Film Thoughts

Prom Night

2009-05-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

That's right, I sat around watching the terrible horror movie that is Prom Night. I do not like horror movies at all, they usually scare me too much....so for me to be able to casually watch this should say something about how non horrifying it is. You see the poster? It's scarier than the movie.

I think it is meant to be a remake of the 1980 movie Prom Night starring Jamie Lee Curtis although when you compare the storylines the only similarities are a man killing teenagers on prom night. In 1980 it's a man trying to avenge the death of a child, and in the current version it's an obsessed former teacher/murderer. (Don't you just love the nostalgia of a finely illustrated horror movie poster?)

There was one thing about this movie that for me, made it particularly nonthreatening; the killer.....
That's right Johnathon Schaech who once played Jimmy in That thing you do! is the psycho killer. Maybe he can be considered slightly creepy in the start of the movie because he has a crazy beard. Though once his face is recognizable, there's just no scare factor. I also can't help but wonder how one man with a single knife took down a fully armed detective and police officer who were both on the look out for him.

While I don't think I have the authority to say what a good horror movie is, I think I can safely say this one is bad.

Movie Update: We're going WAY back.

2009-05-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

Starting a blog during finals? Mistake....so I plan on backtracking a bit.

I Love You, Man

A basic chick flick except with guys, and it didn't suck. Peter (Paul Rudd) shows us what happens to a man in adulthood when his only friends have been girlfriends. Its hilarious and heartwarming and who can argue with a movie that includes a Rush montage?

On a side note...
Was this poster to the right really used to promote the movie somewhere?---->

In case you can't read, it says "He needed a best man...he got the worst." This must have been for those people apprehensive about seeing a comedy without a punny tag line, also apparently to reel in the audience from You, me and Dupree.

I present my evidence----->

On another side note...While glancing at Jason Segel on imdb I noticed that set for 2012 is an "untitled muppet project" Of course I can't see the details unless I give imdb my money but it confirms what I already knew about plans to have Segel write the next muppet movie. I can only hope this is a sign of the return of the hilarious muppets I knew as a child.

And that's the end of my ramblings on things unrelated to I love you, man. By now most people know the movie is good, so I don't have to tell you to see. From now on this blog will most likely be more rambling about films instead of lengthy reviews.

Realization:

2009-04-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

I am in love with 1970s Woody Allen
It is quite possible I am actually in love with Alvy Singer (Annie Hall), then again I think a lot of that character is in fact Woody Allen.

P.S. There's a possibility of some writing specifically about Annie Hall to come, considering I have a paper on the film due Friday (which I have yet to start, but I like to think I work well under pressure.)

REVIEW: Adventureland

2009-04-12T00:19:00.000-07:00

Jesse Eisenberg (James) and Kristen Stewart (Em)
(take it easy on me, it's my first review...probably really unorganized and bad)
A Coming of Age movie...with Big Ass Pandas

Adventureland is set in the summer of 1987. James Brennan is a recent college graduate with summer plans to move to New York until his funds run low. He soon discovers that his four years of Renaissance studies are of no importance in finding a paying job. With no other options, he is forced to take a job at a local amusement park, which turns out to be closer to the real world than he's ever been.

In marketing Adventureland advertisers had the audience so focused on the film's connection to Superbad, that it threatens to get lost among the genre of "Judd Apatow comedies" (Apatow had no hand in it). This movie differs from those comedies because it doesn't rely solely on the stringing along of jokes. Instead what the viewer gets is a study of the humor and heartbreak of growing up.

Adventureland was written and directed by Superbad director Greg Mottola who in the past has also directed episodes of Arrested Developement. Mottola has written an endearing coming-of-age story about growing up post college and being hit with the harsh reality of the world outside of education. He does this in the context of a depressing amusement park job where the games are fixed and escapes lie in pot cookies and bumper cars.

Jesse Eisenberg (James) has managed to capture awkward realistically and intelligently (unlike Michael Cera). It's just a shame more people aren't aware of who he is, having had a lead in the critically acclaimed The Squid and the Whale. Upon my exit from the theater I actually overheard a group of people debating whether he was "the guy from Juno." (Of course the movie snob in me had to point out that he wasn't). Eisenberg actually has emotional range.

An even greater shame is that Kristen Stewart(Em) gives a great performance, but will be tied to the mediocre Twilight for sequels to come. In Adventureland she proves her ability to take on complex characters and I only hope she continues to choose roles which display her talent instead of stifle it.

The story really touches on the experience of being stuck in limbo after college, even making a valid comment about society's devaluation of degrees in arts and literature. Granted the movie takes place in 1987, its themes still ring true. The movie is funny, poignant and above all else has a message; understanding that in life, like at Adventureland, no one wins a big ass panda.

To my potential readers...

2009-04-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

Great movies give me butterflies and an overwhelming feeling of joy. I simultaneously feel like jumping around and passing out. I forget all about reality and I am in that one beautifully orchestrated moment, that's how I know I am in love with movies.For me there is nothing better.

To be honest I'm not quite sure what I plan to do with this blog. I expect it will land somewhere between reviewing, criticism and streaming rants about movies (which I know no one really wants to listen to in person).

...and so I will share my passion for film one blog at a time.

Sincerely your friendly film junkie, Justine