The Son of the Sound of Silents

This past Sunday I attended a presentation at my county library on Silent Horror Films. The speaker, Mike Tomano is the Vice President / General Manager of STARadio's cluster of stations in Illinois. He is also a horror film buff with a penchant for old school silent horror films. He began by discussing his love of monsters and told a story I may never forget because of its whimsy. He used to invite a neighborhood girl over to his house, but before she got there, he would take all the toys out of his toy box in the basement and hide in there with his vampire cape on. When she came downstairs, he would jump out and chase her around trying to bite her neck. I love this!

His longstanding fascinating with monsters and horror quickly established, he also proved himself quite adept at film analysis and film history as he moved through a handful of silent horror films, discussing their use of shadows and angles, the acting and make up involved, and the prominent figures in the silent horror film genre.

His presentation was entertaining and informative, and I immediately made a note to convince him to come to my Film class next semester or in fall. He used longish clips from the following silent horror films. The links will take you to the complete film on YouTube:

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Nosferatu

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The Phantom of the Opera

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Frankenstein

If you get the chance, I highly recommend watching this films. I was lucky enough to be able to watch Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on the big screen at a local theatre this past Thursday night. The Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra played while the silent film played, offering a unique experience for contemporary film goers. The film itself is fantastic with John Barrymore giving a superb performance as the twisted and tortured Jekyll and Hyde, but you combine that with live music and I'm really getting my geek on.

I offered extra credit to my students for attending the performance. Only a handful showed up, but the ones who did make it, said they really loved it and admitted they were really, really surprised they liked it. I had to admit to them that I was worried. Asking a generation of ADDed, fast-paced, entertain-me-now-now-now kids to watch a silent film from the 1920s, which requires actual mental activity to understand, is scary. I am thrilled they liked it!

Chaos Walking: The Film Trilogy

So Lionsgate has obtained the rights to adapt Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking trilogy to the big screen. As I'm sure most of you know, I'm a huge fan of the series. HUUUGGGEEE. I lurve it, and I try not to "lurve" anything and settle for the much more mundane "love" instead. The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer, and Monsters of Men are three of the best books I've ever read, and definitely one of the best series. My not-quite-a-review of the first book in the trilogy started with this:

I have absolutely no idea how to talk about this book without spoilers.  Every moment in the book is rife with possibilities, questions, and excitement.  My mother, not the biggest fan of YAL, said she loved the story because it never stopped, and I completely agree.  I could not stop reading; every turn of the page brought on a deep desire to see the next.  And when I finished, I could not wait to get my hands on the second in the series.

I think that description bodes well for the movies. The combination of intelligence and action in these books is perfect for a film adaptation - if it's done right. There's the rub.

Too often, the books I absolutely love are turned into films I can't stand (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). Some knock my socks off (Lord of the Rings), a few make the cut (Percy Jackson, Harry Potter) and others I find I can just simply separate book and film into two distinct entities (every Jane Austen/Bronte sister adaptation). It will hurt me if Chaos Walking does not knock my socks off.

People always want to know: Who do you think should play X? I can honestly say I have no freaking clue. My suggestions would be based almost purely on looks, and that is definitely not a good indicator of success in a role. But I would love to know if any of you have suggestions for the starring roles!

On a side note, Lionsgate is also adapting The Hunger Games, and the press release linked above, likes to mention that. I just want to cast my vote quite clearly: Chaos Walking kicks The Hunger Games ass. Just saying. :)

Overlooked Movies

While Stumbling around, I found this wonderful website listing the Most Unfairly Overlooked Movies of the Decade. I haven't seen every movie on the list, but every one I've seen, I completely agree that it was overlooked. Movies like Zack and Miri Make a Porno, The Girl Next Door, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Stardust, Choke, and Grindhouse are ones that make it onto my radar primarily because I teach film. Most of the people I know have never heard of them, or if they have, they not only don't have a desire to watch them, but actively make fun of me for liking them.

I accept this. My movie interests are rather eclectic, and I've been trained (for four years straight) to watch movies from a different perspective than the average viewer. Not better. Just different. I do, however, wish others saw what I saw (totally self-serving maybe, but there you have it).  Cinema Blend's list immediately made me think of two other movies I wish had garnered more attention.

One movie which I tried to make everyone watch - and those who did hated it - is Secretary. Starring James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal, Secretary tells the story of a young woman who gets a job as a secretary for a high-powered lawyer, and of course, they fall in love. But unlike other romances, theirs is sadomasochistic in nature. The subject is dealt with deftly, the acting is spot on, and the themes are intriguing. And for those who are wondering... It's not sleazy.

Memento, directed by Christopher Nolan, is a film I teach in almost every section of my film class. Our focus is on narrative because this wonderfully constructed film is shot quite cleverly. Imagine two plot-lines - A and B. A is moving forward chronologically. B is moving backward in ten minute or so segments. Now alternate them - ABABAB. It's awesome. And I swear it is not as confusing as it sounds.

Are there any movies released between 2000 and 2010 that you think deserved more attention?

Movie Review: Sky High

Title: Sky High

Director: Mike Mitchell

Starring: Michael Angarano, Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston

Release: July 29, 2005

Genre: Family, Comedy

Rated: PG

First Viewing: Who Knows?  But I've seen this movie probably five or six times, the result of channel surfing late at night and getting ADDed by the Disney Channel.

Sky High is a high school for kids with special abilities and like every other high school, there are cliques. At Sky High though, there are only two groups: heroes and sidekicks. Will, the son of the two greatest superheroes on the planet, is a sidekick. In the beginning. But predictably, he realizes his true potential in a fight with his archenemy, Warren Peace, whose father was captured by Will's dad. Once he's moved to the hero classes, the fun begins. He makes a few of those lame decisions where he neglects his old friends for his cool new ones; he mistakenly trusts someone and ends up putting the planet in danger; he saves the world and gets the girl. If you think I've "spoiled the plot", you clearly don't watch this genre often enough. :)

I have never set out to watch it, but if nothing else is on and Sky High is, well, it's my fall back entertainment. I have no deep understanding of why this film is so appealing to me.  But there you have it.

 Has anyone else seen this one?

Movie Review: Stand by Me

Title: Stand by Me
Director: Rob Reiner
Starring: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Cory Feldman, Jerry O'Connell
Release: August 8, 1986
Country: USA
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Rated: R
First Viewing: Yeah right. I've been watching this movie my entire life. I have no idea when I first saw it.

The Short and Sweet of It
Four friends set out to find the body of a boy who disappeared.  And if you don't know the rest of what happens in this movie, FOR SHAME. Go right now.  Go to your local video store and watch this.

A Bit of a Ramble
Stand by Me is not your typical coming of age story. When Gordie, Christopher, Teddy, and Vern set out to see a dead body, they bring along with them much more than canteens and backpacks. Each boy has his own problems: parents who abuse them, ignore them, and just don't understand them. But Reiner doesn't wallow in pity for the boys, he keeps the tone one of hope and growth with a bittersweet undertone.

I can't remember the first time I watched this film, but I know that every time I see it while flipping channels, I have to stop and watch. I have never set out on a journey to see a dead body, and I was in no way a 12 year old boy, but I think everyone can relate to this film. We may not have had abusive families, been plagued by knife wielding bullies, or had leeches in unmentionable places, but we've all experienced the pains of growing up and felt the perfect love for childhood friends.

Gordie writes that he has never had friends like he did when he was twelve and asks if anyone does. I think we all know the answer.

Monthly Viewings: August

Bachelor Party
This 1984, Tom Hanks film is the original The Hangover. Before Rick gets married, his friends are determined to throw him an outrageous party.  With hookers.  Seriously, hookers. I thought strippers were the hallmark of bachelor parties, but apparently in the early 80s, hookers were the entertainment. Like The Hangover, this is a comedy of errors; unlike The Hangover, Bachelor Party may not be so funny to those of us barely out of diapers in 1984. Don't get me wrong, it was funny, but it was 1984 funny.

Dinner for Schmucks
Laugh out loud humor with the occasional snort.  There were no truly shocking surprises, but the cast of characters was rather entertaining and unique, and I mean literally the characters, not the cast. The individuals invited to this dinner, the so-called schmucks, are people I would really like to meet.  They seem fun.

Inception
Full review can be found here. But for the quick version - I loved it. It was magnificently put together, and despite the lack of character development, the visuals, concept, and pacing make it a favorite film of the year.

Slumdog Millionaire
I don't know why I put off watching this for so long. It was excellent, unique, and completely not a feel good movie in any way, shape, or form. Seriously, if you are not depressed after watching this, you have no heart. I don't care whether the ending is happy or not, this movie should still leave you feeling like a giant schmuck who has it unbelievably good and yet still complains like a baby crying because it's spoon is gold and not platinum. Watch this movie.

Harry Potter - Chamber of Secrets, Prizoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, and The Half-Blood Prince
While the family was here, nights were spent with Harry Potter, in bits at a time, for the kids to fall asleep, and mornings were spent watching the other bits as we all woke up and ate breakfast. How fun is that?!?! I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of the movies as the acting grates on the nerves a bit; they can be wonderful fun though, especially when watching them with children.

The Departed
An excellent film that I have watched too many times to count, The Departed is an exciting, well-acted, and thought-provoking thriller revolving around two men infiltrating opposite sides of the law.  Damon, Wahlberg, DiCaprio, and Nicholson were a true joy to watch.

Inglourious Basterds
Full review can be found here. Christoph Waltz rocks my world in this movie. Waltz's portrayal of the Jew Hunter is so nuanced that he really comes across as a true-to-life person rather than a "character". If you have not yet seen this film, well, shame on you. :)

Pirate Radio
What a fun romp through 1966 off-shore pirate radio broadcasting! The cast of characters is excellent, and the characters they play are wonderfully eccentric. And of course, we must not forget the soundtrack which is so flipping fantastic I may actually buy it.

Bram Stoker's Dracula
For the full review, check out my thoughts on The New Annotated Dracula. This 1992 version of the film has a ridiculous amount of bare breasts floating about, and the plot was sacrificed quite a bit for sensationalism.  Still, for the most part, the actors did a great job of adding depth to their characters, even though they had little to work with within the script, and the film was artfully stylistic.

Movie Review: Inception

Oh my heavens was this fantastic! Christopher Nolan impressed me with Memento, entertained me with The Dark Knight, and completely blew my mind with Inception. It was cinematically stunning, perfectly paced, and intellectually compelling.

Our lead, Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) is a new kind of criminal.  He maneuvers inside people's dreams in order to steal their secrets.  Skilled at the art of extraction, he is now asked to insert an idea into a subject's mind, a dangerous and intricate action which requires multiple dream layers and multiple players all of whom are risking their lives for this one payoff.

With an evocative narrative, the film was complex enough to be mentally stimulating, but still cogent enough to be satisfying. No easy task when the plot revolves around multiple realities - dreams within dreams, all needing to be perfectly orchestrated despite the absence of utter control within the dream world.  

An exotic blend of fantasy and reality, the world within the film was subject to flights of fancy such as folding a city in half and shifting gravity.  This world lacking the laws of physics allowed for Matrix-esque fight scenes, power through grace, on a grand scale. It also allowed Nolan (and cinematographer Wally Pfister) to construct beautiful images.

I do wish there had been more time for character development; outside of Cobb (DiCaprio) and Fischer (Murphy) we know almost nothing about the characters, and even those two aren't overly complex. We know some motivations and can relate to them on some level, but this simple fact, this one piece is all we know. Arthur (Gordon-Levitt) is an absolutely fascinating character from a personality standpoint, and yet all I know about him is that he is Cobb's right-hand man. Ariadne is clearly brilliant and compassionate, but she has no real story other than as a conscience for Cobb. While it may seem that this really bothered me, I have to admit that it was not something I noticed while watching. It was only in the days that followed I found myself wondering.

The film is a treasure trove of symbolism. Ariadne, the architect, is also the name of a Greek heroine who led Theseus out of the Labyrinth; Mal is French for evil; even the song used to cue dreamers to wake up is symbolic; and I could go on... I may have to use this for my Introduction to Film course, which means that my movie-buying-ban may be in the bag for the first time since I started Netflix.

In short, go see it. Multiple times if possible.

Movie Review: Grosse Pointe Blank

Title: Grosse Pointe Blank
Director: George Armitage
Starring: John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Ackroyd
Release: April 11, 1997
Country: America
Genre: Comedy, Action
Rated: R
First Viewing: Sometime in the late 90s

The Short and Sweet of It
A professional killer metaphorically kills two birds with one stone as he travels to his hometown for a reunion and a hit.

A Bit of a Ramble
I love John Cusack. There's just not two ways about it; he's adorable. I watch movies just for him, and this film is no exception. Throw in any other lead actor and I don't know if the movie would be worth it for me.

Grosse Point Blank is part romance, part black comedy, part thriller. With quirky humor, the film entertains viewers with a different kind of assassin, one more concerned with getting back together with his high school girlfriend than killing his mark. He carries some of the same characteristics as other film portrayals of hitmen. For example, he doesn't like having his back to windows, but instead of suave movements from one seat to another, he twitches and jerks to a more comfortable seat, making the characteristic humorous rather than cool. And this was oddly endearing; although I think the term 'endearing' and John Cusack just go together.

I'd talk more about plot, camera angles, ideology, and the such not, but the film feels more like a background for Cusack. Thank heavens.

Have you guys seen this?

Monthly Viewings: July

The Last Airbender
I have a confession: I've never seen the cartoon. This meant I went into the movie with no preconceived notions, and I'm glad I did. For while I enjoyed the movie quite a bit, my cousin, who loved the cartoon series, did not.  Too many changes.  I just had to smile as this is typically how I feel about book-to-film adaptations. I thought the special effects were fantastic, and the lyrical movements the actors made in their bending was beautiful. The film was a bit lacking in depth, and I was frustrated by the abrupt ending, but overall I thought it was excellent.

The Boondock Saints
I've seen this film many, many times, and I like it every time.  I don't care if it's pure sensationalism. I love the overly creative execution scenes, I enjoy the abundance of blood and macho-ness, and of course, Willem Defoe is 100% awesome in this movie, playing one of the most intriguing characters.

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
Oh, this was very much not good.  I can't get over the passion with which I didn't like this when I enjoyed the first so much.  I think it was trying to be self-referentially ridiculous, but it came across as nothing more than stupid.

Twilight: New Moon
So ridiculous. So, so, so ridiculous.

Despicable Me
So hilarious. So, so, so hilarious.  Seriously, this one was great. I loved the characters and found the 3D entertaining and actually appropriate for the film, and laughed continuously at some of the more subtle bits of humor. And I love Agnes. I laugh every time I even think "It's so fluffy."



Twilight: Eclipse
I went to the theater by myself to see this one, surrounded by pairs of girls a solid 10 years younger than I. Munching on twizzlers and downing my not-entirely-giant coke, I expected to see a cheese-fest like New Moon was. While the cheese still existed, I did enjoy this movie much much more than New Moon. More fighting, less smoochiness.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice
I don't know why I like Nicholas Cage, but I do. And a shaggy haired, vest and dress pants Nicholas with a hat was pretty sexy. Not that the film was sexy; the film was cute. I enjoyed the story even if I did wish for a bit less romance and a bit more fighting. And has anyone noticed that those with magical abilities have a standard stance; the legs bent one a bit forward, arms at sides slightly curved with palms up (the arms are usually thrust down to this position), head angled down a bit.

There are actually better shots than these but I couldn't find them online, and I'm too lazy to get the screenshots myself. "The Stance" seems to occur at the exact moment The Powerful One realizes or displays their full abilities.  My point - this stance happens in The Sorcerer's Apprentice.  If anyone has any other examples of The Stance, I would absolutely love to see it/hear about it!

Sherlock Holmes
This was my second time around watching this film, and I enjoyed it as much as the first.  Guy Ritchie, Robert Downey Jr., and Jude Law sure sexed Holmes up in this film. That combined with the chemistry between Law and Downey and the steampunkish visualization means I can't wait for the next installment.

June Movies: Not the Best Month

Splice
A woman who has mommy issues. A man who has horniness issues.  And a product of genetic splicing who has too many unnecessary mutations.  I just hated this movie and so did my three theater companions. The hubby and I had a case of the giggles throughout, and I'm pretty sure the film wasn't made to be a comedy. Oh, and the female lead reminded me of Julianne Moore, and ever since Blindness I just can't stand her.

Gamer
Gerard Butler's looking pretty buff in this movie.  Okay on to something of substance.  The film's premise is fantastic, but the delivery was lacking depth. The characters have no backstory and no clear motivations or personalities, and yet their foundations are ripe for exploration.  Seriously, there is this streak of genius running through the film, but it's neglected for superficial sex and violence.  This could have been fantastic but it's like they left the film in the hands of a twelve-year-old boy.

Law Abiding Citizen
Gerard Butler movie number 2 of the month. In this film, Butler plays a man whose wife and child were murdered, and the main culprit was let go in exchange for testifying against his partner. After the set up, people die in some seriously nasty ways, individuals question their complicity in a corrupt system, and shit blows up. The film divides its time between displaying over-the-top violence and questioning the justice system which means it spreads itself rather thin. I, however, enjoyed it, and felt that while the director may have been confused as to his purpose, Butler and Foxx still entertained.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
This is a strange tale with two men fighting over souls through the presentation of choices in a world of pure imagination.  I think. It's hard to say what the story really was about..... but the visuals were stunning.  Then of course, Heath Ledger morphs into Johnny Depp into Jude Law into Colin Farrell which is a unique - and rather hot - concept despite its rather macabre motivation. As an entertaining flick, I'm not a fan; but as an acid-trip art form, I enjoyed it.

True Blood: Seasons 1 and 2
I have to say that just like in the books, Sookie annoys the crapola out of me even while the story entertains.  I keep going back for more, and now I'm sad to wait so long for season 3.  I guess I'll get my fix by reading books 8, 9, and 10.  And may I just say that I am disturbed by my fascination with Eric - hello hotness.


And there you have it, a rather disappointing month in movies, but some mucho hotness in my TV on DVD.

Movie Review: The Spirit

Title: The Spirit
Director: Frank Miller
Starring: Gabriel Macht, Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson
Release: December 25, 2008
Country: America
Genre: Comedy, Action
Rated: R
First Viewing: May 15, 2009

The Short and Sweet of It
A masked hero saves a city from the evil Octopus while impressing the ladies.

A Bit of a Ramble
At least he impresses the ones in the film. I, on the other hand, found the film boring, misogynistic, and contrived. First, let me say that I loved 300 and Sin City, the films The Spirit seems to be imitating. Misogyny abounds in all three films, but for some reason the women in The Spirit and the way they are treated piss me off more.

First, let's talk about Lorelei, the Angel of Death, who is apparently so infatuated with Denny (The Spirit) that she is never far away. When she has him in her grasp, it is to kiss him, to make him her lover. Then there's Plaster of Paris, an assassin who seduces her victim with a belly/lap dance before slicing him to pieces. Morgenstern is a rookie cop with an obvious need for male validation. Silken Floss is the beautiful but evil assistant to Octopus who is happy to do her job well and be "eye candy".

The two main female characters in the film, and the two main love interests of The Spirit, are Dr. Ellen Dollan and bad girl San Saref. Dollan is a female with a brain, but her obsession with The Spirit makes her one gigantic pushover who loves him and comes back to him no matter how many other women he tries to charm or even makes out with in front of her. Saref, the Spirit's girlfriend from childhood, has only one obsession and only one love: bling.

The men in the film show no respect for any of the women with The Spirit himself willfully seducing every woman around while trying to maintain to the Doctor that she's his only love and trying to convince the audience that he has true, deep feelings for San Saref.

Now, misogyny in film is not an obsession with me; Sin City certainly isn't nice to the girls, but I still loved that movie. But when you combine all of this with a ridiculous script that made what was supposed to be serious funny, and what was supposed to be funny pitiful, and you have a movie that falls far short of its predecessors.

The only reason I didn't turn this film off was Samuel L. Jackson whose oddball Octopus portrayal reasonably kept my interest. I was trying to figure out if he was a samurai, a pimp, or a Nazi.

Movie Review: Weekend at Bernie's

Title: Weekend at Bernie's
Director: Ted Kotcheff
Starring: Andrew McCarthy, Jonathan Silverman, Terry Kiser
Release: July 5, 1989
Country: America
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13
First Viewing: Probably sometime in 89 or 90
Re-Viewing: May 30, 2009


The Short and Sweet of It
After finding an accounting error, two regular guys are invited to spend a weekend at their boss's beach house. Unfortunately, the boss is dead, but what's a little death when there's fun to be had?  Sweet.

A Bit of a Ramble
Weekend at Bernie's should be a gigantic, stomach-pinkening belly flop. What is funny about two guys playing with a dead body? It should be at worst creepy and at best unbelievable and ridiculous. But what can I say? I enjoyed this over-the-top comedy of errors. It's completely tacky: Pretending a dead guy is still alive so that you can enjoy his beach house parties and pick up girls is a horrifying thought, entirely self-serving, but McCarthy and Silverman manage to make it seem cute and funny.

The film is really bumped up a notch, in my opinion, by the dead guy, Lomax, played by Terry Kiser. This is one awesome corpse. Kiser really finds a way to position his body so that Lomax looks simultaneously dead and expressive. Lomax is an active corpse too as he parties, skis, and spends some quality time with his girlfriend. And he does it all with this perfect, subdued naughty smirk.

Yes there are plot holes, overly dramatic acting, unbelievable events, and the such not. But who cares?

May Movies

I'm a little late with this, but things got all confused with BEA and BBC and being a bit late on posting reviews and...I'll stop now.  While I typically discuss the movies I've watched over the course of a month, this time around I'll be talking about television.  The reason:  I didn't watch a movie all month.  I did, however, watch quite a lot of television.  And really watching television seasons on DVD is much more like watching a movie than it is like watching regular television, especially when you're watching three or four episodes in a row.

Supernatural

In the month of May, I watched the first four seasons of Supernatural, for the first time, thanks to my friends Jess and Jason who kindly lent me their DVDs.  Supernatural chronicles the life of two brothers, Sam and Dean, as they attempt to save the world from paranormal baddies such as ghosts, witches, and demons.  The lead characters are sexy, the soundtrack is awesome, and the plot is exciting with enough depth to keep my interest.  I can't wait for Season 5 to become available on SwapTree.

Entourage

Entourage is a fun, sexy show following the acting career of Vincent Chase as he and his three best friends navigate the waters of Hollywood with help from his agent.  My husband and I have powered through the first four seasons of this show this past month, and both of us love it.  This is unusual.  The hubby is extremely picky about his television.  He likes Lost.  He liked Firefly.  That's all I can think of.  Season 5 is ready and waiting, but we have to finish the final season of Lost first.

Robin Hood

Robin Hood is - surprise, surprise - about Robin Hood.  I'm in the middle of season 3, waiting for the next disc to come from Netflix.  Have I mentioned how much I love Netflix?  I'm enjoying the show; although I don't feel an obsessive need to watch it for hours on end like I do with Supernatural and Entourage.  I will definitely watch the rest of the show though.

Southland

Southland is a unique style of cop drama.  Instead of each episode focusing on one crime/criminal and going through the whole crime-detection-prosecution cycle, the show has a more documentary style feel.  We are observing 8 cops - officers and detectives - going about their business.  I've only seen the first season, but I will be grabbing the second season as soon as possible.

Okay that should cover me.  All in all, it was a very enjoyable month despite the fact that I was sick for about 2 1/2 weeks - hey, how do you think I got so many seasons done in one month?

April Movies

Big Fish
Based on a novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace, Big Fish is a moving film about the power and necessity of stories.  As a young boy struggles to make sense of his father's life, he comes to realize that truth and fiction are not mutually exclusive.  My review of the book.  My full review of the movie.

Clash of the Titans
I love Greek mythology, so I was bound to love the movie.  But where were the freaking Titans?  Definite misnomer. I've heard that Medusa and the Kraken are Titans, but that seems disputable, and even if they are/were, the story doesn't exactly revolve around them.  As Brandon said, however, Clash of the Humans and the Olympians was probably too wordy for a title. I felt the 3D was quite unnecessary, and from what I've read, the film is actually better in 2D as that is how it was filmed.  Apparently, the 3D was an afterthought.

Cirque du Freak
This film, encompassing the first three books in Darren Shan's 12 book series, received negative reviews, but I must admit I enjoyed it.  I'm not sure how much reading the books affected my experience.  My full review of the movie.

Year One
Jack Black and Michael Cera are funny.  The movie, not so much.  It had it's moment, and I enjoyed the hilarity of the situation, but in the end, I could take it or leave it.

Pan's Labyrinth
One of the best movies of my generation, Pan's Labyrinth is an artful blend of extraordinary storytelling and meaningful cinematography. I have started writing about seven sentences now to go here, but I've realized that I may have to write a full review. Until then, suffice it to say you should most definitely go watch this film.

Four Brothers
Primarily an ultra-violent film focused on vigilante justice, Four Brothers still manages to have heart.  The easy affinity between the four main characters - and the subsequent understanding of their characters' love for each other - really made the film in my opinion.  And I'll admit it, I have no shame about it, I really do enjoy gun-wielding, fists-flying, bad-ass films.

Film Review: Cirque du Freak

Cirque du Freak is an absolutely fantastic series of books written by its protagonist, Darren Shan.  I've read the first seven books in the series and have asked for the rest (of the twelve total) for my birthday (keep your fingers crossed).  I read and reviewed the first three in the series during the October 2009 Readathon, and I recently reviewed books four through seven after tearing through them on my vacation in February.

Darren Shan was a normal boy until an unexpected trip to a Freak Show introduced him to a world of snake boys, wolf men, fire eaters, and vampires.  He consented to become a vampire's assistant to save his best friend's life, but as they say no good deed goes unpunished. Now Darren is involved in the rising tension between the vampires and the vampaneeze, vampires' killing cousins, and he is struggling to find his place among the vampires while maintaining his human-ness.

The film combines the first three in the series - at least, that's how it's marketed.  Watching it, however, is an entirely different experience from reading.  While the essence of the books remains, the plot is remarkably different with what I would actually consider plot spoilers of later books - books I haven't even read yet - permeating the film.  Quite a bit of what is shown in the film is only suggested in the first seven books of the series; and yet the bulk of the plotline from the books is missing.  It's a strange contradiction I know, but still the truth.

Still, I enjoyed the movie and I very much hope they continue making the films.  Logically, there will be three more films, with three books per film.  I do realize, however, that I'm in the minority here.  As far as I'm aware, the film received some scathing remarks and prospects for future films aren't exactly encouraging.  And yet, I am still hopeful.

Film Review: Big Fish

Big Fish is a film based on a novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace. I reviewed the book back in October, and I'm reusing some of the words from that review here as I felt that while the movie made some dramatic changes, the overall feel of the film was largely similar to that of the book.

As his father dies, William listens and remembers his father's many stories of a life lived big, and through these stories, he comes to terms with a father with a big imagination.

Many children see their parents as being larger than life, but in William Bloom's case, this is true. His father's stories ring of myth, confrontations with giants and possessive lovers, beautiful maidens and hidden love, witchy women with glass eyes. Between his stories, his long absences, and his jokes, Edward has not been a normal father. And yet the legacy of storytelling has clearly been passed down as William revisits and revises the myth of his father's death.  Stories are powerful, and Edward clearly understands this. He suggests that truth is not about fact, that stories are metaphors which reveal a greater truth than the reality of a situation can translate.

I actually cried. No lie people, and while you'll have to take my word for it, I'm not a crying kind of girl.  The Notebook, Titanic, I have seen girls sob to these films, while my face was stuck in a grimace of disbelief and sappy nausea.  But I had tears for this one.

My favorite scene in the film has Edward in his pajamas submerged in his bathtub.  Jenny, his wife, comes in and gets in the tub with him dress and all (you can actually see this in the image I've included).  While the book certainly held a great deal more about their relationship than the film offered, this scene told viewers everything they  needed to know about the love between these two people.

I'm not sure if it's the time in between reading the book and the movie or if I'm just getting more complacent about my adaptations, but I feel I adored the movie just as I did the book.  Tim Burton did a wonderful job capturing the tone of the book and created a beautiful film. Then again, how perfect is Burton for a movie about the blending of fantasy and reality?

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Challenges: Read the Book, See the Movie

March Movies

Beerfest
Broken Lizard makes my geek heart sing. Not one of their best - that title remains with Super Troopers - Beerfest is ridiculous enough to remain funny.

Avatar
While visually stunning, I was disappointed with the plot. I felt I knew what was coming at every turn and the story was just a rehash of conqueror-native legends. As one friend said, it's Pocahontas in Space. My mom, who went with me to see the movie, absolutely adored it, and so have most of the other people I've spoken with.  I do want to stress the visually stunning part, even while I complain about the plot, because the world created in this film is absolutely gorgeous and the film was shot to really draw viewers into this world.

Shutter Island
Haunting and intricate, Shutter Island made me feel and think even though it wasn't the most exciting of films.  While Avatar stunned the senses, Shutter Island sort of seeped under the skin and lingered uncomfortably.  I adored the color and camera work, but from time to time I found the soundtrack to be rather overly dramatic.  DiCaprio rocked as did Kingsley.  I must read the book now, and I hear there will also be - or already is - a graphic novel adaptation!

The Replacements
There is something quite beautiful and noble about football movies in my opinion.  The sport itself is just set up to imitate the heroism of the warrior, so movies seem to play on this.  Predictable, entertaining, easy viewing are the words that pop to mind.

The Proposal
Generally I don't like romantic comedies; but I adore Ryan Reynolds. While the plot was predictable, I still had fun with this film.

The Ugly Truth
Since I liked The Proposal, I thought I would enjoy another romantic comedy.  I was wrong.  The Ugly Truth just did not do it for me.

The Hurt Locker
Flipping fantastic.  I loved the slow pace, didn't overly mind the occasional bumpy camera action, and adored the lack of plot.  Let me explain that last part:  not much and everything happened in this movie.  Hmmm..I probably didn't do a good job of explaining.  Just go see it.  This is a movie that stays with you long after it's over.

Alice in Wonderland
The Alice story entertains me, Tim Burton entertains me, and Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter entertain me, so there really was no way I wasn't going to enjoy this movie.  While not the masterpiece I was hoping for, the visuals were stunning, the acting good, and the plot interesting.  I would have liked darker, but that is possibly because I was expecting something darker.  Expectations can really alter an experience.

Without a Paddle
I love funny boys, so watching three grown men traipse through the woods on a treasure hunt dreamt up in their childhood just tickles me.  I would very much pack my bags and go on such an outlandish adventure myself.

Sin City
I adore this violent, visually spectacular, vision of revenge by Rodriguez, Miller, and Tarantino.  Like with 300, the film looks like a comic book with vibrant colors and larger-than-life characters, and it feels like a comic book with gruesome killings, scarred men, and the sexiest damn damsels in distress.  Yep, it's blatantly sexist, over-the-top in its violence, and a bit extreme all around, but again...it's a comic book on the big screen.  Awesome.

2012
I was expecting a few close calls being as this is an end of the world film, but man oh lordy did this movie contain an obscene quantity of unbelievable escapes from death.  It was a bit too unbelievable for me; although I have to admit I watched the whole thing and don't regret it.

Blindness
The. Worst. Movie. Ever. A gratuitous gang rape scene that disgusted and horrified me.  Totally unbelievable character motivations. Do not watch this.

Book Review: The Lightning Thief

Title:  The Lightning Thief
Author:  Rick Riordan

Buy  |  Borrow  |  Accept  |  Avoid

Plot Synopsis
Percy Jackson has been in and out of six schools in six years.  Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, he just seems not made for the normal world.  As it turns out, he's not.  He's the son of a Greek God, who along with all the other Greek gods, is alive and well on Olympus.  When an item is stolen from Zeus, Poseidon is blamed, and Percy is sent on a quest to prevent a catastrophic war among the gods.

The Book
I love this story.  This is my second time reading it, and I still get a kick out of all the wonderful events in the book.  The plot line mirrors that of other hero stories: a quest with mini-challenges along the way, a bit of a twist to the actual conflict, a reluctant hero, and helpful friends.

In The Lightning Thief the action never stops.  Percy and friends Annabeth and Grover are constantly moving, constantly meeting a new challenge, making this book the type to read in as few sittings as possible.  I managed it in just two sittings this time around. Despite the fast-paced action, the book still has a lot to offer in the way of depth.  The reasoning behind what is happening, the history behind the monsters and the gods, this keeps me turning the page just as much as the excitement. 

The Movie
That depth is what is missing from the film.  Kronos, Luke, and Ares are either completely absent or so modified as to be unrecognizable.  This change to the story bothered me even though I know it was made to keep the film as a stand alone and be understandable to those who had not read the book.  Other changes annoyed me but weren't a big deal such as the change to Annabeth's appearance and personality, the addition of Persephone, and the changes to the quest activities itself.

One change that I felt was perfect is an increase in the ages of the characters.  In the book, Percy is only 12 years old, and that was my main problem with the book.  I could not for one second believe that Percy and company were so young.  The film has them around 16 or so, and that felt much more appropriate to the story. 

I made my mother and my husband go with me to see this on opening night.  They were condescending and reluctant to go, but - aren't I the smart one? - they loved it and so did I.

Addressing the Harry Potter Issue
1.  Riordan started the series before Rowling.
2.  Both stories share obvious similarities to other hero myths, because well, they are hero myths.
3.  The Lightning Thief film was better than the HP films in my opinion by a whole bunch.
4.  I love HP and Percy Jackson, and I don't see a problem with that.

Other Reviews of the Book
If I've missed yours, let me know!

Age 30+ Books; A Novel Menagerie; Becky's Book Reviews; Bibliofreakblog; 25 Hour Books; Multi-Genre Fan;

Other Reviews of the Movie
If I've missed yours, let me know!

Age 30+ Books; Today's Adventure; 25 Hour Books; Boys Rule Boys Read; 

FTC Disclosure: I got it from the library.  Seriously, it's my first library book in 20 years.  Isn't that great?
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Challenges: 100+ Reading Challenge, 101 Fantasy Reading Challenge, YA Reading Challenge, Flashback Challenge, World Religions, Read the Book See the Movie, Once Upon a Time, Hogwarts Reading Challenge,

February Films

 

Sherlock Holmes

Robert Downey Jr. is just yummy.  Add in my strange attraction to intelligence and you have a movie that could have had no plot whatsoever and I still would have been happy.  Luckily, Sherlock Holmes included not only an entertaining plot but also some unique film-making.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians:  The Lightning Thief

While the film took a few liberties with the book that I wasn't thrilled about, one change I wholly supported:  Percy and company are around 17 instead of 13.  I felt the increased age highly beneficial to the plot line.

Hump Day

A terrible movie that I wish I had not wasted the time watching.  I was expecting a Fired Up! type of humor, and ended up with a mess of unbelievable characters and situations.

Star Trek

This was probably my third or fourth viewing of this film, so for my complete review go here.

Diary of a Mad Black Woman

I have seen the first half-hour or so of this film five or six times, but this is the first time I've actually watched the whole thing.  Some really really funny moments, but overall an average sort of movie.

I Think I Love My Wife

Watching a husband engage in some sort of strange almost-affair...umm, okay.

Inglourious Basterds

I still love this movie the second time around.  My complete review is here.

Adaptation: Fingersmith

Fingersmith
based on the book by Sarah Waters

First - don't you just adore that cover?  I find it so beautiful.

My Review of the Book

Plot Synopsis:  Fingersmith tells the story of Sue Trinder, a young woman orphaned at birth who grows up among the thieves and con artists of London. When a conman named Gentleman offers her a money-making opportunity, she grabs it.  Maud is the unfortunate patsy in Gentlemen and Sue's little con, but Maud has secrets of her own.  Sue and Maud's schemes and plans are no match for the path their lives were set upon before they took their first breath.

 My Thoughts:  As with the book, I will not be able to truly give all of my thoughts about this film as to do so would ruin the story for those who (for some unknown reason) have not read the book yet.  This plot twists and turns, as does the narration, and even my husband, who is not the biggest fan of period films about women, enjoyed the surprises.

The film felt true to the story even as it lacked quite a bit of the detail provided in the book.  While reading I felt the poignancy of moments and the complexity of each girls' past and present.  As is the way with many adaptations, the film can not meet the evocative quality of the book.  The condensed nature of film offers less opportunity for the viewer to identify and truly understand the characters.  I will say, however, that I very much enjoyed this adaptation for I never felt cheated by story.  All of the elements I so adored in the book were presented on the screen.


Sandy at You've Gotta Read This also read and watched Fingersmith, and you should read her analysis.

This counts for the Read the Book, See the Movie challenge.