New Moon

Kids, if there's only one lesson you learn from Shakespeare, consider making it this one. Before you decide to kill yourself over the untimely demise of your one true love, take the extra time to make really, really sure they're dead. Yes, I get it - some of the spontaneity will be gone if you don't off yourself immediately. Either via the conveniently left draught of poison or handing yourself off the the council of vampires that will take care of things for you. But seriously, isn't that loss of romantic immediacy worth it given the possibility of mixed messages causing you to get it wrong. That Edward almost makes this amateur mistake is pretty surprising. All those years and he's never read Romeo and Juliet - or seen an episode of Three's Company? Maybe that's just the difference between reading and understanding.

For those living under a rock or interred at Guantanamo Bay the last several years the film New Moon is the cinematic version of the second in the Twilight series of books. In this universe main character Bella has a torrid, yet until the very end unconsummated (and seriously co-depended relationship) with a much older man. That he's a 109 year old occasionally sparkly vampire makes it interesting and not quite as creepy as it sounds. OK, still pretty creepy and I could probably fill an entire post and a half about how it seems to me a really bad role model for today's youth. But to quote my enabler on this whole Twilight thing, "the books are terrible ... you must read them!" Truer words have never been spoken.

In the latest installment of the series we join the cast of characters fairly soon after the end of the last film. Edward and his vampire "family" have saved Bella from danger, she's back at school and the two of them are an item. Did I mention he and most of the extended vampire clan are still in High School (for the 10th time)? - if that doesn't scream village of the damned I don't know what does. She's seriously stressed about aging compared to Edward and is consistently bugging him to "change her." He, ever the gentleman is worried about her virtue, errr, I mean soul and playing seriously hard to get. Bella's seems generally annoyed throughout the film - about the whole refusing to turn her into the undead thing, people giving her birthday gifts, and/or (possibly) the extremely heavy handed use of metaphor throughout the film. After a nearly life threatening paper cut at her 18th birthday party (long story - she bleeds, is almost killed by Jasper a family member with bloodlust control issues and sporting the worst hair style since William H. Macy in Bart Got a Room forcing Edward to save her - OK, not so long) Edward decides the best thing he can do is split town to ensure she's not hurt by him. Conveniently forgetting he's also supposed to stick around to protect her from the evil vamps that still want to kill her from the first film. Regardless, he jets out of town with only the lamest of explanations leaving Bella in a near suicidally depressed stupor. It's so bad that she doesn't even notice the camera crew circling around slowly for 3 months to document the change of seasons over several months out her window as she sits catatonically in a chair.

Eventually she gets herself out of the house and starts spending time with Jacob - the son of her father's friend and the other hearthrob of the film. His presence helps her deal with her grief and loneliness. Unfortunately, his sexual frustration turns him into a werewolf. But that's good, because becoming a werewolf (along with other young men of his tribe similarly shirt challenged) keeps the area relatively safe from vampires. Meanwhile Bella realizes that putting herself in dumb and dangerous situations causes her to see visions of Edward warning her through exceedingly cheesy special effects which sounded somewhat more reasonable in the book when you didn't have to actually look at them. So of course being Bella she consistently seeks out these situations in order to see him more. Until a super contrived situation causes Edward to think she's dead. At which point he goes to Italy to try to die at the hands of the vampire elite. This is all important in the book, but may be confusing to someone who hasn't read it. But that's OK - because clearly there are enough people who have to carry the movie. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, as the later books are quite a bit better. Hey, I said this was entertaining - not that it makes a lot of sense...

There's lots of guys running around half naked, turning into werewolves plus over the top vampire vamping. Not to mention lots of teenage moping. So basically, a little something for everyone short of zombies. I'm not going to bother getting seriously into the details as either you likely already know the entire story, don't really care, or are still planning to see the film and deserve to have some surprises.

While I seem to be physically incapable of writing seriously about this film you shouldn't mistake that for me saying it's bad. For fans I'd put it in the B range. That said, I definitely enjoyed the first movie more than the second. It's hard for me say why exactly, but I largely suspect that it's because I hadn't read any of the books before seeing the first one. So I was able to experience it without fully knowing where it was going and revel both in it's charms and equally entertaining weak points. But if you didn't enjoy the first film I can't see why you'd like New Moon. Just for contrast - If you want to experience what a truly negative review sounds like I'd encourage you to try this one - while you may agree or disagree I think you'd have to definitely put it in the not boring category.

Almost forgot - I was pleasantly surprised to see that I recognized from personal experience the theater where Bella and guy pals go to see "Face Punch" - it's actually the Ridge Theater in Vancouver, Canada. I've been there previously as it's a venue for VIFF - the lobby is pretty distinctive. Though rarely (at least in my limited experience) has werewolves in attendance.



Screening notes: In order to try and get the full communal madness effect I went to see New Moon at a midnight screening Thurs night. On the downside seeing it so late and after two films in the SIFF New Italian Cinema series left me dragging myself to through all of Friday. But I did get to see it with a packed house full of folks that screamed their heads off every time a shirtless wolf pack member appeared onscreen. As well as every time Robert Pattinson appeared onscreen to hone his presentation for upcoming auditions in mumblecore dramas. It also meant I waited on the longest line I've seen since Superman played at the Kings Plaza mall in Brooklyn. In this case though without my cousin Kenny to help out I actually waited on the line. It was actually sorta fun - the line moved quickly once they got started even though it went from the third floor in Bellevue Square Lincoln Center all the way down to the garage levels (picture to the left). They seemed to fill every one of the large theaters in the facilities entry area - which must number in the several thousand seats. I think this movie may make some money after all.

Amelia

Sunday night I finally decided to go see the Amelia Earhart biography starring Hilary Swank and directed by Mira Nair. The film has some pluses. Overall it's a good story, the flying footage is beautifully shot and Hilary Swank seems well suited to the role. But it's not what I would call a very engaging film - with the exception of the finale which manages to pull drama out of an ending that we all know is coming. The rest of the time it's a fairly run of the mill bio-pic with occasionally very simplistic dialog of an 'old timey film' nature. I just never felt I got a sense of connection with the characters or felt I understood their experiences any better than I would from reading a high level account of Earhart's life. Not at all bad - just uninspiring. Which given the nature of who it's about is somewhere between ironic and sad.

Pirate Radio

Based on true events (at least according to the film) concerning the availability of Rock & Roll on British Radio in the mid to late 60's. Public airwaves would play none of it. The only free access to it was via unlicensed transmitters playing it from floating stations anchored offshore. According to the film the people loved it and the government hated it. Today they'd probably just send in goons from the RIAA with government backing. But apparently in the 60's they'd just impotently fume about it for most of the film until they passed a law to shut it down in time for a dramatic showdown to provide some much needed excitement on the last reel.

I had real hopes for this film. I wasn't expecting high art. But with a killer soundtrack, some good actors and a claimed pedigree including Four Weddings and a Funeral's "creators" at least decent writing. The soundtrack basically is there - though played in fairly short segments - generally too short to really get into the music. The bigger problem is that I was, for lack of a fancier word, uninterested. Even bored at times. It's almost as though they spent so much licensing the great music there wasn't anything left to write the script. Or maybe it's just that heroic DJ's are a hard sell to me. Little is done in the way of character development - so maybe I could care more but I don't have the incentive to here. Good music, a few solid moments, but largely (and sadly) forgettable. 'nuff said

2012

First a warning. Normally I try to avoid any spoilers in my film notes. But in this case I'm going to break my own rule. So read at your own risk.

The film is about the end of the world and the funniest film about the death of billions of people you're ever likely to see. It seems the Mayans were right and the world ends in 2012 -sort of. Humanity gets a tip off ahead of the end through a government scientist (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who has outsourced the actual research to an academically superior group in India. Based on this early knowledge the government springs into action led by Oliver Platt playing a chief of staff type role and the film's designated government ass. They have a plan - it's not a perfect one, but it's biblically themed enough for them to try and wrap a two and a half hour script around it.

In addition to those officially anointed to be saved (government types and rich people) there are the "regular guy" stories we follow along with throughout the film. Included amongst these stories is that of John Cusack who through hrough a series of coincidences that would make Dickens blush and movie star luck finds out about the apocalypse (partially from Woody Harrelson in his 2nd best role of the year) and tries to save his extended family. Which includes of course his cute kids, ex-wife and her new husband. Bet you can guess how that turns out...

The film makes a half hearted swipe at the "big questions." Such as 'How will mankind react?', 'Is there a solution to stop the disaster?', and will Oliver Platt once again play a character marginalized in the final moments of the film? All to be somewhat answered if you're willing to commit 2.5 hours of your time. Though frankly, mostly it's about watching stuff blow up / disintegrate while we're encouraged to worry about 3-4 people surviving as we watch millions die around them. The caring about all of them is a hard sell at times when one of them is
Amanda Peet.

It's a technically well made film, with a goofy script that the actors try to play straight - mostly to comic effect. The special effects are quite good and while I was admittedly laughing as the ex-husband with no flying experience piloted a plane out of California while dodging falling buildings I did stop to acknowledge it was realistic looking lunacy. Almost all of it is pretty darn predictable. Right down to the scientist's inevitable relationship with the President's daughter in true Love Boat "love for Isaac" episode fashion. I am impressed though that this may be the first end of the world disaster film with a hook at the end for a sequel (wherein what remains of the world super powers head off to re-exploit Africa with due to their imperialist leanings and possible technical dominance).

At times though the viewing experience was akin to putting your head in a bucket and having people kick it for two and a half hours only to have it fall off periodically so you can wonder out-loud, "is that Danny Glover playing the president?" Didn't they get the memo that sci-fi is now moving on to female presidents?

All said though I liked it more than I thought I would - though admittedly went in with sub basement expectations. One could do worse than seeing 2012 - I'm surprised to see myself write. I just wish the'd given this one to Werner Herzog - he might have turned in a true masterpiece. There's a point towards the end that I felt exhibited a dire need for random iguanas. Oh - and perhaps Jeff Goldblum and his alien fighting Mac laptop. Especially when the guys next to me punctuated an on screen speech with their own conclusion of "this will be our Independence Day." (which for the record was way better than the script's line)

Outside of the film itself - Someday I'd almost like to see Oliver Platt in a film where people actually listen to him. Though I'm not really sure if I feel bad for him or I'm channeling feelings for Bill Richardson when I say that.

Screening notes: this was a huge screening in terms of turnout. Was very skeptical about making it in once I saw the line. But thanks to TVOROnFilm who both provided the invite and good company on the queue everything worked out.

Almost forgot some other fun things in the film. Such as when Cusack reprises a line from Say Anything asking his wife if she remembered what having fun was. And the ability to get product placements in for both bed wetting aids for young kids AND Bentley motors into the same film. I could go on and on - but I'm going to force myself to stop here.

The Damned United

First off, I think it has to be said that it's possible you might like this movie a lot more if one's a big soccer fan. Overall I'm positive on it but it's not the sort of film that I think will leave me with a strong lasting impression. Ostensibly it's a "sports" film but there's a twist in that very little soccer is played on screen. It's really more about the personality of a famous coach, how that personality in almost his undoing and his lifelong relationship with his assistant/secret weapon without whom he seemed prone to tragic failure.

Brian Clough was initially a coach of smaller time soccer teams with a passion for the big time. With the help of his assistant coach he enjoys smashing success managing to move up to the first division and win there. Through flashback we learn about some of his formative experiences - most significantly perceiving himself as slighted by the coach of Leeds United during a cross division match. We follow along as he often lets his obsession with proving himself against this coach by beating Leeds get the better of him. Eventually he takes a job coaching them himself - a time seemingly devoted to telling them how much he despises their style of play. An interesting motivational strategy if I do say so myself. Loud, and extremely sure of himself he may have been a celebrity ahead of his time, but for a variety of reasons you can see plainly he's guaranteed to rub the Leeds United club the wrong way. Whether he'll figure it out in time and if not how he'll realize where his true strengths lie form the "drama" of the story. I found Cloughs likable even though he's clearly flawed. Not knowing the history involved I was curious where things were going to end up. I enjoyed the performances and the sense of the period the movie effectively portrayed. So overall a solid, interesting film. Just not one I feel especially inspired to write more about tonight...