Wimbledon (2004) The Role of the Man

Wimbledon (2004) Universal

Maybe it’s just because I like sports, but I found Wimbledon to be a witty romantic comedy that highlights difficulties in life and in sports careers. Unlike other English based romantic comedies, this one provides a less than admirable male lead. Paul Bettany is usually not considered to be good looking or even in shape but manages to pull off an aging tennis player quite well. Kirsten Dunst is cute, but I don’t consider her to be a knockout by any measure. I know this is an odd metric for Rom-Coms but come on, most of them have the quirky girl type and if they aren’t quirky, they are sexy, or strong. Dunst is none of those and I kind of dig it.

Something must be said about the cast. They have a great lineup with Jaime Lannister, Captain Vasili Borodin, Mr. Tumnis, and Iron Mans Bodyguard which ignores the main casting completely.

Playing tennis is rough due to the fact that all the best players are ranked at the top and very few times in its history has an outlier ever won a major tournament. If you are not in the top 10 your chances for winning a major tournament are practically zero.

It has to be mentioned that I am usually not a fan of your typical Rom-Com and I was not excited to see this movie when it first came out. I was pleasantly surprised that the film was able to show the inner doubt of an aging tennis player and some of the inner dialogue was very humorous. I thought that his thoughts were probably accurate and his relationship with Dunst genuine. It’s a circumstance that had a large probability and did not seem far fetch unlike other films of the genre. You are rooting for their relationship but it’s obviously going to have problems because of her father and due to the fact that she starts to have feelings for him.

All this mushy stuff aside I think it is off-putting that this film could not be made if the roles were reversed. If Paul was the strong athlete that gained feelings for the girl and decided to focus on his game rather than get involved he would just come off like a jerk. If the woman does it, Paul’s character spends the rest of the day pining over her. It’s not a weak plot point, but it is something to mention. I don’t see why films have to be so gender oriented. Granted this movie avoids the stereotype with women, but it does convert the male lead into a very weak spirited love junkie. I do not construe this as a bad thing, but it’s one thing to be a man and play the character of the girl and it is completely different to be a man and play the role of a man who just happens to be in love. He doesn’t break out in song, but at some points he just seems so wussy that it makes him an unbelievable character. I guess if I were in his role I would just go for the grand romantic gesture and if it didn’t work then I would let it go. If talking to a sports analyst and pouring your heart out (in hopes that she would see) consist of this moment then it kind of fell short for me, but I am a man and I have been known to lack certain empathies. 

Dhoom 2 (2006) Machale!

Dhoom 2 (2006)  Yash Raj Films

Before Dhoom 2 I had never seen a “Bollywood” film. Bollywood is India’s version of Hollywood and they make some interesting films. One thing I love about Indian films is that they are known for being quirky, ridiculous, and having amazing dance choreography. The music videos are real. Every time I go to a hip Indian restaurant I can usually listen for some Bollywood hits I remember from all sorts of films. They are very catchy tunes that are easily remembered. I even sing them to myself unknowingly sometimes.

Dhoom 2 was the first film Bollywood film I saw and it is still by far the best. I don’t really feel like this film is supposed to be serious. Every time I see it, I am reminded of how ridiculous it is and then I wonder if it is meant to be a satire of American films. I say that because American films are ridiculous. Our action films show a lack of thought, possibilities, and most importantly physics. They make no sense and Dhoom 2 is no different. The stunts are stupidly funny on top of ridiculous that they were made to be that way. There are countless shots of people jumping off cliffs and other stuff. It’s so good that something must be said about the slow motion cinematography. First of all the slow motion stuff is next level. From the basketball scene to the jumping off cliffs, it’s absolutely gorgeous to watch. Secondly anything with Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu is a great lesson in dancing and beauty. They may be two of the most beautiful women on the planet.

The 2 male leads are also dangerous and mysterious characters the way only celluloid can provide. Both of them are believable in their characters and are determined to outmaneuver the other. Bachchan is the dectective that has his own way of doing things even if it is outside the law. Hrithik is the mysterious criminal mastermind that never misses his target. They collide in this film and eventually… become friends? Yes that’s right, in Indian cinema the two settle their differences and allow one another to live free of their past. That would never happen in Hollywood. They must hate each other and value the others demise more than their own life. I was not expecting to see an officer of the law be so accommodating to the villains. After Rai’s character kills Hrithik, Bachchan just lets her go and lets her life be her punishment. I have also never witnessed a film where someone was absolved of murder so that they could live their life of shame. That’s kind of awesome. I wish people had more of a moral compass to the point that if you committed crime, but the only punishment was having the fortitude to press forward knowing what you have done. Heavy stuff from a mostly comical and action packed film.

The whole point of the movie is to prove that love is sacrifice and the film proves it on many occasions including a scene featuring Russian roulette. The scene isn’t great because it is over-dramatized, but the message is great. This film also features the first kiss on screen in Bollywood history. Although the women are dressed in somewhat more revealing clothing, they are very wholesome throughout the film. No raunchy sex scenes, just weird dance scenes that allows each character to prove their love… through song. I happen to appreciate that fact and it is highly refreshing. I am already excited for Dhoom 3, but I am unable to get a copy in America. 

Enough Said (2013) It Barely Said Anything New

Enough Said (2013) Fox Searchlight

I felt like I have been watching too many action films and that a drama would be better for last night’s selection.We decided to watch Enough Said which is a movie featuring Julia Louis Dreyfus and the late James Gandolfini. The story is about a masseuse named Eva that becomes friends with a woman she meets at a party. Subsequently she meets a man at this same party who later asks her on a date. During the course of the story she finds out that the woman she is massaging is the ex-wife of the man she is now dating. Although she is caught in an awkward situation, she tries to learn all she can from the woman she is now friends with in order to find out about problems with her ex-husband.

It seems somewhat convoluted to read about it, which probably points to the fact that I did not explain it all that well. It’s not a convoluted watch and is what I would call an interesting film, but not worth a date night with your significant other. Both Dreyfus and Gandolfini are funny characters, but the movie turns into a romantic comedy that follows the same cycle (I wrote about this in my review About Time) except the girl makes the mistake instead of the guy and instead of getting back together with a grand romantic gesture, it’s a very odd situation. It’s a tale as old as time and its getting difficult to watch.

Am I the only person out there that is tired of romantic comedies? They all seem to be following the same path and they aren’t really bringing anything new to the table of art. I titled my blog as “If Movies Were Only Like Great Art” and I titled it like that because most movies really fall short of anything that could be construed as art. I liken it unto a line used in the Pixar film Ratatouille where they explain the definition of the phrase “anyone can cook.” It doesn’t mean that everyone can become a great chef; it just means a great chef can come from anywhere. This is how movies are for me. Some of them are good, some of them are bad, many of both those categories are entertaining, but the great ones transcend film and become art.  

Obviously I don’t feel like this film was great. It was amusing but never borders on being anything exceptional. I felt like I was always waiting for it to change into something better, but it just let me down. Maybe that is what the director wanted to portray. There are just two characters that go through an awkward situation and come back together through small means. I know it was not the cheesy ending you may have expected, but at least it was real. For that, the critics of the film were more than willing to score this film very high for a played out plot line. I guess it is interesting to see some 50 yr old divorcees try to find love after having kids and a life, but I didn’t necessarily feel like I could connect or relate to the main character on a personal level.

It may be too much for me to ask that a romantic comedy be something that connects people and real-life situations. I understand that it is difficult because the stories may be too boring to put on camera for a thrill seeking audience, but I feel like even if the situation is extrodinary that you can still connect to the characters in many ways.

Enough Said was a fun film that had some laughs, but at the end of the day I will probably never watch it again.  

A Knights Tale (2001) Straight Forward and Entertaining

I am starting to hit a wall and its only 10 days in. Sometimes I feel like my heart is not really into watching all these movies, but I must trudge on. I decided to watch something light hearted in hopes to re-energize me to write more, so I decided to watch A Knights Tale.

Most people have very fond memories of the film A Knights Tale. It’s obviously nothing historically accurate. It wasn’t meant to be. It is mostly just a movie where you are supposed to hate the bad guy and enjoy the ridiculous journey of the peasant-made knight William Thatcher.

It’s funny to me that again this was another poorly received film critically and why wouldn't it be. It was an epic tale. It wasn't even mildly accurate, and it’s a romantic comedy. In a critics mind these are three ingredients for disaster. The funny part is that this is a genuinely loved fan film. This just goes to prove that again there is a large disconnect from critics and moviegoers.

The characters do a credible job of making audiences laugh and although the modern music in the film is somewhat distracting, it is fun for most people. The director wanted younger audiences to see that older cultures feel the same way about their music as we do. Music in time pieces are usually very boring and repetitious, so I can see why modern music would be a valid option. 

Heath Ledger is a fun hero typecast that was knightly even though he did not grow up as one. I thought it was fun to see a peasant with such high and upstanding moral correctness. He didn't give up on his dreams and wouldn't run away because of how much work he put into it. His traits were admirable, which was the entire reason he wasn't beheaded in the film.

Now of course, you may be thinking that the entire movie is hokey. Well... So what! I don't mind that Count Adhemar was technically French even though the French and English hated each other during this supposed time period. I also don't mind all the women with professions throughout the film even though that would be a fantasy during this time period as well. 

I am a little obsessive compulsive and my mind puts up red flags anytime I see anything historically accurate. In many other films, my belief is suspended to the point that I would miss these things or just let them slide, but that is hard to do in such an inaccurate movie. The best part of this movie is that it doesn't care at all about its time period and followed its own road. It didn't want to be accurate to appease crowds, it just wanted to be fun, which it was. 

The film didn’t make any money in the box office which is why there are not a lot of fun films similar to this one. No one wants to pay a lot of money to only to have in underappreciated in the box office.To be hones the theme was a little too generalized to be marketed to a specific audience. The truth is that A Knights Tale was better suited for families to watch in the confines of their homes. Of course, it wouldn’t have made any money as a straight-to-dvd-release.

A Knights Tale is humorous, not to the point you are busting your guts, but you are very amused. You have a great cast with Alan Tudyk (King Candy, The Dread Pirate Steve), Mark Addy (King Robert Baratheon), and Paul Bettany (Jarvis). These 3 actors have all gone on to do better things in their careers and this was one of the films that helped them all get there. They had a great dynamic in the film and had some good 

The film does not have much of a plot but does have OK dialogue and is a great movie to watch when you have a movie night with family or friends.

I don’t have much else to say because this movie is mostly just straight forward and entertaining. 

About Time (2013) It's Simply About Time

About Time (2013) Working Title

A pre-reading alert! Last night I was surprised by this film on an emotional level. I wasnt ready for it because it is marketed as a romantic comedy and I didn't expect much from it. That being written, if you are like me and you want to be shocked by the greatness of a movie for yourself. Please feel free to stop reading and know that I completely understand. 

Now if you don't mind, I would like to start out by mentioning that I love British films. They are usually quick, witty, and humorous throughout. You will always find more jokes and quirks throughout these films which makes them extremely re-watchable. I must've seen Hot Fuzz at least 30 times to give you an idea of how much I enjoy these films. 

Do you ever sit down before a movie and have no idea what you are about to watch? Last night I was thinking that I would do my girlfriend a favor by watching a ROM COM. I am a 26 year old male and I like many men abhor most of these films because they are all based on the same plot lines (I know that is a tad hypocritical because action movies have been the same for 4 decades now). For years, I have watched these films and hated myself for it because they always leave a bad taste in your mouth. The characters are usually boring stereotypes that are only enhanced by their critical analysis of the human condition. If I could write the movie industry about it I would tell them. "I GET IT! THE GUY MEETS THE GIRL IN X SITUATION AND THEN SCREWS IT ALL UP, ONLY TO GET HER BACK BY A GRAND ROMANTIC GESTURE!" I would say that, but I am pretty sure they wouldn't read a letter in all caps.

I don't mean to offend my lady viewers or anyone else for that matter. I just wish that Hollywood came up with better plot lines that didn't portray men as all being meatheads that only care about sex while having major issues with their masculinity just as I am sure woman wish that they would stop using actresses that can't act and are only put into roles for the way they look as well. I understand that the quirky woman stereotypes are fun for women to watch, but if I see another freak out 'woman' moment in front of a mirror ( I don't think emotional freak-outs are a woman specific feeling) I may just end it all.

All I can say is that About Time was marketed poorly and with my degree in advertising I feel like I have some legitimacy to say that. This movie was everything but a romantic comedy. It really was just a drama with a comedic draw. There were so many jokes, but they weren't overt like you are used to in the genre. They were well thought out and cleverly delivered.

About Time starts about as awkwardly as most British films, but picks up quickly and I have no problem saying that it may be the best written movie of the year (which is saying a lot because 2013 was a good year for film). Shortly into the film after watching our ginger main character awkwardly fumble about for a few minutes, the bomb is dropped by Tim's father when he explains to Tim that all the men in the family can time travel. It may be hard to picture Bill Weasley as the main protagonist of the film, but he does a fantastic job interpreting what most of us would do in a situation where you could time travel whenever you wanted without any Butterfly Effect. 

Emotionally it's hard for me to react to this film because it's such a rare feeling when watching each character.At first you see the immediate hilarious benefits of the time travel and later on you are begging Tim to go back for a re-do. Everything about this film is perfect. The plot is just the right amount of a shocking, but believable. No 'sciency' explanation for why or how, just that it works. It doesn't take out scenes to explain some poorly thought up mathematical explanation that is riddled with jargon to try to extrapolate information about the time space continuum. It just works. There are however some rules that engage the viewer even more and thicken the plot line, but I really think you should watch the movie for yourself to see it first hand. I really am trying to not ruin this film. 

About 10 minutes in you are already telling yourself how much you love the quirkiness of the characters and situation they are faced with and at that moment you realize how much you are going to love the rest of this film. 

You absolutely fall in love with the main character Tim and are in pain from his actions and in suspense to see what he will do or re-do. Tim is clever throughout, but only because it seems like what a real person would be like with his same ability. At times you are finding yourself begging him to go back in time, but most of the time you love and respect that he stays to see it through. One of the best parts of the film is following the mind set of Tim because many of his ideas you would probably  have yourself.

The characters in this film are written exceptionally well. You immediately love each one and always for different reasons. It was impossible for me to hate anyone in the film (and let's be honest, it is easy for me to find fault in anything).

Tim's father (Bill Nighy) is the best written father character I have seen in years. The perfect time traveling father. 

Even the soundtrack is fantastic, which is a compliment I don't often give. The music never interferes with the story and seems to perfectly cascade with each scene. 

Its safe to presume that I cannot wait to watch this again. Hopefully it is soon and I can pick up on more. I hope that this is a movie you watch soon and you find it to be as extraordinary as I do. From all indications this movie should come out on Netflix and Redbox by Feb 28th.