The International

Witwiwo:

What: The Internatinal.

When: January 7th, 2010

How Long: 1 hour, 58 minutes.

Where: THE TESTOSTERHOME.

Why: Because we couldn't decide between Casino Royale and Mighty Ducks. So we went with this.

What I ate while I watched: Cherry 7up and a pudding cup for the Win!

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts.

Expectations: The trailer was intriguing, but I wasn't really convinced. I wasn't expecting much as a movie, but I do know Clive Owen is a pretty good actor, so I was hoping.

Two Sentence Synopsis: Louis Salinger is an Interpol agent trying to prove the underhanded dealings of the International Bank of Business and Credit (IBBC). With the help of New York cop Eleanor Whitman he makes some headway into the case, only to find it may be more dangerous and difficult than he anticipated.

My Favorite Part or Quote was: The gunfight in the Guggenheim Museum. Really well done, as far as action choreography goes.

"There is a difference between truth and fiction. Fiction has to make sense."

"Sometimes a man meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it."

How Fun It Was: Some of the action was entertaining. Other than that, not much.

The Positives: The way the movie was not like the trailer. I thought that it was going to be all about this bank that was literally unstoppable. While there was an element of the criminal connectedness, it wasn't impenetrable "Big-Brother"-esque.

The Negatives: I found it very difficult to get emotionally engaged, I didn't really care why they wanted to take down the bank. And it built up to relatively little.

The Theology, Philosophy, Morality or Application: There were those two quotes up there, a tad bit of redemption...but not much to speak of.

One thing I learned: Yes, people sill make so-so movies. I'd forgotten after the last few movies I'd seen.

The ending: Bleh. I didn't like it at all. It was unresolved, which I'm usually a fan of, but in this case it was just poorly done.

Go/Rent/Buy/Don't: Don't bother.

(500) Days of Summer

Witwiwo:

What: (500) Days of Summer

When: January 5, 2010.

How Long: 1 hour, 35 minutes. A tad short, but solid.

Where: At the Schley residence, actually. Watchin' a flick at home for once.

Why: Partially because Zooey Deschanel is the prettiest girl in showbiz. And I've heard only good things about it.

What I ate while I watched: Koolaid and Cheerios!

Director: Marc Webb

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and (The Lovely) Zooey Deschanel.

Expectations: Very high, because of my appreciation of Zooey and zero-concession-praises of the film that I have heard.

Two Sentence Synopsis: Tom Hanson meets Summer Finn and falls for her, hard. The next 500 days of her presence in his life radically change his view on love and consequently, his life.

My Favorite Part or Quote was:

Vance: Lately your work has been a little off--

Tom: What do you mean?

Vance: Here's one you wrote the other day--"Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, F*ck You, whore."

How Fun It Was: Pretty good stuff throughout, the overall mood of the movie wasn't funny, but there were some pretty comical stuff.

The Positives: The storyline and directing was superb. Cutting between the various days in the relationship was a very effective touch. Just the way the movie was put together, the cutscenes and the music...all well done. That's what you get with an indie film though.

The Negatives: It has the potential to be a boring film. It can engage you well, but my father ended up walking out because the movie didn't make him care enough. So I can see how it could be boring. If you miss connecting with the story early, then yes, the movie will be a bore for ya.

The Theology, Philosophy, Morality or Application: It seemed to be mostly focused on the nature of love, and the different concepts we place around it--destiny, "the one," etc. I really like the closing narration: the narrator essentially said that Tom didn't believe in fate anymore...or he was at least pretty sure about it...and then proceeded to act contrarily to that. I did like how it affirmed fate in an back-handed way. Other than that, the tagline really nails the premise: "This is not a love story, it is a story about love."

One thing I learned: Love is not as easy to nail down as even I, the greatly wise one, had estimated. I've always considered that there is a complete and truthful definition of love out there, and I still do, but I am much less confident I know what that definition is. I really liked it when this bit came up:

Tom: I need to know that you're not gonna wake up in the morning and feel differently.

Summer: And I can't give you that. Nobody can.

Even if I don't necessarily agree.

The ending: I don't know if it could have been better. If it could, tell me how.

Go/Rent/Buy/Don't: Go rent it, now. If you don't want to keep watching it after 30 minutes, then by all means, don't let my review be the thing that keeps you watching.

Up in the Air

Witwiwo:

What: Up in the Air

When: Sunday, January 3rd.

How Long: 1 hour, 49 minutes. Not too short, not too long.

Where: Good ol' Summerville Azalea theatre. It's been a while since I'd been there.

Why: I saw the preview this past semester when I was supposed to be working on a paper, and was highly intrigued by the concept.

What I ate while I watched: A free soda because Regal Cinemas loves me. Or my money. Go Regal club!

Director: Jason Reitman

Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman.

Expectations: Fairly high. Between the preview, Clooney's record and the sterling reviews most people I know have given it, I was expecting a good bit.

Two Sentence Synopsis: Ryan Bingham fires people for a living, travelling all over the country to do so, aspiring to obtain 10,000,000 frequent flyer miles. When Ryan is partnered with the much younger new girl, Natalie, and meets an on-the-road fling, Alex, conflicting ideas of what it means to live causes enough tension that both Ryan and Natalie are forced to re-evaluate their lives.

My Favorite Part or Quote was: Pretty difficult to pick--there were a lot of good quotes, philosophical and comical. Here was one I really liked though:

Ryan: [Talking about his 10,000,000 flyer miles goal]...and you get your name on the side of a plane...

Natalie: Oh my God, you men never grow up, it's like you have to pee on everything. It's like you're afraid of mortality.

Ryan: And why do you suppose that is?

Natalie: I don't know, probably because you can't have babies.

Ryan: Oh, the babies argument.

(Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure I didn't quote that word for word, but it's close)

How Fun It Was: Hil-daggum-larious. (compound words FTW) So many one liners, and then Zach Galifianakis' little side-sketch about being fired had me cracking up. And I quote:

Ryan: Do you know why kids look up to sports stars?

Employee: I dunno, because they have sex with lingerie models?

Ryan: No, that's why we look up to sports stars. Kids look up to sports stars because they follow their dreams.

The Positives: The writing was stellar. More than stellar. Interstellar, you might say. And the smoothly connected conflict between what Natalie thought life was about and the corresponding ideas of Ryan, along with their separate issues left you a flick you could decide the meaning to. Also, the cinematography was subtly fantastic.

The Negatives: Hmm...for some, a touch 0' the language throughout. I didn't so much mind it, but you may. Not much else. I would be fine if this one swept a good portion of the awards.

The Theology, Philosophy, Morality or Application: Like I just said, it is left a little open to interpretation. There is the idea that Ryan lives out--keep moving and don't be tied down, that relationships are the heaviest weight you will bear and therefore should be avoided, which directly conflicts with Natalie's lifestyle of trying to seek out companionship and staying connected. Each character realizes some slight value in the other's viewpoint, while not necessarily adopting it full-on. Essentially, recognizing the value in other people's ideas.

One thing I learned: Not everyone who has a radical viewpoint or lifestyle does so for dumb reasons. There is value in understanding and destroying other's paradigms.

The ending: Took me completely by surprise, in a good way. The twist--which I will not reveal--blew me away and the movie is much better for it. A tad unresolved, but artfully done.

Go/Rent/Buy/Don't: GO SEE THIS MOVIE! I'm serious. Yes, you won't lose a whole lot from the theater to your television, but it is worth getting yourself into the theater for it. And if you don't, then buy it. And if you don't at least rent it, I will hand deliver a box of feces to your place of residence.

The Purpose

If we've learned anything from the title of Rick Warren's bestselling book (because I haven't delved further into it than that) then I should do something with purpose.

So then, just to let you know, the purpose behind this blog is to provide me an outlet/voice to what I think about different types of entertainment. I already analyze things when I partake of them, and I do like to tell others about entertainment I enjoyed (or didn't).

I hope that I've got a slightly different look on things, coming from a mildly theological point of view, with my naturally literary point of view.

If you ever want to know what I thought of a particular piece of entertainment, be it film, book, music, magazine, television show or viral video, etc, then just ask. And hopefully I will oblige. Unless I'm a jerk. Which is a good possibility.

Sherlock Holmes

Witwiwo:

What: Sherlock Holmes

When: December 25, 2009--Christmas, baby!

How Long: Just over 2 hours.

Where: Charleston's sketchy theater--Oakbrook. I mean, it is only $4.

Director: Guy Ritchie

Author: Sort of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A big sort of.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong.

Why: Because I love me some Sir A.C. Doyle, and some Downey Jr. And Law. And because it was a gift to the kids for Christmas.

Expectations: Pretty high, with those two as lead roles and the trailers running nonstop for the past month and a half, I've been looking forward to it.

What I ate while I watched: Some popcorn and about a frillion Twizzlers.

Two Sentence Synopsis: The very Downey Jr.-ed Holmes teams up with the reluctant Dr. Watson to battle the supposed black magic of Lord Blackwood. Along the way they kick a bunch of random butt to unearth an ironically non-magical villain.

My Favorite Part or Quote was: Ooo, that's a hard one. There were quite a few one-liners.

Holmes' and Watson's dialogue throughout was pretty hilarious. I quite liked their argument in jail though, when Watson complains that Holmes' steals his clothes, to which Holmes replies "we have a barter system."

How Fun It Was: Pretty daggum funny. A lot of the comical parts were in the trailer but there are still others, and they didn't seem forced.

The Positives: The plot was pretty good. Not easy to predict, at least. And the very subtle use of Holmes perceptive abilities was a nice touch. Also the dialogue between Holmes and just about anyone.

The Negatives: The focus on the action seemed a little out of touch with who Holmes is in the historical understanding. Not that it wasn't enjoyable, but it did take away from the sleuth aspect of his nature. Also, not that it wasn't enjoyable, but Downey plays very similar roles in most of his movies, and feel that this Holmes was almost created for that role. And finally, the computer generated images left a good bit to be desired.

The Theology, Philosophy, Morality or Application: Pretty much nonexistent. There was a hint of the supremacy of rationalism and logic that could be seen through Holmes' methods.

One thing I learned: Uh, bring your own drink because the theater soda will quickly run out if you have several people sharing it.

The ending: Decent. A little clean, I felt. And open-ended. I feel like they started in the wrong part of Holmes and Watson's relationship if they intend to make a sequel.

Go/Rent/Buy/Don't: I didn't feel like I wasted money on seeing it in theaters, but you aren't losing a whole lot by not seeing it on the big screen. It is solidly worth the rental, but I would say go see it.

Avatar

Witwiwo:

What: Avatar

When: Friday, December 18

How Long: 2 daggum hours and 42 frickin' minutes. Really long, in other words.

Where: Manchester Cinemas, Rock Hill

Why: That would be a question more appropriately directed at James Cameron. But mostly because the trailer looked pretty epic and I'm all for some kick=assery and alien cultures.

Director: James Cameron (also the author)

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Zoe Saldana, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel Moore.

Expectations: Fairly high, because Cameron spent half a billion on it's production, and I've heard buzz about his new technology for over a year now.

What I ate while I watched: Cookie dough bites and a Mountain Dew Livewire

Two Sentence Synopsis: Handicapped Marine Jake Sully guides an 'avatar' alien body in order to infiltrate the Na'vi, natives of the alien world Pandora. His growing involvement with the Na'vi brings him into conflict with the greedy corporation behind the human expedition on Pandora.

My Favorite Part or Quote was: The final battle. I mean, there were a few quotes here and there, but it was epic and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

How Fun It Was: Like I said, a few quotes here and there, but overall not hilarious. Very entertaining though. Visually if nothing else.

The Positives: The graphics were pretty amazing, as was the the action. I also thought the culture and 'alienness' of the Na'vi and Pandora as a world was very well done. It really felt like a different, fantastic world.

The Negatives: The plot. It was fairly stock and easy to predict. Greedy corporation seeks to destroy nature and the native race. Spy turns sympathizer with a love interest in the chiefs daughter. Nothing I hadn't seen before. Also, the major "Mother Earth" overtones with the Na'vi and their religion was pretty tiring to sit through.

The Theology, Philosophy, Morality or Application: The basic point was don't get so greedy you go destroying the environment or indigenous peoples. Also, don't be unaccepting of those who are different from you. Fairly tired and dumb concepts to be hammered at in this repetitive way.

One thing I learned: A worn-out message and fairly stock plot can be made very entertaining if accompanied by good cinematography. And it can keep me on the edge of my seat. And make me tear up a little. Just a little.

The ending: Pretty good. A little happy, but not too americanly so.

Go/Rent/Buy/Don't: Go see it, because it is an experience on the big screen. It is worth at least the price of admission.

Run Fatboy Run

Witwiwo:

What: Run Fatboy Run

When: 12/12/09

How Long: 1 hour, 39 minutes.

Where: TESTOSTERHOME FTW.

Why: Because I love me some Simon Pegg.

Director: David Schwimmer

Starring: Simon Pegg, Hank Azaria, Thandie Newton

What I ate while I watched: A klondike bar. Always. Like Walmart's low prices.

Expectations: Meh, not too much. Then only thing I'd heard was that it was differently than Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

Two Sentence Synopsis: Dennis Doyle leaves his pregnant wife at the altar and realizes it was a huge mistake five years later. He decides to run a marathon to show her he's changed and to show up her new "perfect" boyfriend.

My Favorite Part or Quote was:
Gordon: You left her pregnant at the altar!
Dennis: That was five years ago!
Gordon: Well, I guess women just have a long memory for that kind of thing.

How Fun It Was: DAGGUM HILARIOUS. I was literally laughing out loud (not 'loling') for most of the film.

The Positives: The comedy, for sure, and the message behind what Dennis was doing--it wasn't just straight up revenge and I-will-win-my-girl-back fanaticism.

The Negatives: Whit (the new boyfriend) was conveniently perfect to begin with and then conveniently douchebaggish at the end. There was little progression or early indication. It wasn't horrible, it was just not my favorite part.

The Theology, Philosophy, Morality or Application: Fairly decent; Had a lot to say about fulfilling others expectations of you, and wanting the best for people. Dennis didn't leave because he was afraid of commitment, but because he was afraid he couldn't give Libby what she deserved. Good stuff.

One thing I learned: Large Indian guys will always be funny. Especially when they give good marriage advice.

The ending: Excellent. Wrapped up and "happy," but not perfectly neat.

Go/Rent/Buy/Don't: Definitely rent, worth the purchase.