Keepin' it Reel

11.10.2007

Trust the Man

Directed by: Bart Freundlich
Starring: David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Billy Crudup, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Eva Mendes
Running Time: 1h 43min

Adult comedies that work don't come around that often. And when they do, they're often so profanity laden and raunchy, that they earn their R rating, and as a result, the laughter ensues from the shock and taboo release we find in them.
Rarely are they funny in a mature, complex, and honest manner, filled with characters that are three dimensional and realistically flawed.

Trust the Man is a gem, in that it is a rare cinematic achievement, that takes enough risks that could go wrong, but is so well cast that everything goes right. Immediately, each actor reveals enough depth and humanity, that it is easy to fall into the world in which they live, as we watch a number of couples struggle with their fidelity, relationships, and self-worth. After watching a few scenes of Duchovny, Moore, Crudup and Gyllenhaal trading lines and looks, you can't help but wish this were a weekly series so you could tune in and enjoy their insanity week in and week out.

Hollywood has given us so many stock romances with typical character and story arcs, that while watching this film, you're expecting it to go in certain directions, but it never fully turns out as expected. Sure, the basic premise might go in the obvious direction, but never without a stylistic twist, or an odd humerous angle. The leading four, plus Mendes as a supporting character, truly embody a wonderful place where comedy and drama show no boundaries, as all five are equally adept at both worlds. Their skill at both aspects peppers each scene with a tone unlike most films.

There are some bizarrely funny moments, and scenes written completely for the gag. Yet there are just as many scenes that punctuate the difficulties couples have growing together, whether its growing apart, growing old, or growing in spite of the other. The swinging emotional ride takes a little getting used to, but once you realize that this is not going to be a typical film, that follows its characters more than it leads them, then you are in for a refreshing, fun, unique bit of dramedy.

Filled with many laugh out loud moments, some tragic heartbreak, and some smart, reflective dialogue, Trust the Man is a great writing and directing effort that gets the most from its talented cast. Definitely worth the time spent, and hopefully we will see these thespians involved in future projects together, quite possibly with the same writer.

Grade: B+

11.05.2007

Bee Movie

Directed by: Steve Hickner and Simon J. Smith
Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Renée Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, Patrick Warburton, John Goodman, Chris Rock, Kathy Bates, Barry Levinson, Larry King, Ray Liotta, Sting, Oprah Winfrey
Running Time: 1h 30min

It's sad to think, that in the years since Seinfeld's self titled sitcom has been off the air, that all he has been able to muster is this mediocre film populated with stock jokes, tired cinematic conventions, and lazy one liners. Considering he was the star of such a consistently funny, cleverly paced, and tightly woven series, that provided fresh laughs and continues to be the hallmark of situation comedies, Seinfeld's first foray into film is a disastrous flop.

The premise sounds like great comedic fodder, the workman like bee hive, with all its natural wonder and colony code of conduct. It seems perfectly matched with Seinfeld's stand up style, of pointing out life's oddities and silly social structures and situations. Yet all Bee Movie offers are the run of the mill punny honey jokes that you can see from a mile away. Even the lousiest Seinfeld episode has more laugh out loud moments than this film. Even jokes aimed at the preschool crowd fall flat, so that no matter what age you are, this film fails to offer any laughs.

Lack of laughs aside, there really isn't any insightful or meaningful moments which are often peppered into animated children's films. The human-bee relationships seem awkward and borderline crazy, and the premise of bees talking and humans listening is too easily glazed over, when it could be a goldmine for humour, allegory, or moralizing. Instead, we're left with the message that capitalists have been trying to subversively instill in workers for centuries; accept your lot, because you never know what disaster could strike if you choose to rebel against your meaningless McJob.

Perhaps the only bright spots in this film can be credited to the supporting cast, who do some great voice work in their roles. Zellweger, Broderick, Warburton and Rock all get a lot of millage out of their roles, showing some real skill and style with their line delivery. Their screen time makes you wish their characters were more developed and more integral to the film's plot.

The bottom line however, is that a good animated film rests on strong voice work, a clever story line that's suitable for both kids and adults, and finally, but most importantly, great animation. Bee Movie strikes out on all three fronts. Seinfeld can't carry the film on his own, as his whiny voice does little to inspire the audience to rally behind the hero. The plot skips and jumps its way along, in search of meaning while forgetting any semblance of coherency. Sadly, the animation is uninspired, with only the moments of bumblebees in flight providing any visual excitement. Robots did a much better job utilizing the geometric designs into the world inhabited by its characters, and both Antz and A Bug's Life, not to mention Toy Story and Finding Nemo, painted much more lush, extravagant backdrops for it's tiny creatures living amongst humans.

Bee Movie is a huge disappointment, as a comedy, as a kid's flick, and as an animated adventure. It doesn't even rate a "B", but due to some interesting scenes, a few clever cameos, and some decent supporting work, it isn't a complete failure. Let's just hope it doesn't warrant a sequel.

Grade: C-

9.23.2007

Good Luck Chuck

Directed by: Mark Helfrich
Starring: Dane Cook, Jessica Alba, Dan Fogler, Lonny Ross
Running Time: 1h 36min

There are four reasons to see this film. Jessica Alba.

Grade: D+

3:10 to Yuma

Directed by: James Mangold
Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Logan Lerman, Ben Foster, Peter Fonda
Running Time: 1h 57min

I continue to state that I am not a fan of westerns. Yet every couple of years I'm forced to admit that the film I accidentally stumbled upon, or was forced to watch, is indeed a great film, filled with great acting and locations, and is indeed a western. In this category go the films Unforgiven, Shane, Tombstone and now, 3:10 to Yuma.

Great acting can elevate any film, and this film benefits immensely from the contrasting forces of a soft spoken, do right father figure played by Bale, and his counterpart, the tough talking, bad boy played by Crowe. Both actors infuse their characters with enough menace and sentimentality, that it is hard to convincingly root for either of them. Though Bale's honesty and integrity weigh out above Crowe's character's cold bloodedness, there's still enough charm and charisma in Crowe for us, and more complexly, Bale's teenage son, to enjoy his company.

The story builds slowly enough, yet moves at a pace that keeps the viewer intrigued. The ending really is any one's guess, as you can see these locomotives headed for a collision, and it's really up in the air if good will triumph over evil. The uncertainty arises out of a series of dialogues between the two leads, which set up an unnerving third act. You can see these two diametrically opposed individuals, slowly rubbing off on each other, yet staying steadfast to who they are at their cores. Cutaway scenes to Crowe's crazy crew help to fuel the fire fight that is the culminating sequence, placing insurmountable odds in front of our hero.

3:10 to Yuma has received some excellent reviews, all very deserving. Don't be surprised if it finds its way on some year end best lists, as it executes the genre to perfection. So, i humbly admit, westerns, when done to perfection, can be some of the best films around.

Grade: B+

9.22.2007

Hairspray

Directed by: Adam Shankman
Starring: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley
Running Time: 1h 57min

John Water's original B-movie of the same name, which then spawned a surprise Broadway hit musical, which then spawned this A-list cast film, was a sweet treat of Baltimore 50s nostaligia, packed with a powerful message. The heart of the movie was the fight against racism, with the window dressing of smooth dances and smoother hairstyles.

This update shifts that focus from fighting racism, to an increased emphasis on the dance numbers, seeing as its more an adaptation of the stage show than a remake of the original source material. This results in some positives and negatives. The negative being a movie that pushes the plot aside at times, so the kids can just dance and sing. The positives are that the dance numbers really do pop and sizzle, in a way the original film hinted at, but never had the production dollars to put over the top.

The Hollywood players really have a great time camping in their roles, and its great to see the performances that come out of Travolta, Pfeiffer, and Walken. Very humerous, and in the spirit of Water's ouevre. Still, the real standout in this version is the crop of young talent in the roles of the students. It's no wonder that Disney's High School Musical is such an overwhelming success, with talent in spades. Blonsky's fairy tale casting story is well documented and turns out to be a great call, but the real stars are Efron and Kelley, who seem to be destined for big success.

If there's anything Waters' can claim from his body of work, it's finding magic in small packages, and making the most of his ideas. His subversive films were done in his unimitable Baltimore bred style, with a lot of love for his characters, flaws and all. The new Hairspray polishes up the flaws, makes it sparkle and shine, yet loses a little heart and soul in all the glamour. Still, it's probably the most fun you can have in the theatre in a long time, and you'll certainly be singing a song or two on your way home.

Grade: B+

9.03.2007

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

Directed by: Dennis Dugan
Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Dan Aykroyd, Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi
Running Time: 1h 50min

A complete waste of time, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry probably didn't even seem funny at the pitch meeting, but got the green light based on the success of the lead actors, and the amazing supporting cast, who should all be sentenced to some sort of community service after giving us this atrocity.

Rarely can films be given demeanor status, but this pathetic "comedy" is a crime against humanity. Not only is it not in the least bit funny, it also manages to insult our intelligence and sensitivity with its ridiculous premise. Imagine, if you will, two firefighters (can't get any more butch than that) who pretend to be gay to receive an insurance policy. Then, to complicate matters, an exhibitionist insurance policy fraud investigator, played swimmingly by Biel, looks into the matter, managing to insult insurance policy investigators and exhibitionists everywhere. At least she looks good while doing it.

Sandler and James, on the other hand, looked pained as they go through the motions, letting sad dialogue fly from their lips, while their eyes scream "Save us". They seem uncomfortable spitting out homophobic jokes, and equally uncomfortable pretending to be gay. Which is fine, because the audience feels equally uncomfortable, wondering if this film wants to be a crass, hateful throwback to a less tolerant time, or a morality lesson on gay rights. Well, that lesson comes too late, after a deluge of homophobic jokes that we were supposed to laugh at (but didn't) at the beginning of the film but now we should feel ashamed that we did because gays are people too. It's as though it wants to have its homophobic cake and eat it too.

Which gets me to why this movie didn't deserve an F. In actuality, i can't honestly remember, having erased most of this film from my mind. However, i think the C+ was redeemed through a good dose of fat jokes, a section of the population that does not yet have advocate groups. In these moments, you do get a sense that Sandler and James could bring a bit of that Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, Spade and Farley magic to the film. Just not this film.

Grade: C+

War

Directed by: Philip G. Atwell
Starring: Jet Li, Jason Statham, John Lone, Devon Aoki, Luis Guzmán, Saul Rubinek, Mathew St. Patrick, Nadine Velazquez
Running Time: 1h 43min

Truly unmemorable film starring two great action stars who have given us much better work. War is a complete misnomer (more like "grudge"), as the action is quite limited and the storyline convoluted. In the end, it all makes a little more sense, through some flashback and revealing, that could have saved us all about half an hour, had we been given that information in the first place.

After starring in some innovative action films that always gave us at least one new interesting set piece or fight scene, Jet Li and Jason Statham are just going through the motions on this one. A 10 minute documentary on the choreography of their past films would have had more drama and thrills than this entire movie. It's a surprise this didn't go straight to video. Just another installment in the action genre.

Grade: C

Superbad

Directed by: Greg Mottola
Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen
Running Time: 1h 54min

It's hard not to hate the hype surrounding Judd Apatow and his league of comedy superheroes, as every thing they've ever done is being pulled out and branded as "from the guys who brought you The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up." Now those are two good movies, but compared to the hilarity of Superbad, they should be honoured to be mentioned in its presence.

Superbad is a nice return to those teen comedies of the 80s, only more raw and realistic. These kids swear. A lot. There isn't any pandering to what we wish teens were, but rather a hyper realised dream of what one wild night in pre-college American teen life could turn out to be. The search for sex, by way of booze, by way of fake IDs, by way of ridiculous teenage forging is on! This is Porky's, Weird Science, and Revenge of the Nerds, all rolled into one. Only with more swearing.

Each scene one ups the previous one, and the hi jinks are gut busting funny. Cera plays a great foil to Hill's foul mouthed buffoon, balancing crass with class. Mintz-Plasse is piss your pants funny as the king of the nerds, McLovin, sure to be a teen reference for years to come. Hader and Rogen, showing up as a pair of cops, bring the absurd to the film, giving us the requisite adult characters found in these films, but not quite as we expected them to be.

Yet despite all the great lines, inventive staging, and silly situations these teens get themselves into, it is the heart at the center of their friendship that really elevates this film above mere teen comedy. Its sentiment saves it from being a boy's fantasy night on film to an honest depiction of the confusing growth a teenage boy must navigate on his way to maturity. The coming of age storyline is nicely laid underneath it all, giving value to what could easily be throwaway gags and staged guffaws.

What is really great about Superbad, is how the dialogue is so funny, yet so realistically coming out of the mouth of these teens. There are so many quotable lines that you'll have to watch it several times to soak it all in. And like only the best comedies do, it will get funnier and funnier each time you see it. A sure to be future classic, a shoe in for the Teen Sex Comedy Hall of Fame.

Grade: A-

8.25.2007

The Ex

Directed by: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Zach Braff, Amanda Peet, Jason Bateman, Charles Grodin, Mia Farrow, Donal Logue, Amy Poehler
Running Time: 1h 30min

A promising comedy that could go in many directions, The Ex takes the basic comedic staple of an ex entering the life of two newlyweds, as Bateman's wheel chair bound high school cheerleading cohort of Peet ends up being a coworker to Braff, who is married to the company president's daughter. Braff already has issues with what Peet's father thinks of him, and when Bateman starts making waves in both the office and the family, Braff's jealous streak gets the best of him.

The comedic talent in this film is evident, but well wasted on the belaboured premise. It doesn't help that each and every character acts in a deplorable manner, so there really isn't anyone to care about or root for, as each is equally annoying.

Bateman does a great job of testing our sympathies for a man in a wheelchair, begging us to hate him in spite of his affliction. It's amazing how he can be sweet and sensitive (he was the heart of Arrested Development) yet turn in such a nasty, underhanded performance here.

Black comedy is probably the best way to describe this film, but it doesn't really want to leave its romantic comedy undertones, and finds itself split between a Farrelly brothers style "how low can you go" brand of humour, and a slapsticky, Meg Ryan kind of comedy. The subject matter and script stylings do not give enough for these leads to do, which is really disappointing.

Grade: C

8.19.2007

The Lookout

Directed by: Scott Frank
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels, Matthew Goode, Isla Fisher, Carla Gugino, Bruce McGill
Running Time: 1h 39min

A different take on the bank heist film, The Lookout does a great job of situating a big time action movie premise, into a realistic, small town setting. Gordon-Levitt plays a young man whose life has a dramatic set back, which he must deal with everyday of his life. When people from his past discover his predicament, they think of how they can manipulate him into doing what they want him to do.

Clever, surprising, and interestingly developed, The Lookout takes some nice twists and turns on the genre. From the complexity of the main character, and his own personal demons and conflict, to the imprint a small town can have on our present day relationships, every aspect of the script has many layers. It all subtly unfolds, with an ending that is satisfying and true to the characters we're presented with.

If there is any film I could compare it to, it reminds me of the late 90s film "A Simple Plan", which told the story of how money can corrupt and corrode relationships, causing people to act in ways they would have never imagined. Yet all presented in a small, intimate way, like an excellent novel unfolding before us, keeping us in suspense the whole while.

Grade: B

Fracture

Directed by: Gregory Hoblit
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, David Strathairn, Rosamund Pike, Embeth Davidtz, Billy Burke, Cliff Curtis
Running Time: 1h 53min

A nice chess match of a murder mystery, pitting Hopkins as an accused criminal against Gosling's young prosecutor, Fracture is sure to delight and tease your mind. Reminiscent of the exchanges that punctuated Silence of the Lambs, Hopkins delivers a cold and controlled performance, with just enough hint of madness and jealousy to keep Gosling second guessing.

Gosling, in turn, matches Hopkins step for step, both in the setting of the story, and as an up and coming actor sharing the screen with film royalty. They wear their emotions on their faces well, exhibiting each nuance of frustration, smugness, and complexity. It's such a treat to have two actors at the top of their game, that the tight script and witty dialogue is an added bonus.

Grade: B

8.15.2007

Hot Rod

Directed by: Akiva Schaffer
Starring: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader, Isla Fisher, Sissy Spacek, Ian McShane, Will Arnett
Running Time: 1h 28min

If you enjoyed the 80s, or enjoy laughing at the 80s, or wish they made movies like they did in the 80s, then Hot Rod is for you.

When i say, "make movies like they did in the 80s", i mean it. Hot Rod captures that feeling completely! Not in a spoofy way, either. It's as though this film was actually shot and developed in the 80s. Which is the best way to spoof anything--to realistically recreate it, and let the straightforward presentation be interpreted by the audience for the hilarious parody that it is. This is the "Airplane!" or "Top Secret" of 1980s films. Definitely not the "Date Movie", (jam as many scenes from recent movies as you can, with a fat or fart joke for good measure), type of lame duck comedy.

Right from the opening credits, you question whether you accidentally hooked up the VCR instead of the Blu-ray player, or stepped into a retro cinema, rather than an IMAX experience. i saw this one at the Drive-in, adding greater pleasure to the throwback nature of the film. The cheesy soundtrack seems like Footloose 2, and when you see him take a run out into the forest, shadow boxing himself, you can just smell the Kevin Bacon in the air.

Even though all the eightyosity makes for an amusing film experience, let's face it. Those cheesy 80s teen movies weren't all that great, which means spoofing them straight up makes for a silly, yet still kind of lame movie. Hot Rod's plot, centered around a boy who wants to do an amazing stunt to raise money so that he can save his step dad's life just so he can kick his ass, Mano e Mano, is a goofy as it gets. So as the film unfolds with all the slapstick missed stunts and TV after school special crying fits of the actors, it's funny, but in a bad way.

Still, you have to admire the lovingly way these guys approach this film. They must really have immersed themselves in plenty of synthesized soundtracks and anti-climatic teen dramas to make such a faithfully reconstructed parody. Definitely not for everyone, but those in on the joke, with think this is "cool beans".

Grade: C+