A Year of Movies

Sherlock HolmesStarted & Finished: 12/21/09 Sherlock Holmes...

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:19:00 -0800

Sherlock Holmes
Started & Finished: 12/21/09

Sherlock Holmes is the winter’s answer to the summer superhero blockbuster: It’s witty, action-packed, and stars Robert Downey Jr. as a likable asshole. In fact, there is very little to distinguish Sherlock Holmes from Iron Man, or any of the recent entries in the superhero ~~fad~~ genre. He even has a superpower, known to us 21st-century beings as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, with a hint of social anxiety to boot.

These qualities don’t make it a bad movie by a longshot—in fact, it’s a pretty brilliant move on the part of the studios. It appeals to those people who think they are getting a new spin on an old tale but tells the same story we’ve seen over and over, so sequel-cynics like myself take a seat without realizing it’s the exact same formula.

To be fair, I wasn’t expecting to have my mind blown, but I also wasn’t expecting to be so thrilled by Guy Ritchie’s first successful foray into major American motion pictures. Elements of his style are felt throughout, but are certainly toned down compared to his work from the UK. This may be a factor of the abundance of score over soundtrack, while a typical Guy Ritchie pic is the other way around. The sound design was well done, if a tad overdone at times. And the sequences where Ritchie’s touch could be felt best were the high points of the film.

I don’t have much familiarity with the source material except for a certain episode of Wishbone, but I wonder how prevalent the supernatural was in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s works, because it was hard to swallow at first. Holmes’ invicibility was a bit of a stretch as well—give him some shortcomings! Brushing the surface of a drug habit doesn’t count.

It’s nice to see Guy Ritchie reigned back in from the gangster chaos that degenerated into Revolver. But Sherlock Holmes isn’t his best work by far. But standing alone, it makes for a fun and entertaining 2 hours that will help pass time with the family over the holiday break.

Medicine For MelancholyStarted & Finished:...

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:21:54 -0800

Medicine For Melancholy
Started & Finished: 12/19/09

I’m embarrassed to admit I just watched this for the first time, but it was well worth the wait. I normally shy away from talkative, character-driven films, but Medicine doesn’t fall into the traps that many others do: It has great acting, beautiful imagery, purposeful camerawork, efficient editing, a great soundtrack, and most importantly, it addresses real issues.

Were it simply a boy-meets-girl/morning-after story, it might not have been as successful. But by grounding a universal story within the context of urban living brings the story to a new level. The uncertainty of Micah and Jo’s budding relationship beautifully reflects the ambiguity that surrounds issues of race and class. It ultimately putting the viewer right in the middle of the conflict, forcing them to negotiate their own feelings both toward the couple and toward the issues raised.

I’m obviously a bit biased in that I love seeing my city on screen, but Medicine is absolutely one of the best representations of San Francisco put to film in quite some time, from the muted images to the local issues at stake. Sorry I’m so late to this party, Barry.

Bored To Death, Season OneStarted: 9/20/09 | Finished:...

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:10:31 -0800

Bored To Death, Season One
Started: 9/20/09 | Finished: 12/13/09

Meh.

MetroStarted & Finished: 12/5/09 I have a soft spot for...

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:09:00 -0800

Metro
Started & Finished: 12/5/09

I have a soft spot for movies that take place, or are shot on location, in my city. I also have a soft spot for mulled wine in the wintertime, which may have led me to turn this on in the first place last night. But let me tell you, Metro does not disappoint!

Just kidding. It’s pretty much what you’d expect from a late-90s action-comedy starring Eddie Murphy penned by the writer of Tango & Cash. (One of my favorite lines, from Murphy’s girlfriend: “Scott, do you remember when you lost that hostage on Union Square? You came here that night and you made love to me… and it was so intense and so passionate, but… I didn’t even know what happened until I saw it on the news the next morning.”)

But I’m not interested in the complete lack of unoriginality in the movie— that was clear from the moment I added it to my queue. I am interested in how San Francisco is portrayed on screen, which isn’t very often compared to other major cities. The geography of Metro’s San Francisco is pretty true to the real thing, at least where the cable car chase is concerned. They don’t drive all the way through Chinatown only to come out in the Sunset. But there are really only two districts in Metro— Union Square, where everyone goes to work, and North Beach, where everyone lives. (Also, all bad guys live under the Bay Bridge.)

What was most amusing was how the regular problems us San Franciscans deal with day-to-day pose problems for even the criminals in the movie— for example, disgruntled Muni workers, narrow parking garages, and clogged intersections make for sloppy getaways. Clearly, Hollywood’s San Francisco is not a good place to be a crook.

I was pleased to see Spiros from The Wire, Season 2 starting his ascent up the criminal ladder. He’s really gotten confident since his days doing his cousin’s bidding. In fact, this movie kept me more entertained than Rudo y Cursi. Is that so wrong? My biggest disappointment was really my own fault— when I queued this up, I thought Eddie Murphy was going to be playing a Muni cop. I suppose there’s always the inevitable sequel that could be right around the corner!

Rudo y CursiStarted: 12/2/09 | Finished: 12/5/09 Basically: The...

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:55:30 -0800

Rudo y Cursi
Started: 12/2/09 | Finished: 12/5/09

Basically: The best part of the movie was the “Please turn off your cellphone” ad featuring Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna in character. Everything else is an unfortunate low point in the careers of all involved. Light fun but ultimately, even the dream team of producers Alfonso Caurón, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Guillermo del Toro can’t save this formulaic story.

That’s all.

MoonStarted & Finished: 12/4/09 Great science fiction film...

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:04:00 -0800

Moon
Started & Finished: 12/4/09

Great science fiction film is such a rarity that when a movie like Moon comes along, it resonates for a long time afterward. The first time I saw Duncan Jones’ debut, I was expecting a disappointing 2001/Solaris rip-off. Fortunately, it was only the trailers that pushed this angle, as Jones truly developed an original and (most impressively) convincing sci-fi world.

On second viewing, some parts of the movie seem a bit more cheesy than I remember. But it’s incredibly rare to find any science fiction that doesn’t make the viewer cringe even a little bit. Sam Rockwell is phenomenal throughout, and Jones does an excellent job at pacing a story that takes place in an isolated location with essentially two characters, one of whom is a robot. Clint Mansell’s score is amazing as usual, and somehow perfectly captures the aural experience of character Sam Bell’s disturbing discoveries.

I’m eager to see what Jones does with his next project, Source Code (which will reportedly feature a cameo by the character featured in Moon), though initial rave script reviews come from sources whose tastes I question. In any case, he’s clearly a talented director— he made a sci-fi movie I can get behind without feeling like a complete nerd.

This Month in Interrupted Viewing: November 2009

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:50:00 -0800

At its beginning, November looked pretty bleak. Not only was I failing to finish several movies, I wasn’t starting very many in the first place. But I managed to rebound, coming back strong with almost a movie a day during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. I’m hoping to continue the recent surge in movie viewing, and get a little deeper in my Netflix queue in December. In the meantime, here’s what I missed out on:

Mortal Kombat
Started: 11/14/09

Probably the best video game movie ever, I tend to put this on at least once a year. I can still remember going to see it at the UA6 in Redwood City, not caring that my shoes were sticking to the theater floor from some unknown substance, inhaling Red Vines while Johnny Cage sliced Scorpion in half with a spiked shield. Plus Christopher Lambert as Raiden?! It doesn’t get any better than that.

Metropolis
Started: 11/17/09

There’s something fascinating about watching poor quality prints on an HD screen. The imperfections really stand out, which I kind of enjoy. Unfortunately, putting this silent classic on late at night means sleep will likely win out before finishing. One of these days I’ll get around to it… I was enjoying it while I stayed awake.

Also still in progress: The Wire, Season Four. Still have quite a bit to go before finishing, though.

Observe and ReportStarted & Finished: 11/29/09 I’ll...

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:30:37 -0800

Observe and Report
Started & Finished: 11/29/09

I’ll admit it: Mallrats was one of my favorite movies as an adolescent boy. Not surprisingly, the jokes don’t hold up well once you… grow up. Luckily, Jody Hill has filled the void in my heart especially reserved for mall-based humor with Observe and Report.

Though stories that meander with little direction often get on my nerves, Observe and Report managed to wander through a particular segment of our protagonist’s life while maintaining course. Just when I was anticipating a predictable comedy plot point, Hill blindsided me with the unexpected, and on multiple occasions. This is why the best comedy (at least for me) is so funny— it shows us the absurd actually happening before our eyes. What is most surprising about this movie though is that those unanticipated moments have more dramatic than comedic resonance.

Observe and Report shows another side of Seth Rogen’s comedic chops, but it’s really the dramatic elements that set the film apart from the Apatow/Frat Pack comedies of the 00s. While the execution is a bit rocky, Hill has successfully tapped into what makes the best dark comedies successful: a delicate balance of the absurd coexisting with matters that hit a bit too close to home.

Beetle Queen Conquers TokyoStarted: 11/27/09 | Turned off: about...

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:24:00 -0800

Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo
Started: 11/27/09 | Turned off: about 44 minutes in

I went through a bug phase like many young boys, despite growing up in the suburbs where the most exotic catch was a moth circling the porch light. I have vivid memories of seeing my first firefly on a trip to the midwest, and learning to spell entomology in second grade. So why am I less than compelled with this doc on the Japanese cultural obsession with insects?

While it ultimately boils down to a case of viewer apathy— so many movies are discarded if viewed in the wrong frame of mind— Beetle Queen left me without anything to sink my claws into. I wanted to be educated and enlightened on Japanese history in relation to bugs, and on the insects themselves. Instead I was treated to 75% B-roll, 20% philosophy lecture, and 5% footage of creepy crawlies.

It’s refreshing to see a doc that doesn’t resort to talking heads footage, and has a scientific bent to it. Unfortunately, Beetle Queen just didn’t pique my curiosities enough to keep me watching. I’m going to be upset if I find out there’s a botfly finale, though.

Barton FinkStarted & Finished: 11/26/09 You know what? I...

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:21:00 -0800

Barton Fink
Started & Finished: 11/26/09

You know what? I didn’t get it. Okay? I said it. Great acting, great dialogue, beautiful sets, love the Coen Brothers, but… they lost me with this one. I wrote the following as an attempt to cover up that I really had no idea what to make of the movie, and don’t have the urge to consider it further. If you care to read my cowardly review in which I hide behind big words, you can do so with a line through it all. Ugh. This is so unintentionally (yet fittingly) meta it makes me sick.

You know you’re doing something right as a filmmaker when you can break the rules and still have the audience in the palm of your hand. While a movie with minimal character interactions and such lengthy scenes might be doomed with any other writer and director, the Coens and co. pull off an incredible feat in ~~Barton Fink~~~~: they make the excruciating dullness of writer’s block fascinating.~~

But quite some time after the mood is established, the plot takes a hard right turn and veers into more ambiguous territory, where heavy symbolism crashes the party. Because I was so invested in the writerly aspects of the film, the (now expected) Coen Brothers thriller twist felt abrupt. Once murder came into play, the story flew off the rails and into a murky grey area in which the audience is expecting a noir mystery and instead, gets a questionable allegory.

~~I realize that my frustration with this ambiguity is contrary to my own philosophies— namely that the best films have a fair amount of uncertainty so as to involve the audience. But my issue with~~ ~~Barton Fink~~ ~~stems from neither the straightforward story nor the metaphor were able to stand alone by the end- nothing made sense in either established worlds.~~

I really do want to love this movie, and I’m much happier having finally seen it from beginning to end. But I’m just not invested enough in parts of the plot to make me want to ponder the true meaning of the film for much longer than it takes me to write this. That John Turturro though, wow. And I thought I had trouble typing these 3-paragraph write-ups.

Man With A Movie CameraStarted & Finished:...

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:47:26 -0800

Man With A Movie Camera
Started & Finished: 11/23/09

“ATTENTION VIEWERS,” reads one of the only title cards in Dziga Vertov’s 1929 doc. ”This experimental work aims at creating a truly international language of cinema based on its absolute separation from the language of theatre and literature.” He lives up to this claim, but what Vertov doesn’t tell you is that you’ll be doing a lot of the work in helping him develop this new cinematic language. I’ve argued it before and I still stand firm: The most rewarding film is the one that finds the elusive sweet spot between the narrative and the experimental, because it ends up being the most engaging for the viewer. Man With A Movie Camera excels at this balance as few other films have.

While alone it may skew toward the experimental more than the narrative, an original contemporary score by The Cinematic Orchestra draws the viewer closer to the middle by recontextualizing scenes in ways Vertov likely never imagined. The band’s compositions range from atmospheric to eclectic, and give the footage an eerie quality. The score has a way of cutting straight through the viewer, and the subsequent vulnerability coupled with the rawness of the footage creates a brand new beast: Half man, half man with a movie camera.

Though Vertov claims it is simply “excerpt from a camera operators diary,” his editor (and wife) E. Svilova cleverly weaves a story of the human condition while showing off dozens of camera tricks and innovations that make Méliès seem dated. Some may draw parallels to Qatsi Trilogy of the 80s and early 00s, and more recently (my personal favorite) Baraka. But while they all attempt a universal cinematic language, Vertov accesses an unfathomable amount of depth in his work that make these contemporary films seem heavy handed in their imagery and messages.

This act of watching the film, spurred by the haunting score, creates a different encounter for each viewer in a way that words can’t begin to explain—it really deserves to be experienced for itself. Lucky for you, Ninjatune (The Cinematic Orchestra’s label) just re-released this rare DVD. Alternatively, you can watch it on Google Video. While I’m kicking myself for not knowing enough about the historical context of the film, it is undeniably a masterpiece that stands alone and is well worth seeking out.

North By NorthwestStarted: 11/13/09 | Finished: 11/21/09 Cary...

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:49:26 -0800

North By Northwest
Started: 11/13/09 | Finished: 11/21/09

Cary Grant may be Oompa-Loompa Orange, but Technicolor never looked so good. North by Northwest truly is the “Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock films” as screenwriter Ernest Lehman stated. Intrigue! Suspense! Comedy! Road trips! Hayes Code on a train! But of course, you already are well aware of the highlights of this masterpiece.

I first saw NBNW in my sixth grade English class, over the course of 4 Thursday mornings. As you might imagine, it was tricky to follow with such long breaks in between. (Maybe this is where my movie-watching habits stemmed from. Hmm…) In any case, the vivid memories of taxi-stealing and pencil-rubbings and plane chases remained.

A bit older and more versed, this fresh viewing brought out all the subtleties formerly lost on my 11-year-old self (Eva Marie Saint’s blunt propositions, Martin Landau’s sexuality, Bernard Herrmann’s stunning score). I suspect even more details will become foregrounded the next time I watch. This is, in my opinion, a rare trait of the best films— the versatility of story that allows for multiple interpretations and revelations upon subsequent viewings. 50 years later, North By Northwest holds up remarkably well as not only classic Hitchcock, but fantastic filmmaking as well.

The Wire, Season ThreeStarted: 10/20/09 | Finished: 11/9/09 I...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:29:00 -0800

The Wire, Season Three
Started: 10/20/09 | Finished: 11/9/09

I was on a roll. I was watching more movies (from start to finish) than I ever had previously. And then you came along and busted it all up.

“Come on, just a lil taste,” you said. ”Everybody’s doing it.” Before long we were hanging together all day in the projects. Things started to heat up, so we took a breather and started chillin’ at the docks. But I needed my fix, so you took it back to streets where it all started. Just a couple of crews trying to make ends meet. Now I’m in so deep I don’t know if I can get out.

I’m glad to see you’re bringing your A-game again. I hear we’ve got some good times to look forward to together. Hopefully they will include less from that fool Brother Mouzone, who sticks out like a sore thumb. I mean, your reputation for reality precedes you. Yet here’s this smooth talking, Nation of Islam gangster that is straight out of a comic book. I just don’t buy it.

You know I need my re-up baby, but I’ve gotta pay more attention to my other people for a bit. I got needs. I’ve been neglecting the feature for quite some time, and I gotta man up and pay her the attention she deserves. So forgive me if I take a break, but you know I’ll be back for you.

Alright this is getting weird so I’ll holler at you later, k? I’m OUT.

P.S. You had me at Hamsterdam

Harmony and MeStarted & Finished: 11/1/09 Still one of my...

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:08:54 -0800

Harmony and Me
Started & Finished: 11/1/09

Still one of my favorite movies of 2009. Hopefully it’ll get a release on Netflix so you all can check it out. In the meantime, DVDs available at harmonythemovie.com. Feeling a bit lazy today with the words, so you can check out my notes on the movie here, and a good cross section of other reviews at IFC.

This Month in Interrupted Viewing: October 2009

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:40:00 -0800

October was a reckless month. So reckless that I feel obligated to compile, in list form, each movie and TV series I started watching that I still have not finished, along with a less-than-adequate excuse for my actions. While my neuroses now compel me to stay through the end of most films (thanks to this blog), this month has been a return to form.

Consider this the retrospective where you review your month’s food log, and find a third of your lunches consisted of assorted Hostess snack-cakes. And then you go cry in the bathroom while you flush the rest of the box.

A Thorn In The Heart (L’épine dans le coeur)
Started: 10/10/09

I have every intention of finishing Michel Gondry’s new doc about his aunt— but I had to turn it off 10 minutes in to go pick up my boss at the airport. Horror took precedence over my to-watch queue this month, so this film was quickly (and unfairly) shuffled to the bottom. But you can see it tomorrow on the big screen at the Clay Theater, as part of French Cinema Now!

The Wire, Season Three
Started: 10/20/09

I’m slowing down the pace this season, unfortunately. I really need to devote a day to blow through a few episodes. I’m enjoying seeing the connections back to season one. It’s just been so nice outside lately!

The Exorcist
Started: 10/23/09

After watching the less than frightening Pet Sematary, we put this on in hopes of getting the bejesus scared out of us. It worked. I can barely sit through one movie, so a double feature is a bit of a stretch. Coupled with the drinks we had beforehand, it was bedtime only an hour in. I may have to wait for the Blu-Ray to come out next October before restarting.

Tales From The Crypt, Season One
Started: 10/26/09

This show is like Goosebumps for adults, but only because it includes bad words and boobies. The rest is cheesier than I remember. But it’s length appeals to me, and it’s fun seeing familiar faces that are generally not in horror films. No excuse here except pure laziness.

Suspiria
Started: 10/31/09

What, it was Halloween! I’m impressed that we even got it started. Geez. You can watch it all online here.

The French Kissers (Les beaux gosses)Started & Finished:...

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:07:50 -0700

The French Kissers (Les beaux gosses)
Started & Finished: 10/28/09
Plays tonight at the Clay Theater, 7pm! Director in attendance.

Imagine a French Freaks & Geeks with a dash of Youth In Revolt, and plenty of writer/director Riad Sattouf’s own clever humor that makes even the crudest moments of adolescence feel genuine. Not sure if this has a U.S. release, but it’s playing as part of French Cinema Now. Highly recommended for anyone that has experienced puberty.

Where The Wild Things AreStarted & Finished: 10/26/09 I have...

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:08:19 -0700

Where The Wild Things Are
Started & Finished: 10/26/09

I have many vivid memories from my childhood where, for one reason or another, I thought or said some variation of “Being a kid is so hard!!!!!!! Adults just don’t get it.” With a handful of years under my belt, I find myself thinking, “Kids don’t know how easy they have it.” With my foot firmly lodged in my mouth, I’m here to announce that kids do indeed have it rough: Where The Wild Things Are reminds us grown-ups that though our childhood angst may seem trivial in retrospect, those emotions are less powerful than the frustrations we experience as adults.

My own feelings about this film have run the gamut from overexcited to utter hopelessness as I followed the production news from breakthrough puppetry technology to studios demanding reshoots to lighten up the film for kids. My expectations rested in a sort of purgatory where I couldn’t be too hurt if it was an awful film. Luckily, my fears of an overly saccharine nostalgia piece were put to rest quickly, and the result is a genuine story with one of the most honest depictions of childhood put to film.

Director Spike Jonze and his co-writer Dave Eggers lured me in with a tale that I thought was about a kid, for kids. But unlike most modern children’s films, Wild Things doesn’t attempt to be one movie for children, and another for adults. Rather, the in-jokes and figurative camera-winks are for the kids, while the movie is really for the grown-ups. Jonze and Eggers do an outstanding job of telling a child’s story for an adult audience while still staying true to Max’s perspective throughout.

My only complaint is the soundtrack— there was just way too much of it. About 70% of the movie had some Karen O song or another in the background, and it felt like she was trying a bit too hard to come off as innocent and child-like. As a result, the narrative tended to drift into music video territory every so often.

I’m not sure why the film has been getting such mixed reviews. Perhaps those reviewers failed to take note of the film’s heart: It’s okay to be angry, lonely, sad, scared or frustrated, and it can be difficult to navigate those emotions. But if you come out of this movie without feeling even slightly warm inside, you may be due for a trip to visit the wild things yourself.

Pet SemataryStarted & Finished: 10/23/09 One lesson I was...

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:17:00 -0700

Pet Sematary
Started & Finished: 10/23/09

One lesson I was taught in screenwriting regarding choosing your protagonist: Who is the person least likely to be caught up in your plot? For example, if you were writing Pet Sematary, you might ask: Who is least likely to believe in an ancient Indian burial ground that brings dead animals back to life? Your answer might be “someone who knows reanimation is impossible.” Like a doctor.

But the trick is to draw that disbelief out— if your character becomes a believer right away, you risk letting the air out of your story. And if your story has no air, then I’m left watching an hour’s worth of a gullible, possibly mentally disturbed M.D. whose undead cat keeps popping out of cabinets.

It is important to remember that this is Stephen King’s Pet Sematary after all. The last third of the movie almost redeemed the bulk of his famous (read: generally slow and cliched) exposition that leads up to the finale. But I was expecting more zombie animals, so I was a bit disappointed.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the childhood nostalgia of this film to find it very frightening. But I can’t really knock a horror film with Fred Gwynne (The Munsters), Blaze Berdahl (Ghostwriter) and a bunch of crazy cats.

Trick ‘r TreatStarted & Finished: 10/19/09 I always...

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:19:00 -0700

Trick ‘r Treat
Started & Finished: 10/19/09

I always forget how much I enjoy scary movie season. Not for the (usually horrific) horror films that have frequented theaters in the last decade or so, but for the openness the rest of the world shows toward a genre that has been relegated to the bargain bin at your local Walmart. And for good reason: The market is saturated with remakes and reboots that rely more on surprising you with loud, nondiagetic sounds than manifesting actual fear. But while I will watch The Shining any day, October provides a once-a-year opportunity to indulge in the crap that is Halloween-themed-horror.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some quality films centered around this holiday. And I hardly consider myself a horror aficionado. But the recession-proof nature of the genre only spurs Hollywood’s goals of quantity over quality. So it should be no surprise that a film like Trick ‘r Treat was released straight to video. What is surprising is that it’s actually a quality Halloween-themed flick that might have found a following in theaters had it been marketed properly.

The concept is simple: Several Halloween myths converge over the course of one night in Sleepytown, Ohio. Add a bit of Tales From The Crypt and a splash of Pulp Fiction-style storytelling for an added gimmick, and you’ve got Trick ‘r Treat. There’s the requisite gore, comedy and nudity in this 82 minute feature, and even several history lessons on the origins of the holiday. And while it fails to drum up much fear in the audience, it certainly succeeds as a fun, Halloween-themed romp that recent horror has failed to provide.

Trick ‘r Treat was supposed to be released in 2007, but because it didn’t fit the Hollywood model, it was tossed away and only released a few weeks ago. The film is certainly no replacement for the classics, but it could have been a step in the right direction for a tired genre if it had been given the chance. Perhaps one day, the world will produce tweens that find the Saw series boring and demand something original. But until that day, I’m afraid we’re stuck wading through the tripe that is modern-day horror. And that is a scary thought. Bwa-ha-ha-h… shut up.

Up In The AirStarted & Finished: 10/14/09 When, by the end...

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:10:00 -0700

Up In The Air
Started & Finished: 10/14/09

When, by the end of a film, there’s nothing left to really speculate on, what are you supposed to think about? For some reason, I’m left feeling like Up In The Air went in one ear and out the other.

It’s by no means a bad movie— I was attentive throughout, even during some textbook-cheesy moments. The direction was fine, the script was quick and clever, and the acting was good, but it’s not very challenging. Which is fine—I guess I was expecting something a bit deeper. Rather, I wasn’t expecting such a morally straightforward story. It’s really one big cautionary fable about the perils of being a manchild.

I did really enjoy the conclusion of the film, and how that was handled— but only then did writer/director Jason Reitman really bring the drama. It’s also a good example of efficient storytelling, and the sleight of hand required to bring scenes to life (specifically, the act of showing one thing while characters are saying another, and letting the audience read the true meaning of the scene). I’m not sure when Up In The Air will be in wide release, but it feels like it’d be a very enjoyable holiday-break type movie. Easy, funny, relatable, and not too depressing.