Category Archives: Reviews

Stuff happens in “L!fe Happens,” but none of it is all that interesting

When one uses the term “life happens,” it’s usually a coy indication of something interesting or perhaps even a little lascivious that has occurred. Whether that occurrence was had negative consequences or fortunate results can obviously vary depending on each situation. When it comes to the new film L!fe Happens, the results are neither interesting or fortunate.

Kim (Krysten Ritter) and Deena (Kate Bosworth) reach a breaking point in "L!fe Happens)

It seems like Kim (Krysten Ritter, who co-wrote the script with director Kat Coiro) and Deena (Kate Bosworth) certainly know how to be the life of the party, which is proven on a nightly basis in the Los Angeles home they share. But when they both scramble for the last of the communal condoms one night, life literally happens when Kim gets knocked up by an Australian surfer who doesn’t stick around for long after their son is born. While Deena is still actively hanging out and hooking up, Kim’s newfound maternal duties make it difficult for her to keep up, which causes her to resent her longtime friend.

Kim’s resentment only gets stronger as Deena’s writing career begins to flourish and their much more chaste roommate Laura (Rachel Bilson) lands a spot on a reality show for virgins over the age of 21 (OK, that part is actually kind of funny). Stuck in a dead-end dog-walking job with aspirations of opening a dog mall (an idea just as stupid as it sounds), things seem a little bit hopeful when Kim meets Nicolas (Stacy Keibler‘s ex-boyfriend Geoff Stults), a hunky guy as socially awkward as Kim. But she screws that up pretty quickly, providing even more reason for self loathing.

Happily ever after.

While this sounds like the impetus for a potentially zany comedy, the results are less than conclusive. Despite the events that happen in L!fe Happens, it misses several opportunities to be as clever as it would like to be. The interaction between the characters just feels, I don’t know, phony, and there is hardly any actual interaction with the baby despite his presence in almost every scene. The biggest problem with L!fe Happens is it doesn’t feel like life is happening at all. Instead, it feels like you’re watching actors act (and it often feels like they barely had time to learn their lines before the camera started rolling). By the time the “happily ever after” conclusion arrives, you probably won’t even care about what happens to any of these dimensionless characters, let alone how cliched the whole thing turns out.

L!fe Happens. Directed by Kat Coiro. Starring Krysten Ritter, Kate Bosworth and Rachael Bilson. Rated R. www.lifehappensfilm.com.

Upstream swim spawns inspirational comedy in “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”

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Fishing for salmon in the desert sounds ridiculous to Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor).

Does fishing for fresh water salmon in the dry climates of Yemen sound impossible to you? Well, Ewan McGregor would emphatically agree, at least at first. In Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, McGregor plays Alfred Jones, a British expert on fishing who seems to have about as much emotion and enthusiasm as the creatures he studies. After receiving an email from Harriet (Emily Blunt) about a project to make fly fishing a reality in the middle of the desert, Alfred brushes it off without much consideration. But when the idea flows past Prime Minister’s vivacious press secretary (Kristin Scott Thomas), who is desperately looking for some positive press from the Middle East, Alfred soon finds himself meeting with a worldly sheik (Amr Waked) determined to make this far-fetched idea a reality.

Jones is reluctantly forced to begin work on the project, gradually realizing that it’s not only doable, but could actually prove to be a thriving prospect for ailing area. With his miserable marriage falling apart, venturing out into the desert to make the impossible a reality becomes a comforting escape. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he’s working closely with the alluring Emily Blunt, who is need of some comforting of her own when it seems her boyfriend won’t be returning from the war.

Initially adversaries, Harriet (Emily Blunt) and Alfred (Ewan McGregor) become unlikely partners.

The whole thing soon gets a good bit of media attention and financial backers, but not everyone is so enthusiastic as some of the militant natives see this project as a betrayal on the sheik’s part and set out to sabotage the whole thing. Despite attempts on the sheik’s life and other setbacks, director Lasse Hallström manages to keep things lighthearted, giving a sense of humorous hope throughout the film. Once unlikely allies, Alfred and Harriet growing more and more fond of each other as they journey up the proverbial stream together in this inspiring journey rife with resistance.

Even when things seem on the brink of success, for the fish as well as in Alfred and Harriet’s personal lives, they are forced to overcome even greater odds than they first imagined as everything they’ve spwaned professionally and personally gets washed away (metaphorically and literally). As he’s done with previous films like Chocolat and Dear John, Hallström finds ways to keep hope alive even when all seems lost. Though it’s not a Hollywood happy ending for everyone, Salmon Fishing offers a believable look at overcoming life’s obstacles, no matter how impossible they might seem.

Salmon Fishin in the Yemen. Directed by Lasse Hallström. Starring Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor, Kristin Scott Thomas and Amr Waked. Rated PG-13. www.fishingintheyemen.com.

“The Hunger Games” borrows heavily from other stories to satisfy sci-fi appetites

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Sometimes new pop culture trends slip right by while I’m busy watching wrestling and stuff. Such is the case with The Hunger Games, the new film based on the first book in a trilogy of novels by Suzanne Collins.

Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) takes aim in “The Hunger Games.” Photo by Murray Close

Apparently these books appeal to the same tween audience as the Harry Potter and Twilight books, both of which also became pop culture phenomenons before I had even figured out what they were about (I still haven’t had a chance to see any of the Twilight movies). But I’m actually glad I didn’t know that before seeing The Hunger Games because I saw similarities to various other stories playing out on the screen.

Set in a dystopian America segregated into 12 concentration camp-like districts, the titular games are a perverse way for The Capitol (the movie’s Orwellian governing group, which employs elaborate costumes and grooming to further elevate itself from the commoners) to entertain itself while maintaining control over the populous. It’s basically the same concept as 1987’s The Running Man and 1975’s Death Race 2000, only instead of using convicts in this kill-or-be-killed cross between a game show and reality TV, a male and female between the ages of 12 and 18 is chosen from each district to “play.”

Contestants are then placed in a wilderness setting where they have to first obtain their chosen weapons, then fend for themselves when it comes to food and survival. The only way to win this Darwinian game is to be the sole survivor. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), who has been the lynchpin for her family since her father died a few years earlier, volunteers to represent her district after the Mad Hatter-esque Elizabeth Banks announces that Katniss’ younger sister has been chosen. She’s paired with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), which causes a bit of tension from the beginning since Katniss is leaving her sort-of boyfriend (Liam Hemsworth) behind.

Starting with the elaborate opening ceremonies and carrying over into the absurdly posh talk show segments that precede the games, Peeta makes his feelings for Katniss known, but it’s not clear if he is being sincere or if he is just trying to keep the show interesting. Either way, the two must soon fend for themselves against those chosen from the other districts, as well as the Big Brother-like overseers who are able to do things like insert giant pitbull-like creatures into the vaguely Matrix-like setting in order to keep the world watching.

Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) announces Katniss’ admission to the Games. Photo by Murray Close

The Hunger Games does a great job of displaying the brutality that can come when people (especially adolescents) are placed in such cut-throat conditions. Alphas take charge, alliances form and boundaries are created as each teen fights for survival, or for the glory that comes with winning the game. Under the surprisingly astute guidance of Haymitch Abernathy (a drunkenly flamboyant Woody Harrelson) and stylist Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), Katniss refuses to play by the rules, which does not please The Capitol (especially after it has assisted her a couple of times by sending a magical salve that makes people heal as fast a Wolverine).

From what I understand, this is all eerily reminiscent of the 1999 Japanese novel Battle Royale. Like Harry Potter and Twilight, that’s another book/film I have yet to experience. Though I can’t attest to its similarities to these stories, I can say that The Hunger Games does borrow heavily from the aforementioned The Running Man and Death Race 2000, as well as 1984, Brave New World, Mad Max and, to a lesser degree, Romeo and Juliet, both thematically and visually. So regardless of its inspirations, The Hunger Games is more than just a showcase of pretty people (though that is definitely part of its appeal). And it’s sure to appeal to teenagers crushing over the film’s young stars as well as sci-fi fans who like a bit of substance with their futuristic stories.

The Hunger Games. Directed by Gary Ross. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks. Rated PG-13. www.thehungergamesmovie.com.

“21 Jump Street” puts a Hill-arious spin on teen cop show

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It’s inevitable that a lot of people are going to hate this new 21 Jump Street movie simply because it’s such a departure from the late ’80s/early ’90s TV show on which it is based. And I’ll admit I went into it with somewhat low expectations for that very same reason. But to my surprise and delight, 21 Jump Street is hilariously clever and entertaining, with enough nods to the original series to keep at least some fans happy.

Of course with Jonah Hill starring, you know it’s going to be amusing. But one of the major complaints about this take on 21 Jump Street is that, unlike the TV show, it’s a comedy. But the fact that the movie openly acknowledges that it is rehashing an old idea and cashing in on an established franchise is exactly what makes it work. It’s not a remake, but a sequel, with former high school nerd Morton Schmidt (Hill) and his hunkier counterpart Greg Jenko (Channing Tatum) reluctantly teaming up while training to become cops. After they prove to be incompetent officers, even as bicycle cops patrolling a park, the duo is reassigned to the secret Jump Street project, which still operates out of the abandoned church from the TV show.

Under the guidance of Ice Cube, who plays a stereotypically angry black police captain who, again, openly acknowledges that he is filling such a stereotypical role for comedic effect, Schmidt and Jenko are sent back to high school to find out who is dealing a lethal new drug called HFS (which stands for “Holy fucking shit” thanks to the hilariously hallucinogenic effect it has on the high schoolers consuming it). But a lot has changed since Schmidt and Jenko last walked high school halls, and a bit of role reversal takes place thanks to the fact that tree huggers, homosexuals and academic achievers are now the cool crowd and dumb jocks no longer rule the popularity hierarchy.

It doesn’t take long for both of them (especially Schmidt) to get sucked back into the high school life and try to catch up the things they might have missed out on the first time around. As a result, the bumbling duo continues to screw up, eventually getting them expelled and making Capt. Cube angry enough to kick them off the case. Continuing to follow in the cop caper formula, it’s after they are kicked off the force that they start to get big breaks in the case, giving them an opportunity to redeem themselves and prove that they can become good cops. But not without a few more mishaps, some silly self discovery and a couple of clever cameos that tie everything back in to the 21 Jump Street of old.

21 Jump Street is clearly not what fans of the TV show might be wanting or expecting. But since that would have been a difficult undertaking in itself, the film ultimately benefits from putting its own comical spin on things while simultaneously acknowledging its original audience.

21 Jump Street. Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Starring Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Dave Franco and Rob Riggle. Rated R. www.21jumpstreet-movie.com.

WWE Studios’ “Bending the Rules” just isn’t Edge-y enough

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Having set records such as his 12 WWE Tag Team Championships and seven World Heavyweight Championships in WWE, Adam “Edge” Copeland is clearly deserving of his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame this WrestleMania weekend. And with his unexpected retirement from wrestling less than a year ago, it’s only fitting that Edge take his charisma to the big screen as peers such as The Rock, John Cena, Triple H and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have done before him.

Nick Blades (Edge) and Theo Gold (Jamie Kennedy) team up in "Bending the Rules"

Edge makes his leading role debut in the new WWE Studios movie Bending the Rules, in select theaters today and on DVD and Blu-ray March 27. In this comedy cop caper, Edge plays Nick Blades, a New Orleans cop known for bending the rules to get the job done. Jamie Kennedy is Theo Gold, the down-on-his-luck District Attorney on the opposing side of the courtroom. In what is supposed to be a comical twist of fate, these two opposing forces become an odd couple who, despite their differing motivations and methods, are determined to get to the bottom of some sort of crime racket.

See, there’s this list of license plate numbers and someone is going down that list and taking out the owners of the vehicles. Somehow Gold’s beloved 1956 Studebaker Silver Hawk comes up missing, presumably because it is on this list. Blades hangs out with Gold’s mom (played by Jessica Walter, who is basically reprising her overbearing and self-entitled mother role from Arrested Development), Gold’s assistant (Alicia Witt) gets kidnapped, some gunfights break out and funniness fails to ensue.

It’s not that Bending the Rules is a bad movie. It’s just that it’s also not that great. Edge is basically playing Edge, but for some reason the charisma he portrays when talking to in-ring opponents doesn’t come across very well here. Jennifer Esposito plays his friend on the force, and she looks damn good in that blue uniform. But for some reason all of these ingredients don’t seem to gel, perhaps because Bending the Rules follows the rules of an action comedy too lazily. There is an attempt at a surprise twist at the end of the movie, but by that point it’s hard to even care about anything that’s happening anymore. And ironically, the Rated R Superstar only got a PG-13 rating.

Bending the Rules. Directed by Artie Mandelberg. Starring Adam “Edge” Copeland, Jamie Kennedy, Jennifer Esposito and Jessica Walter. Rated PG-13. www.bendingtherulesmovie.com.

“Friends with Kids” finds comedy in the tragedy of early-midlife mistakes

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Given the fact that my friends and I often have a hard time relating to the plights of the common man, given our superhuman abilities and all, it’s easy for me to forget what the average person’s worries are. I mean, when you’re busy saving the world and pummeling opponents in the ring, you don’t have much time to think about things like settling down and having babies.

Alex (Chris O'Dowd), Missy (Kristen Wiig), Leslie (Maya Rudolph) and Ben (Jon Hamm) share an elevator in "Friends with Kids." At least they're not sharing a baby.

That John Carter guy is someone I can relate to, but this new Friends with Kids movie is about as foreign to me as a four-armed Martian would be to you. So what happens is these three couples have been friends for several years. Leslie and Alex (Maya Rudolph and Chris O’Dowd) and Missy and Ben (Kristen Wiig and Jon Hamm) get married, have kids and become miserable. Jason and Julie (Adam Scott (not Tom Cruise, as I first suspected) and Jennifer Westfeldt) aren’t actually a couple, but have been close friends since college. Neither one of them seems to be good at relationships (well, Jason gets some hotties, but they never stick around for long, and neither of them wants to end up as unhappy as the two couples that got married.

A drunken late night joke about Jason and Julie having a baby without the constraints and expectations of a romantic relationship turns into, well, Jason and Julie having a baby without committing to a romantic relationship with one another. In fact, they both encourage each other to date other people, taking turns babysitting their offspring so the other can maintain a social life. Sounds like just the broken home recipe to spawn my next supervillain!

The other two couples are, at first, insulted, then shocked to see that Jason and Julie’s plan actually seems to be working. Julie starts dating a wonderful guy named Kurt (Edward Burns) and Jason’s latest little fling (Megan Fox) lasts longer than anyone is used to. But as Jason and Julie get more and more involved with their significant others, they expect more and more from each other in terms of taking care of the baby. They also start to exhibit signs of jealousy, implying that their feelings for each other might be stronger than either of them would like to admit. I think there was a TV show in the ’80s called thirtysomething that was similar to this, but I’m not certain of that.

Leslie (Maya Rudoplh) and Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt) prepare for another group gathering in "Friends with Kids."

Anyway, as their plan finally seems to start unraveling a little, the other two couples find relief in the fact that Jason and Julie may join them in their middle-aged mediocrity (misery loves company, after all). Everything eventually falls apart for everyone involved, which is when Friends with Kids actually starts to get interesting. I’ve heard about the complexities of many human relationships, where figuring out what you need versus what you desire is a difficult task. It’s just such a conflict that I found intriguing with this film.

From what I understand, friends with benefits and open relationships rarely work for the average person. But the situation with Jason and Julie is even more complicated than that, especially when one of them expresses a desire for something to pursue something more than platonic with the other, only to be denied. That kind of emotional pain is not something Flash Gorem is accustomed to, but it seems as if it is even harder to overcome than physical pain. I’ve heard a saying about not knowing what you’ve got till it’s gone, and that definitely becomes the case when the denier later realizes what got away (especially after things don’t work out with the new significant other).

At first, I really hated the seemingly happily-ever-after ending of this dramedy. Then I realized it may not be such a happy ending after all. If the decisions that have been made by all three couples previously in the movie are any indication, it’s highly likely that any new decisions (especially those driven by mixtures of emotion, lust and regret) could be even bigger mistakes. And with a conclusion like that, Friends with Kids is a somewhat unsettling look at people’s desperate attempts to find happiness as they feel their biological clocks ticking away.

Friends with Kids. Written and directed by Jennifer Westfeldt. Starring Jennifer Westfeldt, Adam Scott, Kristen Wiig, John Hamm, Maya Rudoph, Chris O’Dowd, Megan Fox and Edward Burns. Rated R. www.friendswithkids.com.

“Silent House” is chilling, until the end

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Silent House (starring the other Olsen girl, Elizabeth) is one of the most uniquely shot movies that I’ve ever seen. The soundtrack is minimal, appropriately scattered throughout the film. But what stands out the most about this film is the fact that the entire movie is done in one uninterrupted take. So, from the beginning of the movie all the way until the end, you’ll see a continuous shot form the same camera, giving it a sense that things are actually happening in real time.

This is the first film that I’ve seen shot like this, and it had me thinking a few of things. First, it made me feel really bad for the actors if the director needed to yell ‘Cut!’, because they would have to start all over again. Second, there were several moments where the camera is following a character who’s running, and it’s legitimately difficult to follow what’s going on. I don’t normally get motion sickness while watching a film, but admittedly, this film had me looking away just to stay oriented. And third, it did have an INCREDIBLY creepy effect on the film, because it leaves the viewer not knowing what might be just off screen, which provides some genuine scares.

Based on the 2010 Uruguayan film La Casa Muda (The Silent House), Silent House is about a young woman who becomes trapped in the lake house she grew up in. The house is now haunted by unknown terrors and you see her gradually slip in into a panicked psychosis.

While the plot is fairly basic, the ending proves to be a bit of a disappointment. I won’t give anything away, but don’t be surprised if you leave the theater feeling a bit underwhelmed. There’s such a great buildup of tension throughout the film, then the film just ends abruptly. Perhaps this was the directors’ intention, in an attempt to leave an eerily lasting impression, but it really falls flat.

All in all, Silent House is a decent horror film with plenty of genuine scares and a bit of a disappointing ending. Is it worth seeing in theaters? For the amount of tension that is built up, yes. Just be warned; that tension won’t last until the very end.

Silent House. Directed by Chris Kentis and Laura Lau. Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese and Eric Sheffer Stevens. Rated R. www.whyisthishappeningtome.net.