My single most anticipated movie of the last two years has finally arrived, was it worth the wait?  I stayed clear of any form of spoilers and reviews, even shying away from clips posted online.  Cemetery Junction was released on home video (only theatrical in the UK earlier this year) on August 17th;  I bought the DVD (Blu-ray had nothing special) and hurried home.  I watched the feature, the extras and then the feature once more with commentary by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.  Here is my reaction:

PLOT
In 1970s England, three friends spend their days joking, drinking, fighting and chasing girls. Freddie (Christian Cooke) wants to leave their working-class world but cool, charismatic Bruce (Tom Hughes) and lovable loser Snork (Jack Doolan) are happy with life the way it is. When Freddie gets a new job as a door-to-door salesman and bumps into his old school sweetheart Julie (Felicity Jones), the gang are forced to make choices that will change their lives forever.  Written and Directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (creators of The Office and Extras).

REACTION
The idea of having to grow up is a constant theme in Gervais and Merchant’s work, in an interview Gervais stated the script was loosely based upon the lyrics of the Bruce Springsteen song “Thunder Road” [listen here].  For any Gervais fan (Every Thing You Always Wanted to Know…) it has all lead up to this.

Notable DVD Extras: Commentary with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant & Cast Commentary

Cemetery Junction is a coming-of-age story that is hilarious and heartfelt with performances that take control of the screen every chance they get.  The soundtrack and set pieces are wonderful, the intense amount of work that went into this film shows.  I expected a feel-good dramedy and that is certainly what I got, what I didn’t expect is just how formula is all was.  It plays it very safe and predictable, never challenging itself or the viewer to take the ideas presented in another direction.  You have seen it all before, but luckily it doesn’t come with such an adverse effect here.

I felt happy watching the film (bias love for Gervais aside) and getting to know the characters as they struggle along.  The performance by Tom Hughes is one to note as eerily real, I really enjoyed his work here.  Cemetery Junction’s strength comes from the relationships of the main three friends and you look forward to scenes involving the trio just as much as you would get together with your own circle of friends.

This film is clearly close to Gervais and Merchant’s heart, a love letter to England they have said.   It’s nostalgia of days gone by; for better or worse.  Gervais and Merchant are talented writers and it’s proven here that they have what it takes to take on feature films.

CHASE
I hope the duo does more challenging work (I’d love to see a full on drama) in the future and dig deeper into the heart and soul of people as we know they can do really well.  They did it with Cemetery Junction, just not enough to leave much of a lasting impression.  This is a nice movie that you won’t regret watching or even owning, you can always count on Ricky Gervais for that.

Related posts:

1. WTF: Gervais and Merchant’s Cemetery Junction Direct to DVD
2. cemetery junction set report
3. ricky gervais’s cemetery junction trailer

Kevin, weekly.

Take that Claire Danes!  20 issues, that’s pretty great, Kevin you might just earn that Pony ride after all.  Well it’s another week here in the City of Films, glad you could join us.

The Council got together for a team effort article to be posted sometime this week.  Justice claims to have computer issues, but I think she’s just dodging us because we are boys.  Well played new girl, well played.

The summer run of movies is slowing down; hopefully everyone saw something that totally didn’t suck.  It could be worse though, the DA went to a drive-in.  Still recovering.

Related posts:

1. The City Strip #12, Bromance Begins
2. HIT ME! City Strip #21
3. The City Strip #22, MmMm Good

Note: CoF reactions are always spoiler free.  We will now be making the habit of condensing all the good things you normally find in a well written review into what we call a ‘Reaction’.  Who are we to criticize someone else art?  So we will just talk about the overall experience, seems fair.

Last week I posted an article titled ‘Why Everyone Should See Inception‘.  I wasn’t just blowing smoke, I am still out there urging people to take the trip to their local cinema and check this one out.  The reason I wrote the article before I even saw the movie I should explain, is because every once in a while and not often, a movie will be released you know you will enjoy (the last one for me being Shutter Island).   My main case in the article was that Inception was original and that moviegoers should be supporting this kind of movie.  Well, I saw Inception opening weekend with a packed house of believers and saying it met my premature hype and expectations would be too obvious.  Would it be less obvious if I said it exceeded them in every way?  Well it did.

Inception is definitely a film that deserves multiple viewings, I have seen it twice now and it wasn’t to figure out what the hell was going on as some people will confess – but more so to pleasure the senses once again, this movie is exciting folks.  To see things on the screen that you have never seen before, that takes some great imagination and talent.

Never recreate from your memory. Always imagine new places.

Related posts:

1. Reaction: Cemetery Junction (2010)
2. Inception Prologue Comic On-Line
3. New Inception Photos

When I first learned of another sequel to the already perfect film set that is Toy Story and Toy Story 2 I’ll be honest, I was scared.  I immediately felt betrayed by the team at Pixar as I jumped to conclusions as to why they wanted to make another film.  It didn’t occur to me that maybe there was more to tell, something more to say to bring it all full circle.

The journey myself and much of the world took with these toys was one of reminiscence, for the older audience the days of young were behind us and we embraced these toys as if they were at one point our own.  For the young, it gave them a chance to believe – believe that the childhood they were living could last forever with a bit of imagination and a big toy box.  What am I getting at?  Toy Story 3 is the best movie of 2010 thus far and should be nominated for Best Picture when award season comes around.  I had high expectations walking into the film and upon exiting; I knew each of those expectations were exceeded beyond words.  I saw the film weeks ago and can just now put to you how perfect this movie is.  How’s that for hype?

The packed theater stood and cheered when the credits fell, some wiping away tears – older members hiding it with the fake search for their wallet and keys.  It’s another masterpiece by Disney/Pixar that touches on nostalgia to please every possible moviegoer there is.  The final act will have you on the edge of your seat – amazed at what powerful animation, music and storytelling can do for us.  This is what a movie should do; this is why we love them.  It’s worth the wait in line, worth the ticket price and worth the crying baby a few rows over.

Toy Story is a series that will last to infinity and beyond (had to do it), it’s funny, inventive, touching and thanks to this final act; it’s flawless.  The trilogy brings to an end an amazing set of movies that must be cherished.  It’s a story about leaving the past with fears of moving on.  Something we all must come to terms with.

A perfect conclusion to a perfect movie trilogy.  For the folks at Pixar, I have one question for you: Where do you get those wonderful toys?

So long, partner.

Related posts:

1. Early Reviews For Toy Story 3, A Triumph
2. toy story 3 will be awesome
3. Reel: Toy Story 3 Google Parody

What?! A book review!  Yes, The Mayor can read (slowly) and will stop talking in the third person right now.  In this edition Sarah Silverman makes her literary debut with The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee. Silverman I should add is one of my favorite comedians, she does great things with TV and film and so obviously a book was the next step.  If you are a fan of her famous internet videos (an example below) and The Sarah Silverman Program consider yourself a fan and pick up this book.  It’s irreverent, funny and sometimes emotional.  I’ll explain…Do not read this if you are easily offended by radical, funny women, crude language or jokes/ironic humor about pee, male/female sexual anatomy, sex, semen, defecation, body hair, religion (specifically Jews, Catholics, God), race (specifically African-Americans, Asians), homosexuality, rape, death, suicide, the Holocaust, drugs or bedwetting. Or anything, really.

Sarah Silverman has worn blackface and slept with God on her television show, and now she shares everything else in The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee. Though Silverman’s book provides the usual shock-and-awe humor we expect from her, it’s the afterword, written by “God,” that actually surprised me.  “God,” describes things he “had a direct hand in developing. Like I’m really proud of cancer. Also the HIV virus” — that to me, is hilarious and honest.  Reading too much into a knock at religion and crazy people?  Perhaps.  If that didn’t offend you, this book is for you.

The title of the book seems like a joke, but it turns out that wetting the bed was a problem into her high school years and contributed to her depression.  Silverman writes. “As quickly and casually as someone catches the flu, I caught depression, and it would last for the next three years.” She isn’t shy about the details of her sex life and visiting her past not-so-charmed career choices.  One person who doesn’t receive a detailed mention is Jimmy Kimmel; a surprise given their publicized relationship of more than half a decade.  Silverman’s book doesn’t just go for laughs. She mixes it up with funny and a sometimes serious look back.  She explains her dislike for deconstructing comedy – but does go into detail about controversial moments in her career that include using the world “chink” on Conan O’ Brien’s show, her insults towards Britney Spears and Paris Hilton to name a few.

The book is beautifully written, funny and works as a great confessional for the star, some of the content is still going to offend. Her brand of humor does not sit well with many, Silverman’s God jokes are not taken well. However it is quite clear to most that the humor is tongue in cheek and not meant to cause offense.

As she explains, “I’m not writing this book to share wisdom or inspire people, I’m writing this book because I am a famous comedian, which is how it works. If you’re famous, you get to write a book, and not the other way around.” Despite what her critics say, it’s impossible to read this book and believe anything else except that Sarah Silverman is brave, funny and one of a kind.

Related posts:

1. real time with sarah silverman
2. Uncle Scrooge’s Comic Book Did It, Inception That Is
3. Review: The Lovely Bones (2010)

**This is a SPOILER FREE Review**

It’s safe to say that the partnership between DiCaprio and Scorsese has been a productive one for the famed director – Gangs of New York got 10 Oscar nominations, The Aviator got 11 nods (and 5 wins), and The Departed got 5 nominations and won 4, including Best Picture and Marty’s long-coveted Best Director Oscar [video].  So when it was told that the team was going at it again for Shutter Island, this fan was going to be first in line.  Did it live up to my own hype? It sounded like perfect thriller material, straight out of the third act of Scorsese’s Cape Fear remake, and an ideal fit for the legendary filmmaker.  I am glad to say I was first in line, last to leave and very satisfied.
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers: Laeta Kalogridis (screenplay) Dennis Lehane (novel)
Cast: Leonardo Dicaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams
Synopsis: From Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island’s fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.
[Trailer]

The last thriller Scorsese delivered was the fantastic re-make of Cape Fear starring his other muse, Robert DeNiro.  With Shutter Island he proves once more that you don’t need jump out shockers or high octane action scenes to make you squirm in your seat.  Just ask my girlfriend who had her hand over her eyes – peeking in to see what was going to happen.  There are no clichés in this film, there is no rushed ending that will leave half the audience feeling cheated.  This film builds up to a strong conclusion of a twisted journey.

The gothic atmosphere and reality-shifting sequences were mesmerizing.  Bravo to Robert Richardson who made such a dark film as beautiful as can be with his cinematography.  The CGI effects are well crafted and don’t seem forced on us at all.  Add on the loud ominous score by Robbie Robertson that seemed to use the speakers to their max level, eerie as hell.  My favorite role for DiCaprio before this was that of Howard Hughes in the Aviator.  Another frazzled character.  He plays Teddy Daniels in Shutter Island much like he did that of Hughes; paranoid and alone.

The movie has a twist, this is not a spoiler.  From the moment they get on the Island you will be looking for it.  Do yourself a favor and don’t.  Let the film take you to this island and you will be glad you didn’t try to ‘beat the movie’ when it is all said and done.  I myself will be seeing this film again, and I know it will have new a meaning and resolve for me.  Don’t miss Scorsese’s latest, from every note of music to every frame of film and each performance, this picture brings a terrifying tale to screen that will stick in your mind for days.

4.5 Burned Matches Out Of 5

Related posts:

1. scorsese’s shutter island
2. Shutter Island is Scorcese’s Best Debut
3. shutter island pushed to february, riot time

My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.

So begins The Lovely Bones, based on the book of the same name.  The book that made Alice Sebold a literary sensation is being retold as a feature film at the hands of Peter Jackson.  Jackson of course is the genius behind such visionaries as Heavenly Creatures and Lord of the Rings.  His imagination knows no bounds and that again is as evident as ever with bones.  I have read the book a few times now as it quickly became one of my favourites.  It was like nothing I had read before and just made all the right moves in terms of originality and storytelling.  The film I am thankful to say does the same.  

The Lovely Bones centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family – and her killer – from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.  Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg and Oscar winners Rachel Weisz and Susan Sarandon star along with Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli and Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan.

Like LOTR, I’m sure that Jackson will come under fire for his portrayal of “the in-between”; a place made famous since the book.  Not quite heaven and not quite earth.  The book does a good job at describing this place but leaves the reader to make it look like whatever they want.  Tolkien made Middle Earth and when Jackson recreated it, everyone became a critic.  Lovely Bones looks amazing.  If you remember what heaven looked like in What Dreams May Come; then you know what some artists can do.  You have to see this to believe it; sometimes haunting and sometimes gorgeous, the in-between is near perfect and puts a face to the book.

You do not have to read the book to enjoy this movie, you can be assured there.  Read the book for the book and see this movie because you love movies.  My only qualm with this film is I wish I saw more of Susie after her death.  Saorise Ronan plays Susie with such innocence you are truly drawn to everything she says or does.  It’s short lived.  What might counter that is the performance by Stanley Tucci as killer George Harvey.  His mannerisms and eyes tell it all; his itch kills. 

Getting the itch...

The film opens with a scene with Susie’s dad played by Mark Wahlberg saying to her about a penguin in an snow globe above the TV;   ‘Don’t worry, Susie; he has a nice life. He’s trapped in a perfect world.  Susie’s father says this to her about the penguin when she worries about him. It turns out that she is right; small creatures, like herself, do get hurt when their world is turned upside down.  Welcome Lovely Bones to the short list of films that can take material and make it their own while still staying true to the source.  What a way to open the New Year.  [Trailer] 

4 out of 5 ships in a bottle

Related posts:

1. the lovely bones trailer (now with trailer!!)
2. Review: Shutter Island (2010)
3. Today’s Links

The movie’s plot sounds clichéd, and while the film is a lot of the time, the good news is that it’s not overwhelmed by it.  I found it bland and slow; the movie will win audiences with the charm of Mandela, but descends into a film about rugby.

Synopsis: INVICTUS tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar, to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon
Screenwriter: Anthony Peckham
Rated: PG-13
Release: Dec 11, 2009 Wide

Freeman’s performance as Mandela is sure to get the justified buzz for a best actor nomination, he looks and feels the part, and he really shines here. I believed every word he spoke and every gesture he made.  He was born for this role while Matt Damon really only plays a supporting role – or maybe I just found him forgettable in this movie.  The score also helps the film get your emotions rising; a terrific soundtrack of inspirational songs.  Sometimes it felt as if there should have been two different movies here. A sports movie and a political movie, but it focuses on both, and never really lives up to what it could have been.

Even though INVICTUS didn’t reach me like I thought it might, it is a good movie.  It is certainly well done, and had its heart in the right place.  It’s not Clint’s best, but deserves to be seen if not just for Freeman’s Mandela.

2 Rugby Balls Out Of 4

Invictus – by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
for my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance,
My head is bloodied, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll.
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

Related posts:

1. Review: Brothers (2009)
2. Review: Precious (2009)
3. Review: Ninja Assassin (2009)

I saw AVATAR this past weekend with no expectations.  Believe it or not, I stayed clear of a lot of hype – you might thank me for not posting a million stories on CoF about it.  This was my FIRST 3D movie; I was unaware of this non-option as well until the nice gal at the Box Office informed me it’s only in 3D.  So was it everything the internet world has said it is?  Yes.  Yes it is.  New technology had to be created to make this movie, James Cameron held out until it was invented.  The man has patience.  He’s told a story that isn’t from a comic, teen novel, or TV show.  This movie is why theater going will never die (so I hope).  There should be a lot of comparisons to Star Wars; Cameron has created just as Lucas did; a new world of exploration, characters and storytelling.  The movie going experience itself was nothing short of extraordinary and I would like to do it again.  This was the event of the year and the best way to send 2009 into history.

Synopsis:  Avatar is the story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people. More than ten years in the making, Avatar marks Cameron’s return to feature directing since helming 1997′s Titanic, the highest grossing film of all time and winner of eleven Oscars including Best Picture.

Rated: PG-13
Release: Dec 18th, 2009 Wide
Director: James Cameron
Screenwriter: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez

How many more adjectives can a person use to describe this film?  The world of Pandora is so immersive, so many creatures and attitudes from the natives, you wonder how their history has shaped them.  A history book for Avatar would be nice.  Pay attention to what James Cameron has done with his Avatar. This is the right way to create a 3D film experience and spend $400+million.  It was like seeing Jurassic Park as another example; you truly believe the world of Pandora does indeed exist like the Dinosaurs.  The characters and story are just as believable.  The movie is not without its problems.  Without spoilers I can say that there are times you are left confused as to how marine (Same Worthington) can be left in Pandora “sleeping”.  For months he and his bunkmates went undisturbed at bed time so he was never found out to be a human intruder?  I guess. 

I see you.

I am giving this movie a perfect score.  Sure the film has it flaws; it’s familiar story (turn on the news) and minor plot holes – but nothing deters yourself away from a brilliant movie.  The characters become important and you find yourself fill with a tense emotion during the final 20 minutes; a spectacular war scene that had many theater patrons gasping out load.  Certainly a movie to see and one of the best of the year; believe the hype.  Cameron is the king of the world again.

4 3D Cameron's out of 4

Related posts:

1. Cameron Talks Avatar Re-Release & Sequel
2. avatar trailer is here!
3. avatar just made a billion

I still see a young Spider-Man.  Sorry Tobey Maguire.  Although he brings maturity and depth to his role in BROTHERS, a part of me is waiting for him to say “with great power comes…” well you know.  Instead we get a lot of yelling and breaking of things, ah feels like home.

BROTHERS, the new home-from-the-war film has been made with obvious sincerity for the subject matter.  I did somewhat expect an anti-war movie, and it never felt that way.  I don’t support war by any means – and this movie didn’t cater to either side.  It is about the war at home.  War is hell and this movie shows some of the consequences.  Yet, with that major upside to the film, it still seems very unrealistic in terms of its characters.  Maguire, as young as he looks and sounds does bring that nervousness with him to the role and you feel it.  Director Sheridan and Maguire run things well here, running a line of tension through the film that explodes at the end; it really had people asking aloud “what’s going to happen.” (Ssshhh, watch and find out people!).

Rated: R for language and some disturbing violent content.

You talking to me? Well I'm the only one here.

Release: Dec 4, 2009
Synopsis: When a decorated Marine goes missing overseas, his black-sheep younger brother cares for his wife and children at home—with consequences that will shake the foundation of the entire family.  BROTHERS tells the powerful story of two siblings, thirty something Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) and younger brother Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal), who are polar opposites. A Marine about to embark on his fourth tour of duty, Sam is a steadfast family man married to his high school sweetheart, the aptly named Grace (Natalie Portman), with whom he has two young daughters (Bailee Madison, Taylor Grace Geare).
Starring: Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal
Director: Jim Sheridan
[IMDB] [Trailer]

The film felt mediocre.  Good writing combined with great performances can sometimes be enough to save a film; just too many missteps here.  What was satisfying to see was the two performances from the youngest actors in the movie (Bailee Madison, Taylor Grace Geare).  It was surreal at times – you would bet they didn’t even know there was a 40+ crew in front of them at all times, like a home video capturing innocence and awe in a child’s eyes; it was something to see.

Impressive female leads. (Bailee Madison, Natalie Portman, Taylor Geare)

Sheridan’s prior films have garnered 16 Academy Award nominations; he has personally been nominated six times, for writing the screenplay of IN AMERICA (one of my favorites of all time); for writing, directing, and producing the best-picture nominee IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER; and for writing and directing MY LEFT FOOT.  That is something to live up to, and he’s safe.  Brothers is good, but ultimately for me it just felt like material I had seen before, I think in an old Vietnam episode of The Wonder Years actually with “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield playing the the background.

The drama is there if you want it; tension builds like nothing else you might see this year, the movie doesn’t play safe with a one sided opinion on war or morals; it doesn’t even ask you to make your own – it’s a story told that left me wanting more – maybe that’s a good thing?

2 Army Duffle Bags out of 4

Related posts:

1. Review: Where The Wild Things Are (2009)
2. Review: Halloween II (2009)
3. Review: Avatar (2009)