Sitting in the Aisle

It's kinda like getting an e-mail from John about what movie he just saw, well, kinda, sorta.

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Ratatouille (Film)

I'm not sure how Pixar keeps bringing out these wonderful films that just happened to be animated. They present stories that could actually only be told animated. Another pearl in a string of pearls. This story of the ultimate outsider trying to belong and excel in a place that only loathes him is crafted with such heart and tenderness. It is also filled with a love of all things cooking and Paris. Really outstanding. This recipe gets an A.

Live Free or Die Hard (Film)

This is as good as an action packed summer movie gets. I have to admit my doubts when I heard McClane was coming back for more. Those doubts quickly evaporated as soon as the first action sequence started. It's been a long time since I've seen an action movie this good. I give this adventure a A-.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (Film)

When I think of the Fantastic Four from the comics, I think of epic adventures in the most astounding of places. This adventure seems almost quaint in comparison. With a scant running time and so much having to happen, the fantastic foursome often play second fiddle to the Silver Surfer. The Surfer comes across so well, I think of him as coolest character introduced in these summer movies. The possibility of a Surfer movie is something I look forward to. I wished I felt the same way about another FF movie. I still think Pixar's The Incredibles as the best FF movie they never made. I give this adventure a C.

Ocean's 13 (Film)

Possibly the best of the Ocean films. The film hits the ground running with everyone knowing what needs to be done complete with necessary the skills. There are no real surprises and everything goes so smoothly, it's almost bland. You wish there was some sense of real jeopardy during this heist. Everything just seems to come so easily. In this case, 13 may just be a lucky number after all. I give this heist a B.

Hostel Part II (Film)

One of the reasons the first part was so effective was because you weren't quite sure what was going on. The appeal was in the discovery of what Hostel was. With this important element gone, the film has to go in a different direction. You are no longer a recipient, but a participant. The horror cannot lie in what is about to come, but instead, it has to do something different. The Alien films understood this. The first one was basically a bogey man in house. The second one was much different and more inventive. Sadly, this is not the case with Hostel. You pretty much get more of the same without that added spark of something more. It felt all too routine. Horror films tend to come in trends. Recently it was the remake of Japanese horror films which primarily consisted of pale wet children. Lately it has been the Saw-type films where people are tortured. I feel this latest trend is now coming to an end and I wonder where the fresh new terror will come from. Certainly from this movie. I give my stay at the Hostel a C.