Paranormal Activity 2

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) – Rated R for some language and brief violent material.

When Paranormal Activity came out last year it immediately drew comparisons to 1999’s The Blair Witch Project.  They’re both low-budget horror films that fall into the more specific “found footage” sub-genre and they both made a ton of money so it was pretty easy to understand why.  When it became one of the most profitable films ever made based on return of investment, a sequel was naturally announced.  Here’s where comparisons to The Blair Witch Project aren’t good.  The sequel to TBWP was a complete mess.  Where Blair Witch had originality and genuine scares, Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 fell flat and was a befuddled bomb.  Thankfully, however, Paranormal Activity 2 is not a mess and it is just as creepy as the first film.

This film begins about three months before the events in Paranormal Activity happened.  Katie and Micah, the main characters in the first film, make a few appearances in this film because this one focuses on Katie’s sister and her family.  As a policy I try to not include any spoilers in my reviews so I won’t go into too much detail but I will say that the story ties in nicely with the first film.  You won’t be terribly confused if you haven’t seen the first film, but you’ll definitely understand this film more if you have seen the first.  As with the first film, it starts off kind of slow.  The security cameras catch some stuff that the family isn’t aware of because they are all sleeping, but when they do finally notice that’s when the story picks up.  A lot of the scares come from things that you’ll notice in the corner of the screen or away from the central character so you’ve really got to keep an eye out for stuff you might be missing out on.  The filmmakers do a nice job of kind of warning you that something creepy is about to happen because you’ll hear the cue.  That deep, low sound of something evil lurking in the corner perhaps?  Either way, when you hear that sound, keep your eyes peeled because something is about to jump out at you.

I think a big part of what made the first film so successful, aside from the genius marketing, was the simplicity of the film.  For a while it seemed that in order to get a horror film produced in Hollywood it had to have tons of gore and even more nudity.  A perfect example of this was the new “torture porn” sub-genre of the splatter film genre.  After a while people grew tired of these over-the-top gore fests so when this tiny film with only a hand-held camera and a minuscule budget came out, we were literally caught by surprise.  It proved that a horror film can be successful without gallons of blood, elaborate kills, and as much nudity as a porn film.  And I truly believe that this film also proves that a sequel (or prequel?) to a horror film can be as good as the first.  Filmtastic review = 4 stars.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010) – Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and thematic elements.

When Wall Street came out in 1987, it was seen as an archetypal portrayal of 1980s excess.  And Gordon Gekko, a role that won Michael Douglas an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, has come to be seen as the charismatic epitome of all the unrestrained greed of many corporate raiders and greenmailers like Dennis Levine, Ivan Boesky, Michael Milken, and Carl Ichan.  And despite the somewhat pessimistic and cynical view on all things involved in the New York Stock Exchange, it also kind of glamorized stock brokers and even made me want to become one “when I grow up.”  The film itself has become a sort of cautionary tale of what will happen when people get too greedy.  And now, twenty-three years later, the sequel reflects back on what did happen when people got too greedy: the financial crisis of 2007 that led to the Great Recession of the 2000s.

The performances in this film are worth the price of your ticket.  Michael Douglas easily slips back into his role as the greedy cold-hearted Gordon Gekko.  You can see why he easily won an Academy Award for this role because it’s as if he never left.  Sure the man has been in jail for many years, but once released he just oozes the confidence of a con man and you know he hasn’t changed one bit.  Michael Douglas may be sixty-six years old but that man’s still got it!  And I was pleasantly surprised that Shia LeBeouf held his own against these amazing veteran actors like Douglas, Josh Brolin, and even Frank Langella.  I’ve never really been a huge fan of “The Beouf,” but he made me into a believer with his acting in this role.  His naiveté yet confidence came across great and he was very believable.  And Josh Brolin was as good as I thought he would be.  Aside from that little hiccup known as Jonah Hex, his acting is always great.  And even though Frank Langella had what was essentially a cameo, he did a good job.  Lastly, in this film that is chock full of amazing male performances Carey Mulligan really shined as one of the few females.  She says a lot with her eyes and I truly can’t wait to see what else she has up her sleeve in future roles.  There’s a bright future for this actress.

My only complaint would be that the ending felt a little forced and was very out of character for Gekko.  Without giving away too many spoilers, the “happy ending” that was tacked to the end of this film was a little disjointed and I probably would have liked the film a little more if it wasn’t added.  Also I’m taking away at least half a star for the film’s length, which was a little too long.  Or maybe it was just that ending.  Either way, I’d recommend this film based on the performances alone.  Especially Douglas’s and LeBeouf’s.  Quite frankly, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, for lack of a better word, is good!  Filmtastic review = 4 stars.

The American

The American (2010) – Rated R for violence, sexual content, and nudity.

When I walked out of this film I told my colleagues that I was split on how I felt about it.  I was in awe of this film’s beauty but at the same time I was kind of bored by how slow the pacing was.  I also fear that the audience will be disappointed if they go into this film expecting George Clooney’s version of a Jason Bourne or James Bond movie.  But if you know that this is an art-house film that is beautifully shot yet still has an interesting story, then you will not be disappointed.

This film is based on “A Very Private Gentleman” by Martin Booth, which has been described as a brilliantly creepy psychological suspense novel.  Although I’ve never read the novel myself, I’ve read that the film actually follows the story pretty closely without making too many changes or liberties.  George Clooney plays Jack, a man who seems to be at his breaking point with his profession (whatever that may be).  I believe we are to assume that he is an assassin but his “last job” is to make a custom-made weapon for an anonymous client so I think he’s actually a technical weapons expert who creates weapons for other assassins.  Either way, his boss tells him that he was lost his edge and it seems that he agrees with him.  He knows he’s being followed but he’s not sure by whom.  And he’s ready to get out of this lifestyle, which requires him to not form any meaningful relationships and remain a ghost.  It seems to be his only flaw that he craves human relationships, whether they be a romantic one with a prostitute or a friendly one with a priest.

Clooney does a great job playing a man with a lot on his mind and ready to protect himself at any time.  With his talent and charisma, Clooney was perfectly cast.  Even in the scenes where he is just looking through his camera lens out his window, his eyes say so much and nothing more is needed.  Director Anton Corbijn knew how to focus the camera on Clooney’s expressions just long enough to let his face tell the story.  And the original music by Herbert Gronemeyer, though very minimalistic, was also perfect.  It was especially noticeable during all the beautiful scenery shots that cinematographer Martin Ruhe captured for the film. 

As I said at the beginning of this review, the pacing of the story is very slow but if you stick around long enough you’ll end up appreciating this beautiful film.  If you go in expecting Bourne or Bond, you’ll end up bored.  But if you go in knowing what to expect you’ll understand that Clooney’s understated performance and the gorgeous scenery make this film a worthwhile watch.  Filmtastic review = 4 stars.

Grown Ups

Grown Ups (2010) – Rated PG-13 for crude material including suggestive references, language, and some male rear nudity.

Dennis Dugan and Adam Sandler are one of those director/actor duos that just make magic happen on-screen.  Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro knew how to bring great dramas to the big screen.  Tim Burton and Johnny Depp know how to bring the “weird” to the mainstream.  John Hughes and Molly Ringwald showed us how growing up in the eighties was cool.  And Dugan and Sandler always bring the big laughs.  Grown Ups is no exception because I was laughing so hard I literally had tears running down my cheeks.  I laughed so hard at some scenes that I missed the next scene.  The other members in my screening were laughing loud as well.  And really, what more can you ask from a summer comedy?

Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider play lifelong friends whose childhood basketball coach has just died.  They reunite at his funeral and decide to spend the Fourth of July weekend at the same place where they celebrated their basketball championship with their old coach.  The weekend turns into a hilarious get together with plenty of mishaps and laughter galore!  Every actor is given their fair share of jokes and gags, and their wives get plenty of laughs as well.  Grown Ups is everything you would expect from a Sandler comedy.

Plenty of film critics have complained that the humor is juvenile at best.  I’m wondering what they were expecting when they walked into a screening of an Adam Sandler film that is directed by Dennis Dugan.  These guys are the kings of juvenile comedy!  Come on, really?  Happy Gilmore?  Big Daddy?  Were you really expecting anything other than juvenile jokes?  Adam Sandler has made an entire career out of it and he has earned a pretty penny while doing it.  I say keep on keeping on, Mr. Sandler, because you’ve made millions of people laugh and I believe you will continue to do so.  Filmtastic review = 4 stars.

Get Him To The Greek

Get Him To The Greek (2010) – Rated R for strong sexual content and drug use throughout, and pervasive language.

When surprise hit Forgetting Sarah Marshall made its debut in 2008, Russell Brand managed to turn his bit role of Aldous Snow into one of the more memorable characters in the film.  So naturally director Nicholas Stoller wrote a follow-up for Brand and the result is Get Him To The Greek.  And if Jason Segel’s exposed man-parts shocked you in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, then this comedy will blow your mind.  It manages to be more crude and raunchy, while still being hilarious.  And, if it’s even possible to say this, Sean “P.Diddy” Combs almost manages to steal the show from Brand’s Aldous Snow as Sergio Roma.

In the film Aldous Snow has hit his peak and begun his slow descent into obscurity, as what happens to most rock stars eventually.  But Jonah Hill’s Aaron Green convinces his boss (Sergio) to throw a ten-year reunion for Snow’s band, Infant Sorrow, at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.  He then has the responsibility of bringing Snow from London to LA within three days, and hilarity ensues.  There’s even a small cameo by Kristen Bell as Sarah Marshall that was really funny.  On a side note, Rick Schroder, where have you been all these years?  The dialogue was really witty and was where most of the laughs came from.  It was refreshing to have a wild roller coaster of vulgar hilarity spewing from every character.  And I mean EVERY character.  The performances were good, too.  But Aldous Snow began to feel like a non-pirate version of Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow towards the end.  And, Combs turned in a wildly hilarious performance.  He pretty much owns every scene that he’s in.  Even the scenes he shares with Russell Brand.  His dialogue about mind-f*cking was memorable and I’m betting it’ll be what makes this the “quotable film” of the summer.

The story starts off strong and then begins to taper into “this movie is way too long” territory towards the end.  There’s a moment about two-thirds into the film that completely changes the tone of the film from hilarious to dark and serious.  It is at this moment that the film should have ended.  And there’s also an unnecessary threesome scene that came out from left field and felt detached from the rest of the story.  But this film is really funny and will make audiences laugh out loud.  Now I really want to see a feature-length version of the Dracula puppet musical that was in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  Jason Segel, please make this happen.  Please?  Filmtastic review = 4 stars.

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time (2010) – Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action.

It seems like a universally accepted fact that a movie based on a video game will suck.  Sure, we have those rare exceptions that are kind of “cult classics” because they suck so bad that they’re guilty pleasures, e.g. Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter.  But then we also have those that are so bad that one can’t help but feel bad for all those involved, e.g the trifecta of bad video game films courtesy of Uwe Boll: Alone In The Dark, House Of The Dead, and BloodRayne.  And then something amazing happened.  Mike Newell, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Disney came together and made a film that can be considered a good video game movie.  You heard right, folks.  It is possible after all!

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t know that this film was based on a video game in the first place.  I had never even heard of the game.  Blame it on the fact that I’m not a “gamer,” I guess.  And I’ll be the first to tell you that the minute I found this out, I lost all hope for this movie being good.  I know the track record of movies based on video games.  No matter how much you love how Angelina Jolie looks, fellas, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was not a good movie.  And then, to add insult to injury for the film, there was a minor uproar about Jake Gyllenhaal’s casting as Prince Dastan.  Let me say this for the record, regardless of his race, Jake Gyllenhaal was perfectly cast.  Though mainly known as an indie king of sorts, Gyllenhaal not only transformed his body into that of a Greek God, he also perfected an accent for his role.  And ladies, before you start complaining that your boyfriend is making you watch this (after you make him watch Sex And The City 2, of course!) keep in mind that Gyllenhaal’s deliciously muscular frame is on full display here.  There were also great performances by Alfred Molina and Ben Kingsley.  Molina was the perfect comic relief as a con-man entrepreneur that rigs ostrich races and Kingsley was amazing as the conniving jealous brother of the king.  I can’t really say much for Gemma Arterton, but as the saying goes, “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”  So I’ll leave it at that.

The story is weak, but that’s to be expected from a video game movie.  Dastan has to help Princess Tamina protect a dagger that unleashes the fabled sands of time.  But, honestly, when you go to the theatres to watch a film during the Summer are you really looking for a great story or a great time?  There’s no mistake that all movies that come out in the summertime are just big blockbuster popcorn flicks.  If you want a good story, go to the theatres in the Fall, when studios unleash their Academy Award hopefuls.

If you’re looking for a great popcorn flick that’s full of action, then you’re in luck.  If you’re looking for a fun time and an adventure, you’re watching the right movie.  And if you’re looking for the next big action star, then Jake Gyllenhaal fits the bill.  I expect to see him in many more action films.  Mr. Gyllenhaal, I hope your agent is ready!  And it might just be because I went in with such low expectations, but I had one heck of a fun time watching this film!  Filmtastic review = 4 stars.

MacGruber

MacGruber (2010) – Rated R for strong crude and sexual content, violence, language, and some nudity.

Saturday Night Live is pretty persistent in making films out of skits even though they’ve yet to have much success.  The Blues Brothers can arguably be considered SNL’s best effort and that was their first film back in 1980.  And I would also put Wayne’s World at a VERY close second.  Sure we all have soft spots for Coneheads, Superstar, and even A Night At The Roxbury, but we’ve also seen the monstrosities It’s Pat and The Ladies Man.  With that said, I would put MacGruber safely in the middle.  It was completely hilarious but I also felt myself losing IQ points from all the brain-dead humor. 

For starters, Will Forte really knows how to put himself 110% into his role.  He wore the mullet wig, exposed his hairy chest and belly button, and even showed his hairy ass.  Multiple times.  But he spent about 90% of the film not doing what his character is known for in his skits: mocking MacGyver by making useful gadgets out of household items.  Not to say that this was a bad thing, though.  They did find time to make fun of many 80s action-comedies, however.  In a classic “getting the team together” montage, MacGruber manages to put together a team of “killer stoppers” to aid him in stopping the evil Dieter Von Cunth, played by Val Kilmer.  Val Kilmer is hilarious in this role and he plays the villain wonderfully.  And in classic MacGruber skit form, he blows them up to smithereens.  Because of this, MacGruber ends up with Lt. Dixon Piper and Vicki St. Elmo, played by Ryan Phillippe and Kristen Wiig.  Kristen Wiig really shines in this role and gives a really unforgettable performance. 

For a while I couldn’t figure out what year this film was set in because of the style of clothes MacGruber and Vicki St. Elmo wear.  And in a nod to classic 80s nostalgia, MacGruber is quite attached to his removable car stereo in his Miata.  I finally realized that the film is indeed set in 2009 as it is mentioned that characters believed MacGruber to be dead for 10 years, and his gravestone reads that he died in 1999.  Much of the humor comes from the did-they-or-didn’t-they bits when mentioning Von Cunth’s name, which sounds similar to a certain lady part; “It’s time to pound some Cunth!” and “Screw you, Cunth!” to name a few.  There’s also a random scene with unnecessary subtitles that I laughed so hard on.  I won’t ruin it by telling you what was said. 

In the end, you will laugh when you watch this movie.  Will you feel any smarter?  No.  Will you feel better about yourself?  No.  But you will laugh and that is what this film is trying to make you do.  Mission accomplished.  Filmtastic review = 4 stars.

Robin Hood (2010)

Robin Hood (2010) – Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content.

When one thinks of the heroic outlaw Robin Hood, they think of the man who “stole from the rich and gave to the poor” and wore green tights.  This isn’t that Robin Hood.  At least not yet.  Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood is a “prequel” of sorts, about the back story that made Robin Hood the legend we all know.

The story begins in late 12th century England, with Robin Longstride fighting for King Richard the Lionheart as a common archer.  We also meet Sir Godfrey, who has been ordered by the King of France to assassinate King Richard.  However, he finds out that Richard has already died in battle and is chased off by Robin and his “merry men.”  It is here that Robin meets Robert Loxley, the man who was chosen to deliver Richard’s crown to England, and thus begins his quest to return Loxley’s sword to his father in Nottingham.  Robin assumes the identity of Loxley to deliver the crown and witnesses the crowning of King John, Richard’s younger brother.  King John immediately demands taxes be collected for his country and assigns Sir Godfrey for the job.  Unbeknownst to him, however, Sir Godfrey has already agreed to help the King of France to create a civil war in England and turn his own countrymen against King John.  Meanwhile, Robin heads to Nottingham to deliver Loxley’s sword, and is asked by Sir Walter Loxley to continue impersonating his dead son to prevent his land being taken by the King.  Though Robin and Robert’s wife, Lady Marion, get off to a rough start, they begin to slowly respect and love one another.  When King John learns that Sir Godfrey has deceived him, he agrees to sign a charter of rights to regain the loyalty of his countrymen so they can reunite to fight against the French army.  The film climaxes with the French invasion being met by the English army and a deadly battle is fought and won by the English.  Afterwards, when the King refuses to sign the charter, he instead declares “Robin of the Hood” to be an outlaw for impersonating Loxley.  And this is the beginning of how Robin Hood became the legend.

The cast was brilliant.  Russell Crowe, though having about 5 different accents throughout the film, did a great job as Robin and seemed to be at the top of his game, in true Gladiator form.  Cate Blanchett shined in her expanded role of Lady Marion and got to fight with the men in the final battle.  And Mark Strong obviously relished playing the deliciously evil Sir Godfrey and it showed on-screen.  Ridley Scott really knows how to bring a great epic to screen, even though it was about 2 1/2 hours long.  And the cinematography was breathtaking.  I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen because of how beautiful the camera work was.  John Mathieson, who also worked as director of photography with Scott on Gladiator and a few other films, really did an amazing job of choosing the perfect shot.  Whether it was a closeup or a wide shot, the film looked amazing. 

If this film wasn’t called Robin Hood, it probably wouldn’t be getting as many mixed reviews.  Perhaps Robin Hood: The Beginning?  Or, as a friend jokingly offered, Robin Hood Begins?  If you go into this movie with an open mind (and not expecting Russell Crowe to wear tights or hiding in trees) you’ll enjoy this film.  Filmtastic review = 4 stars.

Death At A Funeral

Death At A Funeral (2010) – Rated R for language, drug content, and some sexual humor.

I should note that I have not seen the 2007 Death At A Funeral.  Now, on with business.  This movie made me laugh so hard that I was in tears.  I can honestly say that I was probably laughing for about 90% of the time.  This family is so dysfunctional and yet it reminds me of mine.  And I’m sure I will not be the only person thinking that.  From what I’ve heard, this film is pretty much a direct remake of the original.  Same story, same dysfunctional family, same incredible secret.  Every character had a different laugh for the audience.  There’s Michelle, played by Regina Hall, as the wife of Aaron, played by Chris Rock, who desperately wants to have sex because she’s ovulating, despite that fact that her father-in-law has just died.  You see, they’ve been trying to have a baby for some time.  There’s Cynthia, played by Loretta Devine, who has just lost her husband and will not miss an opportunity to mention that she’d like some grandchildren from Aaron and Michelle.  There’s Ryan, played by Martin Lawrence, who has authored what I can only assume is the written equivalent of porn.  Norman, played by Tracy Morgan, who must make sure Uncle Russell, played by Danny Glover, gets to the funeral.  And, in what is the grossest yet funniest scene in the film, Norman helps Uncle Russell to the bathroom because he has diarrhea from eating nut cake and potato salad.  I don’t want to ruin this scene for you, but I will say that I have NO idea how he manages to get shit everywhere!  Cousin Elaine, played by Zoe Saldana, must calm down her boyfriend Oscar, played brilliantly by James Marsden, because she accidentally gave him an acid pill that her brother Jeff, played by Columbus Short, put in a Valium bottle.  In another scene that is in the running as the funniest scene of the whole movie finds Oscar, naked and on the roof, threatening suicide because Derek, played by Luke Wilson, has just kissed Elaine.  When he slips and almost falls, Jeff runs to the rescue and grabs him around the waist.  Again, I don’t want to ruin anything, but Columbus Short owns that scene.  And, as if the funeral hasn’t been ruined already, Frank, played by Peter Dinklage (who also apparently is reprising his same role from the 2007 original), is threatening to expose the dead patriarch’s secret of being gay with very incriminating pictures as proof.  I know this is twisted to say, but I wanted to know so badly what the pictures looked like.  If you are looking for a good laugh this weekend, I highly recommend this comedy.  Filmtastic review = 4 stars!  Go enjoy!