|
Connect with Facebook
|
By devon, on July 9th, 2010
The Hangover (2009)
I didn’t expect much from The Hangover. Of course the premise, about three guys who wake up after a crazy Las Vegas bachelor party with no memory of the prior night yet must find the missing groom in time for his wedding, had lots of potential to be hilarious. It’s just that most the time Hollywood misses the mark with mainstream comedy. I’m sorry, but Knocked Up and Wedding Crashers were about as funny as used toilet paper (maybe not even). However, I was greatly surprised by The Hangover.
Todd Phillips is a director I would usually associate with bad Hollywood mainstream comedy, with the exception of Old School. Now he can add another good film to his resume. This movie gets a lot of laughs out of how bad one bachelor party can go. And luckily, this party was uniquely outrageous. The three main characters (played by Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis) wake up to find their apartment thoroughly destroyed, a tiger in the bathroom, and a baby of unknown origin in the closet. One of their crew, the groom (Justin Bartha), is missing. They have very little time to find him before the wedding starts back in LA. Of course as they discover clues, they discover more evidence of a seriously debauched night, which range from learning they are now in possession of a cop car to finding a naked Asian man in the trunk of the car they arrived to Las Vegas in.
Plot doesn’t really matter in this movie, it’s the laughs, which is how it should be for a comedy. This movie has no stupid last half hour that turns dramatic. The cast works well together, with possibly the exception of Justin Bartha even though he was barely in the movie. He seemed boring and not funny at all; I was happy he was missing. Supporting cast (like Heather Graham, Ken Jeong, and Mike Epps) all do an adequate job with their roles.
All in all, The Hangover is actually one of the best comedies of the year, if for no other reason than it wants nothing else but to be funny.
The Hangover: B+
By devon, on July 9th, 2010
Surveillance (2008)
Surveillance is a dark and disturbing film with some horror movie elements, but I hesitate to label it a horror film. However, I feel fans of the horror genre would find much to appreciate in this twisted story from David Lynch’s daughter, Jennifer Lynch.
Bill Pullman and Julia Ormond play FBI agents investigating a series of murders in a crusty redneck desert town. Who was murdered, how it happened, and who was responsible is kept in mystery for the majority of the film. The mystery slowly unfolds as the agents separate and question three witnesses that were victims of a surprising moment of carnage.
Though the cast is very solid, Bill Pullman stands out as a very strange person with fascinating character quirks. He’s fun to watch, much like his character in Suspect Zero. The action/horror scenes are fast and furious. The film does a good job of keeping a constant gritty, tense, and mean atmosphere. The very sadistic final third of the film may very well leave you with a knot in your stomach.
Though it’s difficult trying to unravel the mystery at foot, several scenes give slight clues that make if fun to guess. That brings me to the only semi flaw of the film, the final twist may be a little out there for some people even though it’s not paranormal. For my part, I liked the twist even if it’s not exactly something that happens everyday. It is a movie after all.
In the end, I think this was a great film that far surpasses many entries in the horror genre, even though; it might not be considered a horror film to all. No hockey masks or half naked chicks running through the woods. I hope Jennifer Lynch continues to make movies like this, and not her absolutely abysmal first film Boxing Helena. If she continues to improve like this, one day she may be considered on par with her father.
Surveillance: B+
By Collin, on July 9th, 2010
Star Trek (2009)
Being born in 1984 means that I grew up surrounded by a fair share of Star Trek. Even though the original Star Trek series had ended long before my birth, there were several spin-offs on TV. I never really got into any of them, save for some episodes of Star Trek Next Generation. As for the old Star Trek movies, I really like them (though Star Trek 5 The Final Frontier is deeply flawed). They have the rustic/non CGI feel of the old Star Wars trilogy, some cool action scenes, and interesting sci-fi plots. The cast was unique and well suited for the material. After Star Trek 6 The Undiscovered Country, four Next Generation movies were released. Only number 8, First Contact, was actually good.
Now here we are, where modern times have produced a modern Star Trek. And go figure, it not only totally rocks, but it also may well be the best of the eleven Star Trek movies. The movie’s biggest asset is a young, talented cast that is very believable as younger versions of the old cast. It’s easy for both new and old fans to like this cast and the characters being portrayed. To director J.J. Abrams’s credit, he keeps the characters extremely close to the original but makes some slight changes that really paid off. For instance Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk is more aggressive and brash than in past renditions of the character, which makes the movie more intense. Zachary Quinto’s Spock is more in touch with his feelings, which makes his character more unpredictable. Zoe Saldana’s Uhura is sexier and more flirtatious, which needs no explanation. You get the picture.
The plot is simple if a little hard to understand completely on first viewing. It has to do with crazy Romulan Nero (Eric Bana) seeking revenge for the destruction of his home planet. To do this he must travel back in time, which alters the course of time so that the new films don’t have to match with the old in every detail. Bet George Lucas wishes he thought of that (R2-D2 with rockets anyone?). As Nero’s plan unfolds, the Enterprise crew is slowly but surely formed. By the time the final battle occurs, the Enterprise crew is operating together effortlessly to fight off a villain, something I’m sure will happen a lot more in the future.
As a reboot to an old franchise, this movie excels. As an origin story, this movie excels. And as a good old-fashioned movie that entertains and leaves you with a smile, this movie excels. The only reason I would not give this movie a perfect score is because the villain (Nero) is pretty weak. Not only as a character, but also because he seems silly and not physically intimidating. But oh well, this movie is about the Enterprise crew coming together anyway.
Star Trek: A-
|
Recent Comments