The Last Kiss

Don’t expect The Last Kiss to be like Garden State. In my opinion, that’s a pretty lofty expectation to place on this film. It’s understandable that people could make the assumption with Zach Braff in the lead role having romantic discourses with pretty actresses as emo music fills the background. But it is important to note that Braff neither wrote nor directed this film (well, he did write the final scenes which are wonderfully done); that credit goes to Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby, Crash) and Tony Goldwyn (TV guest actor who also played the chief of staff in The Pelican Brief). I guess I should also mention that this film is a remake of 2001’s L'ultimo Bacio. The critics are wondering why a remake was needed, I was wondering if any regular movie-goer had actually seen the original. I know I haven’t. But enough about giving credit where credit is due; let’s look at the film.

I am a big fan of Zach Braff. Ever since I saw him play with shaving cream in the opening seconds of the Scrubs pilot episode, I thought this is an actor I can get behind. For some strange reason, I find that I can totally relate to Zach Braff. Maybe it’s the dorky sense of humour. Maybe it’s the similar age. Or maybe it’s that sense that we feel like we’re living in a movie-world that is much more dramatic than it really is. Of course, Zach gets all the hot girls and me, not so much . . . not at all. In The Last Kiss, Braff plays Michael, a guy who has a hot, pregnant fiancée but is afraid to commit without seeing what else is out there. At times I can totally see where he is coming from even though I may not agree with his actions. Actually, Michael is pretty despicable at times. And he seems stupid as well. I agree that Rachel Bilson (The OC) is pretty good looking but his fiancée played by Jacinda Barrett (The Real World, School for Scoundrels) is no slouch. Barrett’s Jenna is also sweet and caring, making Michael even more stupid.

While the love triangle is at the center of The Last Kiss, this drama also looks at four other relationships filled with great acting from the likes of Casey Affleck, Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkinson. Unfortunately, these relationship trials aren’t fully fleshed out to the point that I’m really rooting for the characters to get back together. It is also unfortunate that I can’t get past the casting of Michael Weston as the rejected Izzy, since I will always remember him as Large’s cop friend from Braff’s Garden State. Another thing wrong with this film are the graphic sexual scenes that are completely unnecessary. The three scenes seemed out of place and served only for titillation purposes as the story could have easily been told without them.

Braff’s other contribution to The Last Kiss is the making of the soundtrack. As he did with the Grammy award-winning Garden State soundtrack, Braff picks the perfect emo songs to punctuate the movie and evoke the desired feelings. The opening track of Snow Patrol’s Chocolate puts the audience in the perfect state of mind for this romantic dramatic film. Looking over the track listing, it appears that Braff is giving Joshua Radin some time in the spotlight, much like he did with The Shins in Garden State. And with good reason.

In closing, wait for this film on DVD and fast forward through a couple of quick scenes. Oh, and don’t watch this film if you’re going to get married in the next couple of weeks. But if you want to support the film, buy the soundtrack. If Zach Braff likes it, that’s good enough for me.

New Show Update

Now that we’re fully into the new TV season, here’s my update on how the new shows are doing.

Shows You Should Be Watching
It’s a known fact that networks are impatient. They want instant success or else they’ll yank the show before you can say goodbye. This is especially true for new shows. It is unfortunate that networks have not heard about word of mouth or letting a show gather a following. Do they not remember Cheers or Seinfeld? Both shows failed their first year and then went on to become the most recognized super sitcoms of this present age. The Office did poorly it’s first season to now become a hit on NBC. It took three years for 24 to become the powerhouse drama Fox hoped it would be. All I am saying is give new shows a chance.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip – I know a lot of people are watching but apparently not enough. It keeps losing to CSI: Miami. I hate that show. I hate David Curuso. I don’t know why Americans would prefer another procedural show instead of a witty, fast paced, intelligent drama by Aaron Sorkin. Because it airs on Sunday in Canada, I often find myself watching this show twice a week. And I don’t think I’m alone.

The Nine – I don’t understand what would keep people from turning the TV off after Lost instead of sticking around for one of the best new shows of the season. I loved the opening scene of Lost’s third season premiere, and don’t get me wrong, I also see the need for the inevitable “debriefing” after each episode but you gotta stick around for The Nine. It’s inventive, it’s mysterious, and it’s full of great characters played by great actors. Sound familiar? Don’t be left out of loop.

Heroes – Until 24 comes, there’s nothing else on at 9pm on Monday nights. It’s another great show with a large cast of colourful characters with incredible powers. And with this one, you know it’s not going to get yanked anytime soon since NBC has picked up the full first season (the first of any new series this fall). That kind of commitment has to say something.

Shows That Have Been Moved but Are Still Worth Watching

Justice – It’s fast and slick. That refers to the plot and Victor Garber’s lines. This show will be back in November and will be probably moved from it’s “opposite Lost” timeslot which is a relief. It’s a fun procedural without a serialized storyline. It helps take the pressure off.

Kidnapped – Because of poor ratings, NBC is moving this show to Saturday and making the producers wrap up the storyline in 13 episodes. At least the producers know this in advance (unlike Reunion’s fate last year) so expect a tight action-packed story. Also moving it to Saturday makes it easy to tape and watch later. I’m enjoying the show, I find the pace works well. NBC will probably re-air the first three episodes and then run down the series.

Show I’m Still Not Sure About

30 Rock – To be fair, I’ve only seen the pilot episode which was only so so. It seems to be in bad taste to start a sitcom with a major portion of it taking place in a strip club, but maybe that’s just me. Nevertheless, I’ll probably keep watching this show because I like the cleverness of Tina Fey and the hilarious line delivery of Alec Baldwin.

Shows I Tried and Gave Up On

Vanished – I didn’t care if the senator got his wife back. I found the dialogue cheesy and Rebecca Grayheart and Ming Na were a waste of airtime.

Six Degrees – I didn’t care about the characters or the coincidences. Apparently having JJ Abrams (Alias, Lost) as an executive producer doesn’t mean that much if he’s not writing it.

Jericho – Skeet Ulrich bothers me. I can’t stand him. The only intriguing character in this show is the black former cop who seems to know too much. Not intriguing enough, though.

Brothers and Sisters – Marti Noxon left, so did I. This show is too chick-flick for me despite its impressive cast.

Shark – I gave it an honest shot but it looks too much like House with lawyers. You have the grumpy guy with a soft heart teaching younger people how the world really works while barking orders at them. Not a fan of James Woods, don’t like is underlings. Like the daughter, but not nearly enough to stay.

Smith – I really wanted to like this show. I love heist films. Unfortunately, the cops and wife know too much already. Slow down the revelations. I’m obviously not alone, since Smith has already been yanked from the schedule.

Who will be the next to fall? Gotta prediction?

The Departed

Go see The Departed. The only reason not to see this film is if you have an aversion to violence. This film is gritty and raw but it does not seem out of place considering the subject matter. But what else would you expect form Martin Scorsese? This film has the panache of Goodfellas with even better acting. In fact, if this film doesn’t get a slew of Oscar nominations, I will be dumbfounded. Scorsese has been robbed of the Best Director statue in the past (he should have gotten it for Raging Bull), but it will be a true crime if he is denied the trophy this year. I was riveted, engrossed and not at all bothered by the two and half hour running time. This film has everything going for it.

I know people like to knock down Leonardo DiCaprio because of his pretty-boy turn in Titanic, but this guy can act. Before the film, I saw a preview of DiCaprio’s next film The Blood Diamond, and was blown away at how he is able to change his accent. In The Departed, Leo plays a Boston cop who is sent undercover to infiltrate Jack Nicholson’s mob. His moral dilemmas and constant fear are perfectly played in each scene. If you doubt DiCaprio’s chops, rent What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and see how great an actor he really is.

Matt Damon is starting to grow on me. Admittedly, I am one of the three people in North America who hated his roles in Good Will Hunting and The Talented Mr. Ripley. Legend of Bagger Vance didn’t win any points with me either. But with Dogma, Bourne Identity and Ocean’s Eleven, Matt Damon is shaping up to be a another great actor who should not be ignored. Damon is compelling in The Departed playing a mob soldier in a cop uniform. His intensity and two-facedness is a treat to watch.

Jack Nicholson is Jack Nicholson. Roles are written specifically for him. And I sometimes don’t think that’s a bad thing. I love watching Jack play. He’s both chilling and humourous all at the same time. Nobody does it better than Jack.

The cast is rounded out with some stellar acting from Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Anderson and Martin Sheen. My goodness, the mouth on Wahlberg. His foul vulgar-strewn tear down of diCaprio almost made me wince with its amount of profanity. But then again, I once worked in a warehouse, so it seemed to fit all the same. The only poor performance in this film is done by the only lead female in the cast, Vera Farmiga. She does not possess the skills to hold her own in scenes between Damon or diCaprio. This is a job better suited for Scarlett Johansson.

Apart from the fantastic acting, the cat and mouse storyline is compelling and inventive. I love how one reviewer called it Goodfellas with cell phones. Never has text messaging been so spine-tingling. I remember when I was watching Daniel Day-Lewis’ brilliant portrayal of Bill the Butcher in Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, I took note of Lewis’ breathing. Even his breathing was in character. In one gripping scene of The Departed, the breathing over a cell phone speaks volumes and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

In closing, watch this film. In the movie theatre. Now. It’s definitely in my top three, if not my number one movie this year (I’ll make that decision in December). And a note to Martin Scorsese, you should be working on your acceptance speech.