Tag: movies

Movie review: 21 Jump Street

*** 21 Jump Street (May 2012) – Rental

21 Jump Street posterJonah Hill, Channing Tatum. Two rookie police officers get assigned to go undercover as high school students to find the source of new dangerous drug.

She says: This is one of the stupid comedies that works, partly because it’s not totally stupid. It is far-fetched, but it’s hard not to enjoy the self-reflexive in-jokes and some inspired guest casting. And the premise that what is cool at high school today—environmental consciousness, sensitivity to gay rights, earnestness—is very different from what was cool ten years ago feels kind of true (though how the heck would I know, at my age) and definitely makes for some funny moments. Was is it with American movies and the idolizing of male friendships, though? Wow…

He says: You liked that? It was kind of stupid, wasn’t it?

[She adds: And y’all think I’m the movie snob…]

Movie review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Once in a while we go see a blockbuster…

Star Trek Into Darkness poster*** Star Trek Into Darkness (May 2013) – Theatre

Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana. The second movie in the Star Trek reboo. The Federation itself is attacked, and the Enterprise is sent on a mission of vengeance that doesn’t sit well with all the crew.

She says: Not quite as good as the first in this series, I don’t think, but I still enjoyed this outing. The characters, plotting, and ethical issues are richer than in many action movies, making it more enjoyable to me—even though at least one plot twist was just too easy to guess, kinda ruining one dramatic moment for me (though I won’t spoil it, regardless). I still find it funny that much of the action in this a sci fi series just involves fisticuffs—shouldn’t there be light sabers or something? :-)—but I guess that’s an homage to the original Star Trek.

As for the change from the original in how the villain was handled; well, I don’t remember at all what the original story was (although I know I saw that movie, but it’s been years), so gotta say that it didn’t bother me in the least.

He says: That was good; I enjoyed it. It wasn’t terribly intellectual or anything, but it kept me entertained.

Movie reviews: The Sapphires and My Idiot Brother

Both these movies are comedic, and built around family dynamics.

The Sapphires poster

***½ The Sapphires (March 2013) – Theatre

Chris O’Dowd, Deborah Mailmen, Jessica Mauboy. A group of singing Australian aboriginal sisters are discovered by British talent scout who encourages them to sing R&B, and gets them a gig in Vietnam.

She says: The setting of this movie in the 60s give it a certain cool factor (oh, the fashion!) and the location of Vietnam gives it real thrills at times (oh, the bombs!). But the core is three sisters and their once-estranged cousin dealing with the legacy of racism that has left them scarred, but also able to access and convey the pain and fight in R&B music, just as their new British manager insists.

Loosely based on a true story, the movie features love stories, great musical interludes, and a lot of comedy with a good dash of drama. It’s an independent film that’s well worth seeking out.

He says: OK, now I’m glad you brought me to the movies! That was really enjoyable. I’m not sure which sister was my favorite character, but that Julie sure had quite the voice.

Our Idiot Brother movie poster

*** Our Idiot Brother (August 2011) – Rental

Paul Rudd, Zoe Deschanel, Emily Mortimer. Ned is a good guy, but his innate trust of others sometimes lands him in trouble, even jail. His sisters take turns housing him in his time of need, and find him disrupting their lives.

She says: Ned is not really an idiot, but the fact he insists on trusting other people despite getting burned does put him in contrast with his three sisters’ approach to life. This is a strong cast, and it’s fun watching them interact as Ned’s natural openness tears open information they would prefer be kept secret. It’s not a wildly inventive movie, but there are worse ways to spend your time.

He says: Entertaining enough, though some of the situations got kind of uncomfortable. (And sometimes he was a bit of an idiot.)

Movie review: Silver Linings Playbook

We did not see too many of the Oscar-nominated movies this year, but can now add another to the list.

Silver Linings Playbook poster

***½ Silver Linings Playbook (April 2013) – Theatre

Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence. Pat Solatano leaves the mental hospital he entered on a plea bargain with a determination to rebuild his life with his wife. The slightly unstable Tiffany offers to help, if he’ll do something for her.

She says: This movie works by putting a new spin on the romantic comedy. With both lead characters dealing with some degree of mental illness, and one still married, the barriers are real. The movie also feels more real than your average rom-com: The mental illness, the family dynamics, are not always pretty, not always comfortable.

Both Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are very good in their roles, and they’re surrounded by quite the cast, including Robert DeNiro and Julia Stiles. The dark moments are effectively balanced with humorous, and I love movies that include great scenes about learning to dance! I went in not knowing too much about this one, despite its acclaim, and came out quite the fan.

[I have to preface this part by saying that I gave Jean a very poor (and not so accurate) synopsis of what this movie was about. And he hadn’t heard anything else about it.]

He says: God, I liked that so much more than I was expecting! It was kind of sexy, in a weird way (for a movie with no sex), and had good acting, with an interesting relationship and story. It was actually a really good movie!

Movie review: Secret Things

Secret Things poster*** Secret Things (April 2003) – Rental

Coralie Revel, Sabrina Seyvecou. Two young women band together to use their powers of seduction to take advantage of a wealthy, powerful man. Only to find the tables turn…

She says: By the time zip.ca sent this to me, I had no recollection of why I’d added it to my zip list, except for a fuzzy idea that Roger Ebert might have covered it. Reading the description on the envelope, I was expecting it to be kind of trashy, and kind of bad. But hopefully in a fun way.

And it did open on a big, erotic strip tease. But overall, it really wasn’t that trashy. It was definitely aspiring to be kind of arty, with all this religious and other symbolism. And despite all the nudity (attractive people of both sexes), it wasn’t all that sexy, either.

Also, it was French (with subtitles, though the translations weren’t always quite spot on). Another thing I wasn’t expecting.

But overall, I found it pretty interesting. A story of people using each other in often cruel ways, it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But I didn’t mind it at all, despite it being nothing like what I was expecting.

He says: Definitely more arty than trashy. Pretty girls, but not a very sexy movie. But yeah, it held my interest. Not a bad movie at all.

Movie review: Side Effects

*** Side Effects (February 2013) – Theatre

Side Effects movie poster

Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Twisty story featuring a young woman with depression, her husband released from prison after serving his sentence for insider trading, and the woman’s current and former psychologists.

She says: I never could guess where this one was going, as the power and viewpoint shifted from one character to another. The side effects of the title refer to the fact that all the medications the young woman takes to manage her depression have side effects, and one in particular gets the plot moving through its disturbing paces.

I don’t want to say too much as the whole fun of this movie is watching the elaborate plot unfold, but it struck me in particular how the story says your sympathies should shift from one character to another as secrets are revealed, that doesn’t quite happen. Instead, you really end up sympathetic to no one, just shaking your head at how people can be.

He says: OK, yes, that was enough plot. And no, I didn’t guess how it would go. It was just mind-bending following all that.

Movie review: Crazy, Stupid Love

Crazy, Stupid Love poster***1/2 Crazy, Stupid Love (July 2011) – Rental

Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. After 25 years of marriage, Emily tells Cal she’s had an affair and wants a divorce. He moves out and meets Jacob, a ladies’ man, who offers to coach him in the single life.

She says: The base plot doesn’t sound like much to work with, but this movie was very entertaining. It was often laugh-at-loud funny (in the right places) and featured a number of plot twists I did not expect, yet seemed to work in retrospect. For so much talk of sex throughout, it wasn’t particularly sexy, but I must say I totally get the Ryan Gosling thing now. Wow.

And, you know, good acting by him, and by all involved in this one.

He says: That was a funny movie! I really liked it. Interesting that the most mature character was probably the 17-year-old girl.

Movie review: Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Jiro Dreams of Sushi poster***1/2 Jiro Dreams of Sushi (July 2012) – Rental

Japanese documentary about the 85-year-old chef at the best sushi restaurant in the world.

She says: Jiro Ono works to perfect the art of making sushi. That’s all he’s done his adult life, and that’s all he wants to continue to do. This documentary tells his story, shows some of his food preparation techniques, and reveals the challenging situations his two sons are in, having followed their father into the same profession. The oldest is 50 and still waiting to be master chef, as his father has no intention of retiring. The younger has opened a companion restaurant.

The sushi really does look amazing and you get very hungry watching this, while knowing that anything called sushi that you get around here is not going to compare. Tuna is very much prized ingredient by the chef, and I wondered if they would touch on the over-fishing issue; they did, and in a way that made these types of chefs appear to not be the problem. (They are conscious of the issue, buy only what they need, when they need it, and with the small restaurant always to capacity and serving some of the world’s best food, nothing is wasted.)

Not that much happens in this film, and yet it’s fascinating—at least to a foodie, I suppose.

He says: We have no idea what real sushi is. And we’ll probably never find out.

Movie review: Iron Man

Iron Man poster*** Iron Man (April 200) – Rental

Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow. Wealthy genius weapons manufacturer changes direction after being kidnapped in Afghanistan.

She says: I got interested in this after seeing The Avengers, because Iron Man was perhaps my favorite character in the movie. I found the Afghanistan setting and the look at the US military industrial really interesting for a “superhero” movie—gave it more depth. I was also struck by the fact that Tony Stark was such a nerd. Yes, despite being a very charming, extremely handsome, and wealthy man who therefore has no trouble attracting the ladies. The fact remains he has no friends, and seems happiest spending hours alone in his basement, playing with his tech.

The downside would be that it was a bit slow in parts, and the villain of the piece was of the bwah-ha-ha unsubtle variety.

He says: Not too bad. A bit slow at times. I really liked the character of Pepper. I’d probably give it 2 and half or three stars.

Movie reviews: Argo and Life of Pi

Just coincidentally, the last two movies we saw were Roger Ebert’s Number 1 and 2 picks for the year. (Also just realized that both have Canadian connections…)

Argo poster***½ Argo (October 2012) – Theatre

Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Viktor Garber. Six Americans escaped from the embassy in 1979 at the start of the hostage crisis, getting refuge from the Canadian ambassador. This movie focuses on the American ruse used to get them out.

She says: We saw this late, so I was looking out for a diminishment of the Canadian role in this, anticipating the tension of watching the actual escape, though we all know it succeeded. I found the Canadian treatment not as bad as it might have been; it was at least clear the ambassador and his wife were putting themselves at risk in this venture. And the series of check points on the way out of Iran did, indeed, quite effectively build tension.

And it is a really interesting story, that I hadn’t known before, that a faux movie was the pretext used for them being there (as Canadians), and that the American involvement was long covered up for the sake of the remaining hostages. While I’m sure the facts were “Hollywood-ized”, it’s still good to know them. Unlike the fake Argo, this Argo was a well-made movie.

He says: It kind of got on my nerves that every point of the escape was a cliffhanger, down to the plane being chased. But I couldn’t help get caught up in it anyway. And I agree that the Canadian treatment didn’t seem that bad.

Lie of Pi poster***½ Life of Pi 3D (October 2012) – Theatre

Suraj Sharma, Gérard Dépardieu, Tabu. A young man leaving India with his family and their zoo animals survives a shipwreck, ending up with a Bengal tiger as a companion.

She says: I had not read the book, so really did not know what to expect from this apparently philosophical movie about a young man on a raft with tiger. How is that a movie? Do he and the tiger talk?

This sounds strange, given the premise, but the movie was a lot more realistic that I was expecting. For one, it’s not really a spoiler to say that the tiger doesn’t talk; the tiger is a tiger. And their time on the life boat is much more about the details of survival than I was expecting: how to get sufficient food, water, and sun protection, while not being eaten by a tiger. It’s certainly an odd story, but very compelling. The final riddle, of which story you believe, definitely stuck with us.

And the movie is gorgeous. My eyes are unbalanced, so I’m never sure if I see 3D as well as other people, but there’s no doubt I could see the depth in some scenes. The underwater cinematography was particularly impressive.

He says: I wasn’t sure about this one, but I ended up really liking it—the photography, the tiger story… I’m probably missing the themes, or whatever, but I enjoyed the movie.