The Ladykillers (2004) - 8 stars out of 10

The Ladykillers (2004) - 8 stars out of 10

“The Ladykillers” is a character-driven comedy that derives its laughs from the conflicting personalities of its diverse characters.  The Coen Brothers have modernized the dull 1955 British film while preserving the old-fashioned feel by placing the story in New Orleans.  This would seem like the worst script in the world if you isolated the dialogue of any individual character, but the conversations that develop between the characters creates the perfect storm of comedy.  Lump’s dumb jock confusion and The General’s rare, intense one-sentence contributions are contrasted by the legitimacy of Goldthwaite’s highly educated commentary, while the stereotypical foul mouth of the hotheaded janitor creates inevitable conflict with Mr. Pancake’s perpetual awkwardness.  I knew that this was going to be a great film from the first mention of “hippity-hop music,” but that is just the beginning.  The story itself is rather clever as it gathers a group that would never interact in the real world to pull off a heist, and then allowing each to part ways with a handsome sum of money.  On top of it, the use of the trash barge as foreshadowing and the concept of stealing insured money is pretty advanced for a comedy.  The true treat lies in the acting as each character is over-the-top, sometimes to the level of a cartoon character.  Tom Hanks is the main attraction.  Those who are educated in the arts will actually follow his constant flow of Renaissance period explanations and Hanks’ insertion of that odd laugh into his soft-spoken monologues just left a smile on my face the entire time.  Of course, J.K. Simmons is my favorite with the most over-the-top performance in the film (Mr. Pancake).  The ridiculousness of his very existence escalates throughout the entire film from Mountain Girl to IBS to every time that he says “Easiest thing in the world.”  The 70-year-old Irma Hall’s blissful ignorance, intolerance for youth, and love of Bob Jones University creates some great running gags while Marlon Wayans delivers some great lines, particularly involving the Waffle Hut.  The charm of New Orleans and the idiocy of this motley crew combine for an awesome heist comedy whose characters will keep you laughing for days.

[Pictured: The least-likely crew to be having a Renaissance instrument rehearsal]

The Purple Rose of Cairo - 10 stars out of 10

The Purple Rose of Cairo - 10 stars out of 10

“The Purple Rose of Cairo” is pure genius.  Woody Allen’s script is interesting, clever, and very complex as he creates a bridge between the real world and a fictional film world.  Many of us can relate to a moment of wishing that we could enter the world of our favorite movie characters, but how often does a movie character wish that they could enter ours?  This story is set in depression-era New Jersey and focuses on Mia Farrow, a waitress who is unhappy in her job and her marriage.  While the entire story is lighthearted, it is easy to see why Farrow needs to visit the movie theater to escape her own life.  Danny Aiello is great as her abusive husband who uses her for the money that she earns as he gambles it away.  A man like that could drive any woman to long for an adventure like The Purple Rose of Cairo.  The film takes a turn when one of the movie characters, played by Jeff Daniels, notices Farrow in the audience and decides to walk out of the movie (literally through the screen) to meet her.  The series of events that follows is gold.  Woody explores this situation from several different angles including Daniels’ ignorance of our world (and a lack of real money), the frustration of the on-screen characters as their movie cannot continue, and the panicked “real life” actor who is trying to get his character back into the film.  The scenes in which the audience interacts with the on-screen characters must have been very difficult to shoot as it required perfect timing when the initial scene was filmed, and then for the audience to interact with the preexisting scene.  I laughed and laughed through the entire second half of the film as the escalation of the situation gets more and more hilarious.  I cannot remember the last time that I was this entertained by a plot device.  I have always loved Woody Allen’s work but this may be my favorite of his films.  “The Purple Rose of Cairo” is incredibly clever and keeps you guessing until the very end.

[Pictured: Confusion fills the film as one of its characters walks out]

The Making of the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park (1989) - 6 stars

The Making of the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park (1989) - 6 stars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBTsFHtJtg8

This special is bittersweet.  It is really cool to see the original vision of this park, but sad to see that the idea of an open, working production studio never panned out for Disney; still, it is amazing that the Disney company was able to see this struggling concept within the first few years and move the park in a new direction.  The park still celebrates Hollywood (especially with the recent removal of the Mickey hat to return the Chinese Theater as the focal point), but now it focuses more on putting the audience into their favorite movies instead of showing the movies being made.  Anybody who has visited or researched this Disney park is familiar with the rides and attractions, thus changing the reason that films like this are so valuable.  Originally, it served as an advertisement and a way to familiarize yourself with this park.  Now, it is a preservation of the park’s original concept and an archive of the old rides and entertainment from the early years.  “The Making of the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park” certainly won’t  lure modern guests to the park, but it creates a nostalgic walk down the original Disney Hollywood Boulevard and allows us to see many of our beloved attractions as they were created.

[Pictured: I loved the Sorcerer's Hat, but it'll be great to have this original view back!]

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) - 8 stars out of 10

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) - 8 stars out of 10

"Birdman" is really odd but you have to see it.  Its cinematography, which captures the entire film as if it was a single tracking shot, is absolutely stunning and gives the film a unique feel that is unlike any other.  While some trickery is used to create this effect, it still necessitates that each scene be shot in one take as each stop and start of the camera occurs during a transition between scenes.  The tracking shots within each scene can last up to 15 minutes, requiring the actors to be on point with their timing and emotions at every moment while the crew and cameraman must operate with absolute precision.  The Oscars don't lie when it comes to the acting categories and, when a film receives nominations in three of those categories, you know that you are going to see strong emotional monologues and a lot of chemistry.  Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, and Emma Stone do not disappoint.  Keaton has spent most of his career dwelling in comedy and action roles that put him in the spotlight but never proved him as a great actor.  Everything changed with the release of "Birdman."  The role of Riggan Thomson has allowed Keaton to put on a dramatic, psychological performance in which he is unpredictable, unstable, and gets to really freak out.  Edward Norton adds to his repertoire of arrogant jerk roles with several high-energy scenes that leave you hating him (as usual).  Emma Stone, who I believe to deserve more credit as an actress than she receives, secured her Oscar nomination with a single scene in which an impassioned monologue allows her to flex her acting muscles.  The supporting cast adds to the natural feel of the film and director Alejandro González Iñárritu had incredible vision to put this entire film together within a playhouse on Broadway.  He is no stranger to the Oscars as all five of his feature films have received nominations, and this film will surely take home a few.  I do take issue with the trail of loose ends that this story does not resolve.  It is obvious that the writers want the reality of Keaton's superpowers, whether they exist or are in his head, to remain ambiguous.  This results in an incredibly clever ending that forces us to reflect on the characters and decide what happened; however, what is the purpose of including seemingly significant events and never addressing them again?  Naomi Watts and Andrea Riseborough seem to disappear from the film for no particular reason after "the scene", Amy Ryan creates insight into Keaton's character and then also disappears, but why?  I feel like this misuse of characters cheapens an otherwise inspired script.  I like this because it is something different, from its single tracking shot approach to its use of a real Broadway playhouse for its set.  It is rare that a director can create a film that defines its own style, but "Birdman" is undoubtedly one of a kind.

[Pictured: This image just has to make you curious]

Virunga - 6 stars out of 10

Virunga - 6 stars out of 10

“Virunga” tells the story of the rangers in Virunga National Park as they struggle to protect the wildlife from SOCO, a British oil company that is trying to undermine the park.  This area of the eastern Congo, which is the home to the last of the mountain gorillas and relies on tourism to support the economy, has been turned on its head by a rebel army that is being bribed by SOCO.  The documentary centers around a gorilla caretaker, park director, head park ranger, and a French journalist as they present the downward path of this national park.  The film contains secretly recorded conversations with the rebels, footage of animals that have been killed in efforts to shut down the park, and a battle involving, NATO, truck-loads of rebels, and tanks.  The documentary makes a bold statement and the editing allows the film to seamlessly flow from one character’s story to the next.  “Virunga” is nominated for an Oscar and, even if it doesn’t win, this platform will give it an opportunity to create awareness of this sad situation.

[Pictured: Community members transport a murdered gorilla to a burial site]