Author Archives: Keith Garlington

5 Phenomenal Movie Santa Clauses

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Christmas is quickly approaching which means Christmas movies are popping up everywhere. In the spirit of Christmas I thought it would be fun to look at one iconic yuletide character that has popped up in movies for years. I’m talking about Santa Claus. Now some movies just don’t give us anything memorable but others present Santa in a way that brings us back year after year. We just have to watch these seasonal favorites. So today I’m looking at five of the best ones. Now with so many cinematic Santas I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But I have no trouble recognizing these five Santa Clauses as absolutely phenomenal.

#5 – TIM ALLEN (“The Santa Claus”)

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While I’m not a big fan of this series of movies as a whole I do really enjoy the first film. “The Santa Claus” tells the story of a pretty selfish father named Scott Calvin who through a nutty accident inherits the position as Santa Claus. Of course a lot of things come with that role – a big round belly, a snow-white beard, etc. Allen is great showing us his character’s transformation from a self-absorbed slug to a loving, caring father and ultimately Santa Claus. His performance shows that he is having a blast with the role and he is the main reason the film works.

#4 – ED ASNER (“Elf”)

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He’s certainly not the main draw in “Elf” but Ed Asner’s performance as Santa Claus is a key ingredient to this movie’s success. Asner never winks at the camera. Instead he seems completely invested which gives us some really funny moments. He not only looks the part but he carries himself just as you would imagine jolly old Saint Nick would. There are several good moments as he manages things at the North Pole but he also has some really fun moments when his sleigh crash lands in Central Park. Fun and fitting – that is how I would describe Asner’s Santa Claus.

#3 – TOM HANKS (“The Polar Express”)

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I know some people have had problems with Robert Zemeckis’ motion-captured animated film “The Polar Express”. Not me. I really like the film and it has become one of our holiday favorites. And while he doesn’t appear until the very end of the film, Tom Hanks as Santa Claus is such a wonderful addition. What makes him such a great Santa has a lot to do with the buildup. The film truly creates a larger than life, jaw-dropping perception of Santa and we the audience see him through the same awe-struck eyes of those children. The animation is gorgeous and Hanks fits the portrait perfectly.

#2 – JEFF GILLEN (“A Christmas Story”)

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How can a movie Santa Claus who only appears for 3 minutes of a film have such a prominent position on this list? When he gives us such a hilarious and utterly timeless scene. This is what Jeff Gillen gives us in the modern Christmas classic “A Christmas Story”. His tired and grumpy department store Santa grows more and more irritable as he ends his Christmas Eve shift. Unfortunately for Ralphie, that is when he goes to see Santa in hopes of getting his elusive Red Rider BB gun. Grumbling elves and Gillen’s bored and dismissive delivery doesn’t provide Ralphie with the best experience, but it sure is a load of fun for us.

#1 – EDMUND GWENN (“Miracle on 34th Street”)

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Let’s be honest, could there be a different number one? In my book Edmund Gwenn’s fabulous portrayal of Santa Claus is the perfect blueprint on how to play the character. Gwenn’s Oscar-winning performance still stands out today as absolutely brilliant. From the first moment you see Gwenn’s Kris Kringle you can’t help but be drawn to him. He has the demeanor, the cheer, the charisma, the childlike exuberance. And with the exception of one old grump, he makes everyone around him and every circumstance better. Writer and director George Seaton conceives the perfect Santa Claus and Edmund Gwenn embodies that version to absolute perfection. He is the best movie Santa Claus.

So what do you think of my list? Agree or disagree with my choices. Please take time to share your choices in the comments section below.

Flaunt It or Flush It – Winter Movies 2013/2014

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Well winter is here and what better place to keep warm than in a movie theater! The winter movie season is notorious for its flops, particularly in January and February. But sometimes we get some really nice surprises and it looks like that may be the case again. So today I’m picking out five winter releases that I am genuinely interested in and want to spread the word about. These I’ll certainly flaunt. I’m also going to pick five releases that are (from my perspective) toilet ready. These I’ll flush. It’s Flaunt It or Flush It time again.

FLAUNT ‘EM

MONUMENTS1. THE MONUMENTS MEN (February 7, 2014) – After first hearing about this film I was immediately interested. It’s a remarkable true story and with the right cast and direction it seems perfect for the big screen. The first trailer had me second guessing my excitement but the second trailer fired me up again. Based on Robert Edsel’s book, the film tells a story unique to World War 2 and features a strong cast. George Clooney stars and directs the film which was originally set to be released in time for 2013 Oscar consideration. Being pushed to February is worrisome but not enough to ruin my excitement for this movie.

INSIDE LLEWYN2. INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (December 6, 2013) – Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows that I am a big, big Coen brothers fan. So naturally I would be excited upon hearing that their new film “Inside Llewyn Davis” hits theaters this winter. Of course it’s written and directed by the brothers and stars Oscar Isaac, a really good actor who deserves more spotlight than he is usually given. It’s guaranteed to have a quirky sense of humor and a fine directing style. Let’s just hope that the 1960’s New York City folk music scene is a good enough setting for their particular style of filmmaking.

HOBBIT3. THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (December 13, 2013) – While I can’t hardly say its full title without laughing, I’m still extremely excited for the next installment in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy. The first film was a lot of fun and captured a lot of Jackson’s earlier Middle Earth magic. Yet it was never as good as any of the Lord of the Rings films. Still it left me really anxious for the next installment. I love the Middle Earth that Jackson has created for the big screen and ANYTIME I have an opportunity to go back I’m excited. Here’s hoping that he delivers another solid if not better film.

RAILWAY4. THE RAILWAY MAN (January 2014) – Yet another movie with connections to World War 2. In “The Railway Man” Colin Firth plays a British officer who was captured and tortured while in a Japanese P.O.W. camp. Years after the war he is still an emotional wreck. He finds out that a captor of his is still alive. He seeks his captor out thinking that confronting him may be the only way to put his past torment behind him. The trailer for this looks stunning. Firth is a fabulous actor and he’s joined by Nicole Kidman, Stellen Skarsgard, and Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada who I’ve always liked. This has a chance to be a truly remarkable experience.

FURNACE5. OUT OF THE FURNACE (December 6, 2013) – This is a movie that has creeped up on me. I’m not sure how a movie could fly under my radar with a cast like this: Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitacker, Sam Shepard, and Willem DaFoe. Set in the economically strained Rust Belt, Bale and Affleck play brothers, one of whom gets caught up in a brutal crime ring and the other who sets out to help him. The trailer looks very good and it looks as though director Scott Cooper has created an intense environment and setting. I’m really hoping that “Out of the Furnace” delivers.

FLUSH ‘EM

BEST NIGHT1. BEST NIGHT EVER (January 31, 2014) – Ok, tell me if you’ve heard this before – a group of friends go to Las Vegas for a one-night bachelorette party but things get wild and completely out of control. I mean how many times do we have to see this? The all female cast embraces this current trend of showing that they can be as stupid, sleazy, and juvenile as men. This is another of those raunchy comedies loaded with profanity, sex, nudity and all of the other formulaic crap that seems to dominate the comedy genre today. This thing looks pathetic and while I wouldn’t be surprised if it attracts an audience, I can guarantee you I won’t be a part of it. Lame.

MADEA2. A MADEA CHRISTMAS (December 13, 2013) – Maybe I haven’t tried hard enough but I just can’t get into these Madea movies. They pretty much hit the same note every time and there is no reason to think “A Madea Christmas” will be any different. Tyler Perry has certainly hit a gold mine directing, writing, and starring in these films. There will be plenty of people who go to this for the Madea name and others who will go because it’s a Christmas movie. Perry knows a cash in when he sees one. I can see “A Madea Christmas” doing good at the box office but it looks like a flusher through and through for me.

GRUDGE MATCH3. GRUDGE MATCH (December 25, 2013) – I would love to be excited about a movie that puts Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone together. But after seeing the trailer for “Grudge Match” several times now, let’s just say this isn’t the movie I would prefer. The two screen legends play retired boxers who never got along in their prime and have held grudges since. The old guys are persuaded to go at it one more time, blah blah blah. I can see it now, tons of old and out of shape gags and a happy, feel good ending. It looks silly, predictable, and utterly forgettable. Who knows, maybe “Grudge Match” will surprise. I don’t see it.

BIEBER4. JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (December 25, 2013) – Look, I know this pick is too easy and too obvious but I just couldn’t leave it off the list. Normally I would just cast something like this aside knowing that most readers would know its flush status without me mentioning it. But the Bieb’s first film brought in nearly $100 million! So consider this a public service announcement. This sequel promises to be more of the same. Expect this annoying little ulcer to prance around, pose, and belt his teeth-grinding lyrics to a horde of screaming young teens. I don’t know about you, but I don’t see myself sitting through 90 minutes of that!

VAMPIRE5. VAMPIRE ACADEMY (February 14, 2013) – Sigh…here we go again. Look, I know this is based on a best-selling novel and I know that I’m not the target audience. But I’m also not the target audience for “The Hunger Games” yet it’s at least entertaining. “Vampire Academy” looks awful and I can’t help but think this is another example of Hollywood milking a current fad dry. I say current fad but are vampires as big as they were a few years back? “Twilight”, “True Blood” – all of these soapy vampire shows and flicks have run their course but that doesn’t stop Hollywood. How I miss the days of Nosferatu!

REVIEW: “Frances Ha”

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“Frances Ha” is a movie that will either drive you insane or put you under its spell. It’s a movie filled with quirky conversations and some slightly eccentric characters each with their own set of problems. On the surface that may not sound like everyone’s cup of tea. But it really works because it revolves around a fascinating main character named Frances. She’s played by Greta Gerwig, an actress I really appreciate, and her central performance is what drives the film.

It could be said that nothing really happens in “Frances Ha”. The modest story follows Frances who at first shares a New York City apartment with her best friend Sophie (Mickey Sumner). Frances is a hapless struggling dancer who finds her circumstances more difficult after Sophie moves out. We watch her try to find an affordable place to stay. We watch her try to land a stable job. We watch her try and make new friends. But Frances could be called insecure and socially awkward. This leads her to try too hard to make impressions. This results in uncomfortable and often times embarrassing situations for her.

There is a big comedy element to this film so much of that is often played for laughs. But there is a subtle and sympathetic undercurrent that flows throughout the film. At times I genuinely felt for Frances as she stumbled over her words or didn’t know when to stop talking. One part of me was laughing while the other part felt guilty for doing so. Gerwig gets a ton of credit for that. She co-wrote the script alongside director Noah Baumbach and she has a real strength for playing this type of character. Sure, some may find her gawkiness annoying but not me. I truly found myself caring about this character.

FRANCES

Baumbach does a great job contributing to the solid script but he also deserves credit for his direction. He chose to film in black-and-white and it really suits the picture. There are also numerous tips of the hat and homages ranging from Woody Allen to French New Wave cinema. For example, the black-and-white combined with the numerous New York City locales is an unmistakable tip of the hat to “Manhattan”. The film is also unique due to its rapid fire editing. It jumps from scene to scene, never staying in one place too long. But surprisingly it really works in this film and Baumbach is artful in his use.

“Frances Ha” certainly isn’t breaking new ground and some may not find its peculiarity all that entertaining. It does spin its wheels in spots and it may not blow you away with its ambition. But sometimes a movie doesn’t need to do those things to be successful. That’s the case with this film. “Frances Ha” works because of its intriguing central character, a great performance from Greta Gerwig, and a really interesting technical approach from Noah Baumbach. That was more than enough to make me really appreciate “Frances Ha”.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

Thanksgiving and YOU….

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THANKSIt’s been a light week on Keith & the Movies mainly due to this being the Thanksgiving holiday. Here in the states Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the many things we’ve been blessed with and are thankful for. I think if most of us are honest, that would be a never never-ending list. I’ve been blessed beyond measure. I have a wonderful family which I don’t deserve. I have the ability and health to provide for them. I could go on and on. I thank God for all of that.

I also want to take time to thank you, the readers of this blog. A big reason I do this is because I just enjoy writing about movies. I love them and I love having a conversation about them. But if I were perfectly honest I would have to say that I may not be doing this without you all. Yes I get enjoyment out of writing, but it’s the thought that someone else may be enjoying the material that really keeps me going. Every visit, every comment, every like means a ton to me and my appreciation can’t be put into words. Your participation on this site is what keeps it going.

So a big THANK YOU to all who visit and have found some ounce of entertainment in Keith & the Movies. You make it fun. You make it lively. You make it engaging. I’ve met so many fellow movie junkies from around the globe and I can’t tell you how great it’s been. So here’s to another movie year and a lot more great movie conversations. You guys are the best and…

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

REVIEW: “When Harry Met Sally…”

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HARRY POSTERBoth Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan will always be remembered for their individual strings of popular movies in the late 1980s and through the 1990s. While neither has held onto their box office popularity past that point, no one can deny what a great run they had. And during that time arguably their best film was a picture they did together, the 1989 romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally…”.

I’ve watched this film several times but not since my VHS copy became extinct. Now I’ve revisited the movie and what a treat to learn that it still holds up after almost 15 years. It still features that same sharp wit. It still has those laugh-out-loud moments. It still has the perfect amount of romance. But most importantly, it still features two main characters that we connect with and genuinely care about.

It’s the story of Harry Burns (Crystal) and Sally Albright (Ryan) and the unique winding road their relationship travels. They first meet in 1977, both fresh out of school at the University of Chicago. Harry is dating a friend of Sally’s who encourages the two to share a drive back to New York City. During the drive the two share a number of conversations particularly their drastically different philosophies on relationships. After some hearty disagreements, they finally arrive in New York City and gladly go their separate ways.

The film then jumps ahead 5 years to when Harry and Sally bump into each other at the airport. Both are at different stages in their lives and their attitudes about relationships have slightly evolved. Later we jump ahead another 5 years to another chance meeting. Again their situations have changed and the evolution of their relationship philosophies is obvious. Harry is still witty and neurotic but he isn’t as cocky and sure of himself as he is when we first meet him. Sally starts off as peppy and exuberant but later we find her more credulous and naive. This is the heart of the film – watching these two people with seemingly warped views of relationships transform under the weight of reality. And all while the one true path to happiness may be right under their noses.

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For me there are many reasons this film works so well. First is Nora Ephron’s Oscar nominated screenplay. It’s smart, razor sharp, and unflinching in its grounded portrayal of its characters. Much of that is thanks to contributions made by Crystal and Ryan but overall this is Ephron’s baby and she nails it. Credit also goes to director Rob Reiner. This was during a period when Reiner was making better films and much of it was taken from his life as a divorced single man. It’s solid filmmaking, something that can’t be said about many of his more recent movies.

And then there are the performances from Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. It would have all fallen apart if the characters weren’t so easy to connect with. Crystal and Ryan draw us in the first moments we meet them. There is also a wonderful and charming chemistry between the two. You can’t help but get caught up in Crystal’s dry humor and Ryan’s infectious smile. They are so believable and you never doubt the authenticity of these two people. They are perfectly cast.

At times “When Harry Met Sally…” seems to draw out its one big question (will Harry and Sally ever get together?) longer than necessary and some people may get bogged down in the numerous back-and-forths between the different characters. But for me after all these years it’s still a fine romantic comedy that knows how to handle its characters and their situations. It’s a story of two lost souls who put their faith in their own wrong views of love while a much easier answer may be right before them. That’s a story I can get into.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

REVIEW: “12 Years a Slave”

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I would think it’s a tough task for anyone with a moral compass to be able to sit comfortably through a movie about slavery. I would say it’s virtually impossible with director Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave”. This edgy, brutal, and uncomfortable drama takes a no-holds-barred approach in its depiction of one of America’s darkest times. That’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes people need to be jarred out of their comfort zone in order to truly understand the weight of the subject matter.

But in taking such an approach a movie is faced with an assortment of unique challenges especially in this case. McQueen has made some rather unusual comments on race and slavery. Some critics have lauded “12 Years a Slave” as the anti-“Gone with the Wind”, giving the one true and broad sweeping counter view of southern life and of all southern people. Things like this throw up unfortunate obstacles which can create a negative aura around a film. This can be a problem for those unable to separate such comments and positions from the movie itself. I try to judge a movie on its own merits and hope that the outside stuff doesn’t cause problems. Such was my approach to “12 Years a Slave”.

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The film is adapted from the 1853 autobiography of Solomon Northup. McQueen was deeply moved by this stunning story of a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. As advertised, McQueen’s film pulls no punches. The movie certainly looks at slavery and the plantation life from one specific perspective and it offers no room for any other interpretation. But amazingly it’s extremely effective within the context of the story. I never felt McQueen was making a blanket statement about the South. Instead I felt he was forcing the audience to look at slavery from a position that is so often swept under the rug. We do squirm. We do wince. But sometimes we need to.

McQueen’s direction is strong. He carves a number of piercing images into our minds many of which will stick with me for a while. It may be his artful camera movement that focuses on a certain object or it may be a long take where his stationary camera refuses to let us turn away from the brutality on the screen. He captures the natural beauty of the deep South while exposing the ugliness boiling out of some of his characters. The settings, the atmospheres, the environments all ring true and at no point feel fabricated.

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Helping his direction is a powerful yet subtle score from Hans Zimmer and an often times brilliant script from John Ridley. Ridley compliments McQueen’s vision by conceiving some powerful moments of unflinching truth. He also develops a number of characters that you’ll either strongly sympathize with or strongly detest. Regardless of which, you can’t take your eyes off of them. Unfortunately some of the film’s weaknesses can be traced back to his script. While at times Ridley’s story offers unquestionable greatness, I did feel he stretched things out a little too long. In a film like this you don’t want to do anything that would take the edge off of your message. I’m not saying Ridley did that, but he may have dulled it a bit during the middle of the movie. Thankfully things definitely picked up in the final act.

And then there is Chiwetel Ejiofor’s performance as Solomon. It is something to behold. He’s a perfect choice for the role. It’s an emotionally and physically taxing role as we see him move from a happy free family man to a kidnapped, separated, and brutalized slave. The skill with which Ejiofor handles some of these intensely difficult scenes is mind-blowing.

He’s helped by a fantastic supporting cast, most of who give really good performances. Perhaps my favorite performance in the entire movie is from Michael Fassbender. He plays a mercurial and utterly abhorrent plantation owner whose volatility knows no bounds. He’ll make your skin crawl and his barbarism will have you questioning his humanity. Fassbender really sells him. I also really liked Benedict Cumberbatch who plays a gentler plantation owner with a moral sensibility yet conflicted with the very slavery that he participates in. And I have to mention Lupita Nyong’o who plays a slave caught in an unwinnable circumstance. She is fantastic.

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But there are two performances that stand out like a sore thumb. With a cast this big normally you could overlook them. But both are pivotal in that they drastically change Solomon’s circumstances. Paul Dano, an actor I’ve been very vocal about in the past, is just dreadful as a hateful slave foreman. Dano speaks his lines with that same weak, sniveling delivery that we’ve seen over and over. The problem is the role calls for something much more than he can deliver. Then Brad Pitt shows up complete with an Amish beard, a pretty corny accent, and with some of the more contrived lines of the entire film. To be fair, much of this falls in Ridley’s lap. He writes the character for the purpose of offering a moral summarization to the audience. He’s basically telling how to think and feel instead of just letting the potency of his film speak to our hearts.

While a few things do keep “12 Years a Slave” from being a masterpiece, it still is incredibly effective in giving us a look at slavery that is piercing and heart-wrenching. It does make us ask important questions but also appreciate how far we’ve come. Maybe there is an attempt here to give a one-sided visualization of the South, a perspective that has been shown to be untrue. But I didn’t get that from this film. I saw it as the incredible story of a man and his painful journey. His journey took him to dark and despicable places that are often times passed by. This film reminds us that they should never be forgotten. And for that alone Steve McQueen deserves a ton of credit.

VERDICT – 4 STARS