"Crazy Heart" is generating a lot of buzz in the indie movie sceene. Both Jeff Bridges and Maggy Gylenhall are nomitated for awards. So when H asked me if I wanted to see it (at a community run theater) I said sure. At the worst it would be few hours in the dark with my wife.
After seeing the movie, I understand the buzz. "Crazy Heart" is a solid character study. I liked the way it kept many elements of the traditional star biopic, but didn't feel compelled to stick to the traditional ending. Bridges is impressive as the crotchety star past his prime. Gylenhall is does a fine job as the too trusting plucky reporter. Even Collin Ferrel is pretty good as the young stud. Bridges' voice is well suited to the songs.
Is it a great movie? No it is just well done. However, when put against the dross that Hollywood is putting out lately, it shines like polished brass.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Up in the Air
Up on the Air is being hailed as one of the best movies of the year, but I was afriad that, like most movies, it would devolve into a "people need love" flick. H was leary of the film because she heard it was a downer (which secretly gave me hope for it). So we had no strong desire to see it, but given the dirth of quality movies out there "Up in the Air" was the only choice.
If "Up in the Air" is one of the best movies of the year it will be a mediocre year for movies. "Up in the Air" is on the right side of average, but doesn't quite reach greatness.
The acting is solid, but I expect nothing less from Cloney. I always like Justin Bateman. They play the nhilistic business men perfectly. Cloney's character's ability to fake empathy is chilling.
The story starts taking a nose dive when the main character starts to feel the need to fall in love. Why must every film end up as propaganda for love and human companionship? I'm not saying that I think a life devoid of human conections is for me, but it is an understandable life choice.
I do give the movie credit for sticking, mostly, to it's nihilism.
If "Up in the Air" is one of the best movies of the year it will be a mediocre year for movies. "Up in the Air" is on the right side of average, but doesn't quite reach greatness.
The acting is solid, but I expect nothing less from Cloney. I always like Justin Bateman. They play the nhilistic business men perfectly. Cloney's character's ability to fake empathy is chilling.
The story starts taking a nose dive when the main character starts to feel the need to fall in love. Why must every film end up as propaganda for love and human companionship? I'm not saying that I think a life devoid of human conections is for me, but it is an understandable life choice.
I do give the movie credit for sticking, mostly, to it's nihilism.
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Brothers Bloom
H and I decided that watching an on-demand movie while sipping intoxicating beverages would be a nice way to spend New Years Eve. After looking through the very long list of (mostly) questionable movies offered on Fios, we settled on "The Brothers Bloom".
I had seen the trailer a while back and made a note to be sure and catch it. Sadly, I don't think it ever got a wide enough release for me to see it in the theater. The trailer presents the film as a funny con/heist film with a heart. The cast of Adrian Brody and Rachel Weisz added to the attraction.
The brothers Bloom are two brothers, raised in foster homes, who blossom into world renown con artists (or gentlemen thieves as they like to be called). As it turns out, the younger of the two brothers, Bloom, is a sensitive soul who is tired of living the roles created for him by his brother. They decide to pull off one last con with a rich, but reclusive, Penelope as their mark.
The basic plot is predictable: Bloom and Penelope fall in love, he pushes her away to protect her from the life of a con, Bloom grows a pair, Penelope returns to Bloom, and they ride off into the sunset. Everyone gets what they want.
Despite the predictable plot and the mostly stock characters, the movie has surprises and does keep you guessing a bit. It is very hard to tell the full extent of the elder Bloom's con. Is it simply to get Penelope's money or is it to also help Bloom get the girl? Is Penelope what she is presented at or is she a knowing participant in the con? What is the deal with Bang Bang?
The female characters really make the movie special. Penelope is quirky and inspiring. Bang Bang is a fun mystery. Brody and Ruffalo are sharp as the title characters, but their characters are nothing special.
The central question of the movie is if it is possible to live an unscripted life. Bloom's life has always been "scripted" because all he does is play the roles created for him by his brother. Penelope, on the other hand, has never had a role written for her, but reveals that she too has lived a scripted life. The difference is that she writes the script. She chooses to make the shut-in life she led before the movie into a good story instead of a tragedy. Is life just a series of stories we tell? Is the thing that makes a life worth living the way we interpret events?
I like the way the movie answers the questions. I also just plain liked the movie. It was good fun.
I had seen the trailer a while back and made a note to be sure and catch it. Sadly, I don't think it ever got a wide enough release for me to see it in the theater. The trailer presents the film as a funny con/heist film with a heart. The cast of Adrian Brody and Rachel Weisz added to the attraction.
The brothers Bloom are two brothers, raised in foster homes, who blossom into world renown con artists (or gentlemen thieves as they like to be called). As it turns out, the younger of the two brothers, Bloom, is a sensitive soul who is tired of living the roles created for him by his brother. They decide to pull off one last con with a rich, but reclusive, Penelope as their mark.
The basic plot is predictable: Bloom and Penelope fall in love, he pushes her away to protect her from the life of a con, Bloom grows a pair, Penelope returns to Bloom, and they ride off into the sunset. Everyone gets what they want.
Despite the predictable plot and the mostly stock characters, the movie has surprises and does keep you guessing a bit. It is very hard to tell the full extent of the elder Bloom's con. Is it simply to get Penelope's money or is it to also help Bloom get the girl? Is Penelope what she is presented at or is she a knowing participant in the con? What is the deal with Bang Bang?
The female characters really make the movie special. Penelope is quirky and inspiring. Bang Bang is a fun mystery. Brody and Ruffalo are sharp as the title characters, but their characters are nothing special.
The central question of the movie is if it is possible to live an unscripted life. Bloom's life has always been "scripted" because all he does is play the roles created for him by his brother. Penelope, on the other hand, has never had a role written for her, but reveals that she too has lived a scripted life. The difference is that she writes the script. She chooses to make the shut-in life she led before the movie into a good story instead of a tragedy. Is life just a series of stories we tell? Is the thing that makes a life worth living the way we interpret events?
I like the way the movie answers the questions. I also just plain liked the movie. It was good fun.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Blood: The Last Vampire
I rented "Blood" on pay per view earlier this week to fill the post Christmas TV void. I didn't have high expectations for the plot or acting, so I wasn't disappointed. It was pretty typical vampire fighting fare.
What set "Blood" apart was the ballet fighting action. The influence of "Crouching Tiger" is evident.
It was definitely worth the $4 and filled a night of of reruns.
What set "Blood" apart was the ballet fighting action. The influence of "Crouching Tiger" is evident.
It was definitely worth the $4 and filled a night of of reruns.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda is not my favorite Dreamworks release. In fact, it is one of my least favorite. The animation is fine. The story is fine, if a little predictable. The characters are fine. That's it - just fine.
The one thing I did really like about the movie was the message: There is no secret ingredient. Things are special because people believe they are special. I know this message is supposed to teach kids that they can be what ever they want to be and help bolster their self-esteem, but that I like the message because it reminds people not to take things so seriously. Most "special" things are only special because we endow them with "specialness."
There are something that are special because they posses rare qualities, but those things are few and far between.
Kung Fu Panda is not one of those things. It is just fine.
The one thing I did really like about the movie was the message: There is no secret ingredient. Things are special because people believe they are special. I know this message is supposed to teach kids that they can be what ever they want to be and help bolster their self-esteem, but that I like the message because it reminds people not to take things so seriously. Most "special" things are only special because we endow them with "specialness."
There are something that are special because they posses rare qualities, but those things are few and far between.
Kung Fu Panda is not one of those things. It is just fine.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Avatar
Like the big nerd that I am, I rushed out to see Avatar on opening day. I saw it in the full glory of IMAX 3D and am glad I did. It is a movie that deserves a huge screen and a big sound system. I'm sure it would look great on a smaller screen and in 2D, but it was meant for the full treatment.
Like the original Star Wars, Avatar moves the bar up for what is possible using special effects. Cameron's new world looks as real as any set I've ever seen. The creatures also look real. They don't look "sort of" real like allot of CGI creatures. They look like flesh and blood. The facial expressions, the body movements, the skin, everything. It is hard to distinguish between what is CGI and what isn't even when humans and creatures are interacting. The 3D makes it all the more engrossing. However, there were a few times when the 3D effects fuzzed things out.
The story is nothing special. It is Ferngully in space. The trailer gives the whole plot away and there are no surprises. The script is clunky in places, but not as bad as the scripts for the last three Star Wars films. The acting was top notch considering that half of the time you are watching CGI and could still feel the characters.
At nearly three hours, the movie could use a bit of trimming. A lot of screen time is taken up showing off the fancy effects and the lushness of the world. There is also a little too much exposition. Overall, though, I didn't notice the long running time because I was so engrossed in the visual spectacle.
It is not the best sci-fi movie of the year, but it is top three. I highly recommend going for the full IMAX treatment. The seating is better, the sound is better, the visuals deserve the bigger screen, and the price difference is nominal. I paid 14 bucks - the extra $2 is worth it.
Like the original Star Wars, Avatar moves the bar up for what is possible using special effects. Cameron's new world looks as real as any set I've ever seen. The creatures also look real. They don't look "sort of" real like allot of CGI creatures. They look like flesh and blood. The facial expressions, the body movements, the skin, everything. It is hard to distinguish between what is CGI and what isn't even when humans and creatures are interacting. The 3D makes it all the more engrossing. However, there were a few times when the 3D effects fuzzed things out.
The story is nothing special. It is Ferngully in space. The trailer gives the whole plot away and there are no surprises. The script is clunky in places, but not as bad as the scripts for the last three Star Wars films. The acting was top notch considering that half of the time you are watching CGI and could still feel the characters.
At nearly three hours, the movie could use a bit of trimming. A lot of screen time is taken up showing off the fancy effects and the lushness of the world. There is also a little too much exposition. Overall, though, I didn't notice the long running time because I was so engrossed in the visual spectacle.
It is not the best sci-fi movie of the year, but it is top three. I highly recommend going for the full IMAX treatment. The seating is better, the sound is better, the visuals deserve the bigger screen, and the price difference is nominal. I paid 14 bucks - the extra $2 is worth it.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Union Bar and Grill
The Union Bar & Grill, located on Washington Street in Boston's south end, is an upscale brunch spot in a land of brunch spots. The decor is classy and the staff is dressed accordingly. The space is large and the table layout optimizes the space.
We all got drinks that were good. H got a pimossa which is a mimosa made with pomergranite juice. It was very good. I got the wake up call which is an odd concoction of liquors, esspreso, and juices. When it came out I was taken aback because I thought it was a coffee drink, but it is a martini with a rusty orange color. Once the surprise wore off, I enjoyed the drink.
For food H got the cod cakes. The cod cakes are a twist on eggs benedict where the English muffin and Canadian bacon is replaced by lightly breaded cod cakes. H found them interesting and tastey. I got an omlette instead of my usual steak and eggs. I immediately regretted the decision, but not because the omlette was bad. I just don't like omlettes much. Fortunately, this omlette was very good and made my bad choice bearable.
The prices were in the high range, but the Union earns them. The entire experience was high class.
We all got drinks that were good. H got a pimossa which is a mimosa made with pomergranite juice. It was very good. I got the wake up call which is an odd concoction of liquors, esspreso, and juices. When it came out I was taken aback because I thought it was a coffee drink, but it is a martini with a rusty orange color. Once the surprise wore off, I enjoyed the drink.
For food H got the cod cakes. The cod cakes are a twist on eggs benedict where the English muffin and Canadian bacon is replaced by lightly breaded cod cakes. H found them interesting and tastey. I got an omlette instead of my usual steak and eggs. I immediately regretted the decision, but not because the omlette was bad. I just don't like omlettes much. Fortunately, this omlette was very good and made my bad choice bearable.
The prices were in the high range, but the Union earns them. The entire experience was high class.
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