06.22.06
More Summer Flicks for the Picking
It is mid-June and the flick output is not to appealing. Generally I would be psyched for a Jack Black comedy, but Nacho Libre doesn’t even appear funny on the previews. And that is where they blow the only funny scenes! Then there is The Omen. I love horror films to the core, but why would I pay to see a classic duplicated with crappier actors and more eye candy effects?
Yes, I am feeling more unmotivated than usuall to attend the movies. However, I do have a couple of recent flicks to tide things over.
First up is Walt Disney/Pixar’s Cars. The Pixar animation studio has struck gold by producing one hit after another. Critics love them and audiences love them. Cars is being touted as one of the weaker films in the Pixar family. However, I tend to disagree. The latest entry about talking motor vehicles is as worthy, if not better, as its predecessors. Owen Wilson voices a racing hot rod named McQueen that is stranded in a small desolate town where he is forced into community service. While resistant to the friendly local yokels, he comes to learn the error of his selfish ways and discovers of joys of life on Route 66.
The consensus prior to the release of Cars is that the trailers were weak. Indeed they were. For someone like me who despises NASCAR, it was hard to get pumped for previews that feature nothing but slick CGI auto racing. Leave it to Pixar to save the goods until the end. Cars is a touching and hilarious ride for both adults and youngsters. Unlike other CGI lightweights, Pixar adds their stamp of quality that relies on strong storytelling, developed characters, and classy humor. If anyone will pull Disney out of the mud, Pixar will be the saviors.
Grade: A
Next up is an entry on the indie circuit. It is a documentary called The Devil and Daniel Johnston. This tells the story of the title character, Daniel Johnston, who has dedicated his life to creating bizarre music and artwork. Millions of people across the world probably do the same thing, but Johnston is supposed to be unique enough to receive accolade in a documentary. You see, Johnston is a crazy person. He has spent most of his life wondering in and out of mental institutions, while writing songs about insanity, love, and Satan. Despite his inability to strike successful record deals, he is known by various renowned artists such as Nirvana and Flaming Lips.
Daniel Johnston is an interesting subject for a documentary. However, the film’s intent and perspectives create flaws. Friends and family members of Johnston are the only subjects interviewed. They claim he is brilliant. In fact, they compare him with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and go so far to claim he is more talented than Bob Dylan (not that I really think Dylan is that talented in the first place). The film’s overall message: Daniel Johnston is a brilliant madman. Unfortunately I do not buy it. If this film opened itself up to more sources such as mental hospital doctors, perhaps it would hold more merit. However, it is only a flattering tribute to a mentally sick artist that, in my opinion, doesn’t deserve such high recognition. I suppose this goes to show that any nut job on the street can have a documentary made about them. The question is: will anyone give a crap?
Grade: C
06.07.06
Indie Spotlight: Brick and Art School Confidential
Previously, I discussed the reviews thus far on multi-plex hot numbers. With my grad school work load on hiatus for a couple of weeks, I've had more time to go to the movies. Therefore, I can devote a little time to the slightly obscure films that have hit theaters recently.
First off is Brick. This is a film that is way too cool for its own good, yet I enjoyed every minute of it. Have you ever wondered what would happen if the film noir genre crossed paths with the teen film? Brick is the answer. Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Leviit) is the Bogart protagonist on a mission to find his distressed ex-girlfriend (Emile De Ravine). What follows is a surreal journey into the high school scene with a touch of noir. Ok…a splatter of noir. These kids do not talk the moronic slang of typical Generation Y hollow-heads. They speak a certain language that you can only hear in classic film noir. At first it seems like a cheap novelty. The kids refer to cafeterias instead of bars. Ha ha! However, I slid into my seat and got comfortably accustomed to this style. It then dawned on me: Brick is one hell of a cool flick. It contains a convoluted plot that demands a second viewing, but this indie gem is worth the admission. With a sweet edge of originality, I can do nothing but suggest this film. It is nice to see a little experimental variety in the film world.
Grade: A-
Now comes the interesting part. Co-writer bendi recently expressed his hate and disdain for the Terry Zwigoff project Art School Confidential. Despite his crushing blows on its exaggeration of stereotypes and poor writing, I have to come clean and say….I think I like it!
Bendi previously covered the synopsis: a high school outcast is accepted to a "prestigious" art school only to find that art students are shallow and hold little regard for real talent. Oh yes, and there is a murder on the loose on campus.
As someone that despises pretentiousness, I couldn't help but appreciate what this film was hitting at. Bendi mentions the use of unnecessary stereotypes, and I will acknowledge that. Specifically, Nick Swardson portrays a homosexual, and his character is handled rather mean-spiritedly and with little respect towards gay representation. However, I commend the film's depiction of intellectual elitism. Some may question whether people really act this way, and my response is: yes! As a film student, I listen to wannabe philosophers scream out during classes to proclaim their so-called brilliance. The characters in Confidential are a bit cartoony, but they are not far off from the truth. Zwigoff does go over the top with his character depictions, but that only enhances the experience for those fed up with academia pretentiousness.
Then there is the plot. The murder mystery is an awkward counterpart to the film's exercise in mockery, but it eventually leads up to a conclusion that I found rather satisfying (I will now take this moment to let bendi scream at his computer monitor)
Is Art School Confidential one of the best films this year? Not a chance in hell. However, I appreciate it for its balls-out lampooning of art institutions. This is not a laugh-out-loud, but rather a laugh-on-the-inside type of comedy. Love it? Hate it? You be the judge. I just hope bendi still speaks to me!
Grade: B
06.06.06
The Break-Up and Over the Hedge
I can tell it is finally the summer movie season. No matter what show time I attend, every theater is packed wall-to-wall with people that have nothing to do with their summer vacation time. The string of blockbusters continues and I had the opportunity to take part in the mindless fun over the weekend.
The first film, Over the Hedge, is a CGI cartoon that was worth my hard-earned dollars. The new wave of animation is losing its magic. Ever since the studios figured out how to produce slick cartoons at a fast rate, they've compensated their runtime with fart jokes and little content. Hedge is a film that made me laugh out loud not from crude humor, but from the personality of its cuddly critters.
The story revolves around a pack of wild animals that wake from hibernation only to discover that materialistic suburbanites have taken over the area. Their solution? Take advantage of consumerist America and get in on the overindulgence of goods. The merry animals steal everything from households including junk food, energy soda, and a digital camera/printer set.
The previews market this as a film packed with nasty burp jokes, and that is quite a sad thing. When a film that is earnestly charming has to promote itself as crude to attract fart-loving America, then my worries for the state of this nation continue to increase. Over the Hedge is a film with personality that stops when it is about to get excessive, and takes advantage of its talented voice cast including Bruce Willis, Gary Shandling, William Shatner, Wanda Sykes (surprisingly not too annoying) Steve Carrell, Nick Nolte, Allison Janney, and Thomas Haden Church. If you are like me and found yourself frustrated by the lackluster delivery of Madagasar and Robots, then do give this one a chance. There truly is hope for animation.
Grade: A-
If you've been following the box office newsletters, America's new favorite couple, Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Anniston, were seen across the nation in The Break-Up this weekend. By "new favorite couple" I mean the subjects of gossip from people that hate their lives so much that they need to worry about the lives of beautiful people (Ok, that was mean, but I'm not taking it back). From the previews, I thought this romantic comedy showed hope. Jennifer Anniston is about as unversatile and tame as performers get, but Vince Vaughn is there! This guy's goofy, loudmouth antics never get old for me. Plus, he re-teams with Swingers and Made pal Jon Favreau. How can it go wrong?
Unfortunately after a strong beginning, the film goes into excessive break-up territory. Sure…the title should make that evident. However, the filmmakers should know there is only so much bickering a third party can handle. Once these main characters get rolling, the fights never stop. By the fourth or fifth uncomfortable fight scene, I was automatically tuning them out like I do any other loud couple in public that decides to broadcast their dirty laundry.
Despite a strong supporting cast including Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Favreau, Jason Batemen, Judy Davis, John Michael Higgins, and Vincent D'Onofrio, the real focus is on the couple. Comedies about break-ups can work. War of the Roses is a prime example. However, The Break-Up tries to keep a nice balance between sweet and nasty that messes with my head. It left me with that awkward sensation where I question whether or not I want to laugh. It has its moments, but I can only suggest a video rental for this one.
Grade: C+
