The Hangover

The Hangover (2009)
Directed by Todd Phillips
Length: 100 minutes
Rated R for pervasive language, sexual content including nudity, and some drug material



Have you ever woken up after a crazy night, with no recollection of what happened? Most everyone has had a least one night like that, but nothing can compare to the insanity and hilarity of The Hangover. What would seem to be nothing more than "frat boy" humor, instead turns out to be a broad reaching comedy that anyone can enjoy. The Hangover is a movie full of outlandish moments that continuously attempts to one-up the previous antics, leading to a fun ride filled with laughs.

The basic setup is nothing original; four friends set out for Vegas to celebrate their best friend's bachelor party - the proverbial last night of "freedom". What unfolds turns out to be the Memento of comedies: a journey to piece together the events of a night filled with booze, drugs, debauchery and one missing groom. What truly separates this film from most other similar comedies is the great chemistry and role playing by the three main actors. Bradley Cooper (The A-Team, He's Just Not That Into You), Ed Helms (The Office), and Zach Galifianakis (G-Force) all play their roles to perfection.

Cooper plays Phil, the teacher bored with his family life, who serves as the groups "Don Juan" and general life of the party. Helms, famous for his role as the Nard Dog on The Office, plays Stu, the conservative, clean cut dentist who avoids trouble and conflict as often as possible. Perhaps the most outlandish of them all is Galifianakis as Alan, the "Bluto" of the group and the groom's future brother in law that appears to be...shall we say a bit off? Each actors plays his character well, following the typecasts as well as bringing fresh and original ideas. For myself, no one actor shined above the rest; but as a collective, each contributed various elements that only added to the hilariousness of The Hangover.

Comedies are typically hard to review beyond whether or not they are funny. Beyond the basic plot synopsis and acting summary, the jokes are best left to the professionals on screen. That being said, you must be a "ratard" (please don't be offended till you see the movie, and yes I know it's misspelled) if you wait to see this film. Have I laughed harder at a movie before? Yes, but the beauty of The Hangover is the constant stream of laughter throughout the film. Though directed by the same man that brought us Old School, this outing by Phillips is able to walk the fine line between absurd and hilarity, resulting in an instant classic that will be added to the memorable classic comedies of film history.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Alan: "Gambling? Who said anything about gambling? It's not gambling when you know you're gonna win. Counting cards is a foolproof system."
Stu: "It's also illegal."
Alan: "It's not illegal, it's frowned upon, like...masturbating on an airplane."
Phil: "I'm pretty sure that's illegal too."
Alan: "Yeah, maybe after 9/11, where everybody got so sensitive. Thanks a lot, Bin Laden!"

Valkyrie

Valkyrie (2008)
Directed by Bryan Singer
Length: 121 minutes
Rated PG-13 for violence and brief strong lanuage

In the film industry, the recipe for Oscar success usually involves a three-hour long epic centering on the Holocaust or some struggle involving the Jewish people during WWII. Don’t believe me? Just see Kate Winslet’s comedic bit about the Oscars and the Holocaust (by the way, guess who won for staring in a movie about a German concentration camp prison guard?). Don’t get me wrong, for every Schindler’s List, there are plenty of Pearl Harbor’s out there (yeah, I know, doesn’t concern the Holocaust, but you get my point; WWII isn’t sacred in terms of film). Every once in a while comes a film like Valkyrie…big name cast, popular director, but an average movie that ultimately fails to deliver on many fronts.

Valkyrie concentrates on a subject seldom if not ever touched upon by the film industry. Though Adolph Hitler ruled Germany using fear and delusions, some of Germany’s bravest dared to oppose the man who forever will live in infamy for his campaign of fear and hate. Led by the bravest of all the martyrs Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, played by Tom Cruise (Motorcade, Tropic Thunder), these men attempted to assassinate Hitler and bring Germany back to their former glory. Though the men obviously failed, their numerous attempts to eliminate Hitler illustrated that the German people did not simply accept the propaganda as truth as some may believe.

Led by the talented director Singer, I expected a very good movie. Singer, famous for his success with The Usual Suspects as well as for his failures with Superman Returns attempts to create an entertaining movie; while I understand the film never attempts to achieve “Oscar” status, I expect better from a director and actor with such “good” track records. Though Tom Cruise may be more famous for his more recent actions and outburst, he has the track record as an excellent actor, staring in some of the best films of the last two decades (if you need proof PLEASE see Born on the Fourth of July and Magnolia). However, everything in this film fails to really deliver any substance. Though never boring or particularly bad, Valkyrie constantly falls short of achieving that “good” movie status, instead settling for mediocrity at almost every level.

From the initial previews, I was appalled that a movie centering on German soldiers features NO German accents. Though the movie explains this fact by “translating” the film into the English language (i.e. accent included), I found myself distracted by the hodgepodge of dialects amongst the cast—American, English, a bit of German, etc. In the opening credits you hear Cruise’s German accent, and I’ll admit it isn’t bad. Is it that hard to expect a German accent in a movie based in Germany? Beyond this minor complaint, the acting is average at best. Everyone seems stiff and posed; I expect men planning to kill one of the most infamous dictators ever to be a bit more on edge or unstable. Instead, the plotters of Hitler’s assassination seem calm, cool, and collected as they try to steal the government from Hitler’s grasp.

Even with bad to average acting, good action or plot development can help make an average movie better. Unfortunately, this film defines the norm and fails to even deliver one decent explosion or memorable scene. A film filled with such secrecy should deliver the thrills or a sense of “being on edge;” in the case of Valkyrie, you remain like the actors throughout: calm, cool, and collected.

Singer’s latest effort is by no means a terrible movie. However, by no means is it a good movie either. It’s hard to compare one average (i.e. three star rating) movie to another, and indeed one rating for one movie doesn’t necessary apply to another. Case in point, my recent review for Revolutionary Road ended with a 3 out of 5 rating. However, I would have no problems saying that it is a vastly superior film, as well as a very good movie. If there had been a few different elements, it could have very well have been a four star movie. In addition, Revolutionary Road is one of those movies that no two persons’ opinion about the movie will be the same. With Valkyrie, you know exactly what you are getting: a very average movie that fails to deliver on higher expectations but is worth seeing at least for some entertainment value. Ultimately, however, be prepared to be unsatisfied by an utterly middle of the road production.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote: Just not one of those movies...as I said, just kind of a forgettable movie.

Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road (2008)
Directed by Sam Mendes
Length: 119 minutes
Rated R for some language and some sexual content/nudity





When you think of the 1950s, what is the image that typically comes to mind? The white suburban couple, living in the nice big house, two to three kids, a white picket fence, husband with a job in the city, wife stays at home...essentially, the stereotypical Leave it to Beaver motif. But what Sam Mendes attempts to show in this powerful, emotional, and almost uncomfortable film is that the happiness so readily on display by the loving suburbanites is nothing more then a phony facade. When you put two amazing actors together, both at the top of their games, the result is a film wrought with drama that will leave you considering if life truly went according to plan.

Set in the mid-1950s, Revolutionary Road focuses on the young Wheeler couple, two kids with big dreams trying to escape the boring life of normality. Frank, played by the always amazing Leonardo DiCaprio (Shutter Island, Body of Lies), works a job in the city that he absolutely despises in order to provide for his family, all while dreaming of a life in Paris. April, played by recent Oscar winner Kate Winslet (The Reader), is forced to forget her dreams of being an actress, relegated to the role of doting house wife. Both Frank and April have dreams of a different life, but then they have kids, and kids require money, money requires a job, job requires stability, stability leads to unhappiness. As both struggle to accept the life forced upon them, a downward spiral of infidelity, anger, and eventually complete separation destroys any vestige of hope remaining amongst the dreamers.

Adapted from Richard Yates' novel of the same name, Revolutionary Road unfolds much like a theater production; throughout the movie, I constantly found myself thinking what an amazing play the film would make. The positioning, the arguments, the character interaction all occurs in a manner akin to the theater. It is from these numerous arguments, and trust me they are numerous, that the sheer talent possessed by DiCaprio and Winslet is on display. Both absorb their character's traits, dreams, desires, thoughts, portraying them in such a way that you can neither hate nor side on the argument of one character over the other. Herein lies the beauty of this film, neither character is right or wrong; both are just so unhappy living a life they feel they have to, that neither is willing nor brave enough to make the changes that would solve all of their problems. I find it tragic that DiCaprio was not recognized for his performance; though he would likely not have won, his role as Frank Wheeler is a powerful and tragic one that leaves you in pain watching his dreams shatter. Winslet may have won for her performance in The Reader, but I believe the Golden Globes had it right when she won best actress for her role in Revolutionary Road. Truly one of the most talented actresses of our generation, Winslet deserved to win for this performance over any other in 2008.

While most of the movie does center around the Wheeler couple, one other character provides a very necessary and tremendous role in the lives of the couple. As John Givings, Michael Shannon (Jonah Hex, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead) serves as the voice of truth, the one not afraid to state the obvious even if no one else is willing to recognize it. John has a doctorate in economics but is more known for his time spent at a mental institution receiving shock treatment. Blunt to the point of being crude, John recognizes the fake veil of happiness for what it truly is - a lie. Constantly pushing those around him to stop pretending and just live, Shannon is every bit deserving of his nomination for best supporting actor as his character ironically seems the most sane character in the entire film.

What makes Revolutionary Road great is also what makes it a difficult film to watch. The performances are amazing, powerful, and emotionally charged, but this film is not for the faint of heart. This is a couple that is CONSTANTLY at war with each other, and if they are at ease, you can almost bet that another argument is about to begin. This constant state of unhappiness and fighting can be very draining; by no means is it not great acting, it just requires a lot of investment in the characters from the viewer.

Mendes continues his assault on the notion that the modern suburban family is the model of happiness. While the film truly is great, featuring some amazing performances by some of the best actors and actresses, you will definitely be left with a bitter taste at the film's conclusion. There are no happy endings here, instead you are left wondering if you are simply damned to follow the path of the Wheelers, or do you follow your own path towards happiness? I hope you will all watch this film and consider the plight of the Wheeler family.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
John Givings: "You want to play house you got to have a job. You want to play nice house, very sweet house, you got to have a job you don't like."

Oscar Nominations:

Best Achievement in Art Direction
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Best Supporting Actor-Michael Shannon