Meanderings of a Film Lover

I thought it was very funny. For all the movies that claim to be the best comedy of the year, this one is certainly winning.

It has happened to all of us.  That tragic, tragic day when your favorite show gets canceled, it is never an easy loss, but sometimes it is far before its time and never really given a chance at all which makes it that much harder to say good bye.  So here are my Top 5 shows given the boot far too soon.  It was a hard one to narrow down, as pretty much any show I like is guaranteed to be canceled.

5. Arrested Development-

This show only had one problem.  It was ahead of its time.

4. Samantha Who?



I loved this show.  I am still baffled by how shows like "Desperate Housewives" and "Two and 1/2 Men" stay on, and this very funny and endearing comedy gets canceled.

I find it baffling that the powers that be in the movie and televsion biz don't understand the concept "too much of a good thing". We all know that the best characters in a movie is usually the zany wacky off the wall character.  That doesn't mean we want to see more of them though, the reason that they are so good is that they don't over stay their welcome.  With "Get Him to the Greek" recent release based off of the Aldous Snow character from "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" to the newly announced plans for a Less Grossman movie based on the character from "Tropic Thunder".  While both of the original films were very funny and the characters are funny in their own right.  Neither of them has the depth to carry a movie in my opinion.  Trust me, I saw "Get Him to the Greek"  and between the occasional laugh, was mostly boredom.  TV is no exception.  I love Sue Sylvester on "Glee", really the only thing I like about the show, but put her in more than 25% of the episode and it has gone into overkill mode with her. Kenneth on 30 Rock, also has gone into too much of a good thing category. Can I be the only one who doesn't need a character shoved down my throat in order to enjoy them?  Why can't the entertainment industry grasp the "Leave them wanting more" concept?    

Probably the most impressive movie I have ever seen considering the non existent budget.

The rumor mill has started again on the casting of the next Batman movie. With a array of great villains to cast, it looks like the Riddler is going to be our next villain. Like the Joker, he has a bad rep. Most people remember his portrayal from the campy Batman series of the 60's, or the laughable Jim Carrey. We all know if there's anyone that can give back Edward Nigma's balls, it's Chris Nolan.

Best known for his question mark bowler hats, and 1st grade riddles, Edward Nigma is far more than a laugh. A detective in his own right, with an intelligence that rivaled even Batmans, he recently switched sides to help the caped crusader solve some of the murders plaguing Gotham.

With the news that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is on this short list to play the Riddler, lets take a look at why he would be a great choice.

Brick   One of the best films of 2005, Brick, a noir set in high school revolving around, what else, a murder. If you've never seen it, i suggest renting it this weekend. I must warn you, it's not for the average viewer. The language is thick in 50's crime book lingo, and sometimes leaves you saying, "What did that whole conversation mean?". But I promise you, it's well worth the watch.

The Lookout  The trailer may show your typical memory loss/bank robbery story. But I promise you, the performances from the whole cast makes this a must see Joseph Gordon Levitt film.

In a time when it seems we have no good young actors to replace the last generation, Mr. Levitt separates himself from the herd, and establishes his force on the silver screen. It's not just that he is perfect for the Riddler, he's in a class all his own. He's an actor that makes you feel good knowing that the best actors aren't behind us, they're standing right there on the screen, we just need to look harder.

I think I may have already found my favorite movie of the year.  "Cemetery Junction" is the latest collaboration between Steve Merchant and Ricky Gervais, and possibly the best comedic pairing since Laurel and Hardy.  This venture veers somewhat from the norm of what we usually see from them as "Cemetery Junction" is quite heartwarming.
The premise is not a complex one.  Set in the 70's, three friends who have grown up together in a small town now struggle with accepting or changing the circumstances of their lives.  The performances by all are solid, lots of young British unknowns anchored by veteran actors Ralph Fiennes and Emily Watson.
I have read quite a lot of reviews for this film which slam it for being to Hollywood in the depiction of times, and blowing over how tough it was in England in the 70's.  Now I am not British and also was not even alive in the 70's, but this movie, I thought did a great job expressing the social transition of the 70's. Maybe it wasn't as grim as the 70's actually were, but this movie was not about being grim. More importantly it honestly showed the struggle of young 20 somethings having to make the decision of what they wanted their lives to be.  A topic that is timeless. I don't know anyone who knew exactly what they wanted at 20, even though we are lead to believe that we should.  All I know is that you can't ask for more of a movie than walking out of it and feeling happy and hopeful.  That is exactly the reaction that it evoked in me, so I will ignore all the nay sayers that don't think it was depressing enough. It is a British "Garden State" without all the pompous pretense.

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Iron Man 2


            The only thing cooler than hot rod red and yellow? Chrome. The end.

Harry Brown has gotten US distribution and will be in theaters for everyone in the states to enjoy on April 30th.  Mark it on your calendars, you won't be sorry.... unless you want to watch a romantic comedy.  In that case you will be very disappointed.

The Losers, which was released this weekend, though based on the graphic novel of the same name is basically a rehash of the A Team.  CIA black ops agents get double crossed by flamboyant bad guy and they go renegade to clear their names.   Not by any means a ground breaking concept and not by any means executed in a ground breaking manner, but I did enjoy it.  It was fun and mindless, and I thought the cast turned in some very likable performances.
  I feel I can't really judge this movie too harshly, because lets be honest we don't go to movies like this to be impressed.  I will say that had I hated the cast, this movie would have been unbearable. Aside from an unnecessarily camp performance by Jason Patric as the bad guy, and an incredibly forced love story between Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Zoe Saldana, the rest of the character interactions are easy going and mostly playful.  I was begrudgingly impressed with Chris Evans who did pull off the comic relief for the film, so who knew he could do more than just be hot?! I think that Idris Elba turns in a note worthy performance for most of the movie... until the very end when his story just kind of fell apart.
So, yes, this movie has its plot holes, and clichéd characters, but is it fun to watch? Yes.  As long as you leave reason and sense at home.

So here is my list of the best movies that no one, or mostly no one bothered to see last year.  I will come off as a bit of an Anglophile in it cause it is a bit British heavy, but what can I say, I think they just make better films.  Also, it should be noted that Pirate Radio is not on the list simply because I think we have sung its praises enough on this blog.

5. Fantastic Mr. Fox

 Wes Anderson managed to make an animated movie that was still so true to his style and voice.  I was incredibly impressed by it.  Probably the more popular of the movies listed, but I still think that there are far too many people who have not gotten to enjoy it!

With Captain America searching for its leading man, I thought we could take some time to divulge in some fantasy casting, Batman style. Below are my top 5 picks for the next batman movie villains.


5. Harley Quinn: Although Joker is dead, this villain is likely never to see the light of the silver screen. Missed opportunity.

Pick of the week: Carriers

If you plan on watching the remake, you should check out the original.

Playing off of Leah's recent pick of the week, I've decided to compile my top 5 reasons to see Pirate Radio, or for you British readers, The Boat That Rocked. Which, really, is a much better title but that's neither here nor there. I will also say that five things are as un-spoiler-ish as possible as I'm looking to design the list to get you to see the film and not to have to not to need to see the film. Right? Okay.

Seriously, why are so many pairings in movies and T.V. shows featuring pudgy, mediocre to not attractive at all men with super hot chicks?!  Why in the movie industry are men allowed to look however they please , but even the women they are paired with have to spend 2 hours a day at the gym.   Lets do some real casting people.  If you have a half witted, fat, balding man, he is not going to be married to Rashida Jones, or Jennifer Aniston.  What is the purpose behind this? No one is buying that these women would ever really be with these men. Probably just because movies are written by half witted, fat, balding men.  I want justice! Or at the very least some average looking ladies being cast with Taye Diggs, and Simon Baker!  

It's been many years since I've read the original novel by Oscar Wilde. My memory is fuzzy on some of the details, so I will stick to just reviewing this work of film.

First off, the casting was superb. I want to dislike Colin Firth, I try with all my being, but I just can't do it. He's too good. He plays Henry Wotton, the Lord that takes Dorian under his wing, and shows him the way of the world. Drinking, Opium, Prostitutes, Funny looking masks, all in a days fun for Mr.Wotton. Dorian, the timid protagonist reluctantly joins in. It doesn't take long for him to lose his innocence, and embrace the seedy underworld of London. Mr. Gray falls for the amateur actress Sibyl, and you start to believe, maybe this is the end to his vagrancy. But alas, he tosses her aside in a quick minute, to follow Wotton down the rabbit hole. Oh, yeah, there's a painting in there. Right. Almost forgot. But if I have to mention that "The portrait of Dorian Gray" involves a painting that captures his soul, so he can remain ever young, and unscarred, then you should read the book first.

LEAH"S PICK OF THE WEEK

This is a very cute very well done sweet comedy.  Reminds me a little of "That Thing You Do"

Hi, I'm Russel.

Anne Fontaine directs this biopic about the one and only Coco Chanel. It is not an expansive story following her throughout the years, but more, a very specific snippet of how Coco Chanel became “Coco Chanel”.  With Audrey Tatou starring as the ever so elegant and somewhat cold Coco, it is impossible to not enjoy the film.  She brings the steely and calculated Coco to life, all the while showing us a tragic and fragile person just underneath the surface.  You do not need to be a fan of fashion, or this iconic woman to appreciate the story being told.  It is the tale that the French do best.  A strong and stubborn woman picks herself up and forges her way to defy all odds and social classes barring her wit and her soul to make herself her own woman.

If you were a fan of Band of Brothers, then be sure to tune in tonight to HBO. The Pacific airs, in all it's glory.

How is it in movies people always know who is calling?  Even more mysterious without ever discussing a meeting place or time all the characters show up at the correct location, at exactly the right time.  Are people in movies psychic over the phone? Next time you are viewing a movie, pay attention to the inevitable scene on the  phone.  96.4% (actual statistic) of the time it will go a little something like this

*ring, ring*
Person A: Hey what's up?
Person B: Nothing much, what are you up to?
Person A: I was thinking about getting a burrito later on.
Person B: Sounds good, I'll see you there.
*click*

Oh yeah... Did I mention no one says goodbye on the phone in movies?!  What is up with that?  

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One of the many scenes that became funnier, the more and more you watched it. Who hasn't stood in an elevator, and reenacted this scene with friends.

How does one whittle down there favorite scenes to just five? Here is my best attempt to do so. These are not iconic scenes, that would be a different list. Just five scenes I personally love, not really in any particular order

5. Bar/bedroom scene between George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in "Out of Sight". I love the editing of this scene and the voice over. Made what would be a very trite bar meeting and hook up intriguing to watch.

Don't we all just have opinions we have to share?  In this age of technology, we have the very special opportunity to do just that.  Cause I am pretty sure at least 10 people woke up this morning thinking to themselves, "I wonder how Sueko feels about that?" Delusional on my part?  Maybe, but I find that highly unlikely.  So I would like to give the people what they want, and since the one thing that really gets me fired up is film and television those are precisely the thoughts I shall impart.
I will also be asking my fellow film buff friends; actors, editors, and directors all, to take part.  Hope you enjoy!