Pretty random, pretty bizarre, and pretty good.
That's assuming you enjoy Jack Black fairly unleashed. And assuming that you also enjoy a fairly well-done film...in a low-key sort of way. And further assuming that a modest, semi-adequate and not-really-believable plot is all right on occasion.
Though there's other stuff going on, the real laugh-out-loud moments (and there are a few) center around Mos and Jack and the girl "re-making" classic movies in a very, very low-budget manner (Jack erased the originals because he was magnatized for a while. Obviously.). They do some good work, and make several high quality Sweded flicks. Their town loves it.
On a scale of VHS (1) to DVD (6), this one's a 4.1.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Dark Knight
This film doesn't struggle with taking itself too lightly. It's dark and brooding and disturbing. The Joker is evil - selfish, anarchic, and horrible. That his destruction is seemingly flippant and light-hearted encourages one to miss the depth of his depravity.
Batman et al stare down some interesting moral questions in the process of battling the Joker, and the whole story is pretty engrossing. It's certainly intense. And the film is complete: casting, cinematography, lighting, special effects, everything is very well done. So it's tough not to like the whole...but that shouldn't happen without recognizing (and struggling with) the darker bits.
On the scale of Arnold as the Villain (1) to Heath as the Villain (6), this was a 4.6.
Batman et al stare down some interesting moral questions in the process of battling the Joker, and the whole story is pretty engrossing. It's certainly intense. And the film is complete: casting, cinematography, lighting, special effects, everything is very well done. So it's tough not to like the whole...but that shouldn't happen without recognizing (and struggling with) the darker bits.
On the scale of Arnold as the Villain (1) to Heath as the Villain (6), this was a 4.6.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Atonement
Wow. Patient, graceful, beautiful, abbrasive, and shocking. And each of those at multiple points thoughout.
We watch a long-time secret romance (secret even from the participants) finally come to realization, but we see it tragically misconstrued through the eyes of the woman's younger sister. Then WWII comes, and the consequences of this misconstrual are even more significant.
It's so well done, so beautiful and artfully paced, so well staged and set to music that the sharp pain of it is worth it.
Because of a few scenes of sexuality and violence, this one's for mature individuals only.
On a scale of Paris, IN, (1) to Paris, France, (6) (because it's set in Europe...), this one's a 5.3.
We watch a long-time secret romance (secret even from the participants) finally come to realization, but we see it tragically misconstrued through the eyes of the woman's younger sister. Then WWII comes, and the consequences of this misconstrual are even more significant.
It's so well done, so beautiful and artfully paced, so well staged and set to music that the sharp pain of it is worth it.
Because of a few scenes of sexuality and violence, this one's for mature individuals only.
On a scale of Paris, IN, (1) to Paris, France, (6) (because it's set in Europe...), this one's a 5.3.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Transformers
Set expectations to action/adventure/comic book-type movie created specifically for adolescent boys (or those who recently were), and this film can be appreciated and enjoyed for what it is. Plus, there's the cultural study of the hyper-sexualized high school girl.
Anyway, the plot's improbable (is that strong enough?), the robot fight scenes are hard to follow, and the overall result (spoiler alert!) isn't terribly surprising (including the strong potential for (a) sequel(s)), but it's still pretty fun. Moderately not bad acting and strong special effects overcome.
On a scale of Optimus Prime: The Toy (1) to Optimus Prime: The Movie Character (6), this one's a 3.9.
Anyway, the plot's improbable (is that strong enough?), the robot fight scenes are hard to follow, and the overall result (spoiler alert!) isn't terribly surprising (including the strong potential for (a) sequel(s)), but it's still pretty fun. Moderately not bad acting and strong special effects overcome.
On a scale of Optimus Prime: The Toy (1) to Optimus Prime: The Movie Character (6), this one's a 3.9.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Charlie Wilson's War
This is a very interesting, enjoyable movie (though not without some nudity and language, both of which are quite effective in painting the character of the movie's characters). Charlie is a morally reprehensible, selfish do-nothing US Congressman remarkably moved to assist the Afghans in resisting the Soviets. It was the frontline of the Cold War, and rather counter-factual scenarios are rather troubling. Yet, success was achieved...though we all too soon forgot about the fighters and moved on (quite likely to the detriment of our national security, long-term). Along with this interesting story, the acting was very strong.
On a scale of the Mountains of Afghanistan (1) to the Mountains of Colorado (6), this one's a 4.8.
On a scale of the Mountains of Afghanistan (1) to the Mountains of Colorado (6), this one's a 4.8.
Friday, July 18, 2008
50 First Dates
This is the standard, familar Sandler flick. There's plenty of crudeness (and maybe even more than normal), a few completely bizarre, odd-ball characters, and typical Sandler moments. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and there are definitely a few good laughs.
The plot centers around Sandler's shift from a self-centered one-night-stander to a one-woman man. Progress indeed. And notable is that this one woman begins each day with no short-term memory. So he must win her each and every day. Not a bad idea.
On a scale of Cocoa Beach, FL, (1) to Hawaii (the film's setting), it's a 3.35.
The plot centers around Sandler's shift from a self-centered one-night-stander to a one-woman man. Progress indeed. And notable is that this one woman begins each day with no short-term memory. So he must win her each and every day. Not a bad idea.
On a scale of Cocoa Beach, FL, (1) to Hawaii (the film's setting), it's a 3.35.
Bella
Chrissy and I really like this movie. The characters and their difficult stories unfold over the course of the film. Patient and dramatic, the emotion builds as Nina (the fired and over-whelmed waitress) deals with being alone and pregnant, and Jose (the former soccer star and current restuarant chef) deals with his past and the strong feelings that are arosed by Nina's situation. The importance of family and relationship climaxes effectively in a big moral decision.
On a (for no apparent reason) scale of K-State Mens' Basketball (especially post-Beasley) (1) to KU Mens' Basketball (6), this one's a 5.2.
On a (for no apparent reason) scale of K-State Mens' Basketball (especially post-Beasley) (1) to KU Mens' Basketball (6), this one's a 5.2.
Big Business
Mom's favorite, now on DVD.
It certainly has it's strong moments, even if it feels a bit dated. I wouldn't have thought that the style of comedy could change so much in a couple of decades. Anyway, Midler and Tomlin (the double-roled twin leads) play two sets of twins who were accidentally split at birth. Common family traits are mixed up and out of place for of each fam. It all comes to a head when the two from the country come to the big city to battle the other two over a troubling business deal. Laughs (generally) ensue.
On a scale of Carrot Top (1) to Will Ferrell (6), this one's a 3.9.
It certainly has it's strong moments, even if it feels a bit dated. I wouldn't have thought that the style of comedy could change so much in a couple of decades. Anyway, Midler and Tomlin (the double-roled twin leads) play two sets of twins who were accidentally split at birth. Common family traits are mixed up and out of place for of each fam. It all comes to a head when the two from the country come to the big city to battle the other two over a troubling business deal. Laughs (generally) ensue.
On a scale of Carrot Top (1) to Will Ferrell (6), this one's a 3.9.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Juno
Boy, I'm writing this way too long after seeing this movie...
Well, we liked it. So soon after having Malia, it was impossible not to be touched by a story of pregnancy and a young life spared. And Juno's parents' reaction to her pregnancy was special and challenging. Juno's recognition of her own limits and her strength of character are admirable.
Her wittiness might have been a little over the top, and the portrayal of a relative eash teenage pregnancy a little unreal. Even so, it provided a good glimpse of some regular people who were doing their best in tough times - true character (good character) rose to the surface, and that was good to see.
On a scale of Premarital Sex (1) to Marital Sex (6), this one's a 4.1.
Well, we liked it. So soon after having Malia, it was impossible not to be touched by a story of pregnancy and a young life spared. And Juno's parents' reaction to her pregnancy was special and challenging. Juno's recognition of her own limits and her strength of character are admirable.
Her wittiness might have been a little over the top, and the portrayal of a relative eash teenage pregnancy a little unreal. Even so, it provided a good glimpse of some regular people who were doing their best in tough times - true character (good character) rose to the surface, and that was good to see.
On a scale of Premarital Sex (1) to Marital Sex (6), this one's a 4.1.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Prince Caspian
A great movie that must deal with the inevitable, unavoidable comparisons to the classic book. Given that, I struggle to not prefer the book...so the movie doesn't feel as good as it no doubt was.
But it was good. Special effects are great, the acting is good enough, and the story is strong. I would take something other than the big battle scenes (those just aren't a key feature of the book) - perhaps Caspian's initial interactions with the Narnians should have been further developed. Ah well.
Though I've nearly accepted the fact that I won't get an invite to Aslan's world in this life, it's still a special place.
On a (somewhat circular) scale of The Golden Compass (1) to The Chronicles of Narnia (6), this one's a 4.6.
But it was good. Special effects are great, the acting is good enough, and the story is strong. I would take something other than the big battle scenes (those just aren't a key feature of the book) - perhaps Caspian's initial interactions with the Narnians should have been further developed. Ah well.
Though I've nearly accepted the fact that I won't get an invite to Aslan's world in this life, it's still a special place.
On a (somewhat circular) scale of The Golden Compass (1) to The Chronicles of Narnia (6), this one's a 4.6.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
