LennyB Reviews

Wedding Crashers (2005)

A Date Movie For Those of us Who Aren't Whipped

[9/10 · 26 July 2005]

I hate seeing reviews containing the term, "this summer's best date movie." What it usually means is the plot centers around a guy who is half-whipped at the beginning of the movie. Then, by the time Meg Ryan gets done with him at the end, he is completely whipped, a mere shell of his former self. We are led to believe he is happy.

Wedding Crashers is a "new date movie." It is about men and women, the lies they tell, the sex they enjoy, the fun they have, and...if they eventually become domesticated at the end...its without giving up what made them special in the first place. The trailers and plot summaries for Wedding Crashers may lead you to believe that the movie is about the adventures of two lying and lecherous guys. But, that is only half the story. The women in Wedding Crashers are smart, dynamic, deceitful, and damn sure, every bit as funny as their male counterparts. Women will love this movie, too.

Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn play it super cool as two masters of the "Wedding Crash" -- freeloaders who cruise the Washington wedding scene in hopes of bedding down love-hungry bridesmaids. Against better judgment and the rules of "The Crash," the pair become over-involved at the wedding of the Secretary of The Treasury's daughter. Violating their usual hit and run mantra, both join the family for an extended party at the official's estate.

Here, the casting of Christopher Walken as Secretary Cleary can almost be seen as a decoy. When you see Walken in the cast, you expect crazy. But he doesn't come close to the lunacy displayed by his wife, son, daughters and especially his mother. The hijinks involving Wilson and Vaughn and the various members of the wedding party are fresh, surprising, and for the most part, hilarious. Within it all, a love story sneaks up on you like a full nelson and draws you in before you have time to resist.

There would have been so many formulaic ways to create a sappy "date-movie" ending out of this story, but thanks to a fantastic script, hysterical performances by Wilson and Vaughn and the freedom of an R rating, Wedding Crashers remains true to its characters. There is no phoniness. We loved these guys at the beginning. We love them at the end. They have not changed for love.

Certainly a date movie for today's times, Wedding Crashers says we can be flawed, crude, and chronic liars, and instead of someone being out there to save us, there is someone out there to match us. I found the movie to be refreshing, clever, heartwarming, but most of all, simply hilarious.

Batman Begins (2005)

After 40 Years as a Fan, I Finally Know Batman

[10/10 · 15 June 2005]

Forty years ago, when reading the DC Comic and watching the TV Show, I would always be consumed by the questions..."Who helped build the Batcave? How did he make the utility belt? Who taught him how to fight?

Finally, my Batman mysteries are spectacularly solved in the most stunning film adaption of any comic book ever. Batman Begins puts many mysteries to rest and provides the viewer with new ones. It is the smartest and most brutally touching Batman movie and has forced me to reevaluate everything that has been done with the hero to date.

While I previously acknowledged the first Batman to be ground breaking, it is now 15 years later and Christopher Nolan seems poised to be the name that will be associated with Batman in film lore. His take on The Dark Knight is so powerful and emotional, it had me in awe of the action and near tears from the trauma that is Bruce Wayne's life.

Burton's Gotham was a dark futuristic metropolis; Nolan, on the other hand, has created a city that is timeless, mixing the futuristic elevated transportation system with shadowy backgrounds that make you think of eras past. It is a setting and backdrop that will help this Batman's story be every bit as relevant in fifteen years as it is today.

And what a story it is! Powerfully written to uncover more of the Batman's mask than any comic book or movie ever has, this is a movie that draws you in with brilliant characters, smart dialog and pure heart. And just as it has you in its emotional grasp, the action becomes intense. Fast and blinding, and very tightly shot, we never know where and how the Batman is attacking and this contributes to the mystery.

As for Christian Bale, he is Batman and this is his movie. Looking back at the first two Burton efforts (which I still love in a now different way) I realize that they belonged to Nicholson's Joker and Devito's Penguin. Nolan has the confidence not to be seduced by comic book characterizations of villains to drive this movie. By using non- costumed heroes, he makes them more real and more frightening then the earlier versions. Liam Neeson's Ducard is more complex than earlier villains and his intense knowledge of Batman's history and psychology makes him especially intriguing.

The rest of the cast is top rate, especially Gary Oldman as a surprisingly sedate pre-commissioner Gordon and Michael Caine as Alfred. The latter's relationship with Bruce Wayne was heartening and lent appropriate humor that never detracted from the tone of the film. I originally thought Katie Holmes was a little too bland for Bruce's love interest, but her final scene with Bruce revealed much depth to their relationship and it was wise to have the female lead be understated.

In reading my comments, I don't want to be disrespectful to Keaton's Caped Crusader or Burton's directing efforts, but just as Tim Burton is rediscovering and reinventing an icon in Willie Wonka this summer, so too are Christopher Nolan and Christian Bales in Batman. And just as nothing will ever replace Adam West's campy Batman for me, I will still continue to watch the first two Burton Batman movies whenever they appear on cable, being amazed at their wit, action, and style. I don't think the jump could have been made from Bat-TV to Batman begins. There was a tremondous role for Burotn's Batman and it paved the way for a new genre. But Batman Begins peels the onion that is Batman in a different way still and this will be the one that forever touches my heart.

Crash (I) (2004)

Thoughtful and Exhilarating !

[10/10 · 31 May 2005]

Will Crash get people to change their attitudes towards others? Doubtful, but it certainly makes you realize that our attitudes are often based on circumstances and few of us are perfect...or all-bad for that matter.

I'm reminded of a line by Andy Garcia's John Bubber in Hero. He said, "We're all heroes, if you catch us at the right moment." Too expand upon it, "We all make tragic mistakes and judgments" when you catch us at the wrong moment.

In Crash, these moments are captured for a racially and economically diverse array of characters over a 48 hour period. We see people shine and we see them brought low. None of the characters are exempt from their darker side, save a locksmith and his little girl. What makes them special? Could it be a faith in God that keeps them both physically and spiritually safe? This is just one of the questions that Crash presents us with to ponder.

The multi-scenario plot works well. Not since Pulp Fiction have I been so simultaneously upset at having the camera leave one story and overjoyed at having it return to another one with whose characters I have become so deeply involved with in a short period of time.

Director Haggis' first time effort is skillful and captivating. The cast contains several top-name stars who are well complemented by a group of lesser known performers, all who dig deep to deliver multi-layered performances.

Some have decried the amount of coincidences that bring the many characters together. Pay no attention. Crash is smart smart movie-making that is literary, funny, serious, and visually stunning. And that my friends is definitely not a coincidence.

Meet the Fockers (2004)

DeNiro Meets Hoffman and This is The Result????

[2/10 · 18 January 2005]

Who would have thought that a pairing of two screen legends would result in such drivel? Who would have thought that the most memorable on screen moment of such a pairing would be a cat flushing a dog down the toilet? Who would have thought that the most memorable line of dialog would be an infant saying, "asshole?" Who would have thought that this movie would churn out as much money as it has? Hoffman and DeNiro barely interact. When they do, it almost seems as they are not looking at each other.

The writing for Meet The Fockers is sophomoric, which is great for teen sex movies but it is a let down for this cast.

If you have a burning desire to see a a quality "Meet The In-Laws" movie where the girl's father even works for the CIA, see the original "The In-Laws" with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. Here the two leads play off each other brilliantly in every scene. The remake with Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks is even a hands down choice over The Fockers.

I can't believe I sat through this one. Fock me!!!

Sideways (2004)

Great Movies Need Likable Characters

[7/10 · 30 December 2004]

In everything I've seen written about Sideways, I haven't seen anyone refer to the fact that Paul Giamatti's Miles is so low as to steal money from his mother and then leave her drunk on the couch.

Once I saw this scene, which was pretty early in the movie, I couldn't join Myles on his path of discovery. He was just a pathetic loser who didn't rise much above his indiscretions by the time the movie ended. Importantly, he lacked the likable qualities that make for a "loser" who is capable of capturing an audience and carrying a film.

Church's Jack was far more funny, interesting, unoffensive, and certainly quotable. I had thought I had heard every conceivable term for a BJ until Jack told Miles that he needed to get his "bone smooched." But, bone smooching aside, the two characters who "discovered themselves" in Sideways were for the most part losers. I just wish that they were losers to whom I could feel more empathy. Maybe I'm not up on my wine tasting as I should be but I could not connect to Miles at all. Jack was certainly the character to whom I could better relate and cheer (Hey, he nailed two chicks the week before his wedding).

All in all, some fun situations and some fine acting (to me, Church and Oh were the outstanding performances). I just question how this is winding up atop of so many "Best of" lists for 2004.

Fat Albert (2004)

A Tremendous Kids Movie...Fun For Their Parents as Well

[10/10 · 30 December 2004]

The reviews I've read for Fat Albert have been disheartening and for the most part, non-reflective of this movie.

Too many critics cannot put aside their pretentiousness and evaluate this and other movies of the genre for what they are...children's entertainment.

From this standpoint, Fat Albert stands above most of what I have seen with my kids in recent years. Beside a wonderful dose of nostalgia for boomers, this is a movie packed with humor, solid entertainment, decency, and important lessons about life. To me, that's what children's entertainment is about.

And there were bonuses for adults as well...

I thought the cast suceeded in capturing what we loved about the cartoon characters. Dumb Donald, Mush Mouth, Fat Albert were all on target and delivered more to love in their human form.

I also appreciated the movie's ability to laugh at itself. I cracked up when The Cosby Kids were waiting outside the girl's apartment the morning after they met. They didn't need to sleep, eat, or go to the bathroom...because hey hey hey, they're cartoon characters.

Lastly, the connection to the girl's grandfather Al was a lovely tie-in and the scene at the cemetery where the grown up Cosby gang paid tribute to their friend was sentimental without being sappy.

Can I pick apart small things about the movie? Absolutely! However, this movie provided my family and myself with such good feelings, smiles, and conversation afterwards that there is no need to bother.

Compare this with other kids movies that are chock full of scatological humor and impending sexuality and you will see that Fat Albert stands far and above.

This movie was funny, thoughtful, and brought back many a wonderful memory. Go see it.