It's actually not as bad as the trailer made it out to be. They actually may have had something had the director not been Raja Gosnell, who goes for the lowest common denominator way too often: I'm Too Sexy as a gag? Really? That was tired fifteen years ago.
The base story is essentially Homeward Bound/The Incredible Journey in Mexico. Drew Barrymore voices the lead as a pampered princess from Beverly Hills, but most of the other voices, in Mexico are Hispanic. The voice work is pretty well done, and the film was more harmless than I expected.
A different director, and I might have even recommended the film. Grade: C
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
How the hell did this make 140 million dollars?
There's no there there. There's not much in the way of jokes. Sure, I get it, he's fat. Kevin James has talent as a comic actor, which makes a lot of it at least tolerable. But Kevin James does not seem to be much of a writer. I do not know what everyone saw in this film. Gade: C-
There's no there there. There's not much in the way of jokes. Sure, I get it, he's fat. Kevin James has talent as a comic actor, which makes a lot of it at least tolerable. But Kevin James does not seem to be much of a writer. I do not know what everyone saw in this film. Gade: C-
The Road (2009)
Here's what happens in The Road:
Walking, walking, walking, walking ... Stop, hide, pull gun. Walking, walking, walking, walking, walking, walking ... Stop, hide, pull gun. Walking, walking, walking, walking, walking ... Add gloomy, gray back grounds. Repeat.
I've just saved you two hours. Grade: D+
Walking, walking, walking, walking ... Stop, hide, pull gun. Walking, walking, walking, walking, walking, walking ... Stop, hide, pull gun. Walking, walking, walking, walking, walking ... Add gloomy, gray back grounds. Repeat.
I've just saved you two hours. Grade: D+
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Big (1988)
I came across this on HBO and showed it to my 10 year old for the first time. It is as good as I remembered. I believe Tom Hanks is 12 in this movie. His body language and his facial reactions are simply not that as an adult, but as a naive kid.
And I love that of a friendship, it is the naive child that becomes big, and the more dominant, more knowing friend who helps him figure out what to do in the early stages. It is one of many sure handed steps the film takes. While the character comedy is so well done, the satire of the business world is able to co-exist.
This film should stumble somewhere, but never does. Penny Marshall is more sure handed here than with any film she has ever made. And this remains my favorite Hanks performace to date. Because I really believe he was 12 when he made this movie. He had to be... Right? Grade: A+
And I love that of a friendship, it is the naive child that becomes big, and the more dominant, more knowing friend who helps him figure out what to do in the early stages. It is one of many sure handed steps the film takes. While the character comedy is so well done, the satire of the business world is able to co-exist.
This film should stumble somewhere, but never does. Penny Marshall is more sure handed here than with any film she has ever made. And this remains my favorite Hanks performace to date. Because I really believe he was 12 when he made this movie. He had to be... Right? Grade: A+
Oscar acting awards
I wrote a month ago on my reads at that point. Since then, some awards and nominations have come inmaking predictions almost a little too easy at this point. Are there really no surprises in these categories?
In Best Actor, I have not changed my mind that George Clooney is a shoo-in for a nomination for Up In The Air. The film is one of the clear Best Picture frontrunners, and he is a main reason why the film works so well. Almost at lock status is Colin Firth for A Single Man. One of those actors who is always good, he's overdue for a nomination which will help his chances even more.
Speaking of overdue: Jeff Bridges does not yet have an Oscar. He has been so good, for so long, and been nominated three times (though some how, not for Fearless, for which I am stll bitter). Crazy Heart is one of those small films that people root for and the general public by and large ignores. I believe Bridges will get to shed the overdue label this year. Obviously, he will be nominated.
Invictus has not quite gotten the traction this awards season many suspected it would. But it is Morgan Freeman. While I am less sure of his nomination than the three above, I have Freeman penciled in for a nomination.
As the awards season began, I though that Jeremy Renner was kind of a fall back nomination if nothing else materialized. Well nothing else in my mind has materializing. When Renner failed to get a Golden Globe nomination, I was downplaying his chances. Then SAG did nominate him, and they are more important. Besides, who else is there to nominate? So at this point, I see the same five nominees in the Oscars as in the SAG awards.
For Best Actress, I remain behind Meryl Streep to win for Julie and Julia. It clearly appears the better liked of her two films this year, and, well, she is ridiculously due to win. She last won over 25 years ago. That's no way to treat our best actress working today.
Two young newcomers are excellent in films that are contenders for best picture. Gabourney Sidibe is amazing in Precious and so is Carey Mulligan in An Education. I would be shocked if either is missing.
Similar to Morgan Freeman is Helen Mirren. I am skeptical about The Last Station doing well in the Oscar race, and actually see it doing worse than Invictus. But it is Helen Mirren. So I am going to pencil her in.
The fifth slot is open. Maggie Gyllenhaal has a legitmate shot for Crazy Heart, which will be seen because of Bridges. I do think that Marion Cotillard has a shot for Nine. But for now, I think the leader for this slot is Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side. For now.
Best Supporting Actress has three locks from two films who are in the best picture race. Both Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick are locked in for Up in the Air. Even better is who I have as the loikely winner, as nothing in Mo'Nique's previous work prepared me for how powerful and brave her performance was in Precious.
I see three people fighting for the last two slots. Right now, I have the two previous nominees, Julianne Moore for A Single Man and Penelope Cruz for Nine, ahead of the SAG nominated performance of Diane Kruger for Inglourious Basterds. But I have a hard time seeing anyone else in this race.
Inglourious Basterds has the most likely contender for Best Supporting Actor. Christoph Waltz is simply the best thing about the film. In a weak field, I guess also nomination worthy is Christopher Plummer for The Last Station.
Stanley Tucci is one actor overdue for a nomination, and as the awards season has gone on he seems to be getting more mentions for a film that has disappeared from the awards races, The Lovely Bones, than for the performance opposite Streep in Julie and Julia. Being good in both films actually helps him.
Likewise, Matt Damon was so good in The Informant that it is a shame he hasn't got more traction in Best Actor. But that will help him get nominated for Invictus in this category.
I think the battle for the last slot is between Woody Harrelson in The Messenger and Albert Molina for An Education. Harrelson is a former nominee, but Molina is overdue, and is in the film that will be seen by more Oscar voters to check out Carey Mulligan, so I favor Molina. But any combination of the above six that includes Waltz would not surprise me.
That's how I see the acting races today. I reserve the opportunity to change my opinion, but most of this logic will remain in place until the day the nominations are announced. Then the logic gets changed to match the actual nomination and what I had wrong. The game continues...
In Best Actor, I have not changed my mind that George Clooney is a shoo-in for a nomination for Up In The Air. The film is one of the clear Best Picture frontrunners, and he is a main reason why the film works so well. Almost at lock status is Colin Firth for A Single Man. One of those actors who is always good, he's overdue for a nomination which will help his chances even more.
Speaking of overdue: Jeff Bridges does not yet have an Oscar. He has been so good, for so long, and been nominated three times (though some how, not for Fearless, for which I am stll bitter). Crazy Heart is one of those small films that people root for and the general public by and large ignores. I believe Bridges will get to shed the overdue label this year. Obviously, he will be nominated.
Invictus has not quite gotten the traction this awards season many suspected it would. But it is Morgan Freeman. While I am less sure of his nomination than the three above, I have Freeman penciled in for a nomination.
As the awards season began, I though that Jeremy Renner was kind of a fall back nomination if nothing else materialized. Well nothing else in my mind has materializing. When Renner failed to get a Golden Globe nomination, I was downplaying his chances. Then SAG did nominate him, and they are more important. Besides, who else is there to nominate? So at this point, I see the same five nominees in the Oscars as in the SAG awards.
For Best Actress, I remain behind Meryl Streep to win for Julie and Julia. It clearly appears the better liked of her two films this year, and, well, she is ridiculously due to win. She last won over 25 years ago. That's no way to treat our best actress working today.
Two young newcomers are excellent in films that are contenders for best picture. Gabourney Sidibe is amazing in Precious and so is Carey Mulligan in An Education. I would be shocked if either is missing.
Similar to Morgan Freeman is Helen Mirren. I am skeptical about The Last Station doing well in the Oscar race, and actually see it doing worse than Invictus. But it is Helen Mirren. So I am going to pencil her in.
The fifth slot is open. Maggie Gyllenhaal has a legitmate shot for Crazy Heart, which will be seen because of Bridges. I do think that Marion Cotillard has a shot for Nine. But for now, I think the leader for this slot is Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side. For now.
Best Supporting Actress has three locks from two films who are in the best picture race. Both Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick are locked in for Up in the Air. Even better is who I have as the loikely winner, as nothing in Mo'Nique's previous work prepared me for how powerful and brave her performance was in Precious.
I see three people fighting for the last two slots. Right now, I have the two previous nominees, Julianne Moore for A Single Man and Penelope Cruz for Nine, ahead of the SAG nominated performance of Diane Kruger for Inglourious Basterds. But I have a hard time seeing anyone else in this race.
Inglourious Basterds has the most likely contender for Best Supporting Actor. Christoph Waltz is simply the best thing about the film. In a weak field, I guess also nomination worthy is Christopher Plummer for The Last Station.
Stanley Tucci is one actor overdue for a nomination, and as the awards season has gone on he seems to be getting more mentions for a film that has disappeared from the awards races, The Lovely Bones, than for the performance opposite Streep in Julie and Julia. Being good in both films actually helps him.
Likewise, Matt Damon was so good in The Informant that it is a shame he hasn't got more traction in Best Actor. But that will help him get nominated for Invictus in this category.
I think the battle for the last slot is between Woody Harrelson in The Messenger and Albert Molina for An Education. Harrelson is a former nominee, but Molina is overdue, and is in the film that will be seen by more Oscar voters to check out Carey Mulligan, so I favor Molina. But any combination of the above six that includes Waltz would not surprise me.
That's how I see the acting races today. I reserve the opportunity to change my opinion, but most of this logic will remain in place until the day the nominations are announced. Then the logic gets changed to match the actual nomination and what I had wrong. The game continues...
Friday, December 25, 2009
Oscar best picture at this point
How exactly is ten nominations changing the game? Well, there's two categories right now. One is for the films that are serious contenders for best picture, and second are for those just trying to get in the game.
The first list in my view is four films: Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Precious, and Up in the Air. All four are finding enough notice in the end of the year mention for me to have a hard time envisioning a list missing any of them. I also expect all four to get director nominations, which may be one way to seperate the pretenders from the contenders when the actual nominations list.
In a sub category is where I place Up. It is unique enough to get many votes for nomination, but I have a hard time seeing an animated film winning the big prize. Still, I place it in position 5.
Since there has not been ten films in over 50 years, no one knows anything as to where the 6-10 films come from. And many seem to be forgetting the preferential nomiations system of the Academy. So what gets nominated may be what has love from a small group rather than acceptance from a large one.
This is where I remain skeptical about An Education. I've seen the film. I've loved it. But I would not put it first on my ballot, and I suspect it won't be first on many voter's ballots. It is the classic film that every one will respect, and nominate the lead performance, but I just don't see the nomination.
The small film that I suspect will rise up and grab a nomination which is being overlooked in a lot of circles is Crazy Heart. Jeff Bridges is a mortal lock for a best actor nomination, and I believe he's the frontrunner to win it. So it will be seen. And its subject matter is unique enough to differentiate it from the other contenders. So I have it getting a nomination.
In a similiar vein, also overlooked for picture, but more mainstream, is Julie and Julia. I also think it will take a slot. As many people have talked about a mainstream film like Star Trek getting a nomination, they forgot that Sci-Fi is not mainstream to Oscar voters (and besides, Sci-Fi voters will vote for Avatar first). But Julie and Julia is mainstream. Plus, with a Streep performance that will be nominated, people will check out the film.
So what else? I guess Inglorious Basterds. It certainly is unlike any of the movies above. I think it is overrated, but I think there will be enough who put it above other choices for a nomination.
That leaves two slots. I think the surprises are above. The lists on most cites probably mention the contenders for the last two slots, in a race between An Education, Nine, Invictus, The Last Station, A Serious Man, A Single Man, and... well, it does seem to be beloved... The Blind Side. I'll guess the musical and the Eastwood film.
What about director? I still think there is room for a curve ball. I mentioned that I believe all four of my primary contenders will be nominated. But there is a healthy contingent of auteurists in the director's branch, and few auteurs in the list of contendersI just listed for picture. Someone from out of the blue would not surprise me. While I am just short of predicting it at this time, do not count out the chances of Michael Haneke getting a nomination for The White Ribbon.
The first list in my view is four films: Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Precious, and Up in the Air. All four are finding enough notice in the end of the year mention for me to have a hard time envisioning a list missing any of them. I also expect all four to get director nominations, which may be one way to seperate the pretenders from the contenders when the actual nominations list.
In a sub category is where I place Up. It is unique enough to get many votes for nomination, but I have a hard time seeing an animated film winning the big prize. Still, I place it in position 5.
Since there has not been ten films in over 50 years, no one knows anything as to where the 6-10 films come from. And many seem to be forgetting the preferential nomiations system of the Academy. So what gets nominated may be what has love from a small group rather than acceptance from a large one.
This is where I remain skeptical about An Education. I've seen the film. I've loved it. But I would not put it first on my ballot, and I suspect it won't be first on many voter's ballots. It is the classic film that every one will respect, and nominate the lead performance, but I just don't see the nomination.
The small film that I suspect will rise up and grab a nomination which is being overlooked in a lot of circles is Crazy Heart. Jeff Bridges is a mortal lock for a best actor nomination, and I believe he's the frontrunner to win it. So it will be seen. And its subject matter is unique enough to differentiate it from the other contenders. So I have it getting a nomination.
In a similiar vein, also overlooked for picture, but more mainstream, is Julie and Julia. I also think it will take a slot. As many people have talked about a mainstream film like Star Trek getting a nomination, they forgot that Sci-Fi is not mainstream to Oscar voters (and besides, Sci-Fi voters will vote for Avatar first). But Julie and Julia is mainstream. Plus, with a Streep performance that will be nominated, people will check out the film.
So what else? I guess Inglorious Basterds. It certainly is unlike any of the movies above. I think it is overrated, but I think there will be enough who put it above other choices for a nomination.
That leaves two slots. I think the surprises are above. The lists on most cites probably mention the contenders for the last two slots, in a race between An Education, Nine, Invictus, The Last Station, A Serious Man, A Single Man, and... well, it does seem to be beloved... The Blind Side. I'll guess the musical and the Eastwood film.
What about director? I still think there is room for a curve ball. I mentioned that I believe all four of my primary contenders will be nominated. But there is a healthy contingent of auteurists in the director's branch, and few auteurs in the list of contendersI just listed for picture. Someone from out of the blue would not surprise me. While I am just short of predicting it at this time, do not count out the chances of Michael Haneke getting a nomination for The White Ribbon.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Revisiting the Pirates of the Caribbean
One other thing I plan on working on is my pledge to watch all the Disney films before 2000. I did not put them on my magical 3000 films to see list, but I do have a few films on the lists since 2000. Namely, I've yet to see either Narnia film, or either of the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels.
I'll write about the Disney list later, but to prepare for the Pirates sequels, I rewatched the first one. I had the same reaction as the first time I watched it. A truly OK film with one great element: Johnny Depp's performance. It's one of the great performaces of the decade: something that kept me in the film wanting to see what he would do next.
The rest of the film? Not so much. The pirates, sadly are boring. When the title characters are boring, there's a problem. The two kids (Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly) are fine, though both have been better elsewhere, but the pirates needed reworked. But Depp is worth the price of admission, so I recommend the film for that alone. Grade: B
I'll write about the Disney list later, but to prepare for the Pirates sequels, I rewatched the first one. I had the same reaction as the first time I watched it. A truly OK film with one great element: Johnny Depp's performance. It's one of the great performaces of the decade: something that kept me in the film wanting to see what he would do next.
The rest of the film? Not so much. The pirates, sadly are boring. When the title characters are boring, there's a problem. The two kids (Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly) are fine, though both have been better elsewhere, but the pirates needed reworked. But Depp is worth the price of admission, so I recommend the film for that alone. Grade: B
Reboot
As I approach the new year, and make my resolutions, along with the annual one to lose weight, is a reolution to actually update this blog more than once a month. I've been trying to write the perfect reviews, and for someone who hasn't regularly written in more than a decade, that hasn't worked out so well.
That stops at the beginning of the year. I am working on my first ten best list in years, and will try to finish it by the end of the year. Three hints were in the newletter I just posted. Not four, as Slumdog was last year's film, but I didn't see it until after last year's newsletter was sent.
So now Plan B: I will post something on every film I watch. It might be a sentence, or a paragraph. But it's going to be more rambling, more free form, than I have normally written, because in order to write well, first I need to write, and grow back into the magnificent writer I once was. (Yes, that is sarcasm.)
And as for my other resolution, I used our Wii fit today, for what the machine told me was the first time in 308 days. 244 pounds. I have work to do on that resolution, too.
That stops at the beginning of the year. I am working on my first ten best list in years, and will try to finish it by the end of the year. Three hints were in the newletter I just posted. Not four, as Slumdog was last year's film, but I didn't see it until after last year's newsletter was sent.
So now Plan B: I will post something on every film I watch. It might be a sentence, or a paragraph. But it's going to be more rambling, more free form, than I have normally written, because in order to write well, first I need to write, and grow back into the magnificent writer I once was. (Yes, that is sarcasm.)
And as for my other resolution, I used our Wii fit today, for what the machine told me was the first time in 308 days. 244 pounds. I have work to do on that resolution, too.
Christmas family newsletter
Allison, our family resident artist, is now 6 years old. She is in the first grade at Snyder Park. She is in a Friday program at the Springfield Art Museum. Arts and crafts remain her greatest interest at home as well. She does not share her siblings' interest in sports, having played soccer in the spring and enjoying the playing in practice much more than the actual games. Her favorite entertainment is Disney princesses as well as the fairy world of Tinkerbell. She also watches Shaun the Sheep most mornings with Tracey and Scott.
Tommy is 8 years old and classified as a second grader at Warder Park, and in his third year in the special needs class at that school with Miss Stoll, who is fantastic. Tommy still feeds overnight through a tube in his stomach, and he has been having problems with that stomach tube lately. The doctor says it is all in his head. He is in his second season bowling, He enjoys watching the family play with the Wii, especially when it is bowling or Mario Kart Racing. His favorite shows remain Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go.
Ten year Old Tracey is now in the fifth grade at Snyder Park, and just recently performed in the holiday concert in the school choir. He has just finish his seventh season in Springfield Thunder soccer, with a first place finish in the spring and a .500 season in the fall. His indoor soccer team is currently leading the league. Tracey enjoys watching Survivor and The Amazing Race with his father, playing video games, especially with his neighbor Isaiah, and spending weekend time with grandpa.
Megan turned 17 in October. She is a junior at Springfield High School, and was on the advanced honor roll in the first quarter. She played JV volleyball for Springfield this year, playing the back line and once again excelling at serving. Her biggest activity at home is reading, especially if the book features vampires, wizards or Wookiees. And yes, she was there again for the opening night if the Twilight sequel New Moon.
Laura continues to be a fulltime mother. This especially means dealing firsthand with Tommy's regular and irregular appointments. She continues to follow the Ohio State Buckeyes, who once again won the Big Ten in football and play in the Rose Bowl this New Year's Day. She continues to follow the Cleveland Browns, who once again tried her patience. With her kids, she most often reads with Megan and does crafts with Allison. Along with Tracey and Scott, she also became a regular viewer of the TV show Chuck.
Work has been tough for Scott this year. Budget cuts year after year have really hurt the ability of the Clark County Child Support Agency to do its job. The first layoffs in 15 years occurred this year. Scott's original caseload 10 years ago was about 500 cases. He now shares a caseload with two others numbering 4803. Physical health has also been a struggle, with knee surgery needed but currently delayed due to needing to better control his diabetes. On the positive note, he continues to be an assistant coach for Tracey's soccer team, rooted for the St. Louis Cardinals as they won their division and the Pittsburgh Steelers as they won the Super Bowl, and saw great movies such as Slumdog Millionaire, Up, Precious, and Adventureland.
Family adventures this year included a weekend in the Hocking Hills of Ohio with Scott's extended family and seeing Disney On Ice in Dayton. Extended family news include the first girl cousin on Laura's side (parents Emily and Nathan) and the engagement of Scott's sister to Carl (wedding next June).
Tommy is 8 years old and classified as a second grader at Warder Park, and in his third year in the special needs class at that school with Miss Stoll, who is fantastic. Tommy still feeds overnight through a tube in his stomach, and he has been having problems with that stomach tube lately. The doctor says it is all in his head. He is in his second season bowling, He enjoys watching the family play with the Wii, especially when it is bowling or Mario Kart Racing. His favorite shows remain Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go.
Ten year Old Tracey is now in the fifth grade at Snyder Park, and just recently performed in the holiday concert in the school choir. He has just finish his seventh season in Springfield Thunder soccer, with a first place finish in the spring and a .500 season in the fall. His indoor soccer team is currently leading the league. Tracey enjoys watching Survivor and The Amazing Race with his father, playing video games, especially with his neighbor Isaiah, and spending weekend time with grandpa.
Megan turned 17 in October. She is a junior at Springfield High School, and was on the advanced honor roll in the first quarter. She played JV volleyball for Springfield this year, playing the back line and once again excelling at serving. Her biggest activity at home is reading, especially if the book features vampires, wizards or Wookiees. And yes, she was there again for the opening night if the Twilight sequel New Moon.
Laura continues to be a fulltime mother. This especially means dealing firsthand with Tommy's regular and irregular appointments. She continues to follow the Ohio State Buckeyes, who once again won the Big Ten in football and play in the Rose Bowl this New Year's Day. She continues to follow the Cleveland Browns, who once again tried her patience. With her kids, she most often reads with Megan and does crafts with Allison. Along with Tracey and Scott, she also became a regular viewer of the TV show Chuck.
Work has been tough for Scott this year. Budget cuts year after year have really hurt the ability of the Clark County Child Support Agency to do its job. The first layoffs in 15 years occurred this year. Scott's original caseload 10 years ago was about 500 cases. He now shares a caseload with two others numbering 4803. Physical health has also been a struggle, with knee surgery needed but currently delayed due to needing to better control his diabetes. On the positive note, he continues to be an assistant coach for Tracey's soccer team, rooted for the St. Louis Cardinals as they won their division and the Pittsburgh Steelers as they won the Super Bowl, and saw great movies such as Slumdog Millionaire, Up, Precious, and Adventureland.
Family adventures this year included a weekend in the Hocking Hills of Ohio with Scott's extended family and seeing Disney On Ice in Dayton. Extended family news include the first girl cousin on Laura's side (parents Emily and Nathan) and the engagement of Scott's sister to Carl (wedding next June).
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