Film in Review

remoteImage.jpg

Woody Allen’s newest film is a double cone. Casting Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson what a team. Woody plays his normal narcissistic, anxiety ridden, nervous speaking character, who is a small time magician. The story is set in London, with a student journalist, Sandra Pransky (Johansson) visiting some rich friends.

The scoop begins with a famous London investigative journalist (Ian McShane) dying and returning from the grave for his last big story. Joe Strombel materializes during one of Sid Waterman’s (Woody Allen) disappearing acts. Sandra, volunteering for the act, meets Joe in the box where he spills his big scoop. Sid and Sandra in shock when Sid appears a second time a day later, take it upon themselves to investigate the scoop. The lead that Joe gives them is that Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman), a English Lord’s son, is a serial killer. The mystery is set and the characters are away. Sandra falling pretty hard for Peter is taken in by the English charm while Sid is very wishy-washy. Lurching around they find several co incidents that bring more hints of guilt onto Peter. The game is afoot and this comedy brings in a genius set of suspense.

Woody Allen is a master at writing suspense into his comedy all while keeping the mood very light hearted. This film will be a classic one day. The actors do such a great job. Hugh is dashing and charming with the hints of a sadistic serial killer. Scarlett, different than any of her other characters plays a very bubbly talkative college student. Who is shy and nervous, a bit clumsy but stubborn. She definitely carries the girl next-door look into this film.

This is a must see for anyone who loves film. It is a great watch and a great comical mystery that keeps you guessing until the final reveal. Rent Scoop.

Blogged with Flock

remoteImage.jpg

If you are thinking about going to see this film, don't, at least not in the theatres. This film, although fairly beautiful to look at, was very confusing and difficult to understand. It takes place over 3 different time periods interweaving together.  However there is no telling which one is real, or maybe they all are, or one might be the imagination of a written story. This film has strong Buddhist themes mixed with ancient Aztec believes and early Christianity. The story really revolves around Hugh Jackman’s character Tom (and various forms of Tom). He is either fighting for his life as a Spanish conqueror looking for the Tree of Life. Or, he is a research doctor fight to find a cure for his wife’s brain tumor. Or, he is flying around in space, in what can only be described as a bubble with a tree in it. Now I liked Darren Aronofsky other films (Pi and Requiem for a Dream) but this one left you with so many unanswered questions. It is a film that takes you nowhere, the journey of the characters is really slight. The main themes are love, spirituality and death, each are given place in the characters lives, but nothing is really explained well. You have no ideas to the past or process of the characters arc.

The actors did great, Hugh and Rachel  Weisz add raw emotions and excitement to the screen. It was great to watch them interact and see the dilemma that Hugh had to struggle with.  Innovative filming and music really made it a treat to watch, however without understanding the main story I was left a little detached from the film.   

The film is defiantly in a category all on it’s own. I am not sure where is goes because I am not sure of the story itself. It is very different, but I would not see it again for a while. It was very, very, very slow and for about 45 minutes you have no idea what is going on (or for the entire film). It felt like it was 2 ½ hours long, but it came under 90 minutes.

Wait for the DVD to come out.

Blogged with Flock

remoteImage.jpg

Deja vu

For those of you looking for a movie with twist, turns and unexpected events, well then this is it. Apart from it being a Jerry Bruckheimer film, it really captured me. Normally I am on the fence with Denzel Washington films because the last few tended to be the same, as do Bruckheimer’s, but this one was different. It is a guessing game and a mystery, throw in  a little improbable science and you have the makings of a great film. It keeps you guessing for the most part, keeping enough suspense to lead you deeper into the story.


The plot revolves around a terrorist act, where we learn that Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington) is ATF officer who appears to specialize in explosion (“reference Oklahoma City”). We see Doug as decisive and keen, as he process the crime scene. Due to the nature of the crime all the government agencies are working together on this and we are introduced to Agent Pryzwarra  (Val Kilmer), who runs an elite investigation unit. This unit investigates events, based upon “video footage” gathered. The only hitch is that the footage is 4 days old. Brought on to the team Doug find himself immersed in a world that is both alive and dead. Doug is faced with some serious decision and pushing the boundaries of the team. Ultimately things start to unravel for him and he puts the pieces together, but in order to stop the terrorist (James Caviezel) Doug must make a sacrifice.

All together this film was excellent, a little bit unbelievable, but then it’s a movie. The weakest part for me was too many lose ends and a rushed third act. I was not surprised with how it ended although a classic thriller ending. Again the improbable science works in here. See this film, if you have the money stop by the theatre, it is a good big screen flick.

Blogged with Flock

remoteImage.jpg

Junebug

Off the beaten path, Junebug is a raw and real film. Set in the slow paced life of North Carolina, this film explores the relationships of family members as they learn how to accept differences. Nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actress, Amy Adams brings one of the most natural and honest portrayals of a innocent childish young mother to be. Madeline (Embeth Davidtz) is an art dealer, who specializes in “outsider art.”  As she is investigating a possible new artist, She and her husband George played by Alessandro Nivola, head to meet up with his family. The family relationships start to unfold as you find the younger “chip on the shoulder” brother (Benjamin Mckenzie) his pregnant wife, an overbearing mother (Celia Weston) and an introverted father(Scott Wilson). As Madeline tries to fit in and get to know everyone the family’s dynamics really start to show. Anxiety’s and past resentments start to surface and you get a good look at a family living in a world where either to much is said, or nothing is said.
I feel that how the family was constructed was excellent. You could see the characteristics of the mother and father in both of the boys. You could see how Johnny got the way he is and why George hates to be there. I began to understand the realities of how impacting your personality can be without you ever realizing it. Where it lacked was probably with to many music driven montages of empty rooms, slow pans and stationary shots of empty room with muffled conversations. If you have a chance to check this film out, I highly recommend it, however I warn: it is slower than most and you have to be patient.

Blogged with Flock

Blogged with Flock

remoteImage.jpg

Manhatton, Woody Allen, not at his best. I really like the film work in this film. The story is slow and does not really have resolution for the character in the end. I know he figures out that he let the girl that really loved him go. It just is hard to make the jump with him. It is like a pinball machine of relationships. The choice to film completely in black and white was brilliant. I felt a little bewildered by Isaac’s moral choices. His character was played up as someone who adhered to old school values, yet his choices only reflected that when dealing with people already involved in relationships. His own relationship with a 17yr old was a little out side his characters value system.

It was so slow, and a little boring, in my humble opinion not one of his finer pieces. I would pass it up for Manhattan Murder Mystery, which if you watch first you think Manhattan is the first of a 2 part, except for the characters have different names.

Blogged with Flock

remoteImage.jpg