Movie Review - 'The Art of Getting By'

The Art of Getting By Starring Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts Directed by Gavin Wiesen Rated PG-13

It is a lamentable tragedy when independent filmmakers undermine their own creativity by attempting to emulate a style of complete and utter inexperience. This tragedy is that much greater when the on-screen talent delivers with flying colors, but much of the audience’s cathartic experience is quelled by the mere fact that the cinematography does not allow us the visual connection. Such is the case with writer/director Gavin Wiesen’s The Art of Getting By, starring Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts.

The film introduces us to George, played by Highmore, a high school senior, and visual art protégé that is having a bit of trouble. His preoccupation with the condition of the world and the frailty of our very human condition has convinced him that there is very little value to following the inane rules that govern early adulthood. Mainly, doing his homework. Just when he is about to lose touch with himself and his circumstances all together, he is befriended by the equally troubled, but much more socially adept Sally, played by Roberts. As the friendship spirals into the realm of complete teenage, hormonal confusion, George must confront the most uncomfortable of inevitable realities: there are things that are important to him. Now, the question is, can he get them?

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Movie Review - 'Dylan Dog: Dead of Night'

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night Starring Brandon Routh, Anita Briem, and Sam Huntington Directed by Kevin Munroe Rated PG-13

Woof. Where to begin with this one? Well, at the risk of my review becoming a complete movie-bash session let me begin by saying that I am very impressed that Dylan Dog: Dead of Night managed to earn a theatrical release. I was pretty sure that films like these were designed and produced for DVD consumption, but the powers that be behind this off-the-wall, undead comedy found something in this mess that they deemed worth the financial risk. I am sincerely hoping for their sake that the fans of this Italian comic come out in droves to see this, or it very well might be a complete wash.

The film introduces us to our hero Dylan, a private eye for the undead whose job was once to operate as an impartial justice between the zombie, werewolf, and vampire clans. After an unfortunate string of incidents, however, he has taken to low-level P.I. work, until a mysteriously motivated werewolf attack on a human peaks his interest and pulls him back into the world of the supernatural.

Unfortunately, said hero was utterly miscast. Not only did Brandon Routh appear far too young to play a character with such a rich and seemingly long professional history, he completely lacked the comic irony to carry such a ridiculous film. Instead of driving the film, Routh appeared to have been directed into the unfortunate realm of understatement and disinterest. The same can be said for Anita Briem who plays the mysterious love interest, Elizabeth. It seemed as though these actors had the necessary skill, but for some reason Kevin Munroe lacked a complete enough vision to build characters that could potentially exist in the world created by the comic.

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Movie Review - 'Water for Elephants'

Water for Elephants Starring Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz Directed by Francis Lawrence Rated PG-13

Mmmm, what a delicious combination of cinematic ingredients! Add beautiful actors, stunningly rich production design, transcendent cinematography, glittering 1930s costumes, deceit, betrayal, love, lust, and trained animals, mix them up in an enormous circus tent, and voila! You have Francis Lawrence’s twisted little joy ride of a behind-the-big-top drama, Water For Elephants, the story of a young man beginning an unexpected, after college life.

The film begins in the somewhat cliché tradition of The Notebook and The Green Mile, but introducing us to the much aged Jocob Jankowski, (Hal Holbrook) standing in a circus parking lot long after hours. At first glance, it seems the old man may have lost a few screws over the years. As the circus’ owner, played by Paul Schneider, prods him with questions however, he soon finds that not only is the old man lucid, he has quite a story to tell, namely, the great tale of one of the greatest circus disasters in history.

Ordinarily, an introduction like this would have immediately turned me off due to it’s innate here-we-go-again quality. There is something different about this film though: the almost surreal picture quality, the sincerity with which the opening scene is directed and performed, and the few juicy dialogue lines of intrigue, excited me enough to kick off my shoes, curl up in my seat, and settle in for the two hour escape.

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Movie Review - 'Arthur'

Arthur Starring Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, and Greta Gerwig Directed by Jason Winer Rated PG-13

Arthur, the remake of the 1981, Dudley Moore classic, stars Russell Brand, America’s new favorite saucy Brit, as the inebriated Peter Pan caught between a life of endless riches and the potential of true love. The film introduces us to our quick-witted, yet impetuous alcoholic of a hero, as he is presented with an ultimatum: either marry the socially respectable, yet morally despicable, Susan, (Jennifer Garner) or be cut off from his multi-million dollar family fortune. Despite his disgust for and sexual repulsion to Susan, Arthur is unable to imagine his life without an endless supply of booze, partying, and movie-car replicas. He complies, and surrenders to having a business partnership for a marriage. That is until he fatefully runs into the free spirited, illegal tour guide, Naomi (Greta Gerwig). Smitten beyond the usual one-night-stand Arthur has become so accustomed to, he must confront his behaviors, his choices, his live-in nanny (Helen Mirren), and most importantly, himself, to decide what greater power will control his destiny.

The film gets off to a slow, sloppy, and somewhat confusing start. The jokes don’t quite hit, and the initial development is halting and awkward. A new contribution to the Russell Brand fan club myself, I took a deep, inward sigh, and resigned myself to an hour and a half of disappointment. Thankfully, not fifteen to twenty minutes in, Arthur strapped on the power packs and took off!

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Movie Review - 'Hop'

Hop Starring Russell Brand and James Marsden Directed by Tim Hill Rated PG

What kind of self-respecting bunny would turn down the opportunity to assume the illustrious position of the famed Easter Bunny? If you have ever pondered this query, look no further. The answer lies in Tim Hill’s holiday production of Hop, starring James Marsden and Russell Brand.

The Easter tale, that follows a frighteningly similar plot as many Christmas films, is the story of E.B., the son of the current Easter Bunny, voiced by Hugh Laurie. Prepped to assume his father’s position in the next week, E.B. decidedly has other plans. Hitching a high-tech rabbit-hole ride from Easter Island to Hollywood, California, the little talking bunny plans to fulfill his dream, to become a professional drummer. When his attempt to infiltrate the playboy mansion, on account of the fact that he too is a sexy bunny, fails, he wanders the lonesome Hollywood streets, until he stumbles upon the desperately unmotivated, unemployed Fred O’Hare. As their friendship forms, the two help one another to realize their true callings.

Let me start by saying that Russell Brand is screamingly funny as the rebellious E.B., delivering with comic perfection the many punch lines in the film. Though I enjoy children’s films, I rarely laugh out loud, and there were several moments during Hop that I laughed all the way from one punch line to another. Unfortunately, Brand’s performance was not enough to lift this movie out of mediocre territory.

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