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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Weekend Box Office: 10/29-10/31/10
Title/Gross/%Change/Total
1. Saw 3D: 22.5 mil / NEW
2. Paranormal Activity 2: 16.5 mil / -59% / 66 mil
3. Red: 10.8 mil / -28% / 59 mil
4. Jackass 3-D: 8.4 mil / -61% / 102 mil
5. Hereafter: 6.3 mil / -47% / 22 mil
6. Secretariat: 5 mil / -28% / 45 mil
7. Social Network: 4.7 mil / -35% / 80 mil
8. Life as We Know It: 4 mil / -35% / 43.5 mil
9. The Town: 2.0 mil / -29% / 87.6 mil
10. Conviction: 1.8 mil / NEW
Saturday, October 30, 2010
10 Quick Movie Reviews
The following were reviewed earlier in the year by my co-contributors and I'm cleaning up the laptop. The earlier reviews are linked via the title. The theater experience seems to enhance the films for Lawyer.
Edge of Darkness - C
A deeply unpleasant and humorless journey that begs the question - why doesn't the nefarious corporation just kill Mel and get on with it? The "shocking" violence is pretty easy to spot.
Book of Eli - B
Terrific twist at the end makes up for the overly grim and bleak atmosphere. Great message about staying focused and keeping the faith.
A Prophet - B
A well made film that goes on too long and is surprisingly predictable. Could have used more of the foresight (prophetic) stuff.
A Single Man - C+
Colin Firth is good but I couldn't care less about the problems of these 3 self-absorbed people. Julianne Moore should have dialed it down a notch or two. Who would have guessed About a Boy's Marcus (Nicholas Hoult) would grow up to become anorexic gay-bait?
Date Night - C+
Plot was too ridiculous to go with, especially since the lead actors usually play down to earth simple TV characters.
Kick-Ass - C
A single great line about everyone being responsible - not just the powerful - doesn't make up for the mindless soul-crushing language and violence. Nicolas Cage is pretty good - especially when Chloe Moretz tries to rescue him. The action scenes are watchable, but couldn't be shallower.
Hot Tub Time Machine - C
A horrible message about money making everything better takes away from the mild, ridiculous fun the actors are having. Rob Corddry deserves better.
Greenberg - C-
I hate Noah Baumbach's worldview. And all of his characters. And the way he keeps dragging Wes Anderson down.
Invictus - C-
Well-intentioned but plays it way too safe. Mandela is a great role model, but this makes him look way too preachy. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
MacGruber - D
Unfunny, unnecessarily violent, over the top with its vulgarity, and oversexed. Disastrous.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Best Films of the 90s - 35-31
35. In the Name of the Father - (1993)
A recent viewing catapulted this dozens of spots higher mostly because I can now see it through the eyes of both the son and the father. Daniel Day-Lewis is electrifying as the wayward son who grows up in prison and comes to respect his father's quiet nobility. As the father, Pete Postlewaite remains the only DDL co-star who has ever matched his acting ability on-screen, demonstrating an equal (albeit quieter and subtler) intensity. Director Jim Sheridan fills the film with spectacular imagery and music (both score and source) culminating in a moving and rousing last scene.
34. Lone Star - (1996)
The best examination of race relations of the decade is also John Sayles's best film, and the template for all his subsequent lesser films. Chris Cooper rocketed to the A-list after effortlessly carrying the complex story about a modern day border town Texas sheriff investigating a 30 year old murder. There's also a terrific theme about sons and fathers accepting each other as is. Sayles's transitions are inventive and the use of politics adds another layer. The film veers into creepiness at the end, but this adds a Shakespearean element.
33. Three Colors: Blue, White, Red - (1993-94)
Krzysztof Kieslowski left us far too early at the age of 54 shortly after completing this trilogy that explores the three colors of the French flag (liberty - Blue, equality - White, fraternity - Red). Kieslowski works on many levels thematically and visually (the colors in the titles are stunningly splashed around each respective film) and ties the trilogy together beautifully at the end of Red. 3 talented ladies (Juliette Binoche, Julie Delpy, and Irene Jacob) shine in their respective films, each showing strength and vulnerability. The best foreign language film(s) of the decade, with Blue and Red being the stronger entries.
32. A River Runs Through It - (1992)
Beautiful scenery stunningly captured by Oscar-winning cinematographer Philippe Rousselot is just the background for the moving and tragic story of 2 brothers in pre WWI rural Montana. It's a story about fishing but really it's about making connections with those you care about the most. The reverend's arrogance is subtly shown and has a lasting impact on both sons. Craig Sheffer would never get a part this good again and Brad Pitt's movie star charisma is in full swing.
31. Dead Man Walking - (1995)
Director Tim Robbins showed surprising poise examining the death penalty and its effects on inmates and victims' families. The performances are honest and heartfelt all the way around, especially by Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. Not surprisingly, Robbins is an actor's director, keeping his observant camera still as they find new emotional depths. If Christianity is a faith of forgiveness and rebirth, then this one seems to hit the spiritual bullseye.
100. Glengarry Glen Ross
99. Dead Again
98. Ed Wood
97. True Romance
96. The Commitments
95. Bound
94. Die Hard 2
93. In the Line of Fire
92. Affliction
91. Shakespeare in Love
90. In the Company of Men
89. Short Cuts
88. Copland
87. The Hudsucker Proxy
86. The Last Seduction
85. The Apostle
84. Burnt by the Sun
83. The Godfather Part III
82. Good Will Hunting
81. Speed
80. Reversal of Fortune
79. Forest Gump
78. American Beauty
77. Dazed and Confused
76. True Lies
75. Nixon
74. Malcolm X
73. Red Rock West
72. Hearts of Darkness
71. Wag the Dog
70. Thelma and Louise
69. Hoop Dreams
68. Quiz Show
67. Reservoir Dogs
66. Total Recall
65. The Hunt for Red October
64. Babe
63. Braveheart
62. Searching for Bobby Fischer
61. Bottle Rocket
60. Jerry Maguire
59. Terminator 2
58. Toy Story
57. Toy Story 2
56. Elizabeth
55. Apollo 13
54. Casino
53. Rushmore
52. Get Shorty
51. Barton Fink
50. Swingers
49. The Matrix
48. 12 Monkeys
47. Out of Sight
46. The Sixth Sense
45. The Limey
44. Hamlet
43. Dark City
42. Leaving Las Vegas
41. Hard Eight
40. The Fugitive
39. Three Kings
38. Waiting for Guffman
37. Beauty and the Beast
36. Hard-Boiled
Song of the Day - Elbow, One Day Like This
This entry comes from Dentist, basking in his new status as a father of 3. Elbow does a live version of One Day Like This.
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Eastbound and Down
The first
season of Eastbound and Down showed flashes of brilliance but was ultimately a pretty big disappointment. The second season has been refreshingly original with lots of belly laughs and absurdity packed into each episode (here's an amazing intro that I watch every couple of days for a laugh). Danny McBride again portrays Kenny Powers, a misogynistic washed up former Major League baseball pitcher. The second season finds him starting a new life in Mexico and looking for his father. Here is my favorite sequence so far this season (NSFW) - when he jumps on the bed like a wild animal it is greatness (bad quality on the video, but still). Click below for more EBD2:
The writing is much sharper than the first season, and Kenny's diminished status makes his 'humor' much funnier to the viewer. I think having Mexicans as his comic foils makes the show much less offensive. The first season was too mean spirited and awkward, with forced jokes all over the place. Steve Little's portrayal of Stevie Janikowski is brilliant, and certainly deserving of an Emmy. His banter with Kenny about wearing Kenny's underwear is hilarious. Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite also provides quality support. Worth your time.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
DVD and Blu-ray Releases 10/26/10
The Girl who Played with Fire - #
Sex and the City 2 - #
Star Wars: Clone Wars: Season 2 - #
Winter's Bone - #
You Don't Know Jack
Click below for this week's Blu-ray releases.
Alien Anthology - *
Back to the Future Trilogy - *
House (Criterion)
Maniac
Paths of Glory (Criterion) - *
Santa Claus - The Movie
# - also on Blu-ray
* - Doctor approved
A Perfect World
A.O. Scott discusses one of my favorite films in his most recent "Times Picks" video. I wrote about this one last December.
Continue reading this postMonday, October 25, 2010
Songs of the Day
1. Orbans - "Like a Liar". I've already posted this, but I saw them Saturday night and think they may be my new favorite. Everything past 2:50 is especially great. Here's another great song: Don't Lose Yourself.
2. Phoenix - "Listomania". Sounds like its from a new band and I actually like it. Catchy and upbeat.
3. Bruno Mars - "Just the Way You Are". Certainly not my genre, but I can't deny loving this sappy song. His performance of this song on SNL a couple of weeks ago was great with the 50's homage. Dude is talented whether I like it or not.
4. Gerardo - "Rico Suave". Never appreciated the lyrics until now.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Song of the Day - Let's Talk Turkey
By Ima Robot
A great pop song fusing elements of classic rock and punk. Love the rhythm section propelling the song forward. Lyrics seem to be about accepting the simple things and enjoying them. Good stuff.
Weekend Box Office: 10/22-10/24/10
Title/Gross/%Change/Total
1. Paranormal Activity 2: 41.5 mil / NEW
2. Jackass 3-D: 21.6 mil / -57% / 87 mil
3. Red: 15 mil / -31% / 43 mil
4. Hereafter: 12 mil / NEW
5. Social Network: 7.3 mil / -29% / 72 mil
6. Secretariat: 6.9 mil / -26% / 37 mil
7. Life as We Know It: 6 mil / -31% / 38 mil
8. Legend of Guardians: 3 mil / -25% / 50 mil
9. The Town: 2.7 mil / -32% / 85 mil
10. Easy A: 1.8 mil / -34% / 55 mil
Friday, October 22, 2010
Robin Hood - B+
On DVD and Blu-ray.
For the patient viewer, there's a lot to like in the latest Ridley Scott-Russell Crowe collaboration, much more than their last since it favors Scott's strongest suit (action scenes) as well as Crowe's (a wronged man with purpose). Like Gladiator, the story begins on the battlefield where Scott stages an exciting assault on a castle. There is an element of been there-seen that with Crowe sporting his Maximus haircut but the medieval warfare techniques still intrigue. After King Richard is killed in battle, Robin Longstride (Crowe) and some fellow archers (Little John, Will Scarlett) scheme their way back to England. When they return, they find their country in disarray as the new young, inexperienced king makes lots of mistakes and French relatives of the new queen conspire to take over . . .
Crowe has excellent chemistry with Cate Blanchett (Marian) and their courtship in the middle portion of the film is surprisingly witty and romantic. During the last half, when Robin is forced into battle to save his people and country, the film becomes exciting and sweet revenge is the name of the game. Scott's climactic battlefield scene set on a beach surrounded by cliffs is expertly staged. Max von Sydow and William Hurt put in excellent supporting work. Blanchett is superb, but her inclusion in the climax feels forced rather than era-appropriate.
The major flaw of the film is its familiarity but gone are the long-winded political chats in Gladiator and the preachy defeatism in Kingdom of Heaven is nowhere to be found either. Robin Hood discusses appropriate modern recession-era topics like overtaxation and the importance of employment (especially by young males). Crowe gives an excellent speech about building communities and countries from the ground up. The populist politics work exceedingly well since everyone is shown struggling under the overreaching power of an out-of-touch leader. We've seen too much of that during the past 10 years from both sides of the aisle. B+
Note: I watched the Director's Cut only (156 minutes!) figuring that I'll have an easier time catching the theatrical cut (140 minutes) at a later date. Wish I had the time . . .
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Song of the Day- This Masquerade/Leon Russell
Leon Russell is all over the music press these days thanks to his duet album with Elton John, but he'll always be best remembered for his 70's heyday, when his songs were covered in the blues, rock, and country genres. This Masquerade won Song of the Year for George Benson back in 1972, but Russell's original is the true treasure. If you're not feeling patient, go to the 1:15 mark for the beginning of the song proper. And here is the rest of it.
Continue reading this postWednesday, October 20, 2010
Best Films of the 90s - 40-36
40. The Fugitive - (1993)
The improvisational nature of the US Marshal scenes makes it the rare film where you feel the group has been together for years. Director Andrew Davis gets incredibly naturalistic performances from everyone (especially Tommy Lee Jones). Harrison Ford has always been underrated as an actor and never more so than here. The plot (involving an evil drug company) seems too naive now after a decade of medical training, but it's really about the fully formed characters and there are puh-lenty of them.
39. Three Kings - (1999)
Schwarzkopf's Gulf War seems like child's play given America's two current engagements, but that doesn't take away writer-director David O. Russell's effort involving 4 soldiers trying to smuggle gold back to the States. The heart of the movie lies in the interrogation scenes involving Mark Wahlberg but George Clooney, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze each deliver their characters as well. in the end, the film belongs to Russell - who shows a confident, unusual style that still impresses with its boldness.
38. Waiting for Guffman - (1997)
Once you've seen Corky St. Clair, you'll never forget him. Christopher Guest's creation is infinitely quotable and the funniest character of the decade (just edging out Walter Sobchak). The supporting cast (including Eugene Levy, Fred Willard, and Parker Posey) bring their own incomparable comedic talents to the story of a small town stage director (St. Clair) putting on a musical to impress a critic. The film is brisk, never waiting for the laughter to subside. But more than that, it cleverly shows a part of America that's fascinated by celebrity & fame - and really shouldn't be.
37. Beauty and the Beast - (1991)
The best musical and the best animated film of the decade are one and the same. Like all great musicals, the film seamlessly and flawlessly transitions in and out of song. The great songs draw you in and somehow make you care about talking flatware. The classic story is known to all but the beauty is in the way it plays.
36. Hard-Boiled - (1992)
John Woo's last brilliant, electric, Hong Kong, slo-mo, dove-filled masterpiece (before his underachieving Hollywood career) has Chow Yun-Fat as a cop whose partner gets killed. He then teams with and undercover cop (Tony Leung - Hero, Infernal Affairs) to take out some gun smugglers. Each action scene is staggering and invigorating but Woo really shoots the works with a 2 minute 43 second one-take scene during the climactic shootout at a hospital. See it here.
100. Glengarry Glen Ross
99. Dead Again
98. Ed Wood
97. True Romance
96. The Commitments
95. Bound
94. Die Hard 2
93. In the Line of Fire
92. Affliction
91. Shakespeare in Love
90. In the Company of Men
89. Short Cuts
88. Copland
87. The Hudsucker Proxy
86. The Last Seduction
85. The Apostle
84. Burnt by the Sun
83. The Godfather Part III
82. Good Will Hunting
81. Speed
80. Reversal of Fortune
79. Forest Gump
78. American Beauty
77. Dazed and Confused
76. True Lies
75. Nixon
74. Malcolm X
73. Red Rock West
72. Hearts of Darkness
71. Wag the Dog
70. Thelma and Louise
69. Hoop Dreams
68. Quiz Show
67. Reservoir Dogs
66. Total Recall
65. The Hunt for Red October
64. Babe
63. Braveheart
62. Searching for Bobby Fischer
61. Bottle Rocket
60. Jerry Maguire
59. Terminator 2
58. Toy Story
57. Toy Story 2
56. Elizabeth
55. Apollo 13
54. Casino
53. Rushmore
52. Get Shorty
51. Barton Fink
50. Swingers
49. The Matrix
48. 12 Monkeys
47. Out of Sight
46. The Sixth Sense
45. The Limey
44. Hamlet
43. Dark City
42. Leaving Las Vegas
41. Hard Eight
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
DVD and Blu-ray Releases 10/19/10
Agora
Assault Girls - #
Mirrors 2 - #
Night of the Demons - #
Oceans - #
Please Give - #
Predators - #
Click below for this week's Blu-ray releases.
Apocalypse Now - *
The California Kid
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - *
Moulin Rouge!
Psycho - *
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Romeo + Juliet
Seven Samurai - Criterion - *
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Snap Judgments - A Quick Review of 5 Movies
The Losers
A special forces team (including Columbus Short and Chris Evans) get betrayed by a wacky, sadistic (and occasionally funny) CIA operative (Jason Patric) and vow revenge. After a lackluster opening sequence, the film settles down nicely with the charismatic cast making the most of the ridiculous plot. But Sylvain White's "direction" consists of choppy editing, senseless camera moves, and pointless speed changes. Worth it for the likable cast (including the sensational and sublime Zoe Saldana). B-
From Paris with Love
John Travolta bounced back with The Taking of Pelham One Two Three and he seems to be having even more fun here playing a CIA agent sent to Paris to uncover a terrorist attack. His contact is Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who tries hard, but can't reach Travolta's intensity. Directed by Pierre Morel, the film is brisk, exciting, and fun, but Morel struggles (as he did with last year's Taken) with the sentimental stuff. It's refreshing for someone in Hollywood (or Paris) to acknowledge that most terrorists subscribe to the Islamic faith. B-
Remember Me
A melodramatic and overwrought drama about a young couple (Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin) with overbearing fathers (Pierce Brosnan and Chris Cooper, respectively). The way tragedy affects family members differently and how they deal with it is a well-worn topic. Brosnan fairs best with some speeches about what it takes to be an adult. The climax (spoiler link) has nothing to do with the rest of the film and feels exploitative. Pattinson is a good screen presence but isn't nearly as funny or charming as he's been led to believe. C-
The Killer Inside Me
In the 1950s, a small town Texas deputy (Casey Affleck) discovers his dark side after a meeting with a prostitute (Jessica Alba). Horrific violence and moral ambiguity in small town America is certainly nothing new nearly 25 years after Blue Velvet so there's nothing shocking or revelatory about the film. Affleck seems bored and his narration will lull you to sleep. And the political shenanigans clutter the film rather than providing any insight. Brutal violence and explicit sex only for the sake of themselves. C-
Brooklyn's Finest
3 Brooklyn cops (one undercover - Don Cheadle, one retiring - Richard Gere, and one unabashedly corrupt - Ethan Hawke) have their cliched stories told simultaneously by Antoine Fuqua, barely intersecting near the climax. The individual stories have compelling moments but they lack a cohesive point other than cops have a tough job. The acting is great all around with Hawke being the notable exception, inexplicably stuck in the strung-out white trash role also recently seen in What Doesn't Kill You and Staten Island. And we've seen the plot all before, too, from Serpico to a million cop TV shows. What we haven't seen recently is Wesley Snipes, who makes a welcome return. C+
Weekend Box Office: 10/15-10/17/10
Title/Gross/%Change/Total
1. Jackass 3-D: 50 mil / NEW
2. Red: 22.5 mil / NEW
3. Social Network: 11 mil / -29% / 63 mil
4. Secretariat: 9.5 mil / -25% / 27.6 mil
5. Life as We Know It: 9.2 mil / -37% / 29 mil
6. Legend of Guardians: 4.2 mil / -39% / 46 mil
7. The Town: 4 mil / -37% / 81 mil
8. My Soul to Take: 3.1 mil / -54% / 12 mil
9. Easy A: 2.7 mil / -38% / 52 mil
10. Wall Street 2: 2.4 mil / -49% / 48 mil
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