SHAME

http://www.artsbeatla.com/category/film/ new review up over at artsbeatla.com


shame.  holy fuck and i meant that literally.

click the link and read please

W.E

new review up over at artsbeat.com,  same getacluesy

visit the link below for my W.E review

http://www.artsbeatla.com/2011/12/madonna%E2%80%99s-w-e/

30 Minutes or Less

30 Minutes or Less 

    When best friends Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) and Chet (Aziz Ansari) hit a rough patch in their long-term friendship one doubts they may ever have the desire to patch things up.  That is until con men strap a bomb to Nick’s chest and force him not only to rob a bank but also to ask for help from the one person he swore never to speak to again.  His ol pal Chet.  Meanwhile bomb men townie losers Dwayne and Travis (Danny McBride and Nick Swardson) plot a dismal yet droll plan to hire an assassin and off Dwayne’s dad affectionately called The Major and awesomely played by Fred Ward.  Seems The Major has been cramping Dwayne’s style by asking him to get off his ass and get a job.   Thus a hit man idea forms at the local strip club.  Two seemingly harmless losers are all of a sudden messing with life and death. 

    The plot ensues and without telling the entire story in my review let me just make it simple.  The movie is great.  Heartfelt and fanciful yet deepened by the strong relationships portrayed on screen by actors smart and talented enough to bring depth to a screwball comedy with a seriously great script.  The screenplay written by Michael Diliberti is his first and actually portrays a sort of untainted Hollywood goodness that often shows up in comedian flicks such as gems like Orange County and Harold and Kumar (also buddy stories with feel good endings.)  

    The absolute highlight of the film is the dare I say genius comedic performance of Michael Peña as Chango, the highly trained assassin.  This was a performance I couldn’t miss one moment of, making it through the entire film without a bathroom break in fear of missing his moments.  Well thought out and character driven, the role was completely unique and obviously sculpted by Pena’s attention to detail and comedic chops.  Aziz’s usual funny man, deer in the headlight antics work well, especially when paired with the very serious and committed Eisenberg (even in a comedy the actor’s emotional  scenes involve involuntary face twitches that only add sincerity to a hilarious script.)

    Amidst the summer blockbusters perhaps the real worth of your 15 bucks lies in the hands of some small town crooks and a couple of dudes aiming to make you laugh.  They succeed.  See it.

Midnight in Paris or All Hail Mr. Allen

    "It’s a place to visit” says the disdainful mother of our hero's fiance which is a tell tale clue of the obstacles charming Owen Wilson as Gil faces with his engagement to haughty Inez played perfectly by Rachel McAdams.  An engagement that promises the thrilling possibilities offered by a connection into an even haughtier right wing republican family who’s catch phrase seems to be “cheap is cheap.”  But a place to visit isn’t good enough for Gil in this beautiful ode to Paris.  It’s in fact a place to stay and a place to make home.  That is for this romantic nostalgia chasing writer so yearning to escape his own reality that he slips into a another more promising one at midnight’s stroke in the glorious world of Paris circa roaring 20s. 

    While struggling with the realization maybe this woman isn’t the woman for him, and that he is thoroughly unsatisfied with his present conditions, Gil willingly enters a world where promise lies in the words of Hemingway, he stumbles upon Dali in an abandoned diner, he finds an editor in Gertrude Stein. Woody Allen’s newest gem of a film captures perhaps his own whimsical fantasy of the lost era of Paris most of us wish to be found in.  The movie opens with a typical Woody stunner, full of the places in Paris you either miss from your visit or know you would love if you got the chance to see the city you’ve dreamed of.  As a huge Woody Allen fan I hemmed and hawed, sighed and cried through the entire film, most likely irritating the bored hipster in front of me who couldn’t appreciate beauty if it wasn’t being blown up or sexualized or if the dialogue wasn’t in the form of the speedy needs for entertainment these days.  He probably came so he could say he had seen Woody Allen’s new film and really liked Sleeper in film class.  The dialogue was in fact perfect, instigating empathetic groans for the common sufferings of man who doesn’t seem to quite fit in.  While its pace wasn’t speedy, I languished in the fleshed out scenes that also featured the absurdly romantic streets of Paris so if you’re bored go away, grow some culture.  There always is an element of “the cheese” in all the best stories, and Woody doesn’t fail to bring it with the telling of his pristine Paris and the historical genius’ it housed.  I find it liberating that a writer/director feels so free in his own work that he could convincingly create a fictional tale and you can walk away feeling like you have had a chance to get to know Ernest Hemingway.  Thank you Woody!  I’ve always wanted to meet Ernest Hemingway.  

    The cast was as eclectic as the characters written in, with a special place in my heart for the beautiful Lea Seydoux and the effervescent Marion Cotillard.  It almost seems unnecessary to single out one actor for as usual Woody has put together a perfect ensemble, with actors who seem to balance each others scales while at the same time work roller coasters into Allen’s inspired writing.  All in all a beautiful fantasy that has you face the reality that perhaps we just weren't made for these times.

True Grit or why did it take me so long to see this film?

    Too often films are overhyped, we all know this problem.  Friends go on for years about how amazing The Kings Speech was or every other facebook post boasts the brilliance of Black Swan and when you finally get the chance to see the damn award winning film, after you muster the energy and the money and the time you arrive at the theatre hopes in hand only to think Oh.  Well quite the opposite in the case of True Grit at least for me.  I heard it was ok.  I heard it was boring (let me try to remember who said that and stop planning play dates with them) I heard many say average but it just goes to show you what allowing yourself your own experience with a film can do for your relationship with that piece of work.  This weekend I took my lazy ass to see True Grit (being that I'm in Brisbane, Australia and every movie playing here is about 2 months behind schedule) anyway I finally saw it.  YIPEETAYAYA.  And I aint kidding.  This was a damn good film.  First and foremost thank you Jeff Bridges (as Rooster Cogburn).  Thank you for sounding like you are chewing marbles.  Thank you for reminding me of my dad even when you are playing a cowboy 120 years ago.  Thank you for swallowing lines so that I cant hear you, yet I smile at what you just said as if it might be the most rousing piece of text yet to be heard.  Thank you for being Jeff Bridges and for making this film just a poofteenth short of being my favorite film of 2010 (Social Network baby!  Winner of this years best picture at the Oscars...oh wait no it wasn't...that's bullshit.)  Jeff Bridges saunters around True Grit like a man who's boots have fit since the day he put 'em on, while it takes the rest of us years to work 'em in.  It's as if Bridges was cowboy-booted as a baby.  And it wasn't just Bridges alone that charmed the pants off me, here comes Matt Damon playing a character role like a character!  I mean we could have brilliantly switched in Carol Brunette, his performance full of gestures and nuances each perfected by comic know how.  Matt Damon as La Bouef starts out in the film a cocky son of a bitch and ends up well a cocky son of a bitch but not without warmth, growth and the charisma cached away in his frown lines alone.  Thank goodness for the Coen Brothers and their magic.  Bringing us movies that are funny and full of characters we wish we knew. Hailee Steinfeld (Mattie Ross) is a boss, girl can act.  I'm not going to say too much about her, let's see how she does in the next film and hope that True Grit wasn't just beginners luck right out the gate.  Barry Pepper (Lucky Ned Pepper) as usual manages to make an lasting impression even with only about 5 lines as well as the always committed Josh Brolin in a grimy turn as the villain Tom Chaney.   True Grit is chock full of surprisingly complex characters who make you laugh and moments warm enough to make you cry.  The sprawling range of land they used for their cowboy trek was stunning and reminds us of life in the wild west, days and nights I'm happy I never had to face.  There was a certain acceleration in the plot that sorta snuck up on itself and I felt as if something was left out of the story which was my one complaint although this can be common to westerns and the only thing it did was leave me wanting more.  Although it may have taken me a long time to get around to seeing True Grit, it wont be long before I want to see it again.

Animal Kingdom or Silent but Deadly

    Quiet but effective Australia's 2010 indie that could, Animal Kingdom stands out with a smart script, a fabulous cast, a strong score and a seducing pace that moves languidly throughout the tale of a crime family struggling to survive against the blood hungry armed robbery forces.  Obviously not an American thriller, Animal Kingdom relies on searing looks as opposed to car chases, on imagery instead of seizure inducing flashes of action. The great thing about foreign films is discovering a new batch of artists to get excited about, this film being no exception with a sampling of Australia's best (including a sturdy performance by more well known Guy Pearce).  Ben Mendelsohn is a powerfully creepy predator playing Pope who seemingly rules the pride stalking his way through scenes like some alley cat you wouldn't want to come to terms with.  His leering sideways glances chilled me to the core, ready to pounce, kill and capable of even more, which left almost too much to the imagination and in a way that added to the thrilling quality of the film.  Jacki Weaver plays the devoted den mother disarmingly endearing with the cold-blooded manner of a lioness that hunts to kill.  Her presence is minimal yet strong and had me one moment wondering what it was that got her nominated for an Oscar and then all of a sudden giggling at the sheer genius of a simple lift of her eyebrow and the entire story it tells of a woman who will stop at nothing to protect her sons and doing so in a behavior that seems natural, stirring her tea amidst the primeval chaotic wilderness her family has created with their crooked ways.  Joel Edgerton as the handsome ill fated, wrong crowd right guy Barry, Sullivan Stapleton as the tough yet fragile brawn, and Laura Wheelwright as the girlfriend who gets unfortunately caught up with the family drama were also compelling in their supporting roles.  Narrator and lead, Jay played by James Frecheville seemed plucked from the streets of any neighborhood at any time, perfect casting for a character that uses a sort of hypnotic monotony to tell its tale in this non assuming thriller that almost allow you to create your own emotional backdrop without forcing overt violence or convoluted plot lines.   He states in the beginning "kids just are where they are and they do whatever they are doing" which simple as it may seem, is a profound description of Animal Kingdom and the family's tale it tells.  Definitely see this unstoppable force about the powerful parallels to a crime family and the eat or be eaten nature of jungle living.

No Strings Attached or No, Just No.

    How does one pontificate on a piece of poop?  I mean scientists can do it, learning about evolution and adaptation all from studying scat.  New mommies do, smelling their babies bottoms, discussing poop patterns at new mommies clubs and calling the Doctor if poop is a different color.  Other than that there isn't much more to say or do save for the occasional potty joke.  Oh except for whoever wrote No Strings Attached.  They had a grand ol time pontificating on poop.  I'm not going to lie and say I didn't laugh, I did.  There's humor here, if period jokes and sad old man on drugs is your kinda giggle.  I cant even make up the fact I smiled at the ease of Portman and Kutcher then automatically frowned at the thought that my five dollars were helping to fill the pockets of two smug actors with enough work and enough money but they just really needed to do a film to show everyone what good friends they are and hey!  acting isn't all about plucking feathers from your skin and stabbing people!  Acting isn't just about gaining fans on twitter and marrying your moms fave actor from the 80s.  Acting is showing people you can feel real emotions like disappointment and betrayal, all in the form of a saturated, one note, predictable from the preview, waste of my time called No Strings Attached.  At the risk of seeming harsh I don't wanna say I didn't enjoy certain moments like oh my god Natalie Portman is gorgeous and Ashton is so dreamy.  To credit the writer there are some clever one liners, I also had a giant laugh over the fact the Cary Elwes was given a part with no lines and a beard.  I asked my friend later if perhaps Portman (executive producer) and Elwes are buddies and when he got wind of her E.P credit he begged for a paycheck.  Unless there's some sort of genius lost scene where Elwes spews a poetic confession of love to Portman in their mentor/student relationship.  Or perhaps another and more interesting film ending where Portman realizes she desires a quiet studious life with the silent doctor who fulfills her request with the one liner "as you wish."  Needless to say none of this occurred.  Cary Elwes had no lines.  Why couldn't they cast a struggling actor with a blond beard and save 10,000 on costs?  Back to the main point, don't pay to see this movie unless you're not on a budget or you can swing over to what we like to call The Ghetts on Victory and Coldwater where a ticket before 6 is $5.50.  Even $5.50 is a bit much to pay for a flinch of charm from some celebrities pretending to fall in love and indulging in almost way too personal sex scenes that seemed written simply for the sole purpose that Kutcher and Portman would get a chance to make out and get paid, in a mostly boring film that at the end of the day was just a big budget piece of crap.  Oh and while we're on the topic of potty humor, I will say this.  I had to pee the entire film.  Why you ask?  I didn't want to go to the bathroom and miss anything.  Take that as you wish.