"Everything Must Go" (2010) Director: Dan Rush Starring: Will Ferrel, Rebecca Hall and Christopher J. Wallace
This was a very interesting film. I really enjoyed the story but I wasn't completely sold on the writing. There were times in the film where I felt that Ferrel was acting the scene well but the words he was given did not do the situation justice. I am going to have to watch this film a few more times to be able to form a more concrete opinion about the writing. I am positive about one thing and that is that Christopher Jordan Wallace (Notorious B.I.G's son) has a very bright acting career ahead of him. Wallace is not only able to go stride for stride with Ferrel in that very dry and sarcastic humor throughout the film but is also able to hold his own in the very emotional scenes. Ferrel does an acceptable job in this film. He did a wonderful job playing the alcoholic who's life has just been thrown out onto his front yard, but he has trouble with the darker scenes where his character displays the darker side of alcoholism. Most notably in a scene where Ferrel and Rebecca Hall's characters get into a late night argument about Ferrel's life and Hall's absent husband.
Overall: B- The acting is good; not great but good. If the story sounds interesting to you then it is worth watching. I recommend this film to any Will Ferrel fan. This films shows that Ferrel has range in his acting ability and should not be defined by his early comedy work. His comedic timing is spot on in this film but he as handles the more dramatic scenes fairly well.
"Moneyball" PG-13 Director: Bennett Miller Writer: Aaron Sorkin Starring: Brad Pitt and Johan Hill
This fill was really well done in every way. I will start this article off with getting my bias out of the way; there is not a baseball film I don't like. Moneyball is beautifully made. It takes the words or Sorkin and allows them to tell the story without one element out shining the rest. The story is flawless, the directing is simply superb, and the acting seamlessly flows together. Pitt did a wonderful job (for a guy who doesn't know anything about baseball) but, I was most surprised by Johan Hill's great performance. I have enjoyed Hill in a lot of comedies but I was very worried about him in this more "adult" role. Hill was able to go toe-to-toe with Pitt and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. There isn't much to say about this film other than it is wonderful example of good acting combined with a well written story.
Overall: A. This is a great film and if you like baseball go see the film. I have nothing bad to say about this film. Just go see it.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" and "Warrior"
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" R 2010 Director: Bansky Starring: Bansky, and Thierry Guetta
I don't have much to say about this documentary. It is an interesting film about the underground world of street art. If you are a fan of graffiti this is worth watching. My major complaint is with Bansky himself because the entire movie he is in his mask talking with a computer voice. Personally I found that off putting but overall doesn't detract from the film too much.
Overall: B+ The documentary is well made and Bansky does a really good job of tell the story and keeping the audience interested. I recommend the film to art fans and people who are enjoy films about underground counter-culture.
"Warrior" PG-13 2011 Director: Gavin O'Connor Starring: Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte and Joel Edgerton
I loved this film. It was a everything a good MMA movie should be and it had a way of keeping the old sports movie storyline interesting. From the trailer you know that the two brother make it to the finals of the tournament and then entire film I couldn't figure out how they were going to handle that how are they going to make one brother defeat the other, without giving away anything, I feel they did a perfect job handling this very delicate story point. It is obvious that Hollywood loves Tom Hardy, and he does a great job in this film, but Joel Edgerton did an absolutely superb job and in my humble opinion out shined the rest of the cast. The acting overall is the best part of this film. The story is able to walk that thin line between happy ending without being cheesy and unbelievable.
Overall: A- I recommend this film to any fan of MMA and sports movies. Simple as that. If you are a fan of either of those you will enjoy this film and you should support the work of the smaller production companies.
I don't have much to say about this documentary. It is an interesting film about the underground world of street art. If you are a fan of graffiti this is worth watching. My major complaint is with Bansky himself because the entire movie he is in his mask talking with a computer voice. Personally I found that off putting but overall doesn't detract from the film too much.
Overall: B+ The documentary is well made and Bansky does a really good job of tell the story and keeping the audience interested. I recommend the film to art fans and people who are enjoy films about underground counter-culture.
"Warrior" PG-13 2011 Director: Gavin O'Connor Starring: Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte and Joel Edgerton
I loved this film. It was a everything a good MMA movie should be and it had a way of keeping the old sports movie storyline interesting. From the trailer you know that the two brother make it to the finals of the tournament and then entire film I couldn't figure out how they were going to handle that how are they going to make one brother defeat the other, without giving away anything, I feel they did a perfect job handling this very delicate story point. It is obvious that Hollywood loves Tom Hardy, and he does a great job in this film, but Joel Edgerton did an absolutely superb job and in my humble opinion out shined the rest of the cast. The acting overall is the best part of this film. The story is able to walk that thin line between happy ending without being cheesy and unbelievable.
Overall: A- I recommend this film to any fan of MMA and sports movies. Simple as that. If you are a fan of either of those you will enjoy this film and you should support the work of the smaller production companies.
Monday, August 29, 2011
"Our Idiot Brother" and "30 Minutes or Less"
"Our Idiot Brother"(2011) R Director: Jesse Peretez Staring: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, and Zooey Deschanel
I saw this film last week as part of a much needed Friday night double feature. "Our Idiot Brother" is very much a comedy but I did not find myself laugh out loud as much as other comedies I have seen. That being said, this movie is extremely funny. Paul Rudd does a wonderful job in this film, the rest of the cast does a good job as well but the humor is dominated by Rudd and he does a excellent job of playing the character without acting too stupid and without alienating the audience. Rudd plays the character so that he is not really an idiot, but a person who trusts everyone and is often put into situations where miscommunications and misunderstands get him into trouble. I have no major complaints about this film other than I am normal a very big Elizabeth Banks fan, however in this film I feel her character did not let her natural comedic talent shine.
Overall: B This film is humorous and the entire cast does a good job. I recommend this film to anyone who like heart warming comedies with family relationships as the main source of comedic material. My only warning would be that if you are not a fan of Paul Rudd do not see the film because every part of this movie feels like a Paul Rudd film.
"30 Minutes or Less" (2011) R Director: Ruben Fleischer Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, and Nick Swardson
This film is exactly what it seems to be from the trailer, a stupid comedy that gets it's laughs from outrageous situations and dialogue. In general, this genre of comedy is very hit or miss in my opinion. Comedies like "Stepbrothers" were able to do it well and make me laugh for most of the film even though I was only laughing at the unbelievable things I was seeing and hearing. However, this film was not able to do it well. I did laugh during the movie and I don't feel like I wasted 80 minutes of my life (yes, the film is only 80 minutes long). But, there were many times where I did not laugh for 10-15 minutes periods, even though the film was constantly trying to be funny. I feel the films writing was its own downfall. There were too many jokes. I felt I was being hit over the head with the same tired joke. My biggest complaint being that unfortunately the funniest jokes in the film were in the trailer.
Overall C+ This film is funny at times but is not very well done and being only 80 minutes it is over just as it begins. The film is worth watching if you are a fan of these types of comedies. However, it is not worth a $10 ticket. My advice wait for the DVD.
I saw this film last week as part of a much needed Friday night double feature. "Our Idiot Brother" is very much a comedy but I did not find myself laugh out loud as much as other comedies I have seen. That being said, this movie is extremely funny. Paul Rudd does a wonderful job in this film, the rest of the cast does a good job as well but the humor is dominated by Rudd and he does a excellent job of playing the character without acting too stupid and without alienating the audience. Rudd plays the character so that he is not really an idiot, but a person who trusts everyone and is often put into situations where miscommunications and misunderstands get him into trouble. I have no major complaints about this film other than I am normal a very big Elizabeth Banks fan, however in this film I feel her character did not let her natural comedic talent shine.
Overall: B This film is humorous and the entire cast does a good job. I recommend this film to anyone who like heart warming comedies with family relationships as the main source of comedic material. My only warning would be that if you are not a fan of Paul Rudd do not see the film because every part of this movie feels like a Paul Rudd film.
"30 Minutes or Less" (2011) R Director: Ruben Fleischer Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, and Nick Swardson
This film is exactly what it seems to be from the trailer, a stupid comedy that gets it's laughs from outrageous situations and dialogue. In general, this genre of comedy is very hit or miss in my opinion. Comedies like "Stepbrothers" were able to do it well and make me laugh for most of the film even though I was only laughing at the unbelievable things I was seeing and hearing. However, this film was not able to do it well. I did laugh during the movie and I don't feel like I wasted 80 minutes of my life (yes, the film is only 80 minutes long). But, there were many times where I did not laugh for 10-15 minutes periods, even though the film was constantly trying to be funny. I feel the films writing was its own downfall. There were too many jokes. I felt I was being hit over the head with the same tired joke. My biggest complaint being that unfortunately the funniest jokes in the film were in the trailer.
Overall C+ This film is funny at times but is not very well done and being only 80 minutes it is over just as it begins. The film is worth watching if you are a fan of these types of comedies. However, it is not worth a $10 ticket. My advice wait for the DVD.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Return from the dead with: The Help and North by Northwest
It has been nearly a year since my last post but I had a busy and interesting past 11 months and now seems like a good of time as any to start back up. I have also adapted a new style of reviewing. I am going to do just a short 150-300 word review of my main thoughts of the film and who I recommend should see it. So enough talk and on to the films.
The Help. (2011) PG-13 Director: Tate Taylor Staring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Bryce Dallas Howard
My Mom and I saw this movie this weekend. This movie was not a lot, unlike most other "Hollywood Summer Movies," but the advertising campaign I saw did not try to appeal to anyone other than those that read the novel. I say this because I think the advertising campaign did not do the film justice. The film was smart, witty, and beautiful. I have not read the novel, but my mother has. From what she tells me the story followed the novel well just left some things out. This film was well acted, well directed, and well written. I was laughing most of film and so was the entire theater. This film was able to transport the audiance into 1950's Mississippi. You felt the character's love, heartache, fear, and resentment. Emma Stone is young and while she may not quiet be a phemoninal actress this film shows that she is well on her way. Viola Davis does not disappoint as always and Octavia Spencer is able to walk the tricky line of being the comic relief while still being a believe character for the time period. And make one heck of a chocolate pie.
Overall: A- Everything in this film was well done the my only complante would be that this film was 2 and 1/2 hours and while I was never bored watching it I could tell that the film was a long one. I would recommend this film to anyone who can appreciate good story and good acting. The only people I would tell to not see it are the action junkies and college comedy fans who cannot appreciate any other films.
North by Northwest. (1959) NR Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason
This film is a wonderful example of a Hitchcock film and in my humble opinion Cary Grant's best performance. I don't have much to say about this film other than I enjoyed every aspect of it. The acting was spot on, Grant's dry wit is complemented well by Saint's classical performance of the "Hitchcock woman." My favorite aspect of the film is Hitchcock's use of music. He knows exactly when a sequence needs music and when adding music actually takes away from the suspense of the scene. For instance the famous scene where Grant's character is being chased by a crop dusting plane there is not music. The only thing you can hear is Grant's breathing and the plane's engine. This genisus is seen throughout the film and make it a absolute must-see and classic.
Overall: A+ I love this film. Everything about it is wonderful and it is entertaining from start to finish. I recommend this film to everyone. I don't care what your taste in movies is just watch this film it is one of those films that everyone should watch at least once.
The Help. (2011) PG-13 Director: Tate Taylor Staring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Bryce Dallas Howard
My Mom and I saw this movie this weekend. This movie was not a lot, unlike most other "Hollywood Summer Movies," but the advertising campaign I saw did not try to appeal to anyone other than those that read the novel. I say this because I think the advertising campaign did not do the film justice. The film was smart, witty, and beautiful. I have not read the novel, but my mother has. From what she tells me the story followed the novel well just left some things out. This film was well acted, well directed, and well written. I was laughing most of film and so was the entire theater. This film was able to transport the audiance into 1950's Mississippi. You felt the character's love, heartache, fear, and resentment. Emma Stone is young and while she may not quiet be a phemoninal actress this film shows that she is well on her way. Viola Davis does not disappoint as always and Octavia Spencer is able to walk the tricky line of being the comic relief while still being a believe character for the time period. And make one heck of a chocolate pie.
Overall: A- Everything in this film was well done the my only complante would be that this film was 2 and 1/2 hours and while I was never bored watching it I could tell that the film was a long one. I would recommend this film to anyone who can appreciate good story and good acting. The only people I would tell to not see it are the action junkies and college comedy fans who cannot appreciate any other films.
North by Northwest. (1959) NR Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason
This film is a wonderful example of a Hitchcock film and in my humble opinion Cary Grant's best performance. I don't have much to say about this film other than I enjoyed every aspect of it. The acting was spot on, Grant's dry wit is complemented well by Saint's classical performance of the "Hitchcock woman." My favorite aspect of the film is Hitchcock's use of music. He knows exactly when a sequence needs music and when adding music actually takes away from the suspense of the scene. For instance the famous scene where Grant's character is being chased by a crop dusting plane there is not music. The only thing you can hear is Grant's breathing and the plane's engine. This genisus is seen throughout the film and make it a absolute must-see and classic.
Overall: A+ I love this film. Everything about it is wonderful and it is entertaining from start to finish. I recommend this film to everyone. I don't care what your taste in movies is just watch this film it is one of those films that everyone should watch at least once.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Jackie Brown
First of all, I would like to apologize to all of my stead fast followers for the long delay between these reviews. I got caught up in a summer class and did not have a chance to see anything new or worth reviewing.
I am going to start this review with getting my bias out of the way. My favorite director is Quentin Tarantino and he has yet to make a film that I did not enjoy. Today I finally watched Tarantino's third full-length feature film: Jackie Brown (link to trailer).
Overall: A
This film is not Tarantino's best work but it is classic Tarantino. The film features a flight attendant named Jakie Brown (Pam Grier) who gets caught up between an arms dealer and a federal sting operation run by the ATF. Jackie has been smuggling money for Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson) out of Mexico however, on her latest run she gets pick up by federal agents Ray Nicolette (Micheal Keaton) and Mark Dargus (Micheal Bowen). The agents find Jackie is carrying $50,000 and some cocaine so she is a arrested and after being bailed out by Max Cherry (Robert Forster) agrees to help the ATF get Ordell. Jackie and Max start to spend more time with each and form a relationship that is not quite romantic but is extremely close. In order to help the ATF Jackie agrees to convince Ordell to bring all of his $500,000 he has in Mexico back home to California. Jackie decides that she has the opportunity to walk away with that money so she convinces Ordell to bring the money up by telling him that they are going to trick the ATF and disappear. While telling Ordell and AFT that she is going to help them to trick the other she and Max form a plan to walk off the money themselves.
Story/Screenplay: A+
I do not have much to say about the screenplay other than Quentin Tarantino wrote this screenplay. This is where Tarantino films truly shine. Tarantino has an ability to make a two hour film where there is very little action and instead tells a story through dialogue. Tarantino does not need special effects or huge budgets he tells his story through writing. However, the downside of this is if you do not enjoy one of Tarantino's films you will not like any of them. I am the lone Tarantino fan in my group of friends. They all say that his films are boring and nothing happens. That is the downside to Tarantino's style of story telling there is no gray area. You either look at him as a visionary or a complete idiot.Overall, this story is well done and the writing is flawless.
Acting: B+
The lone Oscar nomination for this film was the acting in a supporting role for Robert Forster's portrayal of Max Cherry. While Foster did an amazing job as the lonely bail bondsman, I do not feel that cast as a whole messed well together. I feel that the individual actors did well in their roles Samuel L. Jackson is the only person I can think of to play Ordell Robbie and even Pam Grier does a phenomenal job as the cunning Jackie Brown. However, I feel that Robert De Niro as the washed up bank robber and Chris Tucker as the random guy who owes Ordell money are out of place. They both do a perfectly fine job but they just do not fit with the rest of the cast. To me, it is much more important for a cast to work well together than just having one or two amazing performances from individuals. I feel that in this film that is what you have, amazing individual performances but not an all around great cast.
Direction: A+
Again this is a Quentin Tarantino film. His directing style makes you feel like you are watching a film from the seventies with a much more intricate plot. He employs many cheesey camera angels and on screen graphics. Tarantino has a way of using the screenplay to enhance the directions and shots he chooses. The style this film has is where Tarantino puts his signature. Basically, this film is directed by Quentin Tarantino and he style is all over the film. The shots he chooses, the angles he use consistent in this film and all his films.
Visuals: B+
In all, this film is not visually pretty by today's standards. However, it does not need to be pretty. The story, in my opinion, would be not be portrayed as well if the visuals became the focal point of the film. That being said the editing of this film is amazing the way scenes left in and cut out help to move the story along and make the story that much more interesting. The ability of the editors to add suspense to each and every scene just by placing two shots next to each other. The editing of the film enhances the dialogue that Tarantino spends so much time perfecting.
Final Thought: This is a Quentin Tarantino film through and through therefore, if you do not like the film making of Tarantino you will not like this film. For those who are not familiar with Tarantino's work this is a story central film and it is extremely dialogue heavy. But an amazing example this genre of film.
I am going to start this review with getting my bias out of the way. My favorite director is Quentin Tarantino and he has yet to make a film that I did not enjoy. Today I finally watched Tarantino's third full-length feature film: Jackie Brown (link to trailer).
Overall: A
This film is not Tarantino's best work but it is classic Tarantino. The film features a flight attendant named Jakie Brown (Pam Grier) who gets caught up between an arms dealer and a federal sting operation run by the ATF. Jackie has been smuggling money for Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson) out of Mexico however, on her latest run she gets pick up by federal agents Ray Nicolette (Micheal Keaton) and Mark Dargus (Micheal Bowen). The agents find Jackie is carrying $50,000 and some cocaine so she is a arrested and after being bailed out by Max Cherry (Robert Forster) agrees to help the ATF get Ordell. Jackie and Max start to spend more time with each and form a relationship that is not quite romantic but is extremely close. In order to help the ATF Jackie agrees to convince Ordell to bring all of his $500,000 he has in Mexico back home to California. Jackie decides that she has the opportunity to walk away with that money so she convinces Ordell to bring the money up by telling him that they are going to trick the ATF and disappear. While telling Ordell and AFT that she is going to help them to trick the other she and Max form a plan to walk off the money themselves.
Story/Screenplay: A+
I do not have much to say about the screenplay other than Quentin Tarantino wrote this screenplay. This is where Tarantino films truly shine. Tarantino has an ability to make a two hour film where there is very little action and instead tells a story through dialogue. Tarantino does not need special effects or huge budgets he tells his story through writing. However, the downside of this is if you do not enjoy one of Tarantino's films you will not like any of them. I am the lone Tarantino fan in my group of friends. They all say that his films are boring and nothing happens. That is the downside to Tarantino's style of story telling there is no gray area. You either look at him as a visionary or a complete idiot.Overall, this story is well done and the writing is flawless.
Acting: B+
The lone Oscar nomination for this film was the acting in a supporting role for Robert Forster's portrayal of Max Cherry. While Foster did an amazing job as the lonely bail bondsman, I do not feel that cast as a whole messed well together. I feel that the individual actors did well in their roles Samuel L. Jackson is the only person I can think of to play Ordell Robbie and even Pam Grier does a phenomenal job as the cunning Jackie Brown. However, I feel that Robert De Niro as the washed up bank robber and Chris Tucker as the random guy who owes Ordell money are out of place. They both do a perfectly fine job but they just do not fit with the rest of the cast. To me, it is much more important for a cast to work well together than just having one or two amazing performances from individuals. I feel that in this film that is what you have, amazing individual performances but not an all around great cast.
Direction: A+
Again this is a Quentin Tarantino film. His directing style makes you feel like you are watching a film from the seventies with a much more intricate plot. He employs many cheesey camera angels and on screen graphics. Tarantino has a way of using the screenplay to enhance the directions and shots he chooses. The style this film has is where Tarantino puts his signature. Basically, this film is directed by Quentin Tarantino and he style is all over the film. The shots he chooses, the angles he use consistent in this film and all his films.
Visuals: B+
In all, this film is not visually pretty by today's standards. However, it does not need to be pretty. The story, in my opinion, would be not be portrayed as well if the visuals became the focal point of the film. That being said the editing of this film is amazing the way scenes left in and cut out help to move the story along and make the story that much more interesting. The ability of the editors to add suspense to each and every scene just by placing two shots next to each other. The editing of the film enhances the dialogue that Tarantino spends so much time perfecting.
Final Thought: This is a Quentin Tarantino film through and through therefore, if you do not like the film making of Tarantino you will not like this film. For those who are not familiar with Tarantino's work this is a story central film and it is extremely dialogue heavy. But an amazing example this genre of film.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Alright everybody, it is time for my first review. I will start each review with a link to the trailer of the film. So, if you've never even heard of the film I'm reviewing you can at least watch the trailer. I am going to structure these reviews into five categories: Overall, where I will give a brief synopsis of the film and it high points and low points. Story/Screenplay, where I will talk about how the story was executed or if the overall story idea even makes sense and also the writing. Acting, how convincing the actors are playing these characters and how well the cast messes together as a whole. Direction, here I will not only talk about how the film progresses but also the way the director chose to shoot the movie, camera angels and such. And visuals not only how pretty the movie is but also how well the scenes flow together and how they are edited together. I will give the films a letter grade from A+ to F- on each of these categories.
Overall: A-
I saw the midnight premiere of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on Thursday night. I have been waiting for this movie to come out ever since my friend gave me the graphic novels. The story follows a 22 year old Scott Pilgrim (Micheal Cera) through his battle of seven evil-exes of the mysterious Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Pilgrim starts the story as a young man living with, and sharing a bed with, his gay roommate Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin) but soon become infatuated with the enigma that is Ramona Flowers. Scott shortly finds out that Romona has dated 7 people in her past and they have joined forces and created the league of evil exes. In order for Scott to date Romona he must defeat each of her evil exes in a variety of battles. The film is filled with witty situational humor that sends the audience into laughing fits.The films is great example of a geeky comedy that throws in comic book references, witty one liners, and social awkwardness. Basically if you liked the graphic novels or you like comic book humor you will most likely love this film.
Story/Screenplay: A-
In this category I am going to be a little bias. I loved the graphic novels and so when the screenplay included many direct quotes from the novels I am going to love it. There are six novels that tell the story of Scott's battle through Romona's exes. The movie goes through all six novels, however, the screenplay was written before Bryan Lee O'Malley had finished writing the sixth novel so the ending of the novels and the ending of the film are similar but different. This being a movie based on books of course there are scenes from the novels that did not make it into the film because of timing. The screenplay is written by Edgar Wright of Hot Fuzz fame and Micheal Bacall. It is well written and the story is great.
Acting: B+
To start off regardless of your opinions of Micheal Cera he is the perfect choice to play Scott Pilgrim. The film as a whole is cast very well. Chris Evans does a wonderful as the overly macho, skateboarding, movie star. Jason Schwartzman falls right into place as the overly zealous leader of the evil league. The cast have all been in random things before but are not extremely well known. I think this adds to the movie it keeps the focus of the story on Scott where it should be and doesn't take away from him with a random A-list star taking over the story.
Direction: A
This is where I think the films shines the brightest. Edgar Wright does a wonderful job at taking six 200 pages novels and condensing the important parts into a two hour film. The film has many shots that they are exactly the same as the panels in the comic. Watching the film it is really cool to see a scene that is a shot for shot remake of the book. The direction and the cinematography is amazingly well done.
Visuals B+
The CGI in this movie blends seamlessly into to the film. However, my problem with the visuals are that the editing seems a little sketchy. The scenes blend together just fine but they scenes don't seem to flow right. The order of the scenes is very similar to the book but little things they sped up and other things they slowed downed so it is just odd after reading the novels. A person who did not read the novels wouldn't notice anything but anyone who read the novels will notices these little changes and it just feels odd.
Final Thought:
If you loved the books you will love the movie. If you like comic books in general you will love the movie. If you don't like these things don't see the film you won't like it.
Overall: A-
I saw the midnight premiere of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on Thursday night. I have been waiting for this movie to come out ever since my friend gave me the graphic novels. The story follows a 22 year old Scott Pilgrim (Micheal Cera) through his battle of seven evil-exes of the mysterious Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Pilgrim starts the story as a young man living with, and sharing a bed with, his gay roommate Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin) but soon become infatuated with the enigma that is Ramona Flowers. Scott shortly finds out that Romona has dated 7 people in her past and they have joined forces and created the league of evil exes. In order for Scott to date Romona he must defeat each of her evil exes in a variety of battles. The film is filled with witty situational humor that sends the audience into laughing fits.The films is great example of a geeky comedy that throws in comic book references, witty one liners, and social awkwardness. Basically if you liked the graphic novels or you like comic book humor you will most likely love this film.
Story/Screenplay: A-
In this category I am going to be a little bias. I loved the graphic novels and so when the screenplay included many direct quotes from the novels I am going to love it. There are six novels that tell the story of Scott's battle through Romona's exes. The movie goes through all six novels, however, the screenplay was written before Bryan Lee O'Malley had finished writing the sixth novel so the ending of the novels and the ending of the film are similar but different. This being a movie based on books of course there are scenes from the novels that did not make it into the film because of timing. The screenplay is written by Edgar Wright of Hot Fuzz fame and Micheal Bacall. It is well written and the story is great.
Acting: B+
To start off regardless of your opinions of Micheal Cera he is the perfect choice to play Scott Pilgrim. The film as a whole is cast very well. Chris Evans does a wonderful as the overly macho, skateboarding, movie star. Jason Schwartzman falls right into place as the overly zealous leader of the evil league. The cast have all been in random things before but are not extremely well known. I think this adds to the movie it keeps the focus of the story on Scott where it should be and doesn't take away from him with a random A-list star taking over the story.
Direction: A
This is where I think the films shines the brightest. Edgar Wright does a wonderful job at taking six 200 pages novels and condensing the important parts into a two hour film. The film has many shots that they are exactly the same as the panels in the comic. Watching the film it is really cool to see a scene that is a shot for shot remake of the book. The direction and the cinematography is amazingly well done.
Visuals B+
The CGI in this movie blends seamlessly into to the film. However, my problem with the visuals are that the editing seems a little sketchy. The scenes blend together just fine but they scenes don't seem to flow right. The order of the scenes is very similar to the book but little things they sped up and other things they slowed downed so it is just odd after reading the novels. A person who did not read the novels wouldn't notice anything but anyone who read the novels will notices these little changes and it just feels odd.
Final Thought:
If you loved the books you will love the movie. If you like comic books in general you will love the movie. If you don't like these things don't see the film you won't like it.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The Start of a Long and Winding Road
Firsts off I would like to say welcome to my little corner of the interwebs.
Here is a space were I will put all my opinions out into the open for everyone to see. In this blog my plan is to write a review for every new film I see. I may also throw in a few video games or music albums reviews just for fun. This means that some weeks I may see five new films and other I won't see any. However, even if I don't see an new film I will still attempt to write a review of a film I have seen before and is one of my favorites or I will review an album or game. The point of this blog is to start conversation about film and to promote the critical viewing of any film. That being said this is a safe place and any conversation that does take place must be peaceful. I will not tolerate personal attacks based on a person's opinions.
Here is a space were I will put all my opinions out into the open for everyone to see. In this blog my plan is to write a review for every new film I see. I may also throw in a few video games or music albums reviews just for fun. This means that some weeks I may see five new films and other I won't see any. However, even if I don't see an new film I will still attempt to write a review of a film I have seen before and is one of my favorites or I will review an album or game. The point of this blog is to start conversation about film and to promote the critical viewing of any film. That being said this is a safe place and any conversation that does take place must be peaceful. I will not tolerate personal attacks based on a person's opinions.
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