Even though all I've tackled this first week of blogging are the releases opening this weekend, there are plenty of other choices still available from weeks past.
"Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince":
It's still a box office giant. It has, to date, grossed $263 million. That's a big movie by any body's estimation. There must be something there and I can say that I am definitely a Potter fan. I've read the books and until this one I've seen all of the movies. Something about this one, makes me less eager and I haven't heard other Potter Heads singing it's praises, but that doesn't mean it's not crazy good. It doesn't mean that it is either. I want to see it. I will see it. It just might be on DVD.
"The Proposal":
This is just a straight up review because I've seen this one already. It was cute. That's all. Just cute. No shocks, but some laughs. Ryan Reynolds has an amazing body, but you probably figured that out in all of the press that he did for this movie. It's probably the element they pimped the hardest. They ain't lyin'. His body is out of control. The movie- all the better for it- still just cute. It will be one of those movies that that takes up whole afternoons on a frothy basic cable network; and what a good Saturday it will be.
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen":
Yuck. Pretty people- Josh Duhamel, Megan Fox, Tyrese Gibson. Maybe if they lose the sound, I'll watch it.
"Funny People":
I know this movie is going to break my heart, because I love Judd Apatow movies, Adam Sandler, and Seth Rogen. Still, this is not going to be good. I don't know why. I can't pick out the one element that's turning me off here, but just the trailer let's me down. There's no joy in it; no brightness or levity. It feels heavy and flimsy at the same time. Quite the paradox, I know, but not what I want from this trio.
There are many more, of course, but I've got little time and movies to see. Happy movie watching!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Paper Heart
Opening: August 7, 2009 (Limited Release) August 14, 2009 (Nationwide)
I finished watching this trailer and said "awwwww." Before that, I was a little skeptical. This may be a poor reason to want to see a movie, but I love Micahel Cera, or at least I loved him in Arrested Development, so a movie that lets me see the little rascal fall in love just makes me want to emit giggly squeals of school girl delight.
That little fit over with, it's time to talk about what we're actually watching.
The premise here is that Charlyne Yi (Michael Cera's girlfriend, awwww) and guide for the documentary is after the answer to the conundrum "What is love?" I doubt that she ever finds the answer, but the premise is adorable. Yep, I said that, adorable.
I just wonder if you're in the pursuit of a mystery that can't be solved, can you make a satisfying plot? We are a culture that likes a happy ending and demands a tidy one. We can deal if things don't turn out the way we'd hoped, but when there's no resolution it rarely leads to the existential experience that the auteur was trying to evoke. Instead, we're pissed. So I can't help but think that is where we're going to end up with in "Paper Heart". We might get cute, but probably not provocative, which seems to be the films intent. Unfortunately, all I see here is a little more star gazing; provided you think of Michael Cera and Charlyne Yi as stars.
I finished watching this trailer and said "awwwww." Before that, I was a little skeptical. This may be a poor reason to want to see a movie, but I love Micahel Cera, or at least I loved him in Arrested Development, so a movie that lets me see the little rascal fall in love just makes me want to emit giggly squeals of school girl delight.
That little fit over with, it's time to talk about what we're actually watching.
The premise here is that Charlyne Yi (Michael Cera's girlfriend, awwww) and guide for the documentary is after the answer to the conundrum "What is love?" I doubt that she ever finds the answer, but the premise is adorable. Yep, I said that, adorable.
I just wonder if you're in the pursuit of a mystery that can't be solved, can you make a satisfying plot? We are a culture that likes a happy ending and demands a tidy one. We can deal if things don't turn out the way we'd hoped, but when there's no resolution it rarely leads to the existential experience that the auteur was trying to evoke. Instead, we're pissed. So I can't help but think that is where we're going to end up with in "Paper Heart". We might get cute, but probably not provocative, which seems to be the films intent. Unfortunately, all I see here is a little more star gazing; provided you think of Michael Cera and Charlyne Yi as stars.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
A Perfect Getaway
US Opening: August 7, 2009
Let me just fess up right now- I am not a horror/suspense movie person. I do; however, recognize that many people are and I can't escape this trailer so I may as well throw it in the mix.
Something tells me that this isn't going to be worth the time or money. In theory, it should be- ok. The shots of the idyllic jungle coast with all of the pretty people running around are promising. In actuality, it's probably going to be awful.
The opening shot in the trailer is of Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich. Let's just start there, shall we?
Let me just fess up right now- I am not a horror/suspense movie person. I do; however, recognize that many people are and I can't escape this trailer so I may as well throw it in the mix.
Something tells me that this isn't going to be worth the time or money. In theory, it should be- ok. The shots of the idyllic jungle coast with all of the pretty people running around are promising. In actuality, it's probably going to be awful.
The opening shot in the trailer is of Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich. Let's just start there, shall we?
- Steve Zahn- If you don't know his name, you probably kind of recognize his face. He's one of those. He has many titles on his long list of credits; most of which I have heard of and never bothered to see. On that list of approximately 40-45 feature films I liked 1. Given that the 1 is Reality Bites (1994), which caught me at the height of my angsty teen years, when I thought boyfriends acting like jerks were romantic, I'm not even sure that it still counts. We are not off to a good start here, so let's move on.
- Milla Jovovich- is a model turned actress. Yikes! Well, that worked out for- ummmm- Cameron Diaz! Ok, got one. Let's proceed. Ms. Jovovich is pretty much famous for her role in the video game turned movie franchise, "Resident Evil." No thank you. On the bright side, she was also in "Dazed & Confused" (1993) even though I don't remember her (don't hate me you cult followers), but that may be because I was- nevermind.
Ok, so the two lead actors aren't helping the cause. What else is there? The Director? The Writer? In this case, it's the same guy and you don't want to look there either. David Twohy's list of directorial endeavors is unimpressive- at best. Don't want to take my word for it? Go ahead, look for yourself. Now scroll to the "Writer" section. Do you see it? WATERWORLD. Seriously- I can't even try to help him out on this one.
I don't want to base all of my opinions on past works, but there's just not much else here. This trailer is shallow and screams predicability for the rest of the movie. If you love a predicatble non-thrilling thriller, then by all means, see this. If you like a good movie- skip it.
Julie & Julia
Julie & Julia
US Opening: August 7, 2009
This will, admittedly, be a chick flick. There is just no way around it.
Guys- if your single, you can stop reading now. If you have a girlfriend/wife, you'll prbobably want to know what you will innevitably be forced to watch at some point.
My feelings on this trailer are definitely going to be colored by two very special words- Meryl Streep. That really should be enough to say with complete authority, this is a movie worth seeing.
But wait- there's more!
This is the first major release from Director Nora Ephron since the abismal reinvention of Bewitched in 2005. Please don't hold that against her. Ms. Ephron is a triple threat of the highest order. If you don't believe me, do a quick IMDB search and you'll know she's for real. I don't know too many women who aren't a fan of her work, whether they know it or not.
Also, not to be forgotten is Stanley Tucci, playing Julia Child's husband, Paul Child. From the trailer alone, I can't gauge how influential he's going to be, but it doesn't usually matter how much screen time Mr. Tucci gets. He always leaves an impression.
Holding me back from unmitigated fawning over this trailer is Amy Adams. I like Amy Adams as a personality. I really do. From a celebrity news watcher's point of view, she seems like a nice girl who has been a part of some projects that I have really loved; however, just in the 2:30 trailer I found myself annoyed with her and her character. If she is as whiny and hapless in the rest of the movie as she is in the preview (and most of her other roles, for that matter) I'm going to resent her for every single second she takes away from Meryl Streep. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to resent her very much by film's end.
All in all I would call this a "go for it" movie-going experience. As long as the majority of the screen time is dedicated to the "Julia" portion of this duo, it can't go wrong.
US Opening: August 7, 2009
This will, admittedly, be a chick flick. There is just no way around it.
Guys- if your single, you can stop reading now. If you have a girlfriend/wife, you'll prbobably want to know what you will innevitably be forced to watch at some point.
My feelings on this trailer are definitely going to be colored by two very special words- Meryl Streep. That really should be enough to say with complete authority, this is a movie worth seeing.
But wait- there's more!
This is the first major release from Director Nora Ephron since the abismal reinvention of Bewitched in 2005. Please don't hold that against her. Ms. Ephron is a triple threat of the highest order. If you don't believe me, do a quick IMDB search and you'll know she's for real. I don't know too many women who aren't a fan of her work, whether they know it or not.
Also, not to be forgotten is Stanley Tucci, playing Julia Child's husband, Paul Child. From the trailer alone, I can't gauge how influential he's going to be, but it doesn't usually matter how much screen time Mr. Tucci gets. He always leaves an impression.
Holding me back from unmitigated fawning over this trailer is Amy Adams. I like Amy Adams as a personality. I really do. From a celebrity news watcher's point of view, she seems like a nice girl who has been a part of some projects that I have really loved; however, just in the 2:30 trailer I found myself annoyed with her and her character. If she is as whiny and hapless in the rest of the movie as she is in the preview (and most of her other roles, for that matter) I'm going to resent her for every single second she takes away from Meryl Streep. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to resent her very much by film's end.
All in all I would call this a "go for it" movie-going experience. As long as the majority of the screen time is dedicated to the "Julia" portion of this duo, it can't go wrong.
GI Joe: The Rise of the Cobra
GI Joe: The Rise of the Cobra
Opening: August 7, 2009
This is sure to have a huge opening weekend. There are just too many people of my generation who loved the cartoon. That being said, it’s a risky ten dollars you’ll spend at the box office. It will be glossy and loud. If that’s your thing, go for it. If you need more, hold tight.
I like a good action movie and won’t put up a fight if someone suggests seeing this one, but there are some pluses and minuses to consider.
Opening: August 7, 2009
This is sure to have a huge opening weekend. There are just too many people of my generation who loved the cartoon. That being said, it’s a risky ten dollars you’ll spend at the box office. It will be glossy and loud. If that’s your thing, go for it. If you need more, hold tight.
I like a good action movie and won’t put up a fight if someone suggests seeing this one, but there are some pluses and minuses to consider.
Plus:
- Director Stephen Sommers also directed The Mummy, which was loud glossy and fun. Unfortunately he also directed The Mummy Returns, Scorpion King, and Van Helsing (Why Hugh Jackman, why?). All of which were plain awful, but maybe not entirely his fault. I don’t know the guy- anything’s possible.
- Channing Tatum- He is so pretty. (Guys this is a plus for you too. Tell your girlfriend that this guy is in the movie and you won’t hear another word of protest from her.)
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt- He’s talented, but not immune to a flop. I like to give him the benefit of the doubt whenever possible.
Minus:
- Director- see above referenced disasters.
- Dennis Quaid- There was Wyatt Earp, and then?
- Marlon Wayans- Not being familiar enough with the cartoon to judge how big of a role Mr. Wayans is actually playing, it’s hard to tell the effect he’ll have on the overall quality of the movie. He does; however, make a cameo in the trailer, which I find distressing. If they have to push Marlon Wayans as a draw, we may be in trouble.
Overall, I’d call this an “at your own risk” movie going experience. The most you can hope for is to not be in pain. For the sake of Channing Tatum, I hope I’m wrong.
Check it out for yourself. http://www.gijoemovie.com/
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