Following the laughter of Talledega Nights, it was time to get serious with Oliver Stones World Trade Center. I rarely do this, but I declare this an unofficial review. While it is easy to nitpick most films to the furthest extent, 9/11 is one of those topics that is still hard to touch with a 10 foot pole. Would I be considered un-American if I offered a criticism? I’d rather not find out. Lord knows I received enough hate mail when I said that The Alamo was mediocre. I will say this, World Trade Center certainly does not live up to the potential of United 93, which was released earlier this year. I respect the role that every courageous American played on 9/11, and I want to keep the filmic world separated from the real world. Therefore, I leave this grade blank.

Moving on, I did finally see Richard Linklater’s highly anticipated flick A Scanner Darkly. This was probably one of the more highly anticipated films of 2006 for me. Unfortunately, my opinion joins the concensus of others: it is only an ok movie. Keanu Reeves plays an undercover cop seven years into the future, who is trying to put an end to a mind-altering drug that has a hold on junkies. Being that this is based on a Philip K. Dick story, trippy wackiness ensues.

Richard Linklater has a knack for capturing the mundane converstaion so well, and he does so here once again. Unfortauntely, this sci-fi hybrid does not quite live up to his previous favs such as Before Sunset, Dazed and Confused, or Tape. The integration of the science fiction story into the converstaion pieces makes for mass confusion. This premise could have more potential, but there comes a point in the middle of this film where it doesn’t know what to focus on more: the science fiction premise or intriguing conversation pieces. However, a twist in the end really scores some points. Might I add an actual decent performance from Keanu Reeves and the always reliable Robert Downey Jr.?

Grade: B

In my personal opinion, SNL is going down the tubes. I can’t state any particular reason except that it has been plain unfunny for the past few years. Coincidentally, this all began when one Will Ferrell decided to leave the cast and pursue a film career. Like Jenga blocks, the show fell down. However, Ferrell has managed to become one of America’s #1 comedic actors, pleasing the socks off of audiences and even critics!

As a follow-up to Anchorman, director Adam McKay and Will Ferrell have taken their fratty shenanigans to the race track in the NASCAR comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. This follows the life story of a racing champion that wears his pride through acts of outrageous masculinity. With his million dollar endorsement deals, a kiss-ass best friend (John C. Reilly) and a “smokin hot wife”, Ricky is all set. This is until a major accident sets him back and a gay Frenchman (Sacha Baron Cohen) takes his place as reigning champion. Does the trash-talking redneck have what it takes to become #1 while simultaneously learning profound lessons in life?

Good comedies are hard to come by these days and I mean REALLY hard to come by. Judging by the trailers, I knew Ferrell’s re-teaming with McKay was sure to evoke a few chuckles. Delivering laughs this comedy does. While not quite the earth-shattering gut-buster that I hoped it to be, Talladega Nights is still a worthwhile shot of humor thanks to the ensemble cast. Veteran actor John C. Reilly proves he has a talented funny side, and Baron Cohen even manages to come through without too much overkill as Bobby’s crepe-loving nemesis.

The way I gauge comedies is by the laughs-per-minute. Face it, Ricky Bobby is a stupid movie, but I happened to enjoy it. While its storyline takes a more straightforward route compared to McKay’s previous Anchorman, it replaces more jokes with sentimental moments. While slightly inferior, I still give the stamp of approval to this comedy. After all, laughter is the best medicine.

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: “I piss excellence every morning…” -Ricky Bobby

If there is one lesson I wish to convey today, it is that money does not mean crap when it comes to making a quality film. Hollywood may be able to produce millions of dollars to make The Grudge in all its PG-13 glory, but it still isn’t scary. Keeping this in mind, I wish to discuss last weekend’s release The Descent. Discovered on the film festival circuit with a limited budget, this film proves that real terror concoctions come from minds and not money.

The Descent is the story of six female friends that get together for a spelunking trip in the Appalachian Mountains. The objective is to go in on one side, crawl through the many tunnels, and come out on the other side. However, after a tunnel collapses, the gang is forced to trek forward through the unknown darkness in search of an exit. Oh…did I happen to mention the mysterious cave-dwelling creatures?

This is not a concept pulled fresh from the water. We have seen the bloody tale of wit and survival on numerous occasions. However, thanks to a clever screenplay and skillful direction, Descent is much more than a “jump out and scare ya” splatter fest. It is a horror movie, an action film, and a story about female bonding. In fact, this film so cleverly eliminates the expected cliche of masculine survival and camaraderie, and gives women a chance to shine as driven protagonists willing to do what it takes to come out alive.

I had heard glowing reviews for The Descent, but I did not expect to love it this much. As an avid horror fan, this hits all the notes of dread from fear of heights, to claustrophobia, to getting eaten alive. It has been a long time since a thriller has grabbed me by the throat and taken me along for a wild ride. The Descent is a horror masterpiece and will definitely be making my cut for Best of 2006. Highly recommended!
Grade: A

When summer time rolls around, I do not generally expect candidates for my Top 10 list.  However, I at least expect thrills, and sadly this summer has not delivered.  That is until now.  Michael Mann’s remake of Miami Vice did not have me feeling too hopeful.  After seeing how Hollywood is remaking every possible film and television program that has previously existed, I assumed another dim-witted money-making ploy.  However, what I got with Vice was a solid action film with the unique direction of the gritty Michael Mann.

The film begins abruptly with no title sequence or guiding light for the audience.  We are introduced to Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Tubbs (Jamie Foxx), two of Miami’s finest undercover detectives.  They are also so stylish and cool that they make scraggly facial hair and the mullet come off as acceptable.  After some of the FBI’s top men are murdered in an undercover drug operation, Crockett and Tubbs are recruited by the FBI to track down the killers by disguising themselves as drug runners.  This results in an action-packed sexy thrill ride tactfully handled with unique direction by Mann.

I went into this film with mediocre expectations and got something more from my theater-going experience.  Mann’s remake of his 80’s television show is not 50 takes per second in the style of one Michael Bay.  Fans of Mann’s Heat and Collateral will recognize his signature grainy picture and handheld movements.  This is a flick with plenty of action and excitement, yet with well-placed stationary shots and solid bad-ass performances from its two leads.  This will likely not make my favorites list, but it certainly is what I look for in a summer movie.  Skip the lame Superman Returns and try this one on for size.

Grade: B+

The second film I saw this week is more popular on the indie circuit and is known as Wordplay.  Following up on a recent lineage of documentaries about word competitions, Wordplay looks at the crossword puzzle world.  I was hopeful for a deep look at the culture and construction of crossword puzzles.  Instead most of this film is dedicated to tracing every aching minute of the crossword puzzle tournament in Connecticut.  Sure this is interesting for a little while, but the tedious coverage of people making headway through various levels at a crossword tournament is simply not interesting to me.  Before seeing the recent documentary Murderball, I had low expectations because I expected to watch a 2-hour-long wheelchair rugby game.  Instead it was about people and so much much more.  Perhaps Wordplay should have taken the same route.  Amusing cameos from Bill Clinton and Jon Stewart however!
Grade: C+