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
27 August 2010
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
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
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
30 July 2010
Dinner for Schmucks (2010)
RATING:** (2 stars)
Tim (Paul Rudd) is an executive at a firm that is just barely treading water and looking for the next big money maker. He finds it, but before his promotion becomes official he has to attend a dinner held by the owner of the firm. At this special dinner each of the members is supposed to bring along an idiot. Tim is ready to call of the whole thing until he meets Barry (Steve Carrell).
Dinner for Schmucks is a comedy looking to give you some laughs and little more. The story is pretty simple when you break it down and not very thought-provoking by itself. Really, the concept itself is even a little off-putting. Thankfully the presentation works well enough, perhaps in part to the cast being so chock-full of comedians that it's hard to gauge how much of the hilarity was written and how much was improvised on set.
From beginning to end the film is stuffed with one-liners and tongue-in-cheek jokes that are sure to catch on and get tossed around in conversation over the next few weeks. I wasn't lying about the cast either, aside from Paul Rudd and Steve Carrell, you can expect to see Jemaine Clement, Zack Galifianakis, Jeff Dunham, Ron Livingston, and Larry Wilmore. Hands down the show-stealer is Jemaine Clement, of "Flight of the Conchords" fame, portraying the wildly outrageous artists Kieran.
Beyond the one-liners however, there really isn't much to Dinner for Schmucks. It is very much a film that you can see once and then forget about, though some of those one-liners might stick with you for a little while. Nothing spectacular here, and really a film better saved for a movie rental on a slow weekend... if you can't find something better.
Trailer
Tim (Paul Rudd) is an executive at a firm that is just barely treading water and looking for the next big money maker. He finds it, but before his promotion becomes official he has to attend a dinner held by the owner of the firm. At this special dinner each of the members is supposed to bring along an idiot. Tim is ready to call of the whole thing until he meets Barry (Steve Carrell).
Dinner for Schmucks is a comedy looking to give you some laughs and little more. The story is pretty simple when you break it down and not very thought-provoking by itself. Really, the concept itself is even a little off-putting. Thankfully the presentation works well enough, perhaps in part to the cast being so chock-full of comedians that it's hard to gauge how much of the hilarity was written and how much was improvised on set.
From beginning to end the film is stuffed with one-liners and tongue-in-cheek jokes that are sure to catch on and get tossed around in conversation over the next few weeks. I wasn't lying about the cast either, aside from Paul Rudd and Steve Carrell, you can expect to see Jemaine Clement, Zack Galifianakis, Jeff Dunham, Ron Livingston, and Larry Wilmore. Hands down the show-stealer is Jemaine Clement, of "Flight of the Conchords" fame, portraying the wildly outrageous artists Kieran.
Beyond the one-liners however, there really isn't much to Dinner for Schmucks. It is very much a film that you can see once and then forget about, though some of those one-liners might stick with you for a little while. Nothing spectacular here, and really a film better saved for a movie rental on a slow weekend... if you can't find something better.
Trailer
23 July 2010
Salt (2010)
RATING: *** (3 stars)
Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is a CIA officer who has served her country faithfully for years. When a Russian intelligence officer defects and names her as a Russian spy, it becomes a race against time to prove her innocence.
In a summer loaded to the brim with action movies, Salt adds another one to the mix. Really nothing fancy or noteworthy about it save for a few choice bits that really make it stand out--the first of which is the story itself. Reminiscent of a Cold War-era spy movie, the film captures that element of suspense in not knowing for certain which side each of the players is on until the grand reveal at the end. You will get hints along the way and savvy movie-goers might pick up on clues along the way, but most people will enjoy the ride.
The other particularly noteworthy element about the film is the lack of gratuitous violence. Particularly of interest for parents and other concerned with the amount of blood in Hollywood these days, there is surprising little in Salt. Hand-to-hand combat and gunfights, yes. Blood... not so much. Something to keep in mind if that worries you, but mostly noteworthy because that obviously is not the norm in a Hollywood action movie nowadays.
Overall Salt is a fun little action movie that moves along at a brisk pace so you shouldn't ever feel like the movie is dragging. I would call this a straight-up "popcorn flick", one that you may or may not go to see in theaters, but certainly worth a look when it hits DVD.
Trailer #1 Trailer #2
Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is a CIA officer who has served her country faithfully for years. When a Russian intelligence officer defects and names her as a Russian spy, it becomes a race against time to prove her innocence.
In a summer loaded to the brim with action movies, Salt adds another one to the mix. Really nothing fancy or noteworthy about it save for a few choice bits that really make it stand out--the first of which is the story itself. Reminiscent of a Cold War-era spy movie, the film captures that element of suspense in not knowing for certain which side each of the players is on until the grand reveal at the end. You will get hints along the way and savvy movie-goers might pick up on clues along the way, but most people will enjoy the ride.
The other particularly noteworthy element about the film is the lack of gratuitous violence. Particularly of interest for parents and other concerned with the amount of blood in Hollywood these days, there is surprising little in Salt. Hand-to-hand combat and gunfights, yes. Blood... not so much. Something to keep in mind if that worries you, but mostly noteworthy because that obviously is not the norm in a Hollywood action movie nowadays.
Overall Salt is a fun little action movie that moves along at a brisk pace so you shouldn't ever feel like the movie is dragging. I would call this a straight-up "popcorn flick", one that you may or may not go to see in theaters, but certainly worth a look when it hits DVD.
Trailer #1 Trailer #2
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