Tenenbaums Blog

Lies! All Lies!

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Body of Lies (2008)

It's hard not to like a Ridley Scott film, especially when it's written by the same guy who wrote The Departed and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. Unfortunately, things never really gel between these big names and the film feels half-baked as a result.

With so much potential, including an appealing (on paper) story, Body of Lies can only be called a disappointment, despite the various thrills it manages to deliver. Scott provides plenty of his textbook explosions and excitement, but his stars feel tired and underdeveloped. A good deal of blame falls on the script, which never quite feels smooth, but DiCaprio and Crowe additionally never find their groove.

Body of Lies is interesting enough to keep watching, but you know that the film's contributors are capable of better work. The promise of them returning to form remains strong, even if this go-round isn't their best.

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2009 6:27 PM by Tenenbaums | with 0 comments

Wonderball

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Eight Men Out (1988)

As a baseball fan since I was 7 (that's 18 years, if you'd like to know), I'm embarrassed that I just got around to this one. But maybe I wasn't ready for it until now. The more age-appropriate baseball films of my era include Angels in the Outfield, Rookie of the Year, and The Sandlot. All of these feature happy endings where the bad guys and good guys get what they deserve. None of them ask tough questions or are true stories.

Eight Men Out does. It's the big boy baseball film and, besides Ken Burns' Baseball, is the best film about the sport. John Sayles is flawless here as a writer, director, and even an actor. John Cusack has never been better and he's surrounded by an impressive group of supporting actors, including Charlie Sheen, D.B. Sweeney, and David Strathairn. Together, they bring the 1919 White Sox to vivid realization and do a remarkable job of exploring the personal and athletic sides of the sport's most notorious scandal. As with the best Ron Howard films, even knowing the outcome can't stop the action from being suspenseful and captivating. Eight Men Out can't lose, even if it's players can.

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2009 6:11 PM by Tenenbaums | with 0 comments

Wham-Bam, Thank You Ma'am

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Narc (2002)

Smokin' Aces (2007)

Joe Carnahan's Narc is enough of a directorial statement to get me to watch any of his films. That's not to say I wasn't hesitant to see Smokin' Aces after I couldn't find a decent review upon its release, but it's still enjoyable. Don't expect the depth and auteur stamp that was all over Narc and this film will provide enough thrills, laughs, and twists to be a worthwhile experience.

But if that's not enough incentive to check it out, here you go: Jason Bateman in a thong.

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2009 5:58 PM by Tenenbaums | with 0 comments

OK, I Get It

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Saw (2004)

Finally watched this one to see what the fuss was about. While I understand why viewers feel compelled to watch 5 installments of this series, it's not for me. Jigsaw is an interesting villain and it would be neat to see what other kinds of mental games he will concoct, but the sadistic torture required to get to the "stunning conclusion" isn't worth it to me, especially 4 more times. I'd much rather catch up on any of my "must-see" lists or, if it's horror I need to stick with, then I choose John Carpenter.

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2009 5:49 PM by Tenenbaums | with 0 comments