Links
That awkward space between reality and reality television.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
As creative inspiration for what to put in this space wanes, I would like to offer occasional movie reviews, as time permits, since most of the commentary I have offered for the numerous films I have mentioned on Possum Holler have been limited to one line and have generally been un-enlightening.
This week’s reviews: Superman Returns/A Scanner Darkly/My Super Ex-Girlfriend
Superman Returns
Director: Bryan Singer
Possum’s Grade: C
It is only fair that I preface this review by stating that I really don’t care for comic book movies (graphic novels such as Sin City and Ghost World are a different story).
While enjoying this movie more than X-Men III (which I was also dragged to against my will), that isn’t exactly a compliment. The truth is I tried to like this movie. I also tried to hate it. I found myself unable to do either. Kevin Spacey brought life to the character of Lex Luther, and Parker Posey was amusing despite the questions of purpose and motive behind her character. Even Kate Bosworth was charming as Lois Lane. I think my biggest problem came from Brandon Routh’s portrayal of the Man of Steel as well as the with what the writer’s gave him to say. Routh could easily be mistaken for a CGI creation. There cannot be any other reason he was cast beside the fact that he looks like Christopher Reeves. But as Bowfinger told Kit Ramsey’s brother, “That’s really something! Robert DeNiro couldn’t look like Kit Ramsey.” It felt like Superman did not have a line more than five words until ¾ of the way into the movie.
Quentin Tarrantino wrote a beautiful tribute to Superman in the final climatic scene of Kill Bill Vol. 2. However, this version of Superman comes nowhere close to being as inspiring.
A Scanner Darkly
Director: Richard Linklater
Possum’s Grade: A
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie though I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending it to everyone. Simplistically, it is almost a cross between Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas and Traffic.
Based on the novel by Phillip K. Dick (which I have not read), you learn at the end of this film that the director could have chosen an entirely different direction to take the movie. What Linklater chooses to do, however, is to leave the audience with the same sense of confusion as the principle characters. Taking place in a not too distant future we find 20% of the population addicted to a drug called Substance D. “There are no weekend warriors with ‘D.’ You are either addicted or you have never tried it.”
Buddies played by Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey, Jr., and Woody Harrelson provide exceptional comedy (particularly Downey, Jr.), while Reeves’ dilemma drives the plot. Reeves plays Robert Arctor, a ‘D’ addict who works as an informant for the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. Everyone in the department wears suits that shield their identity, and questions abound when Robert Arctor is assigned to surveil…Robert Arctor.
To my friends, I suggest going into this movie with few expectations and enjoy a somewhat slow-moving science fiction adventure that is surprisingly comical, yet relevant to many issues facing us today.
My Super Ex-Girlfriend
Director: Ivan Reitman
Possum’s Grade: B+
I read a synopsis of Super Ex a few months ago and became very excited about it. Besides a brilliant basic idea, it had quite a few things going for it: it was written by a former writer for the Simpsons, it was directed by Ivan Reitmann (Ghostbusters, Stripes), it starred Luke Wilson, it had the guy who plays Dwight in The Office, and of course, Uma. But then the trailer came out, and honestly, I wasn’t all that impressed. So, I went into this movie with much anticipation, but at the same time acknowledging the fact that it might suck. I was pleasantly surprised.
My favorite movie of the year so far, it had me laughing much harder than I could have imagined. I hate to gush, but this movie was so much fun. Wilson is Wilson, Anna Faris is indescribably cute, Rainn Wilson is hysterically funny as the wingman without completely reprising Dwight, and Uma is perfect. You don’t entirely understand how much Thurman brings to this movie until she has been out of the picture for a while after G-Girl’s breakup with Wilson’s character and then comes back into the scene. This time when we don’t see her for several minutes is actually the only time this movie drags. When she returns to the screen you instantly realize the presence that she brings.
I don’t always believe in the idea of a ‘popcorn movie,’ but for me, this is the sort of movie that I really enjoy even if it isn’t critically acclaimed.
Possible upcoming reviews:
In theatres: Little Miss Sunshine, Talladega Nights, World Trade Center, The Devil Wears Prada
On DVD: The Lost City, Inside Man, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, ATL
This week’s reviews: Superman Returns/A Scanner Darkly/My Super Ex-Girlfriend
Superman Returns
Director: Bryan Singer
Possum’s Grade: C
It is only fair that I preface this review by stating that I really don’t care for comic book movies (graphic novels such as Sin City and Ghost World are a different story).
While enjoying this movie more than X-Men III (which I was also dragged to against my will), that isn’t exactly a compliment. The truth is I tried to like this movie. I also tried to hate it. I found myself unable to do either. Kevin Spacey brought life to the character of Lex Luther, and Parker Posey was amusing despite the questions of purpose and motive behind her character. Even Kate Bosworth was charming as Lois Lane. I think my biggest problem came from Brandon Routh’s portrayal of the Man of Steel as well as the with what the writer’s gave him to say. Routh could easily be mistaken for a CGI creation. There cannot be any other reason he was cast beside the fact that he looks like Christopher Reeves. But as Bowfinger told Kit Ramsey’s brother, “That’s really something! Robert DeNiro couldn’t look like Kit Ramsey.” It felt like Superman did not have a line more than five words until ¾ of the way into the movie.
Quentin Tarrantino wrote a beautiful tribute to Superman in the final climatic scene of Kill Bill Vol. 2. However, this version of Superman comes nowhere close to being as inspiring.
A Scanner Darkly
Director: Richard Linklater
Possum’s Grade: A
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie though I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending it to everyone. Simplistically, it is almost a cross between Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas and Traffic.
Based on the novel by Phillip K. Dick (which I have not read), you learn at the end of this film that the director could have chosen an entirely different direction to take the movie. What Linklater chooses to do, however, is to leave the audience with the same sense of confusion as the principle characters. Taking place in a not too distant future we find 20% of the population addicted to a drug called Substance D. “There are no weekend warriors with ‘D.’ You are either addicted or you have never tried it.”
Buddies played by Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey, Jr., and Woody Harrelson provide exceptional comedy (particularly Downey, Jr.), while Reeves’ dilemma drives the plot. Reeves plays Robert Arctor, a ‘D’ addict who works as an informant for the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. Everyone in the department wears suits that shield their identity, and questions abound when Robert Arctor is assigned to surveil…Robert Arctor.
To my friends, I suggest going into this movie with few expectations and enjoy a somewhat slow-moving science fiction adventure that is surprisingly comical, yet relevant to many issues facing us today.
My Super Ex-Girlfriend
Director: Ivan Reitman
Possum’s Grade: B+
I read a synopsis of Super Ex a few months ago and became very excited about it. Besides a brilliant basic idea, it had quite a few things going for it: it was written by a former writer for the Simpsons, it was directed by Ivan Reitmann (Ghostbusters, Stripes), it starred Luke Wilson, it had the guy who plays Dwight in The Office, and of course, Uma. But then the trailer came out, and honestly, I wasn’t all that impressed. So, I went into this movie with much anticipation, but at the same time acknowledging the fact that it might suck. I was pleasantly surprised.
My favorite movie of the year so far, it had me laughing much harder than I could have imagined. I hate to gush, but this movie was so much fun. Wilson is Wilson, Anna Faris is indescribably cute, Rainn Wilson is hysterically funny as the wingman without completely reprising Dwight, and Uma is perfect. You don’t entirely understand how much Thurman brings to this movie until she has been out of the picture for a while after G-Girl’s breakup with Wilson’s character and then comes back into the scene. This time when we don’t see her for several minutes is actually the only time this movie drags. When she returns to the screen you instantly realize the presence that she brings.
I don’t always believe in the idea of a ‘popcorn movie,’ but for me, this is the sort of movie that I really enjoy even if it isn’t critically acclaimed.
Possible upcoming reviews:
In theatres: Little Miss Sunshine, Talladega Nights, World Trade Center, The Devil Wears Prada
On DVD: The Lost City, Inside Man, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, ATL
Comments:
Post a Comment
