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.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
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.
Friday, January 4, 2013
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - 5 stars out of 10
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - 5 stars out of 10
Dolly Parton is as adorable as ever in this happy-go-lucky musical (which surprisingly is not overshadowed by its subject matter). Although I'd like to say that this film is all about the exposure of the Chicken Ranch and the fight to preserve this Texas tradition, it's hard to look past the girls who are smoking hott. If you can look past the girls (and if your view is not obstructed by Parton's huge... personality), the end result is a pretty interesting story for a musical. The dance numbers are really fun and nothing can top Dom DeLuise as Melvin P. Thorpe. His performance is inspired and there are few quirky characters out there with as much quirk as him. Burt Reynolds stands out as a smooth operator and plays perfectly off of Parton. "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" isn't my favorite musical (or even in my Top 25), but it's worth watching for classic performances from some of Hollywood's biggest names (and Hollywood's largest... well, you get the point).
Dolly Parton is as adorable as ever in this happy-go-lucky musical (which surprisingly is not overshadowed by its subject matter). Although I'd like to say that this film is all about the exposure of the Chicken Ranch and the fight to preserve this Texas tradition, it's hard to look past the girls who are smoking hott. If you can look past the girls (and if your view is not obstructed by Parton's huge... personality), the end result is a pretty interesting story for a musical. The dance numbers are really fun and nothing can top Dom DeLuise as Melvin P. Thorpe. His performance is inspired and there are few quirky characters out there with as much quirk as him. Burt Reynolds stands out as a smooth operator and plays perfectly off of Parton. "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" isn't my favorite musical (or even in my Top 25), but it's worth watching for classic performances from some of Hollywood's biggest names (and Hollywood's largest... well, you get the point).
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Indie Game: The Movie - 8 stars out of 10
Indie Game: The Movie - 8 stars out of 10
"Indie Game: The Movie" is a fascinating look inside the world of video game design and beyond. Rather than give a history of the video game industry, this documentary focuses on the circle of independent video game designers, treating the games as an art form and trying to turn a profit simply to help them design another. The film follows Phil Fish and the frustrations of his 5-year development of "Fez" through four redesigns, a potential lawsuit, and hostile gamers anxious for the game to be released. This two-dimensional character in a three-dimensional world is really cool (especially once you've seen the intricacies of the program but is major artistic eye candy. It also focuses on Tommy Refenes and Edmund McMillen as they sacrifice their personal lives to create something very original with "Super Meat Boy." Jonathan Blow also makes an appearance to discuss his game "Braid" and his depression from positive game reviews that couldn't see past the gameplay to appreciate the depth of the story. There is a lot more to a video game than a joystick and Mario running across the screen. "Indie Game: The Movie" explores the painstaking details put into these games by one or two people (as opposed to a thousand people working on Call of Duty), the stress of the release date, and the satisfaction of designing a game enjoyed by millions. You need to at least have a small video game nerd hiding inside of you to enjoy this one and, despite the profanity, it is a really enjoyable watch!
"Indie Game: The Movie" is a fascinating look inside the world of video game design and beyond. Rather than give a history of the video game industry, this documentary focuses on the circle of independent video game designers, treating the games as an art form and trying to turn a profit simply to help them design another. The film follows Phil Fish and the frustrations of his 5-year development of "Fez" through four redesigns, a potential lawsuit, and hostile gamers anxious for the game to be released. This two-dimensional character in a three-dimensional world is really cool (especially once you've seen the intricacies of the program but is major artistic eye candy. It also focuses on Tommy Refenes and Edmund McMillen as they sacrifice their personal lives to create something very original with "Super Meat Boy." Jonathan Blow also makes an appearance to discuss his game "Braid" and his depression from positive game reviews that couldn't see past the gameplay to appreciate the depth of the story. There is a lot more to a video game than a joystick and Mario running across the screen. "Indie Game: The Movie" explores the painstaking details put into these games by one or two people (as opposed to a thousand people working on Call of Duty), the stress of the release date, and the satisfaction of designing a game enjoyed by millions. You need to at least have a small video game nerd hiding inside of you to enjoy this one and, despite the profanity, it is a really enjoyable watch!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Inherit the Wind (1960) - 8 stars out of 10
Inherit the Wind (1960) - 8 stars out of 10
"Inherit the Wind" is an awesome courtroom drama that brings to life (and fictionalizes) the events of the Scopes Monkey Trial. While much of the truth from the actual trial is lost, the spirit in which this trial-turned-religious-debate was conducted is captured through the townspeople of this small southern town, the press, and the argumentative banter between Spencer Tracy and Fredric March. The film is a bit frustrating as it represents Christians as a bunch of imbeciles but I suppose that's what this parabolic play needed to do to create its defense for intellectual freedom. Regardless of the creation vs. evolution theme, the acting is fabulous in the overheated courtroom. Comedy is occasionally interjected throughout the film but the majority is dramatic. March speaks with passion and progresses from overconfidence to fumbling for words through dynamic (though sometimes annoying) acting. Tracy is his standard wise-cracking self weaves together a convincing defense. Gene Kelly adds a rare dramatic performance, stirring up trouble as the manipulative newspaperman while Dick York (the original Darrin) doesn't add much of anything to the film. It may take a lot of flack for its historical inaccuracy, but there is no denying that Stanley Kramer's film adaptation of "Inherit the Wind" creates some of the most memorable court moments in film history.
"Inherit the Wind" is an awesome courtroom drama that brings to life (and fictionalizes) the events of the Scopes Monkey Trial. While much of the truth from the actual trial is lost, the spirit in which this trial-turned-religious-debate was conducted is captured through the townspeople of this small southern town, the press, and the argumentative banter between Spencer Tracy and Fredric March. The film is a bit frustrating as it represents Christians as a bunch of imbeciles but I suppose that's what this parabolic play needed to do to create its defense for intellectual freedom. Regardless of the creation vs. evolution theme, the acting is fabulous in the overheated courtroom. Comedy is occasionally interjected throughout the film but the majority is dramatic. March speaks with passion and progresses from overconfidence to fumbling for words through dynamic (though sometimes annoying) acting. Tracy is his standard wise-cracking self weaves together a convincing defense. Gene Kelly adds a rare dramatic performance, stirring up trouble as the manipulative newspaperman while Dick York (the original Darrin) doesn't add much of anything to the film. It may take a lot of flack for its historical inaccuracy, but there is no denying that Stanley Kramer's film adaptation of "Inherit the Wind" creates some of the most memorable court moments in film history.
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