Director: Frank Miller
Produced by: Gigi Pritzker, Deborah Del Prete, Michael Uslan
Screenplay: Frank Miller
Starring: Scarlett Johansson “Silken Floss”, Samuel L. Jackson “The Octopus”, Gabriel Macht “Denny Colt/ The Spirit”, Eva Mendes “Sand Saref”
"The Spirit" of Purgatory
Sometimes, after an arduous week full of incompetent co-workers and mind-numbing work, the urge will arise to choke the nearest bone-headed-looking person. Instead of serving time for such a crime, many people find an outlet in television or movies. "The Spirit", based off Will Eisner’s graphic novel of the same name, is good for no other purpose than a mild case of such an urge.
Able to heal from any wound or brake in his body, The Spirit is a stubborn, womanizing, vigilante/ex-cop (it’s not worth explaining) who works with the police department to bring down his nemesis, the city’s head drug dealer, The Octopus. The opening introduction scene is well crafted with state of the art CGI and blue-screen magic. We are immediately consumed in contrasting black and white silhouettes with our only focus on The Spirit’s lonely red tie and his voice-over explaining to us his paradoxical love for his city. But this is where the promise in the film ends. Our next baptism comes in a mud/tar-pit full of God-awful one-liners and a seemingly pointless (and ultimately actually pointless) drawn out semi-physical, semi-trash-talk brawl between The Octopus and The Spirit. Only twenty minutes into the film we’re half way into the grave of boredom.
Normally a puppet-master at inducing ultra slow-motion fight scenes that some consider especially violent, and others genius, The Spirit’s PG-13 rating definitely hindered Miller’s usual selling point in his films. Without superb and groundbreaking action sequences to rely upon, Miller was forced to turn to character development. Unfortunately for the studios, a high budget film was not the setting for such a trial in development, and obvious failure. Like the ailing city in which the film takes place, the ideal fiery passion between Mendes and Macht smolders in the cold snow. Macht found himself in a role that his director failed to- direct. Mendes attempts to emulate the dark, violent, and sexy performance of Rosario Dawson in "Sin City", but ends up overacting and showing her bare backside for a poor film.
For many, including myself, much of the pull for audiences in seeing this film came from the featuring of Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson. Jackson has been great in numerous cult-classic films with his zeal for the bizarre and fun, which is why I see why he signed onto the film. In the context of the ridiculous nature of the film and characters, Jackson succeeds in being affable and believable in his portrayal of a witty, criminal mastermind. On the other hand, Johansson, who played Jackson’s side-kick, made me feel out of place with her unconvincing and uncomfortable display of slightly-psychotic sexiness.
The acting failed in its attempt at purposeful overacting for emphasis of fictional characters. The CGI overpowered and attempted to control the mood and tone in the film, but failed due to its appeal to a PG-13 rating, and outside of the average fight scenes, there was no redeeming quality to the plot. Overall, being that today is a good day; I rate the film 5/10.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Meta Critic Watch: "Observe and Report"
"Observe and Report" features Seth Rogan, Anna Faris, and few short appearances by Jay Liotta. Seth Rogan plays an ambitious mall cop looking to arrest a "serial flasher" terrorizing the mall to impress Anna Faris' character and garner credentials for admittance to the Police Academy. The popular buzz is that the film will be another installment in the great collection of Seth Rogan comedies, but it would seem the vast majority of reviewers observed otherwise.
Scott Mendelson of "Film Threat" gave "Observe and Report" the highest rating of the critics being discussed for this movie with a score of 80/100. Although this film is a comedy, the review focused much more on the extending metaphors and satires of the American experience developed in the film. It almost seemed as if he was attempting to justify the uncomfortable jokes in the film with contemplative commentary: "The picture is a case study of both a garden-variety delusional thug and the bitter disillusionment of an entire nation." Overall, Scott seemed to enjoy the film, but not as a comedy.
"USA TODAY" critic Claudia Puig was next down on the depth chart with a score of 63/100. As reflected by her rating, Ms. Puig was split on the nature of the film. "While she But where Mall Cop is broad, safe and sticks to a formula, Observe and Report is unabashedly crude, cynical, off-kilter and funnier." But her kudos seem more out of respect for what the film is trying to do than what it actual does. For her it fell too deeply into the pressing depression and hovering despair experienced by the characters.
Michael Phillips of "The Chicago Tribune" is the next one down on the list of decreasing enjoyment of the film. Mr. Phillips' review bordered on a pan of the film with a score of 50/100. Saving graces for Michael: Seth Rogan is too lovable a character to let the film go completely to hell. Woeful aspects: well, there were a lot more of these than saving graces. "But the fault lies with writer-director Jody Hill, whose micro-budget comedy "The Foot Fist Way" got a strange amount of attention from the sleep-deprived regulars at the Sundance Film Festival." Not only does he not like Hill's last film, but he obviously feels he shouldn't have gotten a second-chance at a higher-budget film. According to Michael only 10/85 minutes were actually funny. Enough said.
"I thought it was gonna be funny, but it's just sad." For the "Dallas Observer's" Robert Wilonsky, this line was his experience with the film. The characters evolved from overly optimistic to nearly overbearing in their gloominess. Outside of a few scenes of shock-humor, there are just poor attempts at dark-humor. While Seth Rogan commands respect for his newly developed range of acting, the writing and attempts at humor were just that: attempts. For his effort, Robert awarded Jody Hill a 30/100.
Manohla Dargis of "The New York Times" gave the film the lowest rating of the barrel: 10/100. His opening statement of the review says it all: "If you thought Abu Ghraib was a laugh riot then you might love “Observe and Report,” a potentially brilliant conceptual comedy that fizzles because its writer and director, Jody Hill, doesn’t have the guts to go with his spleen. The sadistic induced laughter and incongruities in the comedic themes repulsed and created a melancholy nature in the film. Instead of being able to just sit back and laugh, there were too many instances where questioning of political and ethical idealisms overwhelmed the audiences ability to laugh. Manohla loves Seth Rogan, but the writing-directing of Jody Hill ruined the film for him.
Overall, the film garnered a rating of 54/100, and the vast majority of critics seemed extremely let down by the writing and directing of Jody Hill. Many already did love and continue to love Seth Rogan in the film, but the lack of actual funny material in contrast to the amount of depressing dialogue and lost dreams ruin the film. Having read many reviews on the film I'm under the impression I should wait until it comes out to rent.
Scott Mendelson of "Film Threat" gave "Observe and Report" the highest rating of the critics being discussed for this movie with a score of 80/100. Although this film is a comedy, the review focused much more on the extending metaphors and satires of the American experience developed in the film. It almost seemed as if he was attempting to justify the uncomfortable jokes in the film with contemplative commentary: "The picture is a case study of both a garden-variety delusional thug and the bitter disillusionment of an entire nation." Overall, Scott seemed to enjoy the film, but not as a comedy.
"USA TODAY" critic Claudia Puig was next down on the depth chart with a score of 63/100. As reflected by her rating, Ms. Puig was split on the nature of the film. "While she But where Mall Cop is broad, safe and sticks to a formula, Observe and Report is unabashedly crude, cynical, off-kilter and funnier." But her kudos seem more out of respect for what the film is trying to do than what it actual does. For her it fell too deeply into the pressing depression and hovering despair experienced by the characters.
Michael Phillips of "The Chicago Tribune" is the next one down on the list of decreasing enjoyment of the film. Mr. Phillips' review bordered on a pan of the film with a score of 50/100. Saving graces for Michael: Seth Rogan is too lovable a character to let the film go completely to hell. Woeful aspects: well, there were a lot more of these than saving graces. "But the fault lies with writer-director Jody Hill, whose micro-budget comedy "The Foot Fist Way" got a strange amount of attention from the sleep-deprived regulars at the Sundance Film Festival." Not only does he not like Hill's last film, but he obviously feels he shouldn't have gotten a second-chance at a higher-budget film. According to Michael only 10/85 minutes were actually funny. Enough said.
"I thought it was gonna be funny, but it's just sad." For the "Dallas Observer's" Robert Wilonsky, this line was his experience with the film. The characters evolved from overly optimistic to nearly overbearing in their gloominess. Outside of a few scenes of shock-humor, there are just poor attempts at dark-humor. While Seth Rogan commands respect for his newly developed range of acting, the writing and attempts at humor were just that: attempts. For his effort, Robert awarded Jody Hill a 30/100.
Manohla Dargis of "The New York Times" gave the film the lowest rating of the barrel: 10/100. His opening statement of the review says it all: "If you thought Abu Ghraib was a laugh riot then you might love “Observe and Report,” a potentially brilliant conceptual comedy that fizzles because its writer and director, Jody Hill, doesn’t have the guts to go with his spleen. The sadistic induced laughter and incongruities in the comedic themes repulsed and created a melancholy nature in the film. Instead of being able to just sit back and laugh, there were too many instances where questioning of political and ethical idealisms overwhelmed the audiences ability to laugh. Manohla loves Seth Rogan, but the writing-directing of Jody Hill ruined the film for him.
Overall, the film garnered a rating of 54/100, and the vast majority of critics seemed extremely let down by the writing and directing of Jody Hill. Many already did love and continue to love Seth Rogan in the film, but the lack of actual funny material in contrast to the amount of depressing dialogue and lost dreams ruin the film. Having read many reviews on the film I'm under the impression I should wait until it comes out to rent.
Monday, May 4, 2009
DVD Review: Twilight
In the wake of blockbuster book-based cash cows like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings comes Hollywood's latest offering, Twilight, this time with an influx of rabid fangirls. Twilight is every teenage girl's dream come true: a drab, ordinary year at high school is interrupted by the introduction of an perfectly handsome and well-mannered boy (Robert Pattinson) who saves a young girl's life(Kristen Stewart), makes her his girlfriend, and the two fall deeply in love. Oh, and also he is a vampire. Many will quibble over the immaterial untruths the movie tells by deviating from the book, but fortunately I will not harp on said untruths, since I have never read Twilight. What I will say is that while Twilight was clearly designed to be some sort of female masturbatory aid, it also functions adequately as a major motion picture. For those of us who aren't steamed up by the teenage romance, there also happens to be a plot. The bad vampires want Bella, and the good vampires do too. But being the good guys, they restrain themselves from eating her and protect her from the bad guys. The fights are well-choreographed and the special effects are good, and if you can drown out the noise of shrieking fangirls, Twilight can be a mildly entertaining fantasy movie. That's right, girls. Fantasy.
Blog Review: Adventureland
Seemingly aimed at the raunch comedy market revitalized by Superbad, Adventureland is a little light on raunch and heavy on drama. Following the summer job escapades of affluent college graduate and near spot-on Michael Cera impersonator James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg), Adventureland is a surprisingly heavy "dramedy" that delivers some genuinely smart humor, but may leave the raunch comedy crowd a bit out in the cold. The majority of the film deals with Brennan's summer romance with "co-worker" Em Lewin (Kristen Stewart). When this movie isn't dramatic, it is very funny and the 80's setting adds a welcome flair to the props and costume design. Eisenberg plays the role flawlessly as the soft-spoken underdog hero, and it doesn't take long before the whole audience is rooting for him. While the characters seem to insist that working at a carnival over the summer sucks, the movie does anything but discourage it as a dream summer job. Hanging out all day getting high and living out some good old-fashioned teenage drama seems like more than any young adult could hope to ask for in a summer job. So while this film certainly won't be remembered for its realism, it has some memorable characters, a genuinely interesting setting, and a good mix of drama and awkward moment jokes. Just don't expect any McLovin's to make an appearance.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire’s Final Answer
By Joe Dawson
Director: Danny Boylev
Written By: Simon Beaufoy and Vikas Swarup
Produced By: Christian Colson
Starring: Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, and Irrfan Khan
Slumdog Millionaire is an inspirational love story between two young souls from India. The film shows Jamal Malik played by Dev Patel on an Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? As the questions are being asked Jamal draws from his past experiences in the slums of India for the answers. The question, his thoughts, and his answers on the show depict the different struggles he faced in his life. His brother is the only family he has left after his mother is killed. The two have to work together in order to survive. During their travels Jamal sees a young girl played by Freida Pinto all alone standing in the rain; he reaches out to here and invites her to share what meager dry space they have. It is obvious there is love at first sight, but the two are continually separated by their harsh environment. Throughout the film he is always searching trying to save the girl so they can be together.
The film tells a very complex story with many different characters all coming together in a unique and interesting way. Jamal constantly has flashbacks of his childhood that help to progress the story line. The flashbacks are incorporated seamlessly causing it to flow smoothly throughout the film. The acting by all the cast members is superb; Jamal’s struggles come to life and become extremely real. It is easy to relate and sympathize with him because his acting is so genuine. Even with all of his problems in the slums he still cannot let go the love of his life. This is a must see. He has everything to lose and even more to gain; will he win the money and save the girl or go back to the slums alone?
By Joe Dawson
Director: Danny Boylev
Written By: Simon Beaufoy and Vikas Swarup
Produced By: Christian Colson
Starring: Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, and Irrfan Khan
Slumdog Millionaire is an inspirational love story between two young souls from India. The film shows Jamal Malik played by Dev Patel on an Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? As the questions are being asked Jamal draws from his past experiences in the slums of India for the answers. The question, his thoughts, and his answers on the show depict the different struggles he faced in his life. His brother is the only family he has left after his mother is killed. The two have to work together in order to survive. During their travels Jamal sees a young girl played by Freida Pinto all alone standing in the rain; he reaches out to here and invites her to share what meager dry space they have. It is obvious there is love at first sight, but the two are continually separated by their harsh environment. Throughout the film he is always searching trying to save the girl so they can be together.
The film tells a very complex story with many different characters all coming together in a unique and interesting way. Jamal constantly has flashbacks of his childhood that help to progress the story line. The flashbacks are incorporated seamlessly causing it to flow smoothly throughout the film. The acting by all the cast members is superb; Jamal’s struggles come to life and become extremely real. It is easy to relate and sympathize with him because his acting is so genuine. Even with all of his problems in the slums he still cannot let go the love of his life. This is a must see. He has everything to lose and even more to gain; will he win the money and save the girl or go back to the slums alone?
Blog Review: Yes Man
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Written by: Nicholas Stoller, Jarrad Paul, and Andrew Mogel
Producers: David Heyman and Richard D. Zanuck
Starring: Jim Carrey, Terence Stamp, Zooey Deschanel
Yes Man is based on the true story and 2005 book Yes Man by Danny Wallace. This is a film starring Jim Carrey in another crazy adventure that only could happen to
In the film, Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) is very withdrawn and depressed since he and his wife divorced. He never goes out, not even to see his friends, a “no man” in a sense. Somehow a friend convinces him to go to one of the seminars that he has gone to for some time now. The seminar is meant to motivate you to say yes and go out and do something with your life. Not really going on with all the mumbo jumbo the guru is talking about, he is call out and is told that he has to do it; he doesn’t have a choice anymore.
After leaving the seminar, he runs into a homeless bum that asks for a ride. With the help of a friend, Carl agrees and goes on a long trip around town trying to find the mans home. When they finally do reach the home, a bunch of branches on the side of the road, Carl notices he has no gas. Somehow he manages to walk back to the gas station were he runs into a girl. Her name is Allison (Zooey Deschanel). The two hit it off as they drive to his car, were she kisses him as she leaves.
Sparked by this sudden good luck, Carl adopts this style of living agreeing to everything. Somehow, in the process of doing this, he is promoted at his job, friends hang out more, and everything turns out to be great until his secret is revealed.
This film has a lot of laughs just like every other Jim Carrey film out there. Don’t be surprised if after you feel like it wasn’t worth the money. There is an appearance of a French skater named Jean- Yves Blondeau that is probably a lot more interesting then this film. Overall it is a good film though considering everything but probably not worth the twenty bucks to get just yet, you should wait a couple months.
Blog Review: I Love You, Man
Directed by: John Hamburg
Written by: John Hamburg and Larry Levin
Producers: John Hamburg and Donald De Line
Starring: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, and Rashida Jones
I love You, Man is probably one of the funniest films that came out in last couple months. From the plot to the story, everything about this film is funny. The Plot is about a guy who has had more girl friends then guy friends which isn’t bad but when it comes into question if he has any, it becomes a big problem. Not to mention that he is getting married and needs a best man. So the main character Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) goes out on “man dates” as instructed by his brother. In the process of some very funny encounters, he ends up meeting Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) at an open house. The two hit it off right away and they both start hanging out.
The two couldn’t have been anymore different, one being a real-estate salesman and the other being just himself. The eventually start hanging out at what Sydney calls his house as the “man cave” which is really just a space in his garage where there is a bunch of things men would have. The two talk about their lives trying to see where each other stood in their lives and they go into an awkward conversation about Peter’s sexual life which is brought up later at a family diner in front of Peter’s parents and other people.
The story continues with the two getting into a fight and the wedding coming up and whether the two will go back to being friends in time for the wedding.
This movie has so many funny scenes in it, one memorable one being when the Peter and Sydney meet up for the first time. There is a guy trying to impress a girl so he was taking her around looking at the houses to try and possible sleep with her.
This film should be watched by anyone that is up for a good laugh. The combination of awkward scenes and goofiness of some of the characters really makes this film great. Paul Rudd and Jason Segel did a great job working together to make this film what it is today.
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