2006-Aug-7 - "The Ballad of Ricky Bobby": A rollickin good time
Will Ferrell seems to be the King Midas of comedy these days- (wait- or is it Adam Sandler?- I mean look at that brain-dead premise for a film "Click" which really should have flopped but raked in well over a 100 mill. instead)- anyway, I guess both have a claim to the throne.
Ferrell's newest venture with director and writing partner Adam McKay "Talladega" took in a whopping 47 mill. this past weekend. The question is: Was the film deserving of such a kitty? Well, yeah, kind of. But, really, what productions are truly worthy of such a large sum of dough?
OK enough with the philosophical movie questions so here's the deal with "Talladega". There are flashes of brilliance, but overall it falls short of the upper pantheon of Ferrell films: namely "Anchorman" and "Old School". Now I realize a film should be judged on its own merits independently of that which has come before, BUT it's only natural to want to compare.
There are probably three or four knee-slapping, tear-inducing scenes in "Talladega Nights" with a lot of hearty chuckles in between. These are the type of moments when the audience wonders if Will & the gang are on script or just making the shit up. The grace scene, for example, is gold.
A number of great performances were turned in here as well. Gary Cole, as Ricky's wayward dad, is excellent as always. So too are Ricky's smack-talkin sons, played by newcomers Huston Timlin and Grayson Russell. Another brightspot is Jack McBrayer as Glenn the overtly effeminate crew member who seems to have the capper in each of his scenes.
Despite being a quality comedy, there were a few problems I had with Talladega. For one, several jokes were killed during the racing sequences due to the simple fact that the actors couldn't be heard over the reving engines. And speaking of racing, I went into theater thinking: "Allright, someone's gonna finally lampoon NASCAR and its legions good 'ol boy fans!" BUT I was sorely mistaken. Sure there was a little ribbing but not much. Maybe Ferrell's been told that he and NASCAR have similar fan bases and so it would be unwise to make too much fun.
Lastly, and this is due to the fact I'm a huge "Anchorman" fan, David Koechner (Ron Burgandy's good buddy Champ Kind) has little more than a cameo in this film. Now, if you're going to give the guy a cameo, put him in one scene. But if you're going to put him in 3 scenes and give him 4 lines after he rocked in his last major role, it just doesn't compute.
BEER RATING: Pilsner Urquell (6.5 out of 10).
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2006-Jul-16 - Scanner Darkly Checks Out
Most anyone who allows for the possibility of government conspiracies, has sampled mind-altering substances (certain really potent types of alcohol could count), or enjoys the visual stimualtion of Linklater's roto-scopic technique, would have their interest piqued by the recently released A Scanner Darkly, based on the novel by Philip K. Dick. Yes, the animation can be a bit trippy, so I'd advise those of you planning to see this film while actually on mind-altering substances to moderate your intake a bit.
Anyway, the film. I must say: well done, Mr. Linklater. The animation, and especially the type of animation used with its shifting shapes and ever-changing perspectives, lends itself supremely to the subject matter at hand. We're in Orange county in the future, and the U.S. is being ransacked by a super-addictive drug known as Substance D. Apparently, as Robert Downey Jr.'s character James Barris puts it, "There are two kinds of people: those who are addicted and those who haven't tried it."
It's as if you can envision what life might be like for these Substance D users at times, as your visual perception as audience member is distorted. The drug, like most, cuts down the lines of communication in the brain leading to visual confusion, as well as memory and sexual appetite loss.
At the heart of the story is our post-modern protagonist (see Matrix and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure- hey, Bill and Ted do time travel into the future to save the world), Keanu Reeves as Bob Arctor. Now Keanu gets a lot of flack and quite often deservedly so, for his acting talents, but he is ideal in this role (just as he was in the other two previously mentioned films). What's interesting to note here is that Reeves' Bob is a bit reminiscent of Bill (or was it Ted?). After the obliteration of so many brain cells the 2 characters are on par as far as IQ levels are concerned. Interesting that keanu plays these characters so well. Hmmm...
...But I digress. Besides the ride for your eyes and clever plot, A Scanner Darkly also provides some entertaining moments as Downey Jr.'s, Reeves', as well as Winona Ryder's and Woody Harrelson's characters swim together in their sea of insobriety. You can just imagine the four getting together for some recreational activities and then filming it. Perhaps some method acting was afoot with this crew. Whatever the case, the dynamic, especially between Downey Jr. and Harrelson, is there.
Along with the fact that Thom Yorke of Radiohead wrote several songs on the soundtrack, this film which was quite captivating, receives our highest ranking yet:
a Sam Adams (8 out of 10).
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2006-Jul-7 - It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman! Well, Kind Of
Summer's here and the time is right for dancing in the street, and checking out what the summer movie fare has to offer.
This has been one of the better blockbuster line-ups in recent years, I mean last year the only thing that stood out was 'Batman Begins' and the only good Star Wars prequel, 'Episode III.' At least this summer, there is KIND OF an inkling of a glimmer of a hope of excitement to actually go to the movie theatre.
One of the big reasons I was excited for summer was 'Superman Returns!' Let me preface this review by saying I am a geek, so I hold superheroes and comics near and dear to my heart.
For those who might not know, 'Superman Returns' takes place 5 years after the events of the 1980 movie 'Superman II.' Superman has been on Krypton, Clark Kent has been "traveling the world," Lois Lane is a pulitzer prize winner with an article entitled "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman," in a relationship with a new man, and has a 5 year old son. And Lex Luthor has been stewing prison for 5 years.
You might be asking yourself, WHAT THE FUCK?! Why wouldn't they start the franchise over like they BRILLIANTLY did
with 'Batman Begins' Why pick up in an already established movie
mythology? I said the same things myself when I heard about the plot for the first time. The answer is, who knows.
Barely known Brandon Routh had the task of taking on the very daunting role of Superman. A role at which he succeeded in portraying the idea and persona of who Superman is, but he always just looked like a male stripper with a Superman gimmick when he was in the costume to me. He sounded like Superman but didn't look like Superman. His Clark Kent was fantastic though.
Kate Bosworth was all wrong for Lois. Yes, she is hot. OK, she is a decent actress, but nothing about her was Lois. She always seemed too meek and timid, something Lois never was.
Kevin Spacey was one of the best parts of this movie. It's always more fun to play villians and you could tell he was having fun. Adopting what Gene Hackman created in the first Superman movies, but making him more cold, more calculating. He was more of a villian, less of a wacky annoyance.
********SPOILERS AHEAD! STOP NOW IF YOU WANT************
My main problem with this movie was Lois's kid, Jason. Lois is about to be severely beaten by one of Lex's cronies and Jason who, and we are beat over the freakin head with this, has a lot of health problems, shoves a piano across the room, crushing said henchmen. So we are led to believe that Jason is the son of Superman and Lois, the offspring of them bumping uglies at the Fortress of Solitude in 'Superman II.' The biggest problem with that is CLARK HAD NO POWERS when he slept with Lois. This kid, for me, was like introducing Scrappy Doo, and giving him superpowers. This was just a whole side story line that didn't need to be there. Having Lois in love with someone else would have been enough of a shock and a major adjustment for Clark.
Also, and it's somewhat of a small thing, get rid of the heart of gold girlfriend of Lex. It's stupid, it's bullshit, it doesn't further the story along and it lessens Lex's monkier of criminal.
This is a movie you should see on the big screen because it looks fantastic! With special effects nowadays, this is the closest representation of Superman actually being real! The entire airplane sequence made me feel like 5 years old again discovering Superman and seeing how cool is! All and all, this is not a bad movie, just little grips my inner geek had problems with, grips that can very easily be overlooked for others to believe that a man can fly again.
BEER RATING Sierra Nevada (5 out of 10)----The Chic Geek (formerly The New Guy)
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2006-Jun-23 - The L.A. Film Fest returns, and it's wearing Prada
It's that time of year again, the Los Angeles Film Fest is in full swing, this year located in Westwood Village. I'm fortunate enough to work for a company sponsoring the festival and was able to acquire some tickets for the World Premiere and after party of The Devil Wears Prada, starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci.
Let me first say, I have never read nor did I have a desire to read the book. I had heard about it, but it didn't sound like anything I would've enjoyed. Why read about a boss from hell, when ninty seven percent of us are already living what it's like to work for a boss from hell. So what compelled you to go see this movie if you if you didn't even crack the book, you ask? Free booze at the after party, that's why! Well, that and a friend of mine HAD read the book and REEEEEEEALLY wanted to see bitchzilla brought to life.
We meet Andrea, (Anne Hathaway) Andy to her friends on the morning of a job interview for RUNWAY magazine, one the top fashion publications in the world, as the personal assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Miranda is a woman known by everyone, in and out of the fashion industry, except Andrea. In fact, Andy has never even open an issue of RUNWAY, to her this is just a job, but it's a job "a million girls would kill for!" which she is reminded daily.
The moment Andy steps through the doors of RUNWAY, the berating begins! First, with Emily, Miranda's senior assistant. Emily is harsh, but pales in comparison to the ice queen, bitch goddess that is Miranda Priestly. Miranda sees something that she likes in Andy, even if it's just the joy of torturing new blood, and hires her. And thus begins one year of hell Andy will endure, consistantly to the point of quitting, but with the help of the one person who's befriended her in the office, Nigel (Stanley Tucci) helps make her over to not nessecerily beat Miranda at her own game, but at least give her a fighting chance in the well dressed shark tank.
I know, I know. You're thinking "I'm a guy! If there aren't tits with all those women in a movie, why see it!" Normally, I'd agree, but everyone has had a job that made them want to gouge their eyes out and use them to play dice in a backalley. There were little nuances in this movie that struck so close to my current job, but were such an exaggeration, you couldn't help but laugh at the familiarity. Meryl Streep is in top form as usual and Anne Hathaway, trying to escape from her breakthrough kids movie roles (I suggest Havoc), is adorable and you can't help but root for her, we've all been where she is.
This is a different kind of popcorn movie for the summer, but really enjoyable, and hey guys, you would be hard pressed to NOT find a girl who will go to this flick with you.
BEER RATING: NEWCASTLE (7 out of 10)---The New Guy (a real name soon to follow)
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2006-Jun-20 - Jack and Jared Run Amok in Mexico
This past weekend I had the good fortune to see "Nacho Libre", a wacky comedy (about a Mexican monk turned wrestler) with heart. Of course, there is the requisite showboating for the camera and myriad of overly expressive faces that one becomes accustomed to with this half of "Tenacious D", but isn't that what we love about him? (By the way, if merely listening to "Tenacious D" makes you double over in laughter, Black's "Encarnacion" will make you cry).
Combined with Black's ability to be nutso and likeable at the same time, is filmmaker Jared Hess's ("Naploean Dynamite") developing sense of storytelling. There are corny elements to the story of course. And a few episodes that leave something to be desired in the humor department, such as when Brother Ignacio (Jack Black) kneels down to pray next to a hundred-some lit candles not placed in candlesticks of any kind ("I wonder what's gonna happen here."), which leads to a subsequently predictable fire. But, overall, Hess offers a quality product that delivers laughs and also compels us to root for his unlikely hero.
One facet of Hess's craft that is entirely developed is his uncanny expertise at making winners of losers. One such loser in "Libre" is Hector Jiminez, who takes a turn as a gawky and geeky wrestler, Esqueleto. One of the joys of this film is watching Black and Jiminez play off each other. You'd think that Jiminez is a more seasoned actor but he only has 2 other credits besides "Libre".
Some (Roger Ebert) may not totally grasp the way Hess bucks film convention in "Nacho Libre" (ie. having some of the characters, all of which are Mexican (even Black) speak English while others speak Spanish). But he walks the fine line between reality and absurdity with grace, melding the two for above average results.
Is it because his characters are so socially inept and seemingly unable to get along in the real world, that we root for them so? Maybe we see a little of ourselves in them. Who among us wasn't awkward at some point in our lives (well besides Brad Pitt or Usher)? As long as Hess continues to tell the story of the outcasts and weirdos, I'm there.
BEER RATING: Negra Modelo (7 out of 10) -KYJoe
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About Me
For all of you pencil pushers, cubicle clerks, dock workers, and govt. employees out there, HIT has combined 2 of your favorite things: beer and movies!
We will review movies and grade them with beer! Now, some of you may disagree with our ranking system. For example, you might consider Miller Lite to be the best beer. And you may also feel that "Independnce Day" is one of the best films ever. Not coincidentally on our scale, "Independence Day" receives a Miller Lite (or 3). So as you see films made in bad taste receive a bad tasting beer for their score. Fun, no?
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