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ElvenNights
Reviews
Takers (2010)
Takers bootches!
Loved it. This movie is a quintessential guy movie. No wasted dialogue or subplots not directly related to the main plot. All comparisons to this work are nowhere close to what lies at the heart of this film. If you want to complain about the Italian Job trick it's pointless because T.I.'s character points it out that he wants to do an "Italian Job," snatch and grab. Needless to say it goes a bit differently. This is a unique take on a classic premise.
This film is all about the point of view it follows. Guy goes to jail, doesn't turn on his friends, guy gets released, friends worry about future police contact and being seen with a marked man, things get sketchy. These are very believable ideas and a fresh spin. Too many times in movies you're left thinking there is no way someone could pull that off and then things become silly. Not here. If you feel the need to compare Takers to another film it's basically a sexed up hipper Heat (a complement because it's another gritty believable crime drama). Right down to the high rollers, armored truck, and black duffel bags used to carry the load. Only instead of Michael Sizemore making a run for it with a trunk load of dough you have bad boy Chris Brown showing off his dexterity as he tries to allude being captured.
If you know anything about film making, every director and writer gets influenced from previous works. The very first movies got influenced from great literary pieces. So, to complain about similarities is ignorant. This isn't a synopsis so I won't waste your time summarizing the movie. Highlights for me where it got stimulating and raw were the fight scene with Hayden Christensen (laying down the law) and the free running getaway chase scene with Chris Brown (sic).
I'm a theatre arts senior so I can appreciate quality film making when I see it. Old school action without the seizure inducing over digitalizations. I used to be a computer arts major. Boring, not to mention tedious no matter how fun it is to watch. Not needed here. All biases aside, this was a great film. It's quick, witty, detailed, fashionable, and above all believable seemingly without trying. For everyone complaining about T.I.'s acting get your head examined. For one, he basically is this character in real life so whatever he does is believable. Do you not know that he did just get out of prison for being set up by the FEDs for purchasing an arsenal. T.I. is one of the best cross profession actors out there (including Will Smith who is also great). This movie took some of the best young talent and gave them a script which brought out their better qualities. The ensemble was brilliant in it's own right. You get Christensen, Elba, Dillon, Hernandez, Walker, T.I., the infamous Brown all co-starring and pulling it off like they've been friends for years. What I liked the most about this film is that it's all substance and no meandering into pointless directions. If anything it could have gone into even more background information about the characters. The fact is, it doesn't have to. This is the world that is created where everyone is on a need to know basis, even the audience. We get all of the meat with very little fat. If you don't like this movie you must have an aversion to action movies and or be really feminine. If you're a guy and don't absolutely dig this flick, I'm pulling your man card.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)
Tailored for 12 year olds...
Upon first seeing the trailer to The Sorcerer's Apprentice I was impressed due to my love of the fantasy genre. That is until I saw the apprentice and heard him speak. The direction of the film suddenly took a drastic turn for the worse. Baruchel is a decent enough actor at being expressive and nerdy, but I don't want to see him in my action adventure movies. Nic Coppola-Cage looked the part, being appropriately Castlevania-ish in long coat and hat but always seemed as if he just downed three shots of Beam and power smoked a stoge (In itself not bad, but given the context not so much). I didn't know Merlin operated a fraternity house and not convincing as a 1000 year old master sorcerer. I typically like Cage's performances. The best element of the movie was the incorporation of CGIs which were in themselves a bit sophomoric. I also enjoyed Tony Kebbell (the infamous Johnny Quid) as the comic relief character Drake Stone. The film wasn't horrible, but was lame and immature. I'll elaborate. What's the deal with movies these days brushing over the most interesting parts of a project and focusing on the juvenile and inconsequential. I would have like to see some battling against the evil sorcerer army as opposed to a lot of awkward settings. The fight scenes which encompass the movie are interesting the first time around but soon become repetitive. Cage and Molina, Molina and Cage, Baruchel and Molina, Molina and Baruchel with Cage. Where's the army and will somebody finish someone off.
The fight scenes that carried the most weight were the ones with the once imprisoned Morganians. The premise of the film is to stop Morgana from using an awakened evil army of dead Morganian sorcerers from taking over the world. I would have liked to see additional Morganians. Disney would have been better served to have the meat of the movie focused on fighting the army than adolescent angst and a rehashing of the same fight scene. Especially since the cast is comprised mainly of adults and not children. We don't even really get to see the army, just a couple of individuals for one scene apiece. If the target audience was ten to twelve year olds, then job well done. Otherwise, a waste of a good premise.
Inception (2010)
Leo does it again.....
I must admit, I have a weakness for fantasy films. That said, I wasn't immediately drawn to Inception upon first viewing the trailer several months back. After repeated advertising and a better look at the special effects I soon became more interested in the concept. First off, the acting was spot on. Not necessarily inspiring, but just the right amount of seriousness and drive to really get the point across. The idea of Inception was admirably executed giving us a nice blend of theory and practical knowledge to bring the notion to reality. Not too formulaic, but descriptive enough and multi-faceted in a way that allowed me to really get into the art of Inception. I never got lost, or presented with something over my head. The movie gives one a bit of everything and allows the imagination to roam free. There's the secret agent element, shoot outs and such, corporate espionage, action buddy sequences, young adult creativity, and even a doomed star cross lover aspect. I was really into this film and was never bored. It keeps a fluid pace with well thought out sub plots which helped me to get more involved with the characters. I wanted to know what was going to happen as opposed to waiting for it to end. ********** Now, here's the spoiler.********** The entire time I was thinking, this whole thing better not just be a dream. The ending would have been better if we were completely confirmed of the outcome. The only reason not to would be if there was going to be a sequel. You get the feeling of what the end result is, but not completely. Pretentious and unfulfilling. Make a decision director. Is he dreaming or did he escape the dream. It's like a great escape movie without the escape. Come on, you can't have it both ways. Other than that, I really enjoyed Inception and found it to be one of the better Summer releases to date.
The Last Airbender (2010)
The Latest Epic Trilogy
People who don't like this movie should just give it a rest. I've heard nothing but horrible things from the newspaper to reviews. I loved it and yes I have seen the show before. The characters look a lot like the cartoon versions and sound even more so. Noah Ringer was basically spot on from how the Avatar is portrayed on television. His acting was excellent as well. Some characters were more ethnic in appearance some less. Not an issue. The names also sound fine the way pronounced in the film. This is live action and not a campy cartoon. Get over it. I'm multicultural so this is coming from a neutral source.
In the cartoon there's a lot of making fun of itself and the movie was a lot more serious. Take Uncle Iroh, in the series, he's a bumbling idiot, the film has him being an honorable warrior not to be trifled with.
For one, the movie is about communal love. I commend this film. It shows people's true nature when someone tries to do something positive and the response is nothing but negativity. Hypocrisy. It's an adaptation of a cartoon, not the holy sacrament. What is wrong with you people. All I hear is that the names were pronounced differently. If that is all that you can think about when there are so many deeper issues such as peace, responsibility, unity, and fighting oppression than I feel sorry for you. This is one of those movies that is inspiring and uplifting.
The CGIs were fantastic. Appa, Aang's flying bison was tremendously well done. Flawless effects. Loved the bending of elements and landscapes. The fighting scenes were also really well done. The stunt coordinator did a good job on the acrobatics and martial arts. Dug the slow motion effects.
The character development was great for me too. Prince Zuko goes from being inept to dishing out major smackdowns, Aang transform from runaway to guardian of nations. Shyamalan also incorporated a ton of material for being less than two hours. Being that most kids are hyper active with ADD, me included, he probably didn't want to make it too drawn out to keep the audiences' attention. I could have gone for another hour personally. The chemistry is also there in this cast. Very similar interactions to the cartoon series. Too many movies have tons of talent but no chemistry, rendering the picture unwatchable. I liked just about everything about this film and can't wait to buy the DVD. I hope that it comes out in 3D like Coraline and not only in 2D like Cameron's Avatar. For those complaining about the casting, look at movies made overseas. There is virtually no diversity. Everyone is basically from that country. This film had tons of diversity and carried a strong friends not foes message. I can't wait until the next two. Finally a new entertaining epic adventure.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
I Definitely Get The Books, Watch At Theatre Not At Home.
The key to the Twilight Saga is two fold. One, the draw of being Meyer's interpretation of these classic supernatural beings. Especially the vampires though the werewolves are amped up as well. No running from sunlight. No ghoulish mutations. Phasing at will. In her idea, a perfect being basically chiseled out of diamond. Unstoppable, undeniable, insatiably immortal.
By the way, you get your own tailored super power. Two, sharing all of that with your perfect soulmate getting down and dirty in the lap of luxury. Now, what is the overwhelming suspense. Where and when will Bella be changed and given the keys to paradise. Doesn't come across as well in the movies, but that's the draw people who ask why is the series so popular. Read the books. The conflict, now vigilantes and the vamp secret service are trying to bust the party up.
Most people who watch vampire/werewolf type movies envision themselves with the monsters' capabilities. The problem is, the drawbacks usually soon outweigh the positives. Now we have all of the magic with little to none of the problems. Proof of this is the fact that when the vampires disappear in New Moon we were all counting the pages until they returned.
Even the werewolves were sexed up for all of us who used to sport plastic fangs as kids well after Halloween and pretend to be wolfmen. The movie doesn't explain the werewolves as well but from the books they all live forever, or until they stop shape shifting, get buff, real tall, and stay young, oh yeah, they keep a constant temperature of above 100 degrees no matter what the weather.
On to the films. I liked all three movies but can now say that Eclipse is my favorite by default. Here's why. Twilight was one of the best movies that I saw in 2008 so I really liked it. Not a lot to it though on the rewatch. The music may have made the movie and had me into it the entire time. Was I the only one who didn't want it to end and was picturing myself at the prom. Okay, now New Moon if you read the books is a bit of a debby downer for about four fifths of it's entirety. I read the series twice but skipped New Moon the second time around. The movie I have to say has probably my favorite soundtrack of all time though. Gotta love it.
Eclipse is a more mature film. Not as Degrassi-ish. More suspense, more thrills. Delves deeper into the world and keeps a good pace. I enjoyed the CGIs and could have done with a bit more. The shattering effects during the fight scenes added a nice touch and was inventive. Pulling back a maimed quartz crystal limb from the mouth of a humongous wolf will entertain me every time.
Here's the main issue. The problems with Eclipse are the depictions of Bella and Edward relationship wise and their personalities. They're not how Stephanie wrote the characters. Thing is, that's the majority of the substance of the books. Probably the screenplay writers fault as well as the actors. In the novels you feel for and love the characters. The movie, not so much. Bella is supposed to be smart, mature for her age, independent (never has a lot of friends, does her own thing type), a bit insecure about being uncoordinated, but at heart a go getter and feisty. For all of the anti femme talk. Here's the deal.
Being a strong female lead doesn't require being a femme nazi with a hand crafted light saber in your drawer. Wink wink. I like strong women and Bella is written as being strong. Everyone has thoughts like her, over-thinking, we just don't act on them all and neither does she. For Twilight Kristen pulled it off brilliantly. I remember the first time seeing her out of character and thinking, wow, she's nothing like Bella. Kristen is sort of impulsive, a touch immature, and kind of a quirky tomboy and her own personality shows instead of how Bella was originally written this time around.
In the books Edward holds all of the cards and is kind of grandfatherly in his protectiveness of Bella. It comes across as being chivalrous if not sometimes over protective. That's how Meyer shows how much he cares about her I suppose. She's classic. Bella striking out on her own, being daring or seductive plays out as her growing up and not being helpless in the book versions. Basically retaining some balance and control of herself. It doesn't come across like that in the movie. In the movie Bella holds all of the cards and comes across as being insensitive and selfish. The screen writers tried to make Bella more like Kristen and Edward more like Rob which was a mistake because both of them have somewhat irritating personalities in real life.
Also, isn't Edward supposed to be the strong mysterious silent type. A throw-back. Pattinson has turned him into a whiny kind of lame stalker. Not too cool for school. It's got to be the way that it was written because he did a great job in Remember Me.
Everybody else's character and skills have developed well. Ashley and Nikki, mouth watering. Other than a couple of mis-castings of the Volturi, and Lefevre being hotter, pretty good job. I do have to ask what the heck the makeup artist were thinking when they applied Facinelli's dye and face paint. He looks a lot younger in real life. Kinda how Carlisle should minus the hair. You're supposed to make people look better, not worse folks. A touch Madhatter-ish. Anyways. That's it. Over all, an entertaining film. When it's all said and done I can watch Eclipse numerous times and like it more and more. The most important factor of a movie.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
New but not inventive. Storywise, mediocre at best.
Some new film releases are a must see in the theatre. 3D movies at the top of that list. Others simply are placed at the head of the line to be viewed for free off of an internet posting. You can find the site for yourselves. Unfortunately, while I previously felt Alice in Wonderland to be one of the former, once again I was stuck watching a lack luster film not fulfilling it's true potential. This is another 3D movie where you take a look with your glasses off and the screen looks pretty much the same. Remember when a 3D movie meant that one would have characters practically reciting lines from your lap. Not anymore.
While Wonderland begins with promise, colorful and interesting characters, a lush backdrop, the hint of a darker Tim Burton fueled adventure, it soon gets lost in a substandard dull plot. It seems to be the norm these days to begin with a good idea and then meander the other three quarters of a film into an unimaginative subplot. The CGI was outstanding. The bandersnatch looked amazing and I loved the army of lance wielding red cards. I also enjoyed the majority of the acting. Mia was a refreshing change of pace as Alice and Bonham Carter put a nice bit of vulnerability and humor into her portrayal as the Red Witch. Ann Hathaway however, while attractive, was horrible with her clichéd good witch rendition as the White Witch. Totally kills the believability and energy of the characters.
I understand that this is based on a children's story so I won't nit pick too much. Visually stunning (however not much difference seen in 3D as opposed to not), but story wise only mediocre. Seven out of ten. Not a must see in the theatre. If buying more than two tickets don't waste your money. Watch it online or wait for the DVD which will probably be out before the summer fully hits.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
More suitable title would be The Awkward Adventures of Ron Weasley and the Snogfest from hell..
The scene in the theater following my viewing of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was like most of the other film's conclusions. People were clapping. However, I soon became aware that this was not a complementary applause but a condescending spattering of relief that the film was finally over. This became most apparent when someone said out loud, "Yes, it's finally over!" The sentiment was solidified when the exiting throng muttered their own forms of agreement to this statement. This was coming from a crowd whom one would believe to be the most avid Potter fans. A reasonably intellectual, slightly alternative group of adolescents and young adults who most likely read the entire series. Sadly to admit, my take was not far off from the pack. Please stop trying to reinvent the wheel.
Too much was left out. The most important elements of the Half Blood prince and the most enjoyable for me in reading the books were the pensieve interactions with Harry and Dumbledore. The ability to get a glimpse of the Gaunts and the young Tom Riddle carrying out various subplots of dastardly deeds was most interesting. Not only are they vital to the story but would have been visually stimulating. Harry Potter books are all about the details, the back stories, the relationships, and most of all the magic. I was very much looking forward to the scenes with Voldemort's mother (now there's a more believable love story), Marvolo, and even Ogden out of the pensieve. Also missing was the ever so important memory of Voldemort getting his first glances of Hufflepuff's cup and Slytherin's locket from the old witch when he was buying objects for Borgin and Burkes. Preposterous! Not even present was the grown Riddle requesting the Defense Against the Dark Arts job from Dumbledore, being denied and subsequently cursing the position explaining why no one lasts more than a year. Lets sort some of this stuff out people. These instances are how Harry finds out what the horcruxes are and Voldemorts inner thoughts. Imagine if you will how cool and slightly creepy it would have been to see the transformation of Riddle through the years. Instead we're left with a reject from the Rushmore set as the teenage Voldy. Hardly intimidating. Where's Scrimgeour (rumored to be a vampire) and the sacked Fudge? These items are not mentioned, barely touched on, or inaccurately represented. Try explaining that. So, what, is there only three horcruxes now? No Diadem of Ravenclaw, no cup? What's next. If even two of the aforementioned memories were implemented the movie would be immensely more credible. Up until I saw the ending that is. But more of that in a bit. Are we going to have to waste time rehashing in the upcoming movies, distorting the storyline even further? This was the most disjointed and poorly acted Potter of the six. The beauty of the Potter books is the organic feel and smooth flow of the plot. Take the first film. I watched it every day for a month because it's virtually the book come to life. I can't even get through the Half Blood Prince when I attempt to rewatch it. Tell you something? The films are supposed to be dark and ethereal, not clumsy and irritating. The Lavender Brown character was so poorly overacted and unbelievable. Momentum killer.
The ending, atrocious. The entire plot was reduced to Lestrange kicking a few dishes off of the house tables and running out of the castle. You lost me. Harry doesn't share the Felix Felicious (spelling?) with his closest DA buddies, there isn't even a real battle sequence. No suspense at all. Where's the thrill? A couple of Hexes get thrown and everyone runs for it. Seriously? Dumbledore doesn't have to restrain Harry from attempting to stun a couple of Death Eaters and Draco when he could kill them all before he was even spotted? Just lets Albus get taken out in his weakened condition without a fight? Come on. Another thing, I know that the final scenes of the six and seventh book are slightly the same with battles taking place at Hogwarts. It didn't seem to bother me or the other millions of dedicated readers the countless times we read it or listened to the audio books (which I seriously recommend for a change of pace),but now it's a problem? That's all the more reason to go over the top and really make these sequences epic, not water down and distort them leaving the viewers feeling jilted with a substandard ending. Grow a brain! The end is the most thrilling part. Who dies? Who becomes a hero? New inventive spells! Give it to me! What a rip off. After cutting so much relevant plot and story information from the movie the ending really was the last straw. The wand lighting scenario to erase the dark mark came off looking cheesier than a 90's concert event. There's a reason people don't spark up lighters at music shows anymore. At the very least give us a Ghostbuster stream of light works from the wand tips. As Beavis and Butthead would say, "These effects aren't very special." That's all we want. A relevant storyline and a healthy showering of colorful magic vapors from wands. Is that too much to ask for. I should hope not. It took you long enough to release the finished product and that's all we get. I waited 10 years for this? The promise of something magical was not delivered. Especially when the movie could have easily been saved by adding a few pivotal pieces. Unsatisfactory. Is it just me, or was Daniel aka Harry a lot more likable when he was younger. He seems to be always either hopped up on a speedball or having a bad attitude. The biggest problem with movies these days is a lack of character development and substance.