www.AutographStore's Talk

Observe and Report

What a sick and twisted little gem... and I loved almost every minute of it! Definately not for everyone, but if you enjoy dark comedies, uncomfortable-situational humor, and just stuff that's completely out of left field and out of the norm, please check out OBSERVE AND REPORT. It's one of (lord help me) my favorite comedies of 2009.

Just don't be too suprised if you hate or just don't GET it.

Visitor Q (Bijitâ Q)

I've wanted to see this film for a long time, now I don't know why I bothered. I generally find Miike's films brilliant (The Bird People in China, Audition), Badass (Dead or Alive), grotesquely entertaining (Ichi the Killer), or just completely fubar (Gozu). VISITOR Q is Miike in his worst form; being disturbing, creepy, and artsy-fartsy for no reason while not showcasing any worthwhile characters, successful dark humor, or entertainment value.

In my opinion, VISITOR Q is a completely worthless film. I know everybody has their own opinion, but I just can't see how anyone can like this one.

Visitor Q (Bijitâ Q)

I've wanted to see this film for a long time, now I don't know why I bothered. I generally find Miike's films brilliant (The Bird People in China, Audition), Badass (Dead or Alive), grotesquely entertaining (Ichi the Killer), or just completely fubar (Gozu). VISITOR Q is Miike in his worst form; being disturbing, creepy, and artsy-fartsy for no reason while not showcasing any worthwhile characters, successful dark humor, or entertainment value.

In my opinion, VISITOR Q is a completely worthless film. I know everybody has their own opinion, but I just can't see how anyone can like this one.

Metallica - Some Kind of Monster

One of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Even though I'm a really big fan of Metallica, anyone interensted in Metal, music, documentaries, or film in general needs to see this.

Inglourious Basterds

"INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS" is many things... a War film, a comedy, a character study, an homage to the French new-wave, a thriller, and above all else, a masterpiece. This is one of those very, very rare films that comes along every so often, and from beginning to end delivers a completely unique and unparalleled experience. This is the DEFINITION of why I love cinema.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS is one of Tarantino's best works, and is easily his most mature and fleshed-out to date. He is the real deal, and everytime you think that he has peaked, or is past his prime, he reinvents himself and delivers something spectacular. Inglourious Basterds IS spectacular.

This is perhaps the best, most memorable film I'll see all year. Christoph Waltz is a shoe-in for best supporting actor, or even best actor come award season. Melanie Laurent and Brad Pitt are also deserving of recognition for they're terrific work.

In a rather weak year for cinema, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS is a major standout. Don't miss it.

Brüno (Bruno)

I was on the fence about this one since I saw it opening night. Yes, there are a lot of funny scenes; some REALLY funny; some that made me laugh out loud even, but there was so much stupid gross out and unnecessary shtick to go along with it. When the material works, it reaches levels of twisted genius not often seen... but when it doesn't (which is unfortunately way to often), it REALLY DOESN'T. I really liked BORAT... it was almost constantly hilarious and had a certain charm to it. BRUNO doesn't have that charm and I think that's because Bruno as a character just isn't as likable as our best bud from Kazakhstan.

Still, I did laugh just a little more than I didn't, so I can give Brüno the mildest of recommendations. Check it out if you like demented (and shocking) humor, are a relatively big fan of Sacha Baron Cohen, or you feel as if there just isn't much else worth seeing this summer at your local multiplex.

Young People Fucking (Y.P.F.)

7/10
A cleverly written Canadian comedy that is a lot more tame than the title suggests and you may expect. It's likeable cast is a major contributing factor to the films success. Y.P.F. is a frank and entertaining little gem that you should definately check out.

The Reader

THE READER is a film that is going to perplex many audiences. The reason for this is that is has many of the ingredients that make a film great, and many will see the film as a great success because of these. But unfortunately, the film also misses the mark in a few areas and many film goers will not be able to look pass them. I was stuck in between these views... that is why it has taken almost two days for me to get this review out.

What really struck me off the bat was how great the film looks. Roger Deakins always works wonders behind the camera, but there was something about the look of this film that was just so lush and captivating. There's no doubt that it's oscar nomination for cinematography is completely justified. Next, direction. Daldry, with just two other films under his belt has gained quite the reputation (with 3 oscar nominations under his belt), and that is because he has a great sense of realism and the ability to make the audience feel apart of his character's world. Those abilities are put to great effect in THE READER. There is not a moment that doesn't feel completely authentic. Also adding the the sense of immersion are a wealth of very fine performances, by heavy-weights (Winslet, Fiennes) and relatively unknowns. I'm pretty sure that Kate Winslet will take home the Best Actress Oscar this year, but I feel that it is NOT her finest performance and there were better performances from other female leads (Melissa Leo in FROZEN RIVER and Sally Hawkins who failed to obtain Oscar recognition for HAPPY GO LUCKY).

While the film has it's undeniable strong points, THE READER also has some unforgivable flaws that damper the film as a whole. Frankly, it's one of the colder films of recent memory. For such an intimate portrait of these characters, I was shocked at how little I cared about any of them. Even Winslett, the heart of the picture, I had little feeling or sympathy for. For a drama of this calibur, the lack of emotional connection was beyond disappointing. But perhaps the biggest flaw was how generic it all felt. Throughout, I was just constantly reminded of different, and often better, films. I don't know why, but there was so much familiar with the plot and the setting that I couldn't help but be reminded of such films. I know it has been stated to the point of insanity, but THE READER is the definition of Oscar Bait (especially in the case of Winslett, who will once again prove excessive nudity = Oscars). What also didn't help matters was that after a strong start, the film just seemed to get more tedious and boring as it proceeded, to which I began to car less and less (The film at just over two hours rushes through it's plot, sometimes leaving the viewer confused and in a state of "why do I even care." The film does build to a strong third act though).

I may sound like I'm ragging on the film, but I'm most definately not. It's just that in the time after my viewing of it, the flaws have seem to become more apparent then before; and that's always frustrating.

For all it's stunning cinematography and visual grandeur, there's an uneasy sense of "I've seen this all before;" For all of the films great performances, I wondered why I didn't care about their characters more; For it's strong direction, I wondered why the film couldn't flow at a more comprehensive pace.

This brings me to the conclusion that in THE READER, most every positive aspect comes with a negative one. This is a shame because the talent on display could have given light to a great film. Instead, the final product is more of a deeply flawed curiosity that some will love and some will hate. A few however will be stuck in the middle like I am. I find that worse than the two extremes.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Woody Allen's most purely enjoyable film in years. Beautiful Scenery, intriguing characters, great performances (standout being the lovely Rebecca Hall who I thought was great here), and some fine Woody Allen dialogue make for a standout romantic "dramedy" that I found facinating. One of my favorites from 2008.

The Devil's Rejects

Rob Zombie proves he can be one hell of a filmmaker with THE DEVIL'S REJECTS, which was one of the best films of 2005.

The Devil's Rejects

Rob Zombie proves he can be one hell of a filmmaker with THE DEVIL'S REJECTS, which was one of the best films of 2005.

The Devil's Rejects

Rob Zombie proves he can be one hell of a filmmaker with THE DEVIL'S REJECTS, which was one of the best films of 2005.

The Devil's Rejects

Rob Zombie proves he can be one hell of a filmmaker with THE DEVIL'S REJECTS, which was one of the best films of 2005.

Max Payne

Up front, MAX PAYNE and it's sequel are my favorite video game titles of all time. I know them from front to back, and I've awaited the arrival of this film for seven years now.

I can say with great pleasure that MAX PAYNE (the movie), while changing up some story elements and characters, does the games great justice. John Moore, the definition of hack director, nailed the atmosphere of the games perfectly. Stylistically, it just looked and felt so much like the games I've known, loved, and played through endlessly over the greater portion of the last decade. The film also boasts some seriously beautiful effect shots and cinematography (though not always and the Valkyries were excessive in parts).

MAX PAYNE is essentially a pulpy throwback to noir cinema of the past (intentional ofcourse); the same went for the games. It's not something to be taken seriously despite it's dark and dingy tone, but many critics just didn't understand this. It's baffling that critic's responded so strongly to WANTED and SHOOT EM UP and not to this. In my opinion, this is a better film overall then both of those, and I suspect that if either of those were based on a video game, they would have been hammered aswell.

Acting wise... nothing special, but Mark Wahlberg did make for a good detective Payne. He looked the part and delivered his lines with ease. Beau Bridges makes a welcome return aswell, and Chris "Ludacris" Bridges shows once again that he is a rapper that has serious acting chops (he definately needs to land larger parts). I didn't buy Mila Kunis (coming off of her great work in FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL) as assassin Mona Sax at all though, and Nelly Furtado appears in one scene and shows why she's not an actress (READ: can't act).

But I'm in no way saying the film is perfect. It got off to sort of a slow start, and some will complain about the lack of excessive action in a film of this sort. I admired Moore`s slower approach; it`s better suited to the material, and though the action isn`t non-stop, what is on display is stylish and very well crafted.

So, is this review slightly biased due to my love for the games: Yes. Is MAX PAYNE the best video game to movie crossover to date: You bet. Not everyone will side with my opinion because I think to fully appreciate what Moore has done (with his only above-average film to date) requires prior appreciation for the acclaimed game series. Taking this into consideration, MAX PAYNE is a must see for anyone who has played and liked the games, and a milder recommendation for anyone who hasn`t. I watched every scene with joy... but this is ofcourse do to personal reasons!

(Oh, and there`s a hint of a sequel after the credits. Excited the hell out of me)

Gangster No. 1

Death Race

Every now and then, a sadistically violent, testosterone injected action film (lacking brains, a "good" story, and character development) comes along in all its brawny glory and just works. DEATH RACE is one of those films.

What suprises me most is that the film was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the much bashed shlockmeister behind Mortal Combat and AVP. People have compared him too Uwe Boll as one of the worst directors ever... I never agreed with this. I saw potential in him with EVENT HORIZON, and now DEATH RACE, with it's tight direction, editing, and style makes me curious as to what Anderson will put together in the future. I know he is capable of making good films. Wheater he does or not is up to him.

And we've got an excellent cast here aswell. Jason Statham (who brings his usual charisma, which is far from a bad thing), Ian McShane, and Joan Allen as the villian? Very good decision (though she is slightly underused).

So DEATH RACE isn't high art. No suprise there... but its a first-rate action picture that provides the right amount of thrills and gruesome kills. Hell of a way to end the summer movie season.

Frozen River

A gritty independant gem. FROZEN RIVER feels almost like a documentary, with it's shoe-string budget, HD shakey cam photography, and very believeable performances. A gripping story and lush snow-covered locales reminded me a little of Fargo, but there is no dark comedy, or comedy of any kind here! Expect to be saddened and a little depressed, and you may be truely surprised.



Melissa Leo gives easily one of the best performances this year. Lets see if she's remembered come Oscar time.

Tropic Thunder

Advanced screening:

Tropic Thunder is a film I've anticipated (from it's trailers/ Downey Jr's "Blackface" controversy) for quite awhile, but knowing Ben Stiller's hit (Reality Bites) or miss (Zoolander) directing filmography, I kept my expectations relatively lukewarm. Luckily that wasn't necessary because it's Stiller's best effort as a director to date aswell as one of the best comedies of the year.

Starting with the best fake-trailers this side of Grindhouse, TROPIC THUNDER develops into the most uniquely wacky blend of satire/action/ and gross-out I've ever seen. At first it appears to be a straight-up spoof on popular war films, then it becomes a film within a film, then an attack on Hollywood and the film industry in general. Also present are some rather shocking (and hilarious) sight gags (exploding film-crew members, the brutal slaughter of an endangered species) that managed to catch everyone off gaurd.

The main reason TROPIC THUNDER works so well though is it's stellar ensemble cast. You have the likes of Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, Steve Coogan, and Nick Nolte all turning in terrific comedic performances that they obviously had fun with. Tom Cruise gives the extended cameo of the year as a studio executive, while Tobey Maguire and a slew of other actors make notable appearences. Ultimately it is Downey Jr. who steals almost every scene as the platoon's very white, African-American squad leader.

Rude, witty, and ballsy, TROPIC THUNDER is a great time at the movies. It's hard finding worth-while large budget comedies these days, but DIRECTOR Ben Stiller, supported by a strong cast and a great premise, has proved himself to be the right man for the task. 8/10

Wanted

WANTED is a slick, well acted, and very well made action picture that is almost always entertaining... but it's over-the-top nature (to the point of INSANITY) makes the film lack the heart and soul that many scene try to incorporate. So on a human level, the film just doesn't work.

But the blood-soaked action sequence are the reason most will be at the multiplex in line to see the film anyway, and although they do get repetitive and exhaustive after a while, they are a ton of fun to behold. James McAvoy also makes for a very unique (and suprisingly likeable) action hero.

Mix things up with some very funny dialogue, and WANTED is a film I can easily recommend. But what I'm saying is this; as far as Orgasmic-action romps go... I liked SHOOT 'EM UP more.