Sunday, November 30, 2008

No SAG Strike

This week I was going to write a review of "Transporter 3". However, I instead want to spread another message. If you are currently employed, I am sure that you are thankful, especially in these hard times. If you are unemployed or have ever been unemployed, you know the hardships this can bring.

My brother works in Hollywood and the writers' strike was very hard on tens of thousands of people that (not being a member of the WGA union) suffered four months of unemployment, did not receive back wages (like the WGA negotiated for) and lost their health insurance benefits.

Now the Screen Actors' Guild is on the brink of striking. Today's economy can't bear another strike - the trickle-down effect is huge (and not just in CA). Please help keep people employed this holiday season and beyond. Go to http://www.petitiononline.com/DealNow/petition.html and sign this petition against the strike. Thank you - Suzanne.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Twilight (2008)

Before I begin my review, I’d like to start by saying “Twilight” is not the next “Harry Potter”. Not even a close comparison.

So, with that, I think I’ll start with how disappointed I am with director Catherine Hardwicke. She’s made some incredibly well received films (“Thirteen” and “Lords of Dogtown”) and now apparently is churning out crap (“Nativity Story” and “Twilight”).

Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I’ll cut right to the chase with my review because I don’t want to waste any more time on this film than I have to. I’ll start out by saying, that while I had low expectations for this film, I wanted to like it. Particularly because I like Robert Pattinson and I find Kristen Stewart intriguing. I did laugh out loud a number of times, but I think that might have been because the dialogue was so poorly written. Overall, this movie gave me the creeps and it had nothing to do with vampires.

Basically, I think this movie sets a poor example for its primary target audience – young girls. I’m all for romance (I married my high school sweetheart whom I met at 17), but not obsessive “love”. Obsession is not love. Bella says to a friend early in the movie (before she is dating Edward). “You’re a strong independent woman – ask him out.” By the end of the movie, Bella is a blubbering idiot, crying uncontrollably to Edward “You can’t leave me” and “I’d rather die than stay away from you.” Please!?!?!?

And Edward, he follows Bella everywhere she goes (stalking, anyone?) and basically doesn’t allow her to have any other friends after they become a couple (cult mentality at its finest). He swoops in and practically growls at Jacob just for talking to Bella.

Finally, there has also been a lot of speculation about the subtle comparisons between the Cullen clan and the Mormon Church. I’ll leave this to your own research and to draw your own conclusions.

“New Moon” has already been green-lit given the fact that the $37k “Twilight” grossed over $70k in its first weekend. And, I will go to see the second film just to reiterate that while I did not like this movie and don’t agree with its content, I’d be willing to review the second film on its own merits. After all, I didn’t love the first Harry Potter flick either.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Quantum of Solace (2008)

**Spoiler Alert**Before you read any further – I’m breaking my own rules. This review contains spoiler alerts (clearly marked), so read at your own risk.

OK – before you begin bitchin’ how “Quantum of Solace” did not live up to your expectations, you need to revisit “Casino Royale”. If you do – you’ll find that “Quantum of Solace” is a perfect companion to “Casino Royale”.

The reboot of the Bond franchise asks the viewer to completely disregard any Bond movie that came before. When “Casino Royale” opens, Bond does not even have 007 status. The movie shows that Bond is just a man doing a job – he’s not invincible. He is ruthless – sure, but there is a vulnerability to him. In other words – he is human (and therefore – more relatable to the audience). While he exudes confidence and strength, his life is in danger, he does bleed and we discover – he can fall in love. Just as we begin to fall in love with this new Bond, he issues his resignation to M to spend his remaining days with Vesper.

However, “Casino Royale” ends (**spoiler alert**) with the death of the woman James loved. And his hurt is visible on his face when he says to M “The job’s done and the bitch is dead”. Her betrayal and her death have shaken him to his core.

“Quantum of Solace” begins where “Royale” ended. This movie delivers in both action and story. There are some skeptics that felt Marc Forster (“Monster’s Ball”, “Finding Neverland”, “The Kite Runner”) could deliver an action flick. However, the opening scenes of “Quantum” deliver a high-speed car chase (hot cars) and a high-flying, death defying gun fight (who needs gadgets when you’ve got brute strength and your wits).

It also delivers via story and it shows Bond’s growth as a man. At the start of the film, we have a spy so bent on revenge and this revenge will only be satiated by the death of the individuals that caused the demise of Vesper. Even when Bond is in the same room as M, she isn’t sure whether he is working for MI6 or if he has gone rouge.

In a moment when Bond has nowhere else to turn, he visits his friend Mathis. If you remember Mathis – he was in “Royale” and Bond thought that Mathis had betrayed him – now he turns to Mathis in his time of need. The two of them share a bond brought about by the lives they lead and when (**spoiler alert**) Mathis is killed, you can see something in James’ personality change. This supposedly coldhearted man weeps for the loss of his friend.

Between Mathis and his (platonic) relationship with Camille (who is also seeking revenge at the loss of loved ones), James realizes that karma might actually be the best revenge. And leaving his enemies alive to face what they’ve done is enough. Face-to-face with the man you was responsible for Vesper’s death, Bond leaves the man alive. His reasoning, “I don't think the dead care about vengeance”.

For those that want the Bond of yesteryear – watch the previous movies (20 prior to "Royale"). I want my Bond to be “Bourne”. I want a spy I can believe in and relate to. I want a man who can use his wits and his strength to defeat his enemies. I want to know that he actually might die – that his life is actually in danger. This makes my heart race when I’m watching these films.

“Quantum of Solace” did have fast cars, hot women and there were “gadgets” – note all the technology in MI6. And if one more person complains about the name of this flick – then he/she is not a Bond or Ian Fleming fan. “Quantum of Solace” is actually a Bond short story that can be found in the “For Your Eyes Only” anthology. So, quit your bitchin’.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

L4yer Cake (2004)

To celebrate the return of Daniel Craig to the big screen in two weeks, I thought I’d feature another Daniel Craig movie that I loved – “Layer Cake”. Mr. Craig plays a character that is never identified by name throughout the entire movie. A successful cocaine dealer, he is handed his most challenging assignment on the same day he has planned his early retirement. He must find the missing daughter of his mobster boss’ old pal as well as negotiate a $2 million Ecstasy deal.

This assignment should be routine for our unnamed hero, but instead nothing goes according to plan and he soon learns it is not going to be as easy as he thought to retire (alive) and live happily ever after. This movie is a slick British crime thriller with lots of violence from director Matthew Vaughn (producer of “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” - another great flick). Cleverly written by J.J. Connelly (based on his novel), I'm not going to say too much more about the plot - because the movie is so entertaining, I don't want to give anything away.

However, if you can make it through the violence and the sometimes difficult to understand British accents – you will get the best payoff. The film’s end is one of the best ever. I inappropriately laughed out loud; I was so shocked by the ending. In fact – I think I need to watch this movie again – now.

The film also stars Michael Gambon, Sienna Miller, Jason Flemyng and Colm Meaney.