Friday, June 29, 2012

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and Watson (Jude Law) are back in "A Game of Shadows" - the sequal to the 2009 film also directed by Guy Ritchie.  This time Watson is trying to married while Holmes suspects that seemingly unrelated recent bombings, murders, and business acquisitions are actually part of a broader scheme of nemisis Dr. Moriarty.  The ensuing chess game between Holmes and Moriarty creates a race against time through Europe with a potential world war on the line.  A gypsy fortune-teller Simza (Noomi Rapace), who is searching for her lost brother, joins the guys as her search and theirs intertwine.

I thought that this film over the previous Holmes film showcased more of the buddy chemistry between Downey and Law.  The sparring between the two is great.  Also I love the Holmes role for Downey because he fits it like a glove transitioning between Holmes' quirky behavior and brilliant detective work (including some amazing disguises).  I also liked Rapace, famous for the Swedish "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" films, as the guys' female companion.  She is one to watch.  I liked the story also but my problem was with the direction.  Too many slow-motion fight/deduction sequences.  It seems a bit over-styled at times.  Otherwise, it's a good time with a good mystery with two good pals.  I give it a B+.  If you liked the 2009 film then be sure and watch this one as it's better.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Movie Review: The Artist (2011)

"The Artist" won Best Picture at the Academy Awards for a reason: this film is that good.  The film is in black and white and largely silent.  The film centers on George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), who is a major film star in silent movies in 1927.  While promoting a movie, George bumps into a fan named Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) and poses for photos with her.  The photos are splashed across the papers the next day leading Peppy to try her hand at fame.  Peppy ends up as a dancer in George's next film and George insists she stay when studio boss Al (John Goodman) sees her thinking she's there to cause trouble.  George gives Peppy advice on acting and draws a beauty mark on her face which becomes her trademark.  There is an instant attraction between the two but George is married so they don't act on it.  Two years later the studio insists on filming only "talkies" and George proudly refuses to take part.  He finances his own silent film while Peppy has been climbing the ranks of Hollywood and embraces the "talkies."  George's film opens the same day Peppy's first film as the star and hers is a huge hit while his is not.  The stock market crashes and George falls on hard times financially and personally.  Peppy, on the other hand, is Hollywood's "It Girl."  The film follows the two while George struggles with his pride and Peppy struggles with her desire to help George.

Though this film is silent and black and white this is an engaging story and I didn't miss the sound at all.  In fact, the soundtrack plus solid acting from the entire cast more than made up for the lack of talking.  Dujardin and Bejo in particular were terrific and did a great job of connecting with the camera and emoting so that the audience doesn't need to hear them.  The music really helped move the film along and set the scenes.  I thought the makeup and costuming was great too especially given that it's black and white.  The story is simple but delivered so elegantly and with charm that it works.  Don't miss the canine star Uggie playing Jack, who does manage to steal more than his share of scenes. 

Overall I say this film is a homerun for the solid acting, good storytelling, music, makeup/costumes, and just simple charm.  Be sure to see this one.  Solid A.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Movie Review: Drive (2011)

"Drive" is a gritty thriller with a definite 80's vibe.  The movie centers on a dark, strong, silent type only called the Driver (Ryan Gosling).  The Driver works in a garage and as a movie stunt man by day but by night he is a getaway driver for hire.  The owner of the garage, Shannon (Bryan Cranston) makes a deal with a gangster named Bernie (Albert Brooks) to finance a race car which the Driver will drive.  Meanwhile, the Driver meets and becomes more involved in the lives of his neighbors Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her young son.  Irene's husband Standard comes home from jail and needs the Driver's help when pushed to do a job for another gangster who protected Standard in jail.  The web of gangsters including Bernie's partner Nino (Ron Perlman) and violence threatens not only the Driver but the family he is trying to protect.

First of all I want to mention that I found the violence in this film over the top and gratuitous.  There are scenes that are mind-blowing, for example a man getting a fork stabbed in his eye.  Also I thought that Gosling and Mulligan had little chemistry to make his interest in her character believable.  Unfortunately the pacing of the film is quite slow particularly the first thirty minutes (the film is only 100 minutes in length). 

The script itself is pretty standard gangster fare but what is different is the cinematography and music in addition to Gosling's performance.  The film has a slick 80's feel in terms of music, graphics, and even some of the wardrobe (such as the Driver's jacket) that either the viewer will love or hate.  I thought Gosling was good in the silent, brooding hero role and the combination of Brooks and Perlman as the villans.

While there are positives to this film, skip this one if over-the-top violence isn't your cup of tea.  C+ for me.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Movie Review: Puncture (2011)

"Puncture" is a good rental for anyone enjoying a good drama.  This is a based-on-a-true-story of two trail lawyers Mike (Chris Evans) and Paul (Mark Kassen) who meet a nurse Vicky (Vinessa Shaw) who was accidentally stuck by a needle and contracted HIV.  Vicky tells them about a friend named Jeffrey Dancort (Marshall Bell) who invented a no-fail needle that is one-time use.  This product would eliminate incidents like the one that infected Vicky.  The problem is that hospitals won't buy it.  Mike and Paul begin investigating this as an anti-trust case and quickly get in over their heads as heavyweights on the opposing side begin to pressure them to drop the case or settle.  Mike, who is a functioning drug addict, is particularly intent on pursuing the case in order to save lives rather than any monetary payout.

Unfortunately the film is completely believable given the greed in every sector, including health care.  This is well-acted especially by Chris Evans though I thought a lot of his storyline was kind of distracting.  The film gives a lot of time to showing Evans' character doing a lot of drugs and attempting to cure his loneliness with hookers.  It was a bit much for me as I didn't need half those scenes to convince me that he was a drug addict.  Also I think this distracts from the main issue which was the anti-trust case and corporate greed.  The film possibly could've been more effective with less of those scenes and more of a focus on how important it is to fight corporate greed especially when so many lives are at stake.  A postive was Brett Cullen as the defense lawyer trying to intimidate Mike and Paul.

Overall, I like this one despite the script that deviates quite a bit.  A solid B- for me.

Movie Review: Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life (2010)

I picked this movie based on seeing it in coming attractions on another rental and wish I hadn't.  The film is a biopic based on a book about the life of French singer/composer Serge Gainsbourg.  The film opens with Serge as a young Jewish boy living in Paris who is forced to hide from the Nazis.  Later he is a young painter playing the piano by night to pay the bills.  He begins to focus on the music and rises to fame singing and writing controversal music. 

I admit that I don't know much about Gainsbourg but I thought the film would be more about his music and even about his time hiding from Nazis but really the bulk of the film is about him chasing women and women being enchanted with his music.  Apparently he was quite the ladies' man from the content of the film: Juliette Greco, Brigitte Bardot, and Jane Birkin among others fell to Gainsbourg's charms.  The music and art are very much a small part of the film.  This film is not rated but with all the women and love scenes expect some nudity.

When Gainsbourg is not chasing women (and sometimes when he is) there are many scenes when he talks to his "mug" or alter ego.  This character is a man with what appears to be long thin fingers and a paper mache-looking head that features a long nose.  The "mug" encourages many of Gainsbourg's decisions though sometimes there is a battle between them.  It's certainly a creative move on the part of the director but at times such as the beginning of the film it comes across as a little odd.

Overall, I just didn't like this film.  It was two long hours of Gainsbourg chasing women and women throwing themselves at him while the "mug" is lurking about.  I really thought there'd be more music or something "heroic" since it's in the title.  Also the film seems to really lose steam in the third act.  I just didn't like this one at all - D-.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Movie Review: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this film given some of the really terrible reviews but I'm glad I gave it a chance.  Newcomer Thomas Horn stars as Oskar, a possibly autistic boy whose father (played by Tom Hanks) died in the World Trade Center on September 11.  Oskar and his mother (Sandra Bullock) struggle to relate with each other and deal with the loss.  A year after the tragedy, Oskar finds a vase in his father's closet and a mysterious key inside it.  Since his father had often created scavenger hunts for him, Oskar thinks that the key is a mystery his father wanted him to solve.  The only clue is the name/word "Black" on the envelope containing the key so Oskar begins searching New York City asking people named Black if they know about the key.

I found this film to be heartfelt as we follow Oskar's quest to find out about the mystery key.  He also forms a friendship with his grandmother's renter, a mute older man, who offers to accompany Oskar on his journey.  I really liked Thomas Horn in his first role and think he could be a promising young actor.  Sandra Bullock is good in a small supporting role as Oskar's mother and I enjoyed Viola Davis in a small part as Abby Black, one of the people Oskar contacts about the key.  Max von Sydow, who played the mute renter, was nominated for his supporting role and while I think he was good I really think it's Horn who really shines in this film.  Look for John Goodman in a very small part as the doorman.

I've heard that some critical of this film felt that it's exploitation of September 11 but I really didn't get that.   I think it's a heartfelt tale of a boy trying to make sense of his father's death and attempting to stay close to him through this journey to find out about the mystery key.  As Oskar goes through his journey, he meets a variety of people and finds himself spending more time than he imagined with them.  Oskar has a variety of fears, including public transit and loud noises, that he must face along the way.  Thus Oskar is put out of his comfort zone while journeying through the city and spending time with people he never thought he'd meet.

B+ from me for solid acting particularly by Horn and good storytelling

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Movie Review: War Horse (2011)

"War Horse" is almost two films in one.  The first part of the film shows a poor British family where the father outbids his landlord for a colt and now must make up his lost rent money though common consensus is that the colt won't plow.  The son, Albert, takes great care training the colt he names Joey.  A strong bond forms between boy and animal and they are successful in plowing the field.  A storm destroys the crops and World War I breaks out leading the father to sell Joey to the army.  Albert begs the captain not to take Joey to no avail.  The captain promises to return Joey to Albert if possible.  Part two of the film is Joey's career as a war horse.  First Joey is the British captain's mount then later he is pulling an ambulance wagon for the German troops and winds up hidden in a French family's barn after two brothers use Joey and his fellow British horse Topthorn to desert the army.  Eventually Joey and Topthorn are confiscated by the German troops again and used to move heavy artillery, which eventually kills Topthorn.  Albert is fighting on the opposite side with the British and hopes to somehow find Joey.

Despite being almost two films in one (one part Disney-style family movie, one part war epic) I did like "War Horse."  It's a bit unsettling going from the first part to the second but overall I thought the story was well-done and it's another home run for Spielburg.  It's a very emotional film that definitly tugs at the heartstrings (bring the tissues!).  I'd recommend this one to anyone who loves animals, particularly horses, but some of the war scenes especially the one that depicts Joey running out on the battlefield might be too much for many young viewers. 

Bottom line: Don't give up on this one as it does start a bit slow (and corny) because it gets better and be ready to sniffle (or sob in my case) - a B+ from me.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Movie Review: Pariah (2011)

"Pariah" is definitely a film that deserves more appreciation than it has received.  The film is a coming of age tale of an African American teen girl named Alike (played by Adepero Oduye) who is struggling with her sexual identity as a lesbian.  Alike has conflict with her parents, a religious and controlling mother (Kim Wayans) and a doting father (Charles Parnell) who can't believe his little girl might be a lesbian.  She attempts to find herself by exploring meeting girls at underground clubs with friend Laura (Pernell Walker) and later through a confusing friendship with Bina (Aasha Davis). 

I felt that this film was well-acted particulalry by Oduye and Wayans.  I couldn't believe that Kim Wayans of "In Living Color" fame was really effective in this role as Alike's overbearing, religious  mother who wants to make her daughter more feminine.  The struggle between Alike's parents was a strong point of the film as they fought over "what to do about her" and the mother feeling that the father just needed to talk to his daughter.  Rather than just focus on Alike, the film had a more balanced feel by showing her parents struggle with Alike's sexual identity as she was obviously struggling to establish herself. 

The main drawback on this film that I see is that the cinematography was not as smooth as it could have been. A bit jerky at times but not enough that it should distract the viewer. Overall it's good storytelling and solid acting - I give it a B+.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Movie Review: Chasing Madoff (2011)

"Chasing Madoff" is a documentary about Madoff whistle blower Harry Markopolos' almost decade long attempt to expose Madoff's ponzi scheme.  Markopolos, along with two coworkers, investigated Madoff's too good to be true returns and then began digging for more information after the numbers just couldn't be plausible.  The trio, fronted by Markopolos, turned over their evidence to the SEC and later the press only to be ignored.  Their continued efforts in the end were not what brought down Madoff, rather Markopolos claimed it was the market that exposed the ponzi scheme. 

The film makes some interesting points about the Madoff scandal.  One is that Markopolos and his coworkers easily figured out Madoff's scheme but it's interesting that nobody else (the SEC, investors) couldn't figure this out.  Second is the indifference of the SEC and the press to Markopolos' continued claims that something was not right and presentation of evidence.  Markopolos seems to think that Madoff had people on the inside who kept the SEC and the press from exposing him.  Third is the global reach of the ponzi scheme.  Apparently Madoff had "feeders" in Europe and other countries who were constantly getting him new "clients," which was necessary for him to keep the ponzi scheme going.  These feeders have largely escaped any prosecution for their role though they were making money off bringing in new money to Madoff.

While the film has some good information, there's a lot that's lacking here as well.  A lot of the reenactments are very over the top, particularly Markopolos recounting his fear that Madoff would have him or his family killed.  This gives the film a very amateur feel.  Also the film is basically just an extended interview with Markopolos and his coworkers with a little footage of the Congressional hearing about the SEC's failure to investigate Madoff.  I got the feeling that this could've been a nice interview with the major players without the dramatics and it would've been better.

I think that this film could be of interest to those who are still curious about Madoff but overall it's not something that would be entertaining to most.  Somewhat informative but not really interesting or well-done, I give it a C-.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Movie Review: Anonymous (2011)

"Anonymous" is a psuedo-historical thriller that explores the idea that William Shakespeare may not have been the author of the works we attribute to him.  Rather, Edward de Vere (Rhys Ifans), 17th Earl of Oxford, is the man behind the works.  Edward's life is shown as he is discouraged from writing as a young man and later as a nobleman.  He is depicted as a former lover of Queen Elizabeth and father of one of her secret children though he is married to the daughter of a powerful advisor in Elizabeth's court.  A political struggle breaks out as Elizabeth needs to name an heir.  Edward backs one of Elizabeth's illegitimate sons while his father-in-law is backing James of Scotland.  Edward notices how the audience is swayed by a play written by Ben Johnson and approaches Ben to put on one of his plays.  Ben does so but doesn't want to put his name to the unproven work.  When the play is a success a drunken actor named William Shakespeare steps forward to claim credit.  Edward continues feeding scripts to Ben and William continues to take credit while Edward attempts to advance his political cause.

I thought the acting, primarily Rhys Ifans, was good.  The costuming and staging was great as well.  I think that for someone without much knowledge of British history and Shakespeare may have problems following some of the script.  I know I had problems following at times as the script weaves together Edward's life through flashbacks.  It definitely helps to have some background knowledge but if you stay with the film I think you can figure out the confusing parts.  The film overall gives solid suspense weaving history and historical figures throughout.

This film is NOT a documentary so please don't take it as fact the presentation of Edward as the real Shakespeare or that Shakespeare himself is not the true author.  Rather this is a work of historical fiction exploring one possibility of who really wrote the famous works.  The audience has to accept that this is merely what could have happened and open their minds to the possibility.

I say suspend belief and open your mind to the possibility and rent this one - A-.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Movie Review: We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

One of the best I've seen lately, "We Need to Talk About Kevin" is simply amazing.  It's dark for sure but just well-done all around.  The film is a book adaptation telling the story of the mother, Eva (played by Tilda Swinton) of teenaged Kevin (Ezra Miller) who goes on a killing spree at his high school.  The story is told from Eva's point of view in flashback.  The audience sees how Eva had suspicions of Kevin as he grew up from a baby who cried nonstop to a toddler who didn't bond with her to a very manipulative child.  Eva is a woman tormented by her memories of this difficult child and yet she's also tormented by Kevin's victims' families and other members of the community who project their grief onto her.  John C. Reilly plays Franklin, Eva's husband, who doesn't share Eva's suspicions of Kevin and constantly makes excuses for the boy's hurtful and increasingly violent behavior.  The film asks the question how much if any of the blame for Kevin's crime should Eva bear?  Also, was the lack of bond between Kevin and Eva to blame for any or all of Kevin's behavior?

First of all I think that Swinton did an amazing job playing Eva.  I could feel her pain especially as Eva experienced abuses at the hands of community members and victim's families.  In each case Eva took the abuses such as a slap on the face or red paint on her house like a martyr.  Although Eva clearly had no bond with Kevin she made efforts throughout to create one and later stood by him at his trial and incarceration.  The role of Kevin is played by a baby and child actor but Ezra Miller is excellent as the teen Kevin. 

The direction and cinematography are good as well but one thing that really stood out to me was the music.  The musical choices in the film really move the film and provide a little comic relief in some cases.  The film truly is dark but the music gives a little levity.   

This film isn't for everyone due to the subject matter but I think it's a must-see and give it an A-.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Movie Review: Joyful Noise (2012)

"Joyful Noise" (2012) is a comedy with a heavy heaping of music starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton.  The movie is set in a small town in Georgia hit hard by the recession but featuring a church choir that is in competition for the regional finals of the Joyful Noise choir competition.  After the death of the director, Vi Rose (Latifah) takes the reigns of the choir over the former choir director's widow G.G. (Parton).  Vi Rose wants to maintain a classic style of song and presentation, which the pastor likes but G.G., a major donor to the church, does not.  Obviously there is tension between Vi Rose and G.G. over the choir but the tension is amped up by the return of G.G.'s grandson Randy (Jeremy Jordan) to town.  Randy has more modern ideas for the choir and takes a big interest in Vi Rose's teen daughter Olivia (Keke Palmer).  Though Vi Rose opposes Randy's ideas and interest in her daughter, she does like his friendship with her son Walter (Dexter Darden) who has Asperger syndrome.  The choir is at first defeated by a rival choir from Detroit and then shut down by the pastor for finanical reasons but when the rival church is outed for hiring professional singers they are suddenly back in the competition and need to pull together to win for their town.

While I admit that this film is predictable, it is not without charm.  Latifah and Parton have an obvious chemistry and I thought Keke Palmer was a treat.  There is a lot of music throughout the film - really good gospel and more modern songs performed with a gospel feel by the choir such as Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" and Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed." The most surprising songs remixed for church have to be some included in the choir's finals performance.  I think my favorite song though was a really heatfelt rendition of "Jesus Fix Me" by Queen Latifah.  Major ideas like why does God allow some to suffer are touched on but not fully explored.

Though it's predictable, not really deep, and a bit stilted in parts, this is enjoyable if nothing else for the musical numbers and to see Latifah and Parton spar with each other verbally and physically.  I say C+ for the film but I think the soundtrack should get a B+ (in fact I'm thinking of buying it today).

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Movie Review: The Iron Lady (2011)

I so wanted to love this movie!  "The Iron Lady" is a biographical film starring the amazing Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.  The film shows Thatcher as an elderly woman struggling with dementia, the death of her beloved husband, and haunted by her memories from her political career.  Through her memories the film flashes back to her early political career as Thatcher broke through gender barriers to eventually lead the Conservative Party.  Some major events from her time as Prime Minister are shown including her decision to retake the Falkland Islands and then her fall from power.

I thought that this film had some definite positives including an amazing performance by Streep.  This is truly one of her bests as she really took on Thatcher's character.  I have to credit hair, makeup, and wardrobe as well for enabling Streep to take on Thatcher's appearance.  Unfortunately despite Streep's performance I just didn't like the script.  This film takes one of British history's most powerful women and really focuses on her as this pitiful shell of her former self in her elder years.  I wish the film had taken a different angle and focused more on how she developed from the dutiful daughter working in her father's grocery shop into a major political force especially when she had to push against so many barriers at the time against women.  I don't mind her being shown as humbled and defeated but it just seems that the film had a definite angle and it was overdone.  This almost could've been two maybe three different movies: one being a political documentary, another being the story of a woman with dementia grieving her husband, and maybe a third movie about a woman pushing against gender roles to take an active political role while sacrificing her traditional role as mother.  I think in general that when a film tries to be two or more films in one that the result is not favorable.

For the always wonderful Streep I give an A but for the film's script and overall focus I have to give it a B-.