One Paragraph Review: The Hangover

What a clever idea for a film. Sure, it's basically a more serious version of "Dude, Where's My Car?" but it's tons of fun. Most of us have had the experience of trying to piece together a particularly out-of-control night of revelry and The Hangover does a hilarious job of showing us one of the most epic nights of debauchery ever. Everything is hilarious, from the subtle facial expressions of disbelief to the most insane of activities. I was particularly pleased that they completely refrained from showing what happened on the night in question, instead letting the narrative be set by the events of "the morning after." I only wish they hadn't revealed so much in the trailer, as some of this (the tiger, the baby, Mike Tyson, etc..) would have been excellent surprises.

One Paragraph Review: Avatar

Avatar IMAX is the most amazing ('amazing'adjective: "inspiring awe or wonder") film I've ever seen, while being almost as dumb as it is amazing. There is really so much to say about Avatar that it's impossible to summarize my thoughts in just a few sentences. It's like a Franken-film, existing entirely as glued together pieces of already made movies, as if Cameron had to avoid originality because he lost a bet or something. Every character is a cliche, without exception. The plot is Dune-but-kinda-different. It's violent but rarely too violent. There's a 'love story,' but no romance or love or sex. There's cursing, but no chance of offending even the most prudish. There's a beautiful planet and ecosystem, but you aren't given any details. The characters have some dialog, but no conversations ever take place. It's like "Epic Film Stew", but with the eccentricities boiled away and some psychotropic drugs added in so that you don't notice the core is actually pretty bland. Fortunately, the drugs are epic - you've seen it all before, it's just never caught your imagination like this, or been so perfectly assembled. In fact, if you told me that I didn't actually see a new film called "Avatar," but had instead taken acid and watched Ferngully, I would probably believe you. Then, I would probably go get some more acid and do it all over again, because when I wasn't distracted by the weak story or characters, my heart was nearly bursting out of my chest. It's probably worth your money and time.

One Paragraph Review: 21 Grams

I will be the first to admit that I really didn't understand this movie. At all. I didn't understand why the characters behaved the way they did. I didn't understand or sympathize with their actions. The three main characters seemed like completely depraved human beings. Yet my reaction is completely at odds with everyone else who sees this movie. Did I miss something? After seeing the movie, I went out and read several plot summaries. Yet I still don't feel like I understood why any of the characters made any of the decisions they did. The acting was jarring but I just did not connect. The yelling and crying and screaming all seemed warranted and justified, but I couldn't for the life of me tell you why. I don't say this to intentionally sound obtuse or curmudgeonly. Honestly, I don't. I had no idea what the hell this movie was about but you should still see it.

Haiku Review: Avatar

Is this Ferngully?
Look at the pretty pictures
No alien sex

Second Time Review: Star Trek

The first time I saw Star Trek I absolutely loved it. It was a knock you out of your chair, thrill ride that reminds you how much it can be to fly around the stars. Importantly, its a reboot that focuses on getting you to like the characters, and want to root for them. From there, all else is possible. That said, upon second viewing the movie is a little less coherent. Star Trek does a great job of taking you along for the ride, and never stopping to ask itself, "does what I'm saying make any sense?" And that's fine. Because when you're having that much fun its a drag to tell yourself to slow down and be responsible. Kirk plays fast and loose with the rules, and so should the movie.

One Paragraph Review: Sherlock Holmes

I rather enjoyed Sherlock Holmes despite its slow pacing and unexciting ending. In general, I love Guy Richie movies for the action and twists, and the fun ride they take you on. He's like a dumber (in a good way) British Quentin Tarantino without all the weirdness (in a bad way). Yet he really didn't add anything to this movie. It felt like it could have been directed by Joe Schmo. All that said, the dialogue and acting was just great. Robert Downey Jr. makes a great Holmes and clearly relishes the role. Not a great movie but this is exactly the sort of thing you purchase cable for.

One Paragraph Review: Julie and Julia

I had planned on retiring to the bedroom or the office (or anywhere else) when my girlfriend put on "Julie & Julia," but after peripherally catching the first 10 or 15 minutes of the film, I found myself engaged just enough to sit through the whole thing. It turns out that Julie & Julia is a quaint and charming little film, not really doing anything annoying while riding the strength of Meryl Streep's magnetic portrayal of Julia Child. Amy Adams is fun despite crying in every other scene and, if you enjoy cooking as I do, you'll find that the film's subject alone is enough to keep your interest.

One Paragraph Review: Caprica

I grabbed the 2-hour pilot/premier of the new series Caprica on DVD because Ronald D. Moore and David Eick's "Battlestar Galactica" was one of three TV series that I've really loved in the last ten or so years (the other two being The West Wing and The Wire). Being doubtful that they could re-capture the many things that made BSG so great, I actually had fairly low expectations. Luckily, however, I didn't give Moore and Eick enough credit - Caprica's pilot is great. Though it's thematically pretty dark - a tragedy being the catalyst for the show's major plot arcs - Caprica is packed with complex content, deep characters and distinctive style. Caprica City is at once a familiar town and foreign civiliation, and its polytheistic, futuristic populace is simultaneously alien and human. Of course, as a piece unto itself, the Caprica pilot lacks a measure of closure. However, as a springboard for a new series, the Caprica pilot is packed with quality writing, powerful characters, themes upon themes and loads of promise.

One Paragraph Review: Primer

I really can't form a coherent stream of thoughts about Primer. I mean, I love this film, but part of me thinks that it's just because I'm in awe of the way it so totally confuses me; but not in a convoluted or stupid way, in a way that has enough logic and math that I'm utterly convinced that it is possible to form a complete, accurate picture of what is happening but totally helplessly unable to do so. No, it's not just adolescent admiration - this film is fantastic, even if I can't fully wrap my mind around what is actually happening. It's a fun, complicated spin on a simple, unoriginal concept. Throw in the fact that it was made for a paltry $7,000 - probably the cost of Michael Bay's haircuts during a Transformers film - and you have a work that really deserves your attention.

One Paragraph Review: Up in the Air

I imagine there will be a lot of people who chose to hate on this film, being angry and impatient with its subtle honesty or frustrated with nothing blowing up and no quarrels between ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends (and no teen vampires, either!). But for those patient enough to really observe everyone in the film, Jason Reitman's desire to explore the human condition is here in full force. Up in the Air is a fantastic, flawlessly acted meditation on what it means to be "connected" with people in our modern world. This is one of those films that will have you reflecting on your life, and that of those around you, far after you leave the theater.

One Paragraph Review: 500 Days of Summer

500 Days of Summer is a fun and entertaining film that, for the most part, balances an off-beat attitude with a sense of honesty. The film is at its worst when it rehashes typical romantic movie cliches for no apparent reason, but at its best when it's making a point that most "romance" films don't (or can't) ever bother with. In the end, 500 Days of Summer does things just enough differently to make it worth your while, but is just enough like other love stories to prevent it from really being amazing.