October 2009 Reviews 2 (Up)

Up 2 stars. Ho. I did not like Up. One thing I kept thinking about is why is this even animated? You have humans, dogs, the jungle. What's the big deal? Why not actually have humans and dogs and the jungle. The balloons and the house are nice but I've seen them 100 times in trailers, on the posters everywhere. Even the story itself about an old man whose wife dies and he goes off to finally live an adventure, I mean, why is this a cartoon? How cool would it have been to have a photo real house flying with balloons?

I think maybe I've grown tired of animated films. I'd rather have real actors with real emotions and a story I don't have to half forgive in my mind because it's for kids. As for Cherita Chen from Donnie Darko's brother, he goes on a long list of annoying movie children you want to die. The kids in Jurassic Park, Haley Joel Osment in AI, Tom Cruise's son in War of the Worlds. Ironically, those are all Spielberg films.

Pixar also shot themselves in the foot by making Wall-E. It's the Godfather of animated films and nothing else compares. Visually, story-wise, it's a stunner. My mind doesn't care about lesser drawings anymore. I even walked out of Kung Fu Panda back in '08. I also have a theory that I only enjoy Pixar films without humans. Like: Toy Story 1&2, Monsters Inc., A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo. Dislike: The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up. But I also think Cars is a bore so maybe that messes things up. I'm sure you'll probably enjoy it on some level, but it was really hard for me to care.

Lastly, Pixar needs some new blood. Having lived in California for a while and having attended a church full of middle-aged Orange County white guys, that's what these directors feel like. I mean, Up starts with a newsreel. A newsreel! What the hell is going on? It's not funny, it's not cool, it's some lame throwback to something that was a lame throwback 20 years ago. At least when the Simpsons do it there's humor. I didn't laugh at all during Up and I could literally feel a hand try to grasp for my heart strings. I'm sorry, I'm really not mad, but if you're one of the most powerful and creative film studios in the world and can literally do ANYTHING, do something good.

The Taking of Pelham 123 3 1/2 stars. A little less potent the 3rd time around, but still good. The thing I like about it is that it is essentially a dialogue movie. Tony Scott still shoots the hell out of it(there's a breakneck chase through New York like I haven't seen). But at its basics its Travolta and Denzel Washington on the phone. I miss that kind of movie. Two smart people trying to outsmart one another like in The Negotiator or In the Line of Fire. The ending isn't completely satisfying but the movie's still well worth seeing. The supporting cast includes James Gandolfini, John Turturro and the great Luis Guzman. A little old school, but in the best way.

Nothing Like the Holidays 3 stars. It's full of bad holiday movie cliches, but I couldn't help enjoying spending time with this incredibly likable cast. John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez, Luis Guzman, Jay Hernandez, Debra Messing(who does not play a Puerto Rican), and Vanessa Ferlito from Death Proof who always and forever has that Brooklyn accent despite this movie being set in Chicago. Chicago is shot well as all of the locations are in Humboldt Park. Even that metal sculpture of the Puerto Rican flag is shown. Out of the ethnic-American family movies I've seen, including The Debut(awful), this one is the comparably the best. It's warm and sometimes real and true.

Food Inc 3 1/2 stars. Scary as hell. Those assembly line chicken factories are disgusting. Forget oil. Corn rules the world. Everything we eat has something that comes from corn! It's fascinating. A must see documentary.

Cheri 2 1/2 stars. I have a distaste for corset dramas and this one is no different. It's stiff and proper and boring. The best corset dramas include The Age of Innocence, The Wings of the Dove, and Sense and Sensibility. This one is mediocre and bland. Sorry director Stephen Frears. I loved The Queen and High Fidelity.

Star Trek 4 stars. I got an early copy of the DVD and it's been on a loop in my house. I still can't get over how glorious this movie looks. The lighting is just spectacular. Those lens flares (again about the lens flares!) Yes! They are something that as an aspiring director, I am insanely jealous of. What a risk and what a beautiful payoff. Chris Pine is the man as Captain Kirk. I think his performance is a huge reason the movie is good. JJ Abrams directed a bland Mission:Impossible. Here he made the most fun at the movies I had all year. Bravo.

Check out my original review. http://rolandchang.blogspot.com/2009/05/star-trek_08.html

Weekly Recap 10/30/09

(the new A-Team. Click for larger)


DVDs Watched this Week:
The Good: Star Trek, The Taking of Pelham 123, Food Inc., The Siege, Magnolia, Whatever Works, Planes Trains and Automobiles, Iris, Who Framed Roger Rabbit
The Bad: Cheri, Fear, The Maiden Heist, Kundun, Out of Africa, Up
The Ugly: None

Trips to the Theater: None
Actors of the Week: Annette Bening, John Candy, Chris Pine
Directors of the Week: P.T. Anderson, JJ Abrams, Robert Zemeckis
Where'd They Go?: Annette Bening?

TRAILERS/CLIPS of the Week:
Green Zone. Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass


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Weekly Recap 10/23/09

DVDs Watched this Week:
The Good: Ransom(my favorite Ron Howard film), Good Will Hunting(Damon looks so young), 49 Up, Nothing Like the Holidays(nice to see Humboldt Park), Chinatown(overrated but still good), The Pelican Brief, Philadelphia, Walk the Line, Wayne's World, Wayne's World 2
The Bad: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The Thing, The Client, Adoration, Love 'N Dancing(what a terrible title), Chinese Odyssey 2002
The Ugly: None

Trips to the Theater: Where the Wild Things Are
Actors of the Week: Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Matt Damon
Directors of the Week: Jonathan Demme, Michael Apted
Where'd They Go?: John Grisham movies?

TRAILERS/CLIPS of the Week:
Edge of Darkness. Mel Gibson.


The Wolfman. Full Trailer

Where the Wild Things Are

3 stars.
THE GOOD.
More than anything, those Wild Things are amazing. They are something to see. They are insanely well designed and crafted that at no point did I question if they were real. I imagined I could reach out and touch them. The puppet work was done by the Henson company, but the faces are CGI since the original motors and gears in the heads were so heavy they caused the actors to tip over. They had to go CGI for that portion. And they aren't limited physically in the least. They roll down hills, they fly through the air, they have dog piles. It is stunning.

Other aspects are well done. The feeling of Max's home and his lonely play-life is heartbreaking. I could relate a lot as my sister is a few years older and she definitely would rather have hung out with her friends than with me. Who could blame her.

The many songs written and performed by Yeah Yeah Yeahs front-woman Karen O. are great and they work as score(they certainly made me feel) and they are great on their own. Apparently she was dating director Spike Jonze during filming. The voice actors are very good, particularly James Gandolfini(T.Soprano) as big Carol. Somehow that Jersey accent plays well with a huge monster. The production design, the lighting(must've been a pain to shoot so much during magic hour) the costumes, everything is top rate. It really does not feel like a cheery family film and that is very welcome.

THE BAD.
The book has nine sentences and the co-writers Jonze and Dave Eggers do their best to flesh out an actual story with dialogue but honestly it doesn't feel like there's enough. The Wild Things are pretty amazing at first, but I got used to them and eventually the energy of the movie started to sag. They're like the Dwarves in Snow White. They have their one characteristic, but they don't go much deeper.

I don't know exactly how the plot could've been more interesting. Maybe enemies on the island? I'm not sure, but there aren't any real dangerous stakes for Max and since we concede that this is his complete fantasy, maybe we also know underneath that there are no real consequences. Whatever happens where the Wild Things are, Max's life won't be affected.

Whatever it is, this 90 minute film felt a bit long at times. The comedy isn't as sharp as it could be and Max himself is sometimes unlikable. He is very understandably angry and lonely, but something kept me at a distance. Still, that may have been the whole point. Spike Jonze is definitely not making a Disney movie and I appreciate the bold choice if it was in fact a conscious one. Sadly the script isn't all there and in the attempts to avoid being conventional, the themes and the potency of the emotional connection to Max and to the story get lost. Yet, despite the middle, it does end on a very strong emotional note. The last 10 minutes are really great.

I think if you want to go, go see it. If you're kind of iffy, it could be a rental. One note, check out the cast list before you see it. I spent too much time during the movie trying to think of who was voicing who. I thought KW might be Natalie Portman but it turned out to be Six Feet Under's Lauren Ambrose.

The trailer is still one of the best.

October 2009 Reviews (Transformers 2)

Drag Me to Hell 3 stars Sill the best movie title of the year. I was a tiny bit disappointed but it's my own fault because I was hoping more for Army of Darkness(a horror comedy) as opposed to a 80s horror film which is what this is. Lots of awesome gross moments including vomiting maggots into someone's mouth, projectile bloody noses, and flies that go into the wrong holes. The plot takes itself a little too seriously at moments, but director Sam Raimi is having a great time trying to freak everyone out. Justin Long plays his version of Jim Halpert nicely and Alison Lohman is good but not great as the lead. Ellen Page was originally cast but she chose to do WhipIt instead. Love that smash cut to the Title. Don't f--- with a gypsy.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 2 stars I'm sad to report that it isn't as bad as I'd hoped. It is bad, but not even close to as bad as this year's winner Fast and Furious. All in all it's just boring. Lots of things blow up real good, but I don't care about any of it. At least in the first one there was this aspect of Shia the geek trying to get the girl, but there's nothing human to relate to in this one. I'm sorry I don't connect with a hot girl with a 10 foot long robotic tongue trying to kill me. The "comedy" is still terrible, and the action is too confusing to be satisfying (although one money shot when they jump from building to building and they get pummeled with debris got the repeat on my DVD player about 5x).

I think Michael Bay is very talented. He knows how to shoot, he knows a lot about movie-making, it's just his taste is bad. I don't think he knows what's good. I think it's always what he in his mind thinks audiences want. It's McDonald's cinema. It's sad that it made so much money. I am glad I rented it though because the behind the scenes docs of his movies are always choc full of great footage of Bay yelling and cursing at his crew. "GUYS! I said 15 f----ng seconds not 30!"

He made a really good movie in The Rock back in '96 but it's kind of been downhill from there. Still, nowhere near as painful as another Michael Bay opus Bad Boys 2. That is maybe the worst movie I saw this decade.

Check out this article that tears up the film. It's a fantastic read. http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/06/bonus_robs_transformers_2_faqs.php?page=1

Land of the Lost 2 ½ stars It's a good rental. Would've been bad in the theater. None of the new parallel dimension world is all that cool. I've seen a T-Rex, the giant bugs aren't very impressive. Unfortunately the best comedy moments happen at the beginning and the end with Matt Lauer. It is still enjoyable, just don't expect to be wowed.

Year One 0 stars Awful. Not one funny moment. A waste of my time.

Management 1 star How many romantic comedies does Jennifer Aniston plan to be in? I think she's at double digits. This middle of the ground rom com is a low rent studio film. I don't care about Steve Zahn's character. I don't care about anyone or anything. It's a by the numbers indie screenplay that is not special in the least.

My Life in Ruins 1 ½ stars Greece looks great. The movie is not. What is Richard Dreyfuss doing in this? Nia Vardalos should go to TV.

Weekly Recap 10/16/09

DVDs Watched this Week:
The Good: Land of the Lost, Drag Me to Hell, The Last Starfighter(still great) An American Werewolf in London, Black Snake Moan, Shaft, The Five Deadly Venoms, Poetic Justice, Grand Canyon
The Bad: Shopgirl, The Lemon Tree, Leatherheads(still terrible), Be Cool, Four Brothers
The Ugly: None

Trips to the Theater: None
Actors of the Week: Christina Ricci, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Kline
Directors of the Week: Lawrence Kasdan, John Singleton
Where'd They Go?: Christina Ricci?

TRAILERS/CLIPS of the Week:
Toy Story 3. Full Trailer.


Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. Trust me the trailer is heavily censored. The movie is going to be R, R, R.

The Office: Niagara 2

Check out the Q&A with co-writer Mindy Kaling(Kelly).


http://www.officetally.com/niagara-qa-with-mindy-kaling

The Office: Niagara

I know this is a movie blog, but so what.

Last Thursday was a huge episode of my favorite televsion show The Office as after 5 years (2 years of Jim pining, 1 year of Pam pining, and 2 of a refreshingly functional relationship) Jim and Pam finally got married.

It is my favorite show(Lost comes in a close second) and a big part of that has been the Jim/Pam relationship. But the longing that went on during those first 3 seasons has gone and now that they're together, a little of the suspense has been lost. But that just meant more room for comedy and the show has gotten better and better.

Best Moments of Niagara
- Pam's f you to Dwight, throwing up right in front of him. Although I could've done without Angela vomiting into her hand.

- Those unopened cans exploding behind Michael's car as he pulled out of the parking lot. "Going to a wedding!"

- Andy reserving the honeymoon suite the night before Jim and Pam. Jim's awesome response, "I don't like that."

- "Oscar, I would be proud to date you." - Kevin Malone

- Jim's rehearsal dinner toast. "Even then I knew that, I was waiting for my wife." It could've been a cheese line, but it's delivered perfectly. And then those cutaways to Andy crying at his table. I was dying.

- Dwight's awesome three wolf t-shirt. Michael reluctant at first, but then giving into howling. Awoooooo!

- "That's easy enough for you to say Oscar, you have that thick beautiful Chicano hair. (rubs his head) So nice." - Kevin

- A real Bernard throw-down. I love it when the Office characters get together and dance. Everyone's into it, un-self-conscious and hilarious. Even Angela tries to join in by swaying awkwardly side to side. And although Andy's scream of pain was pretty funny, Erin's "What else you got!" really made me laugh. She's such a nice addition to the show. She's so sweet when asks Andy about his damaged penis.

- Pam(very cute in glasses): Are you pushing me off the phone?
Jim(drunk): No, let's talk for a long time.

- "I'm ravenous after a night of love making." I don't think there could possibly be a more disgusting line from Dwight. Also, "She's a dental hygienist from Carbdonale and she makes love like one, she's a bumpkin. Pass."

- Is it me or did Kevin's hairpiece look okay?

- I want Michael's painting.

- Jim and Pam meeting up before the wedding after Pam's veil tore. It's great that they get together before everything starts and Jim cutting his tie is the money mental picture. "This is supposed to be our wedding. Why did we invite all of these people?"

- The big dance entrance. I must've been living under a rock this summer because I was completely unaware of that Youtube video. Why are they playing a Chris Brown song? That said, it is a phenomenal sequence with almost everyone getting their moment(minus Toby and Meredith). Favorites include Oscar's Vogue dance and Andy hobbling down the aisle with that walker. The thing that really makes the whole thing work though are Jim and Pam's reaction shots. Their looks to each other while all of the craziness is going on really summed up their relationship on the show. Kevin may plow through a flower arrangement but Jim and Pam just look at each other and say what can you do? Oh, and Dwight kicking Isabel the bridesmaid in the face? I watched it maybe 100 times.

- Jim and Pam on the Maiden of the Mist(man Niagara Falls is impressive). That's the real wedding. The church was for everyone else. In a way, we got 2 weddings, both very satisfying. It's also a tremendously edited sequence with almost no sound and tons of emotion. And the Office cast jumping up and cheering was fantastic. Has there been a better TV wedding? I doubt it.

- The tag at the end with Kevin dunking his feet into the ice machine is gross, but Michael hooking up with Pam's mom? Cougar grosser.

Watching this episode, I found myself genuinely surprised at how invested I am in these two characters. I mean, when you watch something for 5 years you're going to be invested. They had been dating so long, I forgot how long it took for them to get together. I'm sure Jim hasn't forgotten. Credit writers Greg Daniels(show creator) and Mindy Kaling(yes Kelly can write) for putting it together. I was so worried it was going to be painful but it was anything but. It was a big episode with big expectations and they delivered.

Weekly Recap 10/9/09

DVDs Watched this Week:
The Good: Hoop Dreams, Hustle and Flow, Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death, Above the Rim, Mississippi Masala, Girlfight, Boyz N the Hood, My Beautiful Launderette, Bend It Like Beckham, Slumdog Millionaire, Gone Baby Gone, Chop Shop, The Office Season 5
The Bad: My Life in Ruins, Higher Learning, Assassination of a High School President
The Ugly: Rollerball, Year One

Trips to the Theater: Whip It(2nd time)
Actors of the Week: Casey Affleck, Roshan Seth, Terrence Howard
Directors of the Week: Mira Nair, Craig Brewer
Where'd They Go?: Casey Affleck?

TRAILERS/CLIPS of the Week:
The Crazies. Terrible title. Good trailer.


The Messenger. Ben Foster.

Black and Indian Cinema

I just wanted to share that for no particular reason, in the last two weeks I have watched a whole lot of movies about black and Indian people.

Menace II Society
Dead Presidents
Hoop Dreams
Boyz N the Hood
Hustle and Flow
Above the Rim
Baby Boy

Slumdog Millionaire
Mississippi Masala
Bend it Like Beckham
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (just kidding)


I have no idea why.

Weekly Recap 10/2/09

DVDs Watched this Week:
The Good: Dead Presidents, Juno, Hard Candy, Babel, Guilty by Suspicion, Teen Wolf, The Wrestler, The Office Season 3&4, All the moments in The Brothers Bloom concerning Bang Bang
The Bad: The Brothers Bloom, Away We Go, Menace II Society, Shrink, Management, The Man Who Fell to Earth
The Ugly: Teen Wolf Too

Trips to the Theater: Whip It
Actors of the Week: Ellen Page, Rinko Kikuchi, Daniel Stern
Directors of the Week: Drew Barrymore, The Hughes Brothers
Where'd They Go?: Chris Tucker?

TRAILERS/CLIPS of the Week:
Good Hair. Chris Rock's documentary about black hair. Human hair is India's biggest export?


The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Full Trailer.


Whip It Clip. I'm 22.