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Movies I've Seen Recently...

Kick-Ass (2010) A-

It's very easy to just say that "Kick-Ass" kicked ass, because it's incredibly entertaining to watch. Based on the graphic novel by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr, this story is based on the idea that the reason nobody tries to be a superhero is because they would die. Enter Aaron Johnson as Dave Lizewski, who tries to fight crime as the superhero Kick-Ass; usually via humorous attempts. His modest exploits earns him popularity via the internet, which is one of the movie's social commentary on celebrity figures. It would have been a simple gig if it wasn't for the fact he interfered with a mob's business, as well as two other superheroes entering the scene, Nicolas Cage as Big Daddy, and Chloe Moretz as Hit-Girl. Moretz by far steals the movie as this 11 years old girl who is able to skillfully kill adults as well as talk with a dirty mouth. The action sequences involving Hit-Girl in particular are spectacular to watch. As a satire about the typical superhero movie, "Kick-Ass" is excellent, but it seems that Director/co-writer Matthew Vaughn wants his cake and eat it too, because by the end of the movie it turns into the typical conventional superhero movie that it was poking fun of in the first place. There are also several plot conveniences that ruins the smart attitude the movie initially has. Despite it's thematic flaws though, "Kick-Ass" is still a great movie just for the sheer fun of it all.
* read more * - comparing the movie to the graphic novel (link)

The Joneses (2010) B

Have you ever met a family where it's easy to be envious of all the cool things they own, and makes you want to have what they have? What if it turns out that family was paid to make you feel that way, so that you can spend your money on the products they are "advertising?" That's the fascinating and interesting story of "The Joneses." This movie brings up a good social commentary on consumerism and how far corporations can go to try to get your money. Because this family has to live a false life to trick their neighbors and the people who live in that city they are "assigned to," this movie also has a theme about hiding who you really are and whether you should just be who you are suppose to be. Director / co-writer Derrick Borte has done an admirable job with this high concept story, but unfortunately the last act of the story kinda falls apart into plot conveniences that tries to give this movie some resolution. The cast in this are good, from David Duchovny, Demi Moore, and Gary Cole. "The Joneses" is overall a solid movie that's worth checking out because of it's ideas, even if I'm not satisfied with how it ended.

Defendor (2010) B-

As far as trying to make a realistic movie about regular people putting on a costume to be a superhero that fights crime, "Defendor" more or less lives up to that idea. Woody Harrelson plays a mentally challenged individual named Arthur Poppington, who believes he is a superhero at night called Defendor, trying to "rid the city of it's scum." While the character of Defendor is able to come up with inventive ideas for weapons; like marbles or angry wasps, he is still a normal human that doesn't really have the skills to properly fight crime. He befriends a prostitute played by Kat Dennings, who at least gives him some sort of help, despite the fact she initially intended to use him just for his money. "Defendor" definitely has some charm with it's lead character, thanks to Harrelson. However the obviously low production of the movie seems to have hurt it. The pacing is a little bit slow and the visuals aren't much to talk about, which I wonder if Director / Writer Peter Stebbings could have fixed with a higher budget. Either way, if you are looking for a more realistic superhero story, "Defendor" might just be for you.

Let The Right One In (2008) B

Vampire stories are usually pretty grand and exciting, which makes the Swedish movie "Let The Right One In" about a boy who befriends a young neighbor who happens to be a vampire very unusual. Sure there are scenes that involve blood and biting, death and mutilation, but overall the movie is actually rather slow in pacing. Directed by Tomas Alfredson and based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, the film is visually arresting with it's simplicity of snow mixed with buildings and trees that have dark tones, but the story is very nuanced and not as straight forward as you might hope it would be. There are questions and answers that are revealed in the story, but the film assumes you are smart enough to not get spoon fed by them. I did like how subtle the movie was able to integrate myths and rules regarding the vampires of this world, which made it feel very real. Now if there's one particular reason to watch "Let The Right One In," it's for the strong performances by the young actors Kåre Hedebrant as the bullied boy Oskar, and his vampire neighbor Eli played by Lina Leandersson.