Ben’s Review of Iron Man 2
Starting the summer big movie blockbuster season, we have Iron Man 2. This is the highly anticipated follow up to the very cool and fun Iron Man. Rejoining Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark is his personal assistance and now vice president of the company Pepper Pots, once again played by Gweneth Paltrow, SHIELD leader Nick Furry, reprised by Samuel L. Jackson, and his chauffer once again played by Jon Favreau, who also retains directorial duties. Joining the cast are Mickey Rourke as a scary Russian physicist, Ivan Vanko/Whiplash, industry rival to Tony Stark, Justin Hammer, played by Sam Rockwell, and Tony Stark’s new assistant and maybe more, Scarlett Johansen. Additionally, Tony’s friend and foil Rhody, is played now by John Cheadle, substituting for Terrence Howard who felt this type of movie is now beneath him. As you can already see, there are a lot of new faces to deal with in this installment of Iron Man.
This edition of Iron Man finds Tony Stark fully embracing his Iron Man alter ego and dealing with the notoriety and demands of this life style. Tony has also realized that that the high tech pacemaker that is keeping the metal out of his heart is slowly poisoning him. Tony’s notoriety has also gained him notice from Ivan Vanko/Whiplash, who is bent on destroying Tony Stark and avenging his father, a one time colleague of Tony’s father Howard Stark until he is deported by the elder Stark back to Russia. Additionally, a wannabe Tony Stark, Justin Hammer, enters the picture and tries to desperately to upstage Stark at every opportunity. The story picks up steam when Ivan Vanko decides to try and kill Stark during the Monaco Grand Prix but is subdued by Stark long enough for Vanko to be detained. Seeing his opportunity to get a leg up on Stark, Justin Hammer springs Vanko out of jail and makes a deal with him to produce military style suits that are just as good as Iron Man. But just like all deals with the devil, Vanko cannot be trusted and instead of building these suits, he resumes his quest to destroy Tony Stark. Meanwhile Stark, realizing his own mortality, has become self destructive. Rhody tries to stop him but to no avail. Nick Furry comes out of nowhere to counsel Stark and offer assistance in the form of his new assistance Black Widow. What will become of Stark? Can he cheat death and stop Vanko? When is the Avengers movie coming out?
Well unfortunately Iron Man 2 falls into the same trap that previous sequels such as the Matrix and Pirates of the Carribean stepped into which is it overloads the second movie in anticipation of a third. Here there is a very promising premise with Mickey Rourke’s character in which he appears to be a very calculated and scary villain. Additionally, Sam Rockwell is introduced as a conniving and weasely competitor who appears to cause problems for Tony Stark. However, these characters are never allowed to fully develop and the script does not allow for these Actors to shine. Mickey Rourke is his generation’s Marlin Brando and while this is supposed to be a big summer movie, Rourke character does not get nearly the time and attention that he should have to make him a truly scary villain. Sam Rockwell, who was brilliant in last year’s Moon, is not given much a script to work with and also fails to fully develop his villain status. Scarlett Johansen is crammed in as Stark’s mysterious assistant who ends up playing a larger role toward to end of the movie, but again, she is not given nearly enough of an opportunity to showcase her ability or talent. This movie ends up being nothing more than a prelude for next year’s Thor movie and 2012’s Avengers flick. With a cast of this much star power, which includes 6 Oscar nominees and one Oscar winner, there needed to be much more of a script to work with. There are plenty of explosions but not enough plot development to make this movie work along the same lines as other superhero sequels such as Spiderman 2 and the Dark Knight. These two sequels focused on the story line and the characters and did not focus on providing desperate attempts lure an audience back for another movie later and, strangely enough, both those movies left the audience wanting more.
I give Iron Man 2 two Hammers of Thor out of 5. Maybe Terrence Howard knew something we didn’t.
Elisa's Review
All right ladies, if you have a husband or a boyfriend who wants to see this movie, just go—the movie is not that bad. Iron Man is a “comic book” character, with his own a series. Think “Superman.” If you are unfamiliar with “Superman” comic books are those cartoon-filled books that teachers would take away from boys during class in the third grade. Your husband/boyfriend/whatever will like the movie because it is about a comic-book character. It will remind him of all aspects of the third grade: recess, dodge ball, brown-bag lunch made by their mom, and of course, the previously mentioned comic books. Mostly, as the husband/boyfriend watches the movie, he will not think about: mowing the lawn, painting the bathroom, or taking out the garbage and this will make him happy. Also, as the title of the movie declares, this is a sequel, so your husband/boyfriend has watched the first movie and probably liked it. Moreover, he has been thinking about the sequel ever since.
Reveling in his own fame, fortune and having “successfully privatized world peace” Tony Stark (Iron Man without his costume, played by gorgeous Robert Downey, Jr.) takes his narcissism for a world tour. Side-kicks Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Jon Favreau’s character join Stark for a glamorous car race in Monaco when Whiplash (Mickey Rourke) arrives to cause Iron Man angst. The United States government is badgering Stark to hand over the “Iron Man Weapon” and Stark’s artificial/Iron heart batteries are failing. Don Cheadle plays Stark’s best friend, Rhodey; A military man torn between service to his country and friendship to Stark. Rhodey finds middle ground in turning over an Iron Man suit to the military to dissect and then joins his friend Stark to take-down Whiplash.
As a stand-alone film, "Iron Man 2" just does not hold its own. The original established how Iron Man came to be and created a likeable character. "Iron Man 2" is the movie that will hold the “trilogy sandwich” together, clearly, a Iron Man Tres is in the works, just stay and watch ALL the credits to see for yourself.
If you have any desire to see Iron Man 2, then the theater experience is a must. The special effects are “really cool” and the movie is actually beautiful—the colors are sharp, bright and everything looks like wet paint.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Cop Out
Ben's Review of Cop Out
Normally, trying to get my wife to see a cop buddy flick is very difficult because there almost nothing resembling a love story or a montage of girls coming of age during the 1940s. However, my wife is something of an anomaly because she loves Kevin Smith. This is one of those things that I do not question and just go with. So when it turned out Kevin Smith was directing and editing a cop buddy flick starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan I was in and, more importantly, so was my wife. Unfortunately, most likely because I have not gone to Church in nearly 15 years, this was not one of Kevin Smith’s best efforts.
The story finds Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan as long time partners on the NYPD. Predictably a sting operation goes wrong and even though Bruce and Tracy did everything they could to save this operation, they are inevitably suspended for their loose cannon antics. Of course , even a suspension from the NYPD does not keep these two from fighting crime on their own and…… Okay, let’s stop right here!
Kevin Smith really upsets me sometimes! How long can someone’s back story carry him before he finally gets it right consistently? I love Clerks, basically because here is a guy who was a convenience store clerk who writes, produces, and directs a movie, using his friends as the cast, to make a black and white movie about convenience store clerks. It was great because the acting was bad, the lighting was bad, the editing was bad, but the story and the characters were hilarious. Unfortunately, this is where Kevin Smith became very uneven. His next effort, Mall Rats, was more overly produced than a Cher album, and the dialogue was really really really wordy. The next effort, Chasing Amy, almost made me write off poor Kevin altogether, again because it was too wordy and looking back on it now, kind of dumb. Strangely enough though, Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back were pretty good. It seemed that Kevin could stop being wordy and really obtained a sense of comedic timing. Then there was Jersey Girl and out of respect to George Carlin I will not discuss this movie here. However, again in a Pheonix out of the ashes move, Kevin Smith came out with Clerks II which was surprisingly well written, funny, and actually touching in parts. Zach and Mira Make a Porno was also not bad and entertaining.
So following the Kevin Smith pattern we have Copout which I think was suppose to be a play on the cliché of cop buddy movies. The problem with this movie is that it goes back and forth on funny and serious and in a strange turn of events this script did not have enough words or direction or editing or production. I think Kevin can do better and for his sake I hope he does soon.
As an extra, here is my top ten list, in no particular order, of the cop/racially diverse buddy movies that are better than Cop Out:
1. Forty Eight Hours
2. Beverly Hills Cop
3. The Last Boy Scout
4. Die Hard
5. Beverly Hills Cop 2
6. Die Hard with a Vengeance
7. Running Scared (the Billy Crystal Gregory Hines one not the Paul Walker Guido flick)
8. Red Heat
9. Live Free or Die Hard
10. Heat
Elisa's Review of Cop Out
I am going to come clean and admit to a lot of things for this review. Many things that most people who know me, do not know at all, including, my husband. I guess I should start with my previous obsession with Kevin Smith. It coincided with my Dave Mathews obsession. For YEARS, on a daily basis I logged onto www.viewaskewnews.com. At that time, it was the go-to for all the most current info on the View Askew Universe (Smith's production Company) and Kevin Smith news. Kevin Smith would "journal" daily from movie sets, update on projects, castings, script re-writing and events, in a pre-twitter, blogging, facebook world. There were links to fan clubs and the like. You cold buy booble-head Jesus from "Dogma" and autographed hockey sticks from "Chasing Amy." My favorite feature was a
trivia game called "27" (reference from "Clerks") that asked a series of Kevin Smith trivia questions, quotes from his movies. I had the highest score for the month of July 2001. I was obsessed. That same Summer, I went to see "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" at the movie theater on opening night, by myself. I couldn't convince my cute, well-dressed girlfriends to see this trashy movie with me, and I was single. *SIGH*
So, as all things come and go, I eventually scaled back the daily dose of Kevin Smith and continued to evolve in life. A part of my heart forever belonging to Mall Rats and Kevin Smith for making it, I continued to stay updated and the viewaskew universe. That led to the viewing of "Cop Out" with Ben.
The Trailer didn't look so bad...A Kevin Smith movie staring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan. I thought, it would have to be funny, clever, witty and make me laugh. It didn't. The movie was so bad, I didn't even get irritated at the old guys talking the entire time during the movie.
I should be more fair, it wasn't THE WORST movie I have ever watched, and I probably would watch it again on HBO, maybe. The usually parade of Kevin Smith friends were no where to be found, but for Jason Lee who was completely wrong for the role of the rich, evil step-father. Jason Lee is "Brody Man" or "Earl" but definetely not a guy that can marry Bruce Willis' ex-wife. Even in a movie.
So, all that being said, Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis and long-time partners of the NYPD who get put on "unpaid administrative leave" after a disasterous sting that lead to Tracy Morgan chasing down a drug dealer while wearing what I can only describe as a "foam" cell-phone mascot costume. Looking for a way to pay for his daughter's wedding that is happenig in three weeks, Bruce Willis' character decides to sell a very valuable baseball card. I have to argue this plot point, in reality, in New York, deposits would have been due long before day-of-wedding. Back to the story, the baseball card is stolen at the Comic Book store by Sean William Scott's character. Eventually, a gang-bangeresque drug lord obsessed with sports memorabilia gets the baseball card and Willis and Morgan must enter into a deal with the gangster to get it back. Botta-bing-botta-boom.
Where is the Kevin Smith of my youth? Where are the fantastic one-liners and set-ups? "You had sex with the dead guy in the bathroom?" Clerks. "I was going to propose, as Jaws popped out of the water." Mall Rats. FINGERCUFFS? SNOWBALLING? He opened my naive, young mind to so many possibilities. I blame the heroism of Brody played by "professional" skateboarder Jason Lee in "Mall Rats" for a poor relationship that I stayed in waaay to long.
Could it be that I have grown up and Kevin Smith has not?
His attempts at grown-up reality humor in "Jersey Girl",included one of two known on-screen relationship pairings of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. The other was "Gigli." "Clerks 2" was just odd. It didn't feel right, although we did learn about "ass to mouth" and included a Donkey Show. I liked "Dogma." The concept was original and hilarious. His good movies are like a great reunion of his characters, mixed and matched for a new role.
Really, much about Kevin Smith's work just doesn't feel right anymore, kind of like having a teacher from high school tell you that you can call them by their first name now. Weird.
So, in the tradition of lists, here is my ranking of Kevin Smith movies:
1. Mall Rats
2. Chasing Amy
3. Clerks
4. Dogma
5. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Also, I think it should be mentioned, that David Pirner (lead singer from 90's rock/grunge band Soul Asylum) has been the music producer for most of Smith's films. The Soundtracks are creative collections and every other track is dialogue.
Normally, trying to get my wife to see a cop buddy flick is very difficult because there almost nothing resembling a love story or a montage of girls coming of age during the 1940s. However, my wife is something of an anomaly because she loves Kevin Smith. This is one of those things that I do not question and just go with. So when it turned out Kevin Smith was directing and editing a cop buddy flick starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan I was in and, more importantly, so was my wife. Unfortunately, most likely because I have not gone to Church in nearly 15 years, this was not one of Kevin Smith’s best efforts.
The story finds Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan as long time partners on the NYPD. Predictably a sting operation goes wrong and even though Bruce and Tracy did everything they could to save this operation, they are inevitably suspended for their loose cannon antics. Of course , even a suspension from the NYPD does not keep these two from fighting crime on their own and…… Okay, let’s stop right here!
Kevin Smith really upsets me sometimes! How long can someone’s back story carry him before he finally gets it right consistently? I love Clerks, basically because here is a guy who was a convenience store clerk who writes, produces, and directs a movie, using his friends as the cast, to make a black and white movie about convenience store clerks. It was great because the acting was bad, the lighting was bad, the editing was bad, but the story and the characters were hilarious. Unfortunately, this is where Kevin Smith became very uneven. His next effort, Mall Rats, was more overly produced than a Cher album, and the dialogue was really really really wordy. The next effort, Chasing Amy, almost made me write off poor Kevin altogether, again because it was too wordy and looking back on it now, kind of dumb. Strangely enough though, Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back were pretty good. It seemed that Kevin could stop being wordy and really obtained a sense of comedic timing. Then there was Jersey Girl and out of respect to George Carlin I will not discuss this movie here. However, again in a Pheonix out of the ashes move, Kevin Smith came out with Clerks II which was surprisingly well written, funny, and actually touching in parts. Zach and Mira Make a Porno was also not bad and entertaining.
So following the Kevin Smith pattern we have Copout which I think was suppose to be a play on the cliché of cop buddy movies. The problem with this movie is that it goes back and forth on funny and serious and in a strange turn of events this script did not have enough words or direction or editing or production. I think Kevin can do better and for his sake I hope he does soon.
As an extra, here is my top ten list, in no particular order, of the cop/racially diverse buddy movies that are better than Cop Out:
1. Forty Eight Hours
2. Beverly Hills Cop
3. The Last Boy Scout
4. Die Hard
5. Beverly Hills Cop 2
6. Die Hard with a Vengeance
7. Running Scared (the Billy Crystal Gregory Hines one not the Paul Walker Guido flick)
8. Red Heat
9. Live Free or Die Hard
10. Heat
Elisa's Review of Cop Out
I am going to come clean and admit to a lot of things for this review. Many things that most people who know me, do not know at all, including, my husband. I guess I should start with my previous obsession with Kevin Smith. It coincided with my Dave Mathews obsession. For YEARS, on a daily basis I logged onto www.viewaskewnews.com. At that time, it was the go-to for all the most current info on the View Askew Universe (Smith's production Company) and Kevin Smith news. Kevin Smith would "journal" daily from movie sets, update on projects, castings, script re-writing and events, in a pre-twitter, blogging, facebook world. There were links to fan clubs and the like. You cold buy booble-head Jesus from "Dogma" and autographed hockey sticks from "Chasing Amy." My favorite feature was a
trivia game called "27" (reference from "Clerks") that asked a series of Kevin Smith trivia questions, quotes from his movies. I had the highest score for the month of July 2001. I was obsessed. That same Summer, I went to see "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" at the movie theater on opening night, by myself. I couldn't convince my cute, well-dressed girlfriends to see this trashy movie with me, and I was single. *SIGH*
So, as all things come and go, I eventually scaled back the daily dose of Kevin Smith and continued to evolve in life. A part of my heart forever belonging to Mall Rats and Kevin Smith for making it, I continued to stay updated and the viewaskew universe. That led to the viewing of "Cop Out" with Ben.
The Trailer didn't look so bad...A Kevin Smith movie staring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan. I thought, it would have to be funny, clever, witty and make me laugh. It didn't. The movie was so bad, I didn't even get irritated at the old guys talking the entire time during the movie.
I should be more fair, it wasn't THE WORST movie I have ever watched, and I probably would watch it again on HBO, maybe. The usually parade of Kevin Smith friends were no where to be found, but for Jason Lee who was completely wrong for the role of the rich, evil step-father. Jason Lee is "Brody Man" or "Earl" but definetely not a guy that can marry Bruce Willis' ex-wife. Even in a movie.
So, all that being said, Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis and long-time partners of the NYPD who get put on "unpaid administrative leave" after a disasterous sting that lead to Tracy Morgan chasing down a drug dealer while wearing what I can only describe as a "foam" cell-phone mascot costume. Looking for a way to pay for his daughter's wedding that is happenig in three weeks, Bruce Willis' character decides to sell a very valuable baseball card. I have to argue this plot point, in reality, in New York, deposits would have been due long before day-of-wedding. Back to the story, the baseball card is stolen at the Comic Book store by Sean William Scott's character. Eventually, a gang-bangeresque drug lord obsessed with sports memorabilia gets the baseball card and Willis and Morgan must enter into a deal with the gangster to get it back. Botta-bing-botta-boom.
Where is the Kevin Smith of my youth? Where are the fantastic one-liners and set-ups? "You had sex with the dead guy in the bathroom?" Clerks. "I was going to propose, as Jaws popped out of the water." Mall Rats. FINGERCUFFS? SNOWBALLING? He opened my naive, young mind to so many possibilities. I blame the heroism of Brody played by "professional" skateboarder Jason Lee in "Mall Rats" for a poor relationship that I stayed in waaay to long.
Could it be that I have grown up and Kevin Smith has not?
His attempts at grown-up reality humor in "Jersey Girl",included one of two known on-screen relationship pairings of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. The other was "Gigli." "Clerks 2" was just odd. It didn't feel right, although we did learn about "ass to mouth" and included a Donkey Show. I liked "Dogma." The concept was original and hilarious. His good movies are like a great reunion of his characters, mixed and matched for a new role.
Really, much about Kevin Smith's work just doesn't feel right anymore, kind of like having a teacher from high school tell you that you can call them by their first name now. Weird.
So, in the tradition of lists, here is my ranking of Kevin Smith movies:
1. Mall Rats
2. Chasing Amy
3. Clerks
4. Dogma
5. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Also, I think it should be mentioned, that David Pirner (lead singer from 90's rock/grunge band Soul Asylum) has been the music producer for most of Smith's films. The Soundtracks are creative collections and every other track is dialogue.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Up In The Air
Elisa's Review of "Up in the Air."
I don't think this was a "his" or a "hers" movie-I think Ben and I both were interested in watching "Up in the Air" as the reviews were very generous, the hype was good, and of course-George Clooney is the star.
George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a veteran employee at a corporation that specializes in terminating employees. Clooney's character has spent years traveling to small business where one person is let go, to large corporations where 20-50 people are fired. The role keeps Clooney's character busy, and constantly "Up in the Air" as he flies from one city to another. He does not own a home, is estranged from his family, and is only in a committed relationship with airline and hospitality industry loyalty perks.
And, he gets all the perks--the really good ones: Airline Club Rooms, Vip check-in at airports and hotels, complimentary rental car upgrades, everything you desire when traveling. While waiting in a hotel club room, he meets Alex. The female version of himself, their turn-ons include a one-up-game of who has the better membership cards. They quickly meet at a nearby airport hotel, fool around, and then look up available run-in dates while underwear-clad and staring into their laptops.
Back at the main office, recent college graduate, Natalie (played by Anna Kendrick) has streamlined the "firing squad." Employee termination can now be done over the internet (thanks Skype), thus grounding Clooney and his frequent-flyer aspirations.
Faced with the idea of "being grounded" Clooney begins to pounder his nomad lifestyle and relationships. The role of Clooney as a gun-for-fire and the resulting emotions displayed by those employees are fitting for the current economic times. Unemployment stretches between 9.9-19 percent accross the United States, clearly the movie hits with these uncertain times. A big plot reveal almost seems predictable while it is unfolding--but I secretly hoped it would not come true. Just as Clooney has delivered life-changing news to people throughout his career, he faces the realization that life can be unfair to him as well.
"Up in the Air" is a well written story and well-made movie. This is not an "alls well that ends well" film, but a depiction of the true realities of life. I recommend the movie--if you don't see it in a theater, most definetely check it out on DVD. It may be husband proof and definetely, is a conversation piece after viewing.
Ben’s Review of Up in the Air
Hollywood is very big on make up calls, especially in situations where it completely ignores very good films in order to make up for another very good film it missed the previous year. Up in the Air is a very good case in point. Director Jason Reitman (son of director Ivan Reitman and, basedon my Superhero Ex Girlfriend, infinitely more talented) came on to the scene a few years ago with the very clever and well performed Thank You for Smoking. Reitman followed this up with Juno, which was not quite as good as Smoking but still very well done, thanks in large part to a stellar performance by Ellen Paige. So now with Hollywood kicking itself for not paying more attention to Thank You for Smoking and Juno, it is ready to give every major award to Reitman’s latest feature Up in the Air. And with this appearing to be a very off year for critically acclaimed movies, Up in the Air may very well sweep most of the Hollwood’s major awards.
So here is the question, does this movie live up to the hype? Well…… sort of. Just like movies such as Office Space and Wag the Dog, this movie is firmly rooted in current events and will probably come off as dated if you watch it in ten years, provided we survive 2012 or robots have not taken over. George Clooney plays a corporate grim reaper who is hired to lay off employees at other corporations. If you have seen the trailers for this movie you know that George is happy with the fact that his job requires him to travel almost constantly and not really develop any long lasting relationships with anyone, including his family. Along the way, George meets a woman who appears to have the same interests: acquiring wealth; corporate and airline perks, and no definite commitments. George and her have several hook ups based on availability in eachothers schedules. George appears to be happy with his situation until he is forced to take a new protégé with him on the road in an effort to show her that in person firing is much better than being canned online. Predictably, George begins to realize, based on his sisters upcoming wedding and his protégé’s own realizations, that there might be more to life that constantly traveling and firing people.
So where does this realization take him and is the trip worth it, again well…… sort of. I was not looking for a huge payoff in this movie, but it does give you the sense that it is going somewhere and then….. sort of…. .kinda….. almost….. does. George Clooney is quickly becoming his generation’s Jimmy Stewart. Not really a character actor(with the exception of 2000’s Oh Brother Whereartthou), but he does a very good job at playing himself and really what more do you want? The story is a bit labored and in love with itself. This movie is not bad but it certainly is not extraordinary. If you can, I would wait for this to come out on DVD.
Side note, it is time for Hollywood award shows to cowboy up and start looking at movies that fall outside of the box. Because of the lack of critically acclaimed dramas, this may be the year that something like Up from Pixar gets the nod, and rightfully so. Pixar’s movies are not only cool to watch but, with the exception of Finding Nemo, are very well written and Up definitely deserves recognition beyond best animated feature. Also, for overall movie quality and originality, Inglorius Basterds and maybe even District 9 should be given some consideration. Just sayin.
I don't think this was a "his" or a "hers" movie-I think Ben and I both were interested in watching "Up in the Air" as the reviews were very generous, the hype was good, and of course-George Clooney is the star.
George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a veteran employee at a corporation that specializes in terminating employees. Clooney's character has spent years traveling to small business where one person is let go, to large corporations where 20-50 people are fired. The role keeps Clooney's character busy, and constantly "Up in the Air" as he flies from one city to another. He does not own a home, is estranged from his family, and is only in a committed relationship with airline and hospitality industry loyalty perks.
And, he gets all the perks--the really good ones: Airline Club Rooms, Vip check-in at airports and hotels, complimentary rental car upgrades, everything you desire when traveling. While waiting in a hotel club room, he meets Alex. The female version of himself, their turn-ons include a one-up-game of who has the better membership cards. They quickly meet at a nearby airport hotel, fool around, and then look up available run-in dates while underwear-clad and staring into their laptops.
Back at the main office, recent college graduate, Natalie (played by Anna Kendrick) has streamlined the "firing squad." Employee termination can now be done over the internet (thanks Skype), thus grounding Clooney and his frequent-flyer aspirations.
Faced with the idea of "being grounded" Clooney begins to pounder his nomad lifestyle and relationships. The role of Clooney as a gun-for-fire and the resulting emotions displayed by those employees are fitting for the current economic times. Unemployment stretches between 9.9-19 percent accross the United States, clearly the movie hits with these uncertain times. A big plot reveal almost seems predictable while it is unfolding--but I secretly hoped it would not come true. Just as Clooney has delivered life-changing news to people throughout his career, he faces the realization that life can be unfair to him as well.
"Up in the Air" is a well written story and well-made movie. This is not an "alls well that ends well" film, but a depiction of the true realities of life. I recommend the movie--if you don't see it in a theater, most definetely check it out on DVD. It may be husband proof and definetely, is a conversation piece after viewing.
Ben’s Review of Up in the Air
Hollywood is very big on make up calls, especially in situations where it completely ignores very good films in order to make up for another very good film it missed the previous year. Up in the Air is a very good case in point. Director Jason Reitman (son of director Ivan Reitman and, basedon my Superhero Ex Girlfriend, infinitely more talented) came on to the scene a few years ago with the very clever and well performed Thank You for Smoking. Reitman followed this up with Juno, which was not quite as good as Smoking but still very well done, thanks in large part to a stellar performance by Ellen Paige. So now with Hollywood kicking itself for not paying more attention to Thank You for Smoking and Juno, it is ready to give every major award to Reitman’s latest feature Up in the Air. And with this appearing to be a very off year for critically acclaimed movies, Up in the Air may very well sweep most of the Hollwood’s major awards.
So here is the question, does this movie live up to the hype? Well…… sort of. Just like movies such as Office Space and Wag the Dog, this movie is firmly rooted in current events and will probably come off as dated if you watch it in ten years, provided we survive 2012 or robots have not taken over. George Clooney plays a corporate grim reaper who is hired to lay off employees at other corporations. If you have seen the trailers for this movie you know that George is happy with the fact that his job requires him to travel almost constantly and not really develop any long lasting relationships with anyone, including his family. Along the way, George meets a woman who appears to have the same interests: acquiring wealth; corporate and airline perks, and no definite commitments. George and her have several hook ups based on availability in eachothers schedules. George appears to be happy with his situation until he is forced to take a new protégé with him on the road in an effort to show her that in person firing is much better than being canned online. Predictably, George begins to realize, based on his sisters upcoming wedding and his protégé’s own realizations, that there might be more to life that constantly traveling and firing people.
So where does this realization take him and is the trip worth it, again well…… sort of. I was not looking for a huge payoff in this movie, but it does give you the sense that it is going somewhere and then….. sort of…. .kinda….. almost….. does. George Clooney is quickly becoming his generation’s Jimmy Stewart. Not really a character actor(with the exception of 2000’s Oh Brother Whereartthou), but he does a very good job at playing himself and really what more do you want? The story is a bit labored and in love with itself. This movie is not bad but it certainly is not extraordinary. If you can, I would wait for this to come out on DVD.
Side note, it is time for Hollywood award shows to cowboy up and start looking at movies that fall outside of the box. Because of the lack of critically acclaimed dramas, this may be the year that something like Up from Pixar gets the nod, and rightfully so. Pixar’s movies are not only cool to watch but, with the exception of Finding Nemo, are very well written and Up definitely deserves recognition beyond best animated feature. Also, for overall movie quality and originality, Inglorius Basterds and maybe even District 9 should be given some consideration. Just sayin.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
"Avatar" in 3D
Ben’s review of Avatar
After twelve years, James Cameron provides his newest feature length motion picture with Avatar. The first reservation that occurs with a movie such as Avatar is the amount of hype involved. There was a barrage of interviews, internet vignettes, product endorsements, and even a 60 Minutes piece all dedicated to celebrating Jim Cameron and his directing ability. Additionally, there has been quite a bit made about the new CGI and 3D technology being used and of course the usual statements such as “this is like nothing you have ever seen” made by the cast and crew of the movie. This kind of media blitz and self-aggrandizement usually leads to a let-down, ranging from medium (Wolverine) to colossal (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull). So this is why I was beyond thrilled when Avatar not only lived up to the hype but went above and beyond.
Avatar falls into the same category as several 70mm movies such as Lawrence of Arabia or 2001: A Space Odyssey, in that it is a visual spectacle. This is truly a movie that needs to be seen in a theatre and it needs to be seen in 3D. The viewer honestly forgets that they are watching CGI created landscapes and individuals. The aliens in this movie actually look, talk, and act like living, breathing, thinking, talking creatures. And the 3D is cool. There are not labored attempts overwhelm the viewer with objects flying toward them or John Candy trying to serve you pancakes (search youtube for Dr. Tongues 3D House of Slave Chicks). The landscape and aerial fight scenes are perfectly suited for 3D and make the extra $3 a ticket worth it.
But visual spectacle aside, is there a story to accompany all of the eye candy? Yes, and while the plot is tad bit predictable, this story of a realization of the greater good is served up in a new and interesting package. Sam Worthington, who stole the spotlight from Christian Bale earlier this year in Terminator: Salvation, plays Jake Sully, a paraplegic marine who is chosen for the Avatar program because of his DNA match to his recently deceased brother. The Avatar program clones alien DNA matches that with a human counter-part. The human then operates this clone through neuro-transmission process. Before you check out because of the sci-fi babble, there is coherent plot in the middle of all of this. Jake steps in for his brother because the military and the company funding the program, promised to fund an operation that can return Jake the use of his legs. The company is mining a unique ore that can be used in super conductors, however this ore can only be found on a planet inhabited by the aliens. The company and the marines need Jake to use his clone to convince the aliens to move out of their native area so this ore can be mined. Jake is able to befriend the aliens and soon realizes the flawed logic in moving these aliens out of their native habitat so a corporation can mine an ore. Yes you can make the Native American-rainforest analogy, however the story is fascinating and well presented. Moved along by the narration of its main character, Avatar runs almost 3 hours but you hardly notice because the pace of this movie is constant.
See this movie in an theatre and see it in 3D. You will be glad that you did.
Elisa's Review
My husband started talking about this movie weeks before I suffered through this cinematic nightmare. I felt tricked. How did I get talked into seeing another Sci-Fi movie? Especially, a Sci-Fi movie directed by "Titantic" James Cameron?
Many have people asked, if I liked the movie. And, I have an answer NO! The movie is a 3D combination of "Star Wars" meets "The Smurfs."
"Avatar" takes places on a fictional planet many light years into the future (Star Wars). The fictional planet, Pandora (NO creativity points for the name) is inhabited by natives, known as the Na'vi. Sidenote-during an HBO preview/behind the scenes special on "Avatar" it is revealed the Na'vi language spoken by the natives was "developed" by Cameron and some language specialist. Is this really necessary for a Sci-Fi film? Couldn't they just say they spoke a different language and magically understand what was being said through the magic of science-fiction?
The human race, pigs that were are, are mining a special ore found on Pandora. Due to some fancy science, and the evolution of cloning beyond Dolly the sheep, humans can transform into the Na'vi and are expected to assimilate into their culture--all for the ultimate goal of "conquer and destroy." Now,the really strange Sci-Fi part of this is, the humans stay in a device that looks like a cat-scan machine while their brains assimilate with a man-made Na'Vi body.
Did I mention the Na'vi are blue? (Smurfs) They live in the forests of Pandora (Smurfs), and have a great respect for nature (Smurfs.) It is discovered by the lead scientist played by Sigorney Weaver (what would a Sci-Fi movie be without her?) the Na'vi are somehow connected to the trees in the forest (again, Smurfs. Remember, The Great Oak?), and draw their strength and knowledge from the spirits living in the tree.
When it is revealed the humans want to destroy the planet for their own use and exploitation, the Na'vi try to fight back but are ultimately chased from their forest homes. At it's best, "Avatar" is a story of good vs. evil, cowboys vs. Indians, and Gargamel vs. Papa Smurf.
If you have to suffer through it because you watched too much HGTV or watched "The Devil Wears Prada" on DVD one too many times, at least pay to see it in 3D. The effects are somewhat interesting and make the experience a little novel.
After twelve years, James Cameron provides his newest feature length motion picture with Avatar. The first reservation that occurs with a movie such as Avatar is the amount of hype involved. There was a barrage of interviews, internet vignettes, product endorsements, and even a 60 Minutes piece all dedicated to celebrating Jim Cameron and his directing ability. Additionally, there has been quite a bit made about the new CGI and 3D technology being used and of course the usual statements such as “this is like nothing you have ever seen” made by the cast and crew of the movie. This kind of media blitz and self-aggrandizement usually leads to a let-down, ranging from medium (Wolverine) to colossal (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull). So this is why I was beyond thrilled when Avatar not only lived up to the hype but went above and beyond.
Avatar falls into the same category as several 70mm movies such as Lawrence of Arabia or 2001: A Space Odyssey, in that it is a visual spectacle. This is truly a movie that needs to be seen in a theatre and it needs to be seen in 3D. The viewer honestly forgets that they are watching CGI created landscapes and individuals. The aliens in this movie actually look, talk, and act like living, breathing, thinking, talking creatures. And the 3D is cool. There are not labored attempts overwhelm the viewer with objects flying toward them or John Candy trying to serve you pancakes (search youtube for Dr. Tongues 3D House of Slave Chicks). The landscape and aerial fight scenes are perfectly suited for 3D and make the extra $3 a ticket worth it.
But visual spectacle aside, is there a story to accompany all of the eye candy? Yes, and while the plot is tad bit predictable, this story of a realization of the greater good is served up in a new and interesting package. Sam Worthington, who stole the spotlight from Christian Bale earlier this year in Terminator: Salvation, plays Jake Sully, a paraplegic marine who is chosen for the Avatar program because of his DNA match to his recently deceased brother. The Avatar program clones alien DNA matches that with a human counter-part. The human then operates this clone through neuro-transmission process. Before you check out because of the sci-fi babble, there is coherent plot in the middle of all of this. Jake steps in for his brother because the military and the company funding the program, promised to fund an operation that can return Jake the use of his legs. The company is mining a unique ore that can be used in super conductors, however this ore can only be found on a planet inhabited by the aliens. The company and the marines need Jake to use his clone to convince the aliens to move out of their native area so this ore can be mined. Jake is able to befriend the aliens and soon realizes the flawed logic in moving these aliens out of their native habitat so a corporation can mine an ore. Yes you can make the Native American-rainforest analogy, however the story is fascinating and well presented. Moved along by the narration of its main character, Avatar runs almost 3 hours but you hardly notice because the pace of this movie is constant.
See this movie in an theatre and see it in 3D. You will be glad that you did.
Elisa's Review
My husband started talking about this movie weeks before I suffered through this cinematic nightmare. I felt tricked. How did I get talked into seeing another Sci-Fi movie? Especially, a Sci-Fi movie directed by "Titantic" James Cameron?
Many have people asked, if I liked the movie. And, I have an answer NO! The movie is a 3D combination of "Star Wars" meets "The Smurfs."
"Avatar" takes places on a fictional planet many light years into the future (Star Wars). The fictional planet, Pandora (NO creativity points for the name) is inhabited by natives, known as the Na'vi. Sidenote-during an HBO preview/behind the scenes special on "Avatar" it is revealed the Na'vi language spoken by the natives was "developed" by Cameron and some language specialist. Is this really necessary for a Sci-Fi film? Couldn't they just say they spoke a different language and magically understand what was being said through the magic of science-fiction?
The human race, pigs that were are, are mining a special ore found on Pandora. Due to some fancy science, and the evolution of cloning beyond Dolly the sheep, humans can transform into the Na'vi and are expected to assimilate into their culture--all for the ultimate goal of "conquer and destroy." Now,the really strange Sci-Fi part of this is, the humans stay in a device that looks like a cat-scan machine while their brains assimilate with a man-made Na'Vi body.
Did I mention the Na'vi are blue? (Smurfs) They live in the forests of Pandora (Smurfs), and have a great respect for nature (Smurfs.) It is discovered by the lead scientist played by Sigorney Weaver (what would a Sci-Fi movie be without her?) the Na'vi are somehow connected to the trees in the forest (again, Smurfs. Remember, The Great Oak?), and draw their strength and knowledge from the spirits living in the tree.
When it is revealed the humans want to destroy the planet for their own use and exploitation, the Na'vi try to fight back but are ultimately chased from their forest homes. At it's best, "Avatar" is a story of good vs. evil, cowboys vs. Indians, and Gargamel vs. Papa Smurf.
If you have to suffer through it because you watched too much HGTV or watched "The Devil Wears Prada" on DVD one too many times, at least pay to see it in 3D. The effects are somewhat interesting and make the experience a little novel.
"It's Complicated"
FINALLY---
After "Avatar," a new "Star Trek" and some miserable piece of cinema that involved Australia and alien-abduction, my husband went with me to a movie I wanted to see. And, after watching "It's Complicated" I may be forced to endure another weekend of NFL playoff games.
At first look, the movie almost seemed husband-proof: Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin are in it. The delivery of a new phone book has not been the same since "The Jerk." Plus, the funny guy with the long last name from "The Office" is in the movie. I thought I was safe. Meryl Streep plays the divorced and "happy about it" woman that has moved on since Alec Baldwin's character left her for a tall, thin, mid-driff baring creature to whom he married.
The divorced duo meet up with the rest of the family in New York City for their son's college graduation. Left alone while while the children plan and attend a kegger at the college brother's place, Meryl Streep decides to go it alone in the hotel restaurant. Baldwin's character is also traveling alone as the young wife's son Pedro came down with the stomach flu.
A quick scene in the hotel bar of drinks, food, drinks and drinks, leads to a bare-chested Baldwin in bed with a distraught and hung-over Streep. The affair is on! It should be noted, Alec Baldwin is looking good in this movie. Maybe even sexy. There must be up to seven scenes with him in his underwear. Expect a "Hanes" endorsement in his future.
Steve Martin appears as a recently-divorced architect hired to remodel Streep's gorgeous home. Baldwin declares he is in love with Streep. Love triangle chaos ensues.
The movie was cute, and definitely was a nice break from the Sci-Fi, bizarre cartoon, and violent film arenas. However, I was embarrassed for my husband as the middle-aged women filling the theater almost wet their pants from laughing each time a set-up occurred. There were some painful scenes involving Streep's girlfriends, to include Rita Wilson as a close friend, where cackling en masse occurred for really no reason.
Seriously, as cute as the film was, the best parts were in the trailer, and were rather predictable. It would help me out a lot, if someone could make an unpredictable chic flick.
Will I get to pick this next film? Most likely, not.
Ben‘s Review of It’s Complicated
It is always difficult finding a movie that both men and women can agree on seeing in a theatre. Unfortunately, It’s Complicated further expands this rift. Guys beware, if you have forced your wife and/or girlfriend to watch NASCAR, NFL Playoffs, of Avatar recently you may owe her an It’s Complicated. This movie is one of the worse kind of Chick-Flicks because it does not contain the usual giveaways such as casts consisting of Julie Roberts and Mathew McConaughey, trailers containing current pop cultural references, elderly people saying perverted things, or know it all children. To the untrained moviegoer, you may be fooled into seeing this movie thinking you are safe based on the cast. After all, Alec Baldwin was in Hunt for Red October, Steve Martin was in the Jerk, and Meryl Streep was in Sofie’s Choice. They are all capable of doing good work. However, from the beginning of It’s Complicated you know you have been had.
Meryl Streep falls into the usual clichéd character of the middle age woman who is sad about her fading looks and lack of social life. Alec Baldwin stars as her playboy ex-husband who years before divorced Meryl and married a younger sexier woman. The story takes shape when Alec Baldwin, in an apparent momentary loss of eye sight, ends up sleeping with Streep at one of their kid’s graduations. Steve Martin, most likely trying to avoid foreclose on his Hollywood home, is cast as the recovering from a divorce good guy. This is another chick-flick cliché which is done so the women in the theatre do not go out after the movie and randomly stab middle age men in the parking lot. Streep is inevitably caught in the middle of the Baldwin-Martin love triangle where she blows off work, smokes pot, and feels young again in a very baby boomer self involved manner. Insert a sarcastic know-it-all child and John Kransinki, who is rapidly becoming a chick-flick mainstay, and hilarity has to ensue!!!!
This movie is by no means the worse chick-flick ever made. It does have a few poignant moments including the Streep conversation with her kids regarding divorce. However, make no mistake, this flick is estrogen fueled. On my chick-flick scale, with one being Princess Bride and ten being Steel Magnolias, It’s Complicated rates a solid 5.5, better than Runaway Bride but not as good As You Can Count on Me.
As a side note, the only worse thing then having to watch a chick-flick is the audience you have to watch it with. This usually consists, of pissed off husbands and boyfriends, people owning all of the books Oprah has recommended, women who will laugh at everything, and people who have never seen a movie before.
After "Avatar," a new "Star Trek" and some miserable piece of cinema that involved Australia and alien-abduction, my husband went with me to a movie I wanted to see. And, after watching "It's Complicated" I may be forced to endure another weekend of NFL playoff games.
At first look, the movie almost seemed husband-proof: Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin are in it. The delivery of a new phone book has not been the same since "The Jerk." Plus, the funny guy with the long last name from "The Office" is in the movie. I thought I was safe. Meryl Streep plays the divorced and "happy about it" woman that has moved on since Alec Baldwin's character left her for a tall, thin, mid-driff baring creature to whom he married.
The divorced duo meet up with the rest of the family in New York City for their son's college graduation. Left alone while while the children plan and attend a kegger at the college brother's place, Meryl Streep decides to go it alone in the hotel restaurant. Baldwin's character is also traveling alone as the young wife's son Pedro came down with the stomach flu.
A quick scene in the hotel bar of drinks, food, drinks and drinks, leads to a bare-chested Baldwin in bed with a distraught and hung-over Streep. The affair is on! It should be noted, Alec Baldwin is looking good in this movie. Maybe even sexy. There must be up to seven scenes with him in his underwear. Expect a "Hanes" endorsement in his future.
Steve Martin appears as a recently-divorced architect hired to remodel Streep's gorgeous home. Baldwin declares he is in love with Streep. Love triangle chaos ensues.
The movie was cute, and definitely was a nice break from the Sci-Fi, bizarre cartoon, and violent film arenas. However, I was embarrassed for my husband as the middle-aged women filling the theater almost wet their pants from laughing each time a set-up occurred. There were some painful scenes involving Streep's girlfriends, to include Rita Wilson as a close friend, where cackling en masse occurred for really no reason.
Seriously, as cute as the film was, the best parts were in the trailer, and were rather predictable. It would help me out a lot, if someone could make an unpredictable chic flick.
Will I get to pick this next film? Most likely, not.
Ben‘s Review of It’s Complicated
It is always difficult finding a movie that both men and women can agree on seeing in a theatre. Unfortunately, It’s Complicated further expands this rift. Guys beware, if you have forced your wife and/or girlfriend to watch NASCAR, NFL Playoffs, of Avatar recently you may owe her an It’s Complicated. This movie is one of the worse kind of Chick-Flicks because it does not contain the usual giveaways such as casts consisting of Julie Roberts and Mathew McConaughey, trailers containing current pop cultural references, elderly people saying perverted things, or know it all children. To the untrained moviegoer, you may be fooled into seeing this movie thinking you are safe based on the cast. After all, Alec Baldwin was in Hunt for Red October, Steve Martin was in the Jerk, and Meryl Streep was in Sofie’s Choice. They are all capable of doing good work. However, from the beginning of It’s Complicated you know you have been had.
Meryl Streep falls into the usual clichéd character of the middle age woman who is sad about her fading looks and lack of social life. Alec Baldwin stars as her playboy ex-husband who years before divorced Meryl and married a younger sexier woman. The story takes shape when Alec Baldwin, in an apparent momentary loss of eye sight, ends up sleeping with Streep at one of their kid’s graduations. Steve Martin, most likely trying to avoid foreclose on his Hollywood home, is cast as the recovering from a divorce good guy. This is another chick-flick cliché which is done so the women in the theatre do not go out after the movie and randomly stab middle age men in the parking lot. Streep is inevitably caught in the middle of the Baldwin-Martin love triangle where she blows off work, smokes pot, and feels young again in a very baby boomer self involved manner. Insert a sarcastic know-it-all child and John Kransinki, who is rapidly becoming a chick-flick mainstay, and hilarity has to ensue!!!!
This movie is by no means the worse chick-flick ever made. It does have a few poignant moments including the Streep conversation with her kids regarding divorce. However, make no mistake, this flick is estrogen fueled. On my chick-flick scale, with one being Princess Bride and ten being Steel Magnolias, It’s Complicated rates a solid 5.5, better than Runaway Bride but not as good As You Can Count on Me.
As a side note, the only worse thing then having to watch a chick-flick is the audience you have to watch it with. This usually consists, of pissed off husbands and boyfriends, people owning all of the books Oprah has recommended, women who will laugh at everything, and people who have never seen a movie before.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)