Many of us may know someone who follows his favorite sports team with unbridled intensity. Now imagine someone who does just that, without having any other interests, or for that matter much of a life, and you have Paul Aufiero, the big fan of Big Fan. Paul, played by Patton Oswalt, is in his mid-thirties, works at a dead-end job, and still lives at home with his mom. His sole interest in life is rooting for the N.Y. Giants: as pathetically as possible. During home games he goes to the stadium to tailgate, and since he doesn't have tickets he watches the games on a TV in the freezing cold outside. He's joined in this pursuit by his best, and likely only buddy Sal, played by indie stalwart Kevin Corrigan. He also calls in to a sports radio show to diss the hated Philadelphia Eagles from a script he prepares during the day. As sad as all this sounds, Paul really seems to like his life and never appears to yearn for anything more. When he and Sal happen to follow his favorite player to a strip club, Paul's life changes real fast. The script, by Robert Siegel, who also wrote The Wrestler, captures all of the pathos that a character like this engenders. It's also quite funny as well, and is one of the more successful black comedies I've seen in a while. This film is also quite optimistic, and celebratory of Paul, in spite of the outwardly sad nature of his existence. Big Fan, which was also directed by Mr. Siegel, is currently playing in very limited release. As we approach another season of endless Sundays spent on the couch I only hope that more than a few get to see this gem.
Rating - 3 1/2 Stars
The "Troubles" of Northern Ireland have always provided a rich vein of dramatic material for film: unfortunate for the people who have lived through it; while providing some enjoyable, albeit guilty pleasures for the cineaste. 50 Dead Men Walking is based on the true story of Martin McGartland, a petty criminal living in Belfast who's arrested and eventually convinced to turn IRA informer: via the lures of some spending money and a car, and the promise not to be thrown in jail for selling hot merchandise. Along the way he acquires a conscience, as he begins to believe in his mission, and is comforted by the fact that his actions are saving lives. Although the film portrays the IRA soldiers as terrorists, the British don't come off as too much better: their soldiers are shown to be thuggish, and their civilian commanders as duplicitous and amoral. Ben Kingsley plays Fergus, Martin's British handler, and he does his usual excellent job in portraying the cynical cop who gradually begins to actually care about his young charge. Jim Sturgess, late of Across the Universe plays Martin, and he's quite convincing as the young criminal turned informer. The film is told in gritty unemotional style and one is made to feel sorry for all involved: the IRA soldiers, most of whom feel that their choice of "profession" is their only option, and the British, who are obviously unlucky enough to be posted to the most dangerous spot in the now non-existent empire. The film also has it's share of explicit violence, including one particularly graphic torture scene: and not to have these would only be dishonest in a film of this type. There has been a recent rapprochement and relative peace between the two sides, but this film shows how bad and depressing it was, only too recently. One final note: the film is in English of course, but to compensate for the heavy Irish accents, subtitles are provided. A wonderful addition and I only wish they had done the same for Trainspotting.
Rating - 3 Stars
The latest from Quentin Tarantino is equal parts WWII action film and fantasy: and totally riveting till the end. The Basterds are a group of Jewish soldiers recruited to work undercover in German occupied territory under the leadership of Lt. Aldo Raine, played by Brad Pitt. Lt. Raine, a good ole boy from Tennessee who hates the Nazis as much as the soldiers under him: and it's likely that an unexplained scar on his neck has a lot to do with that. The Basterds show no mercy to any Nazi, as the part Apache Lt. Raine demands one hundred scalps from every member of his platoon. One of the soldiers, played by director Eli Roth, likes to dispatch Nazis with a baseball bat, evoking the name of Ted Williams in the process. As you've probably surmised by now, the violence comes often, with nothing left to the imagination; yes, these guys really do earn their name. The Basterds eventually plot to do away with the leadership of the Third Reich at a movie premiere, and unbeknown to them the proprietress of the theater is plotting the same thing. Mr. Pitt gives a sometimes comical performance, which does work well in the context of the film: remember this is not your fathers WWII picture. Listening to him try to speak Italian with a Forrest Gump accent is something you wouldn't want to miss. Austrian born Christoph Waltz portrays Colonel Hans Landa, an SS officer who shifts from good cop to bad cop in the blink of an eye, and he's truly one of the great Nazi villains of recent memory. The film has an exciting story and script, and Mr. Tarantino keeps the action moving throughout the whole two and a half hour running time. Not to be missed.
Rating - 3 1/2 Stars
District 9 is an "aliens in our midst" film that's really an allegory about race and refugees: with a little bit of David Cronenberg's The Fly added to the mix. The film takes place Johannesburg, South Africa, and yes that is quite an appropriate location for a film of this type. The aliens of this film have been living in district 9, a sort of reservation/ghetto, in slum-like conditions. They've been there since they mysteriously landed in Johannesburg some twenty years earlier. Officials of MNU, the corporation responsible for the aliens, are now attempting to move them to a new reservation further away from the city, and the aliens, or prawns as they're called by the humans are none too happy about it. Wikus is in charge of this operation, and when he's exposed to a mysterious black alien liquid, well all I can say is that he begins to have some body image issues. The film is quite original while at the same time borrowing aspects from some old Twilight Zone episodes, and the film Alien Nation. The special effects, and there are many, are seamless, and the fact that unknown (at least to U.S. audiences) actors are used makes the story itself the prime focus. The film is done part documentary style and part straight narrative and the whole package comes together quite well. This film works on every level, and allegory aside: it's just an excellent piece of sci-fi.
Rating - 3 1/2 Stars
The Ugly Truth requires a major suspension of disbelief in order to fully enjoy it: that being that Katherine Heigl needs help in landing the man of her dreams. Ms. Heigl stars as Abby, a morning show producer in Sacramento that is suffering in the ratings. The show hires Mike, played by Gerard Butler as a "shoot from the hip" dispenser of relationship advice, in order to pump up the ratings. Abby is immediately turned off by his crude misogynistic behavior, but of course we know by his relationship with his nephew that he's really a great and caring guy underneath it all. On a bet Abby enlists Mike to help her land her dreamy Doctor neighbor, and Mike convinces her that she's got to make some changes to do so. This is where the suspension of disbelief goes into high gear, for as we all know, Ms. Heigl will basically "work" for any guy just the way she is. Now unless this is the first movie you've ever seen you pretty much will know where this film is going to go. Along the way there's plenty of funny stuff, especially when Mike is dispensing his advice: the guys will laugh especially hard. Ms. Heigl also continues to display her flair for comedy, and one scene reminiscent of the famous "I'll have what she's having" scene in When Harry Met Sally should amuse all. A light piece of entertaining fluff.
Rating - 3 Stars
Amy Adams and Meryl Streep star as the two title characters in this twin biographical piece, which tries to juxtapose the story of Julia Child's early rise along with the modern day tale of super-fan Julie Powell. Meryl Streep gives her usual bravura performance, as we learn about Julia's early days in France as a diplomat's wife, her adventures as a student at the Le Cordon Bleu: leading up of course to the publication of her highly influential tome, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Meanwhile, Julie Powell takes on the daunting task of preparing all 524 recipes in Ms. Child's book within one year while posting a Blog detailing her adventures in doing so. This was a good film that could have been great, if only the powers that be had decided that Julia's story was enough to carry the whole film. Of course demographics play a huge role in getting films made so obviously the "studio suits" felt that Julia without Julie was as marketable as Garfunkel without Simon. Not that Ms. Adams didn't do a fine job in the role; it's just that frankly, her story of a bored government employee who cooks and blogs didn't have quite the personality of Ms. Child's. Although I enjoyed the film, I was always waiting for the story to shift back to Julia whenever the focus was on Julie.
Rating - 3 Stars
It's exceedingly rare when a movie highlighting the lost profession of body-snatching appears, and this film will do nothing to advance the cause. The problem is that it tries to be both comedy and creep-fest at the same time: failing at both. What's the problem? Mainly the script, although the acting and effects are serviceable at best. It picks up a little midway when the "undead" start to pop up from the coffins turning the film into a sort of grave robbing zombie movie. Thankfully this film is in very limited release and more than likely will never appear at your local multiplex. It stars Dominic Monaghan from the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Ron Perlman from Hellboy, and frankly, they must have owed someone a favor: which has certainly been paid back.
Rating - 1 1/2 Stars
There are people out there who'll be put off by this film because they'll assume that it's just another goofy Adam Sandler vehicle; unfortunately what they'll be missing is an excellent piece of cinema. The film, although directed by Judd Apatow is not in the same realm as The 40 Year Old Virgin or Knocked Up. Don't get me wrong, it's plenty funny, with both the numerous stand-up routines sprinkled throughout, and the abundant situational humor: but with a serious vein running throughout. Mr. Sandler plays George Simmons, a famous and successful comic actor who is loosely based on himself. Seth Rogen plays Ira, a struggling stand-up as George obviously once was, and who is hired by him to write jokes and serve as his assistant. When George finds out early on that he's very sick, he's encouraged by Ira to reconnect with friends and family: including his once true love Laura, played by Leslie Mann. The film melds its serious and comedic elements seamlessly together, and in many scenes you'll both laugh, hate, and feel sorry for the same character at the same time. Mr. Sandler gives what seems to be an effortless outstanding performance: no doubt helped by the fine script and direction as provided by Mr. Apatow. I never thought I would ever think, let alone mention OSCAR and Adam Sandler film in the same breath but I do believe that Funny People is best picture material. Don't miss it.Rating 4 Stars
