My Week with Marilyn
“I think directing a movie has to be the best job ever invented. But, Marilyn has just about cured me of that.” Laurence Oliver.
Michelle Williams channels Marilyn Monroe while surrounded by thousands of famous British thespians. My Week with Marilyn is a charming/uneven little film that features a knock out lead performance by Williams. Michelle keeps the film afloat despite a script that never fully engages you due to its familiar themes. The movie underutilzes its great crew and big name actors pop in and out for the sake of being in the credits. Secondary stories are started and forgotten in a movie that should have just left the camera on Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh.
You know where the film is headed but you could never predict how good Williams is. Never once do you feel like she is “acting.” Meryl Streep and Jean Dujardin won the Oscars this year because they were in almost every shot of each film. The directors were capable enough to put the movies on their shoulders. The result was a fistful of Academy Awards. If director Simon Curtis would have given Williams more to do she could have created a wonderful portrait of a damaged human much like Dujardin did in The Artist.
Williams is proving herself to be an under the radar actress that hits you when you least expect.
The movie focuses on a young third director played by Eddie Redmayne. The poor guy has to deal with the stress of working on his first movie and falling in love with a damaged bombshell. He is working on a Sir. Laurence Oliver (Kenneth Branagh) directed film The Prince and the Showgirl. The production was a nightmare due to “Laurence Oliver being a great actor who wanted to be a movie star and movie star Monroe wanting to be a great actress.”
Monroe’s antics are well catalogued. She showed up to set late, drank alcohol during takes and spent all morning on one or two lines of dialogue. Her damaged mental state, beauty and early death have become things of legend. Michelle Williams does a good job of humanizing someone who became larger than life.
Watch My Week with Marilyn for Michelle Williams performance. The movie will never totally capture your attention but you will understand why everyone loved Marilyn Monroe.
Keep your eye out for an underused Emma Watson as she enters the post-Potter world.
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Weekend Preview 03/16/2012
Hello all. Mark here.
There is a plethora of eclectic movies hitting the theaters this weekend. The flicks range from Nic Cage kicking butt while moustached or Adrian Brody slacking as a substitute teacher.
The following post contains one sentence summaries for the films entering the cinemas this weekend. With these few words I’ve hopefully captured the essence of these cinematic treats and raised your awareness of the film world.
Casa de mi Padre
I’ve never laughed harder during a preview.
21 Jump Street
I predicted Channing Tatum would be a comedic force after watching The Eagle.
Jeff Who Lives at Home
Slackers mutter sweeping dialogue while alternative music plays in the background.
Seeking Justice
The sad/inevitable exploitation of Nicolas Cage continues.
Detachment
At least it isn’t a sequel to Predators.
The FP
I think this movie should have been a preview instead of a funny idea stretched to 90 minutes.
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Footloose
Please don’t groan when you see this post title. I admit that I did not have very high expectations for this movie either. I even planned to be doing other activities while the movie was on. The truth is, the Footloose remake is a fun time.
Five Reasons Why You Should Rent Footloose this Weekend:
1. Miles Teller AKA Willard– this kid stole the movie playing Ren’s new friend. No backwoods country stereotypes here; Willard is just a nice Southern boy who lacks the dancing gene and is pretty darn scrappy in a fight.
2. The dancing– The dancing is fantastic; it is fun and the main characters really deliver. We already know that Julianne Hough is a ball room champ…but Kenny Wormald is the real deal too. He has been dancing and competing for years…plus he is really from Boston so that is no fake accent you are getting.
3.The movie is just plain nice– you like the characters. No one is horrible beyond belief, you pretty much expect the behavior that you get from everyone. Sure there are still antagonists, but you see them coming from a mile away and they are insignificant overall.
4. Filmed in Georgia…at our very favorite drive-in theater, Starlight Six! This place makes movies magical, I am happy to see it grabbing a moment in the spotlight.
5. Ren’s family– they are supportive. His Uncle sticks up for him, his aunt supports his petition and the little girls (his cousins) teach Willard how to dance as they sing 80’s songs. Ray McKinnon (also from Take Shelter and Sons of Anarchy) plays his Uncle, this guy is a great actor and I think you will be seeing more of him.
So let’s recap….need something to do on a weekend afternoon or evening? Rent Footloose, do a little dance in your living room and be happy.
I have sudden urge to break out my cowboy boots…
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The Big Year
The Big Year is unpretentious, pleasant and breezy. You like the characters, enjoy the vistas and appreciate the smallness of it. This film is a bird watching trip with three people you like.
When I first saw the preview I had an inkling that I would enjoy the film. I ignored the %40 Rotten Tomatoes rating because I figured the critics wouldn’t appreciate it. I think critics were expecting a slapstick genre film in which Steve Martin yells and Jack Black does the “bee do dop” shtick. I’d wager the marketing was to blame for the super comedy expectations. The only things I remember from the preview were Owen Wilson’s silly hats and Jack Black falling off a rock.
This movie is about three completely different people attempting the big year. The big year is 365 days of traveling to see as many birds as you can. To catalog a bird people do not need photographic proof just their word. They don’t do it for the money. They do it because they love birds and want to be the best.
I love stories about underdogs looking to break records. I dig the documentary Donkey Kong: Fistfull of Quarters. Steve Webbie the docs main character is a man who was good at everything and great at nothing. However, one day he decided to pursue the Donkey Kong record. This brought out the reigning champ Billy Mitchell. What followed was a wonderful documentary about men who want to be the best at something and what they do to achieve it. The Big Year is not as dramatic as Kong but you get why each man does it. In fact, The Big Year made Brian Dennehy not overact which is worth a recomendation in my book.
The three characters vary greatly but are all relatable. Jack Black is a kind man who has never reached his goals. Steve Martin is a millionaire who has been too busy to travel. Owen Wilson is the reigning champion bird watcher who is on his third marriage. The Big Year will test their pocketbock, family life and sanity. Wandering the earth alone and looking for a rare owl can really make you question your life. However, these three men follow through and survive. Sure, there is some junk about a dad not understanding why his son looks at birds…but I’m pretty certain any father of a slacker would question his son’s flight of fancy.
I enjoyed this flick immensely. It flows like a stream that you want to sit next to. Enjoy this movie. Don’t expect too much. Go with the flow.
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Bad Movie Tuesday: Jack and Jill
There are two possible explanations for how this film got made.
1. The movie going populace has continued to shell out money for Adam Sandler’s increasingly subpar efforts thus making it inevitable that this film happened.
2. Sandler discovered an alternate dimension.
If you’ve watched the show Fringe you will know that there is an alternate dimension. A world where you live a completely different life. I feel like Adam Sandler found this universe and made his movies there. In Sandler’s twilight zone there is no logic or realism and gas is aplenty.
Anything can happen in Adam Sandler films. The man has chosen to ignore all of life problems and instead make movies that prove the impossible can be possible. The stuff you see in his latest batch of films are truly awe inducing. This is a synopsis I never thought I would write.
“Adam Sandler tries to get Al Pacino to do a Dunkin Doughnuts commercial by pimping out his twin sister.”
It seems surreal to write that. It is like saying Michael Jordan would play for the Washington Wizards before they existed. Adam Sandler has a weird knack of casting celebrities in his movies. In his last movie Just Go With It he got Jennifer Anniston and Brooklyn Decker to fall in love with him. To top that off he gave the song “The Space Between” new meaning by having Dave Matthews pick up a coconut with his butt.
In Sandler land he can cast Oscar winners to do ridiculous things. He got Kathy Bates to eat an alligator head. He persuaded Jack Nicholson to cure his anger. He put a grass skirt on Nicole Kidman and managed to woo Marissa Tomei.
Another thing linking all of Sandler’s recent films is that he is able to lie, cheat and ignore beautiful women into liking him. He treats women terribly and they end up falling in love with him. This could only happen in an alternate dimension where Sandler is a laid back gigolo.
Due to the odd nature of the Sandler universe Jack and Jill is plausible. He cast an icon to be his love interest. He dressed in drag and broke the record for farts and stereotypes. The movie is the definition of trashy gloss that he made fun of in Funny People. I wonder if there were any people on the crew shocked that Pacino was tickling Adam Sandler in drag?
If you are familiar with Sandler world you know there are the usual suspects who pop up everywhere. In this film he brought along Rob Schneider, David Spade, Nick Swardson, Tim Meadows, Allen Covert, Norm McDonald, John McEnroe, Johnny Depp, Shaquille O’Neal, Drew Carey, Michael Irvin, Regis Philbin, Norm MacDonald, Bill Romanowski, Billy Blanks, Jared Fogle, Christie Brinkley, Bruce Jenner and Dana Carvey to join him in multiple fart jokes.
Sidenote: My favorite Sandler regular is John McEnroe in Mr. Deeds (bad movie). John jumps over cars, dances with rastafarians and yells “you cannot be serious!”
The strangest part of the strange film is that Al Pacino is incredibly committed to his role of wooing Adam Sandler. Pacino works much harder than any of the cast. Sandler shlubs while Pacino yells, wears a fake beard and does a dance number for a D&D commercial promoting Dunkaccionos.
This movie is one of the laziest things I’ve ever seen. It deserved the 3% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and record-breaking 11 razzie nominations. The Sandler universe is becoming too familiar. The shtick is up and it is time he finds another universe to wreak havoc in.
Jack and Jill went up a hill to win a bunch of razzies…..They succeeded.
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Big Budget Bonanza: The Amazing Spider Man
The Amazing Spider Man
A sarcastic Spiderman (Andrew Garfield) battles the Lizard (Rhys Ifans) while he tries to woo Gwen Stacey (Emma Stone). The reason this film will be good is because of director Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer). In 500 Webb was able to create memorable characters while keeping the story fresh and timely. If he can make the Peter Parker and Gwen Stacey relationship interesting this movie will work perfectly.I’m also hoping he uses another Hall & Oates song to great effect.
I’m thinking this film will have great characters and decent action. Andrew Garfield was a great choice to play Spider Man. He will add a healthy dose of wimp becomes web slinging mayhem maker. He will also be able to handle the back story and teenage angst required in the role of Peter Parker.
Emma Stone will be predictably solid and Rhys Ifans is an inspired choice for a super villain. It would be amazing is the Lizard was wiry.
Why you should watch this: This film is a huge gamble that is hinging on director Marc Webb’s ability to mesh character with action. I think you should watch this to support the new wave of talented directors that are making waves in Hollywood.
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Big Budget Bonanza: The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises (July 20, 2012)
Batman battles Bane while dealing with Catwoman.
Joining these three are Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Nestor Carbonell and Gary Oldman.I’m not worried about the massive cast because Christopher Nolan is involved. The man has made short-term memory loss, insomnia and magicians intriguing.
I love the Bane storyline and I have the comic where Bane breaks Batman’s back. (Thanks Don. V). The casting of Tom Hardy is perfect because if you’ve watched the movies Bronson and Warrior you know he is a formidable man who can act. I’m hoping Bane vs. Batman will be a battle for the ages.
The loudest criticism from the fan boys is that Bane’s voice is inaudible beneath the mask. Early previews left audiences wondering what Bane was saying. Nolan recently cleared up the sound levels and assured worried fans that they wouldn’t need subtitles. With great success comes very needy fans.
My biggest hope is that this film doesn’t turn out to be Pirates 3 or Matrix 3. I’m hoping that the Batman saga gets the conclusion it needs…………until they make the next one.
Why you should watch this: This movie has a lot to live up to. Chris Nolan has added a plethora of new characters into the mix and it will be interesting to see how they are incorporated into the Batman world. There has been a lot of criticism about Bane’s mask and how well people can hear his voice. The Dark Knight Rises will be a big time spectacle that is expected to be intelligent and violent. I’m hoping the Nolan Batman saga ends with a bang.
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Big Budget Bonanza: Prometheus
Prometheus
Ridley Scott goes back to Alien territory with the coolest cast of 2012 (Idris Elba, Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace, Guy Pearce, Michael Fassbender, Patrick Wilson, Rafe Spall). Everything about this film looks cool. I bet the thing that Ridley Scott is pointing at is cool.
This movie is a prequel to Alien that takes place in the same world but isn’t directly a prequel. I’m certain the only person who isn’t confused about the plot is Sir Ridley Scott himself. There is a whole lot of secrecy surrounding this project and it has me intrigued. Scott is talking a big game about Prometheus and I’ve been craving a decent acid blood spewing Alien flick for a long time. These pictures drip of cool so I’m stoked.
Why you should watch it: It is an Alien prequel that might or might not tell the story of the space jockey. This will be a visual delight much like the beautiful film Sunshine that will provide science fiction fans with a new world to ponder.
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Big Budget Bonanza: Men in Black III
Men in Black III
This movie has been through rewrites, re-shoots and new casting. The buzz surrounding this BIG budget film is a mixture of curiosity and hope. Early word is not good but I wouldn’t bet against Will Smith. People love seeing him on-screen and the goodwill from the first MIB has not disappeared.
MIB 3 revolves around J (Will Smith) going back to the 1960s and teaming up with a young K (Josh Brolin) to save the earth. Along the way they deal with cheeky aliens, cool toys and large space ships.
The coolest aspect of this film is the appearance of Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Concords) as the bad guy. The original MIB had a great villain so I’m hoping Mr. Clement will provide a unique force of cosmic funny and menace.
I’m assuming he will be helped by curiously cast Nicole Scherzinger who looks to be giving him a cake to escape prison. The newest preview keeps their characters under wraps. Also, kept out of the preview is Alice Eve playing a younger version of Emma Thompson’s Oh.
Why you should watch this: Will Smith is always good, Tommy Lee Jones deadpans like no other and Brolin seems to have TLJ’s mannerisms perfected. This movie has an air of secrecy around it that has me intrigued. Will this movie be a huge misstep or will it be benefited by the re-shoots, rewrites and delays?
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Big Budget Bonanza: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer
I really want to see this movie. I listened to the audiobook and I loved the detailed biography with a sprinkling of vampire violence. What makes this movie better is that insane Russian director Timur Bekmanbetov is making this film. Also, the cast is full of people I like (Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Anthony Mackie, Dominic Cooper, Rufus Sewell).
I guarantee you will NEVER see another movie where Abraham Lincoln swings an axe convincingly while chopping up the undead. This is going to be a visual feast with an 1800s vibe. I cannot wait to see honest Abe bust some heads.
Why you should watch this: A crazy Russian director + a great screenplay = a visual feast full of vampires getting hit by axes.
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