Reviews
Rental Review | Somewhere
It took me sometime to really put into thoughts (let alone words) how I truly felt about Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere. It is a film that revels in the mundane; the moments of life that bore us, or (if you look closely) move us. The plot of the film is simple. Movie star Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) goes about his daily routine with little interest or affection in his lifestyle. He walks aloof at the Chateau Marmont, drifts in and out of parties, does PR work (poorly), and has the loneliest makeup test known to man. When his daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) is dropped into his care he is able to make sense of his life and accept responsibility for his actions. There are some really fantastic elements to Coppola’s film such as: Dorff and Fanning who are understated and remarkable, Coppola and her director of photography Harris Savides’s eye for composition, and the setting and tone of the piece. Much of the tone of the film is done without dialogue and it features only select music from Phoenix and The Strokes that adds meaning and gravitas to the film. My favorite aspect of the film is the setting, the Chateau Marmont Hotel. I have always wanted to see a film set there, and Somewhere captures a certain essence of disconnection that could only come from that specific location. The most interesting gamble, and at first what I thought would be a problem, is hoping the audience will care for a movie star who is bored and unsatisfied. Why care? I think the answer is obvious. He is a human being. He has doubts, struggles, and insecurities, just like us. Overall, Somewhere is a unique viewing experience and I believe if you are a fan of Coppola’s previous work (The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, and Marie Antoinette) then you will connect with at least some aspects of Somewhere.
The Stream | The Accidental Tourist
My senior year of high school, I discovered Lawrence Kasdan’s film The Accidental Tourist and loved it immediately. Considering that was eight years ago, I decided it was time to revisit the film. Upon re-watching it I realized that not only did it hold up, but it was even more poignant and rewarding than before. The understated and brilliant, William Hurt plays Macon, a travel writer whose books tell how to travel without leaving your comfort zone. After the sudden and tragic death of his child, he and his wife (Kathleen Turner) drift apart and he finds himself struggling to get back into the groove of life. However, he soon meets Muriel (Geena Davis) who dares him to break out of his mundane safe life and take a chance. Letting go and starting over are themes that have been around forever, but Kasdan breathes life into his piece by introducing unique characters whose quirks and oddities show flawed human beings. With every line of dialogue and character action, the audience is presented with individuals who struggle with who they are and show their ability to change. This alone marks The Accidental Tourist as a well crafted ensemble character piece, and certainly worth your time. Highly recommended and available on Netflix watch instantly.
Trailer Exam | The Descendants
Some time ago I wrote an article expressing my love for the work of Alexander Payne and showcasing a clip from his newest film, The Descendants. Well, it turns out the clip is actually lifted directly from the trailer that debuted today. If you weren’t already sold based on the talent involved, this trailer should really do the trick. On display is Alexander Payne’s usual wry intelligent humor and his meditation on our place in this world. The film stars George Clooney as a dad who considers himself “the understudy” parent, who is forced to raise his daughters alone after his wife is injured. He then learns a secret kept from him, that changes everything. Simply put, it looks fantastic. Check it out below.
“Your Nightmare’s Only Getting Worse” | Rental Review of I Saw the Devil
Director Jee-Woon Kim creates something of a multiple genre masterpiece with his 2010 film, I Saw the Devil. It is a film that shifts tone so much, it takes a certain amount of true craftsmanship to maintain a cohesiveness. Up front, this is not a film for the masses. Within this film is both manic blood curdling violence and the emotional exploration of the nature of loss and vengeance. It’s also a brutal roller coaster of the senses (I should be quoted on the DVD cover with that line), and I recommend it. Read the rest of this entry »
“Where do you think Gil goes every night?” Review: Midnight in Paris
I feel a little strange reviewing Woody Allen‘s latest picture, Midnight In Paris, as Filmdogs own Mr. Jason is the site’s go-to Allen expert. (I believe he’s seen nearly all his films…a huge feat) However, I was lucky enough to be in one of the few cities in the country showing the movie this weekend, and couldn’t turn down the opportunity to check it out. While I haven’t seen much of the director’s work I always find myself enjoying as least some aspect of each new picture, even the ones that fail to connect with critics. That said Midnight in Paris is the best film I’ve seen this year, a delightful comedy focusing on the nature of nostalgia and many of the director’s more famous themes.
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Norway is very mysterious | Review: “The Troll Hunter”

Once again, my cable provider surprises me with a movie I’ve been wanting to see, well before, it arrives in the theater. AND it’s a film that sure as hell won’t be in any theater near my ass any time soon. That is The Troll Hunter, directed by André Øvredal. Commence with reading!
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Under the Radar | Monsters
Following article is not a review, but more of a stance on why I believe Monsters is an underrated film. It does contain minor spoilers for the film, so if you would like to read a spoiler free review be sure to check out Mr. Edens’ review here. Otherwise, by all means, continue on.
Last year a small independent film called Monsters made its way on to my top ten films of 2010. It starred no “names” and was shot with no more than a crew of six people. There was no shooting script and only a loose outline was used as a guideline for the actors to understand the scene. Some were mislead. After all a film with the ambiguous, yet straightforward, title Monsters, yields certain expectations. However, director Gareth Edwards abandoned the traditional monster disaster movie extravaganza in favor of a somber character piece. With Andrew (Scoot McNairy) and Sam (Whitney Able) taking center frame, we are able to see a road film romance used as a parable for all humanity. Read the rest of this entry »
Film Clip | The Descendants
I am a huge fan of the work of Alexander Payne, plain and simple. Over the course of four films he has created a beautiful, dark, funny, and sardonic look at America. He is a master and his voice is original, while also paying homage to masters such as Federico Fellini and Hal Ashby. Unfortunately, Payne has been missing from the theaters since his 2004 masterpiece Sideways. He directed a segment of the 2006 film, Paris, Je t’aime, as well as the pilot for the HBO series Hung (which I highly recommend), but I still longed for his next project. Lucky for me (and fellow film fans), his newest film The Descendants, starring George Clooney, hits theaters December 16th. A trailer has yet to surface, but a humorous clip from the film has popped up. The clip shows next to nothing, but does offer Payne’s signature style and a good laugh. To check it out, click here.
Synopsis via IMDB
A land baron tries to re-connect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident.
Double Feature | Eraserhead and Blue Velvet
As of late I have been diving into David Lynch and Mark Frost’s 1990 series, Twin Peaks. Soaked in vibrant characters, haunting imagery, and an idiosyncratic sense of humor, Twin Peaks is the type of storytelling that only works because of David Lynch’s unique take on the world around him. Having your mind filled with “Lynchian” imagery can be both exhilarating and trying. Picking apart his imagery and themes can also be a rewarding experience. In the following article I will be recommending two films from Lynch, his directorial debut Eraserhead and (my personal favorite) the neo-noir Blue Velvet. Read the rest of this entry »










