Film School Rejects » Kevin Carr

Kevin Carr’s Weekly Report Card for 11.20.09

Kevin Carr — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:04:22 +0000

NEW MOON

Studio: Summit Entertainment

Rated: PG-13 for some violence and action.

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene and Jackson Rathbone

Directed by: Chris Weitz

What it’s about: The not-so-epic Twilight saga continues with Bella bellyaching about how much she wants to become a vampire. Edward realizes that if he sticks around, he (or someone in his family) will kill and eat her, so he leaves to find himself. Bella falls into a depression until the hunky Jacob Black becomes her BFF but, surprise surprise, he’s actually a werewolf. And Bella wants to know what this all means for her.

What I liked: The second half. Seriously, once the claws come out with the wolf pack and we later get to see the Volturi (i.e., the awesome Italian vampires), things really pick up. The film turns into less of a teenage angst fest and looks more like a vampire movie. Particularly with the Volturi, Michael Sheen mops the floor with the rest of the cast in terms of acting. Too bad he wasn’t in the entire movie.

As for the rest of this film, there are some significant improvements on last year’s Twilight, the main elements being the make-up and the special effects. The vampires don’t just look like they’re padded down with baby powder, and the werewolves are pretty cool, even if they are blindingly obvious CGI models.

What I didn’t: The first half. Jesus Christ on a freaking crutch, could that Bella Swan be more pathetic. If I had been watching this movie on television, I would have turned it off in the first hour. In the beginning, she constantly nags Edward to make her a vampire. Then she cuts her finger and holds it up in front of the vampires, innocently saying, “It’s just a little blood.” Then she hits depression mode the likes of which has never been seen in a film, complete with alienating her friends, staying bedridden for months on end and waking up screaming about how much it hurts her heart. I found myself wishing a 60s-era Connery James Bond would walk in and smack her around a bit just to get on with the show.

With that said, if you’re going to have a lesser half of a film, better make it the first half. But still, I’d find myself so much more into the Twilight saga if we just got rid of Bella and Edward stopped being such a douche. Team Jacob all the way, people!

Who is gonna like this movie: Twi-hards, Twi-moms and their dates who want to get laid.

PLANET 51

Studio: TriStar Pictures

Rated: PG for mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humor.

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Gary Oldman and Seann William Scott

Directed by: Jorge Blanco

What it’s about: An alien world that inexplicably emulates 1950s America is wrapped up in paranoia about an invasion of brain-sucking extraterrestrial are shocked when an American astronaut lands in their back yard… and the hilarity ensues (or at least it should, in a perfect world).

What I liked: The concept is actually pretty funny, even though the film completely botches it. The animation is decent, although the bulbous aliens don’t quite work from a design concept level. But hey, they’re worlds better than the talking termites in Delgo.

Oh, and my kids really liked it, which is really the target market, after all.

What I didn’t: To make a good movie, you need a good plot and good characters. Planet 51 delivers neither of these. There’s a randomness to the entire film, throwing jokes at the screen that never quite stick. Dwayne Johnson slathers on the cheese in a role that makes me long for the January release of The Tooth Fairy.

The story is a real stretch. I get the idea to turn 50s paranoia on its ear, but even in the context of an animated movie, it’s a real stretch. Apparently the astronaut doesn’t realize that the planet has life because the roving robot sent as a scout only collected rocks. Yeah… that barely works even for a cartoon.

And speaking of the roving robot, when it decides to bond with one of the aliens, it looks like it’s humping him to death. That’s an awkward moment with your kids in an animated movie.

Who is gonna like this movie: Kids… and that’s about it.

THE BLIND SIDE

Studio: Warner Bros.

Rated: PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references.

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Kathy Bates, Tim McGraw, Ray McKinnon and Quinton Aaron

Directed by: John Lee Hancock

What it’s about: Michael Oher is a homeless teen in Memphis who is taken in by a wealthy white family. They eventually adopt him and help him bring his grades up enough that he can play football. This is the true story of Oher, who is now a player for the Baltimore Ravens.

What I liked: It might seem like a back-handed compliment to say that I didn’t hate this movie, but it’s an accurate statement. This movie was something I was dreading from the moment I saw that trailers, but the film itself isn’t as melodramatic as the trailers lead on. It is an inspirational story, and it’s a feel-good movie. For the most part, it manages to achieve this without being too schmaltzy.

The acting is pretty good, with Sandra Bullock pulling off the rich, southern mom. Too bad she kinda steals the show from Oher’s character.

What I didn’t: There’s no doubt about it… The Blind Side is a button pusher. Sometimes, these buttons are pushed a little too deliberately and it becomes a little shameless in this respect. Some of the scenes of Bullock’s sassiness are over the top and less than believable, but who am I to judge Hollywood’s retelling of a true story.

If you’re hoping for a big football movie, you’ll be disappointed. The story hits certain elements of football, but that’s only about 25 percent of the film. But that doesn’t stop it from giving some gratuitous ego boosts to known college coaches and recruiters.

Who is gonna like this movie: Inspirational sports movie junkies.

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL “PUSH” BY SAPPHIRE

Studio: Lionsgate

Rated: R for child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language.

Starring: Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd and Lenny Kravitz

Directed by: Lee Daniels

What it’s about: Clarisse “Precious” Jones is an overweight, illiterate teenager in 1987 Harlem who is pregnant with her father’s child. She is kicked out of school for being pregnant and, against the advice of her caustic mother, joins a tutoring program so she can get her GED.

What I liked: This movie does have a good message and it will inspire its viewers. We’ve all heard the critics in this country stampeding to the chance to give the movie a glowing review. It’s good, but it’s a victim of its own hype at times.

The stand-out parts of this movie come from the performances of Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe as the title character. Other roles are given more hype right now, but let’s not take away Sidibe’s work on the movie. She does a great job in her role, and she deserves her accolades.

Mariah Carey has been given some kudos for her underplayed role as a social worker, but it is Mo’Nique who shines as the evil mother that allows abuse to happen to her daughter.

What I didn’t: Our illustrious executive editor Neil Miller has referred to this movie as “poverty porn,” and he’s absolutely right. There’s more social issues in this movie than a very special episode of any given 80s sit-com. About two-thirds through the movie, another social issue bomb is dropped on Precious, and I literally rolled my eyes. All we need now is for Somali pirates to be written into the film, and we’d have it all covered.

One other problem with this movie… where were all the psychic warriors? I thought this was Push!

Who is gonna like this movie: Anyone who has ever considered joining an Oprah book club.

Fat Guys at the Movies Ep. 141 – Big Fat Moon

Kevin Carr — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:05 +0000

On This Week’s Show: Neil squeals about Team Jacob in his review of the highly anticipated The Twilight Saga: New Moon while Kevin struts around the Magical Studio in the Sky with no shirt on, desperately hoping people will mistake him for Taylor Lautner. After recounting their harrowing stories of braving the hoards of teenage girls at their respective screenings, Kevin and Neil take a trip to Planet 51 then are Blind Sided by Precious before laying down a Fat Guy Five about awesome vampire/werewolf movies (hint: neither Twilight film makes the list). There’s also a bizarre discussion of where Somali Pirates might fit into one of this week’s movies… how does that all work? Listen and find out!

Films Reviewed this Week: The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Planet 51, The Blind Side and Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire and Not to Be Confused with the Psychic Warrior Movie That Came Out Earlier This Year That No One Really Remembers Because Sapphire Doesn’t Know Squat About Psychic Warriors

Download this Episode

Episode Schedule:

Segment 1 [8:50] – Reviews of Planet 51 and Precious

Segment 2 [10:40] – Review of The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Segment 3 [12:45] – Review of The Blind Side, Box office recap and the Fat Guy Five: Awesome Werewolf/Vampire Movies

Segment 4 [6:35] – DVD Round-Up: Neil’s picks are Star Trek, Fight Club on Blu-ray and the Gone with the Wind box set; Kevin’s picks include Bruno, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas, The Kevin Smith Blu-ray Box Set, Drawn Together: The Complete Series, Scrubs: Season 8 on Blu-ray and (God help him) Dane Cook: ISolated INcident; Review Recap and a look ahead to next week.

Next Week’s Show:

Kevin and Neil say Happy Thanksgiving with a possible early show featuring reviews of Old Dogs and Ninja Assassin

Show Links:

The second episode of Fat Guys at the Movies: Second Reel – Roland Emmerich vs. Michael Bay
FSR’s Weekly Report Card for The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Planet 51, The Blind Side and Precious

Give the Fat Guys some love:

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Follow Kevin on Twitter (@kevincarr)
Follow Neil on Twitter (@rejects)

Bonus Weekly DVD Drinking Game: A Very Sunny Christmas

Kevin Carr — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:55:15 +0000

We at FSR love to drink. And we know that many of you love to drink, as well. This shared love has led us to a brand new (though not exactly new) feature here at FSR: The Weekly DVD Drinking Game. Every week we will chose a DVD release and give you a few simple steps toward drunken stupidity (or cinematic tolerance). This week we’re also offering up a special bonus drinking game…

Are you tired of the weepy family dramas, the feel-good television specials and all that peace on Earth, goodwill to men garbage? Well, take a break and head down to Paddy’s Pub in Philadelphia to have a few Christmas Eve drinks with the gang. Enjoy the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas special the way it was meant to be… black-out drunk, as Dennis would say.

And now, to cover our butts… This game is only for people over the age of 21. Please drink responsibly, and don’t wear your Santa suit around Charlie.

TAKE A DRINK WHENEVER….

There is a flashback

Someone throws a rock

Eugene mentions “the Lord”

There is a reference to A Christmas Carol

TAKE A DRINK WHEN YOU SEE…

Santa

An elf

A present

Snow (real or fake)

TAKE A DRINK WHEN SOMEONE SAYS…

“spirit”

“Christmas”

A swear word

Anyone’s name

CHUG YOUR DRINK WHENEVER YOU SEE …

Someone’s bare ass

For more drunken shenanigans, check out our Drinking Games Archive.

Weekly DVD Drinking Game: Star Trek

Kevin Carr — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:11:15 +0000

It’s time to get your DVD or Blu-ray and boldly go where no one has gone before. Star Trek is now available for home viewing, and that means you can finally break out the keg of Romulan ale and toast the rebirth of the legendary franchise.

And now, to cover our butts… This game is only for people over the age of 21. Please drink responsibly, and don’t ask questions about the red matter or we’ll use it to open a black hole in your living room.

TAKE A DRINK WHENEVER….

A weapon is fired

Someone is injured

Someone is introduced

Kirk and Spock conflict with each other

TAKE A DRINK WHEN YOU SEE…

An alien

A Federation ship

A reference to (or a joke about) the original series

That red shit that has never been mentioned in the franchise ever before

TAKE A DRINK WHEN SOMEONE SAYS…

“Vulcan”

“Federation”

anyone’s name

Star Trek science mumbo jumbo

CHUG YOUR DRINK WHENEVER…

Something travels through time

For more drunken shenanigans, check out our Drinking Games Archive.

Kevin Carr’s Weekly Report Card for 11.13.09

Kevin Carr — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:50:39 +0000

2012

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Rated: PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and some language.

Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson and Danny Glover

Directed by: Roland Emmerich

What it’s about: The Mayans predicted it, and now Woody Harrelson is calling out for Armageddon. Some think the end of the world will come on December 21, 2012, and Roland Emmerich has now made a movie about it. John Cusack, Amanda Peet and Chiwetel Ejiofor try to escape crumbling freeways, giant tsunamis and disastrous volcanoes.

What I liked: There are certain directors that make utter crap, but I love none-the-less. Along with Brett Ratner, Paul W.S. Anderson and Renny Harlin, Roland Emmerich is one of these. Let’s face it, no one destroys the world like this guy, and he reminds us with 2012 that he is the master of disaster.

Like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the reason to see 2012 is for the special effects. Emmerich has five years of digital effects progress on his last disaster epic, The Day After Tomorrow, and every bit of it is on the screen. It’s just an orgy of destruction and, as morbid as it is to watch, it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

What I didn’t: As much of a glutton Emmerich is for his disaster footage, he’s also a glutton for his own characters and dialogue. This comes through in the running time, which tops off at more than 2 1/2 hours. There’s really no excuse for this much exposition because no one is going to remember this film for the characters or what they say.

The characters are utterly forgettable, with the exception of Woody Harrelson who is like Art Bell on crack. Sadly, he’s only in a small part of this movie. The rest of the relatively decent cast is left to deliver melodramatic dialogue in the down time between the shit-your-pants awesome action.

This movie is silly, yes, but fun. It would have been better with a more gutsy editor.

Who is gonna like this movie: Disaster movie fanatics and CGI hounds.

FANTASTIC MR. FOX

Studio: Fox Searchlight

Rated: PG for action, smoking and slang humor.

Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Wally Wolodarsky

Directed by: Wes Anderson

What it’s about: Wes Anderson brings Roald Dahl’s classic novel to life with the brave choice of stop-motion animation. George Clooney stars as Mr. Fox, a bird hunter who settles down as a writer, husband and father. Craving the golden days, Mr. Fox sets his sights on the farms of Boggis, Bunce and Bean to steal their food and cider, incurring the farmers’ wrath. Mr. Fox hides his family but makes a brave attempt to fight back.

What I liked: I dearly love Wes Anderson’s movies, and this movie did not disappoint as well. Having read the book as a child, I didn’t remember much of the story, but as the film played out, it all came back to me. Roald Dahl has a great grasp of the quirk, and Anderson gives his own take on that. It’s a perfect blend of the two artists’ styles.

The voice cast is great, and this is where we see much of Anderson’s odd style. The choice of stop-motion animation was great because it gives a rustic alternative to the now-standard CGI flick.

Our illustrious executive editor Neil Miller has said that this is probably Wes Anderson’s most mainstream film, and he’s absolutely right. Using the animation makes the film more accessible to the mainstream and kids as well. It’s still on the fringe, but that’s part of its charm.

What I didn’t: The only real problem with this movie is that it takes a few minutes to get used to. The animation is rough but charming, and the voice cast isn’t necessarily what you’d expect. Give it ten minutes, and you should love it.

Who is gonna like this movie: Kids and fans of Wes Anderson and Roald Dahl.

Fat Guys at the Movies Ep. 140 – 2012 Pounds

Kevin Carr — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:42 +0000

On This Week’s Show: Kevin and Neil meet up in the Magical Studio in the Sky for an epic show about the end of the world. They gush (sort of) over Roland Emmerich’s movies and dance a jig around how awesome Fantastic Mr. Fox is. And Neil takes to the high seas in support of Pirate Radio while Kevin grumbles after not being offered a press screening. They lay down a Fat Guy Five about Roland Emmerich’s best movies, examine the box office numbers and even read an iTunes review and listen to a listener voice mail, proving that the phone number does work. Save us, John Cusack!

Films Reviewed this Week: 2012, Pirate Radio and Fantastic Mr. Fox

Download this Episode

Episode Schedule:

Segment 1 [8:50] – Review of 2012

Segment 2 [10:40] – Review of Pirate Radio and Fantastic Mr. Fox

Segment 3 [12:45] – Box office recap, listener feedback and the Fat Guy Five: Roland Emmerich’s Five Best Movies

Segment 4 [6:35] – DVD Round-Up: Neil’s picks are Up, Monsters Inc., Heat, Godzilla and The Negotiatoron Blu-ray as well as Ink on DVD; Kevin’s picks include Justice League Unlimited, Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut, Gabriel Iglesias: I’m Not Fat I’m Fluffy and 2012: Supernova; Review Recap and a look ahead to next week.

Next Week’s Show:

Kevin and Neil cheer on Team Jacob with New Moon, The Blind Side and Planet 51

Show Links:

The flagship episode of Fat Guys at the Movies: Second Reel
FSR’s Weekly Report Card for 2012 and Fantastic Mr. Fox

Give the Fat Guys some love:

Subscribe in iTunes

Subscribe via RSS

Email the Fat Guys
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@kevincarr)
Follow Neil on Twitter (@rejects)

Drinking Game Double Feature: Up and Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut

Kevin Carr — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:28:59 +0000

We at FSR love to drink. And we know that many of you love to drink, as well. This shared love has led us to a brand new (though not exactly new) feature here at FSR: The Weekly DVD Drinking Game. Every week we will chose a DVD release (or in this case, two releases) and give you a few simple steps toward drunken stupidity (or cinematic tolerance). This week…

Up (2009, Pete Docter)

Well, Pixar has done it again with another hit, one of the best animated films of 2009. Now, it’s available to enjoy at home on DVD and Blu-ray, and that means you don’t have to look like a weirdo sneaking booze into a theater filled with families to enjoy the Up drinking game.

And now, to cover our butts… This game is only for people over the age of 21. Please drink responsibly, and don’t wait until retirement to follow your dreams.

TAKE A DRINK WHENEVER….

A dog talks
Someone runs
The bird makes a noise
Someone jumps or lands on the ground

TAKE A DRINK WHEN YOU SEE…

Clouds
Balloons
A picture
A waterfall

TAKE A DRINK WHEN SOMEONE SAYS…

“Dug”
“squirrel”
“paradise” or “falls”
anything that isn’t a word

CHUG YOUR DRINK WHENEVER…

You cry

Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut (2009, Zack Snyder)

Like any good fanboy (or fangirl), you stampeded to the theaters this past spring to see Zack Snyder’s vision of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s classic graphic novel Watchmen. However, like all the rest of us, you might have been disappointed that various elements of the movie were left out. Now is your chance to watch the entire experience, integrating the director’s cut of the film with The Tales of the Black Freighter.

This makes one hell of a film experience, and what better way to enjoy that 215-minute experience than with a cold drink in your hands?

And now, to cover our butts… This game is only for people over the age of 21. Please drink responsibly, and don’t question Dr. Manhattan.

TAKE A DRINK WHENEVER….

Someone or something teleports
Rorschach or the Captain narrates
There’s a flashback or a repeated shot
The film moves from live-action to a comic book

TAKE A DRINK WHEN YOU SEE…

Fire
A sail
A shot in slow motion
Dr. Manhattan’s big, blue junk

TAKE A DRINK WHEN SOMEONE SAYS…

“Comedian”
“Rorschach”
“Manhattan”
“mask” or “masked”

CHUG YOUR DRINK WHENEVER…

An animal (real or animated) eats a human

For more drunken shenanigans, check out our Drinking Games Archive.

Rock, Paper, Scissors: The Next Big Thing in Sport Movies?

Kevin Carr — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:21:38 +0000

Here at FSR, we’re not just about throwing the spotlight on major Hollywood releases. We also like to give a nod to the indie filmmaker when we have a chance. That’s why we have loved the success of films like Paranormal Activity, which started as a grass-roots movement and became a national phenomenon.

The independent production The Flying Scissors is attempting to do the same thing, starting off with a college tour of screenings around the country. The Flying Scissors has been rolling through the American universities since the end of September, and it will be seeing a limited theatrical run in New York starting November 12.

The film is a mockumentary about a cut-throat Rock-Paper-Scissors competition and was produced for a price tag of less than $100,000. You can check out the trailer by visiting their web site at www.FlyingScissors.com. You can also find more information about the current college tour, release information and DVD details.

Will this spawn a sequel about a Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock competition? We can only hope so.

Kevin Carr’s Weekly Report Card for 11.06.09

Kevin Carr — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:34:36 +0000

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Studio: Disney

Rated: PG for scary sequences and images.

Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins and Robin Wright Penn

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

What it’s about: If you don’t know this by now, you should be barred from the holiday season worldwide.

What I liked: By this time, you should know exactly what to expect when you get a Robert Zemeckis motion-capture film. Like The Polar Express and Beowulf, A Christmas Carol is heavy on the effects and virtual camerawork and relatively weak on the character and plot.

We’ve seen this story adapted so many times in so many forms – from feature films to re-tellings on our favorite 80s sit com – that there is almost no unique way to approach it. The uniqueness of this version is that the full-blown CGI extravaganza hasn’t been done yet. In this sense, it does work. The visuals are pretty cool and the IMAX 3D experience is a sight and worth it for no other reason that you won’t be able to recreate it at home.

What I didn’t: There are a lot of reasons to dump on this movie. If you don’t like Jim Carrey’s cartoonish acting, you’ll not like it in this movie. (Although I will admit that he is directed down in a good chunk of the film.) Also, because the movie is shot with motion capture technology, it allows Carrey to play all forms of Scrooge as well as the three Ghosts. Likewise, Gary Oldman plays several roles, including Bob Cratchit and Jacob Marley. Again, the coolness factor in this respect tends to overpower the story.

Movies like The Polar Express are famous for making CGI humans that are permanently camped in the uncanny valley. The human emulations have gotten better in this film, but they’re still in that valley. Most of the work has been done to make Carrey’s characters look more realistic while Gary Oldman just gives me the willies throughout.

A lot of people will say this version is completely unnecessary, and also pretty terrifying for a young child to watch, and they wouldn’t be wrong.

Who is gonna like this movie: Families… as long as they aren’t easily scared.

THE FOURTH KIND

Studio: Universal

Rated: PG-13 for violent/disturbing images, some terror, thematic elements and brief sexuality.

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton, Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Corey Johnson

Directed by: Olatunde Osunsanmi

What it’s about: Milla Jovovich plays Dr. Abigail Tyler, a psychologist from Nome, Alaska, who is investigating sleep disorders. After putting her patients under hypnosis, she discovers that these cases are possibly reflections from UFO abductions. The more she digs, the more she learns about the terrifying reality of abduction cases, which eventually hit close to home.

What I liked: I will admit that The Fourth Kind does capture a certain level of suspense and atmosphere. It’s pretty damned intense in some scenes, and the set-up is intriguing if not entirely thought out.

What I didn’t: The Fourth Kind really pushes the whole “based on actual case studies,” to a fault. It really rams this concept down your throat, going as far to presenting the video footage alongside the reenactments. Yet every time something interesting is happening, the case studies footage gets distorted so we can’t really see anything. Hmmmm… isn’t that convenient.

I like a solid alien abduction movie, although there are very few of them that have been made. This one just tries too hard. The set-up is interesting, having actress Milla Jovovich walk right up to the camera in an early scene and swear that everything’s real. But this hook is the only thing keeping the movie alive. All the other elements that make a movie good – characters, story, plot, empathy, heart and soul – are noticeably absent.

Maybe if rookie director Olatunde Osunsanmi had spent more time crafting a decent story instead of reminding the audience that these are “actual case studies,” we would have a better film.

Who is gonna like this movie: People who though Paranormal Activity was a documentary.

THE BOX

Studio: Warner Bros.

Rated: PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and disturbing images.

Starring: Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella, Basil Hoffman and Gillian Jacobs

Directed by: Richard Kelly

What it’s about: In 1976, a mysterious stranger shows up on a couple’s doorstep with an offer. They are given a box with a red button on it. If they push the button, someone they don’t know somewhere in the world will die, and they will be given a million dollars. The couple struggles with whether or not to push the button, which has greater ramifications on their lives – and the lives of everyone around them – than they ever would have thought.

What I liked: First off, let me say that this movie is not for everyone. It’s waaaaaay out there, and that’s saying something even for Richard Kelly fans.

The movie has a brilliant set-up, courtesy of writer Richard Matheson’s original short story. (If you don’t know who Richard Matheson is, he wrote about a third of the original Twilight Zone teleplays.) So, it’s not surprising that the film has a whole Twilight Zone feel to it. About half-way through the film, it starts to go bat-shit crazy, which might alienate some of the audience, but Kelly is fearless about this.

Ultimately, The Box is a bizarre morality tale that sets up a very slick atmospheric feel. It should make you think about what you would do in a similar situation, and it delivers a story that really isn’t like anything else out there right now… for better or for worse.

Kelly manages to capture the feeling of 1970s with the cinematography, production design, wardrobe and sound design. In a strange way, it feels more like a movie that was shot 30 years ago rather than in the modern era, and that’s really pretty neat in my book.

What I didn’t: I’ll admit this movie is not without its faults. Cameron Diaz is a beacon of bad acting in this movie, slathering on a southern accent so thick, you’d swear she was pretending to be from the deep south. Were it not for Frank Langella and James Marsden to temper her, the movie would crumble from an acting standpoint.

There are several moments in the film that drag, which seems to be a trademark of director Richard Kelly, but they only show up once in a while.

Some folks will take issue with the story and its Twilight Zone elements, but I was okay with them. The film kept me interested throughout, and that’s pretty rare for a movie to do nowadays.

Who is gonna like this movie: People looking for a different brand of thriller.

Fat Guys at the Movies Ep. 139 – The Fat Kind

Kevin Carr — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:17 +0000

On This Week’s Show: Kevin and Neil say good-bye to scary movies (well, not really, considering two are released this week) and decide to ring in the Christmas season early. They stare at some goats, grumble about not being allowed to open a box, visit the uncanny valley and debate whether Kevin is spoiling the viewing experience for The Fourth Kind. They also lay down a Fat Guy Five about awesome UFO movies, and Kevin gloats over Neil’s not-so-accurate box office predictions from last week.

Films Reviewed this Week: A Christmas Carol, The Fourth Kind, The Men Who Stare At Goats and The Box

Download this Episode

Episode Schedule:

Segment 1 [8:50] – Reviews of The Box and The Men Who Stare At Goats

Segment 2 [10:40] – Review of A Christmas Carol and The Fourth Kind

Segment 3 [12:45] – Box office gloatation and the Fat Guy Five: Five Awesome UFO Movies

Segment 4 [6:35] – DVD Round-Up: Neil’s picks are G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, North by Northwest on Blu-ray, Watchmen Ultimate Cut and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on Blu-ray; Kevin’s picks include The Rocky Undisputed Collection, Say Anything on Blu-ray, Disney Treasures: Zorro Seasons 1 and 2, Two Girls and a Guy on Blu-ray, Eleventh Hour, Aliens in the Attic, Love Actually, The Dead, Mickey’s Magical Christmas and I Love You Beth Cooper; Review Recap and a look ahead to next week.

Next Week’s Show:

Kevin and Neil get apocalyptic with 2012 and Pirate Radio

Show Links:

Kevin’s guest appearance on CriterionCast, talking about Terry Gilliam’s Brazil
FSR’s Weekly Report Card for A Christmas Carol, The Fourth Kind and The Box

Give the Fat Guys some love:

Subscribe in iTunes

Subscribe via RSS

Email the Fat Guys
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@kevincarr)
Follow Neil on Twitter (@rejects)

Weekly DVD Drinking Game: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Kevin Carr — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:08 +0000

Hasbro had a mega-hit with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and the studio hoped for lightning in a bottle with their August release of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. It made some green, but you might need to have a few drinks to really enjoy the film again on Blu-ray or DVD. So Film School Rejects is doing its civic duty by giving you a tool for getting sufficiently drunk on this film.

And now, to cover our butts… This game is only for people over the age of 21. Please drink responsibly, and don’t tell anyone who Cobra Commander really is!

Click Here to Buy G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra from Amazon

TAKE A DRINK WHENEVER….

There’s a flashback

Someone fires a gun

Something explodes

Someone uses an accelerator suit

TAKE A DRINK WHEN YOU SEE…

CGI effects

An American flag

An invisible fighter

A character wearing sunglasses

TAKE A DRINK WHEN SOMEONE SAYS…

“Joe”

“weapon”

“M.A.R.S.”

someone’s code name

CHUG YOUR DRINK WHENEVER…

There’s a montage! (Oh we want montage!)

For more drunken shenanigans, check out our Drinking Games Archive.

Fat Guys at the Movies Ep. 138 – This Is Fat!

Kevin Carr — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:00:47 +0000

On This Week’s Show: Kevin and Neil meet up in the Magical Studio in the Sky to have a Fat Guy Smackdown to beat all Fat Guy Smackdowns. While they don’t come to odds so much with A Serious Man, they certainly disagree about Michael Jackson’s This Is It. In honor of the film, Kevin lays down a Fat Guy Five about Five Cinematic Sex Offenders while Neil protests with his own Fat Guy Five about the Five Movies to Watch on Halloween. The Fat Guys also offer their predictions about the box office and wish the listeners a Happy Halloween.

Films Reviewed this Week: A Serious Man and Michael Jackson’s This Is It

Download this Episode

Episode Schedule:

Segment 1 [8:50] – Review of A Serious Man

Segment 2 [10:40] – Review of Michael Jackson’s This Is It

Segment 3 [12:45] – Box office recap and the Fat Guy Five: Five Cinematic Sex Offenders (with Neil’s protest list being Five Movies to Watch on Halloween)

Segment 4 [6:35] – DVD Round-Up: Neil’s picks are Battlestar Galactica: The Plan and Monty Python: Almost the Truth; Kevin’s picks include Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Stargate: 15th Anniversary, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasures, Saturday Morning Cartoons 1960s and 1970s and The Stepfather; Review Recap and a look ahead to next week.

Next Week’s Show:

Kevin and Neil get into the new holiday spirit with A Christmas Carol, The Fourth Kind and The Box

Show Links:

FSR’s 31 Days of Horror: The Reckoning
Kevin’s 31 Horror Movies in October

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31 Days of Horror: Martyrs

Kevin Carr — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:25:40 +0000

Martyrs (2008)

Synopsis: Lucie is a pre-teen girl that has recently escaped a horrific ordeal of torture at the hands of mysterious captors. She is brought to an orphanage to be treated and befriends Anna, yet she is still haunted by an apparition that reminds her of her captivity. Fifteen years later, Lucie is convinced that she has found her captors and attacks the family. Anna tries to keep her sane and safe, but things soon spiral out of hand, and Anna learns the true horror behind Lucie’s imprisonment.

Killer Scene: Like Inside, an earlier French horror film covered in the 31 Days of Horror, Martyrs comes with more than its fair of shocking moments. However, the one that hits home most is when Lucie first confronts the family she believes is responsible for her childhood ordeal. It’s not unpredictable, but it is a powerful moment of revenge.

KillSheet

Violence: While it would hardly fall into the category of “torture porn,” Martyrs is filled with scenes of human suffering. There are several bloody and explosive on-screen kills, committed with guns and knives. There’s also lingering scenes of abuse and torture. The human body is put through a lot in this film, and it gets more intense as the movie plays out. There’s a lot of blood on the hands, feet, face and floor, though surprisingly necessary to tell the story. And we are asked: how important is skin really?.

Sex: There’s no sex per se, though there is quite a lot of female nudity. The problem from the sexual arousal angle is this nudity comes in the form of psychotic apparitions and victims of abuse and torture. It’s not a turn on (at least for most members of the audience), though it does technically contribute to this category.

Scares: At the beginning of the DVD, director Pascal Laugier apologizes to the audience for watching his film. This is classy and hilarious – and totally necessary. Martyrs is not the most shocking movie I’ve seen by far, but it does get under your skin with its disturbing nature. It’s not a movie that has the overt scare moments (i.e., you won’t jump when a black cat leaps out of the shadows or anything). Most of the unease you’ll feel in this film will be more psychologically disturbing… a certain degree of wondering if what happens in the film is possible.

Final Thoughts: After seeing films like Inside, Irréversible and now Martyrs, I’m convinced that the French are some screwed up people. In this decade, this country has delivered some of the more thought-provoking and viscerally disturbing films. Part of Laugier’s intent when making this film was to turn the horror genre on its ear and keep the audience guessing. I’ll give him credit in that Martyrs kept me guessing. It was refreshing to see a film that changed its tone and focus effectively throughout. It wasn’t as disturbing as I was led to believe it would be, but Martyrs is a powerful thriller that is fantastically unique.

Weekly DVD Drinking Game: Battlestar Galactica: The Plan

Kevin Carr — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:18:57 +0000

When you’re stuck on a Battlestar, far from the decimated Colonies of Kobol, there’s not a whole lot to do but hate on Cylons and drink yourself stupid. Even the Cylons knock a few back now and then, so why can’t you… especially because you’re seeing everything from their point of view now.

And now, to cover our butts… This game is only for people over the age of 21. Please drink responsibly, and don’t trust the Cylons.

TAKE A DRINK WHENEVER….

Something explodes

Cylons meet to conspire

Someone dies (even if it’s a Cylon)

A scene that parallels a scene from the series

TAKE A DRINK WHEN YOU SEE…

Boobs

A title card

A centurian

Two or more copies of the same Cylon model in the same scene

TAKE A DRINK WHEN SOMEONE SAYS…

“frak”

“Cylon”

A Cylon number

A character’s name

CHUG YOUR DRINK WHENEVER…

The colonies are attacked

For more drunken shenanigans, check out our Drinking Games Archive.

Kevin Carr’s Weekly Report Card for 10.23.09

Kevin Carr — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:08:11 +0000

SAW VI

Studio: Lionsgate

Rated: R for sequences of grisly bloody violence, torture and language.

Starring: Costas Mandylor, Mark Rolston, Betsy Russell, Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith

Directed by: Kevin Greutert

What it’s about: This sixth installment of the popular horror franchise sees Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) continuing the work of the serial killer Jigsaw (Tobin Bell). However, even with a new game targeting a greedy insurance tycoon afoot, there’s more surprises for Hoffman from the police and from beyond the grave of Jigsaw.

What I liked: Unlike many critics, I have really enjoyed the Saw franchise, and this film is a worthy successor. If you’re looking for gore and violence, you’ll get plenty of that. But also, if you’re looking for a film that gives more twists and turns in the already complex story arc, you’ll get that as well.

Like the other sequels, Saw VI uses a lot of the elements of the previous films to lay a trap in the plot for the viewer. Tobin Bell returns in full force as Jigsaw in flashbacks (as does Shawnee Smith), so there’s something there for the long-time fans. The movie works to a wicked-cool conclusion that, of course, sets itself up for another sequel.

What I didn’t: At one point early in the film, I was watching a random act of human mutilation, and I caught myself thinking, “Is this going too far?” Then I remembered that it was a Saw movie. They’ve been going too far for years. But if you’re squeamish or have a soft stomach, you’ll probably throw up watching this movie.

The acting in these films are pretty awful, and Costas Mandylor is no Tobin Bell, but that bar was set very low in the first film with Cary Elwes cutting his foot off in the first movie. The film is more predictable than the others, but it still serves its purpose.

Who is gonna like this movie: Gore hounds and Saw fans.

CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT

Studio: Universal

Rated: PG-13for sequences of intense supernatural violence and action, disturbing images, thematic elements and some language.

Starring: John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia and Ray Stevenson

Directed by: Paul Weitz

What it’s about: Based on the first few books of the popular young adult series, The Vampire’s Assistant tells the story of Darren Shan (Chris Massoglia), a teenager who visits a freak show and becomes a vampire at the hand of one of the star acts. His friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson) is jealous because he’s always wanted to be a vampire too, and a band of evil vampires help him out in that respect.

What I liked: There are so many vampire movies and television shows out there that live in the same realm: the angst-filled sensual blood lust. The Vampire’s Assistant is a breath of fresh air because it doesn’t fall into the same cliches as Twilight and True Blood. It’s a teen vampire movie without all the bellyaching. In fact, it can be rather refreshing, to quote John C. Reilly.

The movie has a slick production design that really got me in the Halloween spirit, and it introduces some really neat characters that should get some excellent stories if the movie makes enough green to warrant a sequel. But the bottom line is that The Vampire’s Assistant is a relatively safe monster movie that you can enjoy with most of the family.

Oh, and John C. Reilly steals the show as a 200-year-old vampire who is simultaneously cool and goofy. He sets the tone for the whole film.

What I didn’t: The film does have some slow moments, especially in the middle when it tries to figure out what it’s trying to be. Let’s say it eventually settles on iCarly with teeth, but in a good way. Also, the movie is a pretty obvious set-up for a series – even more so than other juv fantasy attempts like The Golden Compass and City of Ember – but all that did is whet my appetite for more.

Who is gonna like this movie: Teenage vampire lovers, with less emphasis on the lovers.

ASTRO BOY

Studio: Summit Entertainment

Rated: PG for some action and peril, and brief mild language.

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Charlize Theron, Donald Sutherland and Nicholas Cage

Directed by: David Bowers

What it’s about: The classic magna series comes to life in this CGI action film. A brilliant inventor accidentally vaporizes his son in a weapons test. He’s so distraught that he builds a new robotic son which he gives his boy’s memories. However, when he realizes that it will never be a replacement for the real thing, he plans to deactivate the robot, until it seeks a life of its own.

What I liked: There’s some really cool action sequences in this movie, and it is definitely a boys’ film. There’s such a spectrum of CGI films nowadays, and this movie falls in the middle – somewhere between WALL-E and Space Chimps. That’s a pretty wide divide, I am aware, but this is the landscape we are given.

Astro Boy has some excellent animation and humorous moments. Oh, and it has a hero with machine guns in his butt, and that’s always a selling point for kids.

What I didn’t: Having never read the Astro Boy magna, I couldn’t tell you if it is an accurate adaptation or not. All I can say is that it has some rough patches in the story. In the middle of the film, Astro Boy falls to Earth and swerves into a bizarre Oliver Twist sort of story that would work on its own but just seems like a huge diversion to the rest of the film.

Also, as grim as some folks said Where the Wild Things Are was last week, Astro Boy seems worse. The movie opens with a kid getting vaporized, for crying out loud. And it deals with themes of abandonment and loss throughout the film, so be prepared for that.

Who is gonna like this movie: Kids who want to see a robot with machine guns in his butt.

AMELIA

Studio: Fox Searchlight

Rated: PG for some sensuality, language, thematic elements and smoking.

Starring: Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Mia Wasikowska and Christopher Eccleston

Directed by: Mira Nair

What it’s about: Hilary Swank stars in the title role as the legendary aviatrix Amelia Earhart. The film follows her final journey in an attempt to circumnavigate the Earth, flashing back to her career in aviation and her various lovers.

What I liked: Well, I respect the hell out of Amelia Earhart, and it’s nice to see her get her own film. I just wish it was under better circumstances. There are decent elements to the film, including some decent acting moments from both Swank and Richard Gere (although their performances border on caricature with the over-the-top personalities they are portraying). And the flying scenes were neat to watch, if you don’t mind a healthy dose of green screen.

Oh, and unlike last week’s The Stepfather, this film was in focus.

What I didn’t: Biopics are hard to achieve without making them puff pieces, and here’s where the film failed. Amelia Earhart was presented with her only flaws being her awkward oppression in beauty and sexuality. But her biggest flaw was being boring. Earhart was a legend, but her life as presented here was frightfully dull.

We all know how this movie ends, but unlike Titanic which had a predictable climax presented as an awesome action sequence, Amelia’s climax is about as exciting as watching a trucker talking on a CB radio.

Who is gonna like this movie: Amelia Earhart fans… and Hilary Swank.

Film School Rejects » Kevin Carr

Kevin Carr’s Weekly Report Card for 11.20.09

NEW MOON

PLANET 51

THE BLIND SIDE

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL “PUSH” BY SAPPHIRE

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2012

FANTASTIC MR. FOX

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Up (2009, Pete Docter)

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL

THE FOURTH KIND

THE BOX

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SAW VI

CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT

ASTRO BOY

AMELIA

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