***More bizarre images here***

The summer blockbuster season is in full gear and America can’t seem to get enough of vampires, animated toys, and their favorite fallen hero, M. Night Shyamalan. For better or worse, this familiar fodder is likely to steal attention away from independent and foreign films that deserve their fare share of it. Micmacs, for one, is a French import that is captivating, sweet, and funny in a way that matches few films in the box office today.

It begins with tragedy. A stray bullet finds its way into Bazil’s (Danny Boon) skull. He survives, but is left knowing that the un-removed piece of lead may induce instant death somewhere down the line. Without a job or anyplace to go, Bazil roams the streets of Paris until he ends up in an enclave of freaks – including a human calculator and a contortionist – who live in a cave in a salvage yard.

The film quickly becomes one of the whimsical brainchilds director Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amelie, Delicatessen) is known for. Bazil finds two monolithic structures, each housing one of two weapons manufacturers he has an unwavering hatred for. One built a mine that killed his father. The other forged the bullet that lies in his fractured head. With the help of his new friends, he hatches a complex scheme for revenge that is fast-moving and beautiful as it unfolds, even though it’s likely too intricate for its own good.

When watching a film by Jeunet, you must completely suspend disbelief. Micmacs is a fantasy film, even though there are no elements typical of the genre. It takes place in the real world, and then it doesn’t. Often, the characters are too smart for their own good. More than often, they’re heads are so far in the clouds that the story and setting can only work if they reflect that. Thankfully, that’s exactly what happens.

With the help of cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata (Splice, Paris, je t’aime), Jeunet delivers a visual treat along with his hefty dose of magical realism. If the plot seems like too much to swallow, rest assured that Micmacs will, at least visually, leave a lasting impression.

The film is also aided by a slew of stellar performances. Micmacs has a solid cast of familiar faces (Jeunet likes to work with a team of actors throughout his films) who embody the strange ensemble perfectly. Even though some of the characters seem very two-dimensional, they work in this world that doesn’t always make sense.

Instead of running to wait in line for Airbender this weekend, which is already a huge letdown, give in to something different. Micmacs won’t rock your world, inspire you to change yourself, or teach you something new. It will, however, lift you out of your comfort zone and drop you someplace fantastic. Though admittedly pointless on many levels, there is enough fun to be had for you to forget that. Plus, being pointless is, in a way, the point of it all.

Fans Bent Out of Shape

***Whether you are a loyal fan or not, you gotta see more images, click here***

The Last Airbender by M. Night Shyamalan is a HIT if you are one of the few who never saw the cartoon it was based on. As a nonviewer of the series myself, I didn’t see anything wrong with the film. The fans on the other hand were so upset by the film that when the ending credits came about and one expected the usual applause of a film well done, I heard a minor uproar. Accompanying boo’s being delivered gratuitously, there was a “What the hell was that?” and my personal favorite “…I don’t remember Ang being such a vagina.” So since the views were so different, I thought I would try something different this time around.

Anime Fan

Are you serious M Night? He wants us to accept this as an adaptation to the Avatar cartoon series? How does the director not even get the names right? “Ang” somehow becomes pronounced “Ung” and “Sokka” pronounced “Sew-ka”.  That “twist” M Night is famous for just happened to be the fact he fucking changed the ending of the story. Stupid move.

Non-Anime Viewer

I think M Night’s film was almost flawless. The acting was phenomenal and chemistry on the screen is not something you see every day. The Last Airbender is loaded with slap-stick comedy that both children and adults would find entertaining. The bending in the films was out of this world! “Bending” is the ability or power to control the elements using your flow of chi and choreographed martial arts moves to physically control the elements to pretty much do your bidding. Benders can fling formed clumps or balls of the earth, fire, air, or water at their opponents. It appears to be that air, water, fire, and earth bending each has their martial arts style representative of the given element. The bending and the fights is what made the film such a blast for me. Even Sokka, who does not have the ability, kicked serious butt with his boomerang sword thing.

Anime Fan

No don’t get me wrong, the 3D graphics rocked my fucking socks off and the elemental effects were so real it was hard to remember that it was actually just 3D and not some alien holographic technology. The ending is really what killed it for me. If you saw the shows “Book One: Water” you would be flabbergasted as to why the hell you sat through what I call “this garbage.”

Non Anime Fan

Well being that it was indeed based on a cartoon, and keep in mind, M Night changed things up to keep it more realistic, he said so himself as did Jackson Rathbone.

Anime Fan

Pah-hahaha. Why? M Night should have stuck to the show’s details if he was making an adaptation of it! I mean, story-wise the movie was pretty accurate. Some small things that bothered me just didn’t let me love the movie. In the show, the Fire Nation is feared and powerful not because they are everywhere like ants, but because they are the only types for “benders” that can summon fire out of their ass (not literally) and use it at will. I sincerely don’t think the movie would have lost any of its realism by adding this key detail at all. Trying to keep it real, he changed the schematics of the movie. It takes a special kind of genius to ruin something with such a firm outline. I was not asking for a replica of the show, but wow. I’ll just say leave it to M Night to add what one could call a “twist” to something set in stone. You are right about the acting though. Most of the characters not only looked their cartoon counterparts, but the actors almost possess their voices. Sokka and Katara’s relationship is a great parallel to the cartoon and everything was present. Another thing I don’t really feel right about was the fact that he made the different nations completely different races. I am not sure what he was playing at there; it sort of threw me off.

Non Anime Fan

Well that’s good then. Everything seems to be structurally consistent with the show except for these few major details. I observed the greatest upset more towards the end of the movie. Even never having seen the series, the ending was pretty anticlimactic . . . yet consistent with Ang’s (or Ung’s) character. For anyone who doesn’t know, “Book One: Water”, is the first in a three seasons series, suggesting this film is the first of a trilogy! I can’t wait for it. The “fans” may not be pleased but I sure as hell was.

Anime Fan

I am not watching that shit again.

Sergio Diaz encountered more than Michael Welch as he was introduced to the Miami Twi-hards.

Walking into the Gusman center for the first time, the first thing I notice is the amazing architecture and the way the entire place is dramatically set up – just awesome. Complete with a really neat green-screen photo booth where fans are able to take photos immersing them into the Twilight universe.  The locale is abuzz with excitement and everyone scuttles left and right erratically, like roaches, snatching things from either the merchandise table or the concession stand.  I see one fan that is literally jumping with excitement as her boy dons Vampire eyes *cue Twilight screams*.  {Click here for images from the event} I rip her politely from the merchandise line and she is more than happy to give me an interview.

Fan Interview with Arrienne – here

Spinlight City’s music blazes through the entire house.  It’s my first time hearing them but I must admit they are pretty damn good. You can find them on the Eclipse soundtrack, of course. I walk down into the massive auditorium/theatre area and it is vast – two floors and every wall covered in highly detailed statues with what looks like an aqua light shining on them revealing the elaborate gold/gold-plated trim. Where the hell am I again? “ahhhhhhh!” The screams bust my ears as a Y100 (the local radio station) DJ walks on stage and immediately introduces Michael Welch.

FAN QnA with Michael Welch – here

SergD’s 1 on 1 interview with Welch – here

Swift shot:  Emotional, superb acting and believable performances that will haunt you – sometimes the best horror films aren’t horrors at all.  Sometimes survival is its own hell.  To my brothers in harm’s way, know that you can always rely on the truth – Semper Fidelis.

Took me a long time to finally watch this one, it sat on my desk . . . daring me to open the oddly fastened Netflix sleeve for a whole week.  I was afraid it would be yet another pandering Hollywood sneer at our forward operating troops deployed in combat zones.  It’s hard to pin down if this was an out and out criticism of our efforts overseas, or if it was just a matter-of-fact – War is truly horrible – message film.

Certain elements in the film brought me back to an abandoned rail-station in Albania, where we were debriefing prisoners of the Kosovo conflict and I was reminded of soulless eyes, shells of men, broken hearts and minds – desperate to embrace normalcy. To endure all manner of torture, you must have something to live for, some “other” that keeps you moving when the easiest thing is to just shut down and die.

I have often wondered about those souls, the “survivors” what were their lives like after the war?  Were they able to embrace that normalcy again?  Were their minds so twisted that even the slightest nuance of happiness was robbed from them?  Do they sleep?

This film brought the war home, but the sadness and hostility were underground, buried in some chasm of moral apnea.  Watching Captain Cahill interact with his family before “breaking” and afterward was expertly portrayed by the dedicated Tobey Maguire.  For his dedication to the role, I applaud him; at no time did he disappoint.

Brothers will have you struggling to fathom your own mortality.  Choices we make to survive remind us we are all gonna end up in the dirt.  It is what we live for outside of ourselves that dares us to stand up to death and say with baneful conviction, “Fuck you, death, not today!”

While the juxtaposed sequences danced back and forth between the war and the family, the overall transitions were somehow diluted and less powerful than the rest of the film.  Perhaps some stronger scoring was in order, but overall the film intellectually was stimulating.  The acting, as mentioned earlier, was precise – even the youngest actors were amazing – well disciplined (if you will permit a little jarhead inside joke).

It isn’t easy to talk about the wars, it isn’t something that should be taken lightly.  War is hell; Brothers does a decent job exploring this theme, but it doesn’t have enough balance to be a really incredible film.

Three reviews to choose from!

For an up and coming critic from the Windy City – just click Limacher or on Jacob’s pic.

Or a no-nonsense mom about town –  just click Starshine or Bella’s pic. 

Finally, for an uber cynic - just click H-Man or on Edward’s

Who got it right?  Let the battle commence!

Jackson Rathbone: “There is this fantastic shot, about six minutes of constant, uncut footage!”

***For more images from the event, click here!***

Nicola Peltz: “It’s going to be crazy!”

I had the extreme honor of meeting the charming Jackson Rathbone and the beautiful Nicola Peltz. It was in the courtyard of the Aventura mall, where about 300 excited fans lined up to meet and greet the young stars.  Passers by in the mall were leaning over the railings in a precarious effort to see what all the commotion was about.  No one fell, so no bending powers were required.

iRATEfilms was hanging with the media studs, lucky I wore my big boy pants as we were pretty much the only blog of our kind there. Yea, we stepped on the toes of CBS, FOX, and Primer Impacto, but, like our editor, Rick always says, we are little but we’re ruthless.

At four, the crowd erupted in a shrill squeal that shattered three store windows showering those below with shards of horrific glassy death as passers-by gawked at the spectacle below.  Yes, I am exaggerating, ever hear of poetic license?  I mean, come on, you KNOW this makes the story better.

The screams were understandable, being that some of these die-hard fans were planted as early as 5am.  Their delightful melody alerted me that Jackson and Nicola were indeed approaching. As they traversed the crimson gauntlet, I heard several, “I love you Nicola” and “Jackson, you are sexy marry me” comments.  Finally, I had them in my sights, and after a brief introduction, I got down to the interview.

SD- I have got to ask you guys…are you fans of the “Avatar: The Last Airbender” animated series?

JR- Oh yeah, I liked how all the fight scenes were so well choreographed especially.

NP- Omg, definitely…I have seen all three seasons which were amazing and it is really great being a part of the live-action interpretation!

SD-What did you take from the characters in the show that helped you portray them in the movie?

JR-Well we drew as much as we could, like, there is some of the slapstick taken out with Zuko to make the movie more realistic. I mean, there is so much in 24 episodes that has to be condensed into a movie it  was a pretty difficult task.

SD- With that said, I assume there is going to be tons of action in the movie and some of M Night’s single shot scenes?

JR- M Night is such a master of his craft. There is this fantastic shot, about 6 minutes of constant uncut footage. There are about a hundred stunt doubles flying everywhere and there are explosions going off…boom boom boom…

NP- yeah, there was ice flying everywhere too. The “bending” scenes with the elements are really cool and well done. There were so many special effects in the film going on at once. It’s going to be crazy.

SD- That sounds very epic. What was it like being there with everything going on? Were you doing your own stunts throughout the movie?

NP-  Amazing  working with M Night and everyone on the set. Yes I did do most of my own stunts throughout the movie-my stunt double Michelle is amazing and does such good job.

JR- I did most of my own stunts also. Everything was choreographed to the T so it was a challenge in itself to even practice the movements for the stunts.

NP- It was a lot of fun and a lot of exercise.

Before I realized it, the interview was over, I heard myself thanking them and said a tiny prayer in my heart as they approached the FOX crew.  The fanboy in me wanted to give each of them a great big hug and present them with a hand-stitched pillow like their super fan . . . pictured here.  But, I was on official orders from the dreaded Rick Swift to behave myself, lest he yank my front row seats at the screening.  I think any fans of great action or anime must check this one out, you know I am!

***Need more Knight and Day images?  Click here.***

Knight and Day was a great action movie directed by James Mangold whose credits include: Girl Interrupted, 3:10 to Yuma, and Walk the Line. It was well balanced.  There were times were I was on the edge of my seat, cringing as every second rode out on the various action romps littered throughout the film. On the other hand, this movie had a great sense of humor to it that I really enjoyed.  I am not going to lie though, it was pretty much your average Indiana Jones kind of comedic feature, along the lines of chatting through a mine cart ride or a joke or two snuck in right before a death defying slow-motion “explosion evasion dive”.

Except for the occasional corny childhood dreams and sand frolicking moments and a specifically horribly done villain, the movie was fantastic. The action sequences were spectacular and I just wanted more and more of them. The locales were fantastic with Spain, Austria, USA and Jamaica on the dream vacation list.

Cameron Diaz plays June Havens, a woman who is just going through the airport process, trying to make it to her sister’s wedding. Through the tedious scanners and check-ins she has constant run-ins with a mystery man she can’t help but think is her prince charming. After a few comedic encounters, the man introduces himself as Roy Miller (Tom Cruise).  The pulse picks up as soon as June makes it onto a plane with him that, according to Miller, “wasn’t meant to be”.  The dialogue in the film is refreshing and the on screen chemistry between Cruise and Diaz shines through like the first sunshine after a rainstorm.

FBI Agent Fitzgerald played by Peter Sarsgaard was a pretty bland character but lent enough to the film to be considered the villain. He is after Miller and has the whole FBI to back him up…fools. Then there is the stupid, awkward stereotype Latin gangster, arms dealer, Antonio (Jordi Molla) who was probably as annoying as Jar Jar Binks. Truly it doesn’t get more generic and fake than him, and because of that he becomes more a distraction than a supplement to the film. I would get a sour-lame taste in my mouth every time he showed up, regardless which scene it was. I cannot go on without saying Cruise and Diaz both had minor moments within the film that were too cliché for words.

June and Roy must protect oddball Simon Feck (Paul Dune from Little Miss Sunshine) from Fitz and Antonio.  Think of the Indiana, Marion ,and Mutt trio from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull when June, Roy, and Simon are hauling ass, jumping, fighting, kicking, shooting, etc.  Except Simon is approximately eighty-five percent less helpful in everything he attempts.  But, this feeb has a super genius, young mind that developed a never ending power source and, duh, everyone wants it.

The movie moved at the perfect pace…to me. Of course everyone is going to have their own opinions on the matter. Throughout, the two heroes June and Roy are hunted down in plenty of eye popping  scenes one can only describe as visual  bliss. The story is straight, clear, and surprisingly, not sappy! I am weary of all the meaningful movies out with morals and values and cries with hugs.

It’s definitely worth watching, and I believe you will find it more refreshing than you think. Though it sounds like you have heard it done before in regards to the story or the characters, you may find yourself surprised.  Major props to James Mangold and writer Patrick O’Neil for creating such an amped-up-laugh-your-ass-off thrill fest!

This one gets an 8 on the Thrillometer, because 1. Birds are crazy, so that thing finds some giant birdseed and she is hosed.  2.  Hanging out under a giant bird like that poses other, shall we say concerns.  3.  It reminds me of the ORIGINAL Clash of the Titans scene – you know the one.

(more…)

Hex hears dead-people, and who gives a Horton?

***Need Megan Fox images?  No!?!  Well, screw you then, don’t CLICK HERE***

The H-Bomb: There seems to be some kind of consensus that thus far this summer movie season has, for the most part, been dull, dreary, and lackluster. Sadly, the release of “Jonah Hex” is going to do very little to buck that trend. As a comic book action western, it’s about as dull, dreary, and lackluster as they come. All this despite the impressive cast (well… impressive on paper, anyway), loud action, and flashy direction.

The last time, at least that I can think of, that Hollywood tried to make a summer blockbuster out of the western genre, they ended up with the truly abominable Will Smith turd sucker “Wild Wild West”. “Jonah Hex” is marginally better, but that’s kind of like saying that drinking cat piss is preferable to eating dog shit… neither is very appetizing.

What’s it about? Please, stop me when this sounds clichéd (no, seriously, please do stop me). “Jonah Hex” tells the oh so original story of a scarred Civil War vet named… you guessed it, Jonah Hex, who has made it his mission to track down the dastardly Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich), the man who murdered his wife and son. But, unfortunately for our hero, fate steps in reins in his revenge.

So, now a man without a mission, Hex becomes a fearsome, famed bounty hunter who can speak to the dead (don’t ask). But unbeknownst to Hex, a new cretin is plotting to get a hold of some super cannon dubbed a “Nation Killer” that he plans to level Washington D.C. with during the celebration of the U.S.’s Centennial. Now it’s up to our charred faced, ghost whispering anti-hero to try and stop the plan.  Do I really need to tell you where it goes from there?

From beginning to end, this is the epitome of “been there, done that.” Despite all the over the top gun-play, violence (the PG-13, spatter-free variety, naturally), and shit blowing up in every direction, the movie is just a plodding, predictable 80 minutes of sheer boredom. It was one of those rare films where I found myself glancing at my watch periodically just to see how much longer it would drag on. It’s not a slow movie, it’s just curiously devoid of any kind of a pulse.

Jimmy Hayward (whose previous directing credit was “Horton Hears a Who”) over does it behind the camera and directs the thing like a music video, throwing in all sorts of wild visuals, including animation, in a desperate attempt to breathe some sort of life, any sort of life, into this D.O.A., flatter than a pancake script. He failed.  If Horton heard this who, he’d hang himself with his own trunk.

In fact, not only was the director short changed by the script, but so was the cast. This is particularly true of Josh Brolin. As we’ve seen in recent years, he’s a helluva good actor, and even though he’s no Clint Eastwood, he’s got the grizzled look and the gruff voice, and he could’ve been great in this role, if only he had the material to back him up.

Malkovich, one of modern cinema’s best go to bad guys, is a real disappointment here. He wears his boredom on his sleeve and phones in his performance completely. He looks like he’d rather be stuck in a traffic jam on a hot summer afternoon in a car with no A/C than be anywhere near this movie set.

Megan Fox, as the whore with the heart of gold (for Jonah, at least), is shown prominently on the posters and in the TV spots, but in reality she’s barely in the film at all! If I added up every single moment of her screen time, it would probably only amount to about ten minutes, if that much. I must admit, though, I can think of worse things to stare at than her sweaty, working girl cleavage, which the movie did display in generous amounts. For that I am grateful.

Other somewhat familiar faces (Wes Bentley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Michael Shannon) pop up briefly throughout the picture, but they’re given so little to do that I wonder why they even bothered to show up.  In fact, I wonder why anybody who worked on this movie in any capacity bothered to show up, given the limp dick results of their labor.

Now, this isn’t a terrible film. It’s not, “Oh my God, this horrid shit bomb is gonna make me slit my fucking wrists” bad, it’s just really not that good, and there are certainly better ways to put your ten bucks to use, such as; donating it to the Salvation Army, or using it as toilet paper, or giving it to an alcoholic vagrant so he can go get tanked up… anything. Because despite all the bangs and booms and bams that this flick provides, it’s ultimately nothing but a tired action yarn that is never even remotely exciting nor suspenseful. It could probably make a decent rental someday… maybe. But only if you’re really, really bored.