Movie Reviews - updated for 2009

[Dooley]

Big Man Japan

Oh I enjoyed that very much! Thanks for the recommendation Mondo.

I wasn't expecting the slow documentary style at the beginning but it was kind of hypnotic and I liked it. Then the monster fights in between, just hysterical! Giant number four in his underwear was a touch of genius. I thought it couldn't get any more off kilter but then came the ending. What the hell?!

It was interesting to find out that the guy playing Big Man Japan was the director.

What's also interesting is that I too have a policy of never surrendering my hips.

[MondoJohnny]

I'm glad you liked it! That has to be one of the strangest movies I have ever seen! The way it starts out so slowly and he talks about his job in vague terms for the first part makes the pay off excellent. Its a film that you almost shouldn't even see the box before you watch it! Perfect for showing a group of friends over a few drinks when they have no idea of what to expect!

The ending is absolutely beautiful and ridiculous just as you said.

If you liked that you might like a movie called, The Happiness of the Katakuris. Its a silly and heartwarming...dark comedy....musical....with claymation? Its got a sort of there is an element of genius to the films eclecticism and without going into the plot, let me just say that the film makes you really love the characters in it. They are all endearing in their way especially grandpa. Its another weird one, but it has a great plot and some really funny scenes.

Its basically a film about a family being brought together by the patriarch to open up a bed and breakfast in a beautiful area of Japan where there is supposed to be a major road built. Things start out slow as the road is delayed a bit and turn bad when their first few guests turn up dead. I recommend this movie to pretty much anyone, and I think the dark humor is underscored by the lighthearted treatment the characters give it. Its off kilter, but then most of what is truly interesting tends to be including our own Mr. Dolby!

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Mini/Lunesse --Should we lose the year on this thread topic?


Insidious: a mildly scary story about a missing boy. One or two jolts/jump in
your seats when scary after-life spirits pop-up on the screen (that works out to
about $4 per jolt). The acting was the real horror in this film: it was so bad that
the film took on an unintended(?) comical effect. Overall, not worth this rehash
of the Poltergeist story.
* of 4


Source Code: Duncan Jones (Moon) directs this entertaining picture about
changing the past - or is it changing the future? It's "Groundhog Day" meets
"Inception"-lite set on a USA train (yes, we have one or two left). Can our
hero make a difference and can we watch the same repeated scene and still pay
attention? - yes; does the science make sense? - no, it's science fiction.
*** of 4:

Paul: The stars of 'Hot Fuzz' and 'Shawn of the Dead' return with the big
budget, Hollywood comedy "Paul". I liked 'Paul' for its plentiful references to
science fiction films and its Brits-out-of-water feel whilst exploring western USA. I
liked it less so for the obvious American cliches (rednecks, evil government
agents, religious fanatics), and its instant romance. The film lacks an emotional
connection with the characters. Though there were multiple funny lines and sight gags,
the film deteriorated to a Seth Rogen-like 'Pineapple Express' with sophomoric
humor and gratuitous swearing. Your teenage boys will love it.
*1/2 of 4

Life As We Know It (DVD): a comedy about a couple who, despite loathing
each other, are forced into instant shared parenthood. I think parents will feel
some emotional connection to parts of this film over loss, responsibility and
nurturing. The film evolves into a mildly satisfying light-hearted romcom: it's
'Marley and Me' shown in reverse.
** of 4.

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Catfish: (DVD) An independent documentary about the risks of trusting the social network with affairs of the heart. A New York young man, and his two (filming) comrades, explore an on-line relationship to its bizarre conclusion. It's a heartbreaking reality look at the risks about fulfilling one's life via the internet. Attention first time film makers: here is how you can make your first film and not break the bank.

***/4

[Dooley]

Get Low 4 out of 5.

Robert Duvall plays this old coot who's getting ready to die, Bill Murray plays another guy who isn't. Sissy Spacek plays a woman. If that doesn't whet your appetite I don't know what will.

I really enjoyed this movie. It was unusual in the way that its rhythm was more European than American and the storyline was also a constant surprise. Nothing played out quite as I had expected it would, which was a refreshing change.

There are one or two laugh out loud moments but, for the most part, the movie is gentle and interesting in a quiet way. The one moment of real violence wasn't even shown, just implied which was also a welcome change. In the hands of a typical Hollywood director this could have been a real weepfest but it was directed and acted with restraint and all the better for it.

It was also nice to see Bill Murray in a role that let him be more himself. His character has a touch of humor and this suits him far better than the role he played in the truly awful and overrated 'Lost In Translation' and the almost as bad 'Broken Flowers'. So there.

[michaelmaclauchlan]

*some spoilers*

Adjustment Bureau:

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt star in this Inception-light film, adapted from a Phillip K Dick (Minority Report, Blade Runner, Next, Paycheck, Total Recall) story.

PKD's stories seem to often have an authoritarian element; the mysterious Tyrell corporation, the evil air-controlling corporation on Mars, the ReKall company that implants false memories or, in the Minority Report, the police pre-crime division.

In the Adjustment Bureau (AB), the nature and extent of humanity's free will is questioned. How much of our decisions are self-made verses manipulated by the men of AB (apparently there are few AB women; in order to use some technology, one needs a 1960's style man hat).

Matt Damon's character, David Norris is a failed New York US Senator candidate. He has his fate altered when an adjuster is caught off guard. This leads to a series of unplanned events and results in a romance, and other unintended consequences. (Adjusters have limited abilities to control all destiny).

The romantic chemistry is good. Adjusters, though, are comic book like. Terrance Stamp, a revered adjuster brought in to stop the unplanned romance, is usually an intimidating bad guy; in this film, he's not convincing, more of a stern grandfather. Performances of note: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Anthony Mackie.

Overall the story is fine; it's a pleasant romance embedded in a SciFi film. The action not too violent or over the top. Will love conquer the fates or is our future immutable? I guess I wanted more mystery perhaps something more memorable. Though, for the $4 entry fee, I'm not complaining.

** of 4

[michaelmaclauchlan]

The Way Back (DVD)

'The Great Escape' meets David's Lean's 'Lawrence of Arabia'. A multinational cast tell of 1940's gulag life in remote Siberia. Escapees travel to ultimate freedom. Which is worse: living in a prison camp, or crossing the Gobi desert. Nice performance by Ed Harris (as usual); I was disappointed in Saoirse Ronan (who is usually good). Perhaps her character just seemed hard to fit in with the rest of story.

***/5

Side note: My VLC DVD PC software allows variable play speeds. I a film seem sluggish, I play them at ~104% to 109% of normal speed. The film plays fine and can actually help keep the story moving along with no noticeable side effects.

[Dooley]

Fatso (1980).

Written and directed by Anne Bancroft, staring Dom DeLuise, Anne Bancroft, Candice Azzara and Ron Carey.

Dom DeLuise plays Dominick DiNapoli an over-weight guy who finds comfort in food, he loves food. When his cousin Sal dies at 39 due to obesity Dom's sister Antoinette (Anne Bancroft) pressures him to loose weight.

My wife and I watched this for the first time the other night and loved it. They really don't make 'em like this any more. Equally funny and sweet, 93 minutes passed in a flash.

[MondoJohnny]

The Monitors, 1969


Watched a film called the Monitors over the weekend. It was a 1969 dark comedy tinged with sci fi. Or was that a sci fi tinged with comedy? The premise of the movie isn't bad, and it certainly has some funny moments and some "Oh I see what they are going for" moments, but its just absolutely slathered with late 60s slime, and that makes it really challenging to watch.

Its as if 1984 and a Monkees movie had a baby... and then that baby exploded. Running throughout is a kind of bizzaro-psychedelic, drug addled feel that, in my opinion, drags the movie down somewhat and undermines what would otherwise be really solid dark comedy. In particular the switching between clever Doctor Strangelove -esque satire, and wacky slap stick, makes the movie difficult to follow along with.

I would almost be tempted to think a story like this could use a reboot, but for the fact that it would never be done well, and the oddball camp gives it a certain cult classic status. This is one of those movies where I am chagrined to admit that I may just not "get it". Probably no different than the way people younger than me "don't get" 80s movies. Two decades in which art seemed to be heavily entrenched in the era itself. Or was that the era itself heavily entrenched in the art?

I couldn't really rate this one as I don't think I could give it a fair shake, but nevertheless I do think its worth seeing still. It did leave an impression on me after all, and as long as a movie does that I think it still has value.

[michaelmaclauchlan]

'Drive', the movie, is getting consistently good reviews (I've not seen it) but the sound track is (for me) is very interesting.

I'm immediately liking the theme. 'Nightcall' by Kavinsky (feat Lovefoxxx)
http://soundcloud.com/deadcruiser/nightcall

The above song is a bit scary metal vocals, some 80's synths and Euro-pop (Lovefoxxx = Human League like?)

The sampler:
http://youtu.be/A9J4R4KYv-s

Anyone seen the film?

M

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Melancholia: I was surprised to see director/writer Lars Von Trier's new film available as a download (or ppv) a week before it open in movie theaters in the States. Last night, after watching Paranormal Activity 2 (yawn), I fired up Melancholia. Stars: Kirsten Dunst (Spiderman), Charlotte Gainsbourg (Antichrist) and Kiefer Sutherland.

Melancholia is two stories in one: it parallels deep personal depression and the depression of a possible cosmic collision with the rogue planet 'Melancholia'. (Anyone watch 2005 YU55 "fly by" this past week? 1000x mass more than Tunguska - the 1908 Siberian meter/comet crash heard as far away as London. Good timing to release this film eh?). Von Trier lets the audience in on a dysfunctional families' wedding that leads to a meltdown-perhaps the Earth shares that same fate?

Set in the States, but filmed in Sweden, much of the movie has a lush feel and, in parts, uses of ultra high speed photography. Many of the scenes were filmed with a digital hand-held cam that uses occasional zooming for effect. The story moves along at a melancholic rate, but ultimately, for this SciFi enthusiast, was pleasing. Do not try to work out the celestial mechanics (or other physics issues like non-starting cars and power failures but golf carts good to go) as they seem incorrect. Overall this is a fairly enjoyable, but ultimately depressing film. The early cosmic scenes and the last scenes are the best - all set to Wagner - what does that portend?

** 1/2 of 4

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Red State: Can't say I'm a fan of director Kevin Smith (Clerks), but I do enjoy the Coen Brothers, and for me, Red State felt like Coen Brother movie. Red State story centers on fundamentalist's entrapment of randy teenagers, their views on decadence and what must be done to return to the righteous path. Parallels to Waco Texas in the 1990's are clear. This is a story of violence, intolerance, cult and sometimes, humor. The 2nd act's 'preachiness' drags on a bit but the ending came out of nowhere and was a treat (pure Coen, now Smith).

(Here is another case of the film being released in simultaneous formats: theater, DVD and On-Demand/PPV). I bet the theatres are not happy campers these days).
** 1/2 of 4

[michaelmaclauchlan]

According to IMDB 13 Jan 12 is the opening date, but it would not surprise me if it gets an extremely limited December 2011 early release as to qualify for the upcoming Oscars.

Also, "Rated PG-13 for some violent images and brief nudity" wonder if this is due to Jim's Broadbent?