Eric's Flicks......Film Reviews & Ratings

7th March 2012

Post reblogged from Ministry of Truth Film Ratings with 5 notes

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21st January 2012

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CONTRABAND

SYNOPSIS::  To protect his brother-in-law from a drug lord, a former smuggler heads to Panama to score millions of dollars in counterfeit bills.

Tagged: contrabandmark wahlberggiovanni ribisiBaltasar Kormákurj.k. simmons

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21st January 2012

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Eric’s Flicks are back with a vengence!

Thanks to everyone for your patience.  For those of you that don’t know,  I took about a 6 month hiatus from my movie blog to get The Flicksation Podcast up and running. 

In the coming weeks,  I will do a 2 part rundown of the 2011 movies I have seen that I didn’t get the chance to post reviews for.  A couple weeks after we do our 2011 Best of Film show I will post my 2011 top 25 films here.

Otherwise, I plan to blog my 2012 films as I see them, and so forth, starting with CONTRABAND. 

Welcome back everyone, and don’t forget to listen to The Flicksation Podcast!

Eric

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1st May 2011

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Super

Synopsis::  When sad-sack loser Frank sees his ex-addict wife willingly snatched by a seductive drug dealer, he finds himself bereft and wholly unable to cope. But soon he decides to fight back under the guise of a DIY superhero called Crimson Bolt. With a hand-made suit, a wrench, and a crazed sidekick named Boltie, the Crimson Bolt beats his way through the mean streets of crime in hopes of saving his wife. The rules were written a long time ago: You are not supposed to molest children, cut lines or key cars; if you do, prepare to face the wrath of the Crimson Bolt!

Directed by: James Gunn

Starring: Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, & Kevin Bacon

U.S. release was April1, 2011

My rating…….6

     I found this too be mildly enjoyable.  It is a pretty over the top and out there comedy that type casts Rainn Wilson,  and uses his familiar brand of dunderheaded comedy.  I didn’t find it to be rip roaringly funny but I chuckled a lot throughout and I could definitely appreciate the idea and aloofness of the script.

     Rainn Wilson puts forth his usual performance here,  so if you are a fan of his TV or movie work,  and can appreciate some very unrealistic situations and gratuitous violence,  I think you would probably enjoy this film.  Ellen Page also plays her typical annoying girl character,  this time served up with a side of psychotic.  She is definitely an interesting character in this even though she is a bit hard to swallow.  Kevin Bacon and Liv Tyler do nothing for me in this film at all.

     I saw this movie On Demand for $6 but I would recommend you wait and catch this on video.  You slightly demented folks will likely get a kick out of this film but I can see how anyone could easily hate this film if you don’t align with the sensibilities of the overall experience.  This film is cheaply made and even though there are a couple pretty inventive dream or vision sequences,  it feels pretty cheap also.  Don;t say I didn’t warn you!

How did you feel about Super?  (Comment) below

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1st May 2011

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The Conspirator

Synopsis::  In the wake of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, seven men and one woman are arrested and charged with conspiring to kill the President, Vice President, and Secretary of State. The lone woman charged, Mary Surratt, owns a boarding house where John Wilkes Booth, and others met and planned the simultaneous attacks.

Directed by: Robert Redford

Starring: Robin Wright, James McAvoy, Tom Wilkinson, Evan Rachel Wood, & Kevin Kline

U.S. release date was April 15, 2011

My rating…….6

     What the synopsis does not tell you,  is that this film follows James McAvoy’s character Frederick Aiken as he is the attorney given the task of defending Mary Surratt over the course of her military tribunal,  which at the time the U.S. government had the authority to prosecute citizens in military court instead of civilian court.  This is no longer the case, thankfully.  Frederick is a former officer in the Union army,  and Mary Surratt is very much a Confederate supporter and admittedly anti-Union.  That built-in animosity is our starting point in this film.  Can Redford’s direction and the mostly decent cast make this a memorable historic reenactment?  I think it was decent,  but not memorable.

     What I enjoyed about this film,  it was a fairly informative experience for me.  I was mostly oblivious to the events that took place in the film.  If I was taught the aftermath of Lincoln story in any history class I’ve had I certainly don’t remember it.  I realize some things are to advance the opinions of Redford and the writers or whomever but I certainly learned how the government had the ability to steamroll anyone they wanted to.   The government holds all the cards throughout this film and I mostly enjoyed seeing the fight against that power and the expose’ aspect of what may have gone on.  Thankfully the events depicted here eventually led to the system being somewhat fixed.

     I did like the feel of this as a period piece.  The sets and the costumes were very good.  I disliked that this film (especially the courtroom scenes) had a very smokey look to them.  I realize people could smoke anywhere in these days but I remember when I was watching I started to look for people smoking because of the smokey look and I didn’t notice much.  I like a clearer shot,  but that’s just me.

     Nothing was memorable as far as acting goes.  McAvoy is pretty mediocre here and I think a character that could have been much more interesting was kind of wasted.  Maybe he’s just not an interesting guy.  He had a love interest side story with Alexis Bledel that I didn’t give two shits about.  Also,  I couldn’t stand the two guys that were McAvoy’s friends in the film.  This is another film where you need to be more invested in the main character than I ever even got close to.  Robin Wright as Mary was the most memorable acting job here.  More interaction between Frederick and Mary would have likely improved this film,  and less of Fredrick and everyone else.

     Not great,  but not bad I suppose.  I’d say give this a rent sometime when you find nothing else that you’d rather see.  If you are unfamiliar, as I was to this story and it’s historical significance,  you should probably give it a watch for that reason anyway.  It’s still a well made film for the most part,  and Redford does a great deal to keep the independent film industry alive,  and for that he will always hold a place in my heart.

Any thoughts?  (Comment) below

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18th April 2011

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Win Win

Synopsis:  Disheartened attorney Mike Flaherty, who moonlights as a high school wrestling coach, stumbles across a star athlete through some questionable business dealings while trying to support his family. Just as it looks like he will get a double payday, the boy’s mother shows up fresh from rehab and flat broke, threatening to derail everything.

Directed by: Tom McCarthy

Starring: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, & Burt Young

U.S. release date was March 18th,  2011

My rating…….8

     I was really happy with this film.  There wasn’t much I can point out as being special from a directorial or technical standpoint, but  Win Win grabbed me because it was a wonderfully well written story,  it had a superb cast of some of my favorite actors,  and it was also very funny throughout. 

     The writing really stands out in this movie for me.  I really liked the lighthearted heaviness that lingers throughout every scene.  The script manages to keep me giddy, as well as reserved because you always know that it will get ugly at some point when bad ideas will certainly come back to haunt Paul Giamatti’s character Mike.  There is a predictability to some of the events,  but I still had a good time enjoying the ride to certain disaster.  I may have been a bit dissatisfied with the resolution section of the film,  but I think that can be overlooked because the positive aspects of this film gave it some leeway. 

     Paul Giamatti gives a great performance as Mike.  Obviously this movie can be completely derailed if you don’t feel a oneness and compassion for Mike.  He gives off a nice “everyman” performance here as a struggling lawyer,  who needs a second job just to make ends meet for he and his family.  Amy Ryan plays Mike’s wife Jackie who is a no nonsense, ball busting yet loving gal.  I really like Ryan in this (I really became a fan of hers during her brief stint as Holly on The Office).  The relationship between herself and Giamatti is enjoyable.  All of Jackie’s relationships are good,  as are most of Giamatti’s.  The rest of the acting is decent at worst.  The kids were all okay.  My biggest problem was Giamtti’s right hand man Terry played by Bobby Cannavale.  He’s kind of an egotistically charged metro sexual who has a need to inject manliness into his life.  He is the co-comic relief to the wonderful Jeffery Tambor in this film,  and sadly I found the Terry stuff that was played for laughs was the least funny comedic moments in the film.  He mostly annoys me throughout the film but it could have been worse I suppose and been Vince Vaughn or something.  It was a very Vaughn esque character.

     I found the wrestling stuff to look pretty lame,  but I know high school wrestling so I may be too critical of an eye.  I’m sure these scenes will play off well enough.

     Go see this film.  It’s a limited release so you would have to check theaters that play indy stuff,  but it’s well worth it.  I’d say anyone of either gender,  15 and up can enjoy this film.  It has a sensibility to it that I think everyone can relate to and enjoy.  The next person that asks me if I have seen The Blind Side,  I think I’ll tell them to go see this film.  The two had similar directions but I’d say Win Win wins by technical fall! 

     I know it’s awfully early but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this as one of the 10 Best Picture nominees this year.  It likely will be for me anyway.  Who doesn’t fricken love Jeffery Tambor?  I mean c’mon. 

What say you?  (Comment) below

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18th April 2011

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Your Highness

Synopsis::  Throughout history, tales of chivalry have burnished the legends of brave, handsome knights who rescue fair damsels, slay dragons and conquer evil. But behind many a hero is a good-for-nothing younger brother trying just to stay out of the way of those dragons, evil and trouble in general.

Directed by: David Gordon Green

Starring: Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel, & Justin Theroux

U.S. release date was April 8th,  2011

My rating…….4

     This movie is supposed to be a comedy.  I have unofficially dubbed myself The Curmudgeon of Comedy because I just don’t find the tradition slapstick and one liner films of the last few years to be funny.  This film is no exception.  Except for a couple chuckles,  I didn’t find this film funny.  It’s seems to be a 90 minute barrage of cock jokes,  all of which are very old hat.  Overall,  I was entertained by this film enough to think it wasn’t a total waste of time.

     I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed the fantasy movie spoof aspect of this film.  There are battle scenes involving magic and fantasy elements that definitely gained my respect here,  as they are well shot and the creative forces behind this film seem to have put some time into these scenes and it really does come across as a labor of love.  One scene I enjoyed in particular had an arena fight scene with an interesting twist.  I’ll call this “the hand in the cauldron” scene.  Those of you who have seen it know what I am referring to.

     Danny McBride essentially plays Kenny Powers in medieval times here.  I know,  big surprise.  James Franco is overly excited to be in this film,  and goes a bit too over the top for me.  Natalie Portman is expectantly wasted here but I suppose having her in this is better than having someone I cannot stand.  Maybe.

     This film had it’s moments,  but other than the fact that the fantasy elements kept me interested,  it’s pretty much a bad movie.  Unless minotaurs with large boners,  and pedophile muppets that smoke weak ganja are things you find funny,  I don’t recommend this.  If you absolutely must see it (which is unlikely since I was the only person in the theater when I saw this) wait for the Blu-Ray. 

(Comment) below if this low brow film is your cup of tea

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18th April 2011

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Of Gods and Men (Des hommes et des dieux)

Synopsis:: Eight French Christian monks live in harmony with their Muslim brothers in a monastery perched in the mountains of North Africa in the 1990s. When a crew of foreign workers is massacred by an Islamic fundamentalist group, fear sweeps though the region. The army offers them protection, but the monks refuse. Should they leave? Despite the growing menace in their midst, they slowly realize that they have no choice but to stay come what may. This film is loosely based on the life of the Cistercian monks of Tibhirine in Algeria, from 1993 until their kidnapping in 1996.

Directed by: Xavier Beauvois

Starring: Goran Kostic

U.S. release date was February 25,  2011

Subtitled from French and Arabic

My rating…….7

     Of Gods and Men is a film that manages to be pretty intense and interesting despite the fact that it moves extremely slowly,  is fairly long,  and is filled with French christian chanting and praying.   I would say that it took about 30 minutes for me to truly begin to appreciate this film.

     I must admit that I didn’t do much research on the director or actors since I have seen this,  but I think the direction of the film and the extremely realist acting I see here really made this film work well for me.  The plot (which is based on real incidents) is pretty intriguing,  but where this film really shined for me was the acting.  I am assuming that the monks are all seasoned French actors,  but if they are not they certainly did a wonderful job here.  I especially tip my cap to the guys that played Brother Christian,  Brother Luc,  and Brother Christophe.  These three had the best scenes and did a wonderful job convincing me that they may even be actual monks.

     It’s very well shot for a low budget film,  and the plight for all the characters really was an emotional one,  and kept me thinking about the film for hours afterward.

     I definitely recommend this film,  but it will take a pretty meticulous moviegoer to be able to handle the length,  pace,  subtitles,  and overall somber demeanor of this film.  If you don’t bore easily,  I really think you should seek this film out.  A moving piece, indeed.

Please my children,  (Comment) below.  Amen

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12th April 2011

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Hanna

Synopsis::  Raised by her father, an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Finland, Hanna’s upbringing and training have been one and the same, all geared to making her the perfect assassin. The turning point in her adolescence is a sharp one; sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe while eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own. As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence and unexpected questions about her humanity.

Directed by: Joe Wright

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hollander,  & Olivia Williams

U.S. release date was April 8, 2011

My rating…….6

     A couple of things made this film seem interesting to me before I went to see it.  First,  I seem to have a soft spot for female heroines,  the fact that I enjoy the performances of Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones,  The Way Back)  a lot,  and especially the young age of the female heroine mixed together with the context of the film,  kind of all group together to be one reason I was intrigued by this movie.  The other major reason is director Joe Wright,  who’s credits include Atonement,  Pride and Prejudice, and The Soloist (soloist I did not see but I wasn’t a fan of either of the other films which are both boring, period piece dramas),  directing an action thriller?  This formula was definitely hard to pass up,  especially when it seemed to get at least decent ratings,  and the trailer looked pretty interesting to me.

     Hanna really worked for me as an almost artsy type action film.  It is pretty interesting and refreshing how this just isn’t a run of the mill action film.  I don’t mean that in a Crouching Tiger way,  because even though that was highly artistic,  it mostly stuck to the same format throughout,  and Tiger’s action was  a mostly ultra stylized martial arts flick with a good story.  Hanna has a pretty interesting story and premise,  and thankfully it decided to take a non-stylized  approach to the action / fighting scenes.  The arthouse feel came into play in the non-action scenes.  I love how the film was laid out and brought an almost surreal feeling to the non action scenes.  It had a layout similar to  Kill Bill.  I say this very loosely because the films aren’t really at all similar,  but the cut shots, situations,  and especially the “whistling” scenes somewhat reminded me of those Tarantino films.  Of course,  the dialog is much less harsh than those films,  and it is far less violent.  

     I have been known to complain about shooting action scenes so close up that it is very hard to see the action.  This film is a bit of an exception in that regard.  The action scenes that feature Eric Bana avoid this issue for the most part and are shot very well.  The action scenes that involve Saoirse Ronan are very closely shot,  but I think it actually works here since it isn’t easily believed that she can fight these full grown men,  and there is a fight scene in the freight yard that actually takes a wider shot to show her fighting and it looked very hard to swallow and fairly awkward.  Her fight scenes were much better with the close action shots.

     I also enjoy the fact that they don’t get too carried away giving us exposition on the back story of the characters.  There is a quick scene in which Bana explains Hanna’s existence,  otherwise I was happy not to be spoon fed much back story on the other characters,  their relationships,  or their real motivations.  Very little is explained about Cate Blanchette’s character,  and I really think that improves the film overall.  You never really know why she is so hardcore,  other than she is trying to clean up her own mistakes.  The lengths that some of the characters go is pretty frightening to me,  in a way that seems much more interesting to me than most action films today.  Maybe that is because it seemed more real to me than a normal action flick.  It’s hard to put my finger on why I say that because there were definitely parts of this film that seemed cheesy.

     I would have liked to give this film a 7,  especially since it ended in a perfect spot.  They didn’t spoon feed you a resolution at the end like Source Code did.  Why a 6 you ask?  Good heavens,  the music in this film was terrible.  The techno heavy music score repeatedly took me out of some decent scenes.  I kept having to snap myself back into scenes that I would fall out of because of the horrible,  loud,  and menacing music. Sometimes techno stuff works for me but this did not.  The music was continually a bane to this film in my opinion.

     Bad music aside,  I really think this is an enjoyable film for anyone of either sex.  I was never bored, and I really liked the strangeness of it and even though most of the acting was pretty straightforward,  none of it was terrible.  Ronan gives another solid performance,  and even though I would put her just below Chloe Grace Moretz in my list of favorite young actresses,  she has been pretty great thus far.  I look forward to seeing her in The Hobbit films.  In the meantime,  go see Hanna.

Please feel free to (Comment) below.

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7th April 2011

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Listen to the test episode of The Flicksation Podcast

You can listen to the test episode of my new podcast with the player on the left side of this page,  or visit http://flicksation.com/download to download it instead.

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Eric

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