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| Wednesday, March 10, 2010 |
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IRON MAN
By: Justin Stone
LiveMansion.com
May 4th, 2008
Lets face it. Spider Man 3 was a horrible mess. It was supposes to break summer box office records, but instead it broke audience's expectations of what was considered the last flawless superhero film franchise (excluding Nolan's Batman). Spidy's lackluster sales could have been a sign that superhero films had become super-over-hyped, perhaps reaching its plateau. But not according to Marvel Studios, the comic book company that’s now a comic film production company. Marvel’s first venture as a film studio; Iron Man…you know the guy in the metal suit?
Well, maybe you don't. Unlike Marvel's big household names (Spider Man, X-Men, Hulk, Fantastic Four), Iron Man is considered a minor character in the Marvel universe, yet a major risk for Marvel to unveil as their opening act for the summer movie season, especially when last years fail-safe Spider Man 3 was such a train-wreck. Still, Marvel decisively put their trust in the hands of up and coming director Jon Favreau, and unlike Marvel's other minor characters (Daredevil, Punisher, Ghost Rider) they gave Iron Man a big budget with a Grade A cast and unlimited unrestraint. Fortunately Marvel's gamble paid off, because Iron Man may be the best comic book film since, well the first Spider Man.
2007's comic-con offered the first glimpses of Iron Man through an exclusive trailer with an introduction by Favreau to appease the comic character's loyal fanbase. When the trailer leaked on the Internet however, the clip's merger of Iron Man footage with Black Sabbath's ubiquitous song "Iron Man" was for lack of a better word, tacky. Thankfully the trailer is the only tacky thing about Iron Man, as the film is the complete opposite, proving in spades Favreau's strength as a dramatic action film director. The story of Iron Man is the story of Tony Stark; the son of a rich industrialist tycoon who grew up not only with a silver spoon but a wit and intellect that made him a child prodigy. Zipping through school Tony became an expert in engineering and electronics; finishing MIT summa-cum-laude and helping create new technological advances, as well as becoming the natural heir to his fathers company, Stark Industries.
Now of course, Tony's knack for technology will later help him in the area of armored robotic suits, but the real appeal of Tony Stark in the film is his richly sophisticated persona. Comic book Tony Stark is a stern and straightforward character, who, much like Bruce Wayne, leans towards the extravagant but is more business than pleasure. However, Stark, as played with exuberance by Robert Downy Jr., fully embraces the capitalistic side of the industrialist CEO and infuses Stark with his patented Downy Jr. charm and swagger that ultimately fits the decadent mogul to a tee. This is where Downy Jr. and Favreau shine in developing Stark; as Downy Jr. is practically the embodiment of this character in real life, while Favreau has perfected (a la Vince Vaughn in Swingers) the carefree capitalist who enjoys and revels in his capital.
Although the audience revels in Stark's playboy lifestyle as well, we almost forget there is consequence behind his blithe. Stark Enterprises just so happens to be the U.S. Governments leading weapon's manufacturer and Stark's lavish empire is built on the creation of weapons of mass destruction. As Stark says "I be out of a job if there was peace"; a statement that normally would make him a corporate villain in today's world of corrupt politics and zero militant accountability, but Stark however is a CEO with a heart, (if that exists). A heart that eventually gets filled with shrapnel after nearly being blown up when he is captured by Afghani terrorists who order him to replicate a new and deadly Stark Industries missile. Confined in a cave, Stark does what any billionaire industrials would do: builds himself an armored suit and literally smashes his way out, thus, Iron Man is born. Upon recovery and return to the US, with the help of his friend, army pilot Jim Rhodes (Terrance Howard), and his beautiful and sharp personal assistant Pepper Pots (Gwent Paltrow), Stark decides to stop creating weapons for the government; a move that is defied and opposed by his corporate partner Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges). Stark instead invests his time in making a new and advanced armor suit that he hopes will be better than any missile system.
Besides the skin deep morality of over excess and not taking one's life for granted, there's much more depth in Tony Stark's plight in becoming Iron Man. Even though Stark is the embodiment of capitalism we root him not for his riches but for his sincerity. The audience cheered when Iron Man returns to the Middle East and simply becomes a one man army, literally hurling the terrorists around. In year five of the Iraq War more so than ever, America is looking for peace and solace to the problems overseas, and when watching Iron Man solve these problems in one fall swoop, it was a cathartic release of elation. In doing so, Iron Man is a superhero akin to Superman, because he lives for that old altruistic American dream that's seems so easily forgotten in today's cynical and materialistic world. Not only is this theme executed with perfection, but is also executed perfectly through the films roller-coaster superhero action tension with well balanced comic relief. All the actors are superbly cast in their roles and the chemistry between Paltrow and Downy Jr. is irresistible. Where a year ago Spider Man 3, had become too entangled in its own web, Iron Man surely has cleared those cobwebs, reminding us why superhero films are so much fun, and proving with the right intention and direction they are truly worth the hype.
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Be Kind Rewind
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| Feb 24th,
2008 |
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Originally Posted on
LiveMansion.com
Review By: Jordan Michael
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Having looked forward to "Be Kind Rewind" for the last few months, I can now confirm that some ideas are better left on paper.
Written and directed by Michael Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), "Be Kind Rewind" is the story of a neighborhood video rental in Passaic, New Jersey, struggling to survive in the age of DVDs and demolitions.
Played out on a set more fitting of an early 80's sitcom, the film follows Mike (Mos Def) a simple video store clerk, and Jerry (Black), his frighteningly eccentric friend in their quest to save Mr. Fletcher's (Glover) store from closure. What follows is a far-fetched film about two employees frantically re-shooting classic Hollywood movies like "Ghostbusters", "Driving Miss Daisy", and "2001", to restock the shelves.
And while Michael Gondry's "Be Kind Rewind" does have its moments (most of which can be seen in the previews), fans of the director may find the film is far from his crowning achievement. Because unlike "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", a film that connected to the audience on a personal, and almost spiritual level, "Be Kind" quite literally does just the opposite.
But, where do I begin? Perhaps, I should start with the inciting incident--or to be more specific, Jack Black erasing the store's entire inventory due to his accidental magnetic properties. Or, better yet, I could point out the fact that any business based around renting video tapes for a dollar, in this day and age, is not only destined to fail, but deserves to.
But, I digress. The film's major flaw lies not in these details, but rather in the movie's seemingly unchecked desire to mock the simplicity of sitcoms long past. Because ironically, through mockery the film becomes that which it belittles. Look, I'm a Gondry fan. And I happen to enjoy experimental filmmaking. But, I'm also a fan of story structure, and the payoff of sub-plots--all of which take a back-seat to Jack Black's antics, and Mos Def's refusal to play anybody *except* Mos Def.
As for the rest of the cast, there's not much to say. Sure, Danny Glover, Mia Farrow and Melonie Diaz are noteworthy, but it's only due to the fact that they're the only ones reading from the script, while Black and Def, seem to view the script as nothing more than a mere guideline.
And while I can appreciate the film's subtle plea for the importance of indie films, and indie filmmakers, this message seems to get lost in a haze of over-the-top plot devices, half-baked romances, and unlikely occurrences.
I recommend this movie to fans of Jack Black, and to those who live near a dollar theater.
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Cloverfield
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| Jan 20th, 2008 |
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Originally
Posted on LiveMansion.com
Review By: Jordan Michael
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After spending months trolling the internet in search of potential prey, J.J Abrams and company surfaced in theaters this weekend and devoured the box-office.
Let me start by saying that everything about Cloverfield has a underlying sense of dread, beginning with it's opening frame, which declares that the following video was found on a digital video card in the site previously known as Central Park. What follows is the story of a young guy named Rob (Michael Stahl-David), who's preparing to take a vice president position for a company in Japan. The guest of honor at a surprise going-away party, Rob is filmed by his friend, Hud, who bounces around with the video camera, mingling with the major characters, and revealing the tension that exist between Rob and his former lover, Beth. That is, until all hell breaks loose. The ground shakes...Mid-town explodes...The head of Lady Liberty rolls down the street...Buildings crumple...And then, they spot it. A beast unlike any other. It's absolutely horrific. And from there on, it's just sheer terror and confusion, as we follow Rob and and a few of his like-minded friends as they trek towards the chaos in a misguided attempt to rescue his ex.
Much like "The Blair Witch Project," Cloverfield uses the character's camera to slowly reveal the horrors of the events, without having to explain their origin. And while this method of storytelling is very effective at placing audiences *in* the experience, it's also very frustrating not knowing what the beast is, or where it comes from. (However, various theories online hint at the possibility that the beast is from underneath the sea-floor, and was released through fissure created by oil-drilling).
What makes the film work, speaks volumes about where we've come as a media-saturated, desensitized nation. Simple destruction isn't enough these days. We know what buildings look like when they fall. We know how dust and loose paper occupy the aftermath of destruction. And sadly, we know how people respond in the face of true horror. This in mind, director Matt Reeves pulls no punches, and perhaps even oversteps his boundaries, salting the wounds of 9/11. But, whatever the case, the film works, tapping into our nation's collective fear of foreign terror, much like Godzilla represented Japan's fear of nuclear attack.
Simply put, Cloverfield is the cinematic equivalent of a lucid dream--where events occur in the first-person, but your will can affect no influence. And while the camera-work can be a bit overwhelming at times, it proves a welcome excursion from traditional standards.
I recommend Cloverfield to those of you tired of monster movies that rely on special-effects alone (i.e., God "awful" Zilla). Because what makes Cloverfield so different, is also what makes it so good.
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Sweeney Todd: The Demaon Barber of Fleet Street
Posted:
01/10/2008
Review By:
Justin Stone
Read the review » |
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The Diving Bell And The Butterfly
Posted:
12/20/2007
Review By:
Jordan Michael
Read the review » |
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No Country For Old Men
Posted:
11/12/2007
Review By:
Jordan Tarquin
Read the review » |
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Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Posted:
10/15/2007
Review By:
Jordan Tarquin
Read the review » |
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Kurt Cobain: About a Son
Posted:
10/11/2007
Review By:
Jordan Michael
Read the review » |
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Resident Evil: Extinction
Posted:
09/24/2007
Review By:
Jordan Michael
Read the review » |
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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Posted:
09/24/2007
Review By:
Bode Yatsen
Read the review » |
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In the Shadow of the Moon
Posted:
09/10/2007
Review By:
Jordan Michael
Read the review » |
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I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With
Posted:
09/10/2007
Review By:
Bode Yatsen
Read the review » |
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Resurrecting the Champ
Posted:
08/27/2007
Review By:
Jordan Michael
Read the review » |
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