Category: Movies

#140RVW

One of my mom’s favorite movies, it was never hard to convince anyone else in the house to watch it either, because it’s a fantastic comedy.

What’s more:

Celebrating its 30 year anniversary on March 30, 2014, Romancing the Stone stood out even in a year that birthed many classic adventure comedies like Ghostbusters & Beverly Hills Cop. While this may have drawn some criticism for the Raiders of the Lost Ark tone, I think that’s entirely unjustified; this is a comedy first, with a great worldly adventure story to keep it interesting.

The film was a big hit, so the story is probably well remembered; “hopeful” romantic novelist Joan Wilder is in possession of a treasure map belonging to her late brother-in-law, and must bring the map to Cartagena, Columbia in exchange for her kidnapped sister. Of course other parties are interested in the map, so misadventures ensue as Wilder enlists the help of dreamy shortcut small-timer Jack T. Colton.

Michael Douglas is very charismatic as Colton, but then he usually is. This is one of his most satisfying roles, as his world-weariness feels as genuine as his reawakened adventurous and romantic side.

As Joan Wilder, Kathleen Turner is outstanding. Her transformation from introverted bystander to strong treasure hunter works very well. This was actually only her third film, surprisingly. She’s terrific.

Helmed by the most successful underappreciated director alive, Robert Zemeckis, the movie was expected to flop. This was his first really big picture. Reportedly after the screening of a rough cut of the movie, Zemeckis was fired from Cocoon, which was to be his next film. When Stone became a sleeper hit, it enabled him to move forward with his preferred next project, Back to the Future.

The funny and sexy script was written by first-timer Diane Thomas. In a cruel twist of fate, she died shortly after the film’s sequel was released. The story goes that she pitched the idea for Romancing the Stone to Douglas, a customer at the cafe at which she waitressed. After the film was a hit she was tapped to write Always for Steven Spielberg and was thus unable to write the sequel, The Jewel of the Nile, though she worked on some scenes. As thanks for her work on both films, Douglas gave her a Porsche, in which she was a passenger when her drunk driving companion caused an accident that killed them both. Her legacy is this film.

While the sequel, despite having its moments, is largely unoriginal and unsatisfying, Romancing the Stone remains a classic romantic comedy adventure film that works just as well thirty years later.

Poster:

Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Pass

The Representation Test Score: C (6 pts)

(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)

Main Cast	Michael Douglas Jack T. Colton, Kathleen Turner Joan Wilder, Danny DeVito Ralph, Zack Norman Ira
Rating	PG
Release Date	Fri 30 Mar 1984 UTC
Director	Robert Zemeckis
Genres	Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance
Plot	A romance writer sets off to Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister, and soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous adventure.
Poster
Runtime	106
Tagline	She’s a girl from the big city. He’s a reckless soldier of fortune. For a fabulous treasure, they share an adventure no one could imagine… or survive.
Writers	Diane Thomas (written by)
Year	1984

#140RVW

I don’t know when I’ve felt so refreshed by a truly original movie. Phenomenal acting in this well-written & directed quiet comic drama…

What’s more:

Finbar McBride is a solitary train enthusiast who works with his boss and only friend Henry at a model train shop. When Henry dies unexpectedly one afternoon, Fin’s world is upturned; the shop is closed and he inherits an abandoned old train depot in Newfoundland, New Jersey. His attempts to retreat quietly to the country where he can watch trains are continually interrupted by intrusions from a grieving neighbor and an over-friendly food truck vendor desperate for a friend.

First time (!) writer/director Thomas McCarthy has crafted a wonderful film. Funny and moving, it is just as successful at being heartbreaking as heartwarming. It would have to be classified as a comedy/drama, although I think dramatic would be a better description than drama. It isn’t heavy-handed or full of “important” themes; it doesn’t play on your emotions or try to build tension. It is a great story told dramatically by a talented filmmaker and some great actors.

Peter Dinklage is absolutely captivating as Fin – he carries the movie, and if he were the only character I suspect it might still be interesting.

Fortunately he is surrounded by great talent, highlighted by Patricia Clarkson in a star-making role. (So why isn’t she a star? Get on that, Hollywood.) She plays a difficult role as an emotionally wounded woman estranged from her husband after the death of their young child. Her great strength is how believably she moves through a full range of emotions; this is a fully realized human being.

Bobby Canavale is Joe, a young man running his father’s food truck during the latter’s illness, and climbing the walls looking for someone to connect with. He’ll annoy you for a while until you realize he is the change agent that really is propelling the story forward.

Smaller roles are filled by Michelle Williams as the librarian and child actor Raven Goodwin as Cleo – both locals who are equally drawn to this interesting newcomer, despite his desire for solitude.

The film has a unique and pleasing tone. The way the characters organically adjust to each other is wonderful. It’s the stuff of real life, but marvelously depicted on screen – that’s really hard to do. Watch Fin slowly adapt to then embrace these other characters. Lovely.

The Station Agent was a big hit on the festival circuit, winning awards at Sundance and everywhere else, and with very good reason. Take a chance on this overlooked gem…

Poster:

Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Pass

The Representation Test Score: B (8 pts)

(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)

Main Cast	Peter Dinklage Finbar McBride, Patricia Clarkson Olivia Harris, Bobby Cannavale Joe Oramas, Paul Benjamin Henry Styles
Rating	R
Release Date	Fri 05 Dec 2003 UTC
Director	Thomas McCarthy (as Tom Mccarthy)
Genres	Comedy, Drama
Plot	When his only friend dies, a man born with dwarfism moves to rural New Jersey to live a life of solitude, only to meet a chatty hot dog vendor and a woman dealing with her own personal loss.
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Runtime	89
Tagline	Loneliness is much better when you have got someone to share it with (norway DVD release).
Writers	Thomas McCarthy (as Tom Mccarthy) (written by)
Year	2003

#140RVW

You knew it would be funny. The question was how funny? Good enough for a sketch, but a feature? Well, it’s very good & very wisely short…

Usted sabía que sería divertido. La cuestión era cómo gracioso? Lo suficientemente bueno para un boceto, pero una característica? Bueno, es muy bueno y muy sabiamente a corto …

What’s more:

I’m beginning to think that Will Ferrell is the best straight man working right now. I really think he could handle just about any role or genre at this point in his career.

Casa de Mi Padre is an idea that seems perfectly suited for a sketch show – sending up Mexican films and telenovelas. You knew instinctively that it was going to be a very funny spoof. Harder to know is how well this would play out as an entire film.

Fortunately, it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. It keeps the action moving at a good pace, even if the laughs don’t come as quickly or frequently. I’m not sure it wouldn’t have been equally entertaining if it was half as long, but it certainly never drags.

Having an American comic speak all of his lines in Spanish is wonderful. Ferrell is really good – enough so that I was wondering if he was dubbed for the first few minutes. The presentation wouldn’t be half as effective in English, and so tres bien to the filmmakers.

The production is really good, by which I mean it’s really awful. The rear-projection car rides, the obviously painted landscapes, the claustrophobic sets, the blatant doubles, the dreadful animal effects – it’s all amazing. In fact, I laughed far more at the sight gags and deliberate low-production value than I did at any of the dialogue.

The songs are really good, too, from the James Bondian opening credit sequence (sung by Christina Aguilera) to the campfire tune “Yo No Se”.

Ultimately, though? It’s more amusing than truly funny. Don’t expect riotous laughs and you’ll have a good time.

Poster:

Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Fail

The Representation Test Score: D

(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)

I really have no idea how to grade this one. It’s either a D or an F. I think I need to get some clarification from the Representation Project on how to handle movies like this. It’s an exploitation picture, really. There are of course racial stereotypes, but I’m not sure I’d say that they are reduced to stereotypes – it’s not like the only aspect of the characters. And it’s farce; I dunno – I’m passing on this one.

Main Cast	Will Ferrell Armando, Gael García Bernal Onza, Diego Luna Raul, Nick Offerman DEA Agent Parker
Rating	R
Release Date	Fri 11 May 2012 UTC
Director	Matt Piedmont
Genres	Comedy, Western
Plot	Scheming on a way to save their father’s ranch, the Alvarez brothers find themselves in a war with Mexico’s most feared drug lord.
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Runtime	84
Tagline	Funniest movie you’ll ever read.
Writers	Andrew Steele (written by)
Year	2012

#140RVW

Mostly improv film knocked out while in Chile unsuccessfully making another movie. Probably more fun if taking hallucinogen like the actors.

What’s more:

This is less a movie than a side project. Michael Cera was in Chile with writer/director Sebastián Silva and his brothers learning Spanish to make the thriller Magic Magic, which was in development hell. So they decided to film a small picture loosely based on a couple of Silva’s life experiences. They added Gaby Hoffman as the titular Crystal Fairy (based on a real person), took drugs and improvised.

Since it’s so improvisational, most of it rides on the acting. It’s a brave role for Hoffman, a former child actor, who really goes for it as a New Age hippie who bares herself emotionally and physically for most of the film. She’s easily the best thing in the picture.

Michael Cera is fascinating because he plays against type as a self-centered jerk that you really want to slap. He sells it so effectively that you can forget that you’ve thought he was such a nice guy in every other movie.

The rest of the cast consists of the director’s three brothers, who are all really good. They each bring something a little different to the mix and have a very natural and watchable style.

Interestingly, some of the actors actually tripped off of the hallucinogen from the San Pedro cactus on screen, adding to the credibility of their performances and making this otherwise largely unforgettable movie somewhat memorable.

If you’re a fan of drug movies or road movies or have actually tripped on mescaline, this may be a whole lot more enjoyable. For the rest of us, it’s an interesting diversion but nothing more.

Poster:

Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Pass

The Representation Test Score: B (7 pts)

(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)

Main Cast	Michael Cera Jamie, Gaby Hoffmann Crystal Fairy, Juan Andrés Silva Champa, Agustín Silva Pilo
Rating	Not Rated
Release Date	Fri 17 Jan 2014 UTC
Director	Sebastián Silva
Genres	Adventure, Comedy
Plot	As Jamie travels in Chile, he invites an eccentric woman to join his group’s quest to score a fabled hallucinogen, a move that finds him at odds with his new companion, until they drink the magic brew on a beach at the edge of the desert.
Poster
Runtime	98
Tagline
Writers	Sebastián Silva (written by)
Year	2013