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Reviews
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
I only stopped laughing to cheer
We caught a midnight show of this, and it was the most original and enjoyable movie I've seen in a very long time. For those not familiar with the general plot: Scott falls for a cute girl named Ramona, and later learns that he can only date her if he defeats her "seven evil exes" in battle.
The movie effortlessly and playfully moves between reality, video-game surrealism, dream surrealism, and media-based effects (e.g., mimicking a sitcom or a "Pop-Up Video" effect). One moment the characters are walking, the next they're passing through a metaphorical door into their conversation, and as they return there's a clearly-labeled video- game leveled challenge. This is ballsy -- if done poorly, it would've come across as gimmicky and stupid, but Wright pulls it off brilliantly, transitioning seamlessly between styles as if he were merely recording alternating lines of dialogue.
The movie is absolutely hilarious, with plenty of internal self- reference, tons of classic tropes and clichés (with "lampshades hung" on them to make it clear that the homage is out of love), and some of the best deadpan deliveries I've seen (though, oddly enough, not from Cera). Wright's expert sense of comic timing shines through here -- I never thought I'd hear an entire audience laughing so hard at a guy pausing to tie his shoe.
The comedy only pauses for the fights, which are SO insanely over-the- top that you can't even attempt to take them seriously. Seriously, even for a video game, these are pretty crazy! Just sit back and accept that keyboard riffs can become dragons, that veganism gives you super powers, and that you can hit a guy hard enough to turn him into shiny coins. (Ooh, neat! Power-up!)
This movie definitely isn't for everyone, but if the above sounds like a good time to you, you will LOVE it. I already want to see it about a half-dozen more times.
Burn Notice (2007)
For my money, the best show on TV right now
Burn Notice manages to blend spy thrillers and cinematic action with down-to-earth realism. Michael Westen isn't James Bond or Jason Bourne -- as he says in the very first episode, "Guns make you stupid. Better to fight your wars with duct tape. Duct tape makes you smart," just before he gets past an armored door using a stud finder and a roll of duct tape. Like a cool MacGuyver without the bad hair, Michael wins by out-thinking and out-planning his foes, not just by beating them up and shooting them (though there's plenty of that, too). And his running internal narration fills the audience in on WHY he's doing what he's doing. Yes, you too can turn a cell phone into an audio bug, and here's how!
The cast fits together like a glove and with amazing chemistry. His ex- girlfriend (and former IRA terrorist) Fionna adds impulsiveness and anger to the group, while his ex-military friend Sam (played by the amazing Bruce Campbell) alternates between the voice of reason and a hook for some skirt-chasing humor. The interplay and developing relationship between Michael and his mom (who swings between helping the crew -- sometimes even saving the day -- and being a serious thorn in Michael's side) is realistic and fun to watch. The relationships between all of the characters (but especially the one between Michael and his mom) grow and develop as the series goes on, which is one of the best reasons for watching it.
On each episode, someone comes to the team for help with a problem no one else can take care of (A-Team style). While the group is dealing with that, the overall "season plot" gets advanced a bit. The story arc for each season is always advanced -- sometimes a little, sometimes a lot -- so you never feel like a show was just a throwaway they tossed together.
If you're not into Burn Notice, check it out, Thursdays at 9 on USA. If you are a fan, then what are you waiting for? Get this DVD set! The show is amazing!
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
Plot holes and an unlikeable protagonist
**Marked "spoilers" just to be safe, but this comment does not discuss anything specific.**
I wasn't expecting much from this film, and was honestly surprised to still come away disappointed. We're supposed to like and root for Paul Blart, but he comes across as someone who doesn't have any interest in being a better person, not the "lovable loser" that I'm sure the scriptwriters envisioned. His courtship rituals are nothing less than stalking; it's very hard to believe that any woman would be okay with having the security guy you just met circle you ominously on his Segway as you work.
Paul steps up significantly when the bad guys take over the mall, swinging his character too far in the opposite direction. Suddenly, he's able to take them on hand-to-hand, disable them with one well-placed grab or strike, and so on. The plot holes in the second half are ridiculous -- the bad guys have plenty of opportunities to take him out, and they simply choose to let him walk away. In other words, he succeeds due to the movie saying he should win, not due to any positive traits or actions taken by the character himself. The script beats the bad guys, not Paul.
Is it funny? Well, it has its moments. I definitely found a few good, hearty laughs in the film, but also many long periods of silent watching.
If you've literally seen every new comedy in your local Blockbuster, I suppose it's worth a rent, though frankly, I'd rewatch an older, funnier one instead.
Blind Passion (2004)
Not really worth watching...
Horrible acting, though laugh-worthy at times -- there's a gunshot scene that had us absolutely rolling on the floor with laughter. There's a plot involving gambling and money and murder, but it's pretty ignorable.
The music is almost overpoweringly awful (and loud); it's hard to hear the actors over it at times, and it really detracts from the sex scenes.
The sex ranges from lackluster soft core that doesn't really go anywhere to girl-on-girl scenes that are interrupted almost as soon as they start, to shower scenes in which things are so foggy, you can't see a darn thing. The girls aren't too unattractive, but little is done with them and it's all incredibly fake.
Guest House Paradiso (1999)
Has its moments, but doesn't live up to the TV series at all.
I have always been a fan of Bottom, grabbing as many videos as I could find of the series here in the states. The chemistry between Rik and Ade is always genius, and the combination of smart writing and utterly stupid humor seems to work without fail. I thus sat down to watch this movie with great eagerness... and was utterly disappointed by the end.
The first 3/4 of the movie can best be described as uninspired and poorly directed (sorry, Ade!), but with some utterly brilliant moments. Unfortunately, these laugh-out-loud moments make you realize how less-than-brilliant the rest of the movie is. The slapstick starts off funny but eventually becomes a bit boring, with only the perverted sex jokes to keep things humorous.
The end of the movie (the 'green' scenes, for those of you who've seen it) was... perhaps the worst ending I've seen in the past decade. Honestly. It was one joke repeated about thirty times, followed by an abrupt ending that made no sense (which didn't bother me) and wasn't funny (which did).
To sum up, I was sorely disappointed by this movie. I shall cling to the few brilliant moments in it, to retain the fondest memories that I can... but I have to warn you, if you're about to overpay for your NTSC conversion tape from the local importer, don't. There are far better things to spend your money on.