The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Viewed: January 3rd 2012

For the record, I have not read the book penned by Stieg Larsson that this film was based off of. But, if the classical idea holds true and "the book is better than the movie", after I take a few weeks to recuperate from the film, I can't wait to get my hands on Larsson's work.

 I truly believe that David Fincher, the director of the film, should be considered one of the best directors of the century. Though I will forever chastise the pacing of his films, I cannot deny that they are some of the most precious gems to be mined out of Hollywood in recent times. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is arguably his most mature and developed work yet.  Fincher was honored with a nomination for Best Director at last year’s Academy Awards for his work on The Social Network, and I would be rather surprised if he didn't receive another nomination for this film. From the metallic wonderland presented during the main titles, and the staging of the movie's most disconcerting scenes, to the high-adrenaline thrills and beautifully orchestrated character interactions, it is quite obvious that Fincher has developed quite a creation.

The film stars Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist who is hired to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of a young girl who has been missing for forty years. When his investigative skills built up from years of reporting are not enough, he seeks the aid of a mysterious woman named Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara). As brilliant as Lisbeth's mind is, her past is darker than her ink black hair, making her as dangerous as she is valuable. Rooney Mara’s portrayal of this hauntingly morose character is both elegant and jauntily harsh. She embodies one of the most shocking characters ever to grace the silver screen with a commanding air and appropriately straight-forward simplicity that makes her so hauntingly memorable. At her most vulnerable she is a broken, soft hearted woman. But there is a disastrous storm permanently raging in her intense gaze that makes it clear that even when she is vulnerable, she is about as mild as malevolent tiger.

            The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a beautifully crafted mystery, an agonizing struggle to find truth, and a shocking glimpse of the human instinct to survive and overpower others. I can guarantee that you’ll have an intense experience seeing this film, and you may walk out equally as horrified as you do entertained—there are some sequences that are incredibly upsetting, but they are also some of the most enthralling in the movie. So while you may be cringing in your seat, you’ll also have your eyes glued to the screen, and it’s worth every penny you pay.

The Social Network

The Social Network
Viewed: 8/11/11

                I am a Facebook user. But, I did not see The Social Network in theaters, nor did I rush to rent it once it came out on DVD. Despite its recognition from many prestigious reviewers and award shows, the dramatized origin of the social networking site did not entice me at all. I felt that a movie about a billionaire being sued by multiple people was a bit less engrossing than say one about a man who cut off his own arm after being trapped in a hiking accident or better yet a heist movie where what’s being stolen is an idea locked inside of a dream… Even the story of a king struggling to find his voice in order to speak to a nation—whether it was a film that seemed more exciting or more moving, The Social Network didn’t seem like something that was worth investing in.

                Three things eventually gnawed at my hesitation and disinterest. The first was David Fincher. I’d already whetted my appetite for his vision earlier this summer with The Game (which I also reviewed for this blog =) ) and his brilliance directing Fight Club and Se7en lead me to the conclusion that he wasn’t about to make a bad film and for his stylization alone, the movie had a substantial amount of respect from me. Second was a mild curiosity in Andrew Garfield who’d been mentioned as an up-and-coming star in many articles about the film, and he’d been chosen to helm the new Spider-Man reboot, so clearly there was something special about him. Last was I was referred to watch it by a friend whom I have the utmost respect for when it comes to movie recommendations. There are some people I will always trust when it comes to film judgment—and after viewing the film I can say that he has not lost that trust.

                The Social Network is the back and forth story of the lawsuits surrounding the creation of Facebook as well as the events that lead to them. It is a testimony to the intoxicating world of progress and business as well as a exploration into the politics of friendship and the fragility of any relationship. A lot could be said of the comparisons to what Facebook has become and how it has effected social interactions and the events that unfold in the movie—thus intrigue is accomplished and the movie succeeds in making a connection with those of its audience members who have no clue what it’s like to own a multi-billion dollar website. Furthermore, Jesse Eisenburg shows incredible growth playing the lead role of Mark Zuckerburg—the alleged “creator” of Facebook. Gone are the days where he embodied the awkward, mumbling, indie-film boy next door, because Eisenburg masters a character who may be socially withdrawn but he is a sharp, commanding presence whose mind moves fast and his mouth moves faster. Eisenburg delivers abrasive lines that pop out of a casual attitude of ambivalence and boredom with a tone that perfectly captures how removed his character truly is, but at the same time he is so amazingly capable of knocking people off their feet. However, his frigidity, though chilling, is somewhat shadowed by the emotional performance delivered by Garfield who is perfectly cast as Zuckerburg’s best friend who aids the start of Facebook. As he creates conflict in managerial decisions and projects the burn of betrayal he also gets to have light-hearted moments of smiles over propositions from hot girls and pledging for an esteemed Harvard club as well as a wonderful moment where he is caught off guard by an impromptu fire while on a business call. Garfield’s character may have been secondary, but he stole the spotlight of that movie by delivering a heartfelt performance that reflected the chaos of any relationship that suffers from an irreparable severance.

                The acting is the high point of the movie. The story is compelling though its editing is a double-edged sword. Quick cutting and interesting shots and angles keep the story fresh, but the dragging pace and a run-time of about two hours does cause the movie’s full potential to diminish. Though the film will not go down in history as one of the greatest of all time, it is clear why it was a genuine competitor amongst last year’s bests and I can say I was pleasantly surprised by it. The Social Network is so much more than “a Facebook movie”, it is a statement about our generation and it is a portrait of various facets of humanity, it stands strong as a film worth investing in.

The Hangover Part II

The Hangover Part II
Viewed: 5/28/2011

   The original Hangover was an epic summer comedy that embraced the ridiculous humor of classic films like Ferris Bueller's Day Off--featuring an over-the-top adventure and unforgettable characters. This summer, the trio whose misfortune gave us one the most delightful comedies of the decade, are once again wasted and hungover on disaster...but the high isn't quite as palatable as the first film. This is mainly due to the fact that it is essentially the exact same story, only in Bankok instead of Las Vegas. It's a raunchy summer movie, that is fun for fans of the first, but it doesn't pack the unexpected punch everyone had hoped it would deliver.
   Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms return as Phil, Alan, and Stu who travel to Thailand with their buddy Doug (Justin Bartha) for Stu's wedding. Despite precautions to prevent what happened at the last bachelor party, once again the unmanageable wolf pack uncaps their insanity within and engages in an evening of unspeakable deeds. Unable to remember anything, they wake up, unsure of where they are, how they got there, and where Stu's fiancee's little brother is. So, once again they must search for clues to piece their night back together so that they can once again locate a missing person in time for the groom to say "I do".
   The essential formula from the first plot is still present, the same basic time line is followed, and most of the events and plot twists are just mad-libs of the first movie. Even the soundtracks sound exactly the same and utilize the same type of music in the exact same instances. Though there are some great one-liners, hysterical physical comedy, and some surprising moments, the movie was far too predictable since it was barely a new story at all. With all the crazy situations that could have happened, or even with the ones that did, it was unsettling that the redundancy of a wedding, a missing person, animal shticks, mistaken identity, and mobster dealings had to come into play again. Really, this film is probably just as funny as the first one, and if the weddings were switched around this could have been the first one with Las Vegas as the sequel's location.  Since the first one was so great, it cannot be said that this one is not an excellent comedy as well, but it fails as a sequel. If it was re-titled: The Hangover... Again, the repetition may have been more acceptable. If any plans exist to get those three trashed one more time, breaking away from the formula and turning them loose could give the series back the shock value that sky-rocketed the original to its blockbuster status. In the meantime, go ahead and enjoy the familiarity and new fun brought by The Hangover Part II as much as you can.

The Game

The Game
Viewed: 5/19/2011

   It has been over a week since I watched The Game, directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, The Social Network) and I knew as soon as it was over that I wanted to a review of it. However, I found that when I sat down to right it I had no idea what to say. It took me awhile but I eventually realized that if it left me speechless for this long, it must have been an absolutely incredible movie.
   The Game stars Michael Douglas; He plays Nicholas Van Orton, a wealthy financier who is surrounded by luxary and driven by routine. On his 48th birthday his brother (Sean Penn) bestows upon him a simple invitation to join a "club" known as C.R.S. (initially standing for Consumer Recreation Services). Membership to the club is shrouded behind a veil of secrecy that inhibits Nicholas from understanding anything except that each member plays a personalized game. Perhaps out of curiosity, or perhaps out of boredom, Nicholas applies and when his game begins it is more than he ever bargained for.
   The film's story is intriguing and the pacing and dialogue work together to entice the audiences' inquisitiveness: immediate scoffing of such an absurd organization, peaks in interest, uneasiness, terror, confusion, paranoia, and a desperation to unravel the mystery seize the audience and put them in the same situation as the main character. It's been awhile since a movie has made me jump at my own shadow, but The Game had me crawling out of my skin. It is chilling and maddeningly enslaving as your brain craves an answer to the insane tactics exploited by the cagey company. The film yanks you to the edge of your seat and leaves you dangling perilously until the very end. The actors play their roles very well, but it is the plot and the exceptional composing of the story that make The Game so exhilarating.
   The twisted ride of bewilderment and mistrust slams to an end with a closing sequence that is indescribably unexpected. A wave of emotion that included relief, perplexity, disbelief, awe, disappointment, bafflement, and reverence inundates the viewer and leaves them shaken and unsure of exactly how to process the events that have unfolded before them. It is literally either the most awesome or the most awful ending the story could have had. I'm leaning towards the former since I haven't been able to stop thinking about the film for the last week. Regardless of the absurdity of it all, The Game is a non-stop thriller that is engaging and enjoyable and should definitely be added to anyone's 'must-see' list.

Thor

Thor
Viewed: 5/14/2011 & 5/21/2011

   With movie ticket prices growing higher each year, and my status as a poor college student, I rarely choose to see movies multiple times in theaters. I had heard good things about Thor, which was surprising to me as I figured it was just another summer super-hero flick. I got some friends, who were on the same nerd level as me, and we went to see it mainly to do something off campus. We actually even took some funny pictures with the giant cardboard promotional hammer in the lobby...but that hammer wound up striking us right back. The standard set by the original Spiderman and Iron Man films: a super-hero film that delivers both awesome action and a momentous story, was certainly reached by this movie, but Thor also managed to shine as its own individual legend.
   Thor tells the story of the prince of a divine realm (the title character), and his brother, Loki. Just as Thor is about to be proclaimed the new king by their father, Odin, a break-in by an ancient enemy occurs. Against his father's commands, Thor damages the agreement of peace previously established with them by launching a counter-attack, and he is banished to Earth for his tumultuous, haughty, and and impudent ways. Once there, the journey really begins as Thor forms relationships with a group of humans, and insidious plots unfold within his home, threatening the bonds between Loki, Thor, and Odin, as well as the safety of life on Earth. The plot itself may be familiar, but the presentation of it is undeniably entertaining and engaging.
   First off, the graphics are divine. I absolutely hate it when movies depend on stunning CGI to sell a film, but when a script demands incredible effects,  it's necessary to achieve amazing eye candy. This movie absolutely nails the visuals. The interstellar scenes are absolutely breathtaking; the architecture of Asgard (Thor's heavenly home) sports a spectacular look that modernizes Norse designs, creating an absolutely perfect setting for the gods' glorious dwelling; even the fight scenes are mind-blowing. The abilities of Thor's hammer, Mjollnir, are staggering in both execution and final result, taking the battle sequences to a fun and exciting level that is difficult to accomplish with today's audiences, who are used to super-powered sequences.
   Deeper than the graphics alone is the strength of the movie that comes from it's incredible consistency. Much of the film goes back and forth between Earth and far away cosmic realms, but director Kenneth Branagh weaves the visuals, acting, costumes, editing, and even dialogue together in brilliant ways that give the movie a cohesive flow that never loses the audience's attention. Branagh has been known for his work in Shakespearean films, and perhaps it is because of that refined work that he is able to make a super-hero movie that is poetic and memorable.
   Furthermore, Branagh's casting is absolutely impeccable. Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek) embodies Thor effortlessly. Physically, he seamlessly matched the traits Thor is characterized by, but his personification also appeals to modern ideals. His delivery was endearing as well. Though I doubt he'll be up for any acting awards, he played the ferocity, confusion, defiance, and development of Thor marvelously. He also does very well with the comedic scenes as Thor adjusts to life on Earth. The film didn't need a best actor, it needed the right one, and I don't think anyone could have pulled it off as well as he did. Tom Hiddleston is possibly the most outstanding performance in the movie, however. He plays the mischievous Loki, whose stoic appearance is electrified by his expressive eyes and frightening outbursts. A collected behavior at the beginning of the film cloaks Loki in an aura of mystery and power. But in the moments where Loki reveals secrets (or discovers them) his composure is over taken by the madness within and whether by bewitchingly subtle means or by straightforward eruptions, Hiddleston (who also has a Shakespearean background, and has worked with Branagh before) embraces Loki's despair so well that the audience has trouble discerning whether or not his actions should be revered or despised, making him the perfect antagonist for the film. Anthony Hopkins' Odin, Idris Elba's Heimdall, and Kat Dennings' Darcy Lewis are other standout characters that add interesting dimensions to the film. The only acting I felt fell short was Natalie Portman's--She plays Jane Foster, the scientist who finds Thor.  Her role in Black Swan proved that she is very talented, and perhaps that caused me to expect more from her, but for some reason she just didn't connect and enchant as she has in previous roles. Instead she was flat and a bit annoying at times.Though her performance certainly doesn't contribute much, it does not diminish the quality of the others in the film, nor does it distract from the overall charm of the rest of the movie.
   Thor is a perfect summer film. It is invigorating and amusing. Background knowledge of the comics is not necessary, and there are fun tie-ins to Iron Man 2--and some connections to the upcoming Avengers movie. Many supers will be rocking the box office this summer, and the mighty God of Thunder has paved the way for them as a supreme opening act.

True Grit

True Grit
Watched: January 29th 2011

I have not been exposed to enough Westerns to know how this fits into the genre. I have not seen the original nor have I read the book. My overall opinion was outstanding performances, great visual effects, good fight scenes, slow story, and really slow story. Jeff Bridges was absolutely excellent as Rooster Cogburn, though his slurred speech sometimes made me flashback to "the Dude". Bridges had a fantastic character to work with and he played the emotions well while delivering wonderfully witty one-liners. His banter with Matt Damon's character, a ridiculous but skillful man named LaBoeuf, is entertaining throughout the movie and almost hides the fact that the movie is rather dead without it. Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld plays the overconfident, eloquent, and daring Mattie Ross with a degree of genuineness that is stunning for her age. However her stubborn and humorous moments are far stronger than her dramatic ones. The film does present its themes in a way that makes the audience ask the questions: How far do you go? Does the end justify the means? What is revenge worth?--Valid questions that are difficult to contemplate, but there is plenty of time to do that in the scenes that drag. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards in both technical and acting categories, True Grit is certainly one of the best films of the year. Though not the strongest contender it still packs a punch and should be seen.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Watched: January 26th 2011

This movie is a hidden gem. My roommate stumbled upon the film and now has the book as well, having never heard of either I'm glad she did, because I absolutely loved this movie. Ben Whishaw radiates desire and intensity with a horrific intensity while maintaining the naive, anxious, and confused nature that coexist within his character Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. Born with an uncommonly powerful sense of smell, Jean-Baptiste is able to identify even the most exotic scents as well as negligible ones taken for granted. The cinematography and sound effects contribute greatly to drawing the audience in to this world that is based on a sense we cannot experience watching a film. However, the detail and texture of the film almost allow its viewer to experience the aromas Jean-Baptiste is smelling. Appearances by Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman provide intriguing characters who not only propel Jean-Baptiste in his journey, but also test the monster within him, showing the conflict and shifts controlling his dark, twisted mind. Due to his passionate obsession for fragrances, a whiff of a beautiful woman triggers a maniacal idea in Jean-Baptiste's head. After realizing that the intoxicating scent is lost through death, he sets out to preserve the natural aroma of other women. resulting in a murder spree that is both disturbing and beautiful. Tom Tykwer, the director, does an amazing job taking a somewhat heartless killer and connecting the audience to him so that his actions almost make sense. There is a pity for the man who is only trying to save what he loves and understands. The events that unfold because of his endeavors are shocking and unpredictable. You will never think of perfume the same way ever again.