THE WOLFMAN - Director Joe Johnston directed this remake of the classic 1941 film...THE WOLF MAN, which starred the legendary Lon Chaney Jr. I'm a huge fan of the classic "Universal Monster" movies from the 30's and 40's, like THE MUMMY, THE WOLF MAN, FRANKENSTEIN, DRACULA, etc. So as you might expect I was really looking forward to seeing this one. While I applaud the efforts with this one it ultimately falls a little flat. I said just a little. It looks great, and it stays loyal to the classic monster movies of old with its atmosphere and pacing. But the creators here made some significant changes with the story from the 1941 film...and I think that ultimately bothered me...(not to mention the ending is kind of goofy.) Still though, the cast here does a good job of salvaging the film so I would say overall this one is worth seeing...especially as a rental.
THE SURROGATES - It's always a nice surprise when you come across a movie that you had no expectations for...and it ends up totally blowing you away. Such is the case for me with SURROGATES. I rented this one and I literally had no expectations. I didn't expect it to be bad per se, but I wasn't expecting anything great. Boy was I wrong. This is a very good movie, and a cool story. The film takes place in the future where humans live their lives through "surrogates," which are basically robotic replicants of the users. People relax at home in their bath robes while their "more attractive" selves go out into the world and live their lives for them. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the story is inspired in part by the people who frequent "Second Life" and other online social communities. Again, I was blown away by this one. Really enjoyed it.
WHITEOUT - Kate Beckinsale stars as Carrie, a U.S. marshal stationed at the geological base in Antartica. A killer is on the loose and she is the only one with a badge who can stop them. Based on the highly praised independently produced graphic novel, the movie here follows the same storyline, but with less success. While the story idea here is still cool, the movie is filled with cliche lines and familiar scenes that come straight out of Hollywood. The end result is a film that cheapens the original source material. Makes you wonder why producers sometimes overthink these things.
MOON - Sam Rockwell stars as Sam...the lone worker on an isolated outpost on the moon. While stationed there he encounters some strange things, which ultimately leads him to question his sanity and reality. Watching this one it's plainly clear the film "2001" is a strong influence here. The look and feel of the film is very "Stanley Kubrick," and I guess you could say that about the story as well. This is not your typical sci-fi flick. The story here tries very hard to be intelligent and thought provoking, and it almost backfires at times. But overall this is a very unique sci-fi flick that offers thinking instead of lasers.
FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS: SEASON 2 - This is the 2nd season of the stellar HBO comedy series about a duo of folk-rockers trying to make it big in New York City. While I did enjoy season 1, it took me almost half a season to warm up to the show. However, season 2 is greatness right from the get-go. The jokes are funnier, the writing is tighter, and the pacing is perfect. Sadly though, just when the show finally found its voice the shows creators announced they would not produce a 3rd season. A sad ending for such a great show.
DOUBT - For being such a legendary actress I have to admit I've never been a Meryl Streep fan. Don't really know why I guess. Anyway...having said that I must admit she gives an incredible performance here. In fact, the entire cast deliver a great film here. This is a film based on the play of the same name. The story follows a pair of catholic sisters who suspect their priest is involved in inappropriate behavior with a young boy. The writing and acting here are first rate. In fact, if I were teaching a class on screenwriting and/or acting I would show this movie to all my students. A very slow movie as far as pace goes, but very rewarding nonetheless.
2012 - When are disaster movies funnier than comedies? When they're Roland Emmerich disaster movies. Having directed such films as THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW and INDEPENDENCE DAY, Emmerich has made a career out of destroying every famous landmark on the face of the earth. In 2012, John Cusack plays Jackson...a divorced dad trying to save his children and ex-wife from world destruction. Based on the doomsday legends that all declare the world will end in 2012, the movie basically does nothing but show you what it's going to look like. Yet despite the doomsday themes and global destruction I found myself laughing at this movie more than being terrified by it. Only Emmerich would place his characters in a situation like this: the entire city scape is being sucked into a huge hole in the ground and huge skyscrapers are crumbling...all the while our main characters are cracking jokes and telling one-liners. How typical Mr. Emmerich! This movie is so ridiculous...but it's great with the special effects. I will say Emmerich makes the best "trailers" in the business...and this is just another example.
500 DAYS OF SUMMER - This is one of those "edgy" romantic comedies that advertises itself as "not a love story." It stars Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and the premise is simple - he loves her...but she's not totally in love with him. Over the course of the movie we jump back and forth to various moments in their relationship. We see the highs and the lows, but not necessarily in the correct order...which is kind of cool. This is a good film, and a perfect rental. There's also a catchy soundtrack, much like GARDEN STATE and JUNO. Good movie.
