2009 Review #24: The Soloist

The Soloist

Rated PG-13

1 hour 57 minutes

Storyline:

A Los Angeles Journalist, befriends a homeless Julliard trained musician, while looking for a new article for the paper.

Starring:

Robert Downey Jr.

Jamie Foxx

Critics Grade:
C

My Grade:
C+

The Soloist is not a perfect film. It is definitely one of those movies that you can tell was maybe trying to score itself some Oscar nominations. It's one of those movies that supposed to tug on the strings of your heart and inspire you. It's one of those movies that's carried by very strong lead performances. But it's also one of those movies that really, really good...but kind of misses on some of the emotional points.

Starting with the good. I thought it told a really moving tale about a journalist who befriends a homeless man who has a truly beautiful musical gift. The story is of their growing friendship as the journalist tries to give this man help, both emotional and medical, even though the homeless man just wants a friend. He's comfortable where he is, he likes living on the streets. He takes a strong liking to the journalist, and at one point calls him his God. Keep in mind, this homeless man isn't right in the head. We see the progression of his mental breakdown through flashbacks to his earlier life. He is probably a schizophrenic, but we never really find out. But one thing is certain: he can play the violin and cello masterfully. This is a man who went to Julliard for two years and is now on the streets.

The story/screenplay was told quite well I thought. It kept me focused the whole time and I never really got bored at any one point in the movie. I thought it really captured well, the heart of true friendship and why we as people need friends in our lives. It's said that true friendship could ease ones mental pains, and that's showcased in this film. I've even experienced that in my own life. This man has a talent, but he doesn't care. He just wants to play. The journalist doesn't quite understand that. He can't figure out why he doesn't want help, why he wants to stay on the streets. But he stays his friend anyway, and I thought that aspect of the story was told very well.

What was missing was background. We see many flashes into Nathaniel's (the homeless man) life, but we never see how and why this all started. I understand this is something he was probably born with, but we never truly saw how this affected his family or really even him at a young age. He just snaps, drops out of Julliard, and runs away. It seemed like his sister never even bothered to look for him or even cared. His background was missing a lot of emotional depth and it was hard to really feel for this guy. I understood his situation and I felt bad for him, but I wasn't emotionally connected to this guy...and he's supposed to be the main character. Same goes for Steve Lopez (the journalist). We get virtually no insight into his life. He's actually a bit one dimensional throughout the whole film. We don't really know what drove him to befriend this guy in the first place. We are told he has a son in college and his ex-wife is also someone who works with him at the paper. But we never get to much information about why that part of his life went south. Again, it was just weak back story and very difficult to connect with this guys motives.

For me it lacked a lot of emotional depth. Mainly due to that back story issue. This has the potential of being a really poignant story, but it missed so much. The over lining story of their friendship was told very well, and I was very into it, but the deeper part of the story lacked a lot. There was virtually no real heart to this story and by the end you feel kind of empty and have this "yeah so what" mentality, at least I did. I got the message in the end, and it was a good one. But when the credits rolled I was immediately disconnected. I don't know, I guess it's kind of hard to explain. Also, I was confused by how this movie wanted us to feel and where we were supposed to direct our emotions. It tried to be two things: a movie about a mentally disabled homeless man that has a gift and also a movie about the man's beautiful gift and his struggles to use that gift. I feel like they were trying to get to much emotional pull into the movie, and so it kind of just flopped in that regard and you end up not feeling much of anything. I think there was to much focus here.

The performances were excellent however! Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder, Iron Man) has really emerged as a fantastic actor. He had an incredible year last year, and this guy is just getting better and better. He can really carry a film, and he is really likable in most of the roles he does, including this one. He won't get any award attention here, because it's not really an award worthy performance, but he's still very very good. Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (Ray, Collateral) for the most part was really good in this movie. However there were a few scenes where you can tell he thinks he's an amazing actor. There's just a few scenes where he totally overacts and tries to do way to much with a scene that could have been toned down. There are portions of his performance that are actually quite bad, but for the most part he does do an pretty darn good job.

The Soloist is a good movie. It's a solid movie. Even though it lacks some real feeling and leaves you feeling kind of empty. But there's still a lot to it, and theres a lot of good to it. This is kind of an inspirational film. Like I said, not an phenomenal movie, but it's definitely worth watching if you are into this type of dramatic film.

2008 Straight To DVD Review: Blackout

Blackout

Rated R
1 hour 24 minutes

Storyline:
Three people from different walks of life find themselves trapped inside a stalled elevator. What at first seems like an inconvenience rapidly escalates into a nightmare.

Starring:
Amber Tamblyn
Aidan Gillen
Armie Hammer

Critics Grade:
N/A From Rotten Tomatoes
5.5 out of 10 from IMDB.com users

My Grade:
C

You may be surprised that I actually wanted to see a straight to DVD movie, but it's true. I read the synopsis (much like with the crappy film "House"), and I thought it sounded pretty interesting. There is a huge difference between the movie "House" and this film, Blackout: this one is much, MUCH better.

Now I'm going to say this is an amazing film, because it isn't, but it really isn't a bad movie. It has a very simple premise, a very small cast, and never tries to do to much. It's about 3 different people, who have all had some recent tragedy in their lives, find themselves trapped in a small elevator that shut down mid run. We get brief glimpses into their lives through flashbacks so we get to know each one of them. Now they make it kind of obvious that one of these people is probably not such a nice person, but you don't really know for sure until 3/4 of the way into the movie. I pretty much figured it out about 1/4 way into it because it is a bit obvious who it is.

They needed this aspect in order to create some true danger for these people, even though two of them have no idea that one of them is a bad person. But just the story of them being caught in the elevator was tense enough for me. For the most part I thought it was really well done. You never really know if they are going to make it or not, and there are a few scenes of them trying to be brave and find a way out that are pretty intense. The movie mainly takes place in a little 6 by 6 metal box, and the characters wind down and go a little nuts slowly throughout the film. Of course until the end when one of them goes way to crazy and starts to get deadly. That part of the storyline, I know was needed, but they probably could have toned it down a little. They showed some pretty graphic flashback scenes that I didn't care to see. They should have made this person just snap from being locked up in the elevator and left out the whole psycho past storyline. That would have created a more tense thrill ride.

The film was shot really well. I actually thought there was some pretty cool cinematography that reminded me of some of the shots from Panic Room a few years back. The camera weeves in out of the hallways all seemingly in one take with one camera (although obvious visual effects were used). The film had a very sleek look to it. It was never to dark and never to full of light. It really set the mood of the film pretty well. I thought Amber Tamblyn (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) did a decent job in her role, her performance was never to cheesy. I wasn't a fan of Aiden Gillen (TV's The Wire, 12 Rounds) he was pretty bad. There were some brief shining moments for him, but most it was pretty darn weak. There wasn't enough of Armie Hammer speaking lines for me to honestly say how good he was, but in the small role he had, he was alright.

If you like a good suspense thriller, I would definitely recommend this movie. I found it to be quite entertaining. Not a perfect film, it could have been much better with a few tweaks to the screenplay, a bigger budget and more seasoned actors. But for what it is worth, this was a solid enough movie for me to enjoy it and say...yeah...go ahead and check it out!

2008 Film Review: House

House

Rated R
1 hour 28 minutes

Storyline:
In rural Alabama, two couples find themselves in a fight for survival. Running from a maniac (The Tin Man) bent on killing them, they flee deep into the woods and seek refuge in a house. They soon realize the killer has purposely lured them to this house and that they are now trapped.

Starring:
Reynaldo Rosales
Heidi Dippold
Julie Ann Emery
J.P. Davis
with Michael Madsen

Critics Grade:
F- (out of only 13 reviews)

My Grade:
F-

OK so I told myself, if I'm going to start reviewing movies again this year, I am only going to watch movies that I legitimately want to see. It truly shames me to say that yes, I did actually want to watch this movie by reading the premise. At first read, I thought this was a haunted house movie with some weird killer on the lose inside the house. That to me seems kind of interesting, so sue me! I never actually saw a trailer for it, and you know what...it was one of my instant views on Netflix, so whatever.

2008's House is by far one of the worst motion pictures I think I have ever seen in my life. This wasn't even a straight to DVD movie as it appeared to be, oh no, it was given a limited release in theaters last year. I don't even think I could BEGIN to describe the incredibly messy plot line. There was SO much going on, and literally NONE of it made a lick of sense. Nothing came together in the end, it had to be the most lazily written screenplays in the history of cinema. The characters were downright awful and unlikeable in every single way. Their stories were dumb. The story of the creepy people living in this house was pure idiocy. Were they ghosts? What the heck were they doing there? Who were they? That's never told to us.

And this tin man fella? Never was explained where he came from or why he does these things. And his character was stupid, he was in maybe four scenes in the movie and really wasn't that scary of a killer because he doesn't actually do a thing to anyone. Nothing I tell you! We don't know his motives, we know nothing. Well we are briefly told he goes after "sinners" (this by the way is a very sad attempt at a Christian themed horror movie). Oh and there was also some creepy little girl who for some reason was locked in some large cargo container in the house. We don't ever know who she is. We don't ever know where she came from. We never find out why the tin-man hates her so much and wants her dead (which I think she already was dead???? I don't know). I assume she was meant to be the "savior" character based off what happens to her and the tin-man was the devil character, but that was so poorly pieced together.

**SPOILER ALERT**

In the end two of the main characters die and we never see them again. The creepy house people "die" and the tin man is "vanquished". When the two primary characters escape...we learn they were ghosts the whole time. What?! Not even shocking, just...what?!?! They seem their dead bodies on the side of the road. But suddenly the walk over their bodies and their ghosts go back into the bodies and they are alive! It was meant to be a twist, but it all happened so fast that we just don't care. The characters didn't even seem to care. But they wake up and I assume it was supposed to represent their new look at life (in a Christian way I guess...I think...I don't know). Then they walk away only to see the tin man (who's also the sheriff by the way...ugh, dumb) and the creepy family from the house alive as can be and creepy as can be.

**END SPOILER ALERT**

Seriously one of the WORST pieces of garbage ever put to film. It such a mess, and it all over the place. It never makes sense, you never really know what the heck is going on. The wrap up is so retarded and just...just don't ever see this movie a day in your life. Again, that's just my opinion. Or you know what, if you want to have fun and watch a really crappy movie with some friends to laugh at...please rent this movie. That's all it is good for...a good hearty laugh at it's expense. Terrible movie.

2009 Review #23: The Great Buck Howard

The Great Buck Howard

Storyline
A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline.

Rated PG
1 hour 30 minutes

Starring:
John Malkovich
Colin Hanks
Emily Blunt

Critics Grade:
B

My Grade:
C-

The Great Buck Howard is much like it's title character: special at times, but also a little dull and uninspiring. The movie was pretty much just OK for me. I thought it was a pretty standardized little dramedy that really wasn't all that funny or all that engaging. The movie is about a mentalist who was once a big somebody, but now is outdated and forgotten, even though he fails to see that. He preforms this illusion where an audience member hides his fee somewhere in the auditorium and he also seems to be able to find it and no one knows how. We never find out how, even though it's one of the film's big mysteries. That kind of how the movie is though, slightly unconnected by the end.

I thought it began a little to fast, and to much was happening to quickly, and then by the middle it became kind of slow. There was never any moment that drove the film to some higher level it was all pretty flat. You never really care to much for these characters, even Buck Howard. In fact you kind of grow to dislike the main character. I know he's supposed to be that way, but there were literally almost no redeeming qualities about him where we can find some small love for him. He's a jerk and we never see another side to him. He is played very well by Oscar nominee John Malkovich (In the Line of Fire, Burn After Reading, Being John Malkovich) and it's definitely the most memorable performance of the movie, as it should be. Colin Hanks is pretty good, but also his performance is just as dull as the movie. For being one of the main characters, he didn't do all that good of a job of carrying the movie. It was cool to see his real dad (Oscar winner Tom Hanks) play his dad in the movie in two scenes. It was a bit weird though how their troubled storyline never patched up in the end. Papa Hanks was a jerk as well, and he never really accepted his sons new life, that story just fell flat.

The movie was done rather well, it had some good cinematography and overall was directed decently. There was well done scene where Buck Howard puts 900 people to sleep at once, and for me that was the best scene in the whole film. I don't know, I just can't really see myself honestly recommending this movie to anyone. It's by NO means a bad film, it's pretty decent. The thing is, like I stated, it's just forgettable. There are really no stand out moments in the movie or in the performances. The writing was just average. The whole movie was just...eh.

2009 Review #22: Funny People

Funny People

Storyline:

When seasoned comedian George Simmons learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship cause him to take a relatively green performer under his wing as his opening act.

Rated R

2 hours 16 minutes

Critics Grade:

B-

My Grade:

A-

Starring:

Adam Sandler

Seth Rogen

Leslie Mann

Eric Bana

I'm going to tell you right off the bat that I'm not typically a big supporter of the Judd Apatow films, because I'm not into raunchy, sex related humor. This is this kind of humor we had with 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. Those films were essentially about sex or had a story that centered around a group of people who talk about sex and have lots of it. Not to mention tons of a drug humor which I also don't find all that funny. Don't get me wrong, I found both of those films to be "funny" but not movies I care for or could really ever watch again or even recommend to a lot of my friends/family. Funny People is not a movie about any of those things. Funny people isn't really even about funny people, as it is about people who are lost in life and have no real connection to anything meaningful. Funny People, in my opinion, is an excellent movie and my favorite Apatow creation as well as Adam Sandlers best work.

The trailer is quite misleading as well. It makes you believe this is another laugh a minute comedy, but it is not. This is almost a depressing, sad movie. In Knocked Up and 40 Year Old Virgin, the humor was essentially the center of the film and those movies relied on constant jokes to keep the audience entertained and the storylines sort of took a hit because of that. Here we actually have a really well told story that has some deep meaning. It's about a famous stand up comic/movie star who is dying and realizes, even with all the money he has, he has nothing special in his life. No friends, no romantic interest, he's grown apart from his family. He realized that money does not equal happiness. He struggles to admit he's in any emotional pain, and he just jokes and laughs it off. Much like a lot of us in the real world. I know I do that sometimes. He hires a up and coming comic to write jokes for him and he can't even admit that he considers him a friend. He tries to re-connect with an old flame who's married with kids, but I won't say how that turns out.

Personally, I thought this film's story was pretty darn grounded to real life. I thought the story is something that actually could be happening right now in the world. The actions of the characters really aren't that far fetched, and I also thought these people came off as very authentic. They really showed their inner struggles well and I could even vaguely relate to some of these guys. The story was moving at times, and I know that probably sounds weird. It wasn't just about the big laugh, it was about these people and you have to feel for them, I did. It was a well written script.

Yes the trailer did ruin the film's overall story about a man who is dying only to discover that he was miraculously cured and now has a second chance at life. It doesn't really spoil the heart of the movie though. It's mainly about how the main character takes this incredible information, and how he acts on it. I think he acts in a very realistic and human way. A lot of us would continue to bottle up our emotions over it, and not really know how to act. Some of us may come off as selfish and unappreciative like the character here. The character doesn't seem to really learn from this experience. I thought that was well played out as well.

I thought this movie was pretty consistently funny as well, it wasn't all drama. There was a lot of very funny stuff here and not a whole lot of it was inappropriate. I loved the opening scene that showed us some vintage Adam Sandler stuff with him making some prank phone calls. The roast beef bit was hilarious I thought, I've never seen that video before. I liked how they included some of Sandlers old stand up as well. This movie doesn't just have long scenes of people going back and forth being cruel and funny towards each other like some of Apatows other films. The comedy in this film is needed and has to be there if that makes sense. Well, MOST of the humor. I think this movie may hold the record for jokes about male genitalia though, and it got real tiring, real fast. Really the only "raunchy" humor in the move was just about penis or masturbation (sorry for the harsh words hehe), and some of it was OK, but most it was just annoying after a while. Other than that though, the jokes weren't that tasteless. Only one brief shot of nudity as well (a topless woman for maybe five seconds).

I thought the performances were really good as well. Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, Pineapple Express) lost a lot of weight, and they made several jokes about it in the movie. This is easily his best performance, I could really tell that he was trying to act here and not just be a funny guy. I was quite impressed with him. Leslie Mann (Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin) is always good in these movies, I think one day she could score a supporting actress Oscar nomination for one of these roles, that's how good she is. Honestly, I thought she deserved one for Knocked Up. One of these days! Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore, Spanglish, Click) has proved over the years that he can actually act. He isn't just that crazy funnyman we've seen before many times. I think he's kind of playing himself in this movie. Honestly, I thought this was Sandlers best performance. I like him in this type of dramedy (like Spanglish and even Click), he plays it well. He had some pretty intense, kind of powerful scenes that displayed the characters fear in such a human way. I can really foresee this guy garnering himself an Oscar nomination one day. Call me crazy, but I really think it could happen.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. I was not expecting to like it as much as I did. This is not a movie for everyone by anymeans. It is rated R for a lot of bad language and a lot of sexual humor (again, MAINLY male genitalia jokes). Now for me to recommend this movie, and to enjoy it is saying a lot because these types of movies are not usually my cup of tea. Go into with caution if you aren't used to this type of comedy, but it is very good and has an excellent story with some really great performances. Don't be mislead by the trailer either, this is not a riot of a comedy. This is a funny movie that is centered around a solid story that could move people to tears (well not me...but people were crying in my theater hehe).