Fanboys

© 2009 Ray Wong

p0

Once in a while there comes a movie that is aimed at the nerds, geeks and unpopular kids in all of us. Superbad achieves huge success by going for the sex. In many ways, Fanboys is a purer and better film.

p1Eric (Sam Huntington), Linus (Chris Marquette), Hutch (Dan Fogler) and Windows (Jay Baruchel) are four high school best friends who share the love of Star Wars and everything geek-like (except Star Trek -- they despise it). But Eric abandoned the group for three years while trying to impress his father, a car salesman, by working at his dealership. When Eric knows about Linus's illness, he decides to rekindle the friendship. They decide to fulfill their high school dream by driving cross-country to the Skywalker Ranch, this time to steal a rough cut of the new Star War prequel George Lucas has been working on (The Phantom Menace). If they succeed, they will live on forever as fanboy legends.

p2It so happens that Windows hooks up, online, with a woman who has insider information and access to the ranch. Armed with that connection, the group sets off on a three-day trek. On the way, of course they encounter the bizarre and weird. A few twists prompt Zoe (Kristen Bell), "one of the guys" who works at Windows's comic bookstore, to rescue them, then join them on the adventure.

p3The best friends are played with great chemistry by Sam Hutington (Looking Up Dresses) as the reluctant Eric, Chris Marquette (The Invisible) as the boy with the dying wish, Dan Fogler (Balls of Fury) as the disgusting Hutch, and Jay Baruchel (Knocked Up) as the nerd's nerd. These actors are not well-known (with Fogler and Baruchel being the most recognizable) but that works very well and gives the film a bit more authenticity. These four guys really do seem like best friends, however different they are.

p4In comparison, Kristen Bell (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) stands out not only because she's the most recognizable star (through no fault of hers -- she made Fanboys before she did Sarah Marshall and Heroes), but also because she is too pretty and girlish to play "one of the guys" type of fangirl. Plus her eventual relationship with the awkward Windows is rather a fanboy's fantasy come true. Still, she does a good job and seems to have fun with the offbeat role.

p5The film also boasts wonderful cameos that would make the true fanboys scream. They include William Shatner playing himself, Seth Rogen, Carrie Fisher, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, and Billy Dee Williams.

p6Written by Ernest Cline, Adam F. Goldberg (Daddy Day Camp), and Dan Pulick, the script is uneven and offers a rather conventional approach to the buddy road trip genre. The premise, however, shows their real love and respect for geekdom. The screenplay is chockfull of trivia that only the true fanboys and fangirls would know. There's also a genuine energy which you will understand if you've ever been a geek. They also play the Star Wars vs. Star Trek card with great humor (if a bit over-the-top; but that's why this is a comedy).

p7There are, of course, flaws and dull moments, or jokes and situations that don't really work. The eventual romance between Windows and Zoe feels obligatory and forced, and totally unnecessary. The situations and dialogue sometimes feel trite and too over the top.

p8What is surprising, though, is the heart in the film. The four best friends, and the girl who tags along, truly show chemistry and it feels like they really do care about each other, even as they bicker and make fun of each other. The screenwriters nail it when they depict the social ineptness of these characters. There are some profound moments as well, and the ending is surprisingly emotional and poignant.

Director Kyle Newman (Drone) mostly gets out of the way and lets the story tell itself and the actors do their thing. The result is a run-of-the-mill direction but good enough to support the source material without calling attention to itself. Newman is able to keep up the pace, and give enough time for character development. We end up really liking these characters and caring about them, which lead to a very satisfying, though predictable and cliched ending. Still, if you've been a true fanboy or fangirl, you'd appreciate it. Newman shows a genuine appreciation of the story and the characters' sentiments.

I went to the movie not having a lot of expectations. After all, I've seen enough road trips and geek-love. But this really surprises me, and leaves me with certain glee that reminds me, maybe, deep down I'm just a closet fanboy!

Stars: Sam Huntington, Chris Marquette, Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel, Kristen Bell
Director: Kyle Newman
Writers: Ernest Cline, Adam F. Goldberg, Dan Pulick
Distributor: Weinstein Company
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for pervasive crude and sexual material, language and drug use
Running Time: 90 Minutes

Ratings:

Script – 7
Performance – 7
Direction – 7
Cinematography – 6
Music/Sound– 7
Editing – 8
Production – 7

Total – 7.5 out of 10

The International

© 2009 Ray Wong

p0

Whether it's foresight or luck, The International touches on a timely subject that is on everyone's mind right now -- the banking industry and their dealings -- but give it a significant, if not downright far-fetched twist.

p1Interpol agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) is working on a case with New York DA office on a possible lead that may expose a major international bank for certain organized crimes. When the New York officer is murdered, Salinger tries to find out who exactly is behind the conspiracy by working with DA Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts).

p2Their investigation leads them to IBBC, the fourth largest bank in the world. Apparently, IBBC is buying and selling arms to terrorists. As one character explains to Salinger and Whitman, the banks are not interested in money, but debts -- whoever controls the debts control the world. And in order to carry out their missions, IBBC, headed by Jonas Skarssen (Ulrich Thomsen), would stop at nothing including assassination. In order to get the evidence they need, Salinger must track down the assassin, who will provide the direct link back to Skarssen and IBBC.

p3Clive Owen (Elizabeth: The Golden Age) has always been an intense but charming leading man. Here, he's practically reprising his role in Children Of Men. As agent Salinger, Owen is meticulous, stubborn, determined and, at times, ruthless. He also has a personal vendetta against IBBC, fueled by his conviction to find the people who killed his friends and colleagues. Owen has the role down-pat with his intensity as well as vulnerability.

p4Naomi Watts (King Kong), despite her co-star billing, has actually a relative small role here. She plays Whitman with great concentration and authority, but the subplot involving her lacks certain gravitas and drama. It's, basically, Owen's story and Watts is just a supporting character. The huge supporting cast also includes Armin Mueller-Stahl (Eastern Promises) who can play that kind of "wise old communist" roles with his eyes closed. However, his strong accent is very hard to understand -- I wish he would just ease up on that. Danish actor Ulrich Thomsen (Hitman) is very good as the mastermind behind everything -- he's able to give us a glimpse of his humanity despite the horrendous actions he takes. Brian F. O'Byrne (No Reservation) is excellent as "The Consultant" and he appears with bravado in one of the film's most thrilling sequences.

p5Written by new scribe Eric Singer, the script is taut with tension and filled with very interesting twists that actually make sense. Oftentimes in thrillers, logic takes a back seat to action and thrills. Fortunately, Singer is able to give us something intelligent, logical and thrilling at the same time. The first act is filled with suspense, and mysteries that would make any espionage fans happy. The second act drags somewhat as it becomes bogged down with police procedures and a wild goose chase and predictable outcomes. That said, there are some really interesting twists, and again, Singer is able to present them with logic and intelligence. The third act takes an unexpected turn, leading to an ambiguous ending that is both appropriate and thought-provoking. We all know terrorists are financially well-funded; so the question is: who really are funding them? And for what reasons?

p6German director Tom Tykwer (Paris, je t'aime) is excellent in keeping the tension taut in this political suspense-thriller. The pace is brisk, and the execution slick. Tykwer also succeeds in keeping the focus on Owen's character and not letting the complex plot and large cast from distracting the story. Occasionally, the point of view switches to the IBBC guys and somehow the film loses steam there. Ultimately, these weasels are simply not that interesting compared to Salinger. I am, however, surprised that IBBC doesn't just off Salinger -- they could easily do that, but then there would be no story, I suppose. That minor implausibility aside, the film is filled with intense moments and excellent twists, including an extended action sequence staged at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. It's thrilling, intense, and simply jolly good entertainment.

p7All in all, The International is an excellent thriller built on a very timely topic. It's thought-provoking, especially in its final contemplation: How much do we really know what our financial institutions are doing? And who's going to stop them? That gives this entertaining film the weight of international relevancy.

p8

Stars: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, Brian F. O'Byrne, Alessandro Fabrizi, Felix Solis, Jack McGee
Director: Tom Tykwer
Writer: Eric Singer
Distributor: Columbia
MPAA Rating: R for violence and language
Running Time: 118 Minutes

Ratings:

Script – 8
Performance – 8
Direction – 7
Cinematography – 7
Music/Sound– 7
Editing – 8
Production – 8

Total – 7.8 out of 10

Last Chance Harvey

© 2009 Ray Wong

p0

There have not been a lot of romance about middle-aged people. The last one I remember was Something's Gotta Give (2003). It's refreshing to see a gentle love story starring two of our best actors.

p1Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) is a grouchy jingle writer who is seen as a dinosaur by his peers. He's being phased out by his company because they think he's out of touch and quite an embarrassment. He's going to London to attend his daughter's wedding, but he can't wait to get back to work immediately to show his boss that he's still in the game. Upon arriving in London, he feels out of place and ostracized by his own family, including ex-wife Jean (Kathy Baker), her new husband Brian (James Brolin), and estranged daughter Susan (Liane Balaban).

p2Harvey decides to cut the trip short and skip the wedding reception. But he misses his plane and ultimately gets fired over the phone. There, as he feels like he's hit bottom, he meets airport employee Kate (Emma Thompson). Kate is a lonely single woman whose life seems to revolve around her lonely, widowed mother (Eileen Atkins) and getting set up on lousy blind dates. At first, she is cold to Harvey but eventually the two hit it off. Harvey, perhaps feeling he has nothing to lose, pursues Kate despite her hesitation.

p3Dustin Hoffman (Mr. Magorium's Wonderful Emporium) and Emma Thompson (Brideshead Revisited) reunite in this romantic drama after their successful pairing in the surreal Stranger than Fiction. It's excellent to see both veteran actors at top form. Mr. Hoffman is expertly self-effacing, sad, curmudgeonly, and genuine. We clearly see a man rather lost with himself and his life and his past mistakes, and Hoffman's performance is nuanced and touching. He's able to portray an ass without being an ass about it.

p4Likewise, Ms. Thompson is expertly vulnerable, gentle and sad. There's one scene during her blind date in which she displays a whole range of emotions without uttering one word. It shows us her remarkable talent and skills as an actress. She and Hoffman also have excellent on-screen chemistry together. You almost believe they're a real couple.

p5The supporting cast is mostly background players while the focus is almost always on Hoffman and Thompson. They've done a good job, especially Eileen Atkins (Evening) as Kate's neurotic mother and Kathy Baker (The Jane Austen Book Club) as Harvey's estranged ex-wife. Both actresses help ground the film by giving the central characters unique relationships. In particular, the codependent relationship between Kate and her mother is realistically funny and sad at the same time. Richard Schiff (Martian Child) has a small and unsympathetic role as Harvey's boss. James Brolin (Mysterious) is mostly minor as the man who replaces Harvey in his daughter's life, and Liane Balaban (Beware of Dog) is beautifully conflicted as the estranged daughter.

p6Written and directed by Joel Hopkins (Jorge), the story is simple and straightforward. There's really nothing earthshakingly new here, just a simple boy-meets-girl story involving two lonely middle-aged people. However, the screenplay is filled with insightful nuances and observations, and witty dialogue that feels genuine and real. The relationships, especially between the two protagonists and their immediate families, feels authentic as well. The script is full of delightful moments, dialogue and genuine sentiments. It's definitely a feel-good movie.

p7The only thing I find puzzling is that Harvey's family, including his daughter, seems rather cruel and cold-hearted when it comes to his involvement in the wedding. Yes, we know he's been estranged from them, but the script doesn't give us enough background to understand how things got to that point. He is, after all, still the bride's father. There's a missed opportunity when Harvey and Jean have a heart-to-heart chat, but we're left with just a passing remark of why things didn't work out between them.

p8There are also a few trite moments that I feel is a bit forced as far as the plot is concerned. They're also rather predictable, thus losing their effectiveness in an otherwise sweet, fun little film. Hopkins direction is very straightforward; he mainly stays out of the way and allows his actors do their job.

Last Chance Harvey is a very small film with big stars. There's nothing really new here, but what transpires is a sweet film that offers keen observations about human relationships. It is a little film that shows a lot of heart. And it's awesome to see Hoffman and Thompson flexing their dramatic muscles in something quiet and nuanced. They're superb. If you haven't seen this lovely September-September romance yet, this may be your last chance.



Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Eileen Atkins, Kathy Baker, Liane Balaban, James Brolin, Richard Schiff
Director: Joel Hopkins
Writers: Joel Hopkins
Distributor: Overture
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language
Running Time: 92 Minutes

Ratings:

Script – 8
Performance – 9
Direction – 7
Cinematography – 7
Music/Sound– 8
Editing – 7
Production – 7

Total – 7.8 out of 10

He's Just Not That Into You

© 2009 Ray Wong

p0

Part of the problem with chick flicks or romantic comedies that focus on the dynamics of relationships is exactly that: they focus too much on the boy-meet-girl story and become too touchy feely for the guys to enjoy. He's Just Not That Into You, refreshingly, offers something a little different.

p1Based on a popular nonfiction self-help book, the story follows a group of strangers (and some friends) who meet, date, hook up, break up, or must meander through the minefield of relationships. Neil (Ben Affleck) and Beth (Jennifer Aniston) seem to be a very happy couple, having been together for seven years, but Neil will not marry Beth, much to her frustration. Anna (Scarlett Jonansson) meets perfect guy Ben (Bradley Cooper) who is happily married to Janine (Jennifer Connelly). Meanwhile, Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) is obsessed with a one-time date, Conor (Kevin Connolly). But Conor is hung up on Anna, with whom he had a fling. At the same time, Anna's friend Mary (Drew Barrymore) is having a lot of problem meeting guys -- most of them just want to sleep with her.

p2Eventually, Beth breaks up with Neil because she feels she can't waste her life on someone who won't marry her even after she's pleaded. On the other side of town, despite Ben's resistance, he can't ignore his mutual attraction with Anna and they end up having an affair. Meanwhile, Janine suspects that Ben is lying to her -- not about his extramarital activities, but something else. After Gigi fails to stalk Conor, his friend Alex (Justin Long) ends up mentoring her on the fine art of dating. And poor old Mary is still having trouble meeting quality guys.

p3The huge ensemble cast is all excellent in their respective roles. Ben Affleck (Hollywoodland) has matured as an actor. His portrayal of Neil is sincere and subtle, devoid of his usual smugness. Jennifer Aniston (Marley and Me) is playing herself again, but she's very good at it, and the role fits her like a glove. Drew Barrymore (Beverly Hills Chihuahua) has a relatively small role (even in such an ensemble cast) but she does a good job with it. Jennifer Connelly (The Day the World Stood Still) also plays to type as a control-freak wife, reminding me of another Jennifer (Garner) is Juno.

p4Kevin Connolly (The Notebook) is the least convincing of the bunch -- he just comes across as slight. Perhaps it's how his character is written. Ginnifer Goodwin (Walk the Line), on the other hand, is hilariously affecting as Gigi, the girl who's "all screwed up" about relationships. She gives one of the film's most spirited performances. Bradley Cooper (Yes Man) and Scarlett Johansson (The Spirit) look great together and, in another film, we would have rooted for them. But as a couple of cheating lovebirds, it's rather difficult to wish them luck. Last by not least, Justin Long (Zack and Miri Made a Porno) is aptly confident as the womanizing Alex. He's not really how I'd picture the character, but Long does a very good job convincing us.

p5Writers Abby Kohn (Opposite Sex) and Marc Silverstein (Opposite Sex) take the themes of the best-selling book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo and wrap a complete story around them. They've done a great job weaving the complex web of connections among ten or twelve main characters without confusing the audience. Each character also gets their fair share of development, depth, and plot. The dialogue is snappy and witty, and the characters in general are very endearing, even with their flaws and mistakes. You see, they're not bad people, but they just do what they do in the game of love, much like everyone else.

p6In fact, that's the true strength of the script -- wrapping a humorous story around some truism. Sometimes you can't help but laugh out loud because you know it is so true. If you can't laugh at life, what can you? It's not to say the story or plot is without its incredulous moments. Some of it seems forced and a bit "wishful thinking." It kind of takes away from the story because it's supposed to be based on some realistic understanding of how relationships work. But these minor hiccups aside, the script is tight and easy to follow (even with its huge cast and multiple plot threads).

p7Director Ken Kwapis (Licensed to Wed) is effective in that he's able to connect all the dots without confusing the audience. He moves smoothly between the different plot lines, following the different characters and offering clear transitions and interactions. Nothing comes out at us; nothing says, "hey, look, I'm a good director" but that's the strength and restraint of Mr. Kwapis's direction. The editing is also very smooth and effective in weaving the different stories together, culminating in a satisfying, almost contemplative ending. Baltimore never looks so good on film, but I have a hard time believing it's not Los Angeles in disguise.

p8He's Just Not That Into You is not your regular chick flick. The fact that the book as well as the script were written teams of both men and women, the movie offers a balanced and rounded look at relationships from the perspective of both sexes. It's never condescending or pretends to know everything. But it gives us such true insight into the joy and pitfalls as we all navigate through the confusing maze of love. It's a romantic comedy a cut above the rest, and honestly, I'm quite into it.


Stars: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long
Director: Ken Kwapis
Writers: Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein (based on book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo)
Distributor: New Line
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and brief strong language
Running Time: 129 Minutes

Ratings:

Script – 8
Performance – 8
Direction – 8
Cinematography – 7
Music/Sound– 8
Editing – 9
Production – 7

Total – 8 out of 10