The Heartbreak Kid
I was not too excited to watch The Kid. Despite being a huge Ben Stiller fan, I tread wearily when it's not his material. The commercials didn't sell it well either. The comedy looked too physically, which I'm not a fan of, and the scene of Ben getting pissed at the mariachi band got old quick. That's why I waited a year after its release to check it out.
The movie met expectations. It is just okay. There are some decent laughs. My problem with the movie is the structure and plot. The build up to the honeymoon is decent, if a little lacking in character development, but that could be intentional. Eddie (Stiller) doesn't know much about his new bride. The honeymoon events are semi-believable. The big misunderstanding is a bit of a stretch, but standard comedy writing. When the honeymoon's over, however, it goes downhill. That's a terrible pun, but the movie really loses track for me when Eddie ends his marriage. The Farrelly's waste time with getting Eddie back into the US. I guess going to the US Embassy or border patrol would be too easy. At least the movie ends on a decent joke.
First Viewing: 2+1+2+2+1 = 8
Wanted
Expectations were met. That is not a good thing. I'm not a huge fan of the fancy, "cool" action movies when they lack any sense or plot. Which is exactly what this is. If you like that sort of thing, you may have fun with it.
I've seen 3 of Timur's movies now, having heard big things about Night Watch back in 2005. They're basically anime movies, only using real people. Special effects make it possible to do this, but you can feel that something isn't quite right. Maybe the animation, that extra level of unreality, makes the illogical action easier to swallow. When I see real people bending the path of a bullet, it gets stuck in my throat.
First Viewing: 2+1+2+2+1 = 8
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Preface: I'm a Kevin Smith fan. He had me at "snowballing". He hasn't disappointed me yet. (I conveniently skippped Jersey Girl.) Smith is good with funny dialogue, and that's about it. He's not particularly good at directing or editing, but he's not bad enough to ruin it for me. There are at least 5 or 6 hilarious scenes in addition to two where the "Mac Guy" steals the show as Brandon St. Randy. It's hard for me to keep hating the guy after this one.
The rest of the movie is standard Smith. Disgunting/hilarious sexual humor and attempts at romantic scenes. Smith still needs work in this area. The movie also features great oldies music, capped off with "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off".
First Viewing: 2+2+2+2+2 = 10
Synecdoche, New York
I love me some Charlie Kaufman. Factor that in as I give this movie a better rating than it deserves. Way over my head, hopefully over everyone's head. I'd hate to be in the minority of misunderstanding.
While I couldn't follow a lot of what was happening, nor separate the real from the imagined, I feel like there is deeper meaning somewhere. The movie reminds me of three people's work, Emily Dickinson, David Lynch, and Woody Allen. Like Dickinson's poetry, it's impossible to decipher the meaning just by watching the movie. Kaufman should write an interpretive guide for this journey. Like Lynch, the movie's plot lacks any discernible sense of time or reason and includes mind/body transfer. Like Woody Allen, Kaufman's work is self-centered. There is always a Kaufman in the movie. On a side note, John Cusack has played both men to great effect.
Two days later, I'm still thinking about Synecdoche. It's different, thought provoking, and I identify with Kaufman. Can't ask for more from an afternoon at the movies.
First Viewing: 3+2+3+2+2 = 12
Foot Fist Way
An interesting indie film that I heard good things about. It doesn't really deliver. Danny McBride is pretty good. I really enjoyed him in Tropic Thunder. And who didn't love his 'thug life' quote in Pineapple Express? But there's too little to work with here. The script meanders and the supporting cast is very weak. The concept was moderately funny, but thought it could have been funnier. I was shocked to find that the Fred Simmons character is actually trained in Tae Kwon Do. I thought that was going to be the joke, that he doesn't actually know what he's talking about. Unfortunately it just looks like he doesn't know what he's doing. Either there was no involvement by an actual instructor or Hollywood movies have distorted my reality that much.
In the end, it feels like a skit from SNL or a FunnyOrDie clip, stretched to untenable lengths. I'm sure I'm not the first to that conclusion. Luckily McBride's been getting noticed for his most recent work and I hope to see better from him.
First Viewing: 1+1+1+1+1 = 5
Horton Hears a Who!
Similar to Kung Fu Panda, it's aimed at kids, so it's sappy and silly. Jim Carrey was a little over the top, which you'd think would be hard to do in a cartoon. I liked the animation and there a plenty of cute animals doing cute things. It's a cute movie.
I can't tell if Jim Carrey has gotten worse as he's gotten older, or if I've tired of his routine as I've gotten older. It may be time to dust off Ace Ventura and see how it holds up.
First Viewing: 3+2+2+2+2 = 11
W.
You can write in Josh Brolin's name on the Oscar ballot. He nails it. The accent and mannerisms are perfect. He doesn't go over the top, bringing the right amount of humanity. You don't pity W. necessarily, but you might cut him a little more slack.
The other performances are good or interesting. Thandie Newton's Condoleezza Rice stands out. Not sure if that's a good thing. A friend described it as creepy and critics have dubbed it over-the-top. I have a word for things like that. Interesting. And let's be honest, if it isn't for the performances, this movie isn't all that interesting.
I like Jeffrey Wright as an actor, but he isn't overly impressive in this, in my mind. I've heard his impersonation called great, but all I really saw was an older version of Felix Leiter. Maybe that's an accurate depiction of Powell. Same goes for Cromwell. Good actor, I just wasn't feeling the George Bush vibe from him.
First Viewing: 2+2+3+2+2 = 11
The Incredible Hulk
This one is pretty straightforward, and dull. Just poorly written. Most of the dialogue is crappy or silly. And the plot makes no sense. Why would the guy who created the monster need to go to a completely different scientist for a cure? Shouldn't the person who created it be the best person to find a reversal? And how do you turn one blood sample into hundred of pints? If that was even remotely possible, why would blood donation be needed?
Yes, I will nitpick about the reality of the blood multiplication and gloss over the unreality of the Hulk. I can suspend my disbelief to a certain extent with comic book stories, but only so far. Usually not past the main conceit.
Honestly, I preferred Ang Lee's version. It wasn't great, but it was novel and had an even tone.
Also, what's up with Edward Norton? He's supposed to be a good actor, and rumor has it he's hard to work with because he's a "perfectionist", but why? Have you looked at his videography? There's more crap than not, including American History X. (I don't get why everybody loves that movie. The plot made absolutely no sense and it insulted my intelligence with Edward Norton dunking.) In general, Norton has some good movies where he co-stars, or supports, but he can't carry a film.
First Viewing: 2+1+2+2+1 = 8
Hellboy 2
I preferred the first one. The freaky-pale elves didn't do anything for me. Del Toro's "imagination" is cool, if you like disturbing, cross-breed, freakish creatures whose anatomy serves no function, other than to look disturbing and freaky.
Looking at Guillermo's previous work, I can't say I'm a fan. The Blade series was crap to start with. His entry was no improvement. The first Hellboy was okay. Then there's Pan's Labrinth. I couldn't get on the bandwagon. I don't care what kind of spin you put on it, killing kids turns me off.
First Viewing: 2+2+2+2+2 = 10
Kung Fu Panda
Thoroughly enjoyable. It helps if you like Jack Black's schtick.
First Viewing: 2+2+2+2+2 = 10
Tropic Thunder
I laughed my ass off. Full of hilarious surprises. Ben Stiller is an underappreciated comedic talent. He's gotten popular recently for his straight-man roles in high grossing comedies, working with other people's material. Most people probably don't know he had his own show on Fox in the early 90s. Anyone who watched knows how good Stiller is at skewering Hollywood. He achieved minor success with Zoolander, a movie more popular 3 years after its release. Playing 24 hours a day on TBS probably helped achieve that. Anyway, it's good to see Stiller score big with this one.
He put together a great cast. I especially enjoyed Alpa Chino and Les Grossman (until the credits). My only complaint is from Jack Black's character. He didn't do much. He has one worthwhile scene leading up to the climax. Otherwise he could have been written out of the script without much lost.
First Viewing: 3+2+3+2+3 = 13
The Dark Knight
Traumatizing.
First Viewing: 3+3+3+3+3 = 15
Iron Man
A damned entertaining movie. I've always been a fan of RDJ. He's one of those guys who you know is good and you keep hoping gets his shit straight. He hit it big this year. This role was built for him.
There are a lot of similarities between Iron Man and Batman. Both characters are a lot about the suit, and each reflects this by spending significant time on suit creation. They're both trust-fund, millionaire playboys. But where Bruce Wayne is dark and haunted, Tony Stark is bright and carefree. The recent movies for each effectively achieve these tones, not only in direction and production, but also in the actor choices. Christian Bale's movie choices reflect a man wanting to stretch his talent and challenge himself. RDJ, while equally good, tends toward lighter fare. Where Bale is a brooder who can act playful, RDJ is a joker who can act dark. His skills are equally on display in Chaplin.
A really good trend in "comic book" movies is the use of award winning, veteran actors. It's brought cache to the recent Batman, X-Men, Hulk, Superman, and now Iron Man series. I was shocked when I heard of Gwyneth Paltrow's involvement in this movie. This type of subject material seems like something she might frown upon. I'm glad it isn't. She looks incredibly good as a redhead.
I had one major problem with this movie. Tony Stark arrives in America, fresh from captivity, and demands an American burger. He proceeds to pick up Burger King. WTF? The man lives in California, shouldn't he be stopping at In-n-Out?
First Viewing: 3+3+2+2+3 = 13
Second Viewing: 3+2+2+2+3 = 12 Downgrading for some less than great dialog and a few clunky scenes
Burn After Reading
Straight off, the commercials are misleading. They want you to think this movie is more O Brother than Barton Fink. Well it's more Barton Fink. Not complaining, but that's pertinent information. Fink's a good movie, last I checked. It doesn't work for me this time. There's no hero, nor an anti-hero in this movie. Just stupid people doing stupid things, most of whom are pathetic in some way. These aren't people you'd ever want to meet or socialize with. Watching them receive their comeuppance may be gratifying, but you don't get to see it. Really, the worst people in the movie get away with their behavior. The pitiable characters, people just trying to help someone else, end up paying the price for being nice. There's no lesson learned here, other than to avoid self-involved narcissists. With no relatable characters, nor a plot, what do you leave with? Emptiness. And some catchy dialogue.
First Viewing: 3+3+2+2+1 = 11
Young People F*cking
A moderately entertaining movie about sexual relationships. Most of the stories were cute and amusing, but nothing groundbreaking. The relationships are all straight, but there are plenty of homoerotic undertones, used for comedic effect. I give it a 10. It's worth a watch.
First Viewing: 2+2+2+2+2 = 10
Fight Club
One of my all-time favorites, Fight Club has incredible, subtle depth that gets lost in bloody fights and big explosions. At its core, it is a love story. "Jack", a straight-laced yuppie, trying to deal with his infatuation with Marla. He admits as much, "And suddenly I realize all of this, the guns, the bombs, the revolution, has got something to do with a girl names Marla Singer." Tyler Durden is "Jack's" attempt to reconcile his outer shell with his inner desire. Tyler is the result; exactly the opposite of "Jack."
Of course there's more to "Jack's" story than love. He's trapped in loneliness. His life lacks meaning. He's so empty that feeling anything, even pain, makes his life more real. Something to hold on to. "Space Monkeys" gravitate towards his bravery "to just run with it."
"Self improvement is masturbation" - like that's a bad thing. Through extrapolation, we get helping others improve as equivalent to sex. Why would someone want to fight that? Maybe because he can only masturbate.
3+3+3+3+3 = 15