Mini Reviews - The Blind Side

The Blind Side

The Blind Side depicts the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome.

For films that are based on true stories, it is one thing to be made into a proper well-made film and another to watered it down to a smaltsy sappy Hallmark Channel movie special. The issue of race is very hard to avoid and overlook especially when a film is not intended to bring it up. Unfortunately the film DOES bring that up and you'll have a little hard time seeing anything insulting or sensitive about racism in this film. That is not the only problem I had with the film as I had many run-ins with so many cliched and formulaic elements that made this film goofy, cheap and somehow embarassing to the improper use of music and bad humor to the snotty nose kid sidekick that says every darnest thing everytime he's on screen. Dear God, if I see that kid, I'm gonna punch him in the face. It would have been nice and more interesting if the entire focus was through Michael Oher's and not through the white family that are being very goody-twoshoe and saint-like. That is the real problem for me that it really seems fake. I would imagine it being real hard for the family in that kind of predicament, but no, they seem to get away unscratched. It doesn't seem all that inspiring if we see the family spoonfeeding Michael into a life of success instead of seeing Michael doing and accomplish something by himself. I hear good things of Sandra Bullock's performances and there was nothing special. She may have attitude and a hard head, but there is not one grand defining moment that made her stick out from the rest. I would say this is less than average. But if you are into these kind of stuff, go ahead. And this is nominated for Best Picture for the Academy Awards? Dead God.....

2 out of 5 stars

Mini Reviews - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Blessed with the extraordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others, Doctor Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. An inveterate gambler, thousands of years ago he made a bet with the devil, Mr. Nick, in which he won immortality. Centuries later, on meeting his one true love, Dr. Parnassus made another deal with the devil, trading his immortality for youth, on condition that when his daughter reached her 16th birthday, she would become the property of Mr Nick.

It is no doubt that Terry Gilliam is a very imaginative guy that his imagination would have him screwed around by the studios and the industry. It really is such a double edge sword. The problem is that it is very much a Terry Gilliam film that casual audiences and non Terry Gilliam fans would find this a turn-off. Story-wise, it really isn't much to the imagination and the characters doesn't get that decent amount of development and depth, making them a little bit unappealing. However the visuals and the effects (both in practical and digital) are very wistful and wonderful. As for Heath Ledger's very final performance, it is not as memorable as it was for the Dark Knight, but it was indeed charming as are all three of his replacements. I wouldn't highly recommend it as a starter for the films of Terry Gilliam (watch either Time Bandit or Brazil, heck even Monty Python and the Holy Grail), but for those who are Terry Gilliam fans already, go and check it out.

3 out of 5 stars

Mini Reviews - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

, Lenny Kravit

In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

It is actually a well-made drama film, although at times things get too jumbled and overly-dramatic. Containing the same plot thread to most underdog and underclass films where the protagonist struggles through her daily life and well-being until things turn out for the better. Its heart-felt, yet sometimes formulaic. We get it that Precious is a dreamer and her dream sequences are cute at first, but they go overboard later on. Even with the drama and fighting tend to go overboard and, dare I say it, ridiculous. However the performances are actually pretty impressive. Main actor, Gabourey Sidibe did a great performance as the unfortunate Precious and, wouldn't you expect it, unfunny Mo'Nique gave a downright spiteful and scary performance as Precious' "wicked mother". It is kind of play along the lines of a fairy tale, but grounded into realism. It is a solid film to watch.

3 and a half out of 5 stars

Rare And Buried: American Movie (1999)

Hey guys this is the feature in my blog where I find the rarest films and able to review it.

American Movie (1999)

An account of a Midwestern filmmaker's effort to make an independent picture. Mark Borchardt is passionate about cinema, and his dream project is a film called "Northwestern". But he is serious debt, and decides that if he finishes his horror short "Coven", he will be able to finance his masterwork ... (read more) An account of a Midwestern filmmaker's effort to make an independent picture. Mark Borchardt is passionate about cinema, and his dream project is a film called "Northwestern". But he is serious debt, and decides that if he finishes his horror short "Coven", he will be able to finance his masterwork with the money he'll raise from video sales. His attempts to follow this plan involve his 82-year old uncle, his girlfriend and a series of dreadful jobs, but Mark will never give up.

This is for anyone who lives in a small town and dreams of making it big as a film director. The great thing about this documentary is it doesn't become subjective and biased as most docos and becomes its own story on the struggles and plight the main character goes through in order to achieve his one dream. The people/characters related to Mark and involved in his production, especially Mike are colorful, interesting and downright cool as they are always questioning on Mark's ability to succeed on his production and yet helps him anyway. You really do feel for Mark as he has everything going against him from problems in filmmaking to his life problems. This is such a rare and worthy gem to find.

4 out of 5 stars

Mini Reviews - Up In The Air

Up in the Air

, Chris Lowell , Jason Bateman , Tamala Jones

Ryan Bingham, a corporate hatchet man who loves his life on the road, is forced to fight for his job when his company downsizes its travel budget. He is required to spend more time at home just as he is on the cusp of a goal he's worked toward for years: reaching five million frequent flyer miles an... (read more) Ryan Bingham, a corporate hatchet man who loves his life on the road, is forced to fight for his job when his company downsizes its travel budget. He is required to spend more time at home just as he is on the cusp of a goal he's worked toward for years: reaching five million frequent flyer miles and just after he's met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams.

To be honest, I didn't like Jason Reitman's previous film, Juno. To me, despite the great writing, most of the characters especially the lead just come off as immature. It doesn't matter now, but gladly his next film is very much mature. George Clooney keeps remind us why he's still the most coolest and reliable actors around as he is just great as the isolated distanced frequent traveler that wants to be anywhere but home. The film greatly explored the clash of age and experience with the inclusion of a young female co-worker and apprentice, played wonderfully by Anna Kendrick of Twilight fame. And that is quite a surprise that she was both a great film and a very crappy film series. I would say that the film is slow in the beginning, but it does get wistful, funny and a bit emotional as the film progress. The great irony of this film is the themes and insights are grounded and kept it close to reality, so you won't be expecting anything typical of a drama film. It is a good balance of a feel-good and think-harder on life.

4 out of 5 stars

My Thoughts on The Spider-Man Reboot

Its pretty much old news by now that the Spider-Man movie franchise is certainly getting a reboot with a new director and a new cast to boot. This news actually has some meaning to me because, no matter how lame the comics are getting and how mediocre the last movie was and how much I love Batman so much, Spider-Man is still my favorite superhero. Like I know I'm not a giant Spider-Man Know-It-All unlike some hardcore nerds out there, but possibly he's the one superhero I actually can identify with. So I'll probably give you my thoughts on it.

To me, it is just a bad idea. Not a completely dreadful idea, but one that seems unnecessary for now. I love the Spider-Man movies. The first one was very well-done, the second was f*ckin brilliant and the third one wasn't horrible, but disappointing. Making a reboot that soon is just seem unneeded especially when we still have Sam Raimi's fresh in our mind. It would take an estimate gap of 7 -10 years to wear the previous movies out.

How the studio wanting to have a reboot is just kind of insulting to Raimi. The reason being is that Raimi and the studio have such a disagreement over the next Spider-Man movie, despite Raimi bringing over a huge amount of money while it being critically praised. And so Raimi decided to quit. That said, the studio decided to flip the bird on Raimi by disregarding his series and making their own in their own way. I don't know thats really their intention, but to me thats really disrespectful. Especially for a director who really brought in alot of dough.

Now I know that upcoming director, Mark Webb (500 Days of Summer) have taken the helm of the new Spider-Man series and I really like the guy. Especially that 500 Days of Summer is one of my favorite movies now. Yet I wish he could do more original and smaller works before he take on a giant blockbuster movie. I mean going from something as small as 500 Days of Summer to something as BIG as Spider-man is a pretty damn HUGE and risky leap. But hey, how could you say "no" to an offer like that? So I'm glad for Mark Webb. Just hope he doesn't f*ck it up.

So anyway thats my thoughts on it. What are yours?

Mini Reviews - Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox

A crafty fox finds himself and his family targeted for death by the three dumb, plug-ugly farmers who tire of sharing their chickens with the critter.

Even when making a children's movie, Wes Anderson can't help himself to make a Wes Anderson film. And yet, its oddball, hipster visuals and style worked as a charm for this film. The film doesn't really faulted on its own stop-motion style inspired by the old British TV animations like Postman Pat and Paddington Bear and it really becomes its own charm and uniqueness. And who isn't fit enough to take one on the role of the most coolest foxes around than George Clooney himself? Granted you have the Wes Anderson's regulars in the film like Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman who all did a good job. This is a real treat for those who love stop-motion and Wes Anderson, though casual audiences can be put off by its own weirdness and oddball style. That said, this film is FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC!

4 out of 5 stars