by Ethan Johnson
July 5, 2008
Movies! Movies! Movies! Oh, and more movies:
Kung Fu Panda: The upside to this animated flick is that while it is 99% Jack Black, it's his voice and a bunch of animated goings-on. It was pretty disposable as a movie but it served its purpose as a (literally) fluffy fun flick for all ages. It was weird to hear David Cross voicing the "Crane" character, just because I didn't think he got/accepted gigs like this. Anyway, watch or don't.
Hancock: I have to say, in this day and age of spoilers-o-rama - and that's just the preview trailer - I was amazed to learn that Hancock had more going on than the "superhero-type is an alcoholic and manages to go straight just in time to save the day" storyline we've heard so much about. While that is indeed part of the story, there's more "there" there and thus made for a more interesting flick. It's still dumb action to a large extent, but Will Smith and Jason Bateman carry the movie well, and I was so out of it that I didn't realize the lead actress was Charlize Theron. The filmmakers blew it by not naming her character Rita. And absolutely no cameo appearances by her knit hat or the Bumpaddle™. Worth a look-see. (Wow, two new releases that feature Arrested Development alums.)
WALL-E: Pixar does it again. Bear in mind that I saw Ratatouille shortly before this movie (see below), and the technology has apparently gotten better, which means I can't begin to describe the incredible level of detail. But never mind all of that, the story matters too. I found it to be a bit heavy-handed, and while it speaks to a lot of themes that have been weighing on my mind lately, I'm concerned that people will be turned off by the heavy-handedness of the story and dismiss the lesson(s). Whoever designed the WALL-E character should win a pile of awards. Never has such a seemingly random assortment of mechanical parts conveyed such stirring emotion. Genius move giving him teardrop-shaped eyes. Anyway, despite the heavy plot, it's best seen NOW on the big screen and thought about afterward.
Get Smart: We clearly didn't. Thankfully, we saw the ultra-cheap matinee (2 for the price of less than one), and Alan Arkin gives this movie the one star I generously deign to give it. Save your time and money.
Ratatouille: Score another one for Brad Bird/Pixar. I thought that this movie was spoiled to death (for me, anyway) but I was surprised to see that it had more scope and depth than simply "rat cooks food". The punchline, as delivered verbally by Peter O'Toole IS the movie. Heart, heart, heart for miles. I have to say, computer-generated animation is getting so fluid that it's exciting to just be sucked into the story without being distracted by the shortcomings of the medium. Actually, I think I was distracted by the incredible detail. So worth the rental.
Gracie: Alternative title: "That 70's Title IX." I get that this was based on either a true story - or these days, "actual events", but I'm kinda wondering why this couldn't have been set in the modern times, since the movie was loaded with anachronisms anyway. I'm guessing that the filmmakers wanted to reinforce that female athletes have had to fight for everything they got, and that the struggle dates back a ways, but really, for all of its insipidness I kinda thought She's the Man said it all with the added benefit of Amanda Bynes. This movie was painfully formulaic and stiff, and yet the ending is uplifting and effective. Worth renting if you absolutely must see every soccer-themed movie ever (me me me), or like to see girls kicking ass despite incredibly stiff acting and thin plot.
Art School Confidential: It's probably a bad sign that I forgot that I saw this movie about a week afterwards. I thought the art school intro was pitch-perfect, and pretty much indicative of the sorts of people who either were in art school at the time it would have been a weighty consideration of mine, or were also considering the commitment. This reinforced my decision to forgo the art route. At least at the level of the "name" artist. Nothing wrong with art in and of itself, just so that's clear. But UGH, fantastic send-ups of the "types". Unfortunately, this movie falls flat in due time and its strongest supporting character disappears for long stretches of time. I was feeling good about the movie in the early going, but by the time it ended I wished for better. Anyway, worth checking out the first 10-15 minutes for sure if you were ever an art major.
Waitress: What better chaser to the melancholy delights of WALL-E than Waitress? I didn't think I'd be able to hang in with this movie, as the dialogue was rather stiff in the early going and I'm not a big fan of abusive marriages. But hang in I did, and it was worth waiting for the punchline. We had no idea that the filmmaker (writer/director/supporting actress) was murdered after completing this movie. Her actual daughter appears in the film, adding a chill to the narrative. Excellent performance by Andy Griffith seals the deal. Add this to your list. <EM>
