Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

To be able to see a film 2 days before it comes to theaters is awesome. To be able to see it for $5 in my living room is awesome. For it to be viewed in a completely legal fashion is the so awesome it's Rad. Tucker and Dale is 1/2 Club Dread, 1/2 Shaun of the Dead, 1/2 completely original, and 1/2 Beauty and the Beast. That's a lot of halves and when added up they equal freakin' awesome, hilarious, hillbilly comedy in the woods. When Tucker and Dale go on vacation to their newly purchased "vacation cabin" in the woods they are so happy. This vacation for them is to fix the place up, so to make it really nice when they take an R&R vacation there in the future. When some college kids end up camping in the woods nearby, it's of no concern to our friendly rednecks. When out night fishing, Tucker and Dale see one of the college girls fall in the water and they save her. They take her back to the cabin and tend to her till she is better. The bad news is the rest of her group thinks they kidnapped her, and so they decide to get her back. From the trailers, we all know the plot, so I am not giving anything away in the next few sentences. One by one they try and attack either Tucker or Dale, and one by one they succumb to gruesome, horrific accidental deaths. From T&D's perspective, it must be a crazy mass ritual suicide. From the surviving college kids, every time one dies, it appears to the rest of them that T&D killed said person. It is such a funny comedy, I'm sure we missed at least 20% of the punchlines due to laughing so hard before the punchline was even delivered. Several times we had to pause it, finish laughing, pick our butts up off the ground, put them back on our body, then continue to see what we missed during the hoopla. I gotta say, this is way more than a "trailer movie", even though that is what I had been reading. I was wondering why I had read so much from people who had seen this movie last year. Then I found out it played at Sundance in 2010, but was delayed a theatrical release till tomorrow. I am still yet to see any trailer for T&D on network TV, Cable, or any avenue other than the web. It was the directors first major film, and he directed very similar to Jay Chandrashekar's  (Broken Lizard) Club Dread. So all the bodies start piling up, but what are our heroes to do? Call the cops? And say what? These crazy kids started killing themselves all over our property? Yeah right. I do feel this will be as watched as Shaun of the Dead has become. It certainly is as quotable. "Man, he is heavy for half a person." is just one of the golden gems you are in for. I am more than a little disappointed that it is not even showing in my hometown. We have 2 theaters comprising 22 total screens and no one has the balls to put this internet hit out there. Pathetic. If I was a theater owner, I would be in the know for what real people wanted to see. The Lion King? PFFFFT. I've seen that like 20 times, but Tucker and Dale vs. Evil? That's what I'd be preaching. In fact, if people bought tickets to the Lion King, I'd tell em it's in theater 4, and then I lock them in there while I actually showed them T&D. That's capitalism. For the masses who wait till DVD for this film, you will regret every moment you waited once you see it for the first time. Plus the director is Sally Fields son, and you know what they say? It's all about who you know.

PS.- I recorded it, so by the time it hits DVD, I will have seen it at least 10 times. Anyone who knows me and wants to come over and watch it, come on!!

NBM rates Tucker and Dale vs. Evil - Phenomenal

Tangled

Once again, here is a film that played over and over in my house for weeks before I actually payed attention to it. Then like lightning, that one line caught my attention, and I had to watch it. I don't specifically remember the line or scene, but it was worth it. This film is not only a princess story for young girls, but it is also an action adventure that boys will enjoy. Case in point, my daughter likes it, but my son loves it. It is a good control for any parents out there wondering if The Jester knows what he is talking about, as my kids are the same age. It feels less like a fairy tale, and more like Indiana Jones must save the girl. It is really fun to watch and is down right hysterical at times. I still think Disney should cut or at least minimize the song and dance that are the main aspect of their films. Yes after 40 views, the songs are catchy and memorable, but do we really need 4-8 song sequences? I think not. Good storytelling is enough. Kids don't need that much stimulation, like they used to. They are more interested in the story these days, than the snappy little tunes. I find myself rushing into the living room to catch certain scenes or one lines that I find brilliant each and every time I see it. Flynn Rider (Voiced by Chuck's Zachary Levi) is a thief. He is always wanted by the castle guards for crimes he has committed. His wanted posters make up a hilarious running gag throughout the film. Rapunzel is voiced by the lovely Mandy Moore. When Rapunzel is a baby, she is stolen from the castle and her King and Queen parents by the evil lady Gothel. Gothel uses Rapunzel's magic hair to stay young, and she raises her to be afraid of the outside world, so to keep her all to herself and not risk losing her own personal fountain of youth. When her and Rider's paths cross, he needs her as much as she needs him. She basically wants to go into town, as she has never been out of her tower. He wants the crown back that he recently stole, that she hid from him. What starts as little effort on Rider's part turns into so much more. Soon they are being pursued by everyone, but Rapunzel will not fail to see "The Floating Lights". It is action packed with great jokes and really good animation. I know anyone who appreciates a good cartoon will definitely appreciate Tangled.

NBM rates Tangled - Phenomenal

Lost in Translation

I don't get it. I don't think anyone does, and if they tell you they do, they are full of it--whatever "it" may be. I think the title can be transposed to both the characters on screen and the audience. Every single person that watches this film will  have a different take on what they have just witnessed. I do get why it received raves while out, and why the Oscars were kind to it. It is a fun movie to watch as it feels almost like an episode of Seinfeld in the fact that not much happens. If I took a trip to Tokyo, it could very well be exactly like this movie. There's none of those "That wouldn't happen" moments, and it all feels extremely real. Bill "F%&*ing" Murray (I know that's not his real name) plays Bob Harris. Bob is an American actor that we perceive is past his prime in the states, yet he still huge in Japan. A whisky company has hired him for a commercial, to which he is taken care of by said company. He sees it as sort of a getaway from reality. A vacation to possibly realize what he wants from the rest of his life. While in the hotel bar, he meets Charlotte (Scarlett). She is a semi permanent resident of Tokyo with her Rock star producing husband played by Giovanni Ribisi. We don't see him except in one scene which sucks because he is awesome, but in this particular film, his character is pretty much pointless, so I get it. He is always out wining and dining clients, and Charlotte is always alone. Her and Bob hit it off, and we are unsure if she sees him as a Father figure, or a confidant, or a love interest. We know she is unhappy in her marriage, but we are uncertain of her intentions. The same goes with Bob. How he sees this girl 40 years his junior is also unclear. What we get from this film is a fun couple of days with two people who don't know what they want. It is fun, as we see them go to dinner, to parties, to a karaoke bar. Nothing spectacular, but it does give us a sense that these two needed each other. Where it goes from here, I will not say. You will just have to sit and enjoy this little film, that at times can be slow, and is mostly pointless...or is it.


**PS. What does Bob whisper to Charlotte? It's been driving me nuts.


NBM rates Lost in Translation - Awesome

Premium Rush Official Trailer

Without JGL being the star of this film, I can't say I would be as amped as I am. He only attaches himself to quality. It does feel a bit like Nick of Time, but should be good nonetheless. Enjoy this trailer.

Everything Must Go

Once again Will Ferrell takes a turn for the dramatic, and I for one, welcome it with open arms and a big heart. This is a lot darker than is previous dramatic role in Stranger Than Fiction. I know he is a great actor, he just does comedy so well, that it what he sticks to. When Nick Halsey (Ferrell) loses his job of 17 +- years, he is at a loss. When he gets home, only to see all of belongings on the front lawn, he is at a loss. When he can't get into his house, because the locks have been changed, he is at a loss. And when his wife tells him she is done, he is just pissed. Since he has nowhere to go, and he does not want his stuff stolen, he camps out for the night with a case of PBR. That's Pabst Blue Ribbon beer for those of you wondering how the Pro Bull Riding league got involved. What the trailers failed to show was that Nick is an alcoholic. It just made it seem like he is down on his luck, and it is not his fault. Well, it is his fault, and instead of cleaning himself up, he decides he is gonna go down with the ship that is his sad life. It's like Leaving Las Vegas, but cheekier, plus he doesn't want to drink himself to death. He just wants to be in a constant state of drunkeness. When the city sends the cops out to his place for living in his yard, he is more than dismayed. He is told he can hold a yard sale for no more than 7 days, so that is what he does. He meets the unlikeliest of friends. An 11 year old named Kenny. Kenny is played by The Notorious BIG's son, and he is fantastic. He needs Nick as much as Nick needs him. Basically we get to see a man hit rock bottom, and try and climb up that hill that is life. I enjoyed this dramatic film about alcoholism, but more than that, I pondered how anyone could be an alcoholic dependent on Pabst. I mean, Money wise it makes sense, but that sucks for the taste buds. This was a good role for Ferrell and his star is very bright. I hope he keeps doing small roles like this that let him shine.

NBM rate Everything Must Go - Awesome

Drive

To compare this film to anything else would be a mistake. This film is unlike any other that I can remember. Ryan Gosling has been hanging around in my Top 5 Actors category for a little while, but with yet another brilliant performance on his part, I have to say he is my favorite working actor today. I'd say a lot to do with my like of this guy is his choice in films. He does mainstream media films, but he does more than dabble in Indie film as well. Drive is not mainstream at all. After watching it, I was surprised it was even showing at my local cinema. As I saw it, Drive is an Art film. Indie films are made with little to no money backing the production or the script or the actors for that fact. Art films are passion projects that have everything they want, but they are delivered in a way that is so different from what we are brainwashed into accepting from Hollywood these days. This film has the actors, the script, and a director that I have never heard of. He was the steam roller behind the film and getting it made. His direction is beautiful. That is not a word you will hear me say very much when talking Directors, but he gave this film a life that would not have been with another director and actor. Gosling does weird so well, I often wonder how strange he is. When he is not at the gym, or breaking up street fights, what is he doing? As long as he continues to perform in a way that very few actors are able to, then I don't care. The film itself feels like a 1980's throwback. The soundtrack, heavy with synthesizers, and the hot pink cursive script opening credits makes it feel like late night Cinemax Softcore. 

The story follows three different subplots on top of the main story of a Hollywood Stunt driver who moonlights as a wheel man for hire. A wheel man is a fancy way to say getaway driver for robberies and what not. The Driver's spiel is a brilliant line that stays with you.  We get to hear the line a couple times throughout, but the opening one just out of the credits is the best. If you are expecting Gone in 60 seconds, Don't. The way the opening scene during the initial job is shot is superb. My heart was pumping like mad, but the chase was not like most Hollywood chases. It was very methodical. The first 15 minutes has little to no dialogue which is strange in and of itself, but there are several minutes of film with complete silence between the characters which is also weird. It is weird to be able to hear your fellow theater goers crunching their popcorn, or unwrapping their candy. It is dead silence, but brilliant. With the first scene, we see what kind of man Driver is. He is smart, clever, and never flustered. What starts out as a film about a Driver quickly turns into a man fighting back. Driver is thrust into a job he would not normally take, but with the safety of some of his very good friends, Irene (Mulligan) and her young son Benecio, he does the job. Doesn't take a genius to figure out it is a set up, but why? That is what Driver tends to find out. The first half of the film is a joyous romp about boy meets girl, but the second half is really dark. By dark, I absolutely mean DARK. There is a sense that Driver has a past he is trying to escape, but when confronted with certain situations, that person returns. Driver is quiet and reserved, but I think he is always studying everyone in the room without anyone noticing him. His driving gloves are BA, but the white scorpion jacket is a little off. With outstanding performances by Carrie Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, and Albert Brooks this film is a knockout. With that said, if you can't handle blood and extreme violence, then Drive may not be for you. I did not expect it, but I welcomed it. I do feel that with this review, several of you may go see Drive. Maybe not in the theater, but eventually you will watch it because of what I wrote. Let me just be honest. I accept lots of films that others don't get or care about. If you watch this film and hate it, then I apologize, but as for me and my opinion, I loved it. I also feel this is an art film and therefore, my first art film theater experience. FYI: If you expect 90% of the film to take place in a car during high pursuit, you will be disappointed. I think at one more car scene could have been added, but at the same time, I don't know where it would fit and how it would work.

NBM rates Drive - Phenomenal

I have been at the beach all week and have yet to judge a woman's boob job. My kids would rather play in the water spicket at our rental than the water of the gulf, and there is sand everywhere. We are having a fantastic time, because we have not been in any competition with wealthy people involving Seafood and Sailing, mostly because the beach is pretty much empty. I did almost pick a fight with a seagull, but that story is for a different day.  My youngest was nearly prosecuted for trespassing on a clothing optional beach. It would not have been so bad if he did not insist on taking pictures. I tried to explain to him, but he is 2, and just doesn't get it. I did show up to the correct address the first time, so B&E charges were not necessary. I did go to a seafood restaurant called Dirty Dicks and it was good. They actually had a claw game for Lobsters. It was $2 a try, and if you successfully caught a Lobster, they would cook it for free. My question was "The Cut-Off" What I mean by that is, What if I tried 10 times? That would $20 for no Lobster. I wonder if they would give me a Lobster if I tried that many times? The answer. Hell No. We did order a platter filled with the most fried food I have ever seen. I'm pretty sure that along with the frog legs, scallops, shrimp, crab fingers, crab legs, and fries, I had a deep fried Drink Umbrella and Sword combination. Not great. The sword I mean, the umbrella was decent. And what is it about a shirt that says "I got crabs at Dirty Dicks" that gets the 12 year old inside of all of us laughing, especially my 55 year old mother in law? I have not been burned yet, but I do have an inflatable cast on my entire right leg. That would not be so bad if we did not have to go down 67 stairs to get to the beach. The problem with going down 67 steps is, eventually you have to go Up 67 steps, which in turn, leads to the muscles in one's buttocks to be sore for days on end. Half way through our trip and all is well. Taking the kids to the zoo today, so as long as the main attractions are not dogs and house cats, it should be fun. 

**Fun Fact about my consumption to this point. 3 bottles of wine, 16 beers, a shot of tequila, and I licked a toad I found on the beach...he tasted like sand.

**This has been a bit of fiction and a bit of truth. I'll let you decide what you want to believe. As for me, I have to go find a sailor that resembles Rip Torn.

United 93

It feels right to post this review on the 10th anniversary of the darkest day in my American History. Lots and Lots and Lots of films were made about this infamous day, but the only one that looked worth watching to me was United 93. I wasn't sure how it would be spun, ya know - Hollywood and all, but it was absolutely fantastic. I mean, The ending sucked, but at the same time it was glorious. We all know how that flight ended. United flight 93 was headed to crash into the White House, when the passengers took that plane back and crashed it into an empty field killing no one other than the people and terrorist aboard. Those people to me represent what the American fight is all about. The way the film is shot is extremely intense as it should be. It was a true story and we knew that, but at the same time, everyone not on those flights were thankful to be alive, however, while watching this movie there is a very urgent sense by us [the viewer] that if put in that situation, we would do the same thing. It is a harrowing film about the self sacrifice of few to save many. This is a one time watch to me, but I also feel it is a must see to any American who remembers where they were that fateful morning that changed our history forever. I know the film was written with only a few facts at hand, and the dialogue was all made up for a good script, but it always felt real, in the sense, that it was not all Stallone and Arnie killing everyone. It was a group effort thrown together to take back what was theirs. It was sloppy and it is how a situation like that would go down. The only thing I don't agree with was the film makers showed one of the terrorists being remorseful. I feel if one makes a decision to kill thousands of innocents, there is no remorse. It is just ruthlessness at the highest level.

NBM rates United 93 - Phenomenal

Back to the Future.....Nike's?

This is too brilliant not to share. Enjoy the following commercial for a pair of shoes every geek would love to own, but no geek can afford. I am sad for that fact, but a very cool project NIKE is doing for Parkinson's research.

Gnomeo & Juliet

Ok, so I have been saying, "Disney is dead" all year long and though I still stand behind that, Tangled is pretty awesome. However, Gnomeo & Juliet is just solid story telling and originality... to a degree. It is also a Touchstone Pictures film. Maybe I give Disney to much flack. Considering that every film company now does animated movies, perhaps they are just outgunned. I will give a Tangled review this week as well, but today it's all about the Gnomes. Gnomes are funny, and to see them as thinking people just makes it funnier. It kind of reminded me of the first time I saw Toy Story back in 1995. The story of Gnomeo and Juliet, which we all know is actually Romeo and Juliet is just hilarious. What I didn't know about this film was the characters were all based on the classic Shakespeare tragedy. The Gnomes call each other The Reds or The Blues. They tend to their masters gardens all day, and they are only separated from each other by a single privacy fence. They go about their day when the masters leave for the day. The Masters are aptly names Montague and Capulet, and though brief, their exchanges are absolutely perfect. Pay attention, because they are never the focus and we never see their faces, but the dialogue is perfect. Also, you all know I love movies that reference movies, and this one does just that. It is usually cartoons that do tend to do it and Gnomeo & Juliet does it well. Braveheart, that's all I'm saying. I enjoyed this film as I watched it with my wife and then again the next day with my kids. I liked it more than they did, but they are only 2, and don't know what is good and what is food. I do recommend this film for kids and adults. It has those adult humor jokes that makes these films more enjoyable for us, yet kids are none the wiser of what has been said. It is a new take on a very old play, and Shakespeare himself shows up....HILARIOUS...but you'll have to watch it to get any more info than that.

NBM rates Gnomeo & Juliet - Awesome

Your Highness

I really had hoped after witnessing that superb Red Band trailer all those months ago, that Your Highness would have more to offer. It turned out to be what I like to call a "Trailer Movie" (Copyright by NBM and it's affiliates). A "Trailer Movie" is a film that gives away all the redeeming qualities in the trailers, and they don't add much that we have not already seen. I just kept waiting for it, but the plot just seemed to drag on and on, with silly dialogue and F bombs dropping like they are going out of style. I didn't expect much else from Danny McBride, but I did expect a better script. I had an argument about this movie- well, more like an airing of opinions - with the one we call Archangel. He loved this movie. Actually, according to how I read his messages, it should read more like, LOVE!!! I kind of get where he is coming from, but in my opinion, it could have flowed better, without relying on the F word in British dialect to attain the laughs. It follows two very different brothers. Thadius (McBride) and his older Bro Fabius (Franco). Fabius is a national treasure and future king, while Thadius is a stoner, lazy, slacker, foul mouthed dickhead. When Fabius Bride is stolen by the sinister Wizard Lezar, they must rescue her. Lezar has plans for the bride (Deschanel). Thadius gets his first quest much to his dismay. He and Big Bro travel to country seeking Lezar. They run into some foes along the way, and I think the funniest scene in the movie involved the mythological creature The Minotaur. All in all, Thadius is trying to earn respect whist not dying, and Fabius just wants his bride back. I will say, for a secondary character, Thadius' assistant Courtney added several laughs of his own, but not even this brilliant cast which also includes Natalie Portman could get me to watch it more than the one time I did.

NBM rates Your Highness - Good

Rubber

I could not have fathomed that the 400th post would be on the film Rubber. It is not, however, the 400th review, so we still have that milestone to accomplish. This is actually #380, so if you have some requests for an Epic #400, let me know. Back to the film of the hour. One word comes to mind....Regret. As in, I regret I did not watch this sooner, I regret I do not own it, and I regret I waited a week to give you all inspirational words making you run to find a copy. What makes this film better than Great, is its Direction. I want you to imagine WALL-E and multiply it by 10. By that, I am talking emotion. Not yours, but the main characters. WALL-E did not speak, but we knew what he was feeling. All of emotions came through loud and clear through a series of bleeps and bloops. Rubber, on the other hand, takes an inanimate tire and gives it emotion. It is brilliant. We know what is going through his mind - er, hole- at all times. Essentially this is a film about a tire who can move freely and with the mere vibration of his being, he can take life. He does not start out as a ruthless killer, but that is where he evolves to. At 90 minutes it seems like that may be a long time to watch a tire roll around the desert. What makes this film not only tolerable, but hilarious and fun is the randomness of everything going on. From the opening scene when we are visually impacted by a dirt road filled with wooden chairs and a man holding 20 pairs of binoculars. If that isn't good enough, the next 5 minutes will make you fully invest yourself in what's to come. The opening monologue may be the greatest speech and presentation of all time. The director lets us follow Robert (The Tire) as he learns to roll, and his knowledge along the journey from there.  It is funny to see Robert get frustrated because he can't do something, but he just keeps rolling on. Then he realizes his power of destruction. From this point on, you had better not wrong him or else. You may be reading this and asking yourself, What's the point? Why is he alive? All I have to say is, No Reason. It is just pure entertainment that led to the following quote on a message board, "After watching Rubber and explaining the plot to my parents, they now think I smoke pot." Classic. This movie is definitely geared toward the male species as the female species tend to over analyze everything. If you try and over analyze this, your head may explode.

NBM rates Rubber - A Work of Art!!

**I rated it the highest because it is unapologetic, funny, and anyone who could pitch this idea and get funding must be a genius**

Coming This Week!!!!

Check back for reviews of:


Rubber,
Gnomeo and Juliet, &
Lost in Translation.


All to come this week, only on NBM