Last week I watched Groundhog Day...at work. Yes, I got paid to sit in a conference room with other coworkers and watch the Bill Murray classic on a week that was already cut short due to Thanksgiving and all. Really, not too shabby of a situation, for more reason than one, as it eventually turned out.
To be honest, I know that at some point in my childhood I had watched this flick from beginning to end. Otherwise in recent years I'd only caught snippets during its annual airings on cable.
Boy does it make a difference to watch a movie without large sections cut out due to commercial breaks! I saw many scenes that I didn't even remember, most of which are very important turning points that add a lot more meaning to the story. Groundhog Day is a whole new movie in my eyes. Itwent from a movie I thought was funny, to something I find to be rather genius. Now I really get all that praise.
While watching the movie though there was something bugging me - doesn't that young guy (Fred) look familiar? I couldn't put my finger on it, but didn't bother to investigate further, which is nuts considering I inject IMDB directly into my veins on a daily basis.
Only today was I gifted the answer to this perplexing mystery. It was Michael Shannon! Michael Shannon is in Groundhog Day!
Now, this is a revelation.
This fact came up during Michael Shannon's recent interview on The Nerdist Podcast, thanks to Chris Hardwick's obsession with the movie.
Besides talking about random roles, this interview is a must listen, especially since it features some hilarious deadpan commentary from Shannon, an actor that usually seems very serious. Being a perfect villain in movies like Man Of Steel might have something to do with giving off that icy vibe.
But there is none of that holding Shannon back from talking about how he still uses a flip phone and how he believes that Nestle is stealing all the water. Not to mention that he has a fantastic sardonic sense of humor (which also made him an amazing contestant on @Midnight) and, just like all the best people, refers to Joseph Gordon Levitt as JGL.
This all only made me love Shannon more and took me back to the first time I noticed him on screen. It was in the theater watching the film that really brought him out into the mainstream. He was playing the mentally unstable man who overpowered an uncomfortable lunch in Revolutionary Road. No one sitting around me could figure out whether to laugh or gasp as he told off [more like told the truth] Kate Winslet, Leonardo Dicaprio, and Kathy Bates.
He was then and still is a dynamic presence on screen. I am instantly interested in a movie if Shannon's name shows up on the cast list. This is especially true due to his semi-muse relationship with director Jeff Nichols. In the last couple years the two have made a couple wonderful movies together - Take Shelter and Mud - and I can't wait for their latest project Midnight Special to be released in the spring of next year.
Shannon never sticks to one type of movie, which is also what makes him an interesting actor to watch. Other than being a part of about 10 upcoming movies, you can currently be checking him out in something that I'm sure is leaning more on his comedy side - The Night Before.
Or you could just watch him in Groundhog Day. It's always fun to find big actors of today pop up in obscure roles from their early years. You never know - the young gal playing a waitress in that bad holiday Hallmark movie you have on right now (that's just a guess) might, many years from now, become the next Meryl Streep.
Until next time.
There are always going to be the people who shy away from anything made by companies like Disney citing complaints like, "hmmmph, those are just kiddie movies."
To me this is simply the most baffling of all excuses.
Sure, some people don't like anything where people break out into song (which applies to a lot of animated features) and others just don't get the charm of watching every little thing in life get anthropomorphized (something that just happens to be my favorite thing btw - give me a dancing hedge with googly eyes any day of the week). In that case, these types of movies just aren't for them and that's fine.
But sighing in complaint just based on the supposed age range for a movie is nonsensical. Especially after watching one such 'kids" flick last night and discovering that it is not only one of the most complex movies I've seen probably ever, but it is also an entirely imaginative story, guaranteed to blow the minds of people 10 to 100-years-old.
All of the emotions in my mind know one thing to be true - Inside Out is a creative masterpiece and the people at Pixar are geniuses and are creating movies beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
Fans of their films know I'm just preaching to the choir here and I also know that this is the same studio that released Cars 2, so we know that no one is perfect.
However, the thought and care that went into every single detail inthis movie speaks so truly to the types of stories Pixar is trying to tell. This one is a fantastical tale all set inside the body of a regular 11-year-old girl, Riley.
They came up with a brilliant way to express how our emotions and thought processes work, all while making me wish my brain was actually crammed with the brightly colored orbs of my memories, just like Riley's. They imagined our dreams are created by a little movie studio in our head, that our deepest darkest fears are locked away in a dungeon, and that all of our personality traits create different lands to visit on a literal "Train Of Thought".
Every moment of Inside Out is bursting with more imagination than "Imagination Land", the theme park constantly buzzing with activity in Riley's head. And the cleverness in the story isn't just about all the fun, like the character Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler) would have liked. This movie is about how each and every emotion is important, even Sadness (voiced wonderfully in scene stealing fashion by Phyllis Smith), because being down in the dumps is almost critical to feeling emotions and bouncing back in life. Really, it is all almost too much to take in at once and will literally take your breath away (that might just be all the sobbing though too...).
This is high praise, but after seeing this movie I'm convinced every single person at Pixar is an emotional wizard who should be living in a think tank working on fixing all the world's problems.
Dudes and dudettes - long time no write! Every year (at least for me) once the 4th Of July hits - bam! - the rest of July fly's by, I lose track of time, and then summer feels like it's already over. Too soon!
This season, with its long days, always feels like possibility. When August rolls around it's a tad stressful, where I frantically wonder - did I accomplish everything I wanted? Some yes. Other plans? Not at all.
It's ludicrous, some of the leaves in the trees are already starting to change into their Fall outfits, ditching the freshness of green for the warmth of red tones. This extreme stretch of heat is causing nature to move ahead of schedule and, not to mention, making it a terrible year for growing certain vegetables that normally thrive in the temperance of the PNW ecosystem.
The consistently gorgeous weather though has made for a memorable summer of adventures galore.
Not to be outdone, movie watching has still taken up a lot of time. That more treasured activity can't be completely pushed aside by the draw of a swim in the lake.
These days, if it's not Pixar, movies meant for an audience filled with children often get a bad wrap. Not that the criticism isn't deserved, many of these flicks are over the top, filled with stiff/boring child actors, and lack a quality story. It would be a surprise then to discover a PG kids movie that turned out to be delightful and extremely well made.
Starting with a set of classic stories could be the first thing that Paddington did right. After that, the overall whimsical vision pulled this movie from the ranks of potential drivel and composed, from the first shot to the last, a lovely, witty film.
Most admirable is the strong, unique sense of humor in the script. There are quite a few laugh out loud jokes, which was something I was not expecting at all. It's also just really fun to watch actors like, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, and Peter Capaldi completely throw everything they've got into their roles, making us all cherish this world where a talking adorable bear really could fit in around London. Plus, the satirical take on a villain, played by Nicole Kidman, is genius.
Even the sets and costumes are extraordinary. It has that vintage vibe - the perfect nod to the original books. Just imagine a family movie made with the same art director as a Wes Anderson flick. This combo intrigued some and just made others utterly sigh.
What a wonderful storybook brought to life. That 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes is not an exaggeration.
Some jokes, a cute baby, hijinx galore, and Efron's smokin' bod - this is what is promised in the trailer for Neighbors and that is exactly what you get. It makes for a fun way to spend an evening, but could have been even better if there was more to the story.
There are some solid laughs, but they weren't as frequent as they should have been. The stars, Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, and Zach Efron, are amusing together, but really what is more interesting about this movie is that it is packed with lesser known funny people in small roles. For my money, they got some of the biggest laughs. Specifically, a line delivered by Jason Mantzoukas, who shows up as a doctor for only one miniscule scene, left me doubled over in hysterics for 15 minutes.
Really though, there is only so much story that can be created by a thirty-something couple battling the fraternity that lives next door. Plot points start repeating themselves, the jokes fall off, and questioning this movie's existence starts to be pondered.
Then more time passes and the movie draws you back in. Lisa Kudrow shows up to be great in a scene, and you realize you are enjoying Rose Byrne for once, since she seems to be more interesting when she is given the opportunity to sound like her Aussie self, instead of forcing an American accent.
Even with the ups and down, it's still worth checking out, especially for the end credits where the baby who plays the daughter of Rogen and Byrne is dressed to the nines as each of the characters. (See the photo collage at the top of the page.) I hope a raise was given to whoever thought of that idea - what a delight!
This movie has summer blockbuster written all over it, but no one could have predicted that after just a couple months, Jurassic World would be currently ranked with the third highest ticket sales of all time. Still shocking. The summer isn't over yet either.
It was also surprising how much I ended up enjoying the movie. Beforehand, I tried to avoid reviews, because I wanted to just sit back and be absorbed in the world without any expectations. Although, it was hard to ignore some comments on the internet, so I went in knowing that people were annoyed with the Bryce Dallas Howard character and wished Chris Pratt could be more "Pratt-like" (as in Andy Dwyer). Both complaints that, after seeing it for myself, I did not agree with completely.
First of all, yes, all of the characters could have been written better. When it comes to Pratt though, he wasn't playing a completely straight faced, serious character, like some of the reviews I read were asserting. There were some jokes thrown in, but he needed to be a tad more authoritative, since a bumbling dude wouldn't have successfully taken control of the situation. Plus, the jokester role is where Jake Johnson steps in, wonderfully quipping back in the control room.
And sure, Howard's character was a stereotype (serious woman who is bad with children and works WAY too much), but there are numerous "winks" at that role throughout the movie, where I felt like they were instead playing with the cliche. They make numerous jokes about her clothes and high heels, but she toughs it out, never complains, and is still a bad-ass, unlike other "damsels in distress" who find themselves stuck in the wilderness in sophisticated clothes, as in during some parts of Romancing The Stone.
While I ended up enjoying both Pratt and Howard throughout the movie, really it's all about BD Wong. No spoilers, but several of his moments in the movie are a real highlight. When he walked out in that black turtleneck and raised an eyebrow...outstanding.
These actors alone made this reboot worthy of seeing and at least they did feature the iconic original score. It goes without saying though, but i'll say it anyway - the fourth installment is not as good as the original. Shocked? Of course not. There's no way to get back all of the magic of Jurassic Park! Only one time can a movie capture that one "awe-worthy" moment. You know the image - Laura Dern and Sam Neil's mouths dropping open (as well as ours in the audience) as, music swelling, packs of dinosaurs cross that valley and come into view for the first time.
Once you've been dazzled by that, it's hard to duplicate. Even so, the premise of Jurassic World succeeds profoundly above the previous two sequels, because it is able to get very close to matching the story from the original. They smartly brought everything back to where it all started - the theme park.
It is fun to see the park actually come to fruition, aside from the troubles that do happen...again. Plus, it's still wild to imagine a world where seeing dinosaurs has become as second nature as checking out a lion at the zoo.
The area full of baby triceratops would be better than your average petting zoo experience. Sign me up for a visit ASAP! Just please, make sure the guy who is more obsessed with chowing down on a sandwich isn't the one watching the dino pens.
Admit it - sometimes you're just in the mood to settle in on the couch with a sentimental, romantic feeling movie. Anyone up with the times would associate this type of flick with one guy - Nicholas Sparks. I have no shame in rather enjoying the sweet/tragic romances in A Walk To Remember, The Notebook, and yes, even Dear John and The Last Song. Quite a lot of my interest in those has to do with the casting, which lead to me watching the most recent adaptation of one of Sparks' stories, The Best Of Me. I have two words - James Marsden.
The reviews placed it at the bottom of the cinema barrel, otherwise my hormones would have propelled me to the theater to check this one out.Turns out the critic response was accurate.If this so happens to be the only movie you've seen based on a Nicholas Sparks book, you probably think every positive thing I said before is crazy. This one really does give Sparks a bad name.
As expected, The Best Of Me follows along typical Sparks territory: two people from opposite sides of the tracks, fall in love, all while beating some sort of odds. In this story, the couple were in a relationship in high school and were pulled apart by reasons that are only revealed throughout the course of the movie - suspense! The movie is told as the couple, now 20 years later are brought back together to deal with the death of a friend.
Guys, I was really all in at first - Marsden was there, his character's back story was dark and perplexing, and the story really was intriguing. Then, during the last 30 minutes, I realized that something terrible was going to happen. Oh, it did and it was awful. The whole trajectory of the plot changed way too quickly and instantly killed any enjoyment that had been achieved from the previous parts of the movie. All of it was too much to handle, so much so, I was shaking my head and yelling "Nooooo" "NO!" at the TV off and on for around 15 minutes.
Maybe that shocking turn was what Sparks wanted from this story, but it was not executed well at all. Everything was rushed. The turn and final moments of the movie were on the level of insanity only seen before in Temptation: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor. Those who haven't seen that movie, trust me, it is not a good comparison.
All of this doesn't even include the movies other fatal flaw - for one role in particular, it has the worst casting in history. That award goes to whoever hired the dude who played the younger version of Marsden. That kid could maybe fit in as a lost Hemsworth brother, but a young Marsden? Get outta here! They look absolutely nothing alike. Normally things like that can just be ignored, but this was so off course that it was a distraction.
Sparks fans may find some enjoyment from this movie, I did for awhile, but I'm not sure anyone else could possibly like it, except for those who love feeling upset once the credits of a movie start to roll.
For over a year there had been one question burning in my brain - why did Juliette Binoche (who is mostly known for artsy, intense dramas) take that TINY, itty-bitty, teenie-weenie role in the 2014 flick Godzilla? She doesn't seem to me as someone who is in it for that cash money. According to the trivia section of IMDB, there is an explanation - we have Clouds Of Sils Maria to thank for that.
Allegedly, if the lore is to be trusted, Binoche took that role just so she could convincingly play her character in Clouds Of Sils Maria - a movie star that has acted in a few blockbusters. That's what we like to call method acting people.
This movie was also getting buzz earlier in the year for Binoche's co-star, Kristen Stewart, because she...wait for it... won an award for her supporting performance. That's a shocking fact to hear on its own, but especially for people who only know that gal as Bella Swan. She didn't win just any old award either. Stewart became the first American actress to win a Cesar. It's like the French Oscar - très big deal.
While I don't think Stewart entirely stole the show, this is definitely the first movie where I really noticed her excelling at portraying many different emotions with complexity. She co-stars as Valentine, the personal assistant to an aging star, Maria Enders, played by Queen Binoche. The story follows Valentine as she supports (sometimes with frustration) the often fragile Enders, who is struggling with looking back on her career and her decision to take on a particular role.
Enders finds out that there is a revival in the works of the play that made her famous as a young woman. The new director would like Enders to star again in the play. This time though, not as her original role, but instead as the role that needs to be filled by an older woman. The role reversal brings to the surface many complex emotions for Enders, about her personal experience with the play in the past and her current life in general.
Much of the movie is conversations between those two gals - Valentine trying to explain social media/the internet to Enders, lots of talk about what it feels like to be an aging woman, as well as, a large chunk of time spent watching as Valentine intensely runs lines with Enders for the play.
Even though it seems like it could be, the movie is never boring or slow. It really is entirely engrossing and rather fascinating to watch a somewhat simple story about these women's lives. Both Binoche and Stewart definitely connect together, much of the time looking like they are breezily hanging out chatting and having a blast. Often, as Valentine noticeably leans in to listen to Enders talk, you can imagine that it is instead Stewart, not her character, taking notice of what an opportunity it is to sit and watch Binoche do her thing.
Other than being unlike anything I've ever seen before, the various meta elements in the story is what really makes this movie memorable. Binoche actually is an actress who is aging in the movie industry and Stewart, just like her character, could learn a lot from this older woman's experiences. Binoche, being the equivalent of a European Meryl Streep, is still cranking out interesting movies every year, so I doubt she is facing all of the same issues as Enders, but she could eventually.
I hope the roles never dry up for her, but if they do, we always know that in a small or large role, clad in a hazmat suit or (very often) her birthday suit, and no matter what type of movie, Binoche can deliver outstanding performances. Stewart might not have been known as that high caliber before, but it looks like if she keeps choosing roles off the beaten path, that she is on her way up.
These movies were all memorable for their own reasons. I already have another one that blew my mind, but a review of that will have to wait. Guys, I just watched Winter's Tale and my question to you is: do you think Will Smith can pull off playing Lucifer?
Get ready for another edition of (sorta) quick reviews of some movies that were recently seen by these eyes over the last few months. There's a little mixture of everything - Oscar winners, could have been Oscar contenders, a documentary, and a little cult classic thrown in just to make everyone feel a little uneasy.
The Theory Of Everything
When movies are nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, there tends to be at least one reason most people can agree on that makes it worthy of such an honor. It turns out that the The Theory Of Everything had many admirable attributes people appreciated - from the score (that main theme slayed me) to the dreamy cinematography that made every shot worthy of being turned into a gorgeous poster. Oh, and obviously, the little item that will be the films lasting legacy - a hugely effecting and stellar performance by Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking. No one is going to say he didn't deserve that Best Actor trophy.
However, the way the story was told turned out to be partly disappointing. Hawking is one of the most notable people in modern history and while the film focuses generally on the ideas that made him famous, nothing goes too in depth. Normally, I want less of this mumbo jumbo, but in this case, I really wanted to learn more about Hawking's genius. "More science!", has never come out of my mouth during a movie until this one.
Since this bio-pic is based on the book by his first wife, Jane, it instead focuses more on their romance and the debilitating impact of ALS. This is a profound tale to tell, but even this part of the story felt a bit generic at times. More often than not, it was leaning more towards being an average movie drama instead of the extraordinary, unique tale, that I was expecting to see.
Although, this movie wonderfully succeeds in depicting an accurate image of the pain and stress someone goes through while taking care of a loved one, with credit additionally owed to the understated, excellent work by Felicity Jones, who played Jane.
The Take-Away: Can't take your eyes off the screen, but leaves you wanting more.
Whiplash
While the trailers and clips at awards shows made it look like Whiplash is just J.K. Simmons yelling and throwing cymbols, in actuality, it is also quite an interesting story about obsession and dedication, where equal extremeness is brought by the main character, played by Miles Teller. Well, there is also an awful lot of Simmons channeling the Hulk, which was what kept me from rushing out to see this one, even though I think he's great.
Watching two hours of someone yelling just didn't seem appealing. And now, I'll admit, I couldn't have been more wrong.
Simmons won the Academy Award for bringing the intensity, but boy, does Teller also totally nail a young man who is obsessed with drumming. Bloody hands and sweat pouring out of every pore didn't stop him for a second. There is one surprising scene that, to me, felt extremely far fetched, but if the point was to show just how focused this kid was, than the scene served its purpose, even if it fell out of the actual realm of realism.
All former orchestra nerds and band geeks will relate to the crankiness that any conductor gets before an important competition, but Whiplash shows off the far end of the extreme spectrum. Certainly the world of professional musicians is filled with people like the character Simmons portrays. It's a section of society that takes music more seriously than breathing. Where being the best is all that matters.
The Take-Away: Terrific, high energy movie about passion. Really impressive depiction of musicians in general. J.K. is phenomenal, but so is Teller - their characters sure deserve each other.
Big Eyes
As I've said previously, just by the trailer, anyone could blatantly see that the premise of Big Eyes was a beyond perfect topic for Tim Burton to turn into a movie. There's the retro setting and his vivid eye for finding an interesting way to capture a story. Even the actual paintings by Margaret Keane (whose life story this movie is based on) give off a Burton vibe. Her work is bright and colorful, with a semi eerie darkness thrown in. That alone perfectly describes Tim Burton's unique aesthetic.
Much of Big Eyes is wonderful. Just like the Theory Of Everything, many scenes could be frozen and turned into their own framed art, and the acting by Amy Adam and Christoph Waltz is always perfect. It's just too bad then that the script overall didn't make for a completely fascinating movie from beginning to end.
The details of Keane's life are fascinating. She was a woman who became overpowered by the men in her life and was lead to believe by one of her husbands that he should take credit for her paintings, and he did so for years, even becoming internationally famous for paintings he didn't create. She eventually came to her senses and now everyone knows the truth. With such rich circumstances, it felt that the movie didn't take it far enough, like the plot was only scratching the surface. Even the moment where Margaret Keane finally gets justice felt empty and rushed.
The Take-Away: Even the spectacle of Burton, Adams, and Waltz can't make up for a generic take on a fantastic life.
Finding Vivian Maier
One auction completely changed the life of two people - the man, found what could potentially be his life's work, and the woman, will never know how the discovery impacted her. This is the basis for the documentary, Finding Vivian Maier.
In 2007, John Maloof bid on a box of photography negatives that he thought could be used in a history book he was working on and instead unearthed thousands of photos taken by one woman predominately in the 50s and 60s. They tell the stories of her life and what she saw, but these aren't just your average set of family photos. The woman who turned out to be named Vivan Maier was a master amateur (yeah, that's an oxymoron, but here it just says everything) photographer who excelled in capturing the highs of lows of average people on the street. She was producing the classic caliber of work seen in the pages of Life and Time during their heyday.
Her talent isn't even the most astounding - the extraordinary fact here is that she wasn't getting her photography published. She seemed just to do it all for herself and didn't show her work to hardly anyone. Instead, she spent her days working as a nanny and taking photos for enjoyment.
She is now posthumously famous, never knowing what an impact her photos have had on the world and that she is widely considered a remarkable talent by art critics.
This all really made me think about the world of celebrity - fame is fleeting and not guaranteed, so doing what you love will always be the most important, even if no one else notices.
The Take-Away: How many talented folks out there will never be discovered? Also, we should all go to auctions - who knows what is waiting in someones discarded boxes.
The Hundred Foot Journey
It's a food movie with Helen Mirren and a stamp of approval from Oprah! What's not to love?
The Hundred Foot Journey follows in the great tradition of those flicks that make your mouth water. Every whisk beat and precise sprinkle of spices acted out on screen as every character cooks will put to shame any mess of a snack you decided to consume while watching this movie. Bag of Cheetos = not as good as authentic, vibrant, Indian food.
With a visionary director like Lasse Hallstrom, it was a sure thing that this movie would look extraordinary. From The Cider House Rules and What's Eating Gilbert Grape to another classic in the "foodie" genre, Chocolat, and yes, one of those Nicholas Sparks adaptations, Dear John (I like it - sue me), Hallstrom has never failed to beautifully capture a story. Much like Big Eyes, the visual look and direction of the movie is its biggest strength.
Otherwise, The Hundred Foot Journey, was too long, and left me feeling like it should instead be called The Hundred Year Journey (how many reviews do you think used that line?). All in all, it started strong and turned into a rather predictable, cute movie, that had a plot which fell off the rails in a direction that made sense, but I didn't like too much. It is worth struggling through some sections just for the food though. Cooking show devotees will rejoice.
The Take-Away: Couldn't say it better than my dad did - "Hey, this is just like that Ratatouille...but you know, without the rats." I preferred the rats though. Sorry Mirren.
Magic In The Moonlight
Reader, if you're anything like me, than over the last couple years (or longer) you've been stuck in a tight spot about Woody Allen. Some sort of middle ground in your mind that can't ignore the atrocious things he's been accused of, but still finds joy in many of his movies. Should actors or audiences continue to support his art?
It makes it even more difficult when he casts such films starring some of your favorite people - Colin Firth and Emma Stone - and writes the setting in dreamy locations like Paris, the Côte d'Azur, and Provence.
All of the above aligned in Magic In The Moonlight, so I couldn't resist any longer. Don't make me feel like a terrible person for being rather enamored by this enjoyable little movie. It casts Firth as a stage magician in the 1920s, paired against Stone, who is either masquerading as a psychic or really has the gift. Between their characters begins a semi-battle of wits and words about the importance of "real" vs "spiritual" and "pessimism" vs "optimism".
The story is simple, but rather unique with a little hijinks (of course) thrown in for good measure. Don't forget, this one also includes the same theme many other Woody Allen films focus on - he continues to show his obsession with pondering the meaning of life. Those topics are rather overdone in films in general, but in this case, a batch of talented actors made it feel interesting and new again.
Firth and Stone, the gorgeous setting, and period costumes (endless great hats!) are really all you need to have me love a movie. As much as I think about not supporting Allen anymore - here we are again.
Can we all at least officially agree that Emma Stone is the best? Even though I always like her, for some reason this movie really made me realize how she can sell the shit out of anything. Other actresses playing a "mystic" would have had over the top visions and it would have seemed too campy, but Stone really made you believe she was a psychic intercepting messages from the beyond. Even she made me believe that this was something that could really exist. Maybe Stone's calling is in late night infomercials.
The Take-Away: Emma Stone continues to rule the world - this time with Firth on her arm and a bunch of fun hats (until she drives in a car with the top down, a time when a hat would actually be useful).
Last week, I took in this spectacle at a Riff Tracks screening held at my local theater. It was one of those Fathom Events that Regal puts on.
Lovingly cheered for at Midnight Movie screenings, basically since the minute it made its debut in 2002, The Room is the ultimate "so bad, it bounces back and is incredible" movies. Thousands or millions of think pieces have been produced trying to explain its insanity, but The Room very much needs to be seen in order to be believed.
Written, directed, produced, and starring an unknown maniac, this is a movie where roughly nothing and EVERYTHING happens. Yes, just like the title alludes, a lot of this movie happens in "The Room", or rather, a tacky, small apartment in San Fransisco. This whole situation all made a lot more sense after hearing that the creative genius behind the movie couldn't decide if it should be a movie or a play. Bonkers.
We're getting into the hot summer movie season. There isn't too much being released that is making me feel as excited as a bunch of confetti being shot out of a cannon (besides Inside Out!), but I'll still be out in the theater and I hope you will be too!
Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Chris O'Dowd, and a cute kid all play an important part in a charming movie about forging unlikely friendships in order to survive some rough patches in life.
What's not to love about this? Oh yeah, the official poster:
Advertising (which I often forget is the actual purpose of movie posters, instead of just being tacked up in dorm rooms) is supposed to make people want something. When I look at that poster I think, "Hey, I like all these people!" which then is quickly followed with, "But what a cheesy looking ad."
This type of poster, typically referred to as the "floating head" genre, has become as overdone as the "lean". Yet, this looks more boring than others from that category. At least some of those other heads get to be on top of a scenic location! McCarthy and Murray are just floating aimlessly in front of a flat backdrop by a boring old fence. Plus, what are these three gazing longingly at?
It's just extremely generic. This lack of creativity can really downplay a movies worth. By just showcasing the big stars of the movie in a bland manner, the poster screams, "pitch out $12 for the actors, because, sheesh, this movie is awful otherwise!"
Sure, the picket fence and halo above Murray's head play a little into the theme/events of the movie, but nothing about this image eludes to what makes it a notable gem of cinema, which is a huge missed opportunity.
Would it surprise you then that the writer/director of St. Vincent, Ted Melfi, and several of the lead actors didn't want to sign off on this poster?
No? Didn't think so.
Melfi recently sat down with the Nerdist podcast hosts to talk about making the movie and the overall extensive (and fascinating) process that goes into convincing Bill Murray to join a project. It involves leaving a voicemail, lawyers, writing Murray a personal letter, and then just crossing your fingers that he actually shows up. It makes sense - we all know that guy's busy making the world his oyster.
After awhile, the conversation turned to the above debated poster. Melfi explained that he had actually designed his own posters, but was overruled. Just one second of looking at what he created will make anyone decide that his vision was far superior.
The individual posters feature one of the main characters in their quirky glory. All five instantly capture your attention and piques interest into wondering how it's possible that these vastly different people work into a single movie.
Melfi's ads are clever and unique - I especially like the basketball hoop and graffiti used as a "wink" to a halo. Each perfectly represents the movie in just single images, no multiple heads needed.
This has all been about posters, because who doesn't love a good movie poster, but it hopefully excited some of y'all, and, those that haven't already, will check out St. Vincent.
When most of the movies that are released nowadays are dependent on becoming billion dollar blockbusters, movies dedicated to just telling everyday stories about people living their life seem to not be made as often. That's why flicks like St. Vincent need support.
That's not difficult to do when it features a splendid Bill Murray performance. Oh, and Naomi Watts is a hysterical scene stealer. And, not to mention, Melissa McCarthy gets to show off her chops as an actress with a range outside of a loveable loud lady (think more Sookie, less Tammy).
Overall, not even a bad poster can normalize the final product of a movie if it is an entirely enjoyable and distinctive piece of work like St. Vincent.
Anyone that has seen Birdman, and cares about all this Oscar business,is in luck - they've already seen the Best Picture winner of 2014.
Most other years this fact wouldn't be clear so early. There could still be surprises (I'm hoping Boyhood,Grand Budapest Hotel, and Nightcrawler also make a good showing as nominees), yet I'm still confident in proclaiming a winner three months before the trophy's are handed out. Everything about Alejandro González Iñárritu's latest directorial effort makes the choice easy. It is, top to bottom, a phenomenal movie event.
At a base level, it is a smart, honest story about an actor (Michael Keaton) who is simply trying to resurrect his career and have a fulfilling life after twenty years of only being known for playing a superhero called Birdman. He had mega success and is now taking a classy step in trying to be taken seriously by writing, directing, and starring in a play on Broadway.
As the movie progresses a little you realize this guy is also hearing voices (with a very familiar, deep sounding tone) and using telekinetic powers to trash his dressing room. He might just be losing his mind or maybe his skills as a superhero weren't only part of his character.
Just like Keaton's character, we are continually questioning what is real and what is imagined. There isn't much time to analyze it all, because each scene keeps moving. That fast pace is wonderfully orchestrated by Iñárritu, who filmed almost all of the scenes as continual shots. The actors really perfected their "walk and talk".
Every single person involved in the movie had to have painstakingly planned out each moment intricately, hoping no one would mess up. Scenes were filmed in many locations, from the packed streets of NYC to the cramped hallways of an old theater, and it is one amazing feat of skilled movie making.
Besides the way the movie looks, it is also essential to believe everything that has already been said about Keaton's performance. It is one of those career defining roles that every actor wants. Just like his character, Keaton is most known for playing a superhero, which gives the movie that little extra wowza meta moment. It's just fun to see people talking about all of his past movies. Like this classic gem and many others I've never seen, including Night Shift. After many podcast hosts noted that one as their favorite Keaton film, it instantly was added to my queue.
Truthfully, the entire cast deserves numerous accolades. This especially applies to Edward Norton, who really should be in every movie because his charm and delivery make all movies better, and Emma Stone for using her skills to turn a sassy daughter role into something memorable. If I see any movie this year with more creativity or more high quality story telling than Birdman I'll, like the old saying goes, eat my hat. Don't just let me talk about it, lookout for Birdman playing in your neck of the woods. Until next time!
John Carney could become the next Woody Allen. Both directors tell stories in a very different way, but share the wonderful sense of creating movies as an ode to the cities of the world.
Recently, Allen has spent more years making films around Europe - France and Spain, specifically - neglecting his favorite city. Someone else had to fill in.
With Begin Again, Carney has flown across the pond (as they say) from the setting of his first hit movie (Once, set in Dublin) and borrowed Allen's favorite muse - New York City - for a bit. And boy did he utilize every corner of that city.
Every park and alley are key to part of the plot, but the story is also focused on the idea of second chances for a few characters whose lives both revolve around making music. One, played by Mark Ruffalo, is a highly successful record producer that is hitting a rough patch in his life, and the other, played by Keira Knightley, is a songwriter not too keen on actually performing.
Even with a fine trailer like that one, Begin Again is still better than what even can be set up in a couple minutes.
Fans of stars Ruffalo and Knightley will more than likely love this movie simply because of them. And rightly so, they both are enjoyable on a regular basis. To my surprise, Knightley actually has a solid singing voice. I thought all along this was going to be some Marni Nixon business, but it's really all Knightley, all the time. No dubbing necessary.
What a relief to see her outside of a high drama period piece too! Knightley does not once clench her jaw in disgust over a cheating lover. She even frolics around NYC, looking thrift store chic, with not a mink or giant ornate hat in sight.
On the other side, Ruffalo has never been confined to a certain role. Everything he does, including his recent string of consecutive banner movies, like The Avengers, Thanks For Sharing, Foxcatcher, and The Normal Heart, find him playing vastly different characters on the regular. In the last couple years, especially after he played The Hulk, I have become convinced he can play anything well.
These actors instantly make this a likeable movie. What kicks Begin Again up a notch to become a memorable, well made movie, is the creative use of music. The featured songs make for a grand soundtrack (which I have been listening to on repeat the last few days). All of the tunes are fueled by Knightley's character's break-up with a newly famous rock star (Adam Levine). In that sense, this movie is definitely about relationships and love. Though, ultimately it is a story about the creative process.
How someone writes a song, where they get inspiration, and how to create a melody for lyrics, all plays out through the story.
In my favorite scene, Ruffalo's character orchestrates an entire musical arrangement in his mind. Yes, he was highly intoxicated at the time. As he thinks of how each segment of the song should sound, different instruments come to life on a stage as if played by a ghost. We are literally able to see his genius process for creating a song, step by step. I have never seen a scene like that before. Begin Again gives me hope that every story hasn't already been told and there is still lots of opportunity to make a unique movie.
It was encouraging to see so much detail paid to the idea of creativity and how it works in our minds. I never wanted to try writing a song before, and after watching this movie, I kind of want to give it a try. Is that cheesy? Just say yes. Well, I'm sure lots of other people had the same response. Even if it's not writing, this movie will motivate you to do what you want, whatever that may be.
Look for Begin Again to rent or buy at stores (online or physical) near you.
Movie centric blogs feature a lot of long form reviews. Hell, I do the same thing here. Though, I normally put a lot of thought (too much thought, most of the time) into each one and so it is difficult to crank those out on a daily basis.
In the end, I watch a lot of movies that I write nothing about. But that is about to end. Even if I don't have the time to go in-depth about every movie I see, that doesn't mean I can't say a little somethin', somethin'.
I'm pleased to present some quick critiques of all the movies I've seen in the last month.
A Long Way Down (Netflix Streaming)
Nick Hornby knows how to craft wonderful stories, which then quickly get transformed into movies on a regular basis. From About A Boy to High Fidelity, these flicks are always a critical success. Well, the pattern had to end eventually.
Having not read Hornby's, A Long Way Downbeforehand, I'm only guessing that his intriguing tale about a group of Londoner's who met while each contemplated suicide, was well written in book form. The movie on the other hand is a frustrating example of a script with utterly terrible story progression. Most of the time what happens to the characters comes out of nowhere and doesn't even make sense. Maybe the book is just as bad, but I doubt it.
Toni Collette and Aaron Paul are specifically great in this and the movie does have some enjoyable moments, but that's all lost in the shuffle of a confused plot line. It was a real disappointment - something I do not usually say about movies.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
(2011 - David Fincher)
Due to all the journalistic elements of Stieg Larsson's series about a feisty girl with a dragon tattoo, I was all about reading this series several years ago.
Lisbeth Salandar is a badass female character - she is tough and smart, both qualities not normally attributed to a women in literature. With all this in mind, I was excited to see the original Swedish films and then got totally on board once visionary director, David Fincher, announced he would direct another version.
After being really excited, I only saw it for the first time recently. How has it already been three years since this was released?
What I found out - I'd rather just read the books. Fincher movies are always beautiful looking and largely focused around very dark elements. He is after all famous for that whole, "What's in the box!?" scene. So, even though it should be expected when watching one of his movies, the intensity in this story is just too much for me to handle in a visual form. Differently phrased - I don't want to actually see all of the awful things that happen to Lisbeth.
Dragon Tattoo is definitely worth watching once to enjoy the mysterious story, plus, because of Fincher's eye, it's a beautiful looking movie. Other than that, I can't say I'll ever watch it again.
The Skeleton Twins
Comedians starring in movie dramas is one of my favorite things. All through The Skeleton Twins, Bill
Hader and Kristen Wiig are so much fun to watch because they can smoothly
perform a hilarious lip sync scene together and then do a complete turn to have an extremely
intense argument with each other. They are all (including their wonderful co-stars also known for comedy, Luke Wilson and Ty Burrell) believable playing all ranges of emotions
The whole movie
plays like that. Even with all the hilarious scenes, the story turns out to be rather
dark. That's not a bad thing either, just unexpected. There is a
underlying storyline brought in with the introduction of a character played by Burrell (mostly known as the loveable Phil Dunphy) and that's when things get even more serious. All of that makes it more impressive that the two leads used to be mostly famous for doing sketch comedy. They're real, big time actors now!
Monkey Shines (Netflix Streaming)
When How Did This Get Made did an episode on Monkey Shinesit gave me hope that one of my dreams will come true - a simple wish that everyone will refer to Stanley Tucci as "TheTucc" (pronounced, "Tooch").
This movies cool points are increased by the fact that The Tucc plays a doctor in this wreck of a "horror" movie. I say "horror" lightly since, it's not really scary. The first hour is entirely focused on a man becoming paralyzed and the monkey friend brought in to assist him. It's only in the last 40 minutes that people start dying.
Don't watch this close to Halloween expecting to be frightened. Instead there will be many laughs. You will also definitely spend much of the movie "oohing" and "awwwwing" over the adorable monkey. The lesson: monkeys don't kill on purpose - she just really loved her owner.
The Great Gatsby
(1974 Edition, Netflix Streaming)
Many thought that Baz Luhrmann's bombastic recreation of The Great Gatsbywas over the top and didn't stick to the story. There's a reason why Luhrmann's version was done perfectly - without all that pomp, circumstance, and Jay-Z music, The Great Gatsby is terribly boring to sit through.
Anyone who has attempted to watch the version from 1974, with Robert Redford as Gatsby, can attest to its deathly slow pace. To be honest, I didn't even watch the whole thing. That is coming from a person that always finishes movies. I was bored out of my mind, even with Redford in all his handsome glory. Another highlight was seeing Hershel from The Walking Dead, playing a character with a head of hair, who isn't being chased by zombies.
Now I know that when it comes to Gatsby I need to be reading the actual vivid words penned by Fitzgerald or watching the screen literally sparkle with the help of Luhrmann.
The Blair Witch Project (Netflix Streaming)
When it comes to movies that were spoofed, The Blair Witch Projecthas to have been parodied the most. Since those skits have been so inundated in our culture, it is easy to forget why the actual movie scared people for years.
I hadn't seen this found footage, box office blockbuster since the early 2000s. Even through time, there is still plenty to freak out over. At one point the three "documentary filmmakers" yell at each other incessantly, which gets tired real fast. Other than that though, the simple tricks (people pushing in tents from the outside, all those weird rock formations) really do create a chilling atmosphere.
Even if you aren't scared of "The Blair Witch", there is a good chance the movie made you worried about getting lost in the woods. Who needs elaborate slasher flicks when real world fears like that are even scarier.
The Big Chill (Netflix Streaming)
The Big Chillhas become an iconic movie, known for capturing the feeling of a certain generation hitting their mid-life. Not to mention its best selling soundtrack that will be found in every home throughout time.
While the story depends heavily on all the great performances from a cast of well known actors, much of the emotional details could get lost on those who aren't in their thirties or married, or those that don't have to worry about kids. The movie can be enjoyed on its own, but it is probably more intriguing for people who directly see themselves in the characters. All I can relate to is thinking Kevin Kline is charming and delightful. There is that perfect Goldblum factor as well.
What is entirely relatable through the generations though, is the general idea of a group of old friends gathering together. That atmosphere everyone can recognize - that no matter how much time has passed, everyone falls right back into place as if they had never been separated at all.
Sleepaway Camp
This Halloween season for me was all about discovering ridiculous scary movies. None of which fits that definition more than Sleepaway Camp.
Teenagers in the 1980s getting murdered at their summer camp seems like an overdone storyline. Yet, none of those other flicks would dare include death by boiling water, bees, and a curling iron (I think).
Anyone looking for a laughable horror movie has got to put this to the top of their list. I hadn't even heard of it before and now I can't believe people don't talk about this on a regular basis. I could literally go back to college, sign up for a film course, and write a 20-page thesis just on the bizarre mom (seen above in that tasteful outfit). The paper would obviously include the mom's ties to the truly insane final scene.
Someone watch this soon and let me know - I've been dying to talk about that horrifying freeze frame that ends the movie.
It's funny putting all those movies together - what a random assortment! If any of these at all sound intriguing, I'd agree that you should check them out. Even if it's one I didn't like too much, that could become your new favorite. Prove me wrong.
Until next time.
(P. S. I also saw the fantastic Nightcrawler, which I talked about a couple days ago.)
[Who wouldn't want to see these three in a remake of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly?]
Over a couple days, with some free time just askin' to be filled, this gal settled in for a movie watching marathon of sorts.
The three flicks that made the cut had nothing in common, other than their availability to be played in my living room.
Do you know those things called DVDs? I may be the only one left on this planet who uses Netflix for a movie rental service, so I had one of those just waiting in that little red envelope. Also on hand was a copy of a horror classic that had been thrust into my hands several weeks earlier. The owner of the DVD, a co-worker, was shocked upon hearing I hadn't seen it and had no choice but to let me borrow it. The last choice was a carryover from awards season. I happened to find that one on Netflix Streaming - my one shot at being more technologically advanced.
So, what were they? Let's find out!
The Streaming
Last year, independent film circles were all talking about Brie Larson. She had previously co-starred on Showtime's United States of Tara, but this was her first buzz as a big time movie actress.
In the movie Short Term 12, Larson plays one of the employees at a housing facility for teens who are troubled for one reason or another. Some of the kids are between foster homes or need a place to live while they work through anxiety's and issues away from home. Larson's character manages most of the day to day life at the facility. She does everything - from chasing down kids who are trying to escape, to being a sounding board for their heartbreaking problems.
All of this sets the stage for the realization that it isn't only the youngsters who have lived through traumatic situations. Just because adults are, well, adults, doesn't mean they have gotten over their pasts. As an audience, we quickly see that Larson's character exhibits severe pent-up emotion. Not much of her story is told verbally at first, but it is evident through her downward gazing eyes, little ticks, and hunched, pained, body language.
It's very clear why people were talking about Larson's performance. She plays her character's wide range of emotions perfectly. Both passion for helping the kids and dread at facing her demons is balanced in a way that feels real to how we all cope with continuing to face our daily routines even at the worst of times. "Just keep living", as McConaughey would say.
Troubled teen movies aren't anything new. In fact, all the causes of pain the kids in Short Term 12 are facing, we've all seen done plenty of times before. However, this movie stands out in the way of its earnestness and simplicity. The story takes place over less than a week, so we don't have enough time to see the kids turn their entire life around and, say, win the big state championship at the end. That's all well and good for another movie. In the case of Short Term 12, we get to see the little victories, and in day to day life, that's all that really matters.
The Rented
Once in a generation, there is an iconic event that later we look back on and ask ourselves, "Where were you when?"
The JFK assassination. The sinking of the Titanic. The finale of MASH. The OJ Simpson car chase. Mariah Carey losing her mind on Total Request Live. Those are all exactly the same caliber of importance in history.
Ah, I still remember that fateful day. It happened while I was at a friend's house after school. TRL had a special guest. Mariah came from backstage, pantsless (per usual), rolling out a cart full of ice cream. Her eyes were all a glow just a couple months before the release of her first starring role in a major motion picture. At that point no one knew how much that flick was going to stink up the cinema. Based on her antics on TRL, we all should have seen it coming. Even at the age of 15, I felt bad for her.
Not keen yet to the whole appreciation of bad movies, I never ended up seeing Glitter when it was released that fall in 2001. Mariah openly blames the terrorists for making her movie bomb at the box office. She also disapprovingly wags her finger at the director. Let's say she has half of that accusation right.
Oh, brother. Anytime the plot in a movie has no reason to exist, we've got a problem. Mariah isn't even the worst part! Judging by the fact she still gets acting roles in legitimate pictures, I think others agree. Plus, Ms. Carey has the voice for the ages. We're talking about the powerhouse singer behind timeless classics like, "Always Be My Baby", "Heartbreaker", "Emotions", "Fantasy", and many more. She should have held out for better, since a super fun and interesting musical could have been made for her at some point. That's the lesson kids - never accept less than you deserve.
First of all, the whole story makes no sense. It all kicks off with Billie Frank (Mariah) getting taken away from her lounge singer mom as a child. Years later, she and her gal pals (one of which, importantly, is played by Da Brat) are asked to be backup singers after a "famous" singer, Sylk, catches them dancing in da club. The fact that they were dressed in head to toe leopard print definitely lead to them getting the gig. Sylk is played horrifically bland by Top Chef host, Padma Lakshmi, but discovering that she tried to be an actress at one point is my gleeful takeaway from the movie.
In a twist of fortune, Sylk turns out to be a terrible singer. Guess who fills in? That's right, Billie to the rescue and a star is born! Then someone gets shot. You'll have to tune in to find out more. And, oh yeah, if it's not evident enough, Glitter is highly recommended. Especially for people who enjoy a good laugh.
The Borrowed
Eerie fog filled nights are upon us and Halloween is just around the corner. Everyone would agree that this is prime scary movie watching season. Being creeped out at horror movies during any other time of year just doesn't seem quite right.
There are a bunch of new flicks from this genre coming out in the next couple weeks, including a movie based on that staple from teenage girl sleepovers - a Ouija board. Boo! Yet, there is still nothing quite like the offerings of scary cinema from the 1970s.
They tend to be only rated PG, so the gore factor isn't there, which I prefer. They make up for it with the chills accomplished with old timey techniques, like shadows, creaky doors, and high pitched screams.
Invasion Of The Body Snatcherssucceeds on all those bases, including incredible stylistic use of shadows displayed on buildings. True suspense is built around this whole story that delves into paranoia and conspiracy, much like another horrifying movie from the same era, Rosemary's Baby.
Several citizens of San Fransisco definitely start to question their sanity when the people around them start to act differently. Unbeknownst to everyone on Earth, the area has been polluted with some sort of extraterrestrial organism that is slowly infecting the population. Nobody changes in appearance, but inside, nothing is the same.
Like I mentioned before, anyone looking for a slasher flick with heads flying off, this one isn't for you, but the "ick factor" is still high. Don't even get me started about those pods "birthing" out the body snatchers. Disgusting! But pretty cool.
All of the above is a good enough reason to watch Invasion of the Body Snatchers at an All Hallows Eve movie night, but don't forget this flick also stars Jeff Goldblum. This might even be him hamming it up at his most "Blum-iest".
New movies, old movies, bad-good movies - there are endless amounts to check out! Have fun, like I did, hunting down some that are a little off the beaten path.
Who needs a clear plot line, well written dialogue, or interesting characters when there is a movie starring the likes of John - Pre-Battlefield Earth - Travolta full on committing to the performance of silly choreography.
Wait. All of that sounds terrible!
Au contraire my friends. Written and directed by Sylvester Stallone (your ears just perked up a little more), Staying Alive, the sequel to the 1977 hit Saturday Night Fever, is the epitome of the "so bad it's good" category of cinema. Equally adored and crucified.
Move over Gigli, this one reaches a whole other level in the spectator sport of bad movie appreciation.
Travolta is reprising his role as Tony Manero and apparently his "fever is still burning". That fire has propelled him in to having a dream of performing on Broadway. Which, I think, happens about half way through the movie. I'm unsure since they never really say, and, hey, since when do musicals not have any singing? Just a thought for anyone hoping to do a real life revival of "Satan's Alley."
Normally in a dance centric movie, all the other details (acting, story, costumes) can be a mess, but at least the choreography will be top notch and exciting. In the case of Staying Alive, while it may be highly amusing to watch, this one could win a Worst Choreography Of All Time award. Everything down to the karate chopping/wing flapping frolic around the stage is laughably insane.
Some people could argue that none of this flick is worth your time. However, what will never be up for debate is the lively soundtrack performed by none other than Frank Stallone. Yes indeed, brother to Sylvester.
"Far From Over" should be auto-programmed into all electronic devices for use as an alarm. Cue to me dancing out of my bed, every day at 6 am for the next century. This is happening. It's really not a good morning without Frank Stallone - a sentence I would never have thought was possible until this week.
You guys! The first 15-seconds of that video is how the movie opens! I get chills just watching Travolta's intense hair bobbing, shoulder thrusting action.
Looking for a reason to host a laugh-a-minute movie night that can quickly escalate into a dance party? Search for a copy of Staying Alive as soon as possible or look up when it is playing next on Movieplex. Be sure to set a reminder a couple days in advance, like I did, so you won't be able to forget such a momentous occasion. Don't worry if you haven't seen the first movie in the, "Travolta just wants to dance" double feature. I haven't either and as far as I can tell, Staying Alive is a stand alone masterpiece.
One generous tip of a hat goes to How Did This Get Made for re-invigorating the attention for Travolta and the Stallone brothers. They needed it and so did we. (It's been said before - That podcast is required listening as a follow-up to this highly entertaining wreck of cinema.)
It may have been the worst summer box office since 1997, but there is still plenty to head to the movie theater to see. As we creep closer to fall, there is even more that is just awaitin' for your eyes to discover.
Some clamor that Hollywood has lost all its originality. This may be true for the majority of blockbusters, but take that nice brain of yours, and seek out something that has a smaller budget.
Surprise! There are still quality movies to be enjoyed! Those that stretch the imagination in untouched territory and aren't just another sequel or reboot, or adapted from a novel, video game, or comic book.
There are also people out there who are sick of the usual romances. Yeah, the guy and girl are ALWAYS going to fall in love, but gosh darn-it, there will be some hijinx along the way. Don't let me fool you - I'm no hater of that type of movie at all. I too have been known to crash on a couch with the likes of Bridget Jones, Gracie Heart, and all those gals from Love, Actually.
But what if this genre was mixed up a bit? Two unlikely movie categories have converged to create a distinctive movie watching escapade.
The writers of an especially fascinating movie I saw a couple weeks ago must have seen their share of romances and rom-coms and decided that, it's all been done before, and asked themselves, where could this type of movie go now?
Take one couple on the verge of a break up, add a dash of sci-fi, and out comesThe One I Love.
The mystery of this movie is probably what is intriguing most people about this one. I know it's the major reason my friend and I checked it out. After seeing Elisabeth Moss talk all coded about the plot on The Daily Show, it had my brain racing - what the heck is this about? Enigmas will always lead to curios minds and then probably ticket sales.
I hadn't even seen the trailer before heading to the theater. Watching it now for the first time, I see that it reveals a couple more clues without totally giving away the entire cow for free.
Since I read a lot about movies, when I go to the theater I often feel like I've shelled out $10 for something I've already seen. Knowing very little about The One I Love, I'm finding it's way more fun to go into a movie with little to no expectations.
I'd even encourage you not to watch the trailer I just posted above. Serious tease, I know. Let your willpower be tested! Not having a clue about where the plot will take you, means that a little under two hours can just be enjoyed watching two lovely, funny actors up on screen.
Moss and Mark Duplass are the stars of this show. If you are fans of these two, you already know they are quite talented and enjoyable to watch. What else do you need to know? They are on screen almost the entire time performing a witty script that is peppered with bits of true to life hilarity and drama, with a definite focus on the inter-workings of long term relationships. I don't want to say more because that will ruin it.
Even after a couple weeks the puzzling ending still has my head trying to think through various possibilities. Anything that is open to interpretation can be either frustrating or exciting. In the case of The One I Love, the ending perfectly encapsulates a one-of-a-kind story. It's good to see that creative minds are still at work in the movie business.
If any of this has piqued your interest, sleuth out The One I Love in a theater near you.
Ryan O'Neal and Tatum O'Neal are name recognizable to younger generations mostly due to how their lives, individually and collectively, merged into complicated tabloid fodder.
It has been at least a couple years since I noticed their faces plastered over the rag mags, but for tabloids and the paparazzi to have cared to feature this father and daughter in the first place means that their names would have been previously recognizable from some other fame.
Is none of this ringing a bell? Take a minute, open up a new tab in your preferred internet browser, then search their names together, and see the type of results that pop up.
All caught up now? Okay. So, other than family drama, what were these two originally famous for, you ask?
Movie fans will recognize Tatum as the only girl on the boys team in the brassy 1976 classic sports flick, The Bad News Bears. For many years, Ryan O'Neil traversed Hollywood in numerous films, but his name will always be synonymous as the dude from Love Story.
Then there is the flick that brought the two together. Before the tabloid circus, they were just a regular father and daughter. Well, a true to form Hollywood father and daughter - these two weren't just playing tea party, they were starring in Oscar winning flicks together.
Paper Moonwas another one of my, what people like to call, "blind spots", in the form of movie viewing. After hearing about it from other fans and reading about it in every type of classic movie history book over the years, last week I decided to finally check out what the fuss was about.
Within ten minutes I had quickly decided its inclusion as a classic flick is definitely warranted. Without a doubt, the playful dynamic the father/daughter duo show off on screen is the highlight. Watching it now only makes it more of a shame that these two had to have the difficult times of their relationship put on display.
The story revolves around Moses Pray (Ryan O'Neal), a con man who is going around the country predominately preying on the families of the recently deceased. (See what they did there with his character's name? Clever.) His main scam comes in the form of playing the part of a door-to-door bible salesman. However, if this guy's around, keep your wits and wallet close. He always has got a way of weaseling even the brightest folks out of a buck.
That all rings true until he finds the one person he can't outsmart - a young girl named Addie (Tatum O'Neal). She had recently lost her mother and at the funeral guess who shows up - Mr. Pray. He claims to be a long lost friend, but might just be out scouting the small service as a ruse.
With no other family in the area, Pray promises to drive Addie several towns over, so she can live with her aunt. Turns out though, that once the two are on their way, Addie takes a liking to his lifestyle and shows that she can be just as conniving. Pray realizes he has found quite the partner in crime and the two set off down the road, going town to town earning their way in the world one swindle at a time.
From the beginning this is such an entertaining story to tell and the dynamic performances of these two fine actors just make the story explode off the screen. Their endless banter back and forth to each other is hilarious and a treat to watch. Fittingly, Tatum O'Neal won herself a best supporting actress Oscar, and, at 10-years-old, still holds the record as the youngest winner. Plus, she totally won the night by rocking a little tuxedo to accept her award!
Other than that achievement though, this movie was utterly snubbed. It did receive a couple other nominations (for the superb writing and sound), but I can't believe the masterful director (Peter Bogdanovich) and Ryan O'Neal weren't nominated, and worst of all, that it wasn't up for best picture! Out of those nominees Paper Moon could have at least replaced A Touch Of Class- who in this day and age has even heard of that "alleged" best picture of 1973? I bet those voters are kicking themselves now.
Paper Moon is another excellent example of movies from a different time that need to still be brought to the attention of modern viewers and appreciators. I can't think of any reason someone would not love a night spent watching this story. Let's rally for the cause of old flicks that deserve repeat attention.
I'm mad that I've spent 27 years on earth without it. Don't make the same mistake and find a copy/digital streaming version of Paper Moon for your next movie night.
The O'Neal name no longer triggers visions of tabloid covers - I instead envision a man and a little girl, traveling down a dirt road on to their next adventure.
