Pirates of the Caribbean 4: Fun with absolutely no substance

For some reason, Superhero movie seem to have gotten into a rut where the first ones pretty good, the second is great and the third is a jumbled embarrassment. (X-Men, Spiderman etc.) If only Pirates of the Caribbean could have had the problem. Instead it suffers from Matrix fatigue where the first is awesome and the next two devolve into silly confusion. The last two Pirate movies were atrocious so I wasn’t exactly looking forward to a 4th dose.

Fortunately, it’s amazing what a simplified plot can do. It can re-introduce something into the series that was missing from the last two films…that is Fun! Now don’t get me wrong, this is not a good movie by any means, in fact it’s even sillier than its predecessors. It’s almost completely devoid of thrills. The scariest part is when Jack jumps off a cliff (oh, and psycho mermaids). It’s plot is dumber than dumb “A bunch of people are trying to get to the Fountain of Youth including Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) Captain Barbossa (Geoffry Rush), Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Angelica-Blackbeard’s Daughter (Penelope Cruz) and a bunch of Spaniards”. There, sorry If I ruined the movie for you.

Out of the inept action sequences, silly dialog and ridiculous sincerity, comes a watchable and fun film. Granted it makes Thor look like a Terrance Malick movie, but the silliness is all a part of what we signed up for right? We want to see things blow up; pirates make for the high seas, Cannon battles (oh crud, none of those) and mystical legends. It’s exactly what we get. Credit Depp and Cruz for literally carrying the whole movie on innuendoes, and a romance between a mermaid and a clergyman to bring out the emotion.

While it was fun to watch I left feeling unfulfilled. It wasn’t until I had a discussion with a coworker that I realized why. We movie watchers like to see some progression in the characters we have invested in. Weather its changing to a new man, overcoming insurmountable odds or declining into monstrosity…its what fuels our investment. Unfortunately, all the characters remain relatively the same, never reaching beyond their idiosyncrasies. Which makes for great comfort food, but not much in the way of exciting variety that wets out palettes for more. Too bad, the ending sets us up for more weather we like it or not.

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!!
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother
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Thor: A great big pile of unbelievable awesomeness!!

Of all the comic book movies that have come out in recent years, Thor is probably the character I know the least about. An avid comic book reader, I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve ever read a single issue about Thor other than the Avengers series. That being said, I guess I came into this movie with Fresh eyes, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. In dealing with most of the Marvel universe, there is some attempt to at least tie the movie into a hypothetical scientific equation…”what happens if there was genetic mutation?” “What would happen if you had all the money in the world for a super suit?” With Thor, that entire attempt at logic is thrown out the window. Instead we are left with a tale of interplanetary guardians, Norse gods, immortality and a really big Hammer with an unpronounceable name.

After saying all that I bet you were expecting me to tear the film apart. On the contrary, this was one silly, fun, action ride that does not relay on the audiences acceptance of physical limits to have a good time. The fist quarter bothered me because it is so fantastical and out there. Really, we are supposed to care about the problems of whinny gods on a made up planet in a gold castle? But one I took of my cheese detector, I really had a good time with it.

Thor is the God of thunder who is banished by his father to earth for insubordination and has to learn qualities of humanity to return as the rightful heir of the throne. Of course that is an oversimplification, but the rest of the story is just thrown in there to make really cool action fight scenes. Chris Hemsworth as walking testosterone plays the title character as Natalie Portman plays the “most beautiful scientist in the world” (Thanks X-Men, Transformers, Hulk) role as the girl who changes Thor’s heart. It was a little weird that Thor was able to change his heart an attitude so quickly. I guess all one has to do is spend a few days in a remote New Mexican town to prepare to rule the universe.

But if you put your facetiousness aside, this was a quite the thrill ride. Kenneth Branagh, mainly known for his Shakespearian flicks does a great job of making the antiquated speech of Norse gods seem honorable and actually makes the supporting cast earn their laughs. Kat Dennings is a scene-stealer as Potrman’s intern and the special effects (if not too many) do a great job of making sure you know there is nothing based on reality in this movie, and that’s a good thing. While we are talking about the implausible, I have decided that I am going to work on getting Chris Hemsworth physique, That’s all.

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!!
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother
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Sundance Review: Win Win warms the heart.

Win Win was a pleasant surprise for me. Funny and bleak, it was a film I really didn’t want to go see at Sundance since it already had distribution, but it was the only one that fit in with my volunteer schedule for the day. Right off the bat I found I was chuckling to myself and fully involved with the characters within the first few minutes of the movie. That’s some dang good writing to make Paul Giamatti who plays the patriarch wrestling coach of the film seem relatable. When has Paul Giamatti ever been relatable in any of his quirky movies? Here, he makes a decision to take over the care of one of his clients, and ends up getting the clients grandson whom at first seems like a burden.

Fortunately, that was just the beginning of the good surprises, which included Amy Ryan as Paul’s scene stealing wife and proved her range as a severely different person than Holly on The Office. The Grandson (Alex Shaffer) bugged me at first but gradually became the character with which I empathized with the most. As a champion wrestler, he quickly proves his worth to Paul’s character that helps them turn their dismal high school wrestling season around. It was nice to see a teenage boy who was portrayed as flawed, but ultimately a good, well-meaning child that doesn’t let a sordid past and demons turn him into the rebellious monster we have seen overplayed since Rebel Without a Cause. The supporting proves to add most of the humor and frames the story is a relatable light.

The true strength of the movie is the screenwriting (Thomas McCarthy). There is no despicable villain, only well meaning people who make horrible decisions. The revelatory part of the movie is that the characters have to deal with the consequences. There is no magic formula for fixing their mistakes and sweeping all the loose ends up. Instead, we feel for the characters, their decisions and ultimately, it presents every single one as good-natured. Its rare to find a film that presents so many problems and decisions in a realistic light, but lets the humanity in each character shine thorough. While this may not be the best-directed film ever, or have the necessary gravitas to make it truly transcendent, it did bring a little light and warmth and hope to a snowy, pretentions film festival.

I got to listen to the screenwriters talk about their experiences after the screening. They both wrestled while growing up, but what made the movie was the fact that they took little parts of their lives like getting in shape or boiler problems and put those in the film. It was those small real touches that bring this movie up above common entertainment and make it seem that much more human.

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!!
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother

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Paul exposes all its laughs in the commercials: SXSW Review

I had heard almost nothing about the movie Paul when I headed out to South by Southwest. A friend of mine wanted to see it and so I hooked up my computer and watched the trailer. Yeah..."it's hilarious" I thought and so decided to go to one of the late night screenings. Imagine my surprise when they brought out Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Kristen Wiig, the stars of the film to introduce it and to answer questions afterwards. These guys truly seemed to be having a good time at the screening and an even better time making the movie.

The film itself is about two Fanboys (Pegg and Frost) from England who decide to go on a road trip to Roswell New Mexico after soaking up ComicCon. On the way they meet Paul, an alien who has escaped Area 51 and is trying to get back home with the feds hot on their trail. Along their way they meet up with Wiigs character who happens to be a christian fundamentalist until they 'educate her' and she suddenly becomes cool.

So, theres not much as plot is concerned, it seems to borrow a familiar ET premise but with an updated stoner attitude. In fact, a lot of the movie is homages to Speilberg, geek culture and alien movies from yesteryear. These homages are probably the best part of the movie. The writing was solid but I must admit that the Pegg/Frost pairing is not as good as previos endeavors like Hott Fuzz and Shawn of the Dead. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that this film was not directed by Edgar Wright (who sat across the isle from me at the premiere...hi Edgar). Whatever the reason, the films funniest parts are summed up in the trailer that I saw before the film.

I want to like this movie more, but it wasn't the best I saw at the festival, not even of the wide releases. But there was no denying the energy of the leads who led the audience in raucous cheers and answered all the questions we threw at them with hilarity and abandon I wish I would have seen more of in the film. (left: my blurry picture of the director, Pegg, Frost and Wigg talking with the audience) After the film as I was going to the restroom, Simon Pegg was just exiting with a security guard in tow. "They have a security guard follow you into the bathroom?" I asked. His reply "I need all the help I can get". Lets hope that isn't true for his future movies.

Final Consensus:

See it now!!!!

See it in theaters!!!

Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!

Wait for it on TV!

Don’t Bother

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SXSW: South by Southwest and the ballad of no sleep

So last week I had the opportunity to attend South by Southwest. Now, this festival began as a Music festival in Austin Texas and has since swelled to include an Interactive conference and a Film festival. I was there at the Interactive conference for work wich took up most of my day from about 9:30am through 6pm. Since there was nothing to do at my hotel afterwards, and since I do not enjoy the drunken party scene sprayed all over 6th street, I spent my nights watching movies....and lots of them.

The cool thing about South by Southwest which differed from Sundance is their old theaters and even the Alamo Drafthose that serves dinner while you watch the movie. There is a lot of press hype and every screening features Q&A's afterwards. It was really cool to have the actors and directors answer questions about their films (thanks Brit Marling, Guillermo del Toro, Catherine Hardwicke, Rainn Wilson). It was also really cool to see the stars, however briefly and even get to speak to a few of them (gracias Simon Pegg and Jake Gyllenhaal). In all it was a great experience and I saw a lot of movies. I will be sure to update my reviews as I get around to them, but they will be mixed in with my Sundance reviews I never got around too.

I hope you will get a chance to check some of these movies out as many may never see a large distribution or release. At least you know that somewhere, somehow....good, interesting movies are still being made, wether thats reflected in your local movie theater is another matter. Too bad you won't be able to enjoy all the Texas Barbecue that I had to compliment my experience. Thank you Rudy's and the Ironworks Grille!!

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Oscars - Predictions

It would seem that I would be really into this years oscar race considering I have seen more films in the theater than I have since before I had children, but alas, i seem even more befuddled than usual. It seems there are a lot of worthy contenders which I must admit I have not seen. That being said, I will open up this years oscar prediction contest by saying that the winner will receive a limited edition movie poster. This year I am going with an interactive ballot from the NY Times HERE. You will need a facebook account or sign up through the NY Times to participate. Be sure you are one of my 'friends' so I can see your results. Sorry this is coming so late but let the contest begin!!

http://oscars.nytimes.com/ballot/fb8654d7

The Sundance Film Festival made me volunteer

This past year I had the opportunity to volunteer at, and attend the Sundance Film Festival. I have been wanting to do this for some time and was excited to actually be in Park City for the festivities, but more importantly the screenings. More than I love watching movies, I love watching movies nobody has ever seen. Even though it was a lot of fun it was also a lot of work. I didn't realize how time consuming it would be. I also live an hour away from park city so the commuting miles added up. Here's a picture of my odometer at the beginning of the festival (64010). We'll check back after all my reviews to see how many miles I actually used volunteering and attending Sundance.

When I first volunteered they wanted me full time because of my Warner Bros. background, but I could not quit work, so I opted for part time. The still stuck me in the Press office where I was general information for filmakers and journalists that came through. I was based in the main headquarters located in the Park City Marriott.

Hopefully one day my family will forgive me for being away so much for those two weeks, but I was very grateful they indulged my inner child. The next couple of blogs will be movie reviews and general cultural observances of the Sundance Film Festival. I know that its over, but for true cinefiles, you can never get enough of film

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The Green Hornet was more fun for me than for you

Its not often that I am in the critical and popular minority on a film but in the case of the Green Hornet, it looks like I am bucking my trend for being somewhat reliable to someone. It seems like I am one of the only people who likes this movie. Critics panned it and most audiences just thought that it was OK. By no means do I think this is a great film, but it’s a lot of fun, it made me laugh, it didn’t take itself too seriously and it had enough visual pizzazz and quick pace to keep me interested. Most of the complaints I hear is that the Seth Rogen thing is way overdone, but since I have never really seen any of his earlier films (raunchy comedy’s not my thing) I guess I wasn’t sick of him enough.

The Green Hornet is based off the television show and has roughly the same plot. A rich newspaper tycoon Britt Reed (Rogen) takes on the underworld of crime with his sidekick Kato (Chinese pop star Jay Chou). Just like the TV series, It’s Kato that does all the hard work coming up with all the inventions and being the one who actually fights the crime. In fact, you really have to wonder why the Seth Rogan character is in it at all. But here’s the catch. That’s the charm. He really is completely unnecessary, and half the fun is watching his out of control narcissism and self assured ways that have no basis of merit. It also goes a long way in paving the way for the films central theme of acceptance and reliance, even in a partnership that is wildly uneven and diverse.

There are other small bits here. Cameron Diaz as the hot older secretary has some comedic chops but the scene-stealer is definitely Christoph Waltz (as Chud-nof-sky). As the reigning crime lord, he hams it up in the subtlest of ways that take his character way over the top. His accented imbecile of a mastermind lends neither humanity nor complexity to his role, just plenty of laughs. Michel Gondry is in rare form here. It’s refreshing to see his quirkiness applied to such a different style of film. This is no ‘Eternal sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, and in this case that is a very good thing. We’re looking for stupid fun and that is what we get. There is even a heavy dose of satire as we see a sendup of every final action shootout scene played out at the end that is so over the top you laugh at the absurdity of the violence. Perhaps that’s the films greatest achievement, being so overtly over the top that if you get it, it just seems to work. Well, at least for me.

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!!
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother

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