FIRST SNOW

FIRST SNOW DARK BUT WARM
I am quite sure I could watch two hours of Guy Pearce reading the classifieds from the Sunday paper or a menu from Denny's... something about him is just so compelling. Like Memento, FIRST SNOW is about a confused man on a quest. Jimmy Starks (named after James Dean's character in Rebel Without A Cause) is a slick, smooth salesman. Every word out of his mouth is meant to sell; however, what he is selling changes from start to finish in this film. While waiting on his broken car to be repaired, just for kicks he meets up with a fortune teller, Vacaro (J.K. Simmons in the new smash Juno and know best by me as Dr. Skoda in Law and Order) who shoots a few simple predictions at Jimmy before supposedly seeing something more unpleasant. Jimmy takes that as a good sales technique and brushes the guy off. Soon he discovers that Vacaro is credible and wants to know the full story. That story is the good stuff that many movies are made of; the journey within ourselves. Before he can process the bottom line, things get complicated; but isn't that just how life goes? Not a great movie, but certainly entertaining to watch how Jimmy's destination stays the same, but the road that he decides to take changes.
Rating: Good to have more quality time with Guy Pearce, interesting plot, good movie.

THE KINGDOM

THE KINGDOM RULES

I didn't know the real meaning of the word 'wow' until this movie. No pun intended, but this movie will blow you away. Four FBI agents enter Saudi Arabia in hopes of investigating a terrorist bombing. Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman all deliver stellar performances as the agents. The majority of the Saudi army do not want this help with the exception of one General who is shown that the agents sincerely offer their aid in peace. I usually don't care for "war" movies, but this was more than that. This was a movie about people, both good and bad. How those who seem to be the enemy to us can also be real people with families who want to avoid conflict as much as we do. The movie is engaging with it's action and suspense. The situations so powerful and intense that there were times that I forgot to breathe. Working in tandem, the powerful cast makes you emotionally involved. We like these people. We get to know them and laugh at their ability to have a sense of humor in the midst of such chaos. (Don't let the humor slip past too quickly). We don't want these people hurt. We want a happy ending. We get an ending, but the answer is not happy, nor is it unhappy; it is true. The cycle will continue as long as there are two separate sides that continue to think their way is the only and righteous way. I can't single out any one of those actors; each had a part to play, did it well and made the pretend team of agents into a real team of actors which produced a fine finished product.

Rating: Exceptional work from writing, acting and directing. A powerful and gripping film.

EASTERN PROMISES

EASTERN PROMISES DELIVERS

Wow... another gift from director David Cronenberg since THE HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. Well shot, slick movie which centers around the Russian mob in London, based on real life characters and events. Naomi Watts is Anna, a midwife working at a local hospital who attends to a young mother who dies, leaving a sweet baby girl alone in the world. Anna finds the girl's diary and asks her uncle to translate in hopes of finding the mother's family to give the baby before being sent to foster. She comes across a card for a restaurant and visits hoping to gather any information about the girl. There she encounters the owner, Semyon (strong performance by Armin Mueller-Stahl) who turns out to be less friendly as he seems. He is a cultured and charming man who just happens to be the head of the family business. His oafish, rumored homosexual son Kirill (Vincent Cassel) is unwise and irresponsible and his father knows it. Kirill's "right hand man" Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen) has his head about him and takes care of cleaning up after his son, so he is brought into the family. It is another movie grasping for the same eternal quest of good versus evil; but what happens when the lines blur? Can evil be used for good? This movie offers many questions and almost no answers. Each actor carried their own load and the pay off is a strong, well presented film. HOWEVER, Mortensen is SO very good in this film because you forget who he is as an actor. He IS a Russian mobster. He is unassuming and quiet while also projecting this don't-mess-with-me aura. Watching an interview with him in the special features portion of the DVD he comes off as a real guy from the Bronx, kinda goofy and not outstanding in any way. But if you don't notice during the full-frontal bathhouse scene or during the "interview" scene with him clad only in his underwear, this man is ripped. His muscles have muscles. Even with his clothes on, he has an air of sophistication and self-assurance that Viggo doesn't at least, seem to have (not like I know). While everyone had a dead-on performance in this film, Viggo stands out. Typical David Cronenberg movie, the ending sucks. It offers vague answers, but nothing clear cut and new questions arise. That being said, this is a fantastic film and worth the watch.

Rating: Solidly performed and expertly directed, a very well done film worth watching twice.

KNOCKED UP

KNOCKED UP A KNOCK OUT (Don't tell me you didn't see that coming?!)
By now, thanks to SUPER BAD, I am getting used to this juvenile, crude and raunchy sense of comedy. I spent the whole first part of this movie hating it. Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) is who would happen if the guys in SUPER BAD grew up. You will see a lot of familiar faces from that one in KNOCKED UP. Out with his buddies one night he meets Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) and as both are in a celebratory mood, there is much drinking and dancing and at the end of the evening... well, consider the title. I liked the characters in this movie; his pot head, video game playings burnout friends and her sister and brother-in-law and their "perfect" family. My personal favorite is her sister's misunderstood husband Pete (Paul Rudd). As I was writing my notes for this, pretty sure I hated it, out comes the sun and flowers and we find a heart in this movie. It presents marriage in a real way with the real arguments and misunderstandings as well as relationships in general. Again, a real surprise to me, but this was a funny comedy, although not for the delicate watcher.
Rating: Raunchy and crude can still produce a sweet story about real love and relationships

NEXT

NEXT TIME LET'S PICK ANOTHER MOVIE

Meet our reluctant hero Cris Johnson (Nicholas Cage with very bad hair) who is a Vegas stage performer. He has a nightly magic act, but this time, it's not an act. Johnson can see into the future for two minutes. As the Vegas casinos watch him, so does the FBI with agent Callie Ferris (Julianne Moore) who ultimately persuades him to help her save the world... or most of California. Oh, and there is special love interest too (Jessical Biel). Interesting plot idea that just didn't come off as planned. This movie could have been fun if it hadn't taken itself so seriously. Moore's performance was totally unbelievable and stereotypical. Cage was way too serious and although the end scene searching for the bad guys was semi-clever, it wasn't enough to save this film.

Rating: Interesting subject, way too serious .... no body's best work. Next!

HAIRSPRAY

HAIRSPRAY NICE TRICK TO GET TRAVOLTA TO DANCE ON FILM... AGAIN

Aside from a great wardrobe and fun dance sequences, there wasn't enough hairspray to hold this movie up. I don't see what all the fuss was about John Travolta playing a woman. He sounded more southern than Baltimore and he just wasn't that interesting to watch. Most of the movie, although it was well done and very pretty with pretty actors, I didn't see the point. John Waters, the father of the original Hairspray with Ricki Lake (both playing bit parts in this movie) did a great job with the first one; why remake? An all star cast was fun to watch when they weren't singing. Focused on integration/segregation, this movie had a lot more messages to give (if you're fat you can still dance and be cool and get the cute boy) but the lightness of the film during the song and dance didn't fit well with the serious issues. I am sure it will get many awards, but overall it was pretty plastic. My favorite was Christopher Walken dancing and singing... and John Travolta did too...

Rating: Not terrible, but not worth all the buzz it has been getting.

INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW GOOD EXCUSE TO WATCH SIENNA MILLER
If you are a Steve Buscemi or Sienna Miller fan, then definitely rent this movie; but be prepared that it comes off more like an actor's audition than a film. Buscemi is Pierre Peders, a political journalist whose dim career warrant that he covers a "fluff piece" about actress Katya (miller). What starts out as a introduction to our two main (and only) characters turns into a roller coaster ride of character driven acting. Big surprise; the both turn out to be someone totally different than we originally thought. As booze and illicit drugs energize the characters, they run rampant, emotionally and physically until both are exhausted and part ways. Both give outstanding performances even though the movie was a bit boring and slow paced. Nice twist ending, albeit unbelievable, still made it interesting.
Rating: Not for action fans... character driven piece, borderlines on boring but interesting

IN THE LAND OF WOMEN

IN THE LAND OF WOMEN EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

With some movies, I pretty much feel like I'm taking a bullet for the team in efforts to keep you away from bad movies and steer you to the unexpected. I may not see all the "best" movies and actually try to find the ones that like buried treasure, are often hidden but valued. This is one of those movies. It's not fantastic by any means, but it is an unexpectedly sweet and tender movie. Cartner Webb (A surprisingly talented Adam Brody) is a writer who's life gets so complicated that he needs a time out. He goes to stay with his grandma (Olympia Dukakis) to get away from it all, but instead finds that there is no true hiding place from life's messy business. He is well spoken and the dialogue is sharp and amusing. He practically drips of Holden Caulfield (Catcher in the Rye). Soon he meets his grandmother's neighbors, wife and mother, Sarah Hardwicke (Meg Ryan) and her daughter Lucy (Kristen Stewart) who are both going through some of those messy life things. I liked Ryan in her role. She isn't cute or funny, she is sincere and real and did a decent job in this. As I mentioned earlier, this is not the best movie of the year, but an entertaining honest look at ourselves.

Rating: An entertaining post-coming-of-age film with heart.

THE RICHES SEASON ONE OUT 1-8-08

THE RICHES, PERHAPS THE ONLY TV SHOW REVIEWED IN THIS FORUM
If you have not already discovered the gold in THE RICHES brought to us by FX, then you can catch up before season two begins soon into 2008. Wayne Malloy(Eddie Izzard) and his lovely wife Dahlia (Minnie Driver) are travelers; a type of southern gypsy and they roam around in their RV getting into wonderful and fun adventures. Perhaps I exaggerated. This show is both a drama and a dark comedy about this roving family and what happens when they reach for the ultimate scam, trying to heist the American dream. This is perhaps the most groundbreaking and refreshingly new show to hit television in a long time. It is well written, brilliantly acted and a pleasure to watch. Driver has been receiving kudos for her portrayal and it's a shame that Izzard hasn't as well, but not a surprise. He is larger than life and if you have seen his comedic performances you'll be amazed by his acting skills on this show. He was also seen and enjoyed most recently in Across The Universe.
Rating: Love it and yes, I would marry it. An absolute must see.

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is back as the wayward CIA agent with a bit of a memory problem, in this last installment of the Bourne trilogy. If you have been an avid watcher, you will not be let down. It takes off ten minutes past where the second movie left Bourne, injured in Moscow. If you haven't been watching the first two, you will lack the story which brings closure. However, it is still an action movie, and a good one even if you may miss some of the revelations. This is the ultimate cat and mouse game where the hunter turns into the hunted. On a worldwide chase, Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid and Tangier, the CIA wants to track Bourne while Bourne wants to track himself. His memory has been coming back and he needs help in translating what he sees. All along he basically just kicks a lot of ass on pretty cobblestone streets (except fro New York). The work done in this film is exciting. Damon portrays Bourne as a guy who is neither bad nor good, although he yearns to be good. The action was a bit hard to take because it makes Bourne seem indestructible rather than human. The ensemble includes; David Strathairn (ultimate bad guy), Julia Stiles (waste of an actress) and Joan Allen (in an un-wasted role) make the scaffolding that Damon clings to. There are a bit too many chase scenes (although the whole movie is one big chase scene) and it is flawless in its execution. If you haven't been following the series, you do yourself a favor and watch the first two; it's not mandatory, but it does help make sense of it all.

Rating: Damon does a strong performance in a tight thrill ride of a movie.

STARDUST

STARDUST IS PURE MAGIC
Once upon a time, there was an incredibly well done fairy tale for adults. It was a magical and glorious story about the quest for power, the innocent versus the evil but above all, love. Although, as with every fairy tale for adults, there was tragedy. The worst most unthinkable tragedy possible; no one knew it was there. This spell of invisibility may have been cast by a misleading film trailer or simply a jaded, bitter world where only the raunchy and unclever humor resides. The film begins in a simple country village where a young man, curious for what lie in other villages escapes a well guarded wall only to find a land of enchantment and mystery he never fathomed. Later, this man's son, Tristan (so well pulled off by relatively unknown but well cast Charlie Cox) has the same inkling, but this time he vows to escape the wall to earn his love interest Victoria, so vapidly portrayed by Sienna Miller. What he sets off to find is not what he discovers, not only the "prize" for his Victoria, but real love and a place for himself in this magical world. The star-power in this film is amazing (pun intended). Ian McKellan narrates our journey in the proper way a fairy tale should be told. Michelle Pfieffer, Peter O'Toole, Rupert Everett, Ricky Gervais and the list goes on. All were fantastic and strong performances, except for two outstanding actors. Claire Danes was enchanting as Yvaine. In a role that could have made her look terribly silly, she embraced the comical and added spirit and an angelic aura. She was believable in an unbelievable world. The second most distinguished performance was by Robert De Niro as Captain Shakespeare. I wish you to discover for yourself how this tough guy, the evil Max Cady in Cape Fear, shows a new side to the viewer. Words fail me except that it was priceless. A combination of the Princess Bride, Witches of Eastwick, Tales of Narnia and all else in the film world that is precious and sincere. I loved this film.
Rating: A magical and adventurous fairy tale about love with an all star cast. Not to miss.

BALLS OF FURY

BALLS OF FURY LACKS BOTH BALLS AND FURY

As Ben Garant the Director and co-writer of this film says, this is a " kung fu movie without the kung fu." Brought to you by the same people who brought you Reno 911, this is a film that mimics loads of great kung fu movies like Enter the Dragon, except it is a comedy. Randy Daytona (Dan Fogler) is a has been in the ping pong world after losing his most important game and his father at the same time. Years later, he is recruited by FBI Special Agent Ernie Rodriquez (Carlos Mencia) to infiltrate the ping pong underground in efforts to bring down crime and ping pong boss, Feng (Christopher Walken). They are aided by the Master teacher of both Feng and Daytona (James Hong) and his daughter Maggie (Maggie Q- last seen in Live Free or Die Hard). They used the whole Karate Kid/Master trainer bit to pieces, adding a touch of their raunchy humor, "It is better to die like a tiger than live like a pussy." If you are a kung fu movie fan, this may be a funny film for you. I chose to see it for Christopher Walken. He called in his part and the lines they gave him were fun (his character's email address is "pradafan"). One sequence has sweethearts Dayton and Wong mimic the gun fight between Sharon Stone and Russell Crowe in The Quick and The Dead. It was also fun to see Hiro from Hero in a minor part. This film did have excellent actors, but I'm not sure they were enough to save the movie. They let Mencia out of his cage toward the end of the movie and that gave it a much needed kick, "Say hello to my little friend." There was no fury and the balls were too obvious for my delicate sense of humor. Not an outstanding movie in any way, but okay to see if you have nothing better to do and like Kung Fu.
Rating: Something to do, mildly funny, raunchy and too many obvious jokes about balls.

SICKO

SICKO IS MORE THAN SICK
Michael Moore is at it once again. This movie made me very sad as does the reality of many of our corrupt systems. There is not much I want to say on this movie, except that I am glad that there is someone who still has some fight left as I find myself quite disillusioned. It is a very well done film and the subject will hit home whether you need care or you know of someone who needs care. Health care is a universal concern. I ache for the people who are unable to receive care due to financial considerations and glad that Moore makes us see what most politicians sweep under the rug.
Review: Well done and eye opening. Thank you Mr. Moore.

EVEN MONEY

EVEN MONEY A BIT UNEVEN
After LUCKY YOU turned out to be such a dud, I was reluctant to review another movie about gambling. Out of many words of "wisdom" the best comes from Detective Brunner (Kelsey Grammer); "Like I said we're all chasin somethin. More money. More love. What we're really looking for is more life. But sometimes you go looking for more, and you wind up with less. It's a beautiful world. We ought to be satisfied. But the truth is... we all want more." I agree... I wanted more too; like a star filled cast and decent writing with a decent plot. Instead, I got the cast, but they had little to work with. I like the way the movie didn't focus on the gambling, but rather the characters; but only to a point. They had potential, but they also had "been there, done that" stamped on their foreheads. The plot was hard to follow as it tried to bring everyone together with a big red bow at the end, but it didn't. We were left hanging and as it tried to shock us with a reveal, there wasn't left enough to care about.
Rating: Don't bet on this one unless you are really bored... really, really bored...

THE HOAX

THE HOAX IS MORE THAN A SIMPLE LIE

Based on actual events, Clifford Irving (Richard Gere) is a writer, who has not reached the level of celebrity he had hoped for with his previous publications, so in the 'one-thing-turns-into-another' vein, he has the big shots at McGraw-Hill wrapped around his finger when he dangles the exclusive autobiography of Howard Hughes for them, as of course, told only to him. His partner in crime, Dick Suskind (Alfred Molina) began researching the book only to later be more of a victim of the lie than a conspirator. Add in large sums of money, Irving's wife's involvement (played by the lovely Marcia Gay Harden), a Swiss bank account, a mistress and growing suspicion; the close-calls keep getting closer and the stress and tension send both men in a downward spiral. It is only Irving that has the confidence that the scheme will work. The only thing they had in their favor was the fact that Hughes had become quite reclusive, had a strong dislike for the press and his behavior grew more bizarre and abnormal. Irving banked on that reputation and it got him far enough. No great reveal that Hughes finally did concede to a phone conference to dismiss the validity of the book. It is an interesting story although Irving claims his character in the film was not accurate. Richard Gere does a fantastic job of not being Richard Gere. For the first time, as my memory serves me, he is not portraying someone powerful, smart, charismatic or charming. He has become this tired, worn out writer who is insecure and behaves as a real human man (in this fantastic story) would.

Rating: Interesting story, cast full of great actors, entertaining.

SUPERBAD

'SUPERBAD IS SUPERGOOD' is too obvious and cheesy as an introduction to my review... but that won't stop me from doing it anyway.
Preface: FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH was released in 1982, fairly early in the high school movie genre. It was considered controversial at the time as it addressed serious issues such as premarital sex, abortion, drinking and drug use by minors; so introducing us to Cameron Crowe and some of today's most promising actors. The "teen movie" concept went high and low. Movies such as SAY ANYTHING were different and real and heartfelt while others such as PORKY'S offered the more crass and vulgar approach. Nonetheless, we began to see teenagers as people who had real feelings and experienced real pain. That being said, undoubtedly my review of this movie may blow my movie-cred (yeah, so?!)
SUPERBAD is a hilarious film. We are introduced to best buddies talking on their cell phones, Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) who complains about the lack of "production value" seen in amateur pornos; Seth quipping back that he was sorry that the Coen brothers were too busy to direct. This movie is typical in the three "B"s of this type of film: Boobies, Booze and Boys. It is crude, vulgar and outright nasty at times. The F-word is used 186 times in this movie; but not by the outcasts or the popular kids, these are "geeks" who are also in the eternal quest for babes and booze, but somehow this screenplay takes a bit of a spill. It is the most sophisticated yet disturbing movies I have seen. It is scary to think about "this generation" of messed up kids in high school, drinking, having sex, wearing provocative clothes... but whose generation hasn't had that? REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE... Hello!? This film is not for the faint of heart and at times I felt squeamish, however, at the core of it all we find two boys who value each other and are nervous about parting as they head off to separate colleges. The sub-plots are equally if not more funny. We have third-wheel friend, Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) better known as 'McLovin' who steals so much of this movie. He gets involved with two unusual police officers, Officers Slater ( Bill Hader) and Michaels (Seth Rogen; co-writer of the script) who at the least, are not your average stereotypical cops. In fact, there is no character in this film who is stereotypical. They all start out how we would expect, but by the end of the movie, you see the sometimes subtle, sometimes over-the-top-obvious nuances. I agree that this is a silly movie. It does not go unnoticed that it also has some very poignant and serious moments. However controversial and base this film is, I also think it clever, well written and on my list for one of the better "teen" movies made.
Rating: However crude and graphic (vocally more than visually) , it is also a silly and sophisticated comedy. Do see.

YOU KILL ME

YOU KILL ME WAS A SWEET DEATH This is the most unusual romantic comedy that I have seen in a long time. Stop reading this page and go rent this movie now... I mean it, now!!! The writing was sharp and dialogue clever and witty. Ben Kingsley perfectly portrays Frank Falenczyk, an alcoholic mob hit man gone sloppy. He is sent to San Francisco to dry out and get his life back together. There he meets Owen Wilson (Tom) at an AA meeting. Luke was such a gem in this role, playing a gay man without doing the stereotypical "gay" act. Frank also meets Laurel Pearson (Tea Leone) a sharp witted woman who speaks her mind even at her most vulnerable. This is not a slapstick comedy by any means. This is a comedy based on life, how things are in the "real world" and our human frailty and yes, sometimes life gets pretty complicated and strange, just like this film. There is a back story about the mob life that Frank has left back home, but the most captivating story is the romance between Frank and Laurel. This is a real and honest film and there is no use in guessing how it will end because just like in life, you won't know until you get there. Do yourself a favor and rent this movie as quick as you can.

Rating: Clever and sharp, funny enough to make you laugh out loud. Well done.

THE WENDELL BAKER STORY

THE WENDELL BAKER STORY DIDN'T NEED TO BE TOLD For the record, I am a Owen and Luke Wilson fan... most of the time. I am very sad to be writing this review. It seemed like a good story. Con man with good intentions, Wendell Baker (Luke Wilson) is finally caught by the law and is made to "pay his dues" by a stint in prison (which was made to look like cheerleading camp) and employment at decrepit retirement home run by the sinister Neil King(Owen Wilson). There is a romantic interest with Eva Mendes, but it really (YAWN) doesn't matter. The writing seems like a draft for a great film, but it didn't go that extra mile. Wendell doesn't touch the heart and Neil doesn't make you want to stick pins in his eyes. It's like a balloon that was blown up halfway. The supporting cast; Seymour Cassel, Eddie Griffin, Kris Kristofferson and Harry Dean Stanton are the ones that make it interesting. However, nothing in this movie is interesting enough to spend the time or money on.

Rating: Save your money and your time.

HOT ROD WAS HOT... WHITE HOT

HOT ROD HAD ME AT 'HELLO'...

This is a typical, untypical buddy movie centering around "hot" Rod (Andy Samburg) and his closest pals, Kevin (Jorma Taccone), Dave (Bill Hadler) and Rico (Danny McBride). He lives with his mother (Sissy Spacek) and his stepfather (Ian McShane), whose respect he is trying, in earnest, to earn. He believes his biological father was a stunt driver who worked with Evel Knievel. He and his posse take things very seriously, which makes this character (and his friends) even more lovable. Yes, he's a bit of a loser, but he is so over-the-top and full of sincerity that you come to like the guy because he's just a guy with a dream. The unexpected stomps all over the word cliche, which makes an enjoyable film. Some cliches are played straight and others take a twist that you wouldn't had seen coming if you tried. Rod's step-father takes ill, and so Rod makes it his all consuming mission to raise enough money to pay for his step-father's surgery, because, as Rod puts it, "I'd rather die than live in a world where I can't kick your ass." You think you see a scene coming and it turns on you fast as you can blink. This film has been compared with Napoleon Dynamite, but that's just stupid. Watch for the scene where Rod has to go "punch dancing out his rage", but only if you've seen Footloose. There is a certain authentic aura of looser-ness that other films have attempted to achieve and it felt forced. I love the work that Andy Samburg does on Saturday Night Live and you can see some of that clever foolishness shown here as well. It's just a fun movie that makes fun of itself and the obvious cliches. This may not be the greatest or best comedy around, but it has heart and grit and determination, just like Rod. This was a pleasure to watch and very cleverly pulled off. Any other actors, I believe, would have made this a bad movie, but this cast was perfect. I think this movie was the universe's way of saying, "we're really sorry about that Lohan movie."

RIP: Evel Knievel.

Rating: Very funny movie but only if you have some sense of humor. "Cool beans".