2020 - This Is The End

I don't know why I ended up throwing this in while I was trying to get some writing done.  Did I?  Of course not.  This is an entertaining tour-de-force and about as meta as it gets.  If you're unaware of this film it's a film about celebrities (playing themselves) during the apocalypse.  It's raunchy, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt.  Rogen and Goldberg handle a pretty effects heavy film pretty well for their first time out and the comedy feels tight when it could have just been one big inside joke.  If you like dark comedies and any of the people in this cast - this is pretty much a must see.

1957 - Spring Breakers

I’d been warned by enough people that this was an odd little film, perhaps viewed best whilst high, but I voyaged into it sober.  It’s such an interesting little flick.  Essentially it’s about a bunch of young women who can’t afford to go off on spring break so they rob a little restaurant with water guns, and then when they get to their destination soon find themselves in the company of a true bad-ass.  And that bad-ass is played by James Franco in what seems like the son of Drexel Spivey, the Gary Oldman character from True Romance.  

The film is meant to be a bit of a trip, mostly played out in a dreamlike montage.  Korine does some interesting thing with voice-over, using the same piece to juxtapose different things.  It feels like it’s meant to be a satire, but the fear is young women see this and actually get excited by the goings-on.  Or maybe I’m just turning into a grumpy old bastard.  Anyway, it’s on Netflix, so if you missed it in theatres and were curious to see it, it’s pretty available.  Worth a gander!

1907 - Child of God

There's no way to describe this film outside of delightfully fucked-up.  I have no way of explaining why I liked this film, but I really really did.  It follows a backwoods man as he delves into moral depravity and it's so goddamn fascinating.  You don't give the character a pass, but you also don't want to look away - he's so watchable and interesting.  Franco has such a confident eye in this film and knows exactly what he's trying to accomplish.  I can't imagine how on earth you would market this film outside of an art-house crowd, but it's a really solid, interesting film.  Scott Haze is absolutely amazing as the backwoodsman, and commands your attention.
I love that Franco is just all over the map with his projects and doesn't really have anything in particular that defines him.  Good on him, and I can't wait to see what he brings out next.

1855 - This Is The End

I chose this over Superman, 'cause to me - this is the real superhero flick.  One of the most meta-comedies every - this film tells the story of a group of actor friends who play themselves locked in a house with the apolocolyse forcing them to stick together and discover the true meaning of friendship is.

It's hard to pinpoint a favourite "character" here as I love pretty much all of them.  And I also don't want to give anything away and spoil all the fun that goes on inside of the flick.  It's not trying to be anything than what it is - a fun satire on hollywood and also big action flicks and it work way better than I expected it too.  I'm not going to give away any of the big fun moments, because that's truly for you to discover.  If you're a fan of anyone in this group it's worth checking out.  First time directors did a pretty good job of balancing he tone and also all of the effects that go through this.  

So while it's by no means my new favourite film, it's a bucket full of laughs and entertaining from beginning to end.  Still in theatres.  Go! 

1825 - The Great and Powerful Oz

I'm an Oz nerd.  Return to Oz was one of my favourite films as a kid - probably my favourite since I went down to the video store every week to rent it to the point where they finally just gave me the well-worn VHS.  The first of a, now large, film collection. 
So here we have a prequel of sorts - I'm pretty big on what Gregory Maguire did with the Oz story, so I'm going into this accepting something that's more align to Baum's canon.  It's the story of how the Wizard got to Oz.  First off, I was entertained the whole way through - I figured out where some stuff was going to go pretty quickly, but I also enjoyed the ride.  That being said, it felt a little like they were trying to be just a tinge too clever.  First, the world looks glorious, but I don't need a dozen spanning shots of CGI - I get it - Oz is magical.  Also it just felt like a few too many winks to the audience in terms of how many connections they made to the 1939 film, etc… it didn't feel like a film that could stand on it's own and become it's own classic.  It felt like it was trying to pay homage a little too much and came off as a bit of a a fan-film because of it.  I'd be interested to see if they continue with this as a series of films, but if I'm completely honest - I'm still looking forward to a film adaptation of Wicked.  If you like Oz stuff, it's a must see - especially in the theatres - there's some scary stuff for kids, so be wary of that.

1600 - Rise of the Planet of the Apes

I'm a fan of this series - I own the original boxset on VHS.  Damn straight!  This film serves, I suppose, as a reboot to the franchise.  Seeing how the original series went out of order (mostly out of necessity) this one is smart to start at the very beginning and tell a kind of origin story.
First off, for all those Ape geeks, this film pays wonderful homage to the original series, and in a lot of nice little touches - quick things that you may not even notice, like a young Caesar playing with a toy of the statue of liberty.  It has all the key moments that the film should have, even down to the famous, "Damn Dirty Ape" line.  But what this film also does is that it REALLY makes you give a shit about the apes.  Even though you know that their course of actions is going to destroy humanity, you're still cheering for them.  The CGI is pretty great, and I can't remember a single moment where I was pulled out of the film.  Andy Serkis is a marvel here and like many people are stating, I think he should definitely be recognized for his acting by the academy.    Tom Felton, on the other hand, really needs to stop playing manipulative mustache twirling villains.  Show some range!  He's laughable here and it hurts the film a tad.
This is a film without a lot of dialogue and it's a film full of wonderful imagery that's smart and advances the storyline.  My favorite is of a tree-lined suburban street, all is normal until you see leaves falling, not unlike a swarm of bees coming at you, until you realize - right - the apes must be moving right above us.  Brilliant.
I can only imagine, given the quality and talent from this, that they will continue on with this series reboot.  As they should.  I'd LOVE to know what happens next.  It's smart, fun, and full of energy inducing action flick.  If you like the original series at all, or have been reading the rave reviews and are curious, do yourself a favor and give into your curiosity.  It's worth it.

1508 - 127 Hours

I'm a little behind on this one, but glad that I saw it.  There's a certain amount of balls that it takes to tell the story of a man who is strapped in a canyon and never leave him while he's there.  Stay with him, and leave only when his imagination or memory takes you there.  No cutaways to friends or family wondering where he might be.  It's a bold and inspired choice, 'causing the filmmakers to be extra creative, and they rose to the challenge.
For all intents and purposes this should have been nothing more than an inspiring made-for-tv flick.  But with Boyle at the helm it's anything but.  Aron's time spent between his rock and hard place is more than just a physical obstacle, it's a chance for him to reach deep down.  The beauty of films like this is that it really puts you in their shoes.  What would you do to try and get out?  How would you try to say goodbye when you realized how slim your chances are?
Amidst the tension there are some wonder comedic moments - the stand-out of course being when he interviews himself, mocking his own characteristics which lead to him being so isolated.  That amongst the fantasies and hallucinations keep this film fresh.  I think that most people going into this know how it ends, but if you don't - maybe stop reading here...
The ending is pretty damn intense.  I found myself gritting the entire time.  Flinching, feeling empathetic pain to some degree.  I believe that Franco is going through what he is.  And speaking of Franco - so happy to see him getting some recognition.  He fascinates me to know end as a creative person.  I think he's great and I look forward to everything he's a part of.
This is an extremely entertaining film, but you might need a thick stomach to get through it.  Proceed with caution, but by all means, proceed!
127 Hours  127 Hours [Blu-ray]  127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Jeremy's Film Fest Awards 2010

Over the course of twenty days I saw thirty-seven films at four international film festivals (Toronto, Sudbury, Edmonton, and Calgary) Obviously I have omitted my own film (which in addition to the thirty-seven films I saw four times as well) from below. Hopefully this helps you seek out the best of the best from my own festival experience.

Best Picture

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
Rabbit Hole
Made in Dagenham
Jack Goes Boating
At World's End

And the award goes to… Rabbit Hole
This film was a surprise to me. I knew little about it outside of the premise and it just took me by storm. I consider myself a pretty movie savvy person so it takes a lot to get me to forget I'm watching a film and really get emotionally involved - it takes a hell of a lot more to make me sob like a little baby in a movie theatre. And this film does it without being manipulative. It's just a solid awesome film.

Best Canadian Film

Barney's Version
Good Neighbours
Trigger
Le Divan du Monde (Everybody's Couch)
Fathers & Sons

And the award goes to… Fathers & Sons
Another film that took me by surprise. I haven't seen this film's predecessor Mothers & Daughters (but I will now). You'd have no way of knowing that this film was improvised and, more or less, unscripted. It's funny and heartwarming and I think the themes in it are about as universal as you can get. I pray that this film gets the attention that it deserves. I loved it.

Best Actor

Aaron Eckhardt - Rabbit Hole
Will Ferrel - Everything Must Go
Michael Angarano - Ceremony
Phillip Seymour Hoffman - Jack Goes Boating
James Franco - Howl

And the award goes to… Aaron Eckhardt
I've loved Eckhardt for a long time but this is him at his best. If he's not nominated for an Oscar this year it will be a crime. The rest of the people in this category were really good, but Eckhardt was great.

Best Actress

Natalie Portman - Black Swan
Kat Dennings - Daydream Nation
Nicole Kidman - Rabbit Hole
Tracy Wright - Trigger
Sally Hawkins - Made in Dagenham

And the award goes to… Sally Hawkins
This is a role and a film that is designed for you to love, but Sally's performance goes above that. You root for her, of course you do, but it's so much more than that. It goes without saying that usually once someone has played a role it's hard to see another actor playing it - I dare say it's impossible here. She's perfect.

Best Supporting Actor

Vincent Cassel - Black Swan
Lee Pace - Ceremony
Bob Hoskins - Made in Dagenham
Jay Brazeau - Fathers & Sons
Michael C. Hall - Peep World

And the award goes to… Jay Brazeau
I got lucky enough to get to know Jay a bit at the Edmonton Film Festival, but I promise you that that's not why he wins this. He wins this because he took a role that could have been such a cliche, or gone for just pure absurd laughs, and he made it human. I laughed at this fool, and I wanted to hug him at the same time.

Best Supporting Actress

Mila Kunis - Back Swan
Rebecca Hall - Everything Must Go
Molly Parker - Trigger
Sarah Silverman - Peep World
Amy Ryan - Jack Goes Boating

And the award goes to… Amy Ryan
This is a fine category full of fine women in fine performances, but Amy takes it. Not only is she a phenomenally versatile actress, but when she's playing an underdog outcast, you can't help but love her more. Love her.

Best Director

Ben Affleck - The Town
Carl Bessai - Fathers & Sons
John Cameron Mitchell - Rabbit Hole
Woody Allen - You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
Phillip Seymour Hoffman - Jack Goes Boating

And the award goes to… Carl Bessai
This is not just because Carl is the only non-actor in the category - although it's funny how that happened. Because of how this film was made, and because of how tight it feels I can only imagine that this was a film that he lived and breathed tirelessly and all from the heart and the gut. I'm not saying that anyone else in this category put any less of themselves into their project - but this one feels special to me and so therefore I think it deserves to be awarded for that and for Carl in particular.

Best Screenplay

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
Everything Must Go
Rabbit Hole
Jack Goes Boating
At World's End

And the award goes to… Rabbit Hole
This is a story that could easily be a movie-of-the-week but it's not, and that boils down to the strength of the script and the care put into it. If this film doesn't just explode on it's own then I'll be pushing people into the theatre. It's fantastic.

1424 - Howl

I had a good friend in highschool that introduced me to Ginsberg, so the material is pretty familiar. And I'm the type that knows I'm not intelligent enough to really grasp all that's going on inside of his masterpiece, and that's kind of what the film is about - how to make sense of a work like Howl. As soon as Franco opens his mouth he IS Allen Ginsberg. I really hope his performance gets recognized in some form. This is absolutely not a film for everyone, it's pretty unconventional but at the same time I think this is about the best you can do for an adaptation of this work that also serves a bit as an autobiography. If you're a Ginsberg fan this is a no-brainer.

1377 - Date Night

I liked the premise of this film as soon as I'd heard it. Simple. Fun. Had an Adventures in Babysitting sort of vibe to it. I always thought that Steve Carrell and Tina Fey should team up together, so their pairing got me extra excited. I went into this film just wanting it to be fun and give me some laughs, and it did it's job. There is a set piece in the middle involving a high end car with a taxi that is pretty fantastic. The film is littered with really lovely cameos from some great actors that I adore, including the lovely Mr. Mark Ruffalo, Whalberg, and James Franco. I think that there was some pretty realistic issues in terms of couples that are together long term, and how do you keep it going - and I bought that these two had gotten into friend zone a little too deep. I don't think, however, that they got too far over that by the end. I think they could have gone a little further with the before and after picture of their relationship.

All in all I think it's a fun little film, and I think Fey and Carrell should do more films together (and if you're their agent, give me a shout 'cause I've got a great one for them...)

1096 - Pineapple Express

I just want to start off by saying that no one wanted to like this film more than I did. I love the shit out of the trailer and I'm a fan of almost-all-things-Apatow. You knew they had to make a stinker eventually. That stinker has a name, and the name is Pineapple Express. Is it funny? Of course, there's some really great parts to it. Could have it been a lot funnier? Shit yes. And I don't normally do this, but I'm blaming the director on this. Having never seen anything of David Gordon Green's other pieces I have to be honest in saying that to begin with, it just feels and looks flat. The camera work is lazy and just doesn't feel exciting in any way shape or form. In terms of the action sequences, it feels like a student film director shot them. Besides that the actors seem to have far too much reign. There's just some really horrible things that can only come from the product of bad improvising and probably editing while high. I can only hope some of the "let's keep that" decisions weren't done sober.

Seth and Franco are really great, let's not rock on them, the material itself, I believe is fine. I think with a director better suited to the material this film could have worked, but I just think Green was over his head and became part of a well oiled machine and had no idea how to run it. The film fails because of it's execution. It's a shame. I'm by no means going to turn away from the Apatow camp, however I won't be able to recommend this like I wanted to :(.