Non-Spoiler Review

Last Saturday evening a group of eight of us did our part to push the third X-Men film, X-Men: The Last Stand, to its record-breaking opening weekend. I will forgo the temptation to include an overabundance of “X-citing, X-plosive” and other “X” comments. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed the X-perience (I had to do one!) and was glad to have seen it early while it was still on one of the bigger screens.

X-Men: The Last Stand is reportedly the last in the franchise and in many ways it feels like the closing act of a movie trilogy. If a person has not seen the first two films I cannot imagine them enjoying, or understanding, this film. There is almost nothing by way of introduction for most of the characters, which is a good thing. You are meant to have seen the previous movies. The plot revealed in the trailers indicates that a “cure” for the mutant-x gene has been discovered and now all the poor people afflicted with mutant abilities can become normal and boring like the rest of us. Our stalwart heroes and villians react in a predictably horrified manner and each go about their attempts to address this new threat in their own ways. The villians decide to go to war and the X-Men have to of course step in to stop them. Added to the conflict is the return of Jean Grey who “died” at the end of X-2, whose newly released potential and unsure loyalties make her a bigger threat than the governments’ “cure”. There are other small subplots including the idea that some mutants may actually prefer to be cured that give some heft to the main story.

The biggest worry of comic book geeks everywhere was whether or not director Brett Ratner would be able to deliver the same quality of story and visual excitement that Bryan Singer had in the first 2 films. Singer dumped the X-Men in favor of the man in blue tights, leading many X-Men movie fans, myself included, worried about the future of the series. For the most part I think their fears were unrealized. Ratner put forth a fine story that had a few weak moments but was mostly satisfying as the closing act of the trilogy. There were a few cheesy, lame lines of dialogue…”the best defense is a good offense”…and the movie started out a bit slow for me but those are my only real complaints. As with all three X-Men films there are far too many characters to do any real justice to their storylines. Part of the thrill for fans of the comics is just to catch glimpses of heroes and villians that they know from the series. While those characters provide interesting visual background for those of us who don’t know them it is the true “fans” who get the most out of their inclusion. The main characters from the first films get a fair amount of screen time and I was happy with all the performances of the regulars.

In addition to the main crew I enjoyed seeing Angel (Ben Foster). The wing special effects were amazing and because of that I was disappointed that he had so little screen time. I had my intial doubts about Kelsey Grammer playing the Beast but I thought he did a fine job and the costume was actually not bad…a far cry from the awful body suit Michael Chiklis wore as Thing in The Fantastic Four. I thought Ellen Page did a great job in the Kitty Pride role, very good casting there. One of the characters that I know little about but always thought looked a bit silly in the comics was Juggernaut so I was surprised at how well I thought the character looked brought to life on the big screen. Vinnie Jones is a favorite from Snatch and I really liked him as Juggernaut. I think it was a really good decision to include that character despite his minimal screen time.

The special effects are outstanding in this film as well. Some of the best scenes were during a pivitol point in the movie after Jean Grey leaves the mansion to revisit her childhood home. Tremendous effects shots there as well as a really dramatic turning point in the film. I have been impressed that all the special, mutant abilities and powers in each film have been very well done from an effects standpoint and this one was no different. By the end there is enough effects and explosions to satisfy those looking for a true summer blockbuster.

Overall I was highly entertained by this third outing and feel that, small problems aside, it is the first true summer blockbuster of 2006 and should definitely be experienced on the big screen.

That is really all I can say without spoiling the film. I am going to encourage people to talk about the film in the comments section and that may contain spoilers so I would recommend that you not read the comments unless you want to spoil the movie experience.

And if you do see it, please remember to stay until the end of the credits as there is a really important, albiet brief, scene there.

To A Child Dancing in the Wind

Dance there upon the shore;
What need have you to care
For wind or water’s roar?
And tumble out your hair
That the salt drops have wet;
Being young you have not known
The fool’s triumph, nor yet
Love lost as soon as won,
Nor the best labourer dead
And all the sheaves to bind.
What need have you to dread
The monstrous crying of wind?

~W. B. Yeats

Thus begins the small, unassuming film On a Clear Day from writer Alex Rose and director Gaby Dellal. On a Clear Day is the antithesis of the summer blockbuster. No explosions, car chases, aliens or costumed do-gooders and was exactly what Mary and I wanted to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary (Saturday, the 13th). On a Clear Day is a quiet, touching film about relationships and change and being the hero of your own life.

The movie stars Peter Mullan (of My Name is Joe and Session 9 fame) as Frank, a 55 year old shipbuilder who is unceremoniously let go from his job. Having no clear direction as to what to do with the rest of his life he spends his time with what is seemingly his only passion, swimming. When one of his fellow unemployed friends makes a comment about swimming the English channel, a spark is lit in Frank’s imagination. With the help of his rag-tag mates he begins training while trying to keep his plans secret from his wife and family. What you soon learn, however, is that On a Clear Day is not just about Frank. Each character has some secret or regret or lack of direction of their own and their interaction with Frank in pursuit of his new dream ignites change in their own lives.

Peter Mullan is great. He plays Frank as a very stoic, lost man and brings him to the screen in a very real way. Frank’s wife is played lovingly by the very beautiful Brenda Blethyn (Pride and Prejudice). Their performances are very subtle and it gives their film relationship a very palpable reality. I enjoyed On a Clear Day for the same reason I enjoy films like Return to Me and I.Q., iti s the banter between the group of fellas that makes this film. Frank’s friends are all stock characters but they are played so well that it gives each character dimension. Sean McGinley (Braveheart), Ron Cook (Chocolat), Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings) and Benedict Wong make up Frank’s gang of accomplices. They each have humorous lines and aspects to their characters but Billy Boyd is the true comic relief of the movie and he is hilarious. He did such a great job and it was so good to see him in a film post Lord of the Rings. I hope he makes many more.

Ultimately On a Clear Day could be accused of being a feel good film with a predictable outcome. What transforms it into a remarkable film is a combination of a wonderful screenplay, lovingly crafted performances, and terrific water cinematography. There is more than I have revealed going on under the surface of this film as to do so would spoil the experience. If you have a chance to see it in theatres or when it comes out on DVD I predict you will enjoy it. Our friend Pat met us at the theatre Saturday night to watch this film. As the credits rolled she turned to me and said, “What a delightful film”. Those four words are all the review that you really need.

No Spoiler Review

The success of your mission, should you choose to accept it, hinges on your response to the following questions: Did you like the first two incarnations of this franchise? Can you separate Tom Cruise the actor from Tom Cruise the freak? If you answered both questions in the affirmative, you will enjoy Mission Impossible: III.

I have to admit that I did not see the first Mission Impossible film. I saw the second one, thoroughly enjoyed it, became an instant fan of Thandie Newton, and have never felt the need to see the first one. You may feel the same way about this third film in the franchise and if so I wouldn’t blame you. It is not different. It is not new. But it is the first big blockbuster of the summer movie season and it is a really fun movie.

I’ll steer clear of the plot beyond what you may have seen in the trailers. To reveal any of the major plot points would ruin the story. Suffice it to say that Ethan Hunt has once again been called up by the IMF to assist with an ‘impossible mission’, he reluctantly accepts, and action ensues. Despite the fact that the story is one we have all seen before there are several reasons I really enjoyed this film. First off, the cast.

I’ve never been a huge Tom Cruise fan, nor am I a Tom Cruise hater. I don’t go to or stay away from a film because of him. I think he does a terrific job in this type of role, however. Once the opening scene was over I was able to lay aside my visions of couch-jumping and Scientology-selling and enjoy his performance. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is outstanding. I haven’t seen Capote other than in trailers, so my exposure to Hoffman has only been with his smaller, more comedic roles. He was a fantastic villian. Cold, cruel, calculating. He makes the film. Ving Rhames is back and is his usually cocky self. In addition to Rhames, Cruise’s team is made up of Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Maggie Q. Laurence Fishburn and Billy Crudup turn in adequate performances as suits in the IMF and Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) turns in a really fun performance as a tech-geek reminiscient of Kevin Weisman’s role in the television show Alias. And of course there is the role of the love interest, this time turned in by a relative newcomer to film, Michelle Monaghan. Monaghan turned in a refreshingly down to earth performance that only enhanced her girl-next-door looks. She was a very good choice.

The second thing I really like about Mission Impossible:III was this: The very first scene of the movie shows something that actually happens much closer to the end of the film. Despite knowing that the movie would eventually end up at this point the suspenseful moments of the film were still suspenseful. That fact alone made the film enjoyable to me.

And of course the special effects were well done. There were fewer explosions than I generally expect from an action film but that’s not to say that it is devoid of these moments. There are plenty of the requisite incidents of violence, explosions, gun-fire, chases, fights, and stunts that you expect from this franchise. I felt these were handled well and that there was less of the jump-cut edits that one expects from action films. Yes there were several implausible moments but that is true for not only these films but most of the slate of summer blockbusters to come. It is a credit to MI:III that implausibility doesn’t detract from the entertaiment value of the film.

Should you see this on the big screen? Well, that all depends on the limitations you have in getting out to the movies. As with all action/adventure films they impress more on the big screen. However this movie will be much more watchable on the television than will other upcoming movies like X-Men III, Superman Returns, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. If you are limited with your time and budget this summer, wait for those movies. If you are in the mood for an interesting, fun, popcorn movie now then I recommend checking out MI:III.

(No spoilers review)

Throughout the year I keep my eyes open for those special little movies that seem to fly under the radar. Last year it was Dear Frankie and Millions. The first gem of 2006 is Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School.

Watching the trailer you might think that this is another in a long line of quirky romantic comedies featuring dancing as a plot line. If you thought that you would indeed be right….well, half right anyway. Frank Keane is a breadmaker, and a widower…one who continues to acutely feel the pain of the loss of his spouse. The therapy group that Frank attends with other widowed men appears to be going down the same road that Frank is, the road to nowhere. That is until a meeting with destiny leads Frank Keane to Marilyn Hotchkiss’ infamous Ballroom Dancing and Charm School. One lindy later Frank begins to see a possible new rhythym to his life.

That is the half of the film you see in in the trailer. The half you don’t see…the half that adds poignancy, depth, and meaning to the good but otherwise cliched tale, is the intersecting story of a character played by John Goodman. There is a reason that John Goodman is seen in the trailer in name only and to discuss this plot line more would be to ruin the experience. Suffice it to say that it is a great storyline, John Goodman is terrific and he is not alone.

For a small film Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School boasts a stellar cast of actors/actresses that must have agreed to do this film simply out of the love of making fun movies. Many of the actors/actresses in this film headline other films but here they play small but significant roles that really matter. Robert Carlyle plays Frank Keane as the kind of warm, caring everyman that you immediately embrace. Frank’s therapy group led by Rafael Horowitz (David Paymer) includes small roles by Sean Astin, Adam Arkin, Ernie Hudson, and Miguel Sandoval. They are all great but Sean Astin’s opening scene is the best. Marilyn Hotchkiss’ studio is run by her daughter Marieene, played to prim and proper perfection by the lovely Mary Steenburgen. By now you probably get the idea that this is an ensemble film. The dance class is filled with actors and actresses playing small, quirky, fun roles. Standing out in the crowd is an entertaining performance by Donnie Wahlberg as a white trash Fred Astaire wannabe and of course Marisa Tomei as the eventual love interest of our intrepid protagonist Frank. Marisa Tomei is one of those actresses who just looks beautiful no matter how made up she is and in this very understated role she really shines. Rounding out the cast is John Goodman whose opening scene pulls you into the emotional core of the film and a fun cameo by Danny Devito.

Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School started out life as a short film 15 years ago written by director Randall Miller and his wife, producer Jody Savin. What makes this interesting is that Miller uses the footage of the short film as the flashback sequences in John Goodman’s tale. The flashback scenes from Marilyn Hotchkiss’ school are shot in a grainy, home movie quality that sets the mood perfectly for those scenes. In what I think is a fun piece of symmetry in the film, Elden Henson plays a small role in the bakery and is also the child actor who played the lead role in the short film 15 years ago. I sat through the whole film thinking how remarkably alike both actors looked and was thrilled to find out that they were indeed the same person.

Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School is obviously a labor of love. It is a small film with a message that we may hear over and over in our daily lives and yet is one we should really take to heart. It is the message of embracing life. In a world where most movies are striving to be blockbusters, Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School is striving to be just that…charming. It is a fun, romantic film with a melancholy yet hopeful undertone that adds weight to the forumlaic elements of the film. From the opening song to the ending song the film just makes you feel good. The dancing is not outstanding but that isn’t the point. In one moment late in the film Marisa Tomei’s character turns to Frank and says, “You’re a good man, Frank Keane.” And that is the point. He is a good man and in his quiet way he points us towards that same path. Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School may not win any awards but it won me over and if you see it will hopefully do the same to you.

Silent Hill is the latest in a stream of video-game-to-film projects that have been flowing into theatres over the last few years. Silent Hill, as a game and a film, is meant to do one big thing and do it well: creep you out. Happily I may report that it succeeds in that area quite well.

The story in video game movies is often hard to follow, many times owing to the fact that the game itself had little story line to begin with. Horror games of this type generally have a bit more of a plot, though one filled with occasional moments of incoherence. This confusion is present at times in Silent Hill though to a much lesser degree than negative reviews led me to believe.

Silent Hill is the story of a little girl whose sleepwalking leads to precarious predicaments, causing her parents much consternation. During these nightly jaunts she utters the words “silent hill”. A google here, a google there and soon mother has run off with daughter to the mysterious town of Silent Hill against dad’s wishes in the hopes of finding a cure. Carelessness and the ghostly image of a girl in the road leave mom out cold. When she awakes her daughter is missing and the nightmare begins.

Silent Hill exceeds expectations in two key areas: visuals and the use of sound. Making Silent Hill into a movie has been the pet project of Brotherhood of the Wolf director/screenwriter Christopher Gans for the past several years. His love of the source material and his expertise in creating spectacular imagery shows in the look and feel of Silent Hill. This film has all the visual elements that one wants in a good horror story. Intense camera angles, an eerie lighting scheme, and some of the most scary sets I have seen in a long time are but a few of the things that make this film great to look at. Horror staples like the old abandoned schoolhouse and the sinister hospital are used to great effect in Silent Hill as well. The color palette and tone set the mood throughout the entire movie and the special effects are top notch. Fire plays a key role in the plot and the special effects crew does a fantastic job with using the pealing, eroding effects of fire during scene transformations. The creature effects are top notch as well and rival the evil incarnations of Clive Barker’s imagination. This isn’t your old-timey horror flick, here there be monsters and they are very scary.

Sound is another area in which Silent Hill shines. The use of sound and (as Jeff pointed out) the strategic use of quiet or muted sound really accentuated the mood of the film. Silent Hill is a movie that benefits greatly from a good surround sound system and the theatre we were in was anything but silent. The sound effects were jarring in their intensity and were a fantastic overall piece of the film. The combination of incredible sound and stunning visuals are easily among the best I have seen in the horror genre and rival those in other film genres also.

Silent Hill‘s rough edges were in the story department. That is not to say that the story was not entertaining, but there were some flaws. Most notably before the climax of the film is a long piece of exposition accompanied by flash back visuals that could have been much more effectively communicated had they left the narrative out. The scenes themselves told the story, I did not require spoon feeding to accompany them. The narrative piece goes a long way towards grinding the intensity of the tale to a halt. To its credit Silent Hill ratches up the intensity (and subsequently the gore) immediately after this.

The performances in the film were very good. Radha Mitchell fit very well into the role of a strong, protective mother. She is very attractive but her looks don’t detract from the film. The film makers could have easily went off course with this role by hiring someone who looked pretty but was unbelievable as a person forced to brave horrifying circumstances to save their child. Mitchell was fantastic. Sean Bean was great in a somewhat limited role as the father in the film. The young girl playing Sharon, Jodelle Ferland, was terrific. She played both the innocent and the haunted child very, very well. Rounding out a great cast was Deborah Kara Unger and very menacing performance by Alice Krige. All of the roles had an aspect of being one-dimensional but the above actors all brought a little something extra to their performances that really showed in the final result.

I went into Silent Hill with very low expectations. Surprisingly I found a very entertaining creepy film. There are enough pure scary moments, paced quite well, that make this a terrific movie to terrify. The foreboding, menacing feel of the first three quarters of the movie gives way to some fairly intense gore at the end but even that didn’t feel so much gratuitious as it did just plain evil. Silent Hill at its heart is a tale of vengeance and it is safe to say that punishment is repaid in kind. While the closing scene left me a bit cold my opinion of the overall film was that it met the creep-out factor of some of the great scary computer games I have played. If you see it, go prepared to be amazed by the visuals, wowed by the sound, at times puzzled by the plot, and know that you will leave and never look at nurses…or barbed wire…the same again.