WALL-E is one of the most marvelous and moving films I have ever seen. The animation is exquisite and memorable, the story is serious and grave yet weighs on you as light as gossamer. Be forewarned gentle viewer if you have a heart or any romantic sentiment in your soul the theatre will get a tad dusty. Again this is a 'children's' movie that dispenses with the overly glib and ironic pop-culture references (though there are a couple of nods to some classic sci-fi films sprinkled throughout) and let's the jokes stand alone within the context of the narrative. WALL-E is a complete joy to behold an amazing film. Pixar just keeps knocking them out of the park.
Hancock is an interesting film that seems a little confused as to what it wants to be. Is Hancock a super-hero blockbuster or intimate drama exploring the alienation of the outsider in a modern disconnected society. Peter Berg (The Kingdom, The Rundown, Very Bad Things) is a director with an interesting sensibility focusing the story on the human and emotional side and sprinkling in the action set pieces here and there. Unfortunately in the action scenes there is a heavy reliance on the CGI. When the special effects kick in it really becomes hard to tell what the heck is going on, if Berg had stuck to the action model he used in The Rundown it would have matched better with the narrative of Hancock. All in all Hancock is at least an interesting take on the idea of 'super-hero', but it will be a better rental than a night out.
This week there are a couple of straight to DVD movies to discuss. The first is in keeping with the super-hero theme Batman: Gotham Knight . This is an animated anthology made up of five smaller stories that take place in between Batman Begins and this summer's The Dark Knight. Each of the chapters is animated in a different style and explores different aspects of the Batman's character and personality (or personalities if you prefer). The first chapter tells a single story Rashomon style from the viewpoint of three kids and reflects several ways of looking at the Batman. I found this chapter the most rewarding and the animation style familiar it reminded me of the anime sequence in Kill Bill. I would recommend this to Batman/animation diehards only.
The second movie I watched this week was the lethargic and crushingly poor Impact Point. A stalker attaches himself to a pro beach volleyball player. The film is an excuse to showcase women in impossibly tight swimsuits yelling at each other. Now I am aware there are blocking schemes and signals used in the sport, but when they are not explained in the least it becomes an excuse to show close-ups of women's posteriors. Of course it does star Brian Austin Green for you diehard 90210 fans in a role that will surprise you or more likely disappoint. Simply put DO NOT RENT. Sometimes there is a reason a movie is released straight to video.
Finally, there is the film Charlie Bartlett. You may have missed this one when it came through the city theaters. A lonely kid just wants to fit in at his new school so begins selling prescription medication to the other students. Funny at times but a little too precious, if this had taken a darker approach to the material a la Pump Up The Volume it would have been way more effective. The cast are likable and the film is just okay and at times comfortingly familiar, which may have been the point.
Let me know if you agree or disagree with my thoughts and musings.
Until next blog...
Viddy well, little brother. Viddy well.
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