"Hellboy II" Review

Mary's Review

I must admit that I am not a comic book reader, nor do I typically get psyched up by new super hero film releases. When I saw the original Hellboy, I was fairly impressed, since I tend to enjoy fantasy films. Mainly, I liked the monsters and wild characters in Hellboy I, but I wasn't crazy about the movie as a whole.

When the first Hellboy was released, I had no idea who Guillermo del Toro was. After falling in love with Pan's Labyrinth (read my review), I was eager to see all of Del Toro's upcoming films. I was looking forward to seeing Hellboy II, but I wasn't sure if it would blow me away like Pan's Labyrinth, or if it would underwhelm me like the first Hellboy. Folks, Hellboy II is awesome!

I don't typically gush over mainstream films, since they are usually pretty bland, but this summer blockbuster made the cut. Del Toro pulls all of the stops for Hellboy II. He managed to create a charming, witty, sophistocated, humorous, exciting, action-packed, visually in-sane super hero film! I loved it, my husband loved it, and we are looking forward to watching it with my three teen brothers.

Del Toro has successfully created another world of dazzling monsters and amazing creatures. The scenery is stunning, the storyline is moving, the action is explosive and gritty, and the creatures are magnificent.

Scroll down to watch the trailer. It shows a bit too much, but if you still need convincing, I hope that seeing some of the crazy characters in the trailer will change your mind.

Come back and let me know what you thought about the film!

General Information

• Released July, 2008.
• Rated PG-13.
  
• Director & Writer: Guillermo del Toro.
• Go to the interactive movie site.
• See what the tough review site Rotten Tomatoes rated Hellboy II.
• Scroll down to watch trailer.

Cast

• Starring Ron Perlman,
• Selma Blair,
• Doug Jones,
• Jefferey Tambor,
• Luke Goss,
• John Hurt,
• And more!
  

Peer Reviews

"A spectacularly vibrant, varied, detailed, freakish, magical, surreal and exciting universe for this sequel to Hellboy." -by Andrew Urban (from Rotten Tomatoes)

"The film shows a certain wit and a refined eclecticism: a director who in a few seconds combines Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, a quotation from Tennyson’s In Memoriam and two monsters singing Beautiful Freak deserves watching" -by Martin Hoyle (from Rotten Tomatoes)

"Not only are the creatures amazingly conceived, but there’s a lovely sense of humour to it all as Del Toro references horror movies of the past and even the work of John Landis." -by David Stratton (from Rotten Tomatoes)

Watch Hellboy II Trailer!

"Factory Girl" Review

Mary's Review

Factory Girl is based on the life of Edie Sedgwick, the famous New York socialite, model, and friend to notorious artist, Andy Worhol. Although the trailer portrays the movie as a romance, the film is actually based on the friendship of Sedgwick and Warhol, and how the friendship contributed to the downfall of Edie Sedgwick. There is a short romance between Edie and the folk singer (my all-time favorite artist), Bob Dylan, who is played by Hayden Christensen. I wasn't a big fan of his after seeing his rendition of Anakin Skywalker; however, he played a great young, handsome Bob Dylan.

This film basically documents the fall of Sedgwick, although she is on top of the world before things start to crumble bit by bit. Between her family troubles, her rocky friendships with celebrities, her insatiable lust for approval, and her dangerous affair with drugs and alcohol, Edie Sedgwick slides down a dangerous slope before your very eyes. Before you know it, the poor little rich girl will win you over and will have you wanting to reach into the screen to pull her off of her destructive path.

Guy Pearce plays a fantastic Warhol, the fascinating and bizarre 1960's pop artist and revolutionary visual art icon. I love watching Warhol biographies; what a random and off-the-wall personality! This is the first Warhol depiction that really showcases his interaction with those who adored him. Although Warhol plays a large role in this film, Factory Girl revolves around Edie Sedgwick's fabulous, rich life-turned sour.

This film shows the audience how wonderful and also how terrible a life of privilege can become. Much of this film is fun, exciting, and very amusing; but Edie finds herself on the opposite side of the spectrum as well. Sienna Miller is endearing, profound, and raw in this role. I had no idea that adorable little British blonde had this role inside of her, but Sienna Miller put on a shuttering performance.

I hope you enjoy the film, but it is important to remember that this is an account of a true story, with actors playing the parts of once-living characters. This glamorous, tragic tale may leave you with some powerful thoughts. I would be honored if you would return to share your interpretation of Factory Girl.

General Information

• Go to interactive Factory Girl website.
• Directed by George Hickenlooper.
• Tagline: "When Andy met Edie, life imitated art."
• See a listing of the star-studded cast.
  
• Read a New York Times review of Factory Girl.
• Download movie.
• Scroll down to watch movie trailer (FYI: doesn't do movie justice).
  

Peer Reviews

"Guy Pearce is fabulous as Warhol, delivering a complex portrait of the pop artist as a bundle of contradictions." -by Laura Clifford (from Rotten Tomatoes)

"Point: Don't do drugs! Who knew that Any Warhol was so messed up?!?! It is cool that the film is based on a true story. It shows what happens to real people in real life when vanity takes over. Sad in so many ways." -Melody, age 23

"Sienna Miller, revealing a depth and presence she's never hinted at before, inhabits Sedgwick with raw exuberance." -Phil Villareal (from Rotten Tomatoes)

"Miller gets old and used up before our eyes, and we not only see it, we see what it means to experience it. This is a movie about power, and its spectacle is that of a woman losing all of it." -by Mick LaSalle (from Rotton Tomatoes)

Watch Trailer of Factory Girl (FYI: doesn't really do the movie justice).

"Thumbsucker" Review

Mary's Review

I saw this movie when it first came out in 2005, and I have been a big fan ever since. This film was so much fun to watch; I was constantly surprised by the characters and the unpredictable plot. Just when I thought the movie was a coming of age film, I changed my mind and thought it was more of a comedy, then I thought it might be a romance, then I thought it was more of a teen angst movie, and by the end, I was only sure that I loved it!

For such a small independent film that most people have never heard of, the cast is phenomenal! The lead is played by a new young actor named Lou Taylor Pucci, who was also in the movie The Chumscrubber (see my review). In this film, Pucci is so great at the comedy, and he effortlessly made me sad for his character, as well as inspired. The rest of the cast was amazing, but I think Pucci's performance is what made Thumbsucker so great.

Simply, Thumbsucker is about a teen who sucks his thumb to relieve stress and attempts to break his habbit. This is such an honest portrayal of the world from a teenager's perspective. This movie is very funny, intelligent, sexy, sympathetic, thoughtful, and eye-opening. Vince Vaughn plays the crazy teacher, Tilda Swinton plays the mom, Vincent D'Nofrio plays the dad, Kelli Garner is the cute girl, Benjamin Bratt is a messed up celebrity, and Keanu Reeves is fantastic as the creepy, yet wise dentist.

Basically, if you have a family or have ever been a teenager, you should see Thumbsucker. Seriously, I hope you get a chance to cuddle up under some warm blankets and relax with Thumbsucker. Please come back to leave your own review!

General Information

• Directed by Mike Mills.
• Based on the 1999 novel by Walter Kirn.
• Official movie site http://www.sonyclassics.com/thumbsucker/
• Recieved 3 wins and 4 nominations (including an award from the Sundance Film Festival!)
• Listen to the soundtrack for free. The music is rhetro, ironic, and upbeat.
• Watch the Thumbsucker trailer below.

Peer Reviews

"Quirky doesn't begin to describe this eccentric and funny dip into the bizarro-world psyche of adolescence, marked by neck-breaking turns of character in teenagers and adults alike" -by Jim Slotek (from Rotten Tomatoes)

"In its own sneaky way, the film cleverly manages to examine the meaning of loneliness while looking at dysfunctional-family dynamics, but without becoming too overwhelming or too heavy-handed." - by Jeff Vice (from Rotten Tomatoes)

"Its great strength lies in its characters, all of whom are constantly surprising the viewer by not being what they seem" -by Ken Hanke (from Rotten Tomatoes)

"The way Mills gives every character the chance to surprise us turns what could have been just another tale of teen suburban angst into something special" -Rob Thomas (from Rotten Tomatoes)

Your review could be here!

"Pan's Labyrinth" Review

Mary's Review

To describe this film in simple terms is a challenging task. If you are wondering what to expect with this film, it is a combination of Harry Potter and Schindler's List- if you can wrap your head around that concept.

I really love fantasy films. I love seeing the result of creativity without boundaries. In the genre of fantasy films, talented artists and visionaries can collaborate to dream up a world that can otherwise only exist in dreams (or nightmares). Over the past couple of years, I have realized how drawn I am to the monsters and scenery of fantasy-based movies; however, these films are usually meant for children. Pan's Labyrinth is a fantasy film for adults.

Pan's Labyrinth is based on a young girl (Ophelia) who has just moved with her mother to her new stepfather's home. Her stepfather is a fascist general of the war in 1940's Spain. In my mind, I sort of split the movie into thirds. One part of the film is about war, showing violence, gruesome, cruel torture, and the sadistic brutality of those in power. Another part of the film is based on Ophelia's relationship with her loving mother and with the kind house staff. My favorite part of the movie is Ophelia's adventures exploring the house and her stepfather's property. This is where she encounters magical, sometimes frightening creatures who send her on a dangerous mission into a mystical underworld.

Before I saw the film, I listened to an NPR interview with the writer, creator, and director, Guillermo del Torro. He explained that his wildly dark and lively imagination roots from his childhood. Growing up in Mexico in the 1970's, he witnessed civil war and violence. As an adolescant, he had to walk through a morgue on his way to his first job. He believes that this early exposure to violence and death caused his imagination to be drawn toward the dark and twisted.

It seems that Guillermo del Torro understands that without ugliness and raw disgust, we cannot truly appreciate beauty and magic. You will detest the dark, bloody, tragic real world so much that you, like Ophelia, begin to long for the fantasy world to once agian emerge in the film. This is not a child's film. In the NPR interview, Guillermo del Torro explains that fairy tales were originally meant for adults. Over time, fairy tales were adapted for children- mainly by the Grimm brothers. While some find it strange that he would create a fairy tale for adults, he does not find it strange whatsoever.

Personally, I need some fantasy in my life. Maybe it is because I have a vivid imagination myself, but I feel right at home with Ophelia in her world of fairies and magical monsters. This film explores very dark sides of humans, yet it also shows you innocence and hope. The contrast and balance is what makes del Torro truly brilliant (but the crazy creatures make him a creative genius).

This film is critically acclaimed around the world and has won so many awards; yet somehow, there are still so many people who have never heard of it. I do hope you open your mind and go with Ophelia on her journey into a war-driven land where resides a mythical underworld. Whether you see it for the artistry, for the escape, for the war theme, or for the child-like wonder you feel when you watch fantasy films- Pan's Labyrinth is a must see!

General Information

• Winner of 3 Academy Awards.
• Listen to NPR Interview with writer and Director.
• Creator, Writer, & Director Guillermo del Toro.
• For interview with the director, behind the scenes footage, Comicon teaser trailer, etc., go to the official interactive movie site: http://www.panslabyrinth.com/
• Take a look inside the movie: from G4 TV.
• RottenTomatoes.com does not usually give movies more than 30% ratings; however, Pan's Labyrinth received a rating of 96%!
• Watch videos of: trailers, clips, creating the monsters, behind the scenes, interviews, and more at Rotten Tomatoes.
• Watch the movie trailer below:

Peer Reviews

-"So breathtaking in its artistic ambition, so technically accomplished, so morally expansive, so fully realized that it defies the usual critical blather. See it, and celebrate that rare occasion when a director has the audacity to commit cinema." -by Anna Hornaday (from the Washington Post)

"Del Toro parallels the horror of two civilizations (one real, one imagined, each with their own monsters), crafting a rich and violent film for grownups who haven't lost touch with their childhood resources" -by Mark Palermo (from Rotten Tomatoes)

" I gave it a try and I'm glad I did! I thought it was a very creative display of hard times and how a child deals with real life. And wow, what an ending!" -Alicia, age 26

"...a dark and wonderful fairy tale for grown-ups..." -by Brandon Fibbs (from Rotten Tomatoes)

"I LOVED Pan's Labyrinth! My boss actually told me about this film, but she failed to tell me that the movie was in Spanish with subtitles. I do not think that Pan's Labyrinth would have been a movie that I would have chosen for myself, but I so glad that I saw it. I would definitely agree that this film is a must see." -by NaTasha (user comment)

~Please come back and share your own review- I may post it right here!

"The Chumscrubber" Review

Mary's Review

For a movie with so many stars, surprisingly, The Chumscrubber went under the radar. I tend to keep my eyes peeled for new indie releases at the video store, since some of the best films aren’t advertised to the general public; I was lucky to have found this little gem of a film. During the summer of 2005, I don't remember seeing trailers on television for this film; I think it is unfortunate since it is such a good movie. When you see the list of movie stars that are part of The Chumscrubber, you will be blown away!

The trailer for this film is sort of deceptive; it makes the movie look like a perky comedy, but The Chumscrubber is not a comedy and is far from perky.

The Chumscrubber is a dark indie-style film based on a perfect-looking community in suburbia. Under the surface of the polished facade are individuals dealing with some heavy situations. Several different stories play out during the film, but the movie revolves around a group of rebellious teens who try to kidnap the little brother of a hated peer. If you are reminded of Alpha Dog's kidnapping theme, I understand; however, this is just one of the many twisted storylines in this movie.

When watching this movie, the rule of thumb is: the more perfect someone seems, the more messed up they really are. Each character is trying to fill the void in their lives with either, drugs, alcohol, prescription medication, sex, power, money, etc., but the community's perfect shell begins to crack when a neighboring teen hangs himself. Although the movie explores some serious real-life issues, the subtle humor and pops of bizarre CGI fantasy make this movie a one-of-a-kind.

This is nothing like Donnie Darko; but, if you like the style and feel of Donnie Darko, then you will like The Chumscrubber.

Of the star-studded cast, pay attention to the young lead actors- I think they have very successful careers in their futures. I am excited to see the careers of these young actors and the future films of this innovative director. What great performances by the whole cast! I hope that you take my word for it, stay away from the trailer, and watch The Chumscrubber.

I imagine that this movie will provoke some fascinating conversation, and hopefully, a few interesting comments on this site!

Cast

• Lead: Jamie Bell as “Dean”
  
• Leading Lady: Camilla Bell
  
• Lee Taylor Pucci
• Villan: Justin Chatwin
  
• Victim: Thomas Curtis
  
• Little Brother: Rory Culkin
• Friend's mom: Glen Close
  
• Shrink dad: William Fichtner
  
• Town Mayor: Ralph Fiennes
• Sherrif: John Heard
  
• Lauren Holly
  
• Jason Isaachs
• Allison Janney
  
• Carrie-Anne Moss
  
• Rita Wilson
  

Peer Reviews

“Such is the sordid state of affairs in that emerging genre that might be termed suburban noir, as it inches ever closer to horror and the supernatural.” -by Prairie Miller (from Rotten Tomatoes)

"This movie is so geniously thought out and funny. It pokes fun at and seriously addresses society at the same time!" -by Havanabana14 (from Flixter)

“A true original -- bleakly funny; exhilaration unpredictable; and, by the end, strangely optimistic in the way its characters, for better or worse, get what’s coming to them.” -by Jim Lane (from Rotten Tomatoes)

-Leave a comment and I might post it here!

General Information

• Tagline: "Meet generation Rx."
  
• Written and Directed by Arie Posin.
• Read an interview with the director and producer.
• Go to the Chumscrubber interactive MySpace page & listen to 4 songs from the soundtrack.
• Listen to Phanton Planet performing the indie-folkrock cover of "Our House" from the movie soundtrack: