Thursday, March 31, 2011

Source Code


Let's start with a little hype. At this point in time, this is my favorite movie of the year. The end (no spoilers here) is left purposely vague with you asking questions and trying to figure out what just happened.

We start with Captain Coulter Stevens waking up on a train. (minor spoilers but if you've seen the trailer you know this part...) The person across from him is calling him Sean. He doesn't know how he got there. Then the train he is on blows up. He awakes in a capsule talking to another military commander via computer screen. He's involved in a project known as the Source Code.

To go into any more detail would be to rob you of the fun of the movie's mystery. You're left dazed and confused. Slowly you gain information as Cpt. Stevens does. He tries things that you would try if you were in that situation. Its a little bit science fiction, a little bit military mystery.

Duncan Jones (the director) made one of my favorite movies from a couple years ago, Moon. His sophmore effort is a step in the right direction. What he does on a bigger budget is great, without losing some of the intelligence of his first movie. In two films, this guy has earned a lot of credit with me.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Yes.

Would you buy it?
Maybe.

Would you rent it?
Probably.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

This isn't your father's Teen Wolf
(Which is a shame)

Mtv threatened us that they were making a tv series based on Teen Wolf a couple years ago. Well, series premiere is this summer.



No basketball, no van surfing, no father son moment of wolfiness. Boo.


There isn't even any Jason Batemen...

The Lincoln Lawyer



Matthew McConaughey has left romantic comedies in the dust (for now) and is using his gift of the sly sleazy smile in The Lincoln Lawyer. He plays a shady defense attorney. His clients include rapists, Hell's Angels, etc. But he's also a loyal family man, even though he's not married to his daughter's mother. She's a prosecutor (who implies the reason they aren't together is they are on opposite sides of the law).

The movie itself is a slow burn part courtroom drama, part thriller. It isn't flashy and you're given just enough clues to figure out the crime as Mick (McConaughey) does. There is also a great supporting cast. I was left guessing at every turn. Not an easy thing to accomplish due to my cynical nature. I don't want to get into spoilers, but if you're looking for an adult film to see in theaters, it's this movie, Win Win, or Source Code. Good luck.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No, but I suggest you go.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
Maybe.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Dark side of the Turd



"Hey y'all. If we are able to raise $2500 by the end of this campaign, I'm going to send EVERYONE that contributed a copy of a split 7-inch with an exclusive song by Joe Jack Talcum, (of The Dead Milkmen), as well as an exclusive track by The Bassturd along with your other gifts! Please spread the word, and thanks!"
-Dan Butler aka The Bassturd

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1844618175/the-bassturds-final-album-the-dark-side-of-the-tur

Sunday, March 27, 2011

The Eagles

This post comes from Grandma Nugget. She alerted me to the fact that a bald eagle in Decorah, IA is going to be hatching 3 baby chicks in the next couple days. Instead of going to see Sucker Punch (which I have heard was beaten at the box office by the sequel to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, HA) why don't you watch some "reality TV" embedded below.


Free video streaming by Ustream

Friday, March 25, 2011

Sucker Punch

Much like the jumbled mess that is Sucker Punch, I'm mixed up as where to begin. A promising opening shows us that this movie is nothing more than a farcical tale. Nothing is real (which I guess could go without saying since, you know, it is a MOVIE). There may be different tones in the film, and the bookends are the most "realistic" but even that is only a story. Zack Snyder isn't known for realism in his films. 300, Watchmen, Sucker Punch, they all look amazing but none of them look photo realistic. In all of them there is a heightened sense of reality. And that's about the best thing I can say about Sucker Punch. It looks very cool.

If you've seen the full theatrical trailer, you've been given hints and spoilers to the plot. Baby Doll (oh how cute, everyone gets stupid nicknames) is locked up in an Insane Asylum. While there, she dreams up a world where she and fellow girls are trapped in a whorehouse. Let us pause for a moment. She is so messed up that even in her fantasy she is trapped. Yikes. In the brothel she dreams of another level of dream (hello, Inception) where she's an action star. Here we get to see some great action that will leave you feeling cold because you know there are no stakes. You realize she's fantasizing. So, there is no weight. But remember, Zack told you that in the opening credits. It's ALL fake. Your enjoyment will be based on if you are willing to go along with it or not.

The actors do pretty well. Like the Wizard of Oz (which I think is the best comparison) people in the "real" world play different characters in her dream world. Baby Doll (who we believe is the main character) doesn't have a single line of dialog until about 10 minutes into the film. Scott Glenn gets to be a zen master and commander who gets to give the girls one last bit of advice before sending them on to do their tasks (in the double dream world, ah forget it).

One of the most subtle (as a sledgehammer) points that the movie tries to make is the "men are evil". All the main characters are heroines. All the bad guys (except Scott Glenn) are men. They oppress women. They derive pleasure from controlling them and watching them suffer. I don't have a problem with painting men in a bad light. There should be more empowering films for women. But this is not that film.

The action scenes are cool. The whole film is beautiful, but there is nothing of substance here. Go see it this weekend if you already have been lobotomized and just want to see something with pretty colors.


Did you enjoy it?
No. Plus they made me stay up until midnight on a Wednesday.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
No.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Only if it was one of the action scenes. Or if I needed help falling asleep.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Battle: LA

Battle: LA would best described as Black Hawk Down with aliens. There is an invasion happening all over the world. And we get to follow the Los Angeles marines. Unlike Black Hawk Down we get flashbacks and a lot of character history that is supposed to help us feel for these people, but really just makes us realize how hamfisted it seems. It wants to be two things, a war story and a heartfelt something something.

As an action movie its okay. The worst part is the speechifying. "Let's go out there and show them that we won't be stopped. TODAY IS OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY". Wrong movie, but same point. Yawn. Its shot in shaky vision, so you don't get clear looks at the aliens (for the most part). You don't learn about them. Some news clips say they're taking our water. They use it for fuel. If they use it for fuel, how did they get here without it?

Did you enjoy it?
Kinda.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
Probably not.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes, I guess. Maybe.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Paul


Paul is the story of two friends who love science fiction. They come from England to sunny San Diego to attend Comi-Con. After that they plan on touring the United States. That's when they pick up Paul. He's on the run and trying to get home.

This movie is a nice road trip film. There aren't a lot of big laughs, its more about gentle smiles. You enjoy the movie references and the chemistry between the actors makes it a pleasant movie. The funniest dialog comes from Kristin Wiig who's just decided to start cursing.

In the end the references seem to weigh down the film when it should be confident enough to coast on the good will they build up during the first half. This movie, like the Adjustment Bureau are a nice way to start the beginning of the summer blockbuster season.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
Yes.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Thankyoumoreplease


No, thank you.
Less, please.

I was thinking about how to be nice. Or if I should be nice, or what I thought. Then I read this review. After reading it, there's nothing more to say. Enjoy.

http://videogum.com/287002/happynomoreyoupleasethanks/news/

Did you enjoy it?
Eh.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Neh.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
Nope.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
No.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Limitless


What if you could take a pill that let you access 100% of your brain? That's the question asked in Limitless. I would like to think the results would be some sort of horror where you gained ESP and telepathy. The answer the movie gives is you become a selfish prick who is just out for themselves. Yeah there is a coda where he might be a do-gooder, but meh, who cares by then.

As a way to visually interpret the feeling the drug creates, the screen continually zooms for blocks and blocks and blocks. You know, to signify that he can stay "four steps ahead" of you because he knows outcomes. Or some bullcrap like that. They use this visual move about four too many times. And the start of the movie is also very jarring with the use of silence and metal banging on banging. Without knowing what is going on because it's a blank screen, it is unnerving. I'm sure that's what they were going for, so good job.

There is a lot of drab colors in play on screen when Bradley Cooper's character is "dumb" and it gets vibrant when he's "limitless", which was just okay. I think it would have been more effective if it has been more subtle. There is so much done that is "in your face" that it piles up and wears on you (or it wore on me, at least).

The movie itself is okay. The main character is given three enemies of varying degrees of dangerousness. And it ends with the least dangerous one, so the whole movie kind of deflates at the end. Originally, I thought it was an okay film, but the more I think about it the more I didn't like it. The movie is kind of a mess. It sqwanders a promising plot and is a visual and auditory nightmare.

Did you enjoy it?
Not really.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
No.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
No.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Win Win (with Director Q&A)

Win Win is Tom McCarthy's third time as a writer  / director. His first two films were The Station Agent and The Visitor. Both great films. Now he's three for three. How can the creep lying newspaper reporter from season 5 of the Wire be such a great writer and director?

This time he focuses on financial crisis and family issues. All within the backdrop of high school wrestling. And its fantastic. Paul Giamatti plays the dad. He's a lawyer with few clients. He's a wrestling coach with a bad team. One of his clients becomes unsuitable to live at home. So he decides to become his legal guardian (which comes with a nice monthly check) and puts the old man in a home. Everything is fine until the old man's grandson shows up to live with him. Paul's family takes him in. He has the kid work out with the wrestling team. Turns out he's pretty good. The kid comes out of his shell. The family opens up.

There is more to it but again, I don't like to play spoiler alert. Trust me, it is a good film. Now, on to Tom himself. He was there for a post film Q&A. After he made The Visitor, he had an idea for a film. He called his old high school buddy and they talked about their days wrestling in high school. Neither of them were any good. And from there the story was born. Shot on Long Island, posing as New Jersey. Instead of teaching young kids to wrestle, they put out a casting call for wrestlers and screen tested them to see if they could act. The kid they ended up with had bleach blonde hair and a few weeks after they finished shooting, he won the state wrestling tournament.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Yes.

Would you buy it?
Maybe.

Would you rent it?
Yes.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Take Me Home Tonight

 It was on the shelf for four years. It was Mrs. Nugget's least favorite movies of the 3 we saw that week. It didn't crack the top ten the week it came out. At this point, what else is there to say. Why kick someone while they're down.

The 80's portion of the movie isn't really relevant. It could have taken place at any time period. The funniest part of the movie was Demitri Martin. When it comes out on DVD someone will put the clips of Demitri on You Tube. Watch that instead.

It follows the typical romantic comedy playbook, sans the laughs. Let's get to it...

Did you enjoy it?
Not really. It was a mildly okay way to spend some free time.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Good luck trying to find it still in theaters.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
No.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
No.

Monday, March 7, 2011

SNL

I love the fact that SNL keeps making parody trailers for movies that not a lot of people may know about.








Friday, March 4, 2011

Adjustment Bureau


In my last post, we talked about Rango. How do you sell it? Johnny Depp was the answer in that case. The same question can be asked for the Adjustment Bureau. It is a romance wrapped in a science fiction fantasy tale. And the cherry on top is what if your decisions weren't up to you (it's up to God, FYI). But I can see why it is coming out in March. It's not a summer tent pole type of movie. But you do have two likable lead actors with good chemistry. It's a weird story, but one I really enjoyed.

Wisely, the movie avoids going into great detail of how the adjusters work. You see a book, they wear hats, that's all you're going to get. I did feel myself getting worried as to how they would let it play out? Would they have to talk to "God" to get things straightened out? Remember when Neo got to that room in the second Matrix and talked to the Architect? Luckily, they skirted having to do something crappy like that here.

The movie is based on the Philip K. Dick short story "The Adjustment Team". Anyone who recognizes that names know that usually means you have half baked ideas that don't translate to film. At this point,  haven't all his stories been made into movies yet? Not having read the short story I can't say for sure, but I would say they did the usual Hollywood edits, adding a love story, softening the philosophical dilemma, etc. In this case, I think it adds to what the finished product is. Mrs. Nugget came out of the film with a smile on her face. She gives it a thumbs up. So, that counts for something. If I could have just gotten her to come see Drive Angry with me.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Nah.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
Maybe. Instant, sure.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Probably.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Rango



Rango is being sold on Johnny Depp's name. I don't really care one way or another, but just thought it was worth mentioning. Mostly because I don't get it. I guess the marketing machine likes name recognition. I just don't think it will sway people one way or another. It's a cartoon. "Ooooh, JD is the voice! I was on the fence but now I am in!" Is someone in the world saying that? Anyways.

Animation is an interesting beast. You are automatically put into one genre. You have your own Oscar category. But from there the chasm between tone can be wide. What am I getting at? While I liked the movie, it wasn't funny. Which is usually why you take kids to animated movies, right? I think this movie will confuse people. I'm not sure kids will like it. Don't get me wrong, there are some jokes, but it's not an animated comedy. I would best describe it as an animated action western. With talking animals.

Which leads me back to Johnny Depp. While some kids may only know him as Captain Jack Sparrow or the Mad Hatter, I think the reason it is marketed with Depp's name is in an effort to draw in more adults. But that's just my opinion. Regardless, if you have rug rats, take them and ask them what they thought.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
If I had a little person that I needed to distract for 90 minutes, sure.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
No.