Author Archives: Keith Garlington

Your Voices: On Superhero Movies

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your-voices

Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It works like this: I throw out a certain topic and I’ll take time to make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let fellow readers and moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day!

SUPER BATS

Lately there has been a lot of buzz regarding the oversaturation of superhero/comic book movies. Many people are starting to experience superhero fatigue thanks to the annual four or five films that hit theaters. It has really been an amazing thing to watch and no one at Marvel or DC could have anticipated these franchises to be so popular or so lucrative. But have they worn out their welcome? Are they becoming too routine and tiresome? Many moviegoers are beginning to think so.

Personally I’m not to that point yet mainly because most of the films we are getting have been good movies. They have been well made, well written, and a ton of fun. And while I understand the philosophy behind the fatigue, ultimately we are talking four or five movies a year out of over a hundred that hit theaters. That is a big number compared to other projects, but when it is considered as a genre, we get no more of them than we do raunchy comedies, rom-coms, etc. Could comic book films step outside of their obvious formula? Absolutely! But I’m still having a good time with them.

But my personal attachment to these characters could be slanting my position. I grew up reading comic books and I have a long and loving history with Batman, Captain America, and their fellow super-powered heroes and villains. That is why I think I am enjoying them still. They have been treated well on the big screen and that has translated well with me. But what about those who don’t have such a connection to them? Could their time have come and their welcome worn out?

YOUR VOICES: Are you still enjoying the annual superhero movies?

Now it’s time for Your Voices. With so many superhero movies to consider are you still having fun with them? Why do you like them? If you don’t, why do you dislike them and what could make them better? Please share Your Voices on today’s question. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

REVIEW: “Guardians of the Galaxy”

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Guardians poster

I don’t know if anyone expected Marvel’s cinematic universe to be the humongous global success that it has become. The comic book giant’s first wave of films brought most of its heavy hitters to the big screen and millions of people to the theaters to watch them. Most critics have responded positively to these films while also showing signs of growing weary of them. But Marvel has started their second wave of movies which will feature some of their more obscure characters. “Guardians of the Galaxy” is one such film and I truly felt Marvel was overreaching. But an over $90 million opening weekend proved me wrong. But as the Transformers franchise has proven, a big box office take doesn’t always represent the quality of the movie.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” is a very different installment into Marvel’s movie world. It stands apart in a variety of ways including its tone, its setting, and the characters it brings to the table. It’s overall different feel may have been one of the things that has attracted audiences to it. That being said, it won’t take you long to recognize some pretty familiar plot points wrapped in the film’s shiny, CGI-heavy packaging.

At its core “Guardians of the Galaxy” is a story that you’ve seen before. A ragtag group of misfits must overcome their criminal pasts and personal animosities and join together to quell a cosmic threat. It’s that basic and you can see many of the plot angles coming a mile away. But for me a familiar story can be overcome if its centered around good characters. As luck would have it, good characters are one of the film’s greater strengths.

Guardians 1

Chris Pratt continues to deservedly catch people’s attention. Here he buffs up but maintains that lovable goofiness that seems inherent in every character he portrays. He plays a petty space pirate named Peter Quill, a.k.a.Star-Lord. After swiping a mysterious orb, he finds himself being pursued by the henchman of an alien fanatic known as Ronan (Lee Pace). Ronan has made a deal with the ominous Thanos (Josh Brolin) to retrieve the orb in exchange for power to destroy a rival planet.

Peter gets in way over his head and as his circumstances worsen he finds himself joined by a raccoon bounty hunter named Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and his tree sidekick Groot (Vin Diesel), an alien assassin named Gamora (Zoe Saldana,), and a revenge-fueled warrior named Drax (Dave Bautista). The dysfunctional team begin working together each for their own personal reasons, but as you can probably guess, a proper bond begins to form between them as things move along.

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For me the characters are what anchors this film. Each are unique in their own way and each contribute to the undeniable personality of the movie. There are times when the script does them no favors. There are some corny lines and there are times when the jokes fall flat or feel forced. But there are other times where the chemistry between the characters and between the performers just clicks. These are the moments when the jokes work and the camaraderie is entertaining. I also loved the 70s and 80s culture references sprinkled throughout the film. I did find myself wanting more in terms of backstory from the group (aside from Peter). I also thought Ronan, while extremely cool, was an incredibly bland villain who won’t be remembered past the end credits. But ultimately I liked the characters and am interested enough to see them together again (something that is certain to happen).

The effects and makeup are genuinely good particularly with Rocket and Groot as well as the host of alien side characters three of which are played by Djimon Houndou, Karen Gillan, and one of my favorite character actors Michael Rooker. I do wish Marvel would shake up their standard formula for big action endings. It seems that every film ends with a huge 20 minute CGI blowout that leans more on chaos than coherency. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that the ending of “Guardians” doesn’t work. It just felt a bit generic and almost what I’m starting to expect out of every Marvel movie.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” marks Marvel’s first real foray into their rich cosmic universe. It is in the same universe as the other Marvel pictures yet it feels strikingly different. That is part of the charm the movie possesses. It aims to be unique and features characters that I’m not that familiar with. But how that unfamiliarity influenced my response to the movie compared to other Marvel films is hard to figure out. In fact my response to the film as a whole may seem confusing. There are some glaring flaws and shortcomings but at the same time I was entertained enough through the film’s 2 hours. In that respect “Guardians of the Galaxy” is a success. Yet I can’t seem to shake the feeling that it just barely missed true greatness.

VERDICT – 3 STARS

The Public Movie Defender – “Clash of the Titans” (2010)

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MOVIE DEFENDER

The idea behind The Public Movie Defender is to take up the cause of a particular movie that I believe is better than the majority of reviews it has received. These are movies which I feel are worth either a second look or at least a more open examination considering the predominantly negative opinions of them. The films chosen are ones that I like so therefore I’m taking their case and defending them before the court of negative opinion. Let the trial begin…

DEFENDANT #3 – “Clash of the Titans” (2010)

CLASH POSTERWhen I first came up with the idea for this fun little thing called The Public Movie Defender there were several movies that immediately came to mind for inclusion. Some are personal favorites that I am deeply passionate about and others are simply movies that I feel are good yet that get pounded a bit unfairly. Some aren’t that difficult to defend while others are a REALLY hard sell. 2010’s remake of “Clash of the Titans” is one of those hard sells. And while I wouldn’t categorize it as a personal favorite, I do think it’s a good movie that doesn’t deserve the level of disdain it has received.

“Clash of the Titans” had its work cut out for it. It’s a remake of a cult classic from 1981 that featured a wonderful fantasy adventure as well as the final work of stop-motion special effects master Ray Harryhausen. This time advanced makeup and a ton of CGI would serve to bring the world to life and that in itself was quite the task. While my deep affection for Harryhausen’s brilliance trumps the new computer effects, this “Clash of the Titans” features some fantastic effects that easily overshadows the few visual hiccups that we get.

And then there’s the story. There were two different approaches that the remake could have taken. The film could have taken a grittier and more serious look at the material or it could try and capture many of the nostalgic elements of the original. By that I mean the over-the-top language, the massive cheese, the classic fantasy movie plot dynamics. The filmmakers made a deliberate choice to modernize the story a bit but also tip their hat and incorporate a lot of these late 1970’s and 1980’s approaches to fantasy storytelling.

CLash 1

I think this is what alienated some people. I think this clashed with people’s familiarity with modern filmmaking and current cinematic storytelling that we get today. Personally I ate it up. The stilted and uber cheesy dialogue along with several old school plot mechanics brought back memories of the “Sinbad” films, “Ice Pirates”, “Conan”, and “Kull”. These are films that I grew up watching and I clearly see how the movie uses and embraces them. The great actors Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes ham it up as Zeus and Hades. Are they cheesy? Yes, more so than a pizza. But they are supposed to be. I completely understand if that doesn’t work for some people, but I don’t see it as a deep flaw in the movie itself. I responded to it with a nostalgic smile and appreciation.

Now it’s not like everything in the movie imitates the original. A tightly shorn Sam Worthington replaces a mop headed Harry Hamlin as Perseus. Some have had issue with Worthington’s character and performance. Not me. I like this grittier and more solemn turn. Considering all that his character faces I can understand him being a bit angry and coarse. I think Worthington brings a toughness and physicality to the role that I welcomed. Add to that an interesting and fun supporting cast of traditional survival-fantasy characters (again a tip of the hat to those old-school flicks). None are better than the great Mads Mikkelsen as the gruff and tough Draco, captain of the King’s Guard.

Clash of the Titans

The movie features the classic fantasy tale. A quest is in place which takes Perseus and crew on a ‘who will survive’ adventure. Along the way they face threats such as witches, Medusa, and of course giant scorpions. And what a scene it is when the giant scorpions appear. Incredible visuals and a beautifully filmed sequence. And then there’s the Kraken. There’s perhaps nothing in this film ridiculed more than Liam Neeson’s command to “Release the Kraken”. And while I wouldn’t call it the equivalent of a great thespian’s oration, it’s not that bad of a line. Sure it’s absolute cheese, but the mockery was really fueled by the the line’s use in the trailers and TV spots. The Kraken itself looks cool and Neeson’s over-the-top unleashing fits in perfectly.

I believe that your opinion of this film will be dictated by expectations and preferences. It’s worth recognizing what the filmmakers are doing and the type of movie they’re making. I think they set a cool nostalgic target and hit it dead center. Now to be clear, I’m not saying this is a perfect film. But I really like what they did. It took me right back to those movies that I would lay in the floor and watch on Saturday afternoons. That made this a fun and entertaining experience and when considering the film in that light I see it as a success. The sequel was a massive disappointment, but for my money “Clash of the Titans” was a blast.

VERDICT: “CLASH OF THE TITANS” – 4 STARS

5 Phenomenal Movie Music Themes That Everyone Knows

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movie_theatre - Phenom 5

I don’t think any fellow die-hard cinema fan would argue that music plays a tremendous part in successful movies. Today I’m taking time to focus on the music in movies, particularly popular theme music. To clarify, these aren’t popular songs featuring great lyrics and great voices. I’m talking specifically about theme music that everyone knows. Music that immediately registers with anyone who knows movies and enjoys them. Now with so many examples of great themes I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But no one can deny that these five movie themes are absolutely phenomenal.

#5 – “Raiders of the Lost Ark”

RAIDERS

Ok seriously, what person reading this can’t hum the Indiana Jones theme to themselves right now? Indy is a truly iconic movie character. I mean who doesn’t love him? The toughness, the humor, and the wild adventures certainly contribute to the character’s popularity. But then there is that equally iconic theme music from the legendary John Williams. It’s rousing, exciting, heroic, and recognizable. But it’s also always used at the exact right moment in the film. It makes so many of the scenes all the more thrilling and it is music that everyone knows the moment they hear it played!

#4 – “Chariots of Fire”

CHARIOTS OF FIRE

Hugh Hudson’s 1981 inspirational drama is a movie I have been meaning to revisit for a while now. It was a huge Oscar success receiving seven nominations and winning four including Best Picture. One of those Academy Awards was for the brilliant music score from Vangelis. Within that score lies some of the most beautiful and magnetic theme music ever put to film. I remember after first seeing it and how it added so much to the picture. It was a shining example of how music can strengthen any film. There’s so much about the movie which I have forgotten, but one thing I remember with great admiration is the amazing theme music.

#3 – “Halloween”

Halloween

The 1978 film “Halloween” is a genuine horror classic for a number of reasons. It was a tense and uneasy movie that launched an entire sub-genre of horror. And then there is that unforgettable theme music. Part of the reason that “Halloween” was so effective was its basic but incredibly moody theme music which consisted of a fairly simple piano melody written and played by director John Carpenter himself. There is nothing difficult or complex about it yet it is so fitting with the films atmosphere. In fact, it could be said it’s a key component to the movie’s scary vibe. It’s so good and incredibly easy to recognize.

#2 – “Star Wars”

STAR WARS

As a Star Wars fan very few things get me going like the musical transition from the 20th Century Fox logo to the Lucas logo to the scrolling intro in the Star Wars openings. When (once again) John Williams’ blast of horns simultaneously appears with the Star Wars title I want to burst out in applause. And talk about theme music that everyone knows. Whether you’re a full-fledged Star Wars geek like me or not, the Star Wars theme music has etched itself in movie history. Williams created an assortment of brilliant music for the film’s score some of which have earned their own individual praise. But it’s the theme music that resounds and instantly identifies this science fiction classic.

#1 – “Jaws”

JAWS

Without a doubt one of the greatest movie themes of all time came from the Steven Spielberg classic “Jaws”. The 1975 thriller features a creepy, moody tune that is so effective it terrorized audiences during its initial release. It’s the perfect tension-building device that amps up the intensity every time it’s used. In fact John Williams’ simple music is used more to announce the shark’s presence than anything we see visually. It’s importance in the film can’t be overstated. This score introduced Williams’ brilliance to the world and it has become some of the greatest and most suspenseful theme music ever made.

So there are my selections. Surely you’ve heard of each, right? Which ones did I miss? Please take time and share your picks in the comment section below.

Remembering Lauren Bacall

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BACALL BANNER

This week brought the passing of a true Golden Age treasure. Lauren Bacall died at age 89. As a humongous Humphrey Bogart fan, the passing of Lauren Bacall carries a deeper sting. The two become a huge Hollywood couple, but they were also a rare one actually built on and maintained by their strong love. They would stay married until Bogart’s death in 1957.

Bacall was born in the Bronx, New York and mostly raised by her mother. Her parents divorced when she was 5-years old and her father took off. As a teen she landed a few noticeable modeling jobs and earned a role on Broadway. But it was filmmaker Howard Hawks who would give her her big shot. He cast this relatively unknown opposite Humphrey Bogart in “To Have and Have Not”. The rest is history.

Bacall established herself as a sultry and sexy actress with a uniquely husky voice and a pair of eyes that would melt you. She would go on to make three more fantastic films with Bogart including “Key Largo”, “The Big Sleep”, and “Dark Passage”. Later she would work alongside such big names as Gregory Peck, Marilyn Monroe, Gary Cooper, Betty Grable, John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Henry Fonda, and Paul Newman just to name a few.

Bacall’s movie career slowed down in the 60’s and 70’s but she still found the occasional standout role. She would earn her first Oscar nomination in 1997 for “The Mirror has Two Faces”. She would eventually lose the statue in what was considered by many to be a shocking upset. The Academy would later recognize her with their lifetime achievement award. It was most deserving. Bacall was a sizzling screen actress who made her impact with the big stars while only 20-years old. She went on to have a wonderful career giving us so many films we can look back on and enjoy. She not only captured Bogart’s heart, but the hearts of millions of cinema fans throughout the decades. We’ll miss you Betty!

BACALL TO HAVE

“To Have and Have Not”

BACALL BIG SLEEP

“The Big Sleep”

BACALL KEY LARGO

“Key Largo”

BACALL DARK PASSAGE

“Dark Passage”

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Lauren Bacall

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LAUREN BACALL (1924 -2014)

REVIEW: “Dark Passage”

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Dark Passage poster

Bogart and Bacall. Those three words always bring a smile to my face. They point to an enchanting onscreen chemistry than spanned four movies and eventually into their offscreen lives. Bacall’s beauty and saucy smarts was always the perfect match for Bogie’s cool tough guy. “Dark Passage” was the third movie that the headline-grabbing couple made together and at the time Bogart was the highest paid actor in Hollywood. The great Delmer Daves directed and wrote the screenplay for this clever film noir that had several unique tricks up its sleeve.

This film opens with a tense and brilliantly crafted jailbreak. Actually we never see the inside of San Quentin but we spot a man hiding in a barrel being driven off in a truck. Just down the road from the prison the barrel rolls off and the man is loose. Through a number of cool bits of camera trickery we never see the face of the escaped convict although we do hear his voice. Instead everything in this opening sequence is shown to us in first person. This treats the audience to a number of tricky perspectives that Daves pulls off beautifully. We learn from a radio alert than the convict’s name is Vincent Parry (Bogart) and he’s wanted for the murder of his wife.

PASSAGE1

Parry is picked up by a mysterious young woman named Irene Jansen (Bacall). We learn that Irene is sympathetic towards Parry after believing he didn’t get a fair shake during his trial. She sneaks him past roadblocks and into San Francisco where he sets out to find his one and only friend George (Rory Mallinson). He also connects with a back-alley plastic surgeon who attempts to alter his appearance. Now keep in mind, up to this point we still haven’t seen Vincent’s face. Bogart works in the shadows or strictly through voice work from the first person perspective. After the surgery we finally see him only in full facial bandages. It’s not until about an hour in that the bandages are removed and we see Bogie’s mug for the first time.

We see the few central players during the first half of the film but it isn’t until Parry’s new face is revealed (in the image of Bogart) that the story changes direction. It becomes Parry’s quest to clear his name and to find out who really killed his wife. While the unfolding mystery is an interesting shift it is also a weakness. For such a dramatic setup, the revelation itself is pretty lightweight and how things unfold seems a little too on the nose. It’s not that it’s awful, but there was clearly room for a stronger and better conceived mystery.

Despite that, “Dark Passage” is still a wonderful movie because of the cool and stylish camera work, the great San Francisco locations, and the sizzling chemistry between Bogart and Bacall. There are also some really nice supporting performances from Bruce Bennett, Tom D’Andrea, Agnes Moorehead, and Rory Mallinson. “Dark Passage” sometimes gets lost in the conversations about Bogart and Bacall’s collaborations, but it’s a clever noir that does several things to set itself apart. It may soften up a tad in the third act but it is still a ton of fun.

VERDICT – 4 STARS