DVDS out this Week!

Major DVDs released for the week of 7/19 are as follows:

Cop Out, The Runaways, The Losers

Review: Inception

Plot: Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an Extractor, a very specialized thief who steals information for his clients from their competitors dreams. When Saito (Ken Watanabe) the head of a multi-national conglomerate offers to clear Cobb's nefarious past if he can plant an idea in his competitor's mind, Cobb seizes the chance to get back to his family. But Inception comes at a high price and soon Cobb finds that the task could cost him his friends, his future, and his sanity.

Review: The dictionary defines the word "wow" as an exclamation of admiration or amazement. I dare anyone to see Inception and not come away with that simple but profound word ringing in their heads. Believe the hype ladies and gentlemen, director and writer Christopher Nolan's latest masterpiece is sheer genius, a momentous piece of cinema that will captivate you from the opening credits to the final scene. In an ocean of movie clap-trap that panders to the lowest common denominator, Inception is a bright life boat in the sea. A thinking man's movie, Inception is the cinematic equivalent of television's LOST.

I have to say it's going to be very hard for me to do this review without giving away too much. Inception is just too exquisite a film and the plot points so crucial, that to give away too much of the story is a disservice to the potential moviegoer. So bear with me if I hold back a little when it comes to story and script. In truth Nolan's script is so brilliant and vibrant, so rich in it's combination of subtlety, catharsis, and revelation that to try to describe this film to anyone who hasn't seen it is quite literally like trying to describe a half remembered dream. The dialogue is real, vibrant, sophisticated, and engrossing. Mark my words, if Christopher Nolan doesn't win the Academy Award for best original screenplay at the Oscars next year, somebody is drinking Drano. In fact I suspect a lot of Oscars might be flowing Inception's way, among them actor, supporting actress, directing, cinematography, and special effects.

Inception to me is proof positive why there needs to be an Academy Award for best ensemble cast. Everyone in this film is brilliant, even minor characters like Miles (Michael Caine) and Yusef (Dileep Rao from last year's Avatar). Ellen Paige, who plays the Architect Ariadne, made a bold choice by doing this film. As the new member of the team she brings a nuanced and fresh look to the job and ends up being Cobb's conscience in several important ways. I really think this movie will change the thinking of those who only see her as Juno. Cillian Murphy and Ken Watanabe's characters cannot be overlooked either. Both lend a gravitas and emotional punch to their roles that is vital for the plot of Inception. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy are great as Arthur and Eames, the Point Man and the Forger respectively. Their thinly veiled competitiveness and antagonism make for some great moments in the film.

The real stars of Inception however are Cobb (DiCaprio) and Mal (Marion Cotillard). Their relationship is so complex and complicated, so full of layers and raw emotion that it's a wonder any duo could pull this off. Yet somehow they both do. Academy Award winner and French actress Cotillard proves again why she's a force to be reckoned with in any language. Her turn as the emotionally conflicted and tormented Mal is one of the best I've ever seen. And what can I say about Leonardo DiCaprio? No one does tortured like Leo. (Just see Shutter Island if you don't believe me.) His role as Dom Cobb is just another in a long line of memorable characters for the acclaimed actor stretching back to The Basketball Diaries. If there is any justice in the movie universe he will win an Academy Award for this film. Cobb is a dark, tortured man who yearns to be with his family while at the same time losing his grip on what's real and what's a dream. DiCaprio captures the essence of Cobb flawlessly.

A lot has been made about the special effects in Inception. They are as good as advertised, particularly the fight scene in the hotel hallway. What's surprising too is how the action flows from the story rather than (as is too often the case in Hollywood blockbusters) the story flowing from the action. Every scene has a functionality to it. In fact some of the chase scenes in particular remind you of films like The French Connection and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Attribute that to the great direction of Christopher Nolan. Everything in Inception packs an emotional punch, whether it's an intense argument or an assault on a snow covered hospital. His great film Memento looks tame by comparison.

Kudos to editor Lee Smith as well. His use of slow motion and jump cuts reinforce the dream aspects of Inception. It's a perfect marriage of form and function. And in an era where the scores of films detract from the picture, Hans Zimmer's music only enhances it. The rousing bass notes and focus on the brass instruments reflect the grandiose nature of Inception.

Despite the acting, directing, writing, music, editing, and action, the heart of Inception is in its story. Think The Sting meets The Matrix. But even that is unfair because Inception is such an original film. It speaks to the fundamental ideas of what's real and what's fantasy and what happens when our fantasies become our realities. It tackles the very mysterious and hostile worlds of dreams and the subconscious, not easy subjects to write about let alone translate to film. Freud and Jung would have been salivating if they could have seen this film.

I've seen Inception twice already and what I think will truly make this film stand the test of time is the layers it possesses. You can watch this film a hundred times and still find something new. And odds are it will be just as entertaining. In a vast, dark wasteland of horrible summer films, Inception proves to be not just the best movie of the summer but the best movie the year so far.

My rating: A HUGE 10/10

Review: Predators

Plot: A group of Earth's elite killers are kidnapped and stranded in the jungle. When the group discovers that they are actually on a remote planet and being hunted for sport, they must join together to survive.

Review: Oh how I had such high hopes for Predators. The trailers looked excellent, the cast seemed solid, and I even like the premise. Unfortunately like the author Thomas Wolfe once wrote, "you can't go home again." The 2010 incarnation of Predators directed by the unfortunately named Nimrod Antal can't hold a candle to the 1987 original. In fact it can't hold a candle to Predator 2.

What made the original Predator work so well was the fantastic chemistry between guys like Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and Jesse Ventura. Unfortunately, the cast of Predators couldn't develop any chemistry if Adrian Brody and Lawrence Fishburne covered themselves in baking soda and vinegar and hugged. Take the fights between Stans (Walter Goggins) a death row inmate and Mombassa (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali) an R.U.F. death squad soldier. The animosity and fights are so feigned I think third graders on the playground could have organized better fight scenes.

The lack of chemistry is just indicative of a greater problem: the terrible characters. You notice I didn't say actors I said characters. I feel bad for the actors in this film because Predators didn't give them anything to work with. Everyone is one dimensional, whether it's the reluctant leader Royce (Adrian Brody who does an admiral job despite the material) or the peacemaker with the haunted past Isabelle (Alice Bragga). And what the holy hell is Topher Grace (playing a doctor named Edwin) doing in this movie? He's completely miscast and sounds like he just walked off the set of That 70s Show. By the way any of you who thought Lawrence Fishburne, who plays Roland Noland (yes that's his character's name) a stranded U.S. Air Calvary soldier might save this film, think again. Forget the fact that he looks like he swallowed Ice Cube, his character acts so bat shit crazy insane that it's laughable.

Michael Finch and Alex Litvak's script is pedestrian and predictable with characters dying off at slated times in very standard ways, an unsurprising last moment twist, and an ending that unfortunately leaves room open for a sequel. Finch and Litvak need to brush up on those things called "character development" and "plot." Furthermore Antal needs watch some Alfred Hitchcock films and learn how to create tension. Nimrod do us all a favor and come back when your only claims to fame aren't this film and Armored. Weak, weak, weak.

I will admit that some of Predators was fun. Gyula Pados's cinematography accented the multifaced jungle setting and sparked memories of the original film. The audience is introduced to a new kind of Predator which was cool. And I did get to see one of the actors kill a Predator with a samurai sword. Composer John Debney also tried to recapture Alan Silvestri's original theme and in some instances succeeded.

Overall though Predators was a pale shade of John McTiernan's 80s action fest. It's not as bad as Aliens vs Predator: Requiem but this film definitely does not get to the chopper.

My rating: 3/10

Out this week!

Here are the movie releases for the week of July 5th:

A Single Man, Brooklyn's Finest, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, ER Season 13

Great movie insults!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSEYXWmEse8

Saw this today and thought it was hilarious. Any fan of film will love this little tribute. My personal favs are Betty White and Wesley Snipes. Enjoy!

Review: The Wolfman

Plot: After his brother dies in a mysterious and brutal manner, Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) returns to his home of Blackmoor, England to investigate his brother's murder. There he's confronted by his estranged father Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins) and his brother's ex-fiance Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt). At home Lawrence confronts the town's local superstitions, a dogged Inspector Francis Aberline (Hugo Weaving), his own burgeoning love for Gwen, and worst of all the raging beast within.

Review: The Wolfman is a remake of the 1941 classic horror movie starring Lon Chaney Jr. and while the 2010 version somewhat captures the spirit of the original, it's nowhere close to Director George Waggner's early 40s masterpiece.

The Wolfman is very much a gothic movie, heavy on scenery and mood. You almost feel like you've walked into a story by Poe or Lovecraft when you watch the film, which is undoubtedly what director Joe Johnston (of the soon to be filming Captain America) was going for. In that respect he succeeded admirably. The foggy moors, the intense focus on the moon, gloomy London streets, and an incredibly macabre insane asylum all lend a decidedly creepy if not overly scary motif. The success of The Wolfman's visual imagery stems directly from the cinematography of Shelly Johnson. In a field specialization dominated by men, Johnson shows a unique gift for capturing the grandiose and the uncanny in a visually stunning manner.

The same unfortunately cannot be said for The Wolfman's editors. While many of the personal one-on-one scenes were strong, the action sequences where the Wolfman attacks his victims are hit or miss. There are so many quick cuts that the deaths seem to go by in a flash, with the resulting follow up shots showing the victim's eviscera. (The Wolfman is heavy on the gore by the way.) Editors Dennis Virkler, Walter Murch, and Mark Goldblatt did nothing to heighten the intensity of the scary moments. Once again there was an over-reliance on the "shock" moments rather than any tangible scares.

While The Wolfman is strong in spectacle and mood, it falls short when it comes to acting and story. The surprise ending can be seen from miles away and it's very sad when two Academy Award winning actors like Del Toro and Hopkins come together and do such a horribly botched job of it. Del Toro is completely miscast here as Lawrence Talbot. He seemed so out of place and as a Latino actor I just didn't buy him as the son of an English lord. Jude Law or Gerard Butler would have made better choices. I should have suspected that things were going to be bad early on when Gwen finds Lawrence performing Hamlet at a theater in London. His performance was dreadful even on stage. Del Doro's later scenes, such as his reaction when someone insults his dead mother or his pleas to Gwen for help, also ring hollow.

As bad as Del Toro was Hopkins was even worse. The man who brought us Hannibal Lecter has really phoned it in over the last few years and this is never more evident than in The Wolfman. He delivers his lines in the stilted crisp manner of an English butler saying, "Lawrence I love you dear boy," in the same way he might say, "pass the bangers and mash." There's no feeling or intensity behind it. I never cared or was invested in Sir John Talbot as a character. Hopkins seemed like he was just there for a paycheck. It was a boring and uninspired performance and downright disappointing.

The only saving grace acting wise was the excellent performance of Emily Blunt. The young actress continues to impress and I believe her future is extremely bright. I liken her to a young Emma Thompson. It always impresses me when actors and actresses can perform well in sub par films. Blunt delivers here as the grieving desperate ex-fiance. Her terror and fear are palpable and are enhanced by her foundering love for Lawrence and her fear of the beast within him. Both emotions are heartfelt and powerful and while her chemistry with Del Toro isn't exactly 8 1/2 Weeks it's not Eclipse bad either. You only need see the scene at the end of the film where Blunt is hiding in the forest and read her facial expressions to know that she is the next great talent out of Great Britain.

While The Wolfman impresses visually and projects an admittedly creepy and gothic motif, poor acting and shoddy editing don't make this film stand out from the pack.

My rating: 6/10

Review: Eclipse

Plot: Based on the mega-hit vampire novels from author Stephanie Meyer, the third installment in the successful franchise once again finds Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) struggling through relationships and real life threats. While Bella's vampire love Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) pressures Bella into marriage and rival werewolf suitor Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) tries drawing Bella away from the bloodsuckers, other trouble waits in the shadows. Vampire Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) blames Edward for the loss of her vampire mate James and is planning to even the score by killing Bella. With an army of new born Seattle vampires heading to Forks, Washington for an all-out war, werewolves and vampires alike must unite to defend their homes and protect those they love.

***NOTE*** Far be it from me a self-proclaimed Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Harry Potter fan to cast aspersions on another equally successful franchise with an equally devoted (sometimes compulsively so) fanbase. That would be like Hitler calling Stalin high strung. I also freely admit that I have a deep-seeded bias when it comes to vampires. I prefer bloodthirsty monsters that wreak carnage rather than brooding whiny bitches that sparkle in the sunlight. Consequently I have made the executive decision to give TWO ratings to this film for Twilight fans and regular movie goers. Incidentally I find it fascinating that just as Star Trek fans are called Trekkies, Twilight fans are called Twihards. I assume this is a combination of Twilight and diehards. Although it's awfully close to "tards" as well. Hmmm....But I digress. On to the review! ***NOTE***

Review: As an avid fan of cinema I find it convenient whenever possible to read the novels that any films have been based on. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your point of view) I have read all four of Stephanie Meyer's novels. I equate them to cotton candy. It's sugary and sweet and goes down easy but there is virtually no substance to it. The same can't always be said for the films. While the substance is still non-existent the sugar is often absent as well.

The fundamental and key ingredient to any successful film is acting. Unfortunately the bakers at Summit Entertainment forgot about that ingredient when they were putting this turd-pie together. The acting in Eclipse is so atrocious it makes Jenna Jameson look Oscar worthy. Let's break it down shall we?

It's a good thing that Robert Pattinson has hordes of fans that faint at his brooding good looks, because his career after this franchise has ended is not promising. This guy couldn't act his way out of a coffin if it was unlocked and he had a fully functioning chainsaw besides. Pattinson as Edward is vapid and tedious, completely incapable of displaying any other emotion besides petulance and disdain. It's like they ripped him right out of the goth group from South Park. I mean my God this asshat seemed like a whiny emo kid who missed his latest latte enema! His "chemistry" with Bella is severely lacking. Kind of important considering these films are romances! Even more suprising since these two are supposedly in an off the screen romance as well. I've seen 7th grade stage kisses that had more spark and authenticity than these two making out.

Equally horrific is the acting of Pattinson's counterpart Kristen Stewart. Talk about your dead fish. Her endless entreaties for Edward to change her are so mind numbingly boring I started wondering if it was too late to leave the theater and rent Booty Call. That film would have been exponentially more captivating than watching Bella discuss with her Dad her virginity. Good God. Stewart's character rarely, if ever, seems to show emotion. It's as if her diet consists of Thorazine milkshakes. Snore. (Incidentally is it really healthy for young girls to admire and emulate a character who defines herself solely through her man? That's not a very good recipe for self-esteem if you ask me.)

And rounding out this trio of acting duds is Taylor Lautner, who also vies for Bella's love as the werewolf Jacob Black. In all honestly I think Lautner is going to go on to have the most successful career of these three. Once he frees himself from the shackles of this franchise I think he could have a very successful career as an action star. However, we exist in the here and now and in Eclipse he flat out sucks. The guy is nothing but eye-candy. I'm sure the ladies will appreciate his rippling abs and broad chest but don't look for anything beyond that. (It's a wonder the guy even owns a shirt because he's topless through most of the film.) Whereas Stewart and Pattinson's acting is so subdued as to be bereft of emotion, Lautner's acting is nothing but feigned emotion. I never believed it when he became angry or professed his love for Bella. Lautner was completely unconvincing.

The only thing that saves Eclipse somewhat are its visuals, music, and action. Javier Aguiresarobe does an excellent job of capturing Vancouver's beautiful countryside. The captivating images of mountains, rivers, and forests seemed wasted on film as bad as this one. Oscar winner Howard Shore also lends a score that fits the raw nature of the environment and Nancy Richardson and Art Jones's editing is sharp and remarkable in its clarity. Also film goers will be treated to a much more action laden Twilight film than its predecessors. I have to admit that the fighting scenes at the end of the film were excellent thanks in large part to director David Slade who also directed the far superior 30 Days of Night.

Even Slade could not save Eclipse from its material however. Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg did nothing to try to save Meyer's stilted and banal dialogue. As I've already said the acting in this film was atrocious but to be fair actors can't do much with dialogue that is the PG-13 equivalent of a Reading Rainbow session with Levar Burton. Even the strong acting of Dakota Fanning as Volturi vampire Jane cannot resurrect language that is deader than a staked vampire.

Having said all this Eclipse will undoubtedly please Twilight fans world-wide. Fans can be incredibly myopic when it comes to characters and stories that they love. I admit that. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is not a very good movie but I own it because I'm a Star Trek fan. Eclipse fans will be happy to know it is the best of the the Twilight films thus far. However, that is kind of like saying one bowl of shit stinks the least from the three in front of me.

My rating for Twilight fans: 9/10

My rating for regular moviegoers: 3/10

Review: Toy Story 3

Plot: Buzz (Tim Allen), Woody (Tom Hanks), and the gang are back for their third adventure in the hit series from Pixar. The latest edition finds their owner Andy heading off to college and the group resigned to Sunnyside Daycare. But the seemingly restful new home for the toys is far from it and before long the group is fighting for escape...and their lives!

Review: Pixar has become like the Boston Celtics of the 1960s; there's just no beating them. Toy Story 3 is just another slam dunk for the production company and the third entry in the franchise is the best to date.

The great thing about Pixar films is that, though animated, they are able to appeal to some part of the human spirit. In Toy Story 3 it's all about change. How do we cope when the things we've clung to for so long suddenly and drastically change? The best of us find ways to stick together and work through change like the group in this film. Others become angry and resentful like the main antagonist Lot's O'-Huggin' Bear voiced by Ned Beatty.

The geniuses behind the Toy Story franchise also appreciate their cinema history. In Toy Story 2 it was Saturday afternoon Western serials. In Toy Story 3 it's escape movies like The Great Escape, Escape from Alcatraz, and Cool Hand Luke. (Fans of Cool Hand Luke will really appreciate the scene where a "transformed" Buzz informs the inmates about spending "a night in the box.") Drawing elements from each of these films (and others) helped to create a dynamic and entertaining story that's fun for children and adults alike.

But hey, as important as the messages and themes of Pixar films are, the best part is of course the comedy and Toy Story 3 has it in spades. I loved Michael Keaton's turn as Ken. He's constantly trying to defend his choice of fashion and insisting that he's a real toy not just an "accessory." The gambling room behind the vending machine and Sunnyside's choice of a roulette wheel is particularly hilarious as well. So whether it's a grumpy Mr. Potatohead (Don Rickles) finding substitutes like cucumbers or tortillas for his potato, listening to Buzz Lightyear in his Spanish mode, or Hamm (John Ratzenberger) pointing out the finer intricacies of window locks, Toy Story 3 boasts jokes for all ages.

Director Lee Unkrich (who also co-directed Toy Story 2) does a splendid job of blending the fundamental ingredients of heart, humor, and life lessons that have made Pixar into the modern day Mother Goose of the cinema world. Although Toy Story 3 is a little heavier and grimmer than some of its predecessors (the scenes in the dump towards the end of the film are particularly harrowing) nothing can top it's charm and ability to consistently entertain. Kudos once again to the animated wizards at Pixar. I can't wait for next year's gem!

[One interesting side note: There is actually some yahoo on-line who is claiming that Toy Story 3's plot actually depicts the plight of the Jews during the Holocaust. This is also the same person who said that Stanley Kubrick faked the moon landing and left clues about it in The Shining. Parents, friends, and neighbors don't believe a word of that dreck. The ridiculous notion of Pixar's latest film having any connection to the Jews and the Holocaust is a bigger reach than me trying to touch a standard NBA basketball rim flatfooted. Some people just don't know how to relax and enjoy themselves.]

My rating: 10/10