As an adult the idea of going to see an animated film mixed with live action starring the Easter Bunny and a bunch of yellow chicks was pretty low down on my to do list. But after seeing Universal Studios’ Hop I’m ready to jump on the bandwagon and tell you, you must see this film. Hop is terrific. With a smart script, witty dialogue, charming performances and a Willy Wonka-esque atmosphere, Hop is going to become a perennial Easter favorite.
Beginning on Easter Island, E.B. voiced by Russell Brand is poised to inherit the title of Easter Bunny succeeding his father played by Hugh Laurie. But E.B. has other plans. His dream is to be a drummer so he runs away and heads for Hollywood. Here he is destined to cross paths with Fred O’Hare (James Marsden) who is being pressured by his father (Gary Cole) to live up to his expectations. After a rocky start, Fred agrees to help E.B. and these two kindred spirits learn a lesson in responsibility.
Director Tim Hill has done a wonderful job guiding the delicate balance between the animation and live action sequences. With James Marsden’s commitment to the process you believe the relationship between these two. Russell Brand’s voice work is equally important and when you add in the rest of the cast, you have a truly delightful film.
Every good film needs a good villain and in Hop we have Carlos, the Easter Bunny’s second in command. Tired of being number two, Carlos, voiced by Hank Azaria, wants to be number one. When E.B. runs away he plots to take his place, if not by persuasion, then by force. Imagine a fat diabolical chick with hundreds of chick minions and you’ll get the idea. This film is funny and refreshingly original.
Rounding out the cast of Hop is Kaley Cuoco as Fred’s sister, Elizabeth Perkins as Fred’s mom and Tiffany Espersen as Fred’s adopted little sister. The entire cast is rising to the occasion on this one and even David Hasselhoff puts in a wonderful performance satirizing himself. But the real star here is James Marsden. His reactions and connection to the animated E.B. make the entire film. Like his role in Enchanted his innocence allows you to follow him down this rabbit hole. We believe because he does. And I believe that James is a treasure.
Rating: Must See You must hop on down and see it
About Me
- Melanie Wilson
- My Reviewer's Philosophy: I believe that every film has its audience. One man’s Citizen Kane is another man’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre. My purpose is to help you spend your entertainment dollars wisely. A bad review never kept me from going to a film I wanted to see, but a good review will sometimes get me to a film I never considered. As a movie lover I want you to go to the movies. When more people go to the movies, the more movies get made. But, I also believe that if you enjoy the films you see, you naturally will be inclined to go more often. So join me in supporting our film industry by going to a movie today. Hopefully I can steer you towards a good one. See you at the movies. Melanie Wilson
Monday, March 28, 2011
Paul
I think that Shaun of the Dead is brilliant and I loved Hot Fuzz so I went to see Paul full of eager anticipation, but I have to say that I was a little disappointed. The relationship between Pegg and Frost, that we’ve grown to love was reduced to a running Gay joke. Also, there was an underlying bitterness in the film that I’ve never seen in their other work. I was perplexed why they were bashing rednecks and fundamental Christians. I am going to blame the tone on the director Greg Mottola. Their films with Edgar Wright were much more sweeter.
Paul tells the story of two British pals who take a dream vacation to visit Comic-Con and then drive cross-country visiting famous alien hot spots. The Comic-Con sequences were kind of fun, but there is so much comedic gold there that you feel cheated when they move on so quickly. When they take to the road their first stop is at Vasquez Rocks and then they head east to Nevada. By the time they reach New Mexico they have met Paul, a true alien who has made a break from Area 51 and is trying to get home.
Graeme and Clive react to Paul with shock and disbelief, but when Paul helps Graeme carry his unconscious friend back into the RV, Paul confides in Graeme and he consents to help him. The trick now is to persuade Clive. As far as aliens go, Paul is a bit of a jerk. He smokes, swears, drops trou and is overall very arrogant. But like all road trips, everyone learns to appreciate each other and becomes a little more tolerant by the end.
Along the road, the guys are being chased by a man in black (Jason Bateman), two F.B.I. agents, (Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio) and the father of a girl they took with them (John Carroll Lynch). The girl, portrayed by Kristin Wiig, has grown up in the middle of nowhere and thinks that Paul is a demon. When Paul releases her from her sheltered religious up bringing by filling her brain with the knowledge of the world, her first act is to take up swearing, a strange choice considering the options.
The rest of the film is evading capture and trying to get Paul home, but I feel that this film missed the mark. There is so much comic material that was thrown away to concentrate on car chases and blowing things up. The American road, especially the Southwest is full of bizarre tourist spots and roadside attractions. The film barely touches on those and as far as film references go, there is so much that was left out. If I were doing this film I would have waited a little longer before finding Paul. As funny as Seth Rogen is as the voice of Paul I think the film would have been better with more Frost and Pegg. Nice try, but this film goes on the bottom of my list, it is now my 3rd favorite Frost and Pegg film.
Rating: Bargain Matinee Not my favorite Frost and Pegg film
Paul tells the story of two British pals who take a dream vacation to visit Comic-Con and then drive cross-country visiting famous alien hot spots. The Comic-Con sequences were kind of fun, but there is so much comedic gold there that you feel cheated when they move on so quickly. When they take to the road their first stop is at Vasquez Rocks and then they head east to Nevada. By the time they reach New Mexico they have met Paul, a true alien who has made a break from Area 51 and is trying to get home.
Graeme and Clive react to Paul with shock and disbelief, but when Paul helps Graeme carry his unconscious friend back into the RV, Paul confides in Graeme and he consents to help him. The trick now is to persuade Clive. As far as aliens go, Paul is a bit of a jerk. He smokes, swears, drops trou and is overall very arrogant. But like all road trips, everyone learns to appreciate each other and becomes a little more tolerant by the end.
Along the road, the guys are being chased by a man in black (Jason Bateman), two F.B.I. agents, (Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio) and the father of a girl they took with them (John Carroll Lynch). The girl, portrayed by Kristin Wiig, has grown up in the middle of nowhere and thinks that Paul is a demon. When Paul releases her from her sheltered religious up bringing by filling her brain with the knowledge of the world, her first act is to take up swearing, a strange choice considering the options.
The rest of the film is evading capture and trying to get Paul home, but I feel that this film missed the mark. There is so much comic material that was thrown away to concentrate on car chases and blowing things up. The American road, especially the Southwest is full of bizarre tourist spots and roadside attractions. The film barely touches on those and as far as film references go, there is so much that was left out. If I were doing this film I would have waited a little longer before finding Paul. As funny as Seth Rogen is as the voice of Paul I think the film would have been better with more Frost and Pegg. Nice try, but this film goes on the bottom of my list, it is now my 3rd favorite Frost and Pegg film.
Rating: Bargain Matinee Not my favorite Frost and Pegg film
Potiche
In a small provincial town in 1970’s France, a factory owner’s trophy wife must take over the business when her husband has a heart attack. Her family laughs when the idea is suggested; mom has never worked a day in her life. But as the daughter of the factory founder, Suzanne (Catherine Deneuve) has been visiting the umbrella factory since she was a little girl. Cheerful, bright and extremely observant, Suzanne has paid close attention.
The source of Robert’s frustration (Fabrice Luchini) and the cause of his heart attack was a general strike, and struggling finances. Whenever Suzanne attempted to offer advice she was quickly shot down and put in her place. But now in the driver’s seat Suzanne takes charge, introduces new products, brings her children in as employees, and settles the strike. In three months she completely turns the company around winning the confidence of the board and earning the trust of the workers.
When her ungrateful husband returns from a convalescent cruise to reclaim his position he becomes jealous of Suzanne’s success and plots to kick her out. But she is not the same woman she was before. Suzanne fights to maintain control and prove that she is more than just a housewife. She refuses to go back to the way things were and she is hoping that everyone else will support her.
Presented with humor, Potiche tells the story of the women’s movement and highlights the worker’s plight at the same time. Gerard Depardieu plays the mayor and a union sympathizer and he and Suzanne have a past. In his youth, he worked for Suzanne’s father, and he and Suzanne have an intimate connection. He is excited about Suzanne’s new outlook but she isn’t ready to go from serving one man to serving another. It is her time and she is going to take it, for once she is ahead of her time.
Rating: First Run Catherine Deneuve as a woman ahead of her time
The source of Robert’s frustration (Fabrice Luchini) and the cause of his heart attack was a general strike, and struggling finances. Whenever Suzanne attempted to offer advice she was quickly shot down and put in her place. But now in the driver’s seat Suzanne takes charge, introduces new products, brings her children in as employees, and settles the strike. In three months she completely turns the company around winning the confidence of the board and earning the trust of the workers.
When her ungrateful husband returns from a convalescent cruise to reclaim his position he becomes jealous of Suzanne’s success and plots to kick her out. But she is not the same woman she was before. Suzanne fights to maintain control and prove that she is more than just a housewife. She refuses to go back to the way things were and she is hoping that everyone else will support her.
Presented with humor, Potiche tells the story of the women’s movement and highlights the worker’s plight at the same time. Gerard Depardieu plays the mayor and a union sympathizer and he and Suzanne have a past. In his youth, he worked for Suzanne’s father, and he and Suzanne have an intimate connection. He is excited about Suzanne’s new outlook but she isn’t ready to go from serving one man to serving another. It is her time and she is going to take it, for once she is ahead of her time.
Rating: First Run Catherine Deneuve as a woman ahead of her time
Queen To Play
A sultry couple sits on the balcony playing chess under the morning Corsican sun. Not hearing the knock, the chambermaid enters and is surprised to discover them there. The lady is wearing a negligee and she shows no signs of modesty. The gentleman is dressed and encourages the maid to go ahead and clean the room. As they continue to play they hold hands, drink wine, and gaze loving at each other. Then the lady beats him while the gentleman crosses to the railing to take in the view and contemplate his loss. The lady enters inside and helps herself to a cigarette. She is beautiful, sexy and very alluring.
Helene, the maid (Sandrine Bonnaire) is intrigued by this mysterious woman, but even more so she is fascinated by the game of chess. Having come to this island as a young woman in marriage she now finds her life very dull. Her teenage daughter is embarrassed by her occupation and her husband is taking her for granted. He often leaves her home alone while he goes off to play backgammon with a friend. Helene is looking for something to wake her up.
As a second job Helene cleans house for an expatriate American (Kevin Kline). While dusting she discovers his chess set and cannot resist the urge to examine it. When her employer catches her with the set she boldly asks him to teach her the game. Reluctantly he agrees and their weekly lessons turn into a friendship.
As Helene spends more and more time at the Kroger house the village suspects that she is having an affair, little do they know that she has fallen in love with the game of chess. It permeates her entire life as she tries to understand the intricacies of the game. Queen to Play is a story about female empowerment. It shows how even housewives need intellectual stimulation and that every woman, no matter who she is, needs some little passion to call her own.
I loved this quiet film. Sandrine Bonnaire is exquisite as an unobtrusive housewife slowly evolving into a confident woman of her own. It is feminist, but not in a brash audacious way. It is a personal film about a woman discovering her worth and the people who love her coming to terms with it. Kevin Kline is also lovely as a widower who has locked him self away in grief. In his first French-speaking role, Kevin displays a layered performance which contains melancholy, sorrow, disdain, and a touch of paternal pride. The two of them together are touching. Add in the lovely location and this film is like a vacation for the mind, restful, yet still challenging. This is a mature love story and one you won’t want to miss.
Rating: First Run Your best move is to see this film
Helene, the maid (Sandrine Bonnaire) is intrigued by this mysterious woman, but even more so she is fascinated by the game of chess. Having come to this island as a young woman in marriage she now finds her life very dull. Her teenage daughter is embarrassed by her occupation and her husband is taking her for granted. He often leaves her home alone while he goes off to play backgammon with a friend. Helene is looking for something to wake her up.
As a second job Helene cleans house for an expatriate American (Kevin Kline). While dusting she discovers his chess set and cannot resist the urge to examine it. When her employer catches her with the set she boldly asks him to teach her the game. Reluctantly he agrees and their weekly lessons turn into a friendship.
As Helene spends more and more time at the Kroger house the village suspects that she is having an affair, little do they know that she has fallen in love with the game of chess. It permeates her entire life as she tries to understand the intricacies of the game. Queen to Play is a story about female empowerment. It shows how even housewives need intellectual stimulation and that every woman, no matter who she is, needs some little passion to call her own.
I loved this quiet film. Sandrine Bonnaire is exquisite as an unobtrusive housewife slowly evolving into a confident woman of her own. It is feminist, but not in a brash audacious way. It is a personal film about a woman discovering her worth and the people who love her coming to terms with it. Kevin Kline is also lovely as a widower who has locked him self away in grief. In his first French-speaking role, Kevin displays a layered performance which contains melancholy, sorrow, disdain, and a touch of paternal pride. The two of them together are touching. Add in the lovely location and this film is like a vacation for the mind, restful, yet still challenging. This is a mature love story and one you won’t want to miss.
Rating: First Run Your best move is to see this film
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules
If you are a teenage boy, in a band, and trying to look cool for the ladies, the last thing you need is to be seen with your middle school age younger brother, or worse yet, your parents. In Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules, this is exactly Roderick’s problem. Greg (Zachary Gordon) has survived 6th grade and he, Rowley, Fregley, Patty, and Chirag are all being reunited at a “Welcome to Middle School” skating party. The whole Heffley family is going and Roderick (Devon Bostick) is not pleased. He intends on sharing his embarrassment by tormenting his little brother.
At the skating party Greg sees Holly Hills (Peyton List) for the very first time and for him it is love at first sight. But according to Chirag, who has “Googled her”, she is totally out of his league. Greg doesn’t care though. If he is going to have a chance it’s got to be now before the new pecking order of 7th grade is determined. Too bad Roderick has noticed the attraction; his plan is to make Greg as miserable as he is.
When the boys begin bickering, to the point of an actual fistfight, Mom (Rachel Harris) and Dad (Steve Zahn) lay down the law. Susan Heffley has been writing an advice column for mothers and she can’t very well continue with her own house in disorder. So, she forces Greg and Roderick to spend time together and through the process things escalate. But this is a family movie so things work out in the end. The fun is watching what goes wrong in the meantime.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between Zachary Gordon and Devon Bostick. They display that brotherly dynamic and illustrate how a few years can really make a difference. Their relationship is the heart of the film and it’s nice to see two brothers grow, change, and learn how to appreciate each other. As far as Greg’s friends, they get less screen time in this sequel, but once again Rowley turns out to be the hero. When he decides to take up magic for the local talent show, Greg is mortified and tries to distance himself. But Rowley, always true to himself, perseveres and in a pinch he turns out to be the real party animal. Greg can learn a lot from Rowley.
The other thing that I like about these films is that they are age appropriate. The crush between Greg and Holly Hills is sweet and chaste, and the sibling rivalry between Roderick and Greg is believable. In this world Greg can still have a sleep over and have it not be weird. And when the boys throw a party when their parents aren’t home, they are still serving cola with no signs of cigarettes or drugs. This is a sanitized world, one that is nice to escape to. Not the world I live in, but one that is nice to visit. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is good for the entire family. Even adults will like this one.
Rating: First Run The gang’s all here and in 7th grade
At the skating party Greg sees Holly Hills (Peyton List) for the very first time and for him it is love at first sight. But according to Chirag, who has “Googled her”, she is totally out of his league. Greg doesn’t care though. If he is going to have a chance it’s got to be now before the new pecking order of 7th grade is determined. Too bad Roderick has noticed the attraction; his plan is to make Greg as miserable as he is.
When the boys begin bickering, to the point of an actual fistfight, Mom (Rachel Harris) and Dad (Steve Zahn) lay down the law. Susan Heffley has been writing an advice column for mothers and she can’t very well continue with her own house in disorder. So, she forces Greg and Roderick to spend time together and through the process things escalate. But this is a family movie so things work out in the end. The fun is watching what goes wrong in the meantime.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between Zachary Gordon and Devon Bostick. They display that brotherly dynamic and illustrate how a few years can really make a difference. Their relationship is the heart of the film and it’s nice to see two brothers grow, change, and learn how to appreciate each other. As far as Greg’s friends, they get less screen time in this sequel, but once again Rowley turns out to be the hero. When he decides to take up magic for the local talent show, Greg is mortified and tries to distance himself. But Rowley, always true to himself, perseveres and in a pinch he turns out to be the real party animal. Greg can learn a lot from Rowley.
The other thing that I like about these films is that they are age appropriate. The crush between Greg and Holly Hills is sweet and chaste, and the sibling rivalry between Roderick and Greg is believable. In this world Greg can still have a sleep over and have it not be weird. And when the boys throw a party when their parents aren’t home, they are still serving cola with no signs of cigarettes or drugs. This is a sanitized world, one that is nice to escape to. Not the world I live in, but one that is nice to visit. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is good for the entire family. Even adults will like this one.
Rating: First Run The gang’s all here and in 7th grade
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Lincoln Lawyer
Matthew McConaughey is back as a slick, fast-talking, honey-voiced officer of the court in The Lincoln Lawyer. This is the persona that made him a star, although this time around his lawyer is a bit of a player. Since the majority of his clients are guilty he has no problem taking advantage of them financially, but he draws the line legally. What lets him sleep at night, representing the underbelly of society, is his belief in the justice system. If the law is doing their job, his clients will get the best possible defense, but if they are convicted, it is because they are guilty and all the rules were followed. When Mick Haller represents you and the cops or the D.A. makes a mistake, Mick Haller will find it and set you free. It’s all about the law.
Losing his driver’s license due to a D.U.I. Mick Haller has been doing business out of the back seat of a classic Lincoln Continental. He, and his discreet driver (Laurence Mason) make quite a sight when they pull up to take meetings with their less than upstanding clients. This arrangement has become so advantageous for Mick that he’s really starting to like it. He has become a multi-tasker and with the help of his private investigator (William H. Macy) he can cover a lot of territory while he rides in style.
Our story starts when an associate of Mick’s, bail-bondsman Val Valenzuela (John Leguizamo) tips off Mick to a big money client. Val is hoping for a kickback and the chance to post the lucrative bond. Mick meets the client, gets him bail and agrees to take the case, much against the advice of his prosecuting lawyer ex-wife (Marisa Tomei). The client is a rich, Beverly Hills pretty boy (Ryan Phillippe) who works for his mom’s real estate business. Frances Fisher plays his mother and she turns out to be rich and very connected.
Mick has already done wonders with the case, getting him bail on a violent crime was actually impressive, but he’s a little unsure why the family’s lawyer is not handling the case. Mick knows how good he is, but his clients are not usually the rich and famous. These questions begin to nag at him and the more he discovers, the more questions are raised. Mick is beginning to think that his client is really guilty.
Since innocence has never been a prerequisite for Mick he continues with the case, but his entire belief system is being put to the test. Ryan Phillippe gets the chance to play a real sociopath here and as the truth becomes known, Mick finds himself trapped by the very law he has sworn to uphold. The question is, who is smarter, a sick game playing murderer, or a manipulative, street-smart lawyer? This is a character that could spawn a franchise; the question is will this case change his ways and will he continue to be the Lincoln lawyer?
Rating: First Run Matthew McConaughey is back as a slick, fast-talking, honey-voiced lawyer.
Losing his driver’s license due to a D.U.I. Mick Haller has been doing business out of the back seat of a classic Lincoln Continental. He, and his discreet driver (Laurence Mason) make quite a sight when they pull up to take meetings with their less than upstanding clients. This arrangement has become so advantageous for Mick that he’s really starting to like it. He has become a multi-tasker and with the help of his private investigator (William H. Macy) he can cover a lot of territory while he rides in style.
Our story starts when an associate of Mick’s, bail-bondsman Val Valenzuela (John Leguizamo) tips off Mick to a big money client. Val is hoping for a kickback and the chance to post the lucrative bond. Mick meets the client, gets him bail and agrees to take the case, much against the advice of his prosecuting lawyer ex-wife (Marisa Tomei). The client is a rich, Beverly Hills pretty boy (Ryan Phillippe) who works for his mom’s real estate business. Frances Fisher plays his mother and she turns out to be rich and very connected.
Mick has already done wonders with the case, getting him bail on a violent crime was actually impressive, but he’s a little unsure why the family’s lawyer is not handling the case. Mick knows how good he is, but his clients are not usually the rich and famous. These questions begin to nag at him and the more he discovers, the more questions are raised. Mick is beginning to think that his client is really guilty.
Since innocence has never been a prerequisite for Mick he continues with the case, but his entire belief system is being put to the test. Ryan Phillippe gets the chance to play a real sociopath here and as the truth becomes known, Mick finds himself trapped by the very law he has sworn to uphold. The question is, who is smarter, a sick game playing murderer, or a manipulative, street-smart lawyer? This is a character that could spawn a franchise; the question is will this case change his ways and will he continue to be the Lincoln lawyer?
Rating: First Run Matthew McConaughey is back as a slick, fast-talking, honey-voiced lawyer.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Monogamy
A wedding photographer who makes just enough to get by, creates a second job in order to make more money. He has always been fascinated by the real stories that pictures tell by the studying the background, body language and expressions of the subjects in them. His new business, called Gumshoot, is a service where people contract him to photograph them in public places without his presence being known. The idea is to see what you look like in candid moments, to see yourself in your own environment and how others in that environment react to you.
Theo’s (Chris Messina) new business is picking up, and as he and his live-in girlfriend get ready for their own impending wedding, Theo begins to fixate over other people’s wedding photos and how they relate to each other. He is looking for that certain something that shows when a couple is truly in love. Meanwhile, Nat (Rashinda Jones) is having her own fixations. She begins reading into everything that Theo does.
In his Gumshoot business, clients contact Theo via the Internet with a time and place to meet and what they are wearing. Theo will then photograph them in secret and process a series of proof sheets. Next they will meet in person and Theo will help the subject pick their best photos and point out things that the background says about them. When a new client contacts him, Subgirl (Meital Dohan) shocks Theo by doing some very private things in very public places.
This bold, daring blonde mystifies Theo. While entranced in her photographic shots, Nat walks in behind him and he blushes. Nat knew about the shoot upfront, but neither she nor Theo knew that the subject would be so titillating. Both try to be cool, but seeds of doubt arise. Nat wonders why Theo is so obsessed with this woman and Theo wonders why Nat keeps pulling away.
Monogamy focuses on how our bodies always tell the truth. Our words may say one thing, while our faces, eyes and body language may say another. The problem is we don’t always know why, so reading into things may get us into trouble. This film is about truth, lies and photography. It is also about communication and what makes a couple work. It is a fascinating character study and brings up some interesting ideas. How much do we really know about each other?
Rating: First Run Our bodies always tell the truth
Theo’s (Chris Messina) new business is picking up, and as he and his live-in girlfriend get ready for their own impending wedding, Theo begins to fixate over other people’s wedding photos and how they relate to each other. He is looking for that certain something that shows when a couple is truly in love. Meanwhile, Nat (Rashinda Jones) is having her own fixations. She begins reading into everything that Theo does.
In his Gumshoot business, clients contact Theo via the Internet with a time and place to meet and what they are wearing. Theo will then photograph them in secret and process a series of proof sheets. Next they will meet in person and Theo will help the subject pick their best photos and point out things that the background says about them. When a new client contacts him, Subgirl (Meital Dohan) shocks Theo by doing some very private things in very public places.
This bold, daring blonde mystifies Theo. While entranced in her photographic shots, Nat walks in behind him and he blushes. Nat knew about the shoot upfront, but neither she nor Theo knew that the subject would be so titillating. Both try to be cool, but seeds of doubt arise. Nat wonders why Theo is so obsessed with this woman and Theo wonders why Nat keeps pulling away.
Monogamy focuses on how our bodies always tell the truth. Our words may say one thing, while our faces, eyes and body language may say another. The problem is we don’t always know why, so reading into things may get us into trouble. This film is about truth, lies and photography. It is also about communication and what makes a couple work. It is a fascinating character study and brings up some interesting ideas. How much do we really know about each other?
Rating: First Run Our bodies always tell the truth
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