Before I start this review, you have to realize that I am a big fan of music - all types - and there is a soft place in my heart for movies about music. That being said...
August Rush follows the fortunes of an 11 year old orphan that, as cheesy as it sounds, believes in the power of music so much, he thinks he can find his parents by following it. His parents are musicians in their own right, and conceive Evan after a one night stand. In order to avoid derailing her promising career as a concert cellist, Evan's grandfather tells Evan's mother that Evan died in child birth, which lands Evan in an orphanage. Evan's mother and father go their merry ways, not knowing that they have a child.
Turns out he is a musical prodigy, and after wandering away from the orphanage which he lives in he ends up on the streets of New York City. He ends up living with a bunch of homeless boys and their twisted leader "Wizard" (played by Robin Williams). At this point in the movie, it becomes clear this is a remake of Oliver Twist. The "Wizard" realizes Evan's gift for music, gives him a guitar, dubs him "August Rush", and duo start to make a lot of money busking on the streets. In the mean time, Evan's mother finally finds out what her father did with the child, and starts a quest to find him. Evan breaks from the Wizard, and through a series of circumstances ends up a Julliard where his musical gift is finally recognized for what it is. Can he use the power of his music to actually find his parents?
The thing you have to realize about this movie is that it is very unrealistic. There are lots of scenes where people just know that someone is looking at them, or that there is something going on on the other side of the world. And even the best of musical prodigies cannot learn to play a guitar within 15 minutes at the level that Evan breaks out. The film also unabashedly plays on peoples emotions. It is completely cheesy and preposterous. However, I bought it all - once I realized that the movie wouldn't be grounded in reality, it was a wonderful story. The final scene in the movie where Evan inevitably does bring his parents together is touching, even though it defies logic and reason. I guess what I am saying is, there are a lot of people who will hate this movie, but I say, get over it, its just a movie. There is a lot of great music to enjoy and a heartfelt message.
March 28, 2008
March 24, 2008
Wild Hogs (2007)
Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macey, and John Travolta team up as a suburban gang of Harley riding wannabes that hit the open road in Wild Hogs. I was sold into watching this movie from the tantalizingly hilarious previews – unfortunately, as happens all too often with comedies like this, the previews pretty much sum up all of the funny moments in the whole movie.
I am sitting here trying to think of how to summarize the plot, but my first sentence pretty much captures it. Oh yea, they all hate their jobs, that’s why they ride bikes. And there is some random romance in there somewhere too.
This movie was one of the few of 2007 that I 1) wish I hadn’t wasted my time, and 2) after a stroke of sensibility stopped watching before the movie was over in an effort to salvage my evening.
Avoid this movie at all costs. I won't pain you with the preview on youtube - if you are that hell bent on seeing it, you can look it up yourself.
I am sitting here trying to think of how to summarize the plot, but my first sentence pretty much captures it. Oh yea, they all hate their jobs, that’s why they ride bikes. And there is some random romance in there somewhere too.
This movie was one of the few of 2007 that I 1) wish I hadn’t wasted my time, and 2) after a stroke of sensibility stopped watching before the movie was over in an effort to salvage my evening.
Avoid this movie at all costs. I won't pain you with the preview on youtube - if you are that hell bent on seeing it, you can look it up yourself.
March 21, 2008
No Country for Old Men (2007)
I finally got my hands on the Best Picture Oscar winner for 2007.
No Country is a raw and dark movie that really makes you think. The movie is set in a dusty small Texas town, where a small town guy (played by Josh Brolin - remember the Goonies?) stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong. After sifting through the dead bodies, he finds a satchel with 2 million dollars in cash, and decides to take his chances in keeping the money. Little does he know that one of the most frightening and heartless killers you are likely to see in a movie (played by Javier Bardem) has been hired to recover the loot. What follows is an immensely engaging cat and mouse game, in which the cat spreads death and destruction everywhere he goes. Then of course is the local Sheriff (played Tommy Lee Jones) that is trying to make sense of the aftermath, always one step behind the hunted and the hunter.
Several things about this film really stick out:
The first thing I noticed is that there was almost no music at all, I only remember some odd strains starting a good 60 seconds after the final credits start to roll. The effect is that everything feels very realistic and in-your-face. The last time I remember such an approach was with one of my favorite movies, Castaway.
Secondly, Javier Bardem's character, Anton Chigurh, is perhaps the most frightening and memorable villain of the decade - I put him in the same class as Darth Vader, Hannibal Lecter, and Mr. Smith. I am actually surprised that Bardem was up for the supporting actor Oscar, he could easily be considered the lead character. This guy is literally out of this world, and something of a case study in psychology. From the first scene, Chigurh almost guided by principle in his killing, as if it is his calling in life - no one is immune, and even in some of the tender moments where innocent bystanders are pleading for mercy, Chigurh's face reveals that they might as well be flies to be swatted.
Third, the setting of the film is quite reminiscent of Fargo, one of the Coen's previous films. It reveals a real down to earth people. Coming from a small town in the west myself, I have to say this movie absolutely nailed it. I could point to half a dozen people in my town that mirror the people that I grew up with.
The ending of the movie was a little strange - but honestly, the more I think about it, the more I like it - I won't give it away. Suffice it to say that this movie was easily one of the best movies of 2007, and one that I am dying to watch again. The movie is not just a violent movie for guys who like violence, but a deeply introspective film that challenges your perceptions on what is right and what is wrong, the reality of violence no matter what part of the world you live in, and how people cope with it and try to make sense of it. I heartily recommend this movie to anyone (who can stomach the violence).
Just wanted to show one of my favorite clips from the movie, where Chigurh meets a random guy at a gas station and starts a tense and fascinating dialog:
And here is one of the trailers:
No Country is a raw and dark movie that really makes you think. The movie is set in a dusty small Texas town, where a small town guy (played by Josh Brolin - remember the Goonies?) stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong. After sifting through the dead bodies, he finds a satchel with 2 million dollars in cash, and decides to take his chances in keeping the money. Little does he know that one of the most frightening and heartless killers you are likely to see in a movie (played by Javier Bardem) has been hired to recover the loot. What follows is an immensely engaging cat and mouse game, in which the cat spreads death and destruction everywhere he goes. Then of course is the local Sheriff (played Tommy Lee Jones) that is trying to make sense of the aftermath, always one step behind the hunted and the hunter.
Several things about this film really stick out:
The first thing I noticed is that there was almost no music at all, I only remember some odd strains starting a good 60 seconds after the final credits start to roll. The effect is that everything feels very realistic and in-your-face. The last time I remember such an approach was with one of my favorite movies, Castaway.
Secondly, Javier Bardem's character, Anton Chigurh, is perhaps the most frightening and memorable villain of the decade - I put him in the same class as Darth Vader, Hannibal Lecter, and Mr. Smith. I am actually surprised that Bardem was up for the supporting actor Oscar, he could easily be considered the lead character. This guy is literally out of this world, and something of a case study in psychology. From the first scene, Chigurh almost guided by principle in his killing, as if it is his calling in life - no one is immune, and even in some of the tender moments where innocent bystanders are pleading for mercy, Chigurh's face reveals that they might as well be flies to be swatted.
Third, the setting of the film is quite reminiscent of Fargo, one of the Coen's previous films. It reveals a real down to earth people. Coming from a small town in the west myself, I have to say this movie absolutely nailed it. I could point to half a dozen people in my town that mirror the people that I grew up with.
The ending of the movie was a little strange - but honestly, the more I think about it, the more I like it - I won't give it away. Suffice it to say that this movie was easily one of the best movies of 2007, and one that I am dying to watch again. The movie is not just a violent movie for guys who like violence, but a deeply introspective film that challenges your perceptions on what is right and what is wrong, the reality of violence no matter what part of the world you live in, and how people cope with it and try to make sense of it. I heartily recommend this movie to anyone (who can stomach the violence).
Just wanted to show one of my favorite clips from the movie, where Chigurh meets a random guy at a gas station and starts a tense and fascinating dialog:
And here is one of the trailers:
Dan in Real Life (2007)
I a fan of the Office, the Daily Show, and Little Miss Sunshine, so naturally I was excited to see Steve Carell in Dan in Real Life. Though the movie had its moments, I was rather underwhelmed.
The movie features Dan (Carell), widower, advice columnist, and father to three daughters. In the first 10 minutes of the movie, the clan packs up to go to a family reunion at a cabin somewhere. Leaving the girls behind to get a grip on his problems, Dan stumbles across a woman in a book store, played by Juliette Binoche, and the two instantly hit it off in the way only Hollywood can make serendipitous meetings seem so wonderful. They part ways after exchanging numbers, only to meet again at the reunion, where Binochet's character is revealed to be Dan's brother's new girlfriend. And so the rest of the movie is Dan being extremely depressed while getting himself into rediculous situations as he tries to avoid Binochet at all costs.
There are a few really funny scenes, but overall it was just slightly above mediocre for me. Carell demonstrates that he is a pretty good dramatic actor (even though this is comedy), and the end makes everyone feel good. My wife might kill me for this (she loved the movie), but I only give this a mild recommendation.
The movie features Dan (Carell), widower, advice columnist, and father to three daughters. In the first 10 minutes of the movie, the clan packs up to go to a family reunion at a cabin somewhere. Leaving the girls behind to get a grip on his problems, Dan stumbles across a woman in a book store, played by Juliette Binoche, and the two instantly hit it off in the way only Hollywood can make serendipitous meetings seem so wonderful. They part ways after exchanging numbers, only to meet again at the reunion, where Binochet's character is revealed to be Dan's brother's new girlfriend. And so the rest of the movie is Dan being extremely depressed while getting himself into rediculous situations as he tries to avoid Binochet at all costs.
There are a few really funny scenes, but overall it was just slightly above mediocre for me. Carell demonstrates that he is a pretty good dramatic actor (even though this is comedy), and the end makes everyone feel good. My wife might kill me for this (she loved the movie), but I only give this a mild recommendation.
March 15, 2008
Casablanca (1942)
Here is another golden oldie - considered by many as one of the greatest films of all time, the iconic Casablanca.
The film features Rick (played by Humphrey Boghart), who plays a slick and unscrupulous American ex-pat that runs a night club in Casablanca during World War II. Through a series of flash backs the audience comes to know his long lost love, played by Ingrid Bergman. The two split inexplicably after a short stint together in Paris. Years later, Rick leads an emotionless life after his heart break. Finally one day, by chance, Bergman's character walks into Rick's bar and upends his life. To further complicate matters, she is married to a prominent player in the resistance against the Nazi occupation of France. Oh yeah, and there are a few other delightfully corrupt characters to mix up the pot. Political and romantic tensions combine to make a really great drama.
I am a big fan. This movie has everything - romance, drama, backstabbing, politics, great music, and even a little comedy here and there. If you haven't seen this movie, I accuse you of not being a true fan of the silver screen.
At the risk of giving away the end of the movie, I am giving a clip from the final scene, which is easily the most iconic and memorable. If you haven't seen the movie, don't watch the clip below - although, it is so famous, you have probably already seen it.
The film features Rick (played by Humphrey Boghart), who plays a slick and unscrupulous American ex-pat that runs a night club in Casablanca during World War II. Through a series of flash backs the audience comes to know his long lost love, played by Ingrid Bergman. The two split inexplicably after a short stint together in Paris. Years later, Rick leads an emotionless life after his heart break. Finally one day, by chance, Bergman's character walks into Rick's bar and upends his life. To further complicate matters, she is married to a prominent player in the resistance against the Nazi occupation of France. Oh yeah, and there are a few other delightfully corrupt characters to mix up the pot. Political and romantic tensions combine to make a really great drama.
I am a big fan. This movie has everything - romance, drama, backstabbing, politics, great music, and even a little comedy here and there. If you haven't seen this movie, I accuse you of not being a true fan of the silver screen.
At the risk of giving away the end of the movie, I am giving a clip from the final scene, which is easily the most iconic and memorable. If you haven't seen the movie, don't watch the clip below - although, it is so famous, you have probably already seen it.
March 10, 2008
Citizen Kane (1941)
Citizen Kane is regarded by some in Hollywood as the greatest film ever made. While I may not agree quite to that degree, I can definitely understand their reasoning.
The film begins with the death of Charles Foster Kane, played by Orson Welles, a fabulously wealthy media mogul, who utters the cryptic word "rosebud" just before he dies. A reporter goes on to try and uncover the secret behind the word, interviewing Kane's friends and associates. The story of Kane's life unfolds as the movie progresses through these interviews.
The ending is poignant and thought provoking, though I won't ruin it for you here. Although I am not sure it is the best movie ever made, no one can deny the incredible use of cinematography which was groundbreaking at the time. Even to those of us who love modern movies, and are used to the innovative use of camera angles and lighting, there are some very striking scenes. There are many scenes where the camera was very low to the ground (in some cases, I am told, it was embedded into the floor to get the angle right), and in others you will notice that objects and people in the foreground AND the background remain in focus at the same time. In addition to the remarkable cinematography (that could hold the attention of movie lovers by itself) stands the amazing performance of Orson Welles as Kane.
I was hoping to find one of my favorite scenes on youtube which features some innovative use of lighting and shadows, but alas it was not to be found. Here is another very interesting scene - pay attention to the camera movement, and the action in the background and the foreground:
The film begins with the death of Charles Foster Kane, played by Orson Welles, a fabulously wealthy media mogul, who utters the cryptic word "rosebud" just before he dies. A reporter goes on to try and uncover the secret behind the word, interviewing Kane's friends and associates. The story of Kane's life unfolds as the movie progresses through these interviews.
The ending is poignant and thought provoking, though I won't ruin it for you here. Although I am not sure it is the best movie ever made, no one can deny the incredible use of cinematography which was groundbreaking at the time. Even to those of us who love modern movies, and are used to the innovative use of camera angles and lighting, there are some very striking scenes. There are many scenes where the camera was very low to the ground (in some cases, I am told, it was embedded into the floor to get the angle right), and in others you will notice that objects and people in the foreground AND the background remain in focus at the same time. In addition to the remarkable cinematography (that could hold the attention of movie lovers by itself) stands the amazing performance of Orson Welles as Kane.
I was hoping to find one of my favorite scenes on youtube which features some innovative use of lighting and shadows, but alas it was not to be found. Here is another very interesting scene - pay attention to the camera movement, and the action in the background and the foreground:
March 9, 2008
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
When AFI came out with its list of 100 best movies a few years back, I noticed that one of the oldest films on the list was All Quiet on the Western Front. I am not usually partial to really old movies, as I am of the school of thought that film has gotten better over time, and as such most of the best movies have been made in the last 20 - 30 years.
However, I was astounded with this film. Released nearly 80 years ago, and a paltry 3 years after the first movie with talking sequences, this movie paints a picture of war that is just as horrifying and moving as Saving Private Ryan. The film is based on the novel of the same name, and follows a group of young soldiers as they are recruited into the Army to fight in the trenches during World War I. As they train and are finally sent to the front, they find that war is a truly terrible experience.
The quality of the sound and picture is nothing near modern standards, but I soon forgot about that as the plot progressed. There are some very vivid scenes in this film, such as where one of the primary characters, Paul, gets trapped in no man's land in a bomb crater with a dying soldier from the opposing army, and begs his forgiveness for killing him, or Paul's anti-war speech when he goes home after being wounded on the front. I was actually surprised at how violent and psychologically disturbing the movie was, despite being so old. But in the end, that is where the movie truly shines - as an attempt to portray war for what it really is. The film's message is timeless and will likely be important for all generations. I was deeply moved by the film, and highly recommend it to anyone.
Here is a clip of the film from youtube - warning, this is violent:
However, I was astounded with this film. Released nearly 80 years ago, and a paltry 3 years after the first movie with talking sequences, this movie paints a picture of war that is just as horrifying and moving as Saving Private Ryan. The film is based on the novel of the same name, and follows a group of young soldiers as they are recruited into the Army to fight in the trenches during World War I. As they train and are finally sent to the front, they find that war is a truly terrible experience.
The quality of the sound and picture is nothing near modern standards, but I soon forgot about that as the plot progressed. There are some very vivid scenes in this film, such as where one of the primary characters, Paul, gets trapped in no man's land in a bomb crater with a dying soldier from the opposing army, and begs his forgiveness for killing him, or Paul's anti-war speech when he goes home after being wounded on the front. I was actually surprised at how violent and psychologically disturbing the movie was, despite being so old. But in the end, that is where the movie truly shines - as an attempt to portray war for what it really is. The film's message is timeless and will likely be important for all generations. I was deeply moved by the film, and highly recommend it to anyone.
Here is a clip of the film from youtube - warning, this is violent:
March 2, 2008
Michael Clayton (2007)
I was finally able to see one of the Best Picture nominees, Michael Clayton, which was also nominated for Best Actor (George Clooney), Best Supporting Actress (Tilda Swinton), and Best Supporting Actor (Tom Wilkinson). My thoughts on their performances? George Clooney was good, Tilda Swinton was good, and Tom Wilkinson was awesome (I am still waiting to see Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men, but until then, Wilkinson is definitely my favorite supporting actor performance for 2007).
Michael Clayton (played by Clooney) is a "fixer" at a prestigious law firm in New York City. What is a "fixer" you say? Basically, he cleans up difficult situations with sometimes unconventional methods. The plot really gets kicked off as one of the senior partners at the firm (played superbly by Tom Wilkinson) has a mental breakdown of sorts in the middle of a deposition for a 3 billion dollar class action lawsuit. Clayton is dispatched to get the situation under control and try to ease the minds of the General Counsel of the firm's client (played by Tilda Swinton). It soon becomes apparent that Wilkinson's character will not be settled, and starts working against his former client. With 3 billion at stake, how far are people willing to go to silence him? Dunh dunh duuuuuuh....
I thought this movie was superb. Easily one of the most memorable films of 2007 - I actually watched it twice, and then the good parts version a third time. The acting is great, the plot intricate, the moral questions deep, and even little details like the cinematography, and music were just perfect for dramatic effect at just the right moments. Another thing I really liked about it was that it didn't waste time talking down to the audience, to explain things, which happens sometimes with movies like this. It was sharp and direct, and the drama carried me through the movie without me thinking once about when it was going to end. Oh, and the ending, by the way, was perfect.
I still have a deep love for Once so I can't put this at my top movie for the year, but so far, it neatly slides into second place, with a strong recommend.
The movie is rated R for language - though this is no Scarface in that regard, it is definitely not one I would watch with my grandmother :).
Michael Clayton (played by Clooney) is a "fixer" at a prestigious law firm in New York City. What is a "fixer" you say? Basically, he cleans up difficult situations with sometimes unconventional methods. The plot really gets kicked off as one of the senior partners at the firm (played superbly by Tom Wilkinson) has a mental breakdown of sorts in the middle of a deposition for a 3 billion dollar class action lawsuit. Clayton is dispatched to get the situation under control and try to ease the minds of the General Counsel of the firm's client (played by Tilda Swinton). It soon becomes apparent that Wilkinson's character will not be settled, and starts working against his former client. With 3 billion at stake, how far are people willing to go to silence him? Dunh dunh duuuuuuh....
I thought this movie was superb. Easily one of the most memorable films of 2007 - I actually watched it twice, and then the good parts version a third time. The acting is great, the plot intricate, the moral questions deep, and even little details like the cinematography, and music were just perfect for dramatic effect at just the right moments. Another thing I really liked about it was that it didn't waste time talking down to the audience, to explain things, which happens sometimes with movies like this. It was sharp and direct, and the drama carried me through the movie without me thinking once about when it was going to end. Oh, and the ending, by the way, was perfect.
I still have a deep love for Once so I can't put this at my top movie for the year, but so far, it neatly slides into second place, with a strong recommend.
The movie is rated R for language - though this is no Scarface in that regard, it is definitely not one I would watch with my grandmother :).
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