BOXING DAY WRITE – UP:
People of Australia; It’s that time of the year again! Boxing Day Weekend!
Where everything is closed and the weather is so damn hot for us cinema/geek people.
Lets let the good looking people enjoy their bikinis and their beautiful bodies and their drinking….and…..DAMN! Anyway, we love movies, and thanks to the lovely studios out there; Damngoodcup doesn’t have to venture outside on Boxing day. As we’ve seen most of the movies (except ‘Happy Feet Two’ and ‘Albert Nobbs’ – sorry; we was busy!).
Here’s some short write-ups about each of the big releases this weekend. I hope you make the effort to see a few of these films – or at least two (come on!). Even I’ll be in the cinemas boxing day; re-seeing ‘We Bought A Zoo’ and probably ‘Tintin’ or maybe ‘War Horse.’ I know I said above that we weren’t leaving home Boxing day, that was a lie.
Because everyday not spent in a cinema or eating shrimp is a loss for us.
Below; I’ve written a lot on some films and not so much on others. You can tell which ones are my favorites without even reading the list (because come on who bothers to read any articles longer thn ur xpectd 2. Derp.
I’m obviously racing through this list, because I’ve had to work everyday these last two weeks and I haven’t had time to fully review anything. “But dave, you saw most of these movies a quarter of a year ago?” SHUT UP. “Oh but Dave you still haven’t reviewed Mission Impossible 4” SHUT UP!
Anyway, Merry Christmas to you all!
Thank you for staying with Damngoodcup.com through the year, and we’ll see you after the holidays: with the annual BEST and WORST of 2011 lists.
And like in real life: all that’s left are the movies themselves:
War Horse
It’s a marvel.
From the gorgeous John Williams score, to the effortless filmmaking from Steven Spielberg. This isn’t a ‘War’ movie ala ‘Saving Private Ryan’ or ‘Schindler’s list.’
If Schindler’s is about the victims, and Private Ryan is about the soldiers; then ‘War Horse’ would be about the innocents that are affected during wartime. Spielberg wisely chooses to focus on the farm people, the children, the young soldiers in over their head – the point is that it doesn’t matter which side of the war they are on, but that they are people.
‘War Horse’ features action set pieces, and great acting, but it’s a Spielberg movie through and through, and if that brings to your mind the idea of “way too much sentimentality” – then I’d say avoid this one. But if you’re like me and don’t mind, then make ‘War Horse’ a priority.
And then there is that horse: Joey. Who gives the best performance this year. It’s amazing how much emotion they get that horse (or was it horses) to bring out. There is also minimum CGI throughout the picture, which makes the practicality of it all that much more impressive.
It’s a heartwarming and great film. An intimate piece from Spielberg. There isn’t much else for me to say about ‘War Horse’ other than it is one of the best films this year!
We Bought A Zoo
I’ve thought a lot about ‘We Bought A Zoo’ the new film from writer, director Cameron Crowe.
It’s a very sentimental, and somewhat cliched film; but damn me if it isn’t sincere and raw at the same time.
Crowe has the ability to saddle all these things at once, and that makes ‘We Bought A Zoo’ such a delight. It’s breezy, deep, emotional, funny and inspiring. The soundtrack by Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi; is incredible, and I’m apt to say that Matt Damon gives his best performance in years.
The story is beautiful, and very well executed for sure; but there’s also a meta quality to the film that makes it more than great: it’s this ‘Struggle for the art’ theme that runs through it. This is primarily a story about overcoming a sense of self, of taking a risk, of learning from a mistake, of family…blah blah blah – I could babble on and bore you about this film all day – but let’s just say that there hasn’t been many films this year that will inspire such joy and emotion in you.
For such a long time I held ‘The Muppets’ as my favorite film of 2011; but once I had let ‘We Bought A Zoo’ sit for a few days, I decided this was the best.
The Adventures Of Tintin
My disappointment with ‘Tintin’ has lessened as the days have gone since I’ve seen it. I saw the movie a few months ago, and before that I had been waiting years and years.
Herge’s ‘Tintin’ is something that I have grown up with. The comics and the animated series. Spielberg a natural choice for director, the cast was great, John Williams doing the music. It was all there.
But that damn motion capture – as good as it sometimes looks – it just ‘feels’ wrong. Like a trophy wife: sure she’s pretty, and enjoyable to parade around – but it’s just empty. Andy Serkis does a fine job as Haddock; but Jamie Bell just doesn’t have the personality to fill the Motion capture suit of Tintin.
There’s also an oddness to Tintin himself – as he’s the only character in the film not resembling the Herge cartoon. Every other character is exaggerated in their features (made to look like the drawings), except Tintin; who looks like a plain human. I’m sure this was a move to make Tintin more humanized, but it had the complete opposite effect; making the main character of the film stick out – having a pretty jarring effect on the film.
There’s also some script issues. The picture suffers from the typical “too many cooks ruin the soup” cliche. Yes. But I also never got a sense that the writers understood Tintin. I know it’s almost sacrilege to criticize Edgar Wright on any level, but all he did was punch up the script. Anyway, Along with Stephen Moffat (of Doctor Who) and Joe Cornish (Attack the block) – this team of writers seem obsessed with cramming every single little reference to the Tintin mythology into the script. Even though all these elements are individually enjoyable (I.e. Thompson and Thomson); when taken as a whole; they are clearly shoehorned into the proceedings. There’s just too much going on. It makes for a muddled experience. And there is so much exposition it’s ridiculous.
The set pieces are amazing (their is a sustained one take sequence, and a flashback pirate battle that are astonishing) but awesome as they are; they grind the film to a halt.
The pacing is off. Blah blah blah. I was very negative on Tintin when I first saw it.
But as I let it sit for a while, I remembered the amazing set pieces for what they were: let-loose Spielberg set pieces. I remembered how much they nailed Snowy and Haddock. I remembered the great score. And the gorgeous background/ cinematography.
I would like to see ‘Tintin’ again; without the whole “this shot looks good, this shot doesn’t, Tintin’s eyes look okay here, and in this shot they don’t” mentality.
Like the ‘Star Wars’ prequels; there is so much shit going on in every frame; that it becomes a cinematic ‘Where’s Wally.’ But in Tintin’s case the story (and I guess the movie itself) is just above average. I don’t mean to sound too negative, the film is very enjoyable and for the most part great. It’s just the above issues that bog it down. I’m thankful that Spielberg’s sensibilities are so fine tuned that he manages to rise above some substandard script/adaptation work.
So the film is just really, really good.
But that’s the big issue; a Steven Spielberg ‘Tintin’ movie should never have been ‘Four stars’ – it should have been nothing less than a ‘Five.’
At least Spielberg had ‘War Horse’ in 2011.
Tower Heist.
Tower Heist, is not a bad movie. It’s just unforgettable and average.
If you feel like seeing a dumb comedy; in which there are no real jokes or exciting set pieces then this is your thing. If you just want to phase out and enjoy the air conditioning of the cinema during Christmas this one is for you.
The faces in the film are familiar, doing everything (and nothing more) than what you expect them too. The storyline is one that you have seen done (exactly) the same way over and over again.
‘Tower Heist’ answers an age old question for me: ‘If all the work is, is an assembly of stolen elements from other works; is it still a work worth looking at?’ The answer is no.
‘Tower Heist’ is not worth bothering. Especially when there are so many other amazing films coming out this Boxing day!
‘Tower Heist’ is like admiring a famous artwork in a catalogue: sure the ‘Mona Lisa’ looks great in a photo, and it’s pretty much the same…but then you see the real thing it knocks you away.
I guess ‘Tower Heist’ is an okay pick this boxing day, that’s if you are a complete dumbass who has never seen a good comedy. It’s not that it’s a bad movie; it’s that there are so many ‘memorable’ movies coming out this weekend…sigh…do what you want.
The Skin I live In
Now here’s the hardest film to talk about.
Pedro Almodavar has re-teamed with Antonio Banderas; to bring us a demented, unusual and twisted MASTERPIECE. It follows a plastic surgeon – who is in the midst of creating a new type of impenetrable human skin – who keeps a human victim locked in his quarters as a guinea pig.
To say more is to ruin the insane twists and plotting of the movie.
The movie struck me down like a power chord. I saw the picture with a room full of critics, and once it finished everyone was silent. Once the credits rolled, we all stumbled out onto the street and could not speak about what we saw, we were just a bubbling mess.
Nobody knew whether we had watched a masterpiece, or a disaster. But we knew that it moved us. That it made us feel something we had not before – or at least in a while.
I have had ‘The Skin I live In’ in my head for months and months now. The film is like a dark little secret: now it’s finally going to come out. I can’t wait to discuss it and talk it over with you guys.
I’ve thinking about that screening ever since, and have come to the conclusion that only truly successful films can effect us in such a way.
‘The Skin I live in’ is a very challenging and hardcore, uncompromising piece of cinema. If you believe in the power of film then this is your must see movie this christmas.
Even though I recommend it to everyone, use your discretion.
And please don’t ruin the storyline/twists for anyone! That is extremely important!
The Iron Lady
‘The Iron Lady’ is similar to films like ‘The Kings Speech’ and ‘The Queen’ – but it’s more whimsical than those two. This story about Margaret Thatcher’s life, is told through her dead husband appearing as a specter, and reminding the elderly (and borderline Alzheimer’s) Thatcher about her life. Cue flashback structure.
It’s an unusual (if not familiar) way to tackle the life of a significant historical person. I did not know much about Thatcher beyond some general history – so, much of the film was interesting to me. Streep overacts in many areas, but for the most part is solid. It’s definitely not her best work, but saying that is pretty weak-sauce. Even her worst work is still brilliant.
‘The Iron lady’ is a fine, engaging film. But it’s not much more than a straight-forward historical biography film. That’s the only real downfall – which I guess explains the whole: ‘Dead Husband/Ghost’ angle – An attempt to breathe life into the stuffiness?
I’d say the film is mostly successful; so there you go. It’s definitely being aimed at the oldies for this boxing day weekend.
Oldies and History buffs! And erm…Meryl Streep fans! I don’t know if that’s accurate? I would just say: If you’re interested, you’ll enjoy it.
Have a good Christmas/Boxing Day/New Year everyone!
See you in 2012!
Related posts:
- New Trailers For Pixar’s: ‘BRAVE’ and Amazing Looking Spielberg: ‘WAR HORSE’ – Watch!
- First Trailer: ‘ADVENTURES OF TINTIN!’ From Spielberg/Jackson!
- Full Length Trailer: ‘THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN.’
- First images from Spielberg and Jackson’s TINTIN!
- INTERVIEW: SIMON PEGG Star Of ‘MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 4′ And ‘THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN’
