1832 - What Just Happened?

It's funny, when I was younger I was really obsessed with films about the inside of the industry, especially dark comedies like this that shed it's light upon the underbelly - there was some joy in the mystery of this world - but now I can't imagine myself writing something that's so inside baseball.  I have no complaints about those that do - but it just makes the whole business seem so ridiculously petty - and maybe that's the point.  There's a lot of truth in the insanity that's shown in here, and the actors who play themselves do a pretty great job of leaving their egos at the door.
DeNiro plays a producer who is having the week from hell, dealing with a director who wants to keep his uber-bleak ending for a film about to go to Cannes, and Bruce Willis refusing to shave his beard for an upcoming film.  This sound terribly first world problem-esque - and they are, but I don't think the film is ignorant of that, in fact I think it takes great joy in playing up those of us who just take this shit a little too seriously.
The cast is great and seems to enjoy lampooning us a tinge.  It's not essential viewing by any means, but it's entertaining enough.

1798 - The Hunger Games

Okay.  So clearly I'm way late to the party on this one, and I haven't read the books.  I was going into this expecting something a lot more polished and glitzy and I was pleasantly surprised.  The filming style lent itself well to the story and characters.  I found myself engaged - I knew Katniss would make it out just fine given that this is part of a trilogy, but I was still pretty damn invested in seeing how she would do.
So I'm probably not going to say anything that hasn't already been said, but if you were skeptical of all the hype, so was I, and I absolutely enjoyed it and look forward to the next in the series.  I doubt I'll run to the theatre on the first weekend, but I'll probably try to check it out during it's opening run.  For those who haven't seen it, it's on netflix now.

1715 - Captain America: The First Avenger

I had to finally see this before Avengers launches into theatres in a few weeks.  I'm not sure why I missed this when it first came out.  It's a fun adventure flick and it hits all the right notes.  As much as it's a superhero film, it never felt like it was gimmicky or shlock - which it easily could have been.  I like how it lampooned the iconic image a bit.  I love how this one, more than any of the other Marvel Studios films, felt really integrated into the rest of that world. 
I guess my only thought on this is I'm not sure what a sequel to this film would be… It's hard to think of a better foe for him than Red Skull - the next logical step is The Avengers, but how do you continue the franchise after that… will be interesting to see what they've got up their sleeves. 
So far I've been pretty impressed by the lead up to the Avengers with this, Thor, and the Iron Man films (does the latest Hulk film count?  Is that just a re-casting - or are they rethinking the backstory as well?).  I'll do my best to be there opening weekend.  The comic nerd in me is kind of excited.

1576 - Road to Perdition

I haven't seen this film in years.  I forgot just how damn fine of a film it is.  Given that it's been out for almost a decade you'll excuse me if I go into some territory that might be SPOILERS.  But seriously, folks.  It's been out for ten years - if you were going to see it, wouldn't you have?

I've been on a revenge film kick for research I'm doing, and there's no surprise why it's such a popular genre, it's just one of those things that's so damn primal.  This is one of those films where you just know that each and every shot of meticulously planned and meaningful.  The way that Mendes using sound here is very clever and integrated.  I imagine his experience in the theatre has informed some of his style choices on the screen.  The film is full of wonderful performances from Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Daniel Craig.  If I have a gripe it's that there is a framing narration where Tom Hank's son in the film mentions the various stories about his father, how some say he was a good man, and others that there was no good in him - the problem is in the casting - Tom Hanks couldn't be unlikeable if he tried.  Fair enough, he starts the film off a bit cold, removed, but he's still nowhere near the guy you avoid in a dark alley.  I think that they could have made him a bit rougher around the edges.

So if you haven't seen this film you really should.  It's not something I really ever heard spoken about, but it's just a really wonderful film from top to bottom

1529 - Sidewalks of New York

I've been meaning to watch this film for years now.  I was always interested by reviews of it that would say stuff like "It lives at a cross-roads between Woody Allen and Sex and the City" or "It fails to be interesting but is impossible to dislike".  And now having seen it - both those reviews are kind of true...
First off, this film has a phenomenal cast.  As an ensemble film it's really important to maintain a balance and making it so your audience enjoys each story that they are currently in and not always wishing that they were back in one in particular.  Burns has a knack for characters and dialogue that's honest and refreshing.  The situations and insights aren't particularly original or unique - but they still hit home nonetheless. 
It's hard to classify a film like this - I'm sure some would burn me at the stake for suggesting it might fit under the intelligent rom-com banner - it's more amusing than funny (but then again when were most rom-coms ever concerned with being funny?).
While not a date film, this is a film I can easily recommend.  Lots of strong characters that you enjoy spending time with.  Give it a whirl.  It definitely makes me want to dive further into Burns' work.
Sidewalks of New York 

1510 - Easy A

Let's get the crappy part of the review out of the way right away.  I had a hard time buying into the beginning of this film.  In this day in age does anyone in high school really make a big deal of a girl sleeping with someone?  Sure, once they start giving it away to everyone perhaps, but after just one guy the news spreads like wildfire?  Especially a girl who is apparently "off the radar"?  When I was in high school no one cared and we were in a small town, and that's all you did was gossip.  So with that, and the Hippie and the Christian girl who had the skankiest make-up of everyone, that's my gripes with this film.  Outside of that, there was a lot to like about this film...
I've been a big fan of Ms. Emma Stone since I first was graced with her screen presence.  She's cute as hell, but funny and smart as a whip.  And she's given great stuff to work with.  Some amazing scenes and dialogue going on here - no idea how much was scripted Vs. improv, but it felt real and spontaneous and fun.  Stone is on her way to being a superstar, and for good reason.  Here's hoping she makes good choices.
Stanley Tucchi and Particia Clarkson are goddamn brilliant as the parents in this film.  It's a testament to great casting, acting, and writing.  These roles could have been the standard cliche, but what the screenplay of this film does is give all of the smaller roles something to really do.  There are no wasted roles here.
So while I had initial problems buying into the concept of the entire film, I was over taken by how much fun it is.  The filmmakers are quite obviously in love with the teen comedies of the eighties, and perhaps this is their tribute to them, and if so, it's a decent one.  This is by no means one of those you-absolutely-must-see films, but if you want to be entertained by a pretty damn good teen comedy, then this should be right up your alley.
Easy A  Easy A [Blu-ray]