As of today, I've only been to the theater 9 times so far this year to see a movie. That's a pretty low number, and I'm disappointed that there haven't been more films out that I actually wanted to see in theaters. The ones I HAVE seen, just to recap: Cloverfield (spectacular), Rambo (awesome), In Bruges (fantastic), Strange Wilderness (below average), Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show (documentary - decent), Be Kind Rewind (meh), Charlie Bartlett (solid), The Bank Job (average), and The Counterfeiters (a foreign Catch Me If You Can, but not a comedy).
Fear not, though - this summer is shaping up to be one of the most enjoyable summers for movies in recent memory. Here's a list of what I'm looking forward to the most, and you can bet the farm that there'll be reviews of at least 80% of these on this site right after I see them.
Harold & Kumar 2: Escape from Guantanamo Bay - The first one was pretty funny, and the four years since its release has given it enough time to become a cult classic. I hear there's more NPH in this one, so that's gotta be a good sign.
Smart People - This one is out in theaters now, and I'm planning on seeing it soon. Dennis Quaid, Thomas Haden Church, and Ellen Page star in this small family drama. I'll let you know how it is.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - The latest in a string of Judd Apatow comedies looks pretty funny. Hopefully it's better than Superbad.
Pathology - This one doesn't look like anything special, but I'm convinced it'll be this year's Awake. [Meaning, I wasn't expecting anything going in but I was pleasantly surprised after I saw it.] The guys behind Crank wrote it, so I have a little faith in it.
Iron Man - Being thrown in the same summer as Batman and Indiana Jones will be tough, but from early rumblings about this movie, it should be able to hang in there just fine. I think it'll catch a lot of people off guard with how good it's going to be - Robert Downey, Jr. is perfectly cast.
Speed Racer - I've seen maybe one episode of the original show, but I'm psyched for this one. The Wachowskis have invented a new camera system that removes depth from the screen as if everything is a 2-D cartoon, and the graphics look pretty awesome so far. Emile Hirsch was really solid in Into the Wild, so I'm looking forward to seeing him as an action star in this family movie.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - I'm not even going to say anything. You know how excited I am.
The Happening - M. Night Shyamalan's latest looks intriguing to say the least. Mark Wahlberg and Zoey Deschanel star, and since Night is one of my favorite directors, I'll literally see anything he puts onto a screen.
The Incredible Hulk - Ed Norton's Hulk should be a lot more engaging than Eric Bana's attempt a few years ago. Rumors of control freak Norton taking over the scriptwriting and editing processes, however, are the cause for a bit of alarm. We'll see how this turns out.
Get Smart - I love "The Office" (aka Steve Carell), Anne Hathaway is smokin' hot, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is really fun to watch. Count me in.
The Dark Knight - Once again: I don't even need to say anything.
Assassination of a High School President - I've mentioned this one before, but it's another noir set in a high school. Reece Thompson and Mischa Barton star alongside Bruce Willis.
Pineapple Express - Another Apatow-comedy, this time with Seth Rogen and James Franco (what is HE doing in this?). Sounds like Hot Fuzz mixed with Harold & Kumar, so it could be good.
The International - Clive Owen. That's all you need to know.
Tropic Thunder - Ben Stiller's newest sounds like it could be my favorite comedy of the summer. With that cast and a competent script, it'd take a moron to screw this one up.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - Laugh all you will, but there's something about Brenden Fraser as Rick O'Connell that I just can't turn down. Jet Li stars as the mummy in this one, so maybe there'll be some cool fight sequences.
Get fired up, readers. This summer should be one to remember. Until next time...
Monday, April 14, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Comedic Actors Who Turned To Drama
Will Ferrell
Comedies: Anchorman, Old School, Blades of Glory
Drama: Stranger Than Fiction
I wanted to see this in theaters, but never made time for it. I watched it yesterday and ended up liking it a lot. Will Ferrell was surprisingly good as a dramatic actor; so much so that I hope he goes for another role like this sometime soon. We've all seen how stupid/funny he can be in [Insert Sports-Themed Decade Movie Here], but it takes some real skill to pull off legitimate acting that doesn't involve him taking his shirt off and guzzling beer. He was quiet, normal, and reserved: a huge change for him. His performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, so hopefully that will lead him to consider other projects besides Semi-Pro 2: Half Pro.
Robin Williams
Comedies: Good Morning Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, License to Wed
Drama: What Dreams May Come
I remember thinking this was a really good movie when I was 13. It was one of the first dramas that I remember actually enjoying in a theater. I'll have to go back and watch it again since I'm operating on almost 10-year-old memories here, but I'm pretty sure Robin Williams was really awesome in it. He dies and is taken through an Odyssey-like adventure through heaven/the underworld/limbo to find his wife, who committed suicide after his death. [Note - The special effects were outstanding at the time.] The cool thing is that Williams has really stepped up his game in the last decade, taking on a slew of dramatic roles in films like Insomnia, Good Will Hunting, and One Hour Photo. I didn't care for him in Bicentennial Man, but that's probably just because that movie was terrible. Aside from that, I've liked him in just about every drama I've seen him in. His performance in Dead Poet's Society was especially moving for me.
Jim Carrey
Comedies: The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Drama: The Number 23
I don't care what people say, I kind of liked this movie. Sure it was predictable, and sure it was a little ridiculous (the numbers are out to get me!), but I thought Carrey was really good in it. His acting hearkened back to his Truman Show days, which was a far better film but one in which Carrey was equally as effective. We all know he can be rubber-faced and outlandish, and his catch-phrases are universally known, but these two movies prove that he can hack it as a dramatic actor. Lately he's been trying out some more of those types of roles in movies like The Majestic and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, so I'm glad that people have recognized and embraced his ability to operate outside of the box we all so easily throw him in.
Bill Murray
Comedies: Ghostbusters, Stripes, Groundhog's Day
Drama: Lost in Translation
This one is a no-brainer. After dropping off the face of the comedic earth for a while, Bill Murray resurfaced with a quiet poise that adds a whole different level to this capable actors' repertoire. He had a similar resurgence in Rushmore, a comedy that played off his subtlety instead of laugh-out-loud humor, but his seriousness and full acting talents are on display opposite Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation. I haven't seen Broken Flowers, but I understand he delivers the same type of nuanced performance in that movie as well. I'm glad that Murray has expanded his arsenal with age. I'm sure we can only expect more brilliant things to come from this talented actor.
Jack Black
Comedies: School of Rock, High Fidelity, Orange County
Drama: King Kong
One of my favorite films of 2005, King Kong would not have been the same without Jack Black in his first serious dramatic role. Instead of watching him dance around with his arms flailing wildly, we were treated to an almost-somber display of restraint and ambition. Many people couldn't suspend their disbelief enough to accept Black in this kind of role, but I bought it: hook, line, and sinker. I totally believed it, and I think he did a great job. I'm honestly surprised he wasn't nominated for any awards: yes, I thought he was THAT good. I really hope that we get to see more of this from Jack Black in between his ridiculous comedies he's sure to keep pumping out.
Honorable Mentions (aka - Films I Haven't Seen): Steve Zahn in Rescue Dawn, Tom Hanks in Philadelphia, Adam Sandler in Punch Drunk Love and Reign Over Me, Will Smith in Ali. Until next time...
Comedies: Anchorman, Old School, Blades of Glory
Drama: Stranger Than Fiction
I wanted to see this in theaters, but never made time for it. I watched it yesterday and ended up liking it a lot. Will Ferrell was surprisingly good as a dramatic actor; so much so that I hope he goes for another role like this sometime soon. We've all seen how stupid/funny he can be in [Insert Sports-Themed Decade Movie Here], but it takes some real skill to pull off legitimate acting that doesn't involve him taking his shirt off and guzzling beer. He was quiet, normal, and reserved: a huge change for him. His performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, so hopefully that will lead him to consider other projects besides Semi-Pro 2: Half Pro.
Robin Williams
Comedies: Good Morning Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, License to Wed
Drama: What Dreams May Come
I remember thinking this was a really good movie when I was 13. It was one of the first dramas that I remember actually enjoying in a theater. I'll have to go back and watch it again since I'm operating on almost 10-year-old memories here, but I'm pretty sure Robin Williams was really awesome in it. He dies and is taken through an Odyssey-like adventure through heaven/the underworld/limbo to find his wife, who committed suicide after his death. [Note - The special effects were outstanding at the time.] The cool thing is that Williams has really stepped up his game in the last decade, taking on a slew of dramatic roles in films like Insomnia, Good Will Hunting, and One Hour Photo. I didn't care for him in Bicentennial Man, but that's probably just because that movie was terrible. Aside from that, I've liked him in just about every drama I've seen him in. His performance in Dead Poet's Society was especially moving for me.
Jim Carrey
Comedies: The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Drama: The Number 23
I don't care what people say, I kind of liked this movie. Sure it was predictable, and sure it was a little ridiculous (the numbers are out to get me!), but I thought Carrey was really good in it. His acting hearkened back to his Truman Show days, which was a far better film but one in which Carrey was equally as effective. We all know he can be rubber-faced and outlandish, and his catch-phrases are universally known, but these two movies prove that he can hack it as a dramatic actor. Lately he's been trying out some more of those types of roles in movies like The Majestic and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, so I'm glad that people have recognized and embraced his ability to operate outside of the box we all so easily throw him in.
Bill Murray
Comedies: Ghostbusters, Stripes, Groundhog's Day
Drama: Lost in Translation
This one is a no-brainer. After dropping off the face of the comedic earth for a while, Bill Murray resurfaced with a quiet poise that adds a whole different level to this capable actors' repertoire. He had a similar resurgence in Rushmore, a comedy that played off his subtlety instead of laugh-out-loud humor, but his seriousness and full acting talents are on display opposite Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation. I haven't seen Broken Flowers, but I understand he delivers the same type of nuanced performance in that movie as well. I'm glad that Murray has expanded his arsenal with age. I'm sure we can only expect more brilliant things to come from this talented actor.
Jack Black
Comedies: School of Rock, High Fidelity, Orange County
Drama: King Kong
One of my favorite films of 2005, King Kong would not have been the same without Jack Black in his first serious dramatic role. Instead of watching him dance around with his arms flailing wildly, we were treated to an almost-somber display of restraint and ambition. Many people couldn't suspend their disbelief enough to accept Black in this kind of role, but I bought it: hook, line, and sinker. I totally believed it, and I think he did a great job. I'm honestly surprised he wasn't nominated for any awards: yes, I thought he was THAT good. I really hope that we get to see more of this from Jack Black in between his ridiculous comedies he's sure to keep pumping out.
Honorable Mentions (aka - Films I Haven't Seen): Steve Zahn in Rescue Dawn, Tom Hanks in Philadelphia, Adam Sandler in Punch Drunk Love and Reign Over Me, Will Smith in Ali. Until next time...
Monday, March 31, 2008
Spotlight: Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton has been one of those writers that I always kind of forget about. But that dude has pumped out a lot of books in his day, and I've seen most of the film adaptations that have followed. Let's take a closer look at just how good Crichton's track record actually is. [Note: I will only cover the films that I've actually seen. There are a few that I haven't seen yet, so this isn't an exhaustive analysis of his entire works.]
Westworld (1973)
Written and Directed
Starring: Yul Brynner
When compared to modern-day science fiction, Westworld almost falls into the ridiculous category of Sci-Fi Channel Original movies. The concept, while interesting enough, fails to translate into anything suspenseful and falls flat with the robotic acting of Brynner (granted, he was supposed to be playing a robot). This was Crichton's directorial debut, and understandably, it suffered because of it. Stick to writing, genius. No need to get greedy.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Written By
Starring: You Should Know By Now
Jump ahead 20 years, and Crichton is back in full swing. This time, the adaptation of one of his best books makes history as one of the best movies of the 90's. Everyone and their mother saw this movie, and it became an instant classic partly to Spielberg's directing and the technological advances but mostly to Crichton's writing. He actually wrote the screenplay for this one as well as the novel it was based on.
Rising Sun (1993)
Co-Written By
Starring: Sean Connery, Wesley Snipes
I never read this book, but the movie was a little lackluster. The pairing of Connery and Snipes didn't mesh as well as the buddy cop movies of the 80's (Lethal Weapon, Beverly Hills Cop, 48 Hours, etc), and there wasn't a lot of real action or drama to compel us through the story. It was kind of...stale. Nothing too memorable about it. Crichton and director Philip Kaufman wrote the screenplay together, and from the looks of it, Kaufman should have just let MC do the writing alone.
Disclosure (1994)
Novel
Starring: Michael Douglas, Demi Moore
This wasn't TERRIBLE, but it certainly wasn't the best Michael Douglas movie I've ever seen. Sadly, I'd say this didn't even crack the "Top 10 Best Michael Douglas Movies I've Ever Seen." Could this be because Crichton himself didn't write the screenplay for the film, and (according to Boze and Kara, who read the book) they removed multiple characters and storylines completely? Probably. Better luck next time.
Congo (1995)
Novel
Starring: Laura Linney, Ernie Hudson
Even with sign-language-speaking monkeys, killer silverback gorillas, and Laura Linney as the starring character, Congo was pretty good. The special effects don't quite hold up watching it now (the laser blasters were unbelievably cheesy), but that doesn't mean it wasn't decent for the time period. Once again - not near as good as the book because Crichton didn't write the screenplay. Are you sensing a pattern here? Scenes like this probably weren't in the book:
Twister (1996)
Written By
Starring: Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt
I didn't have any idea he wrote this until I started writing this article. Not based on a novel, this movie took 1996 by storm (hahah...I'm so funny). Crichton took a break from writing books to hit the big screen once again - he was probably pissed watching the last few adaptations of his work in theaters. It can't be fun to watch a film based on your book butchered on screen like that. I'd say Twister worked out pretty well for him. If only that success continued...
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
Novel
Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Vince Vaughn
This was my favorite of Crichton's books at the time. But since they didn't get him to write the screenplay, (hadn't they noticed what happens by now?) the movie, like Disclosure, completely removed key characters and plot points and added an inter-racial child into the mix. As Branz is fond of saying, "Kids in movies suck." The Lost World was no exception. And Goldblum wasn't nearly as OCD-Awesome as he was in the original film. Read the book if you're a fan of the first film. It's really good. The whole "T-Rex coming back to the city" thing was kind of ridiculous, too. But I didn't mind this movie.
Sphere (1998)
Novel
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Samuel L. Jackson
Crichton wakes up every morning and gives himself a swift kick to his own balls for allowing filmmakers the rights to this one. Good sci-fi always plays with themes of isolation, containment, exploration, freedom, and (sometimes) religious beliefs. Sphere wallows through some of those themes, but never fully gets involved with any of them. Event Horizon was better than this, and that's sayin' somethin'. I can only assume the novel was much better. And Barry Levinson has no business directing a science fiction film. He directed Disclosure, so I guess he felt he had the ability to smear some more of MC's work across the screen. I wish he hadn't.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
Novel: Eaters of the Dead
Starring: Antonio Banderas
Straight up, one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Billed as action with none to be found, horrendous dialogue, NO character recognition (let alone character development!). I guess the lighting was ok, if I remember correctly. The 13th Warrior was so bad it gets the dreaded "half star" Facebook-rating from me, which is reserved for the likes of The Brothers Grimm, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, National Lampoon's Gold Diggers, and...
Timeline (2003)
Novel
Starring: Paul Walker
Well, that's all you really need to know, isn't it? Paul Walker as the lead role in a Crichton-based film? The book is still my favorite Michael Crichton book and I highly recommend it for anyone who isn't scared of reading something semi-long. If you like medieval times and technology, you'll love it. The movie absolutely ruined the entire thing. I was so pumped when I heard they were making it, but it was one of the biggest on-screen let-downs I've ever experienced (going hand in hand with The Transporter not delivering on that platter-deflecting-missile-maneuver promised in the trailer). Take a wild guess who wasn't involved with the production of the film? What's that? Michael Crichton? How'd you know?
After many failures, MC has decided to go back and do a remake of Westworld. Hopefully he can improve on his original. At least this means that he won't be putting his works in someone else's hands. But there's always the possibility of Jurassic Park IV, which is festering in pre-production. Will he return to his former glory and write a good sequel to one of the best movies of the 90's? Only time will tell. Until next time...
Westworld (1973)
Written and Directed
Starring: Yul Brynner
When compared to modern-day science fiction, Westworld almost falls into the ridiculous category of Sci-Fi Channel Original movies. The concept, while interesting enough, fails to translate into anything suspenseful and falls flat with the robotic acting of Brynner (granted, he was supposed to be playing a robot). This was Crichton's directorial debut, and understandably, it suffered because of it. Stick to writing, genius. No need to get greedy.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Written By
Starring: You Should Know By Now
Jump ahead 20 years, and Crichton is back in full swing. This time, the adaptation of one of his best books makes history as one of the best movies of the 90's. Everyone and their mother saw this movie, and it became an instant classic partly to Spielberg's directing and the technological advances but mostly to Crichton's writing. He actually wrote the screenplay for this one as well as the novel it was based on.
Rising Sun (1993)
Co-Written By
Starring: Sean Connery, Wesley Snipes
I never read this book, but the movie was a little lackluster. The pairing of Connery and Snipes didn't mesh as well as the buddy cop movies of the 80's (Lethal Weapon, Beverly Hills Cop, 48 Hours, etc), and there wasn't a lot of real action or drama to compel us through the story. It was kind of...stale. Nothing too memorable about it. Crichton and director Philip Kaufman wrote the screenplay together, and from the looks of it, Kaufman should have just let MC do the writing alone.
Disclosure (1994)
Novel
Starring: Michael Douglas, Demi Moore
This wasn't TERRIBLE, but it certainly wasn't the best Michael Douglas movie I've ever seen. Sadly, I'd say this didn't even crack the "Top 10 Best Michael Douglas Movies I've Ever Seen." Could this be because Crichton himself didn't write the screenplay for the film, and (according to Boze and Kara, who read the book) they removed multiple characters and storylines completely? Probably. Better luck next time.
Congo (1995)
Novel
Starring: Laura Linney, Ernie Hudson
Even with sign-language-speaking monkeys, killer silverback gorillas, and Laura Linney as the starring character, Congo was pretty good. The special effects don't quite hold up watching it now (the laser blasters were unbelievably cheesy), but that doesn't mean it wasn't decent for the time period. Once again - not near as good as the book because Crichton didn't write the screenplay. Are you sensing a pattern here? Scenes like this probably weren't in the book:
Twister (1996)
Written By
Starring: Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt
I didn't have any idea he wrote this until I started writing this article. Not based on a novel, this movie took 1996 by storm (hahah...I'm so funny). Crichton took a break from writing books to hit the big screen once again - he was probably pissed watching the last few adaptations of his work in theaters. It can't be fun to watch a film based on your book butchered on screen like that. I'd say Twister worked out pretty well for him. If only that success continued...
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
Novel
Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Vince Vaughn
This was my favorite of Crichton's books at the time. But since they didn't get him to write the screenplay, (hadn't they noticed what happens by now?) the movie, like Disclosure, completely removed key characters and plot points and added an inter-racial child into the mix. As Branz is fond of saying, "Kids in movies suck." The Lost World was no exception. And Goldblum wasn't nearly as OCD-Awesome as he was in the original film. Read the book if you're a fan of the first film. It's really good. The whole "T-Rex coming back to the city" thing was kind of ridiculous, too. But I didn't mind this movie.
Sphere (1998)
Novel
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Samuel L. Jackson
Crichton wakes up every morning and gives himself a swift kick to his own balls for allowing filmmakers the rights to this one. Good sci-fi always plays with themes of isolation, containment, exploration, freedom, and (sometimes) religious beliefs. Sphere wallows through some of those themes, but never fully gets involved with any of them. Event Horizon was better than this, and that's sayin' somethin'. I can only assume the novel was much better. And Barry Levinson has no business directing a science fiction film. He directed Disclosure, so I guess he felt he had the ability to smear some more of MC's work across the screen. I wish he hadn't.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
Novel: Eaters of the Dead
Starring: Antonio Banderas
Straight up, one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Billed as action with none to be found, horrendous dialogue, NO character recognition (let alone character development!). I guess the lighting was ok, if I remember correctly. The 13th Warrior was so bad it gets the dreaded "half star" Facebook-rating from me, which is reserved for the likes of The Brothers Grimm, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, National Lampoon's Gold Diggers, and...
Timeline (2003)
Novel
Starring: Paul Walker
Well, that's all you really need to know, isn't it? Paul Walker as the lead role in a Crichton-based film? The book is still my favorite Michael Crichton book and I highly recommend it for anyone who isn't scared of reading something semi-long. If you like medieval times and technology, you'll love it. The movie absolutely ruined the entire thing. I was so pumped when I heard they were making it, but it was one of the biggest on-screen let-downs I've ever experienced (going hand in hand with The Transporter not delivering on that platter-deflecting-missile-maneuver promised in the trailer). Take a wild guess who wasn't involved with the production of the film? What's that? Michael Crichton? How'd you know?
After many failures, MC has decided to go back and do a remake of Westworld. Hopefully he can improve on his original. At least this means that he won't be putting his works in someone else's hands. But there's always the possibility of Jurassic Park IV, which is festering in pre-production. Will he return to his former glory and write a good sequel to one of the best movies of the 90's? Only time will tell. Until next time...
Monday, March 3, 2008
Any Way You Want It
Another short film I made for class (for those of you who haven't seen it yet). The story: Jared and I own our own business. But when he mixes my signed Journey CD in with other CD's to be mailed out to customers, I realize it and have to beat him to the post office before it's too late. Until next time...
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