Short Cuts (1993)

This is a good movie. It is the second time I’ve seen it now, and while it wasn’t as magical as the first time I watched it, it was still quite enjoyable. The movie is told as vignettes of different lives of people who are loosely interconnected, and shows them bumping into one another by chance, as they go through their natural life routine. Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia makes homage to this style, in a glossier, big-budget feel, but it doesn’t beat the originality and subtleness of Short Cuts.
The casting of this film is incredible. It reads as a who’s who in big name Hollywood back in the early to mid-nineties. Special props to Peter Gallagher and Tim Robbins, who, in my opinion, are awesome in this film. Julianna Moore is annoying as hell. Something about that woman, in everything she does, just rubs me the wrong way. In one scene she shows her cooter, nonchalantly, while having a fight with her husband, it’s just a gross sight.
The pacing of Short Cuts is what’s really remarkable about this film. Robert Altman makes the whole film seamless and natural. The film is just over 3 hours, but never is there a particularly boring scene. All scenes seem critical to the development of the film.
I definitely recommend this movie for someone who wants to beef up their film viewing repertoire. While the setting and costume tragically date this film, character motive and trajectory are completely timeless. Altman, in the behind-the-scenes, documentary, describes Short Cuts as a lot of smoking, with a dab of alcoholism, and infidelity. In a way this is what life is for Middle America. None of the characters’ are in anyway extraordinary individuals; they are just people trying to get through life as best they can. But drama sweeps in and inevitably people make selfish, rude responses. This film is pretty much showing how these people aren’t especially prone to swallowing their pride, as is the rest of the human race.

Gandhi (1982)

Gandhi was a pretty meh movie, and I feel like a jerk for saying it, but Richard Attenborough has no flair has a director. You know when you watch a movie, there’s always at least one aspect that sticks out for you, well in Attenborough’s film is just meat and potatoes. Sure Gandhi was one of the most influential people of the last century, I have read his autobiography, and it changed how I saw the world, but watching the movie, it felt so fictitious. I’ve only seen one other Attenborough film, Chaplain, and got the same feeling from it too; amazing story, but flat direction.
Ben Kingsley was pretty good as Gandhi, but, again I feel like a jerk for saying it, the performance didn’t seem exceptional.
I’m thinking my guilt for writing this negative review is probably due to the subject matter. Gandhi was an incredible person who changed so many people’s lives, therefore it feels wrong to deride anything that is associated with his legacy. Probably that’s what the Academy was thinking when they were handing out the Oscar’s that year.

Steve Carrell: The next Leslie Nielson?

No review today, but I want to comment on an idea that I haven't read about in the media, but that I found interesting. Steve Carrell is totally the next Leslie Nielson. Major proof available in Carrell's new movie "Get Smart". This movie (from the preview) looks completely like a remake of the Naked Gun Series. The premise is similar, the characters are similiar (including The Rock in the role that would have been played by OJ, so obvious), the major difference being the CGI going on in the background (which may be a flaw in the end for Get Smart).
Getting back to Carrell and Nielson, it's even uncanny that they look similar. The mannerisms are all there.

Cloverfield (2008)

This movie had almost everything I can enjoy in a horror movie, which is hard to do because the horror genre is the last genre you can find me getting into. The movie was short, clocking in at less than 84 minutes. The story was far-fetched (because I just can't handle the real stuff, I get nightmares). And it took place in a cool location (NYC, rockin!).
The quasi-unique thing about this film, as most viewers would probably agree, is the "hand-held" shooting style. I guess about 95% of this film is done this way. I can't recall any non hand-held shots, but I'm sure there were a couple wide shots inserted seamlessly in order to give the viewer a broader perspective of the scene.
I thought it was really corny that the main dude was so set on finding his love interest who was trapped in her apartment. Chances are she is dead man, but of course the film is usually optimistic and she was alive when they get to her.
Another thing that was dumb was that it took forever for the horror to start. Yeah the young/beauty NYC people know how to throw a house party, yes I'm uber jealous and would love to live in Manhattan with no appearance of the stresses of money and a career. But really, I don't think it takes 15 minutes to get this idea across. Five minutes max and I totally would have gotten the drift.
What the film really had going for it though was that it never explains afterwards what sparked the attack by that crazy monster and where it came from. The film felt like an unfinished alien version of the Blair Witch Project mixed with The Ring. When horror movies give too much information they're just not scary they're hella lame. It's all about the keeping the viewer wondering what the hell is going to happen next, and Cloverfield totally pulled this off.
In essence I recommend this film because it doesn't pretend to be pretentious, it's kind of like a hey, wouldn't it be crazy if this happened, oh and we're going to deliver it from a one person's perspective, so it really gets into your skin. Enjoy!

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

This movie was so cute. I really enjoyed it. It's been about 8 months since I first wanted to see this movie. Was there gratification in the delay? Meh, what can I say it was a cute film. I loved the scene where Lars gets upset about how Bianca is too busy to spend an evening playing Scrabble with him, just like a real boy would, hehe.
It's sad and touching that Lars lived such a secluded life. I'm glad the character was able to break out of his shell eventually.
I guess from a critic's more objective point of view the film is pretty formulaic. But I find it hard to admit this because Ryan Gosling is just so dreamy that I melt when he's on screen.
I recommend this movie if you're looking for something kind of light, but touching and all round cute.

No Country for Old Men (2007)

This was an enjoyable film. Disturbing and horrific with all the fixing of a Thanksgiving dinner, but also subtle and not very graphic. Maybe if it was more graphic it would have been a very different film, and I would be having nightmares, haha.
I was sadly disappointed with the ending, but it didn't wreck the film for me, surprisingly. I think because the ending kind of made sense with what happened through the whole film. I won't spoil anything, I promise. After finishing the film I couldn't think of any big critique, and even question the point of this entry. It was a film in itself. Like a good novel, it delivered what it promised, nothing more, nothing less.
I enjoyed Tommy Lee Jones as the county sheriff. His character reminded me a lot of the character Francis Mcdormand played in Fargo, it was cool seeing it again.
Final verdict: The film is watchable, but I don't think you'd be missing much if you let it pass you by.

Across the Universe (2007)

Overall this movie was alright. I wasn't expecting much because I had heard mixed reviews, but was really impressed by the cinematography, and also the song choice. A couple of the tunes I didn't recognize, which was nice. For anyone who hasn't heard of this film, it is set in the 60s, a dramatization of the significant events that occurred done as a musical using exclusively Beatles music. The concept is definitely intriguing. This film in the end I found hard to categorize because it's a whole lotta too much going on. I haven't counted, but I'm sure it covers every major film genre. I enjoyed the musical genre of it, and also the coming of age segments, but the war scenes I found too graphic, and a rough juxtaposition after the free spirited first half of the film. Some parts were dumb, like the scene where the young lovers are making out, naked underwater. Yeah it's looks cool with their hair all floaty like, but really, I don't need to see a naked Evan Rachel Wood. That girl has always had a creepy undertone to her, even here, when she plays the sweet innocent American girl.
I say check out this film if you'd like to hear some cool new versions of classic Beatles' tunes. The story is pretty much fluff, but that's understandable, since it totally takes second chair behind the music.

Enchanted (2007)

I had been wanting to see this movie since it came out, so I grabbed the chance when it was playing as an in-flight movie. I enjoyed this movie for what it was. It's a syrupy tale of fairy tale characters who find themselves thrown into modern day NYC. It was kind of like Borat, for 6 year olds...hilarity at foreigners who have trouble coping with their new environment. I especially loved the fairy tale singing that took place all over the city.
The movie starts out as a cartoon, which was cute, and then when the characters are thrown into NYC it goes to real life. Props to the whole cast, to be honest. I later found out that the main dude's girlfriend was Idina Menzel, none other than the lady who played the Wicked Witch in the stage production of Wicked, way cool...unfortunately she didn't sing one note, what's with that? She totally would have stole the show, which I guess is why they probably cut any parts she might have sang during. James Marsden was so dreamy in a I'm-ignorantly-and-blissfully-in-love-with-my-lady prince, so yeah, ironically creepy, haha
With all this going for it, I was really disappointed with the ending. It does have a happy ending (ah geez, I hope I didn't spoil it for you), but not in the way I wanted it to be. Ah well, it was definitely an enjoyable watch, and good escape from the hunger pains I endured during the beginning of my flight :)

Party Girl (1995)

A film I had never heard of until the other day, starring Parker Posey is apparently a cult film. Cult film and Parker Posey I had to check it out. I have to say it was alright, Parker has some funny moments but overall I'd say it's a flat film. It's just the feel the film has. It's definitely low-budget, which is obvious in both script and shooting, but it does have a bit of the low-budget charm, just nothing that makes it stand out from every other low-budget film with charm.
The casts wardrobe made this film worth watching. Checking out styles from the mid-90s are hilarious, mostly because this is the style that is coming back right now...so watching it makes it feel I should be taking fashion notes. I think H&M must have watched this movie to get tips, ha.

Let's All Hate Toronto (2007)

This was a decent documentary about why all of Canada hates the city of Toronto and its people. I personally don't have too much of an outstanding beef with the place, but I found the concept to this film cute. It's pretty much a film you shouldn't take seriously because it pokes fun of itself through and through. I like how they gave my hometown Hamilton credit for hating Toronto the most vehemently, haha...Footage shot at Ivor Wynne stadium was hilarious and totally captures how a local North Hamiltonian behaves...don't be looking in my direction I'm more in the South-Western area :)
The majority of the film is about the protagonist going from coast to coast to learn about why Canadians hate Toronto, and to try and shed some light on their deriding sentiment.
The film doesn't try to be serious political or anything, if anything this film is just about the filmmakers enjoying their trip across Canada and connecting with people from different areas of our country and being silly at the same time. Hey, if I could find funding to do the same, I'd be there in a second.

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

I really enjoyed this movie, it was a helluva roller coaster ride. Paul Greengrass really knows what he's doing when it come to the action/thriller genre. Every cut seemed to be flawless, and effortlessly assembled. Maybe if I speak even more in it's praise you'll think I'll bullshit? But it's true, this movie rocks out! Acting was intense too. Props to David Strathairn for being a kickass evil dude! Lady actresses seemed willowy with what they were given, the script totally could have given Julia Stiles at least one scene where she could pistol whip some CIA henchman, but no, her scenes demanded that she looks worried and longingly into Matt Damon's eyes, and then run frantically from her potential killer, what gives!
On an artistic note, I found the colouring very interesting. It comprised mostly blues, cold tones giving the film a very somber feel. Also I really loved the real locations that are used throughout the film. When Damon walks out of the Paris subway station toward the "Gare du Nord" it made me feel special that I had walked up those exact steps around 18 months ago (I totally have something in common with Matt Damon, sweet). Also shots of London were wicked, and make me excited for my upcoming trip there....at least I won't have a sniper looming behind my back, like somebody else.
All in all, I recommend this movie, because it's totally enjoyable, it's a popcorn movie for sure, but it's so thrilling that you'll feel more CIA savvy than before!

Juno (2007)

I rather enjoyed this film. The beginning half I found annoying with it's clever wit, but by the midway point the dialogue had settle into a more comfortable pace. Juno has a very indie feel to it, which felt very deliberate...I think in the not too future (possibly present) time these "indie" films can be studied for what they represent and portray. There's something predictable about these films. Last year's "indie gem" was Little Miss Sunshine. These are not bad films, but they're just as formulaic, and as more as released I wonder what's the point. Just as the Romantic Comedy genre was ruined by Britney Murphy, Kate Hudson etc, I think the Indie Film will eventually be on the edge of ruin if they keep churning out meatloaf like this.
I guess that was just a tip of the iceburg of my genre criticism, but to be fair Juno is a really enjoyable film. It's well acted, well written, and well directed. Special attention to Jennifer Garner for her role, I really believed her need for a baby. The soundtrack was very catchy, in the indie-genre (I'm-going-to-try-not-to-criticize this); I may buy this next week when it's released. A lot of people have been raving about Michael Cera's performance in this film. Yeah, it's good, but I don't think it's anything extraordinary or different from what he's already done.
Ah well, I say check out this film because you probably will enjoy it. I think I've become jaded because I've seen my share of indie films over the past few years.

Margot at the Wedding (2007)

Wow, this is one of those movies that is hard to wrap your head around. It was honestly the most melodrama I think I've experienced in a 90 minute stretch. I felt so unnerved by the end of it I pledged I would never act like that around my family. I'm thinking this is director Noah Baumbach's intention because he's no stranger to these situations in his films. It's hard to say I enjoyed this film because the characters are just so erratic and rude, but at the same time it shows such a truthful ugly side of humanity. The portrayals of the characters by the cast was beautifully done with special nods to Jennifer Jason Leigh and John Turturro (who, granted was only there for 5 minutes, but totally rocked it). Jack Black had an unconvincing crying scene, who my friend told me later that's how boy's cry (I still think it was bad acting). Also, aside from that, the only thing that bugged me was the unstable camera composition. I understand maybe Baumbach was trying to illustrate the family's unrest with a shaky cam, but I think it was used cheaply.
The film's ending was really open, in that I was interested to see how the character's resolved their melodrama. Up until the final minutes there was so much that wasn't explained about the actions of the characters. It's interesting how Baumbach uses this lack of information given to pull in the audience with suspense. The film is such a snapshot of these characters' lives that you never get a chance to understand fully their ideas and desires.
I guess I recommend this film if you are interested in a family melodrama case study. Beware feelings of anxiety that may come while watching it.

49th Parallel (1941)

This is one of those films that you've never heard of before but has a cast and director that ring a bell. It's funny when these kinds of films pop up because they're kind of fringe classics, i guess, because their not on any top movie lists. That being said 49th Parallel is a decently solid film, but understandable not an all-time classic. Directed by Michael Powell who's one of the greatest British directors and with a smart cast, including Laurence Olivier and Leslie Howard, it's almost a surprise this film doesn't get more recognition beyond the film elite. I think what holds this film back is it's too contemporary in it's time. The film takes place during World War II, right before the American's joined the Allies. My brief readings told me this film was made in efforts to convince the American's that they need to join the war. I find this ironic because the film takes place in Canada, and Americans don't share all the same values as Canadians.
Enjoyable scenes in the film: Laurence Olivier playing a French-Canadian fur-trapper was so funny. His accent was ridiculous, but he really got into which was awesome. Leslie Howard playing a Native Indian historian, not caring when the German's threaten to shoot him, but has a hissy fit when they destroy his paintings and literature, haha. Any scene where Canadians are portrayed as defenseless, yet rational human beings who offer any stranger food and lodging whenever they bump into the German's. Now I know we're supposed to be friendly, but I think that image of hospitality is probably pushing it.
Minor inconvenience, the plot dragged on at times, but overall it was a smooth pace.
What I found interesting about this film is that it's a British film portraying Canadian values. I don't think I've seen a film like this before, so it was kind of cool to see how another country sees us besides the awful misrepresentation made by any American films.
I say check out this film is the above subject matter paints your fancy.

Disturbia (2007) & Transformers (2007)

The reason I clumped these films together is because they both star cutie-patootie Shia LaBeouf and they were both pretty much average films. Transformers was slightly better though. So both these films are about Shia's character getting into mischief, and then talking himself out of it, that crazy rascal. He plays a typical teen boy, obsessed with video games, attractive lady companions, and talking his parents off. Both films pair Shia with a gorgeous, thin, yet curvy love interest. These "tight hotties" are doing so much for my self-esteem :s...the films both end with Shia macking on his lady... ah shit, I totally spoiled it for everyone!
In terms of narrative both films are pretty weak, but you can't expect much from major hollywood vehicles. Disturbia was pegged as a Hichcock Rear Window knock-off; yeah, the story has the same skeleton, but really the efforts are not where near comparison, puh-leeze. Transformers is a what-you-see-what-you-get, which means a 15 year old wrote the scripts, but I won't deride it for that reason, because they never pretended to be more than an summer blockbuster.
In the way that supporting actors go, the films had some credibility. Carrie-Anne Moss played a never-there mom very well, but Transformers took the cake with John Turturro playing the bad-cop turned good-cop, he totally made the slow "story" scenes enjoyable to watch.
In the end I recommend Transformers for a good popcorn flick, but Disturbia is pretty weak, so no go there.

Feist - December 3, 2007 - Hamilton Place

This show was great, I really enjoyed it. It was my second time seeing Feist live so I came in with some expectations, Feist met those expectations, but for different reasons. The first time I saw Feist it was at the Folk Festival in Ottawa, we were outdoors, it was rainy and cold, and dark. All things said it was also a great show because Feist is awesome live. I was standing right against the bars, so I had one of the best spots essentially, and it was a pretty cheap ticket to get in.
Last night the show was indoors, it was seated, and I was on the first balcony so not as close as I'd like. Feist definitely brought her lady funk which was great, she chatted a bit with the audience, and did a fair mix of her older stuff along with most tunes from her new cd. She did a 3 song encore which I thought was more than generous due to lack of audience participation, but it seemed like it was part of the set regardless of how the audience reacted. Opening band Great Lake Swimmers were great also. Their songs were so soothing that I felt like curling up and napping it was so relaxing.
What I find interesting about Feist, and what got me wanting to write this post is that even with only 3 CD releases to her name her music is evolving in such an organic way. Her first CD, which most people have not even heard of "Monarch (Lay Down Your Jewelled Head)" has an unpolished feel to it. I can't claim much expertise to this album because I've only listened to it maybe one and a half times, but it's definitely neat to listen to to get a grasp of Feist's roots. "Let it Die" is the album that introduced most people to Feist, including myself. The CD is awesome, and by far one of my favourites. It has a disco era feel to it that really makes it a swayable album to listen to. Most of the tunes are down tempo, but she uses awesome classical instruments with electrofusion it's definitely candy for your ears.
The latest CD, "The Remainder" took some time for me to warm up to. The sound is a lot more professional than "Let it Die", and also more accessible to audiences. I originally saw this as Feist selling out because it was only after her song "1234" was used for iPod, that she became popular in the states. But eventually I have come to enjoy this CD also because it still evokes the classic Feist style and rhythm.

Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)

It's been a few years since I last watched this film, and it still really impressed me. It's one of those films that you feel you learn something new about the characters and also about yourself with each viewing. I'm always torn whether to categorize the film as optimistic or pessimistic because the characters go through such drama, but in the end the vulnerable characters end up better off than the stubborn/obnoxious characters.
Sex, Lies, and Videotape is visually low-budget, which I would say is it's only main weakness. Errors in continuity and poor audio-dubbing can be distracting, but because of the strong story and characters, don't seem to cause too much of a blip for people who don't notice them.
James Spader and Peter Gallagher are so sexy and natural in these roles, they were really cast well. Their characters really remind me of guys I personally know, which keeps me coming back to watch this film.
In the end I recommend this film for anyone who has had a bad relationship in their life, and feel like it's destroyed them emotionally. Not to sound too bleak, but this film really gives insight as to how people feel after they have been betrayed by the person they have loved more than anyone else in their life. In my opinion the film is still kind of open in the ending, making you not sure as to what will happen to the main characters, it's definitely more realistic than 99% of Hollywood movies made today.

Freaky Friday (1976)

This is the kind of film that only children can enjoy, literally. The last time I watched this film I was around 8 years old, so I thought it was the wittiest things I'd ever seen. Watching it now, it's pretty drab. For anyone not familiar with this film's premise, a mother and daughter who are fed up with each other simultaneously declare they would rather be the other person, and then at the blink of an eye, the daughter is in the mother's body, and the mother is in the daughter's body.
This film, all of that aside, was very casted. Jodie Foster plays a very convincing mother, for someone in their early teens, and Barbara Harris is hilarious as the mom turned young teen. Harris is definitely more entertaining to watch because she pulls off slapstick comedy like no other. Watching her try to put on fake eyelashes is so funny, you really believe she has no idea how to be an adult. Of course supporting roles too are great. John Astin, legendary Gomez Addams from the original Addams Family pulls is weight.
Overall this movie is only worth watching if you remember seeing this as a child, and you feel nostalgic, besides that it's just like eating a cream-filled donut, only feels like a sweet idea before you start eating it.

The Lives of Others (2006)

This was a very good film. It takes place in 1984 East Germany and illustrates how it's citizens how no privacy from State Security. The story is of one of the spy's who lives a lonely life, one day has a change of heart and does not record the rebellious activities of the artist he is spying on. The spy starts to agree with the artist's political convictions, and even goes so far as to help the artist's girlfriend return to him.
There are very strong voyeuristic elements in this film, which makes it very interesting to watch. You can't help but feel empathy toward the lonely spy because he everyone wants to feel as if their presence in other people's lives are making a positive impact. The lonely spy is in the position where he can allow something to happen that can change a nation, and he doesn't hesitate for a moment.
I was very moved by this film and recommend it to everyone to see because it's such a truthful tale of human actions. This film won best foreign-language film at the Oscar's this past year, which it very much deserved.

The River (1951)

I found this film to be very unique. It takes place in India and describes Indian philosophy and way of life through a British family that lives on an estate. The story is of two sisters, one in her twenties, and the other in her teens who fight over a young man who is a family friend and comes to stay awhile on the estate. It gets pretty "Mean Girls" between them because the young man is friendly toward both girls, so neither of them back away. The film ends just as a tragedy is ending, so it kind of a toss between a sad and happy ending.
What I liked about this film is the philosophy about life and families that is intertwined in the plot. I had an interest to see this film because Wes Anderson said that The River is the film that most inspired his new film The Darjeeling Limited (2007), and me being a big Wes Anderson fan (and giant film geek), I had to watch this soon.
This film was also the first colour film Jean Renoir made. Renoir being a very reputable French director really wanted to make a different film that his current oeuvre. I think this film, while having a very different stage than his other films, is very similar in theme to his other films.
Overall this film is pretty good, but not amazing. I think one would enjoy this film if they're looking for a film that takes them to a part of the world they've never been to (unless they've been to India). It's something to watch when you want to kick back, relax, and reflect on life.