Thursday, June 21, 2012

Prometheus (Theatrical Review)



Prometheus (2012)
Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller, 124 minutes
Directed by Ridley Scott
Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Logan Marshall-Green and Charlize Theron

I've had the pleasure of seeing Prometheus twice. The first occasion was my first exposure to IMAX/3D and it was easily the best presentation I have ever seen in a theater. That prompted me to share the experience with two UK friends who were in town for my 50th birthday. Yes, I'm old.

The most difficult thing to overcome when reviewing Prometheus is separating the incredible presentation from the story. Should I review the experience, or just the movie itself? I have chosen to comment on both elements.

The opening shots immediately draw you in and establish that you are about to witness something special in terms of presentation. As the camera pans over the surface of a moon, you are part of the experience. As with Avatar, you are transported to a different world. The first shot of the ship is also effective, with the roar of the engines. Kubrick would probably turn over in his grave at the technical error of portraying sound in space, but it does add something for the viewer.


Prometheus is quite ambitious. It does a good job of explaining some of the events that led up to the mission in Alien. We are shown some of the discoveries which prompted the Weyland-Yutani Corporation to explore deep space. A crew is sent to search for an incredible secret, which I won't reveal here. Unlike other films in the Alien franchise, the presence of an android is explained from the beginning. David (Fassbender) is accepted for what he is without anything being hidden. The one thing that does remain consistent is that the android knows more than he admits. Where did he get that information?

There is more than one alien species present in Prometheus, plus the humans. The story explains the origin of the type of ship discovered in Alien and we experience a small thrill of recognition. Ridley Scott balances new information with previous events in an effective way. I came away feeling like I knew a lot more about this universe, but I didn't feel that the original film had been betrayed in any way.


It took me several viewings over a number of years to raise my rating for Alien to 4.5/5. Perhaps because I know that film so well, Prometheus had more of an immediate impact. However, there is one thing preventing me from rating the film as highly. The character of Fifield (Sean Harris) is a blatant flaw in the film. He's a British geologist with the personality of an idiotic criminal. He's clearly intended to provide comic relief, and I admit that the audience did laugh at his comments during both viewings, but his inclusion felt so out of place. Up until that point, the film had me fully engaged. The story seemed plausible and interesting. Fifield would never have passed any serious attempt at psychological screening by the Weyland Corporation and would never have become part of the crew in any realistic scenario. His inclusion pulled me right out of the movie as soon as he spoke his opening dialogue. His scenes with Millburn (Rafe Spall) were all ludicrous and I'm forced to deduct half a point just because of their presence.

Everything else worked.


I'm not against the idea of humor in a serious movie. Vickers (Theron) and Janek (Idris Elba) did have an amusing exchange which was handled in a far more intelligent manner. Theron played her part well and her icy personality was believable.

The highlight of the film for me was the unexpectedly wonderful performance from Noomi Rapace. I liked her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in the original Dragon Tattoo trilogy and was pleasantly surprised to see her tackling a role in English. Like Alien, the movie ends with a fight for survival, and Shaw (Rapace) is the equivalent of Ripley. There's one sequence which made me laugh because it was so outlandish, but Rapace played it totally straight and still had me on the edge of my seat and rooting for her. This will upset some people, but I think she was a more effective character than Sigourney Weaver's Ripley. I like both tremendously, so I guess it doesn't matter.


Prometheus delivers in terms of story, action, and special effects, and most of the acting is good. The conclusion left the possibility of a sequel and I wouldn't be sorry to see that happen. It's always tricky when a franchise is continued after a long absence, but Scott really pulled it off. See it in IMAX/3D while you can and buy the Blu-ray when it is eventually released.

Overall score 4/5

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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Moonrise Kingdom (Theatrical Review)




Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 94 minutes
Directed by Wes Anderson
Starring Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Bob Balaban and Harvey Keitel

I have to admit that I hadn't seen any Wes Anderson films until two or three years ago and Moonrise Kingdom is the first that I have had the pleasure of seeing in the theater.

My first Anderson experience was Bottle Rocket, and it didn't strike me as remarkable the first time I saw it. However, I found myself thinking about it over the next few days and ended up buying the Criterion Blu-ray.

I think there are a couple of important things to understand about Anderson's films:

The first is the level of detail. It's an assault on the brain and I've come to appreciate subsequent viewings more than with most films. Many lesser comedies fall flat because they run out of ideas and end up repeating them until they approach 90 minutes. Anderson's films have so many ideas it's ridiculous, but five of his seven films are also over by the 94-minute mark. The difference is that they are crammed with ideas and feel fresh and original.


The other major thing to note is the brand of humor. Call it offbeat or quirky, or whatever you like, but it's certainly distinctive. It's the type of humor that uses a phrase or situation which is familiar to you, but surprises you by giving it a different meaning. Think of Police Squad, Naked Gun, or Monty Python, and you'll understand what I mean. Like David Lynch, I think Anderson's mind makes unusual connections that most are incapable of. In order to appreciate his films, you need to investigate all of his worlds and understand the way that he thinks. It might be too much work for the casual viewer.

Let's get to Moonrise Kingdom.

The film is set in the 1960s on a small island off New England. It evokes a sense of nostalgia that's present throughout. This is a time in which cell phones and most electronic entertainment didn't exist. Take a look at the primitive record player for example. The story focuses on the budding romance between Sam (Gilman) and Suzy (Hayward). Sam is a scout and invites Suzy to run away with him, causing the small town to send out a search party.


The supporting cast includes some big names and a few Anderson favorites. The local cop is played by Bruce Willis and he's particularly effective in the role. The Scout Master is played by Edward Norton, who has an exaggerated sense of his own importance. He provides a lot of the humor in the few scenes he is in. Look out for the homage to The Shawshank Redemption when he discovers that Sam is missing.


Frances McDormand and Bill Murray play a married couple and both are lawyers. Jason Schwartzman's appearance is brief, but he makes good use of the time. One of my favorite characters is played by Tilda Swinton, and she is simply referred to as Social Services. Even Bob Balaban's narration is funny. It's hard to go into any more detail without ruining the entire plot, such as it is, so I'll stop there.

I mentioned that Anderson's films require several viewings to take in all the details, but I have to say that Moonrise Kingdom had an immediate impact on me. This is my style of humor and it felt like a Coen brothers movie, such as Burn After Reading, at times. Nothing much happens, but it's the style that's important. If you like Anderson's other films, you will almost certainly appreciate this.


I sometimes wonder what kind of childhood Anderson had. Are these characters based on his own experiences? Most are intelligent and suffered something of a troubled upbringing. When I think of Sam, or Max (from Rushmore), am I seeing the way Anderson views his own early life? Dysfunctional families are a favorite topic of his and Moonrise Kingdom is filled with them. Perhaps I had such an immediate connection to the film because it felt familiar after seeing his other work?


I'll close by saying that Anderson's films won't have universal or even large appeal, but if you appreciate his quirky style, you might just end up loving everything he does. I know that's true for me. I'll always remember that I first watched the film on my 50th birthday with two friends I have known since I was 11. That was a great experience and I would like to watch Moonrise Kingdom again right now.

Overall score 4.5/5 (with the potential to rise to 5/5 after repeat viewings).

Return to index of every review on the site.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Django Unchained (First Trailer)






There are four things that I anticipate more than anything else; a book by my one of my favorite authors, an album by a favorite band, the start of the NFL season, and a new film from one of my favorite directors. Quentin Tarantino has probably moved ahead of David Lynch as my favorite director, with a number of others close behind.

I'm not a big fan of Westerns, but that doesn't matter because Tarantino never disappoints. I'm not a fan of war movies, but Inglourious Basterds is one of my favorite releases in recent years. Tarantino is often accused of stealing ideas, but I think he has invented a genre. The mix of dialogue, perfectly-matched music, and intelligent humor, has not yet been duplicated by any other director.

I often avoid trailers because I want to see a movie for the first time without knowing anything about the plot. This time I decided to take a look because there are few things that I look forward to more than a new Tarantino film. I now know what I'm doing on Christmas Day.

First thoughts are that the film looks promising. I would have liked to have seen what Will Smith would have done in the title role, but I know that Jamie Foxx will do a great job. It's good to see Christoph Waltz and Leonardo Di Caprio involved, and I think we'll have another fine addition to Tarantino's body of work. He's always been a fan of Sergio Leone and I'm sure that he'll fill the film with all kinds of references to his favorite Westerns.

It's gratifying to see other Tarantino regulars in the cast such as Zoe Bell and Samuel L. Jackson. I wonder how he'll use Don Johnson? I'm also interested to see James Remar, who played Ajax in The Warriors.

What are you hoping to see from Tarantino's latest?

Monday, June 4, 2012

What I Watched This Week, May 27 - June 2

Welcome to the eighth installment of What I Watched This Week. I don't review everything I watch, but I have time for quick comments about the movies that I don't fully review.

It was a very slow week and I only managed to see three films:


The Game (1997)

David Fincher followed Se7en with the mystery thriller, The Game. It stars Michael Douglas as Nicholas Van Orton and Sean Penn as Conrad, his brother. Nicholas is extremely wealthy and isn't in love with his life, but Conrad buys him a birthday gift that will change his life. It's a game run by a company that Nicholas has never heard of, but he takes the battery of tests and enlists. His life is suddenly threatened as people try to kill him. Is this for real? The Game is a thrill-ride with an excellent twist, and I would place it above many of Fincher's more widely celebrated films. Douglas and Penn do a good job and there's plenty of action. The supporting cast is also worthy of mention with Deborah Kara Unger, James Rebhorn and Armin Mueller-Stahl all playing a part. For more thoughts on The Game, take a look at the discussion over at 137exactly.

Overall score 4/5


Midnight in Paris (2011)

If not for The Descendants, Midnight in Paris would have been my favorite film of 2011. Both films are strengthened by superb scripts and I enjoy the pure escapism offered by Woody Allen's best film for years. Owen Wilson plays the character that would once have been played by Allen himself, and he does it very well. It's charming, funny, and imaginative. Check out my full review for all of my thoughts.

Overall score 5/5


Alien (1979)

Alien was ahead of its time. The first part of the film introduces the characters and we find out they they are aboard a mining ship in space. The best part of the film is the discovery of the alien ship and the eggs that it contains. This sequence is pure suspense and excellent cinema. Once we have met the creature, the film becomes something else; it's part horror, part action, part science fiction. Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, is not your typical heroine. She thinks fast and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. When the rest of the crew panics, she's the most rational one among them. I watched this again because it's the subject of this week's discussion at the previously mentioned 137exactly. Feel free to join in if Alien is among your favorites. The Blu-ray version dramatically improves the presentation of the film and I enjoyed it more than ever. I'm raising my previous score by half a point. There's also a mini-review of Alien that I did for my 100 movies series.

Overall score 4.5/5


Click here to see what I watched April 8-14.

Click here to see what I watched April 15-21.

Click here to see what I watched April 22-28.

Click here to see what I watched April 29-May 5.

Click here to see what I watched May 6-12.

Click here to see what I watched May 13-19.

Click here to see what I watched May 20-26.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Upcoming Blu-ray releases, June 4-7, 2012




New release segment



Catalogue release segment




US Blu-ray releases

June 5, 2012

Act of Valor
Alfie Boe: The Bring Him Home Tour
American Pie (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Animal House (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Animals United
Arn: The Knight Templar - The Complete Series
Bad Ass
The Big Lebowski (Universal 100th Anniversary) (In the Frame review)
Bizet: Carmen
Blood Work
Breaking Bad: The Complete Fourth Season
Casino (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Cocktail
The Color of Money
David Garrett: Legacy - Live in Baden Baden
The Delta Force (Walmart Exclusive)
Dragon Ball Z Kai: Part Eight
Erin Brockovich (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Falling Skies: The Complete First Season
The Fast and the Furious (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Five Minarets in New York
Flame Over India
For the Love of Benji
Hit So Hard: The Life and Near Death Story of Drummer Patty Schemel
Hondo            
Hoosiers
John Carter
John Carter 3D
John Mellencamp: It's About You

John Wayne Collection (The Dawn Rider / The Hurricane Express / McLintock! / The Star Packer / Texas Terror / The Trail Beyond / John Wayne: American Hero of the Movies documentary)

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D
King Kong (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Machine Gun Preacher
Martin Scorsese Collection
Missing in Action (Walmart Exclusive)
Missing in Action 2: The Beginning (Walmart Exclusive)
The Mummy (Universal 100th Anniversary)
NFL Super Bowl XLVI Champions: New York Giants - The Road to XLVI
Natural Born Killers / Any Given Sunday / JFK
One Direction - Up All Night: The Live Tour
A Perfect World
Ransom
Safe House
Scent of a Woman
Sea of Love
Seven Days in Utopia
Sixteen Candles (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Smokey and the Bandit (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Spartacus (Universal 100th Anniversary)
The Sting (Universal 100th Anniversary)
The Sting (Universal 100th Anniversary | Collector's Edition)
The Twilight Zone: Fan Favorites
The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series
Under African Skies  
United 93 (Universal 100th Anniversary)
U.S. Marshals
Workaholics: Seasons 1 and 2
WWE: ECW Unreleased Volume 1
The Yankles: In the Big Inning
Yellow Submarine 


Canadian Blu-ray releases

June 5, 2012

Act of Valor
Alfie Boe: The Bring Him Home Tour
American Pie (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Animal House (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Bad Ass
The Big Lebowski (Universal 100th Anniversary) (In the Frame review)
Blood Work
Blow (Limited SteelBook Edition)
Breaking Bad: The Complete Fourth Season
Cocktail
The Color of Money
David Garrett: Legacy - Live in Baden Baden
Erin Brockovich (Universal 100th Anniversary)
The Fast and the Furious (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Gamer
The Grapes of Wrath
Headspace
Hoosiers
John Carter
John Carter 3D
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Kick-Ass (Limited Edition | SteelBook)
King Kong (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Limitless (Limited Edition SteelBook) (In the Frame review)
Machine Gun Preacher
Man on a Ledge
The Mummy (Universal 100th Anniversary)
NFL Super Bowl XLVI Champions: New York Giants The Road to XLVI
Nature: River of no Return
A Perfect World
Piranha (Limited Edition | SteelBook)
Ransom
Scent of a Woman
Sea of Love
Smokey and the Bandit (Universal 100th Anniversary)
Spartacus (Universal 100th Anniversary)
The Sting (Universal 100th Anniversary)
The Sting (Collector's Edition)
Stone Temple Pilots: Alive in the Windy City
The Twilight Zone: Fan Favorites
The Twilight Zone: The Complete Collection
Under African Skies
United 93 (Universal 100th Anniversary)
U.S. Marshals
W.E.
Yellow Submarine
Zorba the Greek


UK Blu-ray releases

June 4, 2012

Alien Anthology (Play.com Exclusive SteelBook)
The A-Team
Big Miracle
Blackthorn
Blue Velvet
Braveheart
The Caine Mutiny
Coriolanus

David Lynch Collection (Eraserhead / Dune / Blue Velvet / Wild At Heart / Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me / Lost Highway) 

Dune
Eraserhead
Fight Club (In the Frame review)
The Goat Rodeo Sessions Live
Gojira: The Flesh Alive
Goon
Hard Bass 2012: The Live Registration
Heroes: The Complete Series 1-4       
The Importance of Being Earnest
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer
Lost Highway (In the Frame review)
Man on Fire
A Monster in Paris 3D
Payback Season
Predator
The Return of the Living Dead (Limited Edition | SteelBook)
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Live in Concert
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
Under African Skies  
Walking Tall
W.E.
Wild at Heart
WWE Elimination Chamber 2012     
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Yellow Submarine
Zombie Apocalypse 

June 7, 2012

Classic Bergman Collection (It Rains on Our Love / A Ship Bound for India / Sawdust and Tinsel / Dreams / So Close to Life)


French Blu-ray releases

June 4, 2012

Under African Skies
Yellow Submarine

June 5, 2012

African Cats
Almighty Thor
Another Happy Day
The Battle of the River Plate
Bunohan
Dead Season
D'un film à l'autre
El Gusto
Elles
Freerunner
Le peuple des volcans
Lucky and Zorba
Quiet Flows the Don
Simply Red: Live at Montreux          

June 6, 2012

Ben-Hur
Blood Work
Death Bell 2
Disclosure
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
The Fox and the Hound
The Fox and the Hound 2
The Godfather Trilogy
The Grapes of Wrath
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
Hangover Part II
Hooked
Lightbulb
The Long, Hot Summer
Malveillance
Memorial Day
Mutiny on the Bounty
The Nameless
A Perfect World
Pocahontas
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World
Pokemon the Movie
The Reef
Tarzan
Terre : Planète sous influence U.S. Marshals
Yogi Bear
Zorba the Greek


Australian Blu-ray releases

June 6, 2012

Age of Heroes
Army of Darkness
Black Butler: Season 1 Collection
Black Butler: Season 2 Collection
For the Love of Money
Ironclad
Puella Magi Madoka Magica Vol. 2
Recoil Shame
Solaris

June 7, 2012

Dinosaurs Alive! 3D
Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia 3D
Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk 3D
Justified: The Complete First Season
Mad Men: Season Five
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries: The Complete First Season
Safe House
Sea Rex: Journey to a Prehistoric World 3D
The Straits: The Complete First Season
The Ultimate Wave: Tahiti 3D
Wild Ocean 3D