The Flick: Drive
The Peeps: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Christina Hendricks, etc.
The Dealio: Ryan Gosling is the (unnamed) Driver. See? Getting all QT up in here already. By day , he is alternately a cipher of a stunt driver/auto mechanic. But he doth also moonlight as the wheel man on various adventures, most of which occur under cover of dark. His brass tacks line is 'I give you 5 minutes. During that time, I am 100% yours. One minute in either direction, and I am out of there. I don't carry a gun, I drive.' So, there you have the set-up.
Then he runs into a neighbor (Mulligan's Irene) and her impossibly adorable son- whose dad is in jail. And don't you know, just as things start perking along, Irene's ex is released from the lock-up to return home and pick up where he left off. Of course, he is chastened and trying hard to do the right thing, but you know this state of grace is flat out not gonna endure. In order to protect his fam, he is drawn back into the life, and winds up dragging Gosling's Driver right along with. Naturally, it is a fool-proof gig, and naturally, things go south with all due dispatch once the Driver signs on. There follows an incredible amount of high-grade violence, without the nuance and commitment to character development- nor the compulsory drawing of the viewer in, to take sides with our anointed heroes. Here's a tip for ya: if we just don't give a brass farthing for anyone involved, least of all the main character, this simply isn't going to pan out for us. If you had told me, at the start of the movie, that I would care about the outcome for Jules and Vincent in Pulp Fiction, I would have thought you were nuts. But, of course, I did. And I was not alone in experiencing this bond. Drive...not so much.
The Grading Session: 3.51 pengies out of 5. Please see above for the reasons behind the grade. BTW- Brooks was a real revelation as the duty bad hat. Check out the new career vector on him!
Notable Quotables: "Now...you get to clean up after me." 'Sorry. My hands are a little dirty.' "Mine, too." Both from Brooks. See? What'd I tell you?
Lessons Learned: Well, for starters- don't mess with Brooks; he proves that you really don't have to shout to be heard and feared. A simple, poisonous purr will get the job done just as well. Maybe better. Next: you never really get to back away from poor lifestyle choices when you think you have learned your lesson and are intent on putting the past behind you. Lastly: if something is a sure thing, it really, really isn't. And if the gig is fool-proof, ditto.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Exit Through The Gift Shop
The Flick: Exit Through The Gift Shop (Non-fiction)
The Peeps: Banksy, Thierry Guetta, Rhys Ifans (narrator) et al.
The Dealio: When Thierry Guetta, a shopkeeper and self-confessed photo-addict, becomes enthralled with the graffiti world in France, and then in the US and the UK, all sorts of mayhem results. Eventually, the self-proclaimed, but untested Guetta becomes something in the nature of an underground phenom himself. Suddenly, he is the director of a studio which mass-produces 'works of subversive art'. He has a sold-out show, which nets him tons of lettuce and notoriety. Where will he venture next?
The Grading Session: 3.79 pengies out of 5. Although fairly short, the film became repetitious. But you should definitely call it up, if you have a weekend with time on your hands and an excruciating need to be entertained and transported out of yourself. This is an intriguing and involving commentary on the world of underground art.
Notable Quotables: "So, the lesson for me was 'never try to help someone out with a quote.'"
Lessons Learned: Sometimes it is possible to simply stumble into success. Otherwise, it is probably worth your while to look into a thing before you leap. Or invest. What strikes you as innovative and unique, may just have been reproduced en masse in a storage loft. Does it make it any less art? No. But, with art, as with many other things, you should probably only invest in what you love.
The Peeps: Banksy, Thierry Guetta, Rhys Ifans (narrator) et al.
The Dealio: When Thierry Guetta, a shopkeeper and self-confessed photo-addict, becomes enthralled with the graffiti world in France, and then in the US and the UK, all sorts of mayhem results. Eventually, the self-proclaimed, but untested Guetta becomes something in the nature of an underground phenom himself. Suddenly, he is the director of a studio which mass-produces 'works of subversive art'. He has a sold-out show, which nets him tons of lettuce and notoriety. Where will he venture next?
The Grading Session: 3.79 pengies out of 5. Although fairly short, the film became repetitious. But you should definitely call it up, if you have a weekend with time on your hands and an excruciating need to be entertained and transported out of yourself. This is an intriguing and involving commentary on the world of underground art.
Notable Quotables: "So, the lesson for me was 'never try to help someone out with a quote.'"
Lessons Learned: Sometimes it is possible to simply stumble into success. Otherwise, it is probably worth your while to look into a thing before you leap. Or invest. What strikes you as innovative and unique, may just have been reproduced en masse in a storage loft. Does it make it any less art? No. But, with art, as with many other things, you should probably only invest in what you love.
Contagion
The Flick: Contagion
The Peeps: Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, John Hawkes, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, etc.
The Dealio: In the beginning, Paltrow's Beth is cheating on her husband(Damon). She is travelling to Hong Kong on business and 'picks up' with an ex. She is already exhibiting symptoms of some sort of flu-like thaang- coughing, runny eyes and achiness- which she dismisses as jet lag. And then the bods start to pile up: people going about their daily lives- peeps who, on the surface, have nothing to do with each other- are dropping over, then dropping dead. And so it goes. Wot's the dealio?! In a race to discover what all these clusters have to do with each other, scientists- Cotillard, Fishburne and Winslet, as well as Law's journalist/blogger- begin to look into the background of those who were the first to bite the dust. And, what do we discover? Nothing simple, that's fer shur.
The Grading Session: 4.1 pengies out of 5. Too much left unresolved, too much creepiness, too ambitious, without living up to the potential of what seemed to me like a lesser Crichton tale.
Notable Quotables: 'But, we're not sick! We're healthy!' "So, we're sorry, but she didn't make it. Despite our best efforts." 'OK. So, when can I talk to her?'
Lessons Learned: Here's the biggie: WASH YOUR HANDS. Also this: it's OK to feel paranoid, if everyone around you is kicking the bucket. For further advice, please see lessons learned, #1.
The Peeps: Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, John Hawkes, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, etc.
The Dealio: In the beginning, Paltrow's Beth is cheating on her husband(Damon). She is travelling to Hong Kong on business and 'picks up' with an ex. She is already exhibiting symptoms of some sort of flu-like thaang- coughing, runny eyes and achiness- which she dismisses as jet lag. And then the bods start to pile up: people going about their daily lives- peeps who, on the surface, have nothing to do with each other- are dropping over, then dropping dead. And so it goes. Wot's the dealio?! In a race to discover what all these clusters have to do with each other, scientists- Cotillard, Fishburne and Winslet, as well as Law's journalist/blogger- begin to look into the background of those who were the first to bite the dust. And, what do we discover? Nothing simple, that's fer shur.
The Grading Session: 4.1 pengies out of 5. Too much left unresolved, too much creepiness, too ambitious, without living up to the potential of what seemed to me like a lesser Crichton tale.
Notable Quotables: 'But, we're not sick! We're healthy!' "So, we're sorry, but she didn't make it. Despite our best efforts." 'OK. So, when can I talk to her?'
Lessons Learned: Here's the biggie: WASH YOUR HANDS. Also this: it's OK to feel paranoid, if everyone around you is kicking the bucket. For further advice, please see lessons learned, #1.
Dawn Patrol
The Book: Dawn Patrol
The Writer: Don Winslow
The Dealio: 'Boone' Daniels- ex-cop, surfer since before he was born (really), sometime PI and all-around wise-ass is the lead in this ensemble book, the first in what I hope is a long- and very rapidly multiplying- series. Why? Well, for starters, it is set in Pacific Beach, my second home, and the first place I lived when I moved to SD. Along the way to solving the mystery and getting the bad guys where and what they deserve and belong, there are wonderful insights into SD history, sociology, geographic snobbery and, of course, surfing. I am more than halfway through the second- and so far, last- in the series and cannot wait for several things to happen: #1- more books. #2-get those books made into flicks. A worthy hero in the mold of such not-quite-comfortable-within-trad-cop-shops folks as Kinsey Milhone, Spenser and Elvis Cole, these are detective stories for those who like a little knowledge and fun with their mysteries. Aaaaand, he lives at Crystal Pier, one of our fave stay-cation locales. Choice.
The Grading Session: 4.988 pengies out of 5. A smidgeon off the sides and back for the recommendation of Jeff's for the ultimate burg- which turned out to be the ultimate let-down. But only a smidge, since everyone has their own hallmark for the best burger evah. Your mileage may differ.
Lessons Learned: Everything tastes better in a tortilla(this is one with which I happen to heartily agree). Also this: never, never, NEVER turn your back on the ocean.
The Writer: Don Winslow
The Dealio: 'Boone' Daniels- ex-cop, surfer since before he was born (really), sometime PI and all-around wise-ass is the lead in this ensemble book, the first in what I hope is a long- and very rapidly multiplying- series. Why? Well, for starters, it is set in Pacific Beach, my second home, and the first place I lived when I moved to SD. Along the way to solving the mystery and getting the bad guys where and what they deserve and belong, there are wonderful insights into SD history, sociology, geographic snobbery and, of course, surfing. I am more than halfway through the second- and so far, last- in the series and cannot wait for several things to happen: #1- more books. #2-get those books made into flicks. A worthy hero in the mold of such not-quite-comfortable-within-trad-cop-shops folks as Kinsey Milhone, Spenser and Elvis Cole, these are detective stories for those who like a little knowledge and fun with their mysteries. Aaaaand, he lives at Crystal Pier, one of our fave stay-cation locales. Choice.
The Grading Session: 4.988 pengies out of 5. A smidgeon off the sides and back for the recommendation of Jeff's for the ultimate burg- which turned out to be the ultimate let-down. But only a smidge, since everyone has their own hallmark for the best burger evah. Your mileage may differ.
Lessons Learned: Everything tastes better in a tortilla(this is one with which I happen to heartily agree). Also this: never, never, NEVER turn your back on the ocean.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Crazy, Stupid Love
The Flick: Crazy, Stupid Love
The Peeps: Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone (havin' a moment), Kevin Bacon, Marisa Tomei, Josh Groban (yeah, that Josh Groban), etc.
The Dealio: While Carell's Cal is thinking 'What a perfect life I have', Emma, his wife of over 20 years is thinking divorce. Meanwhile Gosling's Jacob is hectically playing ladies' man extraordinaire, except that his usual magic is not working on the one lady he can't get out of his mind-or into his bed. Hannah (Stone) is hoping for a twofer: passing the boards and getting a proposal in the same week. Which she does. But not exactly as planned. And, Cal and Emma's son is heavily smitten with his babysitter, who has her eye on someone else entirely. Oh, I'm sorry, should have warned you to spreadsheet all this.
The Grading Session: 4.33 pengies out of 5. With more than a glancing nod to such previous films as Love, Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, CSL is still one that stands out in a crowd. At times silly, melodramatic and frothy, it is also one deeply romantic movie, that is unafraid to show the bittersweet edge of romance. The cast is very strong-although Tomei ratchets up the way-too-hungry-ex-lush thaang a notch or two too many on several occasions. Still, it is nice to see her work. And there is a typical ending in which is couched a deeply felt, but almost cliched declaration of love. But, even as I was sort of shaking my head at the lack of originality of the whole thing, I suddenly felt very...moved and emotional about what was happening on the screen. And not only to the person speaking the lines. Nicely done.
Lessons Learned: If someone says they will jump out of the car if you do not stop talking...take them at their word and put a sock in it. Also- Ryan Gosling totally looks photo-shopped. Sorry, but he does. Finally, this: love is inconvenient, goofy, nonsensical and just plain crazy, not to mention stupid. But it is also worth all of that if it possesses the real stuff.
Notable Quotes: 'You are better than the Gap!' 'OK, normally, I would tell you to just be yourself. But, on this occasion, my advice to you is to be the exact opposite of yourself.' 'You're David Lindhaven?' (followed by loads of piling-on).
The Peeps: Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone (havin' a moment), Kevin Bacon, Marisa Tomei, Josh Groban (yeah, that Josh Groban), etc.
The Dealio: While Carell's Cal is thinking 'What a perfect life I have', Emma, his wife of over 20 years is thinking divorce. Meanwhile Gosling's Jacob is hectically playing ladies' man extraordinaire, except that his usual magic is not working on the one lady he can't get out of his mind-or into his bed. Hannah (Stone) is hoping for a twofer: passing the boards and getting a proposal in the same week. Which she does. But not exactly as planned. And, Cal and Emma's son is heavily smitten with his babysitter, who has her eye on someone else entirely. Oh, I'm sorry, should have warned you to spreadsheet all this.
The Grading Session: 4.33 pengies out of 5. With more than a glancing nod to such previous films as Love, Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, CSL is still one that stands out in a crowd. At times silly, melodramatic and frothy, it is also one deeply romantic movie, that is unafraid to show the bittersweet edge of romance. The cast is very strong-although Tomei ratchets up the way-too-hungry-ex-lush thaang a notch or two too many on several occasions. Still, it is nice to see her work. And there is a typical ending in which is couched a deeply felt, but almost cliched declaration of love. But, even as I was sort of shaking my head at the lack of originality of the whole thing, I suddenly felt very...moved and emotional about what was happening on the screen. And not only to the person speaking the lines. Nicely done.
Lessons Learned: If someone says they will jump out of the car if you do not stop talking...take them at their word and put a sock in it. Also- Ryan Gosling totally looks photo-shopped. Sorry, but he does. Finally, this: love is inconvenient, goofy, nonsensical and just plain crazy, not to mention stupid. But it is also worth all of that if it possesses the real stuff.
Notable Quotes: 'You are better than the Gap!' 'OK, normally, I would tell you to just be yourself. But, on this occasion, my advice to you is to be the exact opposite of yourself.' 'You're David Lindhaven?' (followed by loads of piling-on).
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Change Up
The Film: The Change Up
The Peeps: Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde, Leslie Mann, Alan Arkin, etc.
The Dealio: One night, after a particularly frustrating day, buds Mitch (Reynolds) and Dave (Bateman), express a keen desire to switch lives while peeing in a fountain. Well, of course, as these things always go, this was no everyday, ordinary fountain, but one with a sharp sense of humor. Sure enough, each awakens to find he has swapped places, but not bods, with the other. For dedicated, but harried dad-of-three-married-to-the-hot-wife Dave, this is like summer vacation. For about three minutes. Then, the reality of being a type A professional stuck in a slacker, irresponsible dude's body, hits him like a 30 pound halibut to the melon. For playboy, occasional lorn-actor Mitch, it is a trip to Hell without any possibility of detour or parole. Any one who doesn't know how this is going to play out, raise your hand now. You're excused. Go check out 13 Going On 30, Double Trouble, The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday or any similar cinematic dissertation on the ramifications of swapping places with someone you think has it all figured out. SPOILER ALERT: turns out, they do not.
The Grading Session: 3.901 pengies out of 5. As I said in the tripline: do not go see this movie with someone like me. The scenes with Dave/Mitch interacting with his twins were excruciating for someone like me! Listen, I know it is totally unfair to bring my professional life to the movies with me, but I can not help myself. Full marks to Prendie for not gagging me after the first two outbursts: 'OMG! No powder for the babies! What is he thinking!? ' And, 'Dear God! Tell me he is not heating up the bottles in a pan or microwave! I can't look!' I had to actually step into the lobby to stop my hyperventilation when the babies started playing with knives. No. Seriously, it was an acceptable movie of its kind, and seemed like the cinematic version of summer comfort food (mashed potatoes with lite margarine, versus butter): easy to digest, very familiar and not liable to change your life-outlook,. Or your cholesterol count.
Lessons Learned: Two very appealing leads can only carry a flick so far. A fresh-eyed script should definitely come first. Also, be prepared. Start right this minute. Against the possibility of such a thing ever actually happening in your life, rehearse phrases, words and questions that would cue in your significant others that there has been a total body transplant. Prendie and I are already prepped for such an eventuality. You should be , too.
Notable Quotable: Well, this one always makes Prendie laugh out loud, so I'll spring for this one: 'Oh, no you don't! Don't go backing that thing up into me. I can't believe you'd come at me guns hot.'
The Peeps: Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde, Leslie Mann, Alan Arkin, etc.
The Dealio: One night, after a particularly frustrating day, buds Mitch (Reynolds) and Dave (Bateman), express a keen desire to switch lives while peeing in a fountain. Well, of course, as these things always go, this was no everyday, ordinary fountain, but one with a sharp sense of humor. Sure enough, each awakens to find he has swapped places, but not bods, with the other. For dedicated, but harried dad-of-three-married-to-the-hot-wife Dave, this is like summer vacation. For about three minutes. Then, the reality of being a type A professional stuck in a slacker, irresponsible dude's body, hits him like a 30 pound halibut to the melon. For playboy, occasional lorn-actor Mitch, it is a trip to Hell without any possibility of detour or parole. Any one who doesn't know how this is going to play out, raise your hand now. You're excused. Go check out 13 Going On 30, Double Trouble, The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday or any similar cinematic dissertation on the ramifications of swapping places with someone you think has it all figured out. SPOILER ALERT: turns out, they do not.
The Grading Session: 3.901 pengies out of 5. As I said in the tripline: do not go see this movie with someone like me. The scenes with Dave/Mitch interacting with his twins were excruciating for someone like me! Listen, I know it is totally unfair to bring my professional life to the movies with me, but I can not help myself. Full marks to Prendie for not gagging me after the first two outbursts: 'OMG! No powder for the babies! What is he thinking!? ' And, 'Dear God! Tell me he is not heating up the bottles in a pan or microwave! I can't look!' I had to actually step into the lobby to stop my hyperventilation when the babies started playing with knives. No. Seriously, it was an acceptable movie of its kind, and seemed like the cinematic version of summer comfort food (mashed potatoes with lite margarine, versus butter): easy to digest, very familiar and not liable to change your life-outlook,. Or your cholesterol count.
Lessons Learned: Two very appealing leads can only carry a flick so far. A fresh-eyed script should definitely come first. Also, be prepared. Start right this minute. Against the possibility of such a thing ever actually happening in your life, rehearse phrases, words and questions that would cue in your significant others that there has been a total body transplant. Prendie and I are already prepped for such an eventuality. You should be , too.
Notable Quotable: Well, this one always makes Prendie laugh out loud, so I'll spring for this one: 'Oh, no you don't! Don't go backing that thing up into me. I can't believe you'd come at me guns hot.'
30 Minutes Or Less
The Flick: 30 Minutes or Less
The Peeps: Danny McBride, Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, Fred Ward, Nick Swardson, etc.
The Dealio: Based upon a real-life event (with much less upbeat ending), this is the story, like so many others, about a slacker-Eisenberg's Nick- and his marginally more achievement-oriented bud, who wind up pulling a robbery at the behest of two wastrels who have strapped a bomb to Nick's chest. This is billed as a comedy, but, from the first time someone gets shot, you know that, if this is comedy, it is of the depths of a moonless night variety. Violence, toilet talk and the low road to every punchline are the hallmarks of this 'buddy flick'. By the time you get to the man on fire- and not in a figurative sense, you almost want to smack everyone concerned. See how blatant violence breeds the violent response. Well. Maybe just in me. Sorry 'bout that.
The Grading Session: 2.0001 pengies out of 5. This is time I will never get back. Damn it.
Lessons Learned: Well, for Danny McBride, who rocks supporting roles, perhaps he should go one of two routes, from here on in: either read thoroughly before taking the money. Or, just a thought: go back to the supporting roles, where you have had notable success in the past. For me: I have outgrown stoner-driven movies.
Quotes of Note: 'Well, officer, you just brought a gun to a bomb fight.' And, 'I loved that bear. You...I don't even know.'
The Peeps: Danny McBride, Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, Fred Ward, Nick Swardson, etc.
The Dealio: Based upon a real-life event (with much less upbeat ending), this is the story, like so many others, about a slacker-Eisenberg's Nick- and his marginally more achievement-oriented bud, who wind up pulling a robbery at the behest of two wastrels who have strapped a bomb to Nick's chest. This is billed as a comedy, but, from the first time someone gets shot, you know that, if this is comedy, it is of the depths of a moonless night variety. Violence, toilet talk and the low road to every punchline are the hallmarks of this 'buddy flick'. By the time you get to the man on fire- and not in a figurative sense, you almost want to smack everyone concerned. See how blatant violence breeds the violent response. Well. Maybe just in me. Sorry 'bout that.
The Grading Session: 2.0001 pengies out of 5. This is time I will never get back. Damn it.
Lessons Learned: Well, for Danny McBride, who rocks supporting roles, perhaps he should go one of two routes, from here on in: either read thoroughly before taking the money. Or, just a thought: go back to the supporting roles, where you have had notable success in the past. For me: I have outgrown stoner-driven movies.
Quotes of Note: 'Well, officer, you just brought a gun to a bomb fight.' And, 'I loved that bear. You...I don't even know.'
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