Migrating the Archive..

So some of you might know that there was an original version of this blog. My entries were housed in my MySpace account. As I am currently cleaning up my online persona, I am cancelling the MySpace account. Gerard will laugh at some of these reviews as he was present for many of these movies...




Review: X3
Plot Summary- Third and (hopefully) final installment of the X-Men Movie franchise. Magneto with assistance from Phoenix sparks a battle between mutants and regular humans stemming from the invention of a "cure". 
Review- Once more very well done. The movie itself is a fitting send off for this franchise. I would have liked to see Storm go but het we don't always get what we want eh. I liked the special effects and the cinematography, it was very film nior to reflect the darkness of the film. Kudos again to Hugh Jackman and the cast, all did a fantastic job even Kelsey Grammar as Beast (I honestly thought I was going to be seeing Frasier Crane but blue).
overall- must see in the theatre because of the sound and special effects, unless you have a movie theatre in your basement.

A Prairie Home Companion
Plot Summary- A look behind the scenes of the "A Prairie Home Companion" last show ever. The film looks at the subplots of all the characters through the eyes of Guy Nior (Kevin Kline). We are introduced to the whole group that makes the show what it is. Also stars Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, John C. Reily and Woody Harrelson among others in this all-star cast.
Review- Funniest freaking movie I have seen in the longest time. The country music threw me off at first but once I got into listening to the lyrics, I was rolling on the floor almost. One would have thought that with all these all-stars it wouldn't work but this is one of the best ensemble casts I have seen since Mars Attacks. Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin were awesome together, they both just seemed to click (but then again I don't know many people that she doesn't just click with). John C. Reily and Woody Harrelson were another pair that just worked well together.

The movie was filmed documentary style, so don't expect any fancy camera work. However, that doesn't mean that the camera was not used effectively to send a message. Props to Robert Altman for making sure everything the audience needed was in each shot, that was awesome.
Downside and yes there is one: Lindsay Lohan. The part did not fit her at all, in other words she looked weak next to all the Hollywood heavyweights. I am sure there could have been another young actress in her role. Lohan brought a good voice to the one song she performed but the song was supposed to be improvised and it left me with the feeling that it was horribly scripted. I understand this is Miss Lohan's first experience with real Hollywood heavyweight actors and not teens but she just doesn't work. Sorry. (I know I am going to hear it for it)
Verdict- This movie is in limited release right now with no plans to go wide anytime soon. If you have a chance to see it, its well worth the price of admission as you will be laughing your butt off. However, if you live in boondoggles and cannot get to a theatre it should be out on dvd by October.

The Lake House

Summary: Two people separated in time start writing each other through a magical mailbox. They are both going through tough times when they move into the Lake House. Somehow the house brings them together and they help each other through the hard-times, falling in love in the process.
Review: OK I will start with the basics. Its a CHICK FLICK. I have now gotten that out of the way so I can continue this review in the most objective way possible. The movie is cute. Its plot though very implausible is well executed for the most part. I have to say its one of the few movies that Keaneu Reeves has been in that I didn't mind the fact he actually opened his mouth. Sandra Bullock was her usual type casted persona of depressed and detached from the world around her. I would have almost wanted to see more of Dylan Walsh's Morgan character just to get a little more background on some of the events that take place in the film.

As for everything else in the film. Bravo Rachel Portman. I always appreciate her scores because she realizes the importance of using "timeless" music in movies. One of my biggest pet peeves and something that really dates a film can sometimes be its music. This music relied on mostly 60s and 70s era music and will not have that problem.
I will say the scenery was amazing. But the sooty cinematography sometimes only gave you half the picture. I almost feel like the movie was not filmed in widescreen but rather full screen. Unless there is a plot reason, there is no excuse for the following to be present in a finished film:
1)Seeing half a characters face when they are talking
2) Having an important character talking to another important character and having one in this conversation off camera during all of it. It makes it look like the person is crazy and having a conversation with themselves.
Tsk tsk to the editor and cinematographer for these two errors, both present in this film.

Overall- Good though implausible story. If cheezy chick flicks are your fare, see it in the theatre. Otherwise, DVD is best.

The Devil Wears Prada

Summary- Andie finds herself in NYC post college. She has a great boyfriend and friend who love her for her. She gets a job at Runway Magazine, a top fashion zine working for the boss from hell. So instead of giving up, she decides to make herself into the perfect assistant to this woman. Andie endures being called Emily, she even changes her mannerisms and her clothes. She gets a promotion and realizes that being at the top is lonely and the price she has paid might not be worth it.

Review- I liked the film. It is one of those good to relax with a funny yet thought provoking movie kind of film. It asks the question if its really worth to give up being who you are for the sake of a job. Andie has to sacrifice everything she is in order to serve the fashion god Miranda. She does things she wouldn't normally do or that her old self would not have done. THen she comes to the realization she doesn't want to be Miranda. Though successful, she doesn't want that life for herself.

As someone who has the boss from hell, I found myself almost laughing at myself and my situation. I mean Miranda is my boss in so many ways its not even funny. This person can make you feel like you are the best person or the lowest of low, most of the time its the lowest of low. I also found myself laughing along with the characters when they sat down at their desk and started saying "I love my job, I love my job." How many of us haven't done that?

Verdict- Not a theatre must see but a great break from reality. This one is on my dvd list if for no other reason than it will make my work at school from october-march that much easier. 

Little Miss Sunshine
Summary: Olive Hoover has made it to the finals of a beauty contest called "Little Miss Sunshine". Her family, all three generations make the trip from New Mexico to California. Throughout, the viewer is introduced to the craziness of the family. From a drug addict grandfather (Alan Arkin), a silent brother, a suicidal uncle (Steve Carrell) and two detached parents obsessed with winning rather their kids.

Review- This is the darkest comedy I have seen in a long time. It was funny while being horrible disturbing. It was fantastic. I cannot say anything but good things about it. I liked how the craziest people were really the sanest. The beginning presents a family that doesn't accept each other then moves onto what happens when people see each other for who they are. It is a story that I am sure almost everyone can relate to.

This movie cleaned up at Cannes and Sundance. Rightfully so. I am going to be bold and make a prediction here. Steve Carrell will get an oscar nod for best supporting actor. His character's interaction with the others was pivotal to the story being told. I love his character; it was both funny and serious without effort.

Final: Worth the price of admission just for laughs.

A Scanner Darkly

Summary: Based upon the Philip Dick story of the same title. The story is placed in the near distant future. A Drug called " Substance D" is the new battle the US is facing. They recruit nameless people to help them find dealers and end the trafficking. Fred (Reeves) is one of these recruits. He does his job well until he is asked to investigate himself and those close to him. He falls into the "D" world and becomes an addict in service to his country.

Review- My main attraction to this film was the way it was shot. The film is animated but not. Yes, I know that makes next to no sense but bear with me. You see the live action but it is animated so it looks almost like a living comic book. It is a very different technique and the first time I have ever seen it employed. In my research, the director Linkleter has used this process before in one of his many independent films.

I guess the poli sci major mind is going to rear its ugly head out for this one. Like Minority Report this movie is a warning about what the future holds if we aren't careful. At the center of this film is the conspiracy to get people addicted to Substance D. The story is finding the source of the drug. As a result, Fred unwillingly becomes addicted to the drug in an effort to find out. The source of the drug is the same that is providing the cure but the government seems almost too weak to stop it. What is interesting here is the paradox. We see how extensive the government is. They are able to see everything anyone does without even a warrant but they are unable to stop business which is hurting the people. Its a scary thing to behold. How can a government that big be unable to stop something like that from going on? Moreover, how can the leaders morally handle sacrificing civil liberties for obviously no safety. Its a scary thought. I would like to see it again but that will wait for DVD.

Final- I would see it in theatres. Its a fantastic piece of work. Somehow I almost feel like the images will lose something on the TV screen.