Category: movies

MOVIE REVIEW: Sunshine Cleaning


Carol’s and my long weekend away was coming to an end, and so we decided, as a last hurrah, to drive back to Albany’s Spectrum 8 Theatre to see Sunshine Cleaning.

Amy Adams stars as Rose, the former high school head cheerleader whose life hasn’t turned out as she planned, but she works hard to take of herself and her son, even though she sometimes has to drop him off into the hands of her slacker sister Norah (Emily Bluth). Rose is also involved with her married high school beau who recommends Rose quit being a maid and start cleaning up biohazard at crime scenes.

Ultimately, the story chugs along to its more-or-less happily ever after conclusion, after some detours. I remember Amy Biancolli’s review addressing a plot device in the story that one either believers or not; I bought the conceit. I realized that I had seen a couple very solid performances. Yet the story, while initially intriguing, tended to wander off and so did I.

The makers of the indie hit Little Miss Sunshine also made this movie, right down to casting Alan Arkin as the grandfather; it’s a different role, but not so dissimilar that one would find it a variation on the theme.

Ultimately, in spite of the fine actors, and the initial intriguing premise, the story of Sunshine Cleaners didn’t always work, much to my regret, for I wanted to really like this film. This is one of those movies that’s quirky, but that’s not always equivalent with good. I don’t regret seeing it, but at best, I recommend with strong reservations.

ROG

ROG

MOVIE REVIEW: I Love You, Man

Here’s something that’s true; I can be a bit of a movie snob. I tend to go to movies that I expect to be good. Oscar-nominated films, films acclaimed at a film festival, and so on. Every once in a while – a GREAT while, given the more limited opportunities – I’ll go to see more popular fare.

Carol’s and my first night in Saratoga last week, we went to the Wilton Mall. I’d never been to the Wilton Mall before; it was mallish. Mallesque? One of the presents we got from one of my brothers-in-law for Christmas was a packet of tickets to any Regal Theater. This turned out to be our first opportunity to use them.

We had gotten there about 20 minutes before the film was scheduled to start, and bought popcorn. This was far inferior to the great popcorn I’m used to from the Spectrum Theatre in Albany. We were “entertained” by a package of “behind the scenes” pieces – one was for “Angels and Demons” the sequel to The da Vinci Code and again starring Tom Hanks. The segment was peppered with commercials: food commercials, car commercials, commercials for the U.S. Army.

Then it was the appointed moment. Time for…previews, the standard fare.

O.K., FINALLY, the actual movie. We’d heard some decent comments about the new evidently raunchy comedy I Love You, Man. It stars Paul Rudd, who we liked from The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, as a man named Peter, a real estate guy who early on becomes engaged to his girlfriend Zooey (Rashida Jones from Parks and Recreation, and The Office). The problem is that he doesn’t have any male friends, a real issue for Zooey’s friends.

Paul gets advice from his gay brother (Andy Samburg from Saturday Night Live) on how to meet straight men. But it is on his own that he meets Sydney (Jason Segel), a usually honest fellow – sometimes too much so, and they hit it off over a shared passion.

A movie like I Love You, Man can either work or not, depending on the writing and acting. I’m disinclined to over analyze it, except that it was less coarse than the last two Rudd movies I saw.

The verdict: while it has its flaws, including supporting characters that arrive but seem to get lost along the way and a joke or two that go on too long, I laughed, quite a bit actually. Ultimately, that’s all I really want in a comedy. My favorite joke, not a big ha-ha, but a knowing one took about an hour to set up. It’s a rather simple premise, but it worked for my wife and me, mostly because of the performances of Rudd and Segel.
***
Not used in the movie, thank goodness, was the term bromance, though the commentator here used it to describe this movie. I happen to dislike the term intensely, though I can’t explain exactly why. Maybe because it seems want to have it both ways: a teasing, somewhat homophobic way to show show how non-homophobic straight guys can be. ROG

ROG

World Book and Copyright Day


From the news release:
On 23 April 2009, we will celebrate the 14th World Book and Copyright Day, proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 1995 to promote greater awareness of the importance of books in the world.

In order to support the Organization in today’s society, this year international professional associations are once again kindly invited to play an essential role in informing and mobilizing both their members and their external networks of experts and stakeholders.

For this edition of the Day, UNESCO suggests to explore the topic of the paramount function of books for the development of quality education, as well as the link between publishing and fundamental rights.

One of the cool things my wife did this past year was to apply for and receive a $600 minigrant to buy books for her English as a Second Language unit that had been limited by ancient, archaic texts. Even more impressive, she got a publisher to donate – that is, give for free – an almost equal number of books.

Something I know from personal experience is that teachers often spend money out of pocket for books and supplies that they bring to the classroom. In honor of today, perhaps you might contract your local school or PTA to see what books they might need. Or contact your local library; ironically, in a period of increased demand for library services, library budgets are being slashed.

So buy a book, for yourself and/or for someone else.
***
An action film, Salt, starring Angelina Jolie, will be filmed in part on the streets of Albany. Some folks are up in arms, even though the schedule suggests that it won’t disrupt the morning or evening commutes. I think the real issue is that there was NO information at all going out to the general public until a couple days ago about something that begins today, and there is a lot of misinformation floating out there.


ROG

ROG

Geek meme

From Jaquandor, done subsequently by others. You just ‘X’ in the items that pertain to you.

() You spent a day watching all of the Lord of the Rings/Star Wars/Star Trek movies.
No, but I did see four Beatles movies in one day and five Planet of the Apes movies on another day.
() You spent next two days after watching commentary, outtakes, and behind the scenes footage.
(x) And you bought the soundtrack.
Well, I have a couple soundtracks of Star Wars. On vinyl.
(x) You went to a midnight release of a movie.
Rocky Horror Picture Show.
() You camped in front of the theater for more than 12 hours to get tickets.
() Camping did not prevent you from being in costume.
(x) You can have an entire conversation with friends consisting of quotes from your favorite movies.
Annoying, but true.
() You own at least three game systems.
() You have lost weight because you forgot to eat while trying to reach the next level in your game.
() You own more than four game controllers (of any kind).
() You have existed on 3 hours of sleep per night so that your “Sims” get 8 hours and are refreshed for work.
() You upgraded your computer because you wanted to buy a new video game/expansion pack.
() You have dressed as your game avatar, or as a npc in that game.
() You achieved level 60 on World of Warcraft.
() You have played “Dungeons and Dragons” or any other RPG.
(x) You know what “RPG” stands for.
I know people who play. I love them anyway.
() You dressed as your RPG character would dress.
(x) You own dice with more than six sides.
() You have been accused of having a “gamer” Scent.
() You can identify a Black Lotus.
() You can identify a Charizard.
() You have bought any of the “Harry Potter” books after standing in line until midnight.
() You waited to get your “Harry Potter” book in costume, quoting favorite lines.
(x) You have attended any function with “con” in the name.
FantaCon, San Diego Comic Con, for two.
() You stood in line at said “con” for more than 4 hours to have an item signed.
() You spent more than $50 on a costume to wear to “con” because you wanted it to be authentic.
(x) You own more than 50 comics.
Hey, I used to sell the things.
() You collect your comics in longboxes.
Used to.
(x) You know what a “longbox” is.
I used to sell the things. Got very good at putting them together quickly.
(x) You’ve met and had your comics signed by the creator(s).
() You know how many “Robins” there are.
I used to.
(x) You know that the portrayal of Rogue in the movie “X-Men” is completely wrong.
(x) You have chatted online more than in person.
(x) You chatted online enough to learn the time zones.
() You think that when the Mythbusters say “Don’t try this at home,” they really don’t mean YOU.
(x) Have participated in a movie/tv marathon that involved a drinking game.
() Can sing along with the Buffy Musical Episode.
(x) You know Seth Green from more than just the “Austin Powers” movies.
() You can name all 8 Kevin Smith-directed movies without referring to IMdb.
(x) You have participated in a “Clerks”-esque discussion about Star Wars (or any other movie).
(x) You have participated in a Kirk vs Picard discussion.
(x) You have participated in a Star Wars vs Star Trek discussion.
() You have participated in a Babylon 5 vs. Star Trek:DS9 discussion
() You know who jms is.
(x) You have ever corrected anyone who called you a Trekkie.
() You have worn a Star Fleet Uniform.
() You own a Star Fleet Uniform.
() You think “Twilight” is lame because everyone knows that vampires burst into flame in the sunlight.
() You have written fanfic.
() You have watched Bizzare Foods and thought “I’d try that.”
() You can pinpoint the moment at which “Lost” jumped the shark.
(x) You know who Stan Lee is.
He’s my Facebook “friend”.
(x) You know who Jack Kirby is.
Twice talked to Jack Kirby on the phone.
() You know who Geoff Johns is.
() You have built a website.
(x) You have started a blog.
More than one.
(x) You maintained a blog for over a year.
() You know what the Genie SFRT is
(x) You have a Twitter account.
() You have over 500 followers on Twitter.
Just over 100.
() You purchased a smartphone just so you could check Twitter on the road.
() You forget your family members’ birthdays because they aren’t your friends on Facebook.
(x) You have given virtual gifts on Facebook.
But I still don’t “get” it.
() You have Superpoked your boss on Facebook.
() You have gotten a date through Facebook (and we’re not talking dinner and movie with your buddies).
() You have broken up with someone/been broken up with through Facebook
No, but have been dumped by e-mail.
() You’ve reached level 30 or higher in Mafia Wars.
() You know what Mafia Wars is.
(x) You participated in more than three social networks.
(x) You’ve spent more than 200 hours playing the same video game.
If this includes the arcade version of Ms. Pacman.
(x) You’ve seen any movie in the theater more than three times.
Midnight Cowboy, Annie Hall and King of Hearts.
() You can name the episode of MST3K where Joel was replaced by Mike.
(x) You’ve argued why the comic is way superior to the show/movie when discussing “The Tick,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “X-Men,” “Fantastic Four,” “Spider-Man,” etc.
() You have the soundtrack for “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” on your MP3 player.
() You are willing to defend the Star Wars prequels.
Nah, only watched the first prequel.
() You openly disparage the Star Wars prequels because they don’t live up to “Empire.”
Nah, not that invested.
() You’re openly concerned about the time line ramifications that J.J. Abram’s “Star Trek” movie presents to the canon.
But give it time; the movie’s not out yet.
(x) You own anything written by Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore or H.P. Lovecraft.
First two for sure, both acquired in 2009.
() You have a flying spaghetti monster on your car
I don’t know what that means.
() You’ve seen a midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show with live actors in front of the screen.
(x) You know the REAL reason Spider-Man had a black costume
() You know the NCC numbers of at least two starships other than the Enterprise
() You know what “NCC” stands for.
() You own an original Star Trek Concordance, Technical Manual, and Blueprints
() You own at least two medieval weapons
(x) You have participated in battles with foam-covered swords
() You know who “Major Matt Mason” is
() You have seen bootleg copies of the original Fantastic Four and Justice League movies.
(x) After having had children you realize there’s now more people to costume and relish it.
() You’ve managed to turn four days at Euroquest* into nearly eight because, who needs sleep?
() You’ve spent more than $1000 on your “spot-on” costume. (and it’s still not quite right…)
() You’ve made a fan film.
() Your fan film has been seen by more than your immediate family.
() People know you by your online name instead of your mundane name.
() You know what Pennsic is.
() You’ve camped at Pennsic.
() You have/had personalized plates on your car proudly proclaiming your fandom.
() Your spouse and/or friends do as well.
(x) You yell at your kids when they try to open a toy/book/comic/figure etc. that you’re collecting.
I don’t yell, but she has her toys and I have mine.
() Your kids have broken your Hallmark collectible Star Trek/Star Wars, etc. ornament.
(x) You’ve traveled more than 500 miles to attend a con.
() You have a tattoo related to your fandom of choice.
() You met your spouse at a fan-related event or con.
As far as I know, she’s never been to one.
() You got engaged (to be married!) at a sci-fi convention.
() You are publicly willing to defend Dollhouse, because Joss Whedon must be trusted.

ROG

ROG

MOVIE REVIEW: The Class


A couple weekends ago, the wife and her husband went on a date to the Spectrum Theatre in Albany to see Entre les murs (The Class) , a film nominated as best foreign film at the recent Oscars ceremony. It is in French, with subtitles.

Here’s the description from Rotten Tomatoes: “Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, master French director Laurent Cantet’s THE CLASS is an absorbing journey into a multicultural high school in Paris over the course of a school year. François Begaudeau–an actual teacher and the author upon whose work the film was based–is utterly convincing as François, an openminded teacher in charge of a classroom of youngsters from a wide variety of backgrounds.”

The movie IS utterly convincing, so much so that the style of the film makes one think it’s a documentary. Evidently, the Parisian inner-city school system experiences the same difficulties as a multicultural school in the United States. There’s the well-intended, optimistic and creative teacher; there’s a fairly large classroom of kids with sometime competing needs; there are the teaching colleagues who try to be supportive if they’re not burned out themselves; and there’s the administration, looking for a balance between being firm and fair.

It doesn’t have a big plot or much histrionics, rather like life itself. That it is a well-done film really is not the issue; 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 8 of 10 starts on IMDB. The question: is it enjoyable? The movie is SO realistic that it felt a bit claustrophobic. Particularly for my wife, who is a teacher in an urban setting, it felt much too much like the truth. But we’re still thinking about the film.

I’d be curious to hear from anyone else who has seen this film, especially if you’re a teacher or have taught in the past: Kelly, Greg, SamauraiFrog, this means you.

ROG

ROG
Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial