Queue Tips

Occasionally I think I will suggest something to watch on instant streaming of the Netflix variety. Today's recommendation?

The film "Troll Hunter"!

This is a foreign found footage film about a group of students/animal rights activists track down a hunter they believe is poaching bears in Norway. That said to their shock and amazement the man is actually a government employed hunter who tracks trolls who have ventured outside of their territories. Its all part of a big government cover up and such. Sounds silly right? Fact is it is actually a very fun movie. The animation/creature effects are top notch and there are several fun suspenseful scenes. If you can get past the subtitles check it out.

Future Blog Schedule, Beginning 6.20

Monday -OFF DAY-

Tuesday Various

Wednesday Trailer and Upcoming Film

Thursday Classic Film or Documentary Review

Friday Netflix- Queue Tip

Saturday Board Game Review

Sunday Weekly Recipe Suggestion

The Town, 2010

The Town is the second Boston crime drama to be directed by Ben Affleck following Gone Baby Gone. Most of you know that I am a very big fan of Gone Baby Gone, the best movie of it's year in my opinion, and the bar was set high for Affleck's second run behind the camera, especially considering he stars in this film as well.

The Town is story of Doug McCray, a townie (apparently people from Charlestown are referred to as townies, news to me, who is the architect of a heist unit. The Town begins with Doug's crew holding up a bank in downtown Boston, taking the bank manager, Claire, hostage. Doug's crew escapes, Claire is set free, and all is right with the world. Not so much. Doug's colleagues are a little concerned Claire could turn them in after they realize she lives roughly 4 blocks away from their own homes. Doug then enters Claire's life as a charming townie, a begins a the relationship that sits as the catalyst for most of the tension and character development of the film.

The story of the Town does sound a bit absurd, but I assure you it works. The romance is only a vehicle for what the film is truly about, the lives of men who are living as they can with what life dealt them. Of course I believe anyone can choose where they lead their lives, but it is the characters of The Town are truly believable, as the decisions they make aren't rushed and well in the simplest way, make sense.

Ben continues to excel behind the camera, as a writer, and is evolving as an actor. Still the performance of the film has to go to Jeremy Renner, who continues to be a very strong force on the screen after his work in last years The Hurt Locker.

If you enjoyed Gone Baby Gone, or want a bank heist movie with a real story, some real direction check out The Town. You odds are won't be disappointed, easily one of the years best.

The Town, 3.5/4

Waking Sleeping Beauty, 2010

Waking Sleeping Beauty is a documentary that takes a look into the changing of the guards and evolution of the Disney Animation studios during the Disney Renaissance period. Those of you unfamiliar with the phrase should know this refers to the period between 1984 and 1994 when it Disney's animation studios rebounded from rock bottom. The time frame began with the release of The Little Mermaid and ended with the release of The Lion King in 94.

I thought from the trailers I would be up for an interesting look at the animators and creative influences that put the mouse back on top. What you actually get to see is the dark ego filled business war between Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenburg. This was a time when Roy Disney was failing at running the company and brought in Eisner and Frank Wells to bring the sinking ship back to safe waters. Jeffrey was hired by Wells and Eisner to assist in renovating the house the mouse built, mainly the animation department.

This is all very interesting, seeing two men compete to get the acknowledgement of rebuilding Disney's animation branch and the title of being the new Walt Disney. Problem is however the best parts are when we get to see the animators. Young John Lassister, Tim Burton, song writer Alan Menken, and the tragic story of Howard Ashman. These stories shine, these stories captivate. These are really the creative minds that helped the mouse rebound from a year when they were beat at the box office by The Care Bears movie, take that Black Cauldron.

The times you get to peak into these windows you get a glimpse of what make believe world you'd imagine it would be like working for Walt Disney Studios. Of course queue Eisner to bring you crashing back to Earth.

Perhaps one of the more interesting segments is about Beauty and the Beast. Originally meant to be a darker animated film sans musical numbers, the group made the correct choice of scrapping the project and moving it back to Beuna Vista to start over. It is here that Ashman and the animators crafted the only animated film to ever be nominated for Best Picture, at least I believe it was. Oops if I am wrong. This is also one of the saddest moments in the film as Ashman passes away after being diagnosed as HIV positive before he is able to ever see his finished master piece.

Other than making it apparent that my deep seeded dislike of Michael Eisner is not at all misplaced, the documentary pulls back the curtain on fantasy. Just like anywhere else the house that Walt built is a business empire first.

2.5/4

Polarizing Films

Last weekend I rented The Last Airbender, luckily for a $1. Where to begin here? First I did spend some time watching book 1 of the animated series. Always like to give the source material a fair shake, this may have been my first mistake. See the series is lite, fun, but overall has a story arc that enriches character development. For a kids friendly series it at times excelled in it's writing and plotting.

The movie on the other hand is Shyamalan's latest failure. Where did things go wrong here? Perhaps a list is the best choice here:

1. Poor writing, and jamming a 26 episode story arc into 2 hours.

2. Absolutely horrid acting from the kids up front, Jackson Rathbone after this and the Twilight series you may want to retire and go out on top, cause this is probably as good as it gets for you.

3. The special effects and the bending process. You have air benders, earth benders, fire benders, water benders, all of which must halt and do an elaborate dance to pick up a rock ever so slowly, then proceed to do the cha cha to hurl it at an opponent? Who thought this wouldn't look absolutely ridiculous?

4. Shyamalan it's time that you take a break, and really find what made your first few films so good, heck I even liked Lady in the Water, but this and The Happening weren't good. Sorry you can defend you work all you want, but they just were not good. You've got talent, but I'm starting to think you are a bit too arrogant for your own good. Yeah I saw you pop in as a fire nation soldier, and sadly that may have been the best performance in the film. Cause it lasted all of 2 seconds.

So what does one do to wash the stink of an absolutely horrid film off? Well you spend the evening with a depressing WWII tale about the friendship of two boys.

In the Boy With the Striped Pajamas we find a twist on the standard viewpoint of the war, through the eyes of innocence. Bruno is the son of a concentration camp commander. He believes that the new camp is farm, and is unaware of the travesties taking place in his back yard. We all want to believe our parents are good, and this is ongoing struggle that Bruno faces.

Bruno soon befriends Schmuel, a Jewish camp prisoner. The two chat, play checkers over a fence line, and bond. Problem here is that you know this story can't end well. Schmuel is hardened and a child thrusted into adulthood, and it is here that Bruno slowly begins to have the curtains drawn open on reality.

If you have the opportunity I'd suggest giving this one a try. I'll tell you up front things don't end well, and near the end of the film you'll start to understand what exactly is going to occur. Supporting performances from David Thewlis and Vera Farmiga help sell the emotions in the film, and the fact is that the two child actors here: Asa Butterfield (Bruno) and Jack Scanlon (Shmuel) are fantastic. Take that Last Airbender.

The Last Airbender 0/4 ( couldn't watch it)

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas 3/4

Toy Story 3, 2010

I love Pixar. Let's face it, a lot of studios out there would of shelled out another Toy Story sequel some time ago, it took Pixar 11 years to come up with a story that would be a satisfying conclusion, and satisfying it is.

Toy Story 3 opens with Andy headed to college. The toys, Rex especially as always, are quite distraught. The plan is to go into attic mode, and to wait there until Andy needs them again. Things don't always work out as planned, through a mix up the Toys are donated to Sunny Side Daycare. They are thrilled, except for Woody of course, loyal Woody always needs to get back to Andy, but for everyone else who was attic bound the chance to be played with daily is too much to pass up on. Things aren't always as the seem though, wouldn't make for a good story if they were.

Toy Story 3 delves into mortality more deeply than most oscar baited films you will find out there. Mortality, family, purpose, they are all explored upon, and Pixar may have their swan song. I highly recommend this film, especially those of you who have seen the first two, and grown up with them as I have. If you haven't shame on you, go rent them, then see this one.

5/5 Perfection

Best Picture Ranking

9. Up in the Air, 2009

A character study that delves into the mindset of a workaholic and a man who has constructed a life that allows no one the opportunity to become close to him. Ryan Bingham lives out of hotels and airplanes travelling the world doing big companies dirty work. Is it too late for Ryan, has his life style been justified, find out this in and more...

3.75/5