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Smith: Pilot (2006)
"Smith", a common name for a very common show
When the creators of this show chose the title, they knew exactly what they had on their hands. Smith, being the most common surname, is appropriate for a show that is common through and through. Nothing original, nothing exciting, nothing even remotely interesting. Just common TV junk trying to pass itself off as something stylish and edgy. It fails on both counts.
Smith starts off, appropriately enough, with a heist. These are criminals we're talking about, so the show would dare not want to start off with anything but a little criminal activity. The heist is lame, conceived possibly by a 2-year old. The guards are nothing short of inept, which begs the question as to how talented these criminals really are, or do they in fact just perform heists that junior high kids could pull off.
The characters then break off into their own separate lives and this doesn't improve anything.
Simon Baker tries to pull off the 'cold and casual killer' attitude by whistling idly as he follows up a quick surf with some target practice on two Hawaiian 'locals' who tell him flat out, "You don't belong here." Ooh, plot thickens...Not really. The only redeeming part of this scene is the fact that Simon Baker clearly does his own surfing. Seriously, that's all that this scene had to offer. He makes a better surfer than he does a killer. He just doesn't make you believe it.
Amy Smart is a showgirl??? I know, I know, makes no sense to me either. Backstage she makes an exchange with a fellow showgirl. Money for stolen credit card numbers. But not just any credit card numbers, "high roller" credit card numbers. After Smart's cringing drug reference to the girl (it's so predictable and uninspiring, I dare not repeat it here), the girl whines about not being paid the promised price. Smart counters with a comment about the past stolen credit card numbers maxing out at only $10000 and if the girl doesn't like what she's making, she can take her business somewhere else. Oh, you go girl!...Once again, not really.
Smith, played by the always frightening looking Ray Liotta, wakes up next to the beautiful Virginia Madsen, and we learn that he is an average American family man. Virginia senses something is off with her husband, adultery perhaps...Nay, something far more sinister and disappointing, a double life, spent in crime where he heads an elite (hahaha) group of criminals. But, with Liotta's strapping good looks, she can't seem to resist.
If this series survives, I suspect Virginia Madsen might have some explaining to do. They portrayed her character with too many "serious" shots not to have her be more than meets the eye.
There's another criminal, Franky G. I just don't care enough to keep talking about him or his cohorts.
Oh yeah, Johnny Lee Miller is released from the joint and we learn that he is also with the group.
There's more, but in this case, less is more. You don't want to know anything else.
Liotta is still scary looking...Smart and Lee Miller join the mile high club...Baker just bores me...Franky who?
I don't know folks, just avoid it. I know I will.
On a lighter note, during the first 20 minutes of the show, the results of the Massachusetts primary elections were announced. Go Deval Patrick!
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
The Chamber of Secrets Is Open For Business!!!
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is an incredible adaptation of JK Rowling's second book. In it, we're introduced to some new characters: Dobby the house elf, an enjoyable creature who wants nothing more than to help Harry; Moaning Myrtle, a hysterical and morbid ghost of a teenage girl who wants nothing more than to share a toilet with Harry; Gilderoy Lockhart, a moronic and grinning teacher who wants nothing more than to steal the spotlight from Harry. and Lucius Malfoy, a devilish adult who wants nothing more than to hurt Harry. The movie continues to expand on the world of magic introduced in Sorcerer's Stone and adds an incredible storyline to it all. The story is significantly better than Sorcerer's Stone and one of the most clever in the entire series to date. The kids seem to be more comfortable in their roles now and the adults continues with their brilliance, but I must admit, it doesn't seem like any of these adult British actors have the capacity to be bad actors. Lots of new and imaginative magical items make their introduction in this film in exhilarating fashion: Polyjuice Potion, Riddle's Diary, Aragog and much, much more. The film, like the first, still lacks edginess, but that's fine, because so does the book, and I see nothing wrong with sticking to the books, especially when the books are so good and after all, these movies are made for the readers more than the casual moviegoers. I don't mind creative licensing here or there, but stick with the elements that make the book good, and the movie will be good too. Terribly clever, great cinematography, enjoyable performances and much more make this installment into the Harry Potter series a gem.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
A Magical Cinematic Entrance Into The World Of Harry Potter!!!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a wonderful adaptation of the book by JK Rowling. Sorcerer's Stone is a film filled with the basics and never delves too deep into the full world of Harry Potter. Much like the book, the film does what it can to pull you INTO the world of Harry Potter. The rest of the books (and their films) take you on a wondrous ride THROUGH the world. This film is all about firsts: meeting magical adults and kids alike for the first time, encountering magical beasts for the first time, and facing magical peril for the first time. None of this is to suggest, however, that Sorcerer's stone is at all dull. These firsts and basics are enough to provide enjoyment over and over again. The movie never gets old, the laughs never die out and the magic never ceases. The kids are terrific and the adults are perfect, from Dumbledore and Hagird, to Snape and McGonagall. The Dursleys are terrifically awful, as they should be. Sorcerer's Stone is a great start to a great series and it gets better.
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
The Matrix Trilogy Has Themes! Beware!
In understanding the Matrix Trilogy, as I like to refer to all three films, you must be aware of the presence of themes. Themes are vital aspects of moviemaking and the Matrix Trilogy is full of themes. The most overwhelming themes that connect the three films are as follows:
The Matrix (1999) is about "birth." The Matrix Reloaded (2003) is about "life." The Matrix Revolutions (2003) is about "death."
It's a very neat way to connect the three films. Unfortunately, these themes also foreshadow something about their respective films.
For The Matrix (1999), the theme is birth and, accordingly, this film is an achievement in moviemaking as only can be done through the birth of something. This film introduced such an original idea and a powerful story, with characters that made you yearn for more. Story and performances aside, the special effects were groundbreaking and still remain at the forefront of what movies accomplish today. When something is "born," everything looks great. Everything looks new and exciting.
For The Matrix Reloaded (1999), the theme is life and, accordingly, this film carries on the way life does for us all. It becomes more complicated and if possible, less interesting. This film offered nothing terribly new or different in special effects, and while the performances were generally the same, the story was the only place for it to really go. The story read like stereo instructions, and while after several more viewings it became more clear, the simplicity that the first film had to offer was gone. One highlight was the new characters such as The Twins, the Merovingian, Seraph and (ooh-la-la) Persephone.
For The Matrix Revolutions (2003), the theme is death and, accordingly, death is the suckiest part of anything and it is also the one thing we know least about. This film tried too hard and really made very little sense. The Oracle, who was played very well by an actress who's name I don't know, was as vague and useless as ever. Smith proved to be great once more but his fate (which I won't mention) really came out of nowhere. Morpheus is getting old (figure of speech) and Neo is becoming even more borish with his "I am stupid to the world" look. Another part of this film that dragged me down was the amount of time spent in the real world. It doesn't say much about humanity (the depth to the real world characters is weak) and the setting just isn't interesting enough. Ultimately, the Matrix is where it is all settled, so why spend so much time in the damn real world. What Neo was supposed to do or meant to do became lost amid the neverending action. Neverending I tell you. The effects stood above anything I've ever seen, but the true kicker to The Matrix Trilogy is supposedly its story. And while humanity may or may not have won out in this film, I am sad to say that the story suffered drastically. A real downer, followed by massive confusion, at the end, however, was a nice touch.
After three films, I've made a decision:
I'd much rather live in the Matrix than in Zion. Things are less complicated in the Matrix. Ignorance is not bliss, but confusion just ain't my bag baby.
p.s. Wachowski Brothers, don't tell me that even you understand what happened at the end. I leave it to you.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
It's Tarantino, And It's Good!
KILL BILL!!! Just saw it and was I ever pleased. Tarantino's hiatus has left all his fans yearning for another blistering flick from the cinematic genius. He returns with KILL BILL: Vol. 1. He returns with style.
The performances are all over the top, but this kind of tongue-in-cheek moviemaking calls for that kind of behavior. Uma Thurman is sensational, as well as Lucy Liu. Vivica A. Fox doesn't have much time to develop, so her performance can't be lauded too much. Daryl Hannah is promising, with more to come. Michael Madsen is almost non-existent. However, as with Daryl Hannah, he has more to come. David Carradine has yet to show his face but comes off riveting as the title character.
The scenes move quickly and the flow of the movie is uneven. The movie really shines for its style and little bells and whistles. There is a great amount of detail, and the nods to martial arts culture such as the music, the formats used (there's even Anime), the costumes and the characters themselves are very enjoyable.
In the opinion of this viewer, Tarantino, who is known for his great dialogue, has abandoned cleverness and gone more for emotion and in-your-face action. This film isn't very talkative and when characters are talking, it isn't engaging dialogue. You don't have fun with it. The dialogue is always building up to something and you almost always know what it is. The film is very straightforward. The flashbacks are a kick, giving further insight into the characters.
This isn't totally important to talk about, but it still is a major part of the film. Violence. I mean some serious violence. This is one the bloodiest films I have ever seen, and that's saying a lot. Some of the deaths are appalling, and for that Tarantino needs to be praised. When you go over the top with a film, you have to go all out. One of the characters has an accident, ala the movie Hannibal, that has to be seen to believe. Innumerable limbs and oceans of blood are lost. It's great. This isn't a movie to take terribly seriously, you 're just supposed to have fun with it the way Tarantino probably did making it.
Last but not least, twists. This film starts with a twist, cut off by a bang. I think most who saw the movie knew what Uma Thurman was about to say before she got that bullet in her head, which obviously didn't kill her, but only made her more angry. The bullet was courtesy of Bill, as mentioned in the trailers so I'm not giving anything away. He has a nice twist of his own, which serves as the last line to Vol. 1, leaving it in a cliffhanger.
Where Vol. 2 will go, it's hard to say. If it is anything like Vol. 1, which I imagine it will be, then most are in for a real treat. KILL BILL is a great movie experience, with Tarantino at the wheel. Enjoy!