Wednesday, August 27, 2008

New Review: Star Wars:The Clone Wars

I will let you know now that this will be the nerdiest, dorkiest, most loserish review I'll ever do (and I don't care if any of those words exist). But I raised myself in the Jedi arts (Star Wars geek I mean), and I felt obliged to get myself to the movies to see this one. And as destiny would have it, or as forseen by The Emperor (see first sentence of this paragraph), I got out of work earlier, and was able to drive straight to the theater to see:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Taking place between Episodes II and III, we find well-known Jedi Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are leading the Republic clone troopers against the Separatist droid army (if you don't know any of this, Republic are the good guys, Separatists are the bad guys). In the midst of battle, they are given the special assignment of rescuing the son of crime lord Jabba the Hutt (fan or not, you should know who he is). Anakin is given a partner in Jedi-trainee Ahsoka Tano, and throughout the mission find that the Sith known as Count Dooku (another bad guy) has orchestrated the kidnapping, but also plans to ruin the Jedi in the process. Can the Jedi save the day?

For you to fully understand this movie, I'm going to review this two ways: from the standpoint of a Star Wars fan, and that of a general viewer (no, I don't have multiple personalities). So here we go:

Star Wars Fan: If the people who make the Star Wars films are good at anything, it's special effects. Although the movie is completely computer animated, the details are some of the strongest out there. The battlescenes and backgrounds are as detailed as can be. And the action is pretty much non-stop, with mere moments of inaction between the various battles the rage on around and involving all characters. Also, the characters that we know and love are true to character, not deviating from their equals in the actual prequels.

However, the constant activity in the film hinders the building of its characters, especially that of Ahsoka, who is new to the franchise all-together. Hopefully the television series soon to follow this will get into her origins more. Sadly as well, almost all the voices are new, none of them being done by well-known actors. It was nice that Samuel L. Jackson (no, he didn't say "mother f%*#er" in this one) and Christopher Lee provided their voices, but their parts weren't as strong. And sadly, the traditional "scrolling of the story so far" is missing from this film. Not a major letdown, but moreover because they replaced it with sort of a "newsflash" introduction.

Casual Fan: The movie's animation and tones make this not only a very kid-friendly film (I suspect many will become future Star Wars fans........not that there's anything wrong with that), but also mature enough for an adult to enjoy. Even the humorous lines can get a chuckle out out of everyone. And as expected, Lucasfilm delivers immensely on the special effects, which even adapt well with the somewhat cartoonish look of the characters (this is supposed to be a cartoon, so it works). Simply put, this movie is as visually entertaining as you can get.

But all the visuals make it so that any true acting (It's only voices, but it counts. Ever see "Phonebooth"? Kiefer Sutherland only has his voice in it, and he was the film's best actor) is almost non-existant. Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano are the only ones who they delve into, but only for about 10 total minutes between the two. Also related to this, the epic-feel of this movie should mean that more characters should be involved. Unfortunately, they're not. Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka get the most lines, while the rest of the cast pop in and out for a few lines, barely contributing anything. They attempted to give Padme Amidala some time towards the end of the film, but this ends up throwing the flow off towards the end.

Back to my normal self, it's clear-cut that this movie was made for every Star Wars fan out there, and even manages to appeal to children as well. Also viewers who like visual aspects and simple characters might actually enjoy this as well (although those leaning towards the realm of sci-fi might appreciate this film more). I know the critics weren't fairly receptive to this movie because it lacks good characters, but I give the movie a little more credit (that's not a bias because I'm a Star Wars fan, I swear to it). I'm sure that the crew behind this movie wanted to save the best for the TV show that will be coming out soon. And for those of you who are fans, the movie sets the tone for what happens in Episode III. Like Count Dooku put it:

"This war will become very difficult for us."

Yeah, he had no clue he was gonna get screwed. Same for the rest of the galaxy........thanks to one man named Anakin.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Flashback Review: The Bone Collector

Unfortunately I was laid off for the day, and after doing some chores at home, I was bored enough to watch reruns of "CSI" on TV. Then it got me thinking that I should watch something I hadn't seen before, but along those same lines. Then it hit me that I had this movie:

The Bone Collector

Recently paralyzed forensic expert Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington) gets pulled into a case involving a dead man and his missing wife. The killer responsible has left cryptic clues related to old murder cases, and Lincoln needs as much help as he can get to stop this all from happening again. Enlisted to help is street cop Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie), whose discovery of the first murder and talents in analyzing forensics gets Lincoln's attention, and he takes her on as his protege.

The strongest element that comes from this movie is mood. Well-established through its scenes, music, and general mood of the characters, you can tell this was meant to be dark and disturbing. Denzel and Angelina actually make for a good pair in this film too. On their own, Denzel uses his charisma to the full effect of his character, and Angelina plays the struggle of her new role character-wise very well. When the two share the same scene, although it gets unlikely deep at times, carry on some of the most natural conversations involving most every emotion. The rest of the cast hold their own (Queen Latifah, Ed O'Neil, Luis Guzman and Micheal Rooker are good fits for their parts), but ultimately take a backseat to the "dynamic due."

Although the character's actions are strong, their development is a little lacking. Their backgrounds are only really spoken about in conversation, and some scenes meant to give them depth end up being unnecessary. Some of these moments include a possible romantic interest between Denzel and Jolie, but is pretty unbelievable and unimportant. And unfortunately, the revelation of who the killer is is not a surprise, and you could easily guess it midway through the movie.

This is movie you can easily enjoy if you're a fan of Denzel and Jolie (which is honestly the only reason I have this one), but doesn't have anything else to really offer. Hearing Jolie pull off a New York City accent is interesting though. I feel bad for not being able to fully recommend this movie because of its cast and setting, but it's hard to find it entertaining. It might be good to watch just to kill some time or reduce boredom for a couple of hours. You can sit through the entire thing at least without having to overthink it, and you might not bother to fast-forward through it either. But the choice is ultimately yours, according to Lincoln Rhyme:

"Destiny is what we make it."

Now you don't have to be worried if you're meant to see this movie or not.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Flashback Review: Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay

Not too much of a "flashback" considering the movie just came out on DVD and was in theaters only a couple of months ago. But when you're hanging out with friends looking for a movie to give you a cheap laugh, it doesn't matter where it comes from. And while perusing comedy titles on their television, we came across this movie, and gave it a chance. So now I present to you a review for:

Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay

Two college student potheads named Harold and Kumar get the chance to go their their dream vacation to Amsterdam (for obvious reasons). But thanks to the stupidity of Kumar, both are accused of being terrorists by the passengers on the flight, and sentenced to the prison on Guantanamo Bay. Yet with an amazing amount of luck, both break out, and attempt to head to Texas where an old friend can help them out (although Kumar wants to go just to stop the wedding of an ex-girlfriend). So begins the adventure of these two stoners, leading to many uncomfortable situations, close capture by the government, and a run-in with Neil Patrick Harris (playing himself).

Those familiar with the first movie "Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle" know what to expect from this movie. Gross jokes, drug-induced visuals, and crude visual humor are very much present in this movie, and are even a step up from the first movie. Many jokes are creative, while some of the visuals immediately get your attention (some of which force you to react out loud, like we did) by way of showing you something you'd never expect. For example, Harold and Kumar go to a friend's party, and find that rather than highlight "topless" women, he tries to show a new style in "bottomless" women. John Cho and Kal Penn are able to stick to their characters well, but just like the first movie, Neil Patrick Harris has the best moments in the movie (from evading government agents while on shrooms to getting laid at a whorehouse).

Though the gags do get you wide-eyed, many are few and far between. There seem to be many moments where the people who made the movie make an attempt to tell a serious story, and it's plainly obvious that we are not supposed to take this movie seriously. The first movie keeps the jokes going non-stop, while this one takes a few too many breathers. And the rest of the cast play unoriginal characters that you could care less about. For instance, Rob Corddry plays an inept but bully of a government agent trying to capture Harold and Kumar, and does nothing to impress.

Definitely not the strongest of comedy movies, and not even better than the first, "Harold and Kumar" is only for those who love low-brow comedy, or may even think the first movie was the best comedy of all-time (far-fetched that definitely is..........did that make me sound like Yoda?). Even though it has its moments, anyone attempting to watch it a second time could fast-forward through much of it just to watch the good parts, and get through it in about 30 minutes. This would be a good idea if you need to kill some time before something good comes on TV, and honestly, just watching those few good scenes would actually be entertaining enough. I do reccommend the scene of the two getting high with George W. while he actually gives an impassioned quote:

"You don't have to believe in your government to be a good American. You just have to believe in your country."

Why couldn't he say something like that in any speech he gives?

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Coming Soon..........

Construction on the house has delayed me from getting a review to you this week, so I need to at least post something..........I know! Let's see what is in the future of the theaters. Does anything getting released soon peak my interest? Well, here's a list for you:

Death Race: Not jazzed about remakes, but a few get my attention. Seeing the short action sequences in the previews for this movie, you'll understand why. Jason Statham is a bonus too.

Traitor: Serious spy movies as very entertaining, and they've been on a roll as of late (the Bourne movies, Breach, etc.), and ones that have a good cast are even better (Don Cheadle, Guy Pierce, even Jeff Daniels...he counts).

Babylon A.D.: Vin Diesel's big action comeback looks promising. Sci-fi elements means it'll probably look good too.

Burn After Reading: All-star casts get my attention immediately, no matter what kind of movie. Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, France McDormand, John Malkovich............'nuff said.

Righteous Kill: Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino are together in a cop movie again. Although it hasn't been previewed much, it's DeNiro and Pacino in a cop movie again. If you loved "Heat," you'll love the fact that this movie has DeNiro and Pacino and it's about cops. Did I mention this movie is a DeNiro/Pacino cop film?

My Best Friend's Girl: A decent comedy worth checking out. Jason Biggs plays the loveable loser (again), Kate Hudson is the eye-candy (again), and Dane Cook plays a jerk on purpose........now there's something different.

We'll see what the future holds for me and these movies coming soon. As for the near future, expect some kind of review soon. I hope..........damn spackling and sanding.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Slight Delay

Just thought I would put on a quick message. Due to construction at the house the weekend (which is oh-so-much fun) I have been unable to watch a movie to review. If I find the time, I will try to at least get a Flashback review over the next couple of days, otherwise you'll have to wait until this upcoming weekend. I do plan on seeing "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (like I said, Star Wars-fan obligation, despite the critic's reviews I've seen so far) this upcoming weekend, and I will have an updated list of what will be out soon to see, and I may even incorporate some upcoming DVDs that could potentially get reviewed. All this will be coming soon to a blog near you! (Damn, that was a stretch)

Sunday, August 10, 2008

New Review: The Dark Knight

The time finally came. After hearing all the hype, and waiting for the appropriate three hours need to go to the movies, my wife Casey and I went to see the summer's biggest blockbuster:

The Dark Knight

The movie begins with a look at the newest criminal in Gotham: the Joker (Heath Ledger). His crime sprees have gotten the attention of the local mobsters, the authorites led by Detective Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), and most importantly crime-fighter Batman (Christian Bale). With the Joker's crimes increasing, the authorities and Batman work to bring him to justice and stop the terror he has caused. Sound simple, right?

The best word I can use to describe this movie is: Intense. The pace of the movie never stops, even in those relaxing moments the characters have. The action sequences are the some of the best coming from the current generation of film, and they don't sacrifice any character build-up in the process. Christian Bale continues to portray Batman and Bruce Wayne convincingly, and seems like there could have been no better pick for the part. Supporting actors Eckhart, Oldman, and even Morgan Freeman shine in the roles they play. And I know this isn't a real shock, but Heath Ledger steals the show through the entire movie. Not only has he kept the Joker character lively and dangerous, but he also stayed true to what the character represents. It's a real shame that we had lost a great actor in Heath.

It's very difficult to find a flaw in this movie. Although Michael Caine and Maggie Gyllenhaal don't have the strongest roles, they still play the part they need to. Maybe the character of Batman could have used a little more substance, but the struggle of Bruce Wayne being Batman is still a strong part of the film. See, even when I try to find a flaw, it seems like it doesn't really matter.

After all the hype surrounding this film, I can safely say that "The Dark Knight" has surpassed most any expectation you could have. This is certainly a top-tier film that could even be Oscar-worthy; not just Ledger's performance, but for many of the other strong aspects it has. This movie is well worth it to see, and if you happen to miss it, rent or buy it immediately. Not only is it amazing to watch, it also delivers on its philosophy. One of the best quotes in the film, as dark as it is, still makes you think:

"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

After seeing this movie, you'll wonder to yourself which role you would want.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Flashback Review: The Warriors

I went through my DVD collection to find a good movie for my first official review on this blog. I thought I'd go with something a bit older, not very well-known but has a following, and is very unique or one-of-a-kind. So here's my pick:

The Warriors


Taking place sometime in the 70's, the movie starts with a huge gathering of various New York City city gangs, including The Warriors from Coney Island. As the leader of the most powerful gang in the city preaches about taking it over, he is shot by a group of rogues called...the Rogues (pretty creative). Unfortunately, the Warriors are blamed for it, and have to make their way out of the city back to their home turf, avoiding every gang looking to bash their skulls in.

"The Warriors" turns into a chase movie right off the bat, and keeps the pace up very well, even during the breaks the gang gets (which usually lands them in worse trouble, or never works out their way either). The movie even throws in some deep, dramatic scenes; such as when the gang sees a group of teenagers coming from a high school prom. These little moments give the movie some appeal, and show that it's not just a thoughtless film. Although no actors stand out immensely, the personalities of the Warriors gang are the highlights, as their characters deal with their situations differently. The best scene the movie has to offer is a battle in the men's room at a subway station between the Warriors and the Punks (some of which are on roller skates). For its time, the brawl is creative with its use of surroundings and choreography.

The flaws the movie suffers from are the general faults of having a low budget. The movie lacks flow, cutting too quick between scenes and forcing you to adjust in a hurry from one event to the other. The ending also seems forced and hurried, and what should've been expected was cut down to a bare minimum. Lastly, some minor characters who could've been stronger are given no opportunity to do so (i.e. the new leader of the Riffs, who doesn't impress).

The movie has developed a cult following solely because there is not another movie similar enough. "Gangs of New York" touched on the beginnings of New York gangs, but this film shows us an era not really touched on in regards to this subject. The movie is also more for a viewer looking for something fun (an odd word to describe it, but I'll stick with it), than for a viewer who wants to think.

Overall, the movies strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it entertaining to those even remotely interested in it. If you want to see something different than those mafia movies, yet with the same feel, go with "The Warriors." Oh, and F.Y.I.- a remake has been planned, and with a good budget, for once a remake will be better than the original.

So now that you've read this review, I've got one question for you-

Can You Dig IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!