March Madness

March Madness has begun. For proof...check out this little argument between ESPN's Dick Vitale and Jay Bilas.

Maybe Vitale isn't as in love with Duke as I previously thought.

More Watchmen...

I just can't help myself.

Watchmen Tour with Malin Akerman from Malin Akerman

Saturday Morning Watchmen

Just imagine if Hanna-Barbarra had the rights to a Watchmen cartoon...this is what it might have looked like.

"Watchmen" movie review

This week I'll be tackling the graphic film adaptation, Watchmen (R). The film is based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. When an ex-super hero is brutally murdered a chain of events begin to unfold that alarmingly leads toward a path of nuclear annihilation. Zach Snyder (of 300 fame) directs and the movies stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Patrick Wilson.

For those not familiar with the graphic novel, Watchmen (published in 1986) is considered the “Citizen Kane”...the “Sgt. Pepper's” of the comic book medium. It's generally regarded to be the high point of the comic book as an art form. (Time magazine placed it on its list of the top 100 English language novels of the 20th century). The graphic novel, which I've read, is a multi-layered story that takes a hard look at how super heroes would actually exist in the real world. The narrative takes place in 1985 with the world on brink of nuclear war between the United States and Soviet Union. The story deconstructs the super hero myth but also adds layers of psychological resonance that significantly elevates the characters and the story. As you can tell, I'm a big fan of it. And I also thought that due to the complexity of the story that a decent feature film adaptation would be near impossible.

I was wrong. While the film is not without its flaws, Zach Snyder's Watchmen is a brilliant film. It's faithful (for the most part) in its adaptation while also being entertaining and engaging. It's a film that will probably perplex those that yearn for a typical super hero flick. Watchmen is not a traditional super hero movie. It's a film that is led more by its drama than by it's action. Snyder does do a good job showcasing what action there is but he let's the drama drive the film—as it should. The movie is long and that will probably bother some moviegoers but there's a lot to pack into this movie. Snyder left some big moments out but it would have been unfeasible to incorporate everything in the graphic novel into the movie. But I give Synder a lot of credit. He's kept the essence of the movie intact and didn't lose much of the substance in translation. Fans of the graphic novel will accept the movie and moviegoers who are willing to let the movie stand for what it is will also appreciate the merits of the film.

The movie doesn't boast any “big” stars but that isn't a problem because the hand selected cast all excel with their given characters. Crudup's monotone voice perfectly captures the detachment of Dr. Manhattan. Morgan effortlessly brings out the perverted machismo of the Comedian. Wilson excels in being the uncertain super hero. Goode successfully portrays the elitist egoism of Ozymandias. Ackerman sheds off the naivete of Silk Spectre and Haley brings to life the obsessive stubbornness of Rorschach. All in all the cast does a superb job bringing to life heroes that are just as flawed as everyone else. As an ensemble cast they really hold the film together and bring to life characters that most people are not familiar with.

During one of the crucial scenes in the film Rorschach states, “Never compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon.” Unfortunately for Snyder he does compromise with some of the aspects of the movie. Chiefly among his concessions was the film's music. I like most of the classic rock and pop '80's songs used in the movie but I don't like them in context with the film. Blasting Hendrix's All Along the Watchtower works in most movies. It doesn't here. The Watchmen story is our reality but it isn't our reality. Consequently having songs that are familiar ultimately distract from the epic and serious tone of the film.

Snyder's second compromise directly factored into appealing to his loyal 300 fanbase. I wasn't the biggest fan of that movie. I thought it was all right. But it's clear that Snyder ratcheted up the depiction of violence in Watchmen to cater to his fans. Watchmen is a violent graphic novel but the way that Snyder depicts some of the violence in the movie is completely over-the-top and exploitative. More-to-the point this also serves to undermine the gravity of the film's narrative.

Watchmen is a flawed film but it's a skillful cinematic achievement for Snyder and company . The film might not be easily accessible to those moviegoers not familiar with it but I'm convinced that the film will appeal to both fan boys of the graphic novel as well as with other moviegoers.

Final grade: B+.

Wonder Woman movie

Unfortunately I'm not talking about a feature film ( I don't know why Warner Bros and DC Comics can't get a Wonder Woman film in production...but that's a complaint for another day).

What I am talking about is the latest direct-to-DVD animated movie from Warner Bros. Animation.

First there was Superman/Doomsday...than Justice League: The New Frontier...Batman: Gotham Knights and now that boldly named, Wonder Woman.

I watched it last night...and it is just as solid as the previous feature length animated movies. Now it is rated PG-13 and there are some intense action scenes but overall it's an entertaining spectacle that remains faithful to the Wonder Woman mythos.

The Waitress duo of Keri Russel and Nathan Fillion perform the respected voice work of Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor and both do a solid job. Actually I was thinking if a feature length production ever did get off the ground both of these actors could probably pull the rolls off...especially Fillion as Trevor. (although...Russel as Wonder Woman is a little more questionable).

Nonetheless here's the trailer for those interested:

More Overdue Oscar Talk

Last Saturday I talked about who was the most deserveing actor working in today's Hollywood that was most deserving of being an Oscar Winning Actor.

My vote went to Johnny Depp...and I stand by that.

Today...I found this guy's take over at Film Experience Blog. He has Depp second and while I don't buy his number one selection--in being number one on the list-- he did bring up some very respectable names that I didn't think of right away--namely Jeff Bridges, Joan Allen and Julianne Moore.

Click here to see his top ten.

"Last Chance Harvey" Movie Review

In Last Chance Harvey (PG-13) Dustin Hoffman stars as an estranged divorcee father who begrudgingly attends his daughter’s wedding in London. While there he meets an equally lonely single woman (Emma Thompson). Though seemingly not suited for one another the two quickly form a friendship that may or may not lead to something more. Joel Hopkins directs.

Last Chance Harvey, which is currently playing here in town, is a nice little movie. Granted that probably wasn’t the highest goal of the filmmakers—I’m sure most directors don’t set out to make nice little movies-- but that is about as nice as a compliment that I can heap on the movie. The movie’s predictable and offers nothing that people haven’t seen before but for the most part it’s enjoyable and—let’s just be honest here--it was only ninety minutes long. So that was good. Nobody wants to watch an overly long romantic comedy.

Without question Hoffman and Thompson are the reasons to watch the movie. They are both two great actors and seeing them interact on screen does provide a lot of charm for the movie. The two roles are not the most challenging parts that they have had in their career but neither one phones it in and both give genuine performances. Through no fault of their own, the movie lacks depth thus preventing either player from really digging deeper with their given performances. Let’s face it. Both could have given stronger performances if the material would have demanded it.

I also think that’s it noteworthy that Last Chance Harvey aspires to be a romantic comedy that is aimed at a more mature audience (Hoffman is 72 and Thompson is 49). Most contemporary romantic comedies are geared towards twenty and thirty year olds so it is respectable when a movie bucks that trend.

Last Chance Harvey hasn’t been tearing up the Box-Office so I don’t see it lingering around long at the cineplex. But with that said, Last Chance Harvey is the kind of movie that plays just as well on the small screen as it does on the silver screen.

All in all Last Chance Harvey excels in being a conventional film. Moviegoers aren't going to fall in love with it but they won't despise it either.

Final grade: B-.