Movie Review: TALES FROM THE SCRIPT

TALES FROM THE SCRIPT

2009
Not Rated


"A writer friend of mine once described screenwriters as 'egomaniacs with low self-esteem."
-- Dennis Palumbo

Tales from the Script is a 2009 documentary directed by Peter Hanson that bounces through a series of interviews with some well-known and renowned Hollywood screenwriters. We get an inside look at the trials and triumphs of the writers of some of the biggest films in Hollywood history, and each story is a little bit different from the next. The audience gets a massive amount of information thrown their way, but it's all pertinent and relevant to the story they're trying to craft. In addition, the film is broken into a number of sections, each prefaced with a scene from a classic film that references the movie-making process.

I'd like to start by saying that this film is by no means for everyone. I think it's safe to say that your average movie-goer isn't going to get excited about a movie talking to screenwriters. No, Tales from the Script is going to reach one of two types of people: 1) people who have legitimate interest in how films start getting made, and 2) writers themselves. As you can probably imagine, I'm rather interested in the writing portion - if you haven't noticed, I tend to write a bit for these reviews - so when I saw this movie sitting on NetFlix's Instant Watch queue, I figured I'd give it a shot. And boy, did I find it fascinating. It's essentially a how-to for screenwriters, getting into the dirt and grit of the screenwriting process. We see the highs and the lows that every screenwriter has had to face, and that's part of the appeal. Sure, there's plenty of moments where the interviewees talk about the troubles they had in their careers, but all you have to do is look at the films they've written to see that they've found a way to make it. Despite all of the pain and strife they may have met early in their careers, they found a way to find success even if it felt like they would never make it that far. So in a sense, it's a story of triumph from which any aspiring writer can gain hope.

Now if you are a casual movie fan, there are a couple things that you might find appealing. First and foremost, the film is jam-packed with reference to a number of films from cinema's past. We have screenwriters talking about dozens of movies, from Taxi Driver to The Bucket List and Alien to Ray. In addition, we get a number of film scenes from movies like Barton Fink, Adaptation. and For Your Consideration. All of this ties in very well to the overall point of the documentary, and it helps move everything along. In addition, we do have a couple of recognizable names in the interviewee list. Most film fans will instant recognize Frank Darabont, John Carpenter and Shane Black; however, also be on the lookout for some fantastic words of wisdom from the likes of Mick Garris, Antwone Fisher and Guinevere Turner, just to name a few.

If you're an aspiring screenwriter, as I have been in the past, then Tales from the Script is an absolute must-see film. I can't speak for the rest of the movie-watching community. I think the film offers an interesting insight into the psyche of the successful screenwriter, but there's definitely a target demographic for this one. If you've ever attempted to make writing your living, do yourself a favor and watch this film. Even if you haven't wanted to write screenplays, there's quite a bit of advice in this documentary that's worth hearing. So again, do yourself a favor. Watch Tales from the Script.

Movie Review Summary
Grade: B+
1.5 Thumbs Up
Rankings
Best Documentary - #16

Addition to Awards
2009: Nominee - Best Documentary

Movie Review: ATTACK THE BLOCK

ATTACK THE BLOCK

R
2011


"This is too much madness to fit into one text!"
-- Jerome

Attack the Block is a 2011 action thriller directed by Joe Cornish that centers around an apparent alien invasion in a South London project. When a gang of teenage hoodlums led by a boy named Moses (John Boyega) attempt to mug a young woman named Sam (Jodie Whittaker) walking home from work, they're interrupted when something crashes into a nearby car. Upon investigation, Moses finds a creature inside, and the boys proceed to kill it. Happy with their victory, the boys take it back to their apartment complex - affectionately referred to as the "Block" - and leave it in Ron's (Nick Frost) weed room. After a little while, however, larger creatures start to appear all over the area, and their ferocious violence puts the lives of anyone in their path in extreme amounts of danger. For some reason, they appear to be drawn toward Moses and his gang, who attempt to fight the creatures before they can pick them off one by one.

I first heard about this film a few months ago when one of my readers from the U.K. posted his own review of the film on my Facebook page. When I watched the trailer for the film, I was immediately drawn by the fact that Frost was making an appearance, even if it didn't seem like it would be too large of a role. Aside from that, however, we're basically getting a cast of no-name individuals (at least, names I don't recognize from here in the States). That being said, I watched the trailer a few more times and thought that we might be in for a fresh take on the alien invasion story. It's always interesting to see out-of-the-way demographics take on aliens, and pitting them against hardened teenagers in a downtrodden section of London seemed to be a clever fit. And so I waited anxiously for the film to receive a U.S. release date, which it finally did in limited fashion.

I think that the film is very well-written considering the type of movie we're being given. You can't really expect anything over-the-top brilliant about an alien invasion movie, but we're given a solid screenplay for Attack the Block. The success lies in the believability of the characters, and that derives from the attention to detail when it comes to dialogue. As with any adolescent film, the teenage characters are going to have a dialect of their own, one that is drastically different from the adults around them. And that's the case with this film, with dialogue that ranges from the hilarious to the utterly confusing, but it crafts the characters so well that it's entirely forgivable. On top of that, we're given a number of twists and turns that bring out the best - and the worst, in some cases - in each of the characters. In a way, you can almost call this movie character-driven. Sure, there's enough plot points to keep the story moving along, but a lot of the drama of the film stems from character realizations and the like.

Fortunately, this no-name cast delivers on nearly every cylinder, crafting a rather fantastic ensemble. I can't begin to say enough about the aforementioned Boyega. He takes a character that you start the film hating and turns him into a semi-reluctant hero by film's end. He's the main reason I slightly view the film as character-driven, even though some of the other characters do have smaller arcs throughout the story. The rest of his gang - which includes Pest (Alex Esmail), Dennis (Franz Drameh), Jerome (Leeon Jones) and Biggz (Simon Howard) - provide ample amounts of comedy during their time on-screen. Whittaker does well as our main female lead, even if she's a little overshadowed by the teenagers running and racing around her. Frost is good for a few lines, but he has a smaller role than I had originally expected (to be fair, the movie only runs for eighty-eight minutes, so it's not like there's enough time to delve into any supporting character's story for too long). Still, the cast fills out quite nicely, bringing a very believable and comedic ensemble to the screen.

Overall, I found Attack the Block to be a fun-filled action thriller chalk full of laughs and a couple of jump-out-of-your-seat moments. The aliens themselves are unlike anything you've ever seen before, but I'm a little bit on the fence as to whether I like them. Still, they're an incredibly effective foe throughout the film, and their presence is always known and always felt. Give credit to the film's writers as well for crafting a story with great dialogue and sufficient twists and turns. If you're in the mood for a semi-violent flick that's quality entertainment, then find your nearest theater playing Attack the Block. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Movie Review Summary
Grade: B+
1.5 Thumbs Up

Movie Review: ZOMBIE GIRL: THE MOVIE

ZOMBIE GIRL: THE MOVIE

2009
Not Rated


"I just think I have communicating problems, which isn't good 'cause I wanna be a director."
-- Emily Hagins

Zombie Girl: The Movie is a 2009 documentary directed by Justin Johnson, Aaron Marshall and Erik Mauck that centers around a young filmmakers attempt to make her first feature film. When twelve-year-old Emily Hagins came to her parents saying she wanted to make a feature-length film, she probably raised a couple of eyebrows. To compound her little project, she wanted to make a film about zombies. This film follows the two-year production of her debut film, Pathogen, from the finishing of the script all the way to its premiere in Austin, Texas.

One of my favorite things about having NetFlix is finding random, unknown gems in their Instant Watch section. Often times, I'll find movies that are so bad, they're good, like 2009's ThanksKilling. Other times, however, I'll find a true cinematic gem, like 2010's City Island. Fortunately, Zombie Girl falls into the latter category as I was floored by just how good it was.

The film works on a couple of different levels. On the one hand, we're getting a rather in-depth look at the making of a low-budget independent film. We see the creative process at work from the get-go as we see the trials and errors of writing and casting and filming. We see the slow and arduous editing process and how that affects the filmmaker. It's a fantastic look at the creation of a film, and it's definitely worth a watch for any aspiring filmmaker. On the other hand, however, we get to see a twelve-year-old girl taking her dreams and striving towards them, no matter the obstacles ahead of her. We see how the filming process affects her emotionally, and it's truly a sight to behold. At the same time, seeing this young woman craft this film is a rather inspirational tale. You get so swept up in everything that's going on that every pitfall that sets Emily back makes you feel for her. It's a truly emotional and inspirational story to behold.

I honestly can't think of much else to say about Zombie Girl. If you're interested in film or the film-making process, then this one's definitely for you. I can tell you now that I've already ordered a copy of Emily's debut film, Pathogen, and I eagerly await its arrival. I was that inspired by this movie that I just had to see Emily's final product. If that's not enough of an endorsement of Zombie Girl, then I'm not quite sure what else can sway you. Give this one a view. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Movie Review Summary
Grade: A-
2 Thumbs Up

Rankings
Best Documentary - #11

Addition to Awards
2009: Nominee - Best Documentary

Movie Review: CONFESSIONS OF A SUPERHERO

CONFESSIONS OF A SUPERHERO

2007
R


"I like to think that my future holds, uh, fame and fortune. But I'd like to say that I've got the fame without the fortune right now."
-- Christopher Dennis

Confessions of a Superhero is a 2007 documentary directed by Matthew Ogens that follows the lives of four Hollywood Boulevard street performers who dress as superheroes and make a living taking pictures with tourists. We get an inside look at the following performers: Christopher Dennis, who plays Superman; Maxwell Allen, who plays Batman; Jennifer Wenger, who plays Wonder Woman; and Joe McQueen, who plays the Hulk. By giving a bit of back-story on each of these individuals, Ogens gives a rather in-depth look at the people themselves as well as the psyche behind continuing with this seemingly fruitless profession.

I decided to watch this movie after finding it on NetFlix Instant Watch. Considering I'm currently staying about two miles from where these people work on Hollywood Boulevard, I thought it'd be a neat little flick for me to see right now. I could theoretically head out right now and go meet these people - if they're still working there, of course - and tell them how I just watched their movie.

The film itself is a little slow-moving, and it does take a bit of patience to keep yourself engaged with the intertwining stories. Because it's a documentary on individual people, don't expect much in terms of a storyline (I realize docs often don't have "storylines," but sometimes there's something a little easier to follow). If you're not into movies that are solely based on characterization and character development, this one probably isn't for you.

The people are interesting enough, but it feels like we get a little more story on both Dennis and Wenger. Yeah, the Allen and McQueen storylines are nice, but there's something more attractive about Superman and Wonder Woman in this film. I personally think that Jennifer Wenger has the beauty to be a big-time star, but I can't necessarily speak for her acting ability. Dennis, however, seems to be the most emotionally damaged of the lot, claiming to be the son of the late Academy Award winner Sandy Dennis, a claim which her family denies. Still, it makes for entertaining cinema when you have out-there characters gracing the screen. Also be on the lookout for cameos from the likes of Stan Lee, Antonio Banderas and Margot Kidder.

At the end of the day, Confessions of a Superhero is a thoughtful documentary that will probably prove to be entirely forgettable. It's the story of four mortal souls trying to make a name for themselves, and they're doing it in the best - or only - way they know how. It makes you realize how far some people will go to make it big, diving to the depths of taking pictures with tourists and hoping they'll toss a tip your way.

Movie Review Summary
Grade: B+
1.5 Thumbs Up

Addition to Awards
2007: Nominee - Best Documentary

Movie Review: THE ENDLESS SUMMER

THE ENDLESS SUMMER

1966
PG


"Sharks and porpoises have yet to integrate in South Africa."
-- Narrator

The Endless Summer is a 1966 documentary directed by Bruce Brown that focuses on two friends' worldwide trip to find the perfect wave. When Robert August and Michael Hynson decided to travel around the world in the hopes of finding new places to surf, Brown happily agreed to tag along in order to document their adventures. The gang travels from Africa to India to Australia to the shores of Hawaii in search of that rare perfect wave. Along the way, they introduce a number of locals to the sport of surfing.

I watched this film on the recommendation of a friend, who has consistently pushed me to give it a view. I finally broke down and did just that, and I do have to say that it's a rather entertaining flick if you've got some time to kill. I've always been fond of surfing-centric movies - growing up near the beach probably draws me towards these types of movies - like the 2004 documentary Riding Giants or the 2007 animated film Surf's Up. Fortunately, The Endless Summer proved to be no exception, even if it's a very different type of surfing movie than I have ever seen.

Because the film is of an older generation, there's a very different feel and vibe to its entire production. In a way, the movie itself is attempting to do what August and Hynson manage to accomplish by taking their talents around the world: they introduce surfing to the indigenous populations of a number of countries and societies. The narration and "storyline" of this documentary is so simplistic that it almost insults the intelligence, but I think that's what makes the movie all the more appealing. It's a very simple film, chalk full of beautiful images and scenery, providing a very visual experience that enhances the beauty and nature of surfing.

There's three facets of this film that make it a success. First and foremost is the cinematography. Rather than taking a massive amount of equipment on their worldwide tour, Brown chose to limit his filming equipment only to what he could carry. Still, he found a way to capture the beauty and essence of the sport and the scenery around it. At times, you can almost feel like you're right there with August and Hynson, surfing these exotic locations with them.

One of the more appealing parts of the film is actually the narration provided by Brown. At the beginning of the film, I was a little put off by what he was saying because it sounded a little bit dorky and out-of-context. He would make seemingly terrible puns that could only result in groan after groan (for an example of such, check out the quote at the beginning of this post). However, after a little while, you get used to Brown's narration, and it almost gives the film a more authentic feel. Rather than trying to sound official, Brown chooses to convey his own personality through his narration, and I think that ultimately benefits the movie's overall vibe.

Finally, I can't say enough about the film's musical score, crafted by the surf-rock band The Sandals. I'm sure they could have grabbed any surf-rock band to compose the music for the film and it would have been effective, but The Sandals do a very good job providing the atmosphere for the film as a whole. Here's a snippet of the score, in case you're interested:

Overall, The Endless Summer is a fine documentary that definitely provides an ample amount of entertainment. If you're into surfing or anything in relation to the ocean, this is definitely a movie for you. It's good, mindless fun, so don't expect anything over-the-top or exciting. We're just getting a great view of the start of surfing's reach across the world.

Movie Review Summary
Grade: B+
1.5 Thumbs Up

Movie Review: DIAL M FOR MURDER

DIAL M FOR MURDER

1954
Not Rated


"In stories, things usually turn out the way the author wants them to, and in real life, they don't... always."
-- Mark Halliday

Dial M for Murder is a 1954 crime thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock that centers around a man's plot to have his unfaithful wife murdered. When former tennis player Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) learns of an ongoing affair between his wife Margot (Grace Kelly) and Mark Halliday (Robert Cummings), he sets into motion what he considers to be the perfect plot for murder. He hires an old college classmate (Anthony Dawson) to commit the crime in the hopes of achieving an alibi for himself. However, things don't necessarily go according to plan, with Margot inadvertently killing the murderer-for-hire after he attacks her. Taken aback, Tony starts to spin a web of lies and deceit that seem to place quite a bit of the blame on his wife. The stories become increasingly more convoluted, causing the characters an extreme amount of angst and confusion.

I've been meaning to watch Dial M for Murder for quite some time, especially considering the great Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors of all time. I finally had the opportunity to sit down and give this one a view, and I can honestly tell you that I'm anything but disappointed. Hitchcock crafts a tale full of twists and turns, delivering a final product that's worthy of every accolade it has ever received.

I'm going to start with the acting because I'll have more to say about the screenplay in a moment. I thought that the cast as a whole was terrific, with great performances from the aforementioned Kelly and Cummings. We also get a solid piece from John Williams, who plays the chief inspector in the film. However, this movie truly belongs to Ray Milland, who plays one of the most clever and intriguing villains I've ever seen grace the silver screen. He's charming and witty, and all that hides the sinister nature of his intentions throughout the film. There's something very charismatic about Milland's approach to playing the character, and he should be commended for his portrayal.

As good as the acting is during the film, however, the actors would be powerless without a strong screenplay; this is where the film truly succeeds and excels. From a plot standpoint, there's enough to keep even the casual viewer interested and engaged. Yes, we as the audience know the truth behind all the lies, but seeing the characters come to their realizations - or dealing with the realizations, as is the case with Milland's character - is part of the fun of the film. There's enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end of the film. That being said, I also have to applaud screenwriter Frederick Knott for also finding a way to keep the dialogue fresh and inspired throughout the film's entirety. Sure, the delivery of the lines is key, but having the base dialogue we're given is enough for me to fawn over this screenplay. While it's not the best screenplay from a Hitchcock film - I'm rather fond of Psycho, to be honest - it definitely ranks near the top of the list.

I'd also like to take a moment and applaud composer Dimitri Tiomkin for crafting an excellent musical score that suited the film rather well. Music can make or break a film's effectiveness, and I'm glad Tiomkin found a way to make it the former.

Overall, I would say that Dial M for Murder is a probable must-see. I know a lot of casual moviegoers from my generation are a little turned off by older films, but there's enough snap and bite to this one that I think they'll find something they can truly enjoy. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

Movie Review Summary
Grade: A
2 Thumbs Up

Addition to Rankings
Best All-Time: #139

Happy Birthday, Kevin Smith!

Birthday time again, folks! This time we're celebrating the 41st birthday of director Kevin Smith, one of the premiere comedic directors of the last twenty years. From his debut feature - 1994's Clerks. - he has managed to craft an intertwining universe around his native New Jersey. In a way, all of his comedic films reference and look back at the ones that came before them. In addition to directing his films, he's appeared in most of them as a character named Silent Bob, adding to his comedic prowess. He's found a way to tap into pop culture in a way that few directors have ever been able to do, and he does so extremely effectively. As a tribute, I've counted down my five favorite of Smith's films. You'll next be able to see Smith's work when he breaks into the horror genre with a film called Red State, set for release in the U.S. on October 19, 2011. But once again, happy birthday, Kevin Smith!

5. Clerks II
2006


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4. Mallrats
1995


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3. Chasing Amy
1997


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2. Dogma
1999


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1. Clerks.
1994