Spice and Wolf – Season One (2008)

Introduction:

When it comes to fantasy anime, you have a set of tropes that usually come into play. Sure the setting may be medieval inspired (European or Japanese) but at some point laser guns and robots will appear. Someone will end up wielding a sword at least as big as they are (usually larger). And if there are elves in the story they will have super long pointed ears. But this anime goes in a much different direction.

Summary:

Kraft Lawrence (Jun Fukuyama) is a smalltime peddler in this medieval land. He usually barters his goods for ones with greater value and then obtains surprising amounts of profit for his long travels. One day he stops in a familiar village as they are wrapping up their harvest festival. Before the church really spread this village worshiped a wolf goddess who would favor them with wondrous harvests. These days the folks of the town go through the motions, not really believing, but not willing to anger the goddess.

Good idea, because Holo (Ami Koshimizu) is still around. This long-lived wolf goddess has gotten bored with the little town and decides to take up the peddler’s life. She transforms into the guise of a young woman and teams up with Lawrence, much to his chagrin. But the two work well together. Lawrence is business savvy and knows how to spot a good opportunity. Holo can read people (including Lawrence) very well and uses this to their advantage. Along the way they will encounter a currency manipulation plot, a bad deal for armor, and Holo’s nemesis – a shepherd. In the end will Lawrence and Holo make a profit, fall in love or maybe both?

Good Points:

• Holo and Lawrence are great characters that work well together
• The laid back pacing makes for an easy viewing experience
• The conflicts that revolve around being a merchant make for a refreshing change

Bad Points:

• Some of the financial scheming is explained very quickly and may lose some viewers
• Very little action in the series at all
• Doesn’t really have an overarching narrative, but weaves from adventure to adventure

Overall:

This series was a great change of pace. Holo is a fun character and her interaction and banter with Lawrence are what keep you coming back to see what happens next. Conflicts are never very intense, but they are atypical of what you find in most fantasy anime. The animation is quite lovely and really gives the world a unique pastoral feel. Looking forward to returning to these characters in the second season.

Scores (out of 5)

Visuals: 4

Sound: 3

Acting: 4

Script: 4

Music: 4

Direction: 4

Entertainment: 4

Total:  4

In Depth Review

On the road for fun and profit.

I heard about Spice and Wolf when it first made it to DVD nearly ten years ago. It sounded like a unique and lighthearted tale that was different from much of the fantasy anime I’d experienced. I’ve had it on my radar since then and was pleased to see it appear on Hulu (both seasons). I finally dove in, hoping it was able to live up to the hype.

Hype is really too strong a word for Spice and Wolf. The series is mellow, easy going and for the most part a story about a growing friendship that covers 13 episodes. Yes there are some intense moments in the story, and the world the characters inhabit can be dangerous. But for the most part this series travels along the road slowly but letting the viewer take in the atmosphere and the relationship it is building.

The focus to the series is the two main characters. Lawrence is a pragmatic man with a keen eye for details and the ability to see how these details can be exploited to his financial advantage. But he is not without feelings. In fact his empathy get the pair in trouble, and Holo accuses him of being too kind hearted. Lawrence is obviously taken with Holo, but knows full well that this is some kind of immortal being he is dealing with. The way he attempts to navigate their growing relationship is charming and amusing. He makes the perfect straight man for the more mercurial goddess.

Don't try pulling a fast one on Holo, she got ears like
a wolf... literally.

But the wolf of Spice and Wolf, isn’t your typical over the top anime girlfriend. This is a creature that is hundreds (or thousands) of years old. While she looks like a young woman her experience and keen senses give her advantages over the “youngsters” around her. But she is still the spirit of a wolf, and as such sometimes those instincts overpower her more human aspects. So when she finds something she enjoys eating, apples for example, she will just keep eating and eating them until she makes herself sick. She can be greedy. Other times she can take offense to seemingly minor issues. But she will often toy with Lawrence, teasing him with performances as an ideal partner, before mocking how gullible he is. But through it all, we see how lonely she has become and how much she appreciates Lawrence. By the time we hit episode 13 the two really understand each other and it is great to have that kind of character evolution.

Lawrence is just a nice guy in a love triangle
with a wolf and capitalism.

The other interesting element of the series is the world created in Spice and Wolf. Modeled after medieval Europe before gunpowder was introduced, we have a society in the grip of a powerful monotheistic church. There are trade guilds that wield power over merchants. We see how different kingdoms use different coins (with varying weights) and how this impacts trade as well as currency schemes when one king tries to obtain financial power over others. The world feels like a real place because of these details. But I also enjoy the art style, especially in the open road where we see the lovely countryside or the ominous mountains that loom above the characters. While this isn’t top tier animation, it works very well in the context of the show.

He should have known that a shepherd would cause a
problem for his wolf.

I watched the series in Japanese and most of the cast was very good. Koshimizu makes Holo very appealing and does a great job with a character with so many facets. Fukuyama matches her with his even approach to Lawrence. You can’t help but smile when he gets annoyed or befuddled by Holo’s latest scheme.

I enjoyed the score to the series. It keeps mostly in a medieval style with some lovely a cappella vocals taking over at key moments. It works well in context and adds to the atmosphere of the show. I also like both the songs used in the credits. Tabi no Tochu performed by Natsumi Kiyoura is a melodic piece that sets the opening mood. The Wolf Whistling Song is a cute jaunty tune performed by Rocky Chack. It has charming lyrics and works well with the end credit animation.

"Does this bother you? I'm totally touching you."

On some level I can’t imagine Spice and Wolf working. It seems at times too simplistic in concept or too obscure in execution to really gel. But it does. Part of it is the way the relationship builds over the course of the episodes. The series was constructed with a keen eye to making it all flow together, even if there isn’t a real antagonist for the whole series. Instead you get mini-adventures that last a few episodes. This gives us enough time to hang out with Holo and Lawrence. The characters are the focus and because they are so well realized it brings you back for more.

An atypical anime for me, and miles away from something like Log Horizon or Attack on Titan, but shows that fantasy stories can take many shapes and be uniquely entertaining. In some circles Spice and Wolf is considered a classic, I can see why. I’m looking forward to the second season and where it takes our two entrepreneurs.

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"Here's to good friends. Tonight is kinda special!"

Anime Juke Box - Tabi no Tochuu - Spice and Wolf

Got a new bit of Japanese pop for you today. It is a bit more easy going than the usual opening credits material, but it fits the series Spice and Wolf pretty well in that regard. The series has a casual easy going feel for a good portion of it. It revolves around a medieval peddler who happens upon a pagan wolf goddess who wishes to join him in his travels. While he is savvy in business, she is skilled at reading people. The two make a good team as they travel the land negotiating deals and learning a bit more about each other... and yes, maybe falling in love. It is a very unique show that I really enjoyed. Looking forward to the second season.

The song the opens Spice and Wolf is sung by Natsumi Kiyoura. Her voice has a gentleness and almost a sadness to it that carries the tune along. Hope you enjoy Tabi no Touchuu from the anime series Spice and Wolf.

Movie Musings: The Strange Journey of the Star Trek Films - Part 2

Part Two - The Next Generation and Beyond

Troi proves the seats are as comfy as they look.

In 1994, three years after Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country was release in theaters, Star Trek: The Next Generation released the season finale. Fans were heartbroken. But Paramount had launched its new series Deep Space Nine the year before. The hope was to get fans to enjoy the new show and get the cast from The Next Generation to start a whole new film franchise. It was a calculated move, but one that made sense looking at the scope of the franchise.

The first venture to the big screen for the new crew would be Star Trek: Generations also in 1994. The cast and crew from The Next Generation found themselves working double time to finish the television series and work on the feature film all at the same time. To entice fans of The Original Series back into the theaters, Captain Kirk would appear in the film and play a major role in the plot. To pull off this time traveling adventure the script went through many revisions. The result was a film that was very muddled from a story perspective. In the end, the movie was a financial success, proving that The Next Generation was popular enough to continue with films. But critical reception was mixed. No one loved the film, and many found much to dislike. But few felt it was as poor as The Final Frontier, so that is something to smile about.

No better way to start the morning. Spot of tea and
a Klingon babe who can crochet.

The next year Star Trek: Voyager arrived on television. Paramount was going all in with this era of Star Trek entertainment.  This was about the time where Star Trek reached its apex of popularity. Paramount moved forward confidently with Star Trek: First Contact, arriving in 1996. The movie used one of the most popular and dangerous enemies of the Star Trek universe, the Borg. It mirrored The Wrath of Khan in many ways, driving up the stakes, making the characters the focus and injecting plenty of action. The impressive budget allowed for some top notch visual effects. Most impressive of all was the commitment to tone. This is a dark gritty movie that keeps things tense and intriguing. Director Jonathan Frakes used his familiarity with the cast and crew to execute an impressive film. Fans loved every minute of it. Critics were also kind, and found a lot to like about the movie and the cast. It was a financial success coming close to the high point reached by The Voyage Home. Everyone seemed pleased with the film and was looking forward to more.

"She's trying to kill him. I just caught her."

More was on the way. In 1998, with Frakes once again at the helm, Star Trek: Insurrection arrived in theaters. This time the decision was made to make the film lighter and a bit more action heavy. First Contact was very dark, and the thought was that fans of the series would like a breather after that. Unfortunately several rewrites of the script ended up with something that felt like an extended episode of the television series. But the high budget and some gorgeous location shooting gave the movie a big screen presence.  Critical and fan response was mixed. For many this felt like a step back, lacking the impact to the characters and storylines they were seeing in the television series Deep Space Nine which was heading into its final season and raising tension and stakes to ridiculous levels. Insurrection felt tame in comparison. General audiences enjoyed it well enough, and the film was financially successful. But Paramount was beginning to suspect that they had oversaturated the market with Star Trek and decided to hold off on any further films for longer than usual.

Titanic, Star Trek style?

Deep Space Nine and Voyager ended in 1999 and 2001 respectively.  While both shows had their fans, the two series never grew into the pop culture force that The Original Series and The Next Generation did. Paramount didn’t feel comfortable trying to leverage either storyline into a full blown movie franchise. So they decided to craft a new series, one that took place before Captain Kirk’s time. Star Trek: Enterprise (or Enterprise as it was first called) arrived on screens in 2001. It was Paramount trying hard to bring in new fans to a new series they could call their own.

Troi just loves putting her feet up... on the phaser controls.

In 2002, after an extended delay Star Trek: Nemesis arrived in theaters. Paramount made no secret that this would be the last film for the crew of The Next Generation. They wanted to try to cultivate what they hoped would be a new, more popular series of adventures with the folks from Enterprise. Once again the focus of the film would be based on The Wrath of Khan template. Romulans were the enemies this time, and the focus on massive space battles at the end promised visual spectacle. They also tried to take the dark visuals of First Contact and give the film a more gritty look. The final result was a movie that didn’t appeal to anyone. Critics felt it was mediocre at best. Fans really disliked some of the plot points and the paint by numbers script. Even the cast wasn’t happy with this one. Much like The Final Frontier before it Nemesis was released during an insane year for sequels. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Die Another Day and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets all came out the same year. To many folks Star Trek looked old next to these newer franchises.  Nemesis was a critical and commercial failure and ended the film tenure of the Next Generation crew on a sour note.

You can't see the green alien babe dancing behind
the camera.

Paramount also miscalculated on the appeal of their new series Enterprise. Long time fans were turned off by the inconsistency within the Star Trek cannon. Others disliked the recycling of stories from previous series in the franchise. Had the saga run out of things to say? Others found the ramped up attempts at sex appeal and action to be too different from what had been established in the tone of The Next Generation series. Producers tried hard to turn things around in the third and fourth seasons, but ratings kept dropping. Enterprise ended its run in 2005 with a series finale that pretty much pissed everyone off.

Most science fiction fans wept a tear that day, figuring that Star Trek had taken its final voyage. Many of us were ready to move on. But Paramount wasn’t. Star Trek was a money making franchise, even if they never really understood it. They let some time pass and also decided that it was time to go back to basics. Star Trek’s most popular incarnation (and still the financial high point for the films) was the original series. If they could somehow leverage new stories in that universe, with familiar characters, they could bring Star Trek back to life.

The impact of Batman Begins as well as Casino Royale in 2008 must have convinced them that a reboot was not only possible, but the most likely way to get people back into theaters. They could recast with younger actors, get a popular director who knew his way around television series and big budget films. They went to J.J. Abrams, who had just made Mission Impossible III a success for Paramount, and asked him to reboot the franchise.

"Did you just die on the first Goomba?"

It was a bold move. But hey, Star Trek is all about being bold, right? The film started from the ground up, redesigning nearly everything to keep it visually familiar, but still new and fresh looking. Careful casting and a story that combined plenty of action and character interaction was penned. Big budget visual effects were brought in. And a key appearance by Leonard Nimoy as Spock would hook the old timers who were curious but cautious about the whole endeavor. And instead of a hard reboot which would alienate the more cannon obsessed fans, they used time travel to create an alternate time line. So now both storylines could exist in the same universe. Very clever. Perhaps the biggest change was the shift of focus to fun. Star Trek would be a film focused on providing a good time to the audience. No deep themes. No navel gazing or long conversations here. Just witty quips, plenty of action and excitement, and a cast that sparkled. It all worked wonderfully. Star Trek was a critical and financial success. Nostalgia for the old series was tapped into, but new viewers were also engaged with the fun characters and action. Yes, some hard core fans grumbled. This wasn’t their Trek. But nearly everyone else enjoyed the film for what it was. It lead to Star Trek being the most financially successful film in the franchise. Paramount was ready for more.

Run toward the red foliage, you'll blend right in.

Abrams stayed on board for the next film Star Trek into Darkness in 2013. Once again the decision was made to mimic Wrath of Khan, but more than just in story structure, but in full on story. The visual style was kept, but leaned more toward grey and black to give the movie a darker feel. Popular British actor Benedict Cumberbatch stepped into the role of Khan. Like the previous film, there is plenty of action and space adventure. But the story is much darker, with actual ties to current events. The script does take lines and moments from previous films and attempts to spin them in unexpected ways. But this ended up doing more harm than good. The tonal shift ended up disappointing those looking for a fun time (and would get it in Guardians of the Galaxy the next year). The script similarities and recasting of Khan would really vex other fans, who called it a mockery of some of the best of classic Trek. Critics generally seemed to enjoy the film. But there was a taint around it in general fandom that persists to this day. Financially the film did extremetly well, eventually surpassing the previous film overall.

"I don't see any booze. You said there was going to
be booze."

This guaranteed a sequel. Abrams left to work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the franchised shifted to Justin Lin. Star Trek Beyond was due in theaters in 2015, the 50^th anniversary of the franchise. Lin went back to the format of the 2009 film and focused on fun and action as the guiding force for the movie. He also had a script that tried to feel more tied to the spirit of The Original Series more than the previous two film had. There are plenty of references to the older series in the film, as well as nods to all kinds of Trek lore. Unfortunately the focus on big action and banter continued to rub some Trek fans the wrong way. Some viewers fun with the film, but felt it was too lightweight. Other felt that the series was hurtling further and further from the original vision of Star Trek, and felt Beyond was further evidence of Paramount not understanding the franchise beyond a money making machine. Critical response was mixed. But financially the film barely broke even. (and some estimate that it didn’t). It was a disappointment for all involved.

While Star Trek Beyond was in production, Paramout felt the financial success of Into Darkness meant it was time to start up a new television series based on Star Trek. The goal was create something new and exciting for their new online network, and Star Trek: Discovery got the green light. It seems to have had some changes in direction during production and trailers have received a mixed reaction. Visually it looks a lot like the J.J. Abrams films. But it is supposed to take place before the events of The Original Series. Sounds like Enterprise all over again, but I’m willing to give it a shot. We’ll see if Beyond’s financial performance impacts the series. Who knows, if the series does take off, we might have more Star Trek films in the future.

It takes a special kind of guy to fall
for a Borg Queen.

Speed Racer (2008)

Introduction:

Based off of an anime from the 1960s that had simplistic stories, simplistic animation you really had to question the sanity of the Wachowski Brothers. I mean I know they love anime. Their work in The Matrix trilogy more than proves that. But when it comes right down to this, who was clamoring for a Speed Racer movie?

Summary:

Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is one of the best racecar drivers in the business. His whole family is into racing with his father Pops Racer (John Goodman) building cars for his son to race. Things seem to be going along just peachy for Speed and his family until bazillionare Royalton (Roger Allam) shows up with an offer to sponsor Speed in the upcoming racing circuit. Speed it tempted by the amazing offer, but wishes to stay independent. This chaps Royalton’s coiffed hair and so he vows vengeance.

But things take a turn for the shady when Inspector Detector (Benno Furmann) shows up with an offer for Speed. Seems like there is a criminal conspiracy at the heart of the racing circuit and Detector wants to bust it. With the help of Trixie (Christina Ricci), Spritle (Paulie Litt) and Chim Chim the chip, Speed finds himself in a series of deadly races, with Royalton’s cronies and a mob boss gunning for him. But at his back is the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox) who may or may not be Speeds long lost brother Rex. It all boils down to a hyper color adventure that fires on all cylinders.

Good Points:

• Amazing visuals capture the feel of a live action cartoon
• An energetic and lively score by Michael Giacchino
• Keeps true to the spirit of the ‘60s cartoon

Bad Points:

• Runs a bit too long and over complicates what should be a simple story
• Pushes everything over the top – visuals, acting, story, music
• As far from The Matrix as you can get

Overall:

Even if the creation of the movie is suspect, the final result is really one of the most visually impressive I’ve seen. Every element is designed to create the atmosphere of a cartoon and it works wonderfully. Had the running time been streamlined and the story less complicated this could have been a winner. As it stands, it’s worth seeking out for fans of animation and visual pop.

Scores (out of 5)

Visuals: 5

Sound: 5

Acting: 3

Script: 3

Music: 5

Direction: 3

Entertainment: 4

Total: 4

In Depth Review

Oddly had this movie been released in the mid 1990s it would have been better received. For some reason, MTV started showing episodes of the Speed Racer cartoon, bad dub and all, as a kind of ironic bit of programming. This was back when they used to show Liquid Television: a mix of unusual and experimental animation that brought us Aeon Flux. At this time, some techno group going by the name Alpha Team used the Speed Racer theme song, lines from the dub and a bit of dance fueled beats to create a Speed Racer single. The radio edit was a bit of ‘90s fun, but the unrated sexy edit was a bit of comic genius. Using the many assorted back breaths, gasps and groans straight from the ‘60s dub, Speed Racer put the X back in Racer X.

A few years later, the fledgling Cartoon Network would show reruns of Speed Racer in all its glory. Usually right before or after Space Ghost Coast to Coast. I mean if there was a time for a Speed Racer revival this was it.

Instead the Wachowski brothers waited until 2008 to unleash the film. I do remember hearing about it being in development for a few years before that (with Johnny Depp attached at some point). Upon its release the film bombed hard and any goodwill the Wachowski brothers had remaining after the less then warm reception the Matrix sequels received all but vanished.

I guess if your expectations were for something along the lines of The Matrix I can see how this movie with its candy colors and cartoon dialogue could disappoint you. But I can’t see how anyone who knows anything about Speed Racer and enjoyed the show a little beyond its ironic merits could not find something fun about this film.

It’s hard to describe the film’s visual approach other than to say it was true to the bright colors, outrageous angles and rapid approach of the cartoon. The races defy the laws of physics and hurtle by with insane speed. But the Wachoski brothers keep the action understandable and clear with plenty of long shots to establish who is who and where they are on the course.

The acting follows suit. No one here is going for subtle. Its all big and over the top acting that’s bound to grate on some people, especially when you have a cast featuring Susan Sarandon and Roger Allam who are typically seen in dramatic fare. And some of the casting is inspired. John Goodman is perfect both in visual appearance and attitude as Pops Racer. Mathew Fox has the dashing good looks and mystery of Racer X down. Christina Ricci makes the character of Trixie that perfect mix of cute, spunky and cool that you rarely see outside of a Japanese cartoon. Frankly Hirsch has the most dull part as Speed Racer, who is just a good guy with a heart of gold. At the same time I enjoyed the change of having a hero who does the right thing because he believes it, and doesn’t have to be full of angst and darkness (unlike Batman or Perseus of the remade Clash of the Titans).

Then there’s Spritle and Chim Chim, two characters who are obviously catering to the single digit age crowd. Yes, they are annoying and superfluous, but guess what – they were annoying and superfluous in the original anime too! I did enjoy the scene where they envisioned themselves in their own anime complete with bad dubbing and hilarious camera angles.

The music by Michael Giacchio is something else. Giacchino is rapidly becoming one of my favorite composers for this age. He can inject energy into all of his work and when it comes to something like Speed Racer he just nails it. Giacchino not only uses the original theme from the 1960s series as his base for the music, but he injects a 1960s style into the whole score. Sometimes it gets a little bit like John Barry’s work in James Bond, sometimes it sounds like something you’d hear in I Spy or The Avengers but it always fits. Sadly some of his score is lost in the sound effects, but I got a huge kick out of hearing the Speed Racer theme performed by a full chorus in a triumphant style at the end of the film. 60s cheese never sounded so noble.

The movie clocks in at 135 minutes, and really there is no need for that. Sadly the Wachowski brothers attempt to add more depth than necessary to an idea that should be a simple blast of summer fun. Instead of one amazing race, we get three. Instead of one subplot, we get five. Instead of one main villain we get four. It just feels bloated, and when you have such an over the top visual aesthetic, it becomes overwhelming and overbearing. It’s just too much of a good thing.

While Speed’s story arc does require a race in each of its three acts, the fact that they are all so huge and over the top makes the audience punch drunk by the end. As amazing as the final Grand Prix is, you’re just tired of the whole thing by that point. And that’s mostly because the Casa Cristo road rally is so much fun, it really feels like it should be the climax of the film. It’s got the most racers, the most variation in settings, the most amazing driving and the added twist of a full on fistfight in the middle. Really there is nowhere to go after that race, and the rest of the film turns into a bit of a slog. With a leaner meaner script the fun would have been the perfect length instead of a bloated but pretty mess.

I’ve seen some folks complain that none of the racing in the film done with any reality at all. They are missing the point. Speed Racer is not about real driving action. Heck, even Pixar’s Cars is more realistic than this. But this movie is embracing its cartoon roots, and that means that you get crazy car action wacky racer style. There was no way this was going to be done with real cars (especially when they stayed so true to the car design used in the series). Yes its all green screen, but that was done to give maximum control to the Wachoski Brothers and their special effects team. The final results look too amazing to complain about.

Speed Racer has its faults, but I also think people were expecting a very different movie than what the Wachowski brothers set out to make. This is all about making a live action cartoon with a whiz bang feeling of fun behind it. It’s bright, and loud and smiling the whole way. If you can, give it a spin and just enjoy it for what it is. And if you have a Blu-ray player, the film looks even more impressive in high definition. Go Speed Racer! Go!

Iron Man (2008)

Introduction:

I was never a huge fan of comic books, but I remember as a kid that the costume for Iron Man fascinated me. But beyond that I didn’t know much about him. Then this movie comes along with a solid cast and an eager director. I decided to give it a shot.

Summary:

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is a millionaire, engineering mastermind and playboy. When he isn’t living it up with a series of hot women, he’s showing off his latest weapons to the highest bidder. But things take a turn for the worse when he is abducted in Afghanistan, and forced to build a powerful new weapon. Instead Tony forges a suit that will enable him to escape his captors. But this technology puts Tony in the sights of Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) a man with few scruples and a ton of ambition. Can Tony with the help of his military pal Rhodey (Terrence Howard) and his gal pal Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) stop Stane and create a hero the world can depend on?

Good Points:

• Robert Downey Jr. creates an excellent character in Tony Stark
• An engaging origin story for a superhero
• The script keeps things fun and not too dower

Bad Points:

• Stane is not the most compelling villain
• At a little over two hours the movie drags a bit
• The score distracts from the film

Overall:

“Iron Man” delivers a fun evening of super hero entertainment. It tells the origin story, so it does get a bit predictable, but its seeded with plenty of witty banter and a compelling performance by Downey Jr. that you just go along with it. The musical score is a bit distracting and trying to hard to be cool. But its easy enough to get sucked right back in. One of the most entertaining of the recent superhero movies.

Scores (out of 5)

Visuals: 4

Sound: 4

Acting: 4

Script: 4

Music: 2

Direction: 3

Entertainment: 3

Total: 3

Curious about a full review, sent me an email and I’ll make additional thoughts to this review.

Let the Right One in (2008)

Introduction

When this movie came out a lot of comments were made that this is how a real vampire movie should work – you know as opposed to “Twilight”. Well you can say that about a lot of vampire movies. I was still intrigued because the story sounded like it could provide some creepy moments.

Summary

Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) and his mother live in an apartment in Stockholm. Oskar has it rough; he’s bullied at school, doesn’t seem to have any friends and is at an age where everything about him seems off (middle school I’m guessing). Then Eli (Lina Leandersson) moves in and things change. Eli befriends him, but she only comes out at night and her skin is cold to the touch. Then strange murders and attempted murders start occurring in their neighborhood. Oskar begins to suspect that his new friend is much more than she appears – but is that really going to change their friendship?

Good Points

• Excellent portrayals by both child actors
• Filmed in a way that keeps things cold and creepy
• Doesn’t pull punches with vampire lore

Bad Points

• A slow moving film
• Some viewers might find the relationship too creepy
• Not enough horror for fans of that genre

Overall

The movie’s main focus is on Oskar and his relationship with Eli. The fact that she’s a vampire puts a spin on it, and the movie never shies away from what that may mean. It makes the movie more creepy and disturbing, as it should be. In the end that is the main goal of the film, to get under your skin and it does so very well. I wouldn’t call it a horror film, but something more like a dark romance. I recommend it to anyone who likes some vampires in their foreign films.

Scores (out of 5)

Visual: 4

Sound: 4

Acting: 4

Music: 4

Direction: 4

Script: 4

Entertainment: 4

Total: 4

Curious about a full review, send me an email and I'll make additional thoughts to this review.

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Introduction

It tough to pull off a good parody film. Most of the time the jokes fall flat or are too obvious. Every once in a while you get a movie that is smart, entertaining and funny. The last one that really entertained me was "Galaxy Quest", but I heard very good things about this movie.

Summary

In a bid to make the ultimate war film four of the biggest names in Hollywood are brought together. Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller) - action star extraordinaire, Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) - comedian specializing in fat and fart jokes, Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) - an actor willing to do anything to achieve his role, and Hip Hop Superstar Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson). In a bid to create the height in realism, the group is dropped into the jungle for guerrilla style filmmaking. But there's a hitch, a group of well-armed drug lords is convinced that these actors are actual solders sent to hunt them down. How long will it take these actors to realize that they are fighting for their lives, not filming "Tropic Thunder"?

Good Points

• Some very funny moments in the script that contain biting satire and laugh out loud lines
• Smaller parts for big name actors are hilarious
• Robert Downey Jr. nearly steals every scene he's in

Bad Points

• Not every joke lands, and some scenes are a little too "inside"
• Ben Stiller is good, but miscast
• The trailers in the opening are so funny that the rest of the movie ends up looking a bit weak

Overall

For anyone who loves movies and knows about the filming of war films will find plenty to enjoy here. It takes lots of jabs at Hollywood style filmmaking and personalities. The humor ranges from gross out jokes to nasty satire. If anything its worth seeing the first sequence of fake trailers.

Scores (out of 5)

Visuals: 4

Sound: 4

Music: 4

Acting: 4

Script: 4

Direction: 4

Entertainment: 4

Total: 4

Curious about a full review, send me an email and I'll make additional thoughts to this review.

Revolutionary Road (2008)

Introduction:

Even though I'm not a big fan of "Titanic", I was interested in seeing this movie. A lot of the marketing stressed how it was a reunion of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. More interesting to me was that Sam Mendes was directing. His work on "American Beauty" and "Jarhead" was excellent. Kate Winslet always turns in an excellent performance, so it seemed like a good match.

Summary:

Frank Wheeler (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his wife April (Kate Winslet) have just about everything an American family in the 1955 would want. Frank has a good job with an eye on a promotion. They have a lovely house on Revolutionary Road. They have children they love and friends to spend time with. Of course all this perfection can't remain, and it becomes obvious that it is an illusion. A need for something new begins to drive the Wheelers, at first uniting them in a common purpose. But after a life changing event occurs Frank and April are at odds and each moment drives them apart and toward tragedy. Is there any way to escape the dark fate on "Revolutionary Road"?

Good Points

• Visually, the movie captures the feelings and themes of the film as well as the look of the 1950s
• Acting by Winslet and DiCaprio is pitch perfect
• Mendes does a great job of creating the appropriate atmosphere

Bad Points

• The musical score is too subtle
• The themes and ideas are very similar to those in "American Beauty"
• Not the type of film you could call entertaining

Overall

This is a well-made and thought provoking film. I certainly recommend it, especially to see some excellent acting from Winslet. Mendes handles the material very well, creating an environment and characters that are fascinating and yet repellent at the same time. Not an easy film to watch but one that you probably won't forget.

Scores (out of 5)

• Visuals: 5
• Audio: 3
• Music: 4
• Acting: 5
• Script: 4
• Direction: 5
• Entertainment: 4
• Total: 4

In Depth Review

Movies like "Revolutionary Road" are tough to recommend. Some people are just going to hate this type of movie. It's not uplifting. It's very cynical and thematically dark. The characters are too realistic, reminding viewers of themselves in many cases. Some may not want to see what Mendes is expressing here and feel that he is attacking the American way of life. Others will just be upset that this is not the romantic escapade that the trailers seemed to promise.

"American Beauty" had the same affect on people when it came out. A lot of people hated it for a number of reasons (and some of them are perfectly valid). But I always suspected that the main reason people disliked it, was because the mirror was a little too accurate. Mendes takes a different approach, but basically has the same message here.

Based on the novel by Richard Yates, the main thrust of the film is that not everyone is going to find happiness and joy in the "ideal family life". When people try to do something different, society seems to go out of its way to crush those ideas. What is interesting with "Revolutionary Road" is that the use of the 1950's period distances the viewer but also adds another dimension. For many, the 1950s were the high point of American culture, influence and prosperity. So show such a dark and rotten heart at the center of this 50's family is very cynical.

Mendes has a great eye for setting up shots and executing sequences for maximum affect. It was one of the great things about "American Beauty" and "Jarhead". Certain scenes stick out in your mind, either because they are symbolic, standing for several elements of the film, or just because they create an image that is striking. "Revolutionary Road" is filled with these moments. The house the Wheelers eventually purchase and live in is filmed in such a way that it is lovely and cold all at the same time. The movie's themes may be dark, but the house is filled with light and very open. But in many ways Mendes, uses the house to show other things. There is a scene where April is wandering through the house and it seems so lonely and empty. The lighting, the angles and Winslet's acting contribute to this quiet and horrifying scene. It captures despair so well and yet does it so simply. That is what Mendes is good at.

His use of music and sound are less obvious. The sound work is just about what you'd suspect. Mendes avoids any showy sound design and keeps things grounded. It works well for the film, but doesn't stand out. The score is a mixed bag. It's very subtle, creeping in and adding texture to scenes. There is a main theme, and it is interesting, but sparse. It works fine in the film, but as a stand-alone listen, I don't' think it will be that appealing.

Mendes has a solid cast here. Both DiCaprio and Winslet are top notch. DiCaprio has grown on me in last few years. He did some solid parts in his youth but seemed limited as an actor. I was one of the few that found him out of his depth in "Titanic". But he impressed me in "Catch Me If You Can", and then again in "The Aviator". By the time I saw "The Departed" I had to admit that he was much better than I originally thought. In this film he's very good, capturing the youthful fire of Frank in scenes where he is starting his life with April and stretching into the scenes where he is at odds with his wife and growing further and further from her. He keeps the man believable. I always understood why Frank did what he did, even if I didn't agree with him. DiCaprio's performance is commendable.

Kate Winslet is really the powerhouse here, and honestly her part is much more juicy. April travels a similar road as Frank, sharing the initial attraction and love of the young couple. But her role as a wife and mother in the 1950's allows her for less expression and less freedom than her husband. When things start to go bad, she doesn't have an outlet that is socially acceptable (Frank can get drunk and sleep with secretaries - its expected. But a wife and mother could never do such a thing). As the minutes pass during the film you see Winslet slowly becoming more and more desperate and yet doing everything she can to suppress it. By the end of the film, it is painful to watch her performance, because it is too real. It's a top-notch job, one of the reasons she is one of my favorite actresses. She never goes over the top with her part, but performs in a way that allows you to believe her character and bond with her.

The supporting cast is up to the challenge, with Kathy Bates being other big name in the cast. She serves as a foil and friend for the young couple. Her family has it's own issues and we see how they are handled, in a way that is socially acceptable even if it is questionable in it's resolution. A scene with her at the end of the movie serves as a coda to the film, and is very telling.

I've already mentioned that this is not an entertaining film. It's got a message and it delivers it. The production and cast are very good. But the story and themes are not appealing or uplifting. This is a tragedy, pure and simple. Unlike "American Beauty" or "Jarhead" where the darkness was tempered with humor and inventive fantasy sequences, "Revolutionary Road" is cold and cruel in its approach. The black humor is gone and in all that is left is a movie about a family that is destroyed by themselves and the ideas they feel they must live up to. This is a very sad film, but worth seeing.