No Reservations
Monday, August 13, 2007
3 GOOMBAS
Remember Raising Helen? Kate Hudson; 2004 romantic comedy; a movie you wished was never made but you were compelled to watch it anyway. Well think EXACTLY that movie except with the protagonist as a top chief, only one kid (<--the same kid for that matter; she was also one of the kids in Raising Helen), and a little more dramatic.
No Reservations stars a little too gorgeous Catharine Zeta Jones, adorable Abigail Breslin, and formerly hairy Aaron Eckhart from Erin Brockavich. Kate is one of the best chefs in New York and also has the worst temper, especially when it comes to criticism. She has relationship issues and never lets anyone through her rough exterior. When Kate's sister dies, her niece is sent to live with her, and both have to find a way to cope with their loss and bring down their reservations.
No Reservations was okay for its genre. Breslin brought a breath of fresh air whose talent is sure to bring her a great future . . . as long as she doesn't become friends with Paris Hilton. There is this one scene where she's watching old movies of her mom and you see the tears well up in her eyes, but no tears fall. Amazing for an eleven year old actress. The heavier themes were handled appropriatly and very well, and it created a nice balance between tragedy and comedy. Kate and Nick's developing relationship was cute, but not necessarily relatable. I just couldn't understand why he liked her; she was so cold sometimes.
Overall, this movie is something feel-good to watch on a weekend. It'll be on TBS in no time. It isn't as good as some of the others but it is better than its twin, Raising Helen, so its up to you to go see it, but don't expect the next Pretty Woman.
Sidenote: I didn't know that there existed a food that was worth $2,200 a pound! Shows you how refined my pallet is. I love food, but not that much.
No Reservations stars a little too gorgeous Catharine Zeta Jones, adorable Abigail Breslin, and formerly hairy Aaron Eckhart from Erin Brockavich. Kate is one of the best chefs in New York and also has the worst temper, especially when it comes to criticism. She has relationship issues and never lets anyone through her rough exterior. When Kate's sister dies, her niece is sent to live with her, and both have to find a way to cope with their loss and bring down their reservations.
The movie didn't do anything absurdly horrible to make me dislike it. Yet it didn't do anything incredibly warm, funny, or endearing either. It was kind of just one constant stream of middling emotion. We're lonely we're lonely we're lonely; we're sad we're sad we're sad where sad; we're happy we're happy we'er happy; we're mad we're mad we're mad; we're happy we're happy we're happy. At least, that's what I think I was suppose to be feeling because the movie didn't actually evoke any feelings from me.
No Reservations was okay for its genre. Breslin brought a breath of fresh air whose talent is sure to bring her a great future . . . as long as she doesn't become friends with Paris Hilton. There is this one scene where she's watching old movies of her mom and you see the tears well up in her eyes, but no tears fall. Amazing for an eleven year old actress. The heavier themes were handled appropriatly and very well, and it created a nice balance between tragedy and comedy. Kate and Nick's developing relationship was cute, but not necessarily relatable. I just couldn't understand why he liked her; she was so cold sometimes.
Overall, this movie is something feel-good to watch on a weekend. It'll be on TBS in no time. It isn't as good as some of the others but it is better than its twin, Raising Helen, so its up to you to go see it, but don't expect the next Pretty Woman.
Sidenote: I didn't know that there existed a food that was worth $2,200 a pound! Shows you how refined my pallet is. I love food, but not that much.
Rocky Balboa
Saturday, August 11, 2007
3 GOOMBAS
Did you guys know that Sylvester Stallone started out as a porn star? He kinda looks sleazy like that, huh? ::shudders:: And I think that he got a really bad eye lift sometime between Rocky V and Rocky Balboa, furthering the gnarly, Sly look. Though, he's still a talented guy, regardless of his past or his looks, which is why Rocky Balboa was a great final installment to the Rocky series.
Following the same formula of its predecessors, Rocky Balboa begins with an internal conflict, Rocky verse Rocky. Balboa has lost his beloved wife Adrian to cancer, and is estranged from his only son, Robert, played by former Gilmore Girl cutie Milo Ventimiglia. Retired and alone, Rocky owns a local restaurant where he devotes most of his time re-telling tales of "the good old days" to enthusiastic customers. In a modern world where life depends on technology for entertainment, a favorite national sports show computer generates boxing athletes from both modern and previous times based on known stats. The show then has the athlete's pixilated counterparts fight one another. The outcome of the Mason "The Line" Dixon vs. the Italian Stallion computer match-up caused a stir in the sports world, and people got an itch to see a real live one-on-one.
Though we correctly expected the general progression of the plot, Rocky Balboa is surprisingly interesting and sincere. It was way better than I thought it would be, that's for sure. The lighting is exceptional, and the characters had depth and humility. The pathos in this film was overwhelming, making the victory bounteous. Of course there was the signature "Rocky is in training" montage, and other typical scenes, but the fight scene was artistic and well thought out. The use of slow motion and shots in black and white film aids in the scene's appeal. It made me cringe with pain just watching the two champs go at it.
This film had no intention of superseding the previous movies other than its last (Rocky V). A rather good idea, in my opinion. Rocky V left many in disappointment and our hero, the Italian Stallion, back in the old neighborhood with nothing except a won street fight. Rocky Balboa is definitely a more fitting end, and it leaves fans remembering why they loved the series.
Hairspray
Friday, August 10, 2007
4 GOOMBAS
I walked into the UltraStar here in San Diego feeling pretty crummy. As the orphan boys in the book I'm currently reading, The Long Run, would say, I was having a case of "the spells." The seats were only filled with a handful of senior citizen who came in three pairs. I sat down in the corner of the cold, dark theater for a matinee showing of Hairspray trying to decide if watching a movie alone was really the right thing for me to be doing at the moment. The lights dimmed, the opening credits rolled, and the moment I heard Tracy Turnblad voice sing "Good Morning Baltimore" my face broke into a ginormous smile that couldn't be turned off anytime she was on screen.
High school student, Tracey Turnblad is just an everyday teenage girl. Perky, out-going, and optimistic, she loves to dance, and has her heart devoted to teen heartthrob, Link Larkin, who also just happens to be her classmate and a dancer on "The Corny Collins Show." When a dancing spot opens up, Tracey is gung-ho for the audition, but is turned away because of her pleasantly plump features. Hairspray focuses its attention on the largest issue that faced the 1960's, black integration, and Tracey Turnblad is a refreshingly heroic presence amidst all the clamour of a serious problem.
High school student, Tracey Turnblad is just an everyday teenage girl. Perky, out-going, and optimistic, she loves to dance, and has her heart devoted to teen heartthrob, Link Larkin, who also just happens to be her classmate and a dancer on "The Corny Collins Show." When a dancing spot opens up, Tracey is gung-ho for the audition, but is turned away because of her pleasantly plump features. Hairspray focuses its attention on the largest issue that faced the 1960's, black integration, and Tracey Turnblad is a refreshingly heroic presence amidst all the clamour of a serious problem.
Hairspray has had an interesting evolution. It started out as an 80's film and was then adapted into a Broadway Musical. Then Hollywood wanted it back to remake Hairspray as a musical, which they achieved with flying colors. As the closing credits began to roll, the old ladies in the theater put it best when they all said practically in unison, "That was cute!!!" with a satisfied, uplifted tone. It was cute! There's no other way to describe it. New-found talent, Nikki Blonsky, was both adorable and gorgeous. She made me want to love life as fiercely as she did, but not in a gag-me-you're-too-goodie-goodie kind of way. She had sex-appeal and emoted a wide range of feelings that anyone whose ever lived through high school can relate to. Though she's may be an everyday teenager, there is nothing ordinary about her.
The notable cast had a hard time competing with Blonsky. Zach Efron is a little too pretty for my taste but displayed genuine, bubblegum talent (I think that's an oxymoron). Michelle Pfeiffer played a really good prissy bitch, and John Travolta was . . . kind of weird. Did he seem really strange to you? I wonder why these Hairspray movies always have a man play Tracey's mother. . . Anyway, his character brought a touch of The Nutty Professor comic relief to the film, but nothing more, thank God.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I'm going to go out and buy the soundtrack so that on those days when I get a case of "the spells", I'll know what I need to do, and for that reason, this movie will always have a special place in my heart.
300
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
3.5 GOOMBAS
Intense CG, stunning style, mediocre plot, and really buff men are the basic elements that comprise the budding cult classic, 300, and all you really need to know is that it's an ancient war movie with lots and lots of gory fighting scenes. It's entertaining, pretty to look at (blood splatters excluded), but vastly prejudice. Drag Queens verses Hercules descendants. Gee, I wonder who the good guys are suppose to be?
300 stars relatively unknown talent (probably because they spent their entire budget on computer geniuses) to tell the epic story of three hundred Spartan warriors who battled against hundreds of thousands of Persian soldiers. Unlike what you'd expect, it isn't just a blood bath. After being threatened by Persian messengers with promises that Sparta will fall to the Persian empire, King Leonidas wanting to defend his country, but unable to declare a proper war. So instead, he goes for "a walk" and takes a small portion of his army with him.
Highly stylized, this film is sophisticated in its look and action delivery. The filmmakers slow down and speed up the movie frames to emphasize sword strokes, spear throws, and body movement. There's a rich, warm tint to the picture, and the entire movie is filmed in front a blue or green screen, creating a unique appearance. However, with all these cutting edge effects, the plot and character development take a backseat to all the excitement on screen.
Some of the triumphant speeches are over-acted, the Sparta verse Persia story was over simplified to the point of a Saturday morning cartoon, and I highly doubt that ancient Persians possed whords of orgy driven naked woman in a traveling tent, transvestite-looking princes, and monsterous, human-like creatures with shanks for arms. One of the flaws in this film was that everything was black and white, literally. Sparta was overly idealized and the enemy overly maleficent.
Though I appreciate this movie for the distinct creativity and edgy use of technology that it brought to the silver screen, the story wasn't anything remarkable, and like I always say, a good movie needs to have a good story. Watch it to see something different. Don't watch it and expect the next Saving Private Ryan.
The Bourne Ultimatum
Monday, August 06, 2007
4 GOOMBAS
Imagine living your life on the run, unable to remember what your real name is, and having the only person you ever loved (as far as you can remember . . .) shot dead because of your relationship with her? It must suck to be Jason Bourne.
Matt Damon radiates a kind of Mark Wahlberg, badass feel in the third chapter of the Bourne cash cow screen fest. Bourne is back and ready to take down whatever and whoever gets in his way of finding out whom and why he is. Still haunted by the death of his girlfriend and garbled memories of "the beginning", Bourne begins his hunt for specific members of the CIA. Aided by some characters from the previous films, Bourne begins to untangle some lost memories, and he finally draws some answers.
Visually, The Bourne Ultimatum is pretty difficult to watch. Unlike old school action flicks, this movie is filmed entirely on multiple hand-held cameras. The frame is always moving, even on typical over-the-shoulder shots, and there are quick, but slight zooms, much like one would see in a documentary or even home movies. Using this technique creates a sensation of realism, partially due to the fact that we've learned to associate these camera movements with "reality" TV, like breaking news and unplanned documentary footage, so although it provides style, it has its practical downsides. I also have some frustration with Julia Stile's character. She added nothing to the plot in The Bourne Supremacy, and left an inconclusive plot hole in this most recent. Not to mention how annoying it was to see her give herself the same hair cut as Bourne's dead girlfriend. Gross.
Aside from those two Jenn-defined flaws, I thought this movie was kick-ass. The fight scenes were nearly like something out of The Matrix, the chase scenes would do The French Connection proud, and when Bourne talks that journalist through the busy train station, all I can say is that Bourne has some mad skill. He's may not be as smooth as Bond, but masculine brawn and innate smarts sets him apart. His love for Marie also brings humanity to his character, and shows that he does have weaknesses.
Jason Bourne, the character, may not be as memorable as some other action hero icons, but he has qualities that impress. The Bourne Ultimatum is a great third installment to series, just make sure you have great eyesight or eye drops when you go see it.
1408
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
3 GOOMBAS
I love John Cusack. He just looks like a good man. He could play a very convincing serial killer without making me doubt his genuine, good-natured sincerity. Heck, he could be a real serial killer and I'd still bat my eyes at him. But a blow of dread beat at my stomach when I found out that he, my boom box holder, my favorite antihero, my number 1, had joined forces with Samuel L Jackson, fresh from Snakes on a Plane and Black Snake Moan, to do a horror flick ::faints::. Oh the humanity! What was my John doing?! Does he need the money? Don't do it John! Don't do it! I'll give you $10 via the box office! But it was too late . . . he had already made the movie. I gave him my $10 anyway; to show my support, you know.
A typically themed horror movie that brings out a man's own inner haunts, 1408 stars Cusack as Mike Enslin, a non-believing ghost hunter who investigates and reviews paranormal activity in hotel rooms. Someone or something mysteriously sends him a hotel postcard that reads "Don't go into room 1408." Of course, Enslin is intrigued, and visits and stays in the hotel room against all recommendations and bribes from The Dolphin Hotel manager.
True to his reputation (thank goodness!), this movie was thoughtfully acted and skillfully performed by Cusack, who basically carried the entire movie on his back. It isn't nearly as cheap as you'd think a movie like this would be. The film had a kind of The Shining feel to it, but rather than turning an average guy into a killer, the venue brought this average man to his humblest and most heroic state of grace. It wasn't all that scary, but that didn't stop me from covering my ears (<---pictures don't scare me, sounds do).
What I didn't like about this film was the ending. It was kind of weird and abrupt. I wasn't sure if the room still had him hostage. Everything looked "real" . . . and what does the ending mean for his wife/ex wife? I hate it when I'm left with question that should have been answered, or at least do something to tell me that they're not suppose to be answered.
Anyway, the bottom line is I love John Cusack. Go see it if you're a fan. Go see it if you're into the Psychological Thriller genre. Don't see it if you're a casual movie watcher. You won't like it. Did I mention that I love John?
"Let's Encyclopedia Brown this bitch."
A typically themed horror movie that brings out a man's own inner haunts, 1408 stars Cusack as Mike Enslin, a non-believing ghost hunter who investigates and reviews paranormal activity in hotel rooms. Someone or something mysteriously sends him a hotel postcard that reads "Don't go into room 1408." Of course, Enslin is intrigued, and visits and stays in the hotel room against all recommendations and bribes from The Dolphin Hotel manager.
True to his reputation (thank goodness!), this movie was thoughtfully acted and skillfully performed by Cusack, who basically carried the entire movie on his back. It isn't nearly as cheap as you'd think a movie like this would be. The film had a kind of The Shining feel to it, but rather than turning an average guy into a killer, the venue brought this average man to his humblest and most heroic state of grace. It wasn't all that scary, but that didn't stop me from covering my ears (<---pictures don't scare me, sounds do).
What I didn't like about this film was the ending. It was kind of weird and abrupt. I wasn't sure if the room still had him hostage. Everything looked "real" . . . and what does the ending mean for his wife/ex wife? I hate it when I'm left with question that should have been answered, or at least do something to tell me that they're not suppose to be answered.
Anyway, the bottom line is I love John Cusack. Go see it if you're a fan. Go see it if you're into the Psychological Thriller genre. Don't see it if you're a casual movie watcher. You won't like it. Did I mention that I love John?
"Let's Encyclopedia Brown this bitch."
The Last Mimzy
Monday, July 30, 2007
2 GOOMBAS
Still part kid, I love watching family-oriented, kid flicks. . . (did my mini, short-lived obsession with my horse movie not give it away?). I anticipated the DVD release Sky High, which I purchased, and Thunderbirds, which I hated, with a passion. Don't even get me started on High School Musical 2. I am such a dork . . . I may have just obliterated any respect you had for my movie opinions. Gotta be my self though, right? So like usual, I requested The Last Mimzy from my trusty, until recently, Netflix, and watched it the first day it arrived. I always watch the lighter movies first.
Kind of a cool general idea, The Last Mimzy is a tale of a brother and sister totally consumed by modern technological culture who find Mimzy stuff on a beach. What they don't know is that the Mimzy stuff came from the future, and that these things hold "magical" powers. Soon after their finding, the children find that they have gained "supernatural" powers, and realize that they must send Mimzy, a living toy rabbit, back to the future.
The more I sat thinking on this movie, the more I disliked it. Even writing about it is making me like it less. This movie has a new age kind of feel to it, and the movie's portrayal of present day kinders a connection between the natural and technological advancement. It was different than other family films I've seen. I saw a similarity between Mimzy and ET, where only the children understand the mission, but it wasn't wholesome or warm. Also, the kids never even understood why they needed to send Mimzy back. They could have very well sent it back without saving humanity first. Luckily they did without even knowing it. This movie was unfocused and just plain weird. There were characters that looked like they were suppose make a meaningful dent in the plot and ended up looking like awe struck extras in the end.
Kids might be able to look past some of the issues I see, but this movie wasn't rich or inspiring. It was tepid and distant, probably in part, due to it's new age, techy, cool feel it was going for. I also think kids might be attracted to how modern the movie is. Modern day Generation Y kids under "magical" circumstances, and a brother and sister duo to boot. It's sure to welcome some attention, but other than that, there are so many better family films out there, that I'd skip whimsy Mimzy.
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