From Zero to Hero

Remember when Will Smith was the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and he decided to go into film and then in 96 he did Independence Day? Did anyone think that someday he would be doing any serious acting roles that were built on scripts deeper than witty one-liners and one dimensional comedic characters? And yet he has since then pulled off films like The Pursuit of Happyness and I Am Legend. I don’t know about you but I did not see that coming. The same goes for these gents I have listed below for some good old fashioned hindsight irony in cinema.

Paul Giamatti – came on the scene in 1992 and did over a decade of secondhand parts and one-line roles in film after film after film. Then in 2003 he takes on American Splendor and gets people thinking about him as a real actor. Then in 2004 Sideways comes out and everyone is like “Hey, isn’t that the guy that was in that one movie that one time?”. Now he has starred along films with Russel Crowe, Clive Owen, Edward Norton and has had his own leading role in an M. Night Shymalan film. Good job Paul.

Philip Seymour Hoffman – The earliest I can remember Phil is in Twister where he plays the guy who listens to classical music in the car while he chases tornadoes and in Patch Adams where he plays the pretentious roommate to Robin Williams. Not exactly Class A roles. Now he has two academy nominations, one which got him an the award for best actor in Capote. Another climber of the Hollywood ladder.

Adam Sandler – He started in SNL and went into film doing stupid comedy movies like Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison. Then in 2002 kind of confused everyone with his Indie film hit, Punch Drunk Love. He was neither zany nor silly in it but rather awkward and obscure. Then in 2004 Spanglish comes out and he really hits a chord with his very dramatic portrayal of a frustrated but loving father. And in 2007 Reign Over Me hits the screens and he makes audiences everywhere cry for his sad post-traumatic stress syndrome character that he pulls off perfectly. He now has his own production company, Happy Madison Productions, and has been the executive producer for just about as many films as he has starred in. Another one I did not see coming up the ranks in film.

Why no love for “Speed Racer?”

So, I went to see Speed Racer today with my five year old daughter. I didn’t go late at night with Jonny-Ri, I went on a date with my princess.  Before I went I read some reviews by simply typing the title into Google News and here is what you see: entry after entry about how much the movie sucked. It’s too bad really, because I had a great time. Sure, Cinesnob would think this movie is trifle, but he is asleep until September anyway (He might stretch his legs a little for The Happening) This movie IS creative, it IS groundbreaking, and it IS entertaining. If you don’t think that’s the case, then you probably have a point. I took my kid, and we had a blast. This is a kid’s movie, hence the PG rating, so don’t expect much more. Personally, I loved that the storyline was fairly straightforward and that it was so family affirming.

I asked my daughter while I was tucking her in tonight to give me some words to describe her experience. She said that she loved it because it was “really super exciting when they were racing, and the fighting was funny. Chim-chim was funny too!” (Chim-Chim is the family chimpanzee.) We talked about rating movies with thumbs up or down, and she gives it a thumbs up.

I give it a thumbs up too. I have no idea how they created the crazy saturation of color that permeated every frame. Along with a new focus technique that allows certain areas of the frame to be in our out of focus, the color gave the whole film the feeling of a kinetic comic book. The silly fight scenes, the sublime vaudeville score from composer It-man Michael Giacchino, and Roger Allam in the Tim Curry role of the big, rich, evil, baddie all contribute to a movie that is vastly watchable and entertaining.

Trust me. Go see it. Just don’t go with high expectations.

Iron Man Opening Night

I have been talking about this film for months. When I heard about Jon Favreau being on board I was surprised and excited with the unusual directing choice by Marvel. When Robert Downey Jr. showed up as the the leading man it felt like the perfect pick. But being the skeptic I am I was worried about the outcome all the way until the lights dimmed in the theater last night when I saw it.

To cut with the suspense I’ll just flat out say that I feel the movie was a huge success. Better than Spider-Man’s first attempt, better than the Hulk, Fantastic Four or Daredevil combined and even better than X-Men’s first try at the title.

The movie had a great pace which is key in these origin films. They kept you informed while continuing to move along at a steady speed. The characters were engaging, believable and well scripted. The art direction was fantastic and the visual effects were dazzling yet seamless.

Robert Downey Jr. blew everyone in the audience away with his masterful depiction of Tony Stark. I am really curious to see where this film might take his career in the coming years. I feel like with this film he has hit a new level that if he plays his cards right and stays focused he could use it as a stepping stone into much more substantial movies than in his previous career.

Everyone is confident in not only seeing it as a trilogy starter but also a starter to a good trilogy. I fully recommend this film, it is the perfect opener to your summer film festivities.

Upcoming: May 2008

We are now, according to the film calendar, moving into Summer Blockbuster season so I thought I’d share my opinion on the good and the bad for this upcoming month.

May 2:

Iron Man – You know I am going to see it, I know I am going to see it. You know I am hoping its going to be a rare first attempt marvel film that actually gets it right and I know I am hoping that too. This one is a yes.

Made of Honor – Seeing as how I have seen “My Best Friend’s Wedding” I think I might feel a little too much deja vu at this one. Switching the sexes of the characters from a film that came out a decade ago and changing the title does not make it a new film. This one is a sarcastic no.

May 9:

Speed Racer – Hopefully you all read my post on this one so you should already know what I think. This one is a hesitant yes.

What Happens in Vegas – I wasn’t too thrilled about this one until I saw Zach Galifinakis poke his head out from inside the trailer the other day. I may have to go just to see him. And Kat is an uber Diaz fan. This one is a probably, might wait till the cheapy theaters get it.

May 16:

TCON: Prince Caspian – Liked the first one, not exactly as powerful as Mr. Peter Jackson’s fantasy series but still pretty good. We’ll just have to see what merit this one will hold. This one is a yes if I am in another talking animal mood.

Midnight Meat Train – Slasher film. Automatic denial. This one is a no.

May 22:

Indiana Jones – Am I going to see this? Even though I know Sean Connery will not be yelling “Junior!” throughout this one I think I can muster up the courage to see it. This one is a “waiting-for-what-feels-like-my-entire-life” yes.

May 23:

Postal – Spoof style comedy based on a video game. This one is a resounding no.

War, Inc. – Probably won’t see this in theaters because I just don’t feel confident enough about it. But will definitely let it pick my curiosity when the DVD comes out.

May 30:

Sex & The City – I know I would lose my entire female reading audience on this blog if I really spoke my mind on this tv show based film so I will just quietly say no.

The Strangers – These films piss me off. Its a slasher horror film. So as you know from what I said above, it is an automatic no. Then I see the lineup of actors and the two main characters are being played by Liv Tyler & Scott Speedman. Crappy film genre but two of my favorite people. Dammit. I am going to say no but maybe I will sneak away one night and see it at the cheapy theaters under a different alias. Its at least a DVD check out.

Thats it for now. Look for June’s lineup in…June I guess.

Fanboy Squeals while Cinsnob Scoffs

Will it suck? Probably
Will I go? Does the pope poop in the woods?