Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
2010 Q2 Movie Grades, M-T (The End)
Marmaduke—film. Not as insipid as many kids movies, but a kid movie nonetheless. The story followed the often-told plotline of an outcast who becomes popular and forgets “where s/he came from” before realizing the error of her/his ways.
Everyone played his part well enough, and other than the unreal ways the animals’ mouths moved when they talked (although I honestly don’t know what else the director could have done about it), it worked. It’s been done before; sometimes better, often worse. C+
Men in Black—BD. I haven’t watched this since I saw it in the theatres, and I was really impressed by how well it’s held up these past 15 years. The BluRay conversion could have been better, but the film is more about the wacky world/universe this new, hip guy finds himself in the middle of that the pretty (and pretty weird) vusials. It’s an early-era Will Smith flick, and his chattering wise-guy persona hadn’t gotten old yet, and Tommy Lee Jones fell on my radar after this film, and his sarcastic, dry “K” was a fun foil against Smith’s “J”.
Other than the two leads, the supporting characters were also a blast. Rip Torn’s “Zed” was the typical, blustering “top cop” (but done with flair by Torn), and Tony Shalhoub had a great scene as alien informant Jeebs. But the best role had to be Vincent D’Onofrio’s Edgar the Farmer. As the alien roach used Edgar’s skin as a disguise, D’Onofrio, had to change from bad-mannered farmer to… an alien that is using a human skin as a disguise. Hilarious. B+
Moon— This one had a lot of good reviews within my normal sphere of review-reading, but I just couldn’t get into it. The acting and directing were way above average, but I just couldn’t get hooked. I’m going to chalk that up to not being ready for it. I’m going to give it another shot in the future. For now, it receives an Incomplete.
Planet Hulk— A pretty different take on the character, which is odd considering it’s only the second animated DVD movie of The Hulk from the Marvel Animated line of direct-to-DVD titles they’s been working on the past five years or so. But the story is a great one (probably enhanced because it IS a different take on the character), and the “movie”, if you can call something just over an hour a movie, hit the main beats of the comic book story well (better in some ways; I felt the comics meandered a bit whereas this movie was pretty streamlined). Worth renting; maybe if it drops to $5, I’ll buy it. B-
Step Brothers. When you think of an actor who can do a modern-day man-child, who pops into your head? Maybe Jack Black, but definitely Will Farrell. Now bring along an up-and-comer to the genre like John C. Reilly, and you’ve got a movie that’s bound for childish lunacy. Farrell’s played the type enough times to have both good and bad movies in this “genre” on his resume, and this one is one of the better ones.
Two grown men who act worse than children have to live together when their parents get married. Not an unusual concept for a film, but a normal film would have the children portrayed as monsters (if the parents were both loving as they are in this movie) as they destroyed property. But this film is ridiculous because the “children” are men in their forties.
Long story short: this isn’t a great film, but I did find it fun (aside from the by-the-numbers plotline). Farrell can easily venture into “too much”, but I think having Reilly along to take some of the pratfalls and lunacy off his hands worked. B-
Toy Story 3—film. I didn’t love Toy Story 2—even though I am well-aware it’s much better than most movies that get released. I just didn’t feel much for the characters. But this story hit a little closer to my heart. Maybe it’s because Pixar doesn’t sugarcoat things just because it’s animated. The story had some darkness to it, but that’s what the story required, so it worked perfectly—as does most anything Pixar works on.
The last half-hour or so is pretty powerful (bring a tissue). Maybe it was extra-powerful because it’s been rumored this is the last Toy Story film (although there have also been rumors of doing a fourth), and the story had a number of climaxes that made me wonder “Is this it?”
But what they came up with to end the film (and maybe the franchise) was perfect for the story. I can’t say more than that or else it may diminish the wonder of the last part of the movie for others.
In the end, I should just have to say “This is a Pixar film,” and you should already know it’s going to be great. And it is. Pixar has something about their films that I can only describe as “magic”. This is what filmmakers should all aspire to. There are too many kids movies specifically and movies in general that have no art or wonder at all about them. The people behind this film could have EASILY put it on auto-pilot and pooped out a decent movie that would have raked in the cash in both box office and toys, but they went for a film that has many meanings (both for children and adult) and is of the highest quality. If only more filmmakers/studios would do the same. A-
Everyone played his part well enough, and other than the unreal ways the animals’ mouths moved when they talked (although I honestly don’t know what else the director could have done about it), it worked. It’s been done before; sometimes better, often worse. C+
Men in Black—BD. I haven’t watched this since I saw it in the theatres, and I was really impressed by how well it’s held up these past 15 years. The BluRay conversion could have been better, but the film is more about the wacky world/universe this new, hip guy finds himself in the middle of that the pretty (and pretty weird) vusials. It’s an early-era Will Smith flick, and his chattering wise-guy persona hadn’t gotten old yet, and Tommy Lee Jones fell on my radar after this film, and his sarcastic, dry “K” was a fun foil against Smith’s “J”.
Other than the two leads, the supporting characters were also a blast. Rip Torn’s “Zed” was the typical, blustering “top cop” (but done with flair by Torn), and Tony Shalhoub had a great scene as alien informant Jeebs. But the best role had to be Vincent D’Onofrio’s Edgar the Farmer. As the alien roach used Edgar’s skin as a disguise, D’Onofrio, had to change from bad-mannered farmer to… an alien that is using a human skin as a disguise. Hilarious. B+
Moon— This one had a lot of good reviews within my normal sphere of review-reading, but I just couldn’t get into it. The acting and directing were way above average, but I just couldn’t get hooked. I’m going to chalk that up to not being ready for it. I’m going to give it another shot in the future. For now, it receives an Incomplete.
Planet Hulk— A pretty different take on the character, which is odd considering it’s only the second animated DVD movie of The Hulk from the Marvel Animated line of direct-to-DVD titles they’s been working on the past five years or so. But the story is a great one (probably enhanced because it IS a different take on the character), and the “movie”, if you can call something just over an hour a movie, hit the main beats of the comic book story well (better in some ways; I felt the comics meandered a bit whereas this movie was pretty streamlined). Worth renting; maybe if it drops to $5, I’ll buy it. B-
Step Brothers. When you think of an actor who can do a modern-day man-child, who pops into your head? Maybe Jack Black, but definitely Will Farrell. Now bring along an up-and-comer to the genre like John C. Reilly, and you’ve got a movie that’s bound for childish lunacy. Farrell’s played the type enough times to have both good and bad movies in this “genre” on his resume, and this one is one of the better ones.
Two grown men who act worse than children have to live together when their parents get married. Not an unusual concept for a film, but a normal film would have the children portrayed as monsters (if the parents were both loving as they are in this movie) as they destroyed property. But this film is ridiculous because the “children” are men in their forties.
Long story short: this isn’t a great film, but I did find it fun (aside from the by-the-numbers plotline). Farrell can easily venture into “too much”, but I think having Reilly along to take some of the pratfalls and lunacy off his hands worked. B-
Toy Story 3—film. I didn’t love Toy Story 2—even though I am well-aware it’s much better than most movies that get released. I just didn’t feel much for the characters. But this story hit a little closer to my heart. Maybe it’s because Pixar doesn’t sugarcoat things just because it’s animated. The story had some darkness to it, but that’s what the story required, so it worked perfectly—as does most anything Pixar works on.
The last half-hour or so is pretty powerful (bring a tissue). Maybe it was extra-powerful because it’s been rumored this is the last Toy Story film (although there have also been rumors of doing a fourth), and the story had a number of climaxes that made me wonder “Is this it?”
But what they came up with to end the film (and maybe the franchise) was perfect for the story. I can’t say more than that or else it may diminish the wonder of the last part of the movie for others.
In the end, I should just have to say “This is a Pixar film,” and you should already know it’s going to be great. And it is. Pixar has something about their films that I can only describe as “magic”. This is what filmmakers should all aspire to. There are too many kids movies specifically and movies in general that have no art or wonder at all about them. The people behind this film could have EASILY put it on auto-pilot and pooped out a decent movie that would have raked in the cash in both box office and toys, but they went for a film that has many meanings (both for children and adult) and is of the highest quality. If only more filmmakers/studios would do the same. A-
Thursday, July 29, 2010
2010 Q2 Movie Grades, G-J
Ghostbusters—BD. I had never seen Ghostbusters. I know; it’s “impossible”. But I never really had an urge to. So I watched it, and, like many of the early SNL-actor movies of the ‘80s, I wasn’t terribly impressed. It was fun, there were some good bits, but I just don’t get into those movies like my contemporaries do (especially this one, which has gained a cult-like status).
I think a lot of these Dan Ackroyd/Bill Murray/et al flicks are best when watched at the time they come out at that “magic age” kids are (10-15 yrs old), and they are remembered more fondly. I haven’t been at that magic age in quite some time, so the best I can give it is a B-.
Hachi-- I’m not sure how a Richard Gere and Joan Allen film got sent direct-to-DVD, but I’m kind of glad it did. This wouldn’t have played well in a theatre because it is a very small, personal, movie. Had it gone to theatres, it would have “bombed”, and it would have looked like a failure. This way, it got some (well deserved) great reviews and word of mouth has made it a success (in terms of direct-to-DVD films at least).
The story (based on real events) is about a puppy who gets lost at a train station and is found by a kind man who takes him home for the night before looking for the puppy’s owner. No one seems to want to claim him, so the man ends up bringing him home the next day and so on until it becomes clear the dog, who he named “Hachi”, is now his.
Hachi is so much the man’s that he sees him off every morning at the train station and then returns at night to meet the man when the train brings him back. This goes on for a few years until the man dies, suddenly. Hachi doesn’t understand what happened, so he continues to wait at the train station, day after day, hoping the man gets off one of the trains.
It’s a story about loyalty and the love between a dog and his owner that is told very simply (without any cute voiceovers or “beating you over the head” morals-to-the-story). Just a very small, but very powerful film that is nearly perfect in most every way. A-
The Informant-- I had no idea Matt Damon could play a dimbulb quite as well as he showed he could in this film. I think this film confused a lot of people because it was filmed to look like a drama—but it is pretty hilarious. Damon’s informant character was about as self-serving and borderline dumb as any I’ve seen in a while. Props, too, to his FBI handlers, played by Scott Bakula and Joel McHale. Their reactions as Damon screwed something up—or went “off script”—were always great. B+
The Invention of Lying— A movie that can work on two levels. Usually, I just pay attention to the “main level” of the story; in this case, the humorous world that exists that looks just like ours except for the fact that everyone tells the truth. But they can’t even “Mr. Spock” their reality and leave things out; no, they are compelled to tell their innermost thoughts to each other, even when they are not prompted to.
And then, a schluby, pathetic man (who’s not all that bad, just portrayed that way because everyone is honest with him) decides to get out of a jam by telling an untruth. Because no one knows about lying, everyone he talks to takes what he says as the absolute truth—even if it directly conflicts to what their own eyes and ears are telling them.
So, on this level, the movie is pretty funny in that Ricky Gervais uncomfortable humor (such as a woman telling her date she’s upset because he’s early to pick her up on their date and she wasn’t finished masturbating yet)—and it’s an eye-opener that reminds us of all the little lies we tell others as well as ourselves every day (again—with the “reality” that holding back our thoughts is also lying; something I’m not in agreement about).
On a second level, this can also be seen as a comment on religion. In the movie, the man tries to make someone else feel better by saying “The man in the sky will take care of you,” which opens a whole can of worms for our protagonist. I don’t try to express my beliefs too much here, but I will say I’m with the movie on this about religion: it was created to provide answers to the unanswerable and comfort people who need comforting.
Now, you can keep looking at this film on the surface level and know that the film needed him to create religion as an impetus for the conflict and resulting climax that ensued. But on another level, it just may be a comment about religion. If it was really a means to criticize it, then I think they were a bit harsh. I think the filmmakers were more trying to tell a story that may have put the notion out there, but were more interested in telling a funny story (I don’t know; I didn’t listen to the director commentary).
But anyway, if you have issues with comedy and religion, stay away. If you don’t—or are looking for something to discuss with your peers, check it out. B
Iron Man 2—film. There has been talk that this film didn’t live up to the first one, and I can’t completely disagree. There was a certain magic and lightness to the first film, and I think that came with the plotline. Tony was just beginning his IM career, and there was lots of room for humor as he perfected his suit of armor.
This movie was different as Tony was in a different place. The radiation his power source (for his heart as well as his armor) is giving off is killing him. Tony being Tony didn’t want to worry his friends Pepper and Rhodey, so they think he’s losing touch with his humanity and fun-loving nature.
Iron Man 2 had a lot to live up to, and it wasn’t always just to live up to the first film. The Iron Man franchise is the anchor for Marvel’s Avengers film push, so there are a lot of hints dropped in that’s mainly to set up future Marvel films—and certainly to give the biggest push to the upcoming Avengers flick. I think director Jon Favreau had a lot on his plate, and he worked it the best he could.
I guess I was most impressed by the things I was looking forward to least. The Whiplash in the comics has a look that wouldn’t translate well on screen, but I wasn’t sure the movie’s chest-baring look was the right call, either. And the film Whiplash “suffers” from one of my biggest comic book movie pet peeves: the villain always has to have some sort of connection to the hero. But Mickey Rourke brought the goods and sold me on what the film was doing. Kudos. And then War Machine, one of my least-favorite armors introduced in the ten years or so I read the comic was highlighted in this film. I could never understand why ballistics was needed for an armor based on repulsor technology, which seemed more powerful—and didn’t have to explain where all the bullets are stored. But I gotta say: seeing (and hearing) Rhodey pumping lead into the bad guys was pretty cool. B+
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths— Another adaptation of a comic book graphic novel. But this one had more heart to it than most as well as more “that was cool” moments. If you’re a comic book fan or superhero fan, this is a good one to watch (but still not mandatory). B
I think a lot of these Dan Ackroyd/Bill Murray/et al flicks are best when watched at the time they come out at that “magic age” kids are (10-15 yrs old), and they are remembered more fondly. I haven’t been at that magic age in quite some time, so the best I can give it is a B-.
Hachi-- I’m not sure how a Richard Gere and Joan Allen film got sent direct-to-DVD, but I’m kind of glad it did. This wouldn’t have played well in a theatre because it is a very small, personal, movie. Had it gone to theatres, it would have “bombed”, and it would have looked like a failure. This way, it got some (well deserved) great reviews and word of mouth has made it a success (in terms of direct-to-DVD films at least).
The story (based on real events) is about a puppy who gets lost at a train station and is found by a kind man who takes him home for the night before looking for the puppy’s owner. No one seems to want to claim him, so the man ends up bringing him home the next day and so on until it becomes clear the dog, who he named “Hachi”, is now his.
Hachi is so much the man’s that he sees him off every morning at the train station and then returns at night to meet the man when the train brings him back. This goes on for a few years until the man dies, suddenly. Hachi doesn’t understand what happened, so he continues to wait at the train station, day after day, hoping the man gets off one of the trains.
It’s a story about loyalty and the love between a dog and his owner that is told very simply (without any cute voiceovers or “beating you over the head” morals-to-the-story). Just a very small, but very powerful film that is nearly perfect in most every way. A-
The Informant-- I had no idea Matt Damon could play a dimbulb quite as well as he showed he could in this film. I think this film confused a lot of people because it was filmed to look like a drama—but it is pretty hilarious. Damon’s informant character was about as self-serving and borderline dumb as any I’ve seen in a while. Props, too, to his FBI handlers, played by Scott Bakula and Joel McHale. Their reactions as Damon screwed something up—or went “off script”—were always great. B+
The Invention of Lying— A movie that can work on two levels. Usually, I just pay attention to the “main level” of the story; in this case, the humorous world that exists that looks just like ours except for the fact that everyone tells the truth. But they can’t even “Mr. Spock” their reality and leave things out; no, they are compelled to tell their innermost thoughts to each other, even when they are not prompted to.
And then, a schluby, pathetic man (who’s not all that bad, just portrayed that way because everyone is honest with him) decides to get out of a jam by telling an untruth. Because no one knows about lying, everyone he talks to takes what he says as the absolute truth—even if it directly conflicts to what their own eyes and ears are telling them.
So, on this level, the movie is pretty funny in that Ricky Gervais uncomfortable humor (such as a woman telling her date she’s upset because he’s early to pick her up on their date and she wasn’t finished masturbating yet)—and it’s an eye-opener that reminds us of all the little lies we tell others as well as ourselves every day (again—with the “reality” that holding back our thoughts is also lying; something I’m not in agreement about).
On a second level, this can also be seen as a comment on religion. In the movie, the man tries to make someone else feel better by saying “The man in the sky will take care of you,” which opens a whole can of worms for our protagonist. I don’t try to express my beliefs too much here, but I will say I’m with the movie on this about religion: it was created to provide answers to the unanswerable and comfort people who need comforting.
Now, you can keep looking at this film on the surface level and know that the film needed him to create religion as an impetus for the conflict and resulting climax that ensued. But on another level, it just may be a comment about religion. If it was really a means to criticize it, then I think they were a bit harsh. I think the filmmakers were more trying to tell a story that may have put the notion out there, but were more interested in telling a funny story (I don’t know; I didn’t listen to the director commentary).
But anyway, if you have issues with comedy and religion, stay away. If you don’t—or are looking for something to discuss with your peers, check it out. B
Iron Man 2—film. There has been talk that this film didn’t live up to the first one, and I can’t completely disagree. There was a certain magic and lightness to the first film, and I think that came with the plotline. Tony was just beginning his IM career, and there was lots of room for humor as he perfected his suit of armor.
This movie was different as Tony was in a different place. The radiation his power source (for his heart as well as his armor) is giving off is killing him. Tony being Tony didn’t want to worry his friends Pepper and Rhodey, so they think he’s losing touch with his humanity and fun-loving nature.
Iron Man 2 had a lot to live up to, and it wasn’t always just to live up to the first film. The Iron Man franchise is the anchor for Marvel’s Avengers film push, so there are a lot of hints dropped in that’s mainly to set up future Marvel films—and certainly to give the biggest push to the upcoming Avengers flick. I think director Jon Favreau had a lot on his plate, and he worked it the best he could.
I guess I was most impressed by the things I was looking forward to least. The Whiplash in the comics has a look that wouldn’t translate well on screen, but I wasn’t sure the movie’s chest-baring look was the right call, either. And the film Whiplash “suffers” from one of my biggest comic book movie pet peeves: the villain always has to have some sort of connection to the hero. But Mickey Rourke brought the goods and sold me on what the film was doing. Kudos. And then War Machine, one of my least-favorite armors introduced in the ten years or so I read the comic was highlighted in this film. I could never understand why ballistics was needed for an armor based on repulsor technology, which seemed more powerful—and didn’t have to explain where all the bullets are stored. But I gotta say: seeing (and hearing) Rhodey pumping lead into the bad guys was pretty cool. B+
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths— Another adaptation of a comic book graphic novel. But this one had more heart to it than most as well as more “that was cool” moments. If you’re a comic book fan or superhero fan, this is a good one to watch (but still not mandatory). B
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Premieres and Notables; August 2-8, 2010
Gotta do this a little early this week. Don't have next week's Entertainment Weekly yet, so I may post an addendum later...
Monday, 8/2
The Bachelorette (ABC; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
Last American Cowboy (Animal Planet; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.
Tuesday, 8/3
Shaq Vs. ABC. 8:01 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Tonight he races against Dale Earnhardt Jr, but it's not all sports this season...
The Rachel Zoe Project; Bravo. 9 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.
Scrappers; Spike. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Dumpster divers in Brooklyn look for big scores in the metal department.
For real.
Wednesday, 8/4
Dark Blue; TNT. 8 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
...With new cast member Tricia Helfer.
Chris Angel: Mindfreak; A&E. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Thursday, 8/5
The Squad: Prison Police; A&E. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
This reality show follows cops as they solve crimes committed in prison.
Friday, 8/6
Friday Night Lights (NBC; 7 pm CST). Season Finale (on NBC).
Monday, 8/2
The Bachelorette (ABC; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
Last American Cowboy (Animal Planet; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.
Tuesday, 8/3
Shaq Vs. ABC. 8:01 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Tonight he races against Dale Earnhardt Jr, but it's not all sports this season...
The Rachel Zoe Project; Bravo. 9 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.
Scrappers; Spike. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Dumpster divers in Brooklyn look for big scores in the metal department.
For real.
Wednesday, 8/4
Dark Blue; TNT. 8 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
...With new cast member Tricia Helfer.
Chris Angel: Mindfreak; A&E. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Thursday, 8/5
The Squad: Prison Police; A&E. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
This reality show follows cops as they solve crimes committed in prison.
Friday, 8/6
Friday Night Lights (NBC; 7 pm CST). Season Finale (on NBC).
Lebron Turns Heel on Cleveland
I didn't realize the Lebron situation paralleled another big heel turn from the past...
2010 Q2 Movie Grades, A-F
Well, it's time again. Time to list the films I watched and give them a grade.
And after the last two review periods, I also need to not grade something in such a way that my movie guru, Tom, has to call me out on (I don't completely agree with his thoughts Home Alone, but I admit I messed up up on Terminator Salvation-- I didn't think it was awful, but I did forget about the thing with the heart-- bad).
Like I say every time: A's are works of art, B's are worth watching, C's have good and bad, D's may have one redeeming quality, and F's suck ass.
I also note how I watched it. Everything is in the form of a DVD unless otherwise mentioned (films I see in theatres usually get a little bump just for the experience of being in a theatre and I note "TV" as those that couldn't get a little bump via "extras" that a DVD or BluRay Disc could get).
Otherwise, the grades are based on the work-- or the entertainment value (I try to differentiate when there is a strong leaning toward one or the other).
Finally, I stopped trying to write a lot about each film. I wrote what I felt and tried to keep it succinct (except in some cases that deserved more-- or at least I had more to say).
Let's go. Starting with A:
Astro Boy— I admit to not watching this 100% from beginning to end, but what I did see was decent. Fairly typical story, but the visuals were pretty beautiful. Not sure why this didn’t do better other than it wasn’t terribly unique—and probably the anime fanboys blasted it because it was “too American”. I don’t know; I found it enjoyable—but I have no previous experience with the character. C+
Big Fan— A story about a pathetic “little” man who cares for nothing but his beloved New York Giants. He meets his linebacker idol, who then kicks his ass (he had good reasons). The “big fan” has to reconcile his feelings for his favorite player and his favorite team with the reality that he was badly hurt by that player all while fellow fans and family members are giving him advice to sue the player—or else to not do anything that could jeopardize the Giants’ chances during he football season (like press charges, so the linebacker can’t play).
This is one of those odd flicks I like to call “slice of life” films. It’s like a snapshot of one particular time in a character’s life. These films usually highlight one or more of the following artists: actor, director, or writer. There’s usually not much more to them. The film ends on pretty much the same note as it begins; there’s no “new way of looking at life” or new lifestyle (it’s kinda like an episode of The Simpsons; the story happened, but if you didn’t watch it, you can watch the next episode and not have “missed” anything). These films are not bad, they just don’t seem to have a reason to exist other than to show-off a little. In this case, Patton Oswalt got to show off his dramatic chops; and they are impressive.
Good movie for what it was (I think it accomplished what it set out to do), but I wished there had been something more to cling onto. B+ for the work, B- for the film.
Food, Inc.—TV. I had heard a lot about this movie, and I finally got the time to watch it. This documentary takes a look at where the vast majority of our food comes from. It’s not from the cute, red-painted barns we’re led to believe in our hearts (and we know it’s not true in our heads already). It’s a cruel, manufacturing-based business. For example, chickens are breed to be so bulky in the chest (because Americans want breast meat) that the rest of their bodies can’t keep up. The chickens are bred to be grown so quickly, their bones often break under the strain. But that’s okay, the chicken coops are so crowded that the chickens have no room to move anyway. The sheer number of them keeps them upright—because there is no room to fall down.
We also see how corporations keep the farmers “down” by constantly insisting on new, expensive technology, which keeps the farmers in debt. If the farmers don’t like the new things, they can’t complain because they owe so much, they need the corporate contracts to pay their bills. Corporations also hound the “little man” so much, if they don’t play ball, they’re run out of business.
But that’s all “okay” because consumers get to buy food for less than it costs to produce the food because of subsidies and lobbying efforts.
So the film reminds us to eat organic and try to avoid the corporate-mindset food products. Good advice, but I also know that if the entire world was fed with organic foods, there would be no land left because it would all be needed to farm. As terrible as the conditions are (and it’s not just livestock, plants have the same production-line mentality, which has helped with the rise of problems like e coli), the mass-production of food has made it easy for most people to eat—and the yields are so great, that less land is needed (even with the price of more engineered and tampered-with food).
It’s a tough choice. I guess trying to meet somewhere in the middle is the best way to approach our food choices. This movie is recommended—but you may not want to know where your food comes from… B
And after the last two review periods, I also need to not grade something in such a way that my movie guru, Tom, has to call me out on (I don't completely agree with his thoughts Home Alone, but I admit I messed up up on Terminator Salvation-- I didn't think it was awful, but I did forget about the thing with the heart-- bad).
Like I say every time: A's are works of art, B's are worth watching, C's have good and bad, D's may have one redeeming quality, and F's suck ass.
I also note how I watched it. Everything is in the form of a DVD unless otherwise mentioned (films I see in theatres usually get a little bump just for the experience of being in a theatre and I note "TV" as those that couldn't get a little bump via "extras" that a DVD or BluRay Disc could get).
Otherwise, the grades are based on the work-- or the entertainment value (I try to differentiate when there is a strong leaning toward one or the other).
Finally, I stopped trying to write a lot about each film. I wrote what I felt and tried to keep it succinct (except in some cases that deserved more-- or at least I had more to say).
Let's go. Starting with A:
Astro Boy— I admit to not watching this 100% from beginning to end, but what I did see was decent. Fairly typical story, but the visuals were pretty beautiful. Not sure why this didn’t do better other than it wasn’t terribly unique—and probably the anime fanboys blasted it because it was “too American”. I don’t know; I found it enjoyable—but I have no previous experience with the character. C+
Big Fan— A story about a pathetic “little” man who cares for nothing but his beloved New York Giants. He meets his linebacker idol, who then kicks his ass (he had good reasons). The “big fan” has to reconcile his feelings for his favorite player and his favorite team with the reality that he was badly hurt by that player all while fellow fans and family members are giving him advice to sue the player—or else to not do anything that could jeopardize the Giants’ chances during he football season (like press charges, so the linebacker can’t play).
This is one of those odd flicks I like to call “slice of life” films. It’s like a snapshot of one particular time in a character’s life. These films usually highlight one or more of the following artists: actor, director, or writer. There’s usually not much more to them. The film ends on pretty much the same note as it begins; there’s no “new way of looking at life” or new lifestyle (it’s kinda like an episode of The Simpsons; the story happened, but if you didn’t watch it, you can watch the next episode and not have “missed” anything). These films are not bad, they just don’t seem to have a reason to exist other than to show-off a little. In this case, Patton Oswalt got to show off his dramatic chops; and they are impressive.
Good movie for what it was (I think it accomplished what it set out to do), but I wished there had been something more to cling onto. B+ for the work, B- for the film.
Food, Inc.—TV. I had heard a lot about this movie, and I finally got the time to watch it. This documentary takes a look at where the vast majority of our food comes from. It’s not from the cute, red-painted barns we’re led to believe in our hearts (and we know it’s not true in our heads already). It’s a cruel, manufacturing-based business. For example, chickens are breed to be so bulky in the chest (because Americans want breast meat) that the rest of their bodies can’t keep up. The chickens are bred to be grown so quickly, their bones often break under the strain. But that’s okay, the chicken coops are so crowded that the chickens have no room to move anyway. The sheer number of them keeps them upright—because there is no room to fall down.
We also see how corporations keep the farmers “down” by constantly insisting on new, expensive technology, which keeps the farmers in debt. If the farmers don’t like the new things, they can’t complain because they owe so much, they need the corporate contracts to pay their bills. Corporations also hound the “little man” so much, if they don’t play ball, they’re run out of business.
But that’s all “okay” because consumers get to buy food for less than it costs to produce the food because of subsidies and lobbying efforts.
So the film reminds us to eat organic and try to avoid the corporate-mindset food products. Good advice, but I also know that if the entire world was fed with organic foods, there would be no land left because it would all be needed to farm. As terrible as the conditions are (and it’s not just livestock, plants have the same production-line mentality, which has helped with the rise of problems like e coli), the mass-production of food has made it easy for most people to eat—and the yields are so great, that less land is needed (even with the price of more engineered and tampered-with food).
It’s a tough choice. I guess trying to meet somewhere in the middle is the best way to approach our food choices. This movie is recommended—but you may not want to know where your food comes from… B
Steve Jobs Goes to the Dark Side
Sure it's in Chinese, but I think you can get the gist that Jobs has really f-ed up the iPhone 4 issues.
(But just in case, hopefully the English subtitles will show on this).
I love Jobs' "solution" to the antenna problem-- and the crack that he has a "reality distortion field".
Seriously, Steve, if you're going to bend people over-- without even a bottle of lube-- you should have a product that actually works consistently. Whether it's a moronic place to put the antenna or going with a shitty carrier (at least in large cities), you can fix this mess without being a tool about it.
(But just in case, hopefully the English subtitles will show on this).
I love Jobs' "solution" to the antenna problem-- and the crack that he has a "reality distortion field".
Seriously, Steve, if you're going to bend people over-- without even a bottle of lube-- you should have a product that actually works consistently. Whether it's a moronic place to put the antenna or going with a shitty carrier (at least in large cities), you can fix this mess without being a tool about it.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Mel Rants at Drew
Wow-- the internet jumped all over this one quickly.
Here's one of the best ones I've seen:
BTW: Mel, you're a d-bag...
Here's one of the best ones I've seen:
BTW: Mel, you're a d-bag...
Monday, July 26, 2010
AOTS Gadget Pron: Western Digital Media Player
Kevin had me rolling on the floor with "Boom!".
I love when he messes with Olivia to throw off the segments...
I love when he messes with Olivia to throw off the segments...
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Premieres and Notables; July 26- August 1, 2010
Monday, 7/26
Fish Warrior; National Geographic. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Because there aren't enough fishing reality shows....
Tuesday, 7/27
Deadliest Catch (Discovery; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
Masterchef; FOX. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Because Gordon Ramsey doesn't have enough freakin' shows...
Growing Up Twisted; A&E. 9 & 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Because there aren't enough '80s hard rock/heavy metal singer reality shows (this one features Dee Snyder-- and his family; because Gene Simmons shouldn't have a lock on that genre)...
Wednesday, 7/28
Plain Jane; The CW. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Because there aren't enough (people) makeover shows airing right now...
Thursday, 7/29
Project Runway; Lifetime. 8 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Saturday, 7/31
COPS: Coast to Coast (FOX; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
Saturday, 7/31
Beautiful People (logo; 9 pm CST). Series Finale.
Sunday, 8/1
Sons of Tucson (FOX; 6 pm CST). Series Finale.
Thanks to FOX for airing all the episodes (at least I think they did).
This wasn't a great show, but it deserved to have all their eps shown-- it was better than cancellation.
Maybe if FOX would have had a decent (or any) live-action comedy to pair it up with...
Rubicon; AMC. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
About all I know is this is a thriller set in the world of intelligence agencies and espionage, and there's a mystery or three to figure out.
I guess all we really need to know is it's a show on AMC, and they've got a pretty good track record in the drama department lately.
Goin' Country; Versus. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Okay, this is too weird not to mention:
Former American Idol contestant Kristy Lee Cook travels the country in her quest to be a professional singer. Along the way, she goes on hunting excursions.
Fish Warrior; National Geographic. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Because there aren't enough fishing reality shows....
Tuesday, 7/27
Deadliest Catch (Discovery; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
Masterchef; FOX. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Because Gordon Ramsey doesn't have enough freakin' shows...
Growing Up Twisted; A&E. 9 & 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Because there aren't enough '80s hard rock/heavy metal singer reality shows (this one features Dee Snyder-- and his family; because Gene Simmons shouldn't have a lock on that genre)...
Wednesday, 7/28
Plain Jane; The CW. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Because there aren't enough (people) makeover shows airing right now...
Thursday, 7/29
Project Runway; Lifetime. 8 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Saturday, 7/31
COPS: Coast to Coast (FOX; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
Saturday, 7/31
Beautiful People (logo; 9 pm CST). Series Finale.
Sunday, 8/1
Sons of Tucson (FOX; 6 pm CST). Series Finale.
Thanks to FOX for airing all the episodes (at least I think they did).
This wasn't a great show, but it deserved to have all their eps shown-- it was better than cancellation.
Maybe if FOX would have had a decent (or any) live-action comedy to pair it up with...
Rubicon; AMC. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
About all I know is this is a thriller set in the world of intelligence agencies and espionage, and there's a mystery or three to figure out.
I guess all we really need to know is it's a show on AMC, and they've got a pretty good track record in the drama department lately.
Goin' Country; Versus. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Okay, this is too weird not to mention:
Former American Idol contestant Kristy Lee Cook travels the country in her quest to be a professional singer. Along the way, she goes on hunting excursions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)