Ben Stiller directs an updated adaptation of James
Thurber’s short story which had been adapted before in Norman Z. Mcleod’s 1947
version starring Danny Kaye. The result is beautiful to look at, certainly. You
can see the money that was spent on every frame. The big issue for me is the
message is so obvious that the journey Mitty takes seems unnecessary. The twist
at the end isn’t really that surprising either. There are some very funny
moments scattered about the film and a skateboarding sequence that is just too
cool not to jump up and take notice. But I just feel that a film that looks
this good should have more depth. None of the characters feel developed past
being a side joke. Mr. Stiller is a very talented director but in this case I
felt he was so involved with making the film look awesome that he let slide the
complexity of his character. Still I do recommend it as a fun film, especially
for anyone stuck in the rut. It just feels like it could have been so much
better. Grade: B
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.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Orange is the New Black (Season 1)
Women in Prison the TV show. Based (loosely I’m assuming)
on the memoir by Piper Kerman. From Jenji Kohan the creator of Weeds. Netflix
soars with this one. It’s the kind of dramedy that makes you laugh and catch
your breath with emotional tension. While packed with a wonderful cast of
character actors to play the eccentric mix of prisoners and prison staff, it’s
the lead played by Taylor Schilling that shines. Taylor is so likeable that you
feel like you’re walking into prison with her. You feel her pain and
humiliation and her triumph as she finds her way into this new situation. There
are many standout performers from Uzo Aduba who plays Crazy Eyes, Taryn Manning
as Pennsatucky, Laura Prepon as Alex (Piper’s ex-leisban lover), Jason Biggs as
the understanding fiancée, Pablo Schreiber as Pornstache, and Laverne Cox as
the transsexual Sophie. Every episode is well-crafted and delivers. If I had to
be super picky I’d suggest that there are gaps in acting quality but that’s
expected with a show with so many characters. Prison is not a happy place, not
matter the gender. Yet it does make for the perfect setting for drama and
humor. Grade: A-
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Unbelievers (2014)
When I read there would be a documentary about great
thinkers and atheists Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins I became really
excited. For one I’m basically an
atheist myself (yet I really really want to be wrong) and I was looking forward
to an intellectual dialogue from these two celebrated gentleman. In the end this is just a clip show of their
travels without much context. There are
way too many moments were these guys are being filmed walking through airports
than actually talking about their ideas for my taste. I guess I should be inspired by this
celebration of science and reason, and I was to some degree, but this film
never gets past being a commercial. I
was so disappointed by this film I don’t even want to recommend it. Yet the ideas behind the film I really want people
to experience. So I suggest instead
finding these two guys books and reading them.
Wait for a real documentary to come along that does what I wish this
film had done. Grade: C+
Thursday, September 18, 2014
The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan (Novel) [Revisited]
The interesting thing about this fifth book in the Wheel
of Time is that while a lot happens, it doesn’t feel as dense or as
accomplished as the last book. Perhaps
this is because Perrin’s view point is missing.
Not that we need him, the guy deserves a break after what he does in the
last book. There are some great
sections though as Rand, Mat, Moiraine and Egwene chase after the Shaido and head
toward Cairhien. Mat turns out to be
a knowledgeable battle master (based on past memories he has stuck in his head)
and Moiraine becomes a trustworthy advisor to Rand. Meanwhile Nynaeve, Elayne, Thom and Juilian
join a traveling circus upon escaping Tanchico as they search out the Aes Sedi
rebels, where Nim and Siuan find refuge.
There are some exciting confrontations in Tel’aran’rhiod, the dreaming
world and a shocking end for two supporting characters. Again a very entertain book but this is the
first book in the series where I felt it was a bit long. Still as long-form epic fantasy story
building goes, it’s an accomplishment.
Usually by the fifth book in a story like this the events starts to feel
forced. That’s not the case here as the
momentum to tell this story keeps pushing forward. I love seeing characters like Siuan evolve
and set up some really great possible story threads for the future. If I had to find something about this book to
complain about is that Rand is starting to come across as unbeatable. He needs to fail at some point or it will
feel fake. If memory severs that’s about
to happen in the sixth book. Grade: A-
Spoilers: I already greatly miss Moiraine. It felt as if her story had come to its conclusion so it makes sense but her presence in this story so far has been so vital it will be interesting to see what happens without her in Rand’s circle. Plus she was just a great wizard-type that these kinds of stories require. What I also love is having the White Tower divided and yet not everyone is privy to this knowledge. This is a technique Mr. Jordan uses a lot and it makes for great drama.
Spoilers: I already greatly miss Moiraine. It felt as if her story had come to its conclusion so it makes sense but her presence in this story so far has been so vital it will be interesting to see what happens without her in Rand’s circle. Plus she was just a great wizard-type that these kinds of stories require. What I also love is having the White Tower divided and yet not everyone is privy to this knowledge. This is a technique Mr. Jordan uses a lot and it makes for great drama.
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