Vacancy

director: Nimród Antal
writer: Mark L. Smith

American horror flicks these days have degraded into torture flicks with gratuitous nudity and inbred freaks. What happened to the threat of danger being more frightening than actually seeing it?

In comes Vacancy, a horror film reminiscent of classic horror movies, like Psycho. Although more visceral than a psychological thriller, the obligatory gore and screaming takes place ironically, mainly on a small screen.

The killers of the film don't need a convoluted backstory to reveal their motives. And in truth, Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale's characters didn't really need a sob story to garner further sympathy. One doesn't need to think too deeply at all to enjoy this horror movie, or most others. For example, the audience shouldn't think too deeply about how the attackers have been allowed to carry on so long. But all that aside, Vacancy is stylish enough in an old-fashioned way, right down to the credits, to deserve a view.

rating: ***/***** (a stylish horror)

recommendations: Identity, Dawn of the Dead

The Bourne Ultimatum (Short)

director: Paul Greengrass
writer: Tony Gilroy, Scott Z. Burns, George Nolfi

My name is Jason Bourne.
Or not.
Who needs a name when you can kick ass and look hot doing it?

rating: ****/***** (a fun flick)

recommendations: The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, Casino Royale (2006)

Hot Rod

director: Akiva Schaffer
writer: Pam Brady

Remember when Nacho Libre was supposed to be the next Napoleon Dynamite, but really it turned out to be a Wes Anderson film-wannabe?
Well, here's the next candidate - Hot Rod (which contains a scene that's Wes Andersonian, in contrast to the whole film).
Hot Rod is like Napoleon Dynamite meets an SNL Digital Short, or should I say SNL Digital Long?
Popular SNL Digital Shorts include Lazy Sunday (about Chronic-What?-cles of Narnia and Magnolia Bakery's cupcakes) and Justin Timberlake's Dick in a Box. And if you still have no idea what these are, then you obviously don't have too much time on your hands.
The SNL Digital Short comparison is inevitable since the movie features several SNL cast/crewmates (current Andy Samberg and Bill Hader, former Chris Parnell, writer Jorma Taccone, writer Akiva Schaffer as director, and even Lorne Michaels as producer).

Whereas Napoleon Dynamite was a comedy about serious characters, Team Hot Rod makes you suspect that deep down they know how uncool they are but are proud nonetheless - which makes them kinda cool.

rating: ***1/2/***** (a fun flick)

recommendations: Napoleon Dynamite, Bottle Rocket, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Wet Hot American Summer

Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno) (Short)

director: Guillermo del Toro
writer: Guillermo del Toro

Touted as an "adult fairytale," this dark and violent Spanish film lives up to its description.

rating: ****/***** (a definite-see)

recommendations: Finding Neverland, The Devil's Backbone, MirrorMask, Grave of the Fireflies

Children of Men

director: Alfonso Cuarón
writer: Alfonso Cuarón, Timothy J. Sexton

What would the world be without the sound of children? Quiet, perhaps, at first. But people would not go down without a fight. And fight they do.

Twenty years in the future, women are infertile from no discernible cause. Whatever the reason, mankind has lost hope. The world looks bleak and apocalyptic.

And it's all up to Clive Owen to save humanity. I can believe that, and I say this without a smidge of sarcasm. It is up to him to deliver a miraculously pregnant woman to the Human Project. Although the specifics of this clandestine and perhaps mythological organization is never revealed, it and the girl are the last vestige of a continuing future.

This surprisingly action filled film rightly never dwells too long on the implications of a childless world. Instead, it shows the chaotic remains of mass hopelessness, and the incredible human spirit and will to survive.

rating: ****1/2/***** (a must-see)

recommendations: Black Hawk Down, Gattaca, Saving Private Ryan, Code 46

The Prestige (Short)

director: Christopher Nolan
writer: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan

This magical mystery is more sophisticated and complex than the recent The Illusionist. The comparison is inevitable due to the proximity of release dates and themes.
While I found The Illusionist completely predictable, The Prestige had me wrapped around the tale, guessing and curious. This film is filled with hints and foreshadowing, along with ambiguous characters and real acting, especially from the reliable Christian Bale. The film draws in the audience not just with a twist ending, which it does contain, but with a depth in storytelling worthy of not just a simple magic trick, but a magical illusion.

rating: ****/***** (a definite-see)

recommendations: Memento, One Hour Photo, Insomnia

The Science of Sleep

director: Michel Gondry
writer: Michel Gondry

If we could live in our dreams, would we ever want to wake up? Why bother when in our dreams, the object of our affections would return our sentiments and we could ride off into the sunset together on a woven horse.

However, living in your dreams apparently has its drawbacks, like being emotionally stunted. Flirting consists of commenting on your girl's unpretentious boobs and absent penis. But then again, it doesn't get boring. Why bring your sweetheart flowers when a one second time machine makes a more "useful" gift?

Imaginative French writer/director (and music video god) Michel Gondry brings us this fanciful modern-day fairytale, starring indie film virtuoso Gael Garcia Bernal and the unconventionally beautiful Charlotte Gainsbourg. While his wonderfully fantastical Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind dealt with memories and this Charlie Kaufman-less venture deals in dreams, love is always the central theme, as in life. The reason I appreciate these films, besides their originality is the tender way they portray romance sans sappiness. I find the relationships set in these surreal backgrounds ironically real. Love is hard. People are damaged. Relationships get old and people tire of each other. Yet, we persevere and try again. And that these films can capture all this beauty in sadness with care and warmth is an achievement.

The Science of Sleep does not hold up to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (one of my favorite romantic films) in story and depth. But it is magical in its own right and surprisingly funny and perverse. And the ending will leave you with lingering thoughts like those following an enigmatic but fleeting dream.

rating: ****/***** (a definite-see)

recommendations: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Lost in Translation, Love Me If You Dare, Being John Malkovich

The Last Kiss

director: Tony Goldwyn
writer: Paul Haggis

Babies are the new marriage and marriage is the new relationship. And relationships suck. Call me cynical.

People strive to build stability and a foundation, yet fear permanence and routine. There's just no satisfying some people.

I don't believe humans are meant to be monogamous creatures; most animals aren't. That's the beauty, and perhaps the cruelty, of nature. But that doesn't mean I'd forgive my partner's trespasses.

With divorce rates higher than ever and our role models, namely our parents, not really helping us with good examples, what chance do we have? And does that mean the next generation has less of a chance?

These are just some observations about relationships that are called to mind while watching this film. The Last Kiss is mostly a comedy dealing in heavy subject matter. Zach Braff, facing fatherhood with the "perfect" woman, Jacinda Barrett, has a freak-out and treads into dangerous territory with "this tiny brunette," Rachel Bilson. Meanwhile, his three male friends illustrate the different stages of relationships. One is a noncommittal player, another pines for his lost "perfect" woman, and yet another is married with child but miserable. Are those his choices? No wonder he falters. But there's hope on the horizon. His girlfriend's parents, played by the wonderful Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkinson, seem to be happy, until they don't.

Relationships are hard. Some work, most don't. You don't need a movie to tell you that. And don't expect any great insights in this one. It has some truthfulness, but I expected more from Paul Haggis (who wrote Crash and Million Dollar Baby), although in fairness, it is a remake of an Italian film, which I have not seen. And, as a warning, the film sort of ends abruptly, with which many of the viewers I sat in with were not happy. And is it bad that I would rather have seen the road trip part of this film than the relationship part? But as I say, you always want what you can't have.

rating: ***/***** (wait for the DVD)

recommendations: Alfie, Happily Ever After

The Departed

director: Martin Scorsese
writer: William Monahan, Sui Fai Mak and Alex Chong (Infernal Affairs)

I was recently treated to a screening of Martin Scorsese's Infernal Affairs remake, starring a bevy of Oscar and other award nominated/winning actors, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, and MarkWahlberg. And a treat it was to get an early viewing of this ambitious remake. The Departed takes the skeleton of its predecessor and fleshes out the details and gives it a specificity on the streets of Boston.

A cops-and-robbers film, the premise is a simple one: each side has implanted a mole, both high up in the ranks. But there in lies the possibilities. It becomes a cat-and-mouse game of suspenseful complexities.

And the acting is certainly up to par with the caliber of the cast. Jack Nicholson need only to glance at you with those naturally arched eyebrows to instill fear. Alec Baldwin does his best work not as a leading man, but as a sideliner. And Leonardo DiCaprio carries the film. And as juicy as his role was, I couldn't help thinking how DiCaprio would have also been excellent in the Matt Damon role. Also of note is Mark Wahlberg's character whose name is Dignam, which is remarkably like "Digne," a word Chaucer meant as disdainful but also honorable, which the character certainly is.

Is this an Academy Award worthy film? Well, I've come to lose faith in the choices of the Academy. It is not always necessarily the best in the category who takes home the golden statue. But then again, that applies to most award shows, if not all. And of course, a movie's chances depend on its competition. I am sure The Departed will get some nominations, possibly best adapted screenplay and best supporting actor for Jack Nicholson along with some technical nods. I would not be surprised if Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese also receive nods. Scorsese has never won the Oscar, which is a sham considering his older films. But the Academy has been known for making it up by awarding nominees for roles/films that were less worthy. So, who knows?

rating: ****1/2/***** (a must-see)

recommendations: Infernal Affairs, Gangs of New York, Heat

The Illusionist

director: Neil Burger
writer: Neil Burger

The Illusionist is Edward Norton as Eisenheim, a man driven by love of magic and Princess Sophie, played by Jessica Biel. And Paul Giamatti is Chief Inspector Uhl, a curious admirer not quite beyond corruption by the Crown Prince of Vienna, Rufus Sewell, who has plans of his own for Sophie.

The problem with this film is its predictability. Granted, it is difficult to surprise an overindulged movie enthusiast, but when I can predict the action every step of the way from a third of the film in, that's when the movie loses something special. And it was just that: not special or unique - it even has a Usual Suspects-esque reveal at the end. Although, fellow theatergoers seemed to enjoy the film far more than me, they also beat me in age by about, oh 30 to 50 years or so.

The Illusionist was not bad. Just not great. If you are penny pinching, or at least movie pinching (and who wouldn't nowadays with the current cost of tickets), and being selective of your theater going experience, then I suggest you check out the trailers for The Prestige, another film featuring magic starring Wolverine and Batman and wait a couple months.

rating: ***/***** (wait for the DVD)

recommendations: The Usual Suspects, Ever After

Accepted

director: Steve Pink
writer: Adam Cooper and Bill Collage

Justin Long has a boyish sincerity about him that will probably ensure a reasonable future career. Jonah Hill (also seen in 40-Year-Old Virgin as the goldfish-in-boots lover) will probably pop up as the hefty sidekick/comic relief several more times. And Adam Herschman picks up where Curtis Armstrong (best known as Revenge of the Nerds's Booger) left off. There's the pretty blonde, Blake Lively, the object of our hero's affections who, of course, has a dopey jock boyfriend, Travis Van Winkle. Tell me, why are all film losers in love with the most popular girl in school who is almost always a skinny, tall blonde and who almost always is dating the most popular guy in school, the captain of the fill-in-the-blank sport? Can someone say "overreaching?" What's worse? Knowing you can't be with an out-of-your-league crush or being implanted with the false hope that maybe if you do something great, like say, invent a college, you can, but really there's no chance in hell?

Accepted is the Revenge of the Nerds, Animal House, Old School, PCU, etc. of the younger, modern generation. And while it follows in the tradition and is reminiscent of its predecessors, and even has some amusing observations, such as the under(or over)tones of homosexuality in a fraternity, the movie falls short - typical of underachievers. The movie was so busy collecting the obligatory aspects, like the round-up of the range in freaks and idiot savants, none of whom we get to know really well, that the details and funny comebacks that were so promising in the beginning fail us.

rating: **1/2/***** (take it or leave it)

recommendations: Old School, Revenge of the Nerds

Little Miss Sunshine

director: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
writer: Michael Arndt

The true markings of an indie film is perhaps not the budget, but the feel. With the continual risings of film costs as movies try to out-do, out-perform, out-cgi competitors, it's hard to tell where independent films/low-budget films/standard budget films/blockbuster films end and begin. And as more guaranteed moneymakers go down in flames and audacious film festival darlings catch on fire, audiences are becoming more aware and more accepting of those little films-that-could. Enter Little Miss Sunshine.

Greg Kinnear heads this family of misfits held together by what seems not so much a familial bond as a growing suspicion that perhaps the members have no other friends. Included in this dysfunctional bunch are Toni Collette as the trying-her-best mom, Alan Arkin as the dirty, old grandfather, Paul Dano as the voluntarily mute and misanthropic teen, Abigail Breslin as the enthused pageant contestant wannabe, and Steve Carell as the depressed uncle. Standouts in the cast include young Breslin - portraying a misguided and confused girl with an innocence that sometimes is absent in other precocious child actors, and Steve Carell, mostly known as the lovably pure 40-Year-Old Virgin and former Daily Show correspondent turned clueless boss, who leaps, or rather detachedly slouches into the somber character.

Also of note is the yellow and white VW wagon which is a character in and of itself. Good road trip films should always pay homage to the mode of transportation. And certainly the filmmakers chose a vehicle that would stand out (in a unique, almost embarrassing sort of way - a classic indie film move, as opposed to the shiny, expensive and exclusive action film sort of way) and look good on a color-coordinated poster.

The film itself has tender, funny moments with enough quirks (a pre-requisite for indie films) to fill two bigger budget films. It also has some surprises, some expected, some not. Those exhaused from the disappointment of supposed summer blockbusters should seek relief in this little oasis called Little Miss Sunshine.

rating: ****/***** (a definite-see)

recommendations: The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, Transamerica