In Bruges

Talented actors + twisted morals + fairytale setting = Theater of the Obscene

This movie created several mixed reactions for me. First of all, I liked the dark comedy, particularly to poking of fun at American tourists, but the violence was too much, too sudden, and too cavalier for me. I could suspend my disbelief, but not as far as the script writer wanted. I giggled at many of the jokes, but then I immediately felt bad about it, as many of them were racial and all of them very un-P.C. (I am not sure whether this is a truly negative thing, but I won't expand on our (Lunanshee feels this way too), that political correctness does go too far).

All in all, I would tell anyone who wants to see it that if they can wait until video, I will be fairly certain that they will enjoy it. Lunanshee said that she wasn't at all interested, and I am glad now that I did not make her see it with me.

I think that all of the best parts of the movie were included in the preview. Curiously enough, this is not really a bad thing. I still think that Colin Farrell's line about why Bruges does not impress him is the best in the entire script, given his snarky delivery.

The characters were definitely different, particularly from each other. The one thing that unified them is that they all clung to their ideas of "what is right", despite being in professions that demanded that they kill people. It was a bit surreal watching them cling so fiercely to their 'morals' while being so brutal at other times. The ending is a product of this, as absurd as it felt to watch. I would like to hear from someone else whether they think that the person being put into the ambulance at the end lives or not. I would like to think that he doesn't.
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'Twilight: the Movie

Decent book + talented young actors = likelihood of a bloody good time

...just in time for the Christmas break.

I'm currently in the middle of reading the 3rd (Eclipse) of a projected 4-5 book series written by a vampire-lore neophyte, and it is actually pretty good. The characters wear a bit sometimes, but the movie translation of the first novel (Twilight) should be good. I'm pretty hopeful.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1099212/

The site shows that the movie is already in production, and I am only just now hearing about it (!)

Kristen Stewart will be a decent Bella; a pretty, clever, precociously mature high school student who consistently undervalues herself without really straying from 'simpathetic' to plain 'pathetic' character. I think she is pretty 'right' for the part.
I'm also pretty amused with the casting for Edward, the love-interest. I adored Robert Pattinson's Cedric Diggory in HP: GoF, so I am optimistic that the movie won't come off as childish (the books don't, but we all know how movies don't always maintain the text's original magic). I think that is part of the magic of Meyer's writing, is that her characters are believable teens without being belittled by it.

I Heart Kristen Bell

There is a long and pretty-detailed rumor-sheet posted on Rotten Tomatoes about "planned" films. Who knows if they will ever materialize? It might be fun to look back in two years and see how many of these 'predictions' (that is how I think of them) will come true.

Here is the article:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/terminator_4/news/1710042/

I will discuss shortly the two comic book and videogame movies promised by the article, but Kristen Bell deserves top-billing. This actually looks cute, if you can believe that someone as adorable and young as the former Ms. Mars can be a 'successful real estate agent'. I would think that this movie would play better with a 40-something lead, but I will look forward to seeing more of Rome any time!

When in Rome
Scheduled Start Date: March 31
Shooting Location: New York, Rome, Italy
Producer: Benny Medina, Jeff Pollack, Gary Foster, Andrew Panay, Rikki Bestall
Writer/Director: Mark Steven Johnson
CAST: Kristen Bell
Bell will play a successful real estate agent in New York who can't find a lasting relationship. When her younger sister impulsively marries in Rome, she flies out for the wedding and, after picking up coins from a reputed "fountain of love," finds an overabundance of suitors waiting for her back home.

A New 'Clue' Movie?!?

First of all, I just want to say, there can be no 'better' Clue film made (or re-made)!

I just saw an article suggesting that at several Hasbro games could be made into movies. Yep, you heard me right. Check out the article here:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/clue/news/1710069/

I can just see someone like Michael Rooker, shaved down to his Daddy Warbucks chrome-dome, evily plotting from his Boardwalk penthouse office to remove the hard-working, blue-collar residents of his Connecticut Ave. row houses. We can cast Renee Zellweger as the optimistic and crusading debutante-who-must-prove-herself-a-humanitarian who needs to figure out that she should 'merge assets' with the rascal of a up-and-coming real-estate broker played by...Matthew Goode to defeat the malicious profiteer Uncle Pennybags. Add a "convenient" fire that raized the Baltic Ave. slums and you've practically got a picture right there!
Well, at least it would be just about as good as what has been coming out lately. I am looking forward to very few movies in the near future.

I know that "multi-media" and viral ad campaigns are the way to go right now, but I don't need to have an "immersive experience" with my board games; that's kind of why I like them. Call me "oldschool", but that is my opinion. I think they got inspired by the "little amusement park ride that could" franchise....

Jumper

Really interesting idea + mediocre acting and script + great special effects = mediocre sci-fi movie

Jumper tells the story of a kid who figures out that he can move from place to place at will (think teleport) and runs away from home at the age of 15. This is the first 15 or so minutes of the movie. From there we are "jumped" 8 years later where the kid has grown into a smug and spoiled young man who, for me at least, isn't very likable. Enter the opposition. Samual Jackson (which white painted hair that isn't very scary) is the leader of a special group called Paladins. This group's origins and methods are never really explained; all you need to know is that Paladins hunt Jumpers and have been doing so for a couple thousand years. Into this not very well defined mix add a love interest that isn't that believable, since the last time he saw her was when they were about 15 and she just goes along with whatever he says while attempting to show some spin by whining about what is going on and where they are going and who ARE those people!?

Basically they took a really good idea (I am interested in reading the book, since I have a feeling it will be much better) and produced a luke-warm movie with plot holes you could break a leg in. My advice, watch a matinée if you must see it in theaters, but ultimately you won't miss much if you wait for cable.

'Charlie Wilson's' Wake-Up

Questionable retelling of historical/political events + Tom Hanks = decent holiday movie

If one had asked me, I would have said that this movie made an odd choice for a Christmas holiday movie. However, if anyone can do it, it is Tom Hanks (I will even take him as Robert Langdon, if reluctantly). For me, the topic is what was most unusual for holiday fare; this type of movie is usually reserved for January, when the heavier, more Oscar-groomed fare is trotted out. Admittedly, though, we need to be shown this kind of thing. After watching the movie, I started to wonder what other world events I should know about; what other remarkable stories have fallen out of the national consciousness. We were certainly not taught about the incidents that were depicted here in school.

It is a little hard at this time to feel like Russia was ever a threat to the safety of the Free World. After all, I was barely conscious of the larger world when the Berlin Wall fell, so the anxiety of having these events be 'current' is pretty alien to me. That doesn't lessen the fact that there are valuable lessons to be gleaned from the outcome in Afghanistan, given our involvement in Iraq these days. The end of the movie pretty much spells this out, although some of my companions arrived at the conclusion before the narrative did (perhaps they are either more worldly or clever than I am). In any case, I can't dismiss this biopic, no matter how much sugar the lesson is coated with (I'm thinking Julia Roberts here).

I don't think I will turn down a chance to see Amy Adams from now on, but I think that Julia Roberts' post could have been ably filled by someone else. Sure, she has a 'presence', but for me, that's all she amounted too. Though her involvement in the project probably was the clincher for a fair amount of funding, so I am not complaining too loudly.

I was pretty astounded by Phillip Seymour Hoffman's performance. I tend to underrate him because of his physical appearance and the annoying tone of his voice, but every now and then, he astounds me (and no, I have not seen Capote, although I should at some point, I suppose). I believed his bluff, blustery character very much, and even enjoyed him. I was particularly amused with his stunts regarding his superiors, although to actually work with the guy was likely pretty difficult.

All in all, I liked the movie and am content that I went to see it, but I am not sure that I will watch it again for some time, if ever.

Diablo Cody intrigues with 'Juno'

Unrealistically snappy dialog + teen pregnancy = delightful surprise

Teen pregnancy is nothing to laugh at, but I couldn't help being really amused by Juno. I got exactly what I wanted from the movie; several laughs, witty dialog, and a chance to see some actors I really like (Janney, Page, Simmons, and Garner-in that order) do what they do best.

Yes, I do realize that the quick wit of the characters is pretty far from what the rest of us sound like, but I could tell from the preview that even though my suspension of disbelief might be a bit challenged, that it would be worth it to hear the really interesting things coming out of the actors' mouths. The friend I went with found this really off-putting, but I knew what I was in for, so perhaps that made it easier to take in stride. Besides, I grew up watching Dawson's Creek; I may have missed the over-articulate banter of Gilmore Girls, but I know about super-chatty teens from watching Katie Holmes (before she was brain-washed and while she still had my respect).

I liked the overall plot, even if I don't really believe it whole-heartedly. Still, it did give me a bit to chew over, particularly the interaction between the married couple (Garner & Bateman). After a while, you begin to see that there might have been more to the conversation about "cold feet" than you initially inferred. I thought that both actors did a really good job of relating to each other, although they were a tad stiff with each other for people who are supposed to be spouses. Still, that could have been a reflection of Garner's buttoned-down wife.

Page is ADORABLE; I could watch a lot more of her (even though I haven't been brave enough to watch Hard Candy yet). Simmons is his wryly dry self, but quite endearing as a dad who tries, but who may not quite 'get It' when it comes to his daughter. I always like Allison Janney, so that was easy. I especially lked how she tore into the Sonogram Technician. Again, my friend didn't appreciate that development, but I found the escalation in emotion about on pitch with what I might feel if I were Janney (although my lines are tons less cool).

I had heard from the reviews that Olivia Thirbly was a joy to watch, and that was mostly true. While she made good use of her screen time, she doesn't take away from Page's talents, but she does have a teen-sultry air that reminds me of Scarlett Johansen. I am looking forward to seeing more of her and Page together in Jack & Diane, out later this year. The plot of the movie might not suit everyone, but I will probably be there to see it, eventually. I could have used more of Rainn Wilson's presence, though. I suppose he is a busy man, but he is really good a being hilariously awkward and a joy to watch.

I find Diablo Cody herself to be pretty interesting. I was knocked out by an EW interview, and I love what she does with her hair. In more than a few ways, she reminds me of a playwriting friend of mine; not only are they both good at creating stories, but they shared another profession for a while. I will be watching for Cody's next project, but I do think she runs a danger of being the new It-Girl; expectations could be built of pretty high. I also think that some people think she's overexposed even now. We will see what happens, and I will be paying attention.

To sum up, this movie was exactly what I wanted, and even a little more. As unrealistic as it might be, the movie is not as empty as a person might expect--there are some really cute moments that still manage to be just sarcastic enough not to be smaltzy. This movie should also be safe to bring a guy to; there is humor for both sexes to be found.