Paper Man (2009) - 4 stars out of 10

Paper Man (2009) - 4 stars out of 10

"Paper Man" is another of those films that could have been great but suffers from poor execution.  I thought that the concept of having a childhood imaginary friend following him around was pretty cool, but it just became gimmicky after awhile.  That character could have had a meaningful impact on the movie but in the end, he was a small piece of symbolism instead of the conscience that the writers hinted that he could be.  I didn't really like the movie but I loved the performance by Emma Stone.  Her emotional monologue about her sister as the camera slowly moves toward her from across the room over the course of several minutes gives the entire thing a personal feel and is absolutely consuming.  The rest of the acting below average.  I feel like Jeff Daniels could have really proved that he's still "got it" as a dramatic actor, but you have to go all the way back to "Gettysburg" to be impressed by this actor.  Lisa Kudrow should stick to comedies and Ryan Reynolds probably could have been amazing in the role of Captain Excellent if the character had been written better.  I hope that someone else will grasp the "childhood imaginary friend in the form of a superhero" concept and do it the right way because, without any sort of rhythm, "Paper Man" drags on with poor dialogue and bad acting.

Craigslist Joe - 6 stars out of 10

Craigslist Joe - 6 stars out of 10

“Craigslist Joe” is a moving tribute to the intrinsic goodness contained within individuals who want to help others.  In this bold documentary, a 29-year-old man walks out into the world without a car, phone, or a single penny to his name.  He embarks on a journey to spend 31 days living solely off of the kindness of others via Craigslist.  Throughout the film, he travels across the country and back with his cameraman (also located on Craigslist), relying on others for transportation, food, and shelter.  He even experiences a night of homelessness when two of his Craigslist contacts fall through.  My only complaint is that they did not spend enough time on each episodic encounter for us to get to know the people as well as he did.  It is very cool to see the bonds that he forms with complete strangers and the unique experiences that he never would have had without stepping out of his comfort zone - this film renews my faith in humanity..

The Nutty Professor (1996) - 7 stars out of 10

The Nutty Professor (1996) - 7 stars out of 10

With the talented ensemble of Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, and Eddie Murphy, "The Nutty Professor" is non-stop laughter.  I had a low expectation as I prepared for Murphy's crude humor mixed with a long string of fat jokes, but the scenes with the Klump family (all played by Murphy) are so hysterical that a strong plot isn't necessary.  Although the make-up received a lot of credit for the success of Murphy's many characters by netting an Oscar for Best Make-Up, it is truly Murphy's pure acting skill that makes the Klump sequences so amazing.  He portrays a grandmother, a mother, a father, a brother, and his own obese persona in a single scene, giving each character a definitive personality while interacting with his other family members around a dinner table.  The script finds a good balance between fat jokes, fart jokes, storyline, and sentimentality.  There isn't much character development but it isn't really necessary when so many strong personalities are portrayed.  Outside of Murphy, Jada Pinkett Smith is looking very good and Larry Miller is as over-the-top as he is in Christopher Guest's mockumentaries.  Dave Chappelle was annoying but I was glad to see him get what he deserved.  "The Nutty Professor" certainly isn't a life-changing film but is sure to keep you laughing from start to finish thanks to the impressive acting of Eddie Murphy.
P.S. Don't miss the outtakes during the credits - they may be the best part!

UHF - 4 stars out of 10

UHF - 4 stars out of 10

“UHF” is precisely what you would expect from Weird Al Yankovich, filled with screwball comedy that is manifested in off-the-wall dialogue and parodies.  The plot of the film is the perfect setup to parody different tv shows (like Wheel of Fish) and commercials (for things like Spatula City and Conan the Librarian).  The first half of the film is mildly entertaining but it really picks up once the tv station finds success.  The highlight is Michael Richards as the buffoon custodian who ends up with his own children’s tv show, “Stanley Spadowski’s Clubhouse.”  The character is like Kramer with a 9-year-old’s mentality – needless to say, he is the best part of the film.  I expected Weird Al to be a lot funnier than he was and found this movie to be a lot like an episode of Family Guy – the characters themselves aren’t really that funny and the plot is pretty dumb, but the cutaway scenes redeem the film by bringing out the ADD in all of us.  I don’t know if I would ever sit down and devote my attention to “UHF,” but I will gladly put it on in the background to enjoy the occasional cut scene or funny outburst from Michael Richards.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - 10 stars out of 10

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - 10 stars out of 10

“The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” has such a creative and imaginative artistic vision that it is no surprise that it received the Oscar for Best Animated Short.  The musical soundtrack, comprised of variations on “Pop Goes the Weasle,” has a whimsical feel that creates magic within this animation.  The concept is really cool but the execution is perfect.  Little details, like the way that the Humpty Dumpty book communicates and the inspiration drawn from Hurricane Katrina, put this short onto a level of greatness.  In an age of video technology, “Mr. Morris Lessmore” reminds us of the nostalgia and comfort of sitting down with a good book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vftMo1-cfWE

Crash (2005) - 10 stars out of 10

Crash (2005) - 10 stars out of 10
850th Review 

“Crash” is simply one of those films that will never be forgotten.  Beyond the acting, script, and cinematography lies an overwhelming theme that has a lot more meaning than the film’s Oscar for Best Picture.  “Crash’s” portrayal of racism in Los Angeles is raw, real, and emotional.  While it is easy to see that the film shouts “racism is bad,” it operates on a different level at the same time.  As this intricate network of interconnected stories wraps up, the film reveals that looks can be deceiving (Ludacris doing the right thing, the true vocation of the Chinese man, etc.).  Although the film’s message is more important than anything, it is brought to life by a talented ensemble cast that includes Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, and Thandie Newton.  Many of the characters have a duality to them, tempted to conform to the bigotous ways of our society while motivated by their consciences.  While I don’t enjoy Matt Dillon as an actor (and think that he only received a Best Supporting nomination due to a weak Oscar class), he excels at disgusting the audience with his character’s racist intimidation.  This is imperative to plot’s climax when he must risk his life for a woman who wants help from anybody but him.  Even more important is Michael Peña’s heartwarming father-daughter dialogue, which sets up the emotional climax of the film.  “The scene” will surely have you crying, further driving home the effects of hatred and introducing a message of hope.  The little details throughout the film, like the ignorance in the ammunition purchase and the Saint Christopher statues, set up the films biggest surprises without us even knowing it.  The script (which won Best Original Screenplay) is perfection as it weaves together so many characters in so many storylines without leaving a single plot hole.  Not only is every character important to the transformation of at least one other character, but each character also facilitates the theme of the film.  The culmination of tension and idea of racism as a learned worldview is driven home as Ryan Phillippe buys into the hatred that surrounds him.  “Crash” is stunning and you will surely realize that as you watch the credits roll by, sitting in silence and unable to move as the whole picture comes together and the levity of the theme sets in.

Hellraiser - 3 stars out of 10

Hellraiser - 3 stars out of 10

“Hellraiser” is sadism for the eyes.  It may be the most horrific of all horror movies, not in a fun sense but in an uneasy one.  I can’t imagine anybody choosing to watch this if they knew what was in store.  The disturbing nature of the film makes it easy to see why the creators of franchises like “Saw” and “The Human Centipede” believe that they can show anything that they want on-screen.  I will admit that the make-up and special effects are gruesomely impressive; whether it is the progressive transformation of Frank from bones to tissue or ripping a body apart with chains and hooks, there are few details that we are not forced to endure.  I will never submit myself to another film in this franchise.  I can’t ever handle watching the “Jesus wept” scene ever again, it was just awful (especially alone at 1 am with your mind playing tricks on you).  Considering how desensitized we have become to violence today, I cannot imagine how shocking it must have been to watch this film in 1987.  The sadomasochistic theme presented through the Cenobites turns my stomach as their ritualistic torture is left to the imagination.  Outside of the disturbing storyline and concert, the acting leaves something to be desired.  The worst of the over-actors is Ashley Laurence, though all of the actors tend to have that B-list feel.  The film also boasts a fitting musical score with those creepy chords on the piano and chimes.  I don’t know if it was the circumstances in which I watched this film (alone in the dark, half-asleep, late at night) or the film itself, but “Hellraiser” was an incredibly disturbing experience and I never want to relive it again.