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.

Tonedog Review: "Alice in Wonderland"

Finally! The long awaited Alice in Wonderland has screened in thousands of theaters across the country. Now... how was it?! Ok, I've done this a few times before and it seems to get the best response. I'll go through what I liked and didn't like about the movie.

What I liked:

'Underland':
What did you expect from Tim Burton? Seriously, was there a doubt that this man was going to make 'Underland' anything less than magnificent? The world looks and feels familiar, yet so very different. It has a very eerie, Gothic feel, that makes you just a little bit uneasy... which I'm sure Alice must feel as she enters this strange world. The colors, the animals, creatures, all amazing. I don't want to focus too much on this point... but watch the film in 2D. My wife and I watched in 3D and to be completely honest, it took away from the movie for me. So many details are blurry (a big negative to 3D), that I would rather enjoy them in 2D.

The cast/characters:
Again, what did you expect? So much talent, so many unbelievable characters it's ridiculous. Let me start with Johnny Depp, he does an amazing job as the lovable, yet crazy Mad Hatter. He has to be charming enough for you to care, and goofy enough to make you think he's nuts... without being annoying. Great work.

Helen Bonham Carter STEALS THE SHOW! She's sooo good, she's so talented, so funny I couldn't wait for her to reappear onscreen. Pay close attention to the amazing acting she does with her face alone, because her body is slightly twisted for the movie. Mia Wasikowska does great as a curious, scared, confident Alice.

The characters were mostly CGI all of which are stunning. Great to look at, great voice acting and just overall a orgasm for the eyes. Anne Hathaway... I still think you're the most overrated actress in Hollywood, 'nuff said.



What I didn't like:

The story:
This is perhaps the deal breaker for me as far as giving this movie a thumbs up approval. The story is simple, and I understand that's good for families going to see the film, but come ooooon! I don't want to spoil anything, but I promise you this... you will leave asking yourself "who cares?" Seriously, why even make the movie with such a weak story? As I was watching the film, I thought to myself, "oh, this happened in the 1951 Disney cartoon. Oh those characters are in the cartoon. Oh that is a cool CGI version of the cartoon." There wasn't enough of a difference from the cartoon classic to consider this a true sequel, as much as a reboot with CGI. So disappointing there wasn't more meat to the story... SO DISAPPOINTING!

My own expectation:
Look, this is an interpersonal issue, and I understand that. But you're on our blog, so I'm assuming you care what we feel. I felt like I was so let down. I feel like it was such a lost opportunity to make something so special. The talent was there, the characters were there, the technology was there, but.... flat. So flat. A year now of solid anticipation and I walked out so let down.



Maybe I'm being harsh, maybe I "missed the point", but I really did feel let down. It's ok, Burton and company are going to be fine, because the movie is going to do well, VERY WELL. It was sold out 1:40 PM showing on Friday afternoon, a school day. So look for big numbers, check out the movie and lets compare scoring points.

6/10
C+
My thumb is down.

New Alice in Wonderland trailer!

WOW... the first REAL trailer from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. And it looks great!!!! Check it out below and remember, the movie is out March 5th, 2010. My birthday is the 8th, so tickets to see this would be a great gift, wink wink. Enjoy.

Quickie: Alice in Wonderland Teaser Trailer!

'Alice in Wonderland' Teaser Trailer

Just enjoy!