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Hannah Montana: The Movie
Jack Rico
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2009/08/18 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

Hannah Montana: The Movie

08.18.2009 | By |

Rating: 2.0

Rated: G
Release Date: 2009-04-10
Starring: Daniel Berendsen
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/hannahmontanamovie/

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‘Hannah Montana: The Movie’ is Miley Cyrus’ second big screen film. She’s a little bit older, wiser and experienced, yet, she has not reached her prime and thus, we are witnesses to someone experimenting in film and making mistakes with an innocuous sensibility. Unfortunately, for us adults, who are aware of the mundane, we cannot ignore the mediocre acting and tween-filled soundtrack. Undoubtedly, Hannah Montana: The Movie will appeal to Cyrus’ core audience, but the chances of this sanitized, prepackaged effort crossing over to anyone else is zero.  

Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) struggles to juggle school, friends and her secret pop-star persona; when Hannah Montana’s soaring popularity threatens to take over her life – she just might let it. So her father (Billy Ray Cyrus) takes the teen home to Crowley Corners, Tenn., for a dose of reality, kicking off an adventure she would want her audience you to enjoy.

The storyline is pretty elemental. It’s written for 7-to-11 year old girls and knows its target group. Likewise, the acting is unimpressive but what the performers lack in skill they make up for in energy and charisma. Miley Cyrus is extremely likeable, although she shows little in the way of discernible range. Unlike other teenage actresses like Dakota Fanning and AnnaSophia Robb, she lacks depth. The weakness of Cyrus’ voice is amply displayed; one might have incorrectly assumed the filmmakers would employ some kind of electronic enhancement to strengthen the vocals. Her potential is not in films and neither in music (I had the chance to see her in 2008 in a multiple artist concert, musically she hasn’t shown much). She might not make it past the teenage years with a prosperous career. I hope I’m wrong.

Hannah Montana: The Movie, sets out what it was meant to do – make a big screen project for tweens and their friends. Unless you or your youngsters are BIG fans, this is better left for video watching at home… on a Sunday… when perhaps no one is around. Don’t worry, it’ll be our little secret.

The Last House on the Left
Jack Rico
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2009/08/18 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

The Last House on the Left

08.18.2009 | By |

Rating: 3.5

Rated: R for sadistic brutal violence including a rape and disturbing images, language, nudity and some drug use.
Release Date: 2009-03-13
Starring: Adam Alleca, Carl Ellsworth
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.thelasthouseontheleft.com/

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‘The Last House on the Left’ is as uncomfortable a film as I have ever seen. Uncomfortable because the movie possesses elements that blur the lines between violence, abuse and entertainment. Cinematically, the film is arresting through and through due the high caliber of the production, the reliable and convincing acting performances and its engrossing premise to boot. But how can one recommend a movie that possesses a barbaric rape scene, as a good cinematic selection? It is a complex response, but ultimately, you need to be the judge.

This is the third remake of ‘The Last House on the Left’. In 1972, the first feature effort of Wes Craven, was a reworking of Ingmar Bergman’s 1960 picture, The Virgin Spring, which won the 1961 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. This third version, is more reminiscent to the 1972 edition. The story takes place after the kidnapping and butchering of two female teenagers. The guilty gang unknowingly finds refuge with the parents of one of the victims, hosts who devise a gruesome revenge.

Women be forewarned. If you have never been privy to scenes of sexual abuse, this is not the film to get acquainted with it. The rape scene images seen here are some of the most gruesome, disturbing and down right reprehensible ever committed to a Hollywood film. I’m not sure many will be able to withstand it and walking out of the theater just might be your best option. But if you can cover your eyes and get through it, there is a redeeming third act that will quench your thirst for revenge. 

After seeing the entire film, I must say, Greek director Dennis Illiadis was a fantastic director who maintained a level of dread, suspense and retribution throughout the whole film. This is not a horror movie but a highly intense thriller that works the mind to feel contempt in its first half then vindication in its denouement.

‘The Last House on the Left’ is not a “pretty” movie, but it does challenge the boundaries of entertainment, and hopefully with an open mind, you’ll be the one entertained.

Tyson
Jack Rico
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2009/08/18 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

Tyson

08.18.2009 | By |

Rating: 4.0

Rated: R for language including sexual references.
Release Date: 2009-04-24
Starring: James Toback
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.sonyclassics.com/tyson/

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‘Tyson’ is an insightful biopic on arguably the greatest heavyweight boxer who ever lived. If you were a witness to his tumultuous personal and professional boxing career, this documentary clears up all, if not many of the rumors and debauchery he became notorious for: the biting of Evander Holyfield’s ear, the rape charges and the Don King attack to mention a few.

Indie director James Toback directs this portrait of ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson where he manages to extract, without inhibition, information about his womanizing, alcohol and drug addiction, bouts of mental instability, and criminal activity in great detail. Through a mixture of original interviews and archival footage and photographs, the film ranges from Tyson’s earliest memories of growing up on the mean streets of Brooklyn through his entry into the world of boxing, to his rollercoaster ride of worldwide fame and fortunes won and lost.

You might be surprised with the Tyson who narrates this movie. He is different from the monster built up and torn down by the media during the ’80s and ’90s. Age often brings perspective, and that would seem to be the case here. His explanations and views of the mischievous events of his dark days might not satisfy you, but what you have to appreciate is the sincerity and surrendering that Toback manages to withdraw from a man known to have a volatile and fractured mind. In terms of visual stylistics, there is a film quality that Toback directs with in contrast to the sensationalistic and over-dramatized VH-1 show ‘Behind the Music’ or Barbara Walters’ special interviews where the questions are crafted to draw tears from the interviewees. Here it is just you and him.

There are some scenes with heavy language so I wouldn’t suggest bringing children to see it. If in fact ‘Tyson’ is a spin free of publicist intervention documentary, it is a remarkable look inside the mind of a ‘killing machine’ who became a docile beast ready to welcome peace within himself. If you are a fan, you’ll enjoy it and if you’re not, it’s one informative retrospective at a living boxing legend.

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
Jack Rico
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2009/08/14 at 12:00am

Reviews

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

08.14.2009 | By |

Rated: R for sexual content, nudity, pervasive language and some drug material.
Release Date: 2009-08-14
Starring: Neal Brennan
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.livehardsellhard.com/

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The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’ is really funny, whoever tells you otherwise is probably as cold as an ice bucket. The opening scene should tell you everything. I laughed in the first ten seconds, really hard! It’s the second half that withers away, the story line weakens and the jokes start becoming repetitive and dull. Overall though, the film still manages to entertain and engage you enough for you to have felt like you didn’t waste your money at the box office.

A legendary car salesman, Don Ready (Jeremy Piven) whose job it is to save a car dealership in the town of Temecula, California from bankruptcy. What Don doesn’t expect is to fall in love and find his soulmate, which will eventually be a deterrent to achieving his goals.

The characters here are great, the dialogue is fast and yes, vulgar, and the fact that it all takes place in car dealership is cheap and amusing already. Piven brings his Ari Gold persona to the mix and if you like him in Entourage, you won’t mind him here. The only real flaw with the film is in the execution of the storyline in the second half. It falters with an inane romantic story that should’ve never taken off.

Think the Will Farrell films, if you have laughed hard at those you won’t have a problem in laughing your a$$ off on this one.

District 9
Jack Rico
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2009/08/14 at 12:00am

Reviews

District 9

08.14.2009 | By |

Rated: R for bloody violence and pervasive language.
Release Date: 2009-08-14
Starring: Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA, South Africa
Official Website: http://www.d-9.com/

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District 9

‘District 9’ is the must-see summer film of 2009! It is really two films in one – a thought-provoking political and social documentary combined with stylized action packed CG film with all the bells and whistles. The direction of the film allows the story to rise to a crescendo at the very end satisfying even the non sci-fi cinephiles.

This is a smart film like those who too infrequently visit our multiplexes. The premise is a bit intricate since it deals with various social layers such as racism, bigotry, immigration, corruption, but with a quirky and entertaining twist. An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on District 9 in South Africa, suddenly find a kindred spirit in a government agent that is exposed to their biotechnology. To reveal anymore would be to give away the movie.

What is wonderful about the movie is how director Neil Blomkamp manages to intertwine several genres with success: off-beat comedy, drama and sci-fi action. His use of handheld cameras at the start build an eery tension that gives out a vibe that what you’re watching is factual. Not bad for a fictional movie.

The acting is solely centered around the character Wilkus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley), a klutzy man who works for the South African government and whose job it is to lead the aliens to a new location. His first day in this position ends with him in the hospital, having been contaminated by an alien fluid – and that’s where his personal nightmare begins.

Peter Jackson, director of Lord of the Rings, produced the movie, adding an internationally revered name to the credits that will doubtless help in marketing. District 9 speaks with a loud, clear voice and by defying as many science fiction conventions as it embraces, it becomes a singular movie-going experience. For fans of the genre, the summer of 2009 will be remembered by the films ‘Moon’ and ‘District 9’

Free tickets to see ‘Shorts’ in NYC!
Jack Rico
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By

2009/08/13 at 12:00am

Movies

Free tickets to see ‘Shorts’ in NYC!

08.13.2009 | By |

Free tickets to see 'Shorts' in NYC!
The Time Traveler’s Wife
Karen Posada
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2009/08/12 at 12:00am

Reviews

The Time Traveler’s Wife

08.12.2009 | By |

Rated: PG-13 for thematic elements, brief disturbing images, nudity and sexuality.
Release Date: 2009-08-14
Starring: Bruce Joel Rubin
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.thetimetravelerswifemovie.com/

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The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler’s Wife really tries to fly through time with a fast paced beginning. The love story will captivate you and may make you fight back your tears but the film loses its essence as the story unfolds.
 
The time traveler, Henry (Eric Bana) disappears into time because of a genetic anomaly which makes this film sort of sci-fi, since it is after all from a screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin who wrote “Ghost”. He seems to want to recapture this story once again but fails at it.  Clare (Rachel McAdams) has more of an imaginary friend at times than a husband in Henry; her side of the story keeps the film more grounded; we see an element of sadness and loneliness in her life because of Henry’s off and on appearances which we can relate to. The story just gets weirder and more surreal as the movie continues, which makes the story shaky.

 

The book which was very successful should not have come to life, at least not in the big screen. The film touches upon an interesting dilemma between whether our choices have been made for us or if we have free-will when dealing with the past/future. Henry is able to travel from the present to both the past and the future but it gets so complicated to the point that the main character is competing for his own wife with his old/young self.
 
Since the story is told by the way their romance unfolds, not by the passing of time, there is some sort of rhythm that one is able to follow. One thing that viewers can look forward to is a couple of nude scenes that are spread throughout the film. You may go and enjoy the romance of the story but don’t expect to get much out of it.

Ponyo
Karen Posada
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2009/08/12 at 12:00am

Reviews

Ponyo

08.12.2009 | By |

Rated: PG for mild action and brief language.
Release Date: 2009-08-14
Starring: Hayao Miyazaki
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: Japan
Official Website: http://www.ghibli.jp/ponyo/

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Ponyo

Ponyo turns from a sweet simple children’s story to a convoluted drama that is even hard for adults to follow. It does send out a good message though, of love and kindness towards the ocean, but the story revolves around too many surreal things that even for a children’s film is hard to get in tune with.
 
This new animated film by Hayao Miyazaki an Academy Award winner is a heartwarming film about a boy and his pet fish who fight the entire ocean, literally, to stay together. Its cast is composed mainly of stars from the Disney Channel such as Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas and Selena Gomez who is of Mexican background and surprisingly does a lot of the minor character’s voices. Some of the other big stars are Tina Fey, Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson and Matt Damon who has a very small role in the film. 
 
Seeing that the film had great success in Japan, there is potential for it to achieve the same results in the U.S., but the film’s turn from a simple story to a convoluted apocalyptic end of the world as we know it, may bore, confuse and disappoint many children. The film sticks close to its Japanese culture with minor elements to incorporate American viewers such as a change in a few character’s names. It is almost 2 hours long which will make it lose its intended audience after the first hour.  Although it is a little too unreal at times and one has to struggle to not criticize, judge the story or some of the character’s actions, those who enjoy anime may still like the film even if just for its roots. The rest of you should just wait for it to come out on DVD.

I Love You, Man
Jack Rico
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2009/08/11 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

I Love You, Man

08.11.2009 | By |

Rating: 3.0

Rated: R for pervasive language, including crude and sexual references.
Release Date: 2009-03-20
Starring: John Hamburg and Larry Levin
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://iloveyouman.com/

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“I Love You, Man,” is the movie that will catapult Paul Rudd from supporting actor to leading man status. He’s been a journey man throughout his whole career until his recent streak of small, yet successful substantial roles, has either salvaged movies (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) or surprised many with his comical talents (Role Models).

Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) is a successful real estate agent who, upon getting engaged to the woman of his dreams, Zooey (Rashida Jones), discovers, to his dismay and chagrin, that he has no male friend close enough to serve as his Best Man. Peter immediately sets out to rectify the situation, embarking on a series of bizarre and awkward “man-dates,” before meeting Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), a charming, opinionated man with whom he instantly bonds with. But the closer the two men get, the more Peter’s relationship with Zooey suffers, ultimately forcing him to choose between his fiancee and his new found “bro,”.

Rudd is once again the embodiment of hilarity and charm. What’s interesting about him is his ability to take what sounds like a bad joke on paper and convert it into laugh-out-loud laughs. That is a gift and he oozes it. Segel is amusing too, but he’s much more affable than he is comical. I just don’t chortle when he jokes. The ensemble overall hid the few flaws the movie had with some genuinely hysterical moments (Jon Favreau and Rudd clashing it out in a drinking game).

In general, most people will who aren’t into the bathroom humor will like the nice balance of college, sexual jokes and endearing, knee-slapping punchlines. “I Love You, Man,” will be one of the top 5 comedies of 2009.

17 Again
Jack Rico
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2009/08/11 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

17 Again

08.11.2009 | By |

Rating: 2.0

Rated: PG-13 for language, some sexual material and teen partying.
Release Date: 2009-04-17
Starring: Jason Filardi
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: www.17againmovie.com

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I wanted to like ‘17 Again’ for its nostalgic teen flare, but the script and dialogue were so inept and appalling, not much can be extolled from it. So many things went awry that scrutinizing the film at lengths would be a time-wasting process. The ensemble did an okay job, enough to collectively salvage some dignity from the movie. Nevertheless, whatever I say is insignificant since the main ticket buyers for this teen film will ignore my every word. They will swoon over Zac Efron for a few weeks, then on DVD a few months later until eternity.

The storyline is somewhat intriguing – what would you do if you got a second shot at life,  as your former 17 year old alter-ego? Many questions would arise, but for argument’s sake, we’ll follow the film’s plot… 39 year old Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry), a has-been high school basketball star, is dealt a miserable hand at being a credible dad. But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17 (Zac Efron) to recapture his best years, and bring his family together.

The premise may catch an ear or two, but it is the execution of the story which is unfathomable. Director Burr Steers doesn’t have a clue of what story development is. Perhaps 17 Again’s biggest travesty, is its inability to fabricate a better story to explain how an adult transforms into a teenager. In the movie, a janitor with magical powers just happens to show up and morph him. Moreover, his former teachers, friends and wife, who should recognize Perry as a young Efron, are fully oblivious to this miracle. No explanation, no reason, no care. One tends to understand that plausibility in thee types of films are inconsequential, but for it to be this blatant is just negligent and wreckless.

In spite of these glaring issues, parents and other adults could succumb to the nostalgia of the films storyline. Noteworthy is Zac Efron, who is a likable actor that masks a lot of the movie’s deficiencies. His looks also camouflage his limited range as an actor. Hopefully, he will develop into a better thespian with time and work. Overall, kids and Zac zealots will enjoy and indulge in this zany 80’s feel teen flick.

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