High School Musical 3.
Cheesy. Not the best musical. Perhaps some of the most sorry teenage acting in awhile. Deeply watchable.
After completing the now epic trilogy that is High School Musical 1-3 I still cannot get what makes them so appealing under my thumb. Part of me wants to think they are just well made, realistic portrayals of teenage-ism today. Yet its not really that. Another part of me wants to think its because they feel like a throwback to movies like Greece etc. that I used to watch growing up. But its certainly more wholesome than that. Still it might be the up-and-coming young talents ability to sing and dance into my heart. But if I'm being objective it really could not be that either.
Still despite all of the weaknesses in the acting, singing and storytelling that is HSM3 I find myself tapping my foot and on the edge of my seat wondering how Gabriella is going to make it back in time for the senior musical! I honestly could not tell you even three things I think that make HSM series so enjoyable. All I know is that somehow it melts away part of my cynical twenty-something heart and I really have a great time watching them and getting the songs stuck in my head for weeks. And I'm still not sure whether that is a good or bad thing yet!!!!!
<3
4.30.2009
Antics as Trite as the American Wedding Cliche.
Bride Wars.
I know this was supposed to be a killer sister comedy but it really just left me feeling sad. Emma and Liv are supposed best friends forever, something seemingly rare in the Western, right-here-right-now-every-man-and-woman-for-themselves mindset. Yet when the highly highly contrived situation that both their weddings are booked on the same day at the Plaza occurs, they have that all fall apart. What I found so disheartening about this situation is that the actors and the writers and everyone who agreed to this movie, found this trite look at weddings in America to be okay.
Now certainly I'll give consideration to the fact that this is supposed to be a comedy and therefor the limits for reality may be stretched for the laugh. Yet the fact that this situation may not be so far from reality for some grown women in our country is what made it almost disturbing to me. That women are willing to give up all notions of romance, their independence, they friendships, their money, their bodies, their sanity, their future marriage JUST for their wedding day is truly not funny. Especially if you look at the divorce rate side-by-side. Correlation? Perhaps. Perhaps it just simply was not that entertaining and gave me more time to come up with my conspiracy theories on life. Maybe we will never know.
Perfect for the lovers of cookie-cutter comedies or the wedding sap. Sub-par for anyone else.
<3
I know this was supposed to be a killer sister comedy but it really just left me feeling sad. Emma and Liv are supposed best friends forever, something seemingly rare in the Western, right-here-right-now-every-man-and-woman-for-themselves mindset. Yet when the highly highly contrived situation that both their weddings are booked on the same day at the Plaza occurs, they have that all fall apart. What I found so disheartening about this situation is that the actors and the writers and everyone who agreed to this movie, found this trite look at weddings in America to be okay.
Now certainly I'll give consideration to the fact that this is supposed to be a comedy and therefor the limits for reality may be stretched for the laugh. Yet the fact that this situation may not be so far from reality for some grown women in our country is what made it almost disturbing to me. That women are willing to give up all notions of romance, their independence, they friendships, their money, their bodies, their sanity, their future marriage JUST for their wedding day is truly not funny. Especially if you look at the divorce rate side-by-side. Correlation? Perhaps. Perhaps it just simply was not that entertaining and gave me more time to come up with my conspiracy theories on life. Maybe we will never know.
Perfect for the lovers of cookie-cutter comedies or the wedding sap. Sub-par for anyone else.
<3
Heartwrenching Heroics from Disney.
8 Below.
Typically I try to steer clear of watching movies playing on television thanks to their edited content and general out-of-date feel. Yet Disney's "inspired by a true" flick caught me within the first few moments. What really gives this film its appeal is not the B list, typical action star, Paul Walker. Instead it is the simple fact that this allegedly is as close to the true story as possible. Certainly not all portions could be known by man but the writing department obviously did a good job of improvising because I found it seemed to flow together well and was quite interesting. The dogs used were gorgeous and while the mild peril seemed intense, its PG rating makes it an excellent family movie, no matter the age frame.
A very surprising yet enjoyable movie!
<3
Typically I try to steer clear of watching movies playing on television thanks to their edited content and general out-of-date feel. Yet Disney's "inspired by a true" flick caught me within the first few moments. What really gives this film its appeal is not the B list, typical action star, Paul Walker. Instead it is the simple fact that this allegedly is as close to the true story as possible. Certainly not all portions could be known by man but the writing department obviously did a good job of improvising because I found it seemed to flow together well and was quite interesting. The dogs used were gorgeous and while the mild peril seemed intense, its PG rating makes it an excellent family movie, no matter the age frame.
A very surprising yet enjoyable movie!
<3
Who isn't a sucker for canine comedy?
Hotel for Dogs.
Was this movie completely predictable? Was the humor a little obvious even for a kids movie? Was some of the drama a little heavy for a kids movie?
The answer is yes to all 3. Still despite sounding like a formula for disaster Hotel for Dogs manages to maintain its cute and watchable factor thanks to its many canine co-stars. Even for someone typically as critical about things, like cinema, I could not help but escape the inevitable heart-string pull coming from these 4 legged (and sometime 3!) strays.
Despite at times going a little too far with the heavy drama and then quickly a little too light with the humor the pooches in this picture manage to strike the balance that makes it enjoyable bordering on delightful. Plus bonus points were also given for Kevin Dillion and Lisa Kudrow's wonderfully weird work as hard rockin' foster parents The Scudders!
Surprisingly watchable unless you are only a cat person!
<3
Was this movie completely predictable? Was the humor a little obvious even for a kids movie? Was some of the drama a little heavy for a kids movie?
The answer is yes to all 3. Still despite sounding like a formula for disaster Hotel for Dogs manages to maintain its cute and watchable factor thanks to its many canine co-stars. Even for someone typically as critical about things, like cinema, I could not help but escape the inevitable heart-string pull coming from these 4 legged (and sometime 3!) strays.
Despite at times going a little too far with the heavy drama and then quickly a little too light with the humor the pooches in this picture manage to strike the balance that makes it enjoyable bordering on delightful. Plus bonus points were also given for Kevin Dillion and Lisa Kudrow's wonderfully weird work as hard rockin' foster parents The Scudders!
Surprisingly watchable unless you are only a cat person!
<3
4.18.2009
International Travel Illegalities
The Visitor.
What makes this film so enjoyable is its endearing qualities. For instance there is the issue that this is a sort of genre-less piece. Its a little dramatic, a little funny with a little romance thrown in at the end. Yet it isn't any one of those things to a point to declare it a genre.
There were some uneven point to it, the little odd love affair between the captor's mother and his friend put a slightly bad taste in my mouth. Still the rest of it was so sweetly satisfying I can excuse it. A tasteful political statement on a hot button issue. Yet it took a nice twist and chose to focus on the issue of illegal immigration in a way not typically seen in the media. Very very interesting. I'd love to see it again. Just writing about it is making me think all about it all over again....as any quality piece of film should.
Oh and the soundtrack. Wonderful music weaved through. sigh.
<3
There were some uneven point to it, the little odd love affair between the captor's mother and his friend put a slightly bad taste in my mouth. Still the rest of it was so sweetly satisfying I can excuse it. A tasteful political statement on a hot button issue. Yet it took a nice twist and chose to focus on the issue of illegal immigration in a way not typically seen in the media. Very very interesting. I'd love to see it again. Just writing about it is making me think all about it all over again....as any quality piece of film should.
Oh and the soundtrack. Wonderful music weaved through. sigh.
<3
McConauhey is certainly a fool....Hudson is certainly golden.
Fool's Gold.
Oh McConauhey. Shirtless. Bronzed. Shaggy. With Hudson. I thought this would be a cheesy mix but in fact it was delicious.
Certainly this has all of the components of a pop culture romantic-comedy. Hot guy, gorgeous girl, fabulous setting and a decent mix of comedy.
What I enjoyed about this one most was introducing this element of action and intelligent information. The treasure hunt was quite fun actually in a modern sort of way. Plus adding Donald Sutherland was a very endearing way to add credibility and charm.
I will admit these things do not make it some intelligent, critical work of cinema. However, in the line of romps this one ranked in the high end.
<3
Oh McConauhey. Shirtless. Bronzed. Shaggy. With Hudson. I thought this would be a cheesy mix but in fact it was delicious.
Certainly this has all of the components of a pop culture romantic-comedy. Hot guy, gorgeous girl, fabulous setting and a decent mix of comedy.
What I enjoyed about this one most was introducing this element of action and intelligent information. The treasure hunt was quite fun actually in a modern sort of way. Plus adding Donald Sutherland was a very endearing way to add credibility and charm.
I will admit these things do not make it some intelligent, critical work of cinema. However, in the line of romps this one ranked in the high end.
<3
Why no one cared when Rachel got married.
Rachel Getting Married.
There is something very interesting about this movie. It is not the things that the film is known for like Anne Hathaway's dramatic turn or the plot line. In fact these were the details that I found to be the least enjoyable in the film.
Plot-wise in this piece the immediate plot was not the best. I was actually more fascinated by the back stories of most of these characters. Kym in person wasn't interesting until she started opening up about the past. Even then only when all of the components of the families back stories came together (i.e. mom-daughter brawl) was it actually fabulous. Therefore the actual plot points like the strange hook-up/relationship (???) between maid-of-honor and best man. Or the best friend, sister to sister love/friendship triangle. Weird.
Now I do like seeing Anne Hathaway stretching her acting legs and not becoming the stereotypical all-American girl, a la The Princess Diaries. Never-the-less I'm surprised that this was Oscar-nominated because it just didn't have the pizazz to back up all of the hype.
Overall this was more like watching a character sketch or a rough draft to a real movie. Like reading a short story that is in the stages of being expanded to a novel. It seemed incomplete in the plot and development, which lead to the acting to seem out of place, hurting the inter-character relationships and so it goes. . .
<3
There is something very interesting about this movie. It is not the things that the film is known for like Anne Hathaway's dramatic turn or the plot line. In fact these were the details that I found to be the least enjoyable in the film.
Plot-wise in this piece the immediate plot was not the best. I was actually more fascinated by the back stories of most of these characters. Kym in person wasn't interesting until she started opening up about the past. Even then only when all of the components of the families back stories came together (i.e. mom-daughter brawl) was it actually fabulous. Therefore the actual plot points like the strange hook-up/relationship (???) between maid-of-honor and best man. Or the best friend, sister to sister love/friendship triangle. Weird.
Now I do like seeing Anne Hathaway stretching her acting legs and not becoming the stereotypical all-American girl, a la The Princess Diaries. Never-the-less I'm surprised that this was Oscar-nominated because it just didn't have the pizazz to back up all of the hype.
Overall this was more like watching a character sketch or a rough draft to a real movie. Like reading a short story that is in the stages of being expanded to a novel. It seemed incomplete in the plot and development, which lead to the acting to seem out of place, hurting the inter-character relationships and so it goes. . .
<3
Possibly the worst movie of all time. At least top 10ish.
Hamlet 2.
What the hell was this movie???
I thought it might be a comedy but I hardly giggled.
I thought it might be a drama but I couldn't care less.
I thought it might be a weird indie but it annoyed me to no end.
I thought it might be okay because of the cast but ugh.
Steve Cooligan was grating in an un-sweet, un-censored, un-lovable way. Cathrine Keener usually the most beautiful gem of a supporting actress was hollow and cliche.
The students were decent but the whole trying to make a vulgar, odd twist on the inspirational teacher-student relationship stereotype was obnoxiously incomplete.
Lets be honest, the only good performance in this movie was David Arquette and well his character was all but silent through the film. That was great but well not enough to save this catastrophic train wreck.
<3
What the hell was this movie???
I thought it might be a comedy but I hardly giggled.
I thought it might be a drama but I couldn't care less.
I thought it might be a weird indie but it annoyed me to no end.
I thought it might be okay because of the cast but ugh.
Steve Cooligan was grating in an un-sweet, un-censored, un-lovable way. Cathrine Keener usually the most beautiful gem of a supporting actress was hollow and cliche.
The students were decent but the whole trying to make a vulgar, odd twist on the inspirational teacher-student relationship stereotype was obnoxiously incomplete.
Lets be honest, the only good performance in this movie was David Arquette and well his character was all but silent through the film. That was great but well not enough to save this catastrophic train wreck.
<3
4.11.2009
Why lesser known parallel plot-line dramas are the best around.
The Air I Breathe.
In his first feature in about 8 years Jieho Lee absolutely hits a home run. No rephrase. This was a complete Grand Slam. Its been a few hours since I finished watching it and I'm just still thinking about it, the sign of a true cinematic connection.
What is so unique about this film is that it masterfully plays the parallel plot lines perfectly. While other ensemble dramas get too entwined, making it difficult to believe that all of these people are connected somehow, TAIB pieces it together brilliantly. To be the worst kind of cliche it is an onion where you keep peeling and peeling pieces of the story or characteristics of the characters back and the closer you get to the center the more poignant and powerful it becomes. At no time did I feel that these outrageous things these characters were going through were unbelievable, that is how Lee's direction just brings you in.
The cast was excellently assembled. At first glance they would not be ones you would think would or should be in a movie together yet once on screen you see them as their characters and each one draws you in to that characters mind. What is so powerful about this movie and what truly makes it work is the actors. The script and plot alone are good but just one wrong casting in any of these roles and the whole experience could have been lost in a second. Until the end of the credits I didn't notice that I knew none of the 4 lead characters names. Still that doesn't matter because you know them beyond that and you are so wrapped up in finding out what happens to them next.
It is difficult to discuss a movie like this without giving too much away and at risk of not representing its true effects properly. It is one of those lesser known films that just sneaks onto DVD, to be passed up by most renters for a more popular flick. Still taking a chance on such an unconventional plot and cast really makes its mark on the audience. Or at least it did very much so on me.
<3
In his first feature in about 8 years Jieho Lee absolutely hits a home run. No rephrase. This was a complete Grand Slam. Its been a few hours since I finished watching it and I'm just still thinking about it, the sign of a true cinematic connection.
What is so unique about this film is that it masterfully plays the parallel plot lines perfectly. While other ensemble dramas get too entwined, making it difficult to believe that all of these people are connected somehow, TAIB pieces it together brilliantly. To be the worst kind of cliche it is an onion where you keep peeling and peeling pieces of the story or characteristics of the characters back and the closer you get to the center the more poignant and powerful it becomes. At no time did I feel that these outrageous things these characters were going through were unbelievable, that is how Lee's direction just brings you in.
The cast was excellently assembled. At first glance they would not be ones you would think would or should be in a movie together yet once on screen you see them as their characters and each one draws you in to that characters mind. What is so powerful about this movie and what truly makes it work is the actors. The script and plot alone are good but just one wrong casting in any of these roles and the whole experience could have been lost in a second. Until the end of the credits I didn't notice that I knew none of the 4 lead characters names. Still that doesn't matter because you know them beyond that and you are so wrapped up in finding out what happens to them next.
It is difficult to discuss a movie like this without giving too much away and at risk of not representing its true effects properly. It is one of those lesser known films that just sneaks onto DVD, to be passed up by most renters for a more popular flick. Still taking a chance on such an unconventional plot and cast really makes its mark on the audience. Or at least it did very much so on me.
<3
Luke Wilson's ability to only act well in independent movies.
Henry Poole is Here.
For some inexplicable reason there is an acting phenomena known as Luke Wilson. One half of the famous Wilson brothers he remains the most interesting half. Why is this?
Part of this may be in ability to stay out of the paparazzi headlights, something his better known brother Owen never manages to do. Still another is how this far more talented, wider ranged and more endearing (did I mention better looking?) brother manages to continually impress in lower notoriety gems like Henry Poole.
If I were to suggest an essential Luke Wilson performance, one that sums up his acting abilities the best, I would typically go with The Royal Tenenbaums. After watching Henry Poole is Here I would say it is not a tie. While I still recommend Tenenbaums as a movie there is something mystical about Poole. Wilson's typical schlepy, goofy, charm has been stripped away and replaced with something more sincere. Despite losing his trademark goof Wilson manages to create, in the character Henry Poole, a heart panging sorrow that is magnetic. Typically stories about terminal illness and giving up hope are sappy or depressing. Still Wilson keeps us intrigued in Poole. He keeps us alternating between feeling sorry for him, hoping for the best for him and thinking he's kind of a jerk, all things considered.
The general plot of this movie, that Poole's new house may or may not have the face of Jesus on the newly stuccoed walls. What the movie does that keeps it from being unwatchable is changes an idea that would turn most of the general population off from it is that it doesn't go for the belief in religion or God route but the belief in hope, faith, relationships with others and self. In this way the movie is heartwarming and endearing despite its at times heavy yet subtle subject matter. The supporting cast played their lot of strange neighbors perfectly and added to this quiet little film. I'm not sure if I feel like the ending really did the rest of the story justice but at the credits I was still smiling and glad I watched it so I will let that go.
The major issue I have with this movie is that it is has not been properly mainstreamed. Luke Wilson is this fantastic actor, as illustrated in this movie, yet I had barely heard of it before renting it. While Wilson has seen some fame in supporting mainstream roles (Anchorman, Legally Blonde) he has also had some terrible flops (My Super-Ex Girlfriend, Alex & Emma). Its unfortunate that this talent only has Old School and all of these other lesser known but far superior films to be known by. Hopefully though he will stick to what he knows best and continues to amaze in films like Henry Poole is Here.
<3
For some inexplicable reason there is an acting phenomena known as Luke Wilson. One half of the famous Wilson brothers he remains the most interesting half. Why is this?
Part of this may be in ability to stay out of the paparazzi headlights, something his better known brother Owen never manages to do. Still another is how this far more talented, wider ranged and more endearing (did I mention better looking?) brother manages to continually impress in lower notoriety gems like Henry Poole.
If I were to suggest an essential Luke Wilson performance, one that sums up his acting abilities the best, I would typically go with The Royal Tenenbaums. After watching Henry Poole is Here I would say it is not a tie. While I still recommend Tenenbaums as a movie there is something mystical about Poole. Wilson's typical schlepy, goofy, charm has been stripped away and replaced with something more sincere. Despite losing his trademark goof Wilson manages to create, in the character Henry Poole, a heart panging sorrow that is magnetic. Typically stories about terminal illness and giving up hope are sappy or depressing. Still Wilson keeps us intrigued in Poole. He keeps us alternating between feeling sorry for him, hoping for the best for him and thinking he's kind of a jerk, all things considered.
The general plot of this movie, that Poole's new house may or may not have the face of Jesus on the newly stuccoed walls. What the movie does that keeps it from being unwatchable is changes an idea that would turn most of the general population off from it is that it doesn't go for the belief in religion or God route but the belief in hope, faith, relationships with others and self. In this way the movie is heartwarming and endearing despite its at times heavy yet subtle subject matter. The supporting cast played their lot of strange neighbors perfectly and added to this quiet little film. I'm not sure if I feel like the ending really did the rest of the story justice but at the credits I was still smiling and glad I watched it so I will let that go.
The major issue I have with this movie is that it is has not been properly mainstreamed. Luke Wilson is this fantastic actor, as illustrated in this movie, yet I had barely heard of it before renting it. While Wilson has seen some fame in supporting mainstream roles (Anchorman, Legally Blonde) he has also had some terrible flops (My Super-Ex Girlfriend, Alex & Emma). Its unfortunate that this talent only has Old School and all of these other lesser known but far superior films to be known by. Hopefully though he will stick to what he knows best and continues to amaze in films like Henry Poole is Here.
<3
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