X-Men Origins: Wolverine

This is going to be a very easy and quick read as far as my reviews go.

Save your money. Skip this movie. It was probably the biggest let down in a long time. Too many characters with nothing to do. No story to speak of. There are times when things get good or somewhat cool and the next scene kills it. The effects are sooo bad, you'd think you were watching a movie on the SCI-fi channel. The whole movie was cheap on story and really cheats the audience that it needs. I'm glad its over and I've seen it. I can not wait for Star Trek next week. Wolverine will soon be a memory. I know some will nit-pick this mini review but let me tell you EVERYONE in the audience just groaned when it ended. Yes it was that bad. I seriously considered an F grade but there were some parts that were cool and fun and Liev Schriber was very good.. but the majority of the movie was a waste. This is the nail in the coffin for the X-men franchise. My Grade:D

Slumdog Millionaire

I know I know.. everyone has seen Slumdog. Well guess what? not me. I wanted to see it when it was still in its indie release. As the momentum grew, it started to push me off the movie rather than entice me. After the Oscar win for Best Picture, I said okay, I'll queue it on Netflix. Everyone I knew was shocked that I hadn't seen the movie and then the backlash began. Many folks who saw the movie during its hype started expressing their lack luster reviews to me. I said, ok, now I have a balance of opinion to judge the movie on its own merit. So what did I think?

Danny Boyle is one of my favorite directors. Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Sunshine are amazing films within their genres. They all contain this energy that only Danny could truly create. Slumdog is no exception.

The cinematography and directing are beautiful. The frantic camera work and thumping score delivers the reality of the slums. The highlight of the entire movie is really the young actors who portray their older counterparts. These are talented children who sadly have been caught in a real life mess due to their global fame. Dev Patel and Frida Pinto are wonderful actors. They have a genuine chemistry that shines through.

Although the film seems to be grounded in reality, there are some moments of melodrama that didn't quite work for me. In fact, one scene ruined some of what I was feeling for the characters. I know it was done deliberately to get the story moving but it felt abrupt. I can see why it won best picture. It was a story of love and overcoming the odds set against an environment most have never seen or experienced. It has an originality that set it apart from the other nominees.
My Grade: B+

Let the Right One In

Vampire mythology in film has evolved over the years with interesting, thought provoking and frightening entries. Movies like Bram Stoker's Dracula, Interview with a Vampire, The Hunger, and the lovable but cheesy Twilight. Every film tries its best to add a new facet to the legend of the undead.

The swedish import, Let the Right One In, is a breath of fresh air. It is violent tale with a touch of warmth and a fascinating irony.

Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) is a shy, frail boy who is constantly tormented by bullies at school. One night he is befriended by his new neighbor, a young girl named Eli (Lena Leandersson). A strong relationship is born between the two youths but Oskar begins to realize that his new girlfriend has a insatiable thirst for blood.

The film takes its time but is superbly directed and very well written with one the best endings I've seen in a very long time. My Grade: A

Monsters Vs Aliens - 3D

Dreamworks animation studios has tried really hard to create memorable, original, and funny movies. They have succeeded a few times within the past 10 years. Movies like Shrek, Shrek 2, and Kung Fu Panda. Sadly, they have made many mediocre to lame movies more so than great ones. Yet, the bad movies are still pretty big hits. I suppose for anyone starved for entertainment or those waiting for the next big Pixar flick, these Dreamworks crap family films tie them over.

It's unfortunate that I am going to have to include Monsters vs Aliens in the list of the lame batch. I went into this movie with high hopes and ready to be entertained. What I got was tired jokes, lazy dialogue, and bland storytelling. I was sitting in a full audience that barely chuckled at some of these jokes. Beyond the humor being attempted here, the voice work from actors like Stephen Colbert and Will Arnett falls flat. Given, they have very little to work with so they can't be blamed.

The surprising thing is this movie is essentially the story of Susan i.e. Ginormica played by Reese Witherspoon. I didn't gather that from the trailers but it was a nice surprise. Her story works but its not given any real respect by the writers. They are trying to setup her journey fast enough to get to the lame jokes.

The animation is extremely well done. The destruction sequences and action scenes are thrilling. To be honest, If it wasn't for the animation and 3D effects, I would have been utterly bored. This premise offers so many opportunities that its sad to see what it became. My grade: C-

Coming Soon - Where the Wild Things Are

This trailer is amazing. The music of Arcade Fire is so fitting against this first glimpse of the movie. I can not wait for what director Spike Jonze has in store for us.

Spring has Sprung

Hello Everyone,

Well I decided to lighten up my page a bit. The other one was a bit too dark and dreary for the season. I have also added some older reviews and lists. So make sure to check those out. Enjoy!

Rich

Wonder Woman

The WB has helped evolve animation for children to animation for teens and beyond. Under the Warner Premiere/DC Universe Banner they have already launched great animated films like Superman: Doomsday and Justice League: New Frontier. However, the one I have been waiting for finally arrived, Wonder Woman.

For many years DC has tried to bring Wonder Woman to life either via TV (a hit series thanks to Lynda Carter) or film. Unfortunately, the amazon princess hasn't been able to make her leap to the silver screen just yet. She has, however, been updated in the TV series Justice League and its second incarnation Justice League: Unlimited. In it, she shares much of her screen time with her male counterparts but here its finally time to learn who Diana of Themyscira really is. This is the story of how wonder Woman came to be the heroine we all know.

Wonder Woman is voiced by Keri Russell and she does very well. She gives Diana a noble charm and bold strength. Nathan Fillion voices Steve Trevor, the lone pilot who crashes upon the island of the Amazons. While his work was good, at times it was played a little too much for comedy. He did add a lightness to some scenes that required it. The other voice cast includes Alfred Molina as Ares, God of War, Rosario Dawson as Artemis and Virginia Madsen as Queen Hippolyta. Madsen offers a regal and resilient tone to the Queen which rounds out the character very well.

The movie is filled with action, drama and great moments of awe. The animation is stunning and fluid with well executed direction. The director, Lauren Montgomery, was also responsible for Superman:Doomsday and this summers next DC DVD, Green Lantern (which looks awesome btw and is getting his own live action movie in 2010). Overall, Wonder Woman is a solid work with a very cool ending for fans. We finally see more of the greek mythology used which is a real bonus. It doesn't disappoint and if anything, makes me crave a sequel. My Grade: B+

WATCHMEN

Visual. Visceral. Violent. Intelligent. Absorbing.

I've been a fan of Zack Snyder since he directed the Dawn of the Dead remake back in 2004. I love how he re-made this zombie movie with more fury and tension. His next work came about in 300. A movie based on the graphic novel by frank miller. Again, Snyder was able to bring the pages of this novel to life. A movie full of eye candy and carnage.

So we come to his 3rd work, Watchmen. The graphic novel that could "never be filmed". The subject matter transcended its time to become a celebrated work. I don't want to get into the minutia of the story. This is a movie that will force you to open your brain to the ideas being laid before you. The opening sequence is brutal. A nice taste of the aforementioned violence that is to come. The opening titles will re-write history before your eyes but will you let yourself accept it. This movie will push people. There are boundaries that are seldom crossed within comic books films. We don't expect the heroes to be the villains but in life many of our heroes have done villainous things. The movie take the superhero archetypes that we have praised in comics for ages and tears them down to raw humanity. You have to look at it from a different point of view.

The cast is very good. The standouts for me are Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach and Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl II. The only let down is Malin Ackerman as Silk Spectre II. I didn't like her in 27 Dresses and I just don't like her here. The character needs more passion and more depth. She couldn't convey any of that well. There is the occasional CGI full frontal of Dr. Manhattan and a hot sex scene. There is also violence against women, rape, murder. This movie deserves the R rating it received. There is nothing left to the imagination. It was filmed perfectly and some scenes are just awesome. I have two gripes that affected my overall grade. 1: The music chosen can be good (Times, They are a Changin' during the opening titles) but sometimes the songs fall flat (99 luftballoons and All Along the Watchtower) because they have been used so much in film over the years. 2: I felt the movie could have been longer. There was so much to cover in 2 hours and 41 min. I didn't feel the running time at all. The story was so different that it kept me engaged the entire time. That said some scenes could have been shortened and others lengthened. This is the beginning of the event movie season and it is well worth watching. Even days after watching it, I can't really stop thinking about it. I will have to watch it again. My Grade : B+

P.S. I Love You

Is there an undying love within all of us? If the person you love so much was taken away from you, How would you cope?

P.S. I Love You is the film based on the novel by Cecelia Ahern. The story of Holly (Hilary Swank) who loses her husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) to a brain tumor. Before his death, Gerry created an elaborate plan to help his wife deal with his eventual death. He would send letters to her and her friends to slowly ease her out of grieving.

I found the movie to be a bit disjointed. You have colorful comedic characters among this sad storyline. I understand that you want the audience to celebrate life by offering a light-hearted story. What ends up happening is that your are not really allowed to connect with Hilary Swank and what she is going through. They throw the friends in all the time to allow comic relief. The movie has some great moments of heart especially the scenes with Kathy Bates, who plays Holly's mother. Overall an enjoyable film about a solemn subject and the performances from Gerard and Hilary are pretty good. I felt the movie could focus more on our main character and downplay the friends a bit more. My Grade: C+

Rent at the Pantages Theatre Feb 26 - March 8

Cast:
Roger - Adam Pascal
Mark - Anthony Rapp
Tom Collins - Michael McElroy
Benny - Jacques C. Smith
Joanne - Haneefah Wood
Angel - Justin Johnston
Mimi - Lexi Lawson
Maureen - Nicolette Hart

I first saw Rent in 1997 during the west coast premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse. I was 18 and had been listening to the cast album since its release in 1996. It was a part of my social liberation. The stories and songs helped me through so much of my life. I am eternally grateful for Jonathon Larson's musical.

Rent is a contemporary musical based on Puccini's opera, La Boheme. The story takes place in the early 90's in alphabet city, a slum of Manhattan. Drug abuse and the impact of AIDS touching everyone in the community. This is the only area in the city that the Bo-ho artists and musicians can afford to survive in.

I feel bad that most people saw the terrible movie that came out a few years ago. The show live has such an energy and spirit that the film could never capture. This current touring cast is phenomenal. Two of the original actors reprise their roles and truly embody the characters they portray. The music is timeless. Modern classics that breathe without being dated. The emotional impact remains intact and shines in the hands of the entire cast. If this tour comes into your city, please see it. You will not be disappointed. My Grade A+

And the Oscar goes to...

Performance by an actor in a leading role:
Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role:
Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)

Performance by an actress in a leading role:
Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role:
Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)

Best animated feature film of the year:
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

Achievement in directing:
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle

Best motion picture of the year:
“Slumdog Millionaire”

Well I was close on some of my predictions but there you have it. Now to another year of movies!! yey!!

Rich–It: The Oscar Predictions (Sunday, Feb. 22nd at 5pm/PST on ABC)

Rich–It: The Oscar Predictions (Sunday, Feb. 22nd at 5pm/PST on ABC)

I’ll only predict the categories that matter to me. I have seen most of these films but I’ve been working on watching everything to give my best prediction. Again these are the choices I’ve made for who I want to win not who will win because we all know how unpredictable that can be. Comment away…

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

* I chose Mickey because his performance goes beyond what an actor does for a role. It was a toss up between Sean Penn and Mickey. Ultimately, Rourke’s character work here deserves this award.


Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

* This was a no-brainer for me. Heath turned something comical and odd to downright savage and unsettling. You will be missed.


Performance by an actress in a leading role
Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)

* This one was tough for me but I went with Kate. She deserves more than anyone. Her career and her work on this film shows her quality. Meryl was great as was Anne but it belongs to Kate this year.


Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

*There were 4 greats in this category. Marisa was great and Penelope turned in something genuine and Viola was tough to watch without feeling as helpless as her character. But Amy’s character was so natural and when she is pushed in the film Doubt. You can see her heart and morals cracking.. truly deserving.


Best animated feature film of the year
“Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
“Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

* There are many levels at work in Wall-e. It trancsends what animation was made for. Full of heart, imagination, purpose and social awareness..it is the defining animated film of the year.


Achievement in directing
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
“Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle


Best motion picture of the year
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“Frost/Nixon”
“Milk”
“The Reader”
“Slumdog Millionaire”

*I'm pretty sure this will be the upset of the night but Slumdog is in a prime position to win. Frost/Nixon is a mirror to the last eight years of president running the country for his own interests not those of the people.

Thanks For Reading Comment Away