THE OREGONIAN (2011) **** D: Calvin Lee Reeder. Lindsay Pulsipher, Robert Longstreet, Roger M. Mayer.
After a car accident, a bruised and bloodied woman sets out on the open road to find help. In the process she finds herself on a dark, surreal, nightmarish journey into the unknown.
This psychological mystery can easily be viewed as a disjointed mess. However, despite its disjointedness there is a cohesive narrative there that as new pieces of the puzzle are revealed you begin to see the bigger picture...or at least what you think may be the bigger picture. In the end, you are not given the answers and there is no wrong answer as to what you think it all means. What you think may be metaphorical is just plain bizarre and what you think is plain bizarre is actually metaphorical but only the viewer can determine what is or isn't.
This is by no means a film for mainstream audiences This may even try the patience of the most discerning viewer. What cannot be denied is that like Malick's "The Tree of Life" or Refn's "Drive" after it's over you will find yourself debating just what it is you just watched.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
9-18-11: "Drive" angry!!!
DRIVE (2011) **** D: Nicolas Winding Refn. Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, Albert Brooks.
"Drive" could easily be described as a conventional thriller yet it completely abandons and defies convention. It is a slow-burn thriller that escalates yet remains on the same level as it began.
A stunt driver also works as a wheel-man. When he decides to take on a particular job everything goes wrong and gets progressively worse.
There are flourishes of intense violence and car chases but they are played realistically and are over before you know it.
In the midst of this is a tender relationship that develops between the driver and a neighbor on his floor. You may think you know where this story arc is going but again it defies convention.
Well acted, directed and written. This is definitely worth a look. Don't go in expecting a Jason Statham revenge flick, this is far removed but far more rewarding.
"Drive" could easily be described as a conventional thriller yet it completely abandons and defies convention. It is a slow-burn thriller that escalates yet remains on the same level as it began.
A stunt driver also works as a wheel-man. When he decides to take on a particular job everything goes wrong and gets progressively worse.
There are flourishes of intense violence and car chases but they are played realistically and are over before you know it.
In the midst of this is a tender relationship that develops between the driver and a neighbor on his floor. You may think you know where this story arc is going but again it defies convention.
Well acted, directed and written. This is definitely worth a look. Don't go in expecting a Jason Statham revenge flick, this is far removed but far more rewarding.
9-18-11: Hakuna Matata in your face!!
THE LION KING 3-D (2011) ***** D: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff. Matthew Broderick, Moira Kelly, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones.
"The Lion King" is the crown jewel of the Disney renaissance that began with "The Little Mermaid". A cinematic classic that is at once captivating, stirring, thrilling and powerful. To this day, Disney has yet to match the synergy between story and music as seen here. Now, seventeen years later the film is reissued in 3-D.
I have always said that the three types of film that greatly benefit from 3-D are concerts, documentaries and animated. 3-D for concerts and documentaries really puts you in the moment. For animation, it adds additional depth to the 2D animation. Think of the opening scene from "Beauty and the Beast". The 3-dimensionality of that scene was achieved using multiplane animation. 3-D adds depth to the 2-D image and when done right it's breathtaking.
Time was taken to properly convert the film to 3-D and the film looks great. The question now is do you want to see it in 3-D. If you've seen it before, it's definitely worth seeing. If not, the film works whether it's 2-D or 3-D. Either way, this is one to see in a theatre while you have the opportunity.
"The Lion King" is the crown jewel of the Disney renaissance that began with "The Little Mermaid". A cinematic classic that is at once captivating, stirring, thrilling and powerful. To this day, Disney has yet to match the synergy between story and music as seen here. Now, seventeen years later the film is reissued in 3-D.
I have always said that the three types of film that greatly benefit from 3-D are concerts, documentaries and animated. 3-D for concerts and documentaries really puts you in the moment. For animation, it adds additional depth to the 2D animation. Think of the opening scene from "Beauty and the Beast". The 3-dimensionality of that scene was achieved using multiplane animation. 3-D adds depth to the 2-D image and when done right it's breathtaking.
Time was taken to properly convert the film to 3-D and the film looks great. The question now is do you want to see it in 3-D. If you've seen it before, it's definitely worth seeing. If not, the film works whether it's 2-D or 3-D. Either way, this is one to see in a theatre while you have the opportunity.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
9-17-11: Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots-The Motion Picture
REAL STEEL (2011) **1/2 D: Shawn Levy. Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Hope Davis, Dakota Goyo.
When I first saw the trailer for this film I immediately dubbed it "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots-The Movie." I mean after all "Battleship" is being made into a movie.
Unlike the game, the novelty of this film doesn't wear off quickly. Unfortunately, despite the solid visual effects and decent acting the film is cliched and predictable to the core.
In the near future it is determined that boxing needed something more. Since men fighting mano-a-mano can only go so far, remote controlled robots were introduced to give the sport that added spark the humans couldn't provide. Now under the control of their users the robots fight in the ring, crushing, ripping and destroying each other until only one is left standing.
Hugh Jackman is a trainer who is deep in debt, down on his luck and always on the look out for the big score. He finds himself caring for his son and takes him on the road with him. The film doesn't miss one predictable beat as the two while at odds grow to love each other, how the boy shows the man what's most important in life, not to mention how the two rise from obscurity to the championship match.
The visual effects are excellent. However, visually the fighting sequences are cool but not very engaging nor is there a sense of danger. After all, these are just robots. During one fight, I was amused to the point of laughing how the staging of one fight resembled the first 3 rounds of the Balboa/Drago fight in Rocky IV.
When I saw the trailer for "Warrior" I thought it was just a MMA movie. It turns out there was more to that film then advertised and it turned out to be one of the best films of the year. With "Real Steel" there is more to the movie then just the fights, it's just that all the drama between the matches you've seen before.
It's passable entertainment but really amounts to nothing special in the end.
When I first saw the trailer for this film I immediately dubbed it "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots-The Movie." I mean after all "Battleship" is being made into a movie.
Unlike the game, the novelty of this film doesn't wear off quickly. Unfortunately, despite the solid visual effects and decent acting the film is cliched and predictable to the core.
In the near future it is determined that boxing needed something more. Since men fighting mano-a-mano can only go so far, remote controlled robots were introduced to give the sport that added spark the humans couldn't provide. Now under the control of their users the robots fight in the ring, crushing, ripping and destroying each other until only one is left standing.
Hugh Jackman is a trainer who is deep in debt, down on his luck and always on the look out for the big score. He finds himself caring for his son and takes him on the road with him. The film doesn't miss one predictable beat as the two while at odds grow to love each other, how the boy shows the man what's most important in life, not to mention how the two rise from obscurity to the championship match.
The visual effects are excellent. However, visually the fighting sequences are cool but not very engaging nor is there a sense of danger. After all, these are just robots. During one fight, I was amused to the point of laughing how the staging of one fight resembled the first 3 rounds of the Balboa/Drago fight in Rocky IV.
When I saw the trailer for "Warrior" I thought it was just a MMA movie. It turns out there was more to that film then advertised and it turned out to be one of the best films of the year. With "Real Steel" there is more to the movie then just the fights, it's just that all the drama between the matches you've seen before.
It's passable entertainment but really amounts to nothing special in the end.
Monday, June 21, 2010
6/21/10: To Infinite and Beyond Jonah Hex
TOY STORY 3 (2010) ****1/2
D: Lee Unkrich. S: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton.
Years before the new regime took the reigns at Disney, Toy Story 3 was in active develop and I believe in early production. It was to be a direct-to-video release. One of the first things done was to cease production on the sequel, scrap everything and turn the film over to Pixar. I shudder to think how that one would have turned out because the film that Pixar has given us is a true Hollywood rarity. A sequel, let alone a part three, that is not only excellent but is better than the original and the sequel that followed.
Andy is now grown up and is about to leave for college. He must decide what to do with his collection of toys, store them in the attic or throw them away. A series of accidents results in the entire gang being donated to a local daycare center and an all new, funny, smart, touching, thought-provoking and overwhelmingly satisfying adventure begins.
Other than a few story elements, this is a great film. There are a number of memorable set pieces and one in particular that may very well have you on the edge of despair. The characters are still just as endearing and engaging as the first day we laid eyes upon them. Hopefully their adventures will continue. This isn't being pushed as the last chapter in a trilogy but if it were it would be a fine conclusion.
This is the film to beat for Best Animated Feature in 2010.
JONAH HEX (2010) *1/2
D: Jimmy Hayward. S: Josh Brolin, Megan Fox, John Malkovich, Aidan Quinn.
The only good thing that will come of this is that you'll probably want to read the comic instead. I know there's a Jonah Hex film out there but this is not it. Marginally better than Ghost Rider and thankfully very short, 81 minutes.
Johan Hex is a supernatural bounty hunter in the Old West. He has the ability to talk to the dead. He seeks vengeance against the man who killed his family and scarred him for life. Sounds like your typically oater with a supernatural twist.
Unfortunately, everyone is wasted in this...hehe...it probably would have been better if everyone was "wasted." Brolin is sleepwalking, Fox if forgettable and Malkovich is yawn inducing.
For 80 minutes, I was bored. The film makes no attempt to explain how Hex got his powers, let alone clearly explain if the guy actually died or not and came back from the dead.
Oh, well. Nuff said.
D: Lee Unkrich. S: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton.
Years before the new regime took the reigns at Disney, Toy Story 3 was in active develop and I believe in early production. It was to be a direct-to-video release. One of the first things done was to cease production on the sequel, scrap everything and turn the film over to Pixar. I shudder to think how that one would have turned out because the film that Pixar has given us is a true Hollywood rarity. A sequel, let alone a part three, that is not only excellent but is better than the original and the sequel that followed.
Andy is now grown up and is about to leave for college. He must decide what to do with his collection of toys, store them in the attic or throw them away. A series of accidents results in the entire gang being donated to a local daycare center and an all new, funny, smart, touching, thought-provoking and overwhelmingly satisfying adventure begins.
Other than a few story elements, this is a great film. There are a number of memorable set pieces and one in particular that may very well have you on the edge of despair. The characters are still just as endearing and engaging as the first day we laid eyes upon them. Hopefully their adventures will continue. This isn't being pushed as the last chapter in a trilogy but if it were it would be a fine conclusion.
This is the film to beat for Best Animated Feature in 2010.
JONAH HEX (2010) *1/2
D: Jimmy Hayward. S: Josh Brolin, Megan Fox, John Malkovich, Aidan Quinn.
The only good thing that will come of this is that you'll probably want to read the comic instead. I know there's a Jonah Hex film out there but this is not it. Marginally better than Ghost Rider and thankfully very short, 81 minutes.
Johan Hex is a supernatural bounty hunter in the Old West. He has the ability to talk to the dead. He seeks vengeance against the man who killed his family and scarred him for life. Sounds like your typically oater with a supernatural twist.
Unfortunately, everyone is wasted in this...hehe...it probably would have been better if everyone was "wasted." Brolin is sleepwalking, Fox if forgettable and Malkovich is yawn inducing.
For 80 minutes, I was bored. The film makes no attempt to explain how Hex got his powers, let alone clearly explain if the guy actually died or not and came back from the dead.
Oh, well. Nuff said.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
06-11-10 - Totally '80s Weekend!!! Karate Kid to the A-Team!!!!
THE KARATE KID (2010) ***1/2
D: Harald Zwart. S: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson.
When it was announced that a remake of one the seminal films of the '80s was in the works and would star Jaden Smith, I was more bothered by the fact that the film was skewing too young to the point it would be hard to relate to then that it was being remade in the first place.
For the most part, my misgivings were unfounded as "The Karate Kid" is one of the better remakes Hollywood has churned out in the past decade. This is mostly due to the performances of Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. Jaden holds his own and is as charming and charismatic as his father. You root for him but unlike the original you don't connect with him. Jackie Chan, while no Pat Morita and in know way is trying to be Miyagi, is excellent as Mr. Han. Where the original really delved into Daniel's life and his relationship with Miyagi, here they really make an attempt to help get across the philosophies and teachings of the chinese culture.
The story is fairly similar to the original. Young boy is supplanted to a new home and is immediately a fish out of water. He runs into some trouble with the local bullies and is eventually befriended and mentored by the apartment complex's maintenance man. Finally, he takes on the bullies in a championship tournament.
There are elements you will recognize from the original and the subtle twists that were made don't feel forced or showy. However, because it is a remake and if you are familiar with the storyline you know how things will unfold. As a result, there isn't any suspense as to how things would unfold.
I will say that the fights in this one are much more brutal and impactful then any of the ones in the original films, even more than "The Karate Kid-Part II." It can get a bit awkward seeing a 12 year old getting the crap kicked out of him. Also, Mr. Li, John Kreese in the original, is far more menacing and unfortunately not enough is done with that other then dropping him into classic scenes such as the order to sweep the leg.
When it ends I didn't leave with that feel-good swelling of emotion I remember having as a 13 year old but I was still entertained by it. This is a Karate Kid for a new generation. One that will probably have the same impact as the original had on the one before it.
THE A-TEAM (2010) ***
D: Joe Carnahan. S: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Quinton Jackson, Sharlto Copley.
In the classic '80s hit TV series, a band of mercenaries come to the aid of people who need help taken out some bad guys. Every week, Hannibal, Face, Murdoch and BA would entertain families as they deliver family-friendly action.
Fast forward to 2010, The A-Team is back, badder, crazier and more violent than ever.
The film almost serves as a prequel to the series. Pre-title sequence reveals how the team first came together and how BA's fear of flying came to be. We see the crime they did not commit and their escape from maximum security prisons. The film concludes with a modern take on the famous intro.
The leads are well cast and the fact that it's a movie allows them to really chew things up. Copley's "Murdock" is far crazier than he was in the TV show. People actually get killed, one of the reasons that I stopped watching the show because as a teen I thought it was getting rediculous that no one was ever killed no matter how epic the crash or explosion.
The film is chock full of action with only occasional inspired sequences but it's stuff we've seen before in countless other films. Unfortunately it is fairly predictable, the misfortune of having seen too many movies.
It was great to finally see "The A-Team" on the big screen. I just wish it was better.
PS - Stay through to the end of the credits. There's some deleted scenes that fans will greatly appreciate. They probably wouldn't fit into the tone of the film so it was probably better that they left them out.
D: Harald Zwart. S: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson.
When it was announced that a remake of one the seminal films of the '80s was in the works and would star Jaden Smith, I was more bothered by the fact that the film was skewing too young to the point it would be hard to relate to then that it was being remade in the first place.
For the most part, my misgivings were unfounded as "The Karate Kid" is one of the better remakes Hollywood has churned out in the past decade. This is mostly due to the performances of Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. Jaden holds his own and is as charming and charismatic as his father. You root for him but unlike the original you don't connect with him. Jackie Chan, while no Pat Morita and in know way is trying to be Miyagi, is excellent as Mr. Han. Where the original really delved into Daniel's life and his relationship with Miyagi, here they really make an attempt to help get across the philosophies and teachings of the chinese culture.
The story is fairly similar to the original. Young boy is supplanted to a new home and is immediately a fish out of water. He runs into some trouble with the local bullies and is eventually befriended and mentored by the apartment complex's maintenance man. Finally, he takes on the bullies in a championship tournament.
There are elements you will recognize from the original and the subtle twists that were made don't feel forced or showy. However, because it is a remake and if you are familiar with the storyline you know how things will unfold. As a result, there isn't any suspense as to how things would unfold.
I will say that the fights in this one are much more brutal and impactful then any of the ones in the original films, even more than "The Karate Kid-Part II." It can get a bit awkward seeing a 12 year old getting the crap kicked out of him. Also, Mr. Li, John Kreese in the original, is far more menacing and unfortunately not enough is done with that other then dropping him into classic scenes such as the order to sweep the leg.
When it ends I didn't leave with that feel-good swelling of emotion I remember having as a 13 year old but I was still entertained by it. This is a Karate Kid for a new generation. One that will probably have the same impact as the original had on the one before it.
THE A-TEAM (2010) ***
D: Joe Carnahan. S: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Quinton Jackson, Sharlto Copley.
In the classic '80s hit TV series, a band of mercenaries come to the aid of people who need help taken out some bad guys. Every week, Hannibal, Face, Murdoch and BA would entertain families as they deliver family-friendly action.
Fast forward to 2010, The A-Team is back, badder, crazier and more violent than ever.
The film almost serves as a prequel to the series. Pre-title sequence reveals how the team first came together and how BA's fear of flying came to be. We see the crime they did not commit and their escape from maximum security prisons. The film concludes with a modern take on the famous intro.
The leads are well cast and the fact that it's a movie allows them to really chew things up. Copley's "Murdock" is far crazier than he was in the TV show. People actually get killed, one of the reasons that I stopped watching the show because as a teen I thought it was getting rediculous that no one was ever killed no matter how epic the crash or explosion.
The film is chock full of action with only occasional inspired sequences but it's stuff we've seen before in countless other films. Unfortunately it is fairly predictable, the misfortune of having seen too many movies.
It was great to finally see "The A-Team" on the big screen. I just wish it was better.
PS - Stay through to the end of the credits. There's some deleted scenes that fans will greatly appreciate. They probably wouldn't fit into the tone of the film so it was probably better that they left them out.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
02-28-10: What I've Seen in the Last Few Weeks
YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH (2007) ****
D: Francis Ford Coppola. S: Tim Roth, Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara.
A seventy-year old man is struck by lightning, miraculously he survives. What is more amazing is that when he awakens and eventually heals, he looks to be in his thirties.
In this film based on the novel by Mircea Eliade, Coppola pulls out all the stops. It's almost comes off an experimental film. It doesn't have the feel of a Coppola film. I haven't seen this much visual flair in his films since Dracula.
There is so much more to this film then just the story of a man who has somehow tapped into the fountain of youth. It's fantasy, science-fiction, metaphysical, metaphorical, romantic, fascinating. It does the film not justice to go into detail about the story and what was great about it. However, I will say the conclusion leaves you to ponder just what it is you've seen.
The performances were great and I really enjoyed the way Coppola shot the film. It can at times come off as a bit jarring yet enjoyable. It's his best film in quite some time.
RIO BRAVO (1959) ****1/2
D: Howard Hawks: S: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson.
This is a classic western that slowly builds up the tension until it is finally released in an action-filled finale.
After taking a cold-blooded murderer into custody, a sheriff and his deputies have to stay on their toes while awaiting the arrival of the US Marshals.
The Sheriff is played by John Wayne. I've never seen him looser or less "Duke" like here. He's vulnerable, makes mistakes but is still a man who'll take no crap from anyone.
Dean Martin is one of his deputies. He's a struggling alcoholic who is going through severe withdrawals that he fears could cost them in the end.
Angie Dickinson is the woman who's captured the Sheriff's heart. When I saw her I didn't realize it was Angie Dickinson.
This film is filled with many great scenes and great performances. The only drawback, for me at least, was a sing-a-long led by Ricky Nelson. It felt like a showcase for the singer sensation.
Other than that, it's a rip-roaring western that ranks amongst the best westerns ever made.
THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (2009) ***1/2
D: Ti West. S: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov.
A college student trying to make ends meet decides to answer a want ad for a babysitter.
So begins this homage to classic '80s horror films. This film has the look and feel of an '80s horror-thriller.
What makes this film so distinct from all of the horror films made in the last 10-15 years is the willingness to allow the film to simmer. The "horror" element of the film isn't unleashed until the film is nearly over. When it finally arrives, it is violent, disorienting, bleak, unnerving and dare I say fun.
I was reminded of "The Burning." Someone days in the beginning but no one dies for the next hour. It's all about characters and the situations they are in. When the killing begins, you find you care. The "House of Wax" remake actually did this too. One of the reasons why I liked that one when most hated it.
Do yourself a favor and DO NOT watch the trailer for this film. Definitely check this out if you miss old school horror.
SYNC OR SWIM (2008) ****
D: Cheryl Furjanic.
Synchronized Swimming. In all the years I've watched the Olympics, this and curling were two events I never bothered watching.
This documentary follows the 2004 Olympic Synchronized Swimming team from trials through the 2004 Olympics and beyond.
If you love the olympics, you'll love this movie. It really gives you a sense of what goes on when putting an Olympic team together. You literally get the joy of victory and the agony of defeat.
I was rather amazed at just how much strength and coordination is required just to do one element. I have a new found respect for sync swimmers.
This is a great documentary, see it if you can.
WAITING FOR...BUDD (2009) ***1/2
D: Garry Pastore. S: Vincent Pastore, Garry Pastore, Robert Funaro.
This short feature documentary is a testament to the old adage "The show must go on."
A group of actors put on a outdoor reading of the classic "On the Waterfront." This staging will take place on the docks of Hoboken where the classic film took place.
The production company receives word that Budd Schulberg, the film's screenwriter, will be attending a performance. Needless to say, the group is excited.
However, the day of the performance the region's biggest storm hits and a downpour threatens to cancel the show. With short notice, they find a new indoor venue, have a packed house with very little advertisement and the guest of honor was there to see the show.
As it turns out, this was the last time Budd Schulberg would see his work performed which brought even greater sentimentality to this production.
I would have liked to have seen more about Budd but the focus of the film was about the production.
Still a good film overall.
SHUTTER ISLAND (2010) ***1/2
D: Martin Scorsese. S: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams.
A US Marshall descends into hell when he investigates the disappearance of a dangerous mental patient from an island-based mental institution.
This is another movie that one shouldn't discuss without risking giving away too much.
It was an enjoyable thriller, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. It's definitely worth checking out.
D: Francis Ford Coppola. S: Tim Roth, Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara.
A seventy-year old man is struck by lightning, miraculously he survives. What is more amazing is that when he awakens and eventually heals, he looks to be in his thirties.
In this film based on the novel by Mircea Eliade, Coppola pulls out all the stops. It's almost comes off an experimental film. It doesn't have the feel of a Coppola film. I haven't seen this much visual flair in his films since Dracula.
There is so much more to this film then just the story of a man who has somehow tapped into the fountain of youth. It's fantasy, science-fiction, metaphysical, metaphorical, romantic, fascinating. It does the film not justice to go into detail about the story and what was great about it. However, I will say the conclusion leaves you to ponder just what it is you've seen.
The performances were great and I really enjoyed the way Coppola shot the film. It can at times come off as a bit jarring yet enjoyable. It's his best film in quite some time.
RIO BRAVO (1959) ****1/2
D: Howard Hawks: S: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson.
This is a classic western that slowly builds up the tension until it is finally released in an action-filled finale.
After taking a cold-blooded murderer into custody, a sheriff and his deputies have to stay on their toes while awaiting the arrival of the US Marshals.
The Sheriff is played by John Wayne. I've never seen him looser or less "Duke" like here. He's vulnerable, makes mistakes but is still a man who'll take no crap from anyone.
Dean Martin is one of his deputies. He's a struggling alcoholic who is going through severe withdrawals that he fears could cost them in the end.
Angie Dickinson is the woman who's captured the Sheriff's heart. When I saw her I didn't realize it was Angie Dickinson.
This film is filled with many great scenes and great performances. The only drawback, for me at least, was a sing-a-long led by Ricky Nelson. It felt like a showcase for the singer sensation.
Other than that, it's a rip-roaring western that ranks amongst the best westerns ever made.
THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (2009) ***1/2
D: Ti West. S: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov.
A college student trying to make ends meet decides to answer a want ad for a babysitter.
So begins this homage to classic '80s horror films. This film has the look and feel of an '80s horror-thriller.
What makes this film so distinct from all of the horror films made in the last 10-15 years is the willingness to allow the film to simmer. The "horror" element of the film isn't unleashed until the film is nearly over. When it finally arrives, it is violent, disorienting, bleak, unnerving and dare I say fun.
I was reminded of "The Burning." Someone days in the beginning but no one dies for the next hour. It's all about characters and the situations they are in. When the killing begins, you find you care. The "House of Wax" remake actually did this too. One of the reasons why I liked that one when most hated it.
Do yourself a favor and DO NOT watch the trailer for this film. Definitely check this out if you miss old school horror.
SYNC OR SWIM (2008) ****
D: Cheryl Furjanic.
Synchronized Swimming. In all the years I've watched the Olympics, this and curling were two events I never bothered watching.
This documentary follows the 2004 Olympic Synchronized Swimming team from trials through the 2004 Olympics and beyond.
If you love the olympics, you'll love this movie. It really gives you a sense of what goes on when putting an Olympic team together. You literally get the joy of victory and the agony of defeat.
I was rather amazed at just how much strength and coordination is required just to do one element. I have a new found respect for sync swimmers.
This is a great documentary, see it if you can.
WAITING FOR...BUDD (2009) ***1/2
D: Garry Pastore. S: Vincent Pastore, Garry Pastore, Robert Funaro.
This short feature documentary is a testament to the old adage "The show must go on."
A group of actors put on a outdoor reading of the classic "On the Waterfront." This staging will take place on the docks of Hoboken where the classic film took place.
The production company receives word that Budd Schulberg, the film's screenwriter, will be attending a performance. Needless to say, the group is excited.
However, the day of the performance the region's biggest storm hits and a downpour threatens to cancel the show. With short notice, they find a new indoor venue, have a packed house with very little advertisement and the guest of honor was there to see the show.
As it turns out, this was the last time Budd Schulberg would see his work performed which brought even greater sentimentality to this production.
I would have liked to have seen more about Budd but the focus of the film was about the production.
Still a good film overall.
SHUTTER ISLAND (2010) ***1/2
D: Martin Scorsese. S: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams.
A US Marshall descends into hell when he investigates the disappearance of a dangerous mental patient from an island-based mental institution.
This is another movie that one shouldn't discuss without risking giving away too much.
It was an enjoyable thriller, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. It's definitely worth checking out.
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