Question of the Week

Since I don't write enough reviews for people to check out, I thought I'd throw a question in here or there for you to mull over. It's something I do with my friends, so keeping it "movie style", I'll do them once in a while on here.

-Would you ever support a Calvin and Hobbes movie? Would you have supported it more if it was done when you were a kid reading the comic? Live action, Cartoon, or Pixar?

I ask this because many comics have been put to the big screen recently, but very rarely done well (Garfield, Alvin and the Chipmunks, etc.). Smurfs is coming out in theaters in the same form that Alvin and the Chipmunks was done in a few years ago, so I figured I'd ask for C&H.

P.S. - I still read Calvin and Hobbes on occasion.

June 18th Movie of the Week

Layer Cake

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Writer: J.J. Connolly

Actors: (High five if you know any of these actors before looking them up, besides D.C.)
Daniel Craig
Tom Hardy
Jamie Foreman
Sally Hawkins
Burn Gorman

Ratings: 7.4/10 on IMDB
81% on Rotten Tomatoes

Trailer: Layer Cake

Plot Summary: On the eve to an early retirement, successful cocaine dealer Mr. X (Daniel Craig) gets his final assignments; retreive his boss' associates lost daughter, and organize the purchase and distribution of 1 million extasy tabs.

4 Word Sum-Up: "James Bond meets drugs"

Opinion: Before we get into this, I want to give a shout out to Lyons for introducing me to this movie. I have a respect for his selections and this didn't falter that. Big ups Ando.

Do you like Snatch? I sure do. In fact, I haven't met someone who doesn't like Snatch. If you don't like Snatch, you're gay. It's a great script with solid acting (realize I'm talking about the movie yet?). While Layer Cake is not on that level, it was developed by the same producers, minus the touch of Guy Ritchie. Regardless of that, it stays true to British form and keeps a good mafia undertone to it.

There are certain things in the movie that I like to point out, per usual. In my plot summary, I didn't give you much to take in. My reason for that is because the movie has twists in it's plot that I don't feel should be divulged. Also, it's Friday, and I don't feel like thinking too hard. Even Kevo needs a day off, because frankly, if I have to watch one more shitty science movie that isn't Bill Nye, I'm going to sell an entire 7th grade class to Nike's Shoemaking division in China for a pair of Jordans.

Daniel Craig's character, XXXX, is not his real name because his character's name is never mentioned. Why, you ask? I have no idea. BUT, if I had to guess, I would say its to give you a feel for how his character likes to live; underground and unknown. For this reason you will realize something during Layer Cake; this is the part that sealed him the James Bond role. If I were to watch this movie and continue a marathon by putting in Casino Royale right after, it would almost seem like a sequel, with James Bond ridding his old drug dealing ways.

What I disliked: To be honest, there isn't too much that I didn't enjoy about this movie. So, I decided to look on Rotten Tomatoes to see what people had to say negatively about this movie.

"The film is lamentably short of narrative coherence" - Peter Howell (Toronto Star)

What the FUCK does that mean? Hey Peter, you write for the Toronto Star, quit trying to act like a respectable critic and just review it in english you stupid Canuck. Here's my review of your review...

"Peter Howell's review is chock full of unintentional douchebaggery, while quite investigatory, falls shorts of being true to form and comes out more like a steamy pile of fecal waste".

But looking past this skinny wiener Peter Howell, there was only one real issue I could come up with that really isn't an issue anyways, but I wouldn't be right if I didn't say it. It's no Snatch. Ya, maybe it doesn't need to be, but when very few movies come out of the land of snaggled teeth, it needs to be stated. It only brought in ~2.5 million in box office, which while great for this reviewers underground feel, it proves it didn't have people flocking to go see it. Maybe it's just one of those movies that gains its prominence out of theatres like Boondock Saints.

There ya go. What didn't I like? Douchebags who write reviews that make no sense on a movie that deserves better. Also, the fact it is a small time movie that unfortunately didn't do well in theaters.

What I liked: I can say a lot of good things about this movie. For a couple quick things that don't need explaining would be; the casting, D.C.'s acting, the story, etc. However, those are things that should be implied by now. Here are a few things you might also like.

Soundtrack: If you are a big fan of music, I will say that the soundtrack was highly enjoyable for me. It had a great mix of different British artists such as the main song by The Cult "She Sells Sanctuary". Everytime I hear that song, it gets me jones'n for this movie.

Sienna Miller: Even though she's in this movie briefly, she's sexy. It was unfortunate we never get to see her naked, because I'm sure Peter Howell would have given this movie a much better review.

You don't need subtitles: If you have ever seen Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, you will like that you can actually understand what's being said without needing subtitles.

How it did so much with so little: This is a general statement that adds everything good this movie did, for the little it had. For example:

• There were no huge explosions that a Jerry Buckheimer movie needs
• No crazy CGI effects that J.J. Abrams needs to make Star Trek appealing to people who don't play Dungeons and Dragons in their parents basement.
• No expensive list of actors that a crappy script needs to bring in money.

No, this movie didn't need anything special to make it great. That's what might be the best part about it. You appreciate what it didn't have and what it made it into; a solid movie.

Favorite Scene: It's a shame the scene I want to show isn't working on youtube, but it would have been the scene with the song "She Sells Sanctuary" in it. It's a driving scene that gets the movie off to a great pace (no pun intended), and gets you excited for what the movie is all about.

Interesting Facts:

• A layered cake is actually eaten during the movie (but it's not what the movies about)


• During the scene in which Gene gives XXXX a handgun, director Matthew Vaughn says on the DVD commentary that XXXX "wants to be James Bond." Daniel Craig (XXXX) was announced as the successor to Pierce Brosnan in the role of James Bond almost exactly one year after this film's original release.


• Guy Ritchie was in place to direct the movie, but had to drop out due to commitments

Final Comments: I thoroughly enjoyed this movie from beginning to end. Like I stated earlier, I had no real issues with it that would keep it from getting a good review.

4/5 Kevo's - Throw this movie on the top of your Netflix account if there isn't anything of substance prior to it. Ya I didn't give it a 5, but those are only reserved for movies that revolutionize cinema in some way. For underground movies, this is superb. If you find that you don't like it, I will write a review on any movie you want and let you rate it.

Line I'm going to end it on...

"I'm not a gangster, just a businessman. And my commodity happens to be cocaine."
- XXXX

Extra Movie of the Week

True Romance

Director: Tony Scott
Writer: Quentin Tarantino

Actors: Now take a deep breath.....
Christian Slater
Patricia Arquette
Christopher Walken
Dennis Hopper
Val Kilmer
Gary Oldman
James Gandolfini
Bronson Pinchot
Saul Rubinek
Brad Pitt
Michael Rapaport
Chris Penn
Tom Sizemore
Samuel L Jackson

Ratings: 7.9/10 on IMDB
91% on Rotten Tomatoes

Trailer: True Romance

Alternative Frat Boy Title: True Bromance

Alternative Porn Title: True Ho-mance

Plot Summary: When rookie call girl Alabama (Patricia Arquette) falls for comic book loving Clarence (Christian Slater), life turns for the better. That is until their wild romance sends them in over their heads as Clarence confronts Drexl (Gary Oldman), Alabama's ex-pimp, and winds up with a briefcase full of blow, and a mark on their heads. With the help of Clarence's dad (Dennis Hopper), this new Bonnie and Clyde duo make a break for L.A. to outrun mobster Vincenzo Coccotti (Christopher Walken) and make the big score.

Opinions: Alright, to begin, let's go over how HUGE this movie should be before we get into how it was. This isn't a precursor to it being neither bad nor good, but I feel there is a need to point a couple things out. The first thing that caught my eye when I checked this movie out was the exceptional casting. I mean, look at it! Movies don't bomb with this kind of star power, unless of course you refer to the abomination that was Mars Attacks. Also, if you know me, you know this. I love Christopher Walken. He's the tits.

If you don't like any of these actors (side note: if that's true, you suck), you may like this little diddy; it's a Tarantino script. Now, I am a fan of Tarantino, but I don't dry hump everything he's ever been apart of like some people. However, I like his writing because it has always had this distinct feeling about it. When you watch a Tarantino script come alive, you know your going to get some long, drawn out, intense scene driven primarily by the dialogue and ending with some drastic turn (opening of Inglorious Basterds, coffee shop scene in Pulp Fiction with Samuel L Jackson, Kill Bill Vol. 2 ending, etc.). This movie is no exception.

Finally, let's see if they skimped in other departments, such as music, because they already have enough talent on screen, right?

..........Wrong...........

You: Hey Kevo, who scored this movie?
Me: O, some guy named Hanz Zimmer.

Hanz Zimmer. If you don't know who Hanz Zimmer is, get to know him. He's like the new John Williams (guy who did the music for Star Wars and nearly every Spielberg movie). If you want a movie to sound so good even a blind guy will pay $20 for a 3D ticket, you get Hanz. Go on his IMDB page and you'll see that he's done tons of movies, including these gems: Gladiator, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and the soon to be smash Inception. Hell, the dude even did Cool Runnings, which is nothing to brag about, but I'd sure like to know if he came up with those jingles.

"Feel the rhythym, feel the rhyme......"

What I disliked: For starters, the inability to connect to any characters besides the two main ones. When you see the cast they assembled, you think, "How can so many stars share the screen?" Well, they really don't. Walken, Hopper, Oldman and Pitt didn't have much camera time, which is disappointing because more of it went to lesser known actors such as Michael Rapaport and Bronson Pinchot (the french nanny from Step by Step. Was he supposed to be gay in that show?). This is likely how they were able to cram so many big stars into one movie because they limited everyone's shooting time. However, the scene that Walken and Hopper share will go down as one of my favorites.

I don't know if I officially mentioned this in my last paragraph, but can I reiterate Christian Slater? Too bad, I will. There's a reason why he's moved on to star in shitty crime drama's on TNT such as My Own Worst Enemy. That title fits you perfectly for this movie, because your mediocre level acting didn't bring out the performance the lead role deserved. You had the Yankees batting lineup to back you up, but you pitched a terrible game and blew it. Maybe I'm being hard, but I just didn't see it in him. Let me know how you feel on it.

Now, to say the script was bad, wouldn't be right. It wasn't a bad script, it was enjoyable. I hesitate to say it was a clever idea because I've seen quite a few movies about drug heists and love stories. However, Tarantino can always take a clever idea, and spin it in that "Tarantino" way. But, let's look at his smash hits again: Pulp Fiction, Inglorious Basterds, Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill's. What is the main difference from those movies and TR? He wrote AND directed those movies. That was my problem with this. When Tarantino writes a script, he lives, breathes, and dreams how he wants it to come out. When someone else directs it, something is lost in translation. Supposedly he didn't even visit the set once while they filmed. Maybe he would have done better, maybe he wouldn't. I just wish I could have seen.....


Now, to the goods.....

What I liked: Enough with that sad crap. Let's get on to what kicked ass in this movie, right?

One. Every other cast member besides Christian Slater. I didn't know much about Patricia Arquette, but I enjoyed her in this. She was vibrant, lovable, rough, and sexy throughout the movie.


Even though I disliked the small screen time the supporting cast got, I loved what they did with it. All of them played their parts with the passion that a lead would give. For instance....

Gary Oldman. GOD DAMNIT, I FUCKING LOVE THIS GUY! When I think of what makes an actor great, I think of someone who can play a wide range of characters, and play them well. Man, did he kill it in this one. He played a character so off from what I see him as now, that I had to check IMDB to make sure it was him. If you've ever seen The Professional, then you'll enjoy his character because it reminds you of how different he was in that movie as well.

James Gandolfini was great, Pitt was a lovable stoner that barely spoke but provided comic relief, and Sizemore and Penn played their cop parts well. Kind of ironic when you see Tom Sizemore play a drug cop, isn't it? I bet his Parole Officer was his mentor during the movie.

Two. Great scenes. There were some really good action scenes in this movie. I was kept on my seat while still engaged in the plot. I don't really have to say much more about why I liked them because my favorite scene will say enough.


Three. Flow. Through the movie, I never drifted off or lost my focus. I felt engaged throughout the film because it was well structured and had you wondering what was coming next.


Enough of the goods. Let's see what scene gave me the steamies...

Favorite Scene: If you are reading this review right now and have seen this movie, maybe you agree with everything so far, maybe you don't. However, I do know that you will agree on this. My Favorite Scene.


What do you get when you put Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper together for a 10 minute, heavy dialogue driven scene? Brilliance. Remember when I said that in any Tarantino film, you get that scene driven by dialogue and culminating in some drastic action? Yea, this is that scene. If you don't plan on seeing the movie, then just watch the scene here. If you do plan on seeing this, save it for when you watch it. The two play off one another so well, and show why they are true masters of their craft. It was great having this scene be the first one I saw of Dennis Hopper after his death (R.I.P Easy Rider), because it gives you a great appreciation for him. Walken was his usual self.

Someone was talking to my boy all wrong.

Interesting Facts:

Quentin Tarantino sold this script so that he could get funding for Reservoir Dogs

It was Brad Pitt's idea for his role to be a stoner who never leaves the couch

The word "fuck", and derivatives of it, is used 225 times

There are 21 on-screen deaths, all gun shot related.

Final Comments: This was a tough movie to give out a final verdict on. I throughly enjoyed the action sequences and the dialogue not getting lost in translation because Tarantino is a great writer. However, what keeps popping up in my head is the star power. When you read down the list of actors, you get this excited feeling inside of you that builds the movie up, only to be torn down by it's lead role. Christian Slater wasn't terrible, but he didn't do justice to a film that supported him thoroughly.


4/5 Kevo's - If you have a Netflix account, throw this movie on the list. If you live near a Blockbuster (if they're still around), put this on your "movies to watch" list. It was very enjoyable and should be watched, but don't overhype yourself. Take it for what it is: a Tarantino written, but not directed, Bonnie and Clyde.

There was better conversation rather than one-liners, but I'll throw this one your way:

"If there's one thing this last week has taught me, it's better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it." - Clarence

June 8th Movie of the Week

BATTLE ROYALE

Director: Kinji Fukasaku

Actors: Tatsuya Fujiwara
Aki Maeda
Tara Yamamoto
Chiaki Kuriyama

Ratings: 7.9/10 on IMDB
82% on Rotten Tomatoes

Trailer: Battle Royale

Plot Summary: In the near future, Japan's society is diminishing it's respect for elders. To set society straight, it enforces the "Battle Royale" Act which summons one 9th grade class to an island and forces them to kill each other. Each armed with a different weapon than the next, they must decide whether or not they have the ability to kill their own best friend. It begins with 42, it must end with 1.

Opinions: Wow. Before I get into the opinions, mad props to Dan Sherrard for throwing this movie my way. I never would have known about it had he not said "You should watch Battle Royale, it'll blow your mind away". I waited months in anticipation for this, and when it came, it was more than what I expected (that's what she said?).

So, let's go over a couple points that I hope convince you to give this movie a try. I have always tried to be unbiased in my approach to life, so I will also give a few negative points.

What I disliked: The acting in the movie was good. It wasn't great, which is why the movie doesn't hit on a perfect level. Some of the actors were good, some were bad, but I figure you get that with every movie. My only regret is not having seen enough Japanese film in order to grasp what degree of acting a regular movie star can equate to in Japan. I saw "Mr. Baseball" with Tom Selleck once, but that didn't help.

Also, it's in Japanese. I hate subtitles. F*** reading, that's why the television was invented. Go to hell Kindle.

What I liked: For one, the idea. What a creative, smart, mind-bending way to think about fixing a society.

Grumpy old person #1: "There's no respect for elders anymore".
Grumpy old person #2: "I know. I give out hard candies and don't get nothing in return"
Grumpy old person #1: "You know what we should do. Put a group of kids on an island and have em kill the s*** out of one another with various weapons".
Grumpy old person #2: "Brilliant! Now someone change me."

That's how I imagine this idea coming about. As unrealistic as it sounds, the way it is written and directed makes it feel as though it could somehow work in a society such as, let's say, Cuba.

For two, the authenticity. What I mean by this is what actually started to go through these kids minds when they started killing. O yea, in case you were wondering, they kill. They kill.......... a lot.

Let's take a journey back to your oily faced youth when hair was growing in funny places and you had to slow dance at arms length because someone used to get a little overexcited. Did you ever have a friend who stole your girlfriend/boyfriend and you were so pissed about it you feel like you could just kill them? Well, now you can. The writers really dove into the issues that students have, which lets you allow yourself to fall into the realism of this movie. It was a great way to define the problems of youth, but an extreme way to solve the problems, which I loved.

Lastly, I enjoyed the story. Redundancy aside, it was a love story, a bloodbath, and a twist all in one. That's one way to keep all fans involved.

Favorite Scene: By far, my favorite scene is when the class is instructed on how "Battle Royale" works. In this scene, all the students are forced into an old classroom on the island by the Japanese Military and explained how the "Battle Royal" Act works.

Why I love this scene is the no holds bar approach. It takes the movie from a mild manner, and transitions it to brutal intensity. The video shown to the class made me laugh because it's a young Japanese girl wearing "Hello Kitty" looking attire with a high, enthusiastic, squeaky voice explaining the rules. I stopped laughing when the teacher hucked a knife through a students head. Yea, no holds bar.....

Interesting Facts:

• Nominated for 10 Japanese Oscars and won 4, including "Most Popular Film"
• One of the top 10 highest grossing films in Japan
• Many members of Japanese Parliament tried to get the book banned when it came out. They also tried to do the same when the movie was released
• No stunt doubles were used
  

Final Comments: If you are a movie lover and enjoy going out on a limb, this should be on top of your list. The subtitles can be a bother, as they are with any foreign movie, but the dialogue is brief and simple, so as to not be much of a problem. Nothing that should shy you away. In my rating scale, I give it:

3.75/5 Kevo's - An odd rating for this one, but I hesitated on a 4 because it may just not be to the liking of some because of it's brutal nature. However, if that isn't an issue, it's one that a movie lover, action fan, and foreign film expert would enjoy.

So many good quotes from the movie, but I'll end with this:

"Life is a game. So fight for survival and see if you're worth it. "