Newspaper: Rental Queue 1

Rental Queue:

Mamma Mia

A newer release, so a bit higher in price since it’s still ‘on the wall’ at Blockbuster, but worth it if you’re as big a fan of musicals as I am. Or… even slightly less of a fan, since I admit that I’m a bit obsessive in my adoration of the genre. Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth are among the easily recognizable faces flexes their vocal cords in this upbeat romantic comedy. You don’t need to be an ABBA fan to get a kick out of the story, the characters, and the performances. Everything about it screams ‘fun’, and that’s exactly what you’ll have when you watch it.

The Devil Wears Prada

Another Meryl Streep movie, but a real winner. Here she plays a sharp, sarcastic, openly and unabashedly rude magazine editor and her performance alone, without any context of plot or any other characters, is more than enough of a reason to pick this one up. It’s even been on the television recently, in which care you’re ahead of the game if you watched it. It’s a hilarious film, and you really get to see Streep at her best when her character is tested and she softens up.

Charlie Wilson’s War

A good film that features both Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. Tom Hanks leads the rest of the rather impressive cast as Charlie Wilson, a congressman from Texas who inserts himself in the war between rebels and the Soviets in Afghanistan. Adams plays his secretary/assistant/the girl I wished he would notice instead of Julia Roberts, and does so with quiet enthusiasm and a lot of heart. Hoffman plays a man from the CIA and, even in his first scene, is absolutely hilarious. He hijacks the film and does not give it back. Which is fine by me.

Cold Mountain

I caught this just recently on television. It’s long, but the story is interesting enough to justify it. Of course, my viewing was made even longer by the intermittent commercial breaks, so I can’t really judge it on that basis. Jude Law and Nicole Kidman play two relative strangers who, after only a brief relationship, are split apart by the civil war as Law’s character goes off to fight for the Confederates. Whoops. After he is wounded he goes on a long trek to reunite with his fleeting love, and alone the way he runs into a myriad of interesting characters. Seymour Philip Hoffman is among them, playing an often inebriated Reverend who is chased from his home after trying to kill a servant he had impregnated. Whoops again. An interesting counter point to the Priest he plays in Doubt.

Zodiac

David Fincher, the fascinating director responsible for films like Seven, Fight Club, and Panic Room (listed in decreasing awesomeness), is responsible for the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He also directed one of my top crime thrillers, Zodiac. Starring the doe faced Jake Gyllenhaal, the plot evolves over a number of years as a young cartoonist with an eye for puzzles dedicates himself to finding the identity of an infamous serial killer, the Zodiac. Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Edwards make appearances, and Robert Downey Jr. is memorable as a reporter who helps Gyllenhaal in hopes of finding his one big story. It’s creepy and there are some amazing moments of sheer tension.

Newspaper: Doubt Review

Doubt Review: B+

This movie is a finely crafted piece of art. Like with any such endeavor, like a stature cut from stone, or a hand made piece of furniture, there are imperfections and unique attributes that might not fit in something of a similar build, or appear in a similar piece, but they only serve to heighten the overall value in the end. Doubt is not perfect, but it is still beautiful and effective.

The story is set in the 1960’s, about a year after the Kennedy assassination according to one of the sermons, and focuses on a Catholic church and school. It begins innocently enough, with a sermon from Father Flynn (Seymour Philip Hoffman), the topic of which is the movie’s namesake. This alerts the suspicions of Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep), who tells her fellow Sisters to keep an eye on the kindly, vivacious Priest. When the idyllic young Sister James (Amy Adams) sees something she can’t explain, she begins a long battle of conscience and grit determination between Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn, the former crusading to prove the latter of an unsavory relationship with an Alter Boy without any proof to aid her. She is steadfast, and it seems nothing will satisfy her until Father Flynn is removed from the school.

Originally written for the stage, playwright John Patrick Shanley adapted his script for the screen and pulled together a cast of strong faces and reputations to direct. He handles them with skill, their performances adding to his powerful script and making the transition from stage to screen appear almost effortless. The story feels at home on film, projected over an audience, which is frequently a difficult thing to accomplish when translating a performance piece that relies so heavily on its words to something so much more visual and nuanced.

While the writing is strong, quick, and potent, it really is the performances that bring this movie to its full potential. Of course, it’s hard to imagine anything less happening when Oscar winning names like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep are put in a room together. Amy Adams also provides a stunning performance, and holds her own ground against the heavyweights around her. The complimentary cast, including the young students of the school, are excellently cast. It would be a difficult task to find a weak performance here.

Philip Seymour Hoffman is undeniably complicated and troubled, yet endearing and as loveable as they come. He’s funny, carries himself lightly, and has this intensity about him that shows his devotion to his vows, even though that conviction is never directly spoken about in the movie. It’s questioned, and he’s clearly struggling, with quiet shots of his face falling, his eyes wandering, his body tensing or relaxing whenever Sister Aloysius comes near or moves away. His is a subtle technique, and his usually powerful and resonating voice is pulled back to reveal this kind, genuine character that the audience simply cannot trust. It’s subtle, and extremely potent.

Meryl Streep plays Sister Aloysius with zeal and a fair amount of human. Her deliveries are so natural, with lines being muttered or stepped on by other people speaking. With a character as specific as Aloysius, it’s difficult not to play a type. After all, this isn’t the first ‘mean’ character she has ever played. Yet, I found the Sister to be compassionate, albeit it bullheaded and extremely determined. She was devoted to this idea of guilt with such conviction, she pursued it with every ounce of her being, even if it meant stepping back from her vows. It was a fascinating journey for her, because her heart wasn’t made of steel. She wasn’t evil or cruel. She was old fashioned and a bit jaded, her views outdated and threatened by the changing times. Still, she had a good heart, and the film made sure to let it be seen with subtle moments between herself and an aging Sister who was in danger of being taken out of the church.

Of them all, I think Amy Adams had the most commanding role. Not because of the importance she held to the plot or how difficult her scenes were, but because of the changes her character was undergoing through the film. She began as this young, bright eyed Sister who saw good in everyone and tried to bring it out, playing nice and teaching her classes with an honest passion and a rather lenient style. She never knew which side of the battle to be on, once she inadvertently got it rolling, and was affected with each interaction she had with Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius. She is malleable, and her struggle to choose what to believe is very much akin to what the director wants of his audience.

There are a few very odd camera angels and other weird moments of directing that keep the piece from being as cohesive as it needed to be. Stark cuts, tilted cameras and veiled imagery that are difficult to decipher in one viewing seem out of place and too few and far between to dictate any real necessity. Still, the performances and writing truly carry the movie. There are also some great moments of music within the relatively quiet scenes, which almost creates another character in its own right, perhaps in the visual presence of the wind that changes and blows throughout the piece.

Doubt it a powerful, thought provoking piece that highlights what characters, writing, and actors are capable of. It is an interesting film, well paced, and in the end, does nothing to clear up that for which it was named. And that’s the best part.

Newspaper: Winter Break Movie Catch Up

Winter Break Movie Catch Up
I admit I didn’t get to the movies quite as often as I would have liked to over winter break, but here’s a peek at the few that I did manage to catch.

Yes Man: A-

I admit, I was charmed the moment I saw a trailer for this film. I thought it looked light, funny, and stupid. Just another addition to Jim Carrey’s long list of comedic movie credits. And it was exactly that, mostly. It managed to surprise me, however, with how engaging and inspiring it was, and there were some truly laugh out loud moments that nearly had my side splitting. The most surprising thing was it did not rely solely on Carrey’s penchant for goofy faces, or his ability to contort his lanky frame in fantastical ways. In fact, it was rather subdued in all that, focusing instead on the story and the interactions to build its comedy.

Of course, Jim Carrey was hilarious. He did ride a motorbike in a hospital gown, with his bare backside open to the wind, and he did fall down more than a couple of times. He did wrap his face in tape and do a few strange voices. He also played a man who was struggling with his lot in life, and allowed the audience to go with him as he embarked on a quest to turn it all around.

By agreeing to say ‘yes’ to everything, instead of his usual ‘no’, Carrey’s character Carl encountered experiences that were wonderful, sad, and everything he needed. He also found the lovable Allison, played by Zooey Deschanel. Zooey literally lit up the screen with her effervescent smile and brilliant eyes, and provided Carrey with a charming talent to act off of. Together they created a chemistry that not only kept the audience laughing, but invested in this new, strange relationship.

One of the most hilarious moments involves Carl, a guitar, a suicidal man, a window ledge, and a chorus of onlookers down below. Yes. A chorus. The scene can be viewed online, but it is truly at its funniest in the context of the film. That scene, alone, is enough for me to go see it again.

The Tale of Despereaux: B

A dark, but interesting animated movie about rats and mice. There are chefs and soup and misunderstandings, but I’m not one to buy in to the dire need of comparing it to Ratatouille. In fact, that will be the last time I mention it.

Despereaux, the mouse himself, is a strange little creature with a big heart and a need for adventure, devoting himself to ideals of truth and honor he gleaned for a story book he was supposed to be eating. He gets himself banished from his home in Mouseworld and finds himself in Ratworld instead, where he meets the kind hearted Roscuro and their interwoven, yet separate, journeys unfold.

The plot is a bit convoluted, with side stories for a number of characters, but it all weaves together in the end. There is something profoundly interesting in the plot, and I shamelessly never found myself bored as I watched. Of course, it was far from perfect. A bit clunky, the scenes don’t flow as effortlessly as might be required for fairy tale story telling such as this.

Matthew Broderick has a strange way of delivering his lines, playing the voice of Despereaux, that leave the little mouse seeming constantly confused rather than interested and passionate. Dustin Hoffman makes up for it, providing a charming and thoroughly endearing voice for Roscuro the rat. In fact, the story opens and closes with Roscuro, making the film’s title almost deceptive when you think about who the main character really is.

Seven Pounds: C

Seven Pounds focuses on the story of a man with a tragic past, devoted to the goal of changing the lives of seven strangers for the better.

Will Smith stars in this movie that wants to be as potent as The Pursuit of Happyness, but falls short. Ultimately, it just comes off as self serving, which is more than a little irritating. The fact that this isn’t an aftertaste that the viewer is left with at the credits says a lot. Oh no, this feeling of haughty, “I’m making a point here” pretension is prevalent in every scene of the movie, courtesy of Smith’s constant mugging. His facial expression caught me a little of guard, considering I’ve considered him a pretty natural actor for a while now. Here, however, he seems plagued by this Chaplin-esque need to paint his feelings so clearly on his face, it seems almost amateurish.

Rosario Dawson, on the other hand, has a charming and endearing smile, and gives off a truly lovable attitude. When the two are sharing scenes it becomes much more of a love story than the outlandish plot enveloping it allows. Too bad the scenes have to shift to other parts of the plot. Woody Harrelson is surprisingly effective in what little he is given to do, playing a blind man that Smith’s character has decided to help. He and Dawson are saving graces, and Smith is at his best when playing against him.

The movie loses track of itself by the end, and the final plot twist is so absurd, and yet at the same time completely predictable, that it considerable weakens what might have been a good film. In the end, it’s just another forgettable endeavor that did not quite meet the high bar it had set for itself.

Bolt Review & Rental Queue 7

Bolt Review: A-

I have to admit that I have been a sucker for Disney/Pixar movies since the good old days of Toy Story. In fact, each one of their collaborations has been a winner with me, so when I learned that this movie was made solely by the Walt Disney Animation Studio, I couldn’t help but feel slightly worried. Why mess with a great team? After such great films as A Bug’s Life, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille and Wall-E (I told you I was a fan of these flicks), why deviate from a system that works and risk damaging the reputation of CGI movies out of this cooperation by not including the minds at Pixar?

Because they can, and because it works.

Bolt seems to mesh with the classic Disney movies we’re used to, despite it’s sharp computer animation. Sure, it’s not hand drawn, but neither was Enchanted and that movie was just as priceless as any Disney Princess movie in my mind. Here we have a film more akin to Lady and the Tramp or the Lion King: endearing animals (with the uncanny ability to communicate across species without so much as a difference in accent. It seems the animal world is a lot more harmonious than that of their bipedal masters) engaging in life altering journeys of discovery, friendship and, ultimately, love.

What makes this movie shine is the kind of love it chose to focus on. So many people have pets in their lives, and we all know that our cats, dogs, hamsters, horses, iguanas: our animals are members of our family. They’re not ‘like’ family members. They are. And this movie highlights the bond between a human and their pet, and the other way around. It’s an unconditional love that is so easily recognizable and relatable, the characters are almost instantly endearing. It helps that most of the movie is spent with the canine Bolt and his cat, Mittens, and hamster, Rhino, companions, since they’re fluffy and adorable as well as emotionally lovable.

The story follows Bolt, voiced by John Travolta, a dog who believes his exploits in a highly acclaimed TV show (if all the ads for it throughout the movie are any indication of its popularity) are real. In the show he is a genetically engineered super dog with powers he uses to keep his human, the loving Penny (Miley Cyrus), safe from the wicked advances of the Man with the Green Eye. In order to boost ratings, however, the show decides to leave the audience with a cliffhanger: Penny is finally captured. Bolt believes she is gone and manages to ship himself across the country in order to save her. On his way back to Hollywood he is joined in his travels by a street smart cat and a rough-and-tumble hamster.

This movie really knows how to make the animal lovers in the audience invest themselves in this journey of devotion. I, being a cat lover and the owner of the three best kitties in the world (disagree with me all you want: you haven’t met them), found myself absolutely riveted to Mittens and her backstory. Dog lovers will find moments of connection with Bolt and his exploration of what it is to be a real dog, rather than the super hero he has grown up believing himself to be. And fans of small, furry things will be unable to stop from laughing and ‘aw-ing’ at Rhinos antics in and out of his rolling ball.

Of course, coming from Disney and being animated, there’s the assumption that this movie is meant for children lingering over the heads of almost anyone over the age of 16. While the content is soft and friendly to all ages, it never feels like its shutting out its older viewers. It is meant as a family film, and can be thoroughly enjoyed by any person of any age, regardless of whether they brought a young child with them as an excuse to see it or not. In fact, I recommend going to see it with friends your own age, and enjoying it for what it is: a good reason to act like you’re a carefree kid again, rather than a college student stressing under the weight of impending finals.

The voice acting is solid enough. Honestly, I was having too much fun with the plot and the animation to notice if anything fell short with the lead voices. John Travolta plays Bolt with emotion and subtlety, to the point where I hardly noticed if the Greaser had any sort of Saturday Night Fever about him. It wasn’t until the credits that I remember Travolta was the voice at all. Miley Cyrus is a bit more recognizable, but her young tones are perfect for Penny. Mittens, voiced by Susie Essman, was as strong as the more well-known voices, and Mark Walton was hilarious was the wild and excitable Rhino. James Lipton made an appearance as The Director of the Bolt TV show, but ultimately he was only in it for one scene that didn’t really need to be there. It was just background on why Bolt thought everything was real, except his over the top description of bringing out the best ‘performance’ in the dog was… a bit hard to swallow. Particularly because we were not invited to see how the Director reacted to his lead star going missing, or how he dealt with t he choice of replacing Bolt with a trained dog instead.

And this is where I have to complain about a couple of small, ultimately inconsequential things. Some of the plot elements, or rather the human characters, felt a little like movement devices and nothing else. Penny, for instances, had an agent that was constantly hounding her about press appearances and the advancement of her career. I’m not sure if he was supposed to be a comedic relief, or some kind of antagonist, but he didn’t really serve either purpose. The movie was not made any better whenever he was on screen, and I don’t think it was necessary to invest so much time in a character that wasn’t contributing to the story.

But that is just a small complaint for an otherwise great movie. Go and see it. But be warned, the song that plays at the end credits will get stuck in your head. Forever.

Rental Queue 7

Enchanted

Disney’s winner of a movie last year, Enchanted brings the animated world to life in a new, brilliant way. The story is so sweet and classic, it feels like the cell-shaded films of the past, and does not fail to be absolutely, for lack of a better word and because the pun never gets old, enchanting. It is as magical as they come, and the characters actually sing about the story they’re involved in. Remember how the old movies used to do that, rather than putting songs over montages or having recording stars lend their voices to the CD or closing credits? Good times.

Ratatouille

The first of many Disney/Pixar recommendations on the list this week, Ratatouille is one of my favorite animated movies in recent times. The story is simple and fun, and I can’t help but think I’ve always wanted to be a chef every time I watch it, just because everyone is so fulfilled and happy by the time the credits roll. Remy is charming, and the voice Plus, the antagonistic food critic has one of the best character moments I’ve seen in a ‘kids’ movie in a very long time.

Kung Fu Panda

Not Disney, and not Pixar, but brilliant nonetheless. Kung Fu Panda boasts a cast of well known voice actors that pull their weight flawlessly. Leading the pack is Jack Black as Po, the Panda himself, and it couldn’t be more hilarious or perfect. Recently released on DVD, I can almost swear that this movie has not yet left my DVD Player, save for a few important hours. There is something wildly addictive about this story, and time just seems to fly by whenever I watch it. Probably because it’s so much fun.

Grease

There cannot be a mention of John Travolta without a subsequent reference to this musical comedy. He and Olivia Newton-John light up the screen with their chemistry and dulcet tones, making it impossible not to have fun just sitting back and watching it. The adventures of the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds are timeless. Besides, you know you’re still trying to learn all the words to We Go Together.

Tropic Thunder

Just released on DVD, and a must have for every movie fan. Tropic Thunder is one of the most hilarious movies I’ve seen in recent times, and needs to be at least rented and viewed by every single person in the world. If there’s not possible, than at least as many people on campus that read this paper. Robert Downey Jr, Jack Black and Ben Stiller each give excellent performances in what is not just another slap stick comedy thrown together for cheap laughs. Sure, there are those moments in their, too, but it really is a more sophisticated movie than that. It’s a strange character piece, as well as an excellent directorial achievement for Stiller, who also helped pen the script.

Movie Review: Quantum of Solace and Rental Queue 6

Quantum of Solace Review B

The entire James Bond series has been following a fairly linear ‘concept’ rule sheet. There are basic necessities every 007 movie needs in order for it to appease its established fan base, while at the same time continue to appeal to newer audiences. The ingredients are simple: sexy lead actor, witty dialogue, interesting plot, villainous antagonist, lots of explosions, fights and gun fights. Even though the film makers have decided to ‘start over’ in the Bond universe, the newest iterations of this beloved franchise do not waver from these guidelines. And that’s a good thing.

Daniel Craig reprises his role as the debonair secret agent, with the same flair for the character like he showed in the previous film, Casino Royale. His eyes also return, stealing souls with their piercing majesty of pure blue glory. I admit, there were a number of moments where I stopped paying attention to the banter and just got lost in those glistening pools.

Anyway.

This movie was a lot more action-oriented, rather than the thrilling plot of the first, so we got to see him doing a lot of running, jumping, and kicking the crap out of any and every thing. It was fun, but he spent so much time covered in dirt and blood, it was hard to connect him with the classy, clean Bond of the past. Of course, the film makers seemed to be aware of this, and put in a rather funny moment of Bond refusing to stay in a run down hotel.

And that’s where this movie loses some momentum. There aren’t as many witticisms and engaging conversations in this one than many of the others. I blame that on the lead actress, the Bond girl of the film, Olga Kurylenko. She is, for lack of a better term, really boring. Almost painfully so. She’s not engaging, wallowing in the damage of her character’s past and not offering anything endearing or… even interesting. She’s flat, which does not allow for Bond to show off his comedic prowess.

But that’s okay, because Dame Judi Dench is there to pick up the slack. Her character, M, and Bond have such a great dynamic, I could literally be content in watching a film with just the two of them talking. She cares about him, and he knows it and thrives on it. They have the best lines together, and their chemistry is top notch. It’s what happens when you get two good actors, even great, and let them do their work. I’m of the mind that Dench is supplying a lot of it, but that’s what makes it amazing.

This newest Bond film is a lot of action all rolled into two hours. James Bon literally fights for his life on land, through motorcycle and car chases, on the sea, ala motorboat chases, and in the air, while piloting a large carrier plane. He also spends a lot of time running and leaping off of things, convincing me that a large part of his spy training came in the form of Free Running. It’s really fun to watch, and there are moments that prompt auditory responses of awe from the audience, but it seems a bit over done. James Bond films, including Casino Royale, have a subtle triumph to them. Where Bond does something simply amazing, the blows everyone away and reminds us why he’s a legend. As much as I loved all the stunts and thrills, that one moment of sheer awesome never seemed to happen.

All my whining aside, this is still a very good movie. Stand alone, without comparing it to any of its predecessors, it is a fun, entertaining thrill ride that reminds me very much, particular the first few chase scenes, of a ride that once graced Great America in California. It was a James Bond ride where the seats moved, and the audience was Bond as he ran through a death defying mission filled with explosions and bullets. Too bad movie theaters don’t build seats like those, because it probably would have been an even better ride than the original.

Whether you’re a fan of the series, or new to the world of James Bond, this film is one worth checking out. I’d go and see Casino Royale first, as the plots do intertwine, but even if you don’t the main story is easy enough to follow.

Rental Queue 6

Casino Royale

Daniel Craig’s first outing as James Bond is a real treat. The story is also referenced a lot in the new one, and it wouldn’t hurt giving yourself a refresher before heading out to the movie theater. The plot is fun, considering it’s James Bond’s first mission, and we get to follow his development as he works his way toward the debonair, deadly spy we’re all so used to. This movie sets up his affinity for fleeting relationships, and offers a look into the first kills of his career.

Munich

This movie has both Daniel Craig and Mathieu Almalric (the baddie in the new Bond film) in its cast list. Of course, the real star is Eric Bana in his powerful performance. The story is intense and based on true events. At the Munich Olympics in 1972 11 athletes from the Israel team were murdered, and this story follows the aftermath of those events as a team of men are assembled to kill the men responsible for that horrific night. Geoffrey Rush also shows up, and subtly makes himself a memorable character, despite his relatively small part.

Pride and Prejudice

Dame Judi Dench has been in many, many good movies. Movies she has been nominated or even won an Oscar for, like Notes on a Scandal or Shakespeare in Love (hey, look, it’s Geoffrey Rush again). Yet I can’t help but recommend this retelling of the classic Jane Austen novel. She plays the rude, snobby, ridiculously upper class Catherine de Bourg, and though she is in only a handful of scenes, she delivers a truly memorable performance. Plus, I’m a hopeless romantic and this newest adaptation of the book has a perfect, beautiful cast that just steals my heart. I’m still waiting for Mr. Darcy to walk across a morning field for me.

Chicago

I recently caught The Secret Life of Bees downtown, and it reminded me that I appreciate Queen Latifah’s work. Since I recommended Hairspray recently, and I don’t like to repeat myself, I’ll go with the next greatest musical movie in her credits: Chicago. Following the story of two murderous song birds, Chicago assembles a stellar cast and thrills in what was one of the first, ground-breaking musical-to-movie creations of recent times. Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger are delightful and really show off some of the talents that we just don’t get to see enough of from them.

Kramer Vs. Kramer

This one is just a random note, but is a film really worth checking out. I caught it on Oxygen recently, but it needs to be viewed without commercial interruption. Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep both one Oscars for their performances here, and it really isn’t difficult to see why. This is what acting is, and what it always should be. Plus, if you ever wondered where that scene in Family Guy comes from, where Tom Tucker, after breaking up with Peter Griffen’s mom, is eating dinner with Peter and has to tell him off as he goes for the ice cream in the freezer by standing on a chair, comes from, then you should probably give this film a look.

Movie Review: Role Models & Rental Queue 5

Role Model Review C+

Paul Rudd co-wrote and co-starred in this buddy comedy about two men avoiding jail through community service. After crashing a car designed like a minotaur into a stature of a horse, the begrudging, unhappy Minotaur energy drink spokesperson, Danny, and the obnoxiously positive and unambitious Wheeler are forced to connect with two children through a mentor program. Danny is stuck with Augie, an outcast who spends his time living in the fantasy world Live Action roleplaying gives him, while Wheeler is assigned to the foul-mouthed, combative youngster Ronnie. Both men, or ‘bigs’ as the program brands them, would have an easier time with their kids, or ‘littles’, is they had a bit more time to mature for themselves.

This isn’t really a new story. It’s been seen in lots of iterations. All it takes is an immature adult paired with a kid, any brand of kid, really, and the growing begins. There are the obligatory pieces of this tale: the awkward introductions, the troubled water, the heart warming bonding scenes set to a song. And even the song is familiar, by the way, if you’re familiar with Martian Child.

What is strange about this movie is the writing. In a good way. It’s tailored for an older audience, which gives it permission to drop the f-bomb as frequently as it likes. And it takes advantage of it, all of the characters having moments of sailor-reminiscent swearing. This includes the youngest of the cast who, as it turns out, is the biggest culprit. But that’s a part of his character.

So here’s where the movie falls down. Or… falls down further if you count the familiar story. The writing is very strong and witty, but the only actor who can pull it off flawlessly is Paul Rudd. It’s his brand of humor, after all, but next to that it doesn’t feel like any of the other cast members, or at least the four main males, can keep up with him. Even Elizabeth Banks, who was so cute and energetic in Zack and Miri, is flat and almost boring here. Cute, and with amazing eyes, but lacking a lot of the energy that makes her so endearing.

Seann William Scott tries really hard to fall into step with Rudd, and he succeeds in some truly funny moments, but there are some unforgivable moments of, for lack of a better term, bad acting on his part. Particularly with his flirting, which is character does shamelessly. Nothing about it seems sincere, even in the insincere way you expect of a play boy. It just feels like an awkward line reading, where he didn’t get the right feel for the line, but went with it anyway. And his chemistry with the little boy that plays Ronnie never really clicks, though, I hardly think that’s his fault.

The writing, on its own, however, is very sharp. There are some truly hilarious moments and even with weird choices as far as delivery and characterization I found myself laughing out loud. This feels like it should be one of those movies where a bunch of its lines follow the crowd around for months, popping up as colloquialisms for high schoolers and college kids alike. Like Superbad or Napoleon Dynamite did, only a little less annoying because, as I said before, it is geared toward an older audience.

There are a lot of scenes that involve Life Action Role Playing. Though, in this movie it has a different anagram than LARP. But the principal is the same: people create their own characters, in their own countries, in their own wars, all in a land that they created. They dress up as the characters, and act like them, setting them in a time and place that fits their fancy. This one is medieval in nature, with kings and crests, swords and shields. There are some hilarious battles in this setting, particularly the large one at the end. These are some of the most priceless scenes, and really let all the actors shine, because they’re allowed to have goofy, over the top fun that you can’t help but enjoy watching.

Rental Queue 5

Superbad:

Not one I’ve actually seen, but I felt obligated to recommend it considering how wildly popular it is. On top of the, the boy who plays Augie in Role Models is none other than the infamous McLovin. Should I feel bad about recommending a movie I haven’t watched yet? Probably. Do I? Not really. The way I see it, movies will always be liked and disliked, but they are meant to be viewed in order to come to that decision.I don’t have to like a movie to recommend it to others. In fact, I’m recommending this one to myself.

Final Destination:

Like watching young people die in absurd, almost funny ways? Then this is the movie for you. The great thing about the whole Final Destination series are the deaths, because they go out of their way to set up about three or four different ways for any one character to kick the bucket, and it’s interesting to see which gets them in the end. The story, too, is worth a peek. Trying to out run death, it seems, isn’t as easy as it sounds… and doesn’t even sound easy. Oh, and Seann William Scott is in it. Yay, tie ins.

The 40 Year Old Virgin:

Paul Rudd playing… I’m pretty sure he’s playing Paul Rudd. His characters aren’t all that distinguishable, but that’s what makes him charming. This movie is one of the funniest movies of its genre, and a must-see for anyone who enjoys silly, upbeat humor and sex jokes. Steve Carell is absolutely adorable, and with the release of Get Smart on DVD this week, it seems fitting to share some of his work.

Definitely, Maybe:

Another Elizabeth Banks movie, oh my. And one I reviewed for this very paper. It’s a sweet movie, and she plays a much stronger character here. I’m not sure what the difference is, but it’s definitely visible. Abigail Breslin annoys me less in this movie than some of her others, and Ryan Reynolds charms with his humor and puppy-dog facial expressions. The story could be a bit more surprising, but the ending is still warm and fuzzy, which is what you expect from a romantic comedy.

Martian Child:

I mentioned it in my review, so I need to recommend it. This movie stars John Cusack as a widower writer trying to adopt a son. This boy thinks he’s from Mars, so the adoption has its ups and downs. This movie follows a very similar formula to the one in Role Models, of a man finding himself growing through his relationship with a child, though I would brand Martian Child the more touching and profound of the two. Of course, it isn’t really fair to say that because Martian Child is the only one of the two setting out to do that. Whatever. Watch it.

Movie Review: Zack and Miri Make a Porno & Rental Queue

Zack and Miri Make a Porno Review: B+

Comedies seem to be moving in a certain direction these days. It’s hard to describe just what this latest fad is, however, because it’s so encompassing and seems to be gaining momentum every week. They’re movies like Knocked Up and Superbad, Juno and Sex Drive: comedies that are cute and funny, without being slapstick or full throttle romance. Though their subjects range, and they are capable of pushing lines and buttons, they somehow feel more subtle, natural, than those of the past. Zack and Miri Make a Porno is another one of these movies, and though there is a growing collection of them, they don’t’ seem to be losing their novelty just yet.

The plot is pretty much summed up in the title. Strapped for money, long time best friends and roommates Zack and Miri need to pay their bills. After the water and power are shut off in their apartment they are forced to take drastic measures. A miserable night over beers produces the answer: a porn movie. And so they embark on this noble quest for money, recruiting cast members and tech crew, as well as finding costumes, sets, and a producer for their ultimate conquest. Of course, things don’t go according to plan as obstacles for the film and the relationship of the roomies begin to complicate things.

Zack and Miri, or rather Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, are effortlessly adorable. They have great chemistry together, and their friendship is believable. Sure, there are some weird moments, but I think they are intentional. Because people are awkward.

The dialogue in the movie is vulgar, to say the least. Of course, with a title like this one I think it should already be pretty clear that this is not a movie for the kiddies. It is filled to the bursting point with f-bombs, strange and new insults that I have never even dreamed of, and, of course, pervasive sex scenes. Some of them can even be called gratuitous, while some I’ve chosen to blank from my mind entirely. There is a lot of squirm-factor in this movie: those moments where you feel like you shouldn’t be watching, or you should leave, but you just end up wiggling uselessly in your seat while you are physically unable to pull your eyes away from the screen. There’s full frontal nudity of both genders to look out for, and even the innuendo is startling.

But that’s what makes it so fun. It’s a movie about something socially taboo, and it does not take itself seriously for it. That’s something director Kevin Smith does a lot, and is very good at. And he doesn’t disappoint here. He does use some of his staple actors, like Jason Mewes and Jeff Anderson, but it’s fun and refreshing to see them in rolls that aren’t half of the Jay and Silent Bob or Clerks duo, respectively. And if you were curious, we do get to the honor of seeing Jason Mewes’ penis.

The supporting cast is strong and fun, adding to the overall charm of the movie. They are mostly the actors in the porno, as well as the camera man and the producer. And they’re interesting, to say the least. But they really don’t matter, and Smith does not go out of his way to highlight their ‘stories’ in any way. They are there simply to enable the movement of the story between Zack and Miri, and that’s completely justified and forgivable. I don’t need every movie I see to have expansive character exploration for every face, after all. They do their job, they’re memorable, and the movie is not harmed by avoiding side stories.

I can admit that this movie is not ground breaking. The premise is unique, but it manages to remain predictable and linear. There are no surprises waiting for you, besides the jokes that putting ‘porno’ in the title allows the film to pull off. But those are little shocks, not the innovative story telling or plot twists I had expected to see. So in that this movie falls a little bit short, all its risks coming in the form of its dirty jokes, rather than the development of plot between the two leads. I don’t know why I went expecting something brand new, considering how hard it is do these days, but I did and I was disappointed.

Ultimately, however, the movie is oddly charming and sweet, which works well against the graphic, perverse subject around which it is based. This isn’t the movie for anyone who is easily offended by language, sexual situations or… the idea of a porno. But, for everyone else and those brave enough to put those trepidations aside, it’s an interesting, entertaining romp.

Rental Queue 4

Knocked Up

Besides animated movies in which he provides a voice, I think the is the movie that best shows off Seth Rogen’s abilities. It’s another romantic comedy, and feels very much in the same line that Zack and Miri falls into. The dialogue is very natural and I think that’s why I enjoy it so much, I think. It’s just a feel good flick, despite the controversy Katherine Heigl created by saying the film turned out a ‘bit sexist’.

Fred Claus

Elizabeth Banks is adorable in almost everything she does. There’s a new scary movie coming out where she plays some sinister suspected murderer, and she’s adorable. Of course, I fell in love with her from her stint on Scrubs, but she has a number of notable credits to her name. Invincible is good, as is Definitely, Maybe. Then why am I recommending a Christmas movie nearly two months too soon? Mostly because Kevin Spacey is in it, truthfully. But it is a good movie, and worth a look. Swear.

Clerks

Kevin Smith’s first movie with the notorious Jay and Silent Bob, and still one of his greatest movies to this day. It explores the lives of two convenience store clerks. They hate their jobs, they hate the patrons, they like to talk about movies and they play hockey on the store roof when the boss isn’t looking. They’re rude and abrasive, but completely lovable. This movie is a classic, and its direct sequel, Clerks II, is a fitting continuation. Get the both of them and make it a night in.

Dogma

Alan Rickman is the voice of God. What? You need more of a reason to check this out? Frankly, I’m surprised that there are still people who haven’t seen this. It’s another film by director Kevin Smith that follows and abortion clinic worker’s journey of spiritual discovery after she finds out that she is the only hope for all of existence as two fallen angels battle their way to get back into heaven. And it’s a comedy. Sure, I can see where religious people might be offended, but if you have a sense of humor than Buddy Christ won’t offend you. He’ll make you laugh, because that’s what this whole movie is supposed to do.

Superman Returns

Oh geez, another Kevin Spacey movie? Yes. And it’s amazing. Spacey’s Lex Luthor is the epitome of awesome, and the reason I dig his career so much. This is the movie that started the worship, I’m almost ashamed to admit. It shouldn’t have taken me, or anyone else, to see his remarkable talent but at least I finally caught on. And now I spread that chance to you lot. The best part is this definitely ties into the movie I reviewed this week: Brandon Routh, who plays Superman, has a small, but very memorable, role in Zack and Miri. And it’s even funnier if you think of him as Superman.