The Machinist (oh...and The Foot Fist Way)

The Machinist(2004)
R
Running Time: 102 Minutes
Spain
4.5 Nuggets

Some method actors make me roll my eyes at their pathetic attempts to get in touch with the characters they play...others make me respect the trade. I hadn't heard anything about this movie until I got it in the mail. After watching the first few minutes and wondering out loud "I thought this had Christian Bale in it..." my jaw hit the floor, realizing that the skeletal figure I was staring at in disbelief was The Dark Knight himself. Method actor? I should say so...

Mr. Bale lost 63 lbs to play the role of Trevor Reznik (yes, that picture is REALLY him), a machine worker that hasn't slept for over a year and whose body is obviously paying the price. The movie centers around some strange events that take place in the shop which lead him, and the audience, to question his sanity. Nobody is sure if he's seeing things or if it is a huge conspiracy, out to exact revenge on the sleepy protagonist. With strong supporting roles played by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Aitana Sánchez-Guijón, Brad Anderson directs a truly thrilling and Hitchcockian drama about just how badly our head can mess with us in the event of sleeplessness. The film was shot entirely on location in Barcelona but was made to look like a run down part of LA. Great cinematography, awesome tension built through fantastic mise-en-scène and the fact that Christian Bale is literally a walking skeleton make this one movie you should definitely check out. It's rated R for some graphic violence, sexual images and adult language...but worth it. Trust me.

Oh, and don't waste your time with The Foot Fist Way. 0 nuggets. Worthless. Not Funny. Makes me want to punch Will Ferrell and Adam Mckay (producers) in the junk and make them tell me some jokes to bring laughter back into my life. Even Danny McBride couldn't salvage this one. BOOOOOOOOO.

Appaloosa

Appaloosa (2008)
R
Running Time: 114 minutes
4 gold nuggets

At one point in this film there is a shootout between 6 of the fastest guns. The scene happens fast. There is no standing and talking about the size of the town, no waiting for the other guy to draw, no drawn out Italian interpretations of samurai fight scenes (not that those are bad things). Virgil Cole (Harris) and Everett Hitch (Viggo) walk up to the jailhouse and five seconds later, three men are dead, one has escaped jail, and Cole and Hitch are both lying wounded on the ground. Hitch remarks, "that happened fast." To which Cole replies, "everybody could shoot."

The humor is as dry as the surrounding landscape, the one-liners are great, and what is left unsaid is even better. Harris and Cole do a great job acting. Zellweger, in my mind does a great job too. Although not on par with her performance in Cold Mountain, she adds a certain softness that distinguishes the violent tension that runs throughout the film. (I haven't read the book, but I have it on good authority that Zellweger strays slightly from the original character's manipulate ways.)

I just want to make sure everyone knows that Hitch walks around with an eight-gauge shotgun. It's like a portable canon.

The film does a good job of developing tension. The plot line is a little thin, so the suspense of certain scenes really helps to carry the film. Basically, Zellweger wants the alpha male who is, in here estimation, one of at least three people. Supposedly she loves Cole, but is kind of into Bragg (the bad guy, yeah, he's bad), and she makes a pass at Hitch. Hitch is some sort of a Galahad. He's with Cole and Ms. French (Zellweger) is with Cole. Bragg, however, is not with Cole, he hates Cole, so it's really easy for him to shack up with Zellweger (plus I think she is the only pretty girl that lives in Appaloosa).

Every so often, there is a scenic shot. They are all pretty, and they add to that soft/harsh contrast, setting a lonesome silent tone. But, there is one really sucky cut scene where a mountain lion watches a train go by, like this guy. I've yet to be convinced that mountain lions watch trains from mountain tops despite all the westerns that I've watched.

Catch up - not to be confused with Catsup (or Ketchup)

Ok...I've slacked. I'll admit it. All this free time with being jobless and you'd think that I have ooooooodles of time to write and alas...here I am, playing catch up. Because I've watched quite a few movies in the past few weeks and haven't dedicated any time to reviewing them properly, I'll just do a quick summation and pick up where I left off. Please forgive me...but hopefully I'll have some good suggestions in there for you to check out. Oh, and I'm going to start giving things a rating scale...and since stars, thumbs and smiley faces are SOOOO 15 minutes ago, I'm going to use gold nuggets (a 1 - 5 scale, 1 being a piece of crap and 5 being the bomb.gov) soley because I think the word nugget is pretty funny:

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - 2 nuggets. I'll be honest...this was Peter Sollett trying to recreate Juno and falling WAY short. I love Michael Cera, as I've said before...and Kat Dennings did a decent job at being his counterpart. However, there were a LOT of disjointed pieces, leaving me with a curiosity to read the novel that it was based on. More than likely those scattered pieces made sense in that context. The soundtrack was pretty good, though...I'll admit. Check it out but don't expect too much.

Out of Africa - 4.5 nuggets. A stunning, epic tale of romance, relationships, oppression, feminism and politics. Robert Redford and Meryl Streep give incredible performances in a true story about courage, compassion and love. Yes, it's a "chick flick" to some degree...but let's be honest: All men could use a little estrogen to balance out the macho bull sh** that resides within us. Snuggle up to your loved one, relax and enjoy this one. I promise it's worth it.

Jump Tomorrow - 5 nuggets. Seriously, I LOVED this movie. It reminded me of an appropriate mix of Bottle Rocket and Napoleon Dynamite (stop it...I know what you're thinking...and yes, Napoleon Dynamite was good before it became a cultural icon. Don't fight it). Very quirky, very "indie" and VERY funny. This was a Sundance entry that should have gotten more exposure, in my opinion. Definitely check it out.

What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? - 3.5 nuggets. I've been fascinated with string theory, quantum physics and general relativity for a while now (I'm not trying to sound smart...just think it's interesting) and this movie attempts to put them in layman's terms. It's a bunch of documentary style interview clips surrounded by a narrative story line. Honestly, the narrative bugs the hell out of me but I think it's worth watching for the factual pieces. Watch it with the intent to discuss afterwards. Good brain food.

Eddie Izzard: Dress to Kill - 3.5 nuggets. If you're not familiar with Eddie's work, then you may be a little shocked to see him on stage. Yes, he's a British transvestite. Yes, he is a little abrasive. YES, he's hilarious. Watch it if you can handle a lot of cursing and some "adult" material. Pretty funny stuff.

Ok...that's enough for now. I'm recommitting myself to the blog. Look for more soon.

Blame it on Fidel!

La Faute à Fidel! (2006)
NR
Running Time: 99 minutes
France

For a really long time I couldn't get over the acting of Victoire Thivisol of Ponette. It's really good, and she was 4 years old. Nina Kervel-Bey, however, gave Victoire a run for her money in 2006 with her sullen yet sassy role in Blame it on Fidel. I would be bitter too if I grew up in the comforts of bourgeois France only to be deprived of these things because my parents decided to become activists.

The story is probably hard to relate to. It might be offensive to some because of the film's glorification of radical (not liberal) ideals. It is even arguable that Anna (Victoire), who voices all the objections a spoiled capitalist would raise, embodies an infantile and inferior view to that of the radicals. (i.e. liberal = sophisticated, fiscally conservative = not yet educated on the matter.) This may, however, be a poor interpretation. It is important to remember that Anna is the protagonist.

In 1970, Anna's parents decide to go to Chile and help their comrades establish a new order. I'm not going to tell you the whole story because I'm lazy, and I have class soon. Essentially, the parents throw themselves into their work and neglect their children. Anna, in particular, resents this.

Anna is very perceptive. She questions her parents current and past actions, articulately observing the hypocrisy in their lives. The father is inconsistent in standing up for causes (he missed out on the 1967 French student revolt because he had a cushy job.) The mother jeopardizes their roles in Chile by getting involved in an advocacy group to legalize abortion.

Anna is also selfish (capitalist?). She has a conversation with "les barbus" (bearded men) who often congregate at her home about the merits of capitalism (you get lots of money for yourself) verses the merits of communism (there is no self interest). As much as the film is black and white or left and right, it is subtly complex in how it portrays the way the characters have to relate to each other given their ideals.

The film is pretty heavy handed. So, if you hate liberal ideals, don't watch it. You will be distracted and perhaps infuriated by the ideology.

The film ends on a very optimistic note. Anna transfers to a public school, and unwittingly the other children invite her to join them. I think the symbolism is we always ought to remember that a human being is more important than any ideal, left or right. I don't think that Julie Gavras really got the point across in any explicit way, but this is alright given that Hollywood beats us over the head with whatever they think is important. ( I have to disagree slightly with DC's review of Wall•E. The first 30 minutes were amazing. When the humans come along it was like we had to be bludgeoned to death with the fact that if we don't eat healthy and exercise, we will be obese, or the fact that the earth is nearly dead, but if a little plant can do it, (do what?!?) we can too! I absolutely agree that these are important issues, I just feel that the film was a little didactic. But, barring that barrage of if-you-didn't-get-the-point-we-will-reiterate-it-over-and-over-just-to-make-sure, Wall•E was great.) Okay, I better end the review there...

Smart People

Smart People (2008)
R
Running Time: 95 minutes
USA

I love double entendres...especially when used skillfully to make your mind think in ways that it probably wouldn't otherwise. This film is obviously about some of the smartest idiots on the planet...brilliant in some ways, socially retarded in others. Seems to me that in life there are certain trade offs when it comes to talents and abilities, something that Noam Murro explores through these complex characters that were created to demonstrate just how difficult it is to maintain "healthy" relationships when crippled emotionally.

Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid) is the the widower father of two children and a professor at Carnegie Mellow. Self absorbed, arrogant and prideful, he can't even remember current student's names, let alone former one's. After a fall/seizure, he ends up in the emergency room as the patient of a former student and, painfully at times, a romantic friendship ensues. During all of this, Lawerence's adopted brother Chuck (Thomas Hayden Church) shows up for a handout and a place to stay and begins to stir the proverbial pot.

This movie was fairly well done. Strong performances by Quaid, Church, Ellen Page and Sarah Jessica Parker keep the story moving with comedic moments and an occassional heart string pull. It's rated R for language, some sexuality and drug use, some involving teens (I totally sound like a real movie reviewer! I'm proud of myself!). I was well entertained and would recommend it to anyone in the mood for a quirky, romantic comedy...but I would definitely suggest seeing Running With Scissors, if you already haven't. Smart People felt like a small step down from RWS...albeit both are worth seeing. Enjoy!

Evelyn

Evelyn (2002)
PG
Running Time: 95 minutes
UK

For those of you who managed to nail your eyelids open long enough to watch the newly released Mama Mia!, Evelyn may interest you too. Actually, all that the two films share in common is Pierce Brosnan singing. But, if James Bond singing ABBA songs to Meryl Streep doesn't deter you, then James Bond singing Irish Pub songs can only be that much more enticing. Supposedly this film is based on actual events. Desmond is the father of three children. His wife leaves him, and he subsequently looses his children because he drinks. The children are sent to a Catholic orphanage. James is poor and he is an alcoholic. He gives up the drink, teams up with some lawyers and they try to overthrow the Irish system of family law. The law can be interesting, sometimes, and this film does an fairly good job of exploring the social and political aspects of any good lawsuit, but so far as movies about the law are concerned, this one is pretty typical.

This film has good nuns and one bad nun, bad lawyers and a few good lawyers, cute little kids, and a grip of Irish people hanging out in pubs. But, there is only one lay Irish folk singer, and though he doesn't quite measure up to The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys, or Flogging Molly, he most certainly outdoes his performance in Mama Mia! (Trust me, that film was so bad that I didn't even see it.) The best part of this film is Evelyn's (Sophie Vavasseur) testimony.

This film is a 3 out of 5. It is mediocre, inspirational, and moderately paced. (Want to see a really good portrayal of politics and law? See the recent John Adams mini-series, episode 1.)

Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express
R
Running Time: 111 minutes
USA

Why do I do this to myself?

Let me clarify before your thought processes get off track. There is a certain skill in overcoming what I'd like to officially label as "Christmas Syndrome™" or "CS™". This malady involves seeing an ad for any given product and completely allowing it to define your perception of said item, whether that be a toy, piece of clothing or even a film. Sadly, I fell prey to my own made up disease with this film and would like to hopefully shed some light as to why.

Judd Apatow is an incredible filmmaker. He uses horrible language, extremely crude humor and somewhat gimmicky sight gags...but the skilled part is, he makes you care about characters who are complete and total losers. That's not easy to do...and Mr. Apatow seems to have the capacity to pull it off with regularity. HOWEVER, that only seems to be the case when he directs his movies. When the Apatow name appears only as a producer, the film seems to suffer some...

Which brings me to tonight's word...I mean, review (please don't sue me Mr. Colbert). Plot? Don't bother...it's hardly relevant. A good stoner movie (which, admittedly, this is) cares not for such things. Comedic value? I laughed hysterically for the first half of the movie...almost on par with Superbad...and then it was like watching a firecracker whose fuse reaches the flash point, fizzles and then slowly tips over. It left me wanting. Not a good feeling. It's like the girl that winks seductively, gets your attention and then runs screaming in the other direction (admit it..it's happened to you, too). And this is where CS™ set in. I just kept thinking "Why?! Why did you build this up into another 40 Year Old Virgin when you know that's an incredibly high bench mark to reach?" But then I remind myself...Seth Rogen is good in everything he's been in (I even liked his minuscule role in Donnie Darko), it's at least an Apatow production and James Franco as a stoner looked hysterical. Therefore, after reflecting back on what I just viewed, I can conclude that, based on previous experience with Apatow films and with Seth Rogen, I contracted a slight case of CS™ which most likely affected my overall satisfaction with the film (not to mention the poor casting of Rosie Perez and the fact that the gore at the end almost seemed to be an inside joke between cast and crew). This happened to me somewhat with Superbad...and I'm happy to say that several viewings later I have come to enjoy it thoroughly. Not sure if that will be the case with this latest installment...but we shall see.

If you like stoner flicks, or if you're an Apatow/Rogen fan, check it out. Just lower your expectations a bit, the sure way to cure any lingering CS™.

ADDENDUM: I just remembered something that bothered me, too. Not sure if I was just making things up or not but I could have sworn that there were about 10 plugs for AT&T's "My Moment" ad campaign. If that's true, it bothered me somethin' fierce. Not that I disagree with product placement in films...but if you're gonna do it, do it subtlety!! If anyone else noticed it please let me know so that I don't think I'm crazy...