Archive for May, 2009
RICHLIER WIRE - 3/29/09
From the pages of Electric City and Diamond City, two of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s premier arts and entertainment publications, comes Richlier founder Jeff Boam’s weekly column:
Reviews (Opening this Weekend):
Up
Voices of Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer
After 10 successful, groundbreaking, animated films (A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., Cars), Disney-owned Pixar Animation seems that it can do no wrong. In fact, the Mouse House will follow its latest new release with re-releases of old favorites in digital 3D. Look for Toy Story and Toy Story 2 to hit three dimensions very soon (October 2, 2009 and February 12, 2010, respectively)…just before the brand-spanking-new entry Toy Story 3 hits theaters next summer. In the latest G-rated Pixar film, a grumpy old man (Asner) escapes from society with a balloon-powered house only to find a stowaway aboard (Jordan Nagal). The Plus: The studio. In addition to being money makers, the Pixar films are also Oscar award-winning fans of critics as well (Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and WALL*E all took home the trophy for best Animated Film). The Minus: Consumer confidence. Wall Street investors have publicly aired their skepticism as to Up’s prospects creatively and financially in this blockbuster-driven summer.
Drag Me to Hell
Alison Lohman, Justin Long
Even though he is best known for the Spider-Man franchise, director Sam Raimi has never forgotten his low-budget horror roots. Having established himself with the Evil Dead series, Raimi went on to diversify his helming duties in genre (The Quick and the Dead, western) after genre (A Simple Plan, thriller) after genre (For the Love of the Game, romance). Now, before a fourth Spider-Man goes into the pipelines, Raimi is revisiting his roots with Drag Me to Hell. In this PG-13-rated horror flick, an ambitious loan officer (Lohman) shames a mysterious old woman and becomes the recipient of a otherworldly curse. The Plus: The players. Not only did Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Army of Darkness help Raimi to make a name for himself—they are also held up as favorite horror flicks among other industry players. His Spider-Man movies netted over a billion in the U.S. alone, so Drag Me to Hell’s relatively low-budget should bring him an easy win this weekend even after Up takes the top spot. The Minus: The rating. The Evil Dead series was definitely an R-rated affair (sometimes even NC-17-rated). Perhaps, Raimi has gone soft as evidenced by Drag Me to Hell’s PG-13 rating…hopefully, the work will not reflect this.
Reviews (Now in Theaters):
Terminator Salvation
Christian Bale, Sam Worthington
Without cresting too much on the waves of a spoiler, your reviewer sees great irony in Terminator Salvation coming down to a scene involving a heart transplant. Like the Tin Man searching for a heart, this franchise about tin-can killers from the future has always managed to find its compassionate center—even Rise of the Machines, an unnecessary retread of the magnificent second entry. The thrilling but robotic Salvation seems more concerned with aesthetics and pyrotechnics than such lowly human bents as soul-searching. Rest assured, dear readers, the film has both explosions and post-apocalyptic down pat…but the story is as uneven as a rusty Tin Man dancing about in the forest.
In the PG-13-rated Salvation, John Connor (Bale) is leading mankind’s war against the machines just as the arrival of a stranger (Worthington) threatens to alter the future of humanity.
In screenwriting courses, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is held up as a shining example of a perfectly structured screenplay (famed screenwriting professor Syd Fields, for instance, even profiles it in his book Four Screenplays). This is ironic considering that Salvation is tripped up by shoddy storytelling. Director McG seems too hellbent with setting James Cameron’s cybernetic future in the post-apocalyptic world envisioned by Cormac McCarthy in his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Road. Insomuch as the film looks gritty and real, the script pulls focus from the main character, Connor. Worthington’s Marcus Wright suddenly becomes the driving force of the film during the second act, leaving filmgoers with about as much emotional investment as the action-driven screenplay.
Down-to-the-Wire: Terminated.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Ben Stiller, Amy Adams
Funny enough, Battle of the Smithsonian pivots its plot around the fact that filmdom’s favorite Natural History exhibits (and holdovers from the last film) are being relegated to storage in order to make way for new-age interactive displays. This seems so remarkable given the fact that the movie is, in itself, a 105 minute computer-driven display devoid of much substance. Oh, don’t get your reviewer wrong—there is a lot going on with which to engage viewers…too much in fact. This shallow follow-up to the sometimes winning family adventure simply tries to cram too many fine art references into its pop culture craw. The result proves dizzying and, in as much as its predecessor peaked kids’ interest in museums, this sequel will send them away screaming like they were in an Edvard Munch painting.
In this PG-rated family adventure, a former museum security guard (Stiller) must contend with an evil pharaoh (Hank Azaria) and a fetching Amelia Earhart (Adams) when his exhibit friends (Owen Wilson, Robin Williams) are accidentally shipped to the Smithsonian Institute.
The flimsy plot gives filmgoers a cockamamie excuse for Stiller’s museum nightwatchman to once again take flashlight in hand and runs with it. The rest of the script is filled to the brim with monkey business involving exhibits ranging from Rodin’s The Thinker to The Lincoln Memorial to Oscar the Grouch—just for the hell of it! Many of the famous actors (and their voices) are wasted, but Azaria and Adams bring particular charm to two of the many characters bouncing about the screen.
Down-to-the-Wire: Embattled.
Angels & Demons
Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor
In this PG-13-rated thriller, a symbologist (Hanks) is called in to investigate a nefarious plot to blow up the Vatican after a mysterious group known as Illuminati steals an anti-matter container. All involved work overtime to make this dull actioner as exciting and intelligent as Raiders of the Lost Ark, but the result comes off more like Opie’s Sahara. With its operatic puzzlers and easy-to-surmise ending, Angels is every bit as silly as the National Treasure franchise…moreso, in fact, because filmgoers have come to expect more from the high-stakes players. Hanks is relegated to reciting basic Vatican history lectures to the Swiss Guard. It reminded your reviewer of when the doctors on ‘70s TV staple Emergency scarily had to explain routine medical procedures to their nursing staff.
Down-to-the-Wire: Fallen Angels.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner
In this PG-13-rated romantic comedy, perpetual bachelor Conor Mead (McConaughey) is haunted by the women of his past relationships. Your reviewer does not understand why Warner Brothers knowingly greenlit this Christmas Carol rom-com for the dog day summer months and not the ho-ho-holidays! The cards having fallen where they may, however, the movie offers up a sometimes pleasing and occasionally funny twist on the proven H’Wood formula: Matthew McConaughey + humping x 90 fun-filled minutes = average laughs. Michael Douglas’s misogynist Uncle Wayne character provides some of the movie’s funniest moments—nearly making up for the loooooong uneven flashbacks and the fact that McConaughey is the only one in his family who speaks with a Texas drawl.
Down-to-the-Wire: Scrooged.
The Man Who Would be Polka King
Greg Korin
In this unrated documentary, the unbelievable life and crimes of Grammy-nominated Polka star Jan Lewan are profiled. The astonishing story of a Northeastern PA Polka star convicted of a pre-Madoff Ponzi scheme seems like it was drawn from a Christopher Guest mockumentary …but – save for being captivating cinema - this is no Spinal Tap. Filmmakers John Mikulak and Joshua von Brown, who smartly paint a wholly honest and tragic portrait that never forsakes humorousness, afford filmgoers an amazing breadth and scope that draws an undeniable sympathy for all involved—including Lewan. If life is a tragic-comedy, this doc hammers the point home, using American Legion-bound ‘Polka expert’ Stan Tadrowski (Korin) to tie together the many fascinating interviews (see Clarks Summit resident Mikulak’s doc at the Brooklyn International Film Festival, Saturday, June 6, 6pm – Brooklyn Heights Cinema).
Down-to-the-Wire: Oompah-rific.
Obsessed
Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles
In this PG-13-rated thriller, an unhinged sexy stalker (Ali Larter) threatens to unravel the happy life of a successful asset manager (Elba) and his family (Knowles, et al). Your reviewer truly enjoyed all of the rapturously titillating thrills that this oversexed potboiler afforded him…when it was originally released in 1987 under the title Fatal Attraction. Here, the head-scratching out-of-left-field infatuation begins at an LA asset management firm called Disclosure and continues into the urban sprawl known as The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. Oh, there is marginal tension…but only if you are the type of filmgoer who thought that the dismal Swimfan was a mind-blowingly scary stalker film. The film’s only true obsession is in being dreadful.
Down-to-the-Wire: Abscessed.
Star Trek
Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto
In this spot-on PG-13-rated reboot, the origins of the young U.S.S. Enterprise crew (Pine, Quinto) are explored amid a vicious Romulan attack. During Star Trek, there are many awe-inspiring moments when filmgoers will think that they are watching one of the greatest sci-fi flicks of all time. This assessment does not completely hold up upon reflection…though it is not light years off. The movie gives both Trekkers and the decidedly ungeeky John Q. Filmgoer everything they would want in a ‘first’ Star Trek film—phaser shootouts, alien sex, a scenery-chewing villain, and space battles galore. A head-scratching wibbly-wobbly plotline that allows deviations from the canon – and, possibly, everything that preceded this chapter - leaves much to be desired. Still…
Down-to-the-Wire: Boldly go.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber
In this PG-13-rated prequel to the X-Men series, the violent and romantic past of Wolverine (Jackman) – including his transformation into a metal-clawed mutant – is explored. Excelsior! This entry serves to tell an ambitious tale so rife with ridiculous rock-‘em-sock-‘em action and little character development that the comic books begin to look like Pulitzer Prize winning non-fiction. But that, of course, is what True Believers paid nine dollars for and the movie surely delivers on its bone-crunching promise…only filmgoers begin to care more for mutant renegades Gambit, Deadpool, and Sabretooth than their simpleton titular hero simply because of his personality deficit. The ride is well worth it but, perhaps, should have just been called X-Men Origins—‘nuff said.
Down-to-the-Wire: Not X-ceptional.
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REEL REPORT - 5/22/09
From the pages of Electric City and Diamond City, two of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s premier arts and entertainment publications, comes Richlier founder Jeff Boam’s weekly column:
Previews (Opening this Weekend):
Terminator Salvation
Christian Bale, Sam Worthington
While critics and audiences alike saw the now-classic Terminator and its 1991 blockbuster sequel Judgment Day as revolutionary filmmaking, the follow-up (Rise of the Machines) proved another story altogether. Though the film ultimately netted Sony back its investment capital, its production never had the blessing or guidance of franchise creator James Cameron. It also marked star Arnold Schwarzenegger’s retirement from acting. As Empire recently pointed out, however, Rise’s apocalyptic can’t-avoid-destiny closer did put forth possibly the best ending of the series…and set up this further continuation. In the PG-13-rated Salvation, John Connor (Bale) is leading mankind’s war against the machines just as the arrival of a stranger (Worthington) threatens to alter the future of humanity. The Plus: The new players. Bale already has one legendary franchise under his belt (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight) and can surely shoulder another. Also, director McG (Charlie’s Angels) has made a believer out of fanboys with a trailer so compelling that it erases any memory of Rise of the Machines. The Minus: The old players. Cameron – though he reportedly suggested actor Worthington to McG for an integral part - still has not given his blessing. Also, after much flotsam and jetsam, there is still no confirmation as to whether Schwarzenegger will be returning…in the series that made him an icon..
Dance Flick
Craig Wayans, Shoshana Bush
Sly & The Family Stone may have made the song “It’s a Family Affair” famous but the Wayans clan just may make its sentiment infamous. In the case of Dance Flick, Damien Dante Wayans is directing; Craig Wayans is starring; and Keenen Ivory, Marlon, and Shawn Wayans are all wearing multiple hats as screenwriter/producer/actors. In their PG-13-rated spoof comedy, the Wayans family sets out to parody Step Up and Save the Last Dance with a story about a dancer (Bush) who dreams of making it big. The Plus: The players. Despite the fact that critics bristled at the results, Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2, White Chicks, and Little Man all made a lot of lucre at the box office—and all with the Wayans name attached. The Minus: The competition. Not only does Dance Flick have to take its licks from demographics-smashing juggernaut Terminator Salvation (also PG-13), it is also has to contend with Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian—another comedy.
Ben Stiller, Amy Adams
As family friendly as this sequel may very well be, the minds behind it have made a reputation for being rather, well, family unfriendly. Night at the Museum screenwriters Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon – who star in Battle of the Smithsonian as the Wright Brothers – also created and star in the raunchy TV mockumentary Reno 911! In this PG-rated family adventure, a former Museum of Natural History security guard (Stiller) must contend with an evil pharaoh (Hank Azaria) and a fetching Amelia Earhart (Adams) when his exhibit friends (Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, Steve Coogan) are accidentally shipped to the Smithsonian Institute. The Plus: The players. In 2006, Night at the Museum became an unexpected blockbuster when it took in over $250 million at the U.S. box office. Not only does Battle of the Smithsonian mark the return of Williams, Wilson, Coogan, Dick Van Dyke, and Ricky Gervais, this entry also includes franchise newbies Azaria, Adams, Eugene Levy, Christopher Guest, and Jonah Hill. The Minus: The stakes. Terminator Salvation is taking the top spot at the box office this weekend—no question. With a reported budget of $150 million, however, Battle of the Smithsonian will have to battle hard to break even let alone become a hit.
Reviews (Now in Theaters):
Angels & Demons
Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor
All involved work overtime to make dull actioner Angels & Demons as exciting and intelligent as Raiders of the Lost Ark, but the result of their labors is no mystery. The movie comes off more like Opie’s Sahara than a thrilling Indiana Jones-esque romp by Oscar-winning director Ron Howard. All of the symbols point to a bland main character and weak storytelling as the obvious culprits. Insomuch as Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks tries to imbue the one-note hero with some oomph, he is relegated to reciting basic Vatican history lectures to the Papal Council. It reminded your reviewer of when the doctors on ‘70s TV staple Emergency scarily had to explain routine medical procedures to their nursing staff. Yes, it is all done for the audience’s sake…but does the storytelling method have to feel so forced?
On a timeline, Angels & Demons’s Robert Langdon clearly came before National Treasure’s Benjamin Franklin Gates (Dan Brown’s novel was first published in 2000; National Treasure premiered in 2004). But the literate, albeit wooden, capers of the former surely affected the cinematic, albeit hokey, adventures of the latter (professor + historical mystery + romantic interest = fun-filled vehicle). Angels and Demons, with its operatic puzzlers and easy-to-surmise ending, is every bit as silly as the National Treasure franchise…moreso, in fact, because filmgoers have come to expect more from the high-stakes players.
Down-to-the-Wire: Fallen Angels.
The Man Who Would be Polka King
Greg Korin
So much about this compelling documentary epitomizes the old adage ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ that filmgoers will think they are watching the zaniest Christopher Guest mockumentary. The astonishing story of a Northeastern PA Polka star convicted of a pre-Madoff Ponzi scheme seems like it was drawn from some grand dark comedy…but – save for being captivating cinema - this is no Spinal Tap. In fact, the unfolding events and characters prove completely real. Here, the facts are expertly documented by filmmakers John Mikulak and Joshua von Brown, who smartly paint a wholly honest and tragic portrait that never forsakes humorousness.
In this unrated documentary, the unbelievable life and crimes of Polka star Jan Lewan are profiled. This Grammy-nominated artist served 4 years in a Delaware state penitentiary and another 2 in federal prison for an investment scheme that investigators believe totaled over $10 million.
Though some may have seen a shorter cut of this doc on Court TV, the theatrical cut affords filmgoers an amazing breadth and scope that draws an undeniable sympathy for all involved—including Lewan. If life is a tragic-comedy, this doc hammers the point home, using American Legion-bound ‘Polka expert’ Stan Tadrowski (Korin) to tie together the many fascinating interviews and participants. It is a brave but ultimately winning choice of narration. Film fans can see Clarks Summit resident Mikulak’s doc at the Brooklyn International Film Festival (June 5 – 14) after it makes its international debut at the Krakow Film Festival on June 1st (for more info: www.polkakingmovie.com)..
In this PG-13-rated sequel, two former rivals (Diesel, Walker) reunite to outmaneuver a drug trafficker. So much disbelief has already been suspended before strapping into this high-octane actioner that the film series could pretty much pull a Moonraker – incorporating Saturn rockets for modified cars on a racing circuit – and filmgoers would shrug if off in-between gulps of popcorn. Amazingly and infuriatingly enough, it nearly maxes out this line of credit…but not until first diverting the audience’s attention away from such pish-posh as the laws of physics and common sense with enough bright colors and shiny things to light up the eastern seaboard. Oh, it is a lemon of a story, but the after-market trappings will doubtlessly keep filmgoers invested so long as the adrenaline rush keeps up.
Down-to-the-Wire: Slow-wit ride.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner
Down-to-the-Wire: Scrooged.
Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles
In this PG-13-rated thriller, an unhinged sexy stalker (Ali Larter) threatens to unravel the happy life of a successful asset manager (Elba) and his family (Knowles, et al). Your reviewer truly enjoyed all of the rapturously titillating thrills that this oversexed potboiler afforded him…when it was originally released in 1987 under the title Fatal Attraction. Here, the head-scratching out-of-left-field infatuation begins at an LA asset management firm called Disclosure and continues into the urban sprawl known as The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. Oh, there is marginal tension…but only if you are the type of filmgoer who thought that the dismal Swimfan was a mind-blowingly scary stalker film. The film’s only true obsession is in being dreadful..
Down-to-the-Wire: Abscessed.
Star Trek
Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto
Down-to-the-Wire: Boldly go.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber
In this PG-13-rated prequel to the X-Men series, the violent and romantic past of Wolverine (Jackman) – including his transformation into a metal-clawed mutant – is explored. Excelsior! This entry serves to tell an ambitious tale so rife with ridiculous rock-‘em-sock-‘em action and little character development that the comic books begin to look like Pulitzer Prize winning non-fiction. But that, of course, is what True Believers paid nine dollars for and the movie surely delivers on its bone-crunching promise…only filmgoers begin to care more for mutant renegades Gambit, Deadpool, and Sabretooth than their simpleton titular hero simply because of his personality deficit. The ride is well worth it but, perhaps, should have just been called X-Men Origins—‘nuff said.
Down-to-the-Wire: Not X-ceptional.