Keeping it Reel
Mike Robida lives in South Berwick and attends Marshwood High School. He spends Friday nights at the movies with his friends and writes and directs his own films.
December 2006
December 18, 2006
MY CHRISTMAS LIST
The the Holiday season is upon us. Here is a list of
DVDs that would make great gifts:
Little Miss Sunshine on DVD - Hands down the best film
this year, this dark comedy provides something for
everyone. Despite its "R" rating the film provides a
clean cut message about the importance of family and a
less-than cheesy look at why inner beauty is more
important than what you see on the surface.
The story follows an overly dysfunctional family on
their cross-country trip to bring Olive to the 'Little
Miss Sunshine" beauty pageant in California. Greg
Kinnear plays Olive's father, a motivational speaker
who feels that being a winner is the most important
thing in life. Steve Carrell plays Olive's gay,
suicidal uncle who bonds with Kinnear's silent son
(who dreams of becoming a fighter pilot). Also along
for the ride is Olive's grandfather; a hippie drug
addict and Olive's coach for the pageant.
All of these characters piled into an old yellow
Volkswagen bus (whose brakes don't work) will supply
you with an entertaining and inspired film.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST – The
sequel to “Pirates of the Caribbean” is the best film
this year, hands down! It’s funny; action packed, and
will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very
end! If you haven’t seen it yet, rent it NOW!
CLERKS 2 – You will be left saying “Oh my god” weather
you’re a Smith fan or not. You’ll either love the
outrageous, potty mouthed humor of this film or you
won’t. I for one DID and bought the DVD already. This
movie is better than the first and is my favorite
Smith film. It absolutely blew me away.
The DVD also includes a full length documentary called
"Back to the Well: The Making of Clerks 2," which is
just as good as the movie itself.
FOR KIDS:
MONSTER HOUSE – The best animated film this year! The
movie is actually creepy and provocative… something
other kid’s films don’t do. This is the Tim Burton of
summer family movies…fantastic!
TV ON DVD:
Da Ali G Show: Da Compleet Seereez - Were you one of
the millions of people who loved "Borat: Cultural
learnings of America for Make benefit Glorious Nation
of Kazakhstan?" or were you on of those people who
didn't think it was funny, because you didn't
understand that all of those interviews weren't
staged... they were 'for real."
Well if you were one of the latter, I suggest taking a
look at where the Borat character came from. Sacha
Baron Cohen's "Da Ali G Show," which spent two seasons
building a fan base on HBO. The show focused on three
characters: Borat, the Kazakh reporter, Bruno, the gay
Austrian fashionista, and Ali G, the European rapper.
The series consist of hilarious interviews with big
names such as Donald Trump, Ralph Nader, and many,
many more! 'Check it!"
I also recommend "Seinfeld: Season 7"
IN ADDITION:
In light of the holiday season, here is a funny trailer for you from the director of "Wedding Crashers." Enjoy.
I'm Back with Reviews
Sorry. I took a short break from blogging. but I'm back now. To Stay.
THE NATIVITY STORY, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, & REIGN OVER ME (trailer)
Though “The Nativity Story ” tramples the holiday song “Do You Hear What I Hear” to death (The King fears that Jesus will overthrow him, I doubt he’ll be bringing him silver and gold anytime soon), you won’t feel as though you gained anything by watching this film. In fact, you’d gain the same amount or more by watching the half-hour “Charlie Brown Christmas” special.
The film is interesting, giving me (I’m not an avid church goer) some new insights as to what the story of Jesus’ birth was like. However, aside from these few new added details (Mary didn’t want to marry Joseph at first, God helped another woman bear a son before Mary) I felt empty after the credits.
The beginning and middle were actually very entertaining. The three wise men were comical in their own way. But a film is meant to have an emotionally satisfying ending and the climax of the film (Jesus’ birth), which proved to be one of the better scenes in the movie, lacked time.
The first three quarters of the movie drags on and then Jesus’ birth is over in two minutes. We followed these people through the desert for a sequence shorter than a music video.
I was disappointed.
The Nativity story is NOT a bad film. I just felt that it lacked qualities that would consider it a GOOD film. It didn’t have the emotion it needed. However:
Will Smith’s new film “The Pursuit of Happyness” is another story. If you are looking for an emotional, feel good film then this is a must see.
Chris (Smith), an X-Ray scanner salesman, works hard to support his family. But this just isn’t enough for his wife Linda. After being left with their son Christopher, Chris sets out to secure their future as a bright one.
This is one of, if not Will Smith’s strongest performance. He isn’t playing a hero (I Robot, Men In Black) and he isn’t playing the suave (Hitch) or swift (Six Degrees of Separation) man that we all fantasize about being. He is playing the person we all are or want to be. Someone striving to do what is best for himself and for someone he loves.
During the previews, before “Pursuit,” I saw the trailer for “Reign Over Me,” starring Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle. It gave me chills. I thought I’d share it with you.
I also saw the teaser poster for “Shrek The Third” at the movies today. It opens in May.
As always: Comment.
Subscribe
Questions/Comments
