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10 from '06

2006 was not a great year for films in general, and certainly not a good year for independent cinema. There wasn't a clear favorite for most of the major award ceremonies that have passed, and the box office was dominated by simple, obvious blockbusters, with nary a sleeper making any major coin. Two films about the attacks on 9/11 did open to solid reviews and substantial grosses that were more than their budgets- it seems that hollywood did understand if it was "too soon" for some viewers, but still gave those who didn't carry those sentiments something worthwile and honest just the same.

Will 2007 hold the same issues for filmgoers? We'll just have to wait and see.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
DRAWING RESTRAINT 9
THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE
A SCANNER DARKLY
THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON
TRISTRAM SHANDY : A COCK AND BULL STORY
V FOR VENDETTA
SNAKES ON A PLANE
LITTLE CHILDREN
ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL
DIXIE CHICKS - SHUT UP AND SING

Funnier than you think- and smarter than it seems. It's a smack in the face to popular culture, but Director Weitz still wants to kiss the boo-boo and make things all better in the end. Not for everyone, but should be admired anyway for the crafty nature of events in their context. Hugh Grant's performance is witty and endearing, while the rest of the varied cast seems born to play their roles.

GAH! Not exactly the most fun/cheery motion picture ever, but instead the kind that Dateline's To Catch a Predator wish it could be in the realm of true shock and awe. Both Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page command this film, as well as your attention, as the pair bring this sly tale of terror and trial alive.

Daniel Craig makes me forget that Die Another Day existed and looks extremely fresh, as well as sincere as the new Bond. Getting back to basics, Bond gets his groove on the saucy and smart dame Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), while he carefully plays his hand with M (Judi Dench, great as always), who is watching out for Bond on his risky missions. And to think... those bitchy internet haters didn't think it could be done... ha!

Well gee... isn't this relevant! Alfonso Cuaron, the coolest and most versatile director working in the biz today smacks your face and breaks your spirit as Clive Owen's Theo attempts to survive in a world without hope. But when a pregnant refugee falls in his lap, he decides to go ahead and save the world - one fetus at a time. Hats off to Owen and his driven cynic Theo, and Alfonso for allowing the audience to experience a film, so devoid of cliche and yet extremely accessible, even to the general public.

Jonestown is more than just a troubling subject - it's an event in history that left much unanswered for those related to the victims, as well as the survivors. This documentary is a riveting glimpse at the promise, confusion, and devastation that Jim Jones left in his passing- usually, a subject as such could be overdone with interviews that allow a connection and face to the events, but the real star of this picture is the footage of Jones himself. Jones' speeches and convictions are the stuff of nightmares.

It's the most provocative and explicit romantic comedy/drama you'll ever see-
Director John Cameron Mitchell let's it all hang out for the audience to see, as his characters suffer from emotional and sexual dysfunction in the heart of a fragmented city- New York.
It's not for kids and it's definitely not for your mother- but it is for those who are willing to give any good story that is *gasp!* realistic a chance.

I wasn't expecting to love Clerks 2, but I did. And while it's not exactly a true View Askew film, nor is it something that everyone will love, but it's a touching glimpse at growing up while still holding on to the same immature mindset, for the sake of being what you are.

Enough really can't be said about United 93 - it's not a documentary but it gives you that feeling-
it might be the best non-narrative feature in a long time... a film that doesn't care about pleasing everyone except those who lived the events and the loved ones who still miss them dearly.

Darren Aronofsky has finally released The Fountain, a film with a much troubled slate before it even faced a release date, but with a surprising and rather brilliant result. Hugh Jackman experiences three pieces in time all in the name of saving his girl Rachel Weisz, so that their love can flourish in that point of their lives. But only time and reality will get in their way, in a remarkable and visually arresting dramatic sci-fi-esque romance that's as original as films get.

And it's all come down to this. The most intoxicating and vibrantly trashy movie I've ever seen. Tom Tykwer's Perfume is almost too much to handle at times, but it's just so unbelievable that it has to be seen. If Smell-o-vision should ever come back into the theaters, I've love to experience this masterpiece with such a format.

Posted by madamczyk at 01:06 AM | Comments (0)

Spider-Man 3

Finally. After two years of blockbusters that I couldn't give a crap about, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 has hit the screen. On a cloudy Friday morning, immediately after I finished my final for my history class, I ran right over to the biggest movie theater in town to catch up on my favorite superhero/comic adaptation series.

As we begin our story, things are just swell as usual for Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) and his girlfriend Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). She's about to star in a show on Broadway and her bf is there opening night to support her. But from there it's a downward spiral for MJ as she puts on her emo face for the rest of the motion picture. Communication issues aside, Peter and MJ make a great couple- now if only she'd just talk to him more about her real feelings, then we wouldn't have to see Kirsten Dunst try and emote without looking ridiculous.

Spider-Man/Peter Parker has problems too though, as his former best friend Harry Osborn has discovered the lair that his father used for all his Goblin technology- Harry wants revenge against Peter because he believes that, in the suit, Parker killed Harry's dad (we all know from the previous films that this is not the case). Harry uses his newfound weaponry against Spider-Man in an all-out duel that's both subtle and totally awesome. Harry does not succeed in killing Peter, and thankfully, from a little bump on his head, we're spared from seeing James Franco try and act "really angry" from some very convenient yet temporary memory loss.

MEANWHILE, Spider-Man saves Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard), who's dating Eddie Brock (Topher Grace). Eddie Brock wants to take pictures of Spider-Man for the Daily Bugle, which is Peter Parker's job, right? Also, at the same time, Flint Marko has become the Sandman (in a transformation which is the best CGI sequence of the entire trilogy thus far), yet another villain for Spider-man to deal with. Marko needs money to save his bed-ridden daughter and prove his worth as an ex-con on the run. But it turns out Mr. Marko killed Ben Parker. Is that going to go over well with Peter Parker? Hell to the no- he wants revenge to help Aunt May sleep at night. Oh, and did I forget to mention that a black symbiote landed near Peter Parker, eventually latching on to him, and giving him this broody power to be a total badass as Spidey and a jazz dancing ladies man? PLUS, Eddie Brock is pissed at losing his girlfriend and prospective career at the Daily Bugle, and that symbiote just so happens to like him as well... Still with me?

Setting aside the extremely complex plotline, all problems in this 140 minute epic are due to the atrocious script. The errors in the script are so significant that the entire first hour of the motion picture is enough to make you want to leave the theater. I'll go ahead and say that all three major actors Maguire, Dunst, and Franco, do the best of a job they can, despite the script which caused them to have such terrible dialogue and unbelievable emotions. The entire conflicting trifecta story of their characters practically destroys what we thought of them in the two previous films.

However, the side characters that support this flagging juggernaut are given much, much, MUCH better lines and chances with their execution. Topher Grace does a great job as the slick Eddie Brock- Thomas Haden Church's Flint Marko isn't nearly as significant as he should be, but we're able believe him when he tries to convince us that he's not as bad as he seems. And of course, J.K. Simmons' J. Jonah Jameson is hilarious- thankfully, he's give the biggest chance to shine in this film- his ferocious humor is better than ever and gives us something to laugh at to forget the other glaring problems.

If you're able to survive the first awful hour of Spider-Man 3, you'll realize that the picture becomes better as it gets along, resulting in a passable conclusion with big action and little amazing moments along the way. But just how is it that such a successful and excellent film series has become as mediocre as this? So much of Spider-Man being seen on screen is because of the investment in the series from Sony. The more money that can be put into the picture, the bigger and better it gets- but even with a record-breaking first day box-office of nearly $59 million, this series is in big trouble if a film like this is going to be apart of it. Director Sam Raimi had done such great things with the first two pictures- it's just a damn shame that he is partially responsible for the script that he co-wrote with his brother Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent. Not enough money in the world can save a bad script. And even though I did like this film with all its flaws, it just goes to show that not even a hero such as Spider-Man can save such a colossal blunder.

RATING: B-

Posted by Cine Mallory at 07:20 PM | Comments (0)