Ref: Mulhern
#24 Margin Call
I was surprised when Mulhern said he was watching Margin Call since I hadn't heard of it before renting it during a weekend with the family this winter. Some of the lighting and sound quality gave it the feel of a low-budget number, but it ended up prompting serious discussions within my family about the financial crisis, so I suppose it hit its mark. As the story unfolded, it felt very true - and it gave the viewer a front seat to the actions, options and decisions that brought us to today. It was the type of story that had me thinking about it long after the credits rolled.
I was cringing throughout much of Margin Call because I was convinced it was going to go dark, break bad, veer into more sinister/violent/HBO-sanctioned territory than it eventually did. That may have been a distraction.
As a bonus, this film features Penn Badgley a.k.a. Dan Humphrey of Gossip Girl in a role that transitions into full-on whining (admittedly, with reason - but you're torn between sympathy and schadenfreude). But hey - at least I didn't spend a good hour talking to the television telling it how much I hate all the characters, like I do when I watch GG... each week...
Showing posts with label Gossip Girl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gossip Girl. Show all posts
19 February 2012
27 February 2011
2010 Movies: # 5, 4, 3 & 2
Ref: Mulhern
#5 Black Swan
I was all set to write an extensive segment about this psycho-sexual thriller, talking about the grueling training the actors experienced, the freaky camera work and effects, and the consequences Natalie Portman's transformation from white to black swan. I was going to tell you how I appreciated the artistry of the movie but couldn't handle seeing it again. It would have been a great post.
However, I can't say anything about it because I am way too creeped out by the fact that when I went into the backyard this afternoon, I found a scattering of individual black feathers upon the smoothly drifted crisp white snow, with no tracks nearby to provide a clue as to their origin.
#4 127 Hours
While I'm sure this was amazingly wonderful, I just couldn't do it. Maybe someday, on the small screen.
#3 The Town
My coworker saw The Town with her sheriff's deputy husband and said their perspectives on the action were totally different. When *spoiler alert* the crew escapes across the bridge in their nun masks and the lone BPD officer turns his head away to let them escape, D screamed, "NO!" while H said, "That's what you had better do!" Where H was appalled to see law enforcement going into harm's way, D saw a movie that criminals might watch and get new ideas. "At least they're not actually smart enough to pull this off in real life," he said.
Ben Affleck has really come into his own in recent years, with strong directorial showings in The Town and Gone Baby Gone. This film toes the line between heist caper and something much darker. The acting is uniformly powerful - Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall and even Blake Lively in her departure from Gossip Girl's Serena van der Woodsen.
#2 The Fighter
I DIDN'T SEE MULHERN'S NUMBER TWO FILM OF THE YEAR!?!?! Unacceptable!
#5 Black Swan
I was all set to write an extensive segment about this psycho-sexual thriller, talking about the grueling training the actors experienced, the freaky camera work and effects, and the consequences Natalie Portman's transformation from white to black swan. I was going to tell you how I appreciated the artistry of the movie but couldn't handle seeing it again. It would have been a great post.
However, I can't say anything about it because I am way too creeped out by the fact that when I went into the backyard this afternoon, I found a scattering of individual black feathers upon the smoothly drifted crisp white snow, with no tracks nearby to provide a clue as to their origin.
#4 127 Hours
While I'm sure this was amazingly wonderful, I just couldn't do it. Maybe someday, on the small screen.
#3 The Town
My coworker saw The Town with her sheriff's deputy husband and said their perspectives on the action were totally different. When *spoiler alert* the crew escapes across the bridge in their nun masks and the lone BPD officer turns his head away to let them escape, D screamed, "NO!" while H said, "That's what you had better do!" Where H was appalled to see law enforcement going into harm's way, D saw a movie that criminals might watch and get new ideas. "At least they're not actually smart enough to pull this off in real life," he said.
Ben Affleck has really come into his own in recent years, with strong directorial showings in The Town and Gone Baby Gone. This film toes the line between heist caper and something much darker. The acting is uniformly powerful - Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall and even Blake Lively in her departure from Gossip Girl's Serena van der Woodsen.
#2 The Fighter
I DIDN'T SEE MULHERN'S NUMBER TWO FILM OF THE YEAR!?!?! Unacceptable!
26 February 2011
2010 Movies: #23, 22 & 21
Ref: Mulhern
Rats, I've again fallen behind the Mulhern on the reviewing. Better get to it - the Oscar clock is ticking!
#23 Date Night
"Claw, you're welcome." - receptionist's telephone greeting at Claw, New York's hottest new seafood restaurant. It has everything... risotto, will.i.am, kill shot threats and thugs who want you dead.
Date Night was a fun movie. Tina Fey and Steve Carell are a believable married couple who become convinced they're stuck in a rut and try to spice things up with a night in the city, to disastrous and hilarious ends. The multitude of stars previously mentioned by Mulhern play crucial roles (I seem to remember reading that it's Leighton Meester's highest grossing movie to date), but the bulk of the film rests on Fey and Carell, who successfully combine comedy with action and suspense, showcasing an ultimately sweet relationship.
Especially funny were the outtakes during the credits. Keep watching until the end!
#22 Going the Distance
Recent news of Drew Barrymore's potential new love interest makes me reflect on this movie because her interactions with Justin Long, her real-life long-term light switch (on-and-off-again) beau, in Going the Distance were so believable, I wondered if they were based on real life. When grainy, realistic footage is shown of their characters out on a date, Barrymore sporting an eclectic ensemble and Long exuding an awkward-cool aura, I figured the film crew just followed the couple for a night on the town.
Barrymore and Long portray another believable couple stuck in a rut, this time of the transcontinental variety. Will their romance be defeated by or conquer the distance? Only time will tell!
One thing that stuck out for me: The Boxer Rebellion. I thought it was weird to feature a real band in this movie when *spoiler alert* Long's character got a job with them at the end. I know they did it all the time on The O.C. but in this case it made me feel like that part of the movie wouldn't stand the test of time - but I guess we'll see.
#21 Easy A
Easy A belongs in the permanent rotation. This delightful homage to 1850s literature and 1980s film manages to be fresh and zany while still holding true to the high school experience.
Characters are well-acted for the most part (Amanda Bynes and Aly Michalka are a bit too over-the-top, even in the context of the movie). Emma Stone steals the show, with Stanley Tucci a close second.
It will also be fun in five years to return to the movie and ridicule the very trendy fashion choices, but such is the lot of "teen" movies, I suppose.
Bonus points for having two Gossip Girl stars and two O.C. mentions (via Micah a.k.a. Volchok) in the same post!
Rats, I've again fallen behind the Mulhern on the reviewing. Better get to it - the Oscar clock is ticking!
#23 Date Night
"Claw, you're welcome." - receptionist's telephone greeting at Claw, New York's hottest new seafood restaurant. It has everything... risotto, will.i.am, kill shot threats and thugs who want you dead.
Date Night was a fun movie. Tina Fey and Steve Carell are a believable married couple who become convinced they're stuck in a rut and try to spice things up with a night in the city, to disastrous and hilarious ends. The multitude of stars previously mentioned by Mulhern play crucial roles (I seem to remember reading that it's Leighton Meester's highest grossing movie to date), but the bulk of the film rests on Fey and Carell, who successfully combine comedy with action and suspense, showcasing an ultimately sweet relationship.
Especially funny were the outtakes during the credits. Keep watching until the end!
#22 Going the Distance
Recent news of Drew Barrymore's potential new love interest makes me reflect on this movie because her interactions with Justin Long, her real-life long-term light switch (on-and-off-again) beau, in Going the Distance were so believable, I wondered if they were based on real life. When grainy, realistic footage is shown of their characters out on a date, Barrymore sporting an eclectic ensemble and Long exuding an awkward-cool aura, I figured the film crew just followed the couple for a night on the town.
Barrymore and Long portray another believable couple stuck in a rut, this time of the transcontinental variety. Will their romance be defeated by or conquer the distance? Only time will tell!
One thing that stuck out for me: The Boxer Rebellion. I thought it was weird to feature a real band in this movie when *spoiler alert* Long's character got a job with them at the end. I know they did it all the time on The O.C. but in this case it made me feel like that part of the movie wouldn't stand the test of time - but I guess we'll see.
#21 Easy A
Easy A belongs in the permanent rotation. This delightful homage to 1850s literature and 1980s film manages to be fresh and zany while still holding true to the high school experience.
Characters are well-acted for the most part (Amanda Bynes and Aly Michalka are a bit too over-the-top, even in the context of the movie). Emma Stone steals the show, with Stanley Tucci a close second.
It will also be fun in five years to return to the movie and ridicule the very trendy fashion choices, but such is the lot of "teen" movies, I suppose.
Bonus points for having two Gossip Girl stars and two O.C. mentions (via Micah a.k.a. Volchok) in the same post!
07 February 2011
2010 Movies: #44 & 43
Ref: Mulhern
#44 The Karate Kid
Boy leaves friends behind and moves to China. Boy is bored and doesn't fit in. Boy runs from bullies and meets mysterious karate guru. Boy begins to learn karate. Boy meets karate bully's pseudo-girlfriend. Boy charms girl and distracts her from violin. Boy *spoiler alert* overcomes adversity and restores the honor of girl, himself and both their families. Sequel soon to follow, one can only hope.
The Karate Kid provided an evening of enjoyable by-the-book entertainment. Jaden Smith was cute and Jackie Chan was as solid as ever. A thought on the culmination - I always find it ridiculous that movies in which youth participate in a big game, tournament or competition make sure that said event is the biggest event in the history of the world. Seriously - elementary school karate tournament? Of course the world is watching. All in all, the only thing missing from The Karate Kid was the crane! (Well, that and the legendary hair.)
On the Jaden Smith career watch front, while watching Gossip Girl this evening I saw a preview for the Justin Bieber documentary Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (an upcoming feature of which I was thankfully unaware until today, less than a week before its release), which apparently features some slow motion dancing by the young Smith lad. I think it's safe to say he's well on his way.
#43 Salt
First of all, re: bath salts: true story. Moving on, re: Salt: my descriptor for this film would be "overseasoned" - too much Salt trying to cover up too little substance.
I think the viewing of Salt - in the theatre, no less - was my fault as well. The preview made the movie look like a Fugitive-style action thriller, but I was underwhelmed by the end product. The concept, albeit confusing, was worthwhile - the "is she or isn't she" dynamic kept me guessing until the end - but I was shocked about how much violence the film's execution (no pun intended) involved. It felt way too gratuitous. Cribs from your standard action touchstones, like Mission: Impossible and the aforementioned Fugitive franchise, were employed to uneven effect.
Although a clear sequel setup rounded out the production, I think it's safe to say that if I deign to view Salt II: Open Season(ing), it will be from the comfort of my basement with a beverage in hand.
#44 The Karate Kid
Boy leaves friends behind and moves to China. Boy is bored and doesn't fit in. Boy runs from bullies and meets mysterious karate guru. Boy begins to learn karate. Boy meets karate bully's pseudo-girlfriend. Boy charms girl and distracts her from violin. Boy *spoiler alert* overcomes adversity and restores the honor of girl, himself and both their families. Sequel soon to follow, one can only hope.
The Karate Kid provided an evening of enjoyable by-the-book entertainment. Jaden Smith was cute and Jackie Chan was as solid as ever. A thought on the culmination - I always find it ridiculous that movies in which youth participate in a big game, tournament or competition make sure that said event is the biggest event in the history of the world. Seriously - elementary school karate tournament? Of course the world is watching. All in all, the only thing missing from The Karate Kid was the crane! (Well, that and the legendary hair.)
On the Jaden Smith career watch front, while watching Gossip Girl this evening I saw a preview for the Justin Bieber documentary Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (an upcoming feature of which I was thankfully unaware until today, less than a week before its release), which apparently features some slow motion dancing by the young Smith lad. I think it's safe to say he's well on his way.
#43 Salt
First of all, re: bath salts: true story. Moving on, re: Salt: my descriptor for this film would be "overseasoned" - too much Salt trying to cover up too little substance.
I think the viewing of Salt - in the theatre, no less - was my fault as well. The preview made the movie look like a Fugitive-style action thriller, but I was underwhelmed by the end product. The concept, albeit confusing, was worthwhile - the "is she or isn't she" dynamic kept me guessing until the end - but I was shocked about how much violence the film's execution (no pun intended) involved. It felt way too gratuitous. Cribs from your standard action touchstones, like Mission: Impossible and the aforementioned Fugitive franchise, were employed to uneven effect.
Although a clear sequel setup rounded out the production, I think it's safe to say that if I deign to view Salt II: Open Season(ing), it will be from the comfort of my basement with a beverage in hand.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)