Wanted (2008)

This is not a stupid action film. This is a great action film. One of the best. Story, well, lets not be concerned with that so much. Let’s just say there is enough there to keep your interest up, but if you think about it for a second allusions to Fight Club ,Star Wars: A New Hope, and The Matrix are more than obvious.

It stars my main man James McAvoy; who has the distinction that nothing I have seen him in as been in even remotely mediocre. The Last King of Scotland, Atonement, Ten for Starters,Penelope have all been great. He even had a small part in the T.V. series of Band of Brothers. Wanted was no disappointment. It was great.

The movie is gripping or probably unintentionally funny at all times. There is not one dull moment. The styled violence gets better and better. It is surely something that I have not seen on the screen before.

The movie is set in Chicago, and makes Chicago like an amazingly cool city. I was just there last year, and I surely didn’t think so.

It also starts Angelina Jolie in a role somewhat similar to her husbands role in Fight Club, which gets less interesting the more you think about it. She looks really good in a dress, but I guess she is a sex symbol for men and lesbians alike. That f#$ked-up girl role really fits her.

The actors carry the film and the non-stop action is full of an endless supply of cool moves. I don’t want to give too much away but there is a good twist in there to look forward to. Also, like the movie Speed the climax of the film is in the middle, and then the movie picks up again.

The dialogue is surprising good. There are some biting phrases, which are sometimes aimed at the audience.

There’s not too much more to say about it, except that Danny Elfman did the music. It is not too long, and it surely one of the best movies to come out this year. I have been see one too many hero movie. One more comic book movie would surely drive to me to library, but this one is an exception.

I highly recommend Wanted, because it is one great ride.

Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House (2007) by Valerie Plame Wilson

This is a book written two parts. The first part is written by Wilson with much of it redacted with blacked out sections shown on the page, and the second part is an afterword written by Laura Rozen. The afterword is written from the public record that is meant to fill in much of the pieces that was redacted by the C.I.A. So, the book is really all over the place.
The book is not that well written. Even taking the redactions into consideration the author loses focus and writes about three different books in one. She is not a professional writer and her emotions seems to be shot from the traumatic events in her and her families lives due to the well documented outing of her C.I.A. agent status and the right wings war against her family.
I wanted to read this book because I wanted know about a woman’s experience being in the C.I.A. It is a perceptive that I have never heard before. I do get that buried in somewhere within the emotional life of Ms. Wilson, which not a criticism. The woman is learning how to feel. She is getting her life organized her brain and is obvious when reading this.
What is surprising is just how likable the author is. She is very girly girl. She tries to tries to write the book with a tough bravado. She does this with her chapters on her C.I.A. special agent training on “The Farm.” However due to the redactions and the fact that it just didn’t seem like her, it doesn’t last for very long.
Next.
Probably the most fun you have with this book is the time she is a working as mother with two small children and as a C.I.A. agent. She is totally a mom, and she has working mother concerns all while having this super risky important spy job.
Then comes the dark side. While working for a part of the C.I.A. that was looking into nuclear proliferations in the outside world, a request from the Vice-President Office came in to have a lead that the Iraqi government was looking to buy Yellow Cake Uranium from Nigeria. Plame writes that it was suggested to her ask her husband former ambassador Joe Wilson to look into it. She would have been derelict of her duties if she did not follow through with that. It was common practice that people outside the agency, such as business people or former government officials to carry out some important matters such as this. Joe Wilson went pro-bono ( meaning that only expenses were paid) . He found nothing, wrote his report and they went on with their lives until the President, she writes, used a few words citing Yellow Cake Uranium and Iraq to sell the war on Iraq. Wilson wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times, debunking those words in the Presidents speech. After that everything fell apart.

The right wing declared war on the Wilson’s. Most egregious from the office of the Vice President and Carl Rove leaked Valeria Plame Wilson’s name to the press. Supposedly Carl Rove who is member of the Wilson’s church said that Valerie Wilson was “Fair Game” in retaliation to Joe Wilson. The so-called liberal press printed her name and protected their sources; hence exposed her status putting her and her contact lives in jeopardy. It was a political retaliation for crossing the administration.

She goes on and tells about how the war on the Wilson’s went as far as death threats, lack of protection from the C.I.A., tax audits, and more. Right wing donators threatened Universities and High Wealth individuals to make sure that Joe Wilson’s consulting business would go bust and that he would not get any speaking engagements. Plame speculates that these tactics were a dry run on the swift boat attacks on John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential Campaign.

Although, some justice eventually came her way in the form of “Scouter” Libby being prosecuted for the leak by the federal government. The toll taken on her family and her career was more than most people could take.

Towards the end of her she is pouring facts and unbelievable stories from her experience. It is upsetting, and it is clear that it is probably not over.

It was hard to read, because it was really upsetting. What was good about it is that is a first hand account of a family being hunted by the right wing for saying anything that contradicted it.

Speed Racer (2008)

I think this has got to be the most underrated movie this year. Granted this movie was no intellectual giant, but it was highly artistic.

Now this is one of those movies which I did not get around to reviewing it while it was in the theatres, and I am not familiar with the sixties Aimee cartoon. I am not familiar with the characters and plot outside of this movie. I think my older sister was a fan of the T.V. show, but I am not sure.

Speed Racer is the best movie that looks and acts like video game that I have ever scene. At least this will be the case until the live action Pokemon movie comes, which talks are still underway. John Goodman who plays Speed’s father looks like he jumped out of Super Mario Brothers and on to the screen. The action sequences, almost all CGI, look like a video game on steroids. The rules of the races are only the rules you had playing with your matchbox cars as a kid, which is the fun of the movie.

The world created in this movie is incredible to watch. It is a hodgepodge of every cartoon from the 60’s to the early Nintendo games of the late 80’s. It has a 1960’s look to it as if the 1960’s were in the future. The dialogue had the simplicity of a Charlie Brown special. The colors are bright and vibrant, which makes it a visual delight. It is a movie to see on the big screen because it will lose its grandeur shrunk. It is something that I have never seen before on film, and I am sorry that I only saw it once on the big screen.

It is directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski, who are the guys from The Matrix. They tell the story in an interesting and novel way at least in the start of the movie. They give it a family feel throughout; even with the mysterious (who was never that mystersous) yet protective Racer X.

It stars a great cast John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and a delicious Christina Ricci as Trixie. What was great about Trixie in this movie is that she was core character who helps Speed Racer without doing it with tired feminist feel that is so boring after watching it for 20 years. So she was a smart, capable, beautiful, woman without the attitude.

I think Speed Racer is more of an art film then a summer blockbuster, which it proved not to be. It is more style than story. I suppose I am its target audience or at least the type of person who would get a lot of it. Being that I am too young to know of the old Speed Racer cartoon and I cannot speak the nostalgia feel of it, but do know he that silly jumping out the car and giving a “thumbs up.”

I do think that this movie is worth a shot for most people. So give it a chance.

The Promotion (2008)

This is a film that leaves you with no solid answers. It is basically a competition between to flawed men to become the next supermarket manager.

Being one of those off-the-beaten pass comedies that are usually so distained by Americans that they only live in small art theaters, then if they’re any good have a cult following; meaning they have a small audience. This is usually the guy or girl listening to The Shins on the ipod who knows more about movies than his or her current job.

The Promotion is no exception. It is really slow, which can be good for a indie movie, but it is also saturated with subtle humor and wisdom.

The movie stars Stifler (Seann William Scott) from American Pie and big lovable loser John C. Reilly. Not be forgotten the ultimate nice-girl in film/TV Jenna Fischer.

What is striking about this movie is how realistic this story could be. You have Stifler who playing a not so ambitious guy who is trying to work his way up in his job that he took in high school in a supermarket. At age 33 this will be his first big promotion. He is an assistant manager who is looking to become a manager of a new store. The conflict comes in when Richard (Reilly) comes in from Canada to also compete for the same job. Both men are presented as very flawed, but not too flawed. They start to sabotage each other as they go into the interview process and each have a lot to loss if they don’t get this job; such as their homes and wives. They start to crack under the pressure, and it comes down to who will be more broken.

Now this isn’t some Hollywood movie where you watch a bunch of crazy funny scenarios a la some screw ball comedy of the 80’s. Instead, people just seem as petty as in real life.

In a way, this is not a good film to see if your motivation when seeing movies is to escape, because it can really feel like someone’s work. This seems to be the trend these days and Jenna Fischer, from the Office TV show, presence is no coincidence.

Overall, I liked The Promotion, because it left me something to think about after the movie was over. It also left me a little stressed.

Almost forgot, this is yet another movie where Jason Bateman has a small part.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Like most Judd Apatow movies, this one is not so much about the main for character or story line but instead about it is all the interesting, quirky, and charming supporting characters. Like if you remember Superbad, McLovin’ with the two cops were the best part of the films. I have talked to girls who have said that they wished the movies was about them. (for McLovin fans check out funnyordie.com “McLovin’ Fund” which was has Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s Kirsten Bell). I really loved everyone in this film except for the main character Peter, played by Jason Segel; who by the way also wrote the screenplay.

The movie is basically guy loses girlfriend and is depressed. Goes to a report in Hawaii and finds his ex-girlfriend and her new guy in the same resort.

I found the Peter character to be winy, boring and complete uninteresting, which might come from the fact I never really bought into his performance. The film does spend a lot of time with him, but if you can forget about him, you are in for a bit of a treat.

There were a lot of things that I liked here. First of all, you have the Apatow regulars like Jonah Hill of SuperBad, who plays this waiter, a soften down character of what he normally does, who is in love with a British pop star Russell Brand, who is staying at the resort with Peter’s ex-girlfriend Sarah Marshall. Russell Brand is this very funny character who is a microcosm of what you think a overconfident- oversexed British pop star should be. Sort of like a cross between Sting, Chris Martin and George Michael. He has cheesy songs about saving world, is recovering from his substance abuse issues, is a sex addict, and basically a nice guy. The ex-girlfriend, played by Kirsten Bell, is surprising normal except that she is an actress from TV crime shows. The spoof of those shows is way overdue and watch to credits to see another CSI parody along with Jason Bateman. The supporting characters are so well defined and more interesting that you cheer when they appear and you really don’t want them to leave. My favorite was the young Christian couple who waited for there honeymoon, for whatever people do on their honeymoon. The woman is really excited and the guy complains to no end. It’s really funny. The cast is rounded out by Paul Rudd, being Raul Rudd, and Mila Kunis, from Family Guy and That 70’s show, basically playing her role straight as the love interest of Peter.

There are some funny musically numbers. My favorite was when Peter plays a really depressing song, then after a few bars you realize that it is the opening song to the Muppet Show.

Overall the movie is very long and the story is tired. However, there is this new comedy team. It looks like the Will Farrell, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn crew have been supplanted with this lot and this style of humor. In summary, if you know and like the name “Apatow” this movie is for you, and if you are tagging along there are some good laughs in there when Peter isn’t crying or showing his shlong.

LeatherHeads (2008)

This is really a throw away movie. I saw it months ago and didn’t really think it was worth writing about. It might be ready for rental now. Check itunes.

The reason why this movie is so disappointing is that it had so much promise based on who was in it. It is a George Clooney movie. I like George Clooney, a follow Taurus, usually makes really good movies, and I will go and watch; asking questions later. The cast was rounded out with Renee Zellweger and the U.S. Office’s John Krasinski.

Besides having A-list actors in it, the look of film was cool. It has that Jazz age look but in beautiful color, which I haven’t seen before. Finally the plot, the beginning of the American football league is an interesting topic. It really could have been a good movie.

About the only thing it did well as the Art Direction and Cinematography. It looked beautiful. Being a fan of silent movies from the 1920’s of Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin, I can say that Leatherheads showed the period quite accurately. It even matches up with my Grandfather’s descriptions of the 1920’s. He even played football in the early 1930’s.

The colors in the film were beautiful. Chicago looked great and so did everything else. Sadly the rest is mediocre.

The movie is too long. The acting outside of Clooney is pretty bad. Jokes are lame. Frankly, it gets boring a lot. Leatherheads missed the blue note in the Jazz age.

The Visitor (2008)

The Visitor is a smart, educated film that should not be overlooked. The movie year has been slim on good movies to say the least. This is by far an exception.

It tells a story of a professor who is listlessly living out the last years of his life alone. He puts on a façade to the nothingness of his life. Forced to present a paper that he didn’t write at NYU or face losing face he leaves Connecticut to goes to his unused apartment in on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He finds a couple living there. He let’s them stay and befriends the dude Tarek who is a Syrian musician. Tarek teachers Walter, the professor, to play the African drum. Tarek plays the drum in a jazz band. The friendship, music and life of the couple staying with him renews his own life. During that time, the NYPD picks up Tarek and he is held in detention for his immigration status.

The movie is filled with spectacular performances by Richard Jenkins, Walter. Jenkins would be my vote for the Best Actor for this year. Haaz Sleiman plays the charismatic Tarak, and Danai Jekesia Guira plays his girlfriend. All three of them give a very realistic performance, and the audience is intrigued by their character development.

I like the themes in this movie. In the movie the characters have realistic challenges and are often powerless in their own struggle. Life in New York and America can be overwhelming, but the theme of life coming through and is heartwarming. Tarak is put into the criminal justice system which leads to immigration detention. The movie does a good job at conveying the process, and the hopelessness of it.

There is a little business where Walter goes out with Tarak’s mom, which is a little weird, but not as weird as You don’t mess with the Zohan; if you saw that movie then you know what I mean.

Another thing I like about this film was the character of New York City. The locations are some of the best of the city. There are many shots of the Village in the NYU area. It captures the life of it well.

There are no happy endings in The Visitor, but the essence of the characters stay with you and the image of a 60 year old man carrying around an African drum is endearing.

Dreams of My Father (A Story of Race and Inheritance) by Barack Obama

Barack n’ Roll, baby! Barack Obama won the democratic nomination being the first blackish dude to ever be accomplished such a feat.

Barack Obama maybe the first generation X president. Part of the hope that he gives is often felt by young people. Those people who are ready to kick out the Vietnam War generation of the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the Reagan Revolution. We are really tired of that combative culture of a generation spoiled and not appreciative that they were living in the highest time of American wealth and status so far.

If you have any question that Obama is the Gen-X candidate then read the Dreams of My Father, which is not be confused with John McCain’s Faith in My Fathers, which was also a good book. The names sound alike. His mother was a child of the sixties and a bit rebellious. She married a Kenyan and a Malaysian. Took her family to live in Malaysia, and only when immersed in that culture did she come to value being an American. Barack was the child of all that.

Brother Obama went to college in the 80’s and grad-school in the 90’s. By the way, he went to Columbia College at Columbia University.

Remember in at the start of the campaign, there was the question “Is Obama, really black?”? Well, this is why. Barack was conceived with Kenyan father of many wives, and a white woman. He was raised by her and sometimes her parents. On a side note, I attended a tapping of the Colbert Report where a columnist from Salon.com argued that Brother Obama was not black.

Remember when they were saying “Obama is Muslim”, because of his Kenyan family which he almost never knew growing up and that he lived in Malaysia when he was very young. People tried to scare up these facts. Hillary Clinton was nice enough to dig up a picture of Obama in Muslim looking clothes from a trip to Kenya he took to see him family there and gave them to the right wing media site, the Drudge Report; who always thanked the Clinton campaign for digging up dirt on Obama.

Anyway, to say the least Brother Barack is not your average black guy.

He went by Barry before college.

What I like about the book was how honestly and detailed, Obama described not fitting into an ethnic stereotype, which is something that I can relate to. For Obama, he had blackness inherited, but he did not inherit the African-American experience. He really didn’t grow up with it, except when it was trusted upon him.

Barack throughout his life, basically, learns to be black. Other black’s kinda accept him, but not totally. They think the Kenyan bit is cool, but it is nothing they can relate to. As Barack has one foot in and out of the door he has a unique position observe racism and its hypocrisies.

As far as race affects him as well as he observes it Obama takes it in deeply and personally, and in this there is a very favorable view of his character. The book is filled with well though out insights. You can see that he judges things from as many angles as he can find. He also seems obsessed with it. He sees the hypocrisy of both sides. His conclusions ring as true and biting at the same time. He even sees the hypocrisy in his own mother. He describes a situation of her, and his younger sister (who he barely mentions in his book) going to see an old movie where black people are portrayed as happy children, and she, his mother, is in love with that image. He also describes other areas of racism in his family.

The world and situations he describes are in direct conflict with the right wing exsertion that racism is dead, and should never be spoken of in a context prior to 1970. In a way, this book great because it speaks of a taboo of race in America.

The last part of the book he decides to really get into the black community in Chicago where he works as a community organizer. It is at this time where he meets his controversial preacher, which he has disowned in the election. It seems that in order for him to really be accepted in that community he has to drown himself in it, and it is where he leaves the reader. He is about to leave for Harvard Law. You wonder if he so immerse in the black community does he see the world outside of that, and in the election I am sure that will be asked this over and over again. This will probably where Obama the candidate, I suspect, will be vulnerable. Barack saturated himself with some of the most radical of the Chicago black community. It does not mean he is a radical, but some people will falsely accuse him of being guilty by association. Also, let’s not forget Hillary Clinton’s race laced stabs at him, which I thought was race bating. Clinton wanted Obama to defend himself on her racist smears, which would have been political suicide because he would be breaking the taboo on race. The double standard is that people can make subtle racist remarks, and the victim can not defend themselves; outside of saying “that was stupid” lest be punished for bringing to view that there is racism in America.

His image the post-race candidate is silly. Does “post-race” even make sense?

Does the book make you want to vote for him? The answer is well yeah, but not entirely.

I wanted to read it because I knew nothing about Obama. I chose this book because it was written before he was a candidate. So, a reader today is missing about 13 years of the Obama story.

As a book it is filled with insights, and is really well written. I think you can feel some of his training as a lawyer; for better or worse. You get the Gen-X perspective on things.

Of course, can Obama beat the real American Hero, McCaine?