Casey Elle reviews Movies

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

a formal review.

(2009) DreamWorks and Paramount have released “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” which is the second of the Transformers movie franchise. The sequel followed the highly popular “Transformers” released in 2007 and stars Shia LaBeouf who was recently seen in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” as well as “Eagle Eye”. “Transformers 2” also stars the striking and paparazzi favorite - Megan Fox, whose break-out role was in the first film. “Transformers” is based off of a toy line from the mid 1980s made by toy company- Hasbro that resulted in a popular cartoon and huge following.

Quick Transformers Lesson: Transformers are alien robots from a planet called Cybertron that has been destroyed by civil war. They can transform into cars, devices, or animals. The good guys are the Autobots led by Optimus Prime. The bad guys are the Decepticons led by Megatron.  The first film centered on a core element of the Transformers’ creation and the civil war between the good and the bad robots is brought to Earth. Autobots worked with Sam (LeBeouf), Mikaela (Fox), and the U.S. Armed Forces through Major Lennox played by Josh Duhamel and Sergeant Epps played by Tyrese Gibson to try and fight the Decepticons. The Decepticons were defeated but not eliminated and in “Transformers 2”, the story continues. The Autobots and the U.S. Armed Forces have formed an alliance to eliminate the Decepticons from Earth. Sam is off to his new life in college while leaving girlfriend, Mikaela, at home.

Director Michael Bay and the writers did a fantastic job with the first film. The second film, rated PG-13, was disappointing. It lacked in richness of plot with stock, cheap shots. The action had few sparks but lots of boom. I barely saw Josh Duhamel from NBC’s “Las Vegas” and Tyrese Gibson both of whom had a stronger presence in the first film. They definitely underutilized the cast. John Turturro brought life to the screen as a funny yet stable character. Action films are not supposed to be great cinematic pieces but it helps to keep them consistent. “Transformers 2” seems to have a great shell thanks to marketing with little inside which would be acceptable if the first one was like that but it was not and everyone knows it! Unfortunately, the second installation is a long filler at 2.5 hours which looks like it was put together just to get “Transformers 3”. Ultimately, the movie is about the robots.  They are as great (well, most of them) as they were in the first movie and that will keep the franchise going because that is what started it in the first place. As a Shia LeBeouf fan, I just hope that #3 is worth it for him and for us.

My recommendation: It gets an okay rating mostly because it is a part of the series. It can wait for DVD but most people will see it in theaters.  

Courtesy of Casey Elle’s BOGGS Scale

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image: Copyright by Dreamworks Pictures, Paramount Pictures and other respective production studios and distributors.

(C) Copyright 2009

Away We Go

 

a formal review.

(2009) “Away We Go” is subtle and outstanding. This film about a couple’s journey together is unpredictably funny, sometimes rocky, and absolutely realistic. Director Sam Mendes, coming off last year’s “Revolutionary Road” fame and anchoring his directorial career with an Academy win for “American Beauty”, does not play it safe. John Krasinski, best-known for his role as Jim Halpert in TV’s “The Office”, and Maya Rudolph, with 9 years of “Saturday Night Live” acclaim, are wonderful as the starring pair. Focus Features in association with Big Beach Films brought us this art house cinematic piece.

Burt (Krasinski) and Verona (Rudolph) are in love and expecting. As they start to prepare for their baby, Burt’s parents (played by Catherine O’Hara and Jeff Daniels) decide to move across the world and all of a sudden the couple’s only safety net is gone. When that happens and other things start to fall apart, Burt and Verona feel so displaced that they go on a search for a better place to raise their family. This time away helps them reconnect with friends and family but also puts them in the middle of some challenging situations and refreshing realizations.

Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida brought their marital experience to the table when they wrote this script. Their candor can be felt through the words that the actors share. Allison Janney and Maggie Gyllenhaal also do not disappoint when they take this stage. “Away We Go” is rated R for sexual content and language.  It starts off with a sex scene that although is not explicit is pretty obvious and may make some viewers uncomfortable. However, that opening scene sets up the storyline and the comedic tone perfectly. I imagine that everyone might not connect with this 98 minute flick and it may very well be a niche film but it is a terrific story. “Away We Go” makes you want to be brave in the midst of everyday life.

My recommendation: Great movie. If you can handle the adult themes, you should definitely see it in theaters. It’s not drawn out or over the top.

Courtesy of Casey Elle’s BOGGS Scale

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image: copyright Focus Features 2009

(C) Copyright 2009.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

a formal review

(2008) With thirteen Oscar nominations, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has garnered a lot of attention. However, the number of nominations takes a back seat to its particularly unique storyline. Warner Brothers and Paramount teamed up to bring us this distinctive movie starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Pitt, who is famous for the “Ocean’s Eleven” series, “Se7en”, and “Legends of the Fall”, is no stranger to the limelight. Blanchett has paired up with Pitt before in “Babel” and has been Oscar nominated for “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”, “Notes on a Scandal”, and “The Aviator” in the past 5 years.  ‘Button’ was inspired by a short story of the same name written in 1921 by F. Scott Fitzgerald. There is treasure to be found in everyone’s story and this is 3 hours about Benjamin’s life.

The story of Benjamin’s life is portrayed through the eyes of Daisy (Blanchett), his main love interest throughout the movie. Daisy tells of Benjamin’s unique birth, family life, adventures aboard, and about his loves and fears. His challenges are not especially different from most people except that he physically ages backwards. However, what makes this story special is witnessing his zeal for life and seeing if the love of Benjamin and Daisy is enough to conquer the rare challenges of his existence. 

Director David Flincher and writers – Eric Roth and Robin Swicord were finally able to pin down this movie that has been talked about for over 10 years. Some of the most appealing facets of this movie are owed to the supporting cast including Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, and Tilda Swinton. These actors richly weave their talent through the narrative of ‘Benjamin Button’ making it a well-developed tale. Amazing cinematography in this almost 3-hour PG-13 rated movie definitely held the audience’s attention during its transitory moments. ‘Button’ was a beautifully shot film that had more depth than most give it credit for. It was subtle in its approach and there are touching moments that can resonate with more than just a few of us. In particular, a scene where Benjamin describes a series of events involving Daisy is just brilliantly orchestrated and highlights this film’s nomination. Although none of us are likely to age backwards, we may have all wanted to turn back the hands of time once or twice.

My recommendation: Good movie. It can wait for a DVD watch on a larger screen if you’re not an Academy Award fanatic.

Courtesy of Casey Elle’s BOGGS Scale

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image: Copyright by Paramount Pictures and other respective production studios and distributors.

(C) Copyright 2009

Defiance

a formal review.

(2008) What happens to the human spirit when justice is denied? Does it seek revenge? The Belski brothers answer boldly in “Defiance”. Ed Zwick’s direction of this 1940’s Holocaust film, set in Belarus, is as captivating as his work in “Glory”, “Legends of the Fall” and “Traffic”. Starring roles went to Daniel Craig – the latest James Bond lead, Liev Schreibner from “The Sum of All Fears”, and Jamie Bell, who gathers momentum from his recent “Jumper” role. Defiance, adapted from a book of the same name, documents a true but untold story. This Paramount Vantage picture will remind you why real life can be more exciting than fiction.

The reunion of four brothers comes with the startling realization that horrible crimes are being committed in their homeland. The Nazis were eradicating Jews from Russia so the Belski brothers find solace in the dense forests of their youth. Struggling to search for food and answers, Tuvia (Craig) and Zus Belski (Schreibner) become reluctant leaders to many others who need help. As alliances form and human weaknesses rear their head, their survival is challenged by ever-increasing threats.

Craig, Schreibner, and Bell are impressive in their portrayal act brilliantly as they expose their souls and show what courage is like at the core of a human being. Zwick and Clayton Frohman’s adaptation tell a truth so ugly but also accurate. Strong violence and some language cause this 2 hour and 17 minute movie to be R-rated. Though probably not appropriate for children, it may also be tough for others to handle. “Defiance” may have a heavy hand in changing your perspective on the Holocaust. Many movies about this time period often show many other people groups fighting for the Jews. It is also inspiring to see them fight so arduously for themselves.

image: Copyright by Paramount Pictures and other respective production studios and distributors.

(C) Copyright 2009

Doubt

a formal review.

(2008) Trust. Discipline. Grace. Deception. Truth.  A place of certainty becomes an epithet of doubt. John Patrick Shanley, widely known for his Oscar award-winning screenplay of “Moonstruck”, is a playwright by trade. Luckily for us, he joined producer, Scott Rudin, to bring another play to the big screen with “Doubt”. Meryl Streep, whose notable performances and nominations are too many to list, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, a great chameleon actor whose roles range from “Mission Impossible III” to “Capote”, are the pillars of this film. Supporting this movie are Amy Adams, recently from “Enchanted” and Viola Davis, often in smaller metaphorical screen roles (her words paraphrased). Davis is also a stage actor and played the lead character’s mother in “Antwone Fisher”. Shanley and his actors tackle a relevant but difficult subject matter. Even though the theme may make us uncomfortable, it is addressed in an intellectual way perhaps making it more digestible.

The story is set in the year after JFK’s death and takes place in a Bronx Catholic parish and school where Father Flannigan (Hoffman) and Sister Aloysius (Streep) have conflicting leadership styles. Sister Aloysius rules with a hard hand contrary to Father Flannigan’s more gracious approach. A series of suspicious events unfold that make the audience unsure about the intentions and perceptions of our main characters. Both Father Flannigan and Sister Aloysius come to the crossroads of making a difficult decision. When children are involved, quarrels tend to get messy and that makes the actions and words of Sister Aloysius, Sister James (Adams), and Mrs. Mitchell (Davis) even more costly. The majority of the scenes take place in the school’s complex giving us an outlook of the unique dynamic between students, teachers and priests. Acceptance, power, and reputation play a huge role in this film. 

If for nothing else, scenes between Streep and Hoffman are comprised of exemplary acting and deserve to be watched. The same can be said about the scene between Meryl Streep and Viola Davis walking through the concrete park nestled between buildings. This director distinguished great shots of simple things, a relatively simpler time, and of not so simple characters really well. A daunting soundtrack topped it off. According to a former professor of mine, plays rely more strongly on words and concepts than they do on the time and space that film creates.  Although adaptations sometimes struggle to be translated, the themes that this director creates are notably crafted.  Shanley does not shy away from sensitive topics regarding children and/or the Catholic Church as the PG-13 rating may suggest of this 2 hour film. During times of uncertainty, some disregard the hard questions and others face them with the courage and fear of their souls. How do you know that you’re really sure about something that no one else quite believes including a little piece of you? This contemplative movie will make you change your mind again and again. 

image: Copyright by Miramax Films and other respective production studios and distributors.

(C) Copyright 2009

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

 

a formal review.

(2008) When a historic crime against humanity is told through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy, innocence finds its way through a maze of hate. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”, brought to us by Miramax, is based on the book of the same name written by author John Boyne and adapted by writer/director Mark Herman. Herman brings mostly British actors such as Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis, and Jack Scalon to play his characters. The female lead went to Vera Farmiga, an American of Ukrainian ancestry, who we’ve seen in “The Departed” and “The Manchurian Candidate”. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” is a delicately crafted film that demonstrates a boy showing humanity amongst all the evil of the Holocaust.

We follow a young German family who moves to suit the demands of their father’s military duties during World War II. Bruno, the younger of two children, is actively trying to discover his new surroundings far away from his friends and home in Berlin. Even the watchful eyes of his parents and other guardians (some are soldiers) cannot quench the thirst of Bruno’s curiosity. Bruno sees through eyes that only kids choose to see through. He is unapologetically honest and questions everything that doesn’t quite fit. The only thing that he can control about his life is showing up for his new friend, Shmuel.

Much of this ninety-minute ‘Pajamas’ flick is meant to show a perspective that is neither purely combative nor purely victimized.  Although rated PG-13, some sensitive thematic events may be difficult to watch even in a story told by a child. Viewers that enjoy narratives or historic settings may find significance in this movie. This life-changing film shows the importance of a child’s lack of prejudice and the unfortunate result of ignorance. Throughout, ‘Pajamas’ is one of the great films of the year.

image: Copyright by respective production studio and/or distributor.

(c) Copyright 2009