I WANT MY MINI REVIEWS: SUMMER LOVIN’ EDITION
We’re just about halfway through the summer movie season for 2008, and I don’t know if YOU feel as "eh" about things as I do, but I do firmly believe the strike took something out of the industry. I of course say this on the heels of the biggest fucking opening of all time ($155 Million for The Dark Knight, in case you live in that cave with Bin Laden...did you find him, Morgan Spurlock?). So yeah, ONE movie did big business. Spider-Man 3 did some big business last summer too, right? Remember how much we liked that one? Well, skeptic, take into account that The Dark Knight is THE NUMBER ONE FILM OF ALL TIME currently on IMDB. This is, frankly, absurd. But I’ll get to that. In the meantime, a blurb for everything I’ve seen in the summer thus far. If you want that Dark Knight talk, scroll to the bottom.
Meet Bill
Aaron Eckhart(!) Jessica Alba (?), shot in St.Louis(!). Not worth anyone’s time. By the way, I wonder if Bill has met Dave yet, as we’ve been invited to meet both. That's a reference to the movie Meet Dave, not the movie Dave...nevermind.
Kung Fu Panda
Surprisingly more appealing than I had believed it would ever be. Entertaining, even. Dreamworks FINALLY hits the highs that the first Shrek hit, mixing some beautiful animation with a clever story and loads of humor that’s not forced. Superb, if a bit underused, voice cast, and some really nice fight scenes. If I were a parent, I’d be hatin’ on some Dreamworks for making my kid want to see shit like Shark Tale and Madagascar, but they should be thrilled to sit through something as good as this. Still not quite on that Pixar level, but a step in the right direction.
We’re just about halfway through the summer movie season for 2008, and I don’t know if YOU feel as "eh" about things as I do, but I do firmly believe the strike took something out of the industry. I of course say this on the heels of the biggest fucking opening of all time ($155 Million for The Dark Knight, in case you live in that cave with Bin Laden...did you find him, Morgan Spurlock?). So yeah, ONE movie did big business. Spider-Man 3 did some big business last summer too, right? Remember how much we liked that one? Well, skeptic, take into account that The Dark Knight is THE NUMBER ONE FILM OF ALL TIME currently on IMDB. This is, frankly, absurd. But I’ll get to that. In the meantime, a blurb for everything I’ve seen in the summer thus far. If you want that Dark Knight talk, scroll to the bottom.
Iron Man
The first film of the summer season, a huge hit, and it’s still my favorite. This movie managed to be absolutely everything I wanted from it, which is (sadly) a lot to ask from a summer blockbuster. A second viewing at home will truly tell if it’s holding up as well or not, but I was riding high after seeing it opening night, and I still sort of am. Can't wait to see it again.
The first film of the summer season, a huge hit, and it’s still my favorite. This movie managed to be absolutely everything I wanted from it, which is (sadly) a lot to ask from a summer blockbuster. A second viewing at home will truly tell if it’s holding up as well or not, but I was riding high after seeing it opening night, and I still sort of am. Can't wait to see it again.
Son Of Rambo
Cute little UK indie about kids filming their own sequel to Rambo. Charming performances, and not too much schmaltz to ruin the whole thing. Gives off this half-assed Rushmore vibe, too, and I dig Rushmore a bunch, so that's a compliment.
Cute little UK indie about kids filming their own sequel to Rambo. Charming performances, and not too much schmaltz to ruin the whole thing. Gives off this half-assed Rushmore vibe, too, and I dig Rushmore a bunch, so that's a compliment.
Young@Heart
MAYBE my best of the year thus far? I think I saw it in April, but I’m throwing it in here because it’s so great. Documentary focuses on an elderly choir who’s led by a weird guy that has them cover pop songs instead of doing the traditional old folks shit. PERFECTLY edited, which is remarkable for a documentary, and it’s often hilarious. Old people are cute when you don’t have to touch them, too.
MAYBE my best of the year thus far? I think I saw it in April, but I’m throwing it in here because it’s so great. Documentary focuses on an elderly choir who’s led by a weird guy that has them cover pop songs instead of doing the traditional old folks shit. PERFECTLY edited, which is remarkable for a documentary, and it’s often hilarious. Old people are cute when you don’t have to touch them, too.
Speed Racer
Yikes. Visually, this was really striking, but there’s no reason this had to be so geared toward kids. They obviously didn’t see this, as it was the first complete bomb of the year. Love Guru followed, and I would suppose Meet Dave would be the next, which opened in 7th last week, and is currently out of the top ten. Oh how the Eddie have fallen. Anyway, this isn't as terrible as you might have imagined, but you don't need to spend time watching it. That would be better spent elsewhere.
Yikes. Visually, this was really striking, but there’s no reason this had to be so geared toward kids. They obviously didn’t see this, as it was the first complete bomb of the year. Love Guru followed, and I would suppose Meet Dave would be the next, which opened in 7th last week, and is currently out of the top ten. Oh how the Eddie have fallen. Anyway, this isn't as terrible as you might have imagined, but you don't need to spend time watching it. That would be better spent elsewhere.
Meet Bill
Aaron Eckhart(!) Jessica Alba (?), shot in St.Louis(!). Not worth anyone’s time. By the way, I wonder if Bill has met Dave yet, as we’ve been invited to meet both. That's a reference to the movie Meet Dave, not the movie Dave...nevermind.
The Tracey Fragments
Though Ellen Page may have filmed this before Juno, it’s her first post-Juno film to see a release. It’s fairly interesting, experimental filmmaking that uses a lot of split screen (often multiple split screens) to tell its story. It’ll either annoy you completely, or really have you enthralled. I was somewhere in the middle, but was mildly positive.
Though Ellen Page may have filmed this before Juno, it’s her first post-Juno film to see a release. It’s fairly interesting, experimental filmmaking that uses a lot of split screen (often multiple split screens) to tell its story. It’ll either annoy you completely, or really have you enthralled. I was somewhere in the middle, but was mildly positive.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
I’d say most forgettable film of the summer if I COULD REMEMBER WHY. A slight improvement over the first one, but I still wasn’t really sold on the Lord/Harry-light stuff, not to mention my lack of any real religious affiliation or super-faith left me a bit skeptical about the giant Water God at the end. CONVENIENT. I don’t know if I read the books as a kid or not, but I can assure you that I’ve drank away all memories of them if I actually did.
I’d say most forgettable film of the summer if I COULD REMEMBER WHY. A slight improvement over the first one, but I still wasn’t really sold on the Lord/Harry-light stuff, not to mention my lack of any real religious affiliation or super-faith left me a bit skeptical about the giant Water God at the end. CONVENIENT. I don’t know if I read the books as a kid or not, but I can assure you that I’ve drank away all memories of them if I actually did.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Probably should have left it alone, guys. The flick starts out with a bang...until Indy hops into that fridge. It’s all downhill from there. The monkey helpers. The cliff jump. The killer ants. The STUPID ending. I did have a nice time seeing it (it’s Indy), but there’s far too many eye rolling moments to truly think it’s good, nor even close to the level of the others. It was OKAY. It was Live Free Or Die Hard good, a sequel in name and characters only, with mere glimpses of what was golden with their franchises back in the day.
Probably should have left it alone, guys. The flick starts out with a bang...until Indy hops into that fridge. It’s all downhill from there. The monkey helpers. The cliff jump. The killer ants. The STUPID ending. I did have a nice time seeing it (it’s Indy), but there’s far too many eye rolling moments to truly think it’s good, nor even close to the level of the others. It was OKAY. It was Live Free Or Die Hard good, a sequel in name and characters only, with mere glimpses of what was golden with their franchises back in the day.
War, Inc.
Uh...no.
Uh...no.
Sex and the City: The Movie
I was a fan of the show until the last two seasons, where it sort of dwindled. Unfortunately, this appears to have picked up just where the show left off, dwindling and struggling to entertain. I guess those rich bitches who idolize this show and its materialistic-gurl-power attitude may have walked away liking what they saw, but I just ended up seeing...the bad seasons of the show up on the big screen. There was more unintentional laughter in my theater than the other kind, which probably isn’t what they were going for. There’s a Charlotte reaction scene in the middle that is simply to die for, it’s that bad. Jennifer Hudson just kinda...shows up...there for a while...did a song for the soundtrack...and KINDA plays a role in the happy ending (a stretch). I thought they were going to actually let a black woman into their circle, but that would have been too much for these drunken socialite whores. By the way, that 150 minute runtime didn’t help ANYTHING out, and they could have so easily trimmed this down to 120 or less.
I was a fan of the show until the last two seasons, where it sort of dwindled. Unfortunately, this appears to have picked up just where the show left off, dwindling and struggling to entertain. I guess those rich bitches who idolize this show and its materialistic-gurl-power attitude may have walked away liking what they saw, but I just ended up seeing...the bad seasons of the show up on the big screen. There was more unintentional laughter in my theater than the other kind, which probably isn’t what they were going for. There’s a Charlotte reaction scene in the middle that is simply to die for, it’s that bad. Jennifer Hudson just kinda...shows up...there for a while...did a song for the soundtrack...and KINDA plays a role in the happy ending (a stretch). I thought they were going to actually let a black woman into their circle, but that would have been too much for these drunken socialite whores. By the way, that 150 minute runtime didn’t help ANYTHING out, and they could have so easily trimmed this down to 120 or less.
The Strangers
I liked about half of this, but I’m beginning to question if I actually liked the thing or not. For at least the first half of the movie, this is chock full of atmosphere and suspense, but then it begins to teeter into more predictable and traditional slasher movie cliche. It ends on a bittersweet note, but it’s a bit too little-too late. I recommend, pensively. This is one of the most profitable summer flicks this year, so I’d garner that a DTV sequel (if not even theatrical) is on the way. That’s how these studios work; "Profitable? FRANCHISE IT! LET’S GET THE TOYS OUT THERE!" I bet there ARE toys, or at least there will be at Comic-Con this week.
I liked about half of this, but I’m beginning to question if I actually liked the thing or not. For at least the first half of the movie, this is chock full of atmosphere and suspense, but then it begins to teeter into more predictable and traditional slasher movie cliche. It ends on a bittersweet note, but it’s a bit too little-too late. I recommend, pensively. This is one of the most profitable summer flicks this year, so I’d garner that a DTV sequel (if not even theatrical) is on the way. That’s how these studios work; "Profitable? FRANCHISE IT! LET’S GET THE TOYS OUT THERE!" I bet there ARE toys, or at least there will be at Comic-Con this week.
The Foot Fist Way
So far the funniest thing I’ve seen this year. Danny McBride’s just about the most likeable asshole ever as a karate instructor with serious delusions of grander. He’s got a slutty wife, he’s an awful teacher, and his friend may or may not be seriously creepy. I hate comparing this to Napoleon, but it has that same random nature, jumping scene to scene with no real cohesion. This got championed by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, and still only played for a weekend at ONE theater her in St.Louis. It’s on video soon. BE SURE to check it out. Also be on the lookout for HBO’s East Bound and Down, which is the exact same writers and cast as this film, this time with Danny playing a supremely cocky, washed up MLB pitcher. The pilot is wonderful.
So far the funniest thing I’ve seen this year. Danny McBride’s just about the most likeable asshole ever as a karate instructor with serious delusions of grander. He’s got a slutty wife, he’s an awful teacher, and his friend may or may not be seriously creepy. I hate comparing this to Napoleon, but it has that same random nature, jumping scene to scene with no real cohesion. This got championed by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, and still only played for a weekend at ONE theater her in St.Louis. It’s on video soon. BE SURE to check it out. Also be on the lookout for HBO’s East Bound and Down, which is the exact same writers and cast as this film, this time with Danny playing a supremely cocky, washed up MLB pitcher. The pilot is wonderful.
Stuck
Stuart Gordon has never quite reached the level that Re-Animator is on with anything he’s done since. This certainly isn’t it either, though it’s pretty good regardless. Loosely based on true events, a woman (Mena Suvari with cornrows, y’all!) hits a man with her car. He doesn’t die, though...he simply gets stuck in her windshield...and she parks the car in the garage. You may recall this story. Of course things just get messy from here. Gordon’s stuck some tone that can’t be described, as the film really isn’t funny enough to be a comedy, nor dark enough to be a horror picture. Dark comedy is the happy medium, but I wouldn’t even put it there. At any rate, worth a look.
Stuart Gordon has never quite reached the level that Re-Animator is on with anything he’s done since. This certainly isn’t it either, though it’s pretty good regardless. Loosely based on true events, a woman (Mena Suvari with cornrows, y’all!) hits a man with her car. He doesn’t die, though...he simply gets stuck in her windshield...and she parks the car in the garage. You may recall this story. Of course things just get messy from here. Gordon’s stuck some tone that can’t be described, as the film really isn’t funny enough to be a comedy, nor dark enough to be a horror picture. Dark comedy is the happy medium, but I wouldn’t even put it there. At any rate, worth a look.
Kung Fu Panda
Surprisingly more appealing than I had believed it would ever be. Entertaining, even. Dreamworks FINALLY hits the highs that the first Shrek hit, mixing some beautiful animation with a clever story and loads of humor that’s not forced. Superb, if a bit underused, voice cast, and some really nice fight scenes. If I were a parent, I’d be hatin’ on some Dreamworks for making my kid want to see shit like Shark Tale and Madagascar, but they should be thrilled to sit through something as good as this. Still not quite on that Pixar level, but a step in the right direction.
Mother of Tears
I don’t think I can rightfully review this yet. Dario Argento’s latest because I tried to take it seriously. I’ve heard that it has to be viewed with the mindset that it’s a comedy to fully appreciate it. I was a huge fan of his Masters of Horror piece Jennifer, which is one of the funniest short films ever (I refuse to believe it wasn’t conceived as this). Consequently, I don’t actually believe Argento’s directed a movie in ten years or so, as he appears to have lots his sense of style, edge, elegance and dread. Same goes for Romero and Carpenter.
I don’t think I can rightfully review this yet. Dario Argento’s latest because I tried to take it seriously. I’ve heard that it has to be viewed with the mindset that it’s a comedy to fully appreciate it. I was a huge fan of his Masters of Horror piece Jennifer, which is one of the funniest short films ever (I refuse to believe it wasn’t conceived as this). Consequently, I don’t actually believe Argento’s directed a movie in ten years or so, as he appears to have lots his sense of style, edge, elegance and dread. Same goes for Romero and Carpenter.
The Happening
Shayamalananaanan-manana strikes again. THE TREES HAVE GONE RABID! Much like Mother of Tears apparently, this really works as a comedy. Wahlberg gives the Razzie winning performance of the year! I do plan to purchase.
Shayamalananaanan-manana strikes again. THE TREES HAVE GONE RABID! Much like Mother of Tears apparently, this really works as a comedy. Wahlberg gives the Razzie winning performance of the year! I do plan to purchase.
The Incredible Hulk
Meh. Right up there with Narnia in terms of being forgettable. Certainly more of an event movie and a crowd pleaser than Ang Lee’s take on Hulk, this is too skimpy on character (as opposed to the all character basis of Lee’s) to actually pull me in at all toward caring who lives or dies, not to mention that the love between Bruce and Betsy just seems to rely on the audience going "oh, they must already care about each other, huh? Cause they seem to." The final fight was decent, but resulted mostly in Hulk getting his ass kicked up and down the street. Hmm. I’m all for the hero being beaten down and fighting back in the end, but then it’s all anti-climactic with how the fight ends. Not a bad movie, but it’s not particularly good either.
Meh. Right up there with Narnia in terms of being forgettable. Certainly more of an event movie and a crowd pleaser than Ang Lee’s take on Hulk, this is too skimpy on character (as opposed to the all character basis of Lee’s) to actually pull me in at all toward caring who lives or dies, not to mention that the love between Bruce and Betsy just seems to rely on the audience going "oh, they must already care about each other, huh? Cause they seem to." The final fight was decent, but resulted mostly in Hulk getting his ass kicked up and down the street. Hmm. I’m all for the hero being beaten down and fighting back in the end, but then it’s all anti-climactic with how the fight ends. Not a bad movie, but it’s not particularly good either.
Get Smart
Waste of time, basically. Carell gives some laughs, and Hathaway is surprisingly really decent as an action heroine, but it really just isn’t very funny. You like Alan Arkin? You might think he steals every scene he’s in, but I didn’t. The third act of the movie has the funniest bits, which is kinda inverted from what most comedies do. Nobody will remember this thing after seeing it.
Waste of time, basically. Carell gives some laughs, and Hathaway is surprisingly really decent as an action heroine, but it really just isn’t very funny. You like Alan Arkin? You might think he steals every scene he’s in, but I didn’t. The third act of the movie has the funniest bits, which is kinda inverted from what most comedies do. Nobody will remember this thing after seeing it.
Get Smart’s Bruce and Lloyd: Out of Control
Uh, there was certainly no need for this DTV spinoff released the week after Get Smart hit theaters, featuring two minor characters from the film as they work around the events that take place in the main feature. A clever idea if anybody really gave a fuck enough to care about your primary movie enough...
Uh, there was certainly no need for this DTV spinoff released the week after Get Smart hit theaters, featuring two minor characters from the film as they work around the events that take place in the main feature. A clever idea if anybody really gave a fuck enough to care about your primary movie enough...
The Love Guru
...however, they CERTAINLY cared more about Get Smart than The Love Guru. I guess I give Mike Meyers credit for being so independent and hard headed as he’s reported to be, but your control freak nature led to this thing being unleashed upon society, dick. It’s not completely laughless, I think I chuckled a few times. At any rate, this is the same recycled, sophomoric "potty humor" gags that Meyers has aped for THREE Autin Powers movies. The ads for this led me to think that this may have been one of Meyers’ pitches for a Powers villain which the studio rightfully declined, and the actual film doesn’t do much to disperse that. This is like the worst b-side or an already overplayed, shitty album.
...however, they CERTAINLY cared more about Get Smart than The Love Guru. I guess I give Mike Meyers credit for being so independent and hard headed as he’s reported to be, but your control freak nature led to this thing being unleashed upon society, dick. It’s not completely laughless, I think I chuckled a few times. At any rate, this is the same recycled, sophomoric "potty humor" gags that Meyers has aped for THREE Autin Powers movies. The ads for this led me to think that this may have been one of Meyers’ pitches for a Powers villain which the studio rightfully declined, and the actual film doesn’t do much to disperse that. This is like the worst b-side or an already overplayed, shitty album.
Wall-E
Okay, so we’re all fat, materialistic, consumer whores. Thanks, conglomerate Disney/Apple. Despite their heavy-handed desire to preach messages to kids, Disney and Pixar’s latest is fantastic storytelling and stunning visuals throughout. It’s so wonderful to just hear the robot voices for a majority of the film, designed by sound wizard John Dykstra, and just let Pixar’s expert team and the director visually tell the story through the characters and the environment. Just a fantastic film.
Okay, so we’re all fat, materialistic, consumer whores. Thanks, conglomerate Disney/Apple. Despite their heavy-handed desire to preach messages to kids, Disney and Pixar’s latest is fantastic storytelling and stunning visuals throughout. It’s so wonderful to just hear the robot voices for a majority of the film, designed by sound wizard John Dykstra, and just let Pixar’s expert team and the director visually tell the story through the characters and the environment. Just a fantastic film.
Wanted
A the biggest surprise of the summer is an action film that’s got about the most stylish and signature look and feel since the Wachowski brothers unleashed The Matrix. Sure, it may employ similar tricks (and even similar story beats), but it’s more in line with, say, The Long Kiss Goodnight – wanton violence, profanity and action. It’s a fantasy set in a recognizable and modern world, and Bekmambetov is truly one of the most visionary and interesting directors working today. Check out the Nightwatch and Daywatch films for more evidence. I wasn’t expecting anything much from this outside of some neat visuals, and I got a bunch more entertainment out of it.
A the biggest surprise of the summer is an action film that’s got about the most stylish and signature look and feel since the Wachowski brothers unleashed The Matrix. Sure, it may employ similar tricks (and even similar story beats), but it’s more in line with, say, The Long Kiss Goodnight – wanton violence, profanity and action. It’s a fantasy set in a recognizable and modern world, and Bekmambetov is truly one of the most visionary and interesting directors working today. Check out the Nightwatch and Daywatch films for more evidence. I wasn’t expecting anything much from this outside of some neat visuals, and I got a bunch more entertainment out of it.
Hancock
On the other hand, I got a whole lot of nothing from this shit. Peter Berg’s attempt at starting a potential superhero franchise appears to have been squashed by some truly awful word of mouth. This thing is just a mess, cobbled together through the years from multiple script rewrites, multiple directorial visions, and a shitload of studio interference. There are some bits that work, and some character moments that truly shine, but it’s hard to pay attention to those when everything else is so bad. There are some really, really bad effects in here, which makes me think the whole thing was rushed too much. It has a twist midway through that could have worked if it were done with a little more thought put into it. Alas, no, and at a nice running time of around 85 minutes, you can just feel the studio trying to maximize on screenings to gain the most profit. I’ll be interested in a director’s cut, which was rumored to be full of stuff that had to get cut for the MPAA. This could also be why the flick seems so choppy. Whatever. It wasn’t good in its current form.
On the other hand, I got a whole lot of nothing from this shit. Peter Berg’s attempt at starting a potential superhero franchise appears to have been squashed by some truly awful word of mouth. This thing is just a mess, cobbled together through the years from multiple script rewrites, multiple directorial visions, and a shitload of studio interference. There are some bits that work, and some character moments that truly shine, but it’s hard to pay attention to those when everything else is so bad. There are some really, really bad effects in here, which makes me think the whole thing was rushed too much. It has a twist midway through that could have worked if it were done with a little more thought put into it. Alas, no, and at a nice running time of around 85 minutes, you can just feel the studio trying to maximize on screenings to gain the most profit. I’ll be interested in a director’s cut, which was rumored to be full of stuff that had to get cut for the MPAA. This could also be why the flick seems so choppy. Whatever. It wasn’t good in its current form.
The Wackness
Okay, so there’s really no shot of this Sundance audience fave to get anywhere near the success of Little Miss Sunshine. That was a mainstream pic masked as an indie. This is an indie masked as a mainstream pic, if that makes any sense. There are some really dark tones in here, and there’s a big nostalgic kick back to the mid-90's, neither of which do I see audiences telling others they have to see. I know Sunshine dealt with some tough stuff, but it did it so glibly that it never felt heavy. It does here. I liked that. Not all of this movie works together, and there appears to be two starkly different tones fighting for control of the film, but as a whole I found it to be really entertaining. Josh Peck is a really great find (all skinny and likable as opposed to his character in Mean Creek), and that Juno sidekick Olivia Thrilby is the perfect choice for this character. I’m not sold on her entirely as the new indie "it girl", but I was in this movie for sure.
Okay, so there’s really no shot of this Sundance audience fave to get anywhere near the success of Little Miss Sunshine. That was a mainstream pic masked as an indie. This is an indie masked as a mainstream pic, if that makes any sense. There are some really dark tones in here, and there’s a big nostalgic kick back to the mid-90's, neither of which do I see audiences telling others they have to see. I know Sunshine dealt with some tough stuff, but it did it so glibly that it never felt heavy. It does here. I liked that. Not all of this movie works together, and there appears to be two starkly different tones fighting for control of the film, but as a whole I found it to be really entertaining. Josh Peck is a really great find (all skinny and likable as opposed to his character in Mean Creek), and that Juno sidekick Olivia Thrilby is the perfect choice for this character. I’m not sold on her entirely as the new indie "it girl", but I was in this movie for sure.
Meet Dave
It’s better than Norbit. That’s about all it’s better than.
It’s better than Norbit. That’s about all it’s better than.
Hellboy II: The Golden army
I’m sayin’, this thing is great! From the production design to the make-up and the effects to the story and the actors, everything is drastically improved from the first one. This is everything a sequel should be but rarely ever is. Del Toro is off the heels of his most creative production with Pan’s Labrynth, and is about to move onto The Hobbit(s) for, like, five years. I’m going to be severely upset if that/those film/films is a waste of his time, because he’s one of my favorite directors that’ll be tied up for such a long time, depriving the film world of more of this wizardry. So be sure to take advantage of the chance to see this guy do his thing, cause it’s the last time for a while.
I’m sayin’, this thing is great! From the production design to the make-up and the effects to the story and the actors, everything is drastically improved from the first one. This is everything a sequel should be but rarely ever is. Del Toro is off the heels of his most creative production with Pan’s Labrynth, and is about to move onto The Hobbit(s) for, like, five years. I’m going to be severely upset if that/those film/films is a waste of his time, because he’s one of my favorite directors that’ll be tied up for such a long time, depriving the film world of more of this wizardry. So be sure to take advantage of the chance to see this guy do his thing, cause it’s the last time for a while.
Batman: Gotham Knight
Batmanime! This is a really cool collection of stories from Japan’s most prolific anime directors that bridges the gap (sorta) between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Some are better than others, but if you’re a Batman fan, this should be a must. Also, Kevin Conroy, the voice from The Animated Series, returns as Wayne/Batman. Dork yourself out.
Batmanime! This is a really cool collection of stories from Japan’s most prolific anime directors that bridges the gap (sorta) between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Some are better than others, but if you’re a Batman fan, this should be a must. Also, Kevin Conroy, the voice from The Animated Series, returns as Wayne/Batman. Dork yourself out.
The Lost Boys: The Tribe
Warner Premiere throws this on DVD in a few weeks, and while I sure wouldn’t call it a sequel to the 80's cheesefest, it’s really not a bad little vampire flick. The effects and stunt work are actually really well done, and while the story ain’t great (kinda Point Break with vampires), it’s decent enough (actually way generous) for a direct-to-video feature film sequel. Especially to a film from the 80's. Cory Feldman gets a fair deal of screen time, but don’t hold your breath for more than a blink-and -you-missed-it Cory Haim appearance.
Warner Premiere throws this on DVD in a few weeks, and while I sure wouldn’t call it a sequel to the 80's cheesefest, it’s really not a bad little vampire flick. The effects and stunt work are actually really well done, and while the story ain’t great (kinda Point Break with vampires), it’s decent enough (actually way generous) for a direct-to-video feature film sequel. Especially to a film from the 80's. Cory Feldman gets a fair deal of screen time, but don’t hold your breath for more than a blink-and -you-missed-it Cory Haim appearance.
The Dark Knight
So I’m not as head over heels in love with this thing as most people appear to be. I found the film to be HEAVILY flawed, and anchored only by a legendary performance by Ledger, and a really solid one by Eckhart. I think Bale looks the part of Batman, and I think he’s great as Wayne, but when he turns on that Batman voice, I turn off. You know when Gob is readin the menu at the country club to Lucile 2 in Arrested Development, where everything is covered in club sauce? Well, it just sounds like that to me. EVERY TIME HE SPEAKS. It appears to have gotten worse than it was in Batman Begins, and I don’t know why Nolan didn’t step in and try to tell Bale it’s embarrasingly awful. Perahps he was unaware, as he also seemed to be unphased by that criticism of his action direction people threw his way with round one. The fight sequences are drastically worse than they were in Begins, and partially because the camera and editing gets less spastic and you can see how terrible the choreography is. I think he hit ONE dog with a backhand, but I have no idea how the other one managed to bite him, for example, and when he's taking down thugs at the charity event, he just seems to be doing simple takedowns as they come to him one by one. Weak sauce. I had other little issues as well, I won’t get into those, but most of my problems were with the time Batman was on screen. It was fortunate that this wasn’t REALLY a Batman movie, as it was more Joker vs. Dent. I thought the storytelling, and the moments between the two were excellent, and I only really though Eckhart was less than stellar when he got all fucked up. I thought that chase in the middle was incredible, especially on the IMAX, where the sequence was shot in bigger-than-life-vision. I thought the look of the film was fantastic. Batman’s unnecessary trip to Japan was cool. That hospital sequence was a jaw dropper. Did I mention how good Ledger is? I thought for all the problems I had with the script, it was pretty damn solid. I really, really enjoyed the film, but there’s absolutely no way in fucking hell I’d say that it’s even in the realm of the top 50 films of all time. Probably not even 100. People just need to see more film, I think, is a pretty obvious fact. I’m an unashamed film geek, though, so I’ve got the right to be an elitist. You should expect nothing less, and you ain't got to agree. Holla at me.
-M
So I’m not as head over heels in love with this thing as most people appear to be. I found the film to be HEAVILY flawed, and anchored only by a legendary performance by Ledger, and a really solid one by Eckhart. I think Bale looks the part of Batman, and I think he’s great as Wayne, but when he turns on that Batman voice, I turn off. You know when Gob is readin the menu at the country club to Lucile 2 in Arrested Development, where everything is covered in club sauce? Well, it just sounds like that to me. EVERY TIME HE SPEAKS. It appears to have gotten worse than it was in Batman Begins, and I don’t know why Nolan didn’t step in and try to tell Bale it’s embarrasingly awful. Perahps he was unaware, as he also seemed to be unphased by that criticism of his action direction people threw his way with round one. The fight sequences are drastically worse than they were in Begins, and partially because the camera and editing gets less spastic and you can see how terrible the choreography is. I think he hit ONE dog with a backhand, but I have no idea how the other one managed to bite him, for example, and when he's taking down thugs at the charity event, he just seems to be doing simple takedowns as they come to him one by one. Weak sauce. I had other little issues as well, I won’t get into those, but most of my problems were with the time Batman was on screen. It was fortunate that this wasn’t REALLY a Batman movie, as it was more Joker vs. Dent. I thought the storytelling, and the moments between the two were excellent, and I only really though Eckhart was less than stellar when he got all fucked up. I thought that chase in the middle was incredible, especially on the IMAX, where the sequence was shot in bigger-than-life-vision. I thought the look of the film was fantastic. Batman’s unnecessary trip to Japan was cool. That hospital sequence was a jaw dropper. Did I mention how good Ledger is? I thought for all the problems I had with the script, it was pretty damn solid. I really, really enjoyed the film, but there’s absolutely no way in fucking hell I’d say that it’s even in the realm of the top 50 films of all time. Probably not even 100. People just need to see more film, I think, is a pretty obvious fact. I’m an unashamed film geek, though, so I’ve got the right to be an elitist. You should expect nothing less, and you ain't got to agree. Holla at me.
-M
Comments
Whenever bale was fighting, it seemed he always had his hands on his head, and was punching everyone with hit elbows...
Oh, and not that it matters, but they traveled to Hong Kong, not Japan. Cool reviews man!
-M