)