The Kids Are All Right review

Brokeback Mountain was too soon for Hollywood right?  It didn't win a Best Picture Oscar.  Hollywood wasn't prepared to let a film about gays win gold, or so the rumors go.  Fast forward to 2010 and Hollywood seems to be a lot nicer.  The Kids Are All Right has now been nominated for 4 Oscars.  Whoa!  The movie is about a lesbian couple (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore), and their two children (Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson).  As the children get older, they want to meet the man who's sperm helped create them through artificial insemination (played by Mark Ruffalo).  Let's begin.

What I liked about the film:
The Story

It's a cute and original story about a family that could easily exist in our modern times.  I could only imagine adopted children searching for their biological parents, much like the children in the film search for Ruffalo's character.  The drama occurs when Moore's character begins an affair with Ruffalo behind Bening's back.  Ignoring the execution, it's a great, original story. 

The Cast

I think every actor nailed it, but one (wait for the dislikes to find out who).  Even though Bening's character is an absolute B; she nails it.  She is the strong minded, head of the household figure; and she was rewarded with an Oscar nom.  Moore is the one actor in this film who was snubbed.  She has perhaps the most difficult role in the film, and also goes through the biggest transition.  It's too bad there are only five slots, otherwise, she would have easily been a sixth choice for the academy.

The kids do fine in their respective roles.  Wasikowska's character was born from Benning's character, and boy are they similar.  Strong headed, leaders, etc.  Hutcherson was born from Moore's character and the same thing, he's just like her too.  Passive, submissive, underachiever, etc.  The young actors did well with their material.


What I didn't like about the film:
Mark Ruffalo

Oh man I'm going to get ish from FattMatt.  Believe me, I had trouble even typing out his name just now.  I usually LOVE Ruffalo's work.  I am a huge fan.  But this is my opinion... he was God awful.  He plays this hippie, nothing is a big deal douche bag.  Some might say "that's just his character"; I say no.  The character is supposed to be a charismatic womanizer, that is a good father figure, but has an affair with Moore, but loves women, but wants a family.  A pretty complex character right?  Ruffalo plays him so monotone it's unbelievable to me that he was nominated for Best Actor.

The Director
Lisa Cholodenko was even considered for a Best Director Oscar nomination?!?!  What the heck.  She would have been nominated for a character piece, and Christopher Nolan who had literally one million things to keep track of with Inception didn't?  I just don't get it.  Any director could have filmed this movie.  Anyone.  It's a character piece.  It wasn't a sweeping epic, or war film, just five main characters and the way they live their lives.  I don't get it.


The Verdict:
Pass
I did not like the film at all.  In fact, when the final credits began to roll, I cursed the screen and asked for two hours of my life back.  Maybe the hype was a part of my disappointment.  But I doubt that, because I usually don't feed into the hype, just formulate my own opinions; as you can tell by the contradictory review.  The film did well in theaters and I think Moore was definitely snubbed.  Bening will unfortunately lose to Natalie Portman who absolutely kills it in Black Swan.  Again, this is a big time pass for me.  Wont see it again.

Quickie: A Mark Ruffalo Stand-Alone "Hulk" Film?

Mark Ruffalo recently sat down with Empire and had this to say: "They set up several pictures over a couple of years and possibly there will be a Hulk movie. There'll probably be a couple more Avengers too, which would be fun."

I don't know what to think. I love the casting of Ruffalo for the Hulk in The Avengers movie, but I'm kind of burned out on the character all together. Maybe I'll feel different in 3 years after The Avengers has been released and everyone is singing its praises (or hates it).

Also, I think Marvel learned a lot and did some great things with The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton. I think they can build on that success and create another story worth telling where we actually care about the big green monster. Read Empire's entire article. He gives Norton some props as well.

Now rumor has it, and there's proof in the comics, that Hulk may be the villain in The Avengers. Check out The Ultimates series of The Avengers. This would be interesting to say the least; The Avengers assembling to take down one of their own. I could be wrong, because there's a rumor that Hulk's nemesis, Abomination, is the Avenger's main villain (he doesn't die at the end of The Incredible Hulk). Either way, I'm waiting to hear more details before I decide. What do you think about a Mark Ruffalo stand-alone Hulk film?

"Avengers" Assemble... at Comic-Con

Left to Right: Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Liam Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Jeremy Renner as Hawk Eye, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk, Director Joss Whedon, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige

Movie stars filled the panels, rumors were laid to rest, and every nerd on the planet was waiting for this moment. The Avengers cast, in one place, at one time. That's the power of Comic-Con. I've talked about it a lot on the blog: everything from Chris Evans casting as the Captain, to Edward Norton's ugly exit, all things Avengers. At Comic-Con in San Diego this year, the entire cast went up on stage, settling three, very talked-about rumors.

First, Joss Whedon WILL direct the film. That's an obvious one, but Marvel never announced it officially before Comic-Con.

Second, Jeremy Renner WILL play Hawk Eye! I love this move by the way.

Third, and I guess most talked about... Mark Ruffalo WILL replace Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/Hulk. This movie can't get any more epic, can it? We'll have to wait and see. There's still those rumors of Nathan Fillion and Eva Longoria joining the cast as Ant-Man and Wasp. We'll let you know what happens. You satisfied with the cast?

Mark Ruffalo to Play Hulk? Please Let It Be True!

/Slashfilm is reporting via Deadline that Mark 'freakin' awesome' Ruffalo may be the next Hulk! I would love my pick of Cillian Murphy, but this will surely do! Mark Ruffalo is an underrated actor in Hollywood and I hope this news is true. Apparently he's in "late stages of negotiations" to play Bruce Banner in The Avengers! There's no other details, so here are a few roles I really enjoyed Ruffalo in:

Shutter Island: Without spoiling the ending, Ruffalo's job was not an easy one. He was to make the audience think two different things at once until the very last scene of the movie. Great job!

The Brothers Bloom: An otherwise forgettable movie, Ruffalo's con-man character was anything but. Ruffalo played the character with sincerity and made us love to hate his character.

Reservation Road: Playing a character that kills a little boy in a hit-and-run accident, Ruffalo was amazing. He and the previously rumored choice for Bruce Banner, Joaquin Phoenix, were terrific in this character piece.

The Last Castle: Playing a disgraced military man, Ruffalo played a traitor who wanted to desperately redeem himself. Ruffalo stood toe to toe with acting greats, Robert Redford and James Gandolfini.

I'll keep ya posted!

Quickie: Shutter Island trailer #2

Enjoy this new trailer from the director Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo... Shutter Island.