Tenenbaums

Member since 6/19/2007, last signed in 3 days ago.

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Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Play On, Bleeker
By Tenenbaums in Tenenbaums Blog
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"The novel on which Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist is based was written by David Levithan, author of "Boy Meets Boy," and like that work, the action and characters exist in an alternate reality. It's still New York, but the amount of freedom enjoyed by 17 and 18-year-olds in addition to the overacceptance of homosexuality doesn't mesh with real life. That overall feel works for and against the film, allowing it to teeter into fantasy that's both wonderful and difficult to accept. The Mark Mothersbaugh score is quality, but the rest of the unending music fails to live up to the titular hype (if that's even what it was going for). Michael Cera and Kat Dennings make for an appealing pair, and their friends are even more interesting as they embark on a wild night (and early morning) in search of an elusive concert. A bit too indy to hit the quirky heights its cast is capable of, but entertaining nonetheless. " [More]

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Gonzo Lite
By Tenenbaums in Tenenbaums Blog
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"It's been over a year since I saw Gonzo at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, so I guess the press embargo has been lifted.... A good, cumulative retrospective of Thompson's life, but Hunter fans have seen most of this elsewhere and, though fun (it's Hunter; it's can't not be fun), it has a lot of problems. The film has plenty going for it, including significant celebrity participation (i.e. Johnny Depp reading passages from Hunter's work), but director Alex Gibney really stumbles in certain places, notably by visually reenacting multiple passages. The only one that works is the "Taco Stand" scene from "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." The dialogue here is strong enough to stand on its own, and Gibney honors it by shooting Duke and Dr. Gonzo from below the waist. However, in a passage describing a werewolf running through the streets, Gibney turns to a literal interpretation, and the scene's hokiness goes beyond ridiculous. It's nice to see footage from Hunter's funeral ... " [More]

By Tenenbaums in Tenenbaums Blog
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" " [More]

Faye Dunaway :(
By Tenenbaums in Movie Polls
"Please, nobody vote for Barfly. It's a terrible movie. " [More]

Body of Lies

Lies! All Lies!
By Tenenbaums in Tenenbaums Blog
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"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. " [More]

Eight Men Out

Wonderball
By Tenenbaums in Tenenbaums Blog
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"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, ... " [More]

Smokin' Aces

Wham-Bam, Thank You Ma'am
By Tenenbaums in Tenenbaums Blog
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"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. " [More]

Saw

OK, I Get It
By Tenenbaums in Tenenbaums Blog
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"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. " [More]

Re:Which of these films based o ...
By Tenenbaums in Movie Polls
"Excellent choices and a tough selection! I really like Ghost World and A History of Violence is probably the best film of the bunch, but Sin City is a true graphic novel experience. Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller literally bring the drawings to life, meticulously recreating the images in live-action complete with ink-drenched backdrops. The film is the closest thing to reading a graphic novel that has ever been made. If you were to put American Splendor up here, I think it would get a lot of love. The comics are great and the film is an entertaining blend of drawings and live-action. Really, I like graphic novels and their film adaptations so much that I could have voted for any of these except 300. But I have hopes that Watchmen will outdo all before it other than Sin City. " [More]

Re:Which of these film movments ...
By Tenenbaums in Movie Polls
"Truffaut? Godard? This poll is over. " [More]

Re:I'LL HAVE WHAT HE'S HAVING - ...
By Tenenbaums in Filmgaming
"I'll start the ball rolling. Feel free to steal from me or credit me for answers and we'll work as a team: 1) Campari - The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou 2) White Russian - The Big Lebowski 3) Tom Collins 4) Jack Daniels, straight from the bottle - Animal House 5) French 75 6) Vesper - Casino Royale 7) Sweet Vermouth on the rocks with a twist - Groundhog Day 8) Pinot Noir (...not any f*cking Merlot!) - Sideways 9) Alaskan Polar Bear Heater - The Nutty Professor " [More]

Re:Which of these eponymous non ...
By Tenenbaums in Movie Polls
"Great points from everyone about Shakespearean. I agree, and it got my vote. There is such complexity in Shakespeare's works that I would likewise be drawn to a work that employed such depth and thought. #2 is Orwellian, because dystopia is cool (and satire, and commentary). " [More]