A Knight Lost

Last weekend I went to see a movie and got there just a bit late. The trailers had already started by the time I got to my seat, but I recognized the one showing the minute I heard it; there on the screen was the menacing, maniacal Joker of “The Dark Knight.” Just weeks before, I’d watched this trailer with a thrill of anticipation. But on this day, after this week, the feeling was one of sadness, and loss.

Earlier in the week, word started spreading that actor Heath Ledger had been found dead in his New York apartment. Just the thought seemed ridiculous; even though CNN screamed the headline in big red banners, I didn’t quite believe it. But that night I turned on the TV, and there, where there should have been stupid reality shows and pointless sitcoms, was the video of Heath Ledger’s body being taken from his apartment, dead at the age of 28.

Of course everyone presumed an overdose, and I’m a little ashamed to admit that before the facts were known, my first thoughts were that here was another spoiled actor who had it all; looks, money, fame, and that he had thrown it all away on drugs and alcohol. But there were no stories of the temper tantrums or drug-induced rages that we’ve come to expect from celebrities these days. Instead, friends and family told of a man who was enjoying his life. Of a father who was devoted to his 2-year old daughter. And of a brilliant actor who was headed for major movie-stardom. With an overdose of sleeping pills, the world lost one of its most promising young actors, not to mention a person who seemed genuinely easy to like.

Maybe it was just the shock, but the news seemed to hit me hard for a while. It took a long time to put my thoughts together and write them down, and I’m not exactly sure where I meant for this to go, or why it affected me so. Maybe it’s because through his movies I feel like I might have known a bit of him, and he’ll be missed. I looked forward to seeing how far he could go. Maybe it’s just human nature for our hearts to go out to others who have lost someone. Or maybe something like this puts things in perspective, reminding us that things happen quickly, and unexpectedly, and that we need to make the most of our time with the people in our lives while we can.

Now it’s time to pull out my copy of “Brokeback Mountain”…and try to keep from crying.

Heath Ledger
1979-2008

From Hell

You’ve got to hand it to J.J. Abrams. His marketing strategy for his new film, “Cloverfield”, was brilliant; no pictures, no interviews, no clips, no details. Speculation ran rampant but nothing could be confirmed- an almost unheard-of scenario in these days of instant internet access. The good news for Abrams and company? Hype of near unparalleled proportion by the time the thing finally opened. The bad news for us? It doesn’t live up to the hype.

Now, I like J.J. Abrams’ work; before “Lost” got…well, lost in itself, it was a fascinating character study of people caught in an extreme situation. “Felicity” was cute, but also real in an angst-ridden kind of way. I’ve seen every episode of “Alias”, and there are few movies that I anticipate loving more than the upcoming Abrams-directed “Star Trek”. But sadly, “Cloverfield” is as close to the run-of-the-mill, “I know what’s going to happen next” monster movie as you’re ever going to find.

If anything sets this film apart from all the others of the genre, it’s the documentary-style, you-are-there feeling achieved by the use of a single video camera (they ain’t kiddin’ when they call this “The Blair Witch Project” meets "Godzilla”, folks). Beginning early one April morning, the hand-held, home video camera documents the events leading up to, and immediately following, a mysterious attack on New York City. To his credit, director Matt Reeves does pull off moments that leave us feeling the terror, confusion, and extreme claustrophobia of people dealing with what is at first believed to be another terrorist attack. After a promising beginning, though, things fall apart pretty quickly. WARNING: Minor spoilers ahead; read at your own risk.

The characters aren’t quite as whiny or irritating as they usually are in these kinds of flicks, but they didn't really make me care whether they live or get crunched, either. That’s a problem. Another problem is the by-the-book way the story unfolds. Seen it a billion times. And the third- and most surprising- problem of all is the monster itself. Yes, we do get to see it…and I wish we didn’t. Early on, we’re only able to catch quick glimpses of it as it rounds a corner, or witness the amount of destruction that it’s capable of (the scene of the head of the Statue of Liberty crashing to the street is very surreal, and quite startling). Quick flashes, horrors only hinted at...THAT would have scared the shit out of me…but eventually the monster is revealed, and for me, at least, the movie is over.

If you REALLY want to see a good monster flick that defies every single gimmick of the genre, get yourself to a video store quick and rent “The Host”, the most fun, original, and truly engaging monster movie you’ll ever see.

And speaking of unique monster movies, I was intrigued by the previews for Guillermo del Toro’s “Hellboy II”, so, having never seen the first one in its entirety, I borrowed it from a friend and watched it this weekend. Red is my new favorite color.

What a beautiful movie this is. It’s gorgeous to look at, from the amazing costume designs (you’re honestly telling me that Abe isn’t CG??) to the huge set pieces. It has the look of the graphic novel, brought to full, blazing, colorful life, with characters that you actually care for. And it is extremely entertaining. If the sequel is even half the movie that the original was…

Oh, crap.

The Haunting

I’m a sucker for a scary movie. I grew up in the ‘80’s with “classic” films like “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th.” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” ushered in the first of the new breed of slasher flick, those with huge budgets for unheard of special effects, and more gross-out material that we’d ever seen before. But one thing never changed, no matter the gimmick, no matter the subject…the genre is nothing if not predictable. And isn’t that half the fun? To yell at the screen “you stupid fool!” right before said fool is run through with a pitchfork?

How times have changed. This weekend I went to see “El Orfanato (The Orphanage)” expecting a run-of-the-mill haunted house story. What I got instead was a total revelation; a psychological thriller that is as intelligent, unpredictable, and beautifully filmed as it is chilling.

The orphanage of the title is the site of fond memories for Laura, who lived there as a child. As an adult with a husband and a child of her own, it’s her dream to buy the old orphanage, now abandoned, and turn it into a home for her family. Her hope is to one day open her home to underprivileged children, and give them the hopeful, happy life she enjoyed there as a child.

Strange things begin to happen, though, when her young son Simon starts to talk to invisible friends he meets in the house. Laura and her husband humor him at first, but it doesn’t take long for things to take a turn for the worse, and when they do, the spooking really begins.

To say anything further would expose more than I’m willing to give away, but to call this a simple ghost story is a HUGE disservice. Surprising layers are revealed slowly, and the tension created as each new piece of the puzzle comes into view is terrifying. There are no cheap haunted house gimmicks here; every goosebump and shiver is well-earned, and there are plenty.

The cinematography is gorgeous and changes fluidly from dark and haunting to bright and hopeful in the blink of an eye. A first-rate cast makes you care what happens to these people (Belen Rueda, as Laura, is astonishing, never once falling into the horror genre cliché) and a well-constructed script keeps you thinking and guessing…a rarity in “horror movies.” The film can be taken on many levels; on one hand, it’s a supernatural thriller. On a deeper lever, it explores themes of intense love of a mother for her child, and the effects of devastating loss. Another rarity- this is the first (and only) horror movie in memory that brought me- and a few others in the theater- to tears. The stunning conclusion is so unexpected that if you get as caught up in the film as I did, it’s impossible not to shed a tear. Or 10.

The film is directed by A.J. Bayona and has as its Executive Producer Guillermo del Toro, who directed last year’s amazing “Pan’s Labyrinth.” There are bits of that film here, as well as nods to the classic suspense tale “The Turn of the Screw” and even “Peter Pan.” Bayona knows just when we need to be jolted from our seats, but he also knows how to creep up on us until the anxiety is nearly unbearable. His directing style reminds me very much of del Toro’s; assured and grounded, so that even the bizarre is believable.

For you folks out there who normally wouldn’t go with a mile of a”horror” movie (and you know who you are), I would advise this: forget the label and take a chance on this one. There are chills and frights, to be sure, but if you appreciate good filmmaking (and I know you do), I truly believe you will walk away with respect for “The Orphanage.”

Just don’t see it at night.

Happy Hauntings.

My Favorite Year

2007 is now a memory, and 2008 looms before us with the promise of new starts, new opportunities…and new movies! And so, at the end of my first year of blogging, I thought it appropriate to take a fond look back at 2007 and post my first-ever 10 Best list for movies released this past year. And here they are, in order of release:

“The Lookout”- Not many people saw this one. Too bad. Joseph Gordon-Levitt had me hooked with “Brick” and is quickly becoming one of my favorite young actors, and Jeff Daniels continues to show why he’s a brilliant character actor. There’s not a single word or action wasted thanks to director Scott Frank, and an original concept and atmospheric locales make for a surprisingly emotional thriller. If you haven’t seen it, find it.

“Once”- Not a lot to say; pure, simple, emotional, and a perfect ending. Not to mention a helluva soundtrack.

“3:10 To Yuma”- The re-emergence of the once-dead western genre; beautifully paced, gorgeous to look at, with two great leads and yet another perfect ending.

“Across The Universe”- Director Julie Taymor uses the music of the Beatles to lead us through the turbulent 60’s, and introduces us to a group of friends who we follow as they meet, part, fight, dream, and love. The vocal arrangements are fresh, the concept is unique, and if you just sit back and let it take you, it’s one psychedelic ride.

“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”- If you’re able to appreciate the extremely slow pacing, this movie has a lot to offer; Brad Pitt, beautiful cinematography, brilliant sound design. Oh, and Casey Afleck’s not too bad either.

“No Country For Old Men”- The most thought-provoking movie I saw this year. And the creepiest villain since Norman Bates. The cast is first-rate and it appears that the Coen’s are back. And then there’s that ending…discuss amongst yourselves.

“Charlie Wilson’s War”- What I thought was going to be a sermon on the politics of the Cold War is instead turned into a funny, fast-paced commentary on the traditions of our “clandestine services.” Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman play off each other like Laurel and Hardy, Julia Roberts finally plays a character that is not Julia Roberts, and the screenplay by Aaron Sorkin is first-rate.

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”- It took Tim Burton to finally bring Sondheim to the mainstream, and a better match there’s never been. From the very first frames we’re drawn into a gothic London where a brilliant cast, inspired direction, and razor-sharp lyrics collide to give us what is surely cinema’s first, true Horror Musical (Andrew Lloyd Webber and Joel Schumacher, take note). Literally (pun intended) a cut above the rest.

“Atonement”- I went into this film expecting one of those handsome Merchant Ivory movies; gorgeous locations, beautiful people, the requisite British accents…and not much else. Before long, though, you’re caught up in a story that is as heartbreaking and emotionally charged as it is breathtaking in its beauty. It’s impossible not to be moved by James McAvoy’s performance; he has expression and charisma to spare, and here’s hoping he’ll be a major star before long.

“Juno”- Can’t find a single negative thing to say. Here’s an intelligent, beautifully written, hip, well-paced comedy with one of the best casts of any movie EVER, and it’s simply the best time to be had at the movies this year. Get ready to see a LOT of Ellen Page…she’s gonna be big.

So there you have it. There were so many to choose from this year that it was hard to narrow down the list. Do I include “Enchanted,” the Disney flick that manages to skewer its Fairy Tale Princess genre, even while creating a pretty wicked Fairy Tale Princess movie in the process? Or “Ratatouille” about the little rat that could? Or how about “Hairspray,” which gave us John Travolta in drag?

What about dramas like “Gone Baby Gone” that proved that Ben’s not dead after all, or the all too-real “Zodiac?” Or maybe “A Mighty Heart” with a surprisingly restrained performance by Angelina Jolie, “American Gangster” with Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington trading shots, Adam Sandler’s phenomenal performance in “Reign Over Me,” or Viggo Mortenson’s take on the Russian mob in “Eastern Promises”?

And what would the year have been without action/adventures like “The Bourne Ultimatum” and the fantasy/adventure of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix”?

Good movies all- and here’s hoping that 2008 has many more great ones in store for us.

Here’s wishing you all a Happy New Year.