When you see the TV commercials for Charlie Bartlett don't be fooled. What you think you're going to get and what you do get are two completely different things.
Charlie Bartlett is a very quirky little movie, with quirky characters, and an equally quirky soundtrack. It's the story of a stinking rich 17 year old whose been tossed out of countless private schools for various degrees of shenanigans, and finally ends up a public high school. After initially failing to connect with his piers, he goes on to become the most popular in his class by leading the charge against....well everything. He becomes a dealer of prescription drugs, a non professional psychologist who hold sessions in bathroom stalls, and the lead voice this group of misfits never had. He also dates the principals daughter and about drives him out of his mind.
OK, first of all, this is an R rated movie and well deserved. This is not the real feel good movie that the TV spots would suggest. This is a movie that takes on many of the obstacles that face young people today and puts them into focus. It also speaks to the new problems of a generation out of high school for 10 -12 years. But maybe more importantly, it speaks to all of us on the personal demons we all have on some level or another, and if we choose to face them or not.
Charlie Bartlett is not for everyone. It's tough to watch at times, and deals with some heavy teen issues too. One thing I think is very skillfully done here, is that while this movie feels very real, you also know the whole time that this IS a story in a movie and that saves you from really losing hope for it characters. To enjoy Charlie Bartlett, I think you really have to love going to the movies. This is not for the twice a year movie goer.
But Charlie Bartlett is not a bad movie either. I was not thrilled with every frame in every scene, but in the end I rather enjoyed the sum of all the parts. True, it is not world changing cinema, but little is. Charlie Bartlett will be a big date movie with young adults, but might be worth a view for parents too. Just in case you think you may know a Charlie Bartlett.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
No Buzz For Oscar
The Academy Awards are traditionally one of the biggest events of year and officially they will be again this year. The TV ratings will be good, and so will the cost per commercial. But many fans this year I feeling left out and in the cold.
There's usually a lot of anticipation leading up to the Oscars. Fun quips like "1 hour of top notch entertainment, spread out over a 4 hour show." Plus the wonderment if your favorite flick if going to win anything this year. But there just doesn't seem to be the "buzz" this year. Hollywood had a great year at the box office, tough not to at 9-13 bones per ticket. Plus there were some really great movies made. But this year Oscar is getting thrown around by many circumstances beyond his control.
Maybe more than any year ever, the Oscar nominations were dominated by movies that many in the movie going public did not see or really embrace. This is nothing new, but it's really glaring this year. Dynasty's are good for sports and entertainment, but this year there is no Titanic. Fans are having a tough time latching on to a favorite flick.
Juno, There Will Be Blood, Micheal Clayton, No Country For Old Men, and Atonement, are some of the most nominated movies and are all really good. But for the most part their message is heavy, and dark. Some would say reflective of the times and they may be right, but it's not really conducive to creating "buzz."
Oscar is also under siege from it own. There are so many other award shows that are flashier that lead up to the Academy Awards. Over time we may be tired of watching Hollywood pat itself on the back time and time again in the months leading up to it's really big show. Oscar has a lightweight host too this year. John Stewart is a real fan favorite for some, but by and large he misses with the majority of Americans. His show at 11pm on Comedy Central is a long way from mainstream TV. No buzz before the broadcast.
We must face this too. The Writers strike didn't help. It doesn't sit well with most regular people to see what is perceived by most as privileged people walking the picket lines screaming that they are not rich enough. Fans really didn't like it with Major League Baseball, or Hockey and they didn't care for it much here either. From a public relations standpoint too, it didn't help that the trillionaire actors were out in support of them every day on national TV. But it's over and we can all movie on.
Be mindful when you watch the Oscars or read about them online the next day, they are voted on by the Academy and not by one fan anywhere. Same can be said by many other award shows too. It's what THEY choose to honor and not us and that's fine. It's their show, and they should be able to do what they want.
So the time has come and I'll go out on a limb and do my share to create some buzz.....and the Oscar goes to - Best Actor- Daniel Day Lewis (There Will Be Blood) Best Actress - Ellen Page (Juno) Best Supporting Actor - Javier Bardiem (No Country For Old Men) Best Supporting Actress - Ruby Dee (American Gangster.) Best Picture - No Country For Old Men. Dark horse - The movie Micheal Clayton and it's nominees.
Pass the popcorn, the show is about to begin!
There's usually a lot of anticipation leading up to the Oscars. Fun quips like "1 hour of top notch entertainment, spread out over a 4 hour show." Plus the wonderment if your favorite flick if going to win anything this year. But there just doesn't seem to be the "buzz" this year. Hollywood had a great year at the box office, tough not to at 9-13 bones per ticket. Plus there were some really great movies made. But this year Oscar is getting thrown around by many circumstances beyond his control.
Maybe more than any year ever, the Oscar nominations were dominated by movies that many in the movie going public did not see or really embrace. This is nothing new, but it's really glaring this year. Dynasty's are good for sports and entertainment, but this year there is no Titanic. Fans are having a tough time latching on to a favorite flick.
Juno, There Will Be Blood, Micheal Clayton, No Country For Old Men, and Atonement, are some of the most nominated movies and are all really good. But for the most part their message is heavy, and dark. Some would say reflective of the times and they may be right, but it's not really conducive to creating "buzz."
Oscar is also under siege from it own. There are so many other award shows that are flashier that lead up to the Academy Awards. Over time we may be tired of watching Hollywood pat itself on the back time and time again in the months leading up to it's really big show. Oscar has a lightweight host too this year. John Stewart is a real fan favorite for some, but by and large he misses with the majority of Americans. His show at 11pm on Comedy Central is a long way from mainstream TV. No buzz before the broadcast.
We must face this too. The Writers strike didn't help. It doesn't sit well with most regular people to see what is perceived by most as privileged people walking the picket lines screaming that they are not rich enough. Fans really didn't like it with Major League Baseball, or Hockey and they didn't care for it much here either. From a public relations standpoint too, it didn't help that the trillionaire actors were out in support of them every day on national TV. But it's over and we can all movie on.
Be mindful when you watch the Oscars or read about them online the next day, they are voted on by the Academy and not by one fan anywhere. Same can be said by many other award shows too. It's what THEY choose to honor and not us and that's fine. It's their show, and they should be able to do what they want.
So the time has come and I'll go out on a limb and do my share to create some buzz.....and the Oscar goes to - Best Actor- Daniel Day Lewis (There Will Be Blood) Best Actress - Ellen Page (Juno) Best Supporting Actor - Javier Bardiem (No Country For Old Men) Best Supporting Actress - Ruby Dee (American Gangster.) Best Picture - No Country For Old Men. Dark horse - The movie Micheal Clayton and it's nominees.
Pass the popcorn, the show is about to begin!
Friday, February 22, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Vantage Point
Sometimes you buy your ticket and settle in for what you hope will be a really good and interesting movie. Vantage Point is not that movie.
I have to admit the whole idea of Vantage Point seems good enough at first glance. This movie stars a ton of well-known Hollywood actors, but in the end there are no real "performances" here. It's kind of a concept piece. It's the story of a tough-on terror American President who is assassinated in Spain as part of a world summit on terror. The assassination scene is then told over and over again from different points of view from various eyewitnesses. I was interested.
But as Vantage Point unveils, the story becomes 100% unbelievable - and that's a shame. The idea was good enough. Just a footnote, if you are uncomfortable with an anti-American message and agenda, than Vantage Point will not be an enjoyable night out.
In Vantage Point, the inept, bumbling, grey haired, top departments of our government are easily infiltrated and compromised by the highly sophisticated, very attractive, young terrorists that make killing the President look easy. Amazingly a group of 4, almost without incident are way smarter and more organized than the Secret Service and the executive branch of the government combined. Plus at the conclusion, Vantage Point takes a story changing twist that is almost laughable. I'll leave it at that.
They then cram all this action into about 90 chaotic minutes. Chaotic being the operative word. I think too the movie makers thought they were making a "smart thinking-mans movie." They didn't. If you can grasp the flash-back formula, (and who can't) you don't have to do a lot of thinking here.
To it's credit it Vantage Point does zip along with good pace and they don't weigh it down with a love story side plot that sometimes accompany movies like this. Vantage Point should have been better. The idea was there. The actors were there. The budget was there. Sadly, it just doesn't work.
I have to admit the whole idea of Vantage Point seems good enough at first glance. This movie stars a ton of well-known Hollywood actors, but in the end there are no real "performances" here. It's kind of a concept piece. It's the story of a tough-on terror American President who is assassinated in Spain as part of a world summit on terror. The assassination scene is then told over and over again from different points of view from various eyewitnesses. I was interested.
But as Vantage Point unveils, the story becomes 100% unbelievable - and that's a shame. The idea was good enough. Just a footnote, if you are uncomfortable with an anti-American message and agenda, than Vantage Point will not be an enjoyable night out.
In Vantage Point, the inept, bumbling, grey haired, top departments of our government are easily infiltrated and compromised by the highly sophisticated, very attractive, young terrorists that make killing the President look easy. Amazingly a group of 4, almost without incident are way smarter and more organized than the Secret Service and the executive branch of the government combined. Plus at the conclusion, Vantage Point takes a story changing twist that is almost laughable. I'll leave it at that.
They then cram all this action into about 90 chaotic minutes. Chaotic being the operative word. I think too the movie makers thought they were making a "smart thinking-mans movie." They didn't. If you can grasp the flash-back formula, (and who can't) you don't have to do a lot of thinking here.
To it's credit it Vantage Point does zip along with good pace and they don't weigh it down with a love story side plot that sometimes accompany movies like this. Vantage Point should have been better. The idea was there. The actors were there. The budget was there. Sadly, it just doesn't work.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Less Would Be More!
Well here we are in the middle of the campaign for President and the question is, are you tired of the whole thing yet? Just think we still have 8 months to go!
The whole thing should be shorter and easier and I'm here to help. So no matter what party you claim or who your candidate is let's take 5 minutes and reform the system shall we?
First - Debates - Since most important questions in politics are Yes or No questions, and no candidate ever comes close to saying those two words in the current debating climate, let's make it mandatory. Have 25 questions asked by some regular Joe. Make the questions fair and honest and we expect answers the same in return. Yes or No. First one to NOT answer, yes or no, loses. It's clear and we all can learn the truth, plus they are on the record - no mistake. That was easy. Footnote - None of us wants to hear them babbling anyway.
Second - Money - Candidates now currently spend a seemingly unending supply of other peoples money to convince us that they really know how to budget and spend OUR money responsibly if elected. Solution, candidates are only allowed a certain same amount, and let's see how effectively they spend it. Just like you and I have to do. Simple again.
Third - No Negative Ads - If you really made candidates say how they are actually qualified for the job, then we could really learn if that's true or not. Plus we'd all feel a lot better about who we eventually DO vote for. That's just human nature. This is easier than I thought!
Fourth - One Term - Go ahead and lengthen it if you want I'm good with that. But upon further review, after you get the biggest job on earth you should probably spend your time actually DOING it, and NOT spending the first four years re-applying for it again. Here I am ..alone again in the common sense zone!
And Finally this - We don't start the 2008 Major League Baseball season in 2006. The campaign should start January 1st of the election year. Primaries over by summer, conventions should take 2 days, and let's get on with it. You and I know this could be done.
One more thing - Candidates should NOT be allowed to pretend they are "thrilled" to be everywhere. Example - "I am just THRILLED to be in (your small town) and I love what you stand for!" Loud applause. If they do choose to say that, they should be made to put this disclaimer on it. "And after today, if elected, I will NEVER, EVER come back here again unless there is some kind of huge national news worthy event here, and only if the network TV cameras are here and rolling first - But I DO love you!" It would be tough to hear - but honest.
How is it that one man can fix this problem in about 5 minutes on his home computer and Congress would debate it endlessly with no real change? Look, it's obvious these reforms are tongue- in- cheek and not likely to be adopted any time soon. But a man can dream can't he?
The whole thing should be shorter and easier and I'm here to help. So no matter what party you claim or who your candidate is let's take 5 minutes and reform the system shall we?
First - Debates - Since most important questions in politics are Yes or No questions, and no candidate ever comes close to saying those two words in the current debating climate, let's make it mandatory. Have 25 questions asked by some regular Joe. Make the questions fair and honest and we expect answers the same in return. Yes or No. First one to NOT answer, yes or no, loses. It's clear and we all can learn the truth, plus they are on the record - no mistake. That was easy. Footnote - None of us wants to hear them babbling anyway.
Second - Money - Candidates now currently spend a seemingly unending supply of other peoples money to convince us that they really know how to budget and spend OUR money responsibly if elected. Solution, candidates are only allowed a certain same amount, and let's see how effectively they spend it. Just like you and I have to do. Simple again.
Third - No Negative Ads - If you really made candidates say how they are actually qualified for the job, then we could really learn if that's true or not. Plus we'd all feel a lot better about who we eventually DO vote for. That's just human nature. This is easier than I thought!
Fourth - One Term - Go ahead and lengthen it if you want I'm good with that. But upon further review, after you get the biggest job on earth you should probably spend your time actually DOING it, and NOT spending the first four years re-applying for it again. Here I am ..alone again in the common sense zone!
And Finally this - We don't start the 2008 Major League Baseball season in 2006. The campaign should start January 1st of the election year. Primaries over by summer, conventions should take 2 days, and let's get on with it. You and I know this could be done.
One more thing - Candidates should NOT be allowed to pretend they are "thrilled" to be everywhere. Example - "I am just THRILLED to be in (your small town) and I love what you stand for!" Loud applause. If they do choose to say that, they should be made to put this disclaimer on it. "And after today, if elected, I will NEVER, EVER come back here again unless there is some kind of huge national news worthy event here, and only if the network TV cameras are here and rolling first - But I DO love you!" It would be tough to hear - but honest.
How is it that one man can fix this problem in about 5 minutes on his home computer and Congress would debate it endlessly with no real change? Look, it's obvious these reforms are tongue- in- cheek and not likely to be adopted any time soon. But a man can dream can't he?
Monday, February 18, 2008
It Has Just Been Brutal!
Have you really tried to watch TV lately? Man.....it's tough! Whether it's the writers' strike or not, watching the tube these days is bordering on brutal. I can never remember a time when the big networks have had so little to put on. The writers are back now, so things should be getting somewhat better soon.
As far as the big shows are concerned, we did get a little reprieve during the past week or two. Survivor and Lost came back on. And if you're into American Idol, that's back on... Big Brother too. But the past few months have been sheer torture.
As shocked as we all were, the new Bionic Woman tanked. Knight Rider has been ressurected; haven't seen it yet. The Moment of Truth...boy, that's compelling television, and tonight get ready for My Dad is Better Than Your Dad. - No kidding.
It's so bad, I'm pining for Deal or No Deal or some classic episode of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. I know this is all fun and games, and come on it's only television. But you would think that people that make it all the way to the top in the profession could muster up the energy to get something really good on TV.
The truth is there really are no new ideas. Television is now 50 plus years old and the gammit has been run. As interesting as the past 50 years or so have been, I think the next 50 will be even more interesting. What are "they" going to do? Seriously? I have no idea and I don't think TV execs do either. There was a time that the best people in Hollywood were working in television in one aspect or another, but those days are over. And in decades past, they cranked out some real dogs too, ala My Mother The Car.- Oh boy! So bad television is nothing new. But I think we expect more now. I keep seeing all these prep pieces too on local news about the digital switch over a year from now....heck, I'd settle for something good to watch in analog!!!!!!!!!!
One problem TV seems to be having these days is the same problem that pop-rock music has been having for the past 20 years. It's all so disposable. By and large, no staying power. Too trendy, too eager to cash in on the latest fads with not a lot of thought given to quality. There have been some great shows TV shows in that same period, but most will fade and be gone forever. Just like Brittany Spears music. We've changed too. We, as a people, are much more dismissive of anything not in the here-and-now. Tough combination.
So, if the remote has been smoking lately at your house from overuse, you're not alone. If this keeps up we may have to do something really drastic......like read a book, like Stephen King's Duma Key. C'mon......it's gotta be at least as much fun as My Dad is Better Than Your Dad!
As far as the big shows are concerned, we did get a little reprieve during the past week or two. Survivor and Lost came back on. And if you're into American Idol, that's back on... Big Brother too. But the past few months have been sheer torture.
As shocked as we all were, the new Bionic Woman tanked. Knight Rider has been ressurected; haven't seen it yet. The Moment of Truth...boy, that's compelling television, and tonight get ready for My Dad is Better Than Your Dad. - No kidding.
It's so bad, I'm pining for Deal or No Deal or some classic episode of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. I know this is all fun and games, and come on it's only television. But you would think that people that make it all the way to the top in the profession could muster up the energy to get something really good on TV.
The truth is there really are no new ideas. Television is now 50 plus years old and the gammit has been run. As interesting as the past 50 years or so have been, I think the next 50 will be even more interesting. What are "they" going to do? Seriously? I have no idea and I don't think TV execs do either. There was a time that the best people in Hollywood were working in television in one aspect or another, but those days are over. And in decades past, they cranked out some real dogs too, ala My Mother The Car.- Oh boy! So bad television is nothing new. But I think we expect more now. I keep seeing all these prep pieces too on local news about the digital switch over a year from now....heck, I'd settle for something good to watch in analog!!!!!!!!!!
One problem TV seems to be having these days is the same problem that pop-rock music has been having for the past 20 years. It's all so disposable. By and large, no staying power. Too trendy, too eager to cash in on the latest fads with not a lot of thought given to quality. There have been some great shows TV shows in that same period, but most will fade and be gone forever. Just like Brittany Spears music. We've changed too. We, as a people, are much more dismissive of anything not in the here-and-now. Tough combination.
So, if the remote has been smoking lately at your house from overuse, you're not alone. If this keeps up we may have to do something really drastic......like read a book, like Stephen King's Duma Key. C'mon......it's gotta be at least as much fun as My Dad is Better Than Your Dad!
Friday, February 15, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Jumper
Sometimes, in winter, our choices at the movies are limited, and many times our they leave us as cold as the weather. Jumper does not.
Set in modern day, the Sci-Fi Jumper starring Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson is the story of genetic anomolies called "Jumpers" who can and do teleport themselves anywhere in the world at the speed of light. It is also the story of their enemies who have been out to destroy the Jumpers for centuries. Now hold on, this is not "some cheesy made for 16 year old boys special-effect fest" gone wrong. Jumpers is a slick, interestingly fresh movie that I found very compelling.
Don't worry about the actors or star power here. The star of this movie...is the MOVIE. The characters are fairly well-defined who quite frankly could have been played by anyone. Jumpers is very interesting movie making. The effects are quite good, and the story line moves along nicely. Also to its credit, Jumpers realizes that it could wear out its welcome and limits itself to only 86 minutes. Great move there!
I know there have been national critics hammering away at Jumpers, and I don't really understand it. Critics are always screaming that there's too much sex, too much gratuitous violence, too much bad language, movies are too juvenile for young adults today, or we just have too many cartoons in this day and age. This movie is cool without being babyish. There's no real blood, bad language or sex. Jumpers is what it is. It's what "they've" been asking for, and here it is!
Jumpers is not going to make cinematic history, or make a huge social statement, or change the world that we live in. But if you're up for an adventure that you haven't seen before, then forget what you may have heard and "take a jump" around the world.
Set in modern day, the Sci-Fi Jumper starring Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson is the story of genetic anomolies called "Jumpers" who can and do teleport themselves anywhere in the world at the speed of light. It is also the story of their enemies who have been out to destroy the Jumpers for centuries. Now hold on, this is not "some cheesy made for 16 year old boys special-effect fest" gone wrong. Jumpers is a slick, interestingly fresh movie that I found very compelling.
Don't worry about the actors or star power here. The star of this movie...is the MOVIE. The characters are fairly well-defined who quite frankly could have been played by anyone. Jumpers is very interesting movie making. The effects are quite good, and the story line moves along nicely. Also to its credit, Jumpers realizes that it could wear out its welcome and limits itself to only 86 minutes. Great move there!
I know there have been national critics hammering away at Jumpers, and I don't really understand it. Critics are always screaming that there's too much sex, too much gratuitous violence, too much bad language, movies are too juvenile for young adults today, or we just have too many cartoons in this day and age. This movie is cool without being babyish. There's no real blood, bad language or sex. Jumpers is what it is. It's what "they've" been asking for, and here it is!
Jumpers is not going to make cinematic history, or make a huge social statement, or change the world that we live in. But if you're up for an adventure that you haven't seen before, then forget what you may have heard and "take a jump" around the world.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Definitely, Maybe
Valentines Day is here and so is the big Valentines Day movie Hollywood is banking on to be a big hit with couples this year.
The studios have been hitting us over the head the past month or two with romantic comedies one ofter the other most of them tough to keep down after we ingest them. Until now. Here comes Definitely, Maybe with Ryan Reynolds ,Rachel Weisz, Isla Ficher, and Abigail Breslin. It's the story of 35ish "Will" (Reynolds) whose getting divorced telling his inquisitive ten year old daughter" Maya" (Breslin) the story of his dating life before she was born. The movie is told basically in flashback form with the movie concluding in the modern day.
"Will" wades through the 90's with broken hearts one after the other and doesn't grasp the closure thing with woman after woman. This may not sound like a compelling plot line but it works. To be honest, Reynolds holds his own but he may be the weak link in this movie. This picture is completely stolen by Isla Fisher and Abigail Breslin - again. Breslin was the little girl in Little Miss Sunshine last year and she is great again.
I'm not wild about kid characters in movies that utter dialogue that sounds like someone 40 years old. At the movies start it looked like it was going down that awful road but they put the brakes on that quick. - Thankfully. Oh there's a moment or two of that but it doesn't ruin Maya and make her unbelieveable. The movie actually needs more of her. "April" (Fisher) who is one of Wills many love interests is terrific as well. When either one of those two is not on the screen you wish they were. Everyone else in this flick sits in the back seat to Fisher and Breslin.
The main reason this movie works too is that is doesn't try too hard. The story is a little far fetched I know, but hey it's a movie!! There is no real attempt here to make us roll on the floor with a lot attempted physical comedy. We don't have to slop through ill-advised, lame punch lines for two hours either. It's just fun. It's relaxed and easy to watch. Definitely, Maybe does seem to stumble out of the gate but gains some nice pace and finishes strong. It's a fun night at the flicks. Happy Valentines Day - At last!
The studios have been hitting us over the head the past month or two with romantic comedies one ofter the other most of them tough to keep down after we ingest them. Until now. Here comes Definitely, Maybe with Ryan Reynolds ,Rachel Weisz, Isla Ficher, and Abigail Breslin. It's the story of 35ish "Will" (Reynolds) whose getting divorced telling his inquisitive ten year old daughter" Maya" (Breslin) the story of his dating life before she was born. The movie is told basically in flashback form with the movie concluding in the modern day.
"Will" wades through the 90's with broken hearts one after the other and doesn't grasp the closure thing with woman after woman. This may not sound like a compelling plot line but it works. To be honest, Reynolds holds his own but he may be the weak link in this movie. This picture is completely stolen by Isla Fisher and Abigail Breslin - again. Breslin was the little girl in Little Miss Sunshine last year and she is great again.
I'm not wild about kid characters in movies that utter dialogue that sounds like someone 40 years old. At the movies start it looked like it was going down that awful road but they put the brakes on that quick. - Thankfully. Oh there's a moment or two of that but it doesn't ruin Maya and make her unbelieveable. The movie actually needs more of her. "April" (Fisher) who is one of Wills many love interests is terrific as well. When either one of those two is not on the screen you wish they were. Everyone else in this flick sits in the back seat to Fisher and Breslin.
The main reason this movie works too is that is doesn't try too hard. The story is a little far fetched I know, but hey it's a movie!! There is no real attempt here to make us roll on the floor with a lot attempted physical comedy. We don't have to slop through ill-advised, lame punch lines for two hours either. It's just fun. It's relaxed and easy to watch. Definitely, Maybe does seem to stumble out of the gate but gains some nice pace and finishes strong. It's a fun night at the flicks. Happy Valentines Day - At last!
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