WHATEVER WORKS (2009)

Written & Directed By: Woody Allen
Cinematography By: Harris Savides
Editor: Alisa Lepselter

CAST: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Samantha Bee, Michael McKean  

The film feels more like a play then a film just a play that uses a lot of exterior locations. Not that good of a play but a ok farce. The film just feels lazy like it has no energy. Which is a shame as it was coming off a Actual good film VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA

The main Attraction to see the Film is star Larry David but the results are not quite as good as you would think it would be. While playing a character it’s not too much a departure from him playing himself. Only here he is more of a downer and a scientist.

Usually in films the main character is supposed to change or at least learn a lesson from the beginning to the end. Here his character is basically the same and learns nothing. He just changes his outlook a bit.

The Film is about a cynical Scientist who decides to take in a southern runaway and marries her then all of a sudden her parents come to new york to be reunited with her and take her back home and find themselves under the spell of New York to change there lives and be there true selves.

Woody Allen has said that this was not a new script he wrote recently but a script he wrote in the seventies that he never really finished so he stuck it in a drawer and only recently found it and finished it. Maybe there was a good reason he hid it away back then. He was a lot sharper of mind and probably realized it wasn’t that good or original so e hid it away now he seems to be running out of steam so he finally makes it because he really can’t think of anything. That is also how the film plays no insight or effort it just lays there. While some of the ideas are still there and funny it feels uninspired.

One of the main problems of the film is that there never seems to be anything at risk for any of the characters in any way shape or form. No emotional changes they just seem to exist and very few things happen then they change slightly. The only real change is in lifestyle for the two supporting characters who come to New York and stop being repressed and open up to a new lifestyle. Yet it happens so quick and gimmicky it just feels false.

Even the ending is too neatly wrapped up in a cute cookie cutter kind of way.    

I am a huge woody Allen fan and a big Larry David film and found this disappointing not as bad as Allen’s recent dreadful output but not too much better either. As usual it has it’s charms but if the film was made by any other director it would be considered subpar. It’s only noteworthy because of Mr. Allen and Mr. David. Watch only if you are a completist.

 GRADE: D

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE

Directed By: Lee Daniels
Written By: Geoffrey Fletcher
Cinematography By: Andrew Dunn
Editor: Joe Klotz

CAST: Gabourey Sibibe, Monique, Paula Patton, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey

Yes that is truly the whole film title.

The film is a emotional rollercoaster. While not as depressing as I thought it would be. It is a truly dark film.

If you have seen Lee Daniels Previous films As Director (Shadow Boxer) or Producer (Monster’s Ball, The Woodsman) you would know he is drawn to these types of subjects. While He is not the greatest directors he does have a talent for bringing out amazing performances from actors you would never think had it in them.

This film makes you feel all over the place in different scenes. You will Feel Happy, Hopeful, Mad and Sad. It’s a film you have to experience more then anyone can describe it to you. It certainly had a effect on the audience I watched it with. The audience could hardly contain there reactions to the film, Scenes and characters. I’m not going to bore you with the plot you can look it up and the film is honestly better the less you know going in. This is definitely not a movie for kids. Not even to take as a lesson of hope. 

Each Scene that involves precious and her mother feels like a old west showdown. The Two titans in one room circling each other each with there hands on there guns. Only the mother has the home court advantage as she is scary and she never gets up out of her chair. It’s almost like a horror film the tension is always that thick between the two of them.  

Some of the artistic flourishes get a little annoying but you get through those easily enough. at times it seems like it is trying to hard in those scenes but understandable if you look at them as metaphors.

Thank god for the scenes of hope that break up the gloom and tension. The scenes of precious in school or around her classmates actually, brung a smile to my face as it helped lighten the mood and showed hope.

The performances are good all around even in the Minor roles. Monique totally transforms into her character Of Precious’s mother and a true face of evil a monster in human skin. Her performance is definitely notable and Oscar worthy. Even the roles played by Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey could have been distracting but they fit right in and never take you out of the film.  

I know I maybe reviewing more with my emotions then with technical aspects of the film. But at times some of the best films or many people’s favorites are more based o emotional reactions then visual dynamics.

The film says it’s based on a true story because there are real Precious’s out there going through this. This film just tries to put a face on the people involved and a voice for those who can’t speak out.

I can’t say enough about how good this film is. While not the best film of the year it certainly will affect you somehow. I know this will not be some of you out there’s cup of tea but give it a chance it will surprise you.

Definitely a must see.

GRADE: A-

THE MARC PEASE EXPERIENCE (2009)

Directed By: Todd Louiso
Written By: Todd Louiso & Jared Koskoff
Cinematography By: Tim Suhrstedt
Editor: Julie Monroe 

CAST: Ben Stiller, Jason Schwartzman, Anna Kendrick, Jay Paulson, Ebon

Moss-Bacharach

Not as bad as ENVY but still very disappointing.

I can see why the film was released for one week and dumped straight to DVD. But really shouldn’t the studio have known this wouldn’t work in the script stage. The film feels like a treatment that needs to be expanded on while being written.

Not exactly a comedy Dream Team as the previous film mentioned but I would expect better from a film with both Ben Stiller and Jason Schwartzman.

The film is about Marc Pease who had stage fright and ran away during a high school production of the wiz who seems to be stuck in arrested development from his high school years as he dates a girl in high school drops by the school so much everyone knows him he still thinks Ben Stiller’s character is his mentor though he avoids him all the time he is even selling his house so he can pay for recording a album with his acapella group he’s had since high school. But now as the schools production of The Wiz get’s closer his life slowly falls apart.

The main problem is, where is the comedy? This film is supposed to be a comedy but it’s not funny there doesn’t even seem to be any jokes. I think there is humor in it but it never comes out.

I don’t exactly know why Ben stiller is in it he really has nothing to do and looks bored and tired I don’t know if he just wanted to help the production by being in it. Because the film really gives him nothing to do. Which when I found out he filmed his role in 2 weeks it came as no surprise.

Jason Schwartzman At least puts a lot of energy into his performance so at least he is trying.

One of the major flaws with this film is as noted before there is nothing to watch really it’s not drama it’s not comedy so what is it. It’s unfocused the little plot there is needs to be expanded upon to make a actual film at least a interesting one. The film could have gone in so many directions it has a beginning but that seems to be it. I only really enjoyed one scene and that is the performance at the end of the Wiz. That is everything the film should have been funny, energetic, flashy.

GRADE:  F

I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER (2009)

Directed By: Chris Columbus
Written By: Larry Doyle (Based On His Book)
Cinematography By: Phil Abraham
Editor: Peter Honess

CAST: Paul Rust, Hayden Panettiere, Jack T. Carpenter, Lauren London, Lauren Storm, Shawn Roberts, Samm Levine, Andrea Savage, Alan Ruck, Cynthia Stevenson, Patt Finn

This is a disappointment considering I loved the book so much. Soon as I heard that Hayden Panettiere Was staring as Beth Cooper I knew it was doomed. I thought in the hands of Chris Columbus this could be decent but this is studio chis Columbus not early screenwriting whiz Chris Columbus the man behind YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES.

Basically that is what is wrong with the film the cast is just strange. But I can’t blame Mr. Columbus Totally since the screenplay is written by the author of the book. Who initially had the idea to write this as a screenplay but when there was no interest decided to write is as a book to garner more interest and low and behold they decided to make it into a film. But the funny thing is that it was better as a book!!! With a better ending that felt full while being ambiguous while this one just feels dead.

The film feels like it was sanitized from the book so it could play to younger teens but keeping some Raunch so that it doesn’t seem too tame. It’s a film that talks down to its audience by just lumping in one slapstick violent scene to the next. Instead of sticking to a novel that managed to be funny, Naughty but also reminded you of what it was like to be young and have that passion for a girl of your dreams. With your future ahead of you. This film just feels gimmicky. It has no soul.

The film is a perfect timewaster but you won’t laugh much or remember too much afterwards, it makes a threesome not sexy at all nor funny. This film will be perfect to put on television as you don’t really have to cut anything. Plus the characters don’t remind me of any real teenagers at all. This film came and went to theaters with hardly a blip on the screen. Which is not all that surprising since as soon as I saw the trailer I knew it was doomed. It wasn’t funny and felt like it was trying way too hard. It was a struggle and after i saw the trailer my heart broke. When it comes to the cast.

Paul Rust is a good actor with a strange look but he still looks to old to be in this film. I thought it was impossible but the film finds a way to make Lauren London not attractive plus it doesn’t give her much to do. Hayden penirette is attractive but she doesn’t have the look or character to play this dream girl that many men obsess over she looks just regular to me. Plus her character half the time seems a little off or crazy and her later reasoning make no sense in the film. Plus with the age difference of her and the male lead it makes him more look like a molester then a paramour. The only actor who comes off good is Jack T. Carpenter, Who plays his sexually confused best friend while he is funny I only wish it was in a better film. This film is not horrible but it’s not good or decent either.

Maybe a good pick for older highly clean cut kids but all others will be bored except for maybe senior citizens.

Wait for TV. Which I’m sure it will be on in no time.

GRADE: D

GOOD HAIR (2009)

Directed By: Jeff Stilson
Written By: Lance Crouther, Chris Rock, Jeff Stilson, Chuck Sklar
Cinematography By: Cliff Charles & Mark Henderson
Editor: Paul Marchand & Greg Nash 

Featuring: Raven Symone, Eve, Salt N’ Pepa, Lauren London, Maya Angelou, Andre Harrell, Sarah Jones, Nia long, Tracie Thoms, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Megan Goode, Melyssa Ford, Al Sharpton, Ice-T, Paul Mooney, KRS-ONE, 

This is a must see. It’s not the greatest documentary of all time but it is like a Michael Moore documentary in other words it’s a documentary for people who don’t usually like or go to documentry’s it’s funny while being informative and bringing up emotions of course the film has the celebrity interviews to bring more people in to see them give there personal account of the subject but that is not the whole film it’slike a little boost now and then

Good hair is about the business and culture of black women and there hair the processes they go through to be what is taught to them to be beautiful by straightening and having long hair. It not only follows the culture by talking to hairdressers and the women who are paying big bucks for this but it also talks to business owners and the place where most of this hair is coming from India. While exploring this it is also follows the Bronner Brothers hair show and the competition for hairstylist of the year. The subjects are almost as entertaining as the film and some easily walk away with the film.

Though the film is hosted by chris rock he is not the director he is the producer and host because this subject is something he wanted to explore but he is the one asking all the questions and helping to explain everything. While showing sad and hostile scenes and making them a little more bearable and calm through comedy. But you can’t help but think a lot of times he gets answers and access a little more easier because of his celebrity status. Without that it might have been a little harder to gain access to certain places. 

The film is much like the skit when Chris Rock hosted the scars, and he went to a black movie theater and asked them about the Oscar nominated films. Through his comedy he is exploring and shining a light on a broader serious subject.

The shameful facts of the film are aplenty like the fact that African Americans are 12% of the population but 90% of the fake hair business a billion dollar business that only 5 % of African Americans own any of the businesses. Most of the companies are owned or run by Koreans. The Fact that as a African American it seems so hard to keep our own money in our community and we willingly gie it away to others who make money off of our community but don’t respect us is a on-going problem and another reason why it seems hard for us to come together and have any power as a community. The film is certainly an eye opener. Plus as African American cinema it is a film that needs to be supported so that more black cinema can be made and cultivated since there is so little of it out there. 

As usual I was enjoying the film so much I only wished it had been longer.

GRADE:  B+   

MR. WOODCOCK (2007)

Directed By: Craig Gilliespie
Written By: Michael Carnes & Josh Gilbert
Cinematography By: Tami Reiker
Editor: Kevin Tent & Alan Baumgarten

Cast: Seann William Scott, Susan Sarandon, Billy Bob Thornton, Ethan Suplee, Amy Poehler, Tyra Banks, Brent Briscoe, Melissa Sagemiller, Melissa Leo, Sarah Chalke, M.C. Gainey

Why oh why?  This film involves actors I usually like but they seem wasted in this film

This is pretty much a one joke movie about what if not only was the biggest bully in your life your high school gym teacher who made your life hell but then years later he is dating your mom and going to become your step-dad. Now imagine your whole career has been made being a self-help guru from bettering yourself to not be the person you once were and then you are forced to face the person who makes you feel bad about yourself. Now this is great for a skit or tv-sitcom but for a 90 minute movie is torture.

Seann William scott seems sedated in this movie as almost every other actor goes over the top the only other actor who seems to match him is billy bob thornton who seems to either be sleepwalking or bored to death in his quest for his paycheck. Amy poehler is funny as usual but wisely she is hardly in the movie. Ethan suplee acts like he wants to make his character a breakout star.

There were only rally two funny scenes one involves mr. woodcock thinking sean William scott is a burglar and beats him the other is a supposed homemade video of mr. woodcock abusing one of his students. That’s really it other scenes try hard but the harder they try the more humor they drain form the scene and situation.

The film tries to make us feel for mr. woodcock towards the end by making him human and sympathetic in his own way the only problem is it doesn’t make sense since we have seen his behavior before and that is not so forgiveable like admitting he picked on these kids for no real reason. He says making them real men but many seem messed up except for one student who was successful. Telling Sean William scott’s character about his and his mother’s sex life.

The ending feels rushed and tacked on like they didn’t know how to end the film. This is another example of a film that didn’t need to be made or at least needed to be worked on before it was fast tracked and filmed there is a reason this was kept on a shelf for two years there was no way to save this film just like there is no way you should watch it.          

 GRADE:  F

THE CHUMSCRUBBER (2005)

Directed By: Arie Posin
Written By: Arie Posin (Story); Zac Stanford (Screenplay)
Cinematography By: Lawrence Shor
Editor: William S. Schraf & Arthur Schmidt 

CAST: Jamie Bell, Camilla Belle, Alison Janney, Glenn Close, William Fichtner, Lou Taylor Pucci, Justin Chatwin,  Jason Issacs, Rita Wilson, John Heard, Carrie-Anne Moss, Ralph Fiennes, Rory Culkin, Lauren Holly, Caroline Goodall

Well apart from not the best title in the world.

Despite having a All-Star cast the material never rises above it’s quirky to be quirky premise.

The film seeks to be a Deep, Dark Comedy that comes off as Idiosyncratic comedy that deep down wants to be a satire of the suburbs and teenage alienation.

The story involves a teenagers suicide and the ramifications that it has through the small community. The teenager was selling drugs to his peers and without a constant supply they try to get his best friend to get them drugs when he refuses they kidnap his brother and hold him ransom the only thing is they kidnap the wrong kid. That is just one of the story threads in this of the characters are messed up in there own way. The title comes from a video game the kids all play that seems to mirror there lives.

The film seems to be what a Hollywood studio thinks a indie movie is supposed to be. The elements are there the All-Star cast that seems to be partially slumming because the material is so rich only here it is not. It has satire and social commentary with a handful of dramatic moments. A good looking young cast.

The only real dramatic moments or scenes that felt real come at the beginning and ending of the film.

Certain characters are memorable and hold there own in there scenes to ground the movie a little like Glenn close in the film.

The direction is stylish, I only wish the he had the material to match it.

Wait For Cable.

GRADE: C-

NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD (2008)

 

Written & Directed By: Mark Hartley
Cinematography By: Karl Von Moller & Germain McMicking

FEATURING: Quentin Tarantino, Russell Mulcahy, Barry Humphries, Jamie Blanks, Russell Boyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rod Hardy, Richard Franklin, Wendy Hughes, Stacy Keach, Ted Kotcheff, George Lazenby, George Miller, Philippe Mora, Greg Mclean, Steve Railsback, Fred Schepisi, Rod Taylor, James Wan, Jack thompson, Brian Trenchard-Smith, Leigh Whannell, Simon Wincer, Susannah York

A fun rollicking, No holds barred documentary about the Australian film industry from the beginning in the sixties to it’s peak during the 70’s and 80’s which produced more exploitation type movies then anything but also put several of it’s filmmakers and stars o the map. It also showed a emerging style of filmmaking that rightly deserves to be noted and noticed. Which is still kicking around today though unfortunately not as much.

This is a fun documentary with tons of clips from those movies. Which allows a viewer like myself to discover a lot of these films only half of which are still available to see in the united states. It let’s you in on some behind the scenes details on these films and what it’s influence was at home and abroad. While celebrating the directors who deserve credit for there strides in helping put Aussie films on the map.

You hae details from most of the people involved in these films from the actors, Producers Directors, Crew Members, Directors and the critics even Quentin Tarantino gets involved.

Without this ozploitation series of movies there would be no films as diverse As MAD MAX, WALKABOUT, PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, MY BRILLIANT CAREER, STARSTRUCK, BMX BANDITS.

This film is a genre lovers wet dream my only complaint is that I wish it was longer.

I really enjoyed myself watching this if you are a true film fan. I think you will to. Its not just boring talking heads interviews, Because as fun and crazy as the films are. The filmmakers are just as crazy if not crazier as they tell stories of using real ammo firing at the actors in action scenes. Not using any proper safety precautions. A lot of things they couldn’t have gotten away with today. 

GRADE: A+       

OUTRAGE (2009)

Written & Directed By: Kirby Dick
Cinematography By: Thaddeus Wadleigh

FEATURING: Barney Frank, Tony Kushner, Larry Kramer, Andrew Sullivan, Jim McGreevey, Dina Matos McGreevey

Director Kiby Dick Scores again with this documentary I was a big fan of his previous film “This film is not yet rated”

This documentary examines gay rights in politics but mainly it examines if some popular anti gay rights politicians are actually closet homosexuals.

The film shows there voting records on the issues and exposes the rumors, inneuendos and accusations made against them over the years of these politicians and just as they have had a public forum to speak and deny these charges there accusesrs get a chance to speak and present evidence.

The film also explores the way the mind of the politician works why they may be closeted or feel that way and how they rationale there activities in private while not considering themselves to be gay. How much damage they have actually caused the gay community.

The film even has exclusive interviews with former closeted politicians. Who give there own personal insight into the matter.

This is a film that you must watch with a open mind the film draws you in even though at times it feels like a conspiracy theory, But it is never boring and it doesn’t disappoint. It is a true eye opener.

Highly Recommended

GRADE: A

ULTRAVIOLET (2006)

Written & Directed By: Kurt Wimmer
Cinematography By: Arthur Wong
Editor: William Yeh 

CAST: Milla Jovovich, Cameron Bright, Nick Chinlund, William Fichtner,  

What starts off as a futuristic looking action film is really nothing but a dressed up vampire film more form the vampires point of view. The way the material is approached is that it doesn’t have the typical horror cononentations it doesn’t take place at night there is not much gore or suspense.

What you get is a film filled with so much special effects and CGI that it is practically an animated film even in the action scenes.

Milla jovovich deserves better then this especially since she is really the only female action film star out there. The sad part is that they would never let a movie like this pass with a male star at least not let it go into theaters. It comes off more like a well written graphic novel premise or video game treatment.

This film maybe could have been something if the script was worked on more but it seems like they just released it and dumped it in late December where there was really no competition for it since it is prime movie season for kid’s fantasy and dramatic competition films I think the studio guess edit would be cool to release something action oriented and make a quick buck.   

She takes on tons of henchmen and villains but at no point do you ever doubt she will wi against them no matter how many come at her at once. So that there is really no suspense. It also becomes sort of a Videogame as she just keeps going and going through them barely breaking a sweat and neer running out of weapons or ammo and never needng to take a rest maybe that’s why there is the vampire thing. Since there doesn’t see to really be any human characters.

This film has the same problems as the film version of aeon flux both films come off as cold and so unrealistic it is barely watchable so are the colors in this film they all seem to be either bright or neon colored and all the main male characters look and act like they are models in a cologne commercial.    

 The Film just comes off as desperate to please but falls very short in not satisfying anyone.

GRADE: F