Sunday, March 27, 2011

The Minority Report - "Sucker Punch" (2011)


What you’re imagining right now—you control this world.

This is one of those movies that I saw the trailer for a long time ago (a year or year and a half, more or less) and have been waiting for ever since. My initial thoughts on the trailer were: “Holy crap” and “That is awesome!” For me, the attractiveness of the cast never factors in the equation. I don’t go to see a movie because someone visually appealing is acting in it. That is a terrible way to judge movies. That said, I’m pretty sure that most of the advertisement of this movie went to showing how attractive a bunch of petite girls fighting in short skirts are. Sad really, but what actually attracted me to this movie initially was its premise. In all honesty, it didn’t let me down. It was exactly what I expected, though; it wasn’t better and it wasn’t worse.

The story centers around a 20-year-old who is referred to throughout the movie as “Baby Doll” (Emily Browning). Her mother passed away and her stepfather is upset because the family fortune is being left to her and her sister. In a burst of anger, her father locks her in her room and proceeds to try and molest her younger sister. In defense, of her sister, “Baby Doll” threatens her step father with a gun and shoots at him, killing her little sister accidentally. Because of this, she is institutionalized in a mental hospital. Here, she is encouraged by Dr. Vera Gorski (Carla Gugino) to retreat into a fantasy world of her creation to deal with all of the bad around her. Here, she formulates a plan to escape from the mental institution, with the help of other girls currently residing there. What ensues is an action-packed journey through the wondrous imagination of “Baby Doll” as she lives her real life as a dream. This puts everyone in incredible scenarios that could only be dreamed of.

The movie was visually astounding. Even though it has gotten mixed to negative reviews, everyone can still praise the cinematography, directing, and art employed throughout. It was lacking a bit in character development, that’s for sure, but that doesn’t make it an entirely bad film. I highly enjoyed it and almost all of the people I was with did as well. People are annoyed because it plays out like a video game of sorts, but the thing is that most of the impossible and crazy scenarios employed take place in her imagination. Get a grip and loosen up is what I have to say. It is meant to be far-fetched because, in all honesty, who has normal dreams populated by normal rules that actually make sense? When do people say things that aren’t corny in your dreams? Nothing makes sense! If anyone asked me if they should go and see this movie, I would say yes. It is a fantastic ride through the mind of a mentally ill woman that takes us to the ends of the world. This movie is like watching paint dry, if it is inside the imagination of the artist and is slowing down and speeding up in fantastic fight sequences within itself.

By Kulguy

Friday, March 25, 2011

The Minority Report - "Sexdrive" (2008)


Ease it back, man. That donut ain't fuckin' around.

“Sexdrive” is a pure goofball comedy. It’s over the top and dives into that fact headfirst. It takes itself way too seriously, and all that does is heighten its funny factor. This may not be the funniest or best movie ever made, but it does have what a lot of movies lack—charm. Through its filth, cliché, cheese-ball humor, I still found myself relating with the lovably dorky characters and laughing at their hi-jinx.

“Sexdrive,” is the simple story of a high school outcast and his quest for booty. Ian (Josh Zuckerman) has a virtual girlfriend that he chats with, who eventually convinces him to drive over multiple state lines to visit her with the promise of sex. Ian is quick to react and steals his brothers’ 1969 GTO, nicknamed “The Judge.” He journeys the many miles with his friends, Lance (Clarke Duke) and Felicia (Amanda Crew), and they run into many extravagant situations in pursuit of the elusive act known as sex. Hilarity ensues as they meet up with colorful characters like hitchhikers, Amish people, and even an appearance from “Fall Out Boy.”

Overall, there is not much to say about this film besides that if you watch it, you will laugh and have a good time (that is, if you enjoy over the top, perverted comedies). It’s a college/high-school boy’s film all the way, as it has an abundance of gross humor and breasts (lots, and lots of breasts). Most of all, what I enjoyed about this movie was its charm, which is something comedies like this usually lack. It does sputter out near the end, but by then you will be far too invested in the movie to care. All in all, this is like watching paint dry, but the paint drying is on one of those painting of a naked, drunk French woman that 14 year-old boys will wank off to.

By V-Dawg

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Minority Report - "The Adjustment Bureau" (2011)


What if someone existed that influenced the course of humanity? This person would have the ability to assemble a group of people tasked with tracking the progression of humanity so that it does not go off a predetermined plan due to chance or free will. What if this person or entity got in the way of the person you love? This is the plot of “The Adjustment Bureau.” If you just suspend your disbelief and do not mind ignoring some flaws, you will have an enjoyable experience with this movie.

Matt Damon plays the character David Norris, who is a politician running for senate, who runs into Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) fatefully one night, and instantly falls in love. David then wanders through life after that night searching for this mystery woman, eventually meeting her again on a bus, by pure chance. This was never supposed to happen, according to the “Chairman’s” grand plan, and thus begins a fight for love and persistence over written fate. Matt Damon does not give the performance of his lifetime, playing a normal guy who has to battle against extraordinary circumstances, but at times it just seems like it isn’t the most believable performance (which could also be the script’s fault). This then brings up the biggest issue with the film, which is that it feels rushed.

With its 106 minute running time, it suffers from the complexity of the issue at hand. It not only has to flush out an alternative universe and its set of rules, but also establish a tense and loving relationship between David and Elise. It simply doesn’t have enough time. Further, it could have been a better movie if it executed the ending better (maybe). Also, it had filler scenes (do I really need to see Matt Damon run all over town over and over? Though I ain’t complaining…), which could have been due to a lack of budget or time.

It had so much potential to be one of those films that is unique and inspiring, but instead ended up giving simple entertainment. One thing I do have to give it props for is that it combines two genres excellently: it kept the mystery alive throughout the film while also spicing up the romance in a very well put together equilibrium. I just left the theater thinking that it could have been so much more and not so predictable. In the end it was like watching paint dry into its predetermined fate decided by the “Chairman,” but it is still a pretty picture.

By V-Dawg

Friday, March 11, 2011

The Minority Report - "The Social Network" (2010)


You are probably going to be a very successful computer person. But you're going to go through life thinking that girls don't like you because you're a nerd. And I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, that that won't be true. It'll be because you're an asshole.

People are calling a staple of our time. That’s a reasonable statement, considering the movie is about Facebook. This film has been getting rave reviews all over the place and most of the only people complaining are the tech blogs (for legitimate reasons). The thing is, when a movie about Facebook comes out, what can you really expect? It’s interesting to note the developments from 2004 onwards as described by the movie, but it never ceases to amaze me how much people believe from movies these days. They are works of fiction for a reason. Even the most convincing ones are still fiction. Apart from that, though, let it be recognized that Jesse Eisenberg did an absolutely phenomenal job as the story’s lead role. The script is, for sure, one to be admired. Besides that, though, David Fincher let me down a bit.

The story centers around a young man by the name of Mark Zuckerberg, whom is currently attending Harvard University and dating a girl named Erica Albright (Rooney Mara). She, of course, dumps him because of his terrible personality traits, which sets him on his course to become one of the Internet’s greats. His roommate and best friend, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), a business guru, aides him on this journey after dear old Zuckerberg comes up with the idea for Facebook when he begins working with a pair of rich Olympians known as the Winkelvoss’s (Armie Hammer). Doing everything but stealing the idea, he goes on the high road to create what is the most successful social networking site of the present day. Along the way, he meets people that test his friendship, commitment to Facebook, and his beliefs and values. Tearing it apart is the name of the game in Zuckerberg’s life from this point on. The rest is just history.

The first scene really set the mood of the whole movie: witty and intelligent comments followed by lazy scene transitions. For me, most of the acting consisted of merely stating the lines and getting it over with. There was emotion behind it, but it just felt forced and fake. The scenery and colors didn’t help much either. Drab and dark blues and greens don’t make for a movie that will effectively transmit the intricacy of not just the situations it was trying to portray, but also the emotions involved. The soft camera pans and the smooth, linear transitions didn’t allow the true emotions being portrayed to be felt. It was almost as if the movie was muting itself. All in all, it is a fine movie to watch if you have time, but nothing really memorable. Saddening, really, considering that it is based off something that is quite memorable, indeed. This movie is like watching paint dry on the Facebook home screen as it refuses to load the next page.

By Kulguy

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The Minority Report - "Buried" (2010)


I need one million dollars by nine o'clock tonight or I'll be left to die in this coffin!

This was a movie that both V-Dawg and I were dying to see. He would always bring it up when talking about movies and bother me to no end saying, “when are we gonna see ‘Buried’?!” Finally, we saw it, and I must say that I was very impressed with Ryan Reynolds’s acting in it. He frequently delivers sub-par movies, but he did an excellent job with this one. In all honesty, the beginning was a bit flimsy on his part, but he recovered excellently afterwards. I came in expecting an honest drama, but came out realizing that it was a suspense thriller bordering on sheer horror. It was intense and enjoyable if you like the feeling of claustrophobia continually throughout the movie.

The story revolves around a man by the name of Paul Conroy. He used to be a truck driver working for a company in the Middle East. His truck convoy was ambushed and some of his friends were killed. Paul awakens inside a coffin with only a lighter and a BlackBerry, being apparently buried alive. He was kidnapped and placed there by insurgents attempting to get ransom money by burying Americans in different locations. Paul ends up going through hell to attempt to figure out what exactly happens and how he can get out alive. Reaching everywhere, from the State Department and FBI to his family and friends, he attempts to find help wherever he can. Instead, he discovers that ineptitudes and lies are closer to him than the coffin in which he lies.

Possibly one of the most brilliant movies I have seen in a while, I fully recommend it to anyone that isn’t afraid of feeling incredibly sad. The mood throughout is one of desperation and it makes you feel the true confines of possible solutions. The coffin is used very well as a cinematographic device. In some scenes, the camera zooms out, and all you can see is the outline of the box in the middle of pitch black. Other times, the camera keeps flying upwards, and the walls of the box stretch with it, higher and higher. It can successfully transmit the feeling of claustrophobia, or being trapped in an endless hole with the same, wooden walls stretching to infinity. This movie is definitely not like watching paint dry on the sand within a coffin, buried somewhere in the Middle East.

By Kulguy

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Minority Report - "Låt den rätte komma in [Let the Right One In]" (2008)


What happens if I don't? What happens if you walk in anyway?

Some will hail this Swedish film as a cinematic masterpiece—this is because it is. Taking on the vampire genre isn’t as easy as it seems. Considering the fact that most people are trying to reinvent the vampire, it is always nice to see them go back to the good old days when there were limitations on their infinite powers. Before, vampires had to be allowed into one’s household, or else they would die a horrible and bloody death. This was done for obvious reasons: namely, the fact that an immortal being that needs to feed on human blood could just waltz into a house, kill everyone inside, and be done with most of the main characters of the story. I very much enjoyed the typical immortal vampire, Eli (Lina Liandersson), needing human blood to prevent her from going crazy and feeding like an animal. The vampires here also burst into flame because of the sun. It seems something so trivial, but many movies shy away from it while this one uses it to its advantage as a cinematic voyage.

The story follows a child by the name of Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) who is suffering from being bullied at school by fellow classmates. His life is riddled with insecurities and problems with his family. His parents are divorced, and he spends much of his time doing things behind his mom’s back. One day, he meets a mysterious girl by the name of Eli on the playground outside his apartment complex. He finds out that she lives in the apartment beside his, and befriends her over the course of a few days. Thus begins a strange relationship that leads Oskar down a road he can never return from. Figuring that Eli isn’t like most other people, he seeks to not only find out who or what she is, but also to confront his own fears at the hands of his bullies.

Long scenic and dark shots pervade through the movie. The directing is very slow and methodical. It’s almost as if it was mimicking the passage of time as felt by Eli. The topics it tackles are very broad and mature for the type of movie it is. Not only does it explore the coming of age, but it also plays with the attractiveness of the unknown, true human sexuality, and overcoming horrendous fear. Possibly one of the best movies I have seen in a long time, this movie isn’t for those of you who wish for something a little fast paced. It is mainly story driven, and the actors are phenomenal. It is not like watching paint dry on the cold winter snow, splattered with blood.

By Kulguy