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Help me! i'm languishing in all this supposed knowledge!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Win a Date With Tad Hamilton! (2004)


I’ve seen this on TV twice now and as much as I dislike ‘chick flicks’ this is one that I really seem to enjoy. Stars Kate Bosworth. Topher Grace and Josh Duhamel acquit themselves amiably and are all well cast, and that’s coming from someone who isn’t even big fan of any of these particular actors.

This movie is hardly looking to reinvent the wheel, it’s formulaic and often pretty cheesy, but the sheer enthusiasm it has guides it through. In a lot of ways Win a Date... reminds me of those 60s comedies, you know the ones, like Pillow Talk, Gidget, Bye Bye Birdie and the Beach movies. It’s not looking to be progressive, it just wants to entertain you. Whether it does or not depends mainly on your taste and whether or not you like the type of films I just mentioned.

I’m going to do a total 180 on my previous review (which was Superman Returns) and say that Kate Bosworth is perfectly cast as Rosalee Futch, the small town innocent who wins the date with movie star Tad Hamilton (Duhamel). Bosworth has a great energy and likeability and she displays it effortlessly here. I recall that she played Sandra Dee in the Kevin Spacey directed/starring Beyond The Sea. I think she plays Sandra Dee roles better than she plays Dee herself. But that’s an unfair comparison since Beyond the Sea wasn’t exactly a masterpiece anyway.

Topher Grace, best known as Eric in That 70s Show and for being a terrible Venom in Spiderman 3 (you’re damn right I’m still bitter about that), is also a nice presence - although he lacks some charisma and seems like he’s just playing Eric most of the time. I have a feeling that that is his default setting. Still, I wont protest too loudly on that since I enjoyed That 70s Show and his part in it, even if I wouldn’t call him the best actor to come out of it - that was Mila Kunis, who is just awesome.

Now for Duhamel: unlike the other two members of the main cast I have never seen Duhamel in a movie where he outright impressed me, generally he’s in charmless rom-coms such as Life as We know it and When In Rome. But he sells Tad’s persona well and I could totally understand why Rosalee would be attracted to him. I don’t expect to change my overall opinion on him anytime soon, but I did enjoy his performance here.Supporting performances are all unique and fun, Nathan Lane and Sean Hayes are a good pair, although I will say that they could get a ‘Tad’ (sorry but it was right there) irritating. Ginnifer Goodwin is not an actress I particularly follow and I haven’t seen a lot of her work – no, not even Once Upon A Time – but she’s a good addition as Rosalee’s friend Cathy. The ever-reliable Amy Smart also features in little more than a cameo as a nurse in one of Tad’s movies. Oh and here is my personal favourite: Gary Cole as Rosalee’s father. I just love Gary Cole in general, but he really is very funny here.

As I said before, the film isn’t interested in trying anything new but it’s the likeability of all involved that give it that much needed push to being above average. Maybe it’s the way Grace yell’s “guard your carnal treasure!” at Rosalee as she leaves to go on her date, Duhamel’s laid back demeanour or that sunny disposition and smile of Bosworth’s that gives the movie such a great sense of fun. Whatever it is I plan on watching it again when it comes on television, it’s light-hearted, cute and you could do a lot worse on a Friday night.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Superman Returns (2006)

Having reviewed Man On Steel (see my previous post), I also mentioned my desire to review Superman Returns, directed by Bryan Singer. There's no time like the present. This movie get's a lot of flack and i can somewhat understand the hate, Superman has a son, the plot holes are noticeable and the film doesn't really address them and, yes, Kate Bosworth is really miscast as Lois. But I don't care.

Growing up I was very familiar with Superman, my definition of hero was Superman and Luke Skywalker and their images are imprinted in my brain to this day. But unlike Star Wars i do not feel nostalgic for Christopher Reeve's films because he is not the Superman i grew up with. Max Fleischer's cartoons (which we had on VHS) is still the Superman I see when i picture him. Ripping through a wall, leaping over a tall building in a single bound, to me that its Superman. But I saw Chris Reeve in Superman III when i was about eight, for the most part i actually enjoyed it - and kept wondering where i had seen Lana Lang before, later finding out she was on Smallville, a show i 've never been into but respect. I then saw Superman IV. I don't remember much except that Jon Cryer was in it.

I didn't see the first two films for a number of years (not of my own choice i wanted to seek them out but kept putting it off) but boy when i did see them knew what the fuss was about. Reeve was amazing, I loved him and every facet of his performance, I loved Margot Kidder as Lois and I'll always love Zod - even if he is super evil. When Superman Returns was released i was 11 years old (so i hadn't seen Superman or Superman II yet) and i wanted to see the movie, but regrettably couldn't. I accepted it and moved on, later finding out that apparently the film was awful. So i avoided it like the plague.

But one night i came across it on television, I figured nothing could be as bad as Catwoman (and nothing is) so i watched it.

I love Superman Returns. If only i had seen it sooner.

Superman having a son initially rubbed me the wrong way, I liked the dimension he gave Superman, Jason himself didn't annoy me and it gave way to some genuinely moving scenes. But it felt a bit heavy handed, I admire Singer's audacity and intentions, but I tend to go back and forward on this one. Kate Bosworth was far too young for Lois and looked nothing like Margot Kidder, but she endeared to me, the way she stood up on that plane absolutely entranced by Superman's return - she sold it. The logic of Superman leaving earth is questionable. I can't imagine him doing that but it's never specified how long after Superman II this film takes place, sure it says five years, but that's five years since he left - things could have changed dramatically.

Brandon Routh's performance is fantastic and is absolutely the heart of the movie. He's not Christopher Reeve,  - who is? - but he makes the character his own and doesn't look silly in the suit. He looked confident and right in it. His Clark might just be the highlight though. Clark isn't really featured as much as his alter-ego, but Routh's physical embodiment is so sweet, precise and funny that i actually enjoy those scenes more than any others. Routh's Clark is just as funny as Reeve's, but in different ways. His comedy is in a look, a reaction, the way he turns around eating a burrito. It's subtle and Routh nails it.

Kevin Spacey's Lex is far more menacing that Gene Hackman's, a move i'm thankful for since as much as i love Hackman i thought his Lex could be way too goofy. Spacey is clearly having a great time in this role, spouting off the meme-making "WRONG!!!"and using his deadpan delivery to brilliant use, particularly when speaking to Kitty...

Which brings me to Parker Posey. Now, I love Parker Posey. I'll watch her in anything and if you haven't seen any of the Christopher Guest doco-comedies you owe it to yourself to see them, not just for her, but because they're hilarious. Anyway: Kitty is pretty much Miss Teschmacher under a different name but that's not a criticism - i liked Miss Teschmacher. Kitty is a lot snarkier than Lex's previous companion though and Posey revels in it. Posey also acts very well even when she's not being funny. When Kitty loses control of her car (to distract Superman while Lex steals something) and she's just about to crash into about 10 people the car just floats - Superman has saved her. That look Posey has as she is saved is difficult to describe, it's as though, shock, awe and fear had been rolled into one. It's a perfectly played scene, both in Posey's performance, the musical cues and the way Singer trains his camera upon her reaction.

Now for Kate Bosworth. I'm not going to rip into her, as i've mentioned before I actually liked her. She was just miscast. But she does display some flashes of brilliance, her delivery of 'how could you leave us like that' brims with an anger and hurt that is truly believable and her scenes with Jason also feel very authentic. But Bosworth was in her early 20s, too young to be a pulitzer prize winning journalist with a four year old son. I would have cast someone in the 30 - 35 region, maybe older. The Lois in this film is meant to be a more mature and weary version of the one we had previously met in Superman II. Bosworth is a nice a actress but she lacks conviction and she certainly doesn't come off as the disillusioned Lois that she probably should be. It's a problem I have with her portrayal and casting, but I can't honestly say i dislike her or her performance as a whole.

James Marsden also turns in a good performance as Richard, Lois' fiance'. I really enjoyed what Singer and Co. did with Richard, they could have easily made him a jerk so that Superman could jump in and push him aside, but they didn't do that. Richard is a great guy and it shows in just about every scene he's in. Had there been a sequel it would have been interesting o see where this character went.

John Ottoman's music desreves huge praise as well, his version of the Superman theme is fantastic and the 'how could you leave us' music is absolutely gorgeous. I also love that the music doesn't distract me, sometimes it's too loud or bombastic without any real sense of meaning. In this film every note feels like it's earned it's place.

Visually the film is stunning (if a little muddy, which i hope is corrected in future releases) and the casting, except Bosworth, was spot on. The first act needs some fine-tuning and the return to Krypton scene should have stayed in the film, but these are minor when considering the big picture.

Bryan Singer jumped ship on the X-Men franchise to direct this film and although I wish he had stayed on for X-Men 3 (he has returned for Days Of Future Past though) I'm glad he was able to give us this film. It brims with a pure love of Superman, every frame feels like a Superman movie and although the Donner reverence turns some people off it just sparks warm feelings in me. Superman Returns isn't a film that is ripping off the originals and i wouldn't call it a stone cold sequel to Superman II either, i'd say it's closer to being a continuation of the spirit of those films.

This is the Superman movie I'd always wanted but never thought i'd get. It's a movie made with passion and genuine love by a director who actually has something to say about the characters. After watching this film I actually felt bad for Bryan Singer and his entire cast and crew who had worked so hard to make this and then had it dragged through the mud by a lot of people. I particularly feel for Brandon Routh who was exceptional as Superman/Clark, i never see him in big roles anymore, as much as it's a shame he wont be Superman again i just wish he could find another role where he can play off that great humour of his.

This film is a solid 8 in my book, hell, an 8.5. It's a stunning film with wit, warmth, pathos and wonder. It's flawed, but it is definitely no failure.





Man Of Steel (2013)

It has been a long time, sorry about that i guess i got a little disillusioned with blogging. But i'm back to vent about a movie i saw upon it's release here in Australia: Man Of Steel

I didn't HATE the movie, it was fairly well acted and the effects were generally good. But the script... David S Goyer is a great screenwriter when he wants to be, The Dark Knight trilogy proves this. But he also wrote Ghost Rider: The Spirit of Vengeance and Blade: Trinity. I'd say his talents are falling a lot closer to Ghost Rider than it is to Christopher Nolan's trilogy when it comes to this film.

Okay, since i like to start positively when writing here's what i liked about the movie:
 - The cast was well selected
 - The acting was good
 - The flashbacks to Clark's childhood are well done
 - Kevin Costner can still pull out a good performance
 - Zack Snyder's action directing was fine (if a bit generic)
 - the overall look of the suit works well for this interpretation of Superman

All those things are what kept me in the cinema (that and i didn't want to waste $10), but they're not what I wanted from a Superman movie. I wanted Superman in all his glory.

Here are my problems with the film: Henry Cavill (as good an actor as he is) is really given a dull character to play in MOS, Clark feels like a regular brooding loner who you'll find in just about any other action movie that has come out recently. But he's SUPERMAN. Make him dark and brooding if you want but don't take away his personality just so he can seem tragic or something. Superman already has these elements in his story, why not just allow him to have a personality that reacts to these things rather than have one that is solely based on them? Here the Clark and Superman character feels oddly false and uninteresting. Something i have never associated with Superman. Supporting characters aren't really as interesting as they should be, particularly Amy Adams' Lois. I was very happy about Adams' casting but she isn't given a lot to do.

The story. Zod and company come down to Earth, now i've seen this in Superman II but that's not my complaint, i love Superman II and i love Zod, but there have been 5 previous Superman movies (four Christopher Reeve movies and Superman Returns which i hope to review at some point), most had Lex, one had Zod. Why not have a character that has not been seen on screen yet? If MOS wants to distance itself from it's predecessors - and everything about the film suggests that it does - why bring in a character that has been ingrained in pop culture as much as Zod, previously portrayed by the woefully under-appreciated Terrence Stamp? Bring in Brainiac or Bizarro, people haven't seen them in live action yet. I like Michael Shannon as Zod, in fact i'd put him next to Costner as the best performance in the film, but he can't save a script that has already doused itself in familiarity.

Taken on it's own merits the story isn't so bad, but the script is. There are logical flaws that i could accept if this film were't taking itself so seriously, such as the fact that Zod wanted Lois Lane brought aboard the ship even though he has no real reason to want her, any information she has Superman has. It's pointless, they could 'read' his thoughts anyway. there was no need for her and seemed like just a contrivance to get Lois to do action-y stuff. The additions to Clark's backstory felt convoluted, i understand that they were trying to show that he was truly alone as a Kryptonian, but giving him (spoiler?) the DNA codex/baby making eggs of his people just stretched it too far. Add into that that Jor-el's motives for doing such a thing aren't really cleared up.

I like Zack Snyder sometimes. I like his remake of Dawn of The Dead (although i still prefer Romero's)  and i think Watchmen might, visually at least, be his masterpiece. He can make some great movies. But he's also made Sucker Punch. The guy isn't consistent and his obsession with CGI and explosions really gets out of hand here and the action over powers any sense of story. It's overlong, it feels inconsequential and eventually i just got bored with it. Superman fighting Zod is nice and it looks okay, but how do they expect me to care when the characters are so dull?

The structure of the film needs work. the reason the trailers got us so excited is because everything felt as though it was in chronological order, we went on a journey with Clark. Here we get flashes back to a world we haven't connected with.

The visual style of the film is unappealing. The colour has obviously been desaturated in post-production which makes the movie feel at a lot less realistic (since they're trying to ground this is in dark, gritty reality this is not a good thing) and frankly makes it look silly. Snyder's use of shot composition and editing needs work as well, the action editing really isn't flash.

Overall, those who were disappointed with Superman Returns will enjoy it, personally i liked Returns but that's just me. This movie really looked amazing, and i thought it would surpass Returns and every other movie about Supes. Boy was I wrong, Batman Vs Superman doesn't sound as appealing as it once did. But could the studio do me a small favour? Rename it World's Finest, it sounds like a proper movie then and not a fan video on Youtube.

Overall i'm giving this a 6/10. It's solid action movie but it could have and should have been a lot more than just a dour, hopeless (the S may stand for hope but the movie doesn't really SHOW us hope, just tells us about it) and action overloaded mess.

I also reviewed this on YouTube (say pretty much the same stuff, but hey if you're curious):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sh5GjbZTPQ