Wayne's Talk

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

My absolute fav A&C. A classic. Luv Bela & Lon always.

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.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A holiday classic. My fav Charlie Brown, of course.

Muriel ou Le Temps d'un Retour (The Time of Return)

Resnais pushes his fragmentary editing and framing to the extreme, shattering spacial and temporal continuity in an essentially linear story in order to convey the characters' emotional turmoil. Rapid jump cuts between characters occupying different frames and setting along with the overlapping dialogue over these montages convey the character's psychological disconnection to the present. There are no establishing shots and the 180 degree rule is thrown out the window. It is essentially a character study of the two characters, one haunted by his experiences in the Algerian War, one obsessed by a past love. Sacha Vierny creates some gorgeous Antonioni-like shots of landscapes and architecture. The ending is comparable to that of L'Eclisse.