Monday, July 27, 2009

'Half-Blood Prince...Half Of What Phoenix Was'

Here we are again, for another installment of Harry Potter and his battle with the greatest evil since Sauron. 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is an expositionary film preparing us for a large explosion of events in the final two films. Although, an entertaining film, 'Half-Blood Prince' makes the downward side of excitement.
Much older now, and wiser as wizards we follow Harry Potter following the death of his rebelious uncle Serious Black on the dawn of what will be a borderline civil war in the wizard world. Unlike the other films, close attention needs to be paid to dialogue as well as the props of this latest installment. If you didn't read the novel, you'd miss alot of important subtleties. Director David Yates (who also directed Order of the Phoenix) took the usage of darkness in the films to another level to accentuate the abyss we are going down with these films.
There are many positive elements to Harry Potter that show the evolution of these characters. Of course they're much older (obviously), but more than that the tone of these films have become much more serious; and it's going to get darker before it gets brighter. The intrigue of hidden secrets just keeps the viewer wanting more and more. However, it is much harder to stay interested with this installment simply because it drags. That's all there is to it. The film is over 120 minutes long and this is the first time I ask myself, "There's still more"? I would almost say that a total of 20 minutes could have easily been excluded from the final cut, and a beat would not have been missed. At least I don't think so. On a positive note, the final 15 minutes made the wait worth while. Yates kicked it up a notch by eliminating a pinacle character. Who you ask....I'll leave that for you to discover. For all intensive purposes, there wasn't anything extraordinary about the camera work for the film. But then again, it still leaves much to look forward to in these last two films.
Was Harry Potter entertaining? Yes, though not the most entertaining of them all. But more than anything, it was a major disappointment that this film was not the best film of an already weak 'Summer Movie Season'. Many of you would assume that I'll promote Star Trek as the best of the season...and you'd be right. In almost every aspect of filmmaking, Star Trek met expectation, and to a certain degree exceeded them. Harry Potter should have been a no brainer to surpass Star Trek, Terminator, and Transformers. But quite frankly Transformers and Star Trek are the top two runners for best movie of the season. Harry Potter steals third place. After that, I'll leave it up to you. Only one movie left....Inglorious Basterds. QT, please bring your 'A' game.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Public Enemies...Michael Mann Misses

As of now, this is by far the WEAKEST summer movie season that I have ever seen. To date, the best film thus far as 'Star Trek', followed by 'Transformers 2'. The sad fact of the matter is that the gap of time between theses films reflects the poor path (in this viewers opinion) that the summer series of movies is heading towards for the rest of the season. Another sad fact is that Michael Mann's latest release, the period piece 'The Public Enemies' isn't improving things.
The film depicts the Feds pursuit of America's 'Public Enemies'; specifically Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, and primarily John Dillinger (as played by Johnny Depp). In hot pursuit, is Special Agent Melvin Purvis, a clean nosed agent assigned to the Chicago territory by his on the rise superior J. Edgar Hoover. Spicing up the risk is the develop love between Dillinger, and local hat check girl, Billie (played by Oscar winner Marion Cotillard). No one in this story is backing down. Not Purvis, not Hoover, and certainly not John Dillinger.
As stories go, it's not the most brilliant screenplay put to the screen. But... what is excellent is the depiction of a time in America going back almost 70 years. The strongest element to the film is the production work. As in the last three films, Mann has been using various film formats and cameras to create his distinct vision to tell his story. This film is no different however, because it's a period piece there are many instances that it just doesn't come together. What does come together is the intense shootouts and use of sound to bring the reality of a shootout to the viewer. It's these moments that show the strength of Michael Mann's expertise as a director.
I'll bottom line it for you, Public Enemies is easily a dvd flick. As movie goes, it's never a bad idea to check out an action movie, but don't expect any Oscars here. Maybe next time Mr. Mann.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Star Trek Ressurection....Still Goin' Where No one has Gone

Much has changed in 7 years and yet we do not even notice.  For the 'Trekkies' out there, it has felt like forever since we've soar through space and time.  I feel the same way for a good movie now a days (you only get 4 a year if you're lucky).  When I went to the midnight showing of J.J. Abram's take on 'Star Trek' I was hoping that I would find people dressed in costume; alas, no dice.  No matter, the movie going experience of seeing 'Star Trek' in IMAX was a great way to enjoy my time off work.  Bottom line...there wasn't a moment of drowsiness in this movie (unlike other movies with claw wielding mutants, or the latest "funny" man in an unfunny movie).  In fact, I'll stop beating around the bush....'Star Trek' was the best movie of the '09 spring season.
I had my concerns with Hollywood taking something as iconic and magical as Star Trek and attempting to make it hip and fresh for today's youth.  Not surprisingly they put their trust in J. J. Abrams ('Lost', 'MI: 3'), who appears to becoming the new 'Go To Hollywood Hitmaker'.  Well after this project, I have to give respect to the man's skill and talents.  He stepped up to the challenge of revamping the franchise, pleasing the loyal followers, and wrangling in a younger audience; and that is exactly what he did.  Cudos to the casting director for such an impressive depiction of the Enterprise's famed crew.  Chris Pine ('Smokin' Aces', 'The Princess Diaries 2') did an excellent job stepping into the shoes of James Kirk.  I had concerns that an injustice would be done by having Pine make the character his own.  Instead, he made the character his own while still giving us a taste of the Kirk he would become in 30 years.  The same Kirk we know and love.  The best performance though was without a doubt Karl Urban, or rather Dr. McCoy.  Full of quirky lines and wit that would make DeForest Kelly (the original McCoy) proud.  
I take it you get the point that I really liked the film; well I did.  The depiction of space travel and battle was probably the best I have ever seen it.  If you've ever wondered if there is sound in space....you'll find out in this movie.  So let's say you are not a fan of Star Trek... that's ok.  The great CGI work will keep you entranced.  Almost as if you were on a roller coaster ride at Magic Mountain.  There was very little room in this story that had to be developed better.  As movies go in 2009, this was in the first tier of excellent filmmaking.  Don't be surprised if it grosses and easy 100 million dollars by Monday. 
My recomendation, watch 'Star Trek', if the effects don't wow you, at least you spent 2 hours of your life on a high octane ride.  

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Wolverine ain't warming up.

     Well, 20th Century Fox is back at it again. Well, trying at least.  From a monetary standpoint it was predictable; let's be honest, who wouldn't want to make a movie on one of the more popular Marvel characters in their roster?  Sadly, justice couldn't be done.  The spin off of the X-Men franchise opened on Friday, to positive reviews....not from this viewer though.  

     With every film that's adapted from literature you have to give latitude to what they put on screen.  I appreciate filmmakers that attempt to do justice to a story however; it shows effort.  Instead of getting the script tight and its development properly laid out, we get several over the top moments that 'ooo' and 'awe' our eyes.  Pluses go to Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber for depicting a better love/hate relationship between Logan and Victor Creed.  Victor Creed from the first 'X-Men' had the look, but the villainy element just wasn't there.   Liev Schreiber was a much better fit for that persona.  An interesting challenge to Jackman’s presence.  Like anything else it could have been better, but take what you get, right?  The weakest points  to this film have to be the story, and the arbitrary introduction of characters for irrelevant purposes (incorporation of Cyclops, Professor X, and Gambit).  You would hope that filmmakers would learn from the success of 'Iron Man' and 'Spider-Man',  I guess that's too much to ask for.  

Needless to say, the 85 million dollar opening weekend, will properly set up a sequel to come within the next 3 years I suspect.  Maybe by that point, the writers will wrangle the story a bit more to what loyal comic fans are familiar with.  Even though I wasn't too pleased with the film, it is a hearty beginning to a summer film season.  There was a mighty hiatus between Christmas and May.  Hopefully, films will only get better as the summer progresses.  With 'Wolverine' bringing in 85 million, I can only imagine what 'Star Trek' will bring in next week. Cheers!!!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

'The Strangers' was Strangely Entertaining

     I am not a horror flick kind of guy.  Believe me there are dozens of ways that a man can get his thrills, adrenaline pumping or whatever it is that gets us off.  I hope there is someone out there that knows where I'm coming from.  That being said, once in a while there is a movie that makes you go ' hey that wasn't bad'.  In an era of horror movies that scream out 'hey another remake of a classic but this time we have sexier people in it',  The Strangers was a refreshing manner to get our hearts racing.  
Liv Tyler and her boyfriend are in this log cabin when randomly someone knocks at their door at four in the morning.  I don't know about you, but I don't open the door for anyone pass 9. So this stranger looking for Tamera starts to knock again once the boyfriend leaves to get cigarettes (at 4 a.m.?) and all hell breaks looks.  Three masked characters begin harassing Tyler to the point where they lose all sense of rational control of the situation.  Minimal dialogue and creepy sounds have you stirring in your seat.  The director (who also wrote the film) did an excellent job of just allowing things to unravel without forcing it on you.  Let it be known,  there were a few moments where I said to myself "C'mon, what are you doing"?  Even still your stomach begins to turn as you watch the horror and torment unfold on this unsuspecting couple.  All the while you have pity for these people.  Why wouldn't you?  Fellas, you want to be extra romantic with your lady.  So you take her a nice wood cabin, play some John Mayer and pour roses on the floor.  Suddenly,  some guy with a Charlie Brown sack on his head is hacking away at your front door with an axe. That sucks.  
I thought it was a good movie.  Of course the very end of the film has to go the cliche route, but it was still enjoyable.  Something I would easy rent and watch again.  The best part of 'Strangers' is the way the director uses sound to initiate fear and unravel the story.  From beginning to end, you don't cringe at heads being lobbed off with blood hitting the screen.  You do cringe though because you don't know what is behind that curtain and we have to wait to discover it.  Very Hitchcock, very cool.  This movie takes us back to when horror films didn't show us over the top, slimy creatures to be scarred of.  Rather,  put us in a situation when we lack control and let the sounds make our imaginations run wild.