Skyline -- Review

There is something about films that just suck the life right out of you.  No I do not mean that because I went to an 11pm screening, I mean it literally sucked the life out of me.  The monster child of Colin and Greg Strause takes all that was great about Independence Day, Cloverfield, and District 9 and gives you a crack baby called Skyline.  I'm sure they will make their money many times over since this film was shot on the "measly" budget of $1m, but that does not mean that it should.

I mean, remember those films you and your friends made back in high school, or even those college projects your significant other made you watch before they submitted it for a grade because they wanted "an honest opinion" on it?  Well now imagine one of "those" projects with a $1m budget... Doesn't make it much better, does it?  Just because you have that kinda dough to play with does not give you the right to make us movie goers suffer through a 92 minute film just because you got bored while in between projects.  Keep to what your good at and leave the story telling to the "professionals". 

Skyline not only has a half-ass story being told by someone who can't tell which end is up, but there is ultimately NO POINT!  It's like a kid who loves Legos was just let loose in Lego World and builds some of the most intricate pieces of abstract sculptures that are amazing to look at, but when placed in a row (which he calls a "series") does nothing but jumble the pictures into an "artful mess".  That is Skyline.  The visual effects are out of this world, but the "art school" cinematography and dramatized slow-motion sequences (along with laughable dialog) take away from what really could have been something.  There were glimpses of moments where the story could have taken a turn, but fell right down the sewer. 

From brain eating aliens, to action that didn't really make sense, to the cheapest actors imaginable as your main characters (most likely friends of Colin and Greg who thought the idea might have been cool for all of 3 seconds), all the way to an ending that only Disney could have dreamed up.  It was one disappointment after another, until the suspense built up so much I jumped at NOTHING which not only sent the poor guy suffering next to men into a fit of giggles but I had to apologize for how lame I felt for that slip of thinking that they finally may have done something right. 

Unfortunately Skyline is a less than desirable flick for this weekend.  I would suggest saving it for when you're home with your gamin' buddies, just finished some serious fragging, and looking for something to watch while killing your "sudden munchie craving".  Maybe then something will be interpreted out of the film.

I give Skyline a 2 out of 5 for effort.  But guys... About that sequel you teased to at the end...How about let's NOT and say we did.  Just a thought.

Amazing Video by David Crowder Band

Yahoo posted this as a top story and I have to say that the video is quite amazing.  I remember playing on the lite-brite, but the amount of work that had to go into creating what you are about it see is unbelievable.  Definitely worth checking out!  This is one music video that shows true creativity.

Morning Glory -- REVIEW

Morning Glory is a love story from the production world dedicated to the city of New York.  It shows all of the things that those of us who eat, breath, and sleep production deal with every time we are on set. The things that make us "production" or the things that tear us down. Set in one of the production capitals, Morning Glory tells story with a girls dream and desire to make it in the morning news world.  New York eventually becomes the main character of Morning Glory and the things that us production workers notice on a daily basis when we are lucky enough to work those odd hours and experience the magic of the final scene of the film for ourselves. 

I became so wrapped up in the cinematography and shot choices that I cared less for what was happening in the story.  The film is truly a love story for the city of New York, made and told by those that know it best.  Those that have walked the streets in the wee hours calling out "we're losing light" as the sun comes up. Those of us who find the magic of what the Brooklyn Bridge really shows us if we can walk along with a camera to catch all of its glory.  Those of us who see the hustle and bustle of the New York workers rushing past a gorgeous building in slow motion. Yes I am getting carried away, but the film speaks for itself.  It is a series of beautiful images placed in-between cheesy dialog and 30 minutes of insults.  But it is not until a kindred spirit takes our cell phones away, closes it in the fridge and forces us to finally take a breath and see the city for what it is do we really understand. 

Morning Glory pulls together a great cast but the city outshines them by leaps and bounds.  I wish I could say that the film is what kept me watching, but it was the heart and soul of the film that kept me glued to my seat.  If you are or have ever worked in production I highly recommend going to see Morning Glory.  If you know or have/are dated/dating someone from the "biz" I say you should go (and take that person with you) because it will make you understand why we do what we do - even though it drives us mad, (and sometimes you as well) since we never put our blackberry away.

I give Morning Glory a 4 out of 5, and hope to one day find a kindred spirit who will stash my phone the fridge but still let me be the mad production member that I am.

Due Date -- REVIEW

Robert Downey Jr how you break my heart. Not even my love for you can save me from the pains in which you inflicted upon me during Due Date.  Not even my love for the obseenly odd Zach Galifianakis spared me a pain that could only rival that of child birth.  OK, that is probably a bit of a stretch, but I think you get what I am trying to say.

In true Todd Phillips (director) style, this film fits right in with Old School and The Hangover.  Although not as good as The Hangover, Due Date has a handful of scenes that are so over the top you aren't sure if you want to run from the theater or laugh. Zach Galifianakis stays true to himself and leaves you just as uncomfortable as ever watching his outragous character torment the poor expecting father (Downey Jr).  Even though I stuck it out throug the entire film, at times seriously wishing I hadn't, I will say that the only thing I wish it had included was a Mr. Chow.  THAT would have keep me wanting more.

Due Date is a poor attempt of keeping The Hangover fans hungry for more as we wait for the follow-up film to be released.  Yes it will force you to laugh, but you will not feel good about yourself for laughing when you walk out.  If given a choice between Due Date and Megamind (which also opens this Friday), sadly I would go with the animated family film, and save the vulger obsenity that is Due Date until it is released on DVD.  I'm sorry Robert, but do us all a favor and keep to your wonderful role as Tony Stark and Sherlock Holmes, I would much rather watch you kick ass than get your ass handed to you on a platter. 

I give Due Date a 2 out of 5.