Mini Reviews (I'm Back)

In case anyone actually reads this, I apologize for my recent absence but things have been sort of crazy at work. Right now, I am going to write a few mini reviews to get caught up on the things I've seen recently (two movies in theaters you might want to check out and two on DVD that you will probably want to avoid), but then I am going to get back to updating this blog more frequently. I also have a few ideas for new funs things to do (i.e. a weekly Friday Top Five list related to new releases or actor birthdays and maybe a Best Director tournament!). But for now, here are quick thoughts on four 2013 releases (from best to worst):

The Internship
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne, Max Minghella
Plot: Two salesmen lose their jobs and decide that despite any skill whatsoever that they are going to get a job at Google. The movie follows a summer long internship program.
Thoughts: Despite being way too long and following all the rules of romantic comedy, The Internship manages to be cute, sweet and funny. The best part about it is, of course, Vaughn and Wilson and their perfect chemistry that also worked so well in Wedding Crashers. But the real star of the show is the Google campus which is fascinating and interesting in every sense of the word.
Grade: B-

Now You See Me
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Isla Fisher, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Dave Franco, Melanie Laurent
Plot: Four street magicians come together thanks to a mysterious but powerful benefactor to become the most successful magicians with a traveling show where they manage to do completely unbelievable tricks (such as stealing money from a Paris bank while in Vegas). The FBI is hot on their tail though.
Thoughts: Now You See Me benefits from having an almost unrelentless pace, which absolutely works in its favor because if you were given time to stop and think about the whole thing, you would realize how none of it (especially the far fetched, ridiculous ending) makes sense. Still, as far as fun, thoughtless entertainment goes, this is decent.
Grade: C+

Dark Skies
Starring: Keri Russell, J.K. Simmons
Plot: Aliens target a family and slowly drive them crazy.
Thoughts: Cliche, but also really terrible. Simmons is the only - THE ONLY - good thing about it and he's only in it for about 3 minutes.
Grade: D+

Stand Up Guys
Starring: Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin
Plot: Val (Pacino) is newly released from prison but some powerful people are holding a 28 year grudge and send his bestie (Walken) to give him the night of his life and then kill him.
Thoughts: Remember when Pacino was one of the greatest actors of all time? That whole thing is pretty foggy to me. The more he makes crap like this, the easier it is to forget he was ever even in The Godfather. The end of this movie is actually pretty bad ass, but it's a shame you have to sit through an hour and a half of crap to get to 45 seconds of coolness. On the plus side? It's not as bad as Lords of Salem!
Grade: D-

Midnight in Paris

Anyone who has ever read this blog should know that I am a huge Woody Allen fan. Probably the biggest Woody Allen fan who wasn't actually alive during his heyday. I will never not recommend a Woody Allen movie unless it starts with the words "The Case of the" and ends with "Jade Scorpion." But, seriously speaking, Midnight in Paris is probably Woody's best movie in years. And this is coming from someone who really, really enjoyed Match Point and Vicky Cristina Barcelona. But Midnight in Paris is just so much fun, and so imaginative. It has the sort of whimsical loveliness of The Purple Rose of Cairo mixed with Woody's new found love of foreign countries.

Midnight in Paris stars Owen Wilson (who is, arguably, the strangest actor Woody has ever chosen to stand in for him, although it all sort of works somehow) as Gil, a man who writes brainless Hollywood scripts but longs to follow his dreams and become an important literary voice. You see, he idolizes the likes of Hemingway and Fitzgerald and wants so badly to live in the romanticized period of 1920s Paris. He's engaged to a terribly annoying spoiled rich brat named Inez (Rachel McAdams) and the two are in Paris with her terribly annoying spoiled rich parents (Mimi Kennedy and Kurt Fuller). While in Paris, the young couple begins spending time with knowitall Paul (Michael Sheen) and his adorable girlfriend Carol (Nina Arianda). However, Gil isn't really feeling their company and begins taking walks by himself late at night. Well, when the clock strikes midnight something very... strange happens. And I'm not going to say what it is. I'm sure you can find out if you really wanted to but, honestly, I had no idea what the plot really was going into the film which is probably why I loved it so damn much. It was such a creative and pleasant surprise for me that I will not ruin it.

Woody has written and directed a great little film, one that truly encompasses the magic of movies. The cinematography definitely matches Gil's love of Paris. This is a love letter to Paris the way Manhattan was a love letter to Allen's hometown. The performances here are all pretty top notch. Wilson is fantastic as Gil, romantic and idealistic, longing for a time gone by and entranced with his new found adventures. He's a refreshing change of pace for the usual neurotic Allen leads. I guess if you like McAdams then you would be impressed with her performance and they way she manages to grate on your every nerve. I, however, am not a fan so I wanted to punch her in the face for an hour and a half. And while none of the supporting performances will win an Oscar the way Penelope Cruz did for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, they are still pretty spectacular. Sheen is hilarious although he doesn't have enough screen time. Marion Cotillard is absolutely breath taking as an artist's muse. Adrien Brody is laugh out loud funny in his role, which is little more than a cameo. But best in show has got to go to Alison Pill and Corey Stoll, two character actors that manage to steal every single scene in which they are a part.

All in all, this is, by far, Woody's best movie in the last few years. It's clever and intelligent, interesting and entertaining, hilarious and heartfelt. Midnight in Paris is a very surprising, and very good movie.

Grade: A-

The Other Boleyn Girl, Southland Tales, Drillbit Taylor

The Other Boleyn Girl - Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson are probably two of the most talented young working actresses. Sure, they are hit or miss. Scarlett was fantastic in Lost in Translation, but for every Woody Allen movie there's something like The Island that balances it out. Natalie gave her absolute best performance in Closer but for every Goya's Ghost there is a Star Wars prequel to discuss. Still, they both have potential. In The Other Boleyn Girl, they play roles you think maybe should have been reversed. In real life, anyway, it seems Natalie is the meeker of the two while Scarlett is a little more extroverted. In the film, Scarlett plays soft-spoken, kind-hearted Mary Boleyn and Natalie plays manipulative Anne Boleyn. One performance works completely, the other not so much. Scarlett is all over the place in her portrayal. One moment she's great but the next her accent seems fake, her expressions are painful, etc. Meanwhile, Natalie is just great. She starts out the film as a flirtatious young troublemaker. At one point, her character is sent to exile in France. When she returns, she's a total bad ass. That's when the film really comes to life, as well. The beginning of the film is boring and long but the second half is much more enjoyable. Kristin Scott Thomas also dazzles as a sort of feminist before her time, playing the mother of the children. Eric Bana plays the mecurial Henry the VIII, although I'd rather Jonathan Rhys Myers anyday. Jim Sturgess rounds out a pretty solid cast as the brother of Anne and Mary (and try not to cry for his pretty, little head). The film is very soap opera-ish but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The editing and directing decisions aren't exactly good enough. The ending sort of assumes that everyone watching the movie is a moron (probably because most of them are). Still, the movie is not entirely bad. In fact, it's mostly interesting and entertaining. I just wish it would have gotten an R-rating so it could have been a little racier. What's the point of all the bed hopping if it's PG-13?
Grade: C+


Southland Tales - When the movie ended, my friend asked, "Did you like it?" I wasn't sure what to say at the time. Southland Tales, from Richard Kelley, the director of Donnie Darko, is by far the strangest movie I have ever seen that wasn't directed by David Lynch. However, the more I think about it (and it does stick with you whether you like it or not), the more I think I absolutely loved it (think is the operative word). What is Southland Tales about, you ask? Well, I kind of have no idea. The easiest way to explain is to say it's about the end of the world. At one point in the film, about half way through, there is a sort of musical intermission where Justin Timberlake lip synchs to a song by The Killers. Sarah Michelle Gellar plays a porn star who wants to be a pop star who sings a song called "Teen Horniness is Not a Crime." There is a scene of two SUV's having sex. Seann William Scott plays twins - one's a racist cop, the other has no memory (I think). The Rock plays an action star named Boxer who is married to the daughter of a Republican senator (Mandy Moore) but sleeping with Sarah Michelle Gellar's Kristy Now (who's tag line is, "If you want to f**k me, f**k me now."). At one point, the Rock also says the following line, "I'm a pimp. And pimps don't commit suicide." Like I said, it's a strange, strange movie. Still, it was over two hours long and it didn't feel like it. It kept my interest and it was, at the very least, unique. After much thought, I think it was actually one of my favorite movies of last year. So, at first, I had no idea what grade to give it. Now I think I've made my decision and most people won't agree with it but I don't care. This is definitely not a movie for everyone.
Grade: A

Drillbit Taylor - I can't think of any reason why Owen Wilson would want to make this movie. But I am glad that he did because without his natural charm and likeability, this movie would have been just crap. I mean, it has it's moments. Unfortunately, there aren't many of them. The three kids have a sort of natural chemistry that is nice and there are, maybe, two scenes which are actually laugh out loud funny. Other than that it's amusing at best and boring at worst. I think the Judd Apatow machine may finally be falling apart. Although, this is minor Apatow - watered down, rated PG-13, no Jonah Hill. It's pre-Superbad, but not nearly as funny. There's really not much to say about the movie. It's nothing special and not very funny. Skip it!
Grade: D+

The Darjeeling Limited, Paris je t'aime, Top Ten List

The Darjeeling Limited - Ah, Wes Anderson. The poster boy for quirky, indie, intellectual, hipster comedy-drama. My love for him knows no limits. I admit, he may not be for everyone. I mean, after all, not much really ever happens in his movies. But, I for one, love him. And The Darjeelinig Limited? Well, it's just the next in what I consider to be a stellar directing career. Sure, it's not as good as The Royal Tenenbaums or (especially) Rushmore. But it's slightly better than the superb Bottle Rocket and way better than the slightly (I said, slightly) disappointing The Life Aquatic. The Darjeeling Limited is a film occupied with moments. It's not so much concerned with, how should I put this, plot but for me (and probably for most Anderson fans) that doesn't ever get dull. These moments that fill up the movie are wonderful moments. They are well crafted and who just how much Anderson has matured over the years. The film is essentially about a spiritual journey. Three brothers who haven't spoken in a year (since their fathers hilariously tragic funeral) reunite on a trainride through India. Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Anderson newcomer Adrien Brody (who fits quite perfectly in Wes-world) star as the three brothers. The film is great from the very start with a hilarious and memorable cameo from the great Bill Murray, trying to catch the Darjeeling Limited train in slow motion. Still, he's outrun by Brody's Peter all to the tune of The Kinks' 'This Time Tomorrow' (oh, the music! Isn't music always another character in Anderson movies? Love the music). The film also features a small role from the great Anjelica Huston and a tiny cameo from Natalie Portman (who plays heavily in the short film prelude Hotel Chevalier which is highly recommended viewing before the film). In the end, this movie is just great fun. It's a fun ride through a world occupied by colorful characters and memorable incidents. The film is quite simply bright, random, happy, sad, funny, stupid, silly and wise.

Grade: B+

Paris, je t'aime - The tagline here is 'stories of love from the city of love.' Indeed. Paris, je t'aime is a collection of 18 short films by acclaimed directors and starring great actors (some well known, some not at all). It's a sometime bizzare, sometimes stupid, sometimes beautiful look at the language of love. A friend of mine described the film as being frustrating because it was like watching the first five minutes of 18 different movies. I disagree. I've always loved the short film as an art form and I think this collection is a great way to express 18 different ideas on one subject. It's terribly interesting. It's a creative and unique look at different directors each lending their own unique vision and interpreting love in the City of Lights. When you are dealing with 18 short films, obviously, there are going to be some films that are better than others. You have it all here, really. There is one short in particular that was just almost painful to watch. It was entitled Porte de Choisy and it was just strange and weird and stupid. It follows some sort of shampoo salesman who arrives in a Chinatown-looking place in Paris. I think perhaps the story was about inner beauty but I could be completely wrong. Of course, there are those shorts that are mediocre. There are quite a few of those. A few that are dull and forgettable. But, for the most part, the collection is mostly hits with only a few misses. There are quite a few memorable shorts. Of course, the short that stands out as being most different is the noir-esque vampire love story starring Elijah Wood called Quartier de la Madeleine. While that looked and felt the most different and was quite strong, it wasn't in my top 5 favorites among the shorts. The five I want you to pay most attention to when you watch this film (because you should) are (in the order they appear): 1) Tuileries - Directed by the Coen Brothers and starring Steve Buscemi, he's absolutely mesmerizing without ever saying one single word. The entire sequence is just hilarious. It kept me hooked through until the very end of the sequence. 2) Bastille - Probably my favorite among the shorts. A man meets his wife at a restaurant where he plans on telling her he's leaving her for his mistress. However, he soon gets some rather devastating news from his wife and he changes his mind. It's sad and simple and beautiful. 3) Tour Eiffel - Two mimes fall in love while spending the night in jail together. Plus, the kid is super adorable. 4) Faubour Saint-Denis - Tom Twyker's short film is the most beautifully done. It's stunning and lovely. A blind man picks up the phone and hears from his girlfriend (a beautiful Natalie Portman) that she is breaking up with him. He reflects on their relationship. It's short and stunning and it stays with you - everything a short film should do. 5) 14th Arrondissement - The final sequence is just hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. An American woman tells her French class about her trip to Paris. Her French is terrible, but by the end of the segment, she realizes what Paris is really all about. A lovely final way to sum up a great collection of shorts. Check it out.

Grade: B

Top Ten List - Best Movie Endings

Spoiler Alert! Obviously, I'm probably going to spoil some stuff if you haven't seen these movies. You've been warned. This is inspired by the fact that I am currently watching Se7en. So, here's my list (what's yours?):

10. Hard Candy - You can argue that adding this to my list is just an excuse to talk about this movie that I love so much and to talk about Ellen Page who I love so much. Valid point. Talk about an ending, though. Ellen Page gives a master class acting performance (and she was, like, 18 when she made this move!). When Hayley reveals that she's known the truth all along, try not to let your skin crawl. Plus, you just know she's not getting rid of any evidence. Ellen Page - I love you.

09. The Village - You can take your 'The Sixth Sense' ending anytime you want. I will always prefer 'The Village.' Although, I'm not necessarily a fan of M. Night Shyamalan, this is my favorite of his films. The end is fantastic and intellegent and just plain surprising. Unlike The Sixth Sense which you could, seriously, see coming a mile away.

08. Closer - This is a movie filled with liars. All of the characters do is lie and lie and lie some more. Except Alice (Natalie Portman). It seems Alice may be the only emotionally honest person in the entire film. But, when we finally see her passport, we find out she's the biggest liar of all. Her name really is Jane. Thank you.

07. The Birds - First of all: Here's a little bit of a confession. This movie scares me to death! It just simply terrifies me. In the end it seems that our lovebirds (ha) are headed to safety. But then the camera pans out. And guess what? There are birds, birds, crazy I'll peck your eyeballs out birds EVERYWHERE. How far do you really think our heroes are going to get in that soft top convertible?

06. The Silence of the Lambs - I can't possibly think of a more perfect way to part ways with our dear old friend Hannibal Lector. The ever intelligent, witty and clever man has a little phone conversation with Clarice. His parting words? "I'm having an old friend for dinner." Perfection.

05. Planet of the Apes - An astronaut is in a strange, strange world filled with apes. But, in the end when Charelton Heston grabs his lady love and tries to run, guess what he finds? Lady Liberty buried in the sand. What have we done to our country? Social commentary at its best.

04. Fight Club - The destrction of capitalism all set to the beautiful music of The Pixies. Plus, the whole, I am Tyler Durden thing. Well, I'm sure you've seen it. You know.

03. Chinatown - Chinatown is everything and nothing all at once. In the end, (after the whole, 'She's my sister. She's my daughter. She's my sister. She's my daughter' fiasco - best. scene. ever.), Jake (my ultimate movie star boyfriend Jack Nicholson) solves the crime. And then he's told, "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." God, I love this movie.

02. Se7en - Watching it again, I'm finding it a little hard to take seriously and I blame Andy Samberg for that. All I can hear is, "Step One: Cut a hole in the box. Step Two: Put Gwennie's head in a box. Step Three: Make Pitt open the box." But, still, this movie is simply great. Kevin Spacey always has the upper hand...

01. The Usual Suspects - Told you so! You think Chazz Palminteri is leading Spacey's Verbal Kint to the slaughter house. You think you've got it all figured out. But with the simple breaking of a coffee cup and the shaking off of a limb, everything you thought you knew completely changes. It's everything a movie ending should be.