Thursday, March 31, 2011

Unknown...or is it?

Oh me...this movie was actually different than I imagined which I thought was surprising. I mean, how "unknown" can a movie plot be? Especially for me? 

Unknown
Director- Jaume Collet-Serra
Writer(s)- Oliver Butcher, Stephen Cornwell, and based upon the novel Out of My Head by Didier Van Cauwelaert
Top Billed Cast- Liam Neeson, January Jones, & Diane Kruger 


What's this movie about? You guessed it! Man gets into an accident and suddenly he can't seem to get his wife and colleagues to believe they are, in fact, his wife and colleagues. Such a tragedy. We watch as Dr. Martin Harris struggles to try and make sense of this new "reality". Car chases and explosions abound.

PROS-


* Diane Kruger. The last time I saw her was in National Treasure (let's not count that second thing they called a sequel, k?), so I was quite excited to see her in something new. Though I feel she did the best she could with what was there, this isn't a total "pro".

* This movie didn't go the way I thought it was going to go. I mean, I had it mostly figured out 5 minutes in, but I have to give it credit for going a completely different direction. I guess, though, they kind of HAD to go in a different direction since every other facet of the movie is practically identical to every other movie on the planet.

* In my notes I complimented the transition sequence from the credits to the first scene but, honestly, I don't remember enough about this to call it "good". I'll take my word for it though.

* I also noted that the color tones were good. I could really see the cold, which is always important in my book. One of the best examples of color-usage (in my opinion) is the CSI series: within the first 30 seconds of any episode from any of the shows, one can tell where it takes place (Vegas, Miami, or NY).

CONS-


* Whyyyyy is it that these actors can't annunciate?? I mean, with all the training they have at their disposal, they really can't hire a decent dialect/dialog coach? I have a really hard time believing that. There's only so much growling I can handle in a movie...especially when the main character is also responsible for a real "growling" character: Aslan.

* January Jones. I certainly hope she does a better job in Mad Men, because she was seriously lacking in this movie. From scene numero uno I hated her character and her portrayal. I'm really not sure why they cast her. Popularity of Mad Men? Really? Is that all it takes these days? Could we see Lea Michele cast as Anthony Hopkins wife just because Glee is popular? That'd be only a tad more awkward than the January Jones & Liam Neeson pairing...only a tad.

* So many plot holes and so many pointless deaths. I really just thought the whole thing was a bunch of writers and producers sitting around saying "here's a boring bit, let's introduce a minor charrie and then kill 'em off in wildly unlikely fashion...that'll buy us, what? 5-10 minutes? sounds good".

* Are there no rules in these other countries? I'll just leave it at that.

* Diane Kruger, though she tried, was really trying to play her role younger than I felt she should have. I mean...again, with Aslan as your leading male, you really can't have him gallivanting around Europe with a twenty-something-acting female lead believably. Sure, he'd see something in her..but what would she see in him? He's obvi got MAJOR issues. Too complicated. Oh, and while we're on the subject of Diane Kruger...what the HECK with that character's backstory? South Africa? Why?

Now Mother..
This movie is rated PG-13 and contains loads of violence, some brief sexual content, and profanity. Be prepared to also discuss some of the finer points of World War II. Viewer beware..

This movie was just not that impressive. I mean, I didn't expect it to be...but my pre-set thoughts were not changed upon the end credits. 2.5-5 stars just because it wasn't exactly how I thought it would be. Later this weekend I'll be posting my review of Battle: LA, in an out wifi this week.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Just Go With It

I feel the need to emphasize how often one line in this movie was said. You'll know it when you see it.

Just Go With It
Director- Dennis Dugan 
Writer(s)- Allan Loeb, Timothy Dowling, I.A.L. Diamond, Abe Burrows, Pierre Barillet, & Jean-Pierre Gredy
Top Billed Cast- Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, & Brooklyn Decker


Adam Sandler gets dumped on his wedding day and therefore feels the need to trick every woman in his life after this point into believing that he is married to an abusive spouse. Just go with it...Eventually, he finds "the one" and, unfortunately, she's already fallen prey to his trick so now he's in a pickle. He convinces his assistant (Aniston) to pose as his x-wife and even hires her two kids to play his children. Chaos ensues.

PROS-


* I know this isn't really a movie-related pro (well it is..) but man, my notes from this movie are funny. I enjoyed re-reading over this stuff trying to figure out what on earth I was referring to by such things as "that was easy..or not.." and "what's with preggo and company?", lol, ok so maybe it's only a pro to me..

* I love when a movie utilizes pre-established actors & actresses to play minor roles. Cameos are there for a reason and too many filmmakers don't know how to use them well/too many actors & actresses turn up their noses at roles that aren't Oscar worthy, or maybe I should just blame their agents?

* I actually felt that Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston had good chemistry, which I did not expect. At all.

* Bailee Madison is cute in her own little way. I enjoyed her character though it was over-written at times.

* Nicole Kidman was actually quite funny in her role. Why she can't do a proper American accent after all these years is beyond me but, I suppose I should just go with it..

CONS-


* I understand that this is an Adam Sandler comedy and that exaggerations are kind of his "thing" but did he REALLY need a nose the size of Texas&ahalf in the first scene? I don't think so. It's not like he has a Michael Jackson nose in real life...he could've just added a tiiiny piece on top and we would've gotten the joke.

* I kind of feel sorry for this movie. Why? Because in 5 years (probably less) over half of the script is going to be misunderstood by the audience because of all 5-billion references to popular culture today. I mean, really, how do writers think this is a smart move?

* So much emphasis went on the ring and when it went where...are we, the audience, really that dumb? I don't think so. Plus, that little tid bit was in every single one of the previews and how often do people, these days, go to see movies without seeing at least one preview?

* Who the heck is Brooklyn Decker and who thought it would be a good idea to give her a leading role as her first ever acting gig? It almost made everybody else in this movie look incredible because she sucked so bad. And whoooo names their female-supporting-character "Palmer"?? Now that, I can't just go with..

* Whoever was in charge of casting the extras needs to re-evaluate their job choice.

* What kind of Doctor and assistant have private (VERY private) conversations in front of patients? That's just not ok.

* Do we really have to just go with a practical homage to Pretty Woman? I mean..was Jennifer Aniston supposed to appear *that* bad off? And why the need for 15-gajillion shopping bags for supposedly one day of pretending?

* Speaking of the "make-over"...I understand that extensions exist, but why did she need them? Why not just get her hair shaped up? Revitalized?

* I hate when TPTB dumb things down for the viewers, whether that be in a sequence like the ring thing that I already mentioned, or in sequences that are sooooo obvious anyway that there is def no need for a music change or an awkward close-up...

* I still don't get the purpose of the fake sheep. Please, if you were able to just go with it, explain it to me?

* Finally......We paid for the ticket, we were told what theater we were to go in, we saw the posters on the way in....WHY do you have to CONTINUOUSLY throw the title of the movie into scenes??? We get it! I don't *want* to "just go with it" anymore!

Now Mother..
This movie is rated PG-13 and, as with most of the newer Adam Sandler stuff, it's fairly clean for a pg-13. There is, however, crude humor, partial nudity (I don't remember this, though), brief drug references, some sexual content, and language (I always love when they put this in the rating thingy..what movie, technically, DOESN'T contain "language"? :P ). Viewer beware..

This movie did make me laugh and I'm not opposed to seeing it again..for $1. I mean, it's a comedy and as such it did fulfill its purpose. I'm not sure that one can really expect much more from a movie like this. 3/5 stars. 

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Back on Track..sort of

After a lot of procrastination and loss of inspiration, I'm back. I'm still not really sure how to get this blog formatted the way I imagine it should be, but I'm going to "suffer" through it and try and find that magical mixture somewhere along the way.

First things first: This blog will contain SPOILERS*, so reader beware.

*A spoiler is information that some viewers might deem crucial to the plot or end-game and therefore feel that it should be saved for the movie itself. I LOVE spoilers. It saves me lots of disappointment and stress to know whether or not a film/tv show is going to be as horrible as I imagine it to be. Plus, who doesn't like to know stuff before, practically, anybody else?!

One last thing before we get started: Go see "The King's Speech"! I mean, how many people have to tell you before you listen? It's still playing for a reason! *Although, if you happen to be visiting Providence Theaters, avoid going to see the movie if it's playing in the last theater on the left (right wing) beside the "party room".


The Adjustment Bureau
Director- George Nolfi
Writer(s)- George Nolfi, based on the short story Adjustment Team by Phillip K. Dick
Top Billed Cast- Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, & Anthony Mackey


Firstly, I only typed "T" into the IMDB.com search bar and it automatically brought me to this movie. I love technology. 


Basically, this movie is about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. No, really! Ok, so, mostly it's about deciding what to do with your life. Is your plan THE plan?


On to my personal favourite part!


PROS-


*Can you say chemistry?? Emily Blunt and Matt Damon can! At first it almost felt contrived because it was so intense but, by the end of it I was addicted. 


* Cinematography was pretty cool..I mean, not mindblowing, but pretty good.


* Great usage of doors. You'll have to see it to understand what makes this a pro. But trust me, doors can be quite amazingly complex objects.


* I'm not sure if I've seen a movie quite so water-filled (without water being the mode of transport) before. Also, the last time a movie was made that gave water such a unique purpose was Signs (M. Night reference for the win!).


* Though the writing often left me shaking my head, the actors did a really nice job with what was there. 




CONS-


* As mentioned above: the writing. I'm no screenwriter, nor have I ever completed a single story (I try, really I do), but when I can picture the script in my head...it's never good. I know I've said that before, but it's just such a big part of the movie-going experience for me. I feel like I can tell when an actor doesn't like or believe in their lines because it's so poorly delivered. It feels flat and soulless. I'm sure writing dialog that properly portrays the appropriate message at the perfect time in the plot is a very tricky process and props to those of you that can do it and do it well..I just feel that it's SO important to keep viewers IN the movie. If I'm able to tell you what level of Angry Birds the people two rows down from me were on...I was not appropriately drawn in to the film.


* The doors. While I made them a Pro, there were some things that could've been a lot better. If there is such a BIG focus on said doors and the way they work and how they don't work...shouldn't there also be a focus and cOnsIstaNcY on which type of doors we use?? I think so. Again, if you haven't seen it, you won't really understand what makes this a con.


* The End. What the heck? I was so drawn in, so wanting to go along with these characters, to discover as they discover....and then, it happened. Nothing. Anticlimactic much?


* Though I think that this is mostly how the character was written..I got kind of tired of Harry being sooooooo mopey all the time. Especially by the end. 


* It's all in "blue" is it? Pretty sure the "plan" was in black. Once again, *where* are the continuity people? Fact checkers? Editors? Anybody?


* Everyone knows that in this day and age everybody is google-able. 


* Minor though it is, if hats are the key (oh me, I crack myself up), then mayhaps some superglue would fix the flying issue? Simple solutions people, simple solutions.


Now Mother..
This movie is rated PG-13 for some brief language, violence, and some sexuality.




Over all, I give this move 3 out of 5 stars. Really creative idea, brilliant cast, but such a wimpy response. I'm not going to say that this movie is in the leagues of Inception or even The Matrix, but I do give it major props for certain aspects being just plain inventive.  I'll still probably own this movie. I want to like it a lot...I just wish the script was better.