Review:

     Director James Mangold brings forth this wonderful tale of good versus evil set against the arid and picturesque Southwestern United States desert region.  Christian Bale portrays Dan Evans as a retired soldier who moved West in search of a better life.  Unfortunately, times are hard and he is in desperate need to support his family.  Russell Crowe is the outlaw Ben Wade and represents the obstacle to Dan’s success.  Wade is the end which will justify all means necessary and prove to be the catalyst for Dan’s determination for high morale standards.  Will the goodness in man overcome its propensity for violence or is this a futile attempt to make some foolish cash in order to make a point to an adolescent boy? 

     To begin with, the cinematography in 3:10 to Yuma is simply incredible.  There are breathtaking vistas which transport the viewer back to a time when too many people settled things in the dirt streets with the barrel of a gun.  In this part of the untamed West, we find a humble man trying to do the best for his family during some difficult times.  Dan Evans is a modest man with a unassuming nature.  Being an ex-soldier has had a profound impact on his life.  With all the lawlessness in the land, it is a daunting task for him to keep to the straight and narrow while always trying to do the right thing.  Evans is tested, taunted, and tempted time and time again to unleash his anger.  There are many scenes which depict this point of view.  The eyes may be the windows to the soul and Evans’ are still cracked open just a bit to provide that glimpse of a past life which he wishes to distance himself and his family from ever seeing again.  For the sake of his family, he must maintain his composure at all times.  Much to the dismay of his young son, he continues to shy away from violence.

     From their initial meeting to the very end, Wade has an ever increasing curiosity about what makes Evans tick.  There is this constant probing of each other’s inner psyche and what compels someone to react in a given situation.  Call it a strong predisposition of trying to figure out why things are what they are.  Are they from the same mold or did they become victims of their own circumstances?    

     A simple task, it was not.  It was a high price to pay for doing the right thing.  3:10 to Yuma has great acting.  Christian Bale and Russell Crowe are equals on the screen despite being on opposite ends of the morality spectrum.  Although the movie runs a bit over two hours, the pacing is excellent.  The finale was a bit over the top, but presents a more than satisfying climax to the film. 

Mike's Rating: 9 out of 10 Jail Cell Rail Cars (One of the year’s best)
MPAA Rating: Rated R for violence and some language

Running Time: 2 hour 2 minutes

Plot Summary:

     Witless Protection is the latest incarnation of Larry The Cable Guy in a feature film role.  This time he portrays a hapless deputy in a small town that is out to “do some good”. 

Review:
     So what does a film critic do after Hollywood’s most prestigious awards are given to all those highly acclimated movies, that’s right you city folks, he goes to unwind at Larry The Cable Guy’s latest comedic tour-de-farce.  Witless Protection stars Larry as well as notable actors Yaphet Kotto (Alonzo Mosely) as the FBI agent entrusted with bringing Ivana Milicevic (Madeline) to appear in a Chicago courtroom.  Jenny McCarthy (Connie) plays the waitress who is in love with Larry. There are other prominent actors like Joe Mantegna (Dr. Rondog Savage) as the small town medical examiner/funeral home director and Eric Roberts (Wilford Duvall) as a security advisor.  In the story Deputy Larry mistakenly thinks someone is being kidnapped and does what he can to free her from her captors. 

     Witless Protection is a primer example of getting exactly what you would expect.  As awful as this film was I actually enjoyed myself.  There is a scene where Madeline says she has been with Larry long enough to actually understand him.  Coincidentally, I knew how she felted.  Larry spouts out euphemisms like an over flowing book of good ole country farm boy jargon.  Instead of an intellisensical crime drama with exceptional performances by top notch actoraters, we have a meandering drive-by bodily function secreting trailer park trash storyline.  The jokes have a shotgun effect.  Some hit the mark while most fail to do so.  Despite this problem, I could not feel sorry for their efforts.  It would appear that Larry and I have something in common.  That would be a willingness to embare ass ourselves in order to get the laff out of people.  For that, I admire his effort.  And while Larry is never at a loss for words, Madeline is por-dinner-trayed as a high class socialite.  Dr. Savage is just weird and only briefly appears.  The movie is very predictable.  This story is nothing new.  But it is very much a skinematic car wreck and you just cannot help but watch. 

     Hopefully, this gives you a glimpse into my post Oscar reawakening.  Seeing an incredibly whorendous film only lets me appreciate the better films more.  With this in mind, Witless Protection has served its porpoise.  If you have the time and do not fear losing four and a half brain cells, go see this film.  It is not totally without merit.  Just be sure to know what you are getting yourself into and take it at face value.             

Mike's Rating: 4 out of 10 Pig Snot Poke in the Eyes (Uh?)
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for crude and sex related humor or, at least, an attempt at humor

Running Time: 1 hour 37 minutes

Plot Summary:

     A first person perspective as tragic events unfold during a political gathering

Review:
     Vantage Point is a story of one tragic afternoon in Spain as told through the eyes of several people.  Although the events may be similar, the perspective is the key element in this action thriller with political overtones.  These ulterior motives can easily be plucked from today’s headlines which deal with terrorists and their misguided methods.  Starring Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, and William Hurt as the President of the United States, Vantage Point is a fast paced edge-of-your seat puzzle where all the pieces just do not fit.

     If you have ever seen Run Lola Run (1998), then you will notice how this story is delivered to the audience.  A world summit is gathering to address terrorism when the President of the United States is shot in broad daylight at the podium.  Vantage Point takes the minutes leading up to this moment and the subsequent time afterward to unveil each character’s personal viewpoint.  Things which appear to be innocuous to some may reveal details to someone else.  Once one of the points of view has been told, the movie rewinds itself and begins with another character’s viewpoint.  This happens throughout until the conclusion.  I will not say that the President lives or dies, but that the dog doesn’t make it.

     Vantage Point delivers on several fronts and falls short on others, but I suspect that was the intention of the director to stick with the action and not introduce too much plot.  There are several effective scenes which let the audience see how the characters are linked, but it does not provide a whole lot of background information.  You just figure they are the bad ones.  Their motivation for committing these barbarous acts is not relevant.  It would only get in the way of the action; which is ok with me.  This film could easily have been released in the summer where films are light on the drama and all about the battle.  The car chase leading up the finale is a prime example of this.  If you watch closely, you’ll see continuity problems with the car William Hurt is driving.  One moment it is all banged up and the next there aren’t any dents and then it’s banged up again.  

     Vantage Point is a thousand piece puzzle and all the pieces are white.  Begin to scratch the surface and you just might begin to see the subtleties.  This film brings the seemingly unconnected and slowly puts the parts together revealing a much clearer image.  I liked the movie for what it was and nothing more.  Of course the DVD will have a ton of deleted scenes fleshing out the backgrounds we were denied in the theatres.  But, oh well, que sera sera.  I recommend you check out either Vantage Point or, in my opinion the better of the two, Run Lola Run.

Note:  Run Lola Run is in German and rated R

Mike's Rating: 7 out of 10 Perches of Perspective (Early Summer Fare)
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense violence and action, some disturbing images, and brief strong language

Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Plot Summary:

     Due to unfortunate circumstances, a family is forced to move into the former residence of a long lost relative.  This is where the adventure begins. 

Review:
     Jared Grace (Freddie Highmore) is the reluctant hero in this tale of a boy who should take heed when warnings are presented.  The Spiderwick Chronicles tells the story of a boy and his family who move to the countryside because of marital problems with the parents.  While out in the sticks, the boy discovers a book left by his great-great uncle which details the secrets of a hidden world.  In this unseen realm there are nasty little boogers about and they are motivated to steal the book from the boy so that they can rule both the world of goblins and fairies, but also the world of humans. 

     The movie comes in at 97 minutes and although that is a little above average, it runs at a good pace making the economically go by.  The story unfolds from the get go.  There is not any dilly dallying in this film.  There is tension between Jared and his mother played by Mary-Louise Parker concerning the father, but they do not flesh out the subplot.  I was quite impressed how they stuck to the story without accumulating any excess baggage.  So the family moves into the house, the boy finds the book, and knows there is trouble about all in the first 15 to 20 minutes.  From there on out, the story deals with how they are to overcome the obstacles and challenges now confronting them.  They battle the goblins on more than one occasion, find their long lost Aunt Lucinda (Joan Plowright), reconcile with mom, and tear up the house all in a day. 

     City folks versus creatures of the wood could have been an alternate title.  There are several good scenes throughout and the computer generated characters work seamlessly with the surroundings.  However, I wondered why they would borrow the griffin from the Harry Potter stories and does Hagrid know about it.  Of course, the goblins could have easily been plucked from Ghoulies.  But, nevertheless, these borrowed elements work well together.  I should point out that there is another brother who is somewhat the comic relief and a sister played by Sarah Bolger who plays the older wiser sword wielding character.  Other notables are Martin Short as the voice of Thimbletack and Seth Rogan as the voice of Hogsqueal.  Nick Nolte makes a brief appearance as Mulgrath the goblin ruler.  All in all, the film was sporting a decent cast.

     Overall, I really liked The Spiderwick Chronicles.  It was light.  It was adventurous.  It had some funny stuff happen.  It was a bit tense at times.  It was not gory, but there was a lot of tomato sauce.  I would recommend you give this film a chance.  At the least, go during the afternoon at a matinee price. 

Mike's Rating: 7 out of 10 Flowery Fairies (Light and adventurous)
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for scary creature action and violence, peril and some thematic elements

Running Time: 1 hour 37 minutes