Keeping It Reel

No Walk in the Park

One of my favorite aunts, Rochelle, had remarried and moved to California with her husband. It turns out that her husband, Jeff (who also happens to be one of my frat brothers) was into the movie-making business on some level.  I'm not sure how many movies he worked on but I know there was one he actually helped produced and I finally got a chance to check it out when Rochelle sent Diah a copy.

"Park Day" is a straight-to-dvd release which is a story taking place in a largely Black Southern town.  Hill Harper plays Steve Johnson who finds himself torn between the homeboys that he grew up with, who apparently have no college ambitions whatsoever and the stereotypical egotistical frat guys from the University.

It's ironic that I watched this on the heels of celebrating the centennial of my own fraternity.  The fictitious frat portrayed in this movie are buffoonish versions of the negative side of every Black frat out there.  It's as if they took the worst element from every organization and made it into this fraternity to try to portray them into a narcissistic bunch of guys who are only concerned with partying and disrespecting women.

That was only one problem "Park Day" faced though.  Honestly, I was surprised to see that it had some known actors in it.  Granted, they were only two with Harper being one (who, by the way, is also a native Iowan) and Monica Calhoun.  The sad thing is outside of those two, the acting here is very shoddy.  There actually was another known actor with Darius McCrary of "Family Matters" fame; however, even his portrayal was cartoonish.  You would have thought from watching him in this role that he didn't have the years of acting experience he supposedly got from that television show.

The entire movie had the feel of one of Spike Lee's early, early works.  If you've ever seen "She's Gotta Have It", you know it was when Spike was still trying to feel his way as a director.  The scenes sometimes seemed choppy, the acting felt forced and the writing was flimsy.  We all know (whether folks want to admit it or not) that Spike would later evolve into a magnificent talent.  Keeping that in mind, maybe there was hope for this film's director.  However, since "Park Day" was done back in 1998 and I still have yet to hear of Sterling Macer, Jr., it's not looking good for him.

Jeff and Rochelle ended up moving back to Kansas City and as a result, he got an ordinary job and out of the movie business.  I'm definitely going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that had he stayed, his best work would have still been in front of him.  After "Park Day", there was no place to go but up.

My rating:  D-

Death and Taxes

There are no two greater certainties in life.  As far as I'm concerned, another guarantee is that Wil Ferrell will rip up the spot in any comedy he's given.  With that also being a given, the question that always remained with me was how would he do in a drama?

It was just a matter of time before Will stretched his acting chops.  He's already proven that he's an accomplished comedic actor.  Almost to the point where doing them now is trivial for him.  He needed to go the Jim Carey route and see if he could make the crossover.  I believe he chose the perfect piece for it.  The reason being is this flick, although primarily a drama, still had elements of   humor.  Therefore, you could see him almost making the transition before your very eyes in the course of one movie.

"Stranger Than Fiction" is the story of IRS agent Harold Crick who begins hearing a voice in his head narrating his life.  The strange part is not only is he real, but the person narrating it is real too so how could this be?

This movie had the benefit of being graced with some other pretty outstanding performances.  It's hard to go wrong when you also have the likes of Emma Thompson, Queen Latifah, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Dustin Hoffman.  If there was ever any doubt Will wouldn't be able to pull off the dramatic performance, the producers pretty much hedged their bets with the supporting cast.

It wasn't without it's problems.  Without giving too much away, there was one pivotal moment in the film regarding a revelation on Dustin's part that I felt was handled rather nonchalantly and didn't seem to fit.  That and the fact that that one rather large question went unanswered regarding the conclusion.

Nevertheless, I truly admired the fact that this was an overall very original piece.  The concept was unique, the writing was innovative and the way it was shot in several scenes was very creative.  Couple those with the tremendous performances across the board and this was easily one of the better movies to come out this year.

My rating:  B+ 

The Wack Complex

Back in the late 80s to early 90s or somewhere around thereabouts, someone invented one of the ugliest words/terms ever used.  The word "wigger" came about to reflect those white kids that tried to act Black.  I never liked the word for the simple fact that it insinuates that the regular version of the word was okay to use and it's not.  Therefore, I've invented my own version.  Wack.  "W"hite kids trying to act "b"lack. 

Anyway, I say all that because that's what we have in the movie "Havoc".  What's even worse is these kids come from wealthy families and don't even live in the hood.  So in effect, it's as if they're trying to rebel against their parents much in the way you hear of the stereotype of preacher's kids.  Naturally, the kids don't act that way around the parents.

Anne Hathaway is the major star in this one and you all may know her from where better-known roles of "The Princess Diaries" and the   more recent "The Devil Wears Prada".  This role is a HUGE departure from the pristine, family image she portrays in those movies.  She   truly shows that she's not one-dimensional and actually has some depth to her acting abilities.

Hathaway plays Allison Lang who is so infatuated with thug life that hanging with her wannabe thug boyfriend isn't enough.  When she sees him wet himself when confronted by a real Latino drug dealer in the hood, she's immediately drawn to that role model.  It's just a matter of time before she gets in too deep.

At first, I wasn't a big fan of how the film ended.  They leave it to the imagination as to who exacted vengeance on who.  When I thought about it further, it was a pretty good idea as it followed the theme of the movie.  Allison was unclear about herself, her direction and her own character and then we get a finale where clouded in similar ambiguity. 

Although this one was shot a bit dark for my tastes in some parts, it was still nicely done.  "Havoc" is one that a lot of people may never hear about it even with Hathaway's attachment and it's really too bad.  This straight-to-dvd flick is better than a lot of the junk being released in theaters.

My rating:  B

A Pretty Boring Life

Some of you more devoted readers may remember me classifying movies into three distinct categories:  those that are must-sees in the theaters, those that can wait until dvd and those that can wait until cable.  This recent one definitely falls into the latter category and I'm glad I made that choice.

"An Unfinished Life" features screen vets Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman whose pretty much uninteresting lives get interrupted when eye candy J-Lo arrives with her daughter.  The story is set in boring Wyoming and the plot has about as much excitement as...well, as the actual state of Wyoming.

I can admire Redford for being consistent with his selection of movies.  In his later years, he has favored taking roles that deal with looking at the lives of ordinary people and how they interact with everyday problems.  However, does that really make a good movie?  Maybe it's just me, but I would think that would make a much better book than a film.

This is another one of those films that ends and you're thinking that there has to be more.  Then the more you think about it, you're glad that there really isn't and that that was it.

It wasn't a total waste thanks to both Freeman and Redford.  Even with bad material, just watching them do their magic in any part they get is entertaining.  Still, it wasn't enough to make me wish I would have found something else on tv at the time.

My rating:  C-

Spellbound

Sometimes, a movie comes along where in and of itself, it would appear there is nothing really special about it.  It would seem the plot would just be average, if not trite, and nothing about it really stands out.  Then you watch it and your viewpoint has changed altogether.  That's how I was with "Akeelah and the Bee".

Mom and Dad had told me about this movie on their last visit and how much they liked it.  I had it in my collection before hearing that and once again, had put off watching it. 

Even if you haven't seen this particular movie, you have seen this story a thousand times.  The thing that's different is they use spelling instead of a common sports theme to highlight competition.  All of the familiar roles are there...the underdog trying to overcome odds to win, the mentor with his own troubled past that helps, the nemesis who later becomes a friend...yada, yada, yada...

But this one was moving to me because of the way Akeelah's involvement in the Bee serves as a catalyst for helping her family problems, the community problems and even her school's problems.  It wasn't even her intention to be everyone's savior yet inadvertently, she steps into the role and becomes the voice of thousands of people.

Laurence Fishburne is right on point as the mentor.  He should be after movie  after movie of playing that same role.  Angela Bassett is almost a bit overbearing as the mother.  And I wish her trainer would scale back a bit and stop having her look like a female weightlifter.  But it's Keke Palmer as Akeelah that really makes this joint shine.  Who would have known she had it in her from that small role in "Madea's Family Reunion"?

This movie came out around the same time I first spoke of the national spelling bee.  Even then it was under-appreciated in theaters.  I'll give it it's due props now though.  Easily one of the best movies I've seen this year

My rating:  A

Friends with Issues

Jennifer Aniston has so far established a track record of some hit and miss movie choices.  I'm not sure if it's her as much as she doesn't have good material to work with.  I will still see "The Break-Up" despite the bad reviews it's gotten; however, that's more for the fact of Vince Vaughn's proven record with comedies.

The previews for "Friends with Money" made it look fairly promising.  She's the one friend in her circle who isn't doing that well financially yet she still has something in common with these people?   

This was one of those flicks where random things happen to try to tie a plot and the characters together.  Almost in the vein of "Grand Canyon" though not quite as purposeful.  When it ends, you're left sitting there thinking 'that was it?'  Only not for the fact that it was overrated, just for the fact that you were expecting more of a remnant of a plot.

What I got out of it was regardless of how much money her friends seemed to have, they still couldn't seem to solve their problems that weren't related to money.  Now if Jen's character would have been the only one who seemed happy despite the fact she was almost destitute, it would have made more sense.  Instead, she had issues of her own AND no money.  So what was the point of the movie?  Still trying to figure that one out...

My rating:  C

Wonder Twins Power Activate

It comes as no surprise that with the modest success of "The Gospel" and the bigger success of other religious-based flicks like Tyler Perry's work that church movies are coming into their own.  Unfortunately, not all of them can get the big Hollywood backing.  That means they are destined for that straight-to-dvd market.

"Preaching to the Choir" first caught my attention on a short trailer I saw on another dvd.  It's the story of two twin brothers who lose both parents at an early age and get raised by their God-fearing aunt.  Because of the way their parents die, they can either choose to be very bitter and keep that with them or accept God's decisions and move on.  Each chooses a different path, giving the movie its own version of Cain and Abel. 

It doesn't have any big name stars in it so it already had an uphill battle.  Well unless you count Patti LaBelle's brief appearance.  She's still got the golden pipes.  Still, she probably could have done with a little less make-up...and a lot less plastic surgery.

Actually, what this seems to be more of is a combination of "The Gospel", "Sister Act" and "The Fighting Temptations".  If done right, it would be a great formula.  If done wrong, it could be like too many cooks spoiling the stew.  The latter would be the case here.

Like "Sister Act" and "The Fighting Temptations", there is a subplot involving a choir that is in need of guidance.  The problem in this flick is that the evolution of the choir isn't very believable.  There is no Beyonce or Lauryn Hill ingredient inserted into the choir that would cause the makeover to seem plausible.

It is good to see Adebisi and Mums of "Oz" fame getting a shot at some major roles here.  Even if Adebisi's character does have a ridiculous sounding raspy voice to try to make his character distinguishable.  They probably think it's making him seem intimidating.  Whatever they were thinking, it doesn't improve the performance at all.

There is excellent music throughout though.  Most gospel-themed movies can usually be counted on for that.  It always seems that in a gospel movie it's always the music that is the saving grace, no matter how average the movie itself is.  This one is about average at best.

My rating:  C-

Desperate Girl

Even if Steve Martin isn't a genius, he's still one of the best all-around talents currently in the acting game.  He's stepped it up even more as of late and proved that he can bring more than just acting to the game by showing us his writing skills also.

"Shopgirl" gives us a young woman, Mirabelle (Claire Danes) who lives a pretty uneventful life.  Apparently it's even devoid of any love interests.  These kind of movies always kill me because you wonder how an attractive woman in a big city could not have any guy interested in her in the first place.

Basically, Danes character doesn't have very much self-esteem.  She sleeps with the first guy that hits on her in quite a while and then she starts dating the first male customer she has in a while.  Nevermind the fact that the guy's probably old enough to be her grandfather.  Of course, it is Steve Martin. 

Her other love interest is played magnificently by Jason Schwartzman who I've so far liked in every role I've seen him in.  No matter what he's playing, he manages to infuse some comedy into it where it's intentional or not.

I could have done without the narration they had going on.  Normally, I wouldn't have any problem with that aspect if it was done properly.   When it's done in third person and the person narrating is one of the characters, it just doesn't work for me.

The overall feel of the movie is really pretty dry.  Not much of anything exciting really happens.  It was almost like "Lost in Translation" though thankfully, not as bad.  At least in this one there's the love triangle that keeps the story a little lively.  Decent enough story, but acting is definitely Martin's forte.

My rating:  B-

Hotlanta Come to Life

There are certain movies that come out that do an excellent job in capturing the essence of a city in a particular time for a particular generation.  In those cases, it doesn't matter that the plot may be thin or maybe even non-existent.  If it can make you feel like you were there, or better yet, wish you were there, it has done it's job.  That was the case with flicks like "American Graffiti", "Boyz n the Hood" and even "Biloxi Blues".

That's the feeling I got with "ATL".  I still haven't had a chance to visit Atlanta although I've driven thru the city a couple of times.  Even though I still will have the opportunity to visit, I can't help but think about all he things I may have missed by not going during my more active college years.

The thing I liked most about "ATL" was the focus on the subplot of the skating rink.  Personally, I wish they would have spent more time on that.  Those cats do some phenomenal things on skates that makes it seem like you're watching a mobile stepshow.  "Roll Bounce" tried to recreate that sensation but even they didn't give it enough airtime as far as I'm concerned.  I wold love to see nothing a movie with nothing but that type of skating.  A documentary of it would be even better.

T.I. did an alright job in the lead role for it being his first chance in a feature film.  However, I was most impressed with the cat that played Esquire, Jackie Long.  He made his character very relateable here as a young man struggling to get out of his environment yet not wanting to lose touch with who he is.

One could see the ending coming a mile away.  Despite how anti-climatic it may have been, the build-up to it was camouflaged nicely with the pulsating soundtrack, the flashy skating and good supporting actor performances throughout.  Plus, it reminded me that I need to make that Atlanta trip sometime before I get too old.

My rating:  B

Fight for Where You Belong

Remember those wrestlers in high school who would starve themselves to try to make weight?  They would walk around looking like skeletons.  Eric Stotts (I think that was his last name) comes immediately to mind.  James Franco looked like he took a page from their book in his turn as a Naval officer hopeful in "Annapolis".

It's basically "An Officer and a Gentleman" for today's generation.  Instead of karate, there's boxing and a bigger subplot focused on it. 

I figured this movie would have to be pretty decent with Tyrese in it.  He's been good in pretty much everything else I had seem with him.  He did a decent job as the training officer here.  However, he's still no Louis Gossett, Jr.

Franco is supposed to be this kid from the other side of the tracks trying to get into the prestigious Naval academy.  So after 34 days of trying to get admitted, he finally gets in and quits after one semester?  Yeah, that makes sense.  At least they didn't make it unrealistic by having him come back after missing several days and try to work his way back in before the academy finally makes an exception.

"Annapolis" is stock full of all the military training movie cliches.  Someone's caught cheating, someone tries to kill themselves after washing out, superior officer challenges the outcast then they become friends, intense training montage, yada, yada yada. They should have trained more on how to make a better movie.

My rating:  C-