Adjustment Bureau & Rango Podcast

I just completed my second podcast for Picktainment.com.  We covered three films that are opening this weekend. Push play to listen to reviews on The Adjustment Bureau, Rango and Take Me Home Tonight.

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The Adjustment Bureau -- Review

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had made a different choice from one you made that put you where you are today?  Maybe selected a different college then the one you attended... or turned down a job that  relocated you to where you are now... or stuck with something a little longer than you originally had to see what could happen... or even taken that right turn rather then the left you made on the way home.  Where would you be if you had made that other decision?  The Adjustment Bureau is a psychological suspense film that addresses questions like these throughout the film as it plays with the idea of fate and free will and whether or not we as humans are in control of either.

The Adjustment Bureau is an amazing film that is exceptionally written and directed.  From the moment you are first introduced to David Norris, played by Matt Damon (Bourne films and True Grit), you instantly like him -- even though he is a politician.  He is someone you can relate with and feel compassion for, and that is just the beginning.  When Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt - Wolfman, Young Victoria and Sunshine Cleaning) interrupts a rather personal moment for David the audience instantly feels the connection between the two characters.  It's a chemistry on film that I have not seen in a long time and it was refreshing to watch these two extraordinary actors compliment each other.  Even though we know that whatever is causing their instant attraction and connection will be their ultimate challenge and that is when the Adjustment Bureau steps in.

The employees of the Adjustment Bureau are great characters full of depth and life regardless of the lack of visible emotion throughout the film, with the exception of one "adjuster". Anthony Mackie (Hurt Locker) plays Harry Mitchell, who has been assigned to David since he was a young kid to try and keep him on the path that had been laid out for him but Harry makes a few mistakes and opens the door for fate to throw a few curve balls.   John Slattery (Mad Men) plays Richardson who is a straight faced "adjuster" assigned to clean up Harry's mistakes.  But it is Terence Stamp (Valkyrie and Wanted) who plays the ultimate "adjuster" Thompson who is only called in when there is no other choice. With the talent behind the Adjustment Bureau there is no question as to whether you would ever want to face a group of men like this is real life -- the answer would be no!  Although they are very well dressed and at first glance would not be accused of anything other than being businessmen they are very far from that and definitely not anyone you'd want to mess with.

The Adjustment Bureau is George Nolfi's first directed film, but his background as a screenplay writer (The Adjustment Bureau, Bourne Ultimatum, Timeline) has definitely helped him create the perfect blend of suspense, drama, and action.  You will feel every fall and hit as though it were happening to you, and because of this George Nolfi has created a perfect piece of cinema.  The images are beautiful and the acting is some of the best we have in Hollywood, and if you did not already think Emily Blunt was gorgeous I guarantee you will after you see her dance.  She is just as elegant in her speaking role as she is when she's dancing.  So if you are looking for a suspense film to catch this weekend I highly recommend The Adjustment Bureau.

I give The Adjustment Bureau a 4 out of 5.

GNOMEO & JULIET -- Review

To 3D or not 3D, that is the question. Okay, not really but you get the joke. Much like that weak pun, Gnomeo & Juliet has its moments to shine, before falling to pieces. The cute kid friendly take on Romeo and Juliet does a decent job introducing the classic play to children, but falls flat with many of its jokes. Unlike Shrek, Gnomeo (which is a Disney film) appears to forget what it's trying to achieve mid-way through the film. One of the reasons why so many love the original Shrek is because it took something from almost every animation we had available to us growning up and included it in the parodies throughout its story. Gnomeo (being "family friendly Disney") tried to pun its way through classic Shakespeare, but forgot the puns. It could have taken advantage of all the Disney tales that have come before and used them to create fun new jokes for kids. If only they could laugh at themselves a little, especially since they are releasing the film as a Touchtone production. Instead we get a parody of an American Beauty scene, which seems a bit out of place, if you know what I mean.


Gnomeo & Juliet tells the story of rival gnomes (the Reds and the Blues) that live in the backyards of Mr Capulet and Miss Montague, which is separated by a wooden fence. Much like Toy Story, the gnomes come to life to continue their war when the humans are not home or looking into the backyards. The play on how ridiculous some of the garden gnomes can be is brought to life when the war between Reds and Blues is nearly discovered and they must "freeze". It is not until Gnomeo meets Juliet before the real trouble starts. The only difference between the real Romeo and Juliet and this animated version is that there is only one tragic, or rather one tragically funny death for poor ol' Tybalt.

The biggest highlight for the adults in the audience will be the star-studded cast that lends their voices to the entertaining lawn ornaments. With stars like Michael Caine (Lord Redbrick), Maggie Smith (Lady Bluebury), Patrick Stewart (Bill Shakespeare), James McAvoy (Gnomeo), Emily Blunt (Juliet), Ozzy (Fawn), Hulk Hogan (Terrafirminator), Jason Statham (Tybalt) and last but not least Dolly Parton (Dolly Gnome) it is no wonder the film does, at the very least, keep us entertained. The only issue I have with the film is it does not hold up to the names attached. Like Disney films that have come before, Gnomeo attempts to include a handful of songs, but fails miserably to add anything to the story or have any significance to that being portrayed on the screen, only adding minutes to those particular scenes where they are included, making it feel like the scenes will drag on forever. I felt that the addition of the songs were nothing more than an after thought, drawn up because the original running time was too short to be considered a feature film and were the best they could come up with to fill the run time. A good example of the use of music is when "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" was played in full, which almost mocks the use in Miramax's Ella Enchanted. If only more effort was put out to make a quality film and the budget was directed towards better writing instead of on a 3D distribution, which added nothing to the film, but at the prices one pays to view a 3D movie, add much to Disney’s bottom line.

Gnomeo & Juliet is a cute story, although a poor attempt on Disney’s part to come up with a Shrek-like film. The use of 3D is pulled off, however there is really no point to it. Unlike Yogi Bear, there are no flying turtles, bears or anything that flies at the screen for that matter. Although this was the first 3D film that did not leave me walking out of the theater with a headache, unlike the recently released Sanctum which I’m still feeling the pain. I wish studios would get over their 3D kick and just give us some quality films. Gnomeo & Juliet will entertain young children, and it’s nice to see that they are getting introduced to some classic literature, though, in Disney’s typical style, rewrites the storyline to a more family friendly tale. It is an ideal film for parents or relatives of children under the age of 10.
 
I give Gnomeo & Juliet a 3 out of 5.
 

The Wolfman -- Review

Be still my beating heart of horror for this valentine's weekend you have found true love.

I have always been a fan of horror films and stand by the principle that nothing beats the original.  Yet I always wondered if/when Universal would make another go at their classics, especially after a trip to Universal Studios two summers ago.  February 12, 2010 is a date that will set into motion a movement within the horror genre that will make my heart pitter-patter a little louder and a little faster as it is the release date for the first of several updates to classic horror films.  There is just something breathtaking when you are able to watch a monster come to life right before your eyes.  

The Wolfman production had a few hiccups along the way, but the final film pays remarkable homage to the 1941 classic while giving the 21st century movie-goer everything they could possibly want from a film of this style.  From the moment the lights dimmed and the classic Universal logo appeared on the silver screen I felt butterflies in my stomach as the excitement I felt for one of my favorite classic films went through a much needed update.  If you have read any of my previous reviews I tend to go against remakes/updates and adaptations, but from time to time there is a film that needs to be presented from a more modern point of view. Don't get me wrong, it wouldn't be The Wolfman if there weren't elements of "cheese" scattered throughout the film, as all of the classic horror films hold that as part of their being and existence.  Be it that the film did not translate well through the years, make-up effects being slightly out-of-date, or a rather phony looking pentagram "etched" into the chest of the main character as his sign of become a werewolf.  It is all of these together that give us George Waggner's 1941 classic Wolf Man starring Lon Chaney Jr.  

The thing that makes Joe Johnston's direction of The Wolfman so great is that he is able to pay homage to the original through the use of props and make-up artist Rick Baker who brought Jack P. Pierce's original look back to life for a whole new generation to enjoy.  On top of the visual effects adding to the story, and the bone crunching and spin chilling transformation from man to monster a nightmare come true.  Not only did it send chills through my entire body watching the visual effects of CGI transform Benicio del Toro's body into the Wolfman and the carnage he leaves in his wake as he makes his way through Victorian England.  The updated story takes you on an interesting journey as to where the Wolfman actually comes from and how he came to be.  Johnston brings you on a journey straight through the psyche of a man that so many have grown up with.  It is Lawrence Talbot and del Toro's performance that not only opens your eyes to the soul and heart of this classic horror monster.  People always say that the eyes are the mirrors to the soul, and I don't know how Johnston was able to pull it off through all of the make-up, but his shooting style and shot choices give you a true glimpse into a misunderstood monster.  But of course, as I said earlier, this film could not be The Wolfman if it did not include a certain level of cheesiness. 

Without giving away any spoilers I will say that a quick line mentioned to describe Hugo Weaving's character Abberline was a slight stretch of the imagination, however it certainly left me scratching my head a little as to why it would be mentioned in the first place.  Yes, my horror fan mind started spinning with ideas for the endless possibilities (yet none of them should probably be followed through with).  The slightly odd almost Golum-like creature that made several appearances. Some of the dialogue between father and son felt almost straight out of the 1940 films, but getting to see the wonderful and amazing Anthony Hopkins transform into a werewolf made up for any blunder that had been previously made.  The cameo appearance of the brilliant make-up artist Rick Baker as one of the gypsy men, yes cheesy but just as great as the Marvel films with their Stan Lee cameos.  Other than that I really have no complaints.  The film surpassed every expectation I had by leaps and bounds and left me begging for more.  

The art and costume departments were brilliant and truly took you back to Victorian England with amazing sets and beautiful costumes.  Rick Baker out did himself and gave us a creature we not only recognized but loved for the modernization and update which only added to the scariness and danger of what the wolfman is capable of.  Joe Johnston's The Wolfman gave me chills when they were needed, made me feel love and compassion for a dangerous monster, and made my heart skip a beat.  All this single girl wanted for valentine's day was a date with one of her favorite monsters and what a perfect date it was.  Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins stole my heart and gave me the bloody valentine I wanted, and it was with the grace and class of the beautiful Emily Blunt and a silver bullet that my night ended tragically.  

Thank you Universal for bringing back the classic horror films.  Bring it on you monsters!  I cannot wait the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula and Frankenstein in the next few years.

2010 Wolfman Trailer/Featurette

1941 Wolf Man Trailer

The Young Victoria -- Review

I have always struggled with history, feeling the majority of events I had read about drag like a text book, no matter how well written they may have been. That was until I came across one particular story in history that had so much juice to it that it became the one period in time that I found I could read and not get bored. That time period was the Elizabethan period, when Queen Elizabeth I ruled. I do not know for sure if it is just the ruthlessness of those that lived in that time or just the overly juicy affairs and murders that took place among the royals. Unfortunately I slowly lost interest in following up with English history after that period. That is of course, until I saw this historical documentary drama film, The Young Victoria. I still do not know too much about Queen Victoria and her rule, but this film has truly piqued my interest so much that the next book I am looking into reading will be about the queen responsible for the Victorian age.

The Young Victoria tells the story of the young princess, just before she is crowned, and into the early years of her reign. I found the story to be beautifully told. Maybe it is just because it tells of the strength of one woman who had so much stacked against her due to the period and her birth rights, but just like Elizabeth I, I found young Victoria to be awe inspiring. She stood up against the men that surrounded her, and proved that women have strength. It was with the help of her husband, Prince Albert, whose love and ideas inspired them to change the ways in which things had been run before she had claimed the thrown. I found the journey of their love had a strength of its own that inspired the young queen in ways that I can not even begin to imagine. Her personal strength, with the love and admiration of a man that truly loved her for her and not just because of what it would offer or even the ability to rule over the young woman in the way that some other women of the time period may have been, it is because of all of those variables that allowed her to be who she was.

Again I am only going by the information of her early years, and because of that I actually ended in an argument with my father, but I found the film to be brilliant. Prior to this film the only reference I had for the Victorian age was text books of gorgeous clothes, the introduction of hypnosis and other new and/or improved forms of entertainment within the arts, theater and music. Technology and engineering also greatly improved, as well as the revival of Gothic architecture. It is those things that form my reference point for the Victorian Era, and from that basis I find The Young Victoria a great representation for a time that consisted of so many great things. However, I also know that somewhere during her reign, Jack the Ripper was born, and that there are many other dark and dirty things that lurk in cobble stone alley ways far away from Buckingham Palace.

Directed by Canadian Jean-Marc Vallee, this film tells an amazing historical story. With Emily Blunt cast to play Victoria, who in interviews shared that she was able to read the actual diaries of Queen Victoria, she portrayed the young queen beautifully. With class and elegance that I was delightfully surprised to see after watching her play more comedic roles in films like The Devil Wears Prada, Sunshine Cleaning, Dan in Real Life, and others. Co-staring with Rupert Friend as Prince Albert, the wonderful Paul Bettany as Lord Melbourne, Miranda Richardson (Rita Skeeter in Harry Potter) as the Duchess of Kent and Victoria's mother, Jim Broadbent (Professor Slughorn in Harry Potter) as King William and so many other talented actors. On top of a great cast, amazing sets and locations to work with as well as brilliant costume design this film is a must see for any film and/or history lover. So take a trip back in time with this period piece and enjoy the vision Jean-Marc has laid out in order to tell this interesting story.  The Young Victoria is a story that tells of strength in self and in love, as well as power to reign the country she was destined to rule. I give this film a 4.5 out of 5 and highly recommend this film to anyone interested in a little dirty history.

Interviews: