The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassess

I’m going to start off with the question foremost on everyone’s mind. Does The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnasses work with three actors subbing in for the prematurely deceased Heath Ledger? Well, the answer is yes, and no. It is an interesting question. If the film had been planned that way from the beginning, having different actors reflect myriad aspects of the character Tony, based on the interpretation of the women imagining him, Terry Gilliam, the director, may have come off looking quite brilliant. I really like the idea of Tony being a reflection of the women and how they view him. But since this was a patchwork solution and not an original concept, the performances are not equally weighted which causes a lot of comparing and contrasting. With Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell filling in, this is unavoidable. This comparison and other issues took me mentally out of the film, and prevented me, overall, from enjoying it.

The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnasses is such a strange film to begin with that it is asking us to suspend our belief. For example, we are expected to believe that a gaudy dilapidated circus wagon could drive through London without the police knowing their every whereabouts. This is London where surveillance cameras outnumber people. It also amazed me how they could find so many vacant lots to camp in un-harassed. London is a very congested city and there are not that many open places. Next, on top of that, there are the origin questions. Like how did Doctor Parnasses become a monk and when did he obtain the title of doctor? And why is his friend immortal, too? Did he also make a deal with the devil? There are a lot of unanswered story threads.

The devil played by Tom Waits is an interesting character. He enjoys playing games and seems to take particular pleasure in tormenting Christopher Plummer (Dr. Parnassess). Dr. Parnasses has a gambling problem and can’t seem to resist the temptation to place bets even when he knows the futility of the outcome. Risking the soul of his daughter, Lily Cole and the friendship of his companion Verne Troyer, he continues to make wagers with the desperation of an addict.

If you are going to enjoy this film at all you need to refrain from over analyzing it and just give in to the imagery. There are some fantastical elements in this film. Visually this movie is stunning. I especially enjoyed the costumes. They appeared to be a collection of garments acquired over a thousand years and barely kept functional with a needle and thread. I loved the blend of styles and their well-worn status. I also loved the fantasy sequences. Bizarre imagines, familiar, yet strange, and each one customized to the imaginer. The closest thing I can compare this movie to is the Seven Faces of Dr. Lao starring Tony Randal. In that film each person who looked in the mirror saw a reflection of who they are and were changed by it. But in Doctor Parnasses, the viewers are given a moral choice and those who choose poorly were quickly taken by the devil. Those who choose well, leave the Imaginarium fulfilled and happy.

Terry Gilliam is known for being outrageous, bizarre and quirky in his movies. I’m sorry that he was unable to complete his film as he first envisioned it. I admire him for finishing the film at all. It must have been a difficult process for him. But if you were to go into the movie without any preconceived notions would it be entertaining? The problem solving fascinated me, but I found the story itself less intriguing. Since the film did not receive a wide release, I had to travel far to see it. I did not regret the trip, but I was glad that it was a second run theatre. The discount on my movie ticket made up for the drive.

Rating: Second Run An imaginative film full of wild imagery

Shutter Island

There is a test used in psychology where a viewer is asked to look at a series of cards. The cards are are reproductions of shapes caused when ink is dropped between pieces of folded paper. The symmetrical ink blots create a random design and the subject is asked to state what they see. Using these answers and comparing them to others, the evaluator makes their psychological assessment. Shutter Island is an ink blot of a film.

Shutter Island may be one of those films you have to see twice to fully appreciate. In my viewing experience, I kept getting caught up in the test. Instead of just relaxing and going with the flow, I was mentally challenging everything, which took me completely out of the picture. This tendency ruined the film for me and makes me a very poor test subject.

I do, however, must point out that there are some excellent performances in this film. In my paranoid state I had the impression that everyone was smirking or laughing at my expense, but by the end of the film everything made sense. It did however, leave me questioning what I saw, making a second viewing advisable.

John Carroll Lynch (Fargo) starts us off in the film by introducing us to the island. He is the deputy warden here and you will follow protocol. He displays a mixture of no-nonsense authority while offering a glimmer of sympathy. His is a finely nuanced performance from an under-rated actor.

Ben Kingsley (Gandi) plays Dr. John Cawley. He is a benevolent man, but very passionate about his work. He will not let one man destroy what he is trying to achieve. Max Von Sydow (The Greatest Story Ever Told) is Dr. Jeremiah Naehring. His psychiatric position is less tolerant than Dr. Cawley. He has no problem with restraints, syringes or scalpels. Their methodologies and techniques are at odds with each other.

One of my favorite performances in the film comes from Jackie Earle Haley (Watchman) as one of the patients. His performance is so good he makes me want to kiss writer-director Todd Field (Little Children) for resurrecting the career of such a fine actor. He’s only in one scene but he leaves a big impression. What a wonderful match-up between him and DiCaprio.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic) plays Federal Marshall Teddy Daniels and Mark Ruffalo (We Don’t Live Here Anymore) is his partner. They have come to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of one of the patients. Since Shutter Island is a federal prison as well as a hospital for the criminally insane, they must operate under the warden’s jurisdiction (Ted Levine). This frustrates Marshall Daniels to no end, and impedes the investigation.

Another note worthy performance is by Michelle Williams (Wendy and Lucy) who plays Marshall Daniels’ deceased wife Delores. Daniels is still grieving over her loss and that combined with what he saw in Germany during the war, is taking an emotional toll. As one of the concentration camp liberators he has a real problem seeing people confined and can’t get over the atrocities he saw there. Add in the stress of the investigation and his dead wife starts haunting his dreams. Michelle Williams is both radiant and ethereal as her specter becomes apparent even in his waking moments. Marshall Daniels has his own mental-health issues.

I don’t want to give too much away so suffice it to say that Patricia Clarkson and Emily Mortimer are also exceptional in this film. All the performances in this movie are good. For me, my problem was with the story. But please don’t let my reaction keep you away. Like a Rorschach Test everyone is going to have a different experience. Some are going to see bats and some are going to see butterflies. It’s all in the interpretation. What will this movie say about you?

Rating: First Run What will you see?

Valentine's Day

Kathy Bates (Misery) is a news producer and since it is a slow sports news day, she goes to her number two sports guy, Jamie Foxx (Ray) and tells him that he has to do a Valentine’s Day fluff piece. Jamie’s character hates Valentine’s Day. He hates the expectations and the hype that goes with it, but rather than lose his job he grabs his camera crew and travels throughout the city interviewing people about the phenomenon we know as Valentine’s Day.

One of his first interviews is with a flower shop owner, Ashton Kutcher (That 70’s Show). Through his shop and his friends, we are introduced to a series of people who are all inter-connected in one way or another. For example, Ashton’s character has just proposed to Jessica Alba (Fantastic Four), his female best friend, Jennifer Garner (Alias), is teacher to Bryce Robinson (Four Christmases) who is the grandson to Shirley MacLaine (Sweet Charity) and Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope). One of his drivers, George Lopez (The George Lopez Show) is rear-ended by Eric Dane (Grey’s Anatomy) who is a football player represented by Jessica Biel (7th Heaven) and Queen Latifah (Chicago). You get the picture.

The cast boasts at least two dozen stars and their lives all criss-cross in one way or other. Some are hooking up and some are breaking up and some are making romantic discoveries. You either love Valentine’s Day or hate it. There is no middle ground. This film is a commentary on love, commercialism and valuing the relationships you do have. Sometimes love is just having a good friend to bitch with.

Not every story thread is created equal and sometimes the links are a little stretched. But overall the movie is very entertaining and in some parts I laughed out loud. I was most taken with Ashton Krutcher. His personality just shined in this film. Without relying on pratfalls, stupid jokes, and manic energy bursts, he came off very sweet, sensitive and likable. We need to get him out of those dumb guy roles, he’s a romantic star in the making.

I also found Ann Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married) hilarious as a woman with a questionable second job. She is paired with the under-rated Topher Grace (That 70’s Show) and in her scenes, trying to hide her second job as a phone sex operator, she comes off very funny and a little naughty, too. She has some great scenes with her boss, Queen Latifa who has a freaky side of her own. Even Taylor Swift (Country singer-songwriter) cracked me up in a small cameo role as a love struck teenager. Her acting has a way to go, but her comic timing and commitment is fearless. I’d love to see her do more comedy when she is not so busy being an international pop star.

There are so many people in this film that I can’t mention them all, but if you don’t like one of them, wait a minute and the next one will be along in a minute. It’s is kind of like the cinematic equivalent to speed dating. The film is mostly light, with a little bit of heart and it’s not a bad way to spend an evening. It’s an excellent date movie and family film as well. Like a box of chocolates you’ll easily find something you’ll like. Take a bite and enjoy. Sometimes you just need a little sugar.

Rating: First Run Like a box of chocolates you’ll easily find something you’ll like.

Wolfman

Benicio Del Toro (The Usual Suspects) was born to play The Wolfman. His features cast such wonderful shadows and beneath his heavy brows are the eyes of a tortured soul. There’s humanity there, but also fear, a fear of the monster within.

Despite the perfection of Benicios’s presence, I grew impatient in the beginning of the film. The director Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park 3) seemed to be relying on camera tricks, fancy editing and pop-up images to create suspense. It made me feel like he was cheating. However, when Benicio finally becomes infected and the first full moon arrives, the film hits its stride and the result is extremely satisfying.

Emily Blunt (Young Victoria) plays Gwen Conliffe. She is engaged to Ben Talbot, Lawrence Talbot’s brother (Del Toro). When Ben goes missing after a string of grizzly murders, Gwen writes to Lawrence who is in nearby London and implores him to come home and join in the search.

Lawrence has not been home in fifteen years. Estranged from his father (Anthony Hopkins-Silence Of The Lambs) Lawrence has been in America and abroad traveling as a respected actor. But Gwen’s letter touches him and he regrets the time spent away from his brother. Going back to Blackmoor means facing his demons, but for his brother and Gwen, he does it.

Once again, Rick Baker (An American Werewolf in London) is responsible for turning men into beasts. The werewolf effects are quite different from his American Werewolf nearly 30 years ago. It is amazing how special effect have changed. For me, the most glorious scene is when Benicio Del Toro turns within full view of an audience. The horror of their reactions were just as much fun as the transformation itself. It’s not like the old days when werewolves had to turn in the dark to hide what special effects could not achieve. Now technology allows us to watch the entire process. For me, this was quite fun and the best part of the film.

Rating: First Run Slow start, but nice finish

From Paris With Love

A young government employee assigned to the US Ambassador for France has ambitions of becoming a spy. He has applied for the CIA, but while waiting to be accepted, he has become a low-level operative, doing small jobs while proving his ability and worth. He is exceptional with languages, meticulous, organized and very good at chess. As an aide to the ambassador, he is trusted and invaluable. He longs to be taken seriously by the CIA, but with his bizarre pencil-thin mustache and over-eager attitude, he must appear to them as a wanna-be. It takes much more than that to be a spy.

On night while James (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is having a romantic rooftop dinner with his too good to be true French girlfriend (Kasin Smutiniak), he receives the call he’s been waiting for, an assignment, and a big one. They want him to pick up an American agent who has been detained in customs at the Paris airport. The agent, Charlie Wax (John Travolta) is loud, bombastic, and cocky as all get out. But he is the best at what he does. At first James can’t believe that this obnoxious guy is truly an agent and that he has to work with him, but using his diplomatic skills, he gets Charlie Wax through customs and their Parisian adventure begins.

If I were French, this film might offend me. Luc Besson’s story portrays Paris as a terrorist ridden city full of drug dealing Chinese, multi-ethnic hookers, street tough gang members, and Middle-Eastern money launderers. But since Luc is French himself, I guess he can get away with it. As one character puts it, “What makes you think Paris is different from any other big American city?”

I should have loved this movie more, but Paris left me unaroused. For me it just didn’t click. I’ve enjoyed other films written by Luc Besson such as Taken, Danny The Dog, The Fifth Element and the Transporter series, but this film didn’t have their style. Jonathan Rhys Meyers took too long to figure things out and looked like he wanted to cry. And John Travolta was just plain over the top. Although it was fun watching him chew scenery and lead Jonathan Rhys Meyers around, their partnership is headed for the rocks. Like most couples they don’t listen to each other, I doubt they’ll get a second date.

Rating: Rent It This couple lacks chemistry

Dear John

When I bought my ticket for Dear John I was expecting a schmaltzy romance film especially coming out so close to Valentine’s Day. But what I got instead was a touching relationship story, most notably between fathers and sons. Channing Tatum (John) plays a young soldier on leave from the Army. When Amanda Seyfried (Savannah) and her friends arrive at the pier, one of the boys accidently knocks her purse into the water and John dives in to rescue it. When he emerges from the ocean dripping wet, Savannah thanks him and invites him to a barbeque at her house. This becomes the beginning of a two week romance.

In a lesser film, you would have huge obstacles, demonstrative scenes, disapproving parents, and maybe even a pregnancy. But this film takes its time allowing the relationship to grow, melding two people that fit so nicely together. Until she graduates from school and he finishes his hitch overseas, they agree to write letters, telling each other everything that happens and to maintain their bond until they can see each other again. But then 9/11 happens, obligations pull, choices are made and Dear John, receives his letter.

There are no big villains in this film, except maybe the war, circumstances, or life itself. John’s father, beautifully portrayed by Richard Jenkins is a quiet non-communicative man. Savannah believes that he may be mildly autistic. Her neighbor Tim has an autistic son named Alan who Savannah adores. Because of him, she is thinking about going into special education. Through Savannah, John learns to see his father with new eyes and because of her he learns a lot about communication, what is said and what is not. This is a soulful story, richly told by director Lasse Hallstrom. It is not a lightweight romance, it has much more substance. What a difference experience than what I was expecting.

Rating: First Run Sometime love means showing up

Fish Tank

A fifteen year old girl living in a run down British housing project is so angry about her life that she has alienated everyone in it. To ease away her mounting frustrations, she steals into an abandoned apartment building and pours all her anger into dance, mimicking hip-hop moves that she has seen on television and in videos. Watching Katie Jarvis as Mia dance is such a strange and provocative phenomenon. Technically she is doing all the correct steps, but there is a stiffness about it, an emotional disconnect. Like if she really lets her emotions go, she would lose all control. This is a girl, closed off and cynical. She is angry with the entire world and no one is going to touch her.

When Mia’s mother (Charlotte Collins) takes in a new boyfriend (Michael Fassbender) he shows Mia a kindness and sympathy that she has long forgotten. When he compliments her on her dancing, the one thing in her life she feels good about, her steely demeanor starts to soften. She begins to hope, show interest and care. But when the harsh realities of life come rushing back in, any romantic notions or teenage pipe dreams are quickly swept away. Mia must now cope with the truth.

This unsentimental film will sadden you but at the same time show you the resilience of the human spirit. Fish Tank could take place anywhere in the world. When children grow up with little parental care in a social system that can barely keep track of them, they must grow up fast and learn to take fend for themselves. This is Mia’s story, but there are many girls just like her. There is a root and reason for all that anger.

Rating: First Run The truth behind the anger

Goodbye Solo

My ancestors came to this country several hundred years ago to make a better life for themselves, but as Americans, we often forget that people are still making that journey everyday. Goodbye Solo tells the story of an African man from Senegal who is now working as a taxi driver in North Carolina and pursuing the American Dream. He is a positive man, a hardworking man and he loves to take care of other people. While in the United States he marries a sharp-tongued Hispanic woman and forms a tightly knit relationship with her daughter. The daughter is distressed over her mother’s constant haranguing, but Solo is unconcerned. He assures the little girl that he is not going anywhere and that he’ll always look out for her. He is an optimist and he has dreams. He is here to make a better life.

One day Solo (Souleymane Sy Savane) picks up a fare who tries to hire him to return on a specific date. The old man wants him to drive to Blowing Rock, a tourist attraction known for its severe cliff. Solo finds the request strange but after a heated exchange, he reluctantly agrees. The old man intrigues him and he comes to the conclusion that William (Red West) wants to kill himself. Solo, ever the optimist, interjects himself into William’s life and tries to discover the source of his depression. He believes that life is precious and William just needs a friend. Solo brings William into his life as he tries to decipher William’s. They form a friendship of sorts as Solo becomes William’s number one driver. In return William tutors Solo so he can pass a test to become a flight attendant. This is a story about reaching out to others and knowing when to ask for help. It is a warm story, beautifully acted and a reminder that we are not alone.

Rating: First Run Let Solo brighten your life

When In Rome

I don’t understand how so many hilarious people can make such an unfunny movie. I spent most of the film shaking my head. The premiss is interesting. After a romantic disappointment at her sister’s wedding, a frustrated young woman jumps into the famous Trevi fountain in Rome. In a drunken conversation with the fountain goddess, she decides to spare others from the pain of love by plucking their coins out of the fountain and putting them in her purse. When she does so, five men she has never met, save one, have now become her love slaves. They will follow her to the ends of the earth until she returns the coins to the fountain, or hands them back to the gentlemen themselves.

Kristen Bell spends the next part of the movie running from Will Arnet, Jon Heder, Dax Shepard and Danny Devito. Meanwhile, she is interested in Josh Duhamel, but she thinks he’s is under the spell, too. The problem is that her suitors are just plain creepy. Dax Shepard plays a narcissistic male model prone to taking his shirt off. John Heder is a street magician who has performance anxiety and appears in inappropriate places. Will Arnet is a painter with a bad Italian accent and an even worse wardrobe. And Danny Devito is the Sausage King who sees the world as a metaphor for sausage making. When Danny Devito has the most grounded realistic portrayal in the film, something is defiantly wrong. The four of them become a stalker pack and Kristen Bell ends up having to explain all her new found attention to her boss, Angelica Huston. Throw in Don Johnson and various other television character actors and you have a big rambling comedy with no focus.

In the film there is a scene that resembles a clown car bit and that is how I perceive this movie. You watch the car approach the center ring, you think, this is going to be good, and then the clowns jump out of the car, run around throwing up their hands and then they exit through the curtain. You’re left sitting there, shaking your head and wondering, was that it? This film is a mess. As I mentioned earlier, the premiss is interesting but the tone of the film was schizophrenic and the suitors had all the depth of a Saturday Night Live sketch. This film was desperately in need of a tighter script. Nice try, but even a cameo from Pedro of Napoleon Dynamite fame couldn’t get me to laugh at this one. This clown car had a flat.

Rating: Rent It All flash, no substance