The Village: Review

M. Night Shyamalan's films have become known for their trademark 'twist endings,' but as a writer/director, Shyamalan brings so much more to the table than surprise gimmicks. The thing that really sets apart M. Night's movies is their complete departure from mainstream 'popcorn' cinema. Every time you watch one of his films you feel like you're seeing something totally original. The Village is no exception, as it is a perfect example of M. Night's creative genius at work. Set in the 1800's, the story centers around a small Pennsylvania village and the mysterious creatures that lurk in the nearby woods. William Hurt and Bryce Dallas Howard give the highlight performances in the film. This is Bryce's first starring role, and she is definitely up to the task. Because The Village is so unconventional, it's easy to become frustrated halfway through the movie, because you have no idea where the story is going. Don't be discouraged-- just trust that Shyamalan will not lead you on a wild goose chase. I think films have become so formulaic, that audiences can tell in the first ten minutes or so where the plot is headed. When a rare original movie comes along, people get disoriented because they don't recognize any story pattern. But being disoriented can be a good thing, because not knowing what to expect can re-ignite the imagination. The Village is a great movie because it defies classification, breaks the genre molds and raises the bar of storytelling to a height that I hope other filmmakers will aspire to reach.

***1/2 (3.5 stars)

Alias meets Mission Impossible

After changing multiple hands, it looks like the long-awaited M:I-3 has finally locked in a director, and it's great news for fans of the spy-fi TV series Alias. J.J. Abrams, Alias' creator, has teamed up with Tom Cruise for the third Mission Impossible movie. This is a huge break for Abrams, as it will be his first feature film directing gig. According to Scifi.com, prior to getting the job, J.J. met with Cruise, and gave him all of the Alias seasons on DVD. Tom, who had never before seen the show, watched every episode, was extremely impressed, and ultimately offered Abrams M:I-3. Director Joe Carnahan recently left the project due to creative differences regarding the script. With Abrams on board, it looks like the third Mission is now possible. And, really, who is a better man for the job? The film is scheduled to start shooting next summer.

Spiderman 2: Review

The problem with so many sequels is that their sole reason for existence is to milk money out of a franchise. Character development and story aren't a priority, and you end up with a re-hash of the first movie in a similar setting with similar dialogue. Sometimes this is all an audience needs -- to re-visit the characters they fell in love with in the first movie. But so often sequels just don't contain any content that validates their existence as sequels. They end up being most accurately described as a 'remake of the first movie.' Spiderman 2 does not have any of the traditional sequel problems, and in fact, it doesn't even behave like a sequel. It is such a logical continuation of the first story that it almost feels like an extension to the first movie. The writing and acting are so good that Spiderman 2 feels like a more mature film than its predecessor. And, even though it's a super-hero story, character development never takes a back seat to action. Peter Parker's increasing struggle to balance his life as Spiderman with his life as a regular guy is the focus of the movie. Peter's relationships with his aunt, MJ, and Harry all have interesting developments, and the character of 'Doc Oc' is a great addition to the storyline. While Spiderman 2 does have intense action, it also has real drama-- and because you legitimately care for the characters involved, the drama all-the-more engrossing. I know a movie like this won't get recognized by the Academy, but I just want to say that I would nominate Spiderman 2 for best picture. It's a rare gem among action/adventures.

**** (4 stars)

FOX's Teen Choice Awards: Rated 'R'

Last week, FOX aired its annual Teen Choice Awards. This is a show that allows the teen viewing audience to pick their favorites from the past year's music, movies, and television programs. It's also unique in that a majority of the people who attend the ceremony are those teens who voted for the awards. I know that the term 'teen' includes ages 13-19, but when I looked at the kids in the audience, I didn't see anyone who looked older than 14. Now in my opinion, there's nothing wrong with having an awards show for young people. The problem is that this particular program was not appropriate for kids. First of all, many of the films included in the various categories were 'R' rated (such as American Wedding, Gothika, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre). There has been a growing concern about the need to card underage kids at the the theater, and it is sad to see a teen awards show promoting 'R' rated movies. When The Texas Chainsaw Massacre won for "Choice Movie Thriller," a guy dressed up as Leatherface came to the stage to accept the award. With chainsaw in hand, he slashed presenter Randy Jackson across the chest. Blood squirted everywhere, and Randy fell onto the stage dead. Obviously, this was all part of the show, but as cameras showed reaction shots from the audience, you could tell that some kids were terrified because they thought it was real. I didn't think it was the least bit funny. The awards even had a category called "Choice Movie Your Parents Didn't Want You to See." American Wedding won that one. Nice. I'm not even going to open up the Britney Spears can of worms -- I'll just say that she won "Choice Single" for her song Toxic. Another thing I'd like to point out -- there was a giant screen on stage where various random video clips played in the background during the show. One of the clips was a girl on the beach, in strip-tease fashion, taking her clothes off down to her bikini. Can anyone tell me why that is kid-appropriate? Lastly, when Adam Sandler accepted the "Choice Date Movie" award for 50 First Dates, he said that those kids in the audience who can't get dates should be glad because at least they won't get STD's. Youth has been a hot topic in America over the past couple of years. People have been wondering why kids today are having so many problems. Some have tried to place the blame solely on entertainment. I'm not going to go that far-- I am just going to say that FOX network should not be promoting adult entertainment to teenagers. In the end it is the parents responsibility to raise their kids, but if FOX did its job, it would make the parents' jobs a little easier.

Collateral: Review

Hitman Tom Cruise kidnaps cab driver Jamie Foxx for a night of contract killing in Collateral. This is a very dark movie both literally and figuratively. Literally, most of the film takes place at night. The outstanding cinematography showcases the city-scapes of Los Angeles. Take away the actors and you would still have an interesting 2 hours touring everything from the towering skyscrapers to the shady slums. Figuratively, the plot isn't exactly uplifting. There is some gritty in-your-face violence, and nihilism is a dominant theme in the story. That said, the screenplay is so well-written, and the acting so good, that despite its subject matter, the film is quite engaging. There is also a good bit of humor, and the interaction between Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx is award-worthy. Jada Pinkett Smith has a supporting role, and she does a great job as well. If you're looking for something different at the movies this summer, then you may want to check this one out.
***1/2 (3.5 stars)

The slow death of Enterprise and the resurrecion of Captain Kirk

Enterprise, the fifth Star Trek television series, will be entering its fourth season this fall. Nearly cancelled by UPN, it received an eleventh-hour renewal in May. This renewal moved Enterprise from Wednesday to Friday nights, considered by many to be the "graveyard" slot for dieing programming. Also, season four will be 4 episodes short of a full 26 episode season. Enterprise has always been ratings-challenged, never quite catching on the way Star Trek: Voyager (UPN's flagship series) did. Producers/writers have been racking their brains to come up with ideas that will draw in more viewers, and rumors started going around a few months ago that William Shatner could show up for a guest spot in season four. Producer Rick Berman has since confirmed this rumor. Apparently, UPN is in talks with ABC to work around the busy schedule of Shatner's new show Boston Legal (a spin-off of The Practice). A big question on fans' minds has been this: what character would he play on Enterprise? Well, it was recently confirmed that if he does make an appearance, then it will absolutely be as James T. Kirk. Shatner has also been pitching some story ideas of his own, on writing his character back into the Star Trek universe. Could this be the lifesaver that Enterprise needs? There is no doubt that if William Shatner appears in season four, every Star Trek fan will be watching. It will then be up to the writers to carry the momentum and keep the audience coming back for the rest of the season-- perhaps the Star Trek franchise's last gasp for television air.

The Manchurian Candidate: Review

Denzel Washington stars in this update of the 1962 Frank Sinatra classic. Major Ben Marco, harassed for years by nightmares, tries to find out what really happened to him and his men during an operation in the Gulf War. Politically, this is a very timely film because the story takes place in the middle of a presidential campaign. I was astounded at the first twenty-or-so minutes, because I felt more like I was watching today's news than a movie. Another thing about this flick that stands out is Denzel's performance. He's always excellent, but this character is really a departure from his past roles. Instead of being the confident and able hero, he is tormented and vulnerable. It's a multi-layered performance that's really interesting to watch. One last thing that struck me was the intensity of some of the scenes. The film is so unflinching-- it has some of the most disturbing violence I've seen in a while. It wasn't the amount of violence, but the graphicness that made me want to look away at times. It all adds to the dramatic tension that drives the film toward its pulse-pounding finish. If you haven't seen the original movie, then you are completely new to the story and will be especially entertained by the plot's twists and turns. The writer and director deserve congratulations for an intelligent re-hashing of the 1962 tale, and the ensemble cast deserves a round of applause for their great performances.

*** (3 stars)

007 101

I have another confession to make: I have an appetite for espionage. I love the James Bond films, and my favorite TV show is Alias. This explains why I'm currently reading a book entitled The International Spy Museum Handbook of Practical Spying. It is essentially what the title suggests -- an introduction to the undercover operative's clandestine craft. The book recounts several stories from espionage history, and contains step-by-step instructions on how you can put spy techniques into practice for your own benefit. Of course, there is the obligatory disclaimer in the front page that removes all liability from The International Spy Museum, should any party become injured as a result of you acting on the information in the book. Don't get your hopes up, though, you're not going to find blueprints for any of Q's gadgets in these pages. The chapters focus mostly on the psychology, not the technology of spying. I personally have a guilty conscience when it comes to manipulating people, so for me much of the content in this book is just informational and entertaining -- not stuff that I would actually do. But, there is practical advice on analyzing personalities, evaluating truthfulness, and being aware of your environment -- this is all very useful, especially in the post-9/11 world. This is definitely a fun read for anyone remotely interested in the subject. Also, if you're a spy junky and you live in the Washington DC area, I highly recommend visiting The International Spy Museum.

What the heck is a 'blog'?

That's the question I was asking a few months ago, and today I am starting my own 'blog'. Frankly, I don't keep a diary and I've never been one to spill all my guts to a piece of paper. So, don't expect to learn my deepest darkest secrets by reading these posts. However, what you can expect are honesty and candor. One confession I will make: I am an entertainment junky. I go to the movies often, and I intend to post reviews. It's also likely that I will talk about the latest happenings in Hollywood. Finally, whatever else I feel like sharing will show up as well. So, knock yourself out. Enjoy reading and feel free to join the discussion. Otherwise, this whole thing turns into one long 'monoblog'.

How did the term 'web log' get shortened to 'blog', anyway? If anyone can tell me, I'd love to know.