Bullet Point Reviews

I normally do not condone writing brief, bullet-point reviews, but I wanted to quickly convey some opinions on a few films from earlier in the year - most of which are now on DVD.

"Coraline" (directed by Henry Selick)

• lush, detailed, beautiful stop-motion animation
• surprisingly creepy story
• suffers from an uneven pace
• flips the idea of a perfect world; shows the controlling aspects of such a society
• a few peripheral characters feel unnecessary
• voice talent is superb; Teri Hatcher makes a convincing villain.
• Grade: B

"Gigantic" (directed by Matt Aselton)

• the film's quirky elements feel forced and hamper the film's plot and tone
• Zooey Deschanel fares well as an eccentric, yet somewhat childish, girlfriend to Paul Dano's character
• Paul Dano fails to give his character a real personality. Such a shame after his great turn in 2007's "There Will Be Blood."
• hindered by pretentious symbolism that is neither comprehensible or illuminating
• manages to bring up some interesting ideas about one's transition to adulthood, but the ideas ultimately fail to resonate due to the film's numerous problems.
• Grade: C-

"The Soloist" (directed by Joe Wright)

• inspirational true story
• interesting cinematography; surprisingly varied for a mainstream film
• good, but not great performances; both Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. feel detached from the material
• Foxx's acting is a bit too showy; would have preferred a more naturalistic performance
• script feels repetitive and sometimes slips into melodrama
• relies too heavily on voice over narration to convey the lead character's emotion and motivation; some scenes with extended dialogue feel too unrealistic
• steady pace; transitions well from flashbacks to the modern day
• at least somewhat outlines the many problems on the streets of L.A.
• It provides a realistic conclusion for the two main characters. Unfortunately this conclusion is marred by an annoyingly sentimental final scene.
• Grade: C+

"500 Days of Summer" Review

“500 Days of Summer,” a romantic comedy, stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom,a greeting card writer with architectural aspirations, and Zooey Deschanel (“Elf”) as Summer, the girl who charms Tom with her wit and beauty. Unlike many recent romantic comedies, "500 Days of Summer" does not feel stale or formulaic. Instead, it's fun, fresh, and relatable as it explores the 500 day relationship between Tom and Summer.

Although Summer is a major character in the film, it is important to note that the film is seen strictly from Tom's perspective. This allows the audience to relate to Tom as he goes through the joys and hardships of romance. And, yes there are many hardships. As the narrator warns the audience during the film's opening, "This is not a love story." By sticking to this idea, screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber are able to craft a tale of romantic heartbreak without making the film an emotional downer.

In fact, the movie is anything but a downer. The film hums along at a good pace and deftly mixes the screenplay's dramatic and comedic beats with dynamic, vibrant visuals and one of the best soundtracks in recent years. And the movie has actual jokes in it! Can you believe that? Cleverly thought out jokes in a romantic comedy! While not all of the jokes hit and some overstay their welcome, it is refreshing to actually laugh during a romantic comedy.

Many critics have criticized the movie for its more quirky comic moments, but, to me, it was not a problem. Ever since 2006's Little Miss Sunshine it has been hip to make characters quirky and throw in a ton of pop culture references. Some movies ( Juno) force so many pop culture references down your throat that it gets annoying, cliched, and distracting from the overall story. 500 Days of Summer does not have this problem. Except for maybe one scene that references Sid Vicious, the film's quirk (I am really starting to hate this word.) feels natural to both the story and its characters. Hence, the movie never feels like it is too clever for its own good.

However, what really carries the film is its story and its performances - both of which work together to entertain the audience and convey hard emotional truths about human relationships. Gordon-Levitt really taps into Tom's idealized version of love and is able to carry the film through both its bright and dark moments. Deschanel, who is unable to give a full characterization due to the nature of her role, shines in her subtler moments when one can almost read the uncertainty on her face. Unfortunately, the supporting characters (i.e. friends, little sisters, fellow employees) come off as annoying and cliched. Thankfully, they are not given enough screen time to derail the movie into typical romantic comedy fare.

In conclusion, 500 Days of Summer - directed with much dexterity by Marc Webb - is stylish, funny and emotionally resonant. And while it may not be the best film of the year, it is certainly one of the most memorable, and without a doubt one of the best romantic comedies in recent years.

B+

Have you seen 500 Days of Summer? If so, what are your thoughts? Be sure to leave your review in the comments. No need to have a Blogger account. Just use Anonymous or Name/URL.

"We're gonna be fine."

The Coen Brothers ("No Country for Old Men," "O, Brother Where Art Thou") have just released the trailer for their new film, "A Serious Man." It is quite possibly one of the best trailers I have ever seen. I love the repetition and music cue at the end. The film is about a (serious) man whose loses control of his life after his wife divorces him. It looks deliciously dark and filled with satiric wit. "A Serious Man" opens on October 2nd, 2009.



Your thoughts? Race to the comments!