Top 10 of 2007

I love lists. I always look forward to making my end of the year top ten lists. This year, like most years, has been difficult when narrowing down my choices. So many good films and television shows, so few slots. My biggest regret is leaving Children of Men off the list. It technically came out in 2006. I didn't watch it until 2007 but if I went by that reasoning, any 1990s video I watched would be eligible. So unfortuntely Children of Men is absent (it would have scored pretty high on the list, incidently). I added a new list this year, hope you like 'em. And if you don't, feel free to argue.

TOP 10 FILMS OF 2007
I don't want to repeat myself. Just click on the links for the full reviews.




1. Juno
"I’ll just say it has everything: a great story that knows when to wrap up, wonderful quirky characters who aren’t quirky for quirky sake, clever lines that are filled with creative slang and punchy sarcasm, dramatic moments that still move me think about them, an original soundtrack with music that your head unconsciously bops to, beautifully cinematic close-ups of hands, feet and stomachs, and a conclusion that makes you happy to be alive."
http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2007/12/juno.html

2. No Country For Old Men
"No Country for Old Men has everything going for it: acting, script, cinematography, lighting and even sound design. This is a must see movie, assuming you can stand some brutally violent scenes. I’m thinking that No Country for Old Men is the current benchmark for how a suspense film should be done. This is a movie that will definitely stick with you long after the silent credits roll."
http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2007/11/no-country-for-old-men.html

3. 300
"Some critics say they could have simply watched the trailer, but then they’d miss out on some great scenes like the one involving philosophy while eating an apple. If you think this movie will be like Brad Pitt’s clunker, Troy, you are greatly mistaken. In my opinion, 300 is a mixture of Sin City’s graphic images, Gladiator’s wheat scenes, and Lord of the Rings epic battle sequences. And a mixture of those three films is not too shabby."
http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2007/03/movie-onslaught-part-iv.html

4. The Darjeeling Limited
"The Darjeeling Limited uses metaphor, quirks, clever one-liners and fascinating characters to tell his story. I do find it interesting how most of his stories deal with rich individuals who have a hard time expressing themselves. While the spiritual journey begins on the train, it doesn’t truly get started until long afterwards. Even when you think they have learned all there is to know, Anderson takes you even further."
http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2007/11/darjeeling-limited.html

5. Across the Universe
"Of course, the main reason to see Across the Universe is the beautiful cinematography created by the brilliant Julie Taymor (Lion King Musical, Titus). Mixing psychedelic, symbolic, fantastic and epic images together, Taymor interprets the Beatles tunes in a fresh way. Lighter songs are mixed with darker images and vice versa, while some songs just seem to fit; “With a Little Help From My Friends” is done is a dorm room filled with guys being guys. It works for me. "
http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2007/09/across-universe.html

6. American Gangster
"Of course, the reason to watch American Gangster is to see the powerhouse performances of two Hollywood heavyweights. While they both are captivating whenever they are on the screen, I think Denzel comes out as the winner. Maybe it’s because Washington’s portrayal of real-life Harlem druglord, Frank Lucas, is so finely tuned. Washington commands the screen every time he is on it. There’s a level of strength, confidence and preciseness that is almost mesmerizing. "
http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2007/11/american-gangster.html

7. Charlie Wilson's War
"I didn’t need to view any footage to make me eager to see it, I only had to look at the three names attached: Hanks, Roberts, Sorkin. Add in Philip Seymour Hoffman and the fine directing of Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Closer) and you’ve got the makings of a can’t-lose picture. Of course, the subject matter has to do with war in Afghanistan but who cares when these phenomenal artists are involved."
http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2007/12/charlie-wilsons-war.html

8. Knocked Up
"You can thank writer/director/producer Judd Apatow for giving this movie a strong base. It’s kinda like Apatow bakes the cake and the actors add all the frosting and sprinkles on it to make it even more delectable. I’ve been watching Apatow’s earlier TV work on The Larry Sanders Show and have found that this writer/director knows how to perfectly mix the crass, the realistic and the heart."
http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2007/07/knocked-up.html

9. 1408
"'It’s an evil fucking room'. And that it is. The room has a mind of its own as it gives Cusack’s Mike Enslin one hour to live. Now in case you’re wondering, this movie isn’t torture porn like Saw and Hostel; it isn’t gory and there is only a little blood. What this film does have is suspense and disturbing images. It’s a psychological thriller. I would say it’s like The Shining with a much faster pulse."
http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2007/07/1408.html

10. Live Free or Die Hard
"When you go into a Die Hard film you need to expect the following: taunting comments from Willis’ John McClane, stunts that are way beyond the realm of possibility, and a “yippee-ki-yay motherfucker.” Check. Check. And Check (even though it’s muffled due to its first PG rating). Live Free or Die Hard has all that you should expect in a summer big-budget action flick. I walked out of the theatre entertained and a little deaf from the sound. Good times."
http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2007/07/live-free-or-die-hard.html

TOP 10 FILM SCENES OF 2007
This is a new list. While some films are just great all around, there are some scenes in both great and average movies that still stick with you long after the film is done. Here are my favourites of the year.

1. Ratatouille - Anton Ego's bite of ratatouille
How else can you show the impact of deliciousness? Brad Bird pulls this off brilliantly with the quick cuts to Anton as a sniffling boy and then the dropping of the pen.
2. Grindhouse - The climactic missing reel in Planet Terror
Just before a quiet sex scene, the film disintegrates and then the film continues in the midst of climactic battle against zombies where secrets have already been revealed.
3. Charlie Wilson's War - Gust Avrakotos meets Charlie Wilson
Avrakotos (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) keeps entering and exiting Wilson (Tom Hanks)'s office while Charlie's attractive assistants try to squash a tabloid rumour. Funny.
4. Hot Rod - Rod Kimble falls down a very high mountain
Rod completes a Footloose routine in the forest that ends up catapulting him down a mountain side. There is no end to the tumbling. Great physical humour.
5. Live Free or Die Hard - The dark tunnel sequence
With the lights turned off, cars crash and almost squish Bruce Willis and Justin Long. It ends with Willis propelling a car into a flying helicopter. Unbelievable but great fun.
6. The Bourne Ultimatum - The Waterloo Station sequence
Jason Bourne guides journalist Simon Ross through the busy Waterloo station while he is under surveillance by the CIA. Now we know what goes on in Bourne's head.
7. Across the Universe - I've Just Seen a Face
Jim Sturgess' Jude fancies Lucy and begins to sing 'I've Just Seen a Face' while the crowd of young people dance among psychedelic lights in a bowling alley. Fun stuff.
8. Transformers - Hiding in the garden
Optimus Prime and the Autobots clumsily hide in Sam's backyard while he's getting a talking to from his parents. This scene also has Prime's "my bad" line.
9. Blades of Glory - The skating chase
Stranz (Will Arnett) chases Chazz (Will Ferrell) through a building while wearing figure skates. Slipping ensues. Also getting stuck on an escalator and Snowflake's demise.
10. The Simpsons Movie - Spiderpig
"Spiderpig, Spiderpig, does whatever a Spiderpig does. Can he swing from a web? No he can't he's a pig. Lookout, he is a Spiderpig." Genius.

TOP 10 TV SHOWS OF 2007
I've talked about most of these shows before. I'll just list some of the my highlights of the year.




1. Lost (Last year: 1)
What this year had going for it: Locke’s big fall, Desmond’s disturbing gift, the true Sawyer, the awful death of minor characters, Ben’s creepy eyes, Charlie’s list, Hurley’s daring rescue, Sayid’s foot trick, and the mind-blowing flash-forward. It doesn’t get better than this.

2. Pushing Daisies
What I like about this new show: beautiful cinematography; likeable characters; Jim Dale’s voice over, Kristin Chenoweth singing, Digby the dog, Paul Reubens cameos, the fascinating premise, the music cues, quirky dialogue and pie. It’s the most clever, imaginative thing on television right now.

3. The Office (Last year: 4)
What this year had going for it: Jim and Pam’s romance; guest directors; the outrageous and quotable talking head interviews; the twist of a finale with Ryan taking corporate to a whole new level, Kelly’s rebound; Angela’s cat; Moes creepiness and Jan’s boob job. This is unmissable television.

4. Damages
What I like about this new show: the suspenseful plot that is full of clever twists and turns; the evilness of both Glenn Close and Ted Danson; the tragic Ray Fiske; the colour-coded editing; the constant time-jumping; the still-unanswered quetsions; the fast pace and the condensed time frame. This tided me over during Lost's absence.

5. Battlestar Galactica
What this year had going for it: the reveal of the final five; Tyrol and Cally stuck in the airlock; Baltar’s treason trial and the reappearance of Starbuck. To be honest, I started watching Galactica this summer, so the whole series is fresh in my mind. If I watched it when it came out, I’m sure it would have been on previous lists.

6. How I Met Your Mother (Last Year: 8)
What this year had going for it: The slap bet; the summer-long legendary ‘wait for it’ pause; Robin’s older date; the deflowering of Barney; every word out of Neil Patrick Harris’s mouth; the small reveal of the mother; Wayne Brady as Barney’s gay brother; the platinum rule; the Fiero and Bob Barker. This show is awesome.

7. Dexter
What I like about this new show: Dexter’s inner monlogue; the dark humour; the season long arcs of The Ice Cream Truck Killer and The Bay Harbor Butcher; the close calls, the final moments of Sgt. Doakes; the blood splatters; the eventual pay-offs and Michael C Hall’s fantastic acting; Talk about a tour-de-force performance.

8. 30 Rock
What this year had going for it: The Isabella Rossellini fight; Liz plays hard ball with Josh; Will Arnett as Jack’s whispering rival; Seinfeldvision; David Schwimmer as Greenzo;Jack portraying all of Tracey’s family; fat Jenna; Tracey's ankle bling and the wonderful Tina Fey. This show has finally hit its stride.

9. Dirty Sexy Money
What I like about this new show: Peter Krause’s mix of self-righteousness and utter shock; Samaire Armstrong and Seth Gabel as the bratty teens; Karen’s outrageous flirting with Nick; the bitter pettiness of Brian; the cat fights and the fun ring tones. It’s Dynasty meets Arrested Development.

10. Chuck
What I like about this new show: Chuck’s sheer innocence; the sexy Yvonne Strzechowski; the comic timing of Adam Baldwin; Captain Awesome ; CS Lee as the villainous Harry Tang; the Nerd Herd and the use of the Buy More store to stop crime. It’s Lone Gunmen meets Andy Barker PI meets Alias.

So there you go. Hope you enjoyed the lists. Feel free to tell me your favourites. What's in your top ten?

Juno

Wow. I wish I could just say that and let you experience Juno for yourself. I don’t even know if I can accurately express my thoughts on this film. I’ll just say it has everything: a great story that knows when to wrap up, wonderful quirky characters who aren’t quirky for quirky sake, clever lines that are filled with creative slang and punchy sarcasm, dramatic moments that still move me think about them, an original soundtrack with music that your head unconsciously bops to, beautifully cinematic close-ups of hands, feet and stomachs, and a conclusion that makes you happy to be alive. I went in with great expectations and left with great satisfaction. Juno was a wonderful way to end a year of movie watching. I’m done till January.

The three individuals who deserve most of the credit for this unbelievably charming film are Jason Reitman, Diablo Cody and Ellen Page. Reitman directed Thank You For Smoking, my favourite movie last year, and now he does it again with Juno. This Canadain-born director knows how to film. Juno isn’t as slick as Thank You for Smoking, but it doesn’t have to be, it just needs to tell a compelling story and bring the audience in for the ride. Reitman masterfully directs this wonderful script from newcomer Diablo Cody. She’s gonna win an Oscar for this. Hands down. She previously wrote the critically acclaimed bestseller Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper, but this is her first movie script. Cody has not only created a brilliantly layered character in Juno with her quick sassy dialogue that smacks of insightful social commentary, but is able to surround her with an array off-kilter friends and family. Luckily, this complex character is skillfully portrayed by the amazing Ellen Page (Hard Candy, X-Men: The Last Stand). She’ll also get nominated for an Oscar. Her sheer spunkiness adds life and energy to this picture, but she is just as compelling when dealing with situations far beyond her maturity level. I haven’t seen her in Hard Candy, but I’ll be checking it out soon, solely based on Page’s performance in Juno.

While those three individuals may get all the accolades, there are many others who contribute to this wonderful production. Jennifer Garner is outstanding as Vanessa, a woman waiting in the wings for Juno’s baby. Garner flawlessly portrays the longing for a child. She tries hard to make everything perfect, but you can see the fear of rejection in the way she communicates. I never once, thought of her as Sydney Bristow of Alias, Garner completely captivated me. Jason Bateman gives a nuanced performance as Vanessa’s husband who is apprehensive about fatherhood and growing up. He even becomes a little creepy. JK Simmons and Allison Janney are amazingly supportive as Juno’s parents. Despite Simmons gruffness, one can still see the heart. Janney, fresh off her turn as the deeply religious mother in Hairspray, gets some of the best lines in the movie in regards to doctors and sonogram technicians. Of course, Michael Cera (Superbad, Arrested Development) is perfectly cast as the awkward father of Juno’s child. His statements about love and friendship are both honest and funny and almost makes you forget about his distractingly colorful running gear.

There aren’t that many films about teenage pregnancy. Juno refreshingly deals with this taboo subject with humour and maturity. This movie makes a point of dealing with teenage pregnancy from a social and emotional level. While I found myself laughing out loud through a lot of the film, it was the emotional moments that kept me grounded to the narrative. This story is sassy and sweet and keeps you invested in the characters; one of the final scenes at the track still makes me smile from ear to ear. I left Juno feeling like I was walking on air, I haven’t felt this kind of elation since leaving a screening of Stranger Than Fiction last year. There are no special effects, so big screen viewing is not mandatory, but if you want to leave a movie with a big, big smile, watch Juno.

The Christmas Movie Onslaught

It’s that time of year again where I watch almost a movie a day to get them all in before the new year. And because I don’t want to spend my entire Christmas break writing blogs, I’ll just do some quick reviews.

I’m glad that John C Reilly has finally been given the chance to headline a comedy in Walk Hard. He began his career in quieter dramatic supporting roles (Magnolia, Chicago, The Hours) but ever since Talladega Nights, Reilly has shown what a gifted comedian he truly is. Just view his work on funnyordie.com and you’ll be laughing out loud. In this Apatow comedy, Reilly plays Dewey Cox, a fictional musician whose life closely resembles Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Bob Dylan. Like Spinal Tap before it, the audience is treated to authentic songs with cleverly insane lyrics; the entendre-laden love song “Let’s Duet” and the incomprehensible Dylanesque “Royal Jelly” are fantastic, especially with the pleasant singing voice of Reilly himself. The plot nicely skewers many decades of music as we see Dewey Cox cross various radio formats. And let’s not forget the fantastic supporting cast: Kristen Wiig as the belittling wife, Jenna Fischer as the coy lover, Raymond Barry as the disapproving father, and Tim Meadows as the drummer who ‘accidentally’ introduces Cox to all kinds of drugs. (Actually, I’ve never seen Meadows this funny.) But the highlight of the movie would have to be the interaction between the self-referencing Beatles played hilariously by Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Justin Long and Jason Schwartzman. It’s solid gold. Unfortunately, the movie goes on a bit too long and drags near the end, but it still is one of the best spoof movies in recent years. It’s not one of those Epic Movie-type films where they lazily show spoof scenes loosely scripted together. This one has an entertaining story that happens to steal from Ray (like losing his smell) and Walk the Line (with the constant destruction of sinks). This was a fun ride.

To be honest, I was hoping to see Juno but was a day early, so we ended up watching National Treasure: Book of Secrets instead. So I probably didn’t have the most open mind while watching this Bruckheimer flick. I also haven’t seen the first installment, not that it was too difficult to catch up. I would compare National Treasure to a mixture between The DaVinci Code and Tomb Raider. I wasn’t a huge fan of those movies either. It’s not like this film is terrible, it’s just there. It’s a fine escape from reality. If you’re going in expecting Indiana Jones, you’ll be disappointed; just wait a few months to see the real thing on the big screen. There are some fun scenes and Justin Bartha as sidekick Riley Poole has come great lines here and there. It’s also interesting to see Helen Mirren in non-Queen attire jumping from cliff to cliff. Nicolage Cage is his usual over-the-top action figure which doesn’t bother me too much. The real disappointment in this movie however, was Ed Harris. Wow, they didn’t give him much to work with; he pretty much sucked, which is a great departure from his usually stellar work. National Treasure: Book of Secrets is fine family flick but not much more. If this strike ends soon, I’m betting the third one will be out by 2009, and I don’t need a hidden message in an American monument to tell me that.

Atonement is ripe with powerful moments but has a hard time maintaining an engaging flow. The first thing that grabbed me about this epic period piece was the music. Normally, film music isn’t high on my list, but this haunting score punctuated with typewriter sounds hooked me right from the start. The cinematography is also nicely done with a wonderfully choreographed one shot as James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland) explores a busy soldier infested beach. McAvoy does a wonderful job as the wrongly accused Robbie as does Keira Knightley as the independent Cecilia (a nice departure from her Pirate films). However, it’s the young Saoirse Ronan who will get under your skin. As the mistaken younger sister, Ronan’s eyes alone speak volumes, so much so that the camera even closes in on her viewing pupils. The story is nicely told with some well-crafted editing to show the true details of misconstrued events. This film is definitely for older audiences who have patience for a slower paced tale. Just as a warning, those in the older markets may a bit offended by a particular word that is typed but never spoken. As whole, the film is well done and is the kind of Oscar bait we expect year after year. Take that as you will.

Sweeny Todd

Talk about dark. After running through a list of Tim Burton films in my head, it is no exaggeration that Sweeny Todd is his darkest masterpiece yet. True, almost all Tim Burton movies contain dark material; heck, even Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has its wicked moments, but this newest collaboration with Johnny Depp is a mind-blowing gruesome spectacle. Yet, Sweeny Todd didn’t grab me completely. Something was off.

It wasn’t the acting. Johnny Depp is deliciously cast as the title character. His sorrow for his wife plays just as perfectly as his diabolical vengeance. Whether he is singing to his blades or dancing with Helena Bonham Carter, Depp commands our attention in every scene. I even enjoyed his singing voice. Bonham Carter is equally fiendish as the scheming Mrs. Lovett. Her character compliments Todd well as they hatch their evil plans. I always enjoy seeing Alan Rickman on the screen and he definitely does not disappoint. There is not much humour found in his role, but he is still fun to watch. Just as entertaining is Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) as the scamming barber, Pirelli. Even the smaller roles are nicely cast. Ed Sanders, who plays Toby, Pirelli’s Artful Dodger, has a beautiful voice. My only complaint in the casting department was Timothy Spall as Beadle, probably because he looks and acts so much like his Wormtail character from Harry Potter.

It wasn’t the style. The art direction for Sweeny Todd is amazing. The London streets are darkly menacing, the clothing is prim and proper, the faces are drained of colour. It reminded of Sleepy Hollow, especially in the colour scheme. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter’s deathly white faces seemed like a cross between Edward Scissorhands and Christopher Walken’s demonic horseman from Sleepy Hollow. The shops, both barber and meat pie, are wonderfully made and have a character all their own. An early zip through the alleys of London make it very clear that Tim Burton was the right man for the job when it came to adapting this dark musical.

It wasn’t the story. Of course, when you describe the plot to people unfamiliar with the musical, they look at you with unmasked disgust on their face. A vengeful barber slits the throats of patrons and then dumps them to a baker who grinds them up into meat pies. Yum. Let’s get this straight, Sweeny Todd is not a film for children. It’s rated R for a reason. Even my desensitized self had to look away for a couple scenes and whisper, “gross.” However, the rest of the scenes where blood is gushing out of the jugulars of Todd’s clients are strangely and morbidly beautiful. This is not Saw-style gore; the thick, fake blood against the array of white clothing create stunningly sharp contrasts despite it’s gruesomeness.

What was off for me when it came to Sweeny Todd were the songs. I’m not talking about the singing, I’m talking about the music and lyrics. I’m a big fan of musicals. I enjoy the rat-a-tat of a quick verse or the harmony found in two people singing different lyrics. While I have no problem with heartfelt solos, I definitely enjoy the larger musical numbers that mix story with clever humour. Sweeny Todd only has a couple of songs that made me smile with their fun lyrics. Mrs. Lovett’s “The Worst Pies in London” is a fun introduction, “Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir” is quick laugh and the Todd-Lovett pie-ingredient song “A Little Priest” is cleverly hysterical, but I wasn’t humming these songs to myself while walking back to my car after the show. I just don’t find these songs all that memorable. Granted, Stephen Sondheim doesn’t adhere to the regular song styles of musicals like Hairspray or Chicago, but while his West Side Story music is difficult, a lot of people seem to know the lyrics to “I Feel Pretty.” I just wish I could have gotten more into the songs of Sweeny Todd being a musical and all.

So should you see this movie? Well, if you’re a Johnny Depp or Tim Burton fan, you will enjoy their latest collaboration. If you enjoy the musical Sweeny Todd, you will not be disappointed by this adaptation. If you go to the film expecting something like Hairspray, you’ll be in for a gruesome shock. I’m a Depp-Burton fan, so I enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Upcoming movie reviews: Juno, Walk Hard

Charlie Wilson's War

Up until last week, I would have to say that Charlie Wilson’s War had a terrible advertising campaign. I hardly saw any TV commercials, movie previews or even posters for this film. Of course, I didn’t need to view any footage to make me eager to see it, I only had to look at the three names attached: Hanks, Roberts Sorkin. Add in Philip Seymour Hoffman and the fine directing of Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Closer) and you’ve got the makings of a can’t-lose picture. Of course, the subject matter has to do with war in Afghanistan but who cares when these phenomenal artists are involved. There’s not even that much action in this film but again, who needs it with this type of pedigree.

If you’ve read my television reviews, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I love everything Aaron Sorkin writes. He has this great ability to make meetings, briefings, and day-today operations highly entertaining. When watching Charlie Wilson’s War, you’ll definitely be reminded of the sharp dialogue found in many a West Wing episode. Of course the story is based on the non-fiction George Crile book of the same name and while is seems like many of the scenes have been over-exaggerated, they are pretty close to what really happened. Tom Hanks secured the movie rights soon after the 2003 publication but he thought it was too outrageous for the screen. Enter Aaron Sorkin who kept most of the craziness in his adapted screenplay and added that extra punch of dialogue. Of course it helps to have his clever exchanges coming out of the mouths of Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Tom Hanks beautifully channels the party-all-the-time demeanor of Texas congressman, Charlie Wilson. It’s interesting to note that other than Jim Lovell in Apollo 13, Hanks has never played a real-life historical figure on the big screen. Of course, Charlie Wilson is an unlikely hero with all his boozing and womanizing but Hanks makes him a treat to watch. The other treat in this film is the superb acting from Philip Seymour Hoffman. His surly CIA operative is hysterical with his quick comments and matter-of-fact candor. The best part of Charlie Wilson’s War is any scene that has Hoffman and Hanks sharing the screen. They are a fantastic comedy duo. There is this one scene when Wilson first meets Hoffman’s Gust Avrakotos (while trying to cover up a past indiscretion with the help of his Charlie’s Angels-type assistants) that is perfectly timed and carried out. I would have to use the word ‘gleeful’ to describe my reactions while watching this scene. It was the perfect mix of writing and acting. It’s one of my favourite scenes of the year.

Julia Roberts didn’t do much for me in this film. She still looks great in a bikini, and while it was fun to see her in this fun, over-the-top role, I didn’t think her scenes held up as well as the Hanks-Hoffman ones. Her verbal sparring with George Clooney in Ocean’s 11 packed a lot more punch than her ones with Hanks in this film. It seriously seemed like she was added to the cast as eye candy and awards bait. Speaking of eye candy, Amy Adams (Enchanted, Junebug) is fun to watch as Charlie Wilson’s efficient administrative assistant.

Like I said before, there is not much action in this film about the collapse of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, but the conversations more than make up for it. Even though the movie takes place in the early eighties, you can start seeing the long-ranging effects on America today with their occupation of Iraq, but it’s only quietly expressed in side comments here and there. More recent films like Rendition, Lions for Lambs and The Kingdom have turned some people off with their comments on the current war situation, but this one shouldn’t offend. It’s further removed but still makes you think. I like movies that do that. You should see this film. If you liked West Wing, I’m sure you’ll love Charlie Wilson’s War. It goes down easy, like most of Wilson’s drinks.

Upcoming movie reviews: Sweeny Todd, Juno, Walk Hard

I Am Legend

When writing movie review blogs, I try to stay away from spoilerish material; I’d hate to keep adding spoiler alerts to a column. So, I will try and do the same with this review of I Am Legend. So how do I tell you what bothered me about the film? Let’s just say, the last half hour or so lost its grip on me and leave it at that. Telling you why would ruin too many things for the average moviegoer. Luckily there is still plenty to talk about.

Will Smith is an amazing actor. You can tell that he is a man who works hard at being the best actor he can be. It seems so easy to dismiss Smith as just another action hero; he has made a living off saving the world time and time again. But Smith injects a lot of emotion into his roles. His work in such dramatic fare as Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness has rubbed off on his action flick roles. Sure, it’s Will Smith against an army, just like I, Robot and Independence Day, but he is able to infuse this role of Dr. Robert Neville with a wonderful mix of humour, seriousness, bravado, strength, intelligence and fear. Like Tom Hanks in Castaway, Will Smith has the charisma to keep audience members engrossed without a large supporting cast. This movie is definitely a credit to his hard work.

The other amazing actor in I Am Legend is Abbey. She plays the faithful German Shepherd who keeps Smith company on the desolate streets of New York. Not only is this dog incredibly cute, but she also packs some emotional punch. The moments between Abbey and Smith are priceless; any dog owner or dog lover will instantly relate to the connection between man and his dog.

Despite the amazing performances of these two, it’s the shots of a dilapidated and overgrown New York that gets the most stunned reactions. The emptiness is very reminiscent of 28 Days Later, with garbage-strewn London locales replaced by New York City landmarks overrun by tall grass and animals. Now, I haven’t seen the LA locations used in the similar Omega Man with Charlton Heston, but New York seems like the perfect place to set this post apocalyptic story.

The action sequences are pretty well done but nothing too extraordinary. I Am Legend is directed by Francis Lawrence, whose previous credits include Constantine and various music videos by Janet Jackson and Britney Spears. The attack scenes are pretty much carbon copies of I, Robot and 28 Days Later, so nothing there is fresh, but what Lawrence excels at is creating suspenseful moments throughout the film. He definitely knows how long to stretch the silence before shocking us with something or other (remember, I don’t wanna ruin things).

Again, things fall apart in the last half hour, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.

So, is this a movie to see in the theatres? You bet it is. Will Smith’s lone figure among the giant building of New York needs to be seen on the big screen to totally appreciate it’s scope. Are you going to have questions about plausibility and such? Probably, but not enough to ruin the experience. Are you going leave the theatre, impressed with Smith’s performance? I would be shocked if you didn’t. And if all this doesn’t make you want to see it on the big screen, the first preview was for The Dark Knight, which showcases Heath Ledger’s Joker with such creepiness that it would make Jack Nicholson want to hide under his loud purple jacket. Now, are you convinced?

Five Shows You Should Own

While many people are updating their DVD libraries with Blu-ray and HD-DVDs, there are still many consumers with a fondness for buying television series on regular DVD. If you go to Best Buy, you’ll see that the TV DVD section has grown exponentially over the last year. There are some great series out there that people may have overlooked in the past. I’ll try and compare them to some newer shows, but I whole-heartedly back these five shows up.

Sports Night
For those who love West Wing and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, this is Aaron Sorkin’s first television masterpiece. This series was on ABC for two seasons and while it was critically acclaimed, the general public ignored it. The show is a behind-the-scenes look at the cast and crew of the third-rated sports network and stars Peter Krause and Felicity Huffman (currently on Dirty, Sexy Money and Desperate Housewives). Here you can see the original walk and talk that made West Wing’s style so popular. True, the first few episodes have an annoying studio-insisted laugh-track, but the show quickly lands on its feet. The last few episodes do a wonderful job mirroring the series own demise with some fantastic self-referential plotlines. This is a must-have. Trust me.

Wonderfalls
For those who love Pushing Daisies and Dead Like Me, this is Bryan Fuller at his sardonic best. Fox didn’t give a chance to this imaginative story about a sarcastic souvenir shop worker who is told to do things by knick-knacks in her store. People are brought together and mysteries are solved but Jaye don’t know if she’s hallucinating or not. Lee Pace (Ned on Pushing Daisies) appears in this series as Jaye’s older brother. This show has a fun edge to it and is not as schmaltzy as Pushing Daisies. This short series is just plain fun.

Extras
For those who love the original British version of The Office, Ricky Gervais is back as a movie extra who is trying to make it bigger in show business. The show centers on three individuals instead of an entire office staff, but this one allows for Gervais to have fun with other celebrities. The first episode has Ben Stiller directing a serious drama and yelling at a child. Episodes in the second/final season feature Daniel Radcliff hitting on anything that moves and Orlando Bloom getting shot down by an extra. This is really funny stuff.

Firefly
For those who love Buffy and Angel, this is another Joss Whedon hit (like you didn’t know). You say “space-western” and people look at you funny, but darn it all, Whedon pulls it off. There’s horses, saloons, space ships, prostitutes and loads of humour. Adam Baldwin (currently on Chuck) is wonderful as the menacing Jayne, while Nathan Fillion (currently on Desperate Housewives) is the picture-perfect Han Solo-ish captain. After you watch the series, go out and buy Serenity, the feature film follow up to the series. It’s too bad not enough people gave it a chance when it first came out.

Curb Your Enthusiasm
For those who love Seinfeld, this is ultimate follow-up. This show is basically about George Costanza to an exponential degree. Larry David (who George was primarily based on) basically plays himself as he goes through his day questioning every social custom imaginable. A lot of the script is improvised, so it sounds pretty authentic when the actors speak. Just imagine Seinfeld without Kramer and with a lot more foul language and awkward moments. There are six seasons available, each with ten episodes. You should start collecting.

Some other harder-to-find quirky television series that will definitely make you laugh with their irreverent and random cartoonish humour are Robot Chicken and Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law. And don't forget about the competitive antics of Kenny vs. Spenny. A Canadian classic with three seasons available.

Hope this helps.

By the way . . .

I haven’t forgot to blog, I just haven’t seen any films in the past couple of weeks. Honest. I was going to see The Golden Compass and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, but the mediocre reviews and poor word-of-mouth have kept me away. This is the quiet before the Christmas movie storm. In the next three weeks I have a lot of films to watch, including: Juno, I Am Legend, Sweeny Todd, Charlie Baker’s War, Walk Hard and possibly I’m Not There, There Will Be Blood and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. It’s going to be a busy winter. Of course, at the end of the year I’ll have my top ten movies (which is getting pretty hard to make). I have already figured out my top ten television shows of 2007 and I’m eager to let you know. But we’ll all have to wait until the end of the year approaches.

By the way, this site got over the 1000 hits mark recently (I started counting in the last week of August 2007). Thanks for reading.