Duplicity

There are undertones of Michael Clayton all throughout Duplicity, which is not surprising considering Tony Gilroy wrote and directed both films. But unlike Michael Clayton (a superb film), Duplicity focuses more on humor and the fun of a twisting, turning story. Duplicity is a spy flick, with all the usual backstabbing and plotting and intelligence/counterintelligence that spy flicks are known for, but the playing with conventions, and focusing on the charisma of the two leads, is what made Duplicity a thoroughly entertaining movie. Clive Owen and Julia Roberts, teamed together in a relationship nearly as rocky as their relationship in Closer, both seem to enjoy what their doing, and give the audience a couple to root for, even if we are unsure of their loyalties to... well, anyone. I was reminded at times of Burn After Reading, which involved a convoluted and twisting storyline, but was really all one big joke. Duplicity is equally confusing, and the twist at the end is a fresh one for a spy film, but the story is about more than the turns it took to reach it. Gilroy has a knack for beautiful camera work and directing, and while his script gives us nothing new, it presents an interesting enough spin to keep you watching and wanting more.

Genre - Comedy (3.5)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (3)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

I Love You, Man

And the comedy hits keep coming. I Love You, Man is a funny film that surprisingly isn't directed/written/produced by Judd Apatow. It seems like any mention of comedy nowadays must use the Apatow name as a comparison for success, but rest assured that I Love You, Man stands apart from that. There isn't an Apatow touch here, forced or otherwise, and I'm thankful for it. We get plenty of those in a year, so I like one that does its own thing. And what do we get with I Love You, Man? We get to see Paul Rudd and Jason Segel act like a couple of hilarious dorks for a couple of hours. The film is ripe with awkward moments, leading to some big laughs, which is where Rudd shines. He plays awkward, but his character knows how awkward he is, and that makes the humor more poignant. Then you have Segel, who is a guy that speaks his mind, sometimes at the worst moments, but you understand the friendship that plays out onscreen. I'd be his friend. The script for I Love You, Man is tight and contained so that the audience doesn't have a chance to get bored. At only one point was I really disappointed, and that was the cliched break-up/reuniting business that plagues many a movie. But then you have some wonderful Lou Ferrigno moments to make up for it. Oh, and keep an eye out for Iron Man director Jon Favreau and Jaime Pressly, who make for an... interesting couple. The year is only just beginning, but I think I Love You, Man will stand out as one of the best.

Genre - Comedy (3.5)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (3)

The Last House On The Left (2009)

Let's get business out of the way first. The Last House on the Left is not a horror movie, at least not in the way you'd imagine. It is more of a thriller, an intense and psychological one, where the only real comparison to horror is the occasional bloody demise of a bad guy. Wait, did I say bad guy? Yup, for those of you who haven't seen the original LHOTL film, made by Wes Craven in 1972, this is a tale that turns the usual victim/hunter relationship on its head. I still have yet to see the original, but remakes don't get me all childish and pouting because an old classic is attempted again. The original remains intact, so quit whining.

The Last House on the Left, of the 2009 variety, was tightly paced, and to watch the family, whose daughter was raped and abused, seek revenge on the very same people when they accidentally arrive on their front doorstep is wonderful. You can cheer when one of Krug's (Garret Dillahunt) gang is offed, because their horrible actions earlier may (?) justify the killing. I thought the script kept things moving, and there weren't any moments of boredom, perhaps because of all the anticipation of knowing what was going to happen next. Dennis Iliadis has directed a very nice looking film, and even pushes up close when the worst things happen, forcing you to watch them. I liked that touch. It felt especially effective, yet disturbing when we witness daughter Mari's rape. The scene is uncomfortable and real, but it is necessary to the plot. It makes the family's reaction justifiable. Only the microwave gimmick at the end had me shaking my head at plausibility, but it was a fun image and certainly entertaining.

Genre - Thriller (3)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (3)
Production (3)
Directing (3)

Battlestar Galactica (Season 1)

Perfection is hard to come by. Especially in television, where an entire seasons worth of a show must work in order for the whole of it to succeed. Battlestar Galactica is one of those perfect shows, and the first season is a wonder to behold. Sadly, BSG is one of those shows that most wont watch based on solely its title, its premise, or its cheesy predecessor of the late-70s. That doesn't even account for those who tried it, but couldn't stomach the social and political commentary. Yes, BSG is a sci-fi show about spaceships fighting a race of robotic killers, but that is just surface stuff. Battlestar Galactica is not really about spaceships or killer robots, but about life, and what if means to live in a hopeless world (or universe, to be more precise). The show is serious, commenting on the state of world and politics, but also knows how to have fun. There are stunning scenes of battle, where humans shoot down enemy Cylon raiders, and vice-versa. Something about space battles will always be cool. But, again, the cast and crew are the real winners here. The writing staff is about the best you'll ever hope to assemble (and on the SCI-FI channel?). Then you have the acting talent of Edward James Olmos, who kicks so much ass as Bill Adama that you'd want to think twice about even looking at him wrong. Not to mention Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Katee Sackhoff, and Michael Hogan, who round out the amazing ensemble cast. Battlestar Galactica is not just another Star Trek, it is more. It is one of the finest television shows you probably never watched, and all I can hope is that someday you will.

Genre - Drama/Sci-Fi (4)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Futurama: Bender's Big Score

The cancellation of the animated television series Futurama was disappointing to say the least. Then to have the far inferior Family Guy return after great DVD sales; well, that was even worse. But after a long wait, fans got what they wanted. Four Futurama movies featuring the wild antics of Philip J. Fry and co. The first film, Bender's Big Score, was the best by far. It had all the same humor, the wacky plot, and every character was back voiced by the original crew. Nothing suffered after years off the air, and the twisting, turning time travel plot had more to offer than laughs. There is a love story, between Leela and Fry, which had gone on during the run of the series, but nothing like this. Bender, the title character of two of the films, continues to both harm and help his friends with his sometimes forced self-centered behavior, and Dr. Zoidberg is still the guy you love to hate. Groening and gang have created a gem of a film, and with the success of the four films, hope for the series return grows. And, it must be mentioned, the cold open for the film is one of the best bits the shows had, if only because they tear into the morons at Fox who cancelled them years ago.

Genre - Comedy (3.75)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (3)

Hamlet 2

It's odd, when you watch a film that you realize could be so much better, should be so much better, and even the film itself probably realizes that it should be so much better. Hamlet 2 is that movie. What you basically get is a mild-mannered story about controversy. If you want to tell a story about a man who pushes boundaries, whether intentional or not, then you should probably do just that. Steve Coogan is a high school theater teacher, who is an utter failure at acting, teaching, and life. So he writes his masterpiece, the titular Hamlet sequel, which reverses the ending of Shakespeare's tale, while adding orgies, Jesus, and other such nonsense. Great idea, poorly executed. This is a movie you've seen before, and forgot about, with a different plot. Kind of like any romantic comedy ever made. Coogan is an entertaining actor, and I liked his work in Hamlet 2. But I didn't laugh nearly as much as I would have liked to, as everything just seemed too easy by the films end. But that is the way of things, and there are worse comedies out there.

Genre - Comedy (2.25)

Screenplay (2)
Acting (3)
Production (2)
Directing (2)

Feast II: Sloppy Seconds

So part two. Was this film necessary? Not even remotely. The first Feast was all we needed. It was fun, fast, and gory, and ended on the perfect note. Feast II: Sloppy Seconds picks up where the previous one left off, but ignored the main survivors of the first film and focus on a new bunch, mixing some original, yet lesser characters mix in. All fine, except there are stretches of Feast II that are utterly boring, and add nothing to the overall story. Yes, story means little for something like Feast II, but nothing should be completely pointless. I liked the gore increase, but there were an extra fifteen-, twenty-minutes that could have been cut for the sake of the audience's sanity. When an hour-and-a-half film feels long, then you know something is wrong. That said, there are moments of genius inspiration, the best of them including the messy demise of a baby. It is shocking and unexpected (to a degree), but hilarious at the same time. I can't say I've ever seen anything like it. Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton return as screenwriters, and famous for the recent Saw flicks, but are not nearly as sharp as their previous outing.

Genre - Horror (1.75)

Screenplay (2)
Acting (1)
Production (2)
Directing (2)

Feast

When I first heard about Feast, it was during the third season of Bravo's Project Greenlight. I wasn't too intrigued by the film while watching the show, but decided to give it a chance when it hit DVD. Hey, I'm a horror-whore, so why not? I found that Feast lived up to its name, as I constantly wanted more. The pace is set extremely high, giving viewers little time to keep up. But with a horror film, and a comedic one at that (and a self-aware one on top of all that), I don't mind the breakneck speeds. But what say you of the acting? Eh, there were some actors, but nothing too god-awful. Production? Cheap. Directing? Someone filmed it, I guess. Feast works not for the aforementioned reasons, but because the script has a ton of fun with the material. And, like any good horror film of this caliber - i.e. monster movie - there are mountains of gore, the whole film leaving a bloody mess in its wake. Watch Feast for fun, to have a good time, and to watch monsters rip people to shreds for no reason at all.

Genre - Horror (2.5)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (3)
Production (2)
Directing (2)

Breaking Bad (Season 1)

AMC is quickly proving itself as a force to be reckoned with. Where HBO once ruled the ballsier, cutting-edge side of television, AMC (along with other cable channels like FX) is proving pay cable stations aren't the only ones who can have fun. Mad Men was AMC's first big hit, but Breaking Bad is the more compelling show. Breaking Bad tells the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher who starts cooking meth with a former student to make some extra cash. Oh yeah, he also has lung cancer. Cranston is stunning in the role, and is so transformed from other roles that you often forget you're watching an actor. Vince Gilligan, the creator of X-Files, has created a brilliant series, and he keeps the drama flowing, and the intrigue mounting. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Breaking Bad is the fact that the show doesn't seem to demonize meth, but also avoids glorifying it. Morality is a prominent theme in the series, and the show constantly challenges viewers perspectives. Plus, AMC allows the show to throw profanity and drug images around, which is nice. Stunning work.

Genre - Drama (4)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

Duels: Cylons vs Terminators

The battle of machines begins round 2. Cylon's, from the many incarnations of Battlestar Galactica, are pitted against the infamous Terminator's of the...well, Terminator films. The duel is set, now who shall win.

Terminator's are a force to be reckoned with. Besides destroying the majority of the human race with Judgement Day, Terminator's are gun-weilding, time-traveling killing machines whose goal is to wipe out remaining humans by killing the leader of the resistence, John Connor. Their numbers consist mostly of regular machine sentries (capable of withstanding numerous assaults), which are sometimes covered in flesh. There is also a liquid metal line of terminator. They also equip flying gunships and other mobile units, including ground forces. They are an army, and a hell of a one at that.

Then there are Cylon's. Numerous generations of Cylon's have been built over a staggering number of years (they've been around a couple thousand years), always improving upon former models. Now, the Cylon army consists of Centurian models, which are streamlined, machine units with weaponry built into their bodies. There are also, like the terminator's, a flesh covered unit that is less powerful than other Cylon's, or terminator's for that matter. But the flesh covered models are smart, using their brains to outwit the enemy. Plus, when one of their numbers are killed, then they resurrect in a ship set away from the fighting. They too have destroyed most of the human race with nuclear weapons, and with amazing space-jumping capabilities, the Cylon's also have the Raiders, which are their fast flying gunships.

So who wins. Terminator's might seem the obvious choice (or not), but I give this one to the Cylon's. Their number is almost infinite, and with so much technology and cunning on their side, the dumb-yet-powerful terminator's have little chance. Chalk one up for the Cylon's.

Winner: Cylon's

The Watchmen

I guess I understand the mixed reviews on The Watchmen. It was a film that was sure to divide many, leaving people in split camps. As a reader of the graphic novel, and an all around lover of film, I find myself set firmly in the loved it camp. The Watchmen translated a piece of fiction many thought was impossible to film, and brought to life some wonderful, if not troubled, characters. Sure, some changes were made, and artistic license taken, but that is the nature of such works. I thought The Watchmen worked both as a great adaptation, and as a fun, exciting action film.

There is intense action and beautifully captured images (occasionally one and the same). Zack Snyder did a wonderful job behind the camera, but because of the enormity that surrounded this project, I'm sure he will still have his naysayers. And because the characters, the "heroes," of The Watchmen are the most important aspects of the story, I believe the acting work captured the essence of each watchman. Rorschach is still one of the finest heroes in existence, and Jackie Earle Haley made him flesh. Patrick Wilson and Malin Akerman were both fantastic, but aside from Haley's work, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as The Comedian was a scene stealer. The man has a charm, which is not easy to portray with such a slimy character. And while the film stretches to nearly three hours in length, I didn't really notice. I was so absorbed in what I was seeing. For me, this was one of the finer comic book (or graphic novel) adaptations we'll likely see. Hell, the film even had some commentary in it, so I give it kudos for that.

Genre - Action (4)

Screenplay (4)
Acting (4)
Production (4)
Directing (4)

The International

How can you not like Clive Owen? You can't, and if you do, then a patriot you are not. Is every movie he stars in perfect? No, not even remotely, but he always entertains me, even if the film I'm watching isn't. Where does The International fall? Somewhere in middle. An action film disguised as a thinking mans thriller. But some of the mystery based plot works, though I found myself thinking of a better film: Michael Clayton. But all that aside, there are some great action scenes, that while a bit over-the-top, are fun and fast, and contrast with the slower moments of political drama. Naomi Watts supports nicely, and I'm glad The International avoided the "necessary" love subplot. The International is a thriller that is perhaps too neatly packaged, with no real investment in the characters, or worry of their fate, but that doesn't stop it from being mildly enjoyable.

Genre - Drama (2.5)

Screenplay (2)
Acting (3)
Production (3)
Directing (2)

Shotgun Stories

Here is a little indie you probably never heard of. And I wouldn't have either if I didn't accidentally read about it. So after pulling it out of my mailbox, I slapped Shotgun Stories in the ol' DVD player and let her rip. What was the result? It was simply an indie drama, but one that could have been so much more. There is a rich back story on Son Hayes (brothers to Kid and Boy), but we never really learn what it is that led to him getting shot in the back by a shotgun. Something important and profound is hinted at, but we are never let in on the secret. Fair enough, but the story Shotgun Stories centers on should be equally interesting, but sometimes it just isn't. The Hayes brothers quarrel with their half brothers, each side eager to ruin the other. When the tension builds, I felt myself drawn in, but it doesn't always last. If only Shotgun Stories had upped the ante, and maybe an R-rating might have been able to deliver, I may have found myself more intrigued. But what can you do?

Genre - Drama (2.75)

Screenplay (2)
Acting (3)
Production (3)
Directing (3)

RocknRolla

I'll give Guy Ritchie credit. He knows his stuff on one particular subject. Snatch was an entertaining British gangster flick. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was an entertaining British gangster flick. Wait, what? See, he knows his subject well. RocknRolla was a sidestep from those two films, with an attempt at a more sophisticated plot with more sophisticated characters. Did he succeed? Not entirely. I appreciated the effort, but Guy Ritchie is an action man, and I think he tried to avoid the action and focus on the story. I know that seems like a weird complaint, but it's true. With more action, akin to his former films, RocknRolla would have been far more enjoyable. But I guess it would have just been his usual, so again, I appreciated the effort. I hope in following films Ritchie will continue to explore a more complex story, but he shouldn't forget what he does best: action. That said, RocknRolla was a decent film, much better than I expected in the story department. Never a bad thing.

Genre - Action (2.75)

Screenplay (2)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (2)

Eden Lake

I vow (for the limited time until I forget the vow) to stop defending horror films. Why? Good or bad, critics just don't seem to get horror films. Sure, some do, but most critics try and grade horror films as if they were failed dramas. But horror films, aside from (critically acclaimed) classics like The Exorcist, The Shining, etc, are often times meant as fun, blood-pumping visceral experiences. I consider The Thing a classic, but in the end it is a gore-filled monster movie where characters make some silly mistakes. It is the nature of a horror film.

So I now arrive at Eden Lake. A British tale of horror that kept me on edge from the start, and left me speechless and moved. Rarely is a hunter-and-prey horror film that is set in the woods well acted, but Eden Lake is one of the exceptions. I felt for the couple whose romantic getaway is interrupted by murderous children, and rooted for their escape, but knowing full well the odds were not in their favor. James Watkins, the scribe and director, created an intense, atmospheric indie horror flick. Some may be disappointed by the "twist" ending, but I found it just added to the downbeat tone the rest of the film carried. I was reminded of The Strangers and Ills while watching Eden Lake, and that wasn't a bad thing. Just the helpless, unfortunate couple caught in a mess they cannot escape from. I still haven't shook the feeling of dread Eden Lake delivered, and I'm glad for this. It means something worked.

Genre - Horror (3.5)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (4)