Blindness

Directed by Fernando Meirelles
Starring Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo and Danny Glover

Sorry no witty title...it was too good! Also got distracted reading the imdb message boards....

SYNOPSIS: Before you read this I highly recommend that you read the book by Pulitzer Prize winning author Jose Saramago of the same name. Basically the plot centers around an outbreak of "blindness" in a small city. In Saramago's book it's a metaphor for human interaction and he probes the depths of what it means to be human in his book.

THE POSITIVE: I don't want to end up talking about the book but it's written almost stream of consciousness without names or punctuation. I was quite surprised when it had been adapted, but didn't go see it because I read critical reviews that panned it. Remind me never to trust critics again. I thought it was beautifully and wonderfully acted by everyone involved. Julianne Moore especially stands out because in the film she is not affected by the outbreak. So of course a lot of the film centers around her and how she copes in a world suddenly without sight. The cinematography was also excellent. Saramago's novel is very visual and the film conveys that through point-of-view shots and steadicam work. There's also a washed out look to most of the film that really works with the tone and subject. Basically I loved it.

I'm going to digress here and talk about my somewhat hypocritcal stance on film adaptations. While I agree a film should stand on its own as a work separate from its literary counterpart that is not to say that it should completely disregard the literary works original style, tone, and substance to achieve that end. This film is a balancing act for me. Since I've read the book I obviously got a lot more out of it than the average user a fact brought home to me when reading the imdb message boards for the film that read WORST FILM EVER. And there's not just one like, there are several. Then upon actually reading what people have to say and discovering that their opinions are completely uninformed and unjustified makes me want to go on a long and extensive rant. Which I am doing right now on this blog since I refuse to post on the message boards. But what was I saying...Oh a balancing act yes. For the average moviegoer this film is not the average movie. It requires a little more understanding to work it out. I'm not in a position to say if without reading the book you could enjoy because I have read the book therefore my opinion on the subject can't really be taken into account, but I do think if you walk into the film with an open mind you can sincerely enjoy it.

Whew! Done that was a long one sorry about that...Also since I like to think of myself as a filmmaker, even though I don't make films. Basically I fantasize about turning movies into books. When I finished this book I had a perfect shot in my head for the ending and guess what? THEY DID IT!! That alone sealed the deal for me liking it.

THE NEGATIVE: There isn't any...it's just so awesome. I guess a negative would be that you have to read a book to fully understand it, but since when is reading a book a bad thing? In fact go read the book right now.

THE VERDICT: Definitely see it! It's on netflix right now!!! With or without having read the book! It's totally awesome!

I give it 5 out of 5*...yes you read that right.

I've Always Hated You: The Invention of Lying

Directed by Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson
Starring Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, and Tina Fey with a whole bunch of cameos...

SYNOPSIS: Imagine a world where no one can lie. Then some dude can. What happens?

THE POSITIVE: I liked all the actors in it. Jennifer Garner is so cute and I love Ricky Gervais. I thought it was well acted. There were also some very good humorous moments.

THE NEGATIVE: It was way too long. The plot made sense in a micro way, but as I left the theater and thought about all the implications of a world without lies it fell through. The concept of the film basically also implies that there is no imagination hence no lying. While this is interesting it doesn't explain how the world evolved. Without imagination most of the inventions we have wouldn't exist. The love story also didn't work for me either. I think Ricky should have not starred in the lead role. I'm so used to him being an unlikable character that it was hard to see him as actually nice. It was also not very funny which is not what I was expecting.

The big "controversy" of the film is that the world never evolved a religion and it also implies that religion is an invention of mankind. While hard core Christians might take offense at this I think that everything in reality is largely an invention. How we perceive ourselves and each other is largely a manifestation of our own particular world views. Sorry to go all pedantic, but it seemed like a moot point to me. It's not treated in a crass way, in fact the genesis of his religion is from a very, unexpectedly, sad and touching moment. I don't think it was meant to make fun of religion, but perhaps to expand our thinking.

THE VERDICT: Even with all the thought-provoking I wouldn't go see it in theaters. I would definitely rent it though. I feel bad for Ricky, but this was not his best work.

I give it 2 out of 5.*

What Kind of Place is Japan Anyway?: The Informant!

Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Starring Matt Damon, Melanie Lynsky, Scott Bakula, and Tony Hale

SYNOPSIS: Based on a true story Mark Whitacre is an executive for a large corn plant or something. He becomes embroiled in an FBI investigation and acts as an informant for the government over corruption in the corn industry. I know what can be corrupt about corn? Oh so so much...

THE POSITIVE: Extremely well-acted. This is a great point for the film since it as very character driven. Most of the action of the plot revolves around Mark Whitacre himself and I think Matt Damon does a superb job in a nuanced role. The film really pivots on Whitacre's testimony and how it eventually unravels. Damon portrays a man on the edge very well, but also a seemingly normal guy caught in a bigger situation. I also love Soderbergh's direction. It's very old school and captures the mood and kind of zaniness of the case very well. The entire cast acts as an excellent straight man to Damon's Whitacre. Really just a superb film

THE NEGATIVE: It's not for the average movie goer. If you're expecting a conclusion or easy answers you're not going to get it in this film. Not everything is packed together nicely, but it works for the film. It was a tad too long, but I really don't have anything negative about it.

THE VERDICT: Really awesome! You should totally go see it! I loved it!

I give it 4 out of 5.*

SPIKE JONZE!!

So a quick post about what I did tonight:



-Went to MoMA and saw Spike Jonze's film about Maurice Sendak and their collaboration: Tell Them Anything You Want

-Heard Sendak and Jonze talk about what inspired them to make Where the Wild Things Are and talk about their friendship

-Watched a short film Spike Jonze and Catherine Keener made for Maurice Sendak's 80th Birthday-sooooo funny!

-Saw a clip from Jonze's new film Where the Wild Things Are (Out Oct. 16th!)

-Saw Julianne Moore, Karen O. (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and Catherine Keener

-Spoke to Maurice Sendak and told him what a fan I was

-Embarrased myself in front of Maurice Sendak because I was told he wasn't doing autographs and I had my sketchbook out

-Ogled Karen O. and Catherine Keener (Julianne Moore skipped out quick) wondering if I should try and get their autographs-I didn't

-Got Spike Jonze's autograph in my sketchbook!!!!!



On an unrelated note I also saw Matthew Morrison, Mr. Schu, from Glee walking down 5th Avenue. It's been a good week. Going to DC this weekend so maybe new posts Tuesday..

Brittan went with me here's a link to her blog post about it: http://brittanclaire.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-met-spike-jonze.html

She rights way more eloquently then me plus she has more pictures!

Let's Celebrate Mediocrity: Whip It!

Directed by Drew Barrymore
Starring Ellen Page, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Wiig, Juliet Lewis and Academy Award Winner Marcia Gay Harden

SYNOPSIS: In the small town in Bodine, Texas Bliss is a lost girl looking for her passion. Her mother forces her to do beauty pageants, but her real talent is in roller derby! Enter motley crew of bad ass roller derby girls! From there the film becomes about Bliss affirming her identity and challenging her town's preconceptions.

THE POSITIVE: Once again Ellen Page manages to blow me away. Her range is great and she really does a great job in this film. The rest of the cast supports her well. Kristen Wiig once again shines being both comedic and dramatic. Drew Barrymore plays a sideline in the film, but it's actually very nice to see an actor-director not insert themselves unnaturally in a film (I'm looking at you M.Night Shyamalan!) I also thought the story was well written and executed. It managed to be both light-hearted and touching at the same time.

THE NEGATIVE: I thought this film could have done with some editing. It was a little too long. There seems to be a trend going on with longer films, but this story could have been told in less time. Even though I found the story interesting I knew where it was going. I don't know if this is just me, but it seems like every movie I've seen recently has been a little unexciting. While I liked this film I didn't really get very excited by it.

THE VERDICT: I think it's a cute story and despite my qualms it's worth seeing. So go support Drew's directorial debut at the box office!

I give it 3 out of 5.*

i Haven't Cried Like That Since TItantic: Zombieland

Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin

SYNOPSIS: In a world run by zombies 4 unlikely heroes set out on an adventure across the country or something like that. I don't know. It's hard to explain.

THE POSITIVE: It was quite funny and the acting was great. Plus a surprise cameo will leave you laughing! Normally I'm not a fan of narration, but Jesse Eisenberg provided a lot of the humor in the movie. I also liked the comedy style and its overarching theme. The cinematography was excellent as well. There was a lot of zombie killing as well! I love zombie killing!

THE NEGATIVE: I thought it was a little too long and I saw a lot of scenes that could be cut. I also thought the plot was formulaic, but that can be fun especially when it's a little subversive. More killing would have been appreciated, did I mention I love zombie killing?

THE VERDICT: It's a fun movie! I think it's worth the $12.50 to go see it. Plus Jesse Eisenberg is so cute in a nerdy way.

I give it 4 out of 5.*