It's been quiet lately. On the blog, I mean. Let's change that.
Week 6 - Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Guillermo Del Toro returns with Mike Mignola's baby. Hell-baby, I guess. This time around, there's no fuss of an introduction. Instead we are treated to the loveliness of a father-son moment in a super-relevant bedtime story and then thrust headfirst into a world filled with strange magic. The fairy are the focus this time, not the elder gods nor the mad monk, Rasputin. Visually, this film is Del Toro's. Mignola's is a world with black shadows and giant gorillas, Del Toro's is all fire, wonder, and misshapen trolls. There is mutual respect amongst creators, but I sense disappointment in most interviews with Mignola. In itself, that is disappointing. The movie is anything but as it is fun, visually stunning, and really a universe apart from the source material.
Overall Score: 3.5 stars
Week 7 - The Dark Knight
How do you top one of the best superhero movies of the decade? You make a better one! The same team that brought you Batman Begins decided to up the ante this time, craft a more complex tale of a city with criminals gone wrong and bring their hero to his knees. You can't respect this movie for its stars without mentioning the ubiquitous performance of Heath Ledger. He embodies the Joker, wholly. It's gripping whenever he is onscreen and the backstory of Harvey Dent is no slouch either. The visuals are keen and the action is truly unmatched by most movies seen this year. For my money, I give Iron Man the upper hand, but this is a very, very, very close second. Second viewing?
Overall Score: 4 stars
Week 8 - Step Brothers
If you've seen Talladega Nights, you've seen Step Brothers. Difference is, Step Brothers is more about men unwilling to grow up and the inherent rivalry between new siblings than rivalry between close friends. It's still funny, though, and enjoyable, but still not even close to the epic madness of Anchorman. I give Will Ferrel props for making a movie that is not a "sports comedy" but I feel they needed a few extra supporting cast members to keep the comedy more fresh. I will never look at a drum set the same way ever again.
Overall Score: 3 stars
Week 6 - Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Guillermo Del Toro returns with Mike Mignola's baby. Hell-baby, I guess. This time around, there's no fuss of an introduction. Instead we are treated to the loveliness of a father-son moment in a super-relevant bedtime story and then thrust headfirst into a world filled with strange magic. The fairy are the focus this time, not the elder gods nor the mad monk, Rasputin. Visually, this film is Del Toro's. Mignola's is a world with black shadows and giant gorillas, Del Toro's is all fire, wonder, and misshapen trolls. There is mutual respect amongst creators, but I sense disappointment in most interviews with Mignola. In itself, that is disappointing. The movie is anything but as it is fun, visually stunning, and really a universe apart from the source material.
Overall Score: 3.5 stars
Week 7 - The Dark Knight
How do you top one of the best superhero movies of the decade? You make a better one! The same team that brought you Batman Begins decided to up the ante this time, craft a more complex tale of a city with criminals gone wrong and bring their hero to his knees. You can't respect this movie for its stars without mentioning the ubiquitous performance of Heath Ledger. He embodies the Joker, wholly. It's gripping whenever he is onscreen and the backstory of Harvey Dent is no slouch either. The visuals are keen and the action is truly unmatched by most movies seen this year. For my money, I give Iron Man the upper hand, but this is a very, very, very close second. Second viewing?
Overall Score: 4 stars
Week 8 - Step Brothers
If you've seen Talladega Nights, you've seen Step Brothers. Difference is, Step Brothers is more about men unwilling to grow up and the inherent rivalry between new siblings than rivalry between close friends. It's still funny, though, and enjoyable, but still not even close to the epic madness of Anchorman. I give Will Ferrel props for making a movie that is not a "sports comedy" but I feel they needed a few extra supporting cast members to keep the comedy more fresh. I will never look at a drum set the same way ever again.
Overall Score: 3 stars
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