Martha Marcy May Marlene

An unsettling drama, that may or may not be messing with your mind.

My rating: 3 and a half reels out of 5 

From the beginning of the movie, there is an uneasiness about this movie that only increases as the movie starts to wear on. The uneasiness will turn into frustration, and eventually an unsettling and disturbing feeling. It's certainly a well done film to evoke such emotions in a viewer, but it's hardly a film that would garner a second viewing. 

The story centers around Martha who runs away from an abusive cult and tries to reclaim a normal life while living with her sister and brother-in-law. Haunted by painful memories, Martha's increasing paranoia and erratic behavior alarms and frustrates them.

Martha is played by Elizabeth Olsen, the lesser known younger sister of the Olsen twins. But after her performance, she'll hopefully get a little more recognition. She reminds me of a young Vera Farmiga. The leader of the cult is played by John Hawkes, who seems to be able to charm Martha and sucks her in. He nicknames her Marcy May because that's what she looks like to him. John Hawkes has become the new creepy guy to cast in movies. A role I hope he starts to shy away from because he can be disturbing and haunt your dreams. 

And he clearly is haunting Martha. The match cut editing and juxtaposition of scenes moves the viewer effortlessly through past and present or in another case, Martha's conscious and memories. This movie came out about a year late, the mind bending movies were last year such as Inception, Shutter Island, and Black Swan. You can make a good debate about whether it was all in Martha's head or not. But considering the dark nature of the film and unsettling feeling you feel afterwards, it's hard to convince someone to go watch this film so that you can make an argument with them. 

You'll probably like this film if:

1. You like independent cinema.

2. You like mind-bending movies. 

You'll probably not like this movie if:

1. You typically like happy movies. 

2. You don't like to feel disturbed by a movie. 

"Oh Martha...why you so crazy?"

The Descendants

A father tries to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident and falls into a coma.

My rating: 4 and a half reels out of 5

The Descendants begins with the over explanatory voiceover of Matt King, who explains that life on Hawaii is no different from anywhere. Families are just as dysfunctional and tears are shed just like anywhere else. Unlike everyone else, not everyone inherits land when their ancestors marry into royalty and has the option from making millions from selling said land. Besides that, Matt King is like everyone else. He has two out of control daughters and is suffering from a loveless marriage, but all things change when his wife falls into a coma after a boating accident. And once the voiceover work stops, the story is finally unfolding naturally in front of us. 

George Clooney always manages to bring the best out of his characters in his movies, even though he always looks the same. He is truly an old school type actor, something like Cary Grant. One of the actresses that stands out in this movie though is Shailene Woodley who plays the daughter, Alexandra King. As a troubled daughter, she is sent away to set herself straight. When she is brought back home, she takes on a parenting type role as her father, Matt King, still has a lot to learn. She brings a sort of ferocity to the role, but with a little bit of vulnerability. She loves her father even though he has been distant from the family. 

The Descendants doesn't explore anything new. This is not the first movie about a father trying to reconnect with his children, but it does explore reconnection in a different way through confronting the man that his wife was having an affair with. Alexander Payne always does a good job in mixing humor with drama. There seems to be a certain style to all his characters in his movies. They're like the kind of people you would get really annoyed with after a while, but you're still able to sympathize and laugh with them. 

The Descendants starts out a little rough, but eventually turns into a dramedy that Alexander Payne fans are used to.

You'll like this film if:

1. You're an Alexander Payne fan.

2. You're a George Clooney fan.

You probably won't like this film if:

1. You don't like character based movies. 

2. The trailers make the movie look boring. 

Hugo

Absolute perfection

My rating: 5 reels out of 5

From the opening moments, you are instantly transported to 1930s Paris. We open up to a cityscape of Paris and then the camera brings us in closer to a train station. Our attention focuses to a young man peeping through a number on a clock in the wall. He is our protagonist, he is Hugo Cabret. Hugo is an orphaned boy who lives in the walls of a train station who gets caught up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton. 

Hugo is an absolute perfect movie. There was some deep thought put into every aspect of this film. The music and costume design easily reflect the time. Cinematography is stunning. The art direction is intricate, especially within the walls of the train station. Screenwriting is superb. Editing is flawless and all the cast members are the perfect fit in their roles. Martin Scorsese does a fantastic job in bringing out the best in the actors, from the extras to the major roles. 

My particular favorite roles in the film were played by Chloë Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, and Sacha Baron Cohen. Chloë, best known for her roles in 500 Days of Summer and Kick Ass, brings a lot of charm and a jovial performance as Isabelle. She is going to be a force to recon with in the future and does a British accent pretty well. Ben Kingsley shows the pain and suffering in a depressed toy shop owner. And Sacha Baron Cohen intelligently acts as a station inspector; a role that could've been easily too comedically goofy, but Sacha gives the right amount of humor and humanity to the role. 

From beginning to end, I was just in awe of this film. The story is fresh and brings a mystery that is not easily solved. The movie is just a great blend of humor, drama, and mystery. The film is even more enjoyable for film buffs as a little bit of film history was incorporated in. Hugo is one of those rare films that just flat out amazes you.

You'll probably like this film if:

1. You like Scorsese films.

2. You are a film buff.

You probably won't enjoy this film if:

1. You're expecting more of a kids film.

2. It just doesn't seem like it's your kind of film. 

10 Movies I Am Thankful For

Here are 10 movies I am thankful for. Some of these have personal meaning for me and others introduced the world to some of my favorite filmmakers. So, in no particular order...

1. Shaun of the Dead - Before this movie, no one (at least in America) ever heard of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, or Nick Frost. Just one of these guys is pure gold, the combo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost is a unstoppable, but put all three of these guys together and it is a force to be reckoned with.

2. American Beauty - The movie that changed the way I viewed movies. Which I explain in an earlier post, Taking a Look Closer. Also, the movie introduced me to one of my favorite directors, Sam Mendes. My all time favorite film. 

3. Reservoir Dogs - The film that introduced Quentin Tarantino to the world. One of my favorite directors and one of the most influential, modern directors.

4. Memento - He had Following two years earlier but I don't think it was until Memento, the film that introduced the world to Christopher Nolan. More on Nolan later.

5. Goodfellas - As far back as I remember, the film that introduced me to Martin Scorsese.

6. Star Wars - Thanks to George Lucas for this film.  My favorite film as a kid and one that spurred my imagination.

7. The Godfather - Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece. In my opinion, the ultimate gangster film.

8. Dr Strangelove: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb - the film that introduced me to Stanley Kubrick, the director that inspires me to explore every genre I can. 

9. Cinema Paradiso - My favorite foreign film of all time. As a projectionist and as a filmmaker, it's a film I could highly relate to. 

10. Inception - In my lifetime, there is no other film that inspired so much conversation than Inception. People who I never talked about movies with were talking to me about this movie. It was a movie that was smart and action packed. Nolan is a filmmaker that is able to utilize every second available to tell a complicated story and plot. There is no wasted time in this movie. 

Thanks for reading! Happy Thanksgiving!

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas

Harold and Kumar are back in a sequel that is as good as White Castle.

My rating: Three and a half reels out of 5

Harold and Kumar have changed over the years. Harold and Maria are married and are attempting to have a child without success. Kumar is a failed doctor living alone and lovesick for his ex-girlfriend. Harold and Kumar have grown apart from each other but when a mysterious package arrives at Kumar's apartment addressed to Harold, Kumar decides to pay his old friend a visit. And when Harold's father-in-law's Christmas tree gets inadvertently burned down, Harold is forced to find a replacement and save Christmas.

3D Christmas takes a simple idea like trying to find a Christmas tree and is able to make something out of it. Nothing feels forced and everything just seems to naturally happen. It's simply cause and effect, where every action leads to the next. While I never saw Guantanamo Bay, 3D Christmas follows the same formula that made White Castle so good. And of course, it has NPH...that's Neil Patrick Harris. Have to love an actor that pokes fun of himself.

The humor in this film is raunchy and some of the jokes could potentially offend some people, but there is something about this film that makes it work well. Harold and Kumar have real problems that people can relate to. Harold wants to try to please his father-in-law. Kumar misses his ex-girlfriend. These are different problems from when we first saw them in White Castle. The two characters have grown from the first film and although they are a little bit more adult, they still have a lot to learn about being an adult. Thank god for hallucinogens...

You'll probably like this film if:
1. You liked the first Harold and Kumar movie.
2. You like raunchy comedies.

You will probably not like this film if:
1. You are easily offended.
2. It's just not your kind of humor.

And while I don't think this 3D craze will last very much longer. I have to say this was the best use of 3D this year, especially when you have one of the most up to date projectors projecting it. 

Like Crazy Trailer

At Sundance 2011, I saw three movies...this was one of them. Grand Jury Dramatic Film winner and Special Jury Prize for Felicity Jones

 

The story of a British college student who falls for an American student, only to be separated from him when she's banned from the U.S. after overstaying her visa. 

If you've been in a long distance relationship, you will be able to relate to this movie. 

Opening in additional theaters this weekend including Salt Lake, so go check it out. 

The Music in You

Hey all

Been away from the blog for a while. I got sick a few weeks ago, and I finally feel like I'm 100%. I got some reviews coming up and some deep thoughts, but right now I want to share with you a video that my friends and I have been working on for the last few weeks.

This is a love song written for Emily's fiancee, who had a rough go with cancer. To find out more about their love story and what happened to Roger, check out www.dancingwithcrazy.com




Music recorded by Dave Pack and Jennifer Klenk; mixed by Dave Pack;
Production: Reifier Entertainment; Produced by Reifier Entertainment and Hullabaloo Productions