Ours - The Bravery at SXSW 2011 -Stubb's

Red Riding Hood Review

Wow, what a horrible film. I just wanted to get that out. Even in the previews, it seemed that the premise was going to get spread much too thin if thats as deep as the film was going to get. It turned out to be the case. Catherine Hardwick threw up all her Twilight leftovers on this film and hoped for the best. It did not work out. The quality cinematography was done at what seems to have been great expense but creatively it really did seem like a frame by frame rehash of what she’s known for. The sweeping helicopter shots, the dim lit ambiance of young love, and working with wolves. She didn’t go far outside her range with this one. My son said it best at the opening scene, which by the way is a snowy overhead shot of mountains, with a well timed “And somewhere in Spoons.” He set up the rest of the movie. The cast did their job well enough. Amanda Seyfried was her doe eyed self with Billy Burke pulling off the roll without any major discredit. Gary Oldman was a nice addition to the movie after it had droned on far too long between action scenes. Sadly the biggest disappointment was Shiloh Fernandez who came off incredibly stale in his roll as he attempted to make it a vampire movie. Short of calling it a disaster, it was a mess of a movie that tries to walk the line between horror, teen dream, and a period flick and polishes off a huge failure. Oh, but it had a nice red cloak.

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.