April 15, 2008

• Movies I've Seen Recently...

  
  Smart People  (2008)  B-

  
  The tone of "Smart People"
  is very downbeat, and not really all that exciting. It is a character
  piece mostly, littered with some english literature/history, but not at
  all devoid of humor. I did enjoy the subject matter about how book
  smart people can be very socially awkward, confused, and repressed.
  Leading them to some embarrassing situations and unhappiness despite
  their intelligence. The whole cast are really good in this as well, practically Dennis Quaid as the jerk of a father and college professor, Ellen Page as the republican daughter with a sharp tongue, and Thomas Haden Church as the adopted brother/uncle who brings balance to all the intellects as the normal everyday guy. Good decent movie, that reminded me a little of the
  film "Wonder Boys."

  
  Horton Hears A Who!  (2008)  B+

  "A person is a person, no matter how small," is actually a very powerful and inspirational message that is said in "Horton Hears A Who!" The whole story is like a commentary on helping others, trying to understand the misunderstood, social classes, faith, belief, etc.. pretty heady stuff for a movie that is seen primarily as a kids movie. Jim Carrey is great and funny as the courageous elephant Horton, who takes it upon himself to make sure that the world of "Whoville" is safe, despite the fact that the rest of the animals think he has become "influentially dangerous" because of his beliefs. Steve Carell is also equally great as the stressed out Mayor of Whoville, who wants to warn his world's people of the imminent danger they are in, despite the fact that they are oblivious and ignorant about his warnings. The visuals are definitely eye candy, which will first and foremost
  please young children, but I personally think it's older kids and
  adults that'll appreciate the movie more.

  
  Run Fatboy Run  (2007)  B-

  It looks like David Schwimmer has some hope in being a good director of romantic comedies, as proven by the movie "Run Fatboy Run." I'm sure it helped that actor / co-writer Simon Pegg is involved in this film though. Simon Pegg as always plays a loveable but flawed character, who at the beginning of the film leaves his fiancee; played by Thandie Newton, on their wedding day, while she was pregnant with their child. The movie does start off a little bit slow however, and the stand-out comedic moments don't come as often as you probably wish they would. As soon as his quest to compete in the same marathon that his ex-fiancee's new boyfriend is running in, is where the real fun of the movie begins. The characters and the plot of the film doesn't really stray too far from the tried and true formula of a romantic comedy, but I think it's worth a viewing either way.

  
  Sky High  (2005)  C+

  If you were to reimagine the Harry Potter universe but exchange all the magic and wizards with powers and superheroes, the result would almost shamelessly be "Sky High." Sure it's fun watching a movie about the kids of super heroes going to a High School that teaches them how to use their super skills, but the movie is done more or less as a typical kid's fantasy film. They could have had more inspiration put into this concept, but it was mostly focused on the standard teenager dillemas, except veiled in a universe that has a super hero high school. It's enjoyable enough if you just take it for what it is on the surface, although I did appreciate the social class commentary about "Heroes" versus "Sidekicks."

  • 6:49 am
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