Talking Pictures

Rich’s Quickie: Not your grandfather’s feel-good sports drama; and that’s a good thing.

Probably a nominee for Movie Of The Year, “The Fighter” deals with rather serious issues for a sports drama, and as such (and given it’s R rating), it’s not in the same family-friendly area as “The Blind Side” or “Invictus.” And that’s fine by me.

Based on the true story of Mickey Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), and their struggles with each other, their family, and Dicky’s drug addiction, among other things. It turns out that for this fighter, the greatest fight he has is with his own family.

Although Wahlberg is in fine form, giving Ward an innocent air, and Amy Adams is surprisingly pitch-perfect in the role of his troubled girlfriend, it is Christian Bale’s Eklund who drives this movie, and who may get the Oscar nom, as well as the movie that surrounds him. Although the direction is done documentary style adding to the realism, it is also done so well that you barely notice it. The dialogue is believable, and brought home by its actors. And nicely, even the fight sequences are realistic, and overly violent to hyperactive. The Fighter also boasts one of the best “pep talks” of any sports drama. One of the best movies of the year.

Movie Grade: A-

Director: David O. Russell
Writers: Scott Silver (screenplay) and Paul Tamasy (screenplay) & Eric Johnson (screenplay); and Paul Tamasy (story) & Eric Johnson (story) & Keith Dorrington (story)

Rated R for language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality.

Rich’s Quickie: Not much of a legacy…

Bits: Yes, the effects are amazing, and it’s fun and cool to see the original TRON light cycles and other stuff hyper-updated. Yes, if you’re going to see it, pay extra and see it in IMAX 3D. Yes it’s great see Jeff Bridges in the role again, and relative newcomer Garret Hedlund holds his own onscreen with him. Yes, Olivia Wilde looks great in virtual spandex, and it’s good to see Bruce Boxlietner get work.

Bites: But that’s pretty much where the good stuff ends. The more I think about this movie, the more problems I have with it…
- After a strong start (which helps explain the relationships and sets up Hedlund’s “Sam Flynn” as a wunderkid of sorts), “Legacy” wastes a LOT of time doing things they didn’t even bother doing in the first one… like a LONG time for Sam to get his TRON outfit on. Funny; when his dad got zapped in – using the same avenue of entrance – the transition effect was BETTER, and he just appeared in his virtual outfit, disc and all. Seemed a whole lot more efficient back then. I think all of that time showing latex clad women cutting off his clothes and attaching his virtual uniform could have better spent on plot.
- I don’t lame Hedlund (I’m sure someone wrote his one-liners for him, and directed him to act a certain way), but Sam doesn’t seem surprised enough by his virtual surroundings for me. C’mon, you just found out all of your father’s bedtime stories were REAL! Other than a moment or two of “This isn’t happening”, can’t you be a kid again and just be scared and awed and thrilled to be there, BEFORE you’re delivering standard one-liners and swaggering onto the game grid in your new duds? Where was the marvel? Where was the magic of being zapped into your computer? In fact, none of the real people on the grid as like real people would, finding themselves zapped into the grid, or seeing their grown son after 20+ years.
- In such an effect-driven movie, you better make sure all of your effects are good, and in TRON: Legacy, they are not; most notably, the “Young Jeff Bridges”, aka, “Clu.” With Clu being shown and used as much as he is, with him being shown amidst some otherwise excellent effects, with Clu standing next to very real people, Clu is a huge distraction. It is so OBVIOUS that his yes are dead and nearly cross-eyed, that his face is nearly expressionless (except when it goes overboard for little reason), and his mouth doesn’t match his voice.
- The Big Bad Guy in the original TRON was the MCP/Sark and his real world lackey Ed Dillinger. Now the bad guy is… our hero from the last one? Kevin Flynn is the bad guy? Flynn is the bad guy either by pursuing perfection as Clu, or sitting around for 20+ years hoping Something will happen as Kevin. Where’s that genius scamp from the first one? Almost nowhere to be found. Legacy’s Kevin Flynn is part The Dude and part Bridges own persona, but almost none of the Kevin Flynn from TRON.
- Who are the Isos? What’s up with Clu, and with Tron, and with all of these gaming programs? Who is Quorra, Castor / Zuse, or Gem? Further – who CARES?!

Remember the end of the original Wall Street? Bud Fox has turned on his mentor and (also turned state’s evidence), and we see him heading to accept his fate (and we can only guess what the fate of Gordon Gekko is)? And then Wall Street 2 comes out decades later and we find out that Fox’s actions barely made a dent in Gekko (thereby undermining the original movie’s premise), and the guy who really put him up the river for years was… someone we never knew or was introduced to in the first one along with a whole cast of characters we also had to be introduced to because they weren’t in the first one? But at least we get an unnecessary cameo from Fox for continuity? Remember that?

If you do, then ladies and gentlemen, I give you “TRON: Legacy” – a special effects extravaganza (except for Clu), with a bunch of new and irrelevant characters for you to get to know, a convoluted plot that actually undermines the previous film, and a cameo – but one that at least makes sense. Too bad; “Legacy” is not how I wanted to remember TRON.

Movie Grade: C-

Director: Joseph Kosinski
Writers: Edward Kitsis (screenplay) & Adam Horowitz (screenplay), Edward Kitsis (story) & Adam Horowitz (story) and Brian Klugman (story) & Lee Sternthal (story), Steven Lisberger (characters) and Bonnie MacBird (characters)

Rated PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language.

Rich’s Quickie: I STILL don’t know…

How: How – and when – “How Do You Know” works is when Owen Wilson’s gee-whiz bewilderment and Paul Rudd’s …well, anything take center stage. Paul Rudd is fast becoming the best part of almost any movie he’s in, although Jack Nicholson and Reese Witherspoon (and even some lesser-known supporting characters) obviously help.

Why: But with James L. Brooks being the writer and director, maybe there was no one there to consult; no one there to say, “Hey is this a drama? Or a comedy? Or is it a romance?” Because while it seems to be a little bit of ALL of them, there also doesn’t seem to be enough of any ONE of them in a somewhat overlong movie.
Additionally, even though both of our leading men seem infatuated with Witherspoon’s “Lisa”, I’m not sure why. Sure she’s pretty, but not overly so. She’s successful and fit; but she’s also just old enough and past her prime that she gets cut from her professional softball team. She also seems pretty self-occupied, and doesn’t know what she wants out of life. So where’s the big draw? Further, she seems to allow Wilson’s oblivious professional baseball playa “Matty” to largely walk all over her (I guess because he has money, and she also needs a place to live), while treating with mere civility Rudd’s puppy dog “George” (possibly because he has less money, has just lost his job and is maybe heading to jail for fraud)? Again, what’s the draw to this Lisa person? She seems a bit shallow, as do all of our lead characters. Matty has a Peter Pan complex and has no concept of commitment, and even always likable Rudd’s George falls for Lisa without barely knowing her, even telling her at the end of the movie that he loves her (to which she doesn’t respond in kind).
In fact, some of the supporting characters have more depth to them then our main characters and in the end, I still didn’t know the answer to the title question.

Movie Grade: C-

Director: James L. Brooks
Writers: James L. Brooks

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some strong language (on appeal/re-edit); Originally rated R for some language.

Rich’s Quickie: An average movie with star power.

I can just hear The Tourist pitch meeting: “Okay. We get together Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp…”
And what else needed to be said?
The Tourist is a movie with pretty people about pretty people in pretty places, and as such, there are LOTS of lingering shots of Angelina Jolie just thinking of her next line, and of Johnny Depp gazing out upon beautiful Italian vistas. There are even plenty of shots of other people staring AT Jolie, as if we forgot her looks. But all of this posing really slows down the “thrill” part of this romantic thriller. And even once it does get going, its predictability is its problem; from hired assassins who can’t seem to aim their weapons very well, to the final twist that was plain from the start. Now there are some movies whose endings you can guess, but the movie makes it worth it, even though you can guess the outcome. Like a roller coaster you’ve been on before, the ride keeps you entertained enough, even though you know how it ends. Unfortunately, The Tourist just doesn’t supply the thrills or the fun to make the predictability worth it. But Jolie and Depp do have chemistry, and the plot is likable enough, and the action sequences re well shot… but you just get the sense that with this much star power attached, you should be blown away, and not just mildly entertained.

Movie Grade: C

Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Writers: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (screenplay) and Christopher McQuarrie (screenplay) and Julian Fellowes (screenplay)
Jérôme Salle (motion picture “Anthony Zimmer”)

Rated PG-13 for violence and brief strong language.

Rich’s Quickie: The Narnia series ends (?) on a high note.

After switching studios, you may notice a bit of a difference with the latest and possibly last installment of The Chronicles of Narnia. Fans of the original novel(s) by C.S. Lewis may have their qualms about what is and what isn’t in the movie, but strictly as a movie-going experience, Dawn Treader moves quickly from one thing to another; but not at a break-neck pace. It simply knows where it needs to go and it gets about getting there. No sooner does the movie begin with our heroes on earth does the magical painting transport them back to Narnia fro another quest. Each of our heroes not only has an overall shared goal, but each must also face their own personal challenges which allows for a small and rare bit of character development for a PG children’s movie. Nicely, there is virtually no language, skin or violence (except for a bit of swashbuckling swordplay), only a surprisingly intense struggle against a rather nasty-looking beast; so this is one to which you can bring the family.
Finally, although the graphics are first rate, the 3D is a bit of an afterthought; apart from a scene here and there, I didn’t see a huge reason to have it in 3D. Not that it looked bad, mind you; it just didn’t seem to make much of a difference or add much to it. At the same time it certainly didn’t drag it down. Dawn Treader promises to bring back some of the magic and adventure of the first Narnia movie, and I think it does and then some.

Movie Grade: B

Director: Michael Apted
Writers: Christopher Markus (screenplay) & Stephen McFeely (screenplay) and Michael Petroni (screenplay), C.S. Lewis (novel)

Rated PG for some frightening images and sequences of fantasy action

Rich’s Quickie: Although very much a set-up, a good (dark) film in it’s own right.
Lively: With direction from David Yates that is at once both bleak and beautiful, HP 7.1 (I’m not typing Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 1 again!), delivers in almost very way. The acting is better than it’s ever been, as all three of our central characters have grown before our eyes over these last few movies, in both age and thespian experience. Although dark, the tone is potent and pretty consistent throughout, as the threat of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is very real, and penetrating every facet of our young heroes’ lives – indeed, not even Hogwarts or their own homes are safe from The Dark Lord’s touch. This permeation of evil is no better defined than in Hermione’s opening scene, wherein she erases herself from the memories of her parents for their own protection.
Things get tougher from there as Harry’s friends lose their lives while protecting him from harm, and the nasty influence of the soul-shard wielding Horcrux around their various necks (in a near-steal from The Lord of the Rings), unduly influences their darker sides, and pulls them apart just when they need to stick together.
Luckily in the midst of such angst, Ron (Rupert Grint) who had left the group in a fit of Horcrux-induced rage, reunites with Harry (Daniel Radcliff) and Hermione (Emma Watson), and brings back a bit of the old magic (hehheh… forgive the pun), and we are all treated to a wonderful animated sequence (in another near-steal, this time from Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas), explaining just what The Deathly Hallows are. Still, it was so cool, I could’ve watched a whole movie’s worth of that kind of animation… oh wait; I did (see the aforementioned Burton’s Nightmare)!
But even a well made set-up film is still a set-up film, and HP 7.1 has that thorn in its side but it also does what set-up films are supposed to do; get you ready and waiting for the next film. Although a bit bleak and long, by the time Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 ends, you’ll be itching to see Part 2… and that was the whole point.
Deathly: While viewing the first of a two-part 7th Harry Potter movie (you heard me!), you’d better be paying close attention. Not that many who have NOT seen the last six Harry Potter movies or who have NOT digested the books will even be in the theater – the main attendees of the Potter movies are a bit of a special interest group – but even so; the cast of characters is large, the off-screen references even more so, and the magicspeak gobbledygook abounds, so listen up!
Yes it’s dark (and thank Ron and The Twins for what brief comic relief there is); yes it may have a bit of blood and some scary bits too strong for a much younger audience (then again; it IS rated PG-13)… but no, the supposed “sex scene” isn’t scandalous at all – I’ve seen more skin in a Garnier Fructis commercial. And yes, although it is most obviously a robust “set-up” movie, it is still a good flick in and of itself. But again, if you haven’t memorized the last few books and/or movies, drag a Potthead with you to help sort out the many and varied references peppered throughout Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1. It is also on the longer side, and halfway through it feels that way, as Harry’s pseudo spirit quest slows a bit while we’re treated to our heroes running and hiding in various scenic vistas discussing what to do next. But still, few set-up movies have ever been done so well.

Rich’s Quickie: A student film with a big budget.

The Sky’s the Limit: Weirdly watchable, “Skyline” is an FX heavy big monster/alien flick that has alternately cool and lousy special effects. Fun in spots (mostly when the big aliens are on screen), “Skyline” has the benefit of being part old-fashioned big monster movie and part modern FX movie, while being short and largely to-the-point.

What’s my skyline? But everything else seems to be the problem. The acting is amaturistic, the dialogue silly, and the plot scarce (I’m not kidding; aliens come down to sort-of eat our brains). “Skyline” starts with an unnecessary out-of-sequence scene (probably so it could start with a bang), and then steps back a few hours to set up trivial back stories of the people we will eventually watch die one by one. Part of the movie becomes a bit of a zombie flick, with our heroes holed up in a building, arguing amongst themselves regarding which would be the safest route to avoid danger. And as a movie often is its ending, the ending of “Skyline” is so ridiculous you may actually want to see it (and stick around through the beginning of the credits) to believe it.

Movie Grade: D

Director: Colin Strause, Greg Strause
Writers: Joshua Cordes, Liam O’Donnell

Rated PG-13 for sequences of action and peril, and some language.

Rich’s Quickie: A fun, no-brainer.

Don’t Stop: This is a straight-up, no holds barred an uncomplicated action flick, that has the benefit of being “inspired by true events”. Denzel Washington knows how to deliver a line, and seems very comfortable playing the kind of guy who is so relatable and heroic at the same time. The ample action sequences are well done, turning something as benign as a train into a malevolent force – and solid protagonist.

Cease! Unfortunately, Chris Pine is left playing second fiddle to either Washington or the train itself. The outcome is never truly in doubt, and even though it wraps itself up a bit neatly, it’s so easy an action flick to watch I doubt anyone will complain.

Movie Grade: B-

Director: Tony Scott
Writers: Mark Bomback

Rated PG-13 for sequences of action and peril, and some language.

Rich’s Quickie: Sam Rockwell SHOULD dance again… because he’s in another good one!

Convicted: “Conviction” may have been just another run-of-the-mill legal drama if not for it being based upon a true story AND for the talents of Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, and Minnie Driver (to say nothing of the Bailee Madison and Tobias Campbell, the two child actors who played the Young Kenny and Betty Anne Waters). This movie simply is moving and well-crafted storytelling, with Driver providing needed but never silly or obvious comedy relief (and of course, Sam Rockwell dancing – in the buff, no less).

Technicalities: My only complaint is the “twist: of the actual crime seems a bit underdeveloped; but it’s still plausible enough to work.

Movie Grade: A-

Director: Tony Goldwyn
Writers: Pamela Gray

Rated R for language and some violent images.

Rich’s Quickie: “Crash” for VERY troubled colored girls.

For You: If you are a beleaguered woman, you may relate to the supposed powerful females who populate this story (based on a 1975 play), whether you are a colored girl or not (but it probably helps)…

For Who? And maybe I need to be colored to “get” this. Or a girl. Maybe if I were a colored girl that’d be great; or at least not a guy, since nearly every guy in this movie is a sorry example of manhood (but the one who isn’t doesn’t get much of a fair shake from his significant other, either).
Much this movie reeked of simply trying too hard; too pretentious, too dramatic, too MUCH. I noted as I watched that this movie has it all: drug addiction, sex addiction, alcoholism, spousal and child abuse, date rape, teen pregnancy, back-alley abortion, incest, adultery, closeted gays on the down-low, and finally defenestration (no need to look it up; it basically means throwing your kid out a window, and no I’m not kidding).
All of this just comes off as a Please Take Me Seriously from Tyler Perry sans dress, and he even attempts a pseudo “Godfather” sequence to miserable effect. Sadly, the 20 poems in the original play of a similar (but much longer) name find their way into the dialogue, and at the weirdest of times, causing the actors to LURCH into prose right in the middle of modern speech and the worst circumstances. I don’t know if such poetry makes for great movie dialogue, but these monologues did basically give each actress an opportunity to take center stage; but you can almost feel the pressure each must have felt to outdo the other as they chew the scenery.

Movie Grade: D

Director: Tyler Perry

Writers: Tyler Perry (screenplay), Ntozake Shange (play)

Rated R for some disturbing violence including a rape, sexual content and language.