So, I’ve had time to watch a few movies recently. Unfortunately, with exams and the holidays I haven’t been able to write reviews. I’ll use this post to get you all caught up on what I’ve been watching and whether or not it’s worth your time and money.
When Did You Last See Your Father?
This is my favorite of the films that I haven’t had a chance to write about. It’s the story of a son (Colin Firth) dealing with the sudden impending loss of his father (Jim Broadbent). It’s about coming to terms with the fact that you might not have time to answer all of the questions and address all of issues that result from a lifetime of conflict. Director Anand Tucker expertly captures the quirks and struggles of the father-son relationship in a way to which many will be able to relate. Firth and Broadbent are both excellent in this story that is heart wrenching without succumbing to melodrama. I highly recommend checking this out.
City of Men
The sequel to the critically acclaimed Brazilian film City of God had a tough act to follow. While it didn’t impress me as much as its predecessor, City of Men was still very enjoyable. The story, which follows two of the younger characters from the first film (with the same actors), is energetic and action packed. The themes of fatherhood and friendship within this impoverished, gang-ridden landscape are explored in a way that delivers more emotional resonance than you might suspect. It’s stylishly shot and draws added realism from true-to-life shooting locations in the slums of Rio de Janiero. If you enjoyed HBO’s excellent series “The Wire,” then this is going to be right up your alley.
Married Life
I went into this film with mixed expectations. I really like Chris Cooper, but Pierce Brosnin has never done much for me (with the exception of The Matador). In the end, however, the story just wasn’t enough to keep me interested. Almost everything unfolds precisely as you would expect, with the exception of the very end, which struck me as totally implausible. Cooper’s performance was solid, but none of the other characters seemed particularly authentic. It’s not awful, but there are much better options currently occupying your local video store’s “New Releases” shelves.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
I never saw the first Hellboy, but after seeing Pan’s Labyrinth and loving what Guillermo del Toro did with that film, I decided to give The Golden Army a chance. Like Pan’s Labyrinth, this film is visually very cool. The creatures are interesting and the action sequences are entertaining. Unfortunately, the film stars Ron Perlman and Selma Blair, neither of whom are likely to ever draw much attention from the Academy. It’s based on a comic book, however, so I guess a bit of campiness has to be expected. Overall, it’s certainly a better film than Hancock or any of the new Spiderman movies, so if you’re looking for 90 minutes of somewhat low-brow entertainment, go ahead and give it a shot.
Taxi to the Dark Side
If you weren’t already fed up with the current regime, then this stirring documentary is sure to put you over the edge. Taxi to the Dark Side draws its title from the story of a young Afghan man who was wrongfully arrested, without any evidence, and sent to an American prison. There, the young man, who was never charged with a crime, was interrogated for hours, tortured, and eventually dies. The documentary delves into the culprits and causes behind America’s current policy of torture. It’s especially disheartening once you realize that if any other country was doing to Americans what we are doing to Iraqis and Afghanis, we would have charged them with war crimes long ago.
Tropic Thunder
Back when Tropic Thunder was nearing its theatrical release, I really couldn’t see what the big deal was. Ben Stiller has never been one of my favorites. I feel like he plays essentially the same character in almost every movie he does. Jack Black can be funny (e.g., Orange County) but he can be pretty awful too (e.g., Envy). Robert Downey Jr. has talent, but I’m more than a little skeptical of any modern movie that includes the use of black face. Still, it received generally positive reviews so I decided to give it a chance once it was released to DVD. Stiller and Black were as ridiculous as I expected them to be, but the movie is saved by the mind-bogglingly hilarious performance of Tom Cruise. Cruise steals every scene that he’s a part of and single-handedly saves Tropic Thunder from mediocrity. Rent it without too high expectations and you’re in for a treat.
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan
Yes, I actually rented You Don’t Mess with the Zohan. No, I don’t really have a defense for why I did it. Actually, I was lured in by the fact that it received a 75 percent or above from Roger Ebert and seven other critics on MetaCritic. I should have trusted my better judgement, but I can’t say I didn’t laugh. There are some scenes that are so ridiculous that you won’t be able to help yourself. Even still, if I could have the hour and a half of my life that I spent watching Zohan back, you can bet I’d jump at the opportunity. Pass on this one.
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i’m still upset that you made me watch the Zohan, i want the hr and a half of my life back too. i have to disagree with you about Married Life though, i thought it was aweful and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. I really enjoyed When Did You Last See Your Father, great movie.