...That would be quite the beginning to a joke. What would be the punchline? I couldn't tell you that, since it's not really a joke. Well, not until someone else creates one out if this. What we do have with this, however, is the premise of director John Michael McDonagh's dark comedy, The Guard, which tells the story of two mismatched crime stoppers, with one being from the 50 states, and the other being from the Emerald Isle.
Buddy-comedies involving cops can go one of two ways: either they can both handle situations with a mutual understanding, or they can have their own ways of solving them. It most certainly makes for a better narrative to have the latter choice for a movie, which is what McDonagh's film explores in a violent, yet joyfully amusing and original yarn.
Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) is an experienced and tough policeman in Ireland who has seen enough over the years to not become fazed by the brutality of criminals. He's a foul-mouthed racist who likes things to be done his way, and doesn't know anything outside of his home country. Gerry soon experiences an episode of culture clash when an FBI agent from the United States, Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle), travels to Ireland with his squad in order to investigate a murder inside a drug smuggling gang, headed by Clive Cornell (Mark Strong). As they get deeper into the case, the two will have to navigate through blackmails, briberies and killings so they can catch their culprits.
The draw to Gleeson's character is that although he can be very uncouth at times, he's still a lovable guy. He's just a simple, everyday man trying to do his duty as a community protector, while also caring for his ailing, yet cheerful mother (Fionnula Flanagan). Gleeson has you laughing and gasping at his rudeness in one scene, and then he will have you sympathizing with him in another as he spends his mother's final days with her. We're able to see two sides to his life: that of the police precinct, and that of his personal life when being a thoughtful son and wanting a family of his own.
The fish-out-of-water aspect of the story is strengthened by the fact that Don Cheadle is the only American actor in the film. When he and Gleeson are together, it's highly satisfying to watch them interact and see how different their roles are. Their are some very funny exchanges between the two of them when Gleeson says some stereotypical comments and when Cheadle corrects him. They remind you of lab partners in school who are assigned to work together, but aren't able to do so until they find some common ground.
The screenplay, written by the director, is unique in the way that it shifts the cop-comedy genre overseas. So in this case, the two law enforcers aren't just different in their personalities like in other films of its kind; but they are different in their backgrounds as well. Gleeson and Cheadle work it to its full uproarious effect. Seeing as the plot involved drug smuggling and bribery, it could have been more interesting with some intricacies; but the chemistry between the two leads is enough to make you forgive the few faults. As Gleeson's character can surely tell you, crime doesn't pay; but it's undoubtedly worth it to pay a few dollars to watch this unusual cop in action.
Final grade: A-
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The pizza is delivered on time, but can the same be said about the laughs?
Comedy can blend with just about anything: romance, horror, and even drama. So it shouldn't be a surprise that it can make a harmonious pair with action. It's foolproof in most cases, putting two popular genres together in a neat package. So it was a no-brainer to hire Ruben Fleischer to direct the fast-paced action-comedy 30 Minutes or Less, since he also directed the equally fast-moving and funny Zombieland from two years ago. In both cases, he had to deliver the goods in less than an hour and a half. Unfortunately for Fleischer, he had a hit, and now a miss.
Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) is a down-on-his-luck teen who hates his job as a pizza delivery boy; but nonetheless is masterful in the skills of driving and drifting his car through the streets to deliver to his customers. After having a fight with his best friend Chet (Aziz Ansari), Nick is even worse off than before. Elsewhere in town, two amateur crooks, Dwayne (Danny McBride) and Travis (Nick Swardson), devise a plan to obtain Dwayne's inheritance from his military-toughened father. To do this, they need money to hire an assassin to commit the violent act. They decide to kidnap Nick, strap a bomb-vest to him, and force him to rob a bank within 10 hours. So he quickly reconciles with Chet, and the two friends set out on their robbery, and face more obstacles than they could have expected.
Eisenberg and Ansari are ripe in comedic experience, with the former starring in films such as Adventureland and Zombieland, and the latter starring in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. At first, it's entertaining to watch these two as best friends hanging out and living on pizza and beer. But after a scene where they have a scuffle and reveal things that they've done to each other in the past that the other doesn't know about, it gets to the point where they are not all that likable anymore. It's tough to believe that they remain friends after the truth is let out. Even the pairing of McBride and Swardson isn't as riotously funny as it should be, seeing as they are always a hit with their television shows. The only bright spot of the cast is Michael Pena as the hot-blooded hired assassin Chongo, who has the attitude-appropriate nickname, " The Satanic Hispanic."
The film's chief fault is with the script, which reduces the talents of the four main characters to bland sex jokes and colorless banter. After everything the characters go through, the ending will be hard for some to accept, since it stretches it's believability. Even though the film is fairly short, that's not an excuse to shortchange the audience out of laughs. The film's energy only spikes during the bank robbery and the last 10 minutes, and both scenes only manage to summon a few chuckles. But after that, we're left wondering why the rest of the movie didn't have that same force. If only the drive and humor of 30 Minutes or Less was as punctual as their title.
Final grade: C
Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) is a down-on-his-luck teen who hates his job as a pizza delivery boy; but nonetheless is masterful in the skills of driving and drifting his car through the streets to deliver to his customers. After having a fight with his best friend Chet (Aziz Ansari), Nick is even worse off than before. Elsewhere in town, two amateur crooks, Dwayne (Danny McBride) and Travis (Nick Swardson), devise a plan to obtain Dwayne's inheritance from his military-toughened father. To do this, they need money to hire an assassin to commit the violent act. They decide to kidnap Nick, strap a bomb-vest to him, and force him to rob a bank within 10 hours. So he quickly reconciles with Chet, and the two friends set out on their robbery, and face more obstacles than they could have expected.
Eisenberg and Ansari are ripe in comedic experience, with the former starring in films such as Adventureland and Zombieland, and the latter starring in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. At first, it's entertaining to watch these two as best friends hanging out and living on pizza and beer. But after a scene where they have a scuffle and reveal things that they've done to each other in the past that the other doesn't know about, it gets to the point where they are not all that likable anymore. It's tough to believe that they remain friends after the truth is let out. Even the pairing of McBride and Swardson isn't as riotously funny as it should be, seeing as they are always a hit with their television shows. The only bright spot of the cast is Michael Pena as the hot-blooded hired assassin Chongo, who has the attitude-appropriate nickname, " The Satanic Hispanic."
The film's chief fault is with the script, which reduces the talents of the four main characters to bland sex jokes and colorless banter. After everything the characters go through, the ending will be hard for some to accept, since it stretches it's believability. Even though the film is fairly short, that's not an excuse to shortchange the audience out of laughs. The film's energy only spikes during the bank robbery and the last 10 minutes, and both scenes only manage to summon a few chuckles. But after that, we're left wondering why the rest of the movie didn't have that same force. If only the drive and humor of 30 Minutes or Less was as punctual as their title.
Final grade: C
Friday, August 19, 2011
Fall 2011 Movie Preview
Another summer has come and gone, and has left us with an ample assortment of movies to discuss. From May to August, there was a healthy helping of many genres for a range of cinematic tastes. Sci-fi thrill-seekers satisfied their hunger with Super 8 and Rise of the Planet of the Apes; indie-fans were treated to Midnight in Paris and The Tree of Life; and comic book fans took some high-flying adventures with Thor, X-Men: First Class and Captain America: The First Avenger; and audiences shared a fond farewell to a very famous boy wizard, as they experienced Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, the epic finale to the biggest movie franchise in history.
Summer 2011, however, wasn't like other summers that came before it. In a season where superheroes, aliens and giant fighting robots have much of the spotlight shine on them, there was one type of film that seemed to be everywhere we looked: the comedy. Every week or two, there was a movie released that was ready to make us double-over with laughter, some of the most memorable being Bridesmaids, Horrible Bosses and Crazy, Stupid, Love. It's safe to say that the comedy genre has been coroneted with the summer season crown.
It is now time for the Fall movies to arrive. September to December is normally the time of the year when a bulk of the Oscar-contending films get released, whether they be independent or mainstream. In these four months, audiences will be served many different stories, including: Clint Eastwood's latest film that delves into the history of our nation's first head of the FBI; a third outing with some paranormal activity; Part 1 to the finale of the Twilight saga; the long-awaited return of the Muppets; Tom Cruise's acceptance of his next mission; and Sherlock Holmes' next twisty-turny mystery. All of that and more awaits this Fall and in this preview.
Contagion (Sept. 9) Steven Soderbergh directs this tale of a worldwide epidemic caused by a deadly airborne virus that has all medical personnel trying to find a cure and stop the spread. Meanwhile, a group of ordinary people try to survive a society that is rapidly crumbling. Starring Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Moneyball (Sept. 23) This sports comedy-drama tells the true story of the Oakland Athletics baseball team and their manager, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), who tries to make them into a winning team, despite troublesome finances. Also starring Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The Ides of March (Oct. 7) Based on the play by Beau Willimon, this film deals with Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling), who is a young staffer for a new presidential candidate, Mike Morris(George Clooney). While on the campaign trail, Stephen learns all about the dirty side of politics. Also starring Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Paranormal Activity 3 (Oct. 21) This third installment of the unnerving ghost story will take place 18 years before the first two movies. The story will dig deeper into when Katie (Katie Featherston of PA and PA2) and Kristi (Sprague Grayden of PA2) were terrorized by the demon when they were children.
Puss in Boots (Nov. 4) Shrek's faithful feline friend gets his own movie in this spinoff prequel. Puss (voiced by Antonio Banderas), along with his sidekicks Humpty Dumpty and Kitty Softpaws, must vanquish the villainy of two dangerous outlaws, Jack and Jill, after they discover a disasterous power that could destroy the world. Also starring the voices of Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris.
J. Edgar (Nov. 11) Clint Eastwood directs this biopic that will detail the fascinating career of J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio), and will also peer into his private life as a possible homosexual. Also starring Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Damon Herriman, Jeffrey Donovan, Judi Dench and Ed Westwick.
Melancholia (Nov. 11) Lars von Trier directs this drama about two sisters (Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg) who have the strengths of their bond tested as Earth is on a collision course with an unknown planet. Also starring Kiefer Sutherland and Alexander Skarsgard.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (Nov. 18) In this first part of the Twilight finale, based on Stephenie Meyer's popular book series, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) enjoy their time together as newly-wedded husband and wife, while venturing to Rio de Janeiro for their honeymoon. It isn't long before they must deal with the complications of Bella's unexpected pregnancy, as well as the chance of a battle against the ruling vampire group, the Volturi. Also starring Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser and Ashley Greene.
Hugo (Nov. 23) Martin Scorsese directs this adaptation of Brian Selznick's 2007 novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which tells the story of the titular character as he lives an orphaned life in a Paris train station. When Hugo (Asa Butterfield) finds a broken automaton and meets a strange girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) and her standoffish grandfather who owns the local toy shop, he is swept up in a mystical journey that could put all of his secrets in danger. Also starring Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jude Law and Christopher Lee.
The Muppets (Nov. 23) When an oil tycoon, Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), discovers oil beneath the Muppet Theater, Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) plan to stop him by setting up a telethon to raise money and save the theater. In order to make this happen, they must reunite the Muppets, who have separated over the years. Also starring Rashida Jones, along with countless celebrity cameos, such as Jack Black, Billy Crystal, Neil Patrick Harris, Mila Kunis, Mickey Rooney, Ben Stiller and many more.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (Dec. 2) A devastated mother (Tilda Swinton) recounts the events that happened before and after her son's (Ezra Miller) killing of several students and teachers at his high school. Also starring John C. Reilly.
New Year's Eve (Dec. 9) After the success of his 2010 romantic comedy Valentine's Day, Garry Marshall directs his next holiday-oriented film. It follows two dozen New Yorkers on one of the biggest nights of the year as they look for love and have their stories intertwine. Starring Ashton Kutcher, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert De Niro, Hilary Swank, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Lea Michele and many others in a star-studded cast.
Carnage (Dec. 16) Roman Polanski directs this film version of Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning play, God of Carnage. It follows two sets of parents as they have a meeting about a fight that their children had in school that day. As the night goes on, however, the parents begin to get hostile with one another. Starring Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz.
The Iron Lady (Dec. 16) In this biographical film of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Meryl Streep), the story is told in flashbacks, which include the 17 days that led up to the Falklands War in 1982. Also starring Jim Broadbent, Anthony Head and Richard E. Grant.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (Dec. 16) Famed detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his loyal assistant Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) try to defeat their nemesis Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), with the help of Holmes' older brother Mycroft (Stephen Fry) and a fortune-telling Romani woman named Sim (Noomi Rapace). Also starring Rachel McAdams and Eddie Marsan.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Dec. 21) A computer hacker (Rooney Mara) and a journalist (Daniel Craig) realize that even the richest families have their own deep secrets, as they try to crack the case of a 40-year-old murder. David Fincher directs this American adaptation of the 2009 Swedish thriller of the same name, which is based on the first book of the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson. Also starring Stellan Skarsgard, Christopher Plummer and Embeth Davidtz.
Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol (Dec. 21) When the Kremlin is demolished by a terrorist bombing, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team are to be blamed for the attack. The U.S. government, however, allows them to escape and work in secret, outside of the agency. But Hunt is warned that if any member of the team is caught during their mission, then they will be charged as terrorists planning to initiate a nuclear world war. He is also told to work with ex-IMF agent Brandt (Jeremy Renner), who's more familiar about Ethan's past than he is himself. Also starring Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Tom Wilkinson and Paula Patton.
War Horse (Dec. 28) Based on a 1982 children's novel by Michael Morpurgo, and later a 2007 stage adaptation, Steven Spielberg directs this war drama set in England during the beginnings of World War 1. When Albert Narracott's (Jeremy Irvine) beloved horse is sold to the cavalry and taken to France, Albert refuses to forget him. While he's still not old enough to enlist in the army, Albert takes on a perilous journey to find his horse and bring him back home. Also starring Emily Watson, Peter Mullan and David Thewlis.
With a diverse group of films coming out this Fall, you might as well escape the impending cold weather and sample a few different genres of cinema. This was only a portion of what's to come later this year. There are numerous other stories arriving to your screens that will surely be worth viewing.
Don't forget: Fall is the prime season for potential Oscar-nominated indies. While many of them won't get a wide release right away, it will be to your benefit to keep checking the movie theater schedule to see if any independent gems will be shown in your area. They deserve as much attention as the mainstream films. So this Fall, follow these three simple steps: 1) Pick out a movie that suits your interest, 2) Go see it, and 3) most importantly, enjoy.
Summer 2011, however, wasn't like other summers that came before it. In a season where superheroes, aliens and giant fighting robots have much of the spotlight shine on them, there was one type of film that seemed to be everywhere we looked: the comedy. Every week or two, there was a movie released that was ready to make us double-over with laughter, some of the most memorable being Bridesmaids, Horrible Bosses and Crazy, Stupid, Love. It's safe to say that the comedy genre has been coroneted with the summer season crown.
It is now time for the Fall movies to arrive. September to December is normally the time of the year when a bulk of the Oscar-contending films get released, whether they be independent or mainstream. In these four months, audiences will be served many different stories, including: Clint Eastwood's latest film that delves into the history of our nation's first head of the FBI; a third outing with some paranormal activity; Part 1 to the finale of the Twilight saga; the long-awaited return of the Muppets; Tom Cruise's acceptance of his next mission; and Sherlock Holmes' next twisty-turny mystery. All of that and more awaits this Fall and in this preview.
Contagion (Sept. 9) Steven Soderbergh directs this tale of a worldwide epidemic caused by a deadly airborne virus that has all medical personnel trying to find a cure and stop the spread. Meanwhile, a group of ordinary people try to survive a society that is rapidly crumbling. Starring Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Moneyball (Sept. 23) This sports comedy-drama tells the true story of the Oakland Athletics baseball team and their manager, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), who tries to make them into a winning team, despite troublesome finances. Also starring Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The Ides of March (Oct. 7) Based on the play by Beau Willimon, this film deals with Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling), who is a young staffer for a new presidential candidate, Mike Morris(George Clooney). While on the campaign trail, Stephen learns all about the dirty side of politics. Also starring Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Paranormal Activity 3 (Oct. 21) This third installment of the unnerving ghost story will take place 18 years before the first two movies. The story will dig deeper into when Katie (Katie Featherston of PA and PA2) and Kristi (Sprague Grayden of PA2) were terrorized by the demon when they were children.
Puss in Boots (Nov. 4) Shrek's faithful feline friend gets his own movie in this spinoff prequel. Puss (voiced by Antonio Banderas), along with his sidekicks Humpty Dumpty and Kitty Softpaws, must vanquish the villainy of two dangerous outlaws, Jack and Jill, after they discover a disasterous power that could destroy the world. Also starring the voices of Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris.
J. Edgar (Nov. 11) Clint Eastwood directs this biopic that will detail the fascinating career of J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio), and will also peer into his private life as a possible homosexual. Also starring Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Damon Herriman, Jeffrey Donovan, Judi Dench and Ed Westwick.
Melancholia (Nov. 11) Lars von Trier directs this drama about two sisters (Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg) who have the strengths of their bond tested as Earth is on a collision course with an unknown planet. Also starring Kiefer Sutherland and Alexander Skarsgard.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (Nov. 18) In this first part of the Twilight finale, based on Stephenie Meyer's popular book series, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) enjoy their time together as newly-wedded husband and wife, while venturing to Rio de Janeiro for their honeymoon. It isn't long before they must deal with the complications of Bella's unexpected pregnancy, as well as the chance of a battle against the ruling vampire group, the Volturi. Also starring Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser and Ashley Greene.
Hugo (Nov. 23) Martin Scorsese directs this adaptation of Brian Selznick's 2007 novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which tells the story of the titular character as he lives an orphaned life in a Paris train station. When Hugo (Asa Butterfield) finds a broken automaton and meets a strange girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) and her standoffish grandfather who owns the local toy shop, he is swept up in a mystical journey that could put all of his secrets in danger. Also starring Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jude Law and Christopher Lee.
The Muppets (Nov. 23) When an oil tycoon, Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), discovers oil beneath the Muppet Theater, Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) plan to stop him by setting up a telethon to raise money and save the theater. In order to make this happen, they must reunite the Muppets, who have separated over the years. Also starring Rashida Jones, along with countless celebrity cameos, such as Jack Black, Billy Crystal, Neil Patrick Harris, Mila Kunis, Mickey Rooney, Ben Stiller and many more.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (Dec. 2) A devastated mother (Tilda Swinton) recounts the events that happened before and after her son's (Ezra Miller) killing of several students and teachers at his high school. Also starring John C. Reilly.
New Year's Eve (Dec. 9) After the success of his 2010 romantic comedy Valentine's Day, Garry Marshall directs his next holiday-oriented film. It follows two dozen New Yorkers on one of the biggest nights of the year as they look for love and have their stories intertwine. Starring Ashton Kutcher, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert De Niro, Hilary Swank, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Lea Michele and many others in a star-studded cast.
Carnage (Dec. 16) Roman Polanski directs this film version of Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning play, God of Carnage. It follows two sets of parents as they have a meeting about a fight that their children had in school that day. As the night goes on, however, the parents begin to get hostile with one another. Starring Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz.
The Iron Lady (Dec. 16) In this biographical film of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Meryl Streep), the story is told in flashbacks, which include the 17 days that led up to the Falklands War in 1982. Also starring Jim Broadbent, Anthony Head and Richard E. Grant.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (Dec. 16) Famed detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his loyal assistant Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) try to defeat their nemesis Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), with the help of Holmes' older brother Mycroft (Stephen Fry) and a fortune-telling Romani woman named Sim (Noomi Rapace). Also starring Rachel McAdams and Eddie Marsan.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Dec. 21) A computer hacker (Rooney Mara) and a journalist (Daniel Craig) realize that even the richest families have their own deep secrets, as they try to crack the case of a 40-year-old murder. David Fincher directs this American adaptation of the 2009 Swedish thriller of the same name, which is based on the first book of the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson. Also starring Stellan Skarsgard, Christopher Plummer and Embeth Davidtz.
Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol (Dec. 21) When the Kremlin is demolished by a terrorist bombing, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team are to be blamed for the attack. The U.S. government, however, allows them to escape and work in secret, outside of the agency. But Hunt is warned that if any member of the team is caught during their mission, then they will be charged as terrorists planning to initiate a nuclear world war. He is also told to work with ex-IMF agent Brandt (Jeremy Renner), who's more familiar about Ethan's past than he is himself. Also starring Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Tom Wilkinson and Paula Patton.
War Horse (Dec. 28) Based on a 1982 children's novel by Michael Morpurgo, and later a 2007 stage adaptation, Steven Spielberg directs this war drama set in England during the beginnings of World War 1. When Albert Narracott's (Jeremy Irvine) beloved horse is sold to the cavalry and taken to France, Albert refuses to forget him. While he's still not old enough to enlist in the army, Albert takes on a perilous journey to find his horse and bring him back home. Also starring Emily Watson, Peter Mullan and David Thewlis.
With a diverse group of films coming out this Fall, you might as well escape the impending cold weather and sample a few different genres of cinema. This was only a portion of what's to come later this year. There are numerous other stories arriving to your screens that will surely be worth viewing.
Don't forget: Fall is the prime season for potential Oscar-nominated indies. While many of them won't get a wide release right away, it will be to your benefit to keep checking the movie theater schedule to see if any independent gems will be shown in your area. They deserve as much attention as the mainstream films. So this Fall, follow these three simple steps: 1) Pick out a movie that suits your interest, 2) Go see it, and 3) most importantly, enjoy.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
It's a jungle out there
Everyone says you can't beat the classics, and that's true. Others would go as far as to say that some originals are untouchable, and that's even more true. But once in a blue moon, we'll get a reputable remake, reboot or any other form of continuation to a familiar story that we've come to love. After Tim Burton's 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes left a cinematic bad taste in moviegoers, there were many reasons to be iffy about the reboot, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Rest assured, director Rupert Wyatt's film remembers and respects the original from which it stemmed, and doesn't try to outdo it. It renews our fascination with the "what if" scenario that shows what would happen if apes stepped over humans as Earth's dominating species.
Will Rodman (James Franco) is a San Francisco scientist who has dedicated his job to developing a cure for Alzheimer's disease. After testing a possible cure on a mother chimp, Will sees that it repaired brain cells and increased intelligence, and prepares to present it to the rest of his colleagues. After she is shot down for causing an episode of mayhem in the labs, Will decides to take her baby home, and names him Caesar. Seeing that the mother's aptitude has passed on to her son, Will and his father (John Lithgow), who is suffering from Alzheimer's, begin to nurture Caesar's rapid growth of intelligence. Following Caesar's attack on an aggressive neighbor, he is sent to live in a primate facility. Because of much mistreatment there, he and the other apes soon begin to form a plan for an escape and an eventual take-over on the unsuspecting city, and the world.
James Franco lends himself well to this familiar, but nonetheless engaging, "boy and his dog" story, except this involves a chimp. Despite this film being mostly about the apes, it still smoothly handles the complications that Franco's character experiences as he juggles with trying to cure his father's disease and taking care of his new chimp friend. Franco's interactions with Caesar are genuine to the point where it's remarkable that the primate is only motion captured, and not real. The father-son relationship between Franco and Lithgow isn't used that much, but the emotions are still present when we see them together.
As good as the main actors are, the real stars of the show are the rebelling apes. Andy Serkis, the most reliable motion capture actor working today, who's best known for his roles as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Kong in King Kong, turns in another digital and energetic performance. Weta, which is the same team that provided the stunning special effects for 2009's Avatar, provide visuals that look so striking that you tend to forget that these are actors portraying the primates, with the effects not added until later. The special effects are used to move the story forward. They give the monkeys personalities and emotions, and are a contributing factor to the growth of Caesar's character as he goes from the "new kid" in the primate facility to the alpha ape. Thankfully, the filmmakers didn't need the use of 3D for us to appreciate the full beauty of what these effects could accomplish. A few of the best visual effects shots are of a maturing Caesar swinging and climbing across a forest of redwood trees.
The screenplay honors the original Planet of the Apes, while at the same time setting itself up to take the story in a new direction. It's an exemplary case of a reboot done right. The majority of the film is centered on Will and Caesar, in addition to Caesar being locked away and planning his escape; so by the time the primates get loose, we've seen enough of what they have been through and are able to find a reason to root for them as they head out on their conquest. The streets of San Francisco soon become their stomping grounds; and the Golden Gate Bridge turns into their jungle gym and a place where the apes make their climactic final stand against their human oppressors. There are messages of ethical animal treatment in the film that are understated in such a way so the story doesn't beat the viewer over the head with them, but can still be valued. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is said to be the start of a new film series, with this installment ending on a cliffhanger. If the sequels can make the story of the friction between humans and the new ape uprising as surprisingly good as this one did, I'm all in for some more monkey business.
Final grade: B+
Will Rodman (James Franco) is a San Francisco scientist who has dedicated his job to developing a cure for Alzheimer's disease. After testing a possible cure on a mother chimp, Will sees that it repaired brain cells and increased intelligence, and prepares to present it to the rest of his colleagues. After she is shot down for causing an episode of mayhem in the labs, Will decides to take her baby home, and names him Caesar. Seeing that the mother's aptitude has passed on to her son, Will and his father (John Lithgow), who is suffering from Alzheimer's, begin to nurture Caesar's rapid growth of intelligence. Following Caesar's attack on an aggressive neighbor, he is sent to live in a primate facility. Because of much mistreatment there, he and the other apes soon begin to form a plan for an escape and an eventual take-over on the unsuspecting city, and the world.
James Franco lends himself well to this familiar, but nonetheless engaging, "boy and his dog" story, except this involves a chimp. Despite this film being mostly about the apes, it still smoothly handles the complications that Franco's character experiences as he juggles with trying to cure his father's disease and taking care of his new chimp friend. Franco's interactions with Caesar are genuine to the point where it's remarkable that the primate is only motion captured, and not real. The father-son relationship between Franco and Lithgow isn't used that much, but the emotions are still present when we see them together.
As good as the main actors are, the real stars of the show are the rebelling apes. Andy Serkis, the most reliable motion capture actor working today, who's best known for his roles as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Kong in King Kong, turns in another digital and energetic performance. Weta, which is the same team that provided the stunning special effects for 2009's Avatar, provide visuals that look so striking that you tend to forget that these are actors portraying the primates, with the effects not added until later. The special effects are used to move the story forward. They give the monkeys personalities and emotions, and are a contributing factor to the growth of Caesar's character as he goes from the "new kid" in the primate facility to the alpha ape. Thankfully, the filmmakers didn't need the use of 3D for us to appreciate the full beauty of what these effects could accomplish. A few of the best visual effects shots are of a maturing Caesar swinging and climbing across a forest of redwood trees.
The screenplay honors the original Planet of the Apes, while at the same time setting itself up to take the story in a new direction. It's an exemplary case of a reboot done right. The majority of the film is centered on Will and Caesar, in addition to Caesar being locked away and planning his escape; so by the time the primates get loose, we've seen enough of what they have been through and are able to find a reason to root for them as they head out on their conquest. The streets of San Francisco soon become their stomping grounds; and the Golden Gate Bridge turns into their jungle gym and a place where the apes make their climactic final stand against their human oppressors. There are messages of ethical animal treatment in the film that are understated in such a way so the story doesn't beat the viewer over the head with them, but can still be valued. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is said to be the start of a new film series, with this installment ending on a cliffhanger. If the sequels can make the story of the friction between humans and the new ape uprising as surprisingly good as this one did, I'm all in for some more monkey business.
Final grade: B+
Monday, August 1, 2011
A tale of falling in and out of 'Love'
Love is a complicated feeling. It comes in many forms, and has diverse meanings amongst all people. Once under the influence of love, it can cause a person to do brave and passionate things, sometimes without that individual thinking of what he/she is doing. Everyone fights for love, because it's worth it. In directors Glenn Ficarra's and John Requa's heartfelt romantic comedy, Crazy, Stupid, Love, they throw their ensemble cast into a tangled web of emotions that isn't straightforward at all to figure out. It's a portrait of love that viewers can have a connection with, and that is the film's glowing charm.
Cal Weaver's (Steve Carell) once ideal life has taken a sudden turn for the worse. His wife of 25 years, Emily (Julianne Moore) confesses to Cal of cheating on him with a coworker (Kevin Bacon), in the fear that her husband has stopped trying to make their marriage work after all these years. After moving out of the house, Cal is picked up by ladies man Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) who promises him that he will assist Cal in becoming a new person and get him back into the dating world. Meanwhile, Jacob starts to have feelings for law student Hannah (Emma Stone); and Cal's 13-year-old son Robbie (Jonah Bobo) is dealing with a crush on his 17-year-old babysitter Jessica (Analeigh Tipton), who herself has an affection for Cal. When Cal realizes that dating isn't working for him, he decides that all he wants is Emily, and he will do whatever he can to win her back.
Steve Carell's appeal is a beacon of comedy light that never fails to shine through. Every character he plays has a significant lovability factor, and his role in this film is the quintessence of that. He still manages to be our golden boy of unstoppable wit, but he also manages to blend some realistic human drama into his Cal character. His persistent fight for his wife is one that produces both laughs, applause and sympathy. Seeing him sail through the tumultuous tides of marriage further reminds us how flexible he is as an actor with whatever script he's given. If this is a sample of what to expect from Carell in his post-Office career, then his future in the industry is limitless.
Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell are two very different actors; so seeing their characters as total opposites of each other had just the right feeling. The pairing of them is flawless. Gosling as the smooth-talking pick-up artist easily wins over the audience, just like he does with the women he meets on his nightly excursions to the local bars. The relationship between Cal and Jacob is just as important as the ones between boyfriend and girlfriend, and husband and wife; because they both help to change each other and point out the other's flaws.
Julianne Moore's performance achieves in making us feel for her even though she has cheated on Cal. She is remorseful for what she has done, so we know there are still some sparks of goodness in her. Emma Stone is on her way to becoming one of Hollywood's next great actresses, and proves in her scenes that she belongs in the same league as the screen veterans she is costarring with. Marisa Tomei is madly funny as Cal's psycho new girlfriend.
The screenplay by Dan Fogelman proficiently focuses on each person in order to help them grow throughout the movie. Seeing Cal go from a student to a master makes for some wonderful character development. It doesn't matter if a character is experienced or inexperienced in romance; because the film shows love as a battlefield, with its players trying to make sense out of what they feel for each other. There's an equal dose of relationships that are in need of repair, as well as those that are just beginning to get structured. The story shows love from different points-of-view and ages. Although the ending is a tad predictable, the way that the film arrives there compensates for that. There are a couple of twists with great payoffs that you would be hard pressed to find in many romantic comedies these days. Is Crazy, Stupid, Love crazy? Yes, but in a lighthearted way. Is it stupid? No, not at all. It's brainy.
Final grade: A-
Cal Weaver's (Steve Carell) once ideal life has taken a sudden turn for the worse. His wife of 25 years, Emily (Julianne Moore) confesses to Cal of cheating on him with a coworker (Kevin Bacon), in the fear that her husband has stopped trying to make their marriage work after all these years. After moving out of the house, Cal is picked up by ladies man Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) who promises him that he will assist Cal in becoming a new person and get him back into the dating world. Meanwhile, Jacob starts to have feelings for law student Hannah (Emma Stone); and Cal's 13-year-old son Robbie (Jonah Bobo) is dealing with a crush on his 17-year-old babysitter Jessica (Analeigh Tipton), who herself has an affection for Cal. When Cal realizes that dating isn't working for him, he decides that all he wants is Emily, and he will do whatever he can to win her back.
Steve Carell's appeal is a beacon of comedy light that never fails to shine through. Every character he plays has a significant lovability factor, and his role in this film is the quintessence of that. He still manages to be our golden boy of unstoppable wit, but he also manages to blend some realistic human drama into his Cal character. His persistent fight for his wife is one that produces both laughs, applause and sympathy. Seeing him sail through the tumultuous tides of marriage further reminds us how flexible he is as an actor with whatever script he's given. If this is a sample of what to expect from Carell in his post-Office career, then his future in the industry is limitless.
Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell are two very different actors; so seeing their characters as total opposites of each other had just the right feeling. The pairing of them is flawless. Gosling as the smooth-talking pick-up artist easily wins over the audience, just like he does with the women he meets on his nightly excursions to the local bars. The relationship between Cal and Jacob is just as important as the ones between boyfriend and girlfriend, and husband and wife; because they both help to change each other and point out the other's flaws.
Julianne Moore's performance achieves in making us feel for her even though she has cheated on Cal. She is remorseful for what she has done, so we know there are still some sparks of goodness in her. Emma Stone is on her way to becoming one of Hollywood's next great actresses, and proves in her scenes that she belongs in the same league as the screen veterans she is costarring with. Marisa Tomei is madly funny as Cal's psycho new girlfriend.
The screenplay by Dan Fogelman proficiently focuses on each person in order to help them grow throughout the movie. Seeing Cal go from a student to a master makes for some wonderful character development. It doesn't matter if a character is experienced or inexperienced in romance; because the film shows love as a battlefield, with its players trying to make sense out of what they feel for each other. There's an equal dose of relationships that are in need of repair, as well as those that are just beginning to get structured. The story shows love from different points-of-view and ages. Although the ending is a tad predictable, the way that the film arrives there compensates for that. There are a couple of twists with great payoffs that you would be hard pressed to find in many romantic comedies these days. Is Crazy, Stupid, Love crazy? Yes, but in a lighthearted way. Is it stupid? No, not at all. It's brainy.
Final grade: A-
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