The Core

It is not a 'good' movie but damn if it isn't entertaining. It's become somewhat of a guilty pleasure in my repertoire. It is well to note however that I didn't watch it the first time until 2010 or 11.

You Can't Go Home Again

I love Battlestar Galactica! I've already watched the entire series once over but I couldn't help but rewatch it's excellence. To that end, almost every episode is great but I have to say my favorite and most memorable is You Can't Go Home Again.

Katee Sackhoff is AMAZING in this one. Hard and soft rolled into one with an added splash of levity, I love the fact that she is a Portland native too. (Sidebar.. where was she in the Portlandia episode One Moore Episode ??? ) It's great that I moved to the Pacific NW only to discover that a lot of my favorite writers, musicians, and actors come from this neck of the woods. Just a shame she's not gay ; )

Not a very insightful post... just what I'm watching.

Paired it with: Woodchuck Hard Cider and a green salad from Solstice

Battleship

This is one movie that I had no expectation for and am very glad for that. I thought that anything beyond absolute crap was going to be a stretch for a movie based off of a board game BUT the screenwriters, Jon and Erich Hoeber (Red),  and the director, Peter Berg, (Friday Night Lights) did an excellent job of creating a coherent and not completely unbelievable script. To me, it felt more like a love story to the Navy than it did a propaganda movie for the military; which is what I expected when I saw all the military cooperation involved in the shoot.

The actors throughout the film were also stellar. This also holds true for Rihanna, believe it or not. She did a wonderful job of fleshing out her character without gratuitous shows of her flesh. The first 30 minutes are packed with alum of HBO series', and of course several from Friday Night Lights which Peter Berg both directed and wrote for. 

The introduction was really strong, and included pretty much everything that it need to include. It made me laugh, connected me to the place, the main characters, the love interest, the goal, EVERYTHING.  Very textbook but interestingly done with the multiple camera angles and did I mention funny. Best scene in the whole movie by far.

The only questions that I had for this movie were: 1 - How does a 26 year old fuck up enter the Navy and become a captain in a year? 2 - Did Subway sponsor the movie?

Bottom Line: Bar none better than anything by Michael Bay and better than most comic book/action hero movies. Great job for an action film! (Especially one based on a board game). 

I paired it with: Pumpkin cider and a Caesar salad from Solstice.

Chronicle

Congratulations to Max Landis for writing one of the most original sci-fi screenplays in recent years with Chronicle!! It was fresh in story, production design, and most importantly cinematography. Since the story is shot like a home movie rather than a typical fashion it could have ended up really choppy like The Blair Witch Project (which I couldn't stomach). However, I was pleasantly surprised that it was rough, as it was supposed to be, it didn't feel unsteady. The fact that they left the camera relatively stationary at times when there was action kept it from that fate.

 

The film felt subtle to me. With most plots that contain supernatural events the effects are the driving force. This movie felt like the diary of a nerdy, shy, abused teenage boy on film and he happened to get super powers. With said powers he discovers strength but his anger at his treatment by the world, combined with a lack of morals, results in the perfect villain.

As a side note... a word of caution if you are someone whose heart has been broken by someone named Andrew; This film may not be your cup of tea. By the end, that monicker is yelled out so many times it is distracting. I personally flinch every time I hear that particular name so the final half hour was a jumpy one. 

Bottom Line: Brilliantly written, cast, shot and edited this is a great movie for any sci-fi lover looking for a fresh take at the genre. Seamless, subtle effects coupled with a character driven plot line equal one hell of a film. Also, the fact that it is supposed to be in Seattle will make anyone in my current neck of the woods smile. Thank you Laura for the recommendation.

I paired it with: Miller Light and Sausage Pizza. Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Saoirse Ronan

So after a long spell with out the wonders of technology, I am back. Thanks to the new laptop I can finally write about all the great movies I've been watching lately.

I'm going to start not with a film but rather several that feature the beautiful Irish actress Saoirse Ronan. She has been on my radar for several pictures but the last few I've seen her in were as excellent in their entirety as she is an actress in them.

The first film that I noticed her in (and most American viewers as well) was the stunning 2007 film Atonement. Although her character is not the one you root for, it was her eyes and the haunting way she communicated through them that made me take notice of her.

Then as Susie Salmon in 2009's The Lovely Bones she was completely absorbing. Between her and the intensely creepy portrayal of George Harvey by Stanley Tucci the movie left me completely wowed. From start to finish, they and the other supporting roles played by Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz, had me hooked. It was a nice adaptation of the book as well which is a rarity it seems these days.

The next film and one of my current favorite in the action/mystery genre was Hanna. Starring in the title role, Saoirse was again completely believable. Though she is tough and plays off of both Cate Blachett and Eric Bana exceedingly well, it was the touching scene with Jessica Barden as Sophie that took me in. The shots were elegant and so quiet that they instantly transported me back to those awkward but beautiful first moments of youthful intimacy.

Finally, a movie I have seen three times now is The Way Back. As Irena, she breathed fresh air into this film. The harsh but beautiful surroundings provided a stark reality to this true story based on the amazing 4,000 journey of men who escaped from a Siberian gulag. With all the dark, dirty men and terrible conditions in the beginning, the entrance of Irena brightened the mood, if only for a bit. A wonderful film for not only the writing but the sheer beauty and remoteness of the shooting locations it is one not to miss.

Bottom Line: Saoirse Ronan is definitely a girl to watch in the upcoming years. With her beauty, keen acting talents, and excellent choices in roles she will be holding Oscar gold before too long.

What Just Happened

With someone like Barry Levinson in charge of a project you can expect good things. Not to mention the all star cast that make up the movie. Robert DeNiro, Stanley Tucci, John Tuturro, Sean and Robin Wright Penn, Katherine Keener, Bruce Willis, and last but not least my dear Kristen Stewart. This uncomfortably funny satire on the movie industry was highly entertaining while asking some deeper questions of life in general. Even if those questions are answered in this movie with a morose view of life.

The first of these questions he sets forth to the audience is 'What is power?' Of this question, DeNiro's character says, "I don't care what they say, you either have, want it, or you're afraid of losing it" This is certainly a truthful statement of the world at large but is undoubtedly so in the fickle movie business. Levinson's technique of using this question framed as nice neat bookends is different for him, but as a Hollywood convention it works well and certainly so in this case.However, being a believer in manifestation and attention, I must add that, though a popular idea, it is incorrect.

As with everything in life (love, wealth, influence, control, and the list continues) the more one is concerned with 'How much you have?', 'How to get more?' and 'How to I keep what I have?' the less they DO have. By being concerned be a lack of power, you continue to lack. By believing in your power, your power increases. You see many characters throughout this movie experiencing the negative side of this in their lives.

How many times has this story been played out in relationships?? The 'needy' or 'clingy' person imagines their partner to be pulling away and begins to panic. By putting attention and focus on the perceived separation they will overcompensate by becoming increasingly needy. In turn, the partner in question will feel even more smothered and will seek even more freedom until eventually there isn't a relationship to speak of. I personally believe that concentration on the positive is the only way to achievement. "You are your attention."

This movie told me once again what a dark place Hollywood is, full of uncaring, power hunger assholes. Though other movies may have told it better Robert DeNiro is still great. And character that John Tuturro that created was superb as always. Beside these two nice performances, I did like the look of the 'behind the scenes' movie making process. It was interesting to see a producers point of view. Especially when the DeNiro's character is based on the legendary Art Linson, [Fight Club, Into the Wild]. He wrote the screenplay for this movie based on his book Bitter Hollywood Tales From the Front Line.

Bottom Line: Nice movie about movies. Though it didn't have as much heart as some others, it stands up and gives a good try. Recommended for any other cinephiles.

Big Love

As I sit listening to Fela Kuti, a musician who once married 27 women at one time, I can't help but think of the newest rebirth of the idea of plural marriage. For three seasons, Big Love has asked the questions of what it means to be a good wife, friend, and Mormon living in Utah. These are very culturally specific questions however the broader themes of love, conflict, and family are shared throughout every society.

Though I have written largely of films, HBO has been apart of my life for the past 6 years and has influenced my creativity continually. I have gotten addicted to most of their shows, and have yet to me disappointed. Though I may not wish to be entertained by some of their story lines, they are each unique and have the unfailingly superb taste of Home Box Office stamped all over them. Big Love is no exception and I have been interested in the world of Barb, Nicki, Marge, and Bill since opening night. Having the venerable producing talents of Tom Hanks doesn't hurt the quality of the show one bit.

Does the heart only love one person? Can a family consisting of multiple partners be considered 'family'? What are the reasons some people arrive at polygamy as a life answer? Discussed throughout the seasons, the commentary behind the seamless story-line begs the audience to do more than placidly watch. Though I am not in a position to answer any questions concerning love it is nice to have a show that forces you to question of your existence and beliefs.

Bottom Line: If you can put aside your own prejudices and concern yourself with the characters it is one show not to be missed. Though the conservative aspects can be distracting for a liberal like me the story is superbly told, and continually keeps me guessing.