Posts Tagged movies
A Prairie Home Companion (The Movie)
Posted by clifgriffin in Entertainment on July 6th, 2007
Last week I DVR’d A Prairie Home Companion. I’ve long been a fan of the weekly radio show and I was looking forward to seeing it portrayed in the cinema.
And it was good. Not great, but good.
The plot is simple: A Prairie Home Companion has been bought out by developer (played by Tommy Lee Jones) with no interest in keeping the show. The scene unfolds on the last performance.
The rest of the details aren’t really neccessary to the review. Suffice it to say, the story is about as long and unweildy and without point as an average Garrison Keiler narrative, but a delight.
My only complaints with the movie are stylistic and also some content that seemed missing. For instance, there is no tale from Lake Wobegon. This is very surprising given that this is the staple of the radio show. There is also no advertisement for ketchup, which never cease to be my favorite.
Another interesting note is the almost non-existent role Sue Scott plays. Given her importance on the radio show, I would have expected her to have equal importance in the movie.
I was also very surprised by Lindsay Lohan’s presence in the movie. However, I must admit, she does a very good job. Her part is more low key, but played very genuinely. Kevin Kline steals the show as Guy Noir.
Lastly, the camera left some to be desired. During the actual performance the audience is rarely shown. The camera is so often fixed on the stage itself that you feel clausterphobic. Seeing an audience reaction to a performance help everyone enjoy it more. It’s the difference in watching a comedy by yourself instead of with a group. You’re going to laugh less and miss more.
Anyway, it’s a good movie. It has all of the heart of the radio program. You really get a feel for the fluid, improvisational way Garrison Keiler approaches radio.
Why Vacancy Was Better Than You Supposed
Posted by clifgriffin in Entertainment on June 26th, 2007
I went to see Vacancy at the dollar theater tonight with Melanie and Brad. I had relatively low expectations. The trailer seemed formulaic at best.
But there were a couple of reasons to see this movie:
- Luke Wilson. He’s a good enough actor who just can’t buy a good role.
- It only costs $1.
Vacany is a decent thriller. It relies on formulas that mostly work, but strays far enough from cliches to stay interesting. The acting is decent, and the premise is more original. As this is not a full review, I’ll summarize.
- The antagonists are not a “happy couple” with a beautiful child or honeymooners. They’re a couple whose relationship is on the rocks. Why? Their kid died in an accident. This gave their characters more depth even standard lack of character development in horror films.
- The plot is reasonble, while twisted. It’s unlikely. Maybe impossible. But not ridiculous.
- The build up was well paced. No over the top “fooled ya!” “mood setting” distractions.
- The lead protagonist is well cast. He isn’t creepy for the sake of being creepy. He’s just…creepy.
- The struggle between the antagonists and protagonists is well timed and consistently intense. It doesn’t build to nothing, it isn’t overly graphic to the point of ruining the suspsense. It isn’t a roller coaster ride of emotions.
- There aren’t gaping plot holes or decisions so terrible on the part of the heroes that you start cheering for the enemy.
- Doesn’t over use “someone’s watching you” camera angles.
- It adds some interesting updates to the Bates Motel, psycho setting.
- There is some redemption in the relationships on screen.
- The finale does not rely on feats of super human strength or girl power. (Though there is some.)
- The title, lighting, and over all directing style is very much in the style of Alfred Hitchcock.
Anyway, I recommend seeing it. There are so many bad horror films out there, I think anytime one comes along that does some things right, it should be recognized.
7/10 stars.
Rocky I – VI. A brief review.
Posted by clifgriffin in Entertainment on January 21st, 2007
Within the last month and a half I’ve seen all six Rocky movies. Within the last week I’ve seen the first five. So, while they are fresh in my mind, I’m going to do a quick review of each of them and assign a rating on the 10 star system. This system assumes there is no such thing as a perfect 10.
Rocky (1976)
Sometimes slow with some creepy 70′s style love scenes. Rocky’s rambling insecurity while courting Adrian just feels authentic. Excellent fight vs Apollo Creed…easily his most interesting rival in the whole series. 7.5/10 stars.
Rocky II (1979)
Apollo Creed is back and he wants a rematch. Rocky beats him by one second. 7/10 stars.
Rocky III (1982)
I hate to praise this movie more than neccessary, but I can’t help but love the plot line of Apollo and Rocky training together to beat the brawler Mr. T aka Clubber Lang (“”No, I don’t hate Rocky. I pity the fool!”"). Rocky dominates in rematch…a nice change. Also introduces Survivor song “”Eye of the Tiger”". Early 80′s fruity work out attire and jumping around in the ocean is also entertaining. 7.5/10 stars.
Rocky IV (1985)
Most 80′s Rocky. Most implausible Rocky. Most freaky techno Rocky. Most “”Apollo Creed dies in the beginning.”" Rocky. Yet again the series raises the stakes by pitting Rocky against an even stronger, even more threatening opponent…now with all new communist threat. Fuzzy future technology assists the Soviets in molding a super warrior. They just didn’t take into account Rocky’s heart. Absurdity reaches all new levels when a crowd full of Russian speaking Soviets starts cheering “”Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!”". It then surpasses all previous levels when the communist leaders themselves stand up and clap. It’s just silly, yet, you can’t help but like the movie inspite of the silliness. 6/10 stars.
Rocky V (1990)
Less interesting but logical story line. Rocky lives vicariously through Tommy Gunn. Street fight is awesome and entirely underated. 6/10 stars.
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Captures the heart of the series. Really makes you like Rocky as a person. Expresses verbally the theme of the series. “”It ain’t about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”" Satisfying ending to the movie and series.
The Rocky movies, even at the their cheesiest, keep you on the edge of your seat. They’re the ultimate boxing movies and the ultimate under dog movies.
Finding the Moral
Posted by clifgriffin in Entertainment on January 4th, 2007
The more movies I watch, the more convinced I am that every movie has a moral. Every movie has a life lesson or a point that you are supposed to get.
For instance, over Thanksgiving break, a few of us went to see Dejavu. Or something like that. The moral of that movie was clear and was most poignantly stated by Drew (aka D-rock). “”The moral of that movie was ‘You do not eff [sic] with Denzel.’”" Truer words hath no man spoke.
He’ll mess you up.
Tonight I watched Mission Impossible III for the second (II) time. The moral? You cannot kill Tom Cruise. I mean, you cannot. The world has not seen a gun, heat seeking missile, and/or explosive brain implant that can stop that man. You try, you’re going to die. It’s that simple.
Now I will leave you in peace to ponder what I’ve just said. I hope you’ve found it edifying.
Peace, love, and…more love.
Clifton
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