A SmorgasBORED
This little suburb has gotten quiet as a tomb. Morbid, I know, but I spend a good deal of Tuesday in a Toys 'R' Us parking lot throwing around garbage due to the lack of my job this week and the mass exodus of everybody. Ever.
Movie time!
Cinderella Man
Once again, our favorite phone-hucking aussie (it was recently revealed that he threw a vase, too, before crouching in a karate pose) has set the bar for acting performances this year. This one's a keeper, just like I predicted. It's moving and inspirational, just like everyone predicted. An in that greatness lies Cinderella's fault: it is predictable. The only new thing that this boxing drama brings to the table is the gritty spin of the depression (so, really, there's nothing on the table, right, because everyone's starving). Its a comeback of a athlete and a man trying to prove something, the danger of the sport, the passion of the public for an underdog, the power of hope and so on. Seabiscuit's done it too.
Comparisons to Million Dollar Baby are unavoidable, so here's the lowdown: they both have boxing. And boxing is a metaphor for life. Alas, if Baby hadn't come roaring through so recently, everyone would be knocked out by Cinderella. But we've taken this emotional punch before (albeit a different time and setting) and it doesn't have the same effect this time.
Is it awesome? Yes. Should you see it? Yes, especially if you missed Baby. Crowe transforms perfectly (only a few look and think "Well Maximus should have no problem with this"), and Renee Zellweger has the perfect look and manner for the 1930s, like a Roxy Hart in the depression without the evil and the sass. He's good and she's good. It's good. It's so good, in fact, that some AMC theaters are offering an on-the-spot refund if people don't like the movie. It can more than stay on its feet for round after round and gives 100%. But not 110%.
Crash
Let it be known that I dislike Sandra Bullock. Quite a bit.
Let it also be known that I liked this movie. Quite a bit. And its a shame that her name makes the marquee for this one. She is perfectly cast as a bitchy, snooty wife of a District Attorney (Brendan Fraser, forever my George of the Jungle) in this giant race-card of a film. Ok, stop. Wait. Sorry, let's- can we start over without the bad Bullock vibe?
Crash is an interwoven ensemble drama that takes a brave look at race ethics in America, specifically the city of angels. It is one of the most real and relevant movies you'll ever see. Period. It has the ability to reach around your wall of stereotypes and tinker with your inner-most views of the world. And its all true. Think of this movie as a shoe store in which you get to walk a mile in all the different pairs. Yes, you're going to be tired, and maybe have a few bullet wounds, but you'll be a better human being. Welcome to all the worlds at once.
Oh, and it has Ludacris. And Tony Danza. Solid.
I recently found the trailer for this and got very excited. Many many Helm's Deep/Orc flashbacks, and a dinosaur definitely gets kicked in the face. Andy Serkis is playing the title role, by the way. This ish is bananas.
Movie time!
Cinderella Man
Once again, our favorite phone-hucking aussie (it was recently revealed that he threw a vase, too, before crouching in a karate pose) has set the bar for acting performances this year. This one's a keeper, just like I predicted. It's moving and inspirational, just like everyone predicted. An in that greatness lies Cinderella's fault: it is predictable. The only new thing that this boxing drama brings to the table is the gritty spin of the depression (so, really, there's nothing on the table, right, because everyone's starving). Its a comeback of a athlete and a man trying to prove something, the danger of the sport, the passion of the public for an underdog, the power of hope and so on. Seabiscuit's done it too.
Comparisons to Million Dollar Baby are unavoidable, so here's the lowdown: they both have boxing. And boxing is a metaphor for life. Alas, if Baby hadn't come roaring through so recently, everyone would be knocked out by Cinderella. But we've taken this emotional punch before (albeit a different time and setting) and it doesn't have the same effect this time.
Is it awesome? Yes. Should you see it? Yes, especially if you missed Baby. Crowe transforms perfectly (only a few look and think "Well Maximus should have no problem with this"), and Renee Zellweger has the perfect look and manner for the 1930s, like a Roxy Hart in the depression without the evil and the sass. He's good and she's good. It's good. It's so good, in fact, that some AMC theaters are offering an on-the-spot refund if people don't like the movie. It can more than stay on its feet for round after round and gives 100%. But not 110%.
Crash
Let it be known that I dislike Sandra Bullock. Quite a bit.
Let it also be known that I liked this movie. Quite a bit. And its a shame that her name makes the marquee for this one. She is perfectly cast as a bitchy, snooty wife of a District Attorney (Brendan Fraser, forever my George of the Jungle) in this giant race-card of a film. Ok, stop. Wait. Sorry, let's- can we start over without the bad Bullock vibe?
Crash is an interwoven ensemble drama that takes a brave look at race ethics in America, specifically the city of angels. It is one of the most real and relevant movies you'll ever see. Period. It has the ability to reach around your wall of stereotypes and tinker with your inner-most views of the world. And its all true. Think of this movie as a shoe store in which you get to walk a mile in all the different pairs. Yes, you're going to be tired, and maybe have a few bullet wounds, but you'll be a better human being. Welcome to all the worlds at once.
Oh, and it has Ludacris. And Tony Danza. Solid.
I recently found the trailer for this and got very excited. Many many Helm's Deep/Orc flashbacks, and a dinosaur definitely gets kicked in the face. Andy Serkis is playing the title role, by the way. This ish is bananas.
posted by Jon at 1:42 PM
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