The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain

A rich and mesmerizing film, Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain ("The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain") was worthy of all it's praise, and more. It's hard to believe that the role that catapulted French actress Audrey Tautou to international fame was not actually written for her (it was written specifically for Emily Watson, an American actress who didn't speak French) - Tautou seamlessly convinced me that she WAS Amelie.

***May Contain Spoilers***

Amelie is a shy waitress that embarks on an ambitious journey to change the lives of those around her with random acts of kindness. Some are devious, some are simple, some are whimsically silly and fun. All the while, she struggles with her own isolation from those around her. None present this to her more than her reclusive neighbor, Raymond, a painter who suffers from a brittle bone condition. His painting become reflections of her isolation, forcing Amelie to consider working on her own life and not just meddle in others lives (with good intentions).

*** End Spoilers ***

The rich colors almost make you feel as if you were watching a cartoon; yet, you are very much watching live interaction between Amelie and her surroundings. Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who originally started collecting the stories and memories as far back as 1974, (wonderfully) introduces characters with their idiosyncasies and simple pleasures. The Two Windmills is not only staffed, but patronized by a gang of eccentrics, and is a real cafe in the city of Montmartre - the setting of the film. It's not hard to see why Amelie won best film at the European Film Awards, four César Awards (including Best Film and Best Director), two BAFTA Awards (including Best Original Screenplay), and was nominated for five Academy Awards (a feat in itself considering it was entirely in French).

I cannot say enough great things about this little gem - it has remained on my top ten since my initial viewing. A true "feel-good" film, Amelie is imaginative, beautiful, rich in color and plot; and, perhaps one of the most creative films I will ever see.

A-Team gets a New Face ... and Hannible, BA & Murdock

After tackling some very serious issues the last few blogs -- (see: the naked man) -- I decided to lighten things up by posting the picture that debuted on EOnline yesterday.

THE NEW A-TEAM

The new crack team include BA Baracus (now played by UFC fighter Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson), Faceman, (played by Hangover star Bradley Cooper), Murdock (played by South African 'District 9' actor Sharlto Copley) while Liam Neeson will be in charge as Col. John 'Hannibal' Smith. The fab four are also joined by Jessica Biel who plays an army general in hot pursuit (we're guessing she'll be a sexy army general too).

As for the story, well, this modern A-Team are now a group of hardened Iraq War veterans trying to clear their name from a crime they didn't commit. And sneaky early shots from filming in Vancouver, Canada, would suggest that this will be as action packed as the TV show with the classic GMC van being spotted in some scenes.

I am all about giving the new team a chance, though I'm not thrilled with the addition of Jessica Biel. I also agree with the EOnline quibbles that pointed out Rampage is missing quite a few gold chains (if not all), Murdock's hat is entirely too new ... and is that a Hummer as the new van? That won't do.

Here are some more shots from the set, found on various sites:

(For the boys) LOL

*PHEW*

See more here: http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=9555

Couples Retreat (and everyone else too)

The epitome of the very prevalent category of "dramedy" emerging (targeting the chick flick crowd, I'd imagine? Though I'd prefer the laughs over the heartache and formulaic execution!). It wasn't awful, it wasn't fantastic, it wasn't well, much of any emotion I could really pull from because it tried too hard to be a little bit of everything and that's where it ultimately failed.

The story revolves around four couples (Vince Vaughn paired with Malin Akerman, Jason Bateman paired with Kristen Bell, Jon Favreau paired with Kristin Davis, and Faizon Love paired with, well - see it if you must and find out). Each couple has a unique set of problems ranging from day-to-day child rearing, home projects, the inability to conceive, infidelity, a loveless marriage, and a pending divorce. When given the opportunity to retreat to a couples resort (and promised they will only have to endure a "little couples counseling sprinkled in"), they all jump at the chance to escape their jobs, and ultimately their mundane lives for a little fun in Bora, Bora.

As the simple storyline progresses, nothing seems to pick up -- even packed with bona fide stars and seemingly perfect set-ups for hilarity and frivolous fun. Unfortunately, it's light on laughter and or any real resolution, and too heavy handed. It suffers by taking itself too seriously, and feels like taking a trip to the marriage counselor with an unhappy couple -- or four! (Yeah, not my idea of fun either.) Perhaps had they removed a couple or two and focused on the script (more interesting and far-funnier than the few one-liners that came only when you were thinking "is this a comedy ... oh, there's a joke!") it would have succeeded.

Brilliant idea, poor execution.

*Fun Trivia: Peter Billingsley, Ralphie from a Christmas Story directed this! Hopefully he takes on a better project in the future.*

Whip It: Be Your Own Hero

** Thursday, October 8th, 2009 **
**Member Review of the Day on RottenTomatoes.com!**
(I made the Homepage!)

Based on former Roller Derby skater Shauna Cross' experiences with the Los Angeles Derby Dolls, Whip It is a one part coming-of-age story/two parts fresh indie-style comedy and all fun! The film marks Drew Barrymore's feature film directorial debut, and what better way to start off directing than with an action-packed sports film, 80's nostalgia, finding yourself, the current indie 'It' girl and some famous faces?

Ellen Page begins the movie as Bliss Cavendar, the glasses-clad doe-eyed small town Texan gal lusting after the bustling metropolis just seemingly beyond her grasp. After perhaps one too many failed attempts being forced into participating in beauty pageants thanks to her overbearing mother (played by Marcia Gay Harden), an innocent shopping trip in Austin introduces her to Roller Derby world - via flyer. Worried that she may actually end up in the Southern throwback world of big hair, ironing boards and answering the questions she'd rather live out -- she grabs her best friend Pash (Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat) and they sneak off to Austin to see the Derby's Exhibition night. Impassioned by the derby girls, and invited to try out - she begins her journey as Babe Ruthless, the newest and fastest jammer on the block. If you don't know anything about Roller Derby - it's fine - you take the journey with Bliss as she learns the who, what, when, where and why of the game, the people and the life of a Derby Doll.

The film follows a fairly straightforward path of most sports movies (and that is my only complaint) - it leads up to the 'big event', the character has strife and is left to her own devices - but it makes up for it in comedy and heart. Though there are rules and it is a sport, they don't dwell too long on that - instead opting for the action, showing that women are all badasses ... in fishnets!

Author Cross skated under the name of Maggie Mayhem -- who is played by Kristen Wiig in one of her most prominent roles to date. She is fantastic as she takes Bliss under her wing without losing any edge. Juliette Lewis pulled out her rockstar roots (check out Juliette and the Licks) as Iron Maven - the resident bad girl who wears her bruised self inside out. Drew Barrymore's Smashley Simpson is a bit of a space cadet who laughs, gets confused a bit too easily and is ultra rough and competative -- both in the rink and out. The Manson Sisters were played by Rachel Piplica and Kristen Adolfi - better known as the real-life Iron Maiven and Krissy Krash of the Los Angeles Derby Dolls. They skated for the film's Hurl Scouts and in real life skate for the Tough Cookies, the team on which the Scouts were based.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

I've seen this movie more times than I'd should ever admit to, but I've never reviewed it. I'd go so far as to call this barely-outta-the-gate flick a "cult classic" for the newer generations (in the same league as Knocked Up, Talladega Nights & Stepbrothers). The title aptly captures what the main character Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is seeking to do throughout the film: forget his ex-girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell).

After a humiliating -- and hilarious -- break-up, Peter weeps, bemoans and holes up in his house. He decides to take a break from moping and his job as a composer of "dull and ominous tones" for a cheesy CSI-style crime show that Sarah just happens to be the star of. Unfortunately for the likable Peter, the suggestion of a vacation to Oahu, Hawaii (by step-brother Brian played by SNL breakout Bill Hader) happens to be the same place quintessential bitchy ex, Sarah and her new beau, the perverse English rocker, Aldous Snow are staying. Lucky for Peter, a compassionate hotel clerk, Rachel (Mila Kunis), decides to look out for him -- comping his room, inviting him to the local Luau, and forging a real connection with the lost soul that is Peter.

The movie's not nearly as sad as one would think - nor does it lose heart by making light of real emotion. The interaction between writer/star Jason Segel and Bill Hader is priceless (mostly via webcam), and the script is well-written. Aldous seems to have been specifically written for the eccentric and strange comic, Russell Brand. This introduced him to American audiences -- and how! The obvious comedy comes from continual bumping into his ex with her new man, and his constant reminder that he's at a romantic resort .... alone! Great cameo's by Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, William Baldwin, Jason Bateman, and my favorites --- Jack McBrayer/Maria Thayer as the typical young, religious newlyweds on their honeymoon having difficulty navigating a little more than the island!

Do yourself a favor and rent the unrated version for the extra raunch, and a few extra scenes.

I Heart Zombieland.

I liked Shaun of the Dead ... I LOVED Zombieland. Perhaps it's the idea of surviving the zombie apocalypse on my turf (the good old US of A) or the rag-tag cast of characters?


The horror comedy genre is quickly becoming my favorite with fresh, innovative scripts, career revivals and upstarts. Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone breath life into this zom-com with the skill only natural delivery can provide. Zombieland focuses on Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson's character's who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus (Eisenberg) is - in a word - a wuss, afraid of his own shadow. His set of "Rules for Surviving Zombieland" is what - he feels - keeps him alive. Tallahassee (Harrelson) is an gun/shovel/banjo/bat-toting, zombie-slaying' hard ass whose single goal in life (sadly) is to find a Twinkie. They unwittingly join forces with Wichita (Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), two sisters that have used their special set of skills to survive the plague.

Zombieland has what the original Scream had - a set of rules that it abides by, constantly dancing around the rules, and changing it up. It has cameo's, and unexpected funny/gory parts. It makes you jump, even when you know it's coming -- and it makes you route for the good - or bad - characters, because sometimes, they seem like one and the same! Go see it on the big screen and take a break from reality - it's totally worth the admission fee!

I'm a little bit horror, I'm a little bit co-me-dy!

Diablo Cody's singing a different tune in her follow-up script to the Oscar-winning, Juno. Jennifer's Body dives into the "horror" genre; though, I would consider it more dark humor or satire with some light horror mixed in. Vampiress-tween beast Jennifer is played by Megan Fox in her best role to date. She wreaks havoc on the small town of Devil's Kettle - with an appetite for teenage boys. Only her best friend knows the truth - played by Mamma Mia's Amanda Seyfreid. The dialogue is fantastic (as we've come to expect from Ms. Cody), but the story is strange and unfocused. Also - I was expecting a little more gore from an R-rated horror movie.

Thankfully, the movie doesn't take itself too seriously; in fact, it keeps you interested with it's switch from horrifying bloody scenes to light and witty banter between the main characters. That's where the movie does work: the two main characters are worthy of screen time and the words they spew. Despite the title role, and being Hollywood's current glam-girl, this movie is not Fox's vehicle - it was Seyfreid's as "Needy". In fact, we follow Needy through the film as she is horrified over and over by Jennifer. Her concerned, geeky but gorgeous character let's the quirky actress shine. This movie isn't the horror flick some had hoped, but I don't think the trailer misleads in that respect.

Stop reading this and go see it.

All About Steve

Last weekend, I decided to go to a movie (uncharacteristically) by myself. I went to the gym, picked a late lunch and decided to see a movie that I already knew was panned by every critic and most people that have seen it: All About Steve.

Socially inept Mary latches onto Steve and stalks him cross-country as his job carries him from news report to weather catastrophe as a CCN cameraman. Barely having had a first date, clueless Steve can't seem to shake Mary's advances --- nor does it help that his overly 'helpful' wingman Hartman (Thomas Haden Church) mean-spiritedly continues to keep Mary's fire burning for Steve.

As I said, I was hesitant to see this movie but I'm a fan of Bradley Cooper from his Alias days and I generally find Sandra Bullock witty and charming. I loved her role as the insanely smart outcast. Cooper and friends (Thomas Haden Church and Ken Jeong) were funny, though unbelieveable -- but aren't most comedies fantasies to escape into? The heart of the movie is Bullock's wacky character and the characters that bring out her peculiarities: DJ Qualls & Katy Mixon. I enjoyed this farce -- I'd give it 3.5/5 stars and watch it again as a rental or purchase. It's smart, silly, and fun to watch without the contrived ending we've all come to expect.

Swayze Was Set to Cameo in Zombieland!

By Perri Nemiroff: 2009-09-18 21:58:09

The stars of Zombieland are clearly Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin, but the film features a mystery actor in a very prominent cameo role. That role initially belonged to the late Patrick Swayze.

Co-writer Rhett Reese said, “That was many years ago, before he got sick. It was [going to be] a Patrick Swayze zombie. They got attacked by him zombified and we had these wonderful moments where they found a potter's wheel and there's Columbus on the wheel and these other hands come up behind him and it's Patrick Swayze the zombie. Ultimately, they fight and Patrick bull rushes Tallahassee who grabs him and lifts him into the air, a la Jennifer Grey, and smashes him into a pillar.”

When Swayze backed out of the film Reese and co-writer Paul Wernick had to look into other options. They considered Sylvester Stallone, Joe Pesci, Mark Hammill, The Rock, Kevin Bacon, Jean Claude Van Damme and Matthew McConaughey, but none worked out. While it’s disappointing to hear that Swayze is not in the film, you’ll be very pleased with the man they nabbed to make that cameo. Find out when Zombieland hits theaters on October 2nd.

Got Netflix?

DEFINITELY See it:
The Uninvited
Passengers
Wonderfalls: The Complete Series
Death Sentence
Romeo is Bleeding
Grizzly Park
The Mist
The Salton Sea
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
An American Crime
Grandma's Boy
Changeling
The Reader
The Majestic

See it:
Fight Night
Weeds: Season 4
Spring Breakdown
My Bloody Valentine
The House Bunny
The Unsaid
Yes Man
Let the Right One In
Ghost Town
Dear Frankie
Harsh Times
Dead Like Me: Life After Death
The Curve
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Fletch
Stop-Loss
Sex Drive
Transporter 3
Norma Jean & Marilyn
A History of Violence]
Penelope

SKIP it:
May
My Sassy Girl
Killshot
In Treatment: Season 1
S. Darko: A Donnie Darko Tale
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Good Night, and Good Luck
Hounddog
The Lazarus Project
Doubt
Traitor
War
La Femme Nikita: Season 1
Street Kings
Shooting Livien
Wristcutters: A Love Story
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist