WORKS ON DIGITAL PAPER

It is not often that I am in the mood to watch a movie on DVD. My job entails watching moving images on computer screen for hours during the day and when I get home, I can't be bothered to watch more. I generally play with my son, read a book, clean the house, talk to wifey. So it is with distinct kinda-plesure that when I get sick, I get to indulge in this normal going-about-of-things. What I really wanted to watch this weekend of sicknessinbedness, was Waltz With Bashir, an animated documentary about the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Of course, I forgot this fact. Instead I got Visioneer, Ghost of Girlfriends Past, Ashes of Time Redux, Away We Go and Gigantic. It has been a few days of nausea, sweating, salt baths, achey stomach and at times achey eyes. Here are the Ok Oh reviews:

Ashes Of Time Redux

Dir. Wong Kar Wai

Is it possible I only like Wong Kar Wai films shot by Christopher Doyle? Am I one of those? I don't know yet. But Ashes of Time Redux is a fever dream of video slo-mo effects, sweaty close ups and disconcerting narrative lapses. Actually fits right in with how I've been feeling. I guess I really connected with this film on that level.

Away We Go

Dir. Sam Mendes, Writers Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida.

Nearly a disaster. I would say Filmmaking 101, but it's really Twee Filmmaking 101. Courtesy of easily ingestible stereotypes inhabiting separated-by-saccharine-music-infused-travel-shots interludes, this film survives only by the good graces of the likability of the two stars, the final quarter of the second to last act, and the final scene. Otherwise, nearly a disaster. Oh yeah! and the scene with the stroller. I am sure Where the Wild Things Are will be better than this. I am sure of it.

Gigantic

Dir. Matt Aselton, Writers Aselton and Adam Nagata

I am a sucker for Paul Dano. I am a sucker for Zooey Deschanel. I am a sucker for John Goodman. And I am a real sucker for Ed Asner. I can't help it, I'm of the generation that loves these actors. The film itself found an instant groove for me, naturally pulling me along due to the strong pacing, bizarre circumstances and goodish performances. There was this weird extra sub-narrative about a violent homeless man that ended up adding to the general theatricality and theoretical nature of the film. Rather than a narrative story, the film felt more like a consideration or meditation on being young, pampered, immature and out of touch with what others consider "reality" even while "their" supposed "reality" seems just as ineffectual and unhinged. Not to be taken literally, to be enjoyed like a hue. Really though, just see it for Goodman, Asner, Jane Alexander's moment on the fire escape and the guy who plays one of Dano's brothers. Oh, and his lab scientist friend.

Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past

Matthew McConaughy Vehicle

I find Matthew McConaughy to be one of the great underrated actors of his generation. Actually, that's not true. One of the great underrated celebrity star movie personalities of his generation. His ability to play the same character, consistently at top speed, tethers lost enjoyably to the wind, film in film out, ranks up there with Tom Cruise. But where Tom Cruise has two modes, rakish smiler and rakish frowner, McConnaughy has just that one scintillating gear: McConaughy Gear. He raises his voice, points his finger, mutters some unintelligibly charming southern-type utterance and simply comes through. Every time. This film is not different. But while it has all the hallmarks of a Matthew McConaughy gem, the ending left me a little hollow feeling. The first 45 minutes could have been cut to a first 20 minutes, tops, and a little eight minute extra fat story could have been added to the ending to make a truly by-the-numbers semi-unsuccessful tear-jerker romantic comedy. The question remains: why didn't he leave Jennifer Garner in the arms of his romantic nemesis, vowing to never break her heart again, only to return, himself a heartbroken shell to the city (gifting the opportunity for a rending lonely-guy montage) only to then find Jennifer Garner on his doorstep, won-over and smitten with his new found romantic relevance? Those writers have to be kicking themselves...

Visoneers

Dir. Jared Drake Writer Brandon Drake

This is the second movie this weekend that had some form of Zach Galifanakis in a pertinent role and a mention on the DVD case that he also happens to star in the "#1 Comedy" The Hangover. I can't figure out why no one mentions his remarkable star turn in Fiona Apple's Not About Love music video. That alone would make me rent each and every movie he's in. Visioneers is a psuedo1984esque quasicomedy about a guy about to literally explode due to the stress heaped upon him by an unhappy psuedoOrwellian quasisatiric corporate suburban life. Not a great film, not a bad film. Actually, it's an ok film, if you are in the mood for it. And I admit, I was half in the mood for it.

Somehow I got a different font on this one. Let me know what you think about the new font. Perhaps it ought to be my new review font.