Monday, February 28, 2011

Hall Pass

Photo #18
** stars

In this light and harmless Farrelly Brothers comedy, Hall Pass seems to be obsessed with its premise: two guys who get a week off from marriage to do whatever they want. You know what that means. Get ready for the desperation to have sex with other women.

Unfortunately, the movie fails to deliver the amount of laughs it promises. Instead, it settles for a mild amusing romp starring Jason Sudeikis and a miscast Owen Wilson.


Wilson seems to be mailing it in here. I think this is the wrong movie for him. Wilson is great when playing more of a sidekick (Zoolander, Meet the Parents), but when he takes on the lead, the pressure falls on him for laughs. With that, his monotonic awkwardness starts to occupy the screen rather than what he is actually saying.

Perhaps this film is geared towards a slightly older audience. Not maturer, but older. This is a story about two guys named Rick (Wilson) and Fred (Sudeikis) who are obsessed with sex, but haven't actually experienced it in a long time. Their wives, Maggie (Jenna Fischer) and Grace (Christina Applegate) notice this, and after an embarrassing afternoon at a friends house when the guys are overheard talking about gratuitous sex, they find no other way to fix the problem than to just let the husbands take a week of from marriage. But are they doing it for their husband or for themselves?

I like this idea, however the slow execution by the Farrelly Brothers puts the flame out before the fire gets hot. We get glimpses of funny scenes, but they never really take off. In one amusing sequence, Rick and Fred join their guy friends for a lovely day of golf, on brownies. This is one of many scenes that has a very funny premise, but fails to heighten them above the obvious. We know taking brownies will make you act goofy, but not always stereotypically goofy the way they are portrayed in this film.


Perhaps I was looking for a more raunchy experience. When you have a premise like this, live up to it. While the morality of these characters is the key ingredient to them growing-up, I feel as though they held back on the gratuity for all the wrong reasons. In Todd Phillips The Hangover, the three lead characters were put through immoral situations, and the only way for those characters to get through them (without falling from grace) was to take as much morality back with them as they could. In Hall Pass, Rick and Fred were questioning their morality from the start, and because of that, we knew that they weren't going to do what they set out to do.

I think the Farrelly Brothers are still important comedic filmmakers. Comedies are becoming less and less relevant these days, and there have been worst comedies as of late than this. In the end, at least Hall Pass didn't Just Go With It.

Oscar Recap: Enough with the Fatigue

http://sanjaal.com/fashion/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/82oscars.jpg

Well, what do you know: the Oscars have been widely panned.


The real confusion for me is the part of the program that's being panned, and that is that it was "too boring". I think people who look at the Oscars as a scripted form of entertainment need to rethink the real reason behind it all, and that it's a pan because of who took home the big prize.

This is not trash talk against The King's Speech. This is against the Academy for not recognizing the importance of a win for The Social Network. This is a film that will be remembered as an iconic capture of a moment in time. A "generation movie" so to speak. For that, I am left saddened that David Fincher and his film did not take home the prize with best adapted screenplay winner Aaron Sorkin. Instead, it went to the film that will be forgotten about once the hype dissipates.

So how non-sober was James Franco? Whatever he was on, at least he looked more relaxed than any other host in the past decade. Anne Hathaway tried her best, but seemed to be on the other end of Franco. However, I think it's time to look for hosts who are more entertainers than movie stars. And if the Academy is thinking what I think it's thinking, bringing back Billy Crystal will not redeem the show. We need someone who is not connected with the inner circle of the Oscars. Ricky Gervais was a perfect fit for the Globes. The Academy needs to find someone like him who will spice things up. The unpredictably that makes this show so great has been missing for a while. Are people/the FCC so conservative about television that improvisation is considered offensive? I think if they want to stick with a movie star, why not someone witty like Robert Downey Jr.? Sherlock Holmes 2 comes out at the end of the year, so maybe a Robert Downey/Jude Law combo will occur.

It's always a sad day, the day after the Oscars. It's as though the movie spirit disappears, only to reappear again when it's necessary. I wish there were more consistency in Hollywood. I want to know there is something to look forward to before the summer season (and even that is tough to say with the presumably weak line-up this year) that will keep my movie-loving heart beating and movie-hating heart at bay.

That is, until the release of Fast Five.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Academy Awards Column: Predictions, Analysis, & Passion

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards
If there's at least one positive thing I can say about the AMPAS this year, it's that they picked the right films for Best Picture. While I'm still disappointed only one comedy was nominated (and in reality, The Kids Are All Right can be considered a drama), every film is worthy of its nomination. In terms of who will actually win, it's between The Social Network and The King's Speech. In terms of who got the shaft (again) is Christopher Nolan. What does the man have to do to get a nomination? In terms of predictions, here they are...

Best Picture
Nominees: Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The Kids Are All Right, The King's Speech, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, True Grit, Winter's Bone

Who Will Win: The Social Network
Why? Because it has to. Sure, The King's Speech has the same chance of winning (and it won't be a surprise to me if it wins) and the average voter in the academy is nowhere near the demographic of The Social Network, but this is landmark movie. It captures the here and now in such profound ways that it truly is a once-in-a-generation film. I know this sounds like conjecture in terms of who will win, but if the Academy doesn't recognize these terms, it will be forever regretful.

Who Should Win: The Social Network

Even though I gave Inception the best movie of the year (plus I gave up on its chance once Christopher Nolan was insultingly snubbed), I think The Social Network is the movie that needs to establish the benchmark. Citizen Kane failed to win in 1941, so why make another mistake now?

Best Director
Nominees: Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), Joel & Ethan Coen (True Grit), David Fincher (The Social Network), Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), David O. Russell (The Fighter)

Who will win: David Fincher
Because even if The King's Speech takes it, the academy cannot afford to not recognize what Fincher did. He took an impossible premise for a movie and made it real. Aaron Sorkin will get his with an Adapted Screenplay win, but it would be nothing without how Fincher brought it to life.

Who should win:
David Fincher.
For the same reasons.


Best Actor
Nominees: Javier Bardem (Biutiful), Jeff Bridges (True Grit), Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Colin Firth (The King's Speech), James Franco (127 Hours)

Who will win: Colin Firth
There's no arguments here. This is his year.

Who should win: Colin Firth
This is his time.

Best Actress
Nominees: Annette Benning (The Kids Are All Right), Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole), Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone), Natalie Portman (Black Swan), Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)

Who will win: Natalie Portman
Even though Annette Benning may pull the veteran card and take her long overdue Oscar, I think Portman has the advantage of letting everyone know that she is on top of the world. Black Swan is a $100 million hit and I think it's a much stronger contender than what people have come to perceive. With the overwhelming support of the film, it looks like Portman is about to top the top of the world she is already on.

Who should win: Natalie Portman
She completely engulfed herself in the role. And now, it will completely payoff.

Best Supporting Actor
Nominees: Christian Bale (The Fighter), John Hawkes (Winter's Bone), Jeremy Renner (The Town), Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right), Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)

Who will win: Christian Bale
He gives the performance of the year in one of the best acted movies of the year. His portrayal of Dicky Eklund is nothing short of a revelation. Finally, this is his year of recognition.

Who should win: Christian Bale
What don't you f****** understand?

Best Supporting Actress

Nominees: Amy Adams (The Fighter), Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech), Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)

Who will win: Melissa Leo
Even though she's off-putting voters with an aggressive campaign, Leo has the advantage of playing a standout character. And it's not just the hair.

Who should win: Melissa Leo
This is almost by default. Leo isn't a clear winner, she just barely edges out the competition.

Best Adapted Screenplay
Nominees: Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy (127 Hours), Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network), Michael Amdt. (Toy Story 3), Joel & Ethan Coen (True Grit), Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini (Winter's Bone)

Who will win: Aaron Sorkin
Is there anything more sweet to the ears than Aaron Sorkin dialogue? This is a rapid fire script that is tightly written and beautifully executed. This is a combination the Academy can't ignore.

Who should win: Aaron Sorkin
Usually I get turned off when one movie dominates the whole night, but when it's deserving, there's nothing sweeter. Sorkin all the way.

Best Original Screenplay
Mike Leigh (Another Year), Scott Silver & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson (The Fighter), Christopher Nolan (Inception), Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg (The Kids Are All Right), David Seldler (The King's Speech)

Who will win: David Seldler
Because the Academy has The King's Speech in frontrunner status, therefore knocking everything else out by default.

Who should win: Christopher Nolan
The fact that he wasn't nominated for Best Director is more than shameful. It doesn't make any sense. Yet somehow, the Academy still has a chance of redeeming itself. Don't expect a Nolan win here, but if they ever want the good graces from fans again, this is where they can get it.

2010 was a robust year for movies, but the Oscars are always something special, regardless. I am proud to say that every movie nominated for Best Picture is worthy of its status. I just hope the right movie walks away with the prize. To The Social Network, I hope you take it all.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

2011: What Happened To My New Year's Resolution?

Less than two months ago, I made a New Year's resolution that I would be more optimistic about movies. Then I saw Season of the Witch. I joked it off. Then I saw The Green Hornet, which wasn't terrible by any means, but certainly nothing worth rushing to the theaters for. Biutiful was certainly beautiful in many ways, but that's a 2010 release so it technically doesn't count. Then last night, I witnessed Just Go With It. Not only was it a cadaverous experience, it was an eye-opening one.

I can now feel what I use to only see: today's movies have hit rock bottom. At least for me anyways. I won't rant, but it's just very hard to stay optimistic when movies like Just Go With It are being released successfully. Obviously, product-placement and marketing specific demographics are nothing new, but how much sadder can it get? Let me explain.

Just Got With It is an Adam Sandler comedy released on Valentine's Day weekend with a sexy co-star who shares the movie poster with the actor in which they are in a tropical environment where he is fashioning a goofy smile and she is displaying a melancholy look. It means the two characters will experience "funny" hell before they live happily ever after. Here is the poster:

Photo #1

Doesn't this remind you of another Adam Sandler comedy released on Valentine's Day weekend with a sexy co-star who shares the movie poster with the actor in which they are in a tropical environment where he is fashioning a goofy smile and she is displaying a melancholy look? And that it means the two characters will experience "funny" hell before they live happily ever?.....

Photo #1

Did I mention that both taglines are totally lame too?

50 First Dates isn't a terrible movie. In fact, it was very appropriate for the holiday when it was released back in 2004. However, that doesn't change the fact that whoever is marketing Just Go With It is purposely duping the public into going to the same movie they saw seven years ago. Sure, the premise is slightly different, but where do studio executives get off? When their movie open to $30 million? I hope that is satisfying enough, because there could easily be a passable film here like 50 First Dates (which opened to $40 million), but instead, we see Sandler (and company) having a great time in paradise collecting a hefty payday.

I guess this is all pretty irrelevant considering the success of this movie, but I hope next time we moviegoers look at these similarities and take them to heart. I know I have. I used to go into any movie regardless of what it was and enjoyed just being at the theater.

But with no upcoming movie really worth getting excited for, I guess I have to just go with it.

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Nudity in Movies...

Necessary or Distracting?

In the past few months, my girlfriend Katelyn and I have been frequently discussing the topic of nudity in films and whether or not it is necessary to the story. This began by discussing the controversial scene in Darren Aronofsky's
Black Swan where Natalie Portman's character has a wild sexual encounter with another female (Mila Kunis). While we disagreed on many aspects of this discussion, we were both trying to answer the same question: in what cinematic situations is nudity called for, and when is it not?

So I decided to create a list of movies that succeed in using nudity to enhance the story, and others that, well, do not. This also includes sexual acts that may not necessarily show the actual body part, but certainly show the action of doing it. (I will rate the necessity of nudity on a scale of 1-10.)

We'll start with positivity...

Five Movies That Get It Right

American Pie (1999)
Photo #8
I know it's not the best use of nudity ever, but in terms of enhancing the story, it was too hard to ignore this 1999 teenage phenomenon about a group of high-school seniors who try to lose their virginity before college. Now, the Weitz Brother's could have opted for a PG-13 rating and played it safe, but in 1999, the teenage comedy was almost dead and there was no reason to really go out of your way to see one in the theaters. Until now! American Pie was a huge step in the liberation of nudity in movies. The Shannon Elizabeth/Jason Biggs "sex scene" (or whatever you want to call it) is as funny as it is a movie landmark. Whether you enjoy nudity in films or not, there is no denying that this film would have failed without the abundance of nudity. How can you tell a story about losing your virginity without showing what you need to do that? Of course there are no close-ups of any male or female genitalia, but it avoids the mistake of censoring everything, and shows what it needs to let audiences know that nudity is apart of growing up, for better or worse.
Necessary Rating: 8/10


A History of Violence (2005)
Photo #10
David Cronengerg's mindblowing drama was one of the best movies of 2005, and one of the big reasons for that is because of its controversial sex scene between Viggo Mortensen and Mario Bello. The movie has been around for a while so I don't think this is a spoiler (although if you haven't seen it and want to know the story for yourself, skip this part). After finding out her husband is not who he says he is (that's putting it nicely), she is torn between forgiving him and leaving him. But before she can do any of that, the two engage in a crazy sex scene on the stairs in their home that's not rape or forced (because she eventually sanctions it), but that we know she is still attracted to this man. However, once its over, she leaves without saying a word. It's all physical from here, and I think he realizes that seems to be the only thing left between them. It's a stunner of a scene that utilizes its setting on the stairs to show a stalemate in their relationship. She goes up the stairs after its over. Does he go down? Watch the movie if you haven't seen it. You will be riveted.
Necessary Rating: 9/10


Last Tango in Paris (1973)
Photo #3
This is so strange. In the process of writing this article, I went on to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) to cross-check some credits and to learn more about its stars. Upon doing so, I see a news flash that the film's star Maria Schneider has passed away. It was an eerie coincidence, one that it now impossible for me to shake off. In this movie, Roger Ebert called the sex scenes "not sex at all, just a physical function of the soul's desperation." Couldn't have said it better myself Roger. This is considered one of the most controversial movies ever, and for good reason. If you have a closed mind, avoid this one, unless you want it opened up.
Necessary Rating: 10/10


The Dreamers (2003)
Photo #6
A fascinating, but exhausting sexual adventure about an American (Michael Pitt, now from Boardwalk Empire fame) studying in France who befriends a brother and sister during the 1968 student riots. I saw this movie for the first time when I was 15 and barely understood any of it. Watching it again in college made me look at it very differently. The movie is pure escapism, and in order to capsize on this American's fantasy, the viewer must be overwhelmed by how far sexually he is willing to go to feel that escape. While I'll admit the sexual content overbears almost anything else in the movie, the performances and controversial scenes make for one fascinating account of someones sexual desires.
Necessary Rating: 9/10


Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Photo #1
Now, obviously there isn't any sex in this movie that one can enjoy. In fact, this movie contains one of the most disturbing scenes I've ever seen. However, it's for that reason that this movie makes the list. In the finale sequence, a character struggling with a serious drug addiction (played by Jennifer Connelly) sinks so low to get a fix that she's even willing to fornicate with another woman in front of an entire crowd of ruthless men just to get it. The only way we can truly feel the horror of this woman's actions is by physically showing what she's doing. It is a stunning portrait of addiction, one that literally creates the image of the lowest point in a person's life, and while it's happening, she knows exactly this. Anyone will tell you this movie is not for the squirmish, but for everyone else, it's a triumph.
Necessary Rating: 10/10


Five Movies That...Don't

Splice (2010)
Photo #10
Adrien Brody has sex with an alien. And they show it. What else do you need to know?
Necessary Rating: 2/10


Hollow Man (2000)
Photo #11
Note to studio executives- Invisible rape does not sell a movie, but that's one of the big scenes in this Kevin Bacon thriller, or should I say disaster. Not only are we watching a woman get rapped, but we're suppose to get some disgusting feeling that this is someones fantasy because she can't see who the rapist is? Literally? The only way to get through this is to notice the cheesiness of how its shot. If that's the case, game over.
Necessary Rating: 1/10


The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Photo #14
I enjoyed this crazy sci-fi sequel to the 1999 smash, but the Wachowski Brothers display a side to the human race only underground clubs should show. I understand they were trying to display the liberation of human sexuality, but did it have to be shown through a naked cave rave? That or Keanu Reeves and Carrie Ann-Moss showing off their beyond obvious awkwardness during a sex scene?
Necessary Rating: 3/10


The Human Centipede (2010)
Photo #2
What's wrong with the way this film displays nudity? Or better yet, everything? The answer is...EVERYTHING!
Necessary Rating: 0/10


Munich (2005)
Photo #14
Spielberg tries to create such fear in one man's eyes that he literally can't even have sex with his pregnant wife without those fears returning to his head. It's a bold scene, but it comes out of nowhere, in a movie that forgets the story it was trying to tell in the first place.
Necessary Rating: 4/10


Bruno (2009)
Photo #4
Too much penis. Not enough humor. When you have to mimic a website called MeatSpin.com to get a laugh, it's not only desperate, it's sad.
Necessary Rating: 3/10

This is just a taste of countless films that explore sexuality. I for one find it perfectly acceptable for a filmmaker to display the human body, so long as it has a reason to be in it. Wild Things can be considered a joke of a movie, but does the nudity make it better? I think so, and not just because of that epic pool scene. But did About Schmidt need a naked Kathy Bates in a hot tub? I think not. That is clearly a distraction. But everyone feels differently. And that's perfectly acceptable. Political beliefs, parental figures, where you live, and who you see the movie with are all factors in how one reacts to a scene.

I watched Last Tango in Paris during college after a class where we discussed the end of the Production Code, so I was clearly looking at the film from an educational standpoint. It's a movie I think any aspiring filmmaker should see, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it to a family member or someone like that. In a perfect world, I wish everyone was able to realize that nudity is a part of life, but then again, there are also films that can bring the human body back fifty years. For example, if anyone enjoyed the nudity in The Human Centipede, I see a therapist in your short future.