REVIEW: The Monuments Men

4/10  - Like Ocean's Eleven during WW2! I bet no one has made that joke yet...

George Clooney can pitch one hell of a movie. When George is explaining how great this movie is going to be, everyone listens. Hell, based on the trailer I was sold. Unfortunately he's a better seller then closer. This movie sucks. Big time.

It's difficult to pin down exactly the failure of a film like The Monuments Men. Technically the direction is beautiful. The cast is pretty solid all around, maybe not idea for the roles in my opinion, but memorable characters nonetheless. It's hard to fault the writing when it's based on a true story, and it's quite an uplifting unbelievable story. But you know what? I'm going to blame the writing, sorry Georgie.

The script is lacking any suspense, and frankly any direction. The narrative is so filled with self worth and nostalgia that it looses the audience halfway through. It's as if the pride of telling this particular story is supposed to make it an inherently better story. I actually think this story would be great if told by the right person. The threat of Nazi soldiers bearing down should be paramount. But it's not just you their after, the value of the cultural heritage that they would also destroy. It's a story with mountains of potential.

What really happens in The Monuments Men is quite dull. There are two obvious plots that are laid out like train tracks at the beginning. There are some illustrious men recruited for this covert mission. The reputation of these men lies solely in your ability to recognize them as actors and attribute them a reputation you feel is worthwhile. Then the value of the art is somehow minimized as well. One particular statue is given personal emotional value, which I suppose should raise the stakes for all the art, but that doesn't really happen. Converse to the intention of giving the art more meaning it seems to actually lose meaning as the story progresses. The movie's ultimate downfall is it's lack of opposition. This is clearly a worthwhile mission, and the enemy in this case seems to be apathy. No one wants to help these guys save the art. There might be a war going on that's keeping them occupied, but who knows really, they're a bunch of jerks for not helping. Some Nazi's sort of get in their way, but it's all a big shrug. They show up and get it done.

One of my favorite films in recent history is Argo, another loose adaptation of factual events. Like in The Monuments Men it's quite obvious how the ending will turn out if you've paid attention to history at all. Argo manages to make the audience compelled to the great characters through giving them high stakes and great motivations. Another film that might compare is Ocean's Eleven which also plays a fast and loose game with the audience of high stakes for a big payout. The failing of The Monuments Men lies entirely in it's inability to raise the stakes. Had this been a nail biter at the end, many other flaws could have been forgiven. This movie is like getting halfway through Oceans and watching Danny Ocean lay out the plan to film the vault ahead of time and steal the money pretending to be the SWAT team. There would be no reason to watch the ending. No suspense. No intrigue.

This has been a bit of a hot-topic lately but I'm also way over the all white male cast thing. Along with The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Monuments Men is a film with a notably large cast, meant to be a ensemble. When you lineup an ensemble cast and it's all the same race, gender, and age range, that's disappointing. I'm sure the argument for historical accuracy could be made, but let's be honest. The Cate Blanchett character is a throwaway meant to represent nothing but a female prize who needs to be saved. It's all just a little too safe and easy. Is it really that scary to change the point of view everyone once in a while? The movie, like the cast, is just too bland.


IMDb - The Monuments Men (6.1)
Wikipedia - The Monuments Men
Rotten Tomatoes - The Monuments Men (32%)
Amazon.ca - The Monuments Men

REVIEW: House of Games

10/10 - Who does he think he's dealing with, here? 

Reviewing movies often means reviewing new movies, since that's what most people's first instinct is to look for when they want to see something. What's new and being talked about. This review is a little something different. Less a review and more a recommendation.

House of Games is renowned author/ playwright/ screenwriter/ amazing writer of everything David Mamet's directorial debut. You might recognize his name from Glengarry Glen Ross.

The film is about a Margaret Ford, a psychiatrist who investigates the life of one of her patients, involving her in illegal gambling, con artists, and all kinds of shady dealings. It's a quality thriller because while Margaret is a foreigner in this world, she's smart and capable. It's both a journey and a puzzle. Combined with Mamet's snappy dialogue, this is a great watch.

Often I find when watching older movies (Older meaning older than say 10 years) I find myself distracted particularly by stylistic and pop culture trends. That's why I don't watch a lot of classics. I know, shoot me. But it's true. I don't want my takeaway to be a commentary of the popular genre that made that film relevant when it was made. To me, movies that are genuinely rooted in a quality story tend to live a longer shelf life. It's the argument I would make about why Clueless is a better movie than She's The Man. One tells a legitimate story, the other is a setup for jokes.

What makes a film like this resonate through the years is that it's deeply rooted in story. House of Games views like a stage play with emphasis on characters movements and dialogue, and limited sets and props. As a film, it's engrossing and diabolical. The emphasis on human psychology feeds the audience even if much of it is pseudoscience. There's something to be said about really examining human nature, like in House of Games. It's a study that can lead to endless stories and will never age.

In addition to just being a great watch, it's a tightly paced film, and I'm fascinated with the almost scientific structure. It's really a great movie to study.

If you haven't seen House of Games, track down a copy. It's a rewarding 90 minutes, not just for movie buffs and critics, for anyone looking for a film they can sink their teeth into.

IMDb - House of Games (7.3)
Wikipedia - House of Games
Rotten Tomatoes - House of Games (96%)
Amazon.ca - House of Games

REVIEW: Bad Words

7/10 - It's good to be funny. 

Perhaps this is just my perception at the end of award season, but the movie industry has swung so far in the direction of big movies. Comedies have to be the funniest movie ever made. Action movies have to be about the end of the world. Drama's have to be the most dramatic movie ever. It's become a contest for extremes, which can be okay, but leaves little room for small budget movies.

Bad Words is one of those movies that doesn't fit into the extremes. It's a lower budget film, that's just funny. It's not the funniest movie ever, it's not the craziest or most original. It's enough to just be funny. Personally I think that makes it worth seeing, because most comedies can't even get that right.

This film is Jason Bateman's directorial debut with this comedy about a foul mouthed 40 year old trying to win the nation's eighth grade spelling bee. Being a fresh new director who has acted in plenty of uninspired films, Bateman really sets his flag post with Bad Words making sure every shot it is a little bit different than normal. With lens flares, moving cameras, and coloration this movie had a distinct texture that developed the mood and excitement. I was happy to see the direction add to the film and the comedy. It goes a little bit overboard at times, but I would rather see experimental direction, than not enough.

In the film, Bateman's character Guy is that too smart for his own good character. He's far more manipulative than mean. Guy is the anti-hero who battles the adversity he created himself. It's somewhat of a fantasy fighting against the establishment, or authority. It's like when you re-enact an argument in the shower, and you think of how amazing it would be to tell people how you really think, well this movie is that reality. He's picking a fight with people, who didn't even know he was angry with them. As a premise this would verge on irritatingly dumb if the jokes didn't land.

I suspect for an "adult" comedy due to language alone, this is going to disappoint a few. This is not a movie that should compete for vulgarity against other recent R-rated comedies. For others it will be predictable. This is the perfect example of a movie that will get critically panned for reasons that I cannot deny, and yet it still was an enjoyable movie for me.

I was thrilled with the array of characters, Kathryn Hahn finally being recognized in a diversity of roles. Allison Janney is spot on as the spelling bee administrator. My only real complaint about this movie is that I wished these minor characters had more rounded out storylines. None of the minor plots seem to come to a resolution, only the main plot does. I do, however, wonder if they need to. I wanted to see more Allison Janney because I love her as an actor, and I wanted to see her have one final scene in the movie, but that doesn't necessarily mean the story called for it. I also wanted the hilarious Ben Falcone to have a funnier role, since he is a talented comedian, but again that didn't detract from story. Perhaps it's not the movie industry who demands more and better, maybe it's me too.

IMDb - Bad Words (7.1)
Wikipedia - Bad Words
Rotten Tomatoes - Bad Words (64%)
Amazon.ca - Bad Words

REVIEW: 20 Feet from Stardom

9/10 - Prepare your roof because it's gonna get blown off. 

I couldn't wait to watch this documentary exploring the backup singers and music culture that happens behind the curtain. I love music docs, whether it's home movies of what a band filmed while on tour, or the ongoing history of a person, place, genre, etc. 20 Feet From Stardom illuminated a history of the industry I had never heard of before. 

This doc follows the lives of some of the greatest singers you've never heard of. These black women revolutionized the music industry and never stopped trying to live their dream, making music for a living. Some of these women experienced the soul crushing heartbreak of having their voice used for a track that had massive success being marketed by a different singer. This isn't the feel-good movie you're hoping it to be, it lays down the disappointing reality that often even when these extraordinary talents get the opportunity to feature their voice, not everyone will be selected for the fame machine.  

Some of the stunning women featured in this movie include Merry Clayton, who recounts some of the most memorable stories of her work as a featured or background singer. She manages to professionally walk the line of being the biggest diva in the room with her voice. Darlene Love proved herself to be a musical pioneer, with a powerful story of struggle to fight for that which she was passionate for. The beautiful and level headed Lisa Fisher will knock you out with the sounds she creates. As well as the young Judith Hill is bursting with talent as seen from both Michael Jackson This Is It, and Season 4 of The Voice. Its an incredible cast of brilliant women, who frequently outshine guest appearances by Sting and Mick Jagger. 

The movie chronicles the ups and downs these women have felt in the industry, from the stereotypical start as the daughters of preachers across the board, to launching the success of others, and finding the passion for their job being able to stay on stage even if they are not the headlining act. It's debatable whether everyone wants to be a solo artists with their own success because the incredible longevity in their careers has proven them to remain sharp, and level headed individuals with well tuned instruments. The craving they express, though is for recognition. The painful retelling of Darlene Love recording 'He's a Rebel' only to have it race up the charts with The Crystals lip syncing is devastating. 

This documentary touches on so many great moments, being about the struggles of women of color, and the hardships in pursuing your dream. Like Searching for Sugar Man, there is something really intrinsic about the unstoppable passion some people have. It's both inspiring and fragile. As a woman, and as a music lover, I'm so thankful I was able to experience the stories shared by this film. 

20 Feet from Stardom won the 2013 Academy Award for Best Documentary. 

IMDb - 20 Feet from Stardom (7.5)

Wikipedia - 20 Feet from Stardom

Rotten Tomatoes - 20 Feet from Stardom (99%)