Today
I am a father. They tell you when your children are born it will be one of the
happiest days of your life. Obviously this is true. It’s also the most relief
I’ve ever felt. When I saw my son for the first time, looked into his eyes, and
he stopped crying and looked back, I can’t describe that emotion. It’s a
complex surreal mix of calming liberation, shock and peaceful joy. But even
that short summary is inaccurate. To know that I helped make an actually living
human being, that I get a chance to continue with human kind’s progress is an
immense and wonderful feeling. I’m so excited for what is to come. I can’t wait
to read books to him, to see him walk for the first time, to hear him laugh and
say his first word. I know raising a child takes a lot of work but it’s
rewarding work, the kind of work that will keep me young in heart and make me
that much wiser. So bring it on. Today I am a father and all that I was
before this day was prologue.
My Grading System
A+ = Masterpiece (I hold back on this one.) / A = Great. / A- = Really Good. / B+ = Good. / B = Decent (Serviceable). / B- = Flawed but okay (For those times there's something redeeming about the work). / C+ = Not very good (Skip it). C = Bad. / C- = Awful. / F = Complete Disaster (I hold back on this one too).
Note on Spoilers: I will try to avoid ruining a story by going into too much detail. But if I wish to include some revealing points to my analysis I will try to remember to add a separate spoiler paragraph.
Note on Spoilers: I will try to avoid ruining a story by going into too much detail. But if I wish to include some revealing points to my analysis I will try to remember to add a separate spoiler paragraph.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Dirty Wars (2013)
This
documentary criticizes US military involvement in the world. It attacks the
President for using drones and attempts to create a sense that America has a
corrupt military/political system. From the point of view of investigative
journalist Jeremy Scahill, it’s an emotional argument with many indisputable
facts. But it’s always easier to fault the powers that be than to highlight
alternative solutions. American might have historically helped frame the
violence by taking sides and trying to manage other countries’ governments but
we’re ultimately doing our best to keep America safe. I didn’t dislike this
film and I found it an important debate starter. My problem with this film is
it seems more a protest film then a film meant to educate it viewers. I don’t
think it needs to be completely balanced but it ignores the real killers who
promote terror and destroy and brain wash communities. Sure American doesn’t
get an A for how they have handled themselves but what about the hatred America
and other Western countries combat every day. I appreciate Jeremy Scahill’s
fight and how he continues to share these stories. He’s an important voice.
Grade: B+
Thursday, February 13, 2014
The Act of Killing (2013)
If you watched this film without the sound it would
appear to be a documentary about a bunch of old retired men deciding to go into
theater. Yet it’s probably one of the most morbid and deeply disturbing films ever
made because of both how these old men talk about such horrific actions with
such nonchalant attitude and how they weirdly decide to re-enact them without
much need for forgiveness. It’s like boasting while hoping to become famous for
all the attention. What did they do? Oh they’re just the goons who
systematically slaughtered over 500,000 people supposedly connected to the
communist party. It’s as if the SS officers who ran the Nazi death camps during
WWII were allowed to peacefully live out their lives as heroes to later stage
plays on how they did what they did. It’s sickening and fascinating at the same
time. My only complaint with this film is that it’s kind of sensationalizing
these killers. Sure they’re heroes in their country but that doesn’t mean the
rest of the world should give them this opportunity to re-live their past
glories. Grade: B+
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2013)
As
horror films go this one is pretty good if a bit predictable. Amanda Heard
plays the title character, a shy girl who is invited by a bunch of popular rich
kids to a weekend retreat at a parent’s farm. The boys of the rich kids hope to
seduce her into bed because she’s attractive and appears ripe for picking. Yet someone has followed Mandy
Lane and this mysterious person is a killer. Could this have been better?
Certainly. But it is serviceable horror film which should please anyone looking
for a fun little sinister film. Just don’t expect anything grand. Grade: B
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Spring in a Small Town (1948)
A
classic of Chinese cinema, this melodrama depicts the emotional struggle of a
woman who reunites with an old boyfriend and how she reflects on her marriage
with an ailing man she never truly loved, although she cares about him deeply.
I love old films like these that feel so contemporary. They’re classic examples
of how a good story told well can stand the test of time. I truly hope films
like this one get preserved for future generations, always. It’s a beautiful
drama. Grade: A-
Saturday, February 8, 2014
21 Jump Street (2013)
Call
me impressed. This is one funny film. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum play
undercover cops who go back to high school to locate the dealer of a drug ring.
Of course high school has changed a lot since when they went to school. These
guys have great comedic timing and made for a great duo. I can’t wait to see the
sequel that’s coming out this year. I don’t know what else to say but you must
see this successful approach to taking an old television show and turning it
into a comedy without making a mockery of itself. Grade: A-
The Croods (2013)
Dreamworks
Animation has no business making films this good. I mean, come on, they’re the
studio that makes those goofy talking zoo animal movies. Sure they have that
adventurous dragon film too but they aren’t supposed to make Pixar quality
films that actually have heart as well as laughs. But here they go, breaking
their own mold and giving us something worth cheering about: a family caveman
film that’s so clever and fun to watch that I actually cried. That’s right;
I’ll admit it, this film made me cry. Basically a family of cave people must
adapt to their ways and fast or they’ll be toast as an extinction event
approaches. The themes are relevant and worth being shared with all families.
Do not assume this is just Dreamworks doing their usual thing. This is an Oscar
worthy animated feature. Grade: A
Friday, February 7, 2014
Byzantium (2013)
Neil
Jordan adapts a play by Irish playwright Moira Buffini that’s a wonderfully
refreshing take on the vampire genre. Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan play
mother and daughter vampires who stay at a sleepy Irish town’s motel. While
Arterton turns the motel into a brothel (killing clients) and Ronan falls for a
young man dying, the narrative switches to flash backs showing their origins. I
loved this film for being shot so beautifully and being more than just a
typical vampire love story. What I appreciated even more was how one became a
vampire in this story, it’s remarkably original and exactly the kind of film I
was looking for. To think Jordan also made Interview with a Vampire. Maybe
Jordan should just make vampire films, he’s very good at it. Grade: B+
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Babes in Arms (1939)
This
Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland musical is about the children of vaudeville
parents putting on their own variety show. Rooney is great with enough energy
in his little body to run a city. And his chemistry with Garland is perfect,
which explains why they made so many films together. There’s some cute scenes
here and there but unfortunately there’s a minstrel show finale with all these
kids in black face that’s distractingly offensive and cringe-worthy. Could have
been more enjoyable I guess if not for that segment. Grade: B-
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
I
went to see this Scorsese film at 11:30PM and was concerned I’d get tired and
fall asleep. It is a long film at 180 minutes. Nope. That was one of the
most entertaining films I saw all year long, a bold dramedy that had me beaming
with enjoyment the entire time. Leonardo DiCaprio is a sensation, giving his best
performance in his career, at least in my opinion. The true (yet very much
exaggerated) story of Jordan Belfort’s dance with debauchery and investment
greed during the late ‘80s and ‘90s is nothing more than a brilliantly-crafted
enlightening cautionary tale. Some might criticize this film for celebrating
and glamorizing greed and infidelity and drug-use. It doesn’t, it warns society
why we need to regulate our financial institutions because there are predators
out there just like these creeps who will take advantage of anyone they can.
Jonah Hill is also incredible, transforming into a loud-mouth devotee and
partner of Belfort that is not like any other character he has played. There’s
so many memorable parts, scenes that will stand the test of time as being
classic. Scorsese really out did himself, proof again that age is meaningless
when it comes to creative output. If you are easily offended, you probably
should avoid this one. But for the rest of you out there, be prepared for a
really good movie. Grade: A
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Fruitvale Station (2013)
I was still pretty stunned after seeing the last film I
wrote about (12 Years A Slave) and then I decided to watch this modern
masterpiece on racism. First I see racism in the past and now I sample racism
of today. I’m numb. Here is the true story of Oscar Grant, a young black man
out with his friends celebrating the New Year when BART officers at a subway
station in Oakland hassle them as thugs. The result made national headlines and
yet until I saw this film I was ignorant of this tragedy. First time film maker
Ryan Coogler delivers a fine film, one that must be seen by everyone in my
opinion. Racism is a subtle demon that messes up with first impressions and
leads people (even good people) down ugly assumptions. Michael B. Jordan will
find a lot of respect after this film; he’s an actor to keep an eye on that’s
for sure. I would have loved to have seen this film nominated for best picture.
It’s in my opinion in the same league as
12 Years A Slave. I guess the Academy can only stomach one film about racism at
a time. Grade: A
Monday, February 3, 2014
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Why
is this film going to win best picture? Because it’s just too important a story
to ignore, it’s a scar that needs healing and how best to begin the process of
healing but by celebrating this work of art. The fact that this is a true account
of a free man being chained up and used as a slave is incredibly shocking, but
what’s even more horrific is all those he comes across who were always treated
as property and never given the hint of freedom he had. This film will make you
cringe. It will force you to consider the evils of our society both in the past
and in the present. It is hard to watch but it must be watched so we understand
as a nation and as citizens of the world that slavery of any kind is evil and
destroys all those it touches. Steve McQueen was the perfect director to make
this film, his style and way of getting into a character’s nature is hard to
do. I don’t know if I think this is his best film to date but it’s going to go down as the film that lifted up his status. Then there’s Chiwetel
Ejiofor who is profoundly good. His performance has all the layers of subtlety
and intensity that only great actors can reach. I probably won’t ever watch
this film again (except maybe with my children when they’re older) but that’s
because it is so phenomenal that you don’t really need to see it again. It
sticks to the memory and the soul. Grade: A
Sunday, February 2, 2014
The Way Way Back (2013)
Nat
Faxon and Jim Rash co-write and direct their first film; a coming-of-age film
about a teenage boy named Duncan who spends his summer vacation with his
single-mother at her boyfriend’s beach house on the East coast. Sam Rockwell
plays the water park manager he befriends when tensions heat up at with the
boyfriend played by Steve Carell. Toni Collette plays the mom and Allison
Janney is the outrageous neighbor who loves to party. This is one of those
films packed with laughs and tender (but real) inter reactions we can all
relate to. It’s hard growing up and it’s always amazing when you find a place
you belong. This is a good one and I hope more discover it through the years.
Grade: A-
Saturday, February 1, 2014
20 Feet from Stardom (2013)
Nominated
for this year’s Oscar for Best Feature Documentary, it tracks down the
background singers of some of the most memorable hits in the last four decades.
You don’t know their names but you will after seeing this insightful and
inspiring feel-good film. Darlene Love and Merry Clayton stand out. It’s always
fun to see a film that celebrates the little guy or in this case the large
voice in the back row. I hope this film inspires clones of this kind. How about
animators of our favorite films? Or jingle song writers of our favorite
commercials. Okay maybe this idea wouldn’t work for everything but it’s still a
refreshing kind of bio film. Grade: A
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