April & Tiffany Do Film

April's Christmas Countdown: #1 A Christmas Story

2008-12-16T10:17:00.000-08:00

Sorry I took so long to post this, guys. It's finals week, and even though I haven't been all that busy, I'm still using it as my excuse because it's the only excuse I have.

# 1 A Christmas StoryMy family and I have watched this movie every year for as long as I can remember, and we can quote it like nobody's business. I love this movie because I remember being a kid and knowing exactly what I wanted and being completely focused on getting it because if I could only get that one thing then the heavens would part, God would descend and peace would prevail on Earth. A Christmas Story follows Ralphie Parker in his pursuit of the ultimate Christmas gift: an Official Red Ryder carbine-action two-hundred-shot range model air rifle (aka a BB gun).This movie is childhood to me: humor, sarcasm, angst, concern, bullies, friends, fear, families, embarrassment, all mixed in with the abounding excitement and joy that is CHRISTMAS.Also, whiny little brother + pink bunny suit + leg lamp = awesome.

April's Christmas Countdown: #2 Charlie Brown Christmas

2008-12-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

I love Charlie Brown. Today, he would probably be described as "emo" or something, but I applaud Charlie Brown and his anti-commercial approach to Christmas. He refuses to get an aluminum tree (the equivalent now would be to get a fake green tree) and ends up with a pretty sad looking real tree.

I love that Charlie Brown doesn't let the craziness of commercialness ruin his Christmas. Here's what I really love about Charlie Brown, though: even though Charlie Brown laments that he doesn't have friends or that he doesn't get Christmas cards, all those other kids are there for him at the end. They make his sad little tree into a lovely decorated tree and everyone happily sings carols.

I also love the part where Linus recites the story about Jesus' birth and the shepherds. It always makes me smile. I like Charlie Brown because he reminds me of myself in a lot of ways (except that I'm more positive about most things) especially when he tries to direct the Christmas play. He's just doing it the way he thinks he should be doing it, when it doesn't work, he just kind of goes to hang out with his weedy looking tree. I tend to hang out with weedy looking trees a lot (when I'm not, you know, writing amazing blog posts, and stuff).

April's Christmas Countdown: #3 A Muppet Christmas Carol

2008-12-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

Coming in at #3 is another version of the Dickens classic, this time with Muppets! As a child coming from the generation of The Muppet Show and such classics as The Muppet Movie (okay, okay, it's actually from my sister's generation, but come on!) and Muppet Treasure Island.

This movie is hilarious. There are plenty of songs to get stuck in your head and Gonzo as the omniscient narrator (how awesome is that?). What I love about the Muppets is that they are actually there. They aren't cartoons, the actors can interact with them.

Pretty much anything with the Muppets in it is going to be good, and A Muppet Christmas Carol is no exception.

April's Christmas Countdown: #4 How the Grinch Stole Christmas

2008-12-08T18:41:00.000-08:00

I know what you're thinking: "Hey, didn't she already have this movie on the countdown?"

Answer: Yes. I did....kind of. #4 is the original cartoon version of the Dr. Seuss classic. While I do enjoy the new, live-action version with Jim Carrey, there will always be a special place in my heart for the original. This version is taken virtually line for line from the original story and adds songs to it. Plus the voice and narration is done by Boris Karloff, how awesome is that!

Also, I love that "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" is sung by Thurl Ravenscroft aka the guy who did the voice of Tony the Tiger in the Frosted Flakes commercials for about 50 years. Just. Awesome.

80's Classic: The Goonies

2008-12-08T18:09:00.000-08:00

There are few movies that I will watch over and over and never get sick of. This is one of those movies. Usually I assume that everyone has seen this movie at least once, but I have recently discovered that a good chunk of the latest generation have never even heard of it. Pity.

For those poor, unenlightened people who have never encountered The Goonies, here is a brief synopsis. A group of families living in the "Goon Docks" (in Astoria, WA) are being forced to sell their houses to a developer who plans to demolish them. Mikey Walsh and his band of friends, the Goonies, find a treasure map in his attic and decide to go on one last Goonie adventure to find One-Eyed Willy's treasure so that they won't have to move. The group is soon joined by Mikey's brother Brand, and Steph and Andy (who Brand knows from school). The group is pursued by the Fratellis, who are hiding out following a jail break.

My Commentary: This movie has adventure and fun. What more could you possibly want? The underdogs go up against everyone possible - they defy their parents, they continuously outwit the criminals, they stick it to the uppity rich kid, they have to dodge a pirate's booby traps, and there's even a corporate villian. As if all that wasn't enough, the ultimate goal of the movie is to find a pirate's treasure, what kid doesn't dream of finding a pirate's treasure?

Rating: ********** (10 out of 10)

April's Christmas Countdown: #5 Home Alone

2008-12-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

The magic of this movie, for me, is that this situation could conceivably happen in real life. The family has so many kids and they are so late, one eight-year-old can easily get lost in the shuffle (temporarily, of course). The parents soon realize that he is gone and try as hard as they can to get back to him as soon as possible. As a kid, I loved that an eight-year-old was clever enough to foil these two potentially dangerous burglars.
This movie is funny and clever and has just the right amount of holiday appreciation of family.

As far as the sequels go, I remember Home Alone 2: Lost in New York being okay-ish, but far-fetched enough that it wasn't as good as the first one. I can see someone forgetting a kid at home, but getting on the wrong plane? It seems pretty far-fetched to me, but maybe airlines used to be less observant. I've seen Home Alone 3, but to me it just didn't have the same charm as the first one.

April's Christmas Countdown: #6 White Christmas

2008-12-07T17:16:00.000-08:00

I know Tiff already included this in her countdown, but this is a holiday classic. How could I not include it? Usually I don't watch the whole movie, just that part at the end where everyone comes together for the show and it's all touching and cute. And yes, very kitch, but that's what Christmas is for, right? Right. Also, some of the best Christmas music ever comes from this soundtrack (or Holiday Inn, depending how you look at it). Maybe this year I'll even watch the whole thing!
In any case, I plan to spend at least one snowy night snuggled in my living room reading a book while listening to the record. (Yes, I mean an actual vinyl record, not a CD)

April's Christmas Countdown: #8 and #7

2008-12-06T10:52:00.000-08:00

#8 How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I usually get sick of Jim Carrey fairly quickly, but he is truly wonderful [delightful, etc, insert positive adjective here] in this version of the Dr. Seuss classic. I also like that it brings more back story into it and actually provides a reason for the Grinch's deep hatred for Christmas. Plus we get to see more of that adorable Cindy Lou Who. I mean, seriously, what more could we ask for in a live-action remake of one of Dr. Seuss' most beloved stories?

It's very Seuss-ian aesthetically and in my opinion in keeps the spirit of the original story intact. It's also funny and family-friendly, as all proper Christmas movies should be.

#7 Elf Buddy (Will Ferrell) is a Christmas elf who finds out that is really a human adopted by an elf after crawling into Santa's bag as a baby. Buddy goes to New York to find his real father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan). Awesome-ness ensues.

This is one of the most endearing movies ever. What makes this such a great Christmas movie is that Buddy (Will Ferrell) is like an enormous child, but in that lovely "I'm seeing the world for the first time and it is super awesome and amazing" kind of way. That attitude starts rubbing off on all the other characters and they start to love Christmas again, too. Ferrell brings off Buddy's excited innocence perfectly and Caan, as the somewhat surely children's book publisher, is an excellent foil.

Actors with the best comeback....

2008-12-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

And this is the final pick for actor with the best comeback. I'm still stunned by his complete "180" in the eyes of the public. Brilliant stuff...

I wouldn't have believed it if someone hadn't pinched me during the film. I've always been unimpressed by Robert Downey Jr.'s performances. Nothing stands out as great. Perhaps, his music video for Elton John's "I Want Love" was my favorite. Mainly because he wasn't speaking. But Robert outdid himself. I look forward to seeing the rest of the Iron Man trilogy.

Actors with the best comeback....

2008-12-06T09:51:00.001-08:00

Saw this film in theaters and got the chills. Had to add his performance into actor with the best comeback...

I know everyone was watching the late Heath Ledger in Dark Knight, but I believe that Christian Bale was spectacular in this role. Fantastic change from his time with Newsies - and don't get me started with his anorexic-like role in The Machinist. Shield your eyes if you have a weak stomach...

Actors with the best comeback....

2008-12-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

Yet another actor that had a great comeback - earning him an Oscar for Best Performance!

Daniel Day Lewis won the Oscar for Best Actor in There Will Be Blood. I haven't enjoyed a performance from him since his stint in Last of the Mohicans. Glad to see Lewis in a film with a bigger budget.

Actors with the best comeback....

2008-12-06T09:44:00.003-08:00

Here is my 4th choice for actor with the best comeback...

This guy graduated from his Hercules roots and preferred the affection of a real-life doll.

Ryan Gosling, in Lars and the Real Girl, played a charmingly boyish character. I'm glad he's doing film more regularly instead of television.

Actors with the best comeback....

2008-12-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

Here are my choices for the actors with the best comebacks in recent years...

Let's start off with the man who has traded in his T Bird leather jacket for some pantyhose:

John Travolta, pictured on the left in Hairspray, went against typecast by donning a wig and fat suit. I'd hate to see if Travolta did any method acting during filming. Good comeback - not stellar - just good.

#5. White Christmas

2008-12-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen sing and dance their way into the fifth spot...

My Commentary: Known as one of the most influential crooners of the century, Bing Crosby stars in this wonderful musical. White Christmas was the top grossing films in 1954 and was nominated for an Oscar in Original Song. Although many may label this holiday favorite as "kitch", I believe it has an enormous amount of sentimentality. The holidays wouldn't be complete without it!

Rating: ******** (8 out of 10)

Top 5 Christmas Films...

2008-12-05T22:12:00.000-08:00

For your own sake, generate some real holiday "mooshiness" by watching the films on my Top 5 Countdown... Starting tomorrow...

April's Christmas Countdown 2008!

2008-12-05T17:06:00.000-08:00

Even though I really don't have time for this, I am committed to you, dear reader. So here it is, my top ten Christmas movies. (Even though it was only supposed to be five, so I'm doing two per post) Also, the order is kind of loose.

#10 Scrooged

One of the better interpretations of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Bill Murray is the cold and ruthless TV programming exec. Frank Cross. Cross overworks his secretary, Grace, and abandoned his family and girlfriend (Karen Allen) in favor of career advancement. He is visited by three spirits (including David Johansen and Carol Kane as the ghosts of Christmas past and present respectively) Lots of sarcasm and laughs along with the classic happy ending make this a holiday must-see.

#9 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Out of the seemingly infinite number of Rankin/Bass holiday specials, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is my favorite (aside from the Snow Miser/Heat Miser song from The Year without a Santa Claus). I love that there is an elf who wants to be a dentist who befriends a reindeer with a bulbous, glowing red nose. (Who comes up with this stuff?!)

And who can forget about the island of misfit toys? (Um, me. For some reason I thought that it was in one of the other specials.) Also, did anyone else think that "Hermey" was actually "Herbie"? I believed this for years, but a couple years ago someone said that it is actually "Hermey".

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

2008-12-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

"I'm here to erase Joel Barish. He's boring. Is that enough reason to erase someone?"

Clementine Kruczynski wants to erase Joel Barish from her mind. Every memory, every look, every touch, every feeling... Gone. Within one night, Joel Barish is wiped from existence in every sense.

After an unsettling encounter with his ex, Joel realizes (with the help of his friends) Clem's actions. He decides to make an appointment with the same clinic. Through a brain mapping procedure, Joel sees his memories with Clem disappear. As he relives each moment, he comes to regret his decision. If only Joel could wake up from this nightmare before his love for Clementine disappears forever.

My Commentary: As hard as we might try, it's impossible to deny the change that someone makes in your life. People make an imprint on your soul - whether you'd like to admit that or not. The connection that is made between two people cannot be prevented.

Rating: ********* (9 out of 10)

Author's Note: Watch this film at least 3 times before you critique it. It's quite the cinematic experience. The line between memory and reality blurs and blends within seconds. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is worth the confusion. Buy it. Love it.

100 Movie Spoilers in Under 5 Minutes... MUST SEE!

2008-12-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

This video puts Roger and Ebert to shame. Brilliant. Just. Brilliant.
Warning: These are "spoilers", which means endings and twists will be revealed.
We are not liable for anyone upset for the information presented. You have been warned.

The Secret Life of Bees

2008-12-02T14:55:00.000-08:00

Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) runs away from home, accompanied by her friend Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) seeking answers about her mother's death. Lily and Rosaleen soon find refuge with the Boatwright sisters, August (Queen Latifah), May (Sophie Okonedo) and June (Alicia Keys). Rosaleen helps May in the kitchen while Lily becomes August's apprentice beekeeper.

My Commentary: This is a great movie with a stellar cast, but make sure to bring a couple of tissues just in case because not all of this movie is the heart-warming love-fest that the preview makes it out to be. The story is set in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement and the conflict violently intrudes upon the lives of the characters. Ultimately though, the ending still gives you that nice, warm, satisfied feeling without too much saccharin-sweetness.

Rating: ******* (7 out of 10)

Indiana Jones: The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

2008-11-30T19:29:00.000-08:00

Typical Indiana Jones format in that there is some incredibly unusual/valuable/intriguing item that some "other" (such as the Nazis or Russians) has stolen for some vague reason. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) obtains/loses said item and inevitably goes back to teaching until the next adventure. This time the item is a crystal skull of uncertain origin, the "other" is the Russians, led by Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett). It is soon revealed that Raiders of the Lost Ark alum Marion Ravenwood Williams (Karen Allen) and Indy's old pal Harold Oxley (John Hurt) have "disappeared" aka captured after discovering the skull in Peru. It is up to Indy and Marion's son Mutt (Shia LaBeouf) to find Marion, Oxley and the skull before the Russians discover the secrets of the skull. My commentary: The more I watch this movie, the more I like it. Initially, I was a bit disappointed by the shiny new computer effects, but they are pretty cool. As much as I like Harrison Ford in the role of Indy, I probably wouldn't object if he moved on from the role (if the franchise keeps going). Heck, I would have been content with just the original three movies, but Crystal Skull is a better continuation of the original series (aesthetically) than say, Episodes 1-3 of Star Wars compared to Episodes 4-6 Rating: ****** (6 out of 10)

Raising Arizona v. Fargo

2008-11-26T11:54:00.000-08:00

Joel and Ethan Coen, recent winners of four Academy Awards for No Country for Old Men, have established themselves as today's directing/producing powerhouse. Recently, I've begun watching their work and will provide commentary for some of their first works: Raising Arizona and Fargo.

Set in the wilderness of Arizona, Edwina "Ed" (Holly Hunter) and H.I. "Hi" McDonnough (Nicholas Cage) meet at a local jail. Ed is a police woman in charge of fingerprinting Hi after he is arrested for convenience store robbery. The two fall in love and marry, only to discover that Ed is unable to conceive. Ed and Hi embark on a journey that begins with kidnapping and ends with a bounty hunter. Will the couple survive parenthood or die trying?

My Commentary: I'm probably not the first to question Nicholas Cage's acting abilities, but my goodness, get this guy a dialect coach! His accent was extremely distracting throughout the film. Holly Hunter is the redeeming character in Raising Arizona. In one of my favorite scenes, she abandons Hi at the convenience store after watching him in mid-robbery garb (complete with hosiery and pistol). Hi is forced to outrun the authorities by foot - with a pack of stray dogs on his tail - all for a package of Huggies.

Rating: ***** (5 out of 10)

An event not based on true events, Fargo is set in winter-laden Minneapolis tundra. The film revolves around the events set in motion by Jerry, played by William H. Macy. Money problems bring out the worst in people and Jerry is the prime example of that notion come to life. He employs two men to kidnap his wife, demand a lump sum, and divvy up the cash accordingly. Of course, nothing goes to plan and people are brutally murdered by woodchippers, axes, and hand guns.

My Commentary: Like Drop Dead Gorgeous, this film was emerged in Minnesotan culture and dialect. France McDormand performed the best faux Minnesotan accent I've heard. My favorite scene went like this:

Rating: ********* (9 out of 10)

Hardcore chick flick: P.S. I Love You

2008-11-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

I know that we've been pretty harsh with chick flicks in the past, so you might be wondering why we insist on continuing to watch these films. I certainly can't speak for Tiffany, but I think that I am eternally searching for a decent chick flick. One that will make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, but not so sweet and mushy as to make my teeth hurt. With that said, I'm still kind of on the fence with P.S. I Love You.
Basically, the plot is this: Holly's husband Gerry has just died and (understandably) she is doing very not well. On her 30th birthday, Holly gets a cake and the first of several letters that Gerry pre-arranged for her to get on specific days in specific ways after his death. The letters take her on a journey of re-discovery.

My Commentary: Okay, so this movie is pretty close to the edge as far as overall gooey-ness goes, but I kind of liked it. HOWEVER, I think that the reason that I liked it was because I haven't watched any hardcore chick flicks for a long time. What I liked about this movie is that *almost* every time it started to get to the point where I would want to puke, something horrifyingly embarrassing happened to Holly, lessening the awkward/sappy/sad level of my movie watching experience. So while the movie wasn't exactly good, it wasn't as painful as it could have been. Rating: ***** (5 out of 10)

April's Top 10 Movies for Halloween

2008-10-31T12:29:00.001-07:00

No plot synopsis or explanation for why they are my favorite. Well, there's some reasoning, mostly just a list. Tell us your Halloween favorites in the comments!

10. Texas Chainsaw Massacre - The original or the remake, really. The original is pretty ballsy since it has about 10 minutes of nothing but Leatherface chasing the girl through the woods. The only thing I actually like about the remake is the little "archive" clip at the beginning and at the end.

9. Evil Dead 2/Army of Darkness - Classic. Enough said.

8. The Descent - Terrifying. This movie really freaks me out, I can't even watch it. I've only seen it once.

7. 28 Days Later - I usually hate zombie movies, but I love this one. Most zombie flicks feature very lethargic zombies who are simply after brains for whatever reason. I love that in this movie the zombies are incredibly quick and mostly just super angry and alive rather than the usual "living dead" billing that zombies generally get.

6. Nightmare on Elm Street - I know the movies ended up pretty sketch, but the first few work for a Halloween movie marathon with the lights out.

5. The Shining - Classic. I just can't pass up Jack's decent into madness, especially the part when Wendy finds the huge stack of papers that say nothing but "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

4. Nosferatu - Black and white, silent horror. Is there any better kind? Has to be the scariest version of Dracula that I have ever seen. Most of the other portrayals of vampires are too sexy to be all that scary.

3. American Werewolf in London - I think this movie is more funny than scary, but since it's about werewolves, the horror element is inherent in the plot. I can't pass up the clever use of music just before David turns into the werewolf (Bad Moon Rising - CCR and Blue Moon - Sam Cooke). Favorite line: "Aw, David you're hurting my feelings."

2. The Crow - Not so much horror as incredibly awesome. It takes place the day before Halloween, which is enough to give me an excuse to watch it every year. There are three sequels, but best to stick with the original, I think.

1. Psycho - I usually don't associate this with the "horror" category per se, but rather with psychological thriller, but it's pretty horrifying just the same, don't you think? This is also my favorite Hitchcock film.

April's Take on Lars and the Real Girl

2008-10-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'll spare you the plot summary, since Tiffany already wrote one. I just thought I'd share some of my thoughts on the film as well.I saw this film as primarily being about Lars' inability to grow up or deal with people and situations that come his way. Lars doesn't know what it means to be an adult and creating Bianca is his way of manifesting his fears and questions into something tangible that he is comfortable interacting with. As the story unfolds, we learn that Lars had a very lonely childhood with a depressed and distant father and a brother who quickly left for college. As a result, Lars doesn't know how to interact with and be close to people, and describes physical touch as painful. Bianca is his way of interacting with people without getting too close, with Bianca acting as a kind of social buffer between Lars and the town he lives in.
I love this film with it's pink and green color scheme and Northern atmosphere. It makes me want to go play in the snow while thinking about deep philosophical ideas about what it means to be an adult. The best part about this movie is that even though it is heart warming and all that good stuff, it makes you think too. (But in a good way, not in an "ow, my head hurts because that movie was too symbolic" kind of way)

Rating: ********* (9 out of 10)

Being John Malkovich

2008-10-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

I watched this before my computer broke, and I didn't get around to posting it. It called to me like Romeo + Juliet, only this time the result was much more gratifying.Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) is an unsuccessful puppeteer who lives in New York with his wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz) and her plethora of pets including a chimp and a parrot. After Lotte asks Craig to get a job, he begins working as a file clerk for LesterCorp, a curious business operating from floor 7 1/2 of a nondescript office building. The floor is so named because it is squeezed between floors 7 and 8, with the ceilings being so low that employees have to walk around bent over.While filing, Craig finds a small door hidden behind a filing cabinet. The door is a portal that leads into the mind of actor John Malkovich and allows whoever enters the portal to be a passive observer to whatever Malkovich happens to be doing for 15 minutes before spitting them out onto the New Jersey Turnpike. Craig quickly shares his discovery with co-worker Maxine and the two of them quickly decide to start a business allowing people to be John Malkovich for 15 minutes for $200 a trip. Maxine starts an affair with Malkovich when she discovers the high she gets from being able to sense when someone else is in Malkovich's head. During one of his trips, Craig discovers that he is able to control Malkovich because of his skills as a puppeteer and decides to try to use Malkovich's fame to launch his puppeteer career and in the process woo Maxine.
My Commentary: I know that the premise for this movie sounds weird, and it is really weird. But, I liked it. It was funny and creative and raises an interesting question. What if you really could be someone else? We've all made throw-away comments about how we wish we could be famous like some actor, or brilliant like some writer, but we never really expect that it could happen. Except for those Freaky Friday movies where some crazy switching thing happens, but in this movie, the people aren't switching lives with someone else. They are getting shipped to someone else's mind.
My favorite scene: When Malkovich follows Maxine with the help of a disguise consisting of an "I [heart] NY" baseball cap.

Rating: ****** (6 out of 10)

Cool... Citizen... Mockingbird...

2008-10-20T22:36:00.000-07:00

Amazon.com has been a dangerous place for me! I've been forcing myself to cut back on my buying pattern. Before I did, I had to buy these DVDs:

I will compose a full-scale analysis of each film with in-depth commentary. It will blow your mind!

Check back soon for another update!

Tips from Tiffany

2008-10-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Here is an informative video about how to clean your DVDs!

It's valuable information for any avid film watcher... Take heed!

Tips on Cleaning Your Personal CD & DVDs -- powered by ExpertVillage.com

Oy Vey: Mamma Mia!

2008-10-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you combine the musical stylings of ABBA, Meryl Streep, and middle-aged men have in common? Mamma Mia!

Sophie is getting married to the man of her dreams... Much to the chagrin of her mother, played by Meryl Streep. Donna will stop at nothing for her daughter's happiness. However, she could have never bargained for such a tall order: three of the skeletons in her closet are attending the wedding... As Sophie's could-be fathers!

My Commentary: I have to admit, my initial reaction to this film was, "NO WAY am I watching a musical with Pierce Brosnan! It goes against my religion!" Eventually, through the promise of laughter and mind-numbing hysteria, my roommate used her superior intelligence to get me into the theater. You may ask: Was there laughter? My reply: Heaven's yes!

I laughed so hard that I nearly cried. There were even moments of horror. Let me say, for the record, that it should be illegal for Pierce Brosnan to reveal his chest in public. Everyone in the theater grew noticeably uncomfortable. Just keep your darn shirt on!

And I'm making it known that any film with an impromptu wedding automatically receives no higher than a 6 for my rating. Seriously. It's beyond cheesy when someone yells, "Well, we've got the flowers, bridesmaids, and priest! Why don't WE get married instead???!!?" Not cool.

Rating: ***** (5 out of 10)

Interesting Parting Note: Mamma Mia! raked in about $400 million worldwide... Impressive.

Tiffany's Take on "Lars and the Real Girl"

2008-10-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

Lars Lindstrom lives in the garage next to his childhood home, now owned by his brother’s growing family. He gently evades his sister-in-law’s efforts to visit the house and prefers to keep to himself. On the rare occasion that he does accept the invitation, Lars picks at his food and conversation between family members is (at best) forced. Connecting to his family, co-workers, and churchgoers seems like an impossible task for Lars.

Commentary: I believe that we learn about Lars’ large capacity to love. After suffering the physical loss of his mother and mental detachment of his father, Lars still possesses the most beautiful quality: childlike love. He learns to redefine love as a version that doesn’t involve a transactional give and take process. Lars allows himself to give love to Bianca, without receiving love in return.

Karin, Lars’ pregnant sister-in-law, has a profound impact upon Lars’ psyche. Throughout the film, I couldn’t help but notice that Lars was particularly uncomfortable whenever Karin approached him. His demeanor seemed to exude a frightened, little boy’s persona. Lars’ eyes would drift downwards; his voice would become even more quiet and stilted. He was scared that the pregnancy was dangerous and feared for Karin’s health.

Final Thoughts: Clearly, Lars is terrified that Karin’s pregnancy will cause physical harm. During a checkup with Bianca, he tells Dagmar that pregnancy is dangerous. He shies away from truly living life and his fears take new meaning as Gus and Karin expect their first child. His brother continues to create a life from himself, while Lars is left behind, again. After living through the trauma of his mother’s death and father’s neglect, I believe that Lars fears the same will happen to his unborn niece/nephew.

Rating: ********* (9 out of 10)

His Girl Friday = Major Headache

2008-10-13T12:01:00.001-07:00

Cary Grant, lead hunk of the classic Hollywood era, is paired with the witty Rosalind Russell in the film His Girl Friday. This groundbreaking film introduced overlapping dialogue in film - never before had a script violated the cardinal rule: characters should always complete lines before the next lines are spoken.

The basic plot is filled with twists and turns that spin an intricate web of deceit. Grant plays Walter Burns, a news reporter bent on keeping his ex-wife from remarrying. Russell, Burns' ex named Hildy, has the wit and attitude that mirrors a true reporter: smart, cunning, resourceful, and a force to be reckoned with. Both characters would do anything for a good story.

My Commentary: To be quite frank, I initially enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the newsroom. The clickity-clack of a typewriter mixed with the constant buzz of the telephone put me in the reporter's environment. It wasn't until Grant and Russell started to converse that I began to feel a headache coming on. I love a witty banter anyday, especially when it's written intelligently. However, these two put the Gilmore Girls to shame. I swear the script length was three times longer than the average film.

Another annoying point: Hildy's character arch really disappointed me. She went from a self-sufficient, confident woman to a dependent, damsel-in-distress. Her character didn't even receive a proper marriage proposal. Hildy began depending upon a man to receive her self-worth. It was a typical classical Hollywood move, but insulting nonetheless.

Ratings: **** (4 out of 10)

Just for Laughs: Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny

2008-10-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

I love Liam Lynch. I'm not a huge fan of Jack Black. To be honest, the only reason I wanted to see this movie was because Liam Lynch directed it. Tenacious D is a "mock rock" band formed by Kyle Gass and Jack Black.
The movie opens with a young Jack Black running away from home when his religious father scolds his rocking ways. Black migrates to Hollywood where he is confidant that he will form "the world's most awesome rock band". Soon after arriving, Black meets acoustic guitarist Kyle Gass and eagerly begs to be part of The Kyle Gass Project. After extensive "training" including cleaning the apartment, buying weed and a failed gig simulator, Black finds out that Gass is not the famous rocker that he seems to be, but is an unemployed street musician who's parents sent him money for rent.

The two become equals and decide to compete in an open mic contest, but they first need to write an epic song. While trying to write, the two find out the darkest secret of rock - The Pick of Destiny - a pick with supranatural abilities, carved by a wizard from Satan's chipped tooth. Tenacious D decide to go on a quest to steal it. The rest, as they say, is magical history.My Commentary: If you are easily offended, or if you really hate the F-word then it would not be a good idea for you to see this movie. Tenacious D's self proclaimation that they are the greatest rock band in the world and their rock opera style of telling a story kept me laughing through the whole movie. This is by no means an amazing film, but it cheers me up and provides a few laughs if you need them. Plus it was directed by Liam Lynch, which is reason enough for me to watch this movie. It also features cameos from Tim Robbins, Amy Poehler, Ben Stiller and best of all, Dave Grohl as Satan.
Rating: ***** (5 out of 10)

Bomb of the Week: Romeo + Juliet

2008-10-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

I don't know what compelled me to watch this. I watched it sometime in late junior high or early high school and I remember thinking: "This is kind of a crappy movie." But for some reason, as I was looking for movies to watch, it seemed to jump out at me today and I thought, "It couldn't possibly be as bad as it seemed in junior high could it?" It was worse.

I assume that everyone knows the basic Romeo and Juliet plot, so I'll just dive straight into the premiss of this version. Romeo + Juliet is an attempt to update the Shakespeare's play for a modern audience, with Leonardo DiCapro and Claire Danes as the title characters. The movie is set in a Verona modeled after Venice Beach, CA, and rather than fighting with swords, the characters wield guns from fictional brands like "Dagger" or "Longsword". The dialogue remains the original Elizabethan.

My Commentary: The idea of updating Romeo and Juliet re-emerges every few years to alternately dismal and successful results. Attempts range from the famous (West Side Story) to the forgettable (The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns). This movie falls more in the "waste of time" category. The premise is a potentially good one, but trying to pair Shakespeare's Elizabethan with sunny California just doesn't gel right and the movie falls flat. Perhaps with an updated interpretation of the text the movie would be better, but I wouldn't count on it - while Danes and DiCapro manage to bring off decent performances, the rest of the characters seem clownish and heavy-handed.

Rating: **** (4 1/2 out of 10)

Pick of the Week: No Country for Old Men

2008-10-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

No Country for Old Men follows Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), sheriff Ed Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) and Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) as they pursue and elude each other through the cities and back roads of Texas. The madness begins when Moss finds the aftermath of a drug deal gone bad and he decides to take an unattended satchel full of cash. Moss soon realizes his mistake when Chigurh, a hitman hired to find the missing satchel, comes after him in pursuit of the cash. Amazing cinematic action ensues as none of them are willing to give up or walk away.

My Commentary: A lot of people who I talk to get this movie mixed up with There Will Be Blood because they were both up for Oscars last year and both sounded like dark movies. To be honest, both movies are dark, but There Will Be Blood is much darker. The characters in No Country for Old Men provide much more of a balance. The three main characters reflect three types of people. There are people who are good (Sheriff Bell), people who are evil (Chigurh) and people who fall into a vague middle ground (Moss). I love this movie because the characters are very real and organic. Even the seemingly indestructable hitman, Chigurh, has to take a few hours out of the chase when he gets shot in the leg with a shotgun.

One of my favorite things about this movie is that even though Moss stumbled on this situation by accident, he is by no means the usual bumbling good guy who just barely gets out of whatever scrape he has gotten himself into. The guy knows how to defend himself and he is definately one smart cookie. Chigurh, however, is just absolutely terrifying. Sheriff Bell and Llewelyn Moss are needed to balance him out and keep the movie from being too over the top.

Go see this movie if for no other reason than because the Coen Brothers made it. That should be reason enough, really.

Rating: ******** (8 out of 10)

Pick of the Week: Chinatown

2008-09-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that my exposure to Jack Nicholson movies is limited. So pardon me for my perception that his characters are generally as over-the-top and brash as in Batman, One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest and As Good as It Gets. If this is your only exposure to Jack Nicholson, you have to see this movie. In Chinatown, Nicholson plays Jake Gittes, a private investigator who is hired by Mrs. Mulwray, the wife of the chief engineer of the city's water department, to find out if her husband is having an affair. When news of the affair explodes all over the papers, Gittes is soon confronted by the real Mrs. Mulwray who claims that she never hired Gittes. When Mr. Mulwray ends up dead, Gittes suddenly finds himself conducting a murder investigation for the real Mrs. Mulwray. Gittes soon learns just how complicated the situation really is.

My commentary: Jack Nicholson was amazing in this movie. Compared to the other roles I've seen him in, this one was much more subdued than usual, but his dry humour made the character much funnier than I anticipated. Overall, I really enjoyed this movie, the twists were unexpected and for the most part, not too over the top. I also loved how it was pretty much set as a 30's detective flick. As much as I liked this movie, it probably won't be on my list of movies to watch over and over, but I would still recommend it for a Friday night in.

Rating: ******* (7 out of 10)

Bomb of the Week: Made of Honor

2008-09-24T22:34:00.000-07:00

Oofta. An infinite amount of estrogen couldn't have made sitting through this film a pleasant experience.When I first caught a glimpse of Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepard, Grey's Anatomy was beginning to gain momentum as the "newest medical drama". The ingredients to this overnight sensation were: stethoscopes, drama, and sex, sex, sex. It's no surprise that this role didn't stray far from that formula. Enter the ultimate chick flick... Made of Honor.

Tom (Dempsey) is falling in love with his best friend, Hannah (Michelle Monaghan). He insists on dating the "wrong girls" for all of the "right reasons" when she searches for "Mr. Right" in all of the wrong places. After a trip to Scotland, Hannah returns to The States with a new perspective on relationships... And a new fiancee.

Hannah asks Tom to be her "maid" of honor and ignites a flame under his butt that rivals the Great Chicago Fire.

My Commentary: To spare everyone the agony of sitting through 101 minutes of pure sugar-coated torture... I will NOT recommend Made of Honor to the average cinemaniac. Dempsey plays a guy who never gets his timing right. Murphy's Law is in full swing as our hero tries countless times to prove his devotion to the fair maiden. It's too little, too late if you ask me.

Rating: **** (4 out of 10)

P.S. There is some symbolism in the film.. The hairdo signifies the satisfaction viewers feel after watching Made of Honor. I rest my case.

Pick of the Week: The Shawshank Redemption

2008-09-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

The Shawshank Redemption is based on Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The movie follows Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) as he is arrested for his wife's murder and sent to Shawshank State Prison in Maine. Dufresne endures the various hardships of life in prison (such as beatings from the guards and getting roped into the Warden's scams). Dufresne befriends fellow inmate Red (Morgan Freeman), who "knows how to get things" and the two develop a bond that makes both of them realize that the only way to endure the years in Shawshank is to always keep hope alive. "Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." - Andy Dufresne

My Commentary: While I'm not often a fan of Stephen King, I am nearly always a fan of Morgan Freeman, and this is very possibly his finest performance. Robbins' Andy seems to exude an integrity and hope that begins to rub off on the other prisoners, and even the audience. This is one of the few movies out there that has the right mix of reality and hope, making you feel warm and fuzzy inside without the saccharin sweetness of feel-good-movies.

Favorite Scene: Anything with Morgan Freeman's narration.

When to watch: Anytime, this movie is a classic, whether you want to snuggle up with a blanket and a bowl of popcorn, need a flick to watch with your significant other, or just need something playing in the background while you're doing homework.

Rating: ********** (10 out of 10)

There Will Be Blood... And Boy, Was There...

2008-09-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

Oh. My. Gosh.

Our heads are exploding and imploding simultaneously. Thank goodness we don't believe in spontaneous combustion.

The film began with Daniel Plainview (played by Daniel Day-Lewis) mining for silver. After striking oil, Plainview becomes obsessed with the power and control it brings. An unfortunate accident (with a bucket and wooden post) brings Plainview unexpected parenthood - along with unexpected success. He uses his adopted son to play on the sympathies of landowners. Plainview is approached by Paul Sunday (played by Paul Dano) with an intriguing offer of "oil that seeps from the land." With the help of his son, Plainview investigates Paul's claims and gives Eli Sunday and his family an offer too good to refuse. Eli, a charismatic preacher (imagine a younger John Lithgow in Footloose), requests to give a blessing at the oil drilling ceremony. Daniel Plainview gives Eli the brush-off and begins a journey of destruction and insanity.

There Will Be Blood was nominated for 8 Academy Awards and won 2 for Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Best Cinematography (Robert Elswit). Critics seem to have a love/hate relationship with this film and now we understand why. The story, loosely based upon Upton Sinclair's novel Oil!, is incredibly depressing with traces of humor and sarcasm. We note the humor is somewhat forced and mostly out of desperation on the part of the audience. Day-Lewis and Dano interacted with epic intensity that, in our opinion, cannot be replicated.

April's Favorite Scene: After his son is injured at the drilling site, Daniel Plainview is talking business with some of his associates, when Eli approaches with the intention of asking for the money owed him. The two end up scuffling in the muddy oil. Although the scenario is absurd, the intensity of the actors carries the moment without a single laugh from the audience.

Tiffany's Favorite Scene: H.W. Plainview, Daniel's adopted son, is injured from an explosion at the drilling site. Daniel rushes to the scene, scoops the boy up into his arms, and brings him to safety. The audience is placed in H.W.'s shoes when the film goes silent. Daniel yells to his son and we hear nothing. This scene is the catalyst that changes the film's tone from that moment on.

Final Thoughts: Overall, There Will Be Blood would not qualify for our Top Ten of 2008 list. We acknowledge the Oscar wins were very much deserved. Day-Lewis gave a spectacularly intense performance and pushed the acting standards to new levels. Elswit set up jaw-dropping visuals and placed us smack-dab in the grimy dirt of Southern California. While there aren't nearly as many casualties as a horror flick, There Will Be Blood contains brutal violence. It is not for the faint of heart.

Rating: ******* (7 out of 10)

Coming Soon!

2008-09-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

Our first ever commentary: There Will Be Blood.

We're seeing it tonight, so look for our new post soon!

Hey-oh!

2008-09-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

...as we say in the Midwest!

If you've stumbled upon our little site, you are in for a treat! If you've come from Musings from Min or April's Weblog, we welcome you to our venture... Film criticism! It will be a hoot! If you have been here before, welcome back and we look forward to your return... After your addiction to this site is assured.