DVD Review #45 (4 for the road)

I’m going away for a bit, so here are a few DVD’s to think about while I’m gone.

Book of Eli (2010) Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis Directed by Allen & Albert Hughes

In a post-apocalyptic world Eli (played rather stoically by Denzel) has to go east with the last copy of the bible on earth. During a water stop he meets a jealous book collector in Carnegie (played by the good at being bad-a** Gary Oldman), he believes “The Book” will give him control over what’s left of mankind. Eli runs and Carnegie chases, it’s a pretty straight forward plot. Eli also ends up babysitting Solara (played by the scrappy Mila Kunis) and ends up in a showdown of sorts with Carnegie. The film has a few surprises and runs about 5 minutes too long (as it’s 2^nd ending is just goofy), but it is a solid watch that will be forgotten not along after you hit stop on the remote.

(The Shawshank Scale 1-10) It’s not brilliant, but it is watchable and it will keep you entertained. I thought two scenes really downgraded it as its “visionary” plot twist gets bit forgotten because the film goes on for 5 minutes too long after it…nonetheless an admirable 6.0 on the scale. Lacks in rewatchability

Kick-Ass (2010) Aaron Johnson, Mark Strong Directed by Matthew Vaughn

The Layer Cake (2004 solid film) director (Vaughn) who specializes in violence really packs this film full of it…in fact it is so violent and bloody that it is a distraction. The film follows Dave (played fine by Aaron Johnson) who decides to become a superhero because he thinks it will be fun. Well as it turns out being a superhero wasn’t the smartest idea and Dave doesn’t have the best experiences while in his wetsuit and boots. He gets some help when he meets up with a veteran superhero and his partner/11 year old daughter, Big Daddy (played by Nicolas Cage as usual playing Nicolas Cage) and Hit Girl (played brilliantly by Chloe Moretz) and really their antics kind of dominant the film from that point on. It is a truly innovative film in that I have never seen an 11 year old girl cuss and kill like this in a film before. It is definitely a hard R film that is much more violent than the trailers suggest…but it kind of works. Mark Strong shows up as Frank D’Amico (he is playing every bad guy in every film these days), and Christoher Mintz-Plasse (from SuperBad fame) also shows up. Recommend it for comic book fans and maybe fans of films like Smokin Aces or Fight Club.

(The Shawshank Scale 1-10) It is a new spin on an old idea, but in the final analysis this films violent direction (and especially the 11 year girl) kind of make you uncomfortable watching it (or at least me), but I made it all the way through and it is getting a sequel so I assume most kids who saw it, liked it. For me it is a 5.5 on the scale and I am worried that Vaughn’s next film X-Men First Class (a prequel) will now be over the top crazy violent…I hope not.

The Ghost Writer (2010) Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan Directed by Roman Polanski

Listen Polanski is not an innocent man and I don’t really like the idea of him running around making films until he pays for his crime…but that said I do ending up watching his films. The Ghost Writer is Polanski’s newest and it is an interesting film. Essentially Ewan McGregor (who plays “The Ghost”) is hired to help finish a former Prime Minister’s Memoir (Brosnan in a role perfect for him). As he is writing the book he uncovers some startling clues that lead into a large conspiracy centered on U.S. Foreign relations. The direction of the film is very cool, but the acting (both Kim Cattrall and James Belushi are just awful) is less than great (except for Pierce he is very good). The film is very old fashioned (which is refreshing in today’s’ 3D world) but the script doesn’t always support the tone of the film. I think Polanski whiffs a bit with both the suspense and the lackluster ending, but does get enough things right to keep you watching. I recommend it to only political junkies who like Pierce Brosnan (lol that narrows it down) for the rest of us just watch The Queen or A Special Relationship (both films are better).

(The Shawshank Scale 1-10) Well the story is the only great thing about the film, the rest I had to try and ignore, only to be cheated with a goofy and lazy ending…oh well 5.5 on the scale and not McGregor’s best work.

BONUS REVIEW!

Extraordinary Measures (2010) Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser Directed by Tom Vaughan

I know it had an awful trailer and it looks like a Lifetime 8 PM kind of film, but trust me if you are in the mood for a medical feel good film, throw this one in the DVD player (or Blue Ray). John Crowley (played by Brendan Frazer who looks a bit like Shrek these days) is the father of two kids who have a rare genetic disease. He seeks out a man who is doing research on this disease, Dr. Richard Stonehill (played well by Harrison Ford)…the problem is Stonehill is a bit un-liked in the medical community and it become hard to get him to compromise in the necessary ways needed to get his theoretic test drug made. The film is a bit of TV movie, but the story is real and if you let it, it will touch you. True stories like this may not make box office, but if you consider the parents and the struggle of the children I don’t how you can’t be happy when a rare victory takes place against a vicious disease.

(The Shawshank Scale 1-10) Maybe I’m just a softy or a loyal Harrison Ford fan, but I liked the film enough to give it a 6.0 on the scale…so what if it reruns on Lifetime.