Somewhere There is a Good Film

Sofia Coppola is considered Hollywood royalty because she was born into a spectacular gene pool. I want to root for her as a writer/director because I am devoted to her Pops and think she is a terrible actress (see the Godfather III). I just wish her films were better.

What drives me crazy is how much the critics kiss her ass. I’m not sure if it is out of fear or misplaced loyalty. I know she has promise because her directorial debut, The Virgin Suicides was incredible. Although she did write the script, it was adapted from a novel so the credit is not all hers. Even so this proves that she does have the talent.

Her follow up critically acclaimed hit, Lost in Translation, is either loved or hated. I am an admitted hater but do give her credit for reviving the career of Bill Murray, one of my favorite comedic actors.

Her latest film, Somewhere, let me down in so many ways. The hardest thing to swallow is that this could have been an incredibly interesting film. This film features one of my favorite overlooked actors, Stephen Dorff. I was hoping this film would revitalize his career. Problem is I don’t think anyone wants to see that much of him. We really don’t need to watch him smoke a cigarette on his balcony staring off into the distance and reflecting for 10 whole minutes.

I get what she was trying to do (pierce the Hollywood bubble) but she is unsuccessful. We get it, Hollywood isn’t all puppy dogs and ice cream. A movie star’s life is a lonely place full of emptiness and alienation. We don’t need to examine Johnny Marco so closely to discover he is a sad excuse for a human being. He lives in a party hotel, sleeps with numerous faceless women, has twin strippers perform absurd pole dance numbers in his room, gets stalking texts from women he’s treated badly, and hardly knows his 11-year-old daughter.

Once he is saddled with the responsibility of taking care of his daughter for a week, we as an audience expect change. We want the character to mature. Unfortunately, when he has his epiphany at the end, he doesn’t really grow up. Thankfully Stephen plays the part to perfection and he is a sweet piece of eye candy because we are looking at him doing nothing for long periods of time. Elle Fanning (Dakota’s little sister) has promise as a talented actress given a role in a film with better character development.

Opening scene:

A lone car drives around an empty road for 5 minutes.

As soon as I saw that opening scene, I realized that this movie would drag. I just didn’t comprehend how much. The movie only runs 97 minutes but certain scenes feel like torture. I felt like I was watching a student film that was going nowhere. Someone needs to teach Sofia how to use Final Cut Pro. I don’t think she edited a single scene. Every shot was too long. Once the story got going, I hoped she would cut some of these shots but no such luck. Certain films can get away with a non-verbal script but not this one. The saddest part is that this could have been a great film with a ton of editing and a little bit of restraint on Ms. Coppola’s part. It has an interesting story and two actors with chemistry. I have now learned my lesson the next movie Sofia puts out will have to wait for video no matter how appealing the cast seems.

Hurray for the Hollywood Foreign Press

As I sat glued to my TV for three hours watching the Golden Globes, I realized award season was in full swing. This year however I was impressed that the Hollywood Foreign Press actually honored the right actors. In a year of brilliant performances, it was hard to choose who was “best.”

Highlights of the show:

Ricky Gervais showed no mercy as he attacked Charlie Sheen’s hooker fetish, Mel Gibson’s racism, Robert Downey’s drinking problems, his own Atheism, and Tom Cruise’s sexuality. People were offended. News flash, Ricky is over the top and very funny. He wasn’t acting out of character.

Melissa Leo and Christian Bale winning best supporting actors for The Fighter. This was an amazing film and deserved to win more but these two brilliant performers were definitely the scene-stealers of the movie and deserved recognition.

The Kids are All Right winning best comedy. Excellent storytelling mixed with a great script and incredible acting.

Colin Firth and Natalie Portman winning the best actor/actress in a drama. Both had demanding roles and were brilliant.

The Social Network cleaning up a plethora of awards at the show. Don’t get me wrong I loved this film and I thought it was well done. Even Trent Reznor got an award because of it. I just always find it interesting when a film gets voted as “best” but has no wins in the acting categories. At least they had the nominations unlike last year’s Avatar.

Last but certainly not least, I will mention one TV win that is near and dear to my heart.

Katey Sagal finally got the proper respect she deserves. Her demanding role as Gemma Teller Morrow is a force of nature. Finally Sons of Anarchy gets some recognition.

Once again I would personally like to thank the Hollywood Foreign press for recognizing excellence in a tough year.

Now that the Globes have finished and Ricky has been voted off the island, I am left eagerly awaiting the SAG awards and the Oscars. One of my favorite talented actors is hosting the Oscars. Can’t wait to see the crazy stunts James Franco pulls. Hopefully he won’t end up banned for life like Ricky.

 Jax and Gemma

And the Golden Globe should go to..?

Award season is rapidly approaching and I have finally completed watching all of the Golden Globe nominated films. I will first give a witty summary of the plot then my personal impressions. Like the Hollywood Foreign Press, I will split the films up into Drama and Comedy. Keep in mind I am not a movie critic just a lover of entertaining cinema. I am also going to include two films that made my worst list of 2010 just for fun and a few honorable mentions for acting for those films not nominated as the “best.”

Best Motion Picture, Drama

Black Swan – A ballerina wants the big role in Swan Lake. We see in great detail her dedication, abuse, grace, failing mental capacities, paranoia, competitive nature, and mommy issues. We also see way too much yuck.

This film has a ton of buzz and in my opinion some well deserved and some hype. I will tell you that it was directed beautifully and Natalie Portman does an amazing job in the acting department. It was just a little too grotesque for my taste.

The Fighter – A working class boxer surrounded by a dysfunctional family wants to prove his worth.

Based on a true story this rocky-like picture is inspirational and well acted. The supporting cast is brilliant especially Christian Bale. His transformation into the role of a crack addicted has-been boxer/attention seeker is a revelation.

Inception – A creative and compelling story about literally messing with someone’s head. Our protagonists practice the art of invading people’s dreams in order to gain access to their unconscious thoughts.

Although the plot was complex at times, I truly enjoyed this movie. It was original and visually awesome. The story and acting both were up to par.

The King’s Speech – This is the story of Elizabeth’s father, George VI, struggling with an indiscreet brother and a massive speech impediment.

I was literally dragged to this movie kicking and screaming and will be the first to admit how completely wrong I was. A stellar cast brilliantly acted this film. It also makes you feel as though you are learning something about an important time in history. Colin Firth deserves to win for his demanding and endearing performance.

The Social Network – We all know this story or pieces of it. A genius Geek wants to impress the social clubs at Harvard and ends up owning the world.

For me, this was probably the most anticipated film of the year. Not the overall best but the one I wanted to see the most. Jesse Eisenberg does an amazing job of portraying the slightly Aspergery, Zuckenberg. The film was well written (just like the book) and well acted. Fincher sets the tone with incredible direction from the beginning of the film to its bitter end.

Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical

Alice in Wonderland – Not the Disney story we know and love but a kinda sequel. Alice goes back to Wonderland, as a young woman to right wrongs and reconnect with loved ones. She also comes to terms with the death of her father and realizes she can do just about anything, even deal with a creepy Johnny Depp.

I am not sure how this movie made the best category. It was visually pleasing and entertaining but nothing that stands out, except Tim Burton’s direction and the Mad Hatter’s lisp.

Burlesque – A lonely girl from small town dreams of making it in Hollywood. She moves to town, meets a merry band of misfits in slutty clothes and finds a surrogate family. She also has a kick-ass voice and falls for the cheesy guy from the OC and Twilight.

I am once again not sure how this movie got nominated except the fact that it’s mostly a musical in a year where there weren’t any others. I was thoroughly entertained by this film. As with any musical, there was a cheese factor but not as much as I imagined. Stanley Tucci has a fun role as Cher’s gay best friend and choreographer of the show. Cher looks very plastic but still sounds good. Christina Aguilera still has that amazing voice and is surprisingly a decent actress.

The Kids Are All Right – The story of an unconventional family realistically dealing with life’s issues. Kids of lesbian parents seek out their “Donor Dad” and both comedy and drama follows brilliantly.

This was one of my favorite films of the year. Superbly written and acted with an interesting and original story. This ensemble cast just radiated chemistry. Although there are indeed comic elements, I wouldn’t call this film a comedy. Another high point of the film was the use of the best phrase ever, “Shut the front door.”

Red – Retired CIA agents become targets by corrupt agents forcing a good ole fashion showdown and lots of explosions.

It’s hard to remember this one because it feels so long ago. I remember the ensemble cast worked well together and that the script had wit. Overall the film was an entertaining popcorn blast.

The Tourist – A case of mistaken identity turns into an entertaining action/spy film. A mysterious sexy woman uses a man on a train as a diversion in order to confuse those chasing her.

This film has gotten terrible reviews and frankly I expected the worst. What I found was a fun and enjoyable movie that was easy to follow with interesting and believable twists.

Honorable Mentions for Acting (films weren’t nominated as “best”)

True Grit – Bravo: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and the young Hailee Steinfeld

Blue Valentine – Well done: Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling

As promised my two WORST movies of 2010:

Salt

The American

2011 Is Where My Story Begins

I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions anymore because I never end up keeping them. This year I decided it’s time for a change. Instead of broken promises about things I need to quit, shouldn’t eat, or how many times I should work out, I am going to predict my own future. This year I will tell two important stories.

My Cross-Country story – this story had been about 15 years in the making. I am finally going to take the plunge. I just hope the Batmobile agrees with me and survives the trip to the East Coast.

My Boston story- this is a relatively new story. In my opinion it’s the perfect choice. I have lived and played in NY. I spent my high school years partying in Boston but have never experienced what the city has to offer as an adult. I also have a bunch of family there willing to show me their support as well as an occasional couch. I will have to learn to keep my hatred for all Boston sports quiet, which will be extremely difficult but that’s a small price to pay for a new adventure.

2011 feels like a year of possibilities and exploration!