The Fighter

The Fighter

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo
Directed by David O. Russell (Three Kings)
Rated R for language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality
Appropriate for ages 17+

    On the outside, The Fighter looks like your typical boxing film.  It tells the true story of “Irish” Micky Ward (Wahlberg) sand his against-the-odds journey to winning the light welterweight title in the mid-80s.  But on the inside it is a drama based more on struggle and life in the streets as his once-famous boxing brother (Bale) trains him while his own life is spiraling away due to crack addiction and taking his whole family down with him.

    It is very easy to see a trailer for a film like this and think to yourself that you’ve seen it all before.  While the boxing parts of the film might prove you right, the story most definitely offers something new.  Part of the reason this film succeeds is due to some of the absolute best performances of the year.  Watching Wahlberg’s subdued but talented hero not achieving the greatness he is capable of because of his poisonous family environment, forces the audiences’ empathy to be thrust upon him.  But then watching the family that truly loves him being left out his career for reasons they can’t help but take personally creates a tremendous feeling of heartache.  Ward’s mother (Leo) is superb as the mother/former agent that must give up leading his career even though she desperately wants to be included in her son’s success.  And Bale as the crack-addicted brother/trainer turns in perhaps his best performance yet that could very likely win him the Oscar.  Amy Adams is also wonderful as the girlfriend that convinces him that the only thing getting in the way of winning the belt is the people working with him.  Then there are the seven inseparable sisters that steal the show and round out what is easily the best acting ensemble of the year. 

    While the film was originally supposed to be directed by Black Swan’s Darren Aronofsky, David O. Russell took over in grand style and created a terrifically entertaining movie that far exceeds its genre.  This engrossing sports movie has a lot to offer both discerning movie aficionados and the folks that just want to see a good action drama.  A

New in Home Entertainment December 14, 2010

New in Home Entertainment

December 14, 2010

The Town
Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and drug use
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

Ben Affleck writes, directs and stars in this box-office surprise hit about a group of Boston bank robbers that bite off more than they can chew when they take the wrong hostage during a heist.  The ensemble, including Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner and Blake Lively all turn in strong performances that have already reaped a few acting awards from some critics’ groups.  The movie is very well put together and provides for a tight thriller that really entertains.  Check out the special feature “Ben’s Boston” where Affleck takes you through how the film was made and the inspiration behind it.  A-

Despicable Me
Rated PG for rude humor and mild action
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

The war of the super villains commences in this animated feature about two Bond-ish bad guys that try to outdo each other.  While the movie doesn’t possess nearly the story-telling quality of this year’s other animated features (i.e. How to Train Your Dragon, Toy Story 3 and Tangled), it is still a really fun flick for kids and possesses perhaps the cutest characters of the year in Gru’s adorable henchmen, simply known as “Minions.”  The Blu-ray contains loads of extra features including 3 mini-movies, featurettes and Gru-control, where the Minions take over the film from time to time.  B

Micmacs
Rated R for some sexuality and brief violence
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
French with English Subtitles

Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amelie) is back with one of his most unique visions yet.  When the hero, Bazil, catches a stray bullet in the head that doesn’t kill him, he and a band of friends that live in a junk-yard fantasy home take on two weapons manufacturers by making each of them think that the other is after their destruction.  As funny as it is imaginative, Micmacs brings its audience into its fantastically creative world and through its weirdness evolves a strong message about our own violent culture.  A-

Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole
Rated PG for some sequences of scary action
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

300 Director Zac Snyder orchestrates his first animated pic with this remake of the popular novel by the same name.  I’m very mixed on this one as it is simply spectacular to look at but the story is more than weak.  Also, this is far from a good film for children as it contains some fairly violent and scary material.  There is a feature on the disc entitled Maximum Kid Mode – but I wouldn’t let young children anywhere around it.  C+

Exit Through the Gift Shop
Rated R for some language
Available on DVD

This inside story about the rise in popularity of street art, or graffiti as some still call it, follows a crazy frenchman named Thierry Guetta who loves to film everything in the world of street art and who eventually becomes an famous artist himself, despite his apparent lack of talent.  For the first part of the documentary the story follows Thierry as he attempts to partner with the world’s greatest street artists just to film them in action.  But when his movie falls apart during editing, one of the artists, the infamous Banksy, picks up the slack and creates the final product that ended up in theaters and now on DVD.  It is not only a fascinating tale of politics, vandalism and art, but also provides proof that it doesn’t necessarily take talent to succeed in the art world.  You will find yourself enthralled at first and then flabbergasted by the end results.  It may not be the best documentary of the year, but it certainly is the most entertaining.  B+

Space 1999: The Complete Season One
Available on Blu-ray

Back in the 1970s, TV sci-fi writers thought it was possible that by 1999 man would be living on the moon.  It was also possible that a nuclear explosion on the dark side of the moon could propel it like a giant ship into the depths of outer space.  Martin Landau and Barbara Bain star in this very popular series that while maybe lacks scientific plausibility, certainly crawls with creativity.  The newly remastered Blu-ray set is dated, but not nearly as cheesy as some of the other sci-fi shows of its time such as Star Trek.  B-

Black Swan



Black Swan


Starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Vincent Cassel
Directed by Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler)
Rated R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use
Appropriate for ages 17+

    Nina (Portman) is a ballerina for the New York City ballet company who is given the opportunity to replace their prima ballerina for their season opener – Swan Lake.  While Nina is perfect for the White Swan due to her innocence and grace, she struggles to become the much darker Black Swan.  When she befriends a new dancer (Kunis), she gets in touch with her darker side, allowing her to perform at a higher level that sends her down a sinister path as well.

    There is a lot to like about this troubled artist picture, but it walks a very fine line (almost too fine) between a dramatic thriller and the macabre.  There is the part of the film that allows the audience to root for the ballet dancer struggling with her suffocating mother and lack of confidence and then there is a the part of the film that horrifies like a nightmare.  Many will find this very disconcerting, but others will consider it borderline genius.  I definitely see the genius at work and respect both director Aronofsky and the writers for their brave, almost experimental movie. 

    The actors here are all in rare form and while I like many of Portman’s films, I can’t think of a better performance from her.  Her arc is so dramatic, yet so believable that by the ending you are left out of breath and deeply disturbed.  Kunis and Cassel also turn in stellar supporting performances that both guide you through Nina’s dark journey, but confound you as well as their seemingly alternate agendas collide. 

    And then there is the production that deserves maybe the highest praise of all.  The sets, make-up and choreography, as well as the stunning cinematography all provide a realistic-looking and exciting view of Nina’s world, as if her eyes were ours – all backed up by the beautifully haunting score by Clint Mansell that incorporates just enough of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake to provide a dark and emotional experience for the listener as well as the viewer. 

    This is by no means just a film for ballet lovers and should especially be kept out of view of young girls that think they might be interested in the subject matter.  The lesbian themes of the movie will throw many audiences off due to not only their shocking nature but their overall place in the movie.  While the film shows no nudity, it is highly sexual and at times extremely uncomfortable to watch.  After all, the movie is less about the art and more about the downward spiral of its heroine.  A-

New in Home Entertainment December 7, 2010

New in Home Entertainment

December 7, 2010

Inception
Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

Every minute of this Christopher Nolan film starring Leonardo DiCaprio is confusing, and yet it’s so interesting to watch that it’s hard to take your eyes off of it.  The story, which revolves around a group of corporate espionage agents that try to place an idea inside of someone’s dreams, is as weird as it is ingenious.  The actors buy into it completely, giving the ideas put forward enough credibility to work.  DVD/Blu-ray is the perfect venue for a film like this since you will probably need to see it multiple times to fully understand it – if that is possible.  If you do have the blu-ray, check out Extraction Mode where the filmmakers and actors help guide you through the concepts and how the film was made.  A-

Shrek Forever After
Rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

Shrek returns a final time in what turns out to be a very adult tale about going through a mid-life crisis.  When Shrek tires of the routine life he has been sentenced to, he longs to spend just one day as he did not too long ago.  But when Rumplestiltskin betrays him in a return-to-the-past contract, the one day turns into an alternate reality that Shrek must find a way out of.   The story is fairly decent, but lacking here is the brilliant creativity of the first two films.  It almost feels like the filmmakers lost their touch, but then again, very few of the original filmmakers worked on this new version.  Also available is Shrek: The Whole Story which contains all four films (the first two providing incredibly large shoes to fill) and loads of new special features.  Shrek Forever After C+; Shrek: The Whole Story B+

Cronos: The Criterion Collection
Rated R for horror violence and for language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
English and Spanish with English subtitles

Since discovering Guillermo del Toro years ago I have been trying to get my hands on his first film Cronos, but it has been unavailable until now.  This very strange vampire tale revolves around an older antique shop owner that discovers a device that acts as a fountain of youth, but with extreme consequences.  The movie is fairly frightening, yet just like del Toro’s other works, the monster is not the villain, but rather the human trying to kill the monster.  It’s a fascinating first work from a gifted but twisted mind.  The featurette Welcome to Bleak House is a must-see guided tour of del Toro’s personal museum that would be the envy of any fantasy geek.  A-

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some sensuality
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

I will freely admit that I am not the targeted demographic for these films – but I am still curious enough about the popularity of the series that I like to at least watch them.  While the teenage soap opera vampire story is just as lame as the first two, the production is a vast improvement.  This new pic, directed by David Slade (30 Days of Night), has pretty decent production values and a good score by Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings) but the dialogue is still downright terrible.  Some of the scenes are written like a South Park episode making fun of Twilight.  It doesn’t help that there are only a handful of good actors and the rest of the cast is simply chosen because they are pretty.  But when compared to the pathetic first film and the slightly better second film, this new one definitely stands out as the best so far.  C

Knight and Day
Rated PG-13 for sequences of action violence throughout, and brief strong language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

While the title is quite bad and so is some of the make-up, Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz are a whole lot of fun to watch in this espionage thriller about an unwilling bystander that ends up on the ride of her life when a spy is forced to take her on his journey.  A lot of folks have claimed they are done with Tom Cruise, and this film’s box office is indicative of that, but if you are willing to give him a second chance, I can promise this film won’t let you down.  Not only is it a decent spy thriller, but it is just as funny as it is action-packed.  Watching it in hi def does make you wish the make-up artist could have decided whether to make Diaz 25 or 40.  B+

Love and Other Drugs

Love and Other Drugs

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway and Oliver Platt
Directed by Edward Zwick (Blood Diamond)
Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, pervasive language, and some drug material
Appropriate for ages 18+

    Based on a true story, Love and Other Drugs tells the tale of a Pfizer Pharmaceutical Representative (Gyllenhaal) that falls in love with a young woman he meets in a doctor’s office (Hathaway).  Only after falling for her does he realize that the relationship will be challenging due to her having Parkinson’s Disease and that neither one of them are ready for the road ahead. 

    This movie takes on two completely different personas.  First there is the story of a drug rep.  Having worked as a Pfizer rep for the exact same period that our hero did, I can tell you that they got almost everything wrong.  The training was way different, as was the day-to-day.  The basic theme of the pharmaceutical rep adversely effecting the physician and their prescribing is somewhat true for that time, but taken way over the top.  I realize that there are some artistic choices that needed to take place in order to make a political point, but it felt like there wasn’t an advisor present helping them figure out how to get the details even remotely close. 

    Some of the problem with this lies in the lousy job the props team did.  Jake starts out working in a cheap electronics store in 1996 where they are selling flat screen televisions that didn’t exist for years.  This is just the start to errors that made the entire production look incredibly sloppy.

    But then there comes the second persona – that of the love story.  Here they got it right.  Jake and Anne worked together as husband and wife in Brokeback Mountain and it is more than apparent that they still have the chemistry.  The amount of nudity and sex is a bit alarming, as well as excessive, but overall helps to act as a device to bring the audience in as voyeurs looking deep into the couple’s lives.  You feel their love, their pain, their happiness, as well as their sadness.

    So as a love story, the film works very well; but as a statement about the pharmaceutical industry, its lack of authenticity works against it.  C+

New in Home Entertainment November 30, 2010

New in Home Entertainment
November 30, 2010

Fantasia/Fantasia 2000
Rated G
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

With Blu-ray quickly becoming the standard, one Disney title has been very noticeably missing until now: Fantasia.  When Walt Disney presented the first Fantasia back in 1940, he was especially picky on how the movie was exhibited, requiring the very state-of-the-art in picture and sound in order to be shown.  And now, with Blu-ray we finally get the chance to see both the original and the 2000 sequel in its most beautiful of states.  There are some purists that are very angry about this new release due to the removal of what was felt to be racial stereotypes drawn into the black centaurs.  Its hardly noticeable if you don’t know the history of the film, but I can hardly blame them for being angry about the censorship involved.  Still, the picture and sound are utterly magnificent considering the first film is now 70 years old.  Also included in the set is the acclaimed short film Destino that originally stemmed from a partnership between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali.  A documentary about the relationship between the two artists is also included.  A

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Rated PG for fantasy action violence, some mild rude humor and brief language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

Trying again to find a live-action franchise to match up to Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney went to a story based on the Fantasia sketch about a gifted young apprentice (Jay Baruchel) that trains under the tutelage of a master magician (Nicholas Cage).  While it was blasted by a lot of critics and not seen by most audiences, I myself found the film to be immensely entertaining and I was shocked when it didn’t provide a hit for the mouse house.  The story went through a host of writers before they finally decided on the final script, but overall I thought the film was clever, fun, full of great special effects and decent performances.  B

Waking Sleeping Beauty
Rated PG for some thematic elements and brief mild language
Available on DVD

in the 1980’s Disney animation was struggling to the point where they moved the animators to a remote location and almost closed the animation studio completely.  Waking Sleeping Beauty is a documentary that takes a look at this tumultuous period and how a talented mix of executives, artists and writers came together at the perfect time in order to send Disney to the top again starting with The Little Mermaid and moving forward to their biggest hits including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and the Lion King.  If you are big Disney fan like me, you will especially love this film that looks at the history of the animation studio and the risks they took in order to give us what we consider today to be classics.  Mistakes were nearly made at every corner that could have cost them their studio and us these wonderful works of art, and following along the tale provides almost as exciting a narrative as the movies they created.  A-

The World at War
Available on Blu-ray

While I think that some of the recent releases such as World War II in HD, Band of Brothers and the Pacific provide a better look at the most famous war in history, The World at War is still considered by most to be the definitive account of the event.  Now, 35 years after its original airing, The History Chanel is releasing this 26 hour long documentary, fully restored in stunning hi def.  That being said, many are downright angry at this new presentation due to the fact that the aspect ratio has been drastically changed in order to present the film in widescreen.  The folks who made the film are proud of the process used though, enough to include a special about the restoration, but purists are furious.  To me, I didn’t notice, and I doubt that the majority of folks watching will lose any sleep over it.  B+

Going the Distance
Rated R for sexual content including dialogue, language throughout, some drug use and brief nudity
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

Justin Long and Drew Barrymore star in this raunchy comedy about a couple trying to carry on a long distance relationship between New York and San Francisco.  While I don’t mind raunchy, I do mind stale humor that insists on trying to convince the audience its funny when its painfully obvious that it’s not.  The jokes only work on occasion and when they do work, they try to take it a step further making you wish you didn’t chuckle in the first place.  It may not be the winner, but this is definitely a candidate for worst film of the year.  D

Deadwood: The Complete Series
Available on Blu-ray

Before I received this set, if someone were to ask me what I wanted for Christmas, I would have definitely answered “Deadwood on Blu-ray.”  This HBO series, which is certainly one of their all-time best, takes shape in the the old-west town of Deadwood where a sheriff with integrity tries to keep a crime-ridden city from spiraling into chaos.  If Shakespeare were alive today, you would think the script came from his pen.  Full of soliloquies and  sometimes spoken in old English tongue, Deadwood is one of the most unique experiences, western or non, to have ever graced the television screen.  And this new hi-def transfer would keep any one completely busy over the holiday break.  A

New in Home Entertainment November 23, 2010

New in Home Entertainment

November 23, 2010

The Six Million Dollar Man: The Complete Collection
Available on DVD

In 1974, six million dollars could rebuild a man into a superhero.  Now, in 2010, it might pay for a hip replacement, depending on your insurance.  All kidding aside, there are few iconic television shows as deeply revered as The Six Million Dollar Man starring Lee Majors as Steve Austin, a crippled test pilot that is given a second shot at life when the scientists put him back together better and stronger than he was before.  Time Life is now releasing this set, which includes 40 DVDs full of more 1970’s splendor than you can possibly wish for including every episode of the show, three pilot and three reunion movies, all Bionic Woman crossover episodes, 17 featurettes and more, all digitally remastered for this release.  Unfortunately, they made it so you can only purchase it at www.6mdm.com for a very hefty chunk of change, but if you are a fan, it will be money well spent.  “Gentlemen, we can rebuild him.  We have the technology.”  B+

Valhalla Rising
Not Rated
Available on DVD

When a mute ultra-warrior simply known as One Eye slays his viking captors, he teams with a group of soldiers on their way to the Crusades.  After their boat escapes from an endless fog, they find themselves in a new world, nowhere near their destination, and in great danger from the natives.  This uber-violent art film is unique in the fact that it is too bloody for most independent film aficionados, but not flashy enough to be enjoyed by action lovers.  It is beautifully filmed and well acted, but there is a clear lack of any sort of narrative or plot.  Many will appreciate the raw brutality, but I fear that most will just wonder where the film is going and why is this a journey worth watching.  B-

The Disappearance of Alice Creed
Rated R for violent content, pervasive language and some sexuality/nudity
Available on DVD and Blu-ray

The story begins as two very scary-looking men prepare for what will soon be the kidnapping of a young woman named Alice Creed.  After she is kidnapped, she is bound to a bed with a gag in her mouth, held for ransom  in the hopes of taking millions off of her estranged father.  But the tides turn when she discovers that one of the kidnappers is someone she is close to.  This is a very tough film to watch due its graphic nature, but the writing and acting are incredibly solid by all involved.  What appears to start out as a vile snuff film turns into a fast-paced thriller with only three actors getting screen time.  I especially liked the twists and turns throughout the piece that lead to a very surprising ending.  A-

Tangled

Tangled

Starring the voices of Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, and Donna Murphy
Directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard
Rated PG for brief mild violence
Appropriate for all ages

    Based on the story of Rapunzel, a princess is kidnapped by an evil old woman when she discovers that her hair has the power to keep one young forever.  Locking Rapunzel up in a tower and forbidding her to ever cut her hair, she raises Rapunzel as her own, not allowing any contact from the outside world.  But when a dashing young bandit decides to hide in the tower after stealing the crown jewels, she gets her first taste of what really lies beyond and escapes her prison cell to go on a grand adventure. 

    I know we haven’t had many great live-action films this year, but 2010 has been a terrific year for animation.  What was looking like a two dog race for the Animation Oscar between Toy Story 3 and How to Train Your Dragon now has a new competitor in Tangled.  And I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if all three were nominated for Best Picture as well. 

    While Tangled possesses the old-fashioned Disney princess tale in good form, it does so in a contemporary feel that makes the film endearing.  Just like the other princess tales in the Disney library, this heroine is far from helpless as the beautiful but tough young woman.  And just like last year’s The Princess and the Frog, the male lead is a Han Solo-like scoundrel that must overcome his selfish tendencies in order to earn the love of the fair maiden.  The difference this time is that the gorgeous computer animation enhances the look to provide a more modern story-telling device.  And while I usually am not a fan of 3D in animated films, this particular film really flies off of the screen in grand fashion due to its gorgeous effects.

    Just like any great princess piece, there is a need for great music and for that they turned to eight-time Oscar winning composer Alan Menkin who will most likely be adding more trophies to his collection this year.  The music sounds straight off of a Broadway stage and are some of the best tunes he has ever composed.

    I have to give special props to the creation of some of the most fun and original characters to ever grace the screen including the hero horse Maximus who steals every scene he is in and the adorably tough chameleon Pascal.  All of this is due to the terrific writing by Dan Fogelman (Bolt) and his team.  This is a story that I could have never conceived a big movie coming from, but through use of ingenious story crafting, the fairy tale proves to be what I consider Disney’s best film (not including Pixar pics) since Beauty and the Beast, and overall one of their greatest creations.  I have never been so proud of Disney Animation and have a feeling that more is to come from this talent-filled studio.  A+ 

Unstoppable

Unstoppable

Starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson
Directed by Tony Scott (Man on Fire)
Rated PG-13 for sequences of action peril, and some language
Appropriate for ages 13+


     Due to the negligence of a couple of train workers in Pennsylvania, a runaway train without a conductor is sent speeding towards a densely populated area with a payload that is able to kill tens of thousands of people.  When two conductors in the area (Washington and Pine) get wind of the potential disaster, they go into hero mode in order to stop the potential catastrophe.  

    Considering Tony Scott’s last train movie (The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3) bombed (no pun intended), it was hard for me to fathom him taking on another tracked thriller.  Thankfully these films are very different, aside from the vehicle.

    This film ends up working for a few good reasons.  First off, you have two great actors in Washington and Pine in very physical roles.  The two have great chemistry on screen and Washington doesn’t at any point attempt to hog the scenes. 

    Secondly, the writing is really strong here and the words are well performed by the talented cast.  The exposition is given without placating the audience and comes across with real authority and credibility.  By the end of the film you actually feel like somewhat of a train expert. 

    Lastly, the film mimics a man-vs-nature thriller rather than the typical good guy/bad guy routine.  They could have easily made this a runaway train sent by a mad man, but instead chose stupidity as the villain and brains and bravery as the savior.  Not having a character as the villain allows you to think more freely about how to stop a disaster from occurring, putting you right in the mix as the action unfolds. 

    So while I’m not a train person and was a little concerned about sitting through the movie, I ended up having a great time watching it.  A-

Due Date

Due Date

Starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Zach Galifianakis
Directed by Todd Phillips (The Hangover)
Rated R for language, drug use and sexual content
Appropriate for ages 17+


    Due to unfortunate events that take place on a plane, Robert Downey Jr is put on the “no fly” list and must hitch a ride with Zach Galifianakis in order to make it home for the birth of his first child.  Suffering one horrible catastrophe after another, the two trek on in an agonizing journey. 

    Minus the trains, this is essentially Planes, Trains and Automobiles for a new generation.  Unfortunately, it’s not quite as funny and doesn’t contain half of the heart. 

    It would be a mistake to claim that it’s not funny though.  Many of the jokes work here and Zach, apparently just being good old Zach, provides 95% of the laughter.  While his character here is nothing new, he is always interesting to watch just to see what he’ll do or say next.  He is so good at playing the idiot that it’s hard not picture him in the role.  He’s the very picture of the guy you love to watch but would never want to be around. 

    Downey, Jr, however is just your average straight man, perhaps too straight for this film.  He sets off on the journey as a no-nonsense, irritated and arrogant man and very little changes throughout the journey.  He does have a bit of an arc, but it’s too slight to be appreciated.  There is still good chemistry between the characters, but they are certainly no Abbott and Costello or Martin and Candy.  Perhaps it would have been a better film if Downey, Jr had switched roles with costar Jamie Foxx.

    As for the story, you can’t think too hard about the premise or you realize it’s too far fetched and extreme.  The whole incident that took Downey, Jr. off of the plane and onto the “no fly” list is too contrived and should have been made much bigger and funnier in order to have any chance of being believed. 

    But most audiences will only care about whether or not it’s funny, and it is certainly better at delivering laughs than most comedies this year.  That being said, it’s still nowhere near the hilarity of Jack Ass 3D.  B