Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Sorcerer's Apprentice


Comes straight off the fantasy cliche assembly line. Nothing is exciting or new in this movie. It's all been done before and much better in the past, but especially in recent years. The story is incredibly simple stuff and doesn't even try to put emotion into the picture. The special effects are pretty good, but there's way too much showing off in the movie and it gives it sort of an artificial feeling. Look to the Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings franchises to see how to use special effects the right way in a fantasy film. I will say that Nic Cage and Alfred Molia give pretty entertaining performances, but Jay Baruchel seemed miscast to me. He was a little too nerdy and the romance between him and Teresa Palmer wasn't believable whatsoever. This is just one of those undemanding family films that tries to cash in on a current fashion with no heart or soul. It's just childish and cheesy.

The Kids Are All Right


A wonderful cast displays the value of family and the importance of them in a smart and sophisticated dramedy. I'm sure there will be plenty of rewards recognition for this film and even though I don't think it was absolutely amazing, I can see why people would love it to death. It's heartfelt, has a great message, displays a happily married gay couple and doesn't condescend or screw it up, and has great writing. Definitely recommended if you want something off the beaten path a little, even if it gives in to convention a little too often by the end.

The Last Airbender


Despite a run time of 103 minutes, the film never truly finds its footing. The pacing is all over the place, as is the storytelling, with characters having to constantly explain their motivations as well as the story in first person narration instead of showing it and acting it out. It doesn't work and neither does anything else in the movie. From the wooden acting to the surprisingly lackluster special effects for a wannabe blockbuster film, this is a disappointment on every level and proves M.Night Shyamalan has lost whatever talent he had on display in his successful and enjoyable films from early in his career. The only thing this had going for it was that I wasn't bored, but that's just because of the ridiculousness of it all.

Winter's Bone


Quite a performance from Jennifer Lawrence. This is not a happy movie and it has some unsettling and scary moments. Honestly some of it will have you on the edge of your seat because there's not much known about the plot or characters. It feels like an old school thriller before action and special effects were all that people put effort into. This one is very much dialogue and character driven, with excellent performances from the cast. It's going under the radar because it's an independent film, but if you get the chance watch it. You won't be disappointed.

The Girl Who Played With Fire (Foreign)


Only one movie left in the series and so far these have been the best thing about the 2010 movie year in my opinion. Noomi Rapace continues her role as Lisbeth Salander and does an excellent job. She better be getting an Oscar nomination next year. Michael Nyqvist is quite good too. This one isn't quite a jaw dropping as Dragon Tattoo was, but since the story revolves around the main characters this time rather than a rich family and their missing person case it is definitely more interesting and gripping in terms of story. We get to see more of Lisbeth's past and that's the most entertaining and interesting aspect for me. Bring on the final chapter!

Mary and Max


A unique and strangely funny film with some of the weirdest & quirkiest characters I've seen in animation, but it adds plenty of charm to a heartbreaking story. This one flew under the radar for quite awhile and deserves an audience bigger than it will likely get. The voices are well matched to the characters and almost unrecognizable despite big names. The animation is definitely one of the reasons why this probably didn't get a major release in my opinion since animation largely appeals to younger audiences and this is most a more mature style and themed animated movie. It deserves an audience though, and I'm trying to do my part.

Solitary Man


A fantastic, honest, and emotional film with a great performance from Michael Douglas. He plays these sleazy womanizing characters in his sleep, but he imbues this character with heartbreaking honesty and even though his characters ending is left in question by the end, you feel for the guy even though he honestly isn't trying hard enough to get his life back on track. It helps that the writing is witty and biting. It has a great supporting cast including Jenna Fischer as his daughter who is constantly nagging at him to better himself, Susan Sarandon as his ex-wife whom he loved but cheated on, Jesse Eisenburg as a college student he meets at the college he attended whom he tries to mentor and fails, Mary-Louise Parker as his girlfriend with huge connections thanks to her dad, and Imogen Poots as his girlfriend's daughter whom he sleeps with while on her college visitation and starts a chain of events that ruin him. This is not a happy film, but one that will stick with me longer than many others because of its honesty.

How to Train Your Dragon


Dreamworks Animation's best movie? Quite possibly. It is a wonderfully simple and well told story with endearing characters who grow and learn from their experiences in the film. You feel for the characters and their plea, and that's something Dreamworks has failed to do on numerous accounts until now. It isn't as emotionally stirring as a Pixar movie, but what it lacks in that category it more than makes up for with fantastic action set pieces and dragon flying sequences that show off some of the best animation I've seen. Toothless is such a great character too. I absolutely loved him to death. I know kids will too. The film teaches important lessons about being yourself and not giving in to peer pressure just because everyone else does it. I'm quite surprised I liked this movie as much as I did. The previews did nothing for me and I expected it to be another mediocre Dreamworks movie, but I'm perfectly fine with being wrong. Dare I say it, this is up there with Toy Story 3 as one of the best movies this year (animated or not).

The Karate Kid


A completely relaxed and heartwarming film that is surprisingly enjoyable despite being utterly predictable the whole way through. Jaden is incredibly likable in this movie, unlike some of his past performances (The Day The Earth Stood Still comes to mind). Jackie Chan is as well, showing he can play a dramatic part as well as all the kung fu craziness he's done in the past. I haven't seen the original in a very long time so I can't really compare them, but I liked this movie quite a bit. It's sweet and endearing.

The Square


A dark and gloomy thriller with little hope for its characters and yet still gripping from start to finish thanks to strong performances and a tense screenplay. This is far from a happy movie, and the characters take beating after beating until succumbing to fate. Those who don't like movies where nothing good comes of what they do will not take to it, but for those that like their thriller with affairs, betrayal, and blood will eat this up. A very fine Australian import worth some attention.

Predators


Very much a B macho movie with little character development and plenty of guns a blazing, but it wasn't as fun and entertaining as I thought it would be. The story is predictable and the movie plays out like typical horror movies (guess which order each character dies in). It certainly has some stylish action sequences and isn't completely worthless, but I expected better and Predator deserves better. It's still not the sequel people have been hoping for, but it isn't a complete failure either.