Review of film: “THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS”

2009, 11-09

Review of film:  “THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS”

Director:

Grant Heslov.

Writers:

Jon Ronson (book)

Peter Straughan (screenplay)

Starring:

George Clooney

Ewan McGregor

Jeff Bridges

Kevin Spacey

Stephen Lang

Robert Patrick

Waleed Zuaiter

Stephen Root

Glenn Morshower

Nick Offerman

Tim Griffin

Rebecca Mader

Jacob Browne

Todd La Tourrette

Brad Grunberg

MPAA Rating:

Rated R for language, some drug content and brief nudity.

Quotes:

“I’m a journalist.”

“I’ve been reactivated. I’m on a MISSION.”

“We have to dream a new America.”

“You will be a psychic weapon.”

“We fight with our mind.”

“The hooker thing is definitely a lie!”

MY Rating: 

Rating:  7 of 10 stars (based on an advance screening of the 94-minute film) .

                               HIPPY-DIPPY ANIMAL “MAGNETISM”

This is (once again) a story that’s supposedly based on some “TRUE” elements--  most of which are somewhat strange.  Reporter Bob Wilton (played by EWAN MCGREGOR) wants to get away from reminders of his failed marriage...

...  He chances to meet an Army special agent Lyn Cassady (GEORGE CLOONEY) who reveals how he once belonged to a secret detachment whose goal was to use PSYCHIC & “PARANORMAL” (rather than military) means to end wars…

…  George tells him the history of the group— about the flower-carrying instructor of the unit, Bill Django (played by JEFF BRIDGES), & how he worked with Brigadier Gen’l Dean Hopgood (STEPHEN LANG) to try to train OTHERS (like George) to develop their psychic & metaphysical powers to control others and be able to do things such as “passing” thru walls…

…  If it sounds akin to an outfit being run by a HIPPY-like person, that’s pretty much what it boils down to.  There’s also an antagonist in the outfit named Larry Hooper (KEVIN SPACEY) who himself wants to control the unit…

…  One of the “proofs” of the psych power of the guys was an ability to “kill” other creatures (such as goats) by simply strongly STARING at them, & George at one point relates the story of his own efforts at that…

…  Ewan is fascinated by all he hears, & urges George to reveal more to him.  As the two interact, they at one point start to meet up with the then-“CURRENT” versions of the guys talked about – Jeff, Kevin, etc. --  who are now involved in plans to use their powers in the IRAQ conflict…

…  This is a COMEDY, but of a “situational” type rather than with a bunch of funny lines.  The actors seem to be clearly having FUN with their roles, & acting “straight” (seriously in their characterizations) rather than “over-the-top” (exaggerating their naturally-somewhat-hard-to-believe parts)…

…  But, while generally humorous, it’s fairly silly, isn’t all that hilarious, & that’s why I’ve rated it more as a mild “diversion” (with some “different-than-usual” characters) than as anything special… 

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2009, 10-24:

Review of film:  “TINKER BELL AND THE LOST TREASURE”

 

Director:

Klay Hall

Writer:

Evan Spiliotopoulos

Starring (voices of):

Kristin Chenoweth  ...         Rosetta (voice)

Jesse McCartney     ...         Terence (voice)

Mae Whitman           ...         Tinker Bell (voice)

Lucy Liu                    ...          Silvermist (voice)

Pamela Adlon          ...         Vidia (voice)

Raven-Symoné        ...         Iridessa (voice)

Anjelica Huston       ...         Queen Clarion (voice)

John Di Maggio        ...         Minister of Autumn

Grey DeLisle            ...          Lyria / Viola / Narrator (voice)

Jane Horrocks          ...         Fairy Mary (voice)

Jeff Bennett             ...          Clank / Short Troll / Fairy Gary (voice)

Rob Paulsen                       ...          Bobble / Tall Troll / Owl (voice)

Roger Craig Smith   ...         Bolt / Stone (voice)

Bob Bergen              ...          Bugs / Creatures (voice)

Thom Adcox-Hernandez    ...         Flint (voice)

Angela Bartys           ...         Fawn

Eliza Pollack Zebert            ...         Blaze (voice)

Allison Roth             ...          French Fairy

MPAA Rating:

Generally G.

Quotes:

MY Rating: 

7 of 10 stars (based on an advance screening of a direct-to-DVD movie lasting around 81 minutes).

       PETER PAN WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD OF THE GROWTH SHOWN

            This film represents an “UPGRADED” & modernized image for Peter Pan’s helper, with adjunct work by Disney’s Pixar group + animation work seemingly done by a bunch of people in India.  Please understand, it was made for KIDS (many of whom were at the full-house screening), & I’m rating it accordingly (as to its success at “reaching” its intended audience).

            …  As to the story:  There’s a Fall harvest Festival coming up, & Tink (voiced by MAE WHITMAN) is given an assignment by Fairy Queen Clarion (ANJELICA HUSTON) to design a special scepter for the event, using a rare Blue Moon globe (entrusted to her by Fairy Mary – played by JANE HORROCKS) to create it in order to hopefully produce a specially powerful Blue Fairy Dust…   

            …  Tink’s fairy friend Terence (JESSE McCARTNEY) tries very hard to help her with the design and production of the scepter, but Tink proves very impatient, somewhat spoiled & prone to blame OTHERS for problems she herself helps cause…

            …  At times, she talks to other fairies such as Silvermist (LUCY LIU), Rosetta (KRISTIN CHENOWETH), Iridessa (RAVEN-SYMONE), the Minister of Autumn (JOHN DIMAGGIO), & others. 

            …  Does Tink learn to accept HELP from Terence & others?...  Does she find the “Lost Treasure”, & does that enable her to finish the partially-done scepter?...  Does she GROW as an elfin spirit?...  The movie will answer those questions (& more)…

            …  The animation is colorful & well done in an enjoyable way, with rounded, “NATURAL” looking faces & movements (rather than the less-pleasant “angular” looks & budget-style movements)…

            …  While it’s nothing great or particularly “special” as a film, it has some bits of humor, a pleasant group of songs and soundtrack elements, plus a charming, gentle little story;  and thus -- for kids --  it’s an effective little movie.

  (o_
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Review of film: “MADE IN CHINA” [ from 45th CIFF ]

Review of film:  “MADE IN CHINA”   [ from 45^th CIFF = Chicago Int'l. Film Festival  ]

  --  But will it be WELL-Made or made in TIME for success?!

            Rating: 7 of 10 stars.  

Playing at CIFF on 10-09-09 @ 5:45 PM;  10-11 @ 8:00 PM;  & 10-13 @ 4:00 PM.

This comic film happily celebrates the NOVELTIES that became popular in America--  the SLINKY, CHATTERING TEETH, the PET ROCK, 1956’s ANT FARM & others that put a smile on our faces…

…  JACKSON KUEHN plays a young man who comes up with an idea for a new novelty, & eagerly goes to China to try to link up with a company that would agree to make the product that he hopes will help make him a RICH man…

…  But, in China, he’s unable to find the “contact” guy James Choi that he PAID in advance for a hotel room & introduction to manufacturers.  He chances to meet a seemingly well-connected Westerner & tries to get HIM to help with his project…

…  But, having been “scammed” before, Jackson remains secretive about his “humorous domestic hygiene product” invention. His connection guy keeps having him run around from one place to another, & nothing seems to go quite right…

…  Is he being scammed AGAIN?  Will he make the connections he needs to get his product made?  What IS the product? Will he find romance on the way?  Will a famous American help his product SUCCEED in the business world?...

…  Tune in to this charming light-hearted romp (directed by Judi Krant) & let the whimsy wash over you!   

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Report # 3 on 45th Chicago Int’l Film Festival = Reviews of 4 films

Report # 3 on 45^th  CIFF = Chicago Int'l. Film Festival  = Reviews of 4 films

 

Here’s some “thumbnail” reviews & comments (My Report # 3) about various movies about to be shown at the Chicago Int’l Film Festival at the AMC21 theaters:

See my SEPARATE Reviews for:

   “ THE ATHLETE ”

   “ MADE IN CHINA ”

   “ MAMMOTH ”

   “ THE REVENANT ” …

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Review of film: “WHIP IT!”

[ 2009, 09-29: ]

 

Review of film:  “WHIP IT!” 

     --  Don’t skip it if you want a Snippet of Skating Fun.

     Rating:  7 of 10 stars (based on an advance screening).

Besides directing her first film here, DREW BARRYMORE also cast herself as one of the Roller Derby skaters performing in Austin, TX.  The star of the film is ELLEN PAGE as 17-year-old Bliss, who works as a waitress with her friend Pash (ALIA SHAWKAT)…

…  Ellen has no great goals in life, but she knows she DOESN’T want to follow in the footsteps of her mother (MARCIA GAY HARDEN) who pushes her to be a Beauty Show contestant as she was.  Her sports-loving father (DANIEL STERN) tends to be more supportive of her…

…  Ellen chances to go with Alia to a ROLLER DERBY in town, &, fascinated by it, decides to keep it from her parents that she’s secretly trying out for a SPOT on the perennially-losing Scouts team…

…  She’s their fastest skater, & assumes an aggressive “stage” name “Babe” (like KRISTEN WIIG is “Maggie Mayhem”, ZOE BELL is “Bloody Holly”, DREW is “Smashley Simpson”, JULIETTE LEWIS is “Iron Maven”, ARI GRAYNOR is “Eva Destruction”, & the coach “Razor” is played by ANDREW WILSON)…

…  Bit by bit, the team starts to improve thanks to Ellen. She has a romantic interlude with handsome band singer Oliver (LANDON PIGG), & there’s a not-unexpected confrontation with her parents when they find out what she’d been doing with her time…

…  Overall, while some might find it a bit ‘fluffy’, it’s an enjoyable coming-of-age type film, altho Ellen starts out as almost overly “delicate” as a character & the script is frequently somewhat weak…

…  As a lady friend commented to me, the film was clearly aimed at WOMEN more than men, & is basically accurate in the way it portrays Ellen as a young woman who works hard to AVOID being just the person her mother is, & to show her “independence” as she grows up.

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Review of film: “KATE AND LEOPOLD”

09-11-09:

Review of film:  “KATE AND LEOPOLD”

–  Sometimes, people “OUT of their time” fit in BETTER than those who “belong” =

Rating:  7 of 10 stars  (based on a DVD shown at a local library). =

 

Leopold, the English Duke of Albany (HUGH JACKMAN), is visiting New York in 1876 to view the creation of the Brooklyn Bridge and try to find a rich woman to marry so he could relieve his family’s indebtedness…

…  Since he fancied himself an inventor (& was working on a prototype for an elevator), he’s intrigued when he sees a man (Stuart, played by LIEV SCHREIBER) in the crowd who appears to be furtively using unknown devices such as a miniature camera and small self-contained pen. When he chases Liev, they suddenly fall & disappear thru a time-rift into a MODERN-DAY period, the devices of which (cars, TVs, etc.) amaze Hugh…

…  At one point, marketing wizard Kate (MEG RYAN) comes up into the apartment of Liev who was her ex-boyfriend, & is “taken” with the unusually gallant, courteous demeanor of Hugh, who she urges to appear in a commercial for her firm…

…  Her visiting brother Charlie (BRECKIN MEYER) becomes Hugh’s friend, is helped by him, & tries to encourage a romance with his sister…

…  It’s charming, humorous, quite well-acted by all involved, and a successful gentle rom-com romp.

…  The film has 2 especially memorable lines in it:  Hugh says he refuses to be “peddling pond scum”;  & one where Breckin wonders, if a guy WASHES a dirty dish for his partner & no one “sees” [& appreciates] the effort, did the act ever really “HAPPEN” (& thus, was it “worth” it)?...   

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Review of film: “EXTRACT”

09-01-09:

Review of film:  “EXTRACT”

--  Comedy Distilled into a Pleasant experience =

           Rating: 7 of 10 stars (based on an advance screening).

 

Their ad claims (typically) that this is “the funniest comedy of the year”, which it ISN’T (& that title should go to “I LOVE YOU MAN”, in my opinion)…

…  What this is, is a diverting, MILD (rather than wild) situational comedy with some very effective understated acting, a number of small laughs, and some refreshing ideas (rather than really clever lines).

…  Joel (JASON BATEMAN) is the owner of an extract (flavors)-bottling plant, assisted by Brian (J.K. SIMMONS). The plant has numerous employees who are INEPT (such as “Step”, played by CLIFTON COLLINS JR.), apathetic & sometimes racist…

…  Jason is upset at the emotional indifference of his wife (KRISTEN WIIG), & follows advice of druggie friend Dean (BEN AFFLECK) on how to help make him feel better (namely, with a little gigilo-ing by moronic “Brad” played by DUSTIN MILLIGAN)…

…  Pretty Cindy (MILA KUNIS) is a crook who lies & rips-off people to try to get money, & she sets her sights on Jason’s company (including via lawyer “Joe” played by GENE SIMMONS).

…  It’s pleasant to see a comedy like this that’s NOT based on gross-out or vicious humor & which instead relies on its characters & situations for amusement…  I would’ve liked to see more clever writing, tho.

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Review of film: “17 AGAIN”

08-21-09:

Review of film:  “17 AGAIN”

         –  Do-overs can work if handled RIGHT! =

    Rating:  7 of 10 stars (as seen via a DVD projected at a library)

Who among us hasn’t wished they could DO-OVER things that didn’t work out the way we’d hoped in life?!  ZAC EFRON is in that position when he (as high school basketball star Mike) is about to appear in the Big Game seeking a scholarship, until his girlfriend Scarlett (ALLISON MILLER) tells him she’s pregnant & disrupts his game & other plans…

…  After that, he (played by MATTHEW PERRY as an adult) keeps failing to complete things properly.  A sort of Spirit arrives & gives him the chance to become 17 again…

…  That allows him (as ZAC again) to try to save his marriage to Scarlet (now LESLIE MANN as an adult) & to help his son Alex (well played by STERLING KNIGHT) with high school basketball & to not be bullied by punky Stan (HUNTER PARRISH) who’s also upsetting him by hitting on his high-schooler daughter Maggie (MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG).

…  All that leads to a bunch of “politically (& socially) incorrect” efforts on his part, which results in some good situational humor, very well handled by ZAC (who continues to show himself to be really talented as an actor beyond in singing & dancing)…

…  Zac’s best friend Ned is an eccentric nerdish rich guy who loves Star Wars & Lord Of The Rings. As played by THOMAS LENNON, he has the right “moves” in things like hitting on the school principal (MELORA HARDIN)—but, he would’ve been far more funny if he wasn’t so frequently mush-mouthed (indistinct & unnecessarily ineffective) in delivering his lines…

…  Overall, an enjoyable little comedy that’s “believable” when you wouldn’t expect it to be. 

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