from the weekend :: Ka-Ciao!

This past Friday I joined my sister’s family for an opening day viewing of Cars 2, something that had been planned for months by their NASCAR-lovin’ selves. The first film is one of their very favorites, and the last boy tends to quote Lightning McQueen a lot, but I’ve never been as much a fan of that film beyond the simple fact that Pixar films are always enjoyable and visually stunning. The race car aspect though? Meh. So I was thankful that I could join their crew for this sequel because I knew my viewing experience would be made so much better by hearing the boy’s commentary throughout the film. Or at least that’s what I thought. Turns out, I loved the film more than any of them! It was far better than the first one — for me, at least — and my experience was heightened by sitting next to the first boy rather than his younger brother. Which just goes to show that nothing is certain in art or life.

I planned to take several photos before and after the movie, but the boys just weren’t having it. The Pickle was almost cranky the whole day, so I only managed a few. But I think I have enough to tell the story. The boys and their parents arrived at the cinema more than an hour before showtime, so they were able to secure the first spots in line. Such a long wait is not agreeable to the last boy, but he managed to endure with the help of Angry Birds — or, as he calls it, “Frustrated Birds”, because “angry” is not a nice thing to be. … During the movie, K2 and I laughed at pretty much every scene — and most of all when Mater gained the power to change his appearance by voice command and turned himself from a tow truck to a monster truck to a taco truck. We couldn’t stop giggling! I was sitting too far away from the other boy to hear his comments throughout the film, but I did notice him during the opening title sequence. When the original Cars graphic appeared onscreen, Pickle’s hand flew into the air displaying the number two. And as that number appeared on the movie screen, he shouted out, “Two!” It was a terrific way to start the show!
 

You'd think the movie didn't delight these guys, but the truth is they knew I was taking a photo. Plus, I think this occurred during closing credits (which were kinda boring).

My full review of the movie will be posted at a later date. But I will say, “Go see this movie!”

Summer Film Series – Vol. 9, No. 1 :: X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

June 8, 2011 ~ Movies 14 ~ McKinney, Texas

Since my very first introduction to the X-Men universe — way back in 2000 when my pal Nate began to school me on the back stories of mutants featured (and not featured) in the first movie of the current franchise — I have been completely hooked on the series. I’m not a comic book girl, but I absolutely adore the films and continue to find them enjoyable on every subsequent viewing. I even love Wolverine (Origins), because I enjoy seeing so many beloved faces show up in it, though in the final summation it’s a pretty awful film. What kept me engaged through all of the X-Men films thus far was the character of Logan/Wolverine as played by Hugh Jackman. But when word came down that this latest installment would go all the way back to the very beginning, to the friendship origins of Professor X and Magneto, I was more intrigued than ever. My love of Wolverine was as much a love of Jackman as it was the character, but my love of the X-Men story is completely wrapped up in Xavier and Erik. Their enduring relationship has always intrigued me. Making that relationship the basis of an entire film and setting it during a period when they were actually allies sparked a brand new interest in me unlike any I’d had before. And then the casting was revealed… and I knew I’d love First Class even if it stunk to high heaven.

The story of X-Men: First Class mostly takes place in the early 1960s, which alone makes for very cool imagery. Charles Xavier, played wonderfully by James McAvoy, is not yet the professor but is fully aware of the power his telepathic abilities have given him. When he is approached by a government agency to use those abilities in military efforts, he begins to grow toward the Professor X that we will eventually come to know. By contrast, Erik Lehnsherr, who is not yet known as Magneto, is using his abilities to manipulate metals for the sole purpose of revenge upon a doctor who traumatized him in childhood. It is Xavier who rescues Erik from certain destruction and convinces him to join forces with the U.S. government to aid military efforts in Cuba. The great climactic moments involve a band of young mutants working together to prevent the Soviet Union from placing nuclear missiles in Cuba (a historic moment known to us as the Cuban Missile Crisis). It is during this event that the characters begin the transition into their future selves, choosing sides among the two leading men. What X-Men: First Class does is present the beginnings of the characters we came to know in their later years while also setting itself in position for many more stories of the younger mutants. And it is this set-up that excites me the most.

As Xavier, McAvoy is fantastic and truly nods toward the Patrick Stewart personification we have come to love, but the movie really belongs to Michael Fassbender as Erik/Magneto. Fassbender is engaging on all levels, from steely resolve to sarcastic humor to outright sex appeal, and the character of Magneto was never so vivid. (Bless Ian McKellen and his strong portrayal of Magneto in later years, but he just doesn’t offer as many levels of nuance as Fassbender managed to bring to the younger version.) Magneto simply has the better story overall. His journey is one of emotion and learning to control it. And it is that journey which brings such life to this new film, to the point where the entire franchise could focus solely on Magneto’s early adulthood and be better than any other film thus far. Fassbender is just that good in the role. Which is exactly why I never wanted First Class to end.

The moment the credits began to roll at the end of the film I found myself unable to rise from my seat. I was so captivated by Fassbender, so completely thrilled by the giant moments that had come during the climax of the film, and so charmed at the thought of seeing these same actors reprise their roles in more Origins films, that I simply did not want the experience to end. I stayed through the closing credits, caught up in the soundtrack that had not even registered in my ears during the film, and I kept smiling a ridiculously goofy smile over what I’d just experienced. For me, First Class redefined the term “feel-good movie.” It really isn’t a feel-good movie, but it made me feel good. I felt good about the prospect of more. I absolutely hope there is more of this particular setup. Or rather, I just hope there is more McAvoy and Fassbender in these roles. They are perfect together.

That’s not to say that X-Men: First Class is a perfect film, of course. There are actors who just don’t belong in the movie, if you ask me. January Jones, for instance, showed absolutely no talent for doing anything beyond the sulky facial expressions she uses on Mad Men, and her entire role as Emma Frost seemed to exist for no other reason than lying around in as little clothing as possible. Once again I wondered just why this woman gets cast in anything, for she simply is not a good actress! Her character really had little purpose other than being someone for fanboys to ogle. Any other actress could have played her and created an actual character with depth. Instead, we were subjected to Jones, who brought nothing at all to the movie. On the other hand, I truly enjoyed Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique. I had never been a fan of the shape-shifter in any previous film, and I never, ever understood her attachment to Magneto, so it was a real treat to see the origin of the character in this film. And Lawrence’s emotive abilities brought depth to her in a way that Jones failed to do for Frost. In fact, it was Lawrence’s portrayal that made me rethink Mystique and come to love her fully by the end. Of all the relationships that surface in First Class, it’s the one with Magneto and Mystique that thrilled me the most. It is that relationship I want to explore further.

I can safely say that X-Men: First Class is my favorite of the franchise now. It’s the one I want to watch again and again, and it’s the one that brings the most emotional depth. My immediate reaction upon leaving the cinema was, “It will be hard for other summer films to top this one.” I still feel that way weeks later. This one crawled beneath my skin. It charmed me and thrilled me and made me ask for more-more-more. That’s all I ever want in a summer film, and I’m so happy that it was delivered to me by the mutants!
image from 20th Century Fox, linked to source

summer film snobbery (or, what I want to see and what I just don’t need)

With age comes a distinct lack of transitional landmarks in my life. Working year-round (or rather, when I’m working) means there is no true signal to spring, summer, fall, winter like there was during school years, and I have to say, I really miss those indicators. Living in Texas doesn’t provide true seasonal cues either, since we typically have two seasons — semi-cold or too-hot-for-humanity — and I find myself longing for a single moment that signals the end of one period and the beginning of the next. The kids had their last days of school this week, and that’s helped to move me into a summer mode, but for me, the true transition comes with the Summer Movie Season. Some years that begins in May, other years I’ve waited until July to find a movie of interest. But this year, gratefully, my summer begins during the same week as everyone else.

For my 2011 Summer Film Series, I’ve decided to put snobbery into full effect. There’s only a little money that can be used for movies this year, so I’ve got strict requirements in place now that I’ve taken a look at this year’s list of film releases from May through August. Interestingly (or rather, predictably), I didn’t have much trouble narrowing down my list once I saw the summer’s collection of “action” and “comedy” — cough — offerings. Forgive me while I step up onto my soapbox for a moment…

First, despite my love for superhero and comic book movies, I’ve no interest in Thor or Green Lantern. And I see no reason we’re still subjected to anything with Bradley Cooper.

Secondly, I’m truly thrilled that the final Harry Potter film is being released just so we can finally move past the wizard boy to more interesting things. I’m hoping the final Twilight entries aren’t far behind.

Thirdly, while I adore Colin Farrell, I know I would never sleep again if I saw him as a vampire, and I’m saddened to see that chick flicks are dumber than ever or have gone the (downward) way of Apatow. I am thankful, though, that there is at least one good female-centric story that will cleanse the heart and the palate.

This summer I’ll feed my inner fangirl with an earthly (and 2D) Avenger, two awesome X-Men, Cowboys & Aliens, and maybe even Super 8. I’m also excited for the spy drama and (sort-of) pairing of Helen Mirren and Sam Worthington, as well as two Owen Wilson appearances (one live, one CG). I’m always happy for the return of Captain Jack, but I see no reason to wear funky-clunky glasses (or to shell out the extra bucks) for three-dimensional pirates. I mean, seriously… isn’t Johnny Depp always in 3-D? That’ll do for me.

Instead, this year I’ll take my summer entertainment with an emphasis on story and character, plus a healthy side of Tom Hanks, Terrence Malick and Brad Pitt. And then I’ll check out some of the other flicks in 3-4 months when they release on DVD and I can rent them for free. These days, that’s about all some movies are worth.

    

My Summer Film Series is a collection of personal movie reviews posted each year during the summer season. Be sure to check back regularly for my thoughts on the movies I’ve chosen to see this year, and take a look at some of the posts I’ve made in years past.

Summer Film Series – Vol. 8, No. 5: INCEPTION

August 27, 2010, at Cinemark Allen 16 in Allen, TX
 

 
Some movies are so spectacular that you know you will love them before you really even see them. I assumed I’d love The Matrix when I first saw the trailers for it, and that was confirmed for me within the first few minutes of the film when Trinity first suspended herself in mid-air just before taking out a roomful of policemen using only her skills and their weapons. I was convinced of the greatness that is Minority Report before I ever saw a single frame at the cinema. So naturally, based on the spectacular trailers for Inception, I knew I’d love it without knowing one true thing about it. It had a great pedigree in director Christopher Nolan and star Leonardo DiCaprio and its story was obviously going to be mind-bending, and those two elements alone were enough to convince me that it was going to be far beyond my wildest imagination. And it is. In more ways than I can count.
 
To summarize the plot is to give away too much of the film, so I will not do that here. It is necessary to see Inception with no preconceived ideas. I avoided all reviews and news articles prior to viewing just to enter with a clear head. Unfortunately, there was one small element revealed to me unwittingly, and knowing that one thing really did take away a significant level of enjoyment. It’s not that I disliked anything but rather, I knew too much and the mystery wasn’t as deep as it should have been. And that’s a disappointment, as the greatest gift of the film is not knowing until the pieces start to fall into place. That such an experience was taken from me is a true regret as I spent the entire film understanding the story in a way that only should be experienced on second and third viewings. For a movie-lover like me, it truly did take away from the adventure of the film.
 
Make no mistake, Inception is a thinker. It’s the kind of film that forces you to be alert and watchful. It’s not so much “entertainment” as it is an “experience,” and as much as I recommend it to every single person who loves a great film, I know that there is a contingent of people who just find it boring. In truth, it’s only boring to those unwilling to participate in cinematic experiences. Those who find it boring are those who simply want their movies thrown at them with cues for when to laugh and when to cry and what to think. Inception doesn’t tell us any of these things. In fact, it tells us very little. Instead, it presents itself with all you need to know to form your own conclusions. And even then, the conclusions you make are highly debatable. This film is one of those incredible stories that will be discussed and argued and weighed and measured for years to come. I’d even go so far as to say it will be discussed for generations, in the same way we now discuss Hitchcock, Kubrick, Welles, and yes, The Matrix trilogy.
 
What I will say about Inception is that it has one of the greatest casts ever assembled, and the average moviegoer will know very few of them. DiCaprio was given above-the-title billing, but he is merely the navigator of the story. It is his castmates who truly take the film to its heights, and none moreso than Joseph Gordon-Levitt (seen in the images here), Tom Hardy (whom you will remember in years to come as you think back on the film), and the ever-delightful Marion Cotillard (whose character cannot even be described because just knowing who she plays will destroy a key plot point of the film). The rest of the cast is divine in their roles, as well, including Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, and my longtime favorite Cillian Murphy. At various points throughout the film, each of these actors, as their respective characters, draw your attention away from everything else going on, and that is truly a rare gift in modern movies. But above all else, it is the visual spectacle that makes Inception so phenomenal. The (mostly non-CGI) effects of the film are breathtaking — as is one of the first images you see in the film: a grand hall filled with pendant lights that took my breath away every time it was shown — yet none of them draw attention from the human element. And I believe that is the film’s greatest strength.
 

 
images via Internet Movie Database are linked to source

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Summer Film Series – Vol. 8, No. 4: SALT

August 5, 2010, at AMC Theatre, Firewheel Center, Garland TX
 

 
I’d been looking forward to seeing SALT for many, many months since first hearing about the project and Angelina Jolie’s involvement. But, as usual, my excitement for a film was not echoed by the critics, so I did have a slight moment of doubt about whether Salt would live up to my expectations. And as usual, I never should have doubted myself. How in the world could an action film with a spy element that featured Jolie in a part originally written for a man end up going wrong in any way? That she got to play at the same level as the boys, got to be the baddest of all the characters in the film, and bring back shades of Mrs. Smith pretty much guarantees that I’m going to love every minute of the film — or at least love all the moments in which Jolie is onscreen. But Hollywood knew how to counteract any non-Jolie moments by also casting Liev Schreiber (my longtime beloved Liev Schreiber) alongside Jolie and then giving him a role that allowed him to be his awesome self and fill up the screen with as much power as Jolie brought to her own role. Seeing the two of them play off each other — and not just for a few moments within the story — made me wish they could become the next Hepburn & Tracy, making film after film after film together. That’s how much I love their pairing! Jolie is always a favorite of mine, as I believe she is one of the top five greatest actresses of the current generation, but in Salt Schreiber was given the rare opportunity to play a male lead and to show the world just how incredible he is when given the chance. Plus, (and this is a total spoiler, so skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want to know any plot twists), he had a few scenes in a Russian dialect, which I know is very close to his heart and is something he enjoys doing for films. That alone was worth the price of a ticket!
 
I loved Salt. Adored it, actually, and probably will want to watch it again and again over the course of my lifetime. Just as I do Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Wanted. Just as I do Defiance and Ransom and The Manchurian Candidate. And even Gone in Sixty Seconds. Because I love Jolie and I love Schreiber and that’s enough to make Salt a keeper. But even if it wasn’t for the two of them, it’s still a pretty cool movie on its own. Who doesn’t dig a fun spy flick? I think what the critics disliked was that the film was little more than an extended episode of Alias. But my answer to that is, “What’s wrong with that?” Salt was all I wanted it to be and more. Which makes it a winner in my book.
 
image via Internet Movie Database

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