This 1960 classic Billy Wilder comedy stars Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. C.C. Baxter (Lemmon) is an executive in New York who lets his superiors use his apartment for trysts in hopes of climbing the promotional ladder. However, he is soon enamored by Fran Kubelik, an "elevator girl" in his building, and suddenly his complicated arrangement becomes inconvenient for him. Baxter is forced to choose between his rapidly ascending career and a relationship with Fran. The film is very funny indeed, and I particularly enjoy these '50s and '60s quirky comedies where all the jokes are genuine and almost innocent, compared to some of today's atrocities. Lemmon is excellent as always, and MacLaine does the best that she can with an otherwise shallow character, but the entire ensemble is funny and the chemistry between all of them works very well. Overall, the film is a great, nostalgic comedy.
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Film Review -- The Conspirator
This 2010 Robert Redford film stars James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Tom Wilkinson, and Kevin Kline. It is set immediately after President Abraham Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865. Seven men and one woman were arrested for taking part in the conspiracy to kill Lincoln, Secretary of State William H. Seward, and Vice-President Andrew Johnson. The woman, Mary Surratt (Wright), owned a boarding house in which her son John hosted secret meetings with the conspirators. Her defense in a military tribunal was handed to a reluctant Frederick Aiken (McAvoy), a Union veteran who did not wish to defend a Southerner whom he believed was in fact guilty of conspiring to kill the President. As the trial proceeds, however, Aiken realizes that the bigger issue is not whether Mrs. Surratt is guilty or innocent, but how she was being tried. He soon becomes passionate about defending her Constitutional right to a trial by peers, even during wartime, and risks his job and reputation in order to do so. It is a very gripping story, and those who love history (like me) will be especially entertained. It is a very smart, poignant, and relevant film -- and an effective political statement.
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Film Review -- The Hunger Games
The day finally arrived -- after months of anticipation (and buying my tickets the first day they went on sale, a full month before the release date), The Hunger Games opened tonight! Having devoured all three books in a matter of days over the holidays, I was very anxious to see how director Gary Ross and his team of writers (including series author Suzanne Collins) would transform the book into a screenplay, and then into a film. It stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Alexander Ludwig, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, and Donald Sutherland.
In a post-apocalyptic world, the nation of Panem rose from what was once North America. A glitzy and glamorous Capitol rules twelve outlying districts, each with a representative industry. An unsuccessful rebellion by the districts led to punishment in the form of an annual televised fight-to-the-death between twenty-four "tributes" of each district -- one girl and one boy between the ages of 12 and 18. Seventy-four years later, Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence), an impoverished sixteen-year-old from coal-mining District 12, volunteers to take her twelve-year-old sister Primrose's place in the Games after the younger is "reaped." Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson) is selected as the boy tribute, and his ties with Katniss, as well as her complicated relationship with her best friend Gale (Hemsworth), are explored.
The book is obviously much more detailed than the film. The former is also narrated by Katniss, and thus provides crucial thoughts to the readers that the film cannot. The "love triangle" between Peeta, Katniss and Gale is also played up, almost in Twilight form, certainly to appeal to the young female fans; in the book, however, their relationships are much more complex than the film has time to explain, so they end up coming off as trivial, especially that of Katniss and Gale. The same goes for most of the characters; there is so much to squeeze into one film that little room is left for character development, which is a shame, because some great characters like Haymitch (Harrelson), Effie (Banks), and Cinna (Kravitz) deserved more screen time.
Other than that, I think that the writers succeeded in condensing the story into a 142-minute film while staying as true to it as possible. Understandably, some changes had to be made for the sake of time (for example -- and I won't spoil it -- the person who gives Katniss the crucial Mockingjay pin is different in the film than in the book), but most everything else is surprisingly loyal, which is great for those who read and loved the books, like me. I thought that the actual Hunger Games part was specifically well-done, as they were able to take the roughly three weeks that Katniss and company spend in the arena and condense it into a coherent sequence where all of the important events remain intact.
I was pleased by the film; it was definitely worth all of the anticipation on my part. Of course, it wasn't perfect; it was as good as it could have been under its time-constraining circumstances. But the fact that it was considerably true to the book leaves me excited to see what the film sequels will be like, since I now expect them to respect the other books in the same way.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-
In a post-apocalyptic world, the nation of Panem rose from what was once North America. A glitzy and glamorous Capitol rules twelve outlying districts, each with a representative industry. An unsuccessful rebellion by the districts led to punishment in the form of an annual televised fight-to-the-death between twenty-four "tributes" of each district -- one girl and one boy between the ages of 12 and 18. Seventy-four years later, Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence), an impoverished sixteen-year-old from coal-mining District 12, volunteers to take her twelve-year-old sister Primrose's place in the Games after the younger is "reaped." Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson) is selected as the boy tribute, and his ties with Katniss, as well as her complicated relationship with her best friend Gale (Hemsworth), are explored.
The book is obviously much more detailed than the film. The former is also narrated by Katniss, and thus provides crucial thoughts to the readers that the film cannot. The "love triangle" between Peeta, Katniss and Gale is also played up, almost in Twilight form, certainly to appeal to the young female fans; in the book, however, their relationships are much more complex than the film has time to explain, so they end up coming off as trivial, especially that of Katniss and Gale. The same goes for most of the characters; there is so much to squeeze into one film that little room is left for character development, which is a shame, because some great characters like Haymitch (Harrelson), Effie (Banks), and Cinna (Kravitz) deserved more screen time.
Other than that, I think that the writers succeeded in condensing the story into a 142-minute film while staying as true to it as possible. Understandably, some changes had to be made for the sake of time (for example -- and I won't spoil it -- the person who gives Katniss the crucial Mockingjay pin is different in the film than in the book), but most everything else is surprisingly loyal, which is great for those who read and loved the books, like me. I thought that the actual Hunger Games part was specifically well-done, as they were able to take the roughly three weeks that Katniss and company spend in the arena and condense it into a coherent sequence where all of the important events remain intact.
I was pleased by the film; it was definitely worth all of the anticipation on my part. Of course, it wasn't perfect; it was as good as it could have been under its time-constraining circumstances. But the fact that it was considerably true to the book leaves me excited to see what the film sequels will be like, since I now expect them to respect the other books in the same way.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Film Review -- Airplane!
Hailed by the American Film Institute as "one of the top ten funniest movies ever made," this classic 1980 spoof of disaster movies stars Lloyd Bridges. Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Julie Hagerty, and Robert Hays. When the fish served aboard and aircraft flying from L.A. to Chicago gives many passengers and crew -- including both pilots -- food poisoning, disaster seems imminent for the unlucky unaffected. A traumatized ex-war pilot (Hays), on board hoping to rekindle his relationship with his stewardess ex-girlfriend (Hagerty), seems to be the doomed flight's last hope. The film is indescribably silly, but this kind of silliness works, because its intelligent. Part of what also makes the film succeed is that it doesn't try or pretend to be anything other than it is, so the audience is laughing with it, not at it. The short running time prevents overload and further adds to the enjoyability of the film.
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+
Thursday, March 15, 2012
On The Road Trailer
Here is the just-released trailer for On The Road, the new film by Brazilian director Walter Salles. It will be released sometime in 2012.
YMS -- Sleepless in Seattle
In addition to my regular film reviews/news, I will now be posting a column called "You Must See..." or YMS. I will then discuss a film that I particularly like and explain why its a must-see. Enjoy!
I will kick off my very first YMS with my favorite romantic comedy of all time, Sleepless in Seattle. This 1993 film was written and directed by Norah Ephron and stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Recent widow Sam Baldwin (Hanks) has his world turned upside down when his young son Jonah (Ross Malinger) calls a local Seattle radio station and declares his father "Sleepless in Seattle," and in need of a partner. Baltimorean Annie Reed (Ryan) hears the radio show and impulsively sends a letter to Sam. What follows is a genuinely heartwarming love story. Hanks and Ryan are so charming that they make you believe even the small absurdities of the plot. It's just a very sweet, sweet story.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Film Review -- Super 8
This sci-fi film from Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams stars Kyle Chandler, Joel Courtney, and Elle Fanning. It is the summer of 1979, and a group of young friends (Courtney and Fanning among them) shoot a scene for their movie near the train tracks in their small Ohio town. Suddenly, they witness a truck crash head-first with the moving train, and their camera (using Super 8 film) captures footage of the wreck-- and of something that could unlock the mystery of the strange occurrences happening in the town ever since the accident. It is a very interesting, very suspenseful film, and extremely well-done. I saw it for the first time in theaters, and I have to say I was pretty bored. But after re-watching it, I enjoyed it far more this time around. The long running time didn't bother me as much, and I noticed some details that I hadn't the first time. This film intrigued me even before it came out in theaters last summer (starring twelve-year-olds, but with a PG-13 rating, no recognizable stars, and almost nothing divulged about the film during its publicity tour), so I was happy that I changed my opinion about it. It is a cute, intelligent sci-fi thriller.
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Film Review -- Some Like it Hot
This 1959 Billy Wilder comedic classic stars Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe. After witnessing the St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929, struggling Chicago musicians Joe and Jerry (Curtis and Lemmon) take jobs in a band headed to Florida -- and all-girl band. What ensues is a hilarious cross-dressing adventure, involving the band's ditzy vocalist, Sugar (Monroe). It was named by the American Film Institute in 2000 as the greatest American comedy of all-time, and I have to say that the AFI is pretty spot-on. The men, especially Lemmon, are absolute genius in this film, and Monroe is quite possibly at her best here. Living in a time where one bland, formulaic romantic comedy seems to be coming out every Friday in theatres, I can't help but wish that we could go back to the good ol' days where truly incredible comedies like this were made. Definitely a must, must-see.
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A
Monday, March 5, 2012
The Best Films of 2011 (so far)
As Awards Season officially came to a close with the Academy Awards last weekend, I have compiled a list of my favorite films, in no particular order, of the past year. Of course, I have not seen all of them, so I will add to/edit this list as I see fit.
1) The Help: I've lost count of how many times I've seen this film, but it touches me every time. The story of two black maids (Oscar nominee Viola Davis and Oscar winner Octavia Spencer) trying to ignite change in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, I laugh and cry all at the same time. Beautifully told and presented, the performances are still the most incredible feature of the film: truly spectacular ones are turned out by Davis and Spencer; with superb supporting performances from Jessica Chastain and Bryce Dallas Howard. A one-of-a-kind film.
2) Hugo: Martin Scorcese's first "kids' film" was a knockout for all ages alike. A touching tribute to the pioneers of cinema -- specifically George Melies -- the love that this filmmaker has for his art is obvious, and it translates beautifully to the screen. The amazing setting (it won Oscars for Art Direction, Cinematography, both Sound categories, etc.) only enhanced the overall magical quality of the film. It is also a very moving story, centered around an orphaned boy (the wonderful Asa Butterfield) trying to retrieve a message from his deceased father from his old automaton. A rare intelligent "kids' film" that also happened to be one of the most critically and popularly acclaimed of 2011.
3) The Artist: What set this film apart from all the others is obvious -- in an age where 3-D and special effects dominates the big screen, this film was mute and in black-and-white. What could've been a recipe for disaster turned out to be one of the most entertaining films of the year, precisely because it did so much with so little. The acting was crucial, and Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo certainly did not disappoint -- in fact, they far exceeded my expectations (in fact, Dujardin won the Best Actor Oscar). Along with Hugo, it was also a tribute to cinema of days past, and it also reminded us all that great films come in many formats.
4) A Better Life: I cannot discuss this film without crying (tearing up right now, actually). It affected me emotionally in a way that no other film ever has. Demian Bichir's performance was so poignant, so heartbreaking, that I would've given him the Oscar last Sunday without a second thought (Dujardin was absolutely deserving, too). The film, from Chris Weitz, has a simple premise, and is told rather simply, but the circumstances that illegal immigrant Carlos Galindo faces ring all too true. I think, living in LA and being so acutely aware of this issue, made the film strike me all the deeper. A must-see for Bichir's performance alone.
5) Midnight in Paris: A light and clever film from the always-quirky Woody Allen. Count on it to be only for the more "cultured" (many novelists, filmmakers, etc. are referenced), but if you can follow, you'll love it. This film epitomizes the need of only a great script to make a movie great. Allen's words and pacing are almost flawless (which earned him an Original Screenplay Oscar), and the gorgeous French setting is a bonus. An excellent and intelligent comedy.
Honorable Mentions: The Ides of March; Moneyball; Warrior; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
1) The Help: I've lost count of how many times I've seen this film, but it touches me every time. The story of two black maids (Oscar nominee Viola Davis and Oscar winner Octavia Spencer) trying to ignite change in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, I laugh and cry all at the same time. Beautifully told and presented, the performances are still the most incredible feature of the film: truly spectacular ones are turned out by Davis and Spencer; with superb supporting performances from Jessica Chastain and Bryce Dallas Howard. A one-of-a-kind film.
2) Hugo: Martin Scorcese's first "kids' film" was a knockout for all ages alike. A touching tribute to the pioneers of cinema -- specifically George Melies -- the love that this filmmaker has for his art is obvious, and it translates beautifully to the screen. The amazing setting (it won Oscars for Art Direction, Cinematography, both Sound categories, etc.) only enhanced the overall magical quality of the film. It is also a very moving story, centered around an orphaned boy (the wonderful Asa Butterfield) trying to retrieve a message from his deceased father from his old automaton. A rare intelligent "kids' film" that also happened to be one of the most critically and popularly acclaimed of 2011.
3) The Artist: What set this film apart from all the others is obvious -- in an age where 3-D and special effects dominates the big screen, this film was mute and in black-and-white. What could've been a recipe for disaster turned out to be one of the most entertaining films of the year, precisely because it did so much with so little. The acting was crucial, and Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo certainly did not disappoint -- in fact, they far exceeded my expectations (in fact, Dujardin won the Best Actor Oscar). Along with Hugo, it was also a tribute to cinema of days past, and it also reminded us all that great films come in many formats.
4) A Better Life: I cannot discuss this film without crying (tearing up right now, actually). It affected me emotionally in a way that no other film ever has. Demian Bichir's performance was so poignant, so heartbreaking, that I would've given him the Oscar last Sunday without a second thought (Dujardin was absolutely deserving, too). The film, from Chris Weitz, has a simple premise, and is told rather simply, but the circumstances that illegal immigrant Carlos Galindo faces ring all too true. I think, living in LA and being so acutely aware of this issue, made the film strike me all the deeper. A must-see for Bichir's performance alone.
5) Midnight in Paris: A light and clever film from the always-quirky Woody Allen. Count on it to be only for the more "cultured" (many novelists, filmmakers, etc. are referenced), but if you can follow, you'll love it. This film epitomizes the need of only a great script to make a movie great. Allen's words and pacing are almost flawless (which earned him an Original Screenplay Oscar), and the gorgeous French setting is a bonus. An excellent and intelligent comedy.
Honorable Mentions: The Ides of March; Moneyball; Warrior; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
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