Archive for December, 2009

Love Don’t Cost a Thing

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted December 25, 2009 at 10:34 pm

A Film Review By Jason L. King

Rating: Rated PG13 for language and sexual content.
Starring:Nick Cannon, Steve Harvey
Directed By:Troy Beyer

Final Grade:

I first met Sarah in the 10th grade. Sarah was what I thought was the most beautiful girl in the world. She was a real looker, a sight to be seen, she stood out when she walked into a room. Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t the same type of person. In fact, I was the opposite. I didn’t stand out in the crowd, I didn’t make a big flashy entrance whenever I walked into the room. In fact, all I really did well was be “invisible.”

Love don’t cost a thing, tells the story of a similar person, a teenage boy named Alvin who wants for just once in his life to be popular. Alvin finally gets his chance when the school’s cutest girl, Paris crashes her Mom’s car into a tree. Alvin agrees to spend $1500 to fix her car if Paris agrees to be his girlfriend for two weeks so he can become popular. But the pressure to be popular rises, Alvin begins to abandon his friends and family and the life he has always known.

Now by now half of you are probably thinking, “Why should I see this movie?” And the other half are probably thinking, “I thought I saw the same movie in the 80’s, it was called “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Well For those of you who thought it was “Can’t buy Me Love” all over again, well you are right. In fact it is a remake of the 80’s classic, with much, much more of a hip-hop feel to it. Even the name is similar “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” is basically the “New” way of saying “Can’t Buy Me Love.” If you don’t believe me, think back to the days of the Beatles and their song, “Can’t Buy Me Love” and then think to present day J’lo pop music where she sings “My Love Don’t Cost a Thing.” Follow my logic? Not really? Oh well…

The nice thing about this movie is that it has a good message. It once again pushes that being yourself is always the best thing in life, and even if you do become the center of attention it is important to not become to caught up in popularity and forget about the friends that hung out with you even before you were popular. However it also claims that in the end, The geek gets the girl and by standing up for his nerdy friends he will not be beaten to a bloody pulp and stuffed in his locker. So for every good message it has it cancels it self out with the super cheesy fairy tale ending that would never actually happen.

I don’t really have complaints about the acting or the directing, both were far from top notch, but they got the job done in an easy to follow, fairly convincing manner. The film doesn’t boast any big named Hollywood stars (except Steve Harvey, who if you think about it, either Cedric the Entertainer, Anthony Anderson or Steve Harvey are in every movie that has a primarily African American cast). Steve Harvey’s role as Alvin’s father is fun entertainment but one can’t help but think he is the African American version of “Jim’s Dad” from the American Pie Series.

In the end, all I can say about Love Don’t Cost a Thing is that it is a middle of the road comedy/teen romance flick that will easily eat away at 2 hours of your life. The end result isn’t bad, nor is it top notch either. Love May Not Cost A Thing, but unfortunately your ticket does… Hold off on this film, it’s worth a rental but not a whole lot more…

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Filed under: Movies, Romance

Joyeux Noel

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted December 16, 2009 at 8:57 pm

A Review by Jason L. King

Starring: Diane Kruger, Benno Furmann, Guillaume Canet, Daniel Bruhl
Directed by: Christian Carion
Rated: PG-13
Movie Released: 2005
IMDB Link

Final Grade:

If I said that there is nothing like a good war movie over the holidays, most would think I was nuttier than a festive fruitcake. But amidst all of the war films and all of the holiday films out there, there is one film that has found a way to beautifully splice together the two genres and make a truly wonderful film.

Joyeux Noel is a film that came out in 2005, and very few people probably know of its existence. It was gained its popularity as a Academy Award nominee for best foreign film. Now before you write it off because of its “non-American” roots, give me a chance to explain the plot. The plot follows 3 regiments of World War I soldiers, German, Scottish and French who declare a cease fire for Christmas eve. Because of that one night of peace, friendships were formed, and all the horrors of war were forgotten at least for one night.

What I love about this film is that it is in fact a true story. There are records of this type of fraternization going on during World War I. There are accounts of soldiers crossing the line into no man’s land, fraternizing with “the enemy” and sharing drinks and song. The director of Joyeux Noel took these accounts and made a film that he believes to fairly accurately depict what happened in those cold trenches back in 1914.

The film puts up some great acting by some unrecognizable talents in America. I particularly found the performance to be very strong by the Scottish Priest and the German Lieutenant, although the film has a lot of very moving performances. Perhaps one of the most moving parts of the film is Christmas mass in no man’s land. Closely following that scene may be the strong indoctrination scene with another priest before sending the new recruits into battle. Complete polar opposites of each other, it shows the peace and goodwill mankind can show, and the hate it can also unfortunately bear.

If you can find a copy of this film, put it on your list. It just may become a new holiday favorite of mine. It is a film that is wonderfully acted, and directed. Knowing that it is based upon true events just fills you with hope and the sort of joy that is meant for the Christmas season. Joyeux Noel, although unheard of by many, should become a film that you should watch and share with others this holiday season.

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Filed under: Drama, Holiday, Movies, War

Four Christmases

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted at 5:28 pm

A Review by Jason L. King

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Robert Duvall, Tim McGraw, Steve Weibe
Directed by: Seth Gordon
Rated: PG-13
Movie Released: 2008
IMDB Link

Final Grade:

Making it’s holiday debut a year after it’s theatrical release, the Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon flick, Four Christmases finally made it to your small screen just in time for a festive holiday season. The film pokes fun at the problems that the children of divorced families everywhere have to deal with each and every Holiday season. That simply being how do you attend Four Christmases in one day? There is simply too much family to go around!

In this particular holiday tale, Kate and Brad (Witherspoon and Vaughn) find themselves in a bit of a pickle. Normally this unconventional couple tries to skip town on vacation over Christmas. but when their flight to Fiji is cancelled and their parents can call their bluff they have no excuses left. So they decide to do the unthinkable- do all 4 Christmases in one day. Jumping from oddball family member to family member they learn a lot about each other’s pasts and about each other.

What surprised me most was the cast list this film touted. Along side Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon the cast included (in no particular order): Robert Duvall, Tim McGraw, Jon Favreau, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight, Mary Steenburgen and Dwight Yoakam. Also included in the cast was a quick cameo by Steve Wiebe. For those of you not familliar with Wiebe- check out the documentary film, The King of Kong (directed by the director of Four Christmases). Wiebe’s cameo is so brief that most wouldn’t notice and I have to give my wife props for pointing it out to me. Way to go Natasha!

Four Christmases was about what I expected. It’s your traditional tale of two people thinking they know each other, find out they don’t and then magically fall back in love because it is Christmas. It has this huge cast of names playing the oddball family members you get the pleasure of seeing each year at Christmas. From that strange redneck uncle to the stuffy businessman, this film has at least one character you can envision being at your family Christmas.

Vaughn of course plays Vince Vaughn, the fast talking, smooth car salesman act that he is made audiences love. As always it is better to see Vaughn in a comedy than it is to see him trying his more serious side. Reese Witherspoon puts little to no effort in this one either, giving us the “girl next door” act she has perfected in her career. Because of the help of their supporting cast, this film works. Without them it would just be a boring road trip with Reese and Vince.

The movie has its ups and downs. The use of projectile baby vomit twice in the film is overused two too many times. The UFC fighter brother played by Favreau is too over the top and over used. But despite its flaws you will find yourself chuckling at this flick.

As you gear up for your busy holiday season, you might want to put Four Christmases on your list. It’s nothing great, and its not your traditional film filled with Christmas cheer, but if you have ever had to do four Christmas celebrations yourself you may find your self laughing. I know after watching it, I am not dying to see it again or make it part of my holiday film traditions, but at the same time I am willing to give it a second view which makes me believe I should suggest you give it a try.

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Filed under: Comedy, Holiday, Movies

Push

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted at 4:32 pm

A Review by Jason L. King

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Chris Evans, Camilla Belle, Dijimon Hounsou
Directed by:Paul McGuigan
Rated: PG-13
Movie Released: 2009
IMDB Link

Final Grade:

It wasn’t but a few odd years ago that you could throw a stone in any direction in Hollywood and have it hit a person that was involved in a Dakota Fanning project. But like Mac and Haley Joel Osment, Dakota Fanning has now hit that awkward stage of childhood acting. The next few years will be her make it or break it moments in Hollywood. Film roles are sparser now for the child actress, having now been replaced by Abagail Breslin in almost every role she would have previously played. So, I guess I wasn’t too surprised when I saw Fanning starring in a stranger, low budget sci-fi film called Push.

Morbid curiousity lead me to checking out this flick. The film focuses around a pair of young Americans that have special powers (telekenisis, mind reading, abilities to see the future etc.) who are on the run from a strange group of government agents known as Division. These young adults are both 2nd generation powers, meaning they inherited their gift from their parents. Pursued by Division and another group with similar powers and the same goals in mind, they must find a girl in Hong Kong that may be the key to Division controlling thier powers forever.

This film has a lot of potential to be a great film. The problem is, it isn’t pulled off. The director jumps frantically around from scene to scene, introducing chracters that are briefly explained (if at all) and keeps you constantly trying to play catch up on what is going on. A script that is equally as disjointed doesn’t help, giving us a very typical, bland plot filled with questions and plot holes that really aren’t every fully answered.

As far as acting is concerned, things went awry in this department as well. Our main character, Nick, played by Chris Evans who is probably best known as the human torch in the Fantastic Four movies, stumbles his way through this film in a near emotionless style. Because of this, as a viewer you have a very had time connecting with the character. You know that you are supposed to cheer him on, after all he is the underdog. The problem is he brings no charisma to the character and makes his scenes seem very stale. I remember similar performances in Fantastic Four- so maybe that’s just his style, but it just wasn’t working for me. Acting alongside him is Camilla Belle, playing “the special girl” they must find and protect from Division. Much like Evan’s acting work, Belle actually takes awful to a new level. She reads her lines like a depressed puppy dog, hoping that there might be a meaty treat for her if she reads all of her lines correctly. Read them and go through the motions she does do, but as far as acting goes, I’ve seen more convincing acting in a local church’s annual children’s nativity story re-creation.

Another thing that surprised me was Djimon Hounsou, who seems out of place in this film. This actor is a recognizable face and has been nominated for two Oscars and it seems odd to have him in this film. Watching this film is kind of like playing the old game, Which of these things doesn’t belong? You look at Hounsou and immediately say, “What is he doing here?” On the flip side, if you look at Hounsou’s filmography, he jumps from serious roles like Blood Diamond to films like Push and Never Back Down, so he isn’t afraid to try new and different things. The problem here is like all the other actors, he isn’t given much to work with and his screen time is so limited he seems “too good” for the film.

Where this film does go right is Dakota Fanning. The young actress despite all the bad vibes surrounding her, pulls off a very decent performance in the film and creates perhaps the most lovable, cared about character in the film. As a young “watcher” her character is able to see into the future and can sketch out details on a small notepad. Her abilities however are still being honed, so she does have the unfortunate problem of getting a few things wrong. Despite now being in that awkward teenage stage, Fanning continues to show that she has what it takes to be an actress in Hollywood. If this is truly what she wants to do in her life, I have no doubt that Fanning will continue to do very well in her career. She’s already locked away a part in Summit’s Twilight Saga and I’m sure she will continue to gain more exposure as Eclipse is finally released in theaters. Even though the young actress probably doesn’t need the push of Eclipse to push her career forward, it certainly will help continue to propel her in the right direction.

Despite a fun performance by Fanning, Push doesn’t have much going for it. I’d simply skip this one if I had the choice again. The only reason I am glad I saw it was for Fanning, and so I could share with you all the reasons you shouldn’t make Push your next movie night selection!

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Filed under: Action, Movies

The Great Dictator

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted December 10, 2009 at 9:06 pm

A Review by Jason L. King

Starring: Charles Chaplin
Directed by: Charles Chaplin
Rated: PG
Movie Released: 1941
IMDB Link

Final Grade:

One of my all time favorite silent comedians was Charlie Chaplin. The first film I saw of his was the Gold Rush years ago which is probably still my favorite Chaplin film. Chaplin’s penguin like swagger, bowler hat and mustache have become iconic symbols of Hollywood. Having enjoyed all of the Chaplin cinema I have seen so far, I was very excited to finally getting around to watching The Great Dictator.

It was during the time that the Great Dictator was made that Hollywood was at a cross roads. The birth of “talkies” had arrived and became a constant in Hollywood and many silent film stars had made the jump from silent films. Chaplin also made the jump by starring in his first “talkie”, The Great Dictator. Written, directed and starring Charlie Chaplin, the film is a satire on World War 2 propaganda and the Nazi regime. Chaplin plays The Dictator Heynkl as well as a Jewish barber who falls in love with a beautiful Jewish girl.

As much as I wanted to enjoy this film, I didn’t feel that The Great Dictator holds up over the years. While the film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Song in 1941, the academy did not grace the film with the Oscar. Personally, I have no trouble seeing why, but then again I would not have expected it to be in the Oscar running anyway. The film tries to mix a satiric drama with Chaplin’s slapstick comedy. Unfortunately this does not work. When Chaplin plays up his slapstick, physical humor it is reminiscent of the golden age of comedy. However, Chaplin feels the need to try and mix that with a heavy handed satire about World War 2 and Hitler’s rise to power. While at the time this may have been Chaplin’s great satire masterpiece, it now feels bloated, over-blown and far to heavy handed.

Chaplin is really the only reason to watch the film, his dual role as the Jewish Barber (his typical silent character now with voice) and Heynkl The Dictator are two fun roles by Chaplin. Watching Chaplin as Heynkl made me realize how much comedy actors such as Mike Meyers have mimicked Chaplin over the years. Oddly enough in this film, I even felt like I was watching Mike Meyers from time to time. (I either just praised Meyers or insulted Chaplin in that sentence. Not sure which one) On the flip side, the Jewish Barber role made me long for the silent Chaplin. Unfortunately, try as he may I don’t think that Chaplin made a strong leap into “talkies.” Chaplin just doesn’t have the voice to go with the characters. As weird as it sounds, Chaplin was actually one hundred times better when he was silent. They say FM killed AM radio and video killed the radio star, well unfortunately “talkies” killed Chaplin.

Aside from the Chaplin dual role, there are a few other scenes worth watching in the film, such as the classic globe dance scene, but I am sure that clip can be found on line if one is interested. The other is the end speech by Chaplin as the Jewish Barber in guise as Heynkl himself.

However, in the end I can’t suggest The Great Dictator as a film you must watch on your next movie night. I wanted to like it, but I just could not get into the film. It just is a film that has gotten stale over the years, at least in the eyes of my generation. The elements of slapstick I loved were there, the great Chaplin was there, but something felt off. I’ll stick to my Chaplin films like the Gold Rush, Modern Times and The Circus. If you’re looking for some classic Chaplin comedy, go check out one of those instead.

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Filed under: Comedy, Movies
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