March Week 3: The Red Post Diaries

Hmm, I notice that last week I declared I was finally going to watch Boxcar Bertha. Apparently, I cannot be relied on for anything. Anywho, hello my friends and family! How was your week? I spent mine filling out application online and sending résumé into the black hole known as the internet. Other than that more movies of course. I am a bit behind in my reviews for the week. I still need to write up one for The Raid: Redemption and The Grand Budapest Hotel, although for the latter I have reached out for a little help and am very pleased with what I got. Those reviews will be put up this coming week along with whatever else I watch. I am really toying with the idea of doing some short video reviews. Not as myself of course; I would never force anyone to like at my face any longer then they had to. Something more… creative. I’ll leave it at that. Here’s what I review this week:

Sideways

Mississippi Masala

Jeff, Who Live at Home

The Grapes of Wrath

Click the link to see the review!

Next week the search for work continues, plus a trip to a strange new doctor because my current and longtime doctor will not take my insurance and will not see me because I have it! Yes, it’s always fun and games in my life. I hope you all have a good week.

Oh, and something I don’t ask for but wouldn’t mind if you did: if you think you have any pals that would like my stuff, have ‘em like my Facebook page? I would be very happy, and even consider being your best friend*!

*Note: The author of this post is a horrible monster of a human being and would not make a good friend to anyone. Not even Hitler.

Review: The Grapes of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath (1940):

Synopsis – When the dust bowl pushes the Joad family out of their Oklahoma farmland, they head out to Cali-for-ni-a where the jobs are plentiful and Grandpa intends to roll around in some grapes. But guess what? Things don’t work out that way. Things don’t work out at all.

Starring - Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Charley Grapewin, Russel Simpson, more.

I got to see this projected out at one of the Oxnard movie theaters. I really appreciate getting to see any old movie like that. I can only assume that the person who decided to add this movie to the programming did so because the story seems once again poignant to our times. Well, more like it has and continues to be relevant since its creation. I didn’t read this book in school for some reason (not because I was slacking off, I swear), but the message of the rich taking advantage of the poor and passing the blame over and over; Yeah, no duh right? Pretty heavy stuff for a movie subject if you ask me, the kind of thing I thought the censors of the time would have out a stop to; but I noticed they only mentioned “reds” once in a throw away bit of dialogue.

What I Liked:

-Jane Darwell, who plays Ma Joad, has a face that conveys years of weariness and disappointment. Whether she is warning Tom against becoming a “mean” man or pushing the family along the path to California, she looks like she has seen some shit. While watching the movie, I kept thinking “Jeez, this lady was hired just to be upset.” You spend a lot of time looking at her face in close-ups, seeing every line as she frowns or grimaces. She makes you feel sad and after a while I was tired of looking at that mug. But then, completely unexpectedly, it all paid off. In the scene wherein the transient camp that the Joads are staying at has a dance, we see Tom ask his mother go out on the floor with him. What happens is a transformation of that normally dour face into a brilliant smile, complete with accompanying laughter. And you got me movie. I actually teared seeing her, and everyone else, so happy, even if just for a moment. They deserved that moment after all the hardship, and so did the movie. Bravo you bastards.

-I’m not very good at criticizing cinematography. I need to take a class or something so I can tell why what I’m looking at makes me feel how I do, and then translate that into coherent words. The cinematography in this movie is really good. Boom.

-Casey was my favorite character. I wish I knew that dude in real life.

What I Didn’t Like:

-Although the beginning of the movie starts off with a steady pace, once the Joads get on the road to California the movie begins to drag. Their truck seemed to be the main character throughout that section, and that was a mistake because we know it’s a broke-ass looking jalopy the minute we see it. Watching the car break down over and over just so we can have some character moments was tedious.

-One of the most famous bits in this movie is when Tom (played by Henry Fonda) monologues in a close-up saying things like “wherever there’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there”; Out of context, that speech has some power. In context to the movie, Tom doesn’t really seem to know what he’s talking about. It’s almost as if he has decided to speak a poem aloud that he had just though of. “Yeah. This’ll make me sound deep.” After he is done with his speech, his mother says she doesn’t understand, to which he replies, “Me neither, Ma, but – just somethin’ I been thinkin’ about.” Perhaps I was supposed to be so entranced with Fonda’s face that I wouldn’t notice he was just talking out of his ass?

What I Hated:

-Pappy. He’s actually Grandpa Joad, but he was playing toothless old pappy. I could imitate this old coot with no effort, because he was goofin it up hardcore for the camera (which I am known to do, sans camera). Luckily he’s not in this for long.

Verdict:

The Grapes of Wrath is a slow burner. I am really glad I sat through it because I found the second half to be very satisfying, mostly because of the pacing and beats of the first half. I don’t know if I would ever just pop a DVD of this in for a rewatch of my own accord, but if some people were going to hang out and watch it, I would be down.

Review: Jeff, Who Lives at Home

Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011):

Synopsis – Jeff is an adult who is obsessed with Signs, thinking that if he just pays attention to every detail in his day he will find the path he is supposed to follow. His mother and older brother both think he is a weirdo lay about, and frankly they’re right. While Jeff looks for signs, older brother Pat finds that his relationship with Linda is in the rocks after one bad decision too many and mom just wants a nice birthday, but has come to expect little from her children.

Starring - Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Susan Sarandon, Judy Greer, Rae Dawn Chong (star of Commando), other mostly minor characters.

This is another movie in my March Movie Project, recommended to me by my mom, Mom Torres. I asked her, after seeing the movie, why Jeff, Who Lives at Home? She said:

“It really surprised me. Doesn't happen too often.”

While I can say I didn't know what the movie was going to be like before I started watching it, I can’t say I was surprised by any of its developments. I don’t know if it’s because I've seen a few other “mumblecore” movies, or because I tend to have low expectations for comedies now days. Either way, I didn't really enjoy this movie and saw a lot of the plot coming. When a movie is as low key as this one, I don’t expect magic to happen necessarily, but I hope for something new and/or unusual at least. Maybe the money and the stars overwhelmed the script, maybe the directors were pushed into making something more formulaic because of the amount of money that had been given to them for the film. There was something off, and that is disappointing. 

What I Liked:

-When this movie gets serious, it works. Watching Jason Segel and Ed Helms adlib their way through a bonding moment actually came off as if they were brothers, or at least longtime friends. It’s chemistry like that that makes a film interesting to me, especially in a film that focuses on so few characters. And I like every scene with Susan Sarandon. Her character only has to be funny when she is talking to either of her sons on the phone. In fact, I have to say her storyline is the most interesting in the movie. In second place, any part where Ed Helms and Judy Greer’s relationship is dealt with in a serious way. Ed Helms being so dumb it is supposed to be funny doesn't work for me. Ed Helms being too selfish to realize he is losing the person he loves, now you have my attention again.

What I Didn’t Like:

-I’m pretty hard on comedies. I can probably count the comedies I thought were legitimately funny in the last 5 years on one hand. Jeff, Who Lives at Home is not a funny movie to me. This wouldn't be so much a problem if it wasn't evident that the filmmakers or actors were trying really hard to yuck it up sometimes. I don’t find people being assholes funny. I don’t like stoner humor. I am basically the worst funny person ever. The drama works for me, the yucks don’t.

What I Hated:

-Perhaps I am in the minority, but I don’t like looking at Jason Segel’s face. In this movie, that reaction is aggravated further by his unshaven, doughy look. I want to jump into the movie, hold him down, and shave him so that he could look at least slightly presentable. Am I supposed to find his partially lidded eyes and lazy smile charming? If I see him in person I might try to smack him.

Verdict:

I can’t say that watching Jeff, Who Lives at Home was offensive to my delicate film palate, but I don’t think I’ll ever watch it again. Other than a few key moments, it is a flawed film that cannot be saved by its actors or car crashes

Review: Mississippi Masala

Mississippi Masala (1991):

Synopsis – An India family flees from Uganda to Mississippi, and despite the movie’s title does not open up an Indian/Soul food kitchen. Five years later they are members of the community but still outsiders in every way imaginable.

Starring - Denzel Washington, Sarita Choudhury, Roshan Seth, Sharmila Tagore, tons of great actors. Seriously, the cast is amazing.

Movie #5 in my March blog project, I asked my mom what made Mississippi special to her:

“I just love the characters. Love me some Denzel. I’m a sucker for love conquers all. Dad and I were an unlikely couple 43 years ago and here we are today.”

Mom, you can’t give me quotes that make me tear up like that; it makes it hard to continue my self-image of manliness. Mississippi Masala was a very interesting movie. They packed a lot of story into its two hour run time, and almost all of it was top notch. They could have based a story simply on the father’s struggles after being forced out of Uganda when Idi Amin (you know, the guy from The Last King of Scotland) took over, but because they took the story in many directions, the film is much more significant than a simple riches to rags struggle story. I’m seriously having a difficult time remembering all of the story points that were laid out in this tale, but I don’t feel that that is a negative of the film. Jay (Father) is obsessed with the land he left behind, neither Indian nor Ugandan anymore. Kinnu (Mother) is worried about father, while also being worried about their daughter and where she will end up in life, married to a rich man? Or forced to struggle everyday as they do. Meena (Daughter) is an attractive woman of low standing who still has the eye of some of the rich boys and is a bit rebellious, as her father taught her to be. This all sounds really cheesy when I type it out, but the movie is not like that at all. That only sums up 1/10 of what is going on in this movie. I haven’t begun to get into poor Denzel’s lot in life, having to work hard to support his family, making his way in a place that thinks the second he slacks off he is just another lazy person, not worthy of a business or any financial freedom. And the emotional turmoil everyone is going through constantly! Jeez, it’s just like real life. Celebrities! They’re just like us!

What I Liked:

-The story covers a lot. When it comes to being prejudice, and not just in the south, there is a lot of discrimination that can be thrown around. We have racism, of course. African-Americans shouldn’t be mixing it up with Indians! That’s crazy sauce (intentional masala related pun)! We have sexism. Unmarried ladies shouldn’t be caught canoodling in hotel rooms with men! We got financially driven discrimination. You can’t marry into that family, they aren’t rich! They work for a living! We even got class and racism discrimination amongst the Indian culture, which is difficult for me to touch on because I only have a vague idea of what class discrimination would even be like. A lot of issues in 2 hours, and most of them only slightly touched on, but I am happy to see a story that doesn’t focus solely on race. It could have, and that would have been one kind of a more generic movie, but this movie contains much more substance.

-Why are the very few romantic scenes so, well, romantic? There is a hesitant steaminess even in the scene where Denzel and Sarita Choudhury kiss for the first time. The camera movement in that scene is pretty great. You can see that it is hand held, or on a very movable podium, and the camera moves closer and around the couple as they experience each other’s lips for the first time. The sex scene was brief and had some kind of goofy music, but it worked well in the film. A longer sex scene would have changed the entire tone of the movie; and even though the main couple, Denzel and Sarita, are the focus of the marketing material for the movie, the film is about a lot of characters.

-What we have here is a nice snap shot of the early 90s. It might be specific to Mississippi for all I know, but there were some things that stood out. Clothes and hairstyles, music and dancing, a guy is wearing a clock around his neck at one point for Heaven’s sake. It’s all really goofy now, but I love it and glad I can revisit it on occasion through film.

-Sarita Choudhury, Roshan Seth, you two were amazing. I am going to seek out more of your work.

What I Didn't Like:

-This is a complaint/compliment for the film. When the film ends, there are a lot of questions we cannot answer confidently. Even the main couple’s story-line doesn't have an ending, unless you count the tiny bit during the end credits. Either way, my complaint is I wanted it to keep going, or at least tie up a few of the loose strings so I can feel a little satisfaction about the character’s places. If this became a weekly television show I would be very happy.

-There were a few scenes where I could feel the director’s hand guiding people as the said their lines. I don’t like it when I can sense that the director has just said “action” and everything starts from there.

What I Hated:

-Jerry curls are gross.

Verdict:

I would, and probably will, watch Mississippi Masala again. I am also now interested in checking out Monsoon Wedding when I get a chance. Very enjoyable, lots to dig through. 

Review (sort of): Sideways

Sideways (2004):

Synopsis – Two men, who are probably not much older than me now but at the time I first saw it they seemed way too old to act the way they do, spend a bachelor weekend getting into trouble and drinking wine.

Starring - Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh, others including Marylouise Burke who is awesome.

I think I saw Sideways in the theater back in the day. Let’s see; I would have been 23, not really into movies yet. My top movie back then would have been Good Will Hunting or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This was probably the first “dark” comedy that I actually found funny. And Sideways holds up after 10 years. Something scary happened this time though. I found myself relating to Miles, Paul Giamatti’s character a lot. I’m not quite middle aged yet, and I haven’t been through a divorce, but when it comes to certain feelings, like not leaving any mark in the world or wanting to be an artist and being told that I might not be good enough, yeah. It’s pretty depressing, but in the long run I don’t expect to leave a huge hole in this world when I leave it. I just want the people I love to remember me as a good man who loved them. And art, well, art is bullshit anyway. This is my opinion of course.

What I Liked:

-The movie is somehow all about depressing and false subjects, yet is so much fun to watch playing out. Even after multiple viewing I eagerly await every twist and turn in Miles and Jack’s adventures in wine country. It’s a bad situation because those boys are all kinds of shades of gray, and they happen to meet a couple of women who don’t mind walking the line on the dark side. What these assholes do to those women is terrible, but I wouldn’t change this movie for the world. One can practically anticipate each action and consequence right from the beginning, even at a first viewing. You aren’t supposed to be able to judge a book by its cover right? Well, I think with these two dudes, an exception can be made. When it comes to the script, I don’t think it can be improved.

-I finally took notice of the scene that focuses on Virginia Madsen when she begins a monologue about why wine is special to her. That is some Hitchcock level worship there. The way everything goes dark to frame her face, all other noise is gone except maybe a little music, and here we are, gazing at a suddenly stunning Virginia Madsen. That scene is pretty good, but Giamatti’s reaction directly afterwards is what really give the moment its power.

-Sandra Oh is pretty great.

Verdict:

Whoa, wait a minute; aren’t we missing some categories in the breakdown? People, as far as I’m concerned Sideways is a perfect movie. I know it has some flaws and a better critic than I could point them out with ease, but I love this movie through and through. When it comes to comedies this is in my top 5 of all time. So if you haven’t watched it, you really should. And then you can tell me how wrong I am!

March Week 2: Scott Pilgrim vs the Post

A nice and easy paced week for me this time. Writing out the full reviews like I have been has been like a breath of fresh air every time, and I intend to keep it up. But it does slow down my watching. I think the pros vastly outweigh the cons right now. We’ll see down the line. I’m still looking for work. I’ve started rummaging through the retail jobs now, looking for anything that will give me some damn income. Money is money right? Meanwhile I will continue looking for computer jobs.

Films Seen:

City of Ghosts

Forks over Knives

Funny Girl

300: Rise of an Empire

Click the links to see the reviews!

I keep meaning to watch Boxcar Bertha, which is Scorsese’s second film, but my film companions always convince me that there is something else to watch. Next week, it’s going to happen. YOU HEAR THAT JOSE AND SARAH? It’s going to happen. I hope you guys had a good week, and a good coming week. Go see some stuff and tell me about it. I want to know what’s streaming or spinning in your place!

Review: 300: Rise of an Empire!

300: Rise of an Empire:

Synopsis – A prequel, interquel, and sequel to 300, Rise of an Empire sees the Greeks who are left struggle against God King Xerxes and his armies. Also some badass lady who is super smart and cool and EVIL.

Starring - Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Rodrigo Santoro, a bunch of ripped dudes and topless ladies and… children... yeah.

How can a movie be so entertaining and yet so incredibly mediocre? I liked 300, but not enough to ever watch it a second time. Now, after seeing the sequel, I am kind of jonesing to see it again only so I can compare it to what I just saw. Rise of Cobra an Empire had me doubled over with laughter sometimes. The ridiculousness of the violence and plotting and acting is so bat shit crazy that I could not help but enjoy myself. But let me put this up front: This is not a movie I will watch again. I mean, yeah, if some friends are getting together and they want to watch it I’m not going to run out of the room screaming, I just mean it isn’t joining my DVD collection. It is like a summer blockbuster without the PG-13 friendliness but just as much dumbitude. Does that sound like a movie you would like? You probably will. Breakdown:

What I Liked:

-Everything effect-wise was glorious to look at. I know a lot of people hate the over use of CGI blood movies like this are known for, but it doesn’t bother me. Everything is of course overdone, from the slow-mo fighting to the slow-mo walking to the slow-mo swimming. The effects and over-the-topness is the only real reason to see the movie.

-Death by horse. ‘Nuff said.

What I Didn’t Like:

-The story features A LOT of time jumping. Like I said in the synopsis, this is a prequel interquel sequel, so the film keeps moving all over time, spending the most of it in the interquel position. It’s confusing, and I can only assume it was an attempt on the film makers to stay true to the material it was based on. I mean, they weren’t trying to smart it up were they? Don’t they know their audience (people like me)?

-Holy shite there are some ridiculous story bits in this movie. I found almost all of them hilarious, therefore entertaining, but it wasn’t good. Bad film makers! I don’t want to go into too much detail here, I will just mention one bit: A sex scene so stupid it makes the one in Watchmen seem practically sane.

What I Hated:

-The attempt of the film makers to keep this movie directly connected to the first movie was understandable, but if anything dragged down the movie it was those moments. Bringing back the hunchback? Bad idea, he’s ugly and dumb. Showing the messenger from the first movie in a role that makes him seem really disproportionately important to the plot? WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? Was this all in the Xerxes book? I guess I’ll never know because I don’t want Frank Miller to get any of my money for comics.

-Maybe this is just me but, and I can’t believe I’m saying this; Sullivan Stapleton has zero charisma compared to Gerard Butler. Gerard Butler and charisma… what is wrong with the world!?!?

Verdict:

This movie is stupid, but it still managed to entertain the hell out of me. My suggestion is that if you think you are going to enjoy 300: Rise of an Empire, go see it now while it is in theaters and be overwhelmed by the effects. At home, I doubt very much this movie will have any impact.

Alternate Titles:

300 2 (deuce)

301 Spartans (inaccurate)

300: Oh, so the Greeks could fight even though you made fun of them in the first movie?

300: Eva Green shouldn’t wear makeup that accentuates her eyes so much

300: Has two women main characters, but still fails the Bechdel test