Public Enemies, Hangover, He’s Just Not that Into You
- PUBLIC ENEMIES -(2009)
Dir: Michael Mann; Star: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard
Cat-and-mouse thriller that never ends, following John Dillinger (Depp) persistently pursued by blank faced fed Bale, who is always just one step behind. A lifeless, hollow shell of a movie that seems more like an excuse to use big names and violence to sell tickets. Features startling high definition digital photography that seems out of place with the period detail, but eventually you realize that this is probably going to be the industry norm from now on (at least until retro becomes fashionable again). Marion Cotillard can’t quite pull off the American accent, but it doesn’t matter since there’s no real reason to care anyway (at least she’s objectively gorgeous). Public enemies is likely to please the male 12-35 year old age group, but doesn’t really offer anything worthy of the long time investment.
- THE HANGOVER – (2009)
Dir- Todd Phillips; Star- Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianackis, Justin Bartha
Four guys go to Vegas for a bachelor party, the future groom gets lost and the other three must use clues from their forgotten night of partying to find him. Genuine, crude hillarity ensues. What makes The Hangover so successful at what it does are the four characters perfectly crafted and embodied by the leads. They fit moulds that are different from the usual comedy but still recognizeable enough to identify with. Galifanackis is great as the partying buffoon with hints of creepy weirdness, Helms is the schmoe trapped in the life of a respectable man, and Cooper is the authoritative glue that holds them together. Their plight is understandable yet outlandish enough to be greatly entertaining. A thoroughly funny movie from beginning to end, which is especially noteworthy since Judd Apatow had nothing to do with it!
- HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU – (2009)
Dir- Ken Kwapis; Star- Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Connolly, Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Justin Long
Star-studded romantic comedy about a group of women and their troubles with men, all hinting towards the title opinion, but following the predictable romantic-comedy formula. It’s easy to understand why this movie is so watchable, as its stars are all naturally radiating their glorious, glorious presence (the lesser known Goodwin is actually the best of the bunch here). Sometimes funny, sometimes emotional, sometimes observant, and always told from the perspective of female empowerment; it doesn’t amount to much in the end, other than an expectable conclusion, but it’s enjoyable enough getting there. Probably worth more to women viewers, but how could I be certain about that?
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I’ve also been introducing myself to the marvelous works of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki (apparently he’s the Walt Disney of Japan). Here are star reviews for the three I’ve managed to see so far.
- CASTLE IN THE SKY – (1986)
The original Miyazaki masterpiece is one of his most simple (mythology wise), and one of the most exciting, timeless and breath taking animated films I’ve ever seen.
- PRINCESS MONONOKE- (1997)
This one actually gets lost in it’s mythology and by the end it’s hard to care. Still dazzling though.
- SPIRITED AWAY- (2002)
Miyazaki at the height of his powers creating an absolutely absorbing and charming parallel to Alice in Wonderland that’s so thick with beautiful design, mysticism and artwork that it’s almost universally enjoyable. Creative genius fully realized in a form so often misused.
