A couple days ago, through a string of conversation, one of my friends attempted to insult another friend by saying that he liked the movie 'Clueless.' In response, the other friend said, 'Clueless is like a critically acclaimed movie, like Mean Girls was.' I don't know about 'critically acclaimed,' though it does have an 83% Fresh on Rottentomatoes.com, but what I do know is that the movie is a strong lesson in writing comedy.
Cher Horiwitz, our protagonista of the film, has a very unique perspective of the world around her--she's a pleasant blend of an egocentric personality and naivete to the world around her. Listen how she first describes her Dad:
Daddy's a litigator. Those are the scariest kind of lawyer. Even Lucy, our maid, is terrified of him. And daddy's so good he gets $500 an hour to fight with people. But he fights with me for free because I'm his daughter.
The movie is, if nothing else, a strong mesh of great one-liners. "Searching for a boy in high school is as useless as searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie." I'm sure all high school girls would agree, though today I doubt any of them even know who Pauly Shore is.
11.28.2008
Movies to Study: Clueless
Retrospective: Memoirs of a Geisha
I'm going to introduce a new heading for posts called 'Retrospective.' These posts will typically deal with reevaluating a film, comparing it to other films of the time, or just plain talking about an older movie again. I also know I had a series of 'Movies to Study,' and there is a new post of that kind coming soon--I promise!
Memoirs of a Geisha is not a perfect film. I'm ambivalent toward the introduction of the bombings and how it affects Sayuri (basically, the third act of the film). On the one hand, it takes us completely out of the Geisha world of Japan that we've spent 100 minutes establishing to something completely remote; however, wars are a part of history and the exclusion of them--it could be argued--would discredit the accuracy of the film. But how accurate is it in the first place? That is not the point.
The film is supremely strong for two reasons: The first, and most obvious, is the enormous success of Ziyi Zhang. Not only is she gorgeous (making her a Geisha seems much easier than it would take for some), but consider some of her other roles in films like: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2046, and House of Flying Daggers (underrated). If you have seen this movie (or any of those), you will know what I'm talking about.
But the second reason this film is so great is its aesthetic. It won the Oscars for Art Direction, Set Design, and Cinematography. These weren't easy wins, considering cinematography was up against Brokeback Mountain and Emmanuel Lubezki (one of the best cinematographers working today). But to judge cinematography in the simplest way, one must ask: Which film looks the prettiest? Well, that answer is easy.
Two scenes come to mind when I think of this film. If I had to sit down and pick two scenes out, that would be a supreme challenge since the whole movie looks so fantastic--but in memory, these two come out the most vividly.
The first is of young Sayuri running to the wishing well with the money given to her by the Chairman. Sayuri explains that she was given enough money to feed them for a month, but instead she dropped it into the well, wishing that she would someday meet with the Chairman again. She runs to make this wish, and until this point her life has been sullen and miserable--and out of nowhere, after this act of kindness, is an explosion of colors. A still frame, like all of these scenes, does the film no justice. Watch the film (and see the other reasons after the cut).
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm playing with the layout. Most will probably dislike it. But whatever. I like simply, but the last one was too simple.
11.23.2008
Movies I Used to Like (But Now Think Are Gimmicky or Thematically Shallow)
I think we all go through different levels of 'taste.' When I was in High School I was on the bandwagon of cool thrillers and movies that made you 'think.' Movies that were kind of 'indie' yet popular enough to have an audience. A cult audience, for the most part.
Now, I have most definitely moved on from that part of my life. It's interesting, because now when I hear people praise these movies, a part of me can't wait for them to realize what I did.
Here is a list of some such movies -- in no order.
Fight Club
This is a decent movie. I really, truly think David Fincher is a great director, Jim Uhls can write good screenplays, and Chuck Palahniuk can write good novels. There is a real voice in the narration by the Edward Norton character, and Brad Pitt is a very convincing Tyler Durden. The movie starts off strong, but the 'twist,' which I won't spoil, works on a personal level, but when things escalate to blowing up buildings and Project Mayhem, the movie strays from an interesting individual study into the waters of satire -- and those waters are hard to navigate successfully. 'Fight Club' does not do it.
11.21.2008
Review: Hors de prix ("Priceless")
Priceless was released in 2006, but the DVD became available this Tuesday, so here is a review.
There is a group of individuals who make their living by seducing rich men (or women) and working their way around the social ladder. Though sometimes called 'gold-diggers,' the women seem much less like tramps when every day is a new outfit that costs not a euro less than 2,000. Such is the occupation of Audrey Tautou's character Irene in 'Priceless.'
As Irene explains in the film--beauty can be resisted, but not charm. Tautou is perfect in this role because, while not an Angelina Jolie or Jessica Alba or whoever, she has as a unique disarming quality that makes men fall quickly. She doesn't hide her lifestyle, and often maneuvers from one man to the next before dropping her last one.
The complications come when she mistakes a barman in a hotel named Jean (Gad Elmaleh) as one of these rich men. She sleeps with him because he has money, and he sleeps with her because she's gorgeous -- or is it because she's so good at seduction? What's pleasant about the film is that it does not play on this bland concept through the whole film (like in, say, 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'), and once she finds out he is in the hotel's employ, begins treating him like she would any other financier. She runs up his credit card, and to please her, he empties his savings on her. He knows what he's doing, but does it anyway.
What makes this film truly unique is the turn the story takes. Jean, now broke, and through rather humorous circumstances, ends up doing the same thing Irene does, except for a woman who, it appears, is more wildly rich than any of the men Irene has been with. The woman starts Jean off slowly, but thanks to some tips from Irene and a bit of his own savvy, before long he gets a 30,000 euro watch, among other things. Irene is naturally jealous.
Do Irene and Jean eventually realize that they love each other? Yes. Do they realize that money doesn't matter? Yes. These are all obvious conclusions within the first ten minutes. What makes this movie so enjoyable is how they get there.
The two work together, working their rich lovers, all the while seeing each other--but not in a 'hooking up' way, merely to compare notes and conquests. They put up a front for the whole world, but with each other, it is the harsh truth around the clock. And they do care for each other. Two of the movie's most charming moments are, firstly, after Irene has driven Jean's bank account into the ground, she still thinks to buy him a first class ticket home. Later, when Irene's plans completely collapse, Jean bails her out--and, having learned so much, still covers his tracks.
'Priceless' is about as cute of a romantic comedy as one can get. Yet, since the characters have glaring flaws and seemingly insatiable hunger for money, we see a dark shroud around their good, kind inner core. And those layers are what make movies truly memorable.
Rating: 6.5/7
11.18.2008
i accidentally a coca cola bottle.
If you visit any large forums on the net, I'm sure you're aware of the 'i accidentally a coke bottle. is this bad?' gag.
For a pretty funny example, check out this link. The typical scenario goes like this:
Jon: I accidentally a coke bottle.
Batman: You accidentally what?
Jon: The whole bottle.
Batman: .....
Yes, I brought Batman into this one.
Because I like grammar and enjoy ruining jokes by explaining why they are funny (trust me, this definitely ruins a joke), here is why the scenario is so great.
A sentence is, in its most basic form, a subject and a verb. Those are the two things a sentence must have. In the sentence "I accidentally a coke bottle" there is a subject, and an adverb, but no verb.
This leads people to exclaim, "You WHAT a coke bottle?"
Pretty amusing -- and makes me appreciate verbs.
11.17.2008
Quantum of Solace
Quantum of Solace: What. A. Train. Wreck.
Casino Royale was fantastic. Daniel Craig is a fantastic bond. The movie's script -- not so much. The action sequences also fail miserably.
In Casino Royale, the first real chase was all in and around a construction site, with Bond and the bomb maker, and it was one of the best, most creative chases I've seen in a long time. What does Quantum get? A car chase that looks like the leftover footage from The Fast and the Furious.
And there's a boat chase, and a plane chase. All these action scenes which have been done countless times before in countless other Bond movies (and other movies in general).
The worst part is that the pitiful action sequences aren't the worst part of the film.
11.13.2008
Immaturity At Its Finest
In the classes I teach, the kids are required to pick a book that they want to read, and by the end of the semester give a presentation on it. A few kids have finished early, and in order to prevent them for putting the presentation off until January and forgetting everything, they can do it whenever they want.
Today one of my kids finished his book and did his report. When he finished talking about it, his classmates did not have questions pertaining to the text, but made comments basically saying the kid is a dork, a loser, and uncool because he reads in his spare time.
How completely ridiculous is that? Declaring that you "don't like books," or "don't read," does not make you look cool. It makes you look ignorant and immature. Reading is so important for so many reasons, and someone who decides to read in their spare time instead of playing video games or partying or whatever should be admired, not criticized.
Hopefully some day these kids will realize how important reading is, and that it's not something that they 'have to do,' but something that can give them such a huge advantage in life.
Top Chef NY Premiere
The 5th season of Top Chef premiered last night. This time around the show takes place in NYC. Based on the challenge and what I've seen of the contestants so far, the season looks like it will be a good one. Also, did I ever mention that I'm going to marry Padma? No? Oh, well now you know.
11.09.2008
'Role Models' is Funny
I don't feel like writing a whole review, but I did go and see Role Models. It was very funny. Go see it.
11.08.2008
A New 'Top 10 Comedies'
Back in May, 2006, I listed my top 10 comedies, ranked in order. The list was as follows:
1. A Shot in the Dark
2. Some Like It Hot
3. The Producers
4. Annie Hall
5. The Graduate
6. Clue
7. Dr. Strangelove
8. Ghostbusters
9. Blazing Saddles
10. Clerks
Needless to say, that list is a bit dated. Both in terms of when the movies came out, as well as my taste in comedies. Yet, all ten of those are hilarious movies. Yet, I feel I must update. So here it is:
10. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
The obligatory 'hip new movies.' But yes, this is a great comedy. I know it will stand up as time goes on, whereas similar Judd Apatow films like 'Knocked Up' and 'Superbad' have already faded into obscurity. Comedy is a tough field to crack into (successfully), but Jason Segel has made it happen--not only with his acting in the film, but the fact that he wrote it himself. Quite the accomplishment.
9 more after the jump.
11.06.2008
Role Models Opens Tomorrow
I love me some Paul Rudd. And Seann William Scott. But mainly Paul Rudd. Here's a trailer for a new comedy, 'Role Models,' which opens tomorrow. Should be quite funny. See it so we can talk about it!
(first = theatrical, second = red band [a lot funnier])
11.04.2008
And the Winner Is....
Barack Obama.
Today my students constantly asked me who I voted for. I'm hesitant to talk about these issues in the classroom environment because I think people should decide for themselves who to vote for, not throw away their vote in mimicry of someone they look up to (teacher, parent, etc.). Though, often, the people you look up to have the same ideals as you, so voting along those lines would make perfect sense.
I did ask a couple people who they voted for, and always followed up with, "Why?" The "why" is important.
One student said they "voted for McCain because Sarah Palin is hot."
Another student said they "voted for Obama because he's black."
Neither of these are good reasons. Obviously.
As I try to tell people when the subject comes up: I do not personally care, or judge, based on who you vote for. I judge you based on how well you can defend your reasons. If you think McCain was the better candidate because of his policies, and can identify which ones you agree with, good for you. Same with Obama. Be informed!
America made the right decision today.
More commentary after the cut.
11.02.2008
Christina Aguilera Keeps Gettin'... Better?
I love Christina Aguilera.
There. I said it.
Her music is great (for the most part--Stripped is one of my favorite albums ever), she seems to have her life together (compared to lots of other celebrities these days), and hey, she's hot (I think we can all at least agree on this one).
On Nov. 11th a 'greatest hits' album comes out. Here is the track listing, via Target:
Genie in a Bottle; What a Girl Wants; I Turn to You; Come on Over (All I Want is You); Dirrty; Fighter; Beautiful; Ain’t No Other Man; Candyman; Hurt; Genie 2.0; Keeps Gettin’ Better; Dynamite; You are What You are (Beautiful)
The album is titled Keeps Gettin' Better and has a couple new songs, one of which is--you guessed it--Keeps Gettin' Better. You can hear the new single on her MySpace, on youtube, or on your radio 374 times a day.
However, like many artists who claim something about their work, the title is inaccurate. I've listened to the new single a dozen or so times, and I just can't like it. I try to like it. I really do. Back to Basics had some good songs on it, but it looks like Christina has a flop this time around. And by 'flop,' I mean it will still get countless plays because it's still better than most other pop music that comes out these days.
With that said, the album will be available ("exclusively") at Target on the 11th, or through your favorite pirated music source a few days before then.
11.01.2008
A Thing About Great Performances
I hope there are at least a few people out there who value my opinion, as well as a few who value my opinion on movies. I've seen many, know quite a lot about them, and keep up with all sorts of trivia, upcoming releases, and reviews. And, as any intelligent person can, can defend my thoughts with examples. Like I always tell the students in my classes: What you think is important, but never, ever forget the why.
With that said, I would like the state that a single great performance does not make a movie great. Let me give some examples:
The other day I watched the film 'My Left Foot.' This is a very good film. Daniel Day-Lewis is one of the best actors there is, and his performance in this film was one of the best I've ever seen. The film itself, though, I felt was only 'good.' Therefore, I will not give this film a 10/10, or even a 9.5/10 strictly based on how great DD-L was. I can think of quite a few people who would.
More examples....
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