Foreign films are usually hit or miss. It’s hard to say where the dark Italian comedy Reality falls. It has elements that are boring and uninteresting but then again, there are moments that are pretty damn funny and full of life. There seems to be tug of war match going on with this film with one side struggling to drag it into the mediocre mud and the other trying to bring it to greatness. The fine folks at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival seem to have gone with the latter road and awarded the film the prestigious Grand Prix award. I just don’t see the “greatness” that they saw.
All posts by Unger the Radar
Closed Circuit
It would appear that the crime thriller genre has suffered something of a decline in recent years. Stories about conspiracies, international intrigue and paranoia just don’t seem to pack the punch and sustain audiences’ attentions the way they used to. A new entry into this genre Closed Circuit tries to rejuvenate the dying genre but the results are pretty lame. The film tries to be slick, cool and interesting but it just fails miserably.
The Great Gatsby
In 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s American literary classic The Great Gatsby was first published. It is a tale rich with conflict, colorful characters and strong themes. Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann (Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!) has taken Fitzgerald’s story to new heights with his visually dazzling and strongly acting film. The Great Gatsby is a very visual ride that features an all-star cast, brilliant sets, costumes and special effects. It is essential to view this film on Blu-ray. The richness of colors and eye candy were basically made to be seen in HD.
My “Epic” Tour of Blue Sky Studios
In animation, anything is possible. Worlds and characters are created and grace the screen, captivating audiences and leaving an indelible impression on both young and old (mostly young). On Tuesday, August 13th, I had the immense privilege and pleasure of visiting Blue Sky Studios, an animation studio responsible for such films as Ice Age, Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who, and Rio. The incredibly talented people behind these films are basically wizards who, through the use of skill and technology, create films that not only look great but tell interesting stories. The purpose of this event was to promote the Epic Blu-ray/DVD combo pack which is now available for purchase.
Nitehawk Cinema: August Series
“You have the right to remain silent… FOREVER!” This is the tagline for the cult 1988 slasher flick Maniac Cop, a film which, by its title alone, needs no introduction. This is just one of the many random and hilariously bad films screened at the hipster-friendly movie theater the Nitehawk Cinema. Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn this theater is home not only to current independent cinema but to a number of obscure films as part of its usual film series. Maniac Cop falls under its “August Midnite: I Heart New York Horror” series, a delightfully gory and over-the-top collection of horror films which take place in the Big Apple. Another series, “Live + Sound + Cinema” presents classic or cult films while live music is played simultaneously, sort of a throwback to the silent film era. The very cheesy sci-fi comedy Dark Star was also screened.
Lee Daniels’ The Butler
Every once in a while a film comes along that hits all the right notes, a film that not only entertains but digs deep and explores tough topics. Lee Daniels’ The Butler is one such film and it is both a history lesson and one heck of a story. With an ensemble cast featuring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda, John Cusack, Liev Schreiber, Terrence Howard, Mariah Carey and Robin Williams, The Butler has all the trappings of an Oscar contender and then some.
Defiant Requiem
Music can be a very effective and powerful form of therapy. The beauty in a piece of music can fill one with raw emotions rarely felt by other art forms. The documentary Defiant Requiem explores the use of music and its meaningful purpose in a time where hope ran low and survival was everyone’s main objective: the Holocaust.
In a World…
Voice-over acting is a timeless art that has existed for decades. The late great Don LaFontaine’s God-like voice is cemented in the minds of anyone who has ever heard a movie trailer in the latter half of the 20th century. His famous line “In a world…” is one of American pop culture’s greatest gems. His art has been imitated time and time again though few people have come close to duplicating his talent. The new indie comedy by Lake Bell, In a World…, takes the viewer on a fascinating and often amusing look into the cutthroat world of voice-over acting.
Femme Fatales: The Complete Second Season
It is widely known that sex sells. Nude women in particular seem to be the best selling attraction. This is what the makers behind the semi-softcore porn program Femme Fatales strongly believe in and in a very unsubtle way. Cinemax, or one should say “Skinemax”, has put together a show that features beautiful women, lots of softcore sex and truly idiotic storylines and dialogue so one can argue whether this is porn or not.
Under the Bed
Horror movies these days tend to rely on two major elements: sudden loud crashing noises and extreme gore. Both of these cheap tricks are what modern horror films rely on and it’s pretty sad that creativity and actual suspense have been thrown out the window. The latest low-budget “fright fest” Under the Bed is just another example of contemporary horror gone terribly wrong.
Unger the Radar 