Author Archive

Brick

Posted by benjamin on February 7, 2011

With my recent rash of movie reviews (here and here) involving Joseph Gordon-Levitt, I’m in fear of becoming a JGL fanboy. Well, its a little too late with Brick now being added to that collection.

Brick is a film noir for our present day. The concept sounded interesting enough. Classic detective story set in a modern day high school. This could have easily crashed and burned, but the writing took it to a new level. I was quickly immersed in a world of modern images but I could see the subtle throwbacks that were being presented to me. One of my favorite lines was when Brendan, the lead detective, was trying to find out who Emily was hanging around. Instead of making it that simple, Brendan posed the question “Who’s she eating with?”, a reference to the high school culture of lunch defining every clique. The dialog isn’t where the old school references stop. There’s even a standard light jacket any high schooler might wear representing our detective’s trench coat as well as a mysterious lady in a red dress.

With great writing and direction, we also need the acting chops to pull this off. JGL is an interesting choice, but he pulls the role off well. He mixes the high school looks with the ability to morph into a modern day detective. Think edgier Encyclopedia Brown. I was just as impressed with Nora Zehetner as our mysterious lady in red and Matt O’Leary as The Brain, or the more intelligent minor hero behind our protagonist.

Now it might have taken me two attempts to finish this film, but I found myself quickly questioning why I never returned to finish this film sooner. The only complaint here is that the ending could have given me more. It wasn’t bad. It was just lacking something, though I can’t put my finger on exactly what it was.

The Verdict:

1 Comment on this post | Published in Drama, Mystery & Thriller

The Fighter

Posted by benjamin on December 31, 2010

If you are a fan of Christian Bale, get to your local theater now to see his amazing transformation into Dicky Eklund. A friend stated after the movie that it took him more than 3 minutes into the movie to realize that it was Christian Bale who was talking to the camera. It only takes seconds for the audience to believe they are seeing Dicky Eklund and that type of immersion into a character is always thrilling to see. I would call his portrayal Oscar worthy and simply phenomenal to watch.

The Fighter doesn’t just end the talents with Bale. Everyone else is amazing as well. Granted Mark Wahlberg, as usual, leaves you wanting more from him and his character. Even with the closing credits showing the real Mickey Ward, Wahlberg’s portrayal was more Mark and less Mickey. He matched the mannerisms and “silence” of the man he was portraying, but overall it just felt bland. Amy Adams shined as well as Mickey’s mom, played by Melissa Leo.

Besides the acting, the visual vision of the director played well to the overall movement of the story. David O. Russell and his staff chose to go with a “documentary” style look of the film. This allowed at times for the actors to play directly to the camera. It also helped to solidify the realism of the “based on a true story” tagline.

Overall, The Fighter has it all. Humor. Drama. Action. I thought I would enjoy this movie but I don’t think I went into the movie believing that I would enjoy it as much as I did. If asked, I would state that The Fighter is one of my favorite movies of 2010.

The Verdict:

1 Comment on this post | Published in Biopic, Drama

Multi Movie Review

Posted by benjamin on December 24, 2010

With the holidays comes a great time for friends, family, and movies. Well, here’s my gift to all of you with my reviews for several past Netflix viewings that I haven’t shared. These reviews will be as short as the predicted snowfall will be in the southeast of the US.

Enjoy these quick reviews and the holidays.

I really need to stop focusing on the trailers for films as they will always let you down. This movie had promise but then fell apart when the “villain” went from out smarting everyone to making a stupid mistake. I hate that.

The Verdict:

A documentary on an interesting subject that just falls flat. I think of LARPs as just nerds doing nerdy things instead of people doing something interested to them.

The Verdict:

After only one day removed from Toy Story 2′s disappointment, I found Monsters, Inc. to help return my trust in Pixar. Here was a film that was beautifully made that carried a very sweet story and lovable characters. Maybe at this point I should continue with the Pixar “marathon.”

The Verdict:

This is not your father or grandfather’s paper based Sherlock Holmes but RDJ and Jude Law create a great buddy tandem that works in the movie, just not well enough. This movie fell short but maybe with a potential sequel the true Holmes villain will thrust the film and franchise further.

The Verdict:

Alice in Wonderland meets Wizard of Oz. Truly a beautiful movie with sweet characters, great art, and an interesting story. Even those that are normally negative towards anime will find enjoyment within this film.

The Verdict:

Sure, I’m probably the last person in the world to see Toy Story 2, but at least I finally did. Of course, it turned out to be my least favorite Pixar movie. Too many characters, too many jokes that seemed out of place. Overall it was a film that seemed to only return for money. Here’s hoping Toy Story 3 turns me around.

The Verdict:

Comments on this post | Published in Action, Adventure & Epic, Documentary, Family, Mystery & Thriller

Cars

Posted by benjamin on December 21, 2010

When I tell people that I had not seen Cars yet, I’m given the look as if I hadn’t watched the birth of my first born. I’ve always loved the Pixar films but Cars previously slipped through my viewing eyes until now.

Cars is a great story of a car that wanted to be the best but didn’t realize that it takes a team sometimes to make everyone excel. Its a sweet story and Pixar nails it with their wit, sincerity, and flashy visuals. With each film from the Emoryville studio, it seems that the animators, actors, and directors become closer to the characters they are placing on the screen for everyone to enjoy.

I really wouldn’t expect anything less from Pixar’s crown champion, John Lasseter. John has provided us with Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and A Bug’s Life and many more. He’s primarily known as the man behind Pixar as he was one man who always believed that great 3D animated films could be produced. He has succeeded before and here with Cars and we can only hope he will succeed again with whatever his next movie will be.

Before Cars, only The Incredibles sat atop my Pixar list but now that spot is shared by the two films. I loved the subtle car puns (VW bugs as…bugs, gas can beer hat, etc.) as well as the multitude of racing cameos. From NASCAR to Formula 1, Cars nails the racing genre with the little kid spin. Only knowing the real life racers enhances your experience during the movie. It reminds me of the same way the models were used in Zoolander. Sure the movie was making fun of the profession but it was also trying to push it into the mainstream even more.

With the sequel on the horizon for next summer, I’m hoping that Cars 2 will be able to live up to the original. Though, it won’t be easy.

The Verdict:

1 Comment on this post | Published in Action, Adventure & Epic, Comedy, Family

Julie and Julia

Posted by benjamin on November 29, 2010

For those that know me well, you undoubtedly know that this is not my first selection for a movie to enjoy during the Holiday break. Romantic movies are not my strong suit but when those around you are feeling ill, you go with whatever their heart desires.

Julie and Julia is the story of one woman’s food blog chronicling her journey through Julia Child’s cookbook. The movie could have easily been split into two films: Julie and Julia…get it? Each side is telling the a biographic journey into food, sometimes from completely opposite sides of the room. Of the two sides of the film’s story, the one of Julia Childs is easily my favorite. This has more to do with the actress portraying Julia than that which is portraying Julie.

Meryl Streep is the epitome of what ever actress and/or actor should strive to become. She becomes every role and everyone wants to see her become someone else. Playing Julia Childs is no different. She had her minor nuances spot on and many times I forgot I was watching someone portraying Julia. Of course, we wouldn’t expect anything less. Amy Adams did what she could with her role as Julie, but its hard to really stand out when Mrs. Streep is on the set somewhere.

There isn’t much more that I can speak of within this movie, but I wanted to point out Stanley Tucci, who is an actor that many know by face but just don’t know by name. I’m quickly enjoying seeing him appear on screen regardless if he is with Meryl (The Devil Wears Prada) or without (Easy A). Here’s looking for his next appearance in Captain America.

The Verdict:

Comments on this post | Published in Biopic, Drama, Romance