Movie Review: THE TOURIST

THE TOURIST

2010
PG-13

You can watch the trailer here

The Tourist is a 2010 action thriller directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck that follows Elise Clifton-Ward (Angelina Jolie), the lover of an internationally-wanted criminal. When her lover, Alexander Pearce, tells her to find a man who could pose as him, Elise chooses Frank (Johnny Depp), a widower on vacation in Venice, Italy. She panders to him, making it seem as though she is interested in him, but the audience knows that it is just a guise to throw off the people following her in the hopes of catching Pearce. Honestly, I'd go into more detail, but all the twists and turns essentially prevent me from doing so if I want to go through with this review without giving away too much of the storyline.

The screenplay is good enough to keep you captivated with the film, but for me, it became very predictable very quickly. I figured out the film's final twist about halfway through the film, and the moment I learned I was correct, I lost all faith and interest in the movie. This does not mean that it's not a good twist; instead, it means that the screenplay was not crafted well enough so as to keep it hidden from me, at least. There were a couple people applauding at the end of the movie, so maybe I was just a little more perceptive? I'm really not sure...

The acting is good, but it's definitely not up to snuff with what Jolie and Depp have proven they're capable of doing. Even Paul Bettany, whom I usually love and adore, was average at best with his role. It's not that they're terrible, but when you look at these two leads, you just expect so much more out of them. Granted, it could be how the parts were written, but I feel like Jolie, and especially Depp, are very good at making the most out of very little. I was just a little disappointed with the both of them.

I know this review is very short, but there really isn't all that much to say. I found The Tourist to be rather dull and entirely predictable. I'm not saying you won't enjoy - it seemed like others in the theater really liked it - but for me, it was just another run-of-the-mill, entirely forgettable film.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: C
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Movie Review: BURLESQUE

BURLESQUE

2010
PG-13

You can watch the trailer here

I know that I'm by no means the key demographic for this film, but with Cher's return to the screen after a seven-year absence as well as the first acting role in a feature film for Christina Aguilera, there was a few reasons to see the movie.

In this Steve Antin-directed flick, we're basically given a pretty standard story of a down-home girl who wants to hit stardom in Hollywood. Ali (Aguilera) sets off from Iowa to make a name for herself in Los Angeles, ultimately starting by waitressing at a burlesque club run by Tess (Cher). After forcing her way into an audition, Ali becomes a back-up dancer at the club, but when a fellow dancer (Kristen Bell) tries to sabotage one of Ali's performances, she responds by singing live in front of the audience. This skyrockets her to a mini-superstardom that attracts the affection of Marcus (Eric Dane), a man trying to buy the club from Tess before it goes under. All the while, Ali is living with Jack (Cam Gigandet), one of the club's bartenders, and is slowly falling in love with him.

I'm gonna be totally honest: the screenplay is absolutely horrendous. Well, that may be a tad harsh. It's not the worst screenplay I've ever seen, but there's absolutely no originality to it whatsoever. Aside from the fact that our main setting is a burlesque club, you could ask a toddler to trace this film's path and they'd probably get it right. It's much too simplistic, and it left a lot to be desired.

Thankfully, the acting somewhat makes up for the pitfalls presented by the storyline. It's always nice to see Cher on-screen, and although she's not by any means at the top of her game, she does give a few spirited scenes, especially via musical number. I also think that Aguilera gives a fine performance. She was wise to choose a role like this for her transition to film because it's so similar to her singing career. I don't think she's as good of an actress as she presents in Burlesque, but maybe this will fool some studios into thinking she is for a little while until she can actually grow as an actress. Luckily, we do have a bit of a scene-stealer in Stanley Tucci, whose little quips and remarks throughout the film are so perfectly timed that I'm not sure I would've liked the movie at all had he not been around.

I'd also like to mention the music in the film which proved to be outstanding. As you can imagine, most of the songs are performed by Christina Aguilera or Cher, and they both do very well, but that shouldn't be much of a shock. If anything, the music is what kept me intrigued throughout the film, with "Express" and "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" being my personal favorites.

As I said before, I'm definitely not the target demographic for Burlesque, but it's not the worst film I've ever seen. Had the screenplay been a little stronger, then maybe I could've said I liked it, but hindsight is 20/20.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: C
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Movie Review: CREATION

CREATION

2010
PG-13

You can watch the trailer here

If you're looking for a movie about Charles Darwin that's going to give you a little insight on his discoveries, this isn't really the film for you. If you want a sweeping movie about his many adventures into then-uncharted territory, go find something else. This is a study about the man himself as he struggled to put pen to paper and create his world-changing book, On the Origin of Species.

Director Jon Amiel's tale opens on Darwin (Paul Bettany) telling a story to his eldest daughter Annie (Martha West) of one of his many adventures. We soon learn that Darwin has been trying to write his book for some time now, but the death of Annie has thrown him into a tailspin. He has taken physically ill and constantly conjures Annie in hallucination as she continues to haunt him. The film progresses through the present moment interspersed with a series of flashbacks to Annie's life, illness and death. Throughout, we see the dynamic between Darwin and his wife Emma (Jennifer Connelly), who remains staunchly religious in her convictions despite her husband's beliefs against it. Annie's death spurs a rift in their marriage, sending her more strongly towards religion while he takes solace in science. However, as time continues to progress and he accomplishes nothing, Darwin learns he must face his demons - namely, the handling of Annie's final days of life - before he can take up this "war against God" with his theory of evolution.

If anything, this film carries a lot of intense emotions that may not convey to most viewers. There's no real place for the viewer to hook themselves into the movie or the family's dynamic, so it's difficult to get attached to the situations at hand. I'll admit that I teared up a bit at Annie's death, but I just feel like I missed some of the power of the scene. The screenplay is filled with moments like this. It's as though they were trying much too hard in order to craft an intensely emotional story, and it just comes across as moderately emotional. However, there is one scene where Darwin is studying a captive orangutan that is rather precious to behold.

The acting is definitely not the issue here. Bettany is wonderful as always, but to be fair, he's essentially played a Charles Darwin-esque character before (see 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World). In fact, if you want to see "Darwin" out in the wild, actually studying the world, that's probably the better film to watch. Sure, you'll have to sit through some action sequences, but that movie's just fantastic anyways, so you should watch it. Connelly is also very good in a role that could either be classified as a lead or supporting role (it really comes down to your personal preference). However, the real spotlight should go to young Martha West who, in her first (and to this date, only) feature film, is an absolute revelation (although, as the daughter of 300 actor Dominic West, it's not difficult to see where she gets her acting chops). She brings such a power and wonder to her role that it's hard not to like the Annie she creates. I was thoroughly impressed.

As I said before: this film may not be for everyone, especially if you're looking for the sense of adventure Darwin must have felt on his many journeys and expeditions. For me, it's a little difficult to categorize. Although there were some issues with the storyline and the film's emotion, I cannot say enough about the greatness of the ensemble's acting. It's probably not a movie I'll watch again, but I'm not angry that I spent nearly two hours watching it. It's just one of those in-between movies that's nice to watch in a bit of down time, but don't expect anything absolutely brilliant.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: B-
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Movie Review: TRON

TRON

1982
PG


You can watch the trailer here

I can see why Disney decided to recall every last copy of TRON circulating through today's society. Apparently they're absolutely terrified of releasing the original film on Blu-Ray. Over the summer, the original film was played at Disney World in the hopes of instigating a new wave of fans as they made their final preparations for the release of the sequel, TRON: Legacy; unfortunately, the film was laughed at and ridiculed beyond belief. By recalling all copies, Disney has essentially created the possibility for people to see TRON: Legacy WITHOUT seeing its predecessor. I, personally, refuse to watch a sequel without seeing the original film, so I had already come to terms with the fact that it would be a while before I could see the newest installment (in theaters on December 17). However, as luck would have it, my dad found and old VHS copy of TRON, giving me the opportunity to view it in all its 1980s glory.

TRON, which was directed by Steven Lisberger, follows a software programmer named Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) who lost his job at a gaming company called ENCOM after a fellow programmer (David Warner) stole his work on a series of new video games. In an attempt to take back what was his, he enlists the help of two friends in the company, Alan (Bruce Boxleitner) and Lora (Cindy Morgan), to help. While cracking into the Master Control Program (MCP), Flynn is transported into the realm of the program's universe which takes pieces of each of his video games and creates a living, breathing environment. He learns that he is the only "user" surrounded by a series of "programs" manifested as other people. He meets TRON (also played by Boxleitner), the program created by Alan to help break through the MCP's layer of security. The two set off on their journey to take down the MCP with the help of Yori (also played by Morgan) and a program named RAM (Dan Shor).

Normally, I talk about the film's screenplay at this particular juncture; however, I think it makes more sense to talk about the film's positive attributes first. One of the reasons TRON was essentially laughed out of the theater at Disney World was for its simplistic and dated special effects. Sure, by today's standards, they're absolutely ridiculous, but I can imagine the fascination and wonder of those people in the early '80s who had never seen anything like this before. There was a reason that this film became a cult classic, and it was not the story or the acting. It was the special effects, all of which were generated through a computer. This had never been done before, and it was absolutely groundbreaking at the time. So, yes, nowadays we have some spectacular special effects, but thirty years from now, the next generation will probably look at the effects in Avatar in the same way.

The acting is okay, but it's really nothing to rave about. Bridges is always a revelation to watch, and if it weren't for him, this film would probably be a total train-wreck from a storytelling and acting standpoint. He just exudes this level of unmistakable charm in each one of his roles, and it's hard not to like him. His supporting cast does just enough to keep you engaged, but it's really Bridges who acts as the glue holding everything together.

There's two main problems with TRON's screenplay (and I know this is probably nitpicking considering you should never critique this type of film this harshly, but still). For starters, everything seems to come just too easily for Flynn and his fellow programs. I get that they're all computers (or computer-savvy), but there was literally no thought process when it came to solving the problems they faced. They were just able to do everything at a moment's notice, as if being thrown into this fascinating world made perfect sense. The second problem was that Flynn had absolutely no character arc. Neither did any of the other characters, but they're computer programs, so maybe they shouldn't have them anyways. However, Flynn starts and ends the exact same person, and it just bugged me a little bit. I'm not asking for some grandiose change or some Oscar-worthy emotional breakdown, but a little bit of change and recognition of his experience would have been greatly appreciated.

Overall, I'm not quite sure if I really want to recommend this movie. If you can watch it for what it is (a dated special effects bonanza) and appreciate how groundbreaking it must have been in 1982, then it's probably for you. I can't help but think that TRON was the Avatar of the early 1980s: groundbreaking technology meant to wow and amaze while putting little to no emphasis on legitimate story or acting. At least now I can watch TRON: Legacy in all of its special effects glory in theaters where it is meant to be seen.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: C-
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Movie Review: BLACK SWAN

BLACK SWAN

2010
R

You can watch the trailer here

When a film generates as much Oscar buzz as Black Swan has since its arrival at film festivals a few months ago, you can be sure I'll be one of the first in line to see it. I had an opportunity to see the film about a month ago at an early screening, but it conflicted with my work schedule, so I had to wait like the rest of society. Due to its limited release, I had to drive about forty minutes away on the freeway in order to see the movie, and let me tell you right now: it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Black Swan follows a young ballerina named Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) who is vying for the lead role in the company's upcoming rendition of "Swan Lake." After all her hard work, she is finally awarded the part, but this proves to be a little bit problematic. Thomas (Vincent Cassel), the director of the ballet, has re-imagined the role for the lead to play both the White Swan and the Black Swan, a feat which he believes Nina unable to fulfill. She struggles throughout the film as she tries to embody both roles, all the while fighting off an apparent opponent for the part in Lily (Mila Kunis) who appears to be doing everything in her power to sabotage Nina's chance at stardom.

To be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of the screenplay for most of the movie. I thought it was good, but everything seemed to be held together by Portman's performance (more on that in a second). However, the final scenes of the film are really the selling point. I won't go into detail because I would never want to ruin the surprise, but I will say that I found the final resolution to be absolutely beautiful.

And now, where can I even begin with Miss Natalie Portman? I've been a fan of hers since I first saw her grace a screen (although for much of that time, it was purely based on her stunning beauty). However, I gradually began to see her expand as an actress, and when I heard about Black Swan about a year ago, I began to let myself grow an eager excitement. Ladies and gentlemen, she does not disappoint. Portman takes us through every stage of stress-induced psychosis, all the way to the film's final scene. The character arc she brings is extreme, and she really got the chance to show off her wide range. It should be noted that Cassel and Kunis, as well as Barbara Hershey (who plays Nina's mother), are all very good themselves, but this really is Natalie's show. I can definitely see an Oscar in her near future.

If anyone else deserves a commendation, it's Darren Aronofsky for his stellar direction. I don't often talk about the director's role in the filmmaking process, but here, it bears mention. Aronofsky, whose previous films include Requiem for a Dream and The Wrestler, holds nothing back this time around. He has placed his stamp on a trippy set of films, and Black Swan is definitely no different. He creates a fascinating world of seeming insanity, and we can see and feel the emotional distress that Nina feels as she slowly loses her mind. I honestly can't really explain this all - I'm drawing a blank as to how to word it - but Aronofsky has easily put forth his best career effort with this film.

I could probably go on and on about the psychology of this film (trust me, I could talk for hours on end about it), but I'll spare you all that for the moment. However, I have found a rather fascinating review from The Globe and Mail's Rick Groen about the film that you may enjoy. Trust me when I say that you should absolutely see this film. I know I'll be making another trek to the theater to see it one more time, although I'll be waiting until the release expands to somewhere a little closer. But please, do yourself a favor and see this movie.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: A
Current All-Time Rank: Best - #23
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Movie Review: CITY ISLAND

CITY ISLAND

2010
PG-13


You can watch the trailer here

Catharsis can be a wonderful thing.

City Island is a 2010 dramatic comedy directed by Raymond De Felitta that takes place in a small fishing village in the Bronx called - get ready for it - City Island. However, that takes a bit of a back seat to the Rizzo family on whom the story truly centers. The family is a powder keg ready to explode, with each member holding their own secrets deep within themselves. Vince (Andy Garcia) is a correctional officer and wannabe actor who meets his long-forgotten son Tony (Steven Strait) when he is transferred into his prison. He decides to take him home without telling him, or anyone else, the truth of his past. We meet his wife Joyce (Julianna Margulies) whose suspicions in all of Vince's activities leave her wanting more from the marriage; his daughter Vivian (Dominik García-Lorido) who lost her scholarship at school and now works as a stripper; and his other son Vince Jr. (Ezra Miller) who has a secret obsession with overweight women. Mind you - no one else knows any of these secrets; however, as time continues to pass and tensions begin to flare, each secret begins to come into the limelight.

The story takes a little while to get going, but once it picks up, it never slows down. In the first half hour, I debated whether I should give up on the film because I wasn't finding this supposed comedy to be funny in the slightest. However, it took some clever dialogue and brilliant delivery from Miller to keep me hooked, and I'm so glad that I stuck with it. As more and more lies begin to pile on top of this family, the comedy starts to seep through as the audience starts to know more than the characters. We can laugh in anticipation of the imminent explosion of truth into this body of lies. And the final cathartic moment is truly glorious to behold. It's both touching and hilarious, which isn't the easiest thing to pull off, but City Island strikes gold with its climax.

It goes without saying that I wasn't fond of the acting in the first thirty minutes or so, either. It took Miller's over-the-top sarcasm to give me a character to latch onto, but more was yet to come. Garcia gives a spirited performance that covers nearly every emotional base, and you can tell he had a lot of fun with it. Although he's good throughout the film, two scenes stand out to me as the sellers: his movie audition (I was crying I was laughing so hard) and the film's ending. Two completely different ends of the spectrum, and Oscar-nominee nails them both. To be honest, the entire cast is very, very good and, more importantly, believable. It should also be mentioned that Emily Mortimer and Academy Award-winner Alan Arkin also provide stellar supporting roles.

So please watch City Island. Like I said earlier, it takes a little bit to get going, but once it does, it never stops. It's a fun little movie with a lot of heart, and it definitely deserves a chance.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: A-
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Movie Review: METROPIA

METROPIA

2010
Not Rated


You can watch the trailer here

Oh, the advances of animation. Sometimes they're horribly, horribly bad, but sometimes they can be pretty good...

Metropia tells the story of a normal man named Roger (voiced by Vincent Gallo) whose paranoia leaves him wary of his every surrounding but especially the massive Metro system that conjoins all of Europe in 2024. When his bike is destroyed, he is forced to take the Metro and immediately begins to hear voices. While riding the subway system, he spies Nina (voiced by Juliette Lewis), a super-model who is the face of Dangst shampoo and is also the girl of Roger's dreams, so he decides to follow her. Within a matter of moments, he finds himself swept into a tale of urban alienation, corporate conspiracy and mind control. He joins with Nina to help solve the riddle of the voices in his head.

If anything is to be said about the screenplay, it's that it's about as original as you can get. The basis of the story lies in that one extremely powerful, Metro-owning corporation is using a popular brand of shampoo literally to get into the heads of the consumer. The company can then hear their thoughts as well as talk to them from their own headquarters (this explains Roger's voices). However, there are quite a few holes in the story. For starters, we never really learn just what about the Metro actually spurs these thoughts, considering that Roger never has them until he is forced to use it. Also, I never got much of a sense as to the reasoning behind the company's desire for mind control. It seemed as though they already had everyone riding the Metro, so it was a little lost on me as to what else they really wanted. World domination? Votes in the next election? A pat on the back? I have no idea.

If there's any reason to watch Metropia, it's to see the type of animation used. It's innovative and probably like nothing you've ever seen, but don't be put off by it. It took me a little while to get used to seeing characters that essentially look like living, breathing bobbleheads, but after a while, it grows on you, and you can see the animation for what it is. Once you get past the innovation of it all, you can see how intricate the filmmakers actually made the world around the characters. It's actually quite a sight.

So, if you have any inkling to watch this movie, I'd say watch it for the characters and for the animation. The story is good enough to keep you engaged, but it's not going to blow you away. Instead, let yourself be immersed into the world that director Tarik Saleh has created and simply enjoy.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: C
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