ARTHUR'S MOVIE RATINGS

I don't presume to tell you whether or not you're going to like a movie or not--people have different tastes and like different things. The main purpose with the ratings given for movies here is to give you an idea of whether or not you should see it in the theater, wait for it to hit DVD, or skip it altogether. So if you want to break it down...

*****: AMAZING! Everyone should see this as soon as they possibly can!
****: GREAT! Worth every cent to go see it in the theater.
***: GOOD! May or may not be worth seeing in the theater, but definitely a solid choice for a rental.
**: DECENT. Not a horrible movie, but it's not a bad choice for a rental.
*: BAD. Do not watch this movie. Well, you could, but I wouldn't advise it.

27 August 2010

The Last Exorcism (2010)

RATING: ** (2 stars)
 
The Last Exorcism is a documentary-style film (NOT BASED ON ACTUAL EVENTS) following an evangelical minister who allows his last exorcism to be filmed.

The Last Exorcism is a kind of movie that appeals to a particular niche audience that unfortunately I am not a part of.  Films in a similar vein would include The Blair Witch Project, meant to frighten and scare less from special effects or monsters but more from the way the film is shot and the way in which the actors convey their emotions of fear to the audience.  As such, the entirety of the film is shot using the jerky, sometimes out of focus lens of a hand-held camera--for better or worse.

Where I believe the film really fails is in two parts.  First, not remotely scary; as a horror movie, that is the modus operandi--scare the viewer.  The only way The Last Exorcism will scare you is if you watch The Exorcist (1973) and are still frightened by the very concept of possession.  Plenty of foreshadowing and misdirection which are great for the story, but at no point was I ever really scared.  The other failure, in my opinion, is the ending--which is also probably the only way it could actually end.  It doesn't answer any questions, and does far more to lead to a starting point for another film than it does to bring closure to this one.

Again, unless you are a fan of this particular niche of the horror genre, I would steer away from The Last Exorcism.  And even then, you can probably wait until it hits DVD.

Trailer

14 August 2010

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

RATING:**** (4 stars)
When Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) sees the woman of his dreams--literally--he does everything he can to win her heart. Then he finds out that by pursuing her he also has to defeat her seven evil exes. Hilarity ensues.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was made with a careful eye for story and a good knowledge of just who the target audience was. While I myself have not read the graphic novel, a good friend of mine who has (and saw the movie with me) said that they did a fantastic job of cutting out the fluff and excess and really making the story pop on-screen. So if you were looking for more from Scott's friends, check out the graphic novel (as you should for any film you enjoy based on a graphic novel). The PR for the film has been buzzing all year, with a serious emphasis on one particular demographic--gamers. These folks (and yes, I am one of them) are going to understand all the jokes, recognize all the little easter eggs and subtle winks to games of yore that are woven into this action/comedy.

While understandably some of those little nuggets are going to be lost on some people in the audience, it should not in any way detract from what is a fun romp through this over-the-top film about doing whatever you have to just to get the girl. If you don't catch this one at the theater, make sure you're first in line when it hits DVD because odds of finding a rental available anytime soon are not good.

Trailer

07 August 2010

The Other Guys

RATING:*** (3 stars)

When New York City's two famous police action heroes die in the line of duty, it falls upon the rank-and-file, the other guys, to step up to the plate.

The latest film starring Will Ferrell is in a similar comedic vein, while at the same time paying homage to the fact that it is the little guys on the police force that are usually responsible for keeping us safe instead of the ones we here about all the time on TV. Also starring Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, and Steve Coogan, The Other Guys is sure to make you laugh more than once--particularly if you are old enough to have heard of a musical group from the 1990's that sang about waterfalls and scrubs.

Perhaps what really pulls down this film is the pacing.  While there is no shortage of both smart and outrageous humor, the film has a number of spots where it just really seems to drag on and on.  In the long run this is incredibly counter-productive because then you're waiting on the next big joke to bring you back into the action.  In all honesty, some of the characters (notably Terry Hoitz) are very static and do not contribute all that much to either the story or the jokes to be particularly noteworthy.

The Other Guys is a fun summer comedy that will make you laugh at least a few times, but for some people it probably is not a film that you will choose to see in the theaters.  Definitely one to look for in a couple months when it hits DVD.

Trailer