Showing posts with label Movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movie. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Film Reviews - The Hangover
First off, I never thought I’d like this as much as I did. Secondly, I want to see it again! This isn’t just a d!ck and f@rt movie. It’s mostly a who-done-it-and-how movie. For a great majority of this film, we’re on the adventure of tracking down where one of our lead characters, the bachelor ended up after a night that they’d obviously forgotten. Through bizarre clues (i.e. Mike Tyson, tiger, family heirloom, et al…) they’re finding their way through Las Vegas, where this wild bachelor party has taken place. Meanwhile, back home, the women in these men’s lives are worrying and wondering about how they are and where they are. Lies and misleading conversations are the guy’s only saving grace in order to buy them enough time to find their friend who they’ve misplaced. Obviously, after jumping through amazingly ridiculous hoops, they find their friend in the nick of time; but not without one surprise after another that keeps you laughing and wanting for more once the movie has come to an end. But don’t get up yet…stay for the credits.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
DVD/Videos Reviewed - Dazed and Confused
Today I watched a movie that spawned a few Hollywood careers: Dazed and Confused. Released in 1993, this movie came out when Bennifer hadn't been anywhere near the minds of Movie columnists, Matthew McConaughey wasn't playing a film actor's agent, and Cole Hauser has just severed his "School Ties" a year prior. This movie was written, produced, and directed by Richard Linklater at the start of what would be a very courageous career spanning now 18 years and counting. As a coming of age story, this puts us in the shoes of a late 70's junior high graduate into High School on his last day before summer. The local High School seniors plot an initiation the incoming freshmen will never forget. As the story progresses (all in one day, no less) the young boy goes through an entire plethora of events towards manhood learning how to tell friends from foes really quickly.
The Criterion DVD set includes screen tests, outtakes, commentaries, and much more on the 2 disc set. I enjoy the replay value of this movie a bunch. It's "totally boss" cover art is a tribute to the styles of the era showcased in the movie, complete with macrame designs drawn by bored students on their notebook.
The Criterion DVD set includes screen tests, outtakes, commentaries, and much more on the 2 disc set. I enjoy the replay value of this movie a bunch. It's "totally boss" cover art is a tribute to the styles of the era showcased in the movie, complete with macrame designs drawn by bored students on their notebook.
Film Reviews - Watchmen
*possible spoiler alert*
WATCHMEN
12am showing in order to see it first?...I'm so there!
Your first question will be, "Did she read the novel?"
Answer: No. Now that we've got that settled, I give you my P.O.V.
You know that pre-movie "turn off your cell phone & no texting" sign that flashes on the screen?...Well, to that JACK-HOLE who was in my theatre, one row behind me & 4 seats to my left: Dublin, CA Hacienda Crossings, Theatre #20...you must have MISSED that obvious message since you were so friggin busy on the phone & texting! ASS! Last thing I need to hear in the middle of a sex scene is your stupid phone saying, "message sent". Again, I say it: ASS!
Okay...I've vented & I feel better now. **Beware of spoilers** The movie trailers had me wanting for the main event of the much coveted midnight release. It was impressive showing of graphic delight, however the movie was (after so MUCH hype) mostly just LONG & BORING!!!! Yes, there I said it. It really sucks for me to say that too. Especially because there's an awesome preview & movie poster of the sexy lighting-the-cigar-with-a-flame-thrower bit by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. (No, it's NOT Robert Downey Jr., but it's a really easy to confuse the two).
I was bored by over-narration, over-CGI, over-dramatic, under-acted, over-the-top...ugh! Where do I begin? Every time I thought the movie could be ending at this pivotal moment, it kept going...and going...and going. It was a helluva long movie to be bored at! The fight scenes were bass-filled, to where my seat vibrated...that became a little less boring. Hmmmm.... The effects were done to death and the monotone narration made me feel like the movie was dead. And it just kept dragging from there. It was missing the kick-in-the-head that I was expecting. I was looking for that edge-of-my-seat anticipation, but was stuck leaning on the arm rest with my arms folded in disappointment.
*sigh*
Know that there is a LOT of naked bootie in this movie…and not of the female persuasion! The costumes were fun. The numerous story lines were hard to follow. The sex scenes were convincingly good and sexy (not like in the crappy Underworld Evolution where it looked like the guy was screwing her belly button!). The character relationships were flimsy and hollow. I hated the fact that I never really cared enough for any character, to where their death actually bothered me.
One of the best things I can say for this movie is that is had an AWESOME soundtrack! One of the worst things I can say is that it did the neat little 5 minute wrap up, where things were just TOO perfect & completely absurd in an "aw shucks" kinda way. Not even Hallmark would have condoned that cutsie family-feel ending that would make anyone dry heave.
WATCHMEN
12am showing in order to see it first?...I'm so there!
Your first question will be, "Did she read the novel?"
Answer: No. Now that we've got that settled, I give you my P.O.V.
You know that pre-movie "turn off your cell phone & no texting" sign that flashes on the screen?...Well, to that JACK-HOLE who was in my theatre, one row behind me & 4 seats to my left: Dublin, CA Hacienda Crossings, Theatre #20...you must have MISSED that obvious message since you were so friggin busy on the phone & texting! ASS! Last thing I need to hear in the middle of a sex scene is your stupid phone saying, "message sent". Again, I say it: ASS!
Okay...I've vented & I feel better now. **Beware of spoilers** The movie trailers had me wanting for the main event of the much coveted midnight release. It was impressive showing of graphic delight, however the movie was (after so MUCH hype) mostly just LONG & BORING!!!! Yes, there I said it. It really sucks for me to say that too. Especially because there's an awesome preview & movie poster of the sexy lighting-the-cigar-with-a-flame-thrower bit by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. (No, it's NOT Robert Downey Jr., but it's a really easy to confuse the two).
I was bored by over-narration, over-CGI, over-dramatic, under-acted, over-the-top...ugh! Where do I begin? Every time I thought the movie could be ending at this pivotal moment, it kept going...and going...and going. It was a helluva long movie to be bored at! The fight scenes were bass-filled, to where my seat vibrated...that became a little less boring. Hmmmm.... The effects were done to death and the monotone narration made me feel like the movie was dead. And it just kept dragging from there. It was missing the kick-in-the-head that I was expecting. I was looking for that edge-of-my-seat anticipation, but was stuck leaning on the arm rest with my arms folded in disappointment.
*sigh*
Know that there is a LOT of naked bootie in this movie…and not of the female persuasion! The costumes were fun. The numerous story lines were hard to follow. The sex scenes were convincingly good and sexy (not like in the crappy Underworld Evolution where it looked like the guy was screwing her belly button!). The character relationships were flimsy and hollow. I hated the fact that I never really cared enough for any character, to where their death actually bothered me.
One of the best things I can say for this movie is that is had an AWESOME soundtrack! One of the worst things I can say is that it did the neat little 5 minute wrap up, where things were just TOO perfect & completely absurd in an "aw shucks" kinda way. Not even Hallmark would have condoned that cutsie family-feel ending that would make anyone dry heave.
Film Reviews - Fanboys
*special limited release*
*possible spoilers*
I just saw "FANBOYS" this evening and no, I didn't go kicking and screaming. I had higher expectations than I should have, but it's probably my inner-geek that was hoping and wishing.
Though there was suppose to be a touching underlying story, it never came through. In full feature length, it looked the same as in the previews: road trip to Lucas Ranch and toss in some poignant (and totally random) characters that all geek freaks know of; mix in a little misunderstanding, escorts and mayhem and POOF!...Let there be “FANBOYS”. I enjoyed how this was a Star Trek vs. Star Wars movie. What can I say, I’m a Shatner fan! (And that’s PRE-Priceline.com!) This had underdeveloped subplots that I unfortunately tried to pay attention to, and they got completely lost in the shuffle. It was a cute ending, but a little too easy of a wrap-up.
I’d recommend renting this one with friends (who will share in the laughter and cringing) rather than travel to pay full price. I can’t say whether I laughed more or cringed more, but in the end, I was amused and amazed that they were able to get so many big actors to cameo. (Moreso, I think I was amused that we traveled over 40 miles round trip to check out this special release.)
May the force be with you as you live long and prosper!
*possible spoilers*
I just saw "FANBOYS" this evening and no, I didn't go kicking and screaming. I had higher expectations than I should have, but it's probably my inner-geek that was hoping and wishing.
Though there was suppose to be a touching underlying story, it never came through. In full feature length, it looked the same as in the previews: road trip to Lucas Ranch and toss in some poignant (and totally random) characters that all geek freaks know of; mix in a little misunderstanding, escorts and mayhem and POOF!...Let there be “FANBOYS”. I enjoyed how this was a Star Trek vs. Star Wars movie. What can I say, I’m a Shatner fan! (And that’s PRE-Priceline.com!) This had underdeveloped subplots that I unfortunately tried to pay attention to, and they got completely lost in the shuffle. It was a cute ending, but a little too easy of a wrap-up.
I’d recommend renting this one with friends (who will share in the laughter and cringing) rather than travel to pay full price. I can’t say whether I laughed more or cringed more, but in the end, I was amused and amazed that they were able to get so many big actors to cameo. (Moreso, I think I was amused that we traveled over 40 miles round trip to check out this special release.)
May the force be with you as you live long and prosper!
DVD/Videos Reviewed - The Goonies
Okay, so I'm a fan of the 80's movies. Good, bad, or otherwise. With that, I share with you "The Goonies". I saw this in drive-in movie theatre with my parents. Seeing the pirate ship on a big screen had me awestruck. I wanted to be there & to be them!
It's many years later now, but I can still identify with the same adventure that came from the muffled-sounding speaker box that clipped to my parent's car window. Today on my much smaller screen, I love it for both the thrill of the adventure and the wonder of the "what if" that exists in all of us. It's a rush. The little kid inside of me is fascinated every time I pop open the CD. This is an adventure story for several kids who have lived in their neighborhood all their lives, but a realtor is trying to buy the land out from under their parents, which will ensure the tearing apart of their families and lives. After a chance find of a treasure map in an old attic & in a desperately hopeful adventure, 4 kids take off to try & find the treasure of "One-Eyed Willy". It's an amazing adventure for our main characters & their friends, Mikey (Sean Astin), Brand (Josh Brolin), "CHUNK" (Jeff Cohen), "DATA" (Jonathan Ke Quan), "MOUTH" (Corey Feldman), Andy (Kerri Green) & Stef (Martha Plimpton). Just like any good treasure-hunting kids' movie, it's only appropriate that they jump over every hurdle that gets thrown at them. From the Fratelli family who wants to kill them, to the (un-credited) policeman (Director Richard Donner) who wants to call these kids a liar for "supposedly" finding the famed treasure & pirate ship, these kids showed them all! And that's when the pirate ship that came out of nowhere, floated across the horizon & had me completely awestruck. It's a Hallmark ending that I'm not going to go into, but I'm sure you can predict. In case you couldn't tell, I'm a bit of a fan.
And I give you all this without demanding that you do the truffle shuffle first!
It's many years later now, but I can still identify with the same adventure that came from the muffled-sounding speaker box that clipped to my parent's car window. Today on my much smaller screen, I love it for both the thrill of the adventure and the wonder of the "what if" that exists in all of us. It's a rush. The little kid inside of me is fascinated every time I pop open the CD. This is an adventure story for several kids who have lived in their neighborhood all their lives, but a realtor is trying to buy the land out from under their parents, which will ensure the tearing apart of their families and lives. After a chance find of a treasure map in an old attic & in a desperately hopeful adventure, 4 kids take off to try & find the treasure of "One-Eyed Willy". It's an amazing adventure for our main characters & their friends, Mikey (Sean Astin), Brand (Josh Brolin), "CHUNK" (Jeff Cohen), "DATA" (Jonathan Ke Quan), "MOUTH" (Corey Feldman), Andy (Kerri Green) & Stef (Martha Plimpton). Just like any good treasure-hunting kids' movie, it's only appropriate that they jump over every hurdle that gets thrown at them. From the Fratelli family who wants to kill them, to the (un-credited) policeman (Director Richard Donner) who wants to call these kids a liar for "supposedly" finding the famed treasure & pirate ship, these kids showed them all! And that's when the pirate ship that came out of nowhere, floated across the horizon & had me completely awestruck. It's a Hallmark ending that I'm not going to go into, but I'm sure you can predict. In case you couldn't tell, I'm a bit of a fan.
And I give you all this without demanding that you do the truffle shuffle first!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
DVD/Videos Reviewed - Severance
*limited release*
I'm going to start this DVD review section with a movie I almost didn't get to see in the theaters at all. The movie is called "Severance" directed by Christopher Smith, written by Mr. Smith and James Moran. When I got the chance to see this movie, it was on the last day of it's limited local release in Berkeley.
From the beginning of the film there is a mysterious feeling of a horror film. Once the credits are over it takes a turn for the comedic side for a while, then for the rest of the film we switch between the two rather nicely (in my opinion). I will do my best to describe the movie without giving it away. There is a group of weapons manufacturers that work together in an office go on a team building weekend and end up having to test their skills outside the office.
DVD extras include behind the scenes, deleted scenes, and some other features on some special, or "Not-so-special" effects. As well as the movie, the special features are pretty good and worth checking out more than once.
I'm going to start this DVD review section with a movie I almost didn't get to see in the theaters at all. The movie is called "Severance" directed by Christopher Smith, written by Mr. Smith and James Moran. When I got the chance to see this movie, it was on the last day of it's limited local release in Berkeley.
From the beginning of the film there is a mysterious feeling of a horror film. Once the credits are over it takes a turn for the comedic side for a while, then for the rest of the film we switch between the two rather nicely (in my opinion). I will do my best to describe the movie without giving it away. There is a group of weapons manufacturers that work together in an office go on a team building weekend and end up having to test their skills outside the office.
DVD extras include behind the scenes, deleted scenes, and some other features on some special, or "Not-so-special" effects. As well as the movie, the special features are pretty good and worth checking out more than once.
Check out the trailer from IMDb.com: http://pro.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi746717465/
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