Due Date

I must have had a few bad cinematic months or possibly comedy starved because I really liked Due Date but based on some of the reviews out there it was horrible. Now, don't get me wrong, it had the potential to tank especially based on some of the glaring plot holes that scream sloppy screen writing but they knew that you couldn't lose with Zac Galifianakis and the always great Robert Downey Jr. They were right, but look for Robert Downey Jr. to tear it up as a Swedish Bikini Team model or Sumo Wrestler in his next film because he has solid anti-typecasting strategy.
Nevertheless he plays Peter Highman (They aren't subtle are they) the straight guy trying to get home to see his first child born. Complications ensue when he meets Zac the super perm nut Ethan Tremblay. Its a high wire act of absurd drama and hilarious laughs and if you can step beyond the sloppy plot points, I have faith, you'll laugh yourself into a stupor. Enjoy, I did.

Due Date on IMDB

Morning Glory

Though Morning Glory wasn't ground breaking by any means, it took a formulaic plot and added some terrific acting. Working on the premise that not all movies need to be life changing, I rather enjoyed this one. A woman on the brink of losing her dream of being a television show producer finds a chance for redemption in the unique position of working at a dying morning program. Much like the Rachel McAdams character Becky in the movie, you need the right people on screen, even if they are out of place, to stir things up. She did just that by adding the stiff dry Harrison Ford as Mike Pomeroy to a morning show to give it news credibility and letting the always spry and fun Diane Keaton, Colleen Peck, off the leash. Its fun and makes a great date movie. There aren't any awards to be won here, other than the claiming of a delightful evening with a movie that doesn't try to take on too much. You'll walk out refreshed with more than a few laughs without being overwhelmed.

Morning Glory on IMDB

Dinner for Schmucks

"You might say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not" If you're interested in some incredible gut busting laughs, this movie might be your ticket. Paul Rudd and Steve Carrel have some great chemistry going, not including the momentary, close enough to make out, spacial invasion that gives you an idea of how uncomfortable Barry is going to be making Tim.
The movie picks up laughs at the opening credits and only lets up to move you along the story line. I loved that every aspect of the movie led to better laughs from the supporting cast, including the vain artist Kieran who looks great in hooves or holding a newborn zebra and the always funny Zach Galifianakis as Therman, who was blessed with mind control. Sometimes characters like Barry (Steve Carrel) get old because they're not multidimensional but he makes it work and they round out his character as needed as you find yourself touched by his silent turmoil. Check this out unless you have a problem with dead mice in cute outfits.

Charlie St. Cloud

I get it, he smolders, and I bought the "what would Efron do" bracelet. But I get the feeling that someone thought they could get away with putting a smoldering dude in a pretty town by the sea, throw is some unbearably heartbreaking moments, a lighthouse, geese and we would care. Well, I'm sure a lot of us will, but something was not quite there. I think the story line was much more basic than I thought it would be. I have to begrudgingly admit that Efron did a great job. The real killer, and keep in mind that this could be the drama killer that stunted my viewing, was that the kid Charlie Tahan was.... SPOILER: the spitting image of Steve Zahn. I mean, mannerisms and everything. They essentially shrunk him, tied up whatever cute kid they'd gotten to do the movie, and ran with the Zahn. Its downright creepy. The cinematography is delicious, though I suspect some of the vistas are CGI. I'd give it a B but I really thought I'd be balling my eyes out. Maybe he's just too pretty to feel bad for.



Creepy.

Inception

I know that most of you have seen Inception by now, but I just want to share a little love for Chris Nolan's latest. As you all may know, I have great love for movies that don't cater to the least common denominator. Just because its complicated a lot of people may not like it and therefore, poof you get dumbed down content year in and year out. Chris Nolan dares to put together a film that tells a great story without selling out. Doing so has given it incredible buzz and kept its lofty heights beyond the release of Salt. I'm sure that there are more complicated movies out there, but this is watchable. Complexity for complexity's sake is not what I'm championing here.

We watched Following, one of his early works, before going out and catching Inception and got a real feel for how this was going to unfold. The movie is complex though he's matured his film making quite a bit. Nolan marries fantastic actors/acting, with incredibly detailed, saturated sets, crisp editing that keeps pace with your senses and a story line that challenges your mind. Go out and catch it if you haven't and if you have, then I already know you are looking for someone who hasn't seen it so you can immerse yourself in your dreams again.

Taking Pictures Makes Me Happy

I'm far from being the only one, but I take a lot of pictures. In fact I made it a professional hobby of mine. I can't help but be self conscious about it because honestly every single thing I see gets a little piece of me. Life is a photo shoot that blinking gets in the way of. I give my eyes to it, and it gives me something back. The "ugliest" things can be beautiful, the darkest corners find light. The moments, they don't last. That moment I capture is a piece of me now, and it will never exist on its own again. It only exists in the minds of those who perceive it and photos are a way of holding them. In many ways, a fear of growing old, of loss, or the need to collect things can make a good photographer, but I hope I become a great one because of my desire to bring life to the world that goes untouched by perception.
Imagination takes many forms and giving in to the life in the world around you enriches the soul and through photos, sets the flames of enlightenment.

Cyrus

I'll be heading out to get a mouthful of the movie screener for Cyrus tonight. Hope to spew it all over the next blog post. Can they go wrong with this all star comedy threesome? I'll be watching Marissa Tomei's performance particularly. Rar.

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/cyrus/

Update Review:
Cyrus blew me away with exactly the kind of movie I've always wanted. An uncompromising dark comedy intent on making me uncomfortable to the point of hilarity. Jonah Hill works his magic with some inspiring comedic fencing off of John C. Reilly. So, why wasn't I happy? Why wasn't I left wanting a 1000 more movies like this? Did Marisa Tomei tank the film? God no! Blasphemy.
I'm not sure, but I think they were just not funny enough when I expected something entirely different. The drama actually took an equal partnership with the shenanigans and on their own they work well, but together it seemed short. I can only be that much more impressed with the actors and directors that have made the darkest of comedies work seamlessly. This movie has so many things going for it that it has to get great reviews but something was missing and because of that, I won't likely see it again.
I've got one last theory. Somewhere in the middle of filming, everyone realized that this movie was no joke, that they had actors, not comedians, and the real edgy crazy neurotic thing would be to drop the laughs all together and make a real film that hit home about something thats really disturbing. I like that. Maybe I will see it again.

Take me to your followers!

I'm a Leo. Ponder that. No seriously, think about it. Next time you get one of those god awful birth sign matching personality tests that tells you who you are and what you're all about, look at Leo. Done? Thank you. I know. It's how I was born. I'm going to make the best of it, right here.