Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End by ME

Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Stellan Skarsgard, Geoffrey Rush
Directed By: Gore Verbinski, George Marshall Ruge
Produced By: Bruce Hendricks, Mike Stenson, Chad Oman
Genre: Action/Adventure, Adaptation and Sequel
Release Date: May 24th/25th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence and some frightening images.
Distributors: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End is the final installment of the trilogy based on Disney's Pirates Of The Caribbean ride. I believe the novelty of the first film has definitely worn off and we are left with a convoluted three hour epic tale that is not what I have come to know and love in the Pirates movies. Sparrow is dead and the rest of the cast are in Singapore to get a ship, crew and a map to Davy Jones' Locker to rescue Jack. Then our favorite pirates head to Shipwreck Cove where the big gathering of all of the Pirate Lords is taking place. They discuss if they should fight the East India Trade Company or if they should flee. They decide to fight so they can flee. Which leads to an intense showdown between Sparrow, Barbossa and the crew of the Black Pearl and Beckett and Jones in the maelstrom that we have seen in the trailer. That, my friends, is an overly simplistic look at what is going on in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Don't get me wrong, I liked it, just not as much as Curse of the Black Pearl or Dead Man's Chest. The first scene of multiple hangings, including women and a child should let you know that this will be a darker Pirates. Even after that, I still expected the fun that made the first two films a success. That, sadly, is lacking. As my wife put it, "It seems that Jack has gotten more sober with each film." I agree but think the whole franchise has gone that route. Where is the fun of Jack docking on a sinking ship? Or the slaps which he may or may not have deserved? Sparrow is seriously looking out for his own skin and the comedy is relegated to Pintel and Ragetti, the most pointless crew members of any ship if you ask me.

Drawbacks – I feel that the sequence of Jack captaining a crew of himself while in Davy Jones' Locker to be a little superfluous. Do we really need to see him interacting with made up versions of himself? And not only does it happen in Davy Jones' Locker, but after they get out as well. It just seems like they were trying too hard to make up for the lack of humor elsewhere and it didn't work for me. Convoluted character arcs, betrayals and alliances galore: don't even get me started on those! I feel I need a second viewing just to straighten out all the characters motivations!

What can be said about the cast that hasn't been said already? My favorites have always been Barbossa and Davy Jones. Barbossa adds a lunacy to the goings on that just makes me smile every time he is onscreen. This time around Jones is forced to be a heavy for Cutler Beckett and the East India Trade Co. He is none too happy about that, and it shows! We also learn who his true love is. You will be surprised, I promise. The only new addition to the cast is Chow Yun Fat with a rather short role in which he doesn't get to hit anybody. And to me, that is under utilizing him. The cameo that everyone has been waiting for is just that, a cameo. Keith Richards is in two scenes and only says one line. Again, an underutilization if I ever saw one although he did look terrific. He should have been elected King of the Pirates long ago. With the gravity and presence he brings to the show, there never should have been any question who the King of Pirates should be.

Cinematography and effects? Superb. This is what kept me in my seat. Jones' crew looks awesome, with a new addition of an eel like crew member that reminded me of the guy in X3 who could regrow his arms. Also, there is a superb Matrix-like slow motion destruction scene of Beckett's ship, ILM has superseded anything that has been created thus far in any movie out there.

Consider this review a first impression as I found I had to pay more attention to the movie than to note taking. I will say this, the film is entertaining, but may require more than one viewing in order to follow all of the story lines involved. Not as funny, but more intriguing and a tad overlong, Pirates 3 is almost a great movie.

Until Jack finds the Fountain of Youth,
keep reading.
Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: Shrek the Third by CD

Title: Shrek The Third
Starring:Mike Myers, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Amy Sedaris, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph
Directed By: Chris Miller, Raman Hui
Produced By: Andrew Adamson, John H. Williams, Aron J. Warner
Genre: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Kids/Family, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Animation and Sequel
Release Date: May 18th, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG for some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action.
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Being king isn't for everyone--especially if you're a prickly ogre who smells like the shallow end of a swamp. When Shrek married Fiona, the last thing he wanted was to rule Far Far Away, but when his frogger-in-law, King Harold, suddenly croaks, Shrek is quickly fitted for the crown. Now, unless the reluctant would-be king can find a suitable replacement, he'll be royally screwed for the rest of his days. -Yahoo movies

Poor Shrek, all he wanted to do was spend a nice evening in his swamp. Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to achieve. Now after finally being accepted by Fiona's father, he is set to head back home, but the king is ill and Fiona is next in line. BRING ON KING SHREK!

These are words that Shrek fears. Try as hard as he might, he is just unable to fill those shoes. So before the king croaks (get it, he is a frog). Shrek is told of a cousin named Artie who could fill the royal flippers should Shrek find it to overwhelming.

In my humble opinion the Shrek franchise has yet again made a great traveling buddy film. It might not be perceived as being as funny as the the previous 2 films, but it shows a lot of heart and growth from Shrek. Still battling the Ogre stigma, he learns that he has to have a softer touch.

You see that with his interaction with the young would be king Artie. Acting as more of a father figure trying to help him see that he can do anything if he sets his heart to it.

I personally am a father and these are concerns that we all feel. Will I be the right kind of dad or for that matter even the right kind of man for the job. It is a good thing too that Shrek is working on this. Because as he sets sail for his mission, Fiona drops a bomb shell on him. Fiona is pregnant.

Now to the villainous element. What, you didn't think this film was all sunshine and rose petals. Did you?

Prince Charming rounds up all the fairytale villains and talks them into fighting for him to become the new king. As they storm the castle, the princesses defend the kingdom of Far Far Away until Shrek gets back.

They really did try to have more of a story in this film. The jokes are there, but they are a bit more subtle than in the previous 2 films.


Memorable quotes:

[M.C. at Artie's school pep rally]
“Remember kids, JUST SAY NAY!”

Prince Charming: You! You can't lie! Where is Shrek?
Pinocchio: Well, uh, I don't know where he's not.
Prince Charming: You don't know where Shrek is?
Pinocchio: On the contrary,
Prince Charming: So you do know where he is!
Pinocchio: I'm possibly more or less not definitely rejecting the idea that I undeniably
Prince Charming: Stop It!
Pinocchio: Do or do not know where he shouldn't probably be. If that indeed wasn't where he isn't!

Donkey: [Donkey and Puss in Boots have switched bodies] I've been abra-cadabra'd into a Fancy Feasting second-rate sidekick!
Shrek: Donkey...
Donkey: I feel all exposed and nasty!

It's been Odd
C.D.
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

Movie Review: Severance by ME

Title: Severance
Starring: Laura Harris, Danny Dyer, Tim McInnerny, David Gilliam (II), Toby Stephens
Directed By: Chris Smith (VI)
Produced By: Michael Kuhn, Jason Newmark, Finola Dwyer
Genre: Art/Foreign, Comedy and Suspense/Horror
Release Date: May 18th, 2007 (limited)
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence, language, drug content and some sexuality/nudity.
Distributors: Magnolia Pictures

Severance is a horror comedy that has been unjustly compared to Shaun of the Dead. While both films make fun of the horror genre, Severance isn't so much a parody as it is a tongue in cheek look at the slasher film. Seven employees of the Palisade Defence company are taken on a teamwork building retreat in the mountains of Hungary, or is it Budapest? Anyways, a detour forces them to stay at the wrong Lodge. Now, they think they are in the right place but they aren't. And that is when things begin to go wrong. Bear traps, pitfalls, minefields and maniacs await them.

I went into Severance knowing nothing. I hadn't seen a trailer, read a synopsis or even looked at a cast list. So this may be a better review than most as I had absolutely no expectations at all. From the first scene of a masked man with a machete chasing two half naked women and a man through the woods reminiscent of the Friday The 13th films, Severance takes it's first stab (groan) at the slasher films. Filled with stereotypes of both office workers and victims in slasher movies (In the same people, no less!), you had better check your brain at the door.

Let me just make a list of things about this movie because I can't seem to find the flowing fountain of words that would be best to describe Severance in a most flattering and prolific way.

First – The film is slightly confusing as to who the protagonist(s) are. Is it lunatics from the asylum turned lodge? Or is it remnant Russian war criminals fearing discovery and just trying to survive? Don't worry, it is resolved but you are wondering about it for a bit.

Second – Humor, some good, some not so good but none really bad. Examples (Note if you don't want to read descriptions of complete scenes, skip this part) Chick is tied to a tree, Flamethrower Killer (I swear, that's how he is credited!) pours gasoline over her. Tries to light a match, match goes out, tries another, same thing, tries another, same thing. Cut to slightly relieved woman, cut to killers back, he slowly turns around holding a flamethrower. Another gruesomely funny scene is when one guy steps on a bear trap and two others are trying to pry it open. They keep slipping and the trap slams shut four times, finally severing his leg. Hope that is enough examples of the sick humor that is in this film. I have at least one more that I wanted to share with you but to me it is one of the best in the film and I don't want to let all of the cats out.

Third – Casting, only person I have even heard of is Laura Harris, whom I last saw in Habitat and The Faculty. She plays Maggie. She reminded me of Anna Faris in the Scary Movie movies in that she seems to be the catalyst and the only non-stereotype in the cast. Danny Dyer is the funniest of the bunch as the stoner dude Steve, who spends most of the movie either on mushrooms, stoned or on Ecstasy. Some of his high points (pun intended) is being led around on a leash by Harris so he doesn't get lost, seeing multiple versions of himself while tripping, and tries to stuff the aforementioned severed leg into a mini fridge.

Fourth – Cinematography. My regular readers know how much I hate the shakycam and it's overuse. I am proud to say that if it was used at all in this movie, I didn't notice it. And to me that's a good thing. Kind of like a good haircut. If you don't notice that someone got one, then that means it's a good one.

OK, OK, get to the recommendation already! Would I recommend it? I could go either way on this one. While not as hilarious as Shaun of the Dead, Severance is a different type of horror humor. I liked it because for the most part, it wasn't dumb humor. Granted, opinions are like a**holes, everybody has one, but I do plan on renting it on DVD. But will you enjoy it? I don't really know. I can tell you that I learned a few things from this movie. If your company offers you a teamwork building retreat, skip it. But, if you must go, make sure the bus driver speaks your language. I'll bet if he did, this situation would never have come to pass and everybody would be much happier campers (again, pun intended).

Emerson out!

Keep reading,
Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: 28 Weeks Later by ME

Title: 28 Weeks Later
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau Jr, Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Catherine McCormack
Directed By: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Produced By: Alex Garland, Danny Boyle, Andrew Macdonald
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller and Sequel
Release Date: May 11th, 2007
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence and gore, language and some sexuality/nudity.
Distributors: 20th Century Fox Distribution

28 weeks after the original outbreak of the Rage virus, all of the infected have died from starvation and London is ready for re-population. 15,000 people are now back and trying to start new lives. With an unbelievable amount of military supervision the plan seems to be working, until Don (Robert Carlyle), a cowardly husband who leaves his wife (Catherine McCormack) behind to die during the original outbreak, finds out that she is still alive. She is a carrier of the virus but is not affected, but Don doesn't know that. They kiss and the proverbial poo-poo hits the fan, again. Now his kids, who may have the same immunity as the mother, must now get out of the infected zone with the help of three soldiers ,Doyle (Jeremy Renner), Scarlet (Rose Byrne), and Flynn (Harold Perrineau Jr.) before either A. The infected get them, or B. the military firebombs London.

In 2002 Danny Boyle created a different take on the zombie film. That movie was 28 days later, and it was a hit. In 2007, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo has taken what Boyle created and made it better. Yes, one of the few sequels that is just as good, and even better in some aspects, than the original. If you have seen 28 Days Later you know that this isn't a zombie film in the traditional sense. These guys are not shambling, stumbling, clumsy dead people. These are fast and furious mindless machines of infection and death. This movie invoked the same creepy-crawly sensation in the pit of my stomach as the first, yet even more so. Using fast cuts and the patented “shakycam”, Fresnadillo ramps up the tension and then delivers on the scares, only to do it again and again. Beautiful and ghostly aerial shots of an abandoned and decimated London help set the stage and drive home the feeling that this could happen.

If Jeremy Renner seems familiar to you, don't worry he is. He was “Dags” in National Lampoon's Senior Trip. Now if you would have told me then that Dags would make a good soldier type, I would have laughed in your face. And, not only does he play a good trooper, but he also shows emotional conflict when he is told to open fire on civilians in order to contain the outbreak. My hat's off to you Jeremy. The real heart of our little group is Rose Byrne's Scarlet, who knows the importance of Andy's blood. I have only seen her in smaller roles before this so I have nothing to compare her to, but she doesn't seem out of place. While being important to the plot, the chldren just seem like extra that are baggage at times (which essentially they are as they are the carriers of a possible cure or what have you) and Harold Perineau Jr. plays basically the same character he did in the Matrix trilogy, a pilot.

My one and only problem is with Zombie Dad Don. Somehow, he seems to survive snipers, firebombing and chemical weapons to pop up every fifteen minutes or so to terrorize his children. That seemed a bit of a stretch to me.

I consider this a horror film and a sequel that is just as good if not better than the original. I liked that the budget was bigger and was able to expand the scope of the movie. Instead of dealing with a small band of survivors, we get to see the effects of the Rage virus on an entire nation.

Keep reading,
Mitch E
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Theater Review: Wonderful Town by JR

Two sisters from Ohio move to New York to discover new opportunities. One, Eileen, is an aspiring actress who never has to buy anything herself: her looks and charm get her by. The other, Ruth, is a writer who doesn’t have the same fortunate ability as her sister. Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and music by Leonard Bernstein. Based on the play, “My Sister Eileen” that was made into an Oscar-winning movie, “Wonderful Town” began its initial run on Broadway in 1953 won 6 Tony awards including Best Musical. The revival began in 2003 and was nominated for 6 Tony’s, but only won for Best Choreography.

Let me start off with the obvious: “Wonderful Town” should be called “Boring Town”. There. I’ve got that out of the way. “Wonderful Town” is one of those musicals that is not as much for the audience as it is for the players involved. The highly intricate and challenging score is exhausting to listen to, but I’m sure would be freaking amazing to sing. The harmonies are great, as in “Ohio”, and the opening song “Christopher Street” has 17 key changes. 17! Something brag-worthy among vocalists. Also, the Overture had very complicated time changes. I couldn’t keep track. Perhaps if “Wonderful Town” was a snooty modern art piece, the music would be easier to bear. But it tries so hard to be whimsical and reminiscent of “happier musicals” like “Guys and Dolls”. The music just doesn’t fit.

One of the biggest contributing factors to my non-enjoyment of “Wonderful Town” was the sound. It could be the Fair Park Music Hall and a problem with the acoustics (although I’ve seen countless productions there and there hasn’t been a problem like this). It could be the fact that the entire orchestra plays on a raised platform on the stage instead of in the pit. It could be some wiring problem, or a sound technician was asleep. I couldn’t hear a damn word these people said. I had to strain to try to understand them while they were talking, and it was even worse while they were singing. The lowest point in the musical was a song sung by a former football star named Wreck called “Pass the Football”. He sounded like Special Ed from Crank Yankers. Seriously. “Duuhhh, da-dum, dee-dum dee-dum, duuuhhh Pass duh Football!!” Another bad one was “My Darling Eileen” sung by Irish policemen. If you think it’s hard to understand Special Ed as a singing football player, try understanding extremely thick and overexaggerated Irish accents. Oh, and they do some Riverdance in there too. I think it was about this point that I turned to April and whispered, “What the hell is this?”

There were a few good songs. A few. My favorite was “One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man”. Sounds stupid, right? Nah. It was great. Too bad there weren’t more moments in the show like this one. It’s Ruth’s big number in the first act. Because of this number, Ruth stole the show.

Along with not being able to understand anything that was going on, the sets don’t provide much to look at. The entire orchestra is on stage for the whole musical. That doesn’t leave much room for any sets. There are a few backdrops, and there is some furniture that comes in for scenes in Ruth and Eileen’s apartment, but that’s about it. So if you’re keeping track, that’s 1) Nothing to listen to and 2) Nothing to look at.

“Wonderful Town” is currently on tour. You can find out if it’s coming to your town by clicking here.

Jenny Rushing

beccajane67@yahoo.com

Movie Review: Spider-Man 3 by ME

Title: Spider-Man 3
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, James Franco
Directed By: Sam Raimi
Produced By: Stan Lee, Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr, Kevin Feige
Genre: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adaptation and Sequel
Release Date: May 4th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence.
Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing

Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire)dons the mask once again. This time he is up against Harry Osborn (James Franco), Sandman (Thomas Hayden Church) and Venom (Topher Grace). At the same time, he gets a nifty new suit that amplifies his aggression along with his powers. AND, he is having girl trouble, not only with Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), but with newcomer Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard). Spidey sure has his plate full this time around.

If this review seems a little jumbled, it's because I am such a fan of the Spider-Man movies and comic book movies in general, that it is hard to write an unbiased opinion. So consider this a disclaimer. The views and opionions contained in the following review are the sole opinions of a big Spider-Man fan and an almost rabid fan of any and all comic book movies.

Have you noticed that it seems that the first and third installment of a trilogy almost always gets a bum rap? Unless it's Lord of the Rings, which doesn't count as they were all shot at the same time. Anyways, Star Wars – Who doesn't agree that Empire is the best of the lot? X-Men – X2 whooped X1's butt but The Last stand fizzled to put it nicely. Superman – Kneel before Zod! Get the picture? So with a grain of salt, here we go.

Spider-Man 3's shortcomings fall mostly in the minor issues category. It's biggest problem is that there is just way too much going on for even a two and a half hour movie. While Mr. Raimi does an admirable job, I think that it should have been split up into a third and fourth movie. Where the film succeeds is everywhere else. The story has at least one twist that I sure didn't see coming and the way Venom was handled exceeded my expectations after hearing all the hoopla and rumors on the internet. I am a Venom fan from way back and was actually scared upon hearing about the casting of Topher Grace. But my worries were unfounded, Venom was handled as well as can be expected with the short screen time. Raimi could have just used him as shock value but instead even Brock has a story that can cause you to sympathize with him, even if it is only a little. Sandman also gets what is supposed to be a heartbreaking story but it is hard to feel sorry for him when again, there isn't much screen time.

Do we really need to go into detail about returning cast members? Ok, but quickly. Maguire rocks, with everything that is happening to him you can truly see why the black suit is so enticing. If it wasn't for the teachings of Uncle Ben and Aunt May, we wouldn't have needed Eddie Brock Jr. Peter would have turned to the dark side on his own. Kirsten Dunst, while I admire her, there is something about her that doesn't seem right for Mary Jane. But, after three films I guess I am getting used to her. All the faves return, J.Jonah Jameson, Robbie, Betty, Ursula, Hoffman, like I said everybody. James Franco gets to show that he is more than just a background character, bringing Harry Osborn to a new level.. Rounding out the cast is newcomers to the saga, Thomas Hayden Church and Topher Grace. Both of which are slightly underused due to the overstuffed plot, but work well with the amount of screen time given.

Sam Raimi has done an excellent job balancing all of the elements that make up Spider-Man 3 while still providing room for each characters inner turmoil to come through.

Just remember Sam, with a great budget, comes great responsibility.

Keep reading,
Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com