Film Friday: Contagion ( 2011 ) Movie Review

Title: Contagion
Genre: Thriller/Independent
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Written by: Scott Z. Burns
Starring:
Matt Damon
Laurence Fishburne
Jude Law
Gwyneth Paltrow
Release Date: September 9th, 2011
Rating: 4.5/5





Its Matt Damon running away from things!!! Whoo! Or, in the case of Contagion, Matt Damon and the rest of humanity are running from a deadly strain of flu which can kill within a matter of days. The movie interests itself by following a number of characters including workers from the WHO, bloggers, scientists, and your regular joe as they all attempt to deal with the disease, find a cure, and come to terms with its aftereffects (death, societal discord, looting, etc, etc.)

If you have seen the movie Crash, this movie also follows a number of individuals who are seemingly connected to one another despite differences in jobs, geography, and class because of this plague. At one point or another one or more of these characters interact with one another while attempting to find a cure. The movie and plot are delivered to the audience without the smarmyness of a natural disaster movie, rather, the story is told in a very plainclothes way that gives an accurate look at what would happen should  large plague cover the globe without becoming a pseudo-documentary or preaching to the audience.

I suppose my two main complaints are that some of the characters storylines are not as connected to the overall story or reach any satisfying conclusion. For example, Jude Law's character, a whistleblower/blogger figure, there really isn't a clear motivation for his actions nor conclusion to his storyline. You could also say this about Matt Damon's character as well.

Also, since this story is told so plainclothes I am at a loss to tell you the -exact- plot. You got people dealing with a disease and....? It is suggested by the director that this is just another episode of many of humanity dealing with a plague. So, if that's the case, then why is this plague special? Why are these people highlighted? Why this story now? What's the significance? The movie isn't a cautionary tale nor spouting a particular political agenda, rather, it is neutrally telling this tale and, for that reason, it is hard to pinpoint exactly what this movie is communicating to the audience.

However, I found Contagion to be a very compelling movie and a movie well put together and I think it is worth a watch, even if I am unsure what you will be watching.

Film Friday: The Mist (2007) Movie Review

Title: The Mist
Genre: Horror
Directed by: Frank Darabont
Written by: Frank Darabont
Starring:
Thomas Jane
Marcia Gay Harden
Laurie Holden
Andre Braugher
Release Date: November 21st, 2007
Rating: 2.5/5

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Since I wrote a review of The Mist on Monday, I want to primarily talk about the differences between the book and movie.

My main problem with the movie is its need to be...well...cinematic. By that I mean that elements of the novel are translated into film language, to its detriment I think. One thing is the need to A. have the 'jump at you' scares and B. show off the creatures. To address the first complaint, earlier on before you see the creatures, it is more terrifying than when you do because you mind fills in the blanks and creates something far worse than the designers can create. (this is in no way to harp on Berni Wrightson's designs which are, as with all his work, awesome.) But they resort instead to have them jump out of the fog at the audience for cheap thrills rather than creating an atmospheric horror movie like The Thing.

This goes into the next part: showing off the monsters. Part of the terror is not seeing The Thing or the alien in Alien, but knowing it could appear at any moment, to keep you on the edge of your seat. In The Mist  they are all over the place and, as such, when they do attack it is less terrifying and has less of an impact on the audience. In most horror movies, less is more is often a plus, and I feel they could have had less of the monsters with more of an impact.

The ending. I don't want to ruin either the book or movie, but lets just say the movie was extremely maudlin and heavy handed with its ending. I prefer the book's ending myself.

However, what is most important is the characters and their interactions and I think the movie is fairly successful in this regard. Much like the book, the film is very visceral with its characters and you either like the characters or hate them (you only have to look at youtube comments on the trailer to see this). Despite this, I can't get past the ending. I am in the middle of the road on this movie, I like parts, don't like others. So, if you are intrigued by the book, or the trailer, watching the movie adaptation certainly won't hurt.

Film Friday: The Adjustment Bureau Review

Title: The Adjustment Bureau
Genre: Thriller/Action
Directed by: George Nolfi
Written by: George Nolfi
Starring:
Matt Damon
Emily Blunt
John Slattery
Anthony Mackie
Release Date: March 4th, 2011
Rating: 3.5/5





In The Adjustment Bureau we follow Matt Damon's character, an up and coming politician by the name of David Norris, who stumbles upon a group known as the 'Adjustment Bureau' who 'adjust' an individual when their life veers off the path the Bureau has decided they should take. However, in order to avoid being 'adjusted' himself, Norris must no longer see Emily Blunt's character, Elise. The movie follows Damon's character as he attempts to find Elise once again and escape the Bureau and having both him and Elise 'adjusted'.

What is it with Matt Damon and running away from things? It seems that ever since he did the Bourne Trilogy movie-makers have decided to have him running from people and things in all subsequent movies. Regardless, this movie is a better than average thriller. All of the main actors and secondary actors give good performances, the story's multiple story arcs (Norris's political career, Norris and Elise's love story, dealing with the Bureau, inner politics within the Bureau) are all blended together well, each given enough space to stand alone yet still pertinent to the overall story.

That being said, I think that Nolfi should have allowed the Adjustment Bureau to remain more ambiguous. He is pretty heavy handed with the interpretation of what the Bureau is (essentially telling the audience) and I think that if more ambiguity was kept in the movie as to exactly what the Bureau is, their motives, and what these agents really are would have added more atmosphere to the movie, added to the thrill, and made for an overall darker tone. As it is, the movies' tone seems to clash with itself as there are some very dark moments in the movie, but once you learn what the Agents are, in addition to the ending of the movie, these dark moments seem out of place. I would have preferred a darker movie, but that's just me.

All in all, The Adjustment Bureau is a interesting thriller in the same neighborhood as Inception (or at least tries to be) but I think that some of the directorial decisions regarding the plot keep this movie from reaching its full potential. But, if you are wanting to rent a good, if not exceptional, thriller where Matt Damon runs from things, I recommend checking this out.

What's with the hat, Damon?

Film Friday: Priest (2011) Review

Title: Priest
Genre: Action/Supernatural
Directed by: Scott Stewart
Written by: Cory Goodman
Starring:
Paul Bettany
Karl Urban
Cam Gigandet
Lily Collins
Release Date: May 13, 2011
Rating: 2.5/5





No sparkly vampires in this movie.

Priest takes place in an unspecified time in the future in an alternate timeline where humans and vampires are separate species and have battled against one another over the centuries. Humanities greatest weapon--the warrior priests--are believed to have conquered the vampire menace.

Despite this, Priest learns of his nieces disappearance and the death of his brother in a vampire attack. The Church, maintaining all vampires are dead, refuse to believe the story and refuse to let Priest search for his niece. Priest goes against the Church and the movie follows him as he searches for his niece and for the vampires. The Church, learning of this, sends out Priest's of their own to capture him. However, the vampires are doing things never before seen and all of humanity is threatened. Only Priest (oh...and some side characters) stand in the way of mankind's utter annihilation.

Where Priest succeeds most is its setting. Part western, part 1984, part Blade Runner, the backdrops in which the characters fight are panoramic and larger than life. But we only get glimpses of the city and a few shots of it from a distance when Priest is leaving the city on his motorcycle. The same amount of attention is paid to the various hives and the desert. These larger than life settings also house actions scenes of a similar caliber. For example, when Priest is chasing the train he suspects his niece to be on and when an entire town is destroyed by vampires.

However, I felt like the entire plot served as a prologue to a larger storyline and, as it stands, the plot is extremely weak and seems like a poor attempt to stretch the franchise. Granted, I haven't read the comics the movie draws from, but I felt that the movie tries to be too many things at once and, as a result, doesn't focus on anything. To greater and lesser degrees, much of what the movie introduces us to matters very little and often has little bearing on the plot. Further, despite the movie rushing through most things, it takes a long time to reach the climax of the movie,and then, after a minute or so of battling, its all over (about as quick as the battle between Captain America and the Red Skull).

Most of the actors in this movie seem to be here for a paycheck. Karl Urban (as Black Hat, our villian) seems to be the only one having fun with his role in the movie, for what little screen time he gets.

'scuse me while I blow up this town

This also reflects on the characters as well, because none of them are particularly interesting and are characters we have seen time and time again in other movies where they are better executed.

Priest is a nice looking movie, but I don't think that's enough to save the plot or bland characters. I would avoid buying the dvd, but it is still at redbox at the moment for those interested.

Film Friday: Skyline Review

Title: Skyline
Genre: Horror/Sci-fi
Directed by: Greg and Colin Strause

• Written by: Joshua Cordes & Liam O'Donnell
• Starring: 

• Eric Balfour
• Scottie Thompson
• Brittany Daniel
• Donald Faison
• Release Date: November 12th, 2010
• Rating: 1/5

What a piece of crap. There. Review is done.

...fine


You know those horror movies where the main characters are shallow, selfish a-holes and, so you could A. care less about the characters and B. don't care when they die and actually are cheering for the opposing side a little? Imagine that, but instead of a slasher flick it is an alien invasion.

The movie follows a group of partiers in LA (what is it about LA and aliens?) who, after a night of revelry, soon find themselves and city under siege from an unknown alien race abducting humanity and killing all who oppose them. The group tries to escape the huge condo building they are in through a variety of ways but end up trying to wait out the attack and pray the military arrives in time.

While I suppose the movie does take up the notion that not everyone is the alien fighting hero and looks at what would happen when a group of (arguably) everyday people are faced with an alien invasion. However, as I said, they are all people I could care less about and the fact that the movie tries hard to make me empathize with them and feel sorry about character deaths is insulting given the fact they previously made it clear these people are selfish a-holes.

Like a slasher flick, there is little plot and even less character development and, just when the movie starts to get interesting (the last 3 minutes of the movie) the credits start to roll, giving the viewer, had they stuck with the movie so long, the finger one last time. The only thing operating in this film's favor is the fact that it is strongly suggested that humanity loses, that we are conquered and the aliens take over the planet and harvest the resource they came here for: human brains. That, and its fun to see Turk from Scrubs get eaten.

I suggest avoiding this movie and, if you want to watch a movie where alien invaders attack and destroy LA, watch Battle: LA or, better yet, ID4.

Don't let the trailer fool you, this movie is horrible.

Film Friday - Battle: Los Angeles Review

Title: Battle: Los Angeles
Genre: Action/Sci-fi/War
Directed by: Jonathan Liebesman
Written by: Chris Bertolini
Starring:
Aaron Eckhart
Michelle Rodriguez
Ramon Rodriguez
Bridget Moynahan
Release Date: March 11th, 2011
Rating: 3.5/5






Battle: LA follows a group of marines during an alien invasion as the battle for the control of LA. Or, more specifically, Battle: LA follows a group of marines as they first attempt to rescue civilians then, later, escape LA and try to find a way to defeat the alien menace.

Battle: LA seems to follow the tropes of the natural disaster genre  and war movies moreso than an alien invasion. You get the main character who is somewhat dissatisfied with their life, you get the inital introduction of the characters to personify them and make the audience care, destruction of urban areas, people running around screaming, explosions, etc etc. except, instead of a volcano or earthquake, you have aliens. As far as the storyline goes, its pretty typical, aliens are invading to get our resources. That's it. The other storyline, the characters, is somewhat succeful in that no, I didn't get attached to any of the characters other than Aaron Eckhart's character but there were times I was wondering if they would ultimately succeed or fail.

The aliens in this are pretty cool and are something I haven't seen before in alien movies, which was a pleasant surprise, although their ships were pretty bland-more connected piles of scrap metal than actual ships. Another surprise is that the aliens and humans are on pretty even terms as far as combat technology and warfare. Yes, they do have superior technology, but it has weaknesses that the marines exploit, which makes the aliens feel more believable. CGI is pretty good too.

One thing I didn't care for was the shaky gureilla handycam style filming. Yes, during the fighting it works, but in stationary shots the camera keeps moving a zooming in and out needlessly and its really distracting.

Battle: LA, for what it is, executes it pretty well and makes a decent movie. That, and twoface is in it. I recommend checking it out.

Film Friday - The Surrogates Review

Title: The Surrogates

Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller
Directed by: Jonathan Mostow
Written by:
Michael Ferris,
John Brancato
Starring:
Bruce Willis,
Radha Mitchell,
Rosamund Pike,
Ving Rhames
Release Date: September 25, 2009

Rating 2.5/5

The Surrogates is an idea that had potential, but was left in the lurch when executed. The basic story is that humans, through fear of personal harm or death stay inside while their robotic counterparts-surrogates-take their place in the real world driving, at their job, parties, etc, etc. However, a sect of the population are against the concept of surrogates and a cyber-terrorist develops a program that fries a surrogate on site, with the side-effect of killing the person operating it via. computer programs.

Bruce Willis, a cop, investigates the string of murders that leads him throughout the city through high society and the camps where the anti-surrogate humans live. However, his character's surrogate is destroyed and he must face the world merely human after years of living as a surrogate. Bruce Willis must find the terrorist and stop him from frying the entire mainframe-and all the humans wired into it.

While trying not to sound pretentious, the movie just felt conventional. I really didn't see anything new as far as tropes and plot points go: corrupt upper class, corrupt rebels, main character with one foot in two worlds and having to decide which to stay in, conglomerate majority, scattered minority, etc. That, and the exploring of this new world doesn't show anything that hasn't been seen before (beauty and body are easily sculpted, you can do all sorts of crazy things with your robot body) and nothing more than that is really explored. However, I feel that the makeup/CGI for the surrogates in the film is very successful in that they look human, but are not. The film succeeds in placing the surrogates in the uncanny valley for the viewer.

Also, it feels like many of the characters were phoned in. It seems that Bruce Willis was there for the paycheck. Yes, I understand they are robots and 'expression' should be dulled and all that, but all the acting seemed tired. I would say that the main 'point' the movie was trying to get across (that living vicariously through electronics and the Internet destroys what is human inside of us) is represented in the rocky marriage between Willis's character and his wife. However, this isn't really explored enough I feel to make the audience care about the characters or the negative effected the surrogates have on their marraige and society at large.

That, I feel, is the main failing of the movie. It fails on every account to make me care for the main characters, those in charge, the rebels, and the man who created the system. The only person I felt sorry for was the I.T. guy who got held hostage. And for a tertiary character to be the only one the viewer cares whether they live or die is a bad indicator that the relationship between the characters is flawed to begin with, or the actors fail to accurately portray the characters. I still think its on netflix instant streaming so, if you are bored and want to burn a couple hours watching a dystopic film, The Surrogates has its moments amidst the blandness, but those are few and far between. It's like a bowl of lucky charms with only a couple marshmallows.