by Ethan Johnson
April 10, 2008
Clearly, I need to get out more:
300: I didn't intend to actually sit through this, but through the magic of HD satellite movie channels, I decided "what the hell." The marketing for this movie suggested that it was going to be highly stylized (it was, less so than Sin City) and a bloodbath, but also just a tad over the top, as stylized bloodbaths go. If you're into that sort of thing, well, you probably own a copy of this on Blu-Ray. If not, you're probably taking a pass. And that's fine, either way. The less that this movie is dwelled upon and picked at, the better. Otherwise you'll be wishing for those 2 hours back.
Raging Bull: Very New Yawk. Joe Pesci got shafted at Oscar® time, and sadly that was probably his closest shot (unless he won it for something else that escapes me). There's no way around it: Jake La Motta was a snake, and De Niro makes him about as human as anyone could hope to see on the big screen. If you're not into boxing movies, that's a big minus, but if you can focus on the non-boxing material (of which there is plenty) and get into the story, such as it is, go for it. Just prepare to cringe, and I'm not talking about the boxing.
The Iron Giant: Considering what a "nothing" movie this is, I was surprised to feel my heart strings getting jerked on and tears flowing at the ready at the end. Brad Bird makes movies with heart, man. Highly recommended.
Monster House: Another cartoony movie (well, animated), but in a strange, not at all natural style that I found distracting. Once I got into the story I hung in there. I think the weird animation style is meant to be reassuring to the impressionable kids who might have been freaked by the shenanigans on screen. Anyway, a lot of meat and potatoes in the cast list (Maggie Gyllenhaal, Steve Buscemi, etc) and a fairly interesting yarn. I think was meant to be seen in 3-D so something is lost in translation, I'm sure, but in 2-D it's alright. Rent as inclined.
Postcards From the Edge: I'm still trying to figure out what the fuss is about, if any. I was aware that Carrie Fisher had, uh, issues, but she doesn't seem to address some of the big ones as dead-on as one might hope. Including her drug addiction, which kicks off the movie but doesn't really dictate the direction of the story. One to pass on, unless you insist on seeing every Meryl Streep movie.
Superman Returns: Duh-rippy. My gawd, it's a comic book character, not, oh, I dunno, Jesus. Oh wait. This movie is a great lesson in pacing: Namely, it's good to have some. Molasses in January flows along more pleasantly than this glacier. I grok that after all of the billions of revisions and whatnot that led to this movie ultimately means that the Superman franchise has been rebooted, but boot whoever decided that everything... must... take... an... eternity... to... transpire. Maybe the next one will have more zip.
Children of a Lesser God: Speaking of glacial, I have been avoiding this movie since its inception. But, Marlee Matlin is a Hersey alum, and even though that doesn't entirely dictate my decision-making process, I figured I should see the movie that got her the Oscar®. Well, I watched the Oscars® that year, and the clips they showed turned me off big time. It seemed that William Hurt spent a fair amount of time reciting back her dialogue because the filmmakers couldn't think of a more effective means to convey it, short of giving everyone a crash course in signing. Fast forward 20-some-odd years and you'll find Marlee Matlin doing a fine job on The L Word. They use subtitles to convey her dialog without slowing down the pace of the show. Bottom line, and I'm a horrible person with a seat at the captain's table in hell: I couldn't sit through more than 30 minutes of the movie. Oh well.
Das Boot: This is another one of those "hadn't gotten around to it" movies. Considering that it is shot from the point of view of the German army during WWII, it's pretty amazing without necessarily moralizing about the sides involved in the war. As someone whose Grandfather fought for the Germans in WWII once told me, not everyone on the German side was a Nazi. This movie underscores that point, as well as making some observations about basic humanity. Arguably, the view of WWII from the POV of a submarine crew will differ dramatically from prison guards at Dachau. Amazing claustrophobia-inducing camera work and effects. Definitely worth renting.
Hot Fuzz: Is it safe to call Simon Pegg a genius? How about brilliant? Hilarious send-up of nearly every "cop" movie ever made, but in that distinctly put-the-kettle-on-eh-wot Brit way. The less you hover over the rental and just watch the [confounded] thing, the better. Go for 2 and rent Shaun of the Dead to really appreciate Simon Pegg's range. NOW! It's for the greater good, you know.
Superbad: At first blush, I was marveling at how Seth Rogen and his writing partner made a movie about themselves without coming off as indulgent. Mmmm, actually it sort of is, but I don't know how you can set a story in High School and not have it come off that way. The bigger issue, such as it is, is everything Seth Rogen writes sounds like something Seth Rogen should be performing. But Jonah Hill and Michael Cera come through, as does "Fogell", and despite the crude trappings this movie does have heart. Worth the rental, but be prepared for an f-bomb assault. I liked it, though.
The Opposite of Sex: Pithy review: The opposite of funny. Less pithy review: Dentrifice, vagina, sour fucking grapes... class dismissed. Seriously, who billed this as a comedy? Even a "dark" comedy? I think "dark" comedy means that it's not actually funny, but you're a stick in the mud for not getting the so-called joke. I did laugh out loud at 2 lines in the movie (not the one I quoted), so that's about as comedic as it gets. Much to not like about this movie from the get-go. Lisa Kudrow was good though, for what that's worth. Pass, unless you want to spite me personally. Suit yourself. Or see Juno and see what this movie became when it grew up. <EM>
