1. Did I enjoy it? YES
Growing up, I would not call myself a Michael Jackson fan. I knew little about his music and more about such items as how he'd grab his crotch as part of a dance move, his addiction to plastic surgery that I often joked turned him from a black man into a white woman, and of course, the accusations that Michael had been involved with several young boys he had taken to his Neverland Ranch. As the years went by, I picked up several of his songs from the Thriller album, but kept my admiration for MJ's talent very casual. When it was announced last June that he had died, I was surprised as many of his fans were, not aware of any poor health stories about him in recent years. I decided to listen to his hit singles over the decades of his career and found myself gaining a new respect for his artistry. This film takes his artistry and his incredible showmanship to the next level. While some films, such as Shine The Light, are better suited for hardcore fans who know their rock stars' songs by heart, This Is It is highly accessible for even casual admirers like myself. What's fascinating is the tremendous creativity and preparation that went into what was to be MJ's final tour. In such songs as Smooth Criminal, Jackson's interactions with Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca are seamless special effects. The dance moves throughout the film are incredible, and you can feel the excitement the dancers and singers had about the experience working with Michael.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This film is a visual and audio extravaganza, with dynamite songs and performances by everyone involved. This is not a film about Michael Jackson's troubled personal life, but about the creativity that went into the greatest concert he never performed.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Munyurangabo (Bob says 1 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
Given only limited release this past May, this film is the first feature in the Kinyarwanda language. It's about two boys: the title character, orphaned because of the Rwandan genocide, and Sangwa, who left home three years ago to make it on his own. The boys travel to the countryside looking for vengeance. On their way, the boys decide to visit Sangwa's family. Sanga's mother is overjoyed to see them, but his father is ashamed and disappointed in his son. Most of the film takes place here, as the boys try to decide if they want to build a new life with this family or continue with their quest for blood. I found this film interesting and dramatic, although I recommend the film Hotel Rwanda even more than I do this film. Still, this was a rare chance to see a film in a language I have never heard before, and those firsts are always a good thing.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
This was a good film, but probably not a top ten film for me given all the excellent choices out there this year. Still, give this film a rental if you get an opportunity.
Given only limited release this past May, this film is the first feature in the Kinyarwanda language. It's about two boys: the title character, orphaned because of the Rwandan genocide, and Sangwa, who left home three years ago to make it on his own. The boys travel to the countryside looking for vengeance. On their way, the boys decide to visit Sangwa's family. Sanga's mother is overjoyed to see them, but his father is ashamed and disappointed in his son. Most of the film takes place here, as the boys try to decide if they want to build a new life with this family or continue with their quest for blood. I found this film interesting and dramatic, although I recommend the film Hotel Rwanda even more than I do this film. Still, this was a rare chance to see a film in a language I have never heard before, and those firsts are always a good thing.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
This was a good film, but probably not a top ten film for me given all the excellent choices out there this year. Still, give this film a rental if you get an opportunity.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Paranormal Activity (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
This movie will actually scare you. Most horror movies provide one or two jumps for its audience if they're halfway decent, but rarely do I see a film like this where I'm disturbed, engaged with the movie's suspense, and genuinely uneasy even a few hours after the movie's over. It's that good. Roger Ebert correctly points out that horror films need not rely on quick cuts to create their desired effect. This movie relies on long shots and no music, definitely separating it from the pack. Stylewise, it's in the same vein as the Blair Witch Project, with the main character documenting the enfolding events using his own camera. But this movie is creepier than Blair Witch in my opinion. The movie follows a couple that records their investigation of a possible paranormal presence in their house. Katie, a student hoping to go into teaching, claims that this presence has been haunting her since she was a child, moving from house to house as she does. Micah, her boyfriend, seems more excited by the chance to capture the events on film than to truly be concerned about his girlfriend or the seriousness of the danger. I felt his character was a little one dimensional in that way, playing the part that many horror films have of a naive idiot who does exactly the opposite of what he should do. But that is forgiveable because the primary objective of a horror movie is to scare its audience, and boy does it succeed.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This film debued at the Screamfest Film Festival in 2007, and it apparently had a different ending than the one I saw in the theater for its nationwide release. I look forward to watching it on DVD with its two other endings promised by its director to be included. Horror films seem to be the creepiest when they take place in our own backyard. Better yet, in our house. In our bedroom while we sleep.
This movie will actually scare you. Most horror movies provide one or two jumps for its audience if they're halfway decent, but rarely do I see a film like this where I'm disturbed, engaged with the movie's suspense, and genuinely uneasy even a few hours after the movie's over. It's that good. Roger Ebert correctly points out that horror films need not rely on quick cuts to create their desired effect. This movie relies on long shots and no music, definitely separating it from the pack. Stylewise, it's in the same vein as the Blair Witch Project, with the main character documenting the enfolding events using his own camera. But this movie is creepier than Blair Witch in my opinion. The movie follows a couple that records their investigation of a possible paranormal presence in their house. Katie, a student hoping to go into teaching, claims that this presence has been haunting her since she was a child, moving from house to house as she does. Micah, her boyfriend, seems more excited by the chance to capture the events on film than to truly be concerned about his girlfriend or the seriousness of the danger. I felt his character was a little one dimensional in that way, playing the part that many horror films have of a naive idiot who does exactly the opposite of what he should do. But that is forgiveable because the primary objective of a horror movie is to scare its audience, and boy does it succeed.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This film debued at the Screamfest Film Festival in 2007, and it apparently had a different ending than the one I saw in the theater for its nationwide release. I look forward to watching it on DVD with its two other endings promised by its director to be included. Horror films seem to be the creepiest when they take place in our own backyard. Better yet, in our house. In our bedroom while we sleep.
Monsters vs. Aliens (Bob says 1 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? NO
Unfortunately, I am not the proper audience for this film. Kids will love the movie and its unique looking cast of characters. Monsters vs. Aliens is not a bad film, the dialogue is amusing at times and the plot is about average. Unfortunately, there isn't much attempt to give this movie any heart or love for the characters, which Up did so well. I didn't find myself caring that much about what happened in the story or the characters within it.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This movie was meant to be watched in a 3-D movie theater, whereas I watched it on my TV at home. If I saw it in that capacity, perhaps the striking visuals would make the movie more exciting for me. I will say that I learned the Purple People Eater song through this film, which I will proudly play each Halloween.
Unfortunately, I am not the proper audience for this film. Kids will love the movie and its unique looking cast of characters. Monsters vs. Aliens is not a bad film, the dialogue is amusing at times and the plot is about average. Unfortunately, there isn't much attempt to give this movie any heart or love for the characters, which Up did so well. I didn't find myself caring that much about what happened in the story or the characters within it.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
This movie was meant to be watched in a 3-D movie theater, whereas I watched it on my TV at home. If I saw it in that capacity, perhaps the striking visuals would make the movie more exciting for me. I will say that I learned the Purple People Eater song through this film, which I will proudly play each Halloween.
Zombieland (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
Here's a film that works from start to finish. There have been a lot of zombie films made over the years, but it's nice to see one that isn't afraid to be tongue-in-cheek with its approach. Don't get me wrong, the zombies are still creepy looking and disgustingly eat the flesh of hapless victims, but the film's focus is on the amusing relationships between Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita and Little Rock. Tallahassee more than anything wants to enjoy the simple pleasure of eating a Twinkie, and I suspect the viewer will want to go out and grab a few after the show is over. What really won me over though was the cameo by Bill Murray playing a version of himself, which includes a scene paying homage to the Ghostbusters movies that made me smile.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Great jobs by the two male leads in this film. Woody Harrelson has been picking some great films to take part in lately, scoring last year with Transsiberian and Seven Pounds. Jesse Eisenberg also has had a good year, doing a fine job in the underrated Adventureland from earlier this year. Let's hope both of these guys keep up the great work in 2010.
Here's a film that works from start to finish. There have been a lot of zombie films made over the years, but it's nice to see one that isn't afraid to be tongue-in-cheek with its approach. Don't get me wrong, the zombies are still creepy looking and disgustingly eat the flesh of hapless victims, but the film's focus is on the amusing relationships between Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita and Little Rock. Tallahassee more than anything wants to enjoy the simple pleasure of eating a Twinkie, and I suspect the viewer will want to go out and grab a few after the show is over. What really won me over though was the cameo by Bill Murray playing a version of himself, which includes a scene paying homage to the Ghostbusters movies that made me smile.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Great jobs by the two male leads in this film. Woody Harrelson has been picking some great films to take part in lately, scoring last year with Transsiberian and Seven Pounds. Jesse Eisenberg also has had a good year, doing a fine job in the underrated Adventureland from earlier this year. Let's hope both of these guys keep up the great work in 2010.
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