Film Review #21

                I received my first taste of the Savannah Film Festival when I watched City of Ghosts. The 2002 drama was written and directed by Matt Dillon who also stars in the film. Other well-known actors include James Caan, Stellan Skarsgård, Natascha McElhone, and Gérard Depardieu. I have mixed feelings about this film. The acting is on par but the promising plot suffers from being overly long. The movie clocks in at 116 minutes. 16 of those minutes could have been chopped off if the film didn't irrelevantly focus on random characters. I tried my best to practice cultural relativism but the music is dissonant at times. I’ll get to all of this in good time. For now, let’s get to the plot!

                City of Ghosts focuses on a conman named Jimmy (Dillon) who is working in New York City. After being questioned by the FBI about being involved in a Ponzi scheme Jimmy heads to Thailand to find his mentor Marvin (Caan), who just so happened to flee the country before questions started getting raised. Through a series of connections he finds himself traveling to Cambodia to track down Marvin. When Jimmy finally arrives there he enters a world of poverty, uncertainty, and danger. The only person he can trust is a loyal cyclo driver named Sok (Kem Sereyvuth). A game of cat and mouse evolves between Jimmy and Marvin that keeps the former guessing. Along the way, shady characters pop up making the audience ponder whether Jimmy will meet death or barely escape with his life.

                Dillon is the focal point of the film and quite convincing as a confused criminal searching for his thieving partner in crime. When Caan does finally appear on the silver screen he is perfect as shadowy Marvin, a thief who knows much more than he will ever let on. If you give some people an inch they will take a mile. Caan’s character will take two miles! Stellan Skarsgård and Kem Sereyvuth deserve praise for both of their roles. They were strong supporting actors that helped us kind of-sort of sympathize with conman Jimmy. Gérard Depardieu is hilarious as a fuming Frenchman who only wants to be left alone to run his hotel. Natascha McElhone is a great actress but the romance between Dillon’s character and hers is rather flat- similar to the end of a summer tryst.  Adding this angle was close to pointless. Overall, my expectations were fulfilled. As I mentioned before, the script’s plot suffers more than the performances.

So.... What's the importance of our romance again?

                The music in this film was dissonant and at times overwhelming. There was no harmony. I don’t know who wrote the score but it seemed like all the music was similar and there was never a moment where the music was calming or pleasant. I’m sure on some level, the music did help layer this story but from my perspective it was very difficult. I can only remember being satisfied with the ending soundtrack. The shots in this film were pretty basic. A series of close-ups, wide shots, 2 shots, and various other viewpoints were taken. The director of photography certainly deserves praise for the aesthetic of the film. Cambodia was put on display in a beautiful yet humanizing fashion.

                I won’t lie to my audience. I’m not going to rave about this film. It’s not horrible… but it’s not great. It’s just somewhere in between. I suppose I would encourage people to see this film if they’d enjoy seeing what it’s like to shoot “on location.” In this sense, City of Ghosts has the same appeal as Slum Dog Millionaire or The Kite Runner. Just less complex and with a much poorer storyline. In the end, Dillon’s film is promising but never lives up to anything.

6 out of 10

Film Review #20

Never compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon.

                After reading the graphic novel Watchmen a few years ago I finally sat down and watched the film adaptation. Zach Snyder directs a huge cast that includes Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, and Jeffery Dean Morgan. Visually, this film is a masterpiece to watch. The special effects are absolutely flawless. The characters are incredibly memorable and display a great amount of depth. Simply put, Watchmen is dark and ever-engrossing.

                The plot of the film is riveting. The year is 1985 and masked crime fighting has been banned from the United States. Richard Nixon is president and the Cold War is looming over America like never before. The threat of nuclear war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union is rising. The only thing halting an attack is the all-powerful Dr. Manhattan; the only real superhero in the world whose powers are godlike. Outside of these events, the vigilante Rorschach is investigating the deaths of former masked crime fighters that belonged to the group the Watchmen. As the murder mystery evolves Rorschach inevitably encounters his former masked colleagues. Together the masked crime fighters quickly find out that the murders are connected to a plot that is bigger than all of them. The fate of the world will hang in the balance.

                Watchmen is packed with key roles. I will do my best to keep this segment short. Jackie Earle Haley plays the masked vigilante Rorschach. In my opinion, Haley’s performance is the highlight of the film. He perfectly conveys what Rorschach is; a hunted man, who is uncompromising, scarred, dedicated, and above all sincere. Patrick Wilson is perfect as Night Owl. The audience firmly believes that his character is weary, insecure, and conflicted with the state of the world. Billy Crudup should be applauded for his role as Dr. Manhattan. Crudup does a wonderful job of playing a character that is unable to empathize with the human race and larger than life; Dr. Manhattan is the only true superhero of the bunch and his powers are all-encompassing.  Malin Akerman is vital to the entire film because she is Dr. Manhattan’s significant other Silk Spectre. She is convincing as a girlfriend who is fed up with Dr. Manhattan’s inability to no longer indentify with the human race… or with her for that matter. And last but certainly not least is Matthew Goode as Adrian Veidt. Goode plays Veidt to a tee. He is the perfect blend of sophistication, attractiveness, and suspicion.  My expectations were more than fulfilled by every actor.

Snyder directs an ensemble cast

Narration is performed by Jackie Earle Haley throughout Watchmen. He provides the background for so much that is happening and is essential. I can’t imagine a better way to sum up what is occurring. Hayley’s voice enhances the dark tone of the film tenfold. Special effects, costume, and make-up are integral to this film. Without these three things this film would not be possible. Period! The music of the film is amazing and perfectly placed. 70s and 80s popular music is prevalent in the film and provides a great touch for enhancing the themes of the film. The film’s intro is a prime example.

If I could only give my audience one reason for going to see this movie I would say, “Go because this is a great movie. You will be left in awe at times.” Watchmen is not your run of the mill PG-13 comic book movie. It’s a dark and gritty R-rated tale of what could happen when everything goes wrong. The themes brought up are endless. Murder, war, love, sex, conspiracy, insecurity, friendship, and so much more are highlighted. Not to mention, visually the film is a true work of art.

8.5 out of 10

Film Review #19

                I’ll be honest with you guys: Will Ferrell is hit or miss with me. I loved him as Ron Burgundy in Anchor Man. I thought he was hilarious as Jackie Moon in Semi-Pro. Flicks like Land of the Lost, Bewitched, and Casa de Mi Padre haven’t done him any favors however. A few days ago I decided to roll the dice and watch Mr. Ferrell put his comedic skills to use in The Campaign. Jay Roach directs a well-known cast that includes Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Katherine LaNasa, Dylan McDermott, John Lithgow, and Dan Aykroyd. After viewing this comedy I have to admit it’s a winner.

                The plot of the film is humorous and perfect to see if you’re sick of watching those negative presidential campaign ads. Congressman Cam Brady (Ferrell) is running unopposed in his district for the fifth consecutive time.  His bid for a fifth appointment appears to be in the bag until his philandering ways are spotlighted. After damaging his image irrevocably, the wealthy Motch brothers (Lithgow & Aykroyd) decide it is time for the 14^th District of North Carolina to have a new representative. Naïve Marty Huggins (Galifianakis) is chosen. In the end, only one man can be declared the winner.  Fully realizing this, Huggins and Brady play a hilarious game of one-upmanship.

                Will Ferrell is perfect as Cam Brady- an unethical, hypersexual, alcohol-fueled politician. His star shines brightest in the film. Galifianakis’ role is memorable too. He is believable as a gullible family man who just wants to clean up the town. However, his “goody two shoes” demeanor borders annoyance sometimes; not to mention the actor’s dialect. Sudeikis and McDermott deserve praise for their roles as opposing campaign managers. Both men are convincing. In order for his candidate to win McDermott appears sociopathic at times! Lithgow and Aykroyd are absolutely diabolical. You will really believe that these two characters will sink to any depth just to make a quick buck. The entire cast filled my expectations. Together, they pack a powerful comedic punch!

The Diabolical Motch Brothers

                A limited amount of special effects were used in The Campaign. How else are we going to allow Ferrell to punch a baby and a dog? More than anything the film relies on offensive and often crude humor. With that said, a variety of camera angles are shown that manage to convey the right tones at the right time. Music is used in a similar way. With that said, all of these techniques combined to enhance themes of ignorant bliss, double-crossing, two-timing, cold calculating, and outrageous antics.

Fun For Everyone To See

                If I can only give my audience one reason to go see this film I would say go because you will be in stitches. The Campaign offers more than a few simple laughs. Seeing Ferrell and Galifianakis face off is a guilty pleasure. You will wish you could view each man’s shenanigans in person. As I mentioned before, The Campaign is a grand reprieve from the mudslinging that is currently going on. Why not slip out of reality for a little bit and have a laugh? It worked for me.

7.5 out of 10