Thorny "Rose": Review for "La Vie en Rose"

Marion Cotillard won the Academy Award, the Cesar Award, the BAFTA Award, and countless others for her portrayal of French diva Edith Piaf (Piaf means "Sparrow" in French). Her nickname and her voice are icons in France. Olivier Dahan has directed the life of the chanteus in a very cinematic yet confusing way. Dahan switches scenes from the beginning of her life in the slums of Bellville to her last days in the studio recording "Milord". Gerard Depideu plays Piaf's singing teacher during her teenage years. Throughout her life (as this film chronicles it), it does not seem as if she were a woman to be admired. Yes, her voice is amazing, but if I were to find a personification of prima dona, the answer may be Edith Piaf. Cotillard's performance is an extrodinary transformation of an actress. As if that it is not actuallt Cotillard, but the spirit of Piaf embodying and possessing the body of Cotillard. But due to the confusing order of the film, it is my regret to say that this film is not one that a person who is simply watching La Vie en Rose to waste time. With shots from her early life being raised in a brothel to her death bed at an "old folks home", you may get confused. You really have to pay attention, otherwise, you may be lost in Edith Piaf's Life of Pink.

Grade: B-

Pitch Problem: Review for "Alvin and the Chipmunks"

In Alvin and the Chipmunks, Jason Lee (TV's My Name Is Earl) stars as Dave Seville, a down on his luck singer-songwriter trying to make it big in the music biz. The head of the company, Ian Hawke (David Cross), is a particularly cruel and manipulative guy. A guy who would personify evil (evil as in "Greed is the root of all evil"). He barely gives Dave a chance. That night he hears a few voices of chipmunks talking. They just happen to be some of the most iconic animals in history. Alvin is the rebel, while Simon is the wise one, and little Theodore is the chubby one who indulges in food a little too much. It turns out they have great voices, which makes Dave realise that these animals could sing his songs. When he brings them to Ian, they get stagefright and Dave is ridculed. These little scenes of over dramatic smypathyis what causes me to dislike the film. Ian becomes a manipulative, egotistical agent, whle Dave whines. Though it may be fun for kids, there may be one too many sqeaks for adults.
Grade: C

The Music Man: Capsule Review for "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" DVD

Walk Hard is a biopic of fictional rock legend, Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly). It takes you through his life, from women and drugs to his early childhood trauma to more drugs. The film plays like your average spoof, though there are nice variations on other biopics, from Walk the Line to I'm Not There. But a lot of the jokes tend to fall flat. Cox goes through many, many women, and takes many, many drugs. However, the best part of the film is when Cox talks witn the Beatles. Jenna Fischer, from TV's The Office, plays Cox's second wife, Darlene Madison, and she does it quite well. Her one and only song, "Let's Duet", was actually performed by another person, Angela Correa. The film was produced by Judd Apatow. However, there are cool cameos by Jewel, Jackson Browne, Lyle Lovet, and the Temptations. The special features include featurettes on the music and the making of the film, a stupid commercial for sausages, full song performances, and song demos.

Film: C+

Special Features: C-

Overall: C

Cutthroat Competition: Review for "Sweeney Todd" 2-Disc DVD

Sweeney sure does "polish 'em off" inn this new 2-Disc Collector's Edition DVD. The movie is of the utmost imaginative. Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) is a sweet, meaningul barber in love with his wife, Lucy (Laura Michelle Kelley). However, a corrupt judge (Alan Rickman) covets Barker's wife and sends the young barber to jail on flase charges. He comes back, vengeful, only to find that his wife killed herself and his daughter, Johanna, is the ward of Judge Turpin. The film is dark, but funny in some parts. The black comedy that was in the stage musical is still there. Tim Burtin goes a little haywire with the blood, but it shouldn't be a problem for most. This tale is not supposed to be real. It's not supposed to take place in a real London. The London that Todd slashes in is surreal. Not to mention the slashes. It's not the gruesome and graphic slash you might find in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but it is done in a balletic motion, very much choreographed to the song "Johanna". It's not the way Freddy Krueger might do it, but any way you slice it, it's entertaining. During these killings, he is lamenting the death of his wife and the loss of his daughter. It's a great film. The special features include an interesting documentary on the callaboration of Helena Bonham Carter, Johnnyy Depp, and Tim Burtin. My favorite featurette is Sweeney is Alive: The Real Demon Barber, which chronicles the original tale of the barber, from his first appearance in The String of Pearls to his latest venture on the big screen. Other features include a Making Blood featurette, costume design, and more.
Film: A-
Extras: B+
Overall: A-

Beatles "Revolution": Review for "Across the Universe" Soundtrack

Across the Universe is a complicated film to reccomend as is the soundtrack. The film's entire soundtrack is comprised of of Beatles covers by the cast, with cameos by U2 members, Bono and the Edge, Joe Cocker, Eddie Izzrd, and Selma Hayek.

The first song of the film is "Girl" which is very haunting. Jim Sturgess, though a relative newcomer to film, was in a rockband, and his Jude sounds originsl and new, yet at the same time somewhat old school Liverpool/Beatles style. His "Something", "Across the Universe", "Strawberry Fields Forever", and "All My Loving" are much in the same way. But his version of "All You Need is Love" is the real showstopper for him. The new version retain the formula, but adds a new elementand at first, lacks the annoying "dum-na-num-na-num" after each "all you need is loev". But once the pattern is added, in an electric guitar, it sounds much cooler than the original.

Evan Rachel Wood's Lucy is as girly as one would be in the '60s, but her voice gets stronger as her hcharacter gets more radicall. Her version of "Hold Me Tight" is cute and almost bubblegum like, yet has a Beatles-esqe class to it. Her rendition of "If I Fell" is heartbreaking and very sad and beautiful. The new version of "It Won't Be Long"is very peppy. Overall, she's very good.

Joe Andersonplays Max, whose voice has a Beatles like tone. His covers of "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" and "I Want You" are very well done and his version of "Hey Jude" is fresh and new and has a sound that is somewhatlike an homageto the original but still sounds new.

Dana Fuchs plays Sadie and her voice is very reminiscent of Janice Joplin (which is kind of a coincedence, due to her starring in a stage biography of the rocker called Love, Janice). Her "Why Don't Do It the road?", "Oh! Darling", "Dear Prudence", and "Helter Skelter" are really good, my favorite being "Oh! Darling".

Martin Luther McCoy plays Jo Jo, and his rendition of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is enough to make you weep. A smooth rock and roll sound with a mix of saucy R&B in it.

T.V.Carpio plays shy Prudence and she sings pretty well, if soft, version of "I Want to Hold Yor Hand", which, in my opinion, is better than the original. I always thought it was a corny song anyways, but Prudence's shyness in the song and the film make it a little melodramatic.

Guest singer Joe Cocker, famous for his rendition of a few Beatles songs, is back as he sings a raspy hard core version of "Come Together". A bold new sound to an already brave song that broke the boundries of cool.

Eddie Izzard (TV's The Riches) speaks the lyrics to "Being for the Benifit of Mr. Kite". Where they got the original lyrics...a circus poster. I never cared for the original and this version is even worse, it sounds as if he is add libbing the entire thing and sounds very odd and discombobulated.

Bono and the Edge leave their mark on "I Am the Walrus", which is perfect for them, a nice mixed version of a radical classic. His "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" is okay, but it doesn't match the original. Almost none of these beat the originals. A few come close, but the Beatles made some of the greatest songs in history, and no one can beat someone who has already won the game... a long time ago.
Grade: A-

You Can Never Have Too Much "Spam": Review for "Spamalot"

Spamalot is somewhat an adaptation/remake of Monty Python's hilarious Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The original tale revolves around King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The title is a pun on "Camelot" and the long running Python gag "Spam", which, if you dot already know, is canned meat. There were several differences from the movie, which, in essence, shouldn't matter. Eric Idle, one of the originals, wrote the book and the lyrics for the play. The Lady of the Lake character is very funny, and the actress who plays her has a tremendous voice. Her rendition of "What Ever Happened to My Part?" is hilarious, in which she complains of not being on the stage for long and makes fun of Posh Beckham. However, in the style of those dirty minded comedians, there's plenty of swearing and ladies showing lots of skin. The show, though advertised for families, is not exactly family friendly. There are very funny parts in the second act when it was like the original film with the Ones Who Say "Nee" and the Black Knight scenes. Lancelot, who falls in love with Guenivere in the original tale, falls in love with Price Herbert. That doesn't bother me in the slightest, it was just the style that they did it in. A funny line that Lancelot said at the end of the show about same sex marriage is "To think that 2000 years in the future this will still be controversial." It is true and put very frankly. There are very clever scenes in which they use a projector. The play is clever, funny, and sometimes hilarious!
Grade: B+

All You Need is Love: Review for "Across the Universe"

Note: My mom is a big fan of The Beatles, so she kind of helped me understand this film. This blog is to reccomend films to people, but this one is hard. It really depends. There are many things to consider. If you are a Beatles fan, you may love how creative this film was, or you may hate it for butchering the classic songs with new performances and new interpretation. You may also not enjoy iy for its portrayol of the Vietnam War, radicalism, and drugs. If you are a Liberal, you might enjoy it. If you are a Conservative, you may think otherwise of this film.

Across the Universe is a film by Julie Taymor, who previously directed the Broadway hit The Lion King. The film is a compilation of Beatles songs. The story is intertwined with songs. Jude (Jim Sturgess) is on his way from Liverpool to America to find his father. If that makes you cringe, just wait, every character in this has a name from a Beatles song. He meets Max, who then become best friends. He invites Jude to dinner and meets his sister, Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood). Max drops out of college and go to NYC. They stay in an apartment, who's landlord is named Sadie (Dana Fuchs). She's a singer. The Vietnam War is raging and Max gets drafted, and he looks at Uncle Sam. He stars singing I want you... and grabs Max. Lucy starts working for a radical pamphlet. Jude and Lucy's relationship goes on the rocks, but then she discovers "All You Need is Love".

The film is overall well done. The new renditions are very good. Sexy Sadie's voice reminds me of Janis Joplin. Though some of the songs included in the film feel as if they have been just thrown in there to complete the Beatles' circle, with no real purpose to the storyline. Jim has a very good voice, and Evan has a really good voice. The most spine-tingling song is sadly the least needed in the film. The cast's rendition of "Because" is haunting. Bono makes a cameo singing "I Am the Walrus" (he plays Dr. Robert) and the "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" at the end credits. Other cameos are from Eddie Izzard (The Riches) who performs "Being the Benefit of Mr. Kite" and Joe Cocker who performs "Come Together". The film is visually stunning and is great.

Grade: B+

Big (Stupid) Brothel: Review for "Moulin Rouge!"

I know that those who know Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann will hate me for saying that I hate his movies. I have so far seen his MTV-era adaptation of William Skaespeare's Romeo + Juliet and his love story-filled-with-old-songs tale Moulin Rouge! and have been so scarred from those viewings, I'm scared to see his first film Strictly Ballroom. I just don't like his executions, though his ideas are interesting.

Moulin Rouge! is the story of a young man, Christian (Ewan McGregor), who has come to Paris in 1899. He gets mixed up with some weird Bohemians and ends up in a night club/brothel/I-have-no-idea-what-it-is trying to persuade a beautiful courtesan named Satine (Nicole Kidman) to have him write a play called Spectacular Spectacular. He falls in love with her, but *gasp* she has TB and is dying!

There are several problems with this film. One is that the use of old songs of yesteryear are not well executed. Sure, it's a great idea, but destroying songs such as Madonna's "Like a Virgin" (which was rather offensive to begin with) is just plain wrong. Not only have they mixed songs together (The "Elephant Love Medley" consists of about ten different songs.), they have even changed the lyrics to fit the storyline. I think that jukebox musicals are an interesting, but dangerous idea. Nicole Kidman is really the "Sparkling Diamond" she is supposed to be and her voice is pretty good, while Ewan McGregorr is fine. My favorite duet between the two is the song "Come What May". The cinematography is appalling. During FatBoySlim's "Can Can", you may actually get dizzy or naucious from watching the twirling camera angles of petticoats and garter belts.

Though there is one thing I can say that I liked about this film. One of the famous numbers in the film is "El Tango de Roxanne", which is a visually and inspriring number. It's actually a new version of The Police's "Roxanne", which is in a way shocking. The song runs chills up your spine. That's about it.

This film is not very good, but you might enjoy it. There were a few parts I did enjoy, I guesse.

Grade: C+

Crune Struck: Review for "Music and Lyrics"

PoP! band mate Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) is little hard on his luck. While his ex-partner from the band, who co-wrote the songs, is a huge star, Alex is stuck performing for parties and reunions, etc. When a very Britney Agulaira-esque pop star, Cora, asks him to write a song for her, he knows he can come up with the melody, but all he needs is the lyrics. His flower girl, Sophie (charming Drew Barrymore) is really a nobody, but is an excellent lyricist. Together the create a ditty that's sweet and cute. Sure, it's not exactly Best Picture material, but it's very charming and Grant and Barrymore light the screen with their charisma. The songs are a little cliche, but are altogether fun. Cora, however, is a Buddhist with an overactive sexual imagination for her songs ("Buddha's Delight"? It's far dirtier than it already sounds.) A little risque if you ask me, but no matter. It's cute and frilly, the perfect date movie. Hugh Grant is great as an English pop star, and Drew Barrymore is cute. Her smile just lights up the screen. Though not Best Picture material, it is good for what it is. It has very good songs such has "Love Autopsy" and "A WAt Back Into Love".

Grade: B+

Spice Curls: Review for "Hairspray"

First Hairspray was a cult movie by oddball director, John Waters, famous for some of the most offensive cult films. Then it became a Broadway smash, winning 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Now, it is a movie, based on the musical. It's Hairspray! Young Tracy Turnblad (brilliant newcomer, Nikki Blonsky) has high hopes on getting on the local dance show, The Corny Collins Show. She is, however, different. She's rather plump, but that doesn't stop her. She also has a crush on the most popular guy in school, Elvis like, and star of The Corny Collins Show, Link Larson (Zac Efron, High School Musical). Her best friend, Penny (Amanda Bynes) is intent on getting Tracy on the show. Tracy is open minded and free spirited, which means trouble when you're in 1962. She's "all for intergration. It's the new frontier!" Velma von Tussel (Michelle Pfeifer), conservative, racist manager of the show, spits back, "Not in Baltimore it isn't!" The interesting thing in all the versions of the film is that it fights racism and gets your attention while entertaining you. The song, "I Know Where I've Been" is very powerful, and Queen Latifah crooning it makes it ten times more so. She was excellent in Chicago, and she's great here. Nikki has a good voice, considering this is her first time on film and singing songs like "Good Morning Baltimore". One annoying thing however about yyoung Blonsky is that in almost every song, she tries to sound too professional, making (or trying) asound that sounds way too weird, like a strange thrusting noise. She has a good voice already, but does she have to exaggerate it. Corny Collins (James Marsden) is the host and wants Negro day eliminated...he wants his show to be intergrated, as oposed to a once a month thing. One thing unbelievable about this film however is when the show is finally mixed at the end, there are no protesters or people gawking and getting all mad. Sure, some do indeed gape, but none really make moves to do some of the people responsible in. John Travolta takes a turn as Edna Turnblad, and he's perfect. His Edna is perky and cute and worried about her daughter and her weight in a realistic fashion. It's very endearing to see John and Christopher Walken waltz to "You're Timeless to Me". Though there isn't as much chemistry as some actors may have done, it's a nice substitute anyways. It's a very cute song. But another thing unbelievable that worries me a little is a teenage heart throb or popular girl falling in love with a plump nery kid. I don't really think that would happen in schools today, with so much jealousy going around, but it makes a nice story. It's a great musical.
Grade: A-
Blonsky: B+

Sheer Genius: Review for "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

Sweeney Todd is the story of a barber (Johnny Depp, in his best role) seeking vengeance on the judge (Alan Rickman) who sent him to prison for 15 years on false charges. He gets help from his pie making landlord Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) and opens up his old barber shop again to slit throats. Mrs. Lovett takes the bodies and puts them into her "World Famous Meat Pies". Contrary to Mrs. Lovett's ditty, "The Worst Pies in London", this is the best musical in years. Johnny Depp is excellent, and you can feel the tension in his voice. His voice is impressive, though not perfect. The rocky sound gives more emotion to the character. This man, who's real name is Benjamin Barker, is a sad sap: his wife was stolen, he was sent to jail for something he didn't do, the judge took his daughter from him, no wonder he looks like a corpse. Helena Bohnam Carter is wonderful as Mrs. Lovett. Her voice is wispy, but okay. Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen plays an Italian barber who is Sweeney's rival. He plays him quite flamboyently. Burton is a genius: any filmmaker who can combine blood (enough of it) and emotional drama is a great artist. The scene in which Lucy (Laura Michelle Kelly), Todd's wife, goes to the ball at the judge's house is very interesting. Everyone is dressed as a different animal, which can be interpreted as a carnalistic world where the real animals in us rule. The original history is very interesting: it was originally a serial tale by the name of The String of Pearls. In the 1960's, Christopher G. Bond turned the simple story into a heartfelt tragedy. Then it was made into an awards winning Stephen Sondheim musical, which this is based on. Depp and Carter look as if they had recently been in Corpse Bride, though Depp's make up really reminds me of Edward Scissorhands.This adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical of a madman is exquisite! The end packs and unexpected punch! The film is extremely dark, and (I will admit) has an excessive amount of blood. The musical performances are eloquent ("Johanna"), heart renching ("Not While I'm Around), hysterical ("By the Sea", "A Little Priest"), and clever ("Epiphany"). Tim Burton thankfully doesn't just add the music for music's sake, but keeps Sondheim's pulse pounding score and films the scenes to the music, rather than while the music is playing. Sondheim's score brings the emotion to the film, where it was originally in the play. This film is a work of genius. This film is Bloody Brilliant!
Grade: A

For more on the real Todd, click here

Royal Pain: Review for Camelot

The grand story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table was transformed into a musical on Broadway that lasted a short time. In 1967, the musical was made into a movie starring the original Arthur, Richard Harris. This film is not regal in any way. The songs are really stupid. The lyrics are terrible and make very little sense. The cast starts singing at the most trivial moments. The songs have a tune that you will undoubtedly hate, but will stick in your head. In most songs, they do not sing, but talk in a tune, which is extremely annoying. No one can carry a tune for more that 0.3 seconds. The story focuses too much on Launcelot and Guenevere's romance and not enough on Arthur. Launcelot has a very fake accent, Guenevere isn't innocent enough, and Arthur keeps singing love songs. Even if you enjoy musicals, you not enjoy this one. There are too many close ups on people. The camera rarely moves through the whole film. And the end of the film is cornier than Tostitos and salsa. Grade: D

A Royal Ball: Review for "Enchanted"

Enchanted is the the cute story of Giselle (Amy Adams) who is about to marry Prince Edwards (James Marsden) in the animated land of Andalasia. She is lured by Narissa (Susan Sarandon), Edward's evil stepmother, and is pushed down a well and ends up in...New York City. She has help from Lawyer Robert "McDreamy" (Patrick Dempsey from Grey's Anatomy), and it is up to Prince Edward and his little chipmunk friend Pip to find the soon-to-be princess. Robert, meanwhile, is trying to convince that there's no such thing as true love, while she is still hoping the prince is still trying to rescue her. Having stayed with Robert and his daughter for two days, she falling in real love with him, not that fantasy stuff (which is somewhat controdictive to what Robert is saying). The ending, in which Narissa turns into a dragon, is exciting enough, but is unneeded. Amy Adams is really into her role. She really makes you feel for her character. The film is cute enough for kids and funny and romantic enough for adults. The sings are enjoyable, but one song in particualr, "That's How You Know", deserves an Oscar nod. Also an Oscar nomination for Adams, for she is Enchanting. This film is also filled with homages to old Disney classics.

Grade: A-

Adams: A++