Monthly Archives: September 2011

Rubber Review

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One of my absolute favorite genres of film is the horror genre. The reason I love horror films so much is because rarely is there a time where while I’m watching a horror film, am I not having a good time. There are two categories when it comes to horror, except in some infuriating cases, but for the most part you’re either watching a brilliant horror film such as The Shining or The Thing or you’re watching an awful horror film and more often than not, when horror films are really bad they’re hilarious making for a fun time anyways.

The film Rubber fits in neither of these categories. I sat down to watch the movie about a tire with telepathic powers expecting to laugh at how awful it was, I mean how can you turn down that premise? I walked away realizing that Rubber wasn’t the horror movie I thought I was going to watch at all. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t be able to find what genre it would fit in at all. Rubber was just Rubber, a truly one of a kind movie and you know what. It was rather awesome.

At times, while watching this film you’ll find yourself laughing just as hard as you would for the average hangover type movie, at other times you’ll be attempting to guess what’s next on the agenda for the mystery that is Rubber, other times you’ll sit and appreciate the direction and the fact that the film breathes so much life into the main character, a tire, but most of all I found myself pondering about things films don’t usual force you to ponder about.

What Rubber is, to put it simply, is an oddity. I’ve never seen anything like it nor do I believe I ever will and if I do, I would be a little frustrated that someone was attempting to circumnavigate these waters again. This film very unique to say the least and not in the Incefption or Memento kind of way where I’d find it hard to believe someone doesn’t enjoy them, but unique in its own kind of way where I could completely see someone hating it. I for one enjoyed myself through and through. I’m being vague, but I’m being vague about a vague movie and in that idea, lies it’s beauty. Also, I basically went in blind and I’d like to pass along that courtesy, it might help.

Grade: A-

Horrible Bosses Review

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It is always refreshing to see a comedy in this age of comedy we live in that has laughs that aren’t solely based on sex or the word “fuck”. Horrible Bosses is a film that exemplifies that very idea. This is not to say the film exemplifies this idea perfectly because it most certainly doesn’t. Horrible Bosses was however very entertaining and made me laugh out loud through out.

When a film has such a fun premise and great actors playing very comedic characters, its hard to fail and this film doesn’t. The film follows three average joes whose bosses fit the build of “horrible”. When they can’t take it any longer the three friends device a plan in order to take care of the situation. Hilarity in ensues. And I’m being serious, the movie was rather hilarious. Some of the plot devices used were generic and almost too easy, but they get the characters from point A to point B and at the end of the day, its the comedy that matters and this was a well made comedy.

Of the employees, my favorite was by far Charlie Day’s character who was playing virtually the same character he plays on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, but what are you going to do, the character is funny and I laughed a lot. Jason Sudeikis definitely played his part making for some great moments. Bateman had his moments, but I’ve just never found him that funny to begin with. His delivery just doesn’t do it for me.

My favorite boss is a doozy. Kevin Spacey is with out a doubt the greatest actor working in this film, but this is a question of who was funnier. Even though Kevin Spacey was fabulous as the worst boss, but for me Jennifer Aniston was absolutely hilarious. You’ll find yourself dumb founded at times wondering to yourself if she actually just said that. It was completely out of character and I loved it. Colin Ferrell was also fun as the drugged up boss of Sudeikis, unfortunately he just didn’t get the chance to show anything off because he wasn’t in it as much.

There were some blatant flubs that you’d find resemble the kind you’d find in plenty of other namable comedies. There were a fair share of those laugh out loud moments that comedies aspire to have and there were some dull moments. So no Horrible Bosses wasn’t some kind of comedic gem, but it was a very funny movie that I would certainly laugh at again.

Grade: B

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Review

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I’m trying to figure out how best to establish my views regarding the Pirates of the Caribbean series, while establishing my opinion on this single film, the fourth in the series. I think the best place to start is by saying that my favorite film in the series probably have to be the third, At World’s End. From a filmmaking stand point, yes The Curse of the Black Pearl is unquestionably the best of the series. I just have such a blast watching At World’s End that I can’t help it.

Is the film that great when looking at it with a tasteful or artistic eye, no, not really at all. The film however is fun as hell and a huge guilty pleasure of mine. I honestly believe this can be said about all the films, on a quality level, the Pirates of the Caribbean series is not great, but I love the characters, I love the wit, I love where they start, where they’re going and especially how they get there. Above all I just love watching them and I think you know where I’m going with this. The same can be said when it comes to this new feature in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

In this fourth installment, you’ll find exactly the right ingredients: a fun adventure story, a good villain (a constant in this series), the best Barboosa subplot in the entire series and of course Jack Sparrow being Jack Sparrow. This film is right on par with the other Pirates of the Caribbean films and as a result, a fun time at the theater. My complaints on the film would come in the form of some screwball comedy and a dull love plot between a bible friendly crew member of Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge and a mermaid, but this is all made up for in the idea that all these characters are respected. This is made apparent in the greatest aspect of the film, a revenge plot revolving around my favorite character in this film, Hector Barbossa and Blackbeard.

All and all, if you got any enjoyment out of the three first films, it would make no sense at all to not find enjoyment out of this film. And if I didn’t state it clearly enough already, then here’s the statement again; Pirates of the Caribbean is in no way cinematic brilliance. It is however, undoubtedly one fun trip to the movies and you can’t ask for much else.

Grade: B

Cars 2 Review

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Cars 2 was a film that somehow managed to be disappointing, completely expected and a blast at the same time. I will say this very early on, this is the worst Pixar movie I’ve seen. I’ve loved every Pixar movie I’ve seen except for Cars 2. Which is not to say I didn’t enjoy Cars 2, because I did and rather thoroughly, its just a Pixar film that didn’t reach the quality that every other Pixar film managed to reach.

This as I said before, completely expected. This film simply did not look nearly as amazing as any Pixar movie we’d seen before. It just wasn’t the right decision overall. This would be the sequel to virtually the worst received of all Pixar films, Cars. I loved Cars with a passion, but it can’t be denied that Cars did not get nearly as much reception as films such as The Incredibles or Up. Why make a sequel when we’re all aware you’re capable of creating beautiful originals such as Wall-E. (But don’t get me wrong, if you’re gonna continue a series with a film as flawless as Toy Story 3 then don’t let my words hold you back)

With every Pixar movie, they’ve essentially taken a very general thing (Monters, Rats, Toys, Bugs, Cars, etc.) and created some type of enthralling tale behind it. Cars 2 was essentially Pixar’s take on Spies, they just happened to throw the characters from their story about Cars into this tale and to that idea I say, why not? Just do what you do best and in this case, Pixar has unfortunately not.

That’s where the disappointment comes in. Even though, this was a little bit expected, its just downright disappointing that there actually is a Pixar film in existence now that isn’t amazing. That fact is not only disappointing, but utterly sad. With Cars 2, instead of having sweet morals and storytelling you get a film more heavy on action and attempts at jokes. And the jokes that used to be filled with brilliant wit were now corny and childish. You could certainly recognize some of that originality in its craft that you come to expect from a Pixar film, but this originality overall just wasn’t being used to its full potential. The best way to describe my take on Cars 2 would be to say that it was a pretty great animated film, but only a pretty good Pixar film.

Grade: B-

 

Kung Fu Panda 2 Review

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The animation studios at Dreamworks have created some films to be proud of whether they be the first two Shrek’s, How to Train Your Dragon and with Kung Fu Panda as another fun animation that I can say they indeed can be proud of, I can say sincerely that Kung Fu Panda 2 had the potential to be another enjoyable animated movie. And where it did have its flaws I will say without a doubt that I had decently fun time at the movies when I watched this one.

A large factor in my rushing out to see this movie was to see Gary Oldman at work. He’s one of my favorite actors and he’s always excellent as the villain. The same could be said about his voice acting in this piece. As for everyone else, I have no complaints, their job was done. The comedic timing was on, its just the writing that wasn’t. None of the wit that you might find in other fantastic Dreamworks movies was there, but it was a children’s movie so what are you going to do? It guess its only Pixar who can manage to please all audiences.

The strength of an animation are in its endless possibilities. This is the aspect that makes both Kung Fu Panda movies so fun. The fight scenes are downright awesome because they realize they can do anything and they do, they have no limitations here and both films use this idea to their full potential. The story and the way its told is just much better in the first film making for a few dull portions when it comes to this sequel.

It was a fun film, I’m glad I saw it if at the very least to see Gary Oldman’s character connive. I think my biggest problem with the film is in its ending. I obviously won’t ruin it, but I will just say that I found it extremely out of place and a failed attempt at trying to get you excited for a sequel. Kung Fu Panda 2 was an entertaining animated film, but not one I intend on getting entertained by again.

Grade: C+