Friday, June 22, 2012
That's My Boy
IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Stacy
Adam Sandler has become a joke himself lately. His family films have all been hard to bare but for some reason make a boatload of money. Thankfully he's returned to the r-rated antics that made him a star. It's still nothing to write home about but it's a step up from recent efforts.
Sandler's annoying voice shtick is balanced out by all the good will I have towards Andy Samberg. I was also interested to see Sean Anders get behind the director's chair again after doing some good and not-so-good studio writing gigs. I was a big fan of Sex Drive and the way they did their unrated dvd version is even more hilarious. But this one amounts to just another run-of-the-mill comedy. It's not terrible but I didn't get much out of it.
This one goes to some weird places too. Why is James Caan in this? Vanilla Ice? Oddly enough I found Milo Ventimiglia to be the funniest person in the film. But his plot line is pretty out there.
Ultimately it's pretty forgettable but at least it's not Jack and Jill.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Paranormal Activity 3
The Woman in Black
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Legend
IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Kim, Tyler, Jordan
Write Up.
I just had to follow the new Snow White with this. They are similar in many ways but this never bothers with any kind of realism. It's a live action Disney cartoon. And I cannot get over the great score for the film Jerry Goldsmith made that I never got to hear as a kid. It's 1000% better with this score.
Snow White and the Huntsman
IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Kim
Yes, this is exactly what I was hoping for. For me it succeeds in all the ways Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland failed. This annoying habit of writers feeling like they cannot just tell a fairytale without completely re-inventing it is largely done away with here and it's refreshing. There is nothing wrong with a simple story well told.
There is a slight tweek that is evident in the title and once again they feel the need to shove a sword in the princesses hand but I have to say, it's not nearly as forced or out of place as in other recent fairytale adaptations.
This is a lavishly produced film. It is stunningly beautiful. The world feels real, it's gritty and dark when it needs to be but they don't shy away from going full on fantasy and when they do it's glorious. The best part of the film for me. And a necessity when you have dwarfs as an integral part of your story.
And man, they have a great cast of dwarfs. And eclectic bunch to be sure. The digital trickery used to make these well known actors the size they need to be, with body doubles and face replacement, it's a step further from what Peter Jackson accomplished with Lord of the Rings. Kinda freaky but pretty amazing.
This is Charlize Theron's show though. She goes big here. Almost more cartoonish than fits the style of the film but it does make from some wonderfully dark moments. This is not the happy, shiny, comical world of Tarsam's Mirror Mirror. Nor is it so classically stage-bound. It's a big and epic version of the tale and Theron's performance is the biggest part of it.
Kristen Stewart once again is playing a mostly reactionary character but she show more signs of life here than a lot of her recent work. Chris Hemsworth is a handsom man.
New James Newton Howard fantasy score? Yes please.
Tyrannosaur
IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Myself
As is often the case when good actors take a turn at the writing/directorial duties, we have a film filled to the brim with fantastic performances. Paddy Considine has made a great character film that can at times be equally unnerving and heartbreaking. It's a grim world he paints.
Olivia Colman's performance will shatter you. Peter Mullan manages to be both threatening and pathetic. And Eddie Marsan plays one very creepy guy.
This can be a tough watch. It's a pretty straightforward drama, well constructed and has moments of violence punctuating this depressing veil of sorrow. Grim stuff. But there is some light to be found and I think it is a rewarding experience for those willing to brave this dingy world.
Monday, June 18, 2012
The Cabin in the Woods
IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Ethan, Cicely, Kate
Non-Spoiler write up here.
Slightly more in-depth write up here.
Even after the 3rd time I'm still picking up missed lines and new references. There was another really good crowd at this Sunday arvo session and it's still just as fun. And it was extra fun to see it with someone who still manages to get scared by the horror parts, the one small thing that didn't work for me. Good to see it does work for some people!
Go see it now! While you still can!!
Speed Racer
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Wanderlust
IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Myself
Muchly enjoyable comedy from David Wain and Ken Marino. Any excuse to see Justin Theroux in front of the camera is good enough for me.
This is a pretty typical seachange type story. Has lotsa laughs, not terribly dumb joke either. It has a good supporting cast of quirky characters. Very enjoyable fun.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
The Cabin in the Woods
IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Tyler, Michael
Non-Spoiler write up here.
I will try and keep this spoiler free too.
I really only have one problem with this film. I think it's just too funny to be able to sustain tension for any period of time. The horror gets short-changed a little in favour of the comedy. But for a film that in my opinion gets everything else so right, that's a small complaint.
Unabashedly love it. I'm biased as hell probably, but still, I think it gets pretty much everything else spot on. It's not easy to juggle horror and comedy in a smart way. We've even seen deconstructions of horror before but never as fun or intelligent as this. There more you delve into the film the more there is to see.
The opening titles are reminiscent of one of my all time favourites Funny Games, and like that film we see the onus of various acts of violence places squarely on the audience and their depraved penchant for getting a kick out of it. It's about horror films and why we enjoy them whilst at the same time pulling off the magic trick that Funny Games struggles more with, of actually being an enjoyable horror film while it does this.
And once you get past what is a deceptively simple classic set up of 5 friends spending the weekend at a mysterious cabin in the woods, the film will take you places you never would have picked. Hence the reason for everyone desperately trying not to spoil anything about it. This is a film made for being discovered, with friends in a packed out cinema. I hope you can all have that experience.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Brave
IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Tyler, Michael
Pixar are so canny with their marketing campaigns. I haven't seen any trailers or images that actually give away the main plot of the film, what it's actually about. So I'll do my best not to destroy their hard work.
This is a gorgeous looking film, as you would expect. I also have a real love of that Celtic mythology, landscapes and design so this was extra exciting.
This one never reaches the soaring heights of Pixar's more recent offerings (Cars 2 aside) but it is a lovely film and features their first female protagonist, a princess. Could be giving classic Disney a run for their money.
It's a simple set up, and the story is pretty standard too but it is done well and of course, the animation is fantastic Especially on the bears.
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