ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL

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Director: Sacha Gervasi
Category: Documentary, musical
Rated: Not rated
Running time: 1 hr 30 mins

Terri says:

My first impression of Anvil! was the film was a big joke and not a documentary (Spinal Tap part two?). I realized a few minutes in these musicians were not acting and they were being themselves. After this realization, my attitude went from light-hearted to involving, caring and serious. What changed my mind so drastically was the purgatory rather than hell this band that's been together for over 20 years would stop at nothing to stay together.

Anvil went through the ringer on their tour through Europe with new manager/longtime fan Tiziana Arrigoni. Though she means well, she manages horribly to the point where the band did not make a penny for their performances even though they are known as the greatest Canadian metal band. The audience's hearts break when lead singer Steve "Lips" Kudlow pours his heart out to friend/Anvil's drummer Robb Reiner, who could pass easily for his brother. It's strange to see so much love and passion come from members of a metal band.

If you've seen Anvil! be referred to as a real-life Spinal Tap, here's why: a visit to Stonehenge (like Spinal Tap's classic song), disputes with management, mediocre success and fights between the Lips and Robb are frequent (like Nigel and David). From those references, you do have a giggle inside your head (especially when they visit Stonehenge). Besides that, Anvil! is very much separated from the spoof metal band and does deserve to be taken seriously.

Overall, this film is recommended for all interested. The language is rough at times and there are light illegal substance references and usage, so I would not recommend this for audience members under the age of 17. Don’t see this movie if you’re expecting to see another Spinal Tap movie. This is a movie story with an unpredictable setting, which makes it even greater of a film.

VERDICT: 4.0

ANGELS & DEMONS

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Director: Ron Howard
Category: Drama, suspense
Rated: PG-13
Running time: 2 hr 18 mins

Terri says:

Angels & Demons exceeded expectations in both style and storytelling. Unlike the controversial subject The Da Vinci Code tackled, Angels used existing Vatican monuments similar to National Treasure movies... for grown-ups. Yes, it is really corny to use that comparison, but it's true. What's also great about this adaptation is the audience doesn't feel like they are being spoon-fed information by having the riddles eagerly explained to them. Instead the experience is more educational as the exciting plot unfolds...

In case you haven't heard what the film is about, Harvard professor/symbolist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is requested by the Vatican to help uncover clues as four Roman Catholic cardinals are being help hostage after the Pope passed away. In the meantime, physicist Vittoria Vetra (Ayelet Zurer) is on a quest to track down a canister of antimatter strong enough to take out Vatican City and part of Rome. Working together, Langdon and Vetra are guided by police and Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor).

What I'm impressed with most is the acting done by McGregor. Besides being devastatingly handsome, he proves his talent to go past the mainstream status of the movie (unlike the Star Wars prequel films) and more along the lines of Big Fish in terms of getting into character. He is a phenomenal actor and pleased he is getting roles (and recognition) he deserves without selling out. Hanks was better in this film as Langdon rather than Da Vinci Code showing a bit more humor and being more at ease with Brown's protagonist. Zurer played the role well, however, it seems like her role should have been more prominent that it was portrayed much like Audrey Tautou's role in Da Vinci Code. I am not sure this was close to her portrayal in Brown's novel, but it seemed Zurer was thrown in the scenes at times.

Overall, it's an entertaining piece and recommend it to anyone who's interested. Oh yeah and by the way, if you're squeamish to violence, be prepared to keep one hand free every now and again.

VERDICT: 3.5

IS ANYBODY THERE?

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Director: John Crowley
Category: Drama
Rated: PG-13
Running time: 1 hr 35 mins

Terri says:

One of the best differences to see about an American film from a British film is the British could care less if the film would be a box office success. Seeing this film spontaneously (and beating out the other options of I Love You, Man and the Wolverine movie), the outcome was mixed.

Clarence (Michael Caine) is a retired musician living in a husband and wife owned retirement home. He befriends the couple's young son, Edward (Bill Milner), who has a growing fascination with death and what happens in the afterlife. Meanwhile, Edward's mom (Anne-Marie Duff) is struggling to keep the place up and running while his father (David Morrissey) is starting to go through a mid-life crisis with their 18 year-old maid.

The main focus is on the friendship between Clarence and Edward, but the tension between the mom and dad was equally addressed. Even though the storyline line was wonderful, I felt like the little boy's life outside his home should have been explored more. There were tiny scenes at school or with a friend, but there should have been more elements in a different setting. What was also a plus is to see the heartache that goes along aging. It was neither glamorized nor blown out of proportions. Caine and Milner were fantastic in their roles. Duff was equally superb to Caine and Milner, but proved she was a better talent than her very attractive husband, James McAvoy. Overall, I think I'd see this again if it were on cable or on instant Netflix. It was good, but not great.

VERDICT: 2.5

GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST

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Director: Mark Waters
Category: Romantic Comedy, Fantasy
Rated: PG-13
Running time: 1 hr 40 mins

Terri says:

Using Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol structure for a chick flick, playboy photographer Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey), who has more girlfriends and ex-girlfriends than Austin Powers, reluctantly going to his younger brother's wedding (Breckin Meyer) with a closet bridezilla (Lacey Chabert). When he first arives, he runs into his first love Jenny (Jennifer Garner). Haunted by his reputation with the ladies, he is visited by his dead Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas), his inspiration for who he has become. Uncle Wayne warns Connor that three ghosts will visit him about his past relationships.

One of the things I've missed in films like this is the element of fantasy. The idea of living a dream and taking it as reality and being okay with it is actually refreshing. Yes, it's a silly idea, but why not take it with a grain of salt? That's the greatness of film where you can mix reality with fantasy and it be acceptable. McConaughey and Garner actually meshed well together and Meyer's role is a huge step forward from Rat Race, even though he had a good role. Who really had a great minor role was Douglas as a very suave, jerky playboy. I loved to hate McConaughey's jerkiness and cracked up at the stereotypical bridesmaids and groomsmen. I wished the past, present, and future ghosts had equal screen time (the past ghost took up 1/4 of the movie).

In all, I don't recommend this for guys unless they deserve to be punished and tortured. For the ladies, it can either be considered theatre, rental, or cable material.

VERDICT: 2.5

2-MINUTE RUNDOWN

I am short on time lately so I haven't been posting as much as I would like to. For this reason, I am going to give a brief rundown so that you see or pass on the following:


GIGANTIC
Starring: Zooey Deschanel, Paul Dano, John Goodman

The only gigantic thing about this movie was the extent to which it sucked. After the likes of Elf and The Happening there's no denying that Deschanel should stick to music instead of acting -- she always plays the same character! -- but Dano, who actually put some of his own money on the line for this film should know better. Not only was it painfully slow but it failed to deliver any kind of real message and John Goodman was oddly miscast. To sum it up: boy meets girl, both have a crap childhood, boy adopts Asian baby, the end. Your money would be better spent on Netflix and a fast-food combo meal.


OBSESSED
Starring: Beyoncé Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O'Connell

If you watched the behind-the-scenes footage that E! aired on release week then there's no point in seeing this film because they spoiled the ending. This moderate-paced stalker flick is entertaining enough without any real surprises. The catfight between Larter and Knowles at the end of the film is less suspenseful than it is funny with its "come and git ya some, bitch!" lingo. The theater where I saw the movie was actually filled with laughter versus edge-of-your-set anticipation. Neither Larter nor Knowles will win an Oscar for this film although McGill did give a pretty solid performance. Eh, if you have money to waste check it out.


ADVENTURELAND
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader

I produced a series of interviews during SXSW that included one with Bill Hader and director Greg Mottola regarding the release of this film. They were such likable people that perhaps my opinion is now biased but I really liked this movie. It's definitely not deep but it's a beginning-of-summer flick that will remind you of everything interesting and fun about being young and living in the moment, a la Can't Hardly Wait. Eisenberg and Stewart's characters are easy to relate to. It's totally worth the money if you need something light.


OBSERVE AND REPORT
Starring: Seth Rogen, Ray Liotta, Michael Peña, Anna Faris

This is the worst movie that I have seen in a long time. That's all.


SUNSHINE CLEANING
Starring: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin

If you go into this movie expecting Little Miss Sunshine you are going to be disappointed. While some of the dark humor is present, it's definitely a film in a different category -- actually the dark side of chick flicks. Blunt, Arkin and Adams are all perfectly cast. This one has been out a while but if you haven't seen it, it's entertaining.


I LOVE YOU, MAN
Starring: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg

I'm completely indifferent. This movie didn't make me angry nor did it make me laugh until it hurt. But hey, it's better than Observe and Report. Paul Rudd gives the most humorous performance -- albeit somewhat uncomfortable -- while Segel is better on How I Met Your Mother. The fact that I didn't actually remember Andy Samberg being in this film isn't good, right?

It looks like X-Men Origins: Wolverine and 17 Again are next up for me although I am going to have to see the latter alone since everybody my age seems to have something against Zac Efron. What's if 17 Again is the next Big and you sat it out?

MADEA GOES TO JAIL

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Written and directed by: Tyler Perry
Category: Comedy
Rated: PG-13
Running time: 1 hr 43 mins

Terri says:

Wanting to see The Wrestler and Revolutionary Road, I was reluctant to see this. Fortunately, this movie was hysterical and so glad I saw this (thanks, sissy: read her review here). Having not seen Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman and other works, I'm interested in seeing more of what he's done. I think the reason why I enjoyed this so much is the location is oh-so-familiar - it's filmed right here in Atlanta! I saw on IMDb a critic was completely against Atlanta being a filming location (and hated the movie), and I disagree. Maybe in this particular film the scenery wasn't so great, but what about Buckhead, Virginia Highlands or Little Five? What also helps with my enjoyment is seeing the one stereotype that bugs the heck out of me in a scene stealer - the soccer mom. I call them something else, but we'll stick with "soccer mom." It's interesting to see Perry's mixture of comedy and drama. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't transition very well. The acting was all right, but I was really surprised to see "Rudy" from The Cosby Show (Keshia Knight Pulliam) all grown up!

Overall, I'd recommend this if you're in the mood for a good laugh. It's refreshing to see humor different from the toilet humor comedies and the crappy wannabe's (Miss March? Please.).

THE VERDICT: 2.5

WATCHMEN

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Director: Zack Snyder
Category: Action, Superhero
Rated: R
Running time: 2 hours 43 mins

Terri says:

Before I begin, I must address that I have not read the graphic novel, but went to the theatre with an open mind.

The main criticism I have against the film is the director and screenwriters failure to explain the backstory of Watchmen. Clearly the characters are explained more thoroughly in the novel, otherwise it wouldn't be ranked as one of Time magazine's 100 best novels. I felt that the storyline should have been explained more and less concentration on the action sequences. In particular, I felt the story of the Comedian (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Sally (Carla Gugino), the mother of Laurie Jupiter (Malin Akerman) could have been more thorough. That brings me to another criticism that all the Watchmen not being fully developed. Silk Spectre II (Akerman), Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson) and Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) all seemed to lack character. I'm not expecting a full-blown character study, but a better grasp of who they are could have been done.

Gugino, Wilson and Crudup did the best acting job. Akerman was terrible and clearly not worthy of an action movie, not to mention an important piece of work with a great reputation. The intimate scenes were not good at all due to the major lack of chemistry and acting experience. One thing I will say was very well done was the cinematography- it was gorgeous! Overall, I felt like seeing the animated comic book movie would be a better fit. I felt that Sin City was far more interesting to see and would think a team of directors (Tarantino, Rodriguez, etc.) could have done a better job and Alan Moore being the sole writer for this unnecessary project.

THE VERDICT: 1.9