Here is my Wall-E inspired blitz: two more sci-fi films and a Streissand movie which I somehow avoided during my youth.
Zardoz. Wow. This is a Sean Connery vehicle directed by John Boorman (Deliverance) in 1974.
The storyline is simple: a small ruling class lives in harmony while directing the lives of those brutals in the “Outlands” through the clever ruse of a giant stone godhead. Connery plays a brutal who may be much more clever than you think. But apparently not clever enough to avoid the costume director. Yikes! The flick dishes up occasionally unique material mixed in among the remaining stale scenes. In general, it’s not particularly special but does have some pretty smooth special effects as far as floating godhead goes. It’s also generally insane and, thus, rather entertaining.
Alphaville. Jean-Luc Godard, 1965. A film noir sci-fi pic about a secret agent sent to a strange town that is under the control of a computer, Alpha 60. Think HAL but with a blinking white light and the voice of that kid from the “Chocolate Rain” YouTube video. Unlike Zardoz, Alphaville has aged very well. Costuming and set design are simple, allowing the story to unfold unencumbered. There’s also the awesome dialogue. With lines like: “What exactly do you do for a living?” “I work.” how could you go wrong? If you’re looking for the “classic” feel and some solid storytelling, rent Alphaville.
Hello Dolly! The traffic on the IMDB page for this film has increased over 300% from last week. I’m not ashamed to say that I am a part of that rush of people taking a look at Hello, Dolly! after Wall-E peaked my interest. You know what I realized while watching this film? I have never seen a movie with Barbara Streisand! Well, I saw Meet the Fockers, but I don’t think that counts. In any case, I was captivated by Bubwa. I feel like I’ve been raised in a pretty anti-Bubwa environment. I cannot think of a person in my generation that is a Streisand fan. Granted, I’m sure they are out there, but I don’t know that it would be something you would boast about on your Facebook music interests. Maybe that should be reconsidered, though. Cast as Dolly Levi, Ms. Streisand is much too young for the role she plays, but her vocals and acting chops made me forget that she should be about 20 years older. Pretty good by anyone, including Wall-E’s, standards.
After watching Wall-E, I couldn’t help but think that this is the kind of movie that appeals to everyone. Frankly, I have a hard time imagining the person that would dislike this movie. It would have to be a person who does not appreciate: love or robots or parables or comedy or beautiful animation or science fiction or well, just good storytelling. Does such a person exist? Boy howdy; I hope not!
Wall-E explores the story of Earth after it has been abandoned by the human race. Trash covers the globe, and compactor robots have been left behind to take care of the work while humans go on an interstellar cruise to pass the time. The only functioning robot remaining, Wall-E, passes his days compacting trash and gathering souvenirs: spork, rubik’s cube, dog with a bobble head, etc. A trusty cockroach sticks by his side (and occasionally, accidentally, under his treads), but soon enough Wall-E isn’t alone anymore. Another robot with a mysterious directive arrives, and Wall-E is immediately smitten. EVE proves to be a hard catch, but Wall-E uses his heart and a few dance moves he picked up from Hello Dolly! in his attempts to woo her. Courting never is easy, though, and our protagonist finds himself venturing out into space & the interstellar cruise line to win EVE’s robot heart.
Throughout the film, the animation and the storytelling make Wall-E irresistible. From the opening sequence, the filmmakers treat the audience to the latest in animation techniques, offering up landscapes of trashed a Manhattan that are at once glittering and saddening. Constantly, I found myself amazed at the beauty and technicality of scenes. Whether it’s a handheld, rushing camera as Wall-E chases down EVE or watching the reflections on EVE’s “face,” I was constantly impressed. Also, the animation fits in very well with the story overall. During the first forty-five minutes, which take place on Earth, the animation is very realistic–almost gritty. It is only when we venture onto the cruise line that the mise-en-scene looks unrealistic—bright lights, animated people who are overweight from years of buffet food. Honestly, animation has never mastered people. But here, it doesn’t matter–their fake lives are spent in ignorance of the problems back home, and the animation accurately reflects this story component.
I suppose that uncontrolled obesity is a cautionary part of the film. Amazingly, though, I don’t see how this film would not appeal to both liberals and conservatives. You want the progressive approach? Think of the environmental message and the extreme capitalists that run the cruise line filled with obese, lazy humans. Or if you prefer the traditionalist perspective, focus on the fact that both Wall-E and the captain of the ship long for the America of the old days–the heartland, if you will. I mean, he’s obsessed with Hello Dolly! And as much as the movie is progressive, even far far into the future the ship is still run by a white male and Wall-E doggedly pursues EVE in a heterosexual, albeit robot, relationship. Pick your outlook! Most importantly, though, whichever side of the aisle you belong to, everyone could appreciate the fact that Wall-E embodies the best in humankind. Even when there are no human left worth mimicking, Wall-E shows us what it means to be more human than anyone else alive.
A friend showed me an excellent MadTV sketch involving an eager young man trying desperately to obtain a woman’s number in a movie theater. As he sits a few seats behind her, he yells out: “The back of your head is ridikulus!”
I thought of this sketch when I was in NYC and happened upon the filming of The Proposal, a Ryan Reynolds / Sandra Bullock flick. I couldn’t get a good shot of the set, but, I do have a really long shot of their faces and pics of the back of their heads!! It’s ridikulus!
I’m hungry for a positive-negative-positive sandwich. So, I’m gonna serve one up. This one’ll be a little heavy on the filling, but you can thank M. Night Shyamalan for that.
Positive: The movie was enjoyable to watch in that so-bad-its-funny kinda way.
Negative: The dialogue appears to have been written by a 6th grade literary magazine that just watched Espcape from LA.
N: Shyamalan didn’t write a plot, instead he just strung together cliches and fearmongering propaganda.
N: Casting Mark Wahlberg as a science teacher is like casting Verne Troyer as Ghengis Kahn.
N: The “R” rating results in gratuitous goriness. I did like the scene where the guy dies by tiger, but otherwise, come on!
N: Instructing Zooey Deschanel (the lead actress) to communicate all emotions via widening and then squinting her eyes is not effective direction.
N: When you make The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs, it is typically not good to follow-up with three pieces o’ crap. Shyamalan and Mike Myers must be in cohoots.
Positive: There is a really sweet reversal of a horror film trope, which I cannot divulge as it would be a partial spoiler. Suffice it to say, it’s the kind of stuff that Shymalan should be doing all of the time.
The next two installments of my summer pact are courtesy of two summer comedies: Get Smart & The Love Guru.
Here are a few quotes from reviewers about Guru:
“…downright antifunny, an experience that makes you wonder if you will ever laugh again.” — NY Times
“…even funnier than Wayne’s World or Austin Powers. Not.” — NY Post
“…the most joy-draining 88 minutes I’ve ever spent outside a hospital waiting room.” — Slate
Okay, I get it, I get it. Guru isn’t great. But is it as bad as all that? Certainly not. Let me start by taking a comparative glance at Get Smart. Now, there is a light, funny film that generally dishes out a mediocre, inoffensive plot with mildly intriguing characters and a few scenes involving genuinely funny comedy. Smart also isn’t great, but it is consistent and pleasant–a good popcorn film.
In Guru, much like Smart, there are scenes of genuine comedy, but the plot feels much more banal and the low likeability of the characters distracts from the laughs. There are laughs, though, and some good ones. Maybe the harsh reviews that Guru received werenot so much based on the flaws of the film. Maybe the reviews stemmed from a gargantuan disappointment with Mike Meyers. How can a man brilliant enough to make Wayne’s World and Austin Powers turn around and give us The Cat in the Hat and The Love Guru? Meyers has become a Hollywood version of Bill Clinton or Ted Kennedy. Sure he does great things, but then he turns around and makes the Chapaquitic of movies. It casts a pall over his future. What if he never makes another great comedy? What if all we have left is a painful reminder of what Mike Meyers once was and might be yet again, but certainly is not now?
The kinks are worked out. I can use the terminal to create flash video. And now my product will be unleashed unto the world!!!
Feel free to scope out what I have just posted to the “Elise’s Movies” section of the website. It’s a one minute track documentary set to a soundtrack of bad house music & warfare sound effects. It’s pretty killer. Enticing screen shot below!!
Somewhere I posted two albums & didn’t skip a number, so, this album of pictures from Houston, Texas, is actually the 21st album on the site. However, since today is the 20th of June, it feels poetic enough to call it twenty and fix it on the next go around.
More importantly, not only is today the twentieth: summer starts today! Yup, it’s the longest day of the year, and as Gatsby says about this oft missed holiday, “We ought to plan something…What do people plan?” People like me plan a 30 movie summer pact. From now until August 18, 2008, I will do some kind of movie thing every other day. Maybe I’ll watch a movie. Maybe I’ll edit something together. We’ll see! Either way, I’m going to make it a golden movie summer.
Another Thursday, another midnight showing. This time, The Hulk.
Bruce Banner (Edward Norton), a fugitive living on the run, attempts to hide from the government while trying to find out how he can cure his Hulkulosis/Hulkuenza, what-have-you. Not only does he have to hide from General Ross (William Hurt), the obsessive army man who wants to dissect him, but he must also live with the pain of being separated from Ross’s daughter–the beloved scientist, Betty Ross. Plus, you know, he’s working in a bottle factory in Brazil. Things really aren’t looking up for Mr. Banner.
As the plot unfolds, we watch Bruce fight General Ross’s crackerjack squad, led by Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), the ultimate soldier. Despite mediocre dialogue, the story really carries you away to Bruce’s world. And it’s a world full of wild action sequences and good acting. Edward Norton and Tim Roth are great foils for each other. Slim men with big ambitions, each puts in a bang-up performance–especially Tim Roth, considering his especially poor dialogue. Then there are the surprisingly germane action sequences. (Wouldn’t you love to see that quote in a newspaper or a TV ad? “People are calling The Hulk a ‘thrill ride’ and saying that the fight scenes are ’surprisingly germane.’”) I mean, you ever watch a movie and the writers somehow force the characters to have an action scene in a ridiculous location? Let’s remember the fencing in Pirates of the Caribbean 2 which occurred on top of a water wheel. I like fun stuff as much as the next lady, but when I am asked to suspend my disbelief and it is abused, I get angry. (You won’t like me.) The nifty thing about The Hulk is that the action sequences take place in some unique/beautiful locations, and it all works. For example, the bottle factory which Bruce works in serves as a backdrop. Later on, the lush hills off of a college campus provide a beautiful battlefield. The writers know their locations and use them well.
Between the sweet action and strong acting, I was rather content with The Hulk. Now, it’s no Iron Man, but if you want a solid action flick, it’s worth your time. There’s another quote. People are calling Hulk “Worth your time.”
Two new albums are up. One features my lone photo from Columbus, Ohio. The other has some pictures I took while driving home from Roanoke, Virginia. The best pic, by far, is FOAMHENGE. Rising in the distance, behind the shrubs and the plywood mounted sign, is one man’s mighty tribute to what has been called the most mystical creation of our time: Stonehenge. I actually don’t know if anyone has ever called it “most mystical.” But I have, so, now it counts.
Aside, from the new pictures, what else? I saw Sex & The City last weekend, and, since I am now in New York City, it seems appropriate to review. I watched the series entire on DVD during college with my friends. It’s one of the many great memories I have of those years. So, going to see the Sex & the City movie was an indulgent, nostalgic affair. And a rarity. How many books or shows or movies can you name where you just wish for another installment? Another moment to see the characters again, in new settings, new situations? One more season of Arrested Development, please. Fargo 2: Marge & the Baby. Moby Dick: Reincarnation. None of these (perhaps thankfully, for some) will ever be made. So, I enjoyed Sex & the City, as much as one would enjoy seeing a favourite character after a long absence. There were a lot of laughs, lots of tenderness, and, thankfully, no major personality changes. Of course, the film had some flaws–some things I would like to see done differently. But for today, I just sat back and enjoyed the movie, and that was enough.
This serves as the official website to a movie. Said movie makes me PSYCHED OUT OF MY MIND, and when Benjamin Button premieres this Christmas, I will be first in line. #1. I have five reasons to be psyched out of my mind. The quintfecta/pentfecta is as follows:
1. Director: David Fincher. He can set a mood like no other, and with flicks like The Game and Se7en under his belt, I am pumped to see what he’ll do with a fantasy.
2 & 3. The trailer. Just feel that ambiance. Extra point for using Saint-Saens’ “Aquarium” mega-effectively.
4. Tilda Swinton. I know she does some weird stuff. Don’t care. She can do no wrong.
5. It’s based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Read it here. As the quotes pop up on top of my website page, you may notice I’m a big Gatsby fan. This fan-ness extends to Fitzgerald as a whole, and I fully trust him as a storyteller.
