A BETTER LIFE

July 9, 2011

 Greetings again from the darkness. Surprisingly, this movie doesn’t choose sides in the political hot potato that is immigration reform. Instead, it plays as an intimate story of hope and desperation centered around the daily life of a father and son.

The father is Carlos (played by veteran actor Demian Bichir), an undocumented worker in Los Angeles who scrapes by working as a gardener and landscaper for another illegal immigrant. Carlos is raising a 15 year old son who was born in the U.S. They are alone because the mother bolted after discovering the high life available in this great country. Carlos, on the other hand, believes in work ethic and the bond of a handshake. His son Luis (Jose Julian) is fighting the daily battle of the streets – whether to join a gang for respect. Luis shows little outward respect for his hard-working father, who comes home sweaty and exhausted every day of the week.

 When Carlos’ boss approaches him about buying his truck and tools, Carlos first balks because he simply has no money, and he is intent on remaining “invisible”. In his case, a simple traffic stop would mean deportation and the loss of his son. After a night of pondering, he borrows the money from his sister and buys the truck. Carlos tells his son that things will soon be better – better house, better school, etc. Luis is dubious and offers little support.

The story takes a turn when the truck is stolen by a day worker whom Carlos was trying to help. If you have ever seen Vittorio de Sica‘s The Bicycle Thief, you will recognize some similarities. Father and son grow closer as they hunt for the thief. Luis sees his father’s thoughtful actions and has trouble processing his calculated methods. The youngster is more about lashing out to show power. It’s the only method he has seen at his school. Father knows best comes into play here.

 The film is interesting enough and the scenes with both father and son are exceptional. As a whole, the film seems a bit lacking as we really only get glimpses of the desperation and confusion that these two face every day – in completely different ways. It’s directed by Chris Weitz, who has an unusual resume which includes both Twilight: New Moon and About a Boy. His newest film really just reiterates what we already know about illegal immigrants. Some are here to milk the system, while others are here for ‘a better life’.

SEE THIS MOVIE IF: you are up for a nice little story about a single dad and his struggle to provide a future for his son

SKIP THIS MOVIE IF: you are looking for a fight on the topic of immigration reform.

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Posted by David Ferguson

2011 – FIRST HALF RECAP

July 4, 2011

Greetings again from the darkness.  Yep, it’s mid-year again.  So you can stop holding your breath waiting for me to recap the movie year thus far!  You will also get a glimpse into what’s coming up in the next 6 months.  Even in a year like this, when the overall film quality has been mediocre at best, I always hold out hope for an exciting second half … and this year is no different.

Let me remind you that it will be next January before I publish my list of favorite films in order.  What I provide below is groupings of what I think are the best so far.  Some of these may make the year-end list, while most will not.  Just for fun, I also include my list of most disappointing movies through June.  As always, these represent my opinion and may or may not be aligned with your tastes, beliefs or standards.

 So, as usual, let me start by contradicting what I just said.  Far and away my favorite cinematic experience in 2011 has been Terrence Malick‘s The Tree of Life.  It also happens to be one of the most divisive films of the year.  People either connect with it or they walk out absolutely frustrated and annoyed.  Some theatres have taken to posting a warning to patrons that the film does not follow a typical Hollywood narrative or story arc.  Mr. Malick’s latest work is either inspiration for introspection or it’s motivation to request a refund.  I understand both reactions.

Now that I cheated at my own game … here is the best (so far) of 2011, by category … and notice, they are in alphabetical order:

COMEDY

 Bridesmaids – raunchy women’s comedy that even men can appreciate

Cedar Rapids– underrated script with laughs and a message

Midnight in Paris– Woody Allen’s terrific homage to literary giants

Rango – animated hilarity and genius (for all ages)

DRAMA

 Beginners – touching story showing it’s never too late to love

The Conspirator – historical drama around Lincoln assassination

Hanna – action thriller that defies description

Jane Eyre – expert version of the iconic novel

Win Win – terrific script highlighting doing right by others

DOCUMENTARY

 Bill Cunningham New York– NYC fashion through a brilliant man’s eye

Buck – Cowboy zen

Hot Coffee – things you don’t know about the justice system

 

 

OTHER

 Barney’s Version – cynical dramedy with Paul Giamatti at his best

In a Better World – stark drama from Denmark

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – Captain Jack is back

Source Code – thrilling and humanistic sci-fi from son of Bowie

Super 8 – nostalgic Speilberg courtesy of JJ Abrams

MOST DISAPPOINTING

Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 – embarrassingly bad version of classic novel

The Greatest Movie Ever Sold – not Morgan Spurlock’s best work

The Hangover Part II – same jokes, different city

Larry Crowne – a thesis on bland and generic moviemaking

Sucker Punch – should have been greatness

Now, let’s look ahead at the second half “Coming Attractions”.  Here are a few movies that have piqued my interest.  They are separated by wide release films versus independent or smaller budget types that may only receive limited release.

Big Budget Releases:

 Captain America: The First Avenger – will the next Superhero come on down!

Contagion – Soderbergh sci-fi with Kate Winslet and Matt Damon

Cowboys & Aliens – James Bond and Indiana Jones, together at last

Dream House – newlyweds Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Fincher re-do of Swedish cult classic

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – JK Rowling may have to get a job

 The Help – film version of best seller featuring Emma Stone

The Ides of March – Dirty politics with Clooney, Giamatti, PS Hoffman, Gosling

The Iron Lady – Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher

Moneyball – Baseball, Oakland A’s style

Wanderlust – raunchy comedy with Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston

War Horse –  Steven Spielberg WWI Oscar entry

 

Independent Films/Limited Release:

 Attack the Block – Sundance favorite as London teens battle alien invasion

The Descendants – Sideways director is back w/ Clooney as mourning dad

The Devil’s Double – chilling story of Saddam Hussein’s son

Drive – action film with Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan

Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times – doc on print v. social media

The Rum Diary – Johnny Depp in Hunter S Thompson story

Sarah’s Key – Kristin Scott Thomas solving puzzle of Vel d’Hiv

While it will be 6 months before we know how many of these actually make their mark, let me know which were  your favorite and least favorite movies of the first 6 months.  I see a lot of movies, but I don’t see everything … so let me know what I missed!

See you at the movies!!

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Posted by David Ferguson

LARRY CROWNE

July 3, 2011

 Greetings again from the darkness. I view Tom Hanks as one of the all-time giants among movie actors. He is true Hollywood royalty. When I heard he was producing, directing, co-writing and starring in a new film (his first directorial outing since That Thing You Do), I assumed it was his first step in becoming the new Clint Eastwood. Sadly, Mr. Hanks broke the number rule of movie-making: have a point to make or a story to tell. What we get is a time warp when mainstream movies could be successful just by putting nice people on screen.

 And nice people is what we get. Tom Hanks plays the ultimate nice guy as Larry Crowne. Crowne is the type who attracts nice people and makes them even nicer. Even when he loses his job, we never doubt that this nice guy will land on his feet and even be better off eventually. Oh no you don’t … stop trying to guess the ending! Other nice people are … EVERY STUDENT in the speech class taught by Julia Roberts, the L.A. scooter club that recruits Crowne, the Marine owner of a diner who hires Crowne, the lottery-winning neighbors of Crowne and the dean of students at the community college. The nicest one of all is Talia, played delightfully by Gugu Mbatha-Raw (from the awful “Undercovers” show that lasted less than one season).

The closest thing to a bad guy is Roberts’ husband played by Bryan
Cranston (“Breaking Bad”). His fault? He is a bit lazy (after writing two
books) and he likes to look at swimsuit models on the internet. Sure,
when the movie starts, Ms. Roberts character is at her lowest. She
clearly drinks too much to mask her misery, though it’s never obvious
just why she is so miserable.

But this is not a movie about conflict or tension or anything not nice
… even though it begins with a nice guy getting laid off from his
job. The story and screenplay are co-written by Hanks and Nia Vardalos.
You will remember her as the creative force behind the gem My Big Fat
Greek Wedding. Unfortunately, this film is nowhere close to the level
of that one (conflict with Greek traditions).

 If Mr. Hanks’ goal is to become an important filmmaker in the vein of Clint Eastwood or Frank Capra, he will need to study the films that have made him rich and famous. Or at least study the best screwball comedies or rom-coms. A good story must have CONFLICT! There needs to be something that creates interest for the viewer. Even children’s books give us something – a mean raccoon, a wicked witch.  Simple, bland, generic, nice, likable and swell can all play a part … but they can’t be EVERY part! My two favorite things about the film are George Takei and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Mr. Takei (of “Star Trek” fame) provides some of the few laughs in the film as a very meticulous Economics professor. His voice and mannerisms inspire us to smile and ultimately laugh outloud. Gugu is just terrific as the idealistic free-spirit who transforms Crowne and lights up her every scene. Can’t wait to see what she does next.

 As you might expect, supporting actors lined up to work with Hanks and Julia. Among those not mentioned above are Cedric the Entertainer and Taraji B. Henson (Crowne’s neighbors), Wilmer Valderrama (Gugu’s boyfriend), Rita Wilson (the mortgage officer), Pam Grier (professor), Grace Gummel (Meryl Streep’s daughter as the ‘pasta’ speech student), and it’s always nice to see Bob Stephenson on screen. He is one of the more underutilized deadpan comedic talents around.

There is little doubt that this film will find an audience. An audience
that demands little from a movie. There is nothing wrong with two hours
of back-slapping and giddy smiling … as long as you get a story to go
along with it.  The best way I can describe this movie is that it’s like looking at a family photo album.  Everyone is smiling.  Everyone looks happy.  But nothing is really happening.

SEE THIS MOVIE IF: you believe thinking and movie watching should remain separate activities OR you simply want to see a lot of nice people onscreen for two hours

SKIP THIS MOVIE IF: you believe filmmakers owe us something and shouldn’t cash in on their reputation … even if their name is Tom Hanks.

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Posted by David Ferguson

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

July 2, 2011

 Greetings again from the darkness. I pride myself on being a fan of many different types of films – everything from World Cinema to Super Heroes.  However, it would be unfair to analyze, critique or compare a Transformers movie to any “normal” movie. Being somewhat limited in scope by the source material, director Michael Bay, delivers what the fan of the series want … full scale noise and all-out action.

While Mr. Bay admitted that part two of this trilogy was lacking much (an understatement), it appears his efforts to improve part three come not from a script doctor, but rather by tossing in some familiar Hollywood faces: John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, Patrick Dempsey and Ken Jeong. Oh, and we also get Bill O’Reilly, an odd sequence with legendary Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin (the second man to walk on the moon), and the best surprise – Leonard Nimoy voicing Sentinel Prime.

 Most of the same key players are back: Shia LaBeouf as Sam (friend to Optimus Prime), John Turturro (having cashed in on his 10 min of fame), Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson as soldiers, and Kevin Dunn and Julie White as Sam’s parents in a couple of throw away scenes that cost much less than the CGI that dominates the movie.

While I remain an avid opponent to 3-D, this film offers a few of the best uses since Avatar. Unfortunately the dimmed coloring offset the benefits and continue to annoy me. Just remove your glasses periodically and you can easily see how much brighter the colors are without the 3-D muting. Such a shame.

 Michael Bay knows explosions. And there is no shortage on display here. We get plenty of rock ’em sock ’em action and the military is on full display, especially with some pretty cool skydiving tactics. Heck, we even get Frances McDormand as a power-hungry bureaucrat. For those who know Chicago, the familiar sights abound. The Wrigley Building plays a vital role, though it still bothers me a bit to see a skyscraper destroyed. I will say the tilted office is not even close to the cool factor of the rotating hallway of Inception, though the effort is appreciated.

 The battle of the robots is what (lots of) people pay to see and the 40 plus minute final battle is something to behold, even if it drags on entirely too long. And I can’t fail to mention that the lack of presence of Megan Fox‘ character is explained a couple of times as having “dumped” Sam. Sam has rebounded nicely with Carly, played by supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who looks just fine in a $200,000 Mercedes, a slim white dress or conversing with an injured villainous robot. Yes, one must maintain a sense of humor during this movie.

The use of slo-motion, the ties to the space program, and the connection to Chernobyl are all a bit heavy-handed, but this is a Transformers movie, not a documentary. And the actual transformation of these guys is still one of the coolest on screen moments you can find … even if the story and dialogue will have you desperate for brain resuscitation when the movie finally ends.

SEE THIS MOVIE IF: you are a fan of Bay-splosions!

SKIP THIS MOVIE IF: you just can’t believe the same guy (Peter Cullen) who voices Optimus Prime, also voice Eeyore of Winnie the Pooh fame

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Posted by David Ferguson

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