Welcome to the Film-aholic Anonymous... I decided to put together my own Z-list of movies I've seen that are worth mentioning: the good, the bad, and the uglies.
Either they are too good to be true or too repulsive to fathom, they will be reel-listed...right here with my own little discussion. Care to join?
John Cusack is one of my favorite actors which is why I was so disappointed that he starred in one of the worst action movies ever. He is lucky that I still like him, though I am still sore about his choices. Twenty-twelve played with fire and burnt itself 'til tomorrow! The idea that our world has been predicted to end by fatidic individuals such as Nostradamus has been a subject of interest in many philosophical and biblical discussions. The apocalypse in the Book of Revelation is yet another intriguing topic. So naturally, we would assume that if Hollywood were to make a movie based off of that heavy subject, it would surely blow our minds away in an explosion of jaw dropping CG effects and heartrending portrayal of humanity clawing for any glimpse of hope or salvation...right? Unfortunately in this case, my words are worth a thousand pictures.
Watching 2012 was like watching an excruciatingly long promotion for a Universal Studios' new theme park ride. "The Apocalypse: Ride in a speeding limo through shifting tectonic plates, collapsing buildings with just an inch to spare, and fly in the air as you watch California sink under the ocean! Kids, bring your diapers 'cause this ride is a shit-in-your-pants thriller! Move aside Indian Jones Adventure, because here comes the Apocalypse! Caution: The front two rows are the SOAK ZONE."
I found 2012 to be somewhat similar to the movie "The Day After Tomorrow". The minor difference may be that the first one plays with solar flares and Earth's core heating up while the latter tempts with a new Ice Age. However, I much more enjoyed watching "The Day After Tomorrow" because at least the scenes do not look entirely set up and there are endearing moments of humanity. I found myself secretly hoping that Earth will be saved. In 2012, I could have sworn I saw all the duck-tape "x" marks for the actors and cars to follow. I understand the main characters are to survive such destructions, but the movie made it look way to convenient. I wanted the characters to work harder to stay alive. At some point in the movie, I remembered thinking "kill them off already"...heartless I know. For having such an awesome movie poster (the lone Tibetan monk standing on the precipice of humanity) the movie failed to deliver.
In lieu of my resentment, there are only two scenes near the end that I actually fell in love with...you see nothing is ever 100% negative...that's the beauty of optimism. Of course, those two scenes lasted a good 2 seconds each, but nevertheless sentimental. The first scene is an Indian family embracing each other in front of a purple sunset, husband reaches for wife's face, while a tsunami is inches away from obliterating their existence...love is man's last stance against destruction. Don't blink, because you'd probably miss it. The second scene is when you see the religions of the world hold their final mass as the people gather together in unity...prayer is humanity's last plea.
The trailer is amazing...but the movie, not so much. If anything, just watch the trailer and you'll be on the edge of your seat! One star for the movie: Four stars for the trailer!!!
Tim Burton's creativity once again materialize through Johnny Depp under the guise of a phantasmagoria of eccentric characters and vivid imageries. His version of Alice and Wonderland is incredibly unique and truly defines Burton as a maverick in the world of directors (no wonder Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham take a shine to him). I was completely surprised when I found out that this movie is not just the retelling of the original, rather, it is somewhat a sequel to the beloved story of the young girl who endures self realization, acceptance, and the impossibilities. The idea of the sequel makes Wonderland seem more than just Wonderland, but an actual weighted world that grows and withers, dies and resurrects. Wonderland becomes a character in itself in Tim Burton's new adaptation. However, being that Burton isn't
Depp once again delivers a spot on representation of a crazed mad hatter, who's mercury poisoning is evident in his appearance, movement, and behavior (although I think sometimes I could see a Jack Sparrow peep in and out every once and awhile from his character...just saying). Helena Bonham makes for a great angry queen, envious of all who is more perfect than her. And Alice...well, I'd say her character is the least colorful of the cast (and most representative of all of us), but this works. Her colorless slate only makes the world of Wonderland even more delirious. I absolutely loved this movie only because I'm a die-hard Tim Burton fan. The story line can be lacking to the majority and events may happen too simply and quickly. However, Alice in Wonderland definitely has the "Burton factor" and so, it is successful for what it is. The musical score is like a requiem for reality while the imageries are like that of a dream.
Avatar - 2009
I fear the more I talk about this movie, the more I will be hated. I will keep this as simple as possible. This movie is the regurgitation of James Cameron's fructuous mind. When I watched it the first time, I was too distracted and mesmerized by the engrossing world of Pandora that nothing else mattered. Of course later, walking out into the less colorful world of mere Earth, I realized Avatar was something like a Pocahontas meets Fern Gully meets Starship Troopers. But who cares? I sure didn't. Even though the characters of this movie are somewhat 2-dimensional and predictable, the creation of the Pandora world more than compensates. What's impressive about Avatar is not the lack of witty banters or original plots, but how incredulous the technology is for this movie. Also, James Horner is the man behind the soundtrack, music that I believed help bring Avatar to life. He has produced music for many other acclaimed movies in the past including Braveheart, Titanic, and Troy.
One thing I forgot to mention. There is one detail about Avatar that makes me really like the story, despite its cliche tendencies; and that is the fact that Jake Sully, the main character, is a paraplegic who finds freedom in someone else's skin. Can't we all relate to that? I suggest you watch Avatar, if you haven't done so already. It is a blockbuster hit, meant to appeal to the conventional mass. I am a visual junkie and I'd rate this 5 stars because the movie itself is a delectable treat for the eyes.
Refreshingly HIGH-larious, this is hands down, the all-time spoof of the blaxploitation era. The 70's has never been portrayed in a better and highly saturated light! Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009, Black Dynamite had the audience exploding with laughter, myself included. It is ninety minutes of your life that you will never regret. What's especially raw about this movie is that the director, Scott Sanders, did not use any digital enhancements to create its retro high contrast look of the 70's film industry. They actually used old film stock to achieve that effect. The movie features Michael Jai White as Black Dynamite who is a former CIA agent. Basically, the story is Black Dynamite resumes his position upon hearing of his brother's murder and goes after the mafia, who are also responsible for bringing drugs into the black orphanages and filling the market with bad malt liquor. This movie had me laughing every five minutes with scenes such as one where Black Dynamite is seen tossing his nunchucks in the air, throws a few punches at the assailant, then seconds later catches the nunchucks again in his hand like a boomerang. It is so righteous!
I went to see it at the Sundance theater in Seattle with a group of new friends. The theater never stopped rumbling with laughter as Michael Jai White commanded the audience with his wits and mad skills. I HIGHLY suggest watching this movie. It is pure slapstick humor. Imagine watching Bruce Lee...but as a big black man, and a bushy mustache. Need I say more? Five stars for its original humor!
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - 2008
Directed by Mark Herman, this heartrending movie takes place during one of history's most egregious times: the holocaust. The story follows an eight year old boy, Bruno, whose father is a high ranking SS officer. Their family moves next to a Nazi concentration camp where the father is the new commandant. When Bruno sees the people in the "striped pajamas" (prison clothes) on the other side of the barbed wire fence, his innocence brings him to believe they are just farmers. Bruno later befriends a young Jewish boy through the fence, unbeknownst to the dangerous reality that encompasses them. I think Bruno's youthful ignorance to the situation is somewhat synonymous to the rest of the world's awareness about concentration camps due to heavy propaganda. When you watch this movie, you cannot help but love Bruno and you find that protecting his innocence is the most important thing. But one has to question whether or not children are strong enough to keep their youth when they are surrounded by the desecration of humanity.
Bruno is an example of an ever growing character and you can see how his life is a delicate balance of youthfulness and hope. This is a story of how the simplicity of a child's life can be destroyed by the complexities of adults. You can't help but wish boys like Bruno and his friend could have grown up in a less tumultuous and hostile time. You must watch this movie, though I highly suggest popping in a happy-go-lucky movie afterwards in order to somewhat save your sanity. This is a definite reel-listed five star!
"The dolphin's smile, is nature's greatest deception."
Once and awhile, a movie is made that changes the unity of the world. This movie is one of them. The Cove is an exceptional documentary that brings the dolphin slaughters in Taiji, Japan, to public awareness. Its purpose is to expose the audacity of the fishermen at the Cove who slaughter dolphins every year, turning the cerulean blue water into bright crimson. I'd say this film is the best documentary I've seen by far because not only does it inform you of a current inhumane problem and ways you can help, but it also contains an incredible story of human conviction that portrays the ability of man to change.
Richard O'Barry brought the attention to this atrocity, after discovering the arcanum behind the Cove years ago. From there, his determination to reveal what happens at the Cove is very tenacious. He teams together with professionals who use covert technology to record the fisherman in Taiji. What truly touches me about O'Barry's story, is that he was first known for capturing and training the dolphins used for the popular Flipper TV series back in the 60s. Then years later, when one of his dolphins committed suicide in his arms, O'Barry realized how wrong it was to keep such intelligent animals in captivity. Since then, he had devoted his life entirely to the freeing of captive dolphins. It was not a story of rags to riches, but rather, riches to resolution. You see, it is never ever too late to change the course of your life.
Please take the time to watch this documentary. As of right now, because of this documentary, the dolphin drive hunting in Taiji has taken a big hit and is at a temporary halt. This comes to show how much power we the people really do have to change the order of things. Imagine what else we can achieve as more of us are aware of the injustice that rots our earth. However, problems like these will only stay dormant and over time will awaken without the consistency of our united efforts. Documentaries are among my favorite films to watch because it instills a sense of responsibility in us and encourages us to get off our couch. So again, please watch The Cove to not only motivate, but also to inspire you to get your feet wet.
Brilliantly directed by Edward Zwick, Defiance truly lives up to its title. Taking place in the German-occupied Eastern Europe, the story tells of the unyielding defiance of man when faced with the annihilation of freedom. Daniel Craig stars as one of the intrepid Bielski brothers who helps save large numbers of fleeing Jews and hides them in the woods. They are forced to live in makeshift homes because they fear the discovery of their existence. The Bielski brothers lead the people into building a community, a degraded livelihood, with foraged food and weapons. The three brothers, Tuvia, Zus, and Asael all exemplify different personalities that throughout the movie will develop and conflict, all in the struggle to survive. This epic tale of human vitality proves that when our legs are broken, not only will we find a way to stand, but we will also strive to run.
I was completely captivated by all 137 minutes of sheer Defiance. It completely consumed me. I'd say by far, this is one of the best movies of its genre (antisemitism, holocaust, Nazi occupations). One thing that struck me about Defiance is that although it is a war movie, the story heavily plays on the theme of sociology. You can see the manifestation of human behavior when forced into such close existence with others. I watched this movie many times already, and yet it never fails to strike that sensitive cord with me. The trailer itself is already intense, thundering with the orchestrated styling of Immediate music, entitled Prometheus Rising.
District 9 - 2009
A ridiculously [what's a juicier word for "good"...] GLORIOUS movie! Remember that time last year when you were at the theaters and you had to go use the restroom? Ok, now do you remember right before you walked in, there was a sign on the door that said "FOR HUMANS ONLY" with a picture of a weird silhouette that had a slash through it? And you remembered thinking, "What the shenanigans?"... well that was actually the marketing campaign to promote District 9. It makes sense now doesn't it? District 9 was actually considered a sleeper, since it was a low budget and not a lot of people knew about it. I had seen a short preview for the movie, and I thought it looked pretty unconventional and the muddled looking plot further induced my curiosity. It appeared as a mock documentary on xenophobia, the usage of racial slurs, corporates, and human behavior. I enjoyed its freshness as well, considering the story did not take place in the United States (like all alien movies), but in South Africa.
I absolutely loved this movie because it shows some of the human sides we rarely like to admit and it really emphasizes the idea that just because we are human does not mean we are humane. District 9 is a very well written movie and I think it can make alien lovers out of non alien lovers...whatever that means. This is NOT your typical alien movie. There is also a very interesting irony in this movie that you will just have to watch to find out what it is! A reel-listed five stars!
When you hear this title, what comes to mind? Albert Camus and his book that anticipates the downfall of a man through the examination of his conscience? The transition of humans from innocence to guilt by Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis? Well at least these are what came to my mind. Upon watching this eccentric and Darwinistic film, I see that the story is so much more than just the idea of a downfall and a savored innocence of a child. Now, you can go ahead and defenestrate all conventional expectations you might have before watching The Fall because quite frankly, you won't need them. Warning: this movie is not for the conventional of heart. Be ready to laugh at yourself, at the silliness, and at the clutter because this is a movie you will never forget.
The fundamental concept that drives the plot of this movie lies in a hospitalized stunt man, who is wavering at the precipice of his life. While in the hospital, the now paralyzed and suicidal man, Roy, befriends Alexandria, a curious and dangerously imaginative five year old girl with broken English (her accent being one of the many charms of this movie), telling her make-believe stories of bandits and evil governors. His motive? To get her to steal morphine for him. The characters Roy creates not only possess depth, but they are also charmingly witty and more often then not, comical. What's interesting is you can see the progression of Roy's mentality through those characters. The movie switches back and forth between a stark reality and a technicolor imagination. The Fall is a tantalizing film about friendship and giving up, a pain far greater than death, and finally, a greatest revenge on one's downfall.
I couldn't help but fall in love with The Fall, with its beautiful Salvador Dali-inspired cinematography and its subject on man's abysmal misery. I can see now where Avatar and Empire of the Sun's music video (Standing on the Shore...youtube it!) have gotten their inspiration. This movie is what all movies should be about and it is the epitome of what I crave for in film. In addition, there is incredible imagery that oozes with symbolism. One of the bandits in Roy's story, interestingly enough is Charles Darwin. In one of the snapshots, you see his hand holding a small monkey's hand, and a butterfly flies out from the monkey's grasp which clearly represents Darwinism (man evolving from monkey; butterfly signifying evolution) and his theories of natural selection. After seeing this image, I finally realized the true theme to this movie: the evolution of the mind . That right there is an example of how ideas need not words to connect the reader to the writer. It's a minute detail, but to me, details like these are what differentiates a good movie from a phenomenal movie.
I would have never known about this film if it wasn't for my amazingly perceptive (and might I add, AWESOME) friend from Seattle who introduced me to The Fall. How many stars? Abso-freakin'-lutely FIVE STARS!
Dreamworks should have their own anthem. I am amazed as to how far the movie industries have come along, especially in the animation department. I feel cheated by my parents...perhaps I should have been born in the late 90's so I could have grown up with movies like Up, Wall-E, and now, this exceptional movie! There is a charm in these new animated movies that the old Disney movies did not possess. And humor! Oh the cleverness of the 21st century! Anyways, How to Train Your Dragon is an AWESOMELY endearing movie! I still cannot fathom how great the storyline, script, and animation were for this. HTTYD is a charming, witty, HIGH-larious, and emotional movie about the underdog, folly of false perceptions, and triumph. The movie follows Hiccup, our scrawny little viking-wannabe who wants nothing more than to make his father proud. And the only way to do that is to be able to slay a dragon, or at least successfully survive the viking classes on dragon slaying. He lives in a Viking village ravaged by dragons. Hiccup wishes he could slay a dragon just like the other Vikings, but utterly fails. Ironically enough, after he is unable to kill the dragon he captures, his mindset changes and he no longer wishes to slay dragons. The story continues as Hiccup befriends the dragon and learns more about them, thus making it even harder for him to impress his father and community. And so the story goes on, though not as you would predict.
The Vikings and their wicked Scottish accents finally got the spotlight they deserve! Of course, Gerard Butler's voice for one of the characters had nothing to do with my fondness of the Scottish accent whatsoever...nope, nuh-uh. The characters in this movie have such facial expressions and quirky behaviors that you can't help but laugh like a dopey man-child high on performance-enhancing Vitamin-D supplements. The storyline is surprisingly original and they included a little "something" that I was flabbergasted to see in a kid's movie...then again are these kinds of movies really "kids" movies? That is the beauty of it. The whole family can enjoy it. HTTYD has enough animation and action to capture the short attention span of an obnoxious kid (such as the one sitting next to me in the theaters) and yet have enough depth and clever lines to keep an adult interested.
HTTYD's take on dragons completely defies the conventional portrayals of dragons and their common attributes. Very original! It will surely make dragon lovers out of all of us! As if the movie isn't already amazing in all of its goodness, the ending is what made me realize how much I loved this movie. Because of the ending, HTTYD had demoted all my top movies of its genre, and now claims its thrown at the very peak of the mountain (and believe you me, it's Mount Everest). I will be saving this DVD for my kids to watch...if they do not like this movie, I will put them up for foster care. For serious. This is a five star.
By the way...does anyone else think the dragon looks like Stitch from Lilo and Stitch?
If you are ever asked: Why do you watch movies? What's so great about them? You simply answer:Miracle at St. Anna. I can't even begin with words how incredible this movie is because I am afraid to gush with the same fanatic pablum. Directed by Spike Lee, this movie closely follows the lives of four buffalo soldiers during WWII. They find themselves behind enemy lines after a horrific engagement with the Germans because of their impertinent and racist commander. The four survivors, along with a young Italian boy they saved from the rubbles, take refuge in a small yet convoluted Italian village. There you see hidden stories begin to unfold, revealing the ugly faces of man, war, truth, and life. At the same time, you also witness the resilience of faith and kindness. But no matter which side we are on, in the end, we all kneel to recite the same prayer.
Movies about war are by far my favorite genre because they show the audacious display of courage. I've seen many war movies and yet this one stands out as having the most unique storyline to ever be told through the eyes of history. It is movies like Miracle at St. Anna that remind me why it is that I love to watch films and read books, why I love to discuss the authenticity of filmography and its brilliance, and why it is that life can be vicariously relived through the emotions felt during such cinematic experiences!
Where to begin. Absolutely disappointing...granted, there are some profound messages that came through in some parts of the movie. But one can also find profoundness in the quotes on Starbucks cups. The protagonist is Tyler (aka cute Robert...yes yes I am jumping on that bandwagon too...sue me!) who plays an emo character trying to cope with a recent loss in the family. The movie attempts to woo the audience with Tyler's philosophical banter and his unique habit of journal writing. His father, played by Pierce Brosnan, who's British gone New York accent is one of the few highlights of the movie. Tyler often fulminates against his father, which becomes the subject of their frayed relationship. The younger sister, a precocious twelve year old is played by an adoring young actress who attracts the audience through her victimized innocence. Tyler's love interest, played by beautiful Emilie De Ravin, is suppose to be a strong spirited young girl who typically helps Tyler cope with his situation, surprise surprise. But other than her piercing cerulean blue eyes, nothing about her character is prominent. Their love plays on the same beaten horse: boy falls in love, girl falls in love, boy reveals truth, girl is hurt and runs away, boy convinces girl of love, exploding fireworks of reunited love. Remember Me deals with three different types of relationships: father son, brother sister, and lovers. There might have been a friendship relationship? Who knows! Tyler's friend is a character that is no deeper than a soap dish. So naturally, if Tyler stands next to his friend, he will come off as an intellectual prince charming. All in all, the characters of Remember Me fail to reach its hoped poignancy.
The movie isn't a total flop, but it dances awkwardly offbeat in comparison with movies like Life as a House or White Oleander, all having the same theme in common: the struggle of the protagonist with themselves and their loved ones. Remember Me hardly introduces any fresh points or conflicts. There is an abundance of cliche animosities and audacious actions that after 113 minutes of it can dangerously turn the movie into a forgettable endeavor. Finally, the worse part of this movie, is its ending.
***Spoiler Alert*** (skip the red words to avoid spoiler)
If the character had died in any other way (i.e. get hit by a car, die the same way the mother did, etc.), the movie itself would actually not be too bad. Whenever movie industries use historical events as part of their plots, they must be careful so as to not offend or disrespect the families who have lost loved ones during those events. Whether or not Remember me has inappropriately used the events of 9/11 as a tasteless prop to enhance the point of the story is up for discussion.
Being that there is always good in something bad, Remember me does have one theme that really puts a fine point on life: Live in the moment...which is something I strive to live by. The movie begins with an amazing quote by Ghandi: Whatever you do may seem insignificant to you, but it is most important that you do it. When looking back on Remember Me, it is clear that this theme is told very well. It's only a shame that this epiphanal message is smothered by the poor dialogue and forgettable characters of Remember Me. Two stars.
Revolutionary Road - 2008
Once again, Sam Mendes successfully directs another film in which the main characters shamelessly bare the teeth that society tries so hard to hide. No one is truly sane and those who are institutionalized are merely ones who say things that are only in people's minds. The movie industry usually stops a story before it becomes the unbearable real life. They only emphasize on the tip of the iceberg when it is the hidden ice below that is the true reality. But every once and awhile, there is a movie that has the audacity to show us what we are all afraid to admit. With that said, Revolutionary Road is a story about a suburban couple, the Wheelers, in the 50's who entangles themselves into the conventional web of the mass, all who temporize their real dreams in order to fulfill their obligations. Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet's exceptional performances create a complicated world in which each person struggles with themselves and one another. As the movie progresses, you see each character claw viciously at their lives in order to keep their precious last drips of sanity, only because they want more than just to exist: they want to live. The scary truth is: We can clearly see ourselves materialize as Frank and April Wheeler.
"Plenty of people are onto the emptiness but it takes real guts to see the hopelessness." ...a quote from my favorite character of the movie: John Givings. Givings is the character from the mental asylum, who has undergone 37 treatments of the infamous electric shock therapy, the "not well" person of the movie...and yet his lips are licked with the most solemn truth. In some morbid way, he is the hero of Revolutionary Road.
I imagine Revolutionary Road to be the sequel of Titanic. Perchance, let us pretend that Jack and Rose made it together onto American soil, that their love did not go down with Titanic...if a movie was made of their lives post their honey moon phase on the ship, Revolutionary Road would be it (which I'm guessing, is why James Cameron killed off Jack's character so Rose wouldn't have to deal with reality later...). Perfect love does not last. It ends to the preconceived notion of obligations.
I don't care if I'm conforming to the conventional mass by saying that Leonardo DiCaprio is among my most favorite actors. In my opinion, DiCaprio's flawless portrayal of human agony is the very essence of true art. Revolutionary Road is a movie everyone should see once. A lot of what happens in this movie may appear as an exaggeration of human drudgeries, but in reality, it is an unfortunate unveiling of the mold that grows in the hidden crevices of our perfectly envisioned lives.
Shutter Island is the Alcatraz to the most dangerous and difficult mentally ill patients. It is the mental hospital with no escapes, surrounded by jagged rocks and cliffs. This movie is about the case of a missing patient that had mysteriously disappeared from her quarters. Leonardo Dicaprio plays a U.S. Marshal name Teddy Daniels, a recent widower, who goes to the island with his partner to investigate the problem. Upon arrival, we realize that the missing patient isn't the only problem Teddy faces. This movie is smart, with captivating stories, deranged characters, and a lot of names to remember. To be honest, I had to be dragged to this movie because I remembered how petrified I was of the trailer. But in the end, I was so thankful my friend took me, because I would have missed out on an amazing movie. Shutter Island is a psychological thriller, and the trailer is as scary as it gets. With all the duplicitous plots and complications throughout the movie, I was afraid the ending would be disappointing and fail to connect the dots. But I was very pleased with how the movie ended. Simply put: the movie delivered.
Shutter Island is a very mentally stimulating movie. It is incredibly detail oriented so be careful not to miss any side stories, names, or incidents....in other words, be AWAKE! For those of you who are like me, a scaredy cat sensitive to any paranormal accounts or even PG-13 scary movies (i.e. The Sixth Sense, The Ring, Scary Movie 3, and the like) and are deterred from watching Shutter Island because of the trailer...... do not worry, it's not that scary. Just fair warning: the music is a bit daunting. But if I can watch it, so can you. I rate this movie 4 stars!
What a fantastic movie, not because of any witty Hollywood gimmicks or fictional storylines...but because of how closely it mirrors real life. It truly is an intellectually compelling movie. Up in the Air is anything but its title...it should be called "Down to Earth". This movie closely reflects the economic hardships we currently face, which makes this an incredibly relatable story. Many times, mainstream actors star in movies that are very entertaining and intriguing to watch, but at the end of the day, the movie remains a stranger to our familiar lives. Whereas with Up in the Air, the actions the characters take render the same consequences we face in real life, not the fabricated Hollywood scenarios. Also, the movie gives the audience a chance to mentally interact...at least for me it did! George Clooney plays a role that serves as the grim reaper to jobholders and at the same time having to deal with the voids in his life. Anna Kendrick does an excellent job of portraying a young woman who tries to apply schoolbook skills into the real world. Although she is still a little stiff as an actress, surprisingly this persona fits perfectly for the movie.
What I like is that each character in this movie embodies an insecurity hidden by ego. I have always been a big fan of George Clooney, not because of his looks (surprised?), but because of the movies he has been in. He really knows how to pick the right scripts. Up in the Air is not void of witty banter either. This movie should be watched, especially during this time of high unemployment...not because there are advices to be heeded, but because it shows there is an awareness of the problem...and sometimes that is the best solution. A reel-listed four stars!
Unpredictably, this movie was anything but illustrious for me. I finally watched the film that many people have suggested I watch, believing that it is my "type" of movie (maybe I should start reassessing myself...). The movie starts off obnoxiously as it introduces a very uniquely cute boy with seemingly animalistic tendencies screaming, no...roaring as he races down the stairs after a shaggy dog. We can already tell he is a troubled little man. Honestly, I liked how the movie started; very innocent, very perky, and has the making for a true indie-fantasy film. I found myself sympathizing with the boy as he subtly reveals his secret desire to be accepted. The desire is disguised in an anecdote he tells to his mother. So far so good. Later on, the story's charm slips away and becomes muffled by melancholy inhabitants with hirsute human faces (though of course it closely resembles the illustrations in the storybook). These monsters are what dries out the air in this movie. They are void of deep emotions and drone on in their depressing stupor.
If this movie was introduced as a children's movie (like Fievel Goes West, even then, the plot was pretty attractive) then fine..it's simple plot will suffice for younger viewers. However, because the movie boasts of its mature issues and dark characters, it should have delivered to an adult audience as well. But it failed to do so. Instead, the movie came out looking like a colorless Sesame Street episode. There are movies that are called "sleepers", meaning they have low expectations in the beginning but in the end draws a large approving audience. Then there are the "confusers" (my personal term)...and they are the ones that sadly are stuck between two kinds of audiences. Where the Wild Things Are is too scary and daunting for a young child who enjoyed the picture book. But the movie is too inconsistent and puppet-like to appeal to an adult. I understand that this movie is not suppose to have the same sugar-coated presentation like the Chronicles of Narnia or many other Disney movies. But even sad movies must have some kind of a quirk or an "umph" of some kind to distinguish it from many other scripts...or else we might as well watch a documentary on depression.
The movie's folly was that it introduced many psychological problems throughout the story that you expect some epiphany-invoking one-liner in the end that would connect everything. Unless it is some kind of troubling analogy to how our problems in real life have no actual solutions, the fact that the story's conflict never resolves in the end is very disappointing. Wait, backtrack...what was the conflict again? Exactly. But now now, let's not be too pessimistic. Despite my disdain for the overall movie, the music was refreshingly original and definitely conveyed the ambiance that the movie had failed to create. I'd say Where the Wild Things Are is a reelistic two stars (the extra star is for the music score).
.jpg)
