TRON: Legacy (2010)

For me, TRON: Legacy is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time!

The opening scene shows an actor with a similar hair-style to Jeff Bridges (at least, 1982 Jeff Bridges). At first I just figured we'd only see the back of Jeff... then as the scene progressed, it became evident to me that it was a digital character! WOW... neat! I kept watching, expecting to never see the digital face, but we did! So then I figured that was that, and they wouldn't risk using such a new technology throughout the whole film, and yet they do! I was impressed, and will be for some time.

Some things rubbed me a little weird, like the current-day Jeff Bridges' constant use of 1980s style 'man' and 'dude'. It kind of works, but also seems misplaced.

Stealing Time

I'm a movie nut, a lot of people have recognized that lately, and I think I've simultaneously realized it as well as began fostering it. This blog is part of that.

This week, however, I've been crazy busy. Well, enough is enough... somewhat. I'm about to steal some time to watch a movie, write a brief review, then get back at it. I'm sure everything will work out alright, but I feel like a thief. :)

Morning Glory (2010)

The first thing that struck me about this movie was the composition of the opening scenes... but in my experience, this seems to be a recurring attribute of films set in New York, they always look spectacular.

Composing scenes is one thing, but here the writers and directors took a bunch of really good actors, added a few great actors--really great actors--and put them in roles that they probably couldn't play at any other time in their lives. Diane gives us an almost-drama-queen performance. Harrison--and for awhile I thought he wasn't acting, especially after seeing him with George Stroumboulopoulos--almost acted uncomfortable in front of the camera. Then there's Rachel, whom I adore and who plays the role of up-and-coming executive producer with ease.

Take any of these three actors out, or change their age and experience just a little bit, and I don't think this movie would have the magic it does. There were times when I was watching Rachel rabble on awkwardly and it become hard to tell if she was acting. I'm sure you've heard people talk about various performers and say that they make it look easy--well Rachel sure makes it look easy here, and you can't help but fall head over heels for her while she's doing it.

It's endearing, absolutely hilarious and is worth waking up for.

Far less than 3 Movies a Week (Updated)

Well, it's been a crazy month so far, and it's looking like it won't slow down anytime soon. So... I'll be far less than 3 movies a week for the next while. Tomorrow, however, I'll be hitting the big screen to see Battle Los Angeles. I'm quite excited about it, and I'll be sure to post my review shortly after. Stay tuned...

[Update: My trip to the cinema was cancelled due to family matters and really nasty weather. But! I watched a movie anyhow, review to follow.]

Skyline (2010)

Seeing the preview for this movie, I was quite excited. I'd heard that the reviews weren't great, but needed something to watch on the night before an ad-hoc vacation day--not to mention: it's been awhile since I posted a review, but I was just too busy last week.

So I put on Skyline. The stage was set with a few cast members, and my hopes raised a little. You see, Scottie was familiar to me from the TV show Trauma--which I only ever watched over my wife's shoulder, I swear! Eric was familiar to me from a movie called Lie to Me which I watched when I was testing out Netflix on a Friday evening--given the subject matter of the flick, the timing was appropriate. Then there's Donald. Man did he let me down. I mean, this is Petey! From Remember the Titans! "Running back y'all, THE running back." Aside from Donald, the acting talent seemed to be stacked in the movie's favour.

The film started with a 15 minute aside, at the conclusion of which my wife and I wondered why they even bothered. It's largely comparable to Cloverfield, but Cloverfield never had an ad nausea scene that apparently "set the stage." From there we progressed into the sci fi story we were expecting.

The effects were well done about 80% of the time, ignoring the annoying lens-flare effect they applied throughout most of the film. I've always hated blue LEDs, and this movie seems to be an example of why I don't like them, even if it was an 'effect' in the film. :)

Fairly typical story arcs like strangers joining the group of protagonists only to be killed 5 minutes later occurred more than once. There was a scene in the middle of the film that was a time lapse displayed in about 3-5 minutes, yet it probably required hours of recording to make. From an artistic stand point I enjoyed that scene.

The film's conclusion was a bit of a saving grace. It included a lot of believable special effects and an endearing, if hopeless, premise. All things considered the movie would have rocked as an episode of The Outer Limits, but falls short as a feature length film.