Griff the Invisible

Question: Do you ever feel invisible? You are standing there, existing in the world but no one seems to notice you or how special you are? I am positive a lot of you think this way but there is at least one person who gets you and when that happens – all is right in your world.

An Australian film I just watched on Netflix, Griff the Invisible, touched on this subject. The movie stars Ryan Kwanten also known as Jason Stackhouse from TrueBlood speaking in his native Australian accent and playing a very different type of character. Anyway, he plays Griff, an introverted, awkward fellow who sees the world differently but who also lives in the world where no one really sees the true him. Um, not sure if I am describing it right…. The whole point of the film is that we all have our own perspectives on things but there are those rare few that no one understands and they become obsolete or unnoticeable to most.

Bottom line, Griff thinks he is a superhero put here to protect the innocent which in turn makes him want to hide from others so no one figures out his secret (mission). Okay, that’s enough detail of the story. Let’s talk overall picture.

Well, Griff the Invisible started off intriguing and with me wanting to know more about each character, specifically Griff. Ryan Kwanten was quite adorable as the awkward, unassuming chap who just wanted to do good deeds. He pulled off the innocence and detachment from the real world in a very convincing way. It was a big departure from his role on True Blood – the overly cocky yet not so smart character.

Another element that stood out in Griff the Invisible was the cinematography/art direction. There were not a lot of special effects in this film but just enough to keep the story on the fantastical side. Also, the use of a certain shade of yellow was splattered throughout the film. It caught my eye as I enjoy color theory and know that yellow is an intense color to grab people’s attention which is the opposite of what Griff wanted. It made me curious especially when the love interest wore the other two primary colors. 

Besides Ryan Kawnten and the visuals of the film, I finished the film with an unsatisfactory energy even though the ending made me smile. It started about halfway through the film, the story dulled and I found myself not really interested in the characters as much as I was in the beginning of the film. However, it was worth the viewing.

Directed & written by Leon Ford, Green Park Pictures, 2010.

Starring: Ryan Kwanten, Maeve Dermody, and Marshall Napier.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance.

My favorite thing: One character (Melody) had some great lines in it. Some made me giggle.

My least favorite thing: That the story wasn’t well-rounded, I suppose.

Rating: PG-13

Length: 90 minutes

Review: 5 out of 10

Here

Question: When was the last time you looked through the view finder of a camera and had to physically focus the lens? Depending on the type of lens (wide-angle, telephoto, fixed, marco or fish-eye) focusing on something can take some work, dedication. It could be the smallest detail or the expanse of sunset over the mountains and bringing it into focus is up for interpretation. The type of person who is looking through the lens and what they really want to view can affect what is seen. We all see things differently; interpret the world through our own lenses.

We go through this world [alone] observing, learning and deciphering what we see to make it fit into our viewpoints. However, there are moments in our lives when paths cross and we begin to see the world from a different perspective. Those are the moments truly worth living for because experiencing life with a different mindset is scary and exhilarating all at the same time.  That is living!

I just finished watching a film on Netflix: Here. The film stars Ben Foster and Lubna Azabal with narration by Peter Coyote. The two main characters represent how people see and live in the world oppositely from the other. Ben Foster is a cartographer; his livelihood depends on precision and measurement – an exact science to viewing the world. While Lubna Azabal plays an art photographer who looks through a lens to see beauty of vastness uncertainty. She can still see a detail but is always just a part of something grander.

The story tells the time when these two meet in Armenia. He is American and she is an expatriate from Armenia. The film is catagorized as a romance and drama but to me the story was a slice of life when two strangers meet and experience life together.  There isn’t a lot to tell about the story in Here and I wouldn’t talk about it anyway. However, there are suggestions, hints or it could just be my over-active imagination always seeking for nuances in film. It kept me engaged despite being a relatively slow paced story. I don’t particularly like saying “slow paced” because I fear that might turn some off. Don’t worry, Here is worth watching/experiencing.

The acting by the two leads was authentic to the core. It never felt rehearsed or improvised with the actors being told – “act this way, or pretend that…” Ben Foster portrayed a quiet fellow with something hidden that I wanted to figure out. Lubna Azabal also intrigued me with her ambiguity. Did I ever find out? Not going to say as you should find out for yourselves. Nonetheless, Here displayed two opposing viewpoints of the world and how they comingle for a brief time. Precision vs. indefinite; Science vs. art; Control vs. freedom.

One thing I will mention about the film: there are stunning views of Armenia. I am not very familiar with that particular country and it was a pleasure to view the countryside, cities and one specific area that I want to go to someday. It was breathtaking. And the score was perfectly juxtaposed with the softness and subtly of the story. Lovely.

My favorite thing: One specific speech that Ben Foster gives. And the narration between the acts gave even more depth to the story of the two opposing modes of thought. Brilliant. Oh, there is one more thing - at the very end - a gift left for her.

My least favorite thing: Someone got sick and I have a weak stomach – just can’t handle that.

Directed by Braden King, Truckstop Media, 2011

Written by Lars Kundsen & Braden King.

Starring: Ben Foster, Lubna Azabal and Peter Coyote.

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Romance

Rating: NR

Length: 126 minutes

Review: 7 out of 10


*Photo courtesy of Strand Releasing

Preview: Compliance

I keep reading and hearing about the new indie film, Compliance. So, I finally took a look at the trailer. WOW! This one is based on true events and bizarre ones to boot. Many seem to believe that this couldn't actually happen. I suppose it made some uncomfortable. Who knows?

Genre: Drama, thriller

Written and directed by Craig Zobel. Due out August 2012.

People Like Us

Question: Do you ever go into a movie, you like it at first, then something happens that you can’t quite put your finger on, but something is just off? A semi-bad feeling hazes over your opinion of the film, and you hope it gets to the point or something because you are losing interest, and fast. However, you stay in the theatre and continue on hoping it will get better. It finally finishes and you sink deeper into the seat, perplexed at what the filmmakers were thinking. And then you realize you just didn’t like the film. Honestly, I hate it when that happens and it happened with People Like Us.

I am still confused about the movie. It did start off well. Chris Pine plays a salesman, of sorts. He’s a fast talking, smooth dude who can charm anyone to do business with him. I liked his character immediately. Then we meet Jon Favreau, his boss, and they have a funny conversation and I relax into the story.  All is good and then the pace slowed down and never quite picked back up.

Bottom line, the story is about one particular family, how the children were raised, death of a parent, not really knowing what certain family members did or did not do, and being bitter about it all. I had no problem with all that. Many films take on the "family misunderstood" theme and can tell a heart-warming story with decent resolutions. However, in People Like Us, the filmmakers kept trying to tug at the heartstrings and it became redundant. By the middle of the movie, I was bored and a little annoyed but I stuck it out. Unfortunately, the movie never got back to an authentic voice and I just didn’t care for it.

Most of the acting was appropriate to the story-line, I think. Chris Pine did a fine job with his character, but there was something off with Michelle Pfeiffer’s character or the way she played it. She portrays Chris Pine’s mother and most of her scenes were with her son. The mother/son relationship, although strained, was just hard to comprehend. I am still unclear how a mother could treat a son, even a selfish one like him, with such disdain, or what I took as disdain. See, I am still confused. I know family members don’t get along, for whatever reason, but the “reason” for all the strife in the family in People Like Us was bland and unendearing.

Elizabeth Banks was also in the film and she did a good job with what she was given. As I have said in past reviews, she normally takes on comedy roles, but her dramatic side is getting quite good. I think I understood her character the most. I won't say why but to hint at motherhood isn't an easy deal, so I could relate to some of her responses. However, her connection to the others in the film just pushed the over abundance of forced dilemmas in People Like Us to bore me.

Directed (and co-written) by Alex Kurtzman, DreamWorks SKG, 2012.

Starring: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jon Favreau, and Olivia Wilde.

Genre: Drama

My favorite thing about the film: The scene between John Favreau and Chris Pine in the beginning.

My least favorite part: The mother/son relationship. Plus, part of it reminded me of Rain Man. I just wanted something more original, I suppose.

Rating: PG-13
Length: 115 minutes

Review: 3 out of 10

Preview: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

I don't do this very often, but I had to share a preview of a film I just saw at the theatre: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World . Stars Steve Carrell Keira Knightley.

The story is unique, touching, funny and inspirational.


 My review will be out soon but don't miss this film.

Updated: My review

Preview: Safety Not Guaranteed

A few weeks ago I saw an indie film in the theatre. Now this is the only time I usually pay attention to the previews before the movie because indie films previews are shown then. Usually I have to hunt down indie films to view; however, I caught this trailer and just had to share it. Safety Not Guaranteed  


From the producers of Little Miss Sunshine. The film is certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with 89%. It should be in select theatres now. Go find it!

UPDATE: Movie review of Safety Not Guaranteed


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Snow White and the Huntsman

Question: Are you tired of Hollywood beating a storyline to death? Or when one studio gets the idea to do a film and miraculously another studio ends up making a film about a very similar tale. How does that seem to happen so often?

Case in point: Antz / A Bug’s Life, Tombstone / Wyatt Earp, Capote / Infamous and now there are a couple versions of the Snow White fairytale with Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman (and I have read there is another one coming out next year, yes really).

Well, if you don’t know, I saw Mirror Mirror (PG) and reviewed it. It was not my favorite film of the year. In fact, I thought it was far from a good movie; and even my children, who I believe were the intended audience for the film, thought the same. However, since it was so bad it made me want to see Snow White and the Huntsman just for comparison. That is a first for me, having a poor interpretation making me want to see another.

Now, let me say right now and get it out of the way. Yes, I understand everyone who says that they can’t see why Kristen Stewart, who portrays Snow White, is as beautiful or more when compared to Charlize Theron, the Evil Queen. Who the fairest is, if you just want to compare face to face, there is no contest. However, I always interpreted Snow White's tale as morality lesson about vanity. It's Snow White’s heart – her moral compass – that is pure and the beauty within mixed with her outer beauty far exceeds anyone whose  motives are to be powerful over all or be the most beautiful. Internally, those types are the most hideous and far, far from fair no matter how perfectly proportion their face is.

Also, I do think some people out there, who are not fans of the Twilight saga, might be a bit prejudicial against Kristen Stewart and avoiding her other work on purpose. That is a shame. I personally think she is decent actress. But despite whether the actress is good-looking or not, I understand not liking actors. However, I am the opposite. I see films based solely on certain actors being in them, so I must accept others will not see films for the same reason. Nonetheless, it’s a shame to let dislikes stop anyone from seeing future films but the saying goes, “to each his own”.

So, with all that said, what did I think of this film? Well, it started off with Chris Hemsworth, as the Huntsman, with soft Scottish accent narrating the film. I smiled and eased right into the story. The Snow White tale in Snow White and the Huntsman is far darker than that of Mirror Mirror and it is nothing like the Disney animated movie from the 30’s, which I grew up watching, either. That didn't appear to bother me one bit. I was entertained throughout, much to my surprise.

So, all-in-all, I liked the movie. It was visually stunning. Although the weather and overall tone of the film was dark and dreary, the special effects in this movie were spectacular, and that kept my interest. Most of the special effects surrounded the Evil Queen, but there was one specific trick that was done so well in Snow White and the Huntsman that I was blown away thinking, "How did they do that and make it look so real?". I could go on and on about details that drew me in and kept my focus on the film, even though I knew what was going to happen, I will let you all experience the film for yourselves. This Hollywood version is worth the ticket.

Note: This film is not for the little ones - note the rating below. There is a lot of violence in this version and it could be a bit scary for young children.

My favorite part: The seven dwarfs - you will just have to see why.

My least favorite part: Everyone had some sort of British accent that kept going in and out, although it wasn't too distracting.

Directed by Rupert Sanders, Universal Pictures, 2012

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Sam Claflin, Sam Spruell, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, and Nick Frost.  
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama.

Rating: PG-13
Length: 124 minutes

Review: 7 out of 10


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Preview: The Good Doctor

Well, it's been awhile since we've seen Orlando Bloom....he's back; and from the looks of this trailer in what appears to be a very different role than what we may be used to. The Good Doctor. 

On Demand in July 2012
In theatres August, 2012.

Website for The Good Doctor:
Facebook fanpage 


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Preview: Killer Joe

There are a few things that intrigue me when I go looking for a movie to put on my list. Sometimes it's actors, sometimes it's the story and sometimes it's what others say about a film. Found one today that I think is going on my list. Killer Joe. It's not often I see a NC-17 rating and read the words disturbing and funny all in the same sentence. Then you add Thriller (my favorite genre). I am so in.

Now, I will admit I didn't watch the whole preview...it seemed to show a bit too much for my taste, which is very critical, as you know. But here you go. Due out this summer.

Stars Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsh, Thomas Hayden Church and Gina Gershon.


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