Film Critical

Film reviews and coming attractions by NAnderson for your consideration. I will be writing critiques of as many films as I can see. Check them out and write a comment.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

OPENING FRIDAY AUG. 31-

Balls of Fury
http://www.apple.com/trailers/rogue_pictures/ballsoffury/trailer1/
Halloween
http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/halloween/trailer2/
Death Sentence
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_atomic/deathsentence/


Limited Release:
The Nines
http://www.apple.com/trailers/newmarket/thenines/trailer/
Exiled
http://www.apple.com/trailers/magnolia/exiled/trailer/
Closing Escrow
http://www.apple.com/trailers/magnolia/closingescrow/trailer/
Self-Medicated
http://www.apple.com/trailers/thinkfilm/selfmedicated/trailer/
Ladron Que Roba a Ladron
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809786788/video/3558360/

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

Why cant I be that badass?

Jason Bourne. Yes, he’s back again, and he hasn’t slowed down a bit. The Bourne Ultimatum is the third installment of this heart pounding series that in no way disappoints. From start to finish this film keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every shaky camera shot and each fist to the face is outright engrossing. The direction is done in a way that is very analogous to the other films in the series.

The Bourne Ultimatum moves quickly. Starting the film mid-action was a good choice. It gets you right into things as well as giving you the feeling of not really remembering what happened before. This is so appropriate when you think about the story of Jason Bourne. Matt Damon does a great job of keeping this character consistent throughout the series. And his execution of the action sequences is impressive. The director, Paul Greengrass, had experience forming this intense action from also directing The Bourne Supremacy. They both have done it again to tell a genuinely engaging story.

If you have seen any of the previous Bourne films or just enjoy a good movie I would recommend The Bourne Ultimatum. It is an edge of your seat thriller with a great cast including the superb actress Joan Allen. Jason Bourne is one badass character and he keeps you totally entertained.


GRADE: A
TRAILER: http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/thebourneultimatum/

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

THE SIMPSON'S MOVIE

A momentous and hilarious achievement.

The Simpsons Movie is epic. After nearly 20 years of ideas, plotlines, and humor this beloved show hits the big screen with both originality and dignity. The story line is exciting from start to finish. Each of the characters seems to exude their personality with perfection. It seems like a movie made from a TV show would be just like one long episode, but this is not the case. The filmmakers were careful to make subtle changes that made the film come across in a more cinematic way. Besides the obvious humor, these changes made the film worthwhile.

The Simpson’s Movie is right on par with the episodes that everyone used to love. The characters are at their funniest throughout the movie. Just crude enough to be edgy and just smart enough for everyone to enjoy. The plotline may be somewhat over the top, but what do you expect from The Simpson’s. The filmmakers did a great job of making it feel familiar. They chose to edit things differently though, and I really enjoyed this. Doing epic pans through massive crowds and tight close-ups. It was just right to set it apart from the series while staying true to the its roots.

The film is laugh-out-loud funny. If you have ever enjoyed an episode of the TV show you will enjoy the movie. Great characters at the top of their game keep the film exciting. The Simpson’s Movie was a long time coming and it lives up to any expectations.


GRADE: A
TRAILER: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/thesimpsonsmovie/

Monday, August 27, 2007

STARDUST

Like a kid in adult clothes.

Stardust is a kids fairytale. The innuendos and the language don’t fit this kids story. These are just an attempt to make it more appealing to adults. Unfortunately, it does not work. The visuals and the story are fun, but not enough to keep adults hooked. Kids would probably enjoy this film more. A pretty good cast of actors fills the screen. Their performances are decent without any standouts.

The film is long and packed with characters. Some of them are amusing and, lets just say, some are not. It seems like the filmmakers were going for a more Pirates of the Caribbean approach that would appeal to all ages. The result is a back and forth between adult and child’s humor. Not that it takes much, but I was confused.

Stardust is a magical adventure that would mostly appeal to, if I had to guess, 10-12 yr olds. None the less, the graphics are cool, the music is exciting, and the story is told well.


GRADE: C+
TRAILER: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/stardust/

Friday, August 24, 2007

SUPERBAD

“Nobody has gotten a B.J. in cargo shorts since ‘nam!”

Superbad is just one of those movies. It’s so off the wall and over the top that you have to respect it. The thing is that Superbad totally deserves this respect. With a plot that sounds old and trite the film’s humor is so original that it makes it an instant classic. The cast is comprised of up and coming actors that are masters of their craft. The director has a mostly TV background, and brings his comedic genius to the big screen.

Formed around a typical teen movie plot line, Superbad raises the bar from where American Pie left it back in ’99. Not since then has a teen movie stood out so much in the crowd. Superbad is driven by dialogue. The raunchy humor and writing are hysterically well done by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The actors deliver their lines with an awkwardness that adds to the humor. Will Ferrell for example can say absolutely anything and make it funny. In this film, anyone could say the lines and they would always be funny. The dialogue in Superbad is just plain out of control.

The actors are all great. They deliver the lines with such a subtlety that makes them seem even wittier. The film is also directed well by Greg Mottola, who I might add worked on everybody’s favorite TV show Arrested Development.

Go see Superbad. It is ridiculous, hysterical, and downright entertaining. I hope they make a TV show out of this. God that would be awesome.


GRADE: A
TRAILER: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/superbad/

Thursday, August 23, 2007

OPENING FRIDAY AUG 24-

There's a lot coming out this week. I saw Dedication at Sundance this year and really enjoyed it. You can really take your pick. There is something for everyone opening this week....or you can just go see Superbad again.
--------------------

The Nanny Diaries
http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/thenannydiaries/trailer1/
Good Luck Chuck
http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/goodluckchuck/
War
http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/war/
Mr. Bean's Holiday
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/mrbeansholiday/
Illegal Tender
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/illegaltender/
September Dawn
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/septemberdawn/trailer/
Resurrecting the Champ
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/resurrectingthechamp/trailer/


Limited Release:
Dedication
http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/dedication/trailer/
The Hottest State
http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=18757
Deep Water
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/deepwater/trailer/
Right at Your Door
http://www.rightatyourdoor.com/

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

OPENING FRIDAY AUG 17-

Superbad
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/superbad/
The Last Legion
http://www.lastlegion-movie.com/
The Invasion
http://theinvasionmovie.warnerbros.com/


Limited Release:
The 11th Hour
http://wip.warnerbros.com/11thhour/
Manda Bala
http://www.mandabala.com/
Penelope
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/penelope/trailer/
Death At A Funeral
http://www.deathatafuneral-themovie.com/
7 Dias
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809922980/video
The King Of King: A Fistful of Quarters
http://www.billyvssteve.com/

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

OPENING FRIDAY AUG. 10-

Skinwalkers
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/skinwalkers/trailer/
Daddy Day Camp
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/daddydaycamp/
Stardust
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/stardust/
Rush Hour 3
http://www.apple.com/trailers/newline/rushhour3/trailer1/


Limited Release:
Rocket Science
http://www.apple.com/trailers/picturehouse/rocketscience/trailer1/
2 Days in Paris
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/2daysinparis/trailer/
Descent
http://www.descent-movie.com/
Dans Paris (Opens Aug 8)
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/dansparis/trailer/

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

SUNSHINE

A stylistic thriller that continually amazes.

Sunshine is a wild ride through the final frontier. The unplanned child of an Event Horizon and Armageddon one night stand if you will. The overall plotline sounds like something a nerdy middle-schooler might write, but the visual feast is well worth your time. The characters are not overly interesting because there's just no time to develop them. On the other hand, the music is exciting and every scene is captivating due to the visual smorgasbord that is thrown at you.

The story does not allow time for you to understand where these people are coming from and what they are really like. This may have been intentional, but I found that I did not develop any sort of compassion for anyone. The character development was weak overall, but the actors do a good enough job to keep the film going. So I must say the acting is done quite well.

Danny Boyle is a great director. He creates visual entertainment at its finest. His past work has included 28 Days Later and The Beach. Fun to watch films with some loose plotlines. Sunshine is similar in this manner. The scenes are intense and thrilling.

So if you want to be entertained, and see some cool shit, then I highly recommend Sunshine. It delivers on those levels for sure. It does not however have the feel of a masterpiece in filmmaking. In conclusion, the music is intense, the characters are to the point, and your eyes will be amazed.


GRADE: B-
TRAILER: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/sunshine/trailera/

OPENING FRIDAY AUG. 3-

El Cantante
http://www.apple.com/trailers/picturehouse/elcantante/teaser/
Hod Rod
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/hotrod/
The Bourne Ultimatum
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/thebourneultimatum/
Underdog
http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/underdog/
Bratz
http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/bratz/

Limited Release:
Becoming Jane
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/becomingjane/trailer/
The Ten
http://www.apple.com/trailers/thinkfilm/theten/trailer/
Charlie Bartlett
http://www.apple.com/trailers/mgm/charliebartlett/trailer/