Scott Pilgrim vs. the World - 2010

Rachael - 2/18/13

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World wasn’t a movie I particularly wanted to see. It’s based off of manga-style comic book series, which although I like comic book movies and Asian foreign films, manga is a world I don’t understand nor have interest in. But it came recommended so I tried to go into it with an open mind.

I instantly appreciated the video game / comic book feel of the movie, created by eye-popping visual effects and video game sounds. It allows the characters’ to interact with the space around them on another level, amplifying emotions. Even though these effects proved rather childish as the movie progressed, I still give it style points.

As characters are introduced, their name, age, and “level” appeared in a box next to them, letting the audience know this movie is about people around the age of 22. I don’t believe any character was over the age of 25. And it doesn’t take long until you realize the movie deals with issues only thought to be as intense as the movie treats them by people between the ages of 17-23: starting new relationships and dealing with the fact that you’re not the first person to date your significant other.

I know I’m giving adults too much credit, but theoretically once you hit a certain age and have been in enough relationships, you develop a level of maturity that allows you to let the existence of exes fall into the background. But for young adults who have only been in a couple relationships, I guess this is a huge deal to overcome, and worth building a comic book series and movie around. I’m was already emotionally detached from the plight of Scott Pilgrim and what he’d do to date the “girl of his dreams” Ramona.

I completely separated myself from this movie once I realized there is zero chemistry between any of the characters to warrant use of the “L” word (love, not lesbians), let alone risking lives over relationships. There is no girl in the world where every single one of her exes (going back to the 7^th grade) is still hung up on and wants back regardless of how hot their current girlfriends are or how successful and famous they’ve become. Especially this girl, who looks goth and has the charm of burnt white toast. Sorry Ramona, in real life your exes are over you and probably forgot that week in middle school when you guys dated. And there is no way Scott Pilgrim is bagging the hot Asians and hot rock star chicks that are fighting over him. He has no job, he sleeps in the same bed as his gay roommate (and whatever other dudes his roommate brings home) and his hair kinda makes him look like this:

In real life, Scott Pilgrim can only get Juno-esque chicks.

Now I’d let Cera’s looks slide if I truly felt the two main characters were supposed to be together. But there’s no way I’m going to emotionally back Pilgrim for 112 minutes as he roundhouse kicks and karate chops his way into a relationship that will probably end unconsummated within a month.

Rating - 1

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Chandler - 2/18/13

This movie lost me when the first "battle" turned into a painfully awkward musical. It then tried to draw me back in with some clever and unexpected nerd humor (people turn into coins when they die), but the giggles were too few and far between.

I get the metaphor. But the idea would probably be better served as a short film instead a full-length feature. Or, maybe it works better as a comic. Either way, it flopped in the box office... and again in my living room.

Rating - 1

Four Lions - 2010

Chandler - 1/11/13

Four Lions is a movie about four dimwitted Muslim Englishmen who attempt to bring the Jihad to Great Britain. Their plan is to become suicide bombers, which seems easy enough... but these guys are idiots. The movie is a great black comedy that gives just as many eye-rolls as it does laughs.

I originally rated this movie a 2, but in hindsight I'm going to make a rare revision to 3. It's fresh, and there aren't enough movies out there with the balls to poke fun at Muslim extremists. All extremists of any cause need to be made fun of. The final sequence of the film is completely ridiculous. Definitely worth a watch.

Rating - 3

Of Gods and Men - 2010

 Chandler - 12/17/12

So you got these Christian monks who live peacefully in a small Algerian town, which is mostly Muslim. They pray all the fucking time. Like it's their job. Because... well... it is their job. This is what monks do. They eat, sleep and breathe their faith in God.

But it makes for a horrible movie.

I do not have the patience of a monk. I need more than just their mundane repetitive rituals to be worthy of my time. Eventually there is some "action" involving Islamic fundamentalists. But that small amount of action at the end of the movie should have been the movie! Of Gods and Men is based on a true story, which isn't even enough to save this film. The epilogue before the credits should have been the story. Instead you just get words on a screen, and a longing for a do-over in your movie selection. Don't waste your time unless you're trying to pad your List stats (like I was).

Rating - 1

Senna - 2010

 Chandler - 12/17/12

I don't watch racing. So I'm not really knowledgeable about the history of Formula One or Ayrton Senna. Apparently the guy was awesome back in the late 1980's and early 90's. Senna is a documentary of his racing career. What surprised me was how many cameras they had on this guy throughout his life, private vacations, closed door meetings with the racing foundation etc etc. I guess camcorders were starting to get big so people filmed everything. It makes for a very compelling story, and it's a great documentary. Watch it. Learn something.

Rating - 3

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 Geoff - 12/20/12

The story of Senna was great. He was an amazing talent that seemed to get better as conditions got worse. He loved the ladies and drove fearlessly. The only problem with Senna, the movie, is the production quality was horrible. I'm not just talking about old footage, I mean the pace of the movie could have been edited better, the interviews seems awkward at times... It seemed a bit like a school project to me in that department. It's definitely worth watching, I just think it could have been made better.

Rating - 2