Review of film: "BLACK SWAN" ( about problems in a ballet company )

Review of film:  “BLACK SWAN”

Is this “Swan” movie an “UGLY Duckling”, or a film that’s “for the BIRDS”?...

…  Nina Savers (NATALIE PORTMAN) is a ballet dancer trying very hard to win the principal role as the “Swan Queen”.  The previous “diva” of the company, Beth Macintyre (WINONA RYDER), has grown old & out of favor with the company director, Thomas Leroy (VINCENT CASSEL), & is obviously very angry over something he’s done…

…  While Vincent wants the world to think Winona has “retired”, it appears the opposite is true, since he always seemed “poised” to get what he can for himself from other people…  He very clearly tries to put “MOVES” on Natalie to “help” her win the role she covets…

…  Although Natalie isn’t very “accepting” of his gestures, she nevertheless keeps coming across as “FRAGILE” & “WEAK” (as Vincent himself puts it), & she keeps fearing she won’t get the role she wants… 

…  Meanwhile, her mother Erica (BARBARA HERSHEY) is clearly OBSESSIVE in her treatment of Natalie & her career--  quite possibly because she herself once was a similar dancer & seems to be living at least “VICARIOUSLY” thru her daughter…

…  All of a sudden, Vincent brings a new dancer, Lily (MILA KUNIS), into the company from San Francisco.  Vincent keeps telling Natalie (who almost always is dressed in white) that she’s very good for the “WHITE Swan” (good person) character in the ballet--  but, she leaves a LOT to be desired for the other part of the role as the “evil” twin sister the “BLACK Swan”…

…  “Oddly” (-- or premeditatedly --), Mila just “happens” to almost always appear dressed in BLACK, & acting with possibly “evil” intentions in the way she keeps making SEXUAL & associated gestures towards normally-“adrift” Natalie…

…  All the while, Natalie keeps suffering bouts of RASHES & BLEEDING that are unexplained & seem to “disappear” as quickly as they appear on her…  Her relationships with people all seem very tentative & “confused”…

…  Vincent keeps becoming more “conniving” in his treatment of Natalie after he “appoints” her for the lead “Swan Queen” role she wanted:  He consistently COMPLAINS about what she does in the “Black Swan” role, saying that she never really let’s herself “GO”, which he feels is an essential element the character demands…

…  Unlike how he is with Natalie, Vincent is not similarly complaining about the work of any of the OTHER company members.  He never finds fault in anything done by her dance partner David (BENJAMIN MILLEPIED --  the actual choreographer of this film, & --  “GOSSIP ALERT!” -- currently the real fiancé of Natalie & reportedly the father of her unborn child)…

…  In any case, there are an increasing number of “PROBLEMS” that arise in the life of the character Natalie plays--  and a corresponding upsurge in UNEXPLAINED events that keep surrounding her…

…  Natalie sees Mila putting some drug into a drink for her.  Will she DOWN the glass, & if so, what will happen?...  Since Mila also covets the main “Swan Queen” role, WHO will actually have it by the time the show is presented to the public?...      

…  What will happen in the tense relationship between Natalie & her overbearing mother Barbara?...  What are the CAUSES of Natalie’s bleeding & rash?...  What shocking developments we see are REAL rather than imagined by the main characters?...

…  Overall, this is a CLEVERLY constructed concoction by director Darren Aronofsky.  He got excellent acting from his main stars.  Natalie is deserving of an OSCAR nomination for her “delicate” & “agitated” performance, & Mila & Barbara might well warrant consideration in the Supporting Actress category…

…  I found the film fascinating, & feel it will likely be one of the nominees for the Best Picture OSCAR.  But, I do NOT feel it should win:  While it’s very well done, I feel it’s sort of TOO “manipulated” & overly VAGUE with a number of the “tentacles” of its story lines… 

…  It’s a very admirable study of complicated emotional feelings-- but it periodically comes across as overly “sensationalistic”, & I didn’t find it “satisfying” at its end.  Thus, I rate it at 8.5 out of 10 stars (tho that might madden a number of people!)…   

Review of film: "THE KING'S SPEECH" (about overcoming stammering)

Review of film:  “THE KING’S SPEECH”

This is based on a TRUE story of what happened in England shortly before the start of World War II…

…  After the Saxe-Coburg & Gotha family ran England (represented by Queen Victoria), the House of Windsor gained power.  From 1910 thru 1936, George V was King.  He and his wife Mary had 6 children, including a son John who died around 14 years of age…

…  As told in this movie, George V (played by MICHAEL GAMBON) was a fairly stern father, which very adversely affected his second son Albert Frederick Arthur George (nicknamed “Bertie”--  played by COLIN FIRTH) who in time developed a debilitating STAMMER… 

…  Supported by his comparatively down-to-earth wife Elizabeth (HELENA HONHAM CARTER), Bertie tried various methods to become a decent public speaker including going to doctors…  When the “Demosthenes” method (of trying to talk after putting marbles in his mouth) recommended by one “expert” didn’t help the stuttering, he grew very discouraged with trying to better himself in that regard…

…  Bertie had a pretty happily family life, doting on his daughters Elizabeth & Margaret.  The one thing he was especially happy about was, he was NOT 1^st-in-line to succeed his father as King.  That was to be left to his 1-year-older brother Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David (--  obviously, the family was plagued by “INDECISIVENESS” in its name choices!)…

…  Edward Multi-Name (GUY PEARCE) was called “David” by his family.  Since he was a playboy who had several affairs with married women (including openly with Wallis Simpson of Baltimore--  played by EVE BEST), Bertie & his wife (& a lot of the other “Royals”) tended to look “DOWN” on him.  [He also was considered overly in favor of APPEASEMENT towards the growing fascism of Hitler in Europe— but that is not mentioned in the film…]

…  As the King (Gambon) was growing increasingly ill, it was expected that Colin would have to do more & more public speaking in the future.  Reluctantly, he followed his wife’s urgings & visited a NON-doctoral “rebel” in the world of speech improvement, an Australian named Lionel Logue (GEOFFREY RUSH)…

…  Geoffrey was a very non-conventional character who’d developed his OWN methods of dealing with stammering & similar problems, based on his “hands-on” treating of Australian military people adversely suffering the effects of fighting in World War I.  He lived in a fairly run-down London building with his wife and kids, & insisted that all patients had to come to HIM (rather than the other way around)…

…  Although Helena had confidence in Geof’s methods, it was very difficult convincing COLIN to consider treatment by him, since he’d been discouraged by previous failures, didn’t like the “non-royal” way Geof spoke to him (calling him “Bertie” & not acting deferentially & asking him “personal questions), & Colin thus strongly RESISTED what he considered Geof’s “quack” methods…

…  But, Colin was shocked to find that Geof’s techniques actually WORKED.  Although it was very difficult (& at times humiliating for him), he kept going to regular sessions with Geof.  He continued to be surprised at the way Geof’s ideas (such as pointing out Colin had NO stammer when he spoke & swore angrily) worked (including having him SING words, since the stuttering again disappeared when that was done)…

…  Colin & Helena were quite “COOL” towards Guy when visiting him during a party & finding married woman Eve there.  Brother (Guy) had long made FUN of Colin’s stammering, & that made it increasingly difficult for Colin to “deal” with him & his philandering ways (which amounted to not “properly” taking care of Royal “duties”)…

…  On January 20, 1936, after the King died, David (Guy) was declared the NEW king Edward VIII (to the consternation of many Royalists).  Things grew even more “difficult” for the nation when Edward (Guy) insisted on ABDICATING as king just 10 months later (in November) in order to marry twice-divorced Wallis (Eve), which he did the very next year…

…  Colin --  next-in-line for the crown -- was panicked at the development, absolutely HATING he thought of being at the “head” of the nation (which he NEVER wanted to be) & at being someone expected to speak regularly…  After being on the “outs” with Geof, Colin went BACK to him for help in preparing for his coronation as King George VI on December 11^th of that year [at age 40]…

…  The “hoi-polloi” --  including Archbishop Cosmo Lang (DEREK JACOBI) -- were aghast at the idea that the non-graduate Geof would have a central role in the planning for the event (re Colin’s speech & all)…  But, Colin persisted, & Geof helped him in the coronation activities…

…  As forecast by Winston Churchill (TIMOTHY SPALL), England was soon at WAR with Hitler  around 3 years later when Germany invaded Poland.  England especially needed the King to be a “reassuring” public figure at that time, & --  although he dreaded having to take on such a role --, ever dedicated to “Duty”, the King (Colin) worked mightily with Geof to help him make needed speeches to the public (including on the “wireless” radio)…

[ …  A little “sidebar” that is NOT mentioned in the film:  Due to some of his general actions of appeasement before the start of World War II  -- including meeting with Hitler in 1937 --, the abdicated king [Guy’s character] was purposely sent off during the War to be the Governor of the BAHAMAS, to try to forestall any possible German plot to KIDNAP him & potentially use him for their own propaganda or similar purposes!...]

…  This movie has WONDERFUL acting, especially by Colin, Geof & Helena --  all of whom might well be up for consideration as possible OSCAR nominees for their efforts…  In Colin’s work, you can really “FEEL” the pain the Prince-King feels at having to fight thru the difficulties of his speech impediment [later overcome by other famous people such as James Earl Jones], & Geof has a finely practical & “unassuming” attitude towards what he’s trying to accomplish  …      

…  Since it’s a finely done and “uplifting” film (& probably likely to itself be an OSCAR nominee), I am rating it at 9.0 out of 10 stars…

Review of film: "LITTLE FOCKERS" (with Ben Stiller & Robert De Niro at odds over "proper" family dynamics)

Review of film:  “LITTLE FOCKERS”

This is the 3^rd in the series about a family (the Fockers) with “ECCENTRIC” in-laws... 

…  BEN STILLER plays Greg (Gaylord) Focker, head of a nursing department at a Chicago hospital.  His wife Pam (TERI POLO) is a loving and supportive companion who enjoys raising their twin “Little” Focker kids – smart & tall Samantha (DAISY TAHAN) who’s angry at Ben & not speaking to him, & her short, klutzy lizard-loving brother Henry (COLIN BAIOCCHI)…

…  Ben’s rich-but-nutty friend Kevin Rawley (OWEN WILSON) calls him from Europe via a computer connection, happily announcing that he’s met someone & intends to get married -- news which pleases his ex-lover Teri… 

…  Plans are under way for a 5^th-Birthday party for the kids--  but Ben is upset that his hired contractor Randy Weir (HARVEY KEITEL) has been doing a poor job getting his newly-bought place ready for the event…

…  At work, Ben meets a pretty drug company rep Andi Garcia (JESSICA ALBA) who wants him to tout her new sex-assisting product at an upcoming industry conference, but he’s undecided about the idea of doing it to improve his financial situation…

…  Speaking of sex, Ben’s mother Roz (BARBRA STREISAND) is happily running a sex-ADVICE show on TV (which tends to continue embarrassing Ben to a degree).  His equally-embarrassing sexually-open father Bernie (DUSTIN HOFFMAN) is busy following his own “muses” over in Europe…

…  As you may remember, Teri’s parents are the virtually-polar-OPPOSITES of Ben’s folks, with her ex-CIA-type investigator dad Jack Byrnes (ROBERT De NIRO) usually “UPTIGHT” about something, & his wife Dina (BLYTHE DANNER) keeps working to try to “calm” him down…

…  What’s got Robert especially upset are the actions of another son-in-law, Dr. Bob (THOMAS McCARTHY) who’s worked to leave his OTHER daughter.  That & other stresses start to cause Robert to have some HEART problems (which he naturally tries to “SELF-medicate”)…

…  All that has made Robert especially eager to find someone he can “trust” to eventually take-over “MANAGING” his extended family.  He is thus especially “dwelling” on BEN as a possibility for that “position”, which he grows to call a “GOD-Focker”…  He starts his usual tactic of secretly “INVESTIGATING” Ben when he & Blythe come to town for the upcoming Birthday party…

…  It should come as no “shock” to you that Robert’s “research” eventually learns of the existence of JESSICA in Ben’s life…  If that weren’t “confounding” enough, OWEN comes to town, & --  since his new love “dumped” him --, he’s now re-absorbed with the idea of TERI as a perfect “companion” for him (witness a new tattoo he’s gotten, etc.)…

…  Will anything be really “GOING-ON” between Ben & Jessica?...  Will Owen’s “assistance” help or actually HURT Ben & Teri’s attempts to get their kids into a ritzy private school run by Owen’s ex-lover Prudence (LAURA DERN)?... 

…  Will Robert’s intensity & obsessions cause more PROBLEMS in the Focker world?...  Will the arrival of Barbra & Dustin for the party cause even more “COMPLICATIONS” for the family dynamics?...    

…  There’s a lot of quite FUNNY scenes in the film.  Yes, there’s a bunch of “exaggerations”, but Ben plays his role “straight” (rather than just for “laughs”) & thus is a fine “FOIL” for Robert & the situations that arise with him & Jessica & the kids…  It would’ve been nice to have even more interactions with Barbra & Dustin, whose roles are somewhat small…

…  The cast all seem to be having a GOOD TIME with their roles, thus coming across as “enthusiastic” & believable with the often-swirling nuttiness…  For a sequel, it’s surprisingly EFFECTIVE--  & the ending might well presage a hoped-for ADDITIONAL continuation of the story (with an intensified “harping” / nagging / interference by the inlaws)…

…  It’s not a “great” comedy-- but it’s FUN, & thus I’m rating it 8 out of 10 stars…

Review of film: "GULLIVER'S TRAVELS" (with Jack Black playing the lead role )

Review of film:  “GULLIVER’S TRAVELS” in 3-D

In 1726, English – Irish writer Jonathan Swift wrote a satirical story called “GULLIVER’S TRAVELS”…  It’s not the kind of tale you’d ordinarily associate with comic actor JACK BLACK, but he has taken on the story as his latest project:

…  In this version, Lemuel Gulliver (BLACK) is not a surgeon, but rather in charge of a MAILROOM in an office.  He’s mild-mannered & un-assertive relationship-wise, & is afraid to ask Travel Editor Darcy Silverman (AMANDA PEET) out on a date as he’d secretly like to do…

…  Since he pretends to be a writer on travel subjects, she sends him to the Bermuda Triangle to do a story.  Horrible weather intervenes, & he’s washed ashore & taken prisoner in LILLIPUTIA, where the inhabitants are appropriately very tiny.  He rebels against General Edwards (CHRIS O’DOWD), but is shackled in a jail…

…  There, he meets fellow captive Horatio (JASON SEGAL), who (being Lilliputian) has a large crush (for a small person) on the Kingdom’s Princess Mary (EMILY BLUNT), who’s being courted by Chris…  As in the original story, Gulliver uses his big size (& technical knowledge) to help win a battle with the country’s aggressive neighbors from Blefuscu (also populated by diminutive people)…

…  The Lilliputian King Theodore (BILLY CONNOLLY) rewards Jack by building him very comfortable Black-size accommodations, & he starts to live the easy life (assisted by Jason, who he tries to encourage in his own pursuits re Emily)…

…  Chris gets jealous, starts to help the “bad guys”, & (in a modern touch) becomes a “SUPER-HERO” type character (based on some things Jack touted)…  That invasion gets Billy & his family put in jail by Blefuscun King Leopold (EMMANUEL QUATRA)…

…  Jack is eventually exiled to a land where the people are GIANTS compared to his size (ala Brobdingnag), & Jack is turned into a “plaything” for one of the inhabitants (“typically” ending up in a DRESS & the like)… 

…  When Amanda suddenly arrives (on a quest to “track-down” errant Jack), when Black learns of that, he starts to build up courage to resist the invaders & returns to Lilliput…

…  Will Jack succeed in his efforts to once again act “LARGE” in the world of the Small?...  Will he save his lady love?...  Will Jason thrive in his goals?...  Since Black is Black after all, will he try to turn the area into a tiny Kingdom of “ROCK” to bring “peace” to the area?…

…  Usually, I work to strongly avoid telling “TOO MUCH” about a movie, wanting people to be “surprised” by what they see overall…  But, I’m going to be atypical & (-- SPOILER alert!: -- ) tell you that the movie does NOT deal with Jack being in Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib, or the Country of the Houyhnhnms (with its distorted creatures called "YAHOOS")…  I hope that doesn’t “ruin” things for any of you!...

 

...  A reviewer friend of mine said he felt this film was one of the WORST he’s seen this year.  I don’t agree:  for a Jack Black film, it’s comparatively “RESTRAINED”, & actually follows some main elements of the ORIGINAL Swift story…

…  Please understand:  it’s NOT very funny overall, in that you’ll likely have --  at best -- only a handful of even “chuckles” in it.  In its own way, it’s kind of a “SERIOUS” effort by (Executive Producer) Black & his other main actors, with a “light” tone thrown in… 

…  While nothing exceptional, it’s a diverting little “Family” type film, not “raunchy” as a bunch of other movies (especially by Black), & thus I’m rating it as a 6.5 out of 10 stars…

Review of film: "HOW DO YOU KNOW" (re problems in relationships & life)

Review of film:  “HOW DO YOU KNOW”

Writer – Director JAMES BURROWS has a great history of fine work in situation comedies such as “CHEERS”, “TAXI”, “FRASIER” & “WILL & GRACE”.  This movie is his latest work.  Sadly, it’s nowhere near up to the quality of the TV shows mentioned…

…  Before I saw an advance screening of this film, I heard at least 2 people talk about the film.  The talk didn’t concern the work in the movie--  but rather the fact that the salaries for the director & major cast members alone accounted for like $ 50 million (= 1/2 or so) of the cost of making it, a frightening & to-me ridiculous amount in these times for a movie like this…   

…  Lisa Jorgenson (REESE WITHERSPOON) is a 27-year-old baseball player who works hard to try to get chosen as a member for the USA’s national female baseball team.  A teammate friend of hers feels it’d be good for her to know non-athlete men, & recommends that a businessman named George (PAUL RUDD) call her for a date.  He seems wacky  & makes a bad impression on her…

…  In her “everyday” life, Reese has been dating a supposed pitching phenom for the Washington Nationals team named Matty (OWEN WILSON).  Owen is a “SERIAL” dater, loving anonymous sex & a grade “F” FLAKE, who keeps talking about his supposed “growth” as shown by his new “attitudes” & way of “thinking” in life…

…  Reese supposedly is a “POSITIVE” thinker type, surrounding herself with Post-It notes with “constructive” thoughts all around her (even in the bathroom).  But, she doesn’t ACT optimistic at all, especially when she hears some discouraging news.  Why she “puts-up” with the meandering thoughts of Owen is a mystery, but she keeps going “BACK” to him…

…  Paul is a “HANDS-OFF” type of businessman--  not knowing what’s “going-on” around him, & not much caring.  His father Charles (JACK NICHOLSON) runs the company he works for, & is not very “supportive” when Paul learns he’s being threatened with problems by U.S. Government investigators.  The only one really sympathetic to him is his unmarried pregnant assistant Annie (KATHRYN HAHN)…

…  As things grow worse in life for Paul, he keeps contacting Reese, who eventually starts to spend a bit of time with him since she’s “on-&-off” with Owen in that period.  When Owen sees them together, he gets jealous, & things keep going “back-&-forth” in awkward relationships between the 3 of them…

…  Paul becomes clearly “TAKEN” with Reese as a possible partner in life, & his relationship grows increasingly complicated with his dad Jack (who’s usually “blustering” & posturing for his own well-being)…  

…  Will Reese “wake-up” to whether there’s a feasible “future” with Owen?...  Will Paul be able to ESCAPE problems with the government?...  Will Paul get closer to Jack?...  WHO will Reese choose to be with by the end of the movie?...

…  As a friend commented to me after we saw the advance screening, it was maddening the way the main characters were ALL so “WISHY-WASHY”, not clear what on earth they really WANTED in life… 

…  And that’s a major PROBLEM with this film:  it’s NOT particularly a “comedy” (which it’s being “sold” as):  there’s a bunch of underlying SERIOUS “observations” in the midst of the indecisive & vascillating actions of almost ALL the main characters…

…  The dialogue & characters are amazingly “WEAK” & UN-clever, with a strange LACK of real funniness (for someone with Burrows’ background)… The only really amusing & “effective” character is pregnant assistant Kathryn… 

…  Owen is unbelievable as a “pitcher”, massively self-centered, & more ODD & FOOLISH than funny in demeanor & attitude, & it’s almost “insulting” to think that supposedly “with-it” Reese would keep PUTTING-UP with him… Virtually ANYONE could have played the role that Jack has, since it’s so ineffectually written…

…  But, to me, the problem is the SCRIPT--  the main actors (all of whom I quite LIKE overall from their past work) do what they “can” with the role they’ve been given… Did the STUDIO (financial backers) tend to issue “demands” in how the film was made?...

…  Whatever the “cause” for the final product, while it’s not a “bad” film (in that it’s got some decent “sensitive” elements), it’s sadly FAR from anything really “good”, & thus I’m rating it at only 6.5 stars out of 10…

Review of film: "TRON: LEGACY" (with Jeff Bridges reprising his role from the original)

Review of film:  “TRON:  LEGACY” (in 3-D)

In 1982, JEFF BRIDGES starred as  computer expert Kevin Flynn in a Disney sci-fi film called “TRON” about his being abducted into a computer where he’s forced to play life-altering games.  At the time, it was ground-breaking in its use of computer-style graphics --  although, at that time, the big name in such games was “ATARI”…

…  The world of CGI has changed mightily since the original film--  & that’s brought strongly to mind by the “SEQUEL” that Disney has put together entitled “TRON: LEGACY”…  This new film is equally innovative as the original, with stop-motion electronic-dot techniques (seen in Zemeckis’ “Polar-Express” & “A Christmas Carol”) used on Jeff to cause his “CLU” character to be UN-aged 30 or so years from his current look…

…  The film starts with Jeff from the “OLD” film talking to his son Sam before Jeff “disappears” from his life…  Then, the time quickly shifts to the present where his now-27-year-old son (GARRETT HEDLUND) energetically (& “unlawfully”) follows his dad’s old ways in trying to make software easily available to the “MASSES” (which deeply upsets the CEO of his dad’s old firm)…

…  Encouraged by his dad’s old co-worker friend Alan Bradley (BRUCE BOXLEITNER), Garrett goes back to his dad’s old long-deserted place of business.  There, he discovers some UNKNOWN areas & is himself drawn into the computer “GRID” world his father had experimented with…

…  Thus starts a fast-paced, ACTION-filled, visually-stunning excursion into the world of computer evildoers working to force people into competing like “GLADIATORS”…  The orange-striped “controllers” of the games are “Programmers”--  & Garrett (as a white-striped “USER” known as an “UNknown”) soon finds himself scrambling for his life…

…  In charge of the programmers is the character named “CLU” (JEFF in younger form)-- who looks like Garrett’s father, but who is really a wicked computerized “version” of him…  His associate (seemingly named Jarvis, played by JAMES FRAIN) eagerly follow’s Clu’s bidding…

…  Garrett is forced into competing with “light-streaked” motorcycle-like computer representations…  In time, he meets a car-driving female character named Quorra (OLIVIA WILDE), who leads him out of the computer-Grid area to a “safe” zone where his REAL father resides in “aged” Zen-like form…

…  This begins an involved segment wherein Jeff, Garrett & Olivia try to STOP the machinations of “CLU” & his henchmen such as a sycophantic “manager” named Castor (MICHAEL SHEEN)…  Eventually, the original Tron (played by BRUCE) reappears…

…  Will CLU get domination of the “disc” controlled by Jeff’s matured “Kevin” character, which would allow CLU to gain enough power to RULE the world?...  Whose side will TRON be on in the clashes that ensue?... What will happen to Garrett & Olivia in the conflicts?...  Will there be a set-up for a possible ADDITIONAL sequel?...

…  Jeff Bridges has been doing some unusually memorable work lately, what with this film & “TRUE GRIT” (which was filmed AFTER “TRON”)…  And, amazingly, he’s been in talks to reprise still another of his roles, via making “DUANE’S DEPRESSED” -- the third part of Larry McMurtry’s novel series that resulted in “THE LAST PICTURE SHOW” & its sequel “TEXASVILLE” done 20 years after the 1^st Bogdanovich movie in the cycle...  

…  I saw the 3-D version of his thrilling “TRON: LEGACY” film.  It’s MARVELOUS in its vigorous & amazing visual special effects & its powerful soundtrack.  Considering the type of film, the acting by all its stars is nuanced and excellent, leading to a JAW-DROPPINGLY effective sci-film experience…

…  As four computer-technician friends of mine commented, it’s “CUTTING-EDGE” type work… Thus, for its outstanding effectiveness in its genre, I give this film 9.5 out of 10 stars.  

Review of film: "TRUE GRIT" (with Jeff Bridges as "Rooster Cogburn")

Review of film:  “TRUE GRIT”

In 1969, longtime movie star JOHN WAYNE won his only OSCAR for a film role by playing a drunken “two-handed shooter” in a film called “TRUE GRIT”.  It was a memorable performance, although many felt the award was mainly given as a “lifetime achievement” honor…  (He later performed with legend Kathryn Hepburn in a “reprise” of his role, in 1975’s “Rooster Cogburn”)…

…  The Coen brothers have RE-MADE the basic “TRUE GRIT” film for a “modern” audience, tho it kept the idea of using very “formal” dialogue circa the late 1800’s.  The awkwardness of the dialogue made the 1969 version pretty “hard-to-take” in many ways--  but this new version manages to give a good “CONVERSATIONAL” tone to it, & that helps it come across as quite FUNNY at times…

…  In this new version, Mattie Ross (HAILEE STEINFELD) is a 14-year-old girl whose beloved father has just been killed by an outlaw named Tom Chaney (JOSH BROLIN).  She’s wise and tough beyond her years, & simply won’t accept the way the town of Fort Smith, Arkansas has allowed Josh to get away scott-free…

… Hailee toughly bargains with horse-trader Colonel Stonehill (DAKIN MATTHEWS) to get enough money to personally hire an old eye-patched marshall named Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (JEFF BRIDGES) to find Josh so she can kill him…  He’s uneager to get involved, but needs the money— mainly to build-up his supply of WHISKEY, which seems to be his main interest in life…

…  A Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf (MATT DAMON) comes to town, also wanting to catch Josh because he’s wanted for killing a State Senator back home.  He’s keen to capture Josh alive, in order to get a big REWARD that’s been posted on him…  After initially agreeing to work with Jeff, since they’re working at opposite purposes (& Matt doesn’t want to allow Hailee to come WITH them as she wants), the lawmen eventually go their separate ways…

…  Josh is pursued into what was then the Indian territory (now Oklahoma), where he apparently has joined up with OTHER lawbreakers including a gang run by Lucky Ned Pepper (BARRY PEPPER)…

Jeff, Hailee & Matt keep having encounters & “tussles” with various inhabitants of the area, and they’re frequently violent in nature (to the point of being deadly & “final”)…

…  Will Jeff eventually FIND Josh?  Will Hailee have her wish of being able to KILL him for what he’s done to her family?...  Will “Lucky Ned” REMAIN lucky, or will “true grit” by his pursuers rule the day?...  Will Hailee escape the perils she HERSELF faces (from wild animals & others)?...  What will “postscripts” show happen to various of the main characters after the “basic” CHASE ends?...

…  I found this film to be a real PLEASURE:  Jeff & Hailee were EXCEPTIONAL in their lead roles, & Matt (in a somewhat “quieter” role) also does a fine job (as do Josh & Barry in much smaller roles).  The “stilted” type dialogue actually “WORKED”, giving a real “mood” and humor to the “Old West” proceedings…

…  Thus, for the finely-crafted enjoyment it brings, I’m rating this film at 9.0 out of 10 stars…  Go SEE the “Rooster” crow at daylite (or even nitetime)!

Review of film: “THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER”

Review of film:  

“THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: 

THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER”

Well, the kids are “at” it again in this 3^rd “NARNIA” film …  Susan Pevensie (ANNA POPPLEWELL) & her brother Peter (WILLIAM MOSELEY) are seen just in “passing” (probably because they’ve aged a lot for the story-telling).  Lucy (GEORGIE HENLEY) seems almost obsessed with her sister, & Edmund (SKANDAR KEYNES) is the only character regularly emitting sort of “common-sense” thru much of the movie…

…  The “new” main person in the group is their cousin Eustace Scrubb (WILL POULTER) --  an obnoxious sort of “hater” who denies the existence of Narnia, regularly “puts down” Georgie & Skandar, & is a deceptive lying troublemaker thru much of the film…

…  In looking at a painting of the “Dawn Treader” Narnian ship, the three cousins are transported back to the world of Narnia, and rescued from the ocean by a scruffy-ish Prince Caspian (BEN BARNES) who was traveling on the boat they’d been looking at…

…  The talking mouse Reepicheep (voiced by SIMON PEGG) works to try to teach valuable lessons to Will…  In time, the ship ends up at what appears to be a deserted island--  but the inhabitants are really being held under the control of a series of SLAVERS who are selling people into bondage.  Georgie, Skandar, Will & Ben are captured by the evil-doers, & need to be rescued by their shipmates… 

…  That starts a “quest” by the Treaders to find where Narnian Lords have been taken by the “baddies”, involving the questers having to gather a series of seven special SWORDS to effect control over “dark” elements that are causing problems in the area…

…  The “Treader” group deals with Drinian (GARY SWEET) & Coriakin (BILLE BROWN), & meet various bizarre characters that have 1 leg, or fly thru the air as dragons or live in the sea (as an evil serpent), & those interactions (& clashes) cause the main characters to eventually “GROW” as people…

…  Naturally, there will be appearances by lion Aslan (voiced by LIAM NEESON) and the seductive evil White Witch (TILDA SWINTON) as temptations “roar” & “fly” over the group…

…  Will the kids be able to triumph over the “baddies”?...  Will they succeed in gathering the necessary swords?...  Will one or more of them go off with Aslan?...  Who will be set-up to be left OFF as major characters in the potential “next” Narnia film, & who will be set-up as the likely “main” character in it?...

…  It’s an “involved” story--  but the “Treader” movie sadly comes across as sort of a “RE-Tread” of the previous two.  There are some very good SPECIAL EFFECTS (even in “2-D”, which is the version I saw); but the story & script are weak, with a bunch of “wasted” scenes & certain boring stretches… 

…  Kids may enjoy the “fantastical” nature of the story, but I doubt if they’ll be very “excited” by the final product.  It’s sort of an “Ehh—” (nothing-“special”) movie, & thus I’m rating it as just 7.25 stars out of 10…

Review of film: "THE TOURIST" (with Jolie & Depp in a chase thriller)

Review of film “THE TOURIST”

In 2005, a French movie named “ANTHONY ZIMMER” was released.  Some of the basic plot ideas in that film (directed by Jérôme Salle) have been utilized in a new American REMAKE called“THE TOURIST”…

…  As the new film starts, law enforcement men in Paris are monitoring the movements of a strikingly beautiful woman named Elise Clifton-Ward (ANGELINA JOLIE).  It soon becomes clear that this is an international effort, because they report to a British agent in London named Acheson (PAUL BETTANY), who instructs them on just what he wants done regarding her…  One of Paul’s bosses is named Jones (TIMOTHY DALTON), a man who leads a “shadowy” existence…

…  When a mysterious note is delivered to Angelina at a restaurant, a lot of police actions are initiated.  We learn that she’s being followed not only by the law enforcement agencies, but by a bunch of vicious THUGS under the command of Ivan Demidov (a/k/a a name like “Shaw”, played by STEVEN BERKOFF)… 

…  Even more important, none of them really want HER--  they want her to lead them to a MAN she used to be romantically involved with, since he’d been involved in some high-stakes monetary machinations… 

…  Angelina works to follow the instructions in the note she got, & purposely picks out someone to associate with who looks a bit like her EX-LOVER, so as to “throw-off” the groups she knows are following her.  The guy she chooses is a scruffy, bearded math teacher named Frank Tupelo (JOHNNY DEPP), who’s overwhelmed but pleased at her apparent “interest” in him…

…  All this leads up to an increasingly frenetic series of CHASE scenes (on land & on the canals of Venice), deceptions, murder attempts, and a fascinating bunch of TWISTS & TURNS of plot & characters…     

…  WHY are the police & thugs so interested in Angelina’s ex-lover?...  Is she an unusually adept “innocent”, or has she had some TRAINING in the planning & escape techniques she keeps utilizing?... 

…  Why does she continue having contact with JOHNNY, when the police have clearly come to the conclusion she’s misled them & that he’s NOT the ex-lover they wanted her to lead them to?...  Why does Johnny keep going out of his way to COOPERATE with Angelina, when his life keeps being put in DANGER?...  Is the “chemistry” there REAL?...

…  Will Angelina lead them to the real EX-LOVER?...  Is it the ex-lover -- or something he HAS -- that the police & Ivan really want?... Will the THUGS “get” to Angelina or Johnny?...  Will the COPS get to them?...  What’s going to happen “BETWEEN” all the characters?!...

…  There’s a lot of questions that will be ANSWERED in this quick-moving, fascinating thriller…  It’s classy, CLEVER in its plot twists & ideas, well paced & very WELL-ACTED between the main characters… 

…  The movie is not “ground-breaking” in any way, & you could “belittle” it on some points of logic like how a [693-mile] train ride from Paris to Venice could ever be concluded over the length of a “dinner” meal… 

…  But, because of the overall EFFECTIVENESS of the film, I’m rating it as a “FUN” ride of 8.75 out of 10 stars…

Review of film "THE FIGHTER" ( about 2 boxers in a family )

Review of film:  “THE FIGHTER”

I know this may come as a “shock” to you--  but this is a movie based on a “TRUE STORY” (as most seem to be this year!)…  Almost as surprising is, it’s really WELL-DONE…

…  “The Pride of Lowell”.  That’s a title that was given to 20-year-old Massachusetts boxer Dickie Eklund when he fought famed Sugar Ray Leonard in 1978 & supposedly knocked him out.  As the movie starts, a much older Dickie (played by CHRISTIAN BALE) is eagerly TELLING people the story of that event…

…  Dickie --  nearly “bouncing-off-the-walls” --  tells a camera crew (which he believes is filming the story of his life & his planned “COMEBACK” in boxing) how great he was, & how he now [as of 1985] was also helping out his (much quieter & more reserved) half-brother Micky Ward (MARK WAHLBERG) in his OWN boxing career…

…  But, there are PROBLEMS a-plenty:  Mark’s career has been run by his very aggressive & close-minded mother Alice Ward (MELISSA LEO), whose main concerns seem to be what SHE wants done in life.  Most of her 6 Eklund daughters seem to parrot what Melissa says & does (while the one Ward daughter tends to be on Mark’s side)… 

…  Her husband George (JACK McGEE) clearly sees how her actions are HURTING Mark & his career, but he finds it hard to get his thoughts across to his self-absorbed & often-violent wife… His “corner” man (a policeman friend of the family) also sees that Christian is an UNRELIABLE person to supposedly be “training” Mark, & doesn’t even want him around Mark in the gym…

…  Little-by-little, we see WHY Jack & the cop don’t trust Christian & keep trying to point out to Mark how he’s UNRELIABLE:  he’s become a DRUG ADDICT & CRIMINAL (in part to support his habit), & the camera crew is NOT filming the story of his “comeback”--  they’re really filming a documentary titled “HIGH ON CRACK STREET:  LIVES LOST IN LOWELL”…

…  Mark is shown to be a sincere, honest & good-hearted guy, often trying to spend time with a tweenish daughter he’d had with an ex-girlfriend…  In a bar, he chances to meet a smart & tough barmaid named Charlene Fleming (AMY ADAMS), who – after being hesitant with him at first--  realizes his good qualities & accepts his growing romantic interest in her…

…  Since Amy wants to see good things happen for Mark, that puts her at “loggerheads” with his mom Melissa, since Amy keeps encouraging Mark that it’d be best for him to get AWAY from having his mother & Christian involved with his career, as they’re HURTING him overall…  That forceful position also causes friction with the low-life Eklund sisters…

…  The film delves deeply into the relationships of the family -- especially the half-brothers --, & the TRAINING that Mark undergoes after Christian is sent “AWAY” & after he returns & tries to get re-involved in Mark’s boxing career…  There are numerous details about the FIGHTS Mark endures, & what happens between the various characters…

…  Will Christian ever get his life in “ORDER”?...  Will Melissa ever accept AMY as someone who’s important to Mark?...  Will Mark ever WIN any fights?...  Will he get close to the CHAMPIONSHIP he covets?...  What will happen between him & Amy?...

…  In certain ways, you’ve “seen” the BASIC idea of this story before--  the “Rocky”-like way a disrespected boxer tries to move UP in the world professionally & personally…  But, what’s special in this (besides the fine cinematography) is the ACTING:

…  Christian Bale gives another EXCEPTIONAL performance, & is deserving of an OSCAR-nomination for his work.  The same is also true for MELISSA’s (supporting) work as the oblivious, self-centered mother, & AMY for her forceful & serious work as the girlfriend…  Mark’s performance is enormously good, but it’s a purposely-“understated” (comparatively “quiet” & “mild”) role compared to the others mentioned…

…  Because of the fine work in the film, I’m grading it as 8.75 out of 10 stars…

Review of film: "THE WARRIOR'S WAY" (about Ninjas in the American Old West)

Review of film:  “THE WARRIOR’S WAY”

This Korean film (done in English & created partly in New Zealand) is a “conglomeration” of numerous genres, quasi-plots & ideas from past movies...

...  Mash together elements of “Once Upon A Time In the West”with “Crouching Tiger” with “Carny” & “Shanghai Noon”, & what do you get?  This film, & --  to use a “technical” term -- a MISH-MOSH… 

…  As the movie starts, Ninja-like warrior Yang (played by DONG-GUN JANG) is fighting and, in a ballet-like massacre, dispatching all of his enemies from a certain clan, except for a baby that he lets live.  For some unclear reason, he decides to cross the ocean to a sand-infused town called Lode in the American Old West…

…  The town is a ramshackle gathering place for a bunch of “ALTERNATIVE” types:  the people there are close-minded, often unfriendly, but seemingly happy to have a bunch of CARNIVAL performers there because they keep trying to “promote” the settlement by working to construct a FERRIS WHEEL they hope will draw tourists.  (That thus places the time period sometime after 1893 when the first Ferris Wheel was constructed in Chicago for the Columbian Exposition World’s Fair there)…

…  The “leader” of the carnies is a “height-challenged” man (known then as a dwarf) called “Eight-Ball” (TONY COX). There are clowns, a mime, a bearded-lady, and other “typical” denizens of the Old West including a perpetually-drunk old guy who I think was named Billy (CARL BLAND)…

…  When Yang comes to town, he’s searching for an old friend named “Smiley”--  who (naturally) ran the LAUNDRY in town & has passed away.  He’s encouraged to learn how to take over his shop by a perky & pretty young woman named Lynne (KATE BOSWORTH), who also wants him to teach her how to handle KNIVES (& swords) in a non-culinary way…

…  The reason she wants to learn such a “martial art” is because members of her family had been killed by a bully named the Colonel (DANNY HUSTON) who frequently came by to ravage the town (& its females)...

...  It’d be easier (& probably more effective) to learn to SHOOT, but she for some reason prefers to learn knife-wielding (possibly because she wants to be a “YIN” to get her “closer” to Yang!)…

…  Being on the forefront of “technology”, Lynne regularly plays opera for Yang on an old GRAMOPHONE device that played flat disc records…  Bit-by-bit, the two grow closer, & they in time recruit townspeople to try to fight the Colonel who keeps assaulting the town…  Naturally, some other NINJAS appear “flying” thru the air towards the end of the “plot”…

…  Will the town be able to fight off the Colonel & his evil men?...  Whose “side” are the NINJAS on?...  Will the carnies and the Ferris wheel play a part in the story?... 

…  Will most of the “good guys” remain “standing” (or its equivalent) by the end of the film (which is narrated at times byGEOFFREY RUSH playing a character named Ron)?...  Will Yang & Lynne get “together” at the conclusion, or will things grow very “COLD” for one or both of them?...

…  There are some interesting “ideas” & some decent SPECIAL EFFECTS (from Weta & others) in this. Unfortunately, they DON’T “WORK” all that well “together”.  While Kate & Danny are “animated” in their roles, Dong-gun and various others are doggone “uncommunicative” a lot of the time, & there’s a bunch that comes across as “pointless” (& tedious)…

….  Mainly for its ATTEMPT at being “creative” (rather than for how “effective” it was), I’ll rate this film a 6 out of 10 stars (with a “caution” to not expect very much from it)…

Review of Disney's animated film "TANGLED" ( about the RAPUNZEL story )

Review of film:  “TANGLED”

This film has quite a “history”:  Its original story goes back more than 1000 years, to a Persian tale about a character called “Rudaba” written around 1000 AD by Ferdowsi in a book named “Shahnameh”…

…  After various transitions, the story became a fairy tale published in 1698 by French writer Charlotte-Rose de Caumont de La Force, under the name “Persinette”.  That was freely adapted by the Brothers Grimm (Jacob & Wilhelm) in their 1812 German book “Children’s and Household Tales”…

…  You will probably be familiar with it by its best known line:  “RAPUNZEL, Rapunzel, let down your hair!...”--  which has been re-titled “TANGLED” for the movie in question…

…  Film-wise, this is the 50^th theatrical release by the Walt Disney Animation Studios (the first of which was “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937).  Supposedly, it’s the LAST such Disney animated “Princess” film its live animators are to work on (tho their “Winnie the Pooh” effort is scheduled for release 7-15-11, and “King Of the Elves” is listed as a release some time after that)…

…  As you see, the “history” is “TANGLED”, just like the release title of this film.  The story itself uses ELEMENTS of the original stories, with a number of significant changes regarding the raising and life of Rapunzel.  But, what matters to me is how EFFECTIVE the overall effort is:

…  In this version, an old woman named Mother Gothel (voiced by DONNA MURPHY) has discovered a magic plant that has the ability to keep her forever YOUNG.  But, the plant is discovered by some guards of a king & queen & taken to the royals for use by their newly-born daughter…

…  The plant affects the child, & its magic then resides in her golden hair.  Knowing that the hair can rejuvenate her, Mothel Gothel STEALS the child --  re-named as Rapunzel (voiced by MANDY MOORE) -- & imprisons her in a Tower for her own revitalization purposes.  The king & queen celebrate the child’s original birthday every year, & keep trying to find her…

…  At one point, 3 crooks try to steal something from the king’s castle.  The “brains” of the group is an acerbic self-centered young guy named Flynn Rider (voiced by ZACHARY LEVI), and the brawn consists of the twin Stabbington brothers (voiced by RON PERLMAN)… 

…  The crooks are pursued by the Captain of the Guard (voiced by (M.C. GAINEY) & his horse “Maximus” the latter whom grows to have a special aversion to Flynn who keeps getting away from him throughout the film…  When the Stabbingtons want the stolen item for themselves, Flynn tries to run away & chances to find the Tower that RAPUNZEL lives in…

…  Disney has created a bunch of CLEVERLY designed characters.  Mother Gothel is smarmy & deceptive as she works to mislead innocent Rapunzel.  She sings a lot & works hard to hide the truths from Rapunzel, who has only a chameleon lizard named “PASCAL” to “talk” to besides the mother in her Tower world…

…  Rapunzel considers Flynn an invader, treats him accordingly & hides the object he’s stolen from the king (tho she doesn’t really know what it respresents).  She won’t give the object back to him unless her takes her on a trip AWAY from the Tower, which he reluctantly agrees to do…

…  As they travel around, Flynn takes her to an inn populated by a bunch of memorable “rabble-rouser” characters, including Big Nose Thug (voiced by JEFFREY TAMBOR), Hook-Hand Thug (voiced by BRAD GARRETT), Short Thug (PAUL F. THOMPKINS) & Vlad (voiced by RICHARD KIEL, who played the giant “Jaws” in the James bond film “Moonraker”)…

…  The characters at the “Duckling” tavern are wonderfully realized, both drawing-wise and personality-wise, particularly in a lengthy scene where they SING about what they’d like to do in life & also later in the film… 

…  Typical of Disney animation, the characters (especially the main ones) are EXCELLENTLY drawn, with a fine “life-like” smoothness & movement (as opposed to the highly-exaggerated “angular” bodies and “jerky” motion often seen from other studios at times).  The animals Pascal & Maximus are important characters here, thanks to the fine illustrations & “personalities” given them by the artists…

 …  Disney has turned to one of its best composers, ALAN MENKEN (who contributed to “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty & the Beast” & “Aladdin”) to provide a number of the film’s chipper songs such as “Mother Knows Best” (sung by the Mother Gothel character) and “When Will My Life Begin”…

…  Will witch Mother Gothel discover where Rapunzel has gone, &, if so, will she be able to STOP her plans?...  Will the Stabbingtons or others catch-up to Flynn?...  Will Rapunzel let down her hair “TOO MUCH” in certain ways?...  Will magic be able to SAVE characters we’ve grown to care about?...

…  I got a big kick out of this work:  It’s sly without being devious, its dialogue is “real” rather than “sappy” or “double-entendred”, its musical numbers are enjoyable (and move the plot along), its story is effective & heartening, and its animation & effects are EXCELLENT.  Thus, I give it 9 out of 10 stars…

One note:  while this film was released in two formats, I decided to see it in “2-D” rather than in its 3-D version.  AMC has gone from a $ 2.50 surcharge for 3-D films (supposedly for the cheap supposedly-recycled glasses) to $ 3 & now its gone up to $ 4.  I find that surcharge to be a RIP-OFF in general (particularly as a percentage of the “base” cost), & did NOT care to pay that difference for this... 

…  The 2-D version was wonderfully colorful & enjoyable, & I find it hard to believe the 3-D version would have been worth the extra surcharge.  I feel 3-D can add a good deal to CERTAIN movies (such as “AVATAR”)--  tho it’s seldom used very effectively in most such releases lately, & the movie chains may be “POISONING” a “golden goose” by their money-grabbing actions…